The good news letter Newsletter of the First United Methodist Church of New Berlin, NY

Volume 4 Issue 1– June 2014

News from the Pews

Greetings from Pastors Lyle and Mary Ann

WORSHIP EVERY SUNDAY 10 a.m.—July and August Otherwise 11.a.m.

Open Hearts Open Minds Open Doors Adult Study Class, one hour before service

Pastors Lyle and Mary Ann at the old Derry Wall in Belfast, Ireland

Isn't it wonderful to have a real Springtime upon us! We had a long winter but Easter came and we rejoiced as we celebrated Christ's resurrection, and we are still rejoicing. As Summer blooms around us we look forward to many fine times outdoors and indoors, some of which we'll tell you about below. IN THIS ISSUE:     

Belfast pictures— p. 2 Church events—p.3 Treasurer’s Report—p.4 Birthdays— p.4 Endowment Fund—p.5

Remember that in July and August our Sunday worship time begins at 10 a.m., rather than 11. We look forward to seeing you there and staying in touch while the weather is fine. Mary Ann and I just got back from a VIM ( Volunteers in Mission ) Peace Mission to Northern Ireland. It is a beautiful place but they still have problems with each other. We helped out at a community center which serves mostly children and youth (Continued on page 2)

from both Protestant and Catholic areas. Forthspring it is called and is located in a former Methodist Church. It is right in the middle of the two areas with doors on either side. We did fixup and repair work, gardening and hedge trimming. There are gates and fences throughout the city. Essentially politicians and old grudges keep stirring things up. Still Belfast is a very vibrant city with lots of sights to see and a lot of energy. The restaurants were good and the food heavy - no place for a dieter or health-conscious eater. We enjoyed all the sights, such as the huge Titanic Museum and wonderful worship services at a Methodist church and a Catholic church, the Church of the Holy Redeemer. We saw that actual practicing

Christians are all about peace. The trouble making comes mostly from those who are Christians in name only caught up in age old grievances. Later we went up to Derry, and learned about the history and "Troubles" in that city - same story but fewer visible fences except a 400 year old mile long wall that helped start it all. The countryside was ravishingly green, dotted with sheep, cows, and gorse.. .beautiful. it rained some part of every day. Mary Ann is of Irish descent and this visit, during which we made many new friends from here in N.Y. and Ireland, was deeply valuable to both of us, and we're glad we could dip into our savings for this special quest.

The pastors’ visit to Belfast, Ireland, was to help with Forthspring Inter Community Group’s work providing services and promoting good relations in local communities.

ABOVE: Pastor Lyle wacks weeds. RIGHT: Pastor Mary Ann cleans cabinets. BELOW: The VIM ( Volunteers in Mission) group, and Forthspring building

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more information, call Barba

Rummage Sale This year’s rummage sale made over $400 – a great success. It was held during the same weekend as the community garage sale days of New Berlin. We had swarms of eager shoppers sorting through stacks of clothing, searching for treasures and tables of goods. All the items were donated and much appreciated and what wasn’t sold weas given to local charities. All round a successful event. Thanks everyone!

Upcoming Events...

New sign showing church parking

ANNUAL PLANT AND BAKE SALE! Fri and Sat, June 6 and 7 Lots of healthy, sturdy plants will be available – perennials, some herbs and a good assortment of house plants, all at reasonable prices. If you would like to donate plants, please bring them to the church the week prior to the sale. We’ll have pots and potting soil available. If you need help digging up your plants, or for more information, call Barbara Levenson 847-9962 or Tom Benson 847-8364 CONFIRMATION SUNDAY, Sunday, June 8 For our Confirmation Class. BBQ & BAKED GOODS SALE, Saturday

June 14 Hot dogs and hamburgers at Curtis Lumber Co Open House ( Benefit for our Church ). volunteers to help with the cleaning. We have got 4 teams of 3 that are helping with the cleanI am sure everyone has probably heard about Dave and Mary Larrabee being out on disability. ing. This too is helping with not having to pay Mary had heart surgery and Dave had pneumo- for cleaning until Mary is able to return. If there is anyone that might want to help too, please nia. Neither one is back to work yet. Since call Bev Harris so that she can put you on a Mary is unable to clean the church and Dave unable to help, we passed a sheet around to get team. Bev’s phone 847-6517.

CLEANING THE CHURCH

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NEWS FROM THE TREASURER Our church, as you are probably ficult and costly times due to the has resulted in fewer coming to costs. With Sunday attendance and the costs associated with than usual, we have fallen bepenses. For this reason we turn

aware, has recently experienced diflong and cold winter weather. This church and very high heating fuel and giving being lower than usual winter heating expenses being higher hind in paying our bills and exto you for help.

We are currently running nearly $1,000 behind where we need to be each month to meet our needs. We have put a hold on some needed projects as well as cut non-essential expenses to help, but this is far too little to meet our needs. An even more discouraging thought is that the heating season will be on us again in a few short months. Please help us keep your church running!

Birthdays and Anniversaries JUNE Birthdays 1 Gary Waffle 8 Bob Brunelle 9 Pastor Lyle Linder 21 Sue Slavicek 22 Bonnie Jean Bauer 25 David Larrabee 28 Nathan Randall 30 June Morey Anniversaries 1 Len & Carol Johnson 11 John & Rainer Rzucidlo 15 Pastors Lyle & Mary Ann Linder 18 Jill & Rob Catena 30 Ted & Becky Reidenbach JULY Birthdays 5 Devin Hubbard 8 Debbie Eccleston 9 Sheree Acre 13 Paige Catena

17 19 20 22 25

Marty Benson Caree Acre John Kinney Chuck Monaski Ben Reed Brenda Waffle 30 “Squeek” Smith Anniversaries 2 George & Bea Kukulech 6 David & Mary Larrabee AUGUST Birthdays 1 Gary Benson 3 Ellen Smith 13 Corey Sawyer 14 Chloe Patrick 18 Caitlyn Reynolds 19 Becky Reidenbach Rich Anderson 20 Drew Ruhland 21 Mary Larrabee 31 Bev Harris Anniversaries 7 Gert & Tom Reed 4

16 Ken & Linda Wiggins SEPTEMBER Birthdays 2 Carol Johnson 9 Ben Anderson 12 Jeff Reynolds 17 Kate Newbold 24 Jeff Hoxie 29 Helen Alcott 30 Josh Wright

Choir news The FUMC choir will be joining choirs from area churches October 1 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of St Andrews Episcopal church.Our choir meets Thursdays at 6pm to practice (but not during July and August.) New members are very welcome.

ENDOWMENT FUND There has been increased interest in establishing a permanent endowment fund for the Church and our church’s Administrative Council has made a proposal to begin such a fund and establish a permanent Endowment Fund Committee. If this is acceptable to the members of our church, a majority vote of the congregation would establish the New Berlin United Methodist Permanent Endowment Fund Committee. The Committee, elected by the congregation, would establish guidelines, under which the fund would operate, invest the endowment funds and disperse the interest under the guidelines adopted for the funds’ management. Other duties of the Committee are listed in the United Methodist Book of Discipline, section 2533. The following are frequently asked questions about Endowment funds: What Is an Endowment? An endowment is an invested fund that is restricted in how it is used. Only the interest from the fund can be spent, not the principal that anchors the endowment. Usually, only a portion of the interest or earnings from the endowment (typically 5%) are spent on an annual basis in order to assure that the original funds will grow over time. What Are the Advantages to an Endowment? An endowment provides our church with more financial stability and a better future outlook. An endowment helps diversify income and reduces dependency on weekly tithes. It helps ensure our future as a church. It offers donors the option of providing a gift that will benefit us well into the future, as well as the opportunity to fund the needs of the moment. What Are the Disadvantages of an Endowment? We might be criticized for having an endowment or for having too large of an endowment. Sometimes churches are criticized for not spending every dime on current needs. Other funding sources such as foundations might slight an organization that already has money. This is unfortunate and should be considered when thinking about setting up an endowment. Questions? Please ask.

Senior Lunch

Eunice’s’ Birthday

SENIOR LUNCH TIME IS TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS. 60+? JOIN US FOR LUNCHES AT NOON AT OUR CHURCH PROVIDED BY THE CHENANGO COUNTY COUNCIL ON AGING. PROVIDES GREAT FELLOWSHIP TIME TOO...11ish to 2 if you wish, conversation, fun. "If you want to have fun, make it." $3 donation for lunch. 5

Birthday congratulations to Eunice Cooper who turned 90 on May 27. Her birthday was honored with an open house at the Pittsfield Fire House

First United Methodist Church 51 South Main Street P.O. Box 530 New Berlin, NY 13411 [email protected] (607) 847-6350

Worship: 11:00 am, Sunday Morning Summer Hours (July & August): 10:00 am. Coffee fellowship following the service

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To: PO Box 530 New Berlin, NY 13411

First United Methodist Church

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