JUNE/JULY 2011

Some Lessons Learned from a “More Interesting Life”

I once heard that the best way for a pastor to improve his or her preaching is to get a more interesting life! God‟s world is vast and intriguing and quirky and lovely. To fully appreciate it, and to catch a glimpse of how God speaks to us in an infinite number of ways, means seeking out new ways to experience what‟s around us. Maybe a couple of my recent lessons learned will inspire you, too.

I joined the Bell Choir. This has been a great lesson in humility because I‟ve never rung before, and it‟s been a long time since I tried doing something new. Thanks to our forgiving director, Gayle, and my tolerant fellow ringers, it is still great fun. I‟m using brain cells that I didn‟t know I had, and like unused muscles, they hurt the next day. I flubbed up my part on Christmas Eve, with a church full of visitors, and also on Easter, when the clapper-thingy in one of my bells broke off and flew across the table in mid-ring! It is inspiring to hear how beautiful the music is when we play together, although our parts sound like noise if played alone. Could we apply this to life in the church?

I planted a garden. My friend and I have no experience and it shows! We planted the peas too far from the trellis, the tomatoes too close to each other, the zucchini too soon so the bugs ate them all, and the lettuce in rows rather than scattered. But things are growing anyway, and we‟ve harvested the first tasty spring greens. Sometimes God uses our best efforts for good, even if they‟re not perfect.

I attended a hip-hop dance concert, and an art exhibit. It is amazing what the human body can do (but not mine!). Dancers show us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, and that we can express ourselves in infinite ways that are emotional, inspiring and transcendent. Dance, like all art, reminds me that we can be co-creators with God of limitless possibilities in our lives. Art takes us out of the everyday to show us new realities and new lenses for viewing the world around us.

How will you live a more interesting life today? There is too much to see, hear, taste, touch and enjoy to let it pass you by. Have a great summer. -- Pastor Cyndi

SUMMER WORSHIP SCHEDULE

SPECIAL WORSHIP SERVICE JUNE 26 Outdoor Chapel at Carson Simpson Farm, 10:30 am

One Service Only, followed by Church Picnic

SUMMER WORSHIP SERVICES Each Week from JULY 3-SEPT 4 10:30 am

One Service Only

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LETTERS TO OUR CONGREGATION

Dear Pastor Cyndi and Friends, I am so grateful for the out-pouring of love and concern since I became ill many months ago. I certainly appreciate the prayers, flowers, cards, gifts, phone calls and visits. It is such a comforting feeling to me to know I am cared about and “lifted up” for prayers for healing. Hopefully, in the future I will be able to walk. I am not ready to give up yet. I certainly appreciate everyone being so kind to me. May God bless you all! Love „n Blessings, Carolyn Huddleston (Written before Bill‟s death on 5/18) Dear Friends, I would like to express my appreciation for all the cards, prayers, Altar Flowers, and calls of concern and encouragement during this time of my medical problems. I especially want to thank Pastor Cyndi for visits to me. Your prayers were very uplifting and gave me hope for a complete recovery. I know God was with me all the time. Also, I want to thank the Doers (Ruth and Blanche) for the “heart” pillow. It really was very helpful in my recovery. Thank you all, Bill Wetterau

Many thanks to Jenny Hyde and the Hyde Family for leadership in the presentation of the drama “Life of Jesus.” Many members and guests enjoyed the drama in March. Bill Woehr

Dear friends at Willow Grove, UMC: Dave, Nate, Jenny, Andy, Cindy, Marian, Ken, Ed, Jamie & Sue, Thank you for coming and working at Carson Simpson Farm to open up and clean. We were so blessed to fellowship and work with you. Please pray for the ministry here at CSF and all of EPA Camping. In Christ, Ray & Meg Neitz and JoAnne Carroll

Dear Willow Grove United Methodist Church, Thank you all so much for the wonderful farewell on Palm Sunday. We have truly appreciated having the privilege to serve with you in ministry, and have learned a great deal during our time here. Thank you for the beautiful picture and frame to take with us and help remind us of you wherever we go. We have been touched by your generosity and your commitment to sharing God‟s love and grace with us, with one another, and with the community. Thank you all again for everything! Sincerely, Tom & Amy Gardner

Dear Friends, Thank you for your encouragement and prayers as we begin this new journey in Indiana. We are getting settled nicely and meeting a lot of people. It took us 15 hours to drive here, and we made it safely. Our house is very cute, light gray with white trim, a red door and a cute porch out front, where we will hang some plants soon. It is a little bit late for planting season, but due to the amount of rain they have been unable to. The farmers are starting to get out their equipment for planting the corn that feeds much of the nation. It is a different world out here, and while we miss the hubbub of Willow Grove, we are enjoying delving into the new culture in which we find ourselves. We want to take time to personally thank those of you who took the time to help us in our transition: Ken Graupner (those boxes came in handy, and not a one to spare!) The ASP team (not one thing got broken on our way here!) Pastor Cyndi (your mentoring and guidance will go with us always), The Prayer Group (the Pocket Prayer Shawls will mean a lot to those we are serving), SPRC and the Hospitality Committee for our going-away luncheon (it was so special to have that time to say goodbye) and to those who have given donations towards our ministry, gifts for our baby, and gifts of time and talent to pave the path before us, there are too many to name all of you. Our prayers are with you always, and God's blessings be with you. Tom and Amy Gardner

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June 5, 2011 Choir Recognition Sunday Worship services at 8:15 and 10:45 am in the

Sanctuary June 12, 2011 Pentecost Worship services at 8:15 and 10:45 am in

the Sanctuary Baptism of Brooklyn Cragle, daughter of Alexis

(10:45) Wear red to celebrate the birthday of the

church. Unveiling of congregational artwork.

June 19, 2011 Father's Day Worship services at 8:15 and 10:45 am in the

Sanctuary

June 26, 2011 ONE SERVICE at Carson Simpson Farm, 10:30 am, Outdoor Chapel

Church picnic to follow, with games, swimming July 3, 2011 Begin Summer Schedule (through September 4)

One Service Only at 10:30 am Sunday School at 9:30 am

July 17, 2011 Dedicate ASP Volunteers in Mission

September 11, 2011 Holy Communion Resume two services, 8:15 am, 10:45 am

ACOLYTES

June 5, 2011

10:45 am Casey Eichelberger

June 12, 2011 10:45 am Tim Kistner

June 19, 2011 10:45 am Danica Eichelberger

June 26, 2011 Church Picnic

July 3, 2011

10:30 am Genevieve Montante

July 10, 2011 10:30 am Alex Pronzato

July 24, 2011 10:30 am Trevor Baelz

GREETERS

June 5, 2011 8:15 am Graham & Jean Pugh 10:45 am Gloria & John Ketterlinus

June 12, 2011 8:15 am Jean Yates 10:45 am Janice & Keith Weller

June 19, 2011 8:15 am George & Ruth Roberts 10:45 am Emily & Ken Graupner

June 26, 2011 Nancy Durchsprung and Brad Cooper

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USHERS

June 5, 2011

8:15 am Paul Dorozinsky, Howard Erwin 10:45 am Howard Short, Jr., Ruth Akers

Naomi Finney, Loretta Kleeman

June 12, 2011 8:15 am Lucille Roberto, Howard Erwin 10:45 am Ed Skilton, Emily Graupner Ken Graupner, Andy Toussaint

June 19, 2011 8:15 am Robert Mathers, Susan Mathers 10:45 am Brad Cooper, Charles Sievers, Don Petrunis

June 26, 2011 Church Picnic

July 3, 2011 10:30 am Shirley Lupton, Paul Hyde

Ted Abel, John Avery

July 10, 2011 10:30 am Cheryl DelSordo, Colin Weller

Keith Weller, Janice Weller

July 17, 2011 10:30 am Howard Short, Jr., Ruth Akers

Naomi Finney, Loretta Kleeman

July 26, 2011 10:30 am Ed Skilton, Emily Graupner Ken Graupner, Andy Toussaint

July 31, 2011 10:30 am Paul Dorozinsky, Brad Cooper Charles Sievers, Don Petrunis

ALTAR FLOWERS

June 5, 2011 In loving memory of Alice Davis, given by her children and grandchildren

June 12, 2011 In loving memory of Robert Binns, given by his wife, Ginny

In loving memory of John and Julia Richardson,

given by Howard Short and family

June 19, 2011 In loving memory of my loved ones, given by John Avery

June 26, 2011 In loving memory of James and Theresa Clanahan, given by their daughter, Ginny Binns .

July 3, 2011

In honor of our Country, given by Gene Koswoski

July 10, 2011 In loving memory of my loved ones,

given by Ruth Akers

July 17, 2011 In loving memory of Walter Liddle,

given by his wife, Rose, children and grandchildren

July 24, 2011 In loving memory of Alice and Mitchell Davis,

given by their children and grandchildren

July 31, 2011 In loving memory of Jeff Yates, given by his mother Jean and brother Greg

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LORA ROWLAND is the

new Administrative Assistant here at Willow Grove United Methodist Church. She is a 2010 graduate of Kutztown University with a dual Fine Arts

degree in Digital Media and Photography. Although not a member of this church, she is related to the extended Rowland family (Mathers, McKelveys, Durchsprungs, and Rowlands) that attend here. A little fun fact: her great-grandparents, Engarde and Jeannette Rowland were church members at one time as well! Lora is very passionate about music and art, singing, and reading, not to mention that she is a total shutterbug (amazing how a camera isn‟t glued to her hand yet). She is very excited to work here at WGUMC and getting to know you all.

PASTOR CYNDI will be out of the

office at the following times during the summer: July 7-10, July 22-29, August 1-5 Volunteer at Carson Simpson Farm, August 15-20, September 2-6. Guest preachers will be in the pulpit on: July 10 (Rev. Susan Cole), July 24 (Julia Singleton), September 4 (Rev. Sharon Vandegrift) and August 14 (Linda Weller).

THANK YOU for your

generous giving to disaster relief this spring. On April

22 we collected $360 for relief in Japan after the tsunami. Not long after, on May 1 we collected over $200 to assist with disaster relief after tornados devastated six states.

A NOTE FROM PASTOR CYNDI: Thank you

for your donations of used shoes over the past few months. Keep them coming! The shoes are shipped to Rerun Shoes in Amherst, Massachusetts, then sorted and sold in large lots to entrepreneurs who are starting micro-businesses in West Africa. They repair and recondition the shoes to resell at local markets. The owner of this sustainable business model is Michael Aronson, a close friend of mine. Michael has traveled extensively in Africa to meet his partners in the enterprise, which helps the environment (by recycling shoes), and helps the entrepreneurs (by providing merchandise). Michael visited Annual Conference in May to promote his recycling concept to Eastern Pennsylvania churches. The shoes we donate keep on giving, because Rerun Shoes also donates one mosquito bed net per 100 pounds of shoes to the United Methodist "Imagine No Malaria" campaign. See imaginenomalaria.org for more information.

THE DEADLINE for the August/September issue

of THE FELLOWSHIP NEWS is July 10. Thank you in advance for your timely submissions!

DEADLINE FOR SUNDAY BULLETIN All

articles for the Sunday Bulletin Announcements must be in by noon Wednesday. Any articles received after this will be considered for the following Sunday‟s announcements.

INTERFAITH FOOD CUPBOARD The Prayer

Group sponsors the collection of food items for the Interfaith Food Cupboard, located at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Abington. Items especially needed are peanut butter, jelly, cereal, powdered milk, canned tuna, canned meats and stews, paper towels and facial tissues. Please do not bring soups and canned vegetables as they presently have enough of these items. The Food Cupboard cannot accept expired items, dented cans, or open packages. There will be a basket in the Narthex for your donations on Communion Sundays.

Upcoming Events & Committee Meetings

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June 7 7:15pm Trustees June 19 7:00pm ASP Organizational Meeting June 21 7:00pm Church Council June 26 10:30am Worship and Picnic at CSF July 24-30 ASP

Baptisms Welcome to the family of Christ!

Jimmy Jolly 3/13/11 Landen James Mathers 3/27/11 Natalie Michelle Jones (baby blessing) 3/27/11 Stephen Nii-Korley Odonkor 4/10/11 Alice Mae Creswick 4/24/11* (Also joined the church) Michelle Ann Creswick 4/24/11 Matthew Douglass Creswick 4/24/11 Christian Tyler Creswick 4/24/11 *The Creswick family represents 3 generations baptized into Christ. Hallelujah!

Deaths

William R. Shultz entered into eternal life on May 17, 2011. William Wetterau entered into eternal life on May 18, 2011.

Graduates

Jared Soltis, Penn State University Adam Toussaint, Kutztown University

Changes of Address

Amy & Tom Gardner PO Box 102

110 E Washington Street New Richmond, IN 47967

765-339-4529

Mee Ping Mark c/o George Mark

187 Ash Way Doylestown, PA 18976

215-340-9278

Vacation? What Vacation?

What good is summer vacation if you‟re already unemployed and have endless hours and mounting concerns? Or what if you‟re one of the “lucky ones” who didn‟t get downsized but now is expected to do all the work? Will your days off be relaxed knowing your workload is piling up? Or what if you‟re the Mom who plans the family vacation and has to see to every meal, beach towel, hotel reservation and travel arrangement? How much leisure by the pool will you have? Each of you needs to be your own competent vacation planner. Take some designated time to relax and refresh and set boundaries around it. Put a “no fishing” sign in your pond of worries during vacation. Live in the moment. Feel the sun on your face, enjoy a good book, do something out of your normal routine. Put the “family” back in family vacation and divvy up the tasks. Often ask yourself and others with great animation: “Isn‟t this fun?” It just might be. If the futility of worrying is poisoning everything in your life, learn ways to set boundaries and gain serenity. (Call 215-247-6077 for the Samaritan Counseling Center nearest you.)

TRUSTEES REPORT Submitted by Ken Graupner

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The trustees express sincere appreciation to all who helped with the spring cleaning in April. More than 20 people worked with mops and brooms, cleaners and polish to shine up the church and education buildings. Fantastic job! Several problems have received attention in the past two months. The alarm system needed repair. In addition, strong winds left one of the rain gutters flapping, and several covers on the parking lot lights have flown off. It‟s important for everyone to be watchful and report such conditions to the office. The trustees appreciate your help in this regard. Work continues on upgrading our plumbing and electrical systems. New and replacement valves are installed, and work on the lounge kitchenette continues. Again the trustees remind everyone that no one is hired to be the church custodian. Everyone shares the responsibility for caring for the inside and outside of our buildings. Trustees and others work every day to maintain our facilities. Volunteers vacuum, replace paper products and light bulbs, empty trash, and check the church every night to make sure the building is secure. Please do your part to help. Most especially, do not leave food anywhere unless it is in a tightly closed container. Please put your name on any food left in the refrigerator or freezer. Except for infants, please do not take food or beverages into the sanctuary. With warm weather close at hand, extra attention is necessary when using the buildings. Please be certain all windows are closed when you leave and the air conditioning off. And remember

If you open it, please close it. If you turn it on, please turn it off. If you unlock it, please lock it. If you break it, please repair it. If you can‟t repair it, please report it. If you borrow it, please return it. If you use it, don‟t abuse it. If you make a mess, clean it up. If you move it, put it back. If you don't know how to operate it, please ask.

The church building is for all of us. Please leave it as you found it, so others may enjoy it too.

UNITED METHODIST MEN Submitted by Bill Woehr

TAKE-OUT CHICKEN DINNER

On April 27 the men provided 200 dinners for our church and community. Proceeds of $1000 were

presented to the treasurer of our church, Craig Weller for the general expenses of our church. Special expressions of gratitude to Fred Vandegrift for his 10th year of cooking chickens, and bouquets to Ruth Roberts and Doris Hardcastle for preparing 60 pounds of potatoes. We thank the UM Men and our church family for the support given towards the success of the Methodist Men‟s sponsored Chicken Take-Out each year.

VILLAGE MISSIONS We appreciated the

excellent services of Amy and Tom Gardner over the past couple of years. As they embark on another mission in Indiana we encourage our families to support them financially on their future endeavor. Methodist Men have already forwarded a donation to their mission. You are invited to send your contribution (tax deductible) to: Village Missions, P.O. Box 197, Dallas, OR 97338-0197, c/o The Gardners.

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN Submitted by Blanche Erwin

THANK YOU to everyone who donated new socks

in the month of March. We collected 185 pairs of socks in various sizes. Socks are always needed. These items were given to United Methodist Neighborhood Services.

DAY APART & INGATHERING EVENT On

April 29, the East District United Methodist Women held their annual Day Apart and Ingathering at Doylestown UMC. Willow Grove UMW donated 314 articles of new clothing, toiletry items and $150. The items were given to United Methodist Neighborhood Services in Philadelphia. Thank you for helping with this project.

UNITED METHODIST NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES The UMW of WGUMC support this local

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mission by sponsoring the collection of specific items each month, which are given to help the needy. The items for the months of June, July, and August are toothpaste, combs, and tissues (small packs). Please leave items in Room 201.

SUMMER MISSION PROJECTS Please

remember to save soda tabs and cancelled stamps. These can be left in the box marked "United Methodist Women" in the narthex. Also, save your pennies and place them in the "Pennies for Missions" container in the narthex.

HOSPITALITY Submitted by Emily Graupner

Send-off for Tom and Amy Gardner

Thanks to everyone who helped with the farewell luncheon for Tom and Amy Gardner. The sandwiches and other finger treats were mmmm delicious, especially when accompanied by the famous punch and iced tea traditionally served at these festivities. Tom and Amy appreciated the sheet cake emblazoned with the church‟s good-bye. There were sufficient leftovers to enjoy at their final youth group meeting later that evening. They were thrilled with the send-off gift, a framed print of the line-art drawing of the church done by Don Knauss which typically appears on the Sunday bulletin. The thoughtful words artfully inked on the back make the memento a meaningful treasure to take with them as they relocate and

begin their mission work in Indiana. Willow Grove 300 Tri-Centennial

Thanks to Marilu Skilton who was the leader

in our church‟s participation in the Willow Grove 300 Tri-Centennial celebration in May. Marilu attended the meetings of the community committee and chaired and organized our church‟s involvement. In a variety of ways, many in our congregation devoted time to the festivities. Because the church was the first congregation established in Willow Grove, it has a marker in the front garden designating it as one of the stops on the self-guided walking tour of historical sites. A walk was featured as part of the tri-centennial celebration in mid-May. As an added attraction, the church was open for a showing of our stained glass windows in the sanctuary, narthex and chapel. The church also participated in the Davisville Road block party. Clowns and balloon art, face-painting, crafts, small Bible verse booklets, pens, church information and more added to the festivities and brought Willow Grove United Methodist‟s name to the public celebration. Our church lawn was the venue for performances by the Crossroads band and Elvis Pretzel. The Appalachia Service Project group sold popcorn, candy cotton and other light refreshments.

Church Connections

Do you have an email address? Do you want to receive updates from the church? If so, please be sure the office has your address. If you are receiving church emails, and prefer not to, please request removal of your name. There is also church information available on Facebook. Our church continues to have visitors. Some are out-of-towners who are in this area temporarily. Others are people who have newly relocated to Willow Grove and the surrounding communities. Still others are folks who are seeking a new church home. You, as part of the hospitality committee, no doubt want to shake their hand, learn their name, and make them feel welcome. After Sunday worship, please offer to introduce any visitors to Pastor Cyndi and encourage them to sign a visitor card or the guest book just outside the narthex.

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SPIRITUAL FORMATION MINISTRIES Submitted by Jenny Hyde, Ted Abel, & Blanche Erwin

BEGINNING JULY 3 and running through Labor

Day, Sunday School will meet from 9:30 to 10:15. Summer worship services will be at 10:30. After Labor Day we will return to the traditional 9:30 to 10:30 time for Sunday School. Nursery through 4th grade meet in room 201. The theme for this summer will be "Growing the Fruit of the Spirit" at the County Fair. Theme Verse: "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control." Galatians 5:22-23. We will have favorite Bible Stories and crafts. Also, we will talk about the animals for Heifer Project. A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to the Heifer Project. This summer students currently in 5th through 11th grades will join together for lessons based on stories from the Bible that are scary, gross, or weird. The Sunday School hour will be filled with activities, lessons, discussions, and fun. Come be part of the fun. Young adults currently convene in room 203; and adult classes can be found in the chapel, as well as room 300. There‟s something for everyone!

FAMILY FUN NIGHTS Bring your family and join

us for an evening of fun. All ages are invited. We are planning to have Water Games and an Ice Cream Sundae Night in June and a Fun Night in July. Watch for the dates and more details in the church bulletin.

NEWS FROM THE WoRM PROGRAM Scary,

Gross and Weird Stories from the Bible with the Senior High and WoRM classes!!! This resource helps us to focus on "The 1 Thing" - a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ. "The 1 Thing" incorporates the R.E.A.L. approach to ministry. It reinforces a growing friendship with Jesus, encourages long-term learning, and results in life transformation because it is: Relational - learner-to-

learner interaction enhances learning and builds Christian friendships; Experiential - what learners experience through discussion and action sticks with them up to 9 times longer than what they simply hear or read; Applicable - the aim of Christian education is to equip learners to be both hearers and doers of God's Word; Learner-based - learners understand and retain more when the learning process takes into consideration how they learn best. Tentative Leaders for this curriculum: July 3 - Ted Abel; July 10 - Dave Kistner or Jenny Hyde; July 17 - Dave Kistner or Ted Abel; July 24 - Jenny Hyde; July 31 - Nancy Durchsprung & Sandy Rowland; August 7 - Ted, Dave, or Jenny; August 14 - Ted, Dave, or Jenny; August 21 - Ted or Dave; August 28 - Jenny Hyde; September 4 - Ted or Dave

Lesson themes include: Lot's wife turns to salt; God sends plagues to Egypt; Balaam's donkey speaks; Jael drives tent peg through enemy soldier's head, and Ezekiel follows God's bizarre and gross orders.

TO HELP YOU PLAN AHEAD Sunday,

September 11, will be our annual Rally Day/Promotion Sunday in Sunday School. From 9:30 to 10:30 we will welcome everyone back after summer, promote our children and youth to new classes, and join together for activities and refreshments in Fellowship Hall.

It’s Church Picnic time!

Set aside Sunday, June 26, for a great worship service and fellowship time at Carson Simpson Farm! Come worship with us at 10:30 and stay for the picnic. Food, singing, games, volleyball – even swimming from 1:00 to 5:00 Join your church friends in the Graff pavillion for a fun day. Better yet – volunteer to help. Arrive a little early to help set up, volunteer to help plan activities, help prepare the food, stay a few minutes after the picnic

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to help clean up. It‟s our church picnic, so be a part of the day. See Pastor Cyndi or Ted Abel or leave your name in the church office to volunteer to help out. See you there!

Carson Simpson Swimming Pool Rules (for the picnic)

1. All band-aids must be removed before

entering pool. 2. All children under 12 years of age must be

accompanied by an adult. 3. Clothing may not be worn in the pool; swim

suits only, please. All bathing suits must be modest and appropriate.

4. No horseplay of any kind in the pool. 5. Hanging on ropes and ladders is not

permitted. 6. Report any accident or injury to the lifeguard

immediately. 7. Disposable diapers are not permitted in the

pool. 8. No diving permitted in the pool. 9. Children that do not swim very well are asked

to stay in the end as directed by the lifeguard. Very young children are permitted to stay in the ramp area.

10. No one is permitted through the bars on the ramp.

11. Everyone must shower in the bath house before entering the pool.

12. Learning bubbles are provided by the camp; please do not bring other floatation devices.

13. No food or drink is permitted on the pool deck.

14. No profanity will be tolerated. 15. Wheelchairs must be in a locked position with

a block placed in front of the wheel to prevent accidental rolling.

16. Lifeguards reserve the right to ask anyone to leave if they are not obeying the rules or are causing a disturbance.

FINANCE COMMITTEE Submitted by Keith Weller

APRIL FINANCIAL REPORT: Income $20,446 Expenses $20,175 Year To Date: Income $71,020 Expenses $72,649 As of the end of April we are down only $1,629 for the year to date. With 5 Sundays in May we could enter the summer with no year to date shortfall. This would be good and the first time we have done so in recent memory. We have paid $3,400 to Connectional Ministries leaving us about $4,400 short of where we should be to meet our entire amount. Thank you for your support as we enter the summer months.

DOERS GROUP Submitted by Howard Erwin

The Doers will celebrate the coming of summer with our annual picnic at 12:00 noon in the Fellowship Hall on Thursday, June 9. Everyone is asked to bring a salad or dessert. The Doers will provide sandwiches and beverages. Please let Charlotte Benning or Blanche Erwin know if you are planning to attend. The Doers had a wonderful season with interesting programs. We will not be meeting in the months of July and August, but look forward to returning to our 2nd and 4th Thursday meetings in September. Have a wonderful summer!

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ACTIVITY IDEAS FOR THE WGUMC YOUNG ADULTS

1) Bowling

2) Picnic – Peace Valley, Lorimer Park, Nockamixon,

Lukens/Everybody‟s Park, Mason‟s Mill (Nate &

Christine will work on this one for June): hike,

walk, run, bike, eat, socialize – any or all for a

day in the park

3) Progressive Dinner – brunch (mid-morning to

early afternoon) or lupper (late afternoon to early

evening); “progress” to several different houses

for appetizer, salad, main course, dessert,

whatever; possibly end at church where the

children have been entertained and fed by

someone (ASP volunteers for a donation; Youth;

“not young adults” who are willing to babysit)

4) Mini-Golf – Kim Schwalje will organize this

5) Scavenger Hunt – drive to find clues; visit church

member homes; visit businesses; Bigger and

Better (collect something from somewhere and

keep trading it for something bigger and better as

the hunt proceeds)

6) Kid‟s Castle outside Doylestown –

playground/climbing equipment for all ages,

toddler through adults

7) Dinner at an adult restaurant

8) Day at the zoo (Philadelphia and/or Elmwood) –

Kim Schwalje will coordinate this

9) Tubing the Delaware River – they may have kid

boats

10) Movie night at Nate & Christine Weller‟s

11) Sight & Sound in Lancaster

12) Living Waters in Lancaster

13) Peddler‟s Village during Scarecrow season;

Christmas season; Peach Festival; Strawberry

Festival; there may be a teddy bear season; or

whenever

14) Renaissance Faire – Lebanon and one more local

(Carolyn Gwin is checking out both venues)

15) Swimming – possibly Upper Moreland Swim Club

16) Rice‟s Market in Bucks County

17) Game night

18) Wii night

We are looking for individuals/couples to coordinate and schedule any of the above activities or any other activity. If you have questions or comments or if you are willing to coordinate and schedule something, please contact Jenny & Paul Hyde (jehyde007@gmail.com or 215-659-9067).

The "Life of Jesus" wrap-up for 2011:

Narration was added this year because of comments last year and it looks like that was a good change! We always appreciate comments and critiques. We use any and all input to improve the message. Saturday was a great dress rehearsal and it was really nice to have about 30 people in the congregation. Thanks to those who invited friends and family. Sunday was an amazing day thanks to each and every one of you! You got into your roles and you truly touched the congregation. Thank you for all of your hard work during rehearsals and during the two productions. I loved working and playing with each of you. Here are comments from the congregation: "The narration really tied the whole story together. It was a great addition."

"The duet with Jesus and Peter, 'I Will Be Your Friend,' always brings tears to my eyes." "When Mary entered, mourning Jesus on the cross, I cried. It was so moving."

A hand-written note: "Just got in from church and wanted to tell you how much 'The Life of Jesus' touched me." The cast "deserves much credit for the many hours of preparation and everything else that took time and talent. The narration by Paul added a new dimension that was helpful in keeping the events well explained. Everyone seemed so enthused by doing their parts so well." ..."This performance was a spiritual and uplifting and meaningful way to prepare

for our Easter."

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Willow Grove United Methodist Church Non-Profit Organization 34 N. York Road Willow Grove, PA 19090-3422 (Return Service Requested) 8:15 am & 10:45 am - Sunday Worship Services 9:30 am - Sunday School

Fellowship News

The newsletter of Willow Grove United Methodist Church

34 N. York Road, Willow Grove, PA 19090-3422

Phone: 215-659-3232 Fax: 215-659-7817

E-Mail: Willowg1@verizon.net Web Site: www.gbgm-umc.org/wgumc

Rev. Cynthia Skripak – Pastor

Gayle Wieand - Director of Music Ministry Kathleen Harrod - Organist

Lora Rowland - Administrative Assistant

Sent with a prayer!

NONPROFIT ORG.

POSTAGE PAID HORSHAM, PA PERMIT NO. 26

NONPROFIT ORG.

POSTAGE PAID HORSHAM, PA PERMIT NO. 26