MARCH 12, 2014 VOLUME XXIV, NUMBER 3

Millbrook United Methodist Church

Sunday Morning: Traditional Worship 8:30 and 11:00;

Contemporary Praise Service 9:45; Church School 9:45 and 11:00

Pastors: Ray Wittman and Heather Rodrigues

The MUMC Flame

STEPHEN MINISTRY RETURNS TO MILLBROOK UMC

“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.” 1 Corinthians 3:6

More than three years ago, a woman moved to Raleigh and began visiting Millbrook UMC. She found friendly people, challenging sermons, and small groups that welcomed her. She had participated in Stephen Ministry at her previous church and was surprised that a church as large and active as Millbrook did not offer it. (If you’ve been around some 20 years or more, you may remember that at one time Millbrook UMC had an active Stephen Ministry; yet in 2010, it no longer existed.)

Stephen Ministers offer confidential, one-to-one lay Christian caregiving to people facing various life struggles. The ministry began in 1975 in St. Louis, Missouri and is still head-quartered there. Its founder, Dr. Kenneth Haugk, remains at the helm. The name Stephen comes from St. Stephen, who was the first layperson commissioned by the Apostles to provide caring ministry to those in need (Acts 6.) Since 1975, more than 600,000 laypersons have been trained as Stephen Ministers, offering care to millions of hurting people. (Stephenministries.org.)

In 2011, our new church member began talking to others about the needs for pastoral care that she saw at Millbrook. Our pastors needed others to help take over long term ministry with those who battled chronic or terminal illness, had lost loved ones, were unemployed, going through a divorce, had a child or spouse fighting addictions, or facing the normal challenges brought on by aging. Or simply by life in the 21

st century. About 20 people attended a preliminary

interest meeting held in January 2012. They too recognized many opportunities where Stephen Ministers could provide continuing care, assisting our pastors within the congregation. Several from that meeting, along with others, comprised the first class of trainees.

I attended the Stephen Leader Training Course in January 2013, along with Pastor Ray and Lynne Harris, to learn how to train Stephen Ministers. It was a well-organized, intense week crammed with lectures, role playing, worship, and new friends. We returned somewhat bewildered at all that is required to equip our potential Stephen Ministers to offer care to the congregation, but fully prepared and empowered to begin anew at Millbrook UMC.

Fast forward to March 2014. On March 30 at the 10 a.m. Unity Service, we will be commissioning nine newly-trained Stephen Ministers. Those ministers along with me, are pictured below: (back row) Don Hess, Carl Coats, Susan Red-mond, Beverly Long, Kandee Harrell-Parker, Shirley Carrick (front row) Vicki Reich, Molly Beck, Joan Forbes, and Elisabeth Chopinet,

Continued on Next Page

Inside this issue:

Church Correspondence, Lost & Found, Financial Report, Staff Read-ing Program

2

UMM News 3

April Birthdays & Anniversaries 4

Did You Know? Online Directory and Online Giving

5

M-Force News (Youth Group) 6

News from The Food Pantry, Book Club, College Ministry

7

UMW News 8

News from Family Ministry, Ladies Lunch, Third Age Fellowship

9

Easter Lily Orders 10

PAGE 2 VOLUME XXIV, NUMBER 3

CHURCH CORRESPONDENCE

To my Millbrook friends and staff, Thank you for your thoughts, prayers, cards, and visits following the death of my son, George Gray. They meant a lot and helped to lessen the pain of my loss. It gave me great comfort to re-ceive such an outpouring of your love. Thank you for your continuing support. In Christ’s love, Rosalie Littleton

A special thank you to our Millbrook family for the outpouring of love after the passing of Rhonda’s father. The cards, notes and prayers reminded us that we are not alone, but connected in the love of Christ. It all means so much to us as we grieve this loss. Thank you, Rich & Rhonda Bowlin

LOST & FOUND Check below to see if anything you/we found is something we/you lost. Found items are retained only until the next newsletter publication! Everything on the list from last month has been dis-carded, donated or repurposed.

FOUND:

Beautifully Patterned Ladies Long Scarf in rust and gold colors

ANKER LI-Ion Battery for Sam-sung Galaxy S/Capitvate/Vibrant

Gold Girl Scout Pin

Blue Insulated Tumbler w/lid

Green Insulated Tumbler w/lid

Red Tumbler (no lid) Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Town of Cary

Contact the church office to claim your item, to report a lost item, or to report a found item. 919-876-0865, office@millbrookumc.org.

Remember—if your intention is to donate something, you must be sure the recipient accepts it. It is not appropriate to simply leave items at the church, especially unbeknownst to the church staff.

Millbrook Staff Reading Program

The church staff is now reading books together as a part of our weekly meet-ings/devotion time.

We have finished two books so far this year. It has been such a great experi-ence for us as staff that maybe other individuals, classes, groups, circles, etc., might want to read or use the staff chosen books for study, discussions, and personal gain.

We read Putting a Face on Grace by Richard Blackaby (see link below).

http://www.randomhouse.com/book/14068/putting-a-face-on-grace-by-richard-blackaby

The next book we studied together was “24/6” by Matthew Sleeth. This book, of course, went along with the sermon series of the same name. Here’s a link to more information on it:

http://www.blessedearth.org/books/246-a-prescription-for-a-happier-healthier-life/

Currently, the staff is reading, Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire (What Happens When God’s Spirit Invades the Hearts of His People) by Jim Cymbala with Dean Merrill. Jim Cymbala has been the pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle for thirty-five years. He lives in New York City with his wife, Carol Cymbala, who directs the Grammy Award-winning Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire shows what the Holy Spirit can do when believers get serious about prayer and the gospel. The staff chose this book to comple-ment the March 16—April 6 Sermon Series “That’s Why We Pray”. Find out more about this book at:

http://www.zondervan.com/fresh-wind-fresh-fire.html

Pastor Ray continues to mend and heal after his February 19 back sur-gery. The office has fielded many re-quests for his mailing address, so here it is:

Rev. Raymond K. Wittman 2057 Tordelo Place

Apex, NC 27502

His address along with those of other church members and visitors is availa-ble in the secure, digital (online) Church Directory. If you haven’t yet done so, please set up your account now (instructions on page 5 of this newsletter) so that you’ll be able to access the world of Millbrook UMC information at your fingertips!

REPORT OF FINANCES As of March 10, 2014

YTD Budget Needs…$192,190 YTD Actual Receipts…$176,341

Building Debt…..$24,617 Out of Egypt: $1006*

*Unapplied Funds ON-LINE GIVING:

www.millbrookumc.org

(Continued from Cover Story)

At the end of each week of our twenty weeks of training, we discussed the Caregivers Compass (above) which points out four characteristics of Ste-phen Ministers. These nine people were already compassionate, full of faith, and trustworthy; through their training and reliance on Christ (notice the Chi-Rho symbol in the center of the compass which represents Christ); they are now also SKILLED ministers.

What remains for you, the congregation, to do, is to affirm: We believe in you. We will call on you when times are tough and we need someone to journey beside us. We thank you for your com-mitment to Stephen Ministry.

“Bear one another’s burdens, and in this

way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” –

Galatians 6:2

Molly Beck Minister of Congregational Care

PAGE 3 VOLUME XXIV, NUMBER 3

Mission Statement: Assisting men to know Jesus Christ, to serve Him, to grow spiritually and seek daily to do His will.

NEWS FROM THE UNITED METHODIST MEN

The Millbrook United Methodist Men have a name, we are known as the Millbrook “Iron Men”. This

is our identity, as we try to exemplify our slogan: “Every Man Counts”, and try to live by our moto:

(from Proverbs 27:17)

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another”

We are committed to upholding the long held traditions of the UMM, offering Men ways to connect and

grow alongside one other as disciples of Jesus Christ, enhancing and strengthening our faith together.

Opportunities include monthly Men’s breakfast meetings, Strategic Leadership Meetings, Spiritual Re-

treats, Fund-raisers, Missions, “Men’s Night Out”, Bible Studies, Christmas tree sales, and more…

Every man is a welcomed member of the Millbrook Iron Men!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!

MUMM Annual BBQ Chicken Day, Friday April 4 (Fundraiser for MUMM, ARC, and the Methodist Home for Children)

We need help all day long with this great event! We need “Pig cookers”, help in the kitchen, ticket sales, mak-ing plates, drive through, from the morning through both lunch and dinner, and clean up. The ARC singers will bless us with their performance in the evening during our dinner time. To get involved in any way you can, for any amount of time, please contact: Kevin Strom kstrom@rti.org or Gerry Hubbell gfhubbell@juno.com

Monthly Men’s Breakfast, Saturday, April 12, 8 a.m. Please join us for a great hour of Christ-filled fellowship, laughter, spiritual devotion, prayer, and a guest speaker, along with some awesome food! Come learn more about how to get more involved with upcoming MUMM events, and become better acquainted with your fellow Millbrook Iron Men!

Invite a friend for the best breakfast in town!

MUMM Annual Golf Fellowship Saturday, April 26 (Fundraiser for Millbrook Boy Scouts & Youth)

Super-Ball/Captain’s Choice tournament with prizes and food afterwards. 12:30 p.m. shotgun start at Wilmar Golf Course. To sign up as an individual, foursome, or any number of men, women, or teens, please contact Carl Coats: cnscoats@bellsouth.net

MUMM Annual Spring Family Spiritual Retreat

at Hanging Rock State Park

Friday-Sunday, May 16-18

This retreat has it all! Precious family time, fresh air, daily devotions, hiking, games, fishing, boating, campfires, fel-

lowship, and GREAT FOOD!

Cost includes lodging, all meals… and s’mores! Cabin space is $100 per adult, group tent camping is $50

per tent.

All kids camp and eat for FREE!

Participation in this retreat is on a “first come-first serve basis”, so reserve your place now by contacting:

Kevin Strom kstrom@rti.org or Gerry Hubbell gfhubbell@juno.com

For more information on how you can support the Millbrook UMM, or how to become

more involved with your Brothers in Christ, please contact the 2014 President, Gerry Hubbell at gfhubbell@juno.com or 919-389-1274.

Visit our MUMM web page: http://millbrookumc.org/#/adults/methodist-men

PAGE 4 VOLUME XXIV, NUMBER 3

April 1—Joan Britt, Vaughan Thomas April 2—Leigh Ballance, William Griffin, Heather Hefner, Stephanie Sekeras, Becky Thomas April 3—Jason Ashburn, Megan Chesser, Mark English, Bryan Hill, Houston Huff, Phillip Jones, Pat Moore, Mark Pitney

April 4—Meredith Ashburn, Ruth Council, Jaden Harris, Jason Scott, Robert Walker, Sandra Wasserman April 5—Susan Angelo, Stan Broadway, Rachel Bunch, Bradley Weppelman April 6—Kay Adams April 7—Zofia Klingler, Morgan Matthews April 8—Janie Ali, Aalyssa Diaz, Jeffrey Eacho, Paetra Muller, Sarah Nau, Sharon Pelt April 9—Miles Addison, Jonathan Dick, Josh Orndorff April 10—Raynor Dail, Kimberly Ferguson, Will Green, Sallie Jackson, Adam Perry April 11—Jo Mangum, John Ward April 12—KuSay Aung, Randolph Strickland April 13—Patricia Bedick, Bob Kibbe April 15—Deborah Johnson, Kelly McConnell, Tom Mineo, Megan Pennington April 16—Jill Gooding, Nanette Hill, Donna Pritchard April 17—Ethan Long, Kathryn Simmons April 18—Jonathan Floyd, Rachel Flynt, Gino Kreider April 19—Nancy Carr, Carmen Diaz, Ulrich Strom, Rhonda Weaver April 20—April Tiffany April 21—Jenny Green, Jane Overcash, Olivia Sekeras April 22—Sharon Anderson, Linda Grimes, Ethan Hedgepeth April 23—Robby English, Ruby Fincher April 24—Julie Latimer, Michael Meeks, Kevin Nelson, Dan Sekeras April 25—Martha Arnum, Dawn Conti, Kayla Dautel, Natasha Elliott, Terry Roper, Robby White April 26—Bill Anderson, Emily Briley, Steve Pritchard April 27—Huntley Carr, Violet Manson, Anne Seavey April 28—Cleo Walton April 30—Ann Opferkuch, Dylan Winstead

If your April birthday or anniversary is not listed, or, if the wrong date is shown

here, please notify the church office.

April 2—Gene & Mary Handel April 5—Bill & Lena Pritchard

April 6—Bob & Rixie Vanderberry April 12—David & Millie Joiner April 17—David & Laura Kelly,

Carl & Lorrie Simmons April 19—David & Deborah Mahaffey

April 21—Dave & Dianne Green April 22—Steve & Stephanie Gillespie April 25—Hugh & Lucille Thompson, April 26—Dan & Stephanie Sekeras

April 27—Fred & Ashley Boone, Gerry & Andrea Hubbell April 29—Sonny & Marvene Carroll, Terry & Rebecca Peed

BIRTHDAYS

Millbrook UMC is a growing church community. Lately, it has been obvious that that information some of us take for granted that “everyone” knows...well, not everyone knows! So this little “did you know” corner of the newsletter is the result! Maybe you’ll find out something you didn’t know, maybe you’ll just be reminded of how much you do know!

MILLBROOK UMC HAS A SECURE DIGITAL MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY! The Millbrook Communications Team rolled out a secure digital membership directory in August 2012! This directory gives you access to the most current contact infor-mation for others in our church family and allows you to keep your own contact infor-mation current. Here are a few important notes:

The directory is online…but it is not hosted on a public website. There is a very secure process in place to ensure that directory access is given only to those who are part of our church family. (See instructions below). For smartphone users, there is an app that gives you “anytime, anywhere” access to the directory. Once you have established your account and your password, search for “ACS Church Life” in the iTunes Store, Google Play (formerly Android Market) and Blackberry App World. Download it to your smartphone, enter your unique password, and go. For those who wish to have a printed directory, you may print it directly from the

secure digital directory at any time. However, if you would like to have one printed for you, we will be able to make one available for you—just contact the church office (office@millbrookumc.org or 919-876-0865).

Now, let’s get started. Here is how it works: 1. Follow this link or type it into your browser: https://secure.accessacs.com/access/memberlogin.aspx?sn=99932 2. Click “Need a Log In.” You will be asked to enter your name and email address. The ACS system (our church soft-

ware system) will try to match your name and info to your record in our church database. If it does, it will send you an email (see step #4).

3. If the system can’t find you, you will see an error message that gives you the option to send an email to the adminis-trator notifying the church office that you couldn’t get into the system. The church office will help you from there. (Don’t feel bad…this is just good security at work!)

4. If it does find you, you will receive an email with a new link and an initial entry password. (Note: if you are using a Yahoo or AOL email account, you may experience a delay before receiving this email.) Follow the provided link to the website, where you will immediately be required to set up your own unique password. Now…you’re in!

5. Take a look at your account. You can decide which information you would like to display…and which infor-mation you want to omit. Simply go to HOME/MY ACCOUNT/PERSONAL PREFERENCES and make your choices.

6. To turn this into a photo directory, you may submit a photo to office@millbrookumc.org.

How to Access the Directory After Signing Up:

Now that you’ve set up your account, how and where can you find it in the future? Simply go to our church website www.MillbrookUMC.org. Find the Resources page (under the main Welcome tab) and scroll down to the link for Secure Membership Directory—click on it and you’ll be directed to the member login page –just enter the required information and you will gain access to the member directory! Additionally, to use the online giving feature, you must have an ID set-up in the secure membership directory. Church members and friends of Millbrook can make monetary gifts to the church using on-line giving. This service is offered as a convenience to those who prefer it—you certainly may continue giving to the church using checks or cash.

Using a secure link from the church website, you’ll have several options for how you wish to give. You may choose to give using a “virtual” check where your gift is transferred directly from your checking account to the church. Or you can choose to give using your credit card. (The church does pay a higher fee for gifts given using credit cards than those given by virtual checks.) You will also see an option to set up your gift as a one time gift or make it a “repeating” gift to be given on a timetable as selected by you. Your gifts, whether given on-line or by conventional manual means, will con-tinue to be recorded and reported to you on quarterly and year-end statements.

To access on-line giving, go to the church website (www.millbrookumc.com) and click on “Give Online” (in red under the Welcome tab near top right of the page). On the “Give Online” page, click where indicated to give online. To use the online giving feature, you must have an ID set-up in the secure membership directory. If you don’t have an ID yet, you can click the ‘Need a login?’ link. Follow the instructions to get your ID and password defined. For security purposes, your name must be found and match what is in the church directory. If you encounter any problem, send an email to office@millbrookumc.org or call the church office during business hours.

PAGE 5 VOLUME XXIV, NUMBER 3

PAGE 6 VOLUME XXIV, NUMBER 3

M-FORCE NEWS

“Let no one despise

you for your youth,

but set the believers an

example in speech, in

conduct, in love, in

faith, in purity.”

1 Timothy 4:12

February 2014

Weekly Events

Youth Group: Sundays from 5-7 p.m. in the Youth Building

Men’s Basketball and Ladies Fellowship: Immediately after Youth Group in the Pryor-Bradford Christian Ministry Center, 7-8:45 p.m.

Sunday School: Sundays at 9:45 and 11 a.m. in the Youth Building

1712 E.: Wednesdays, Dinner- 5:30 p.m. Class- 6:30 p.m.

Youth and Y.E.S. Sponsors: Please remember to continue to pray for your youth and sponsors.

The next YES Banquet is on May 18 at 5-7 p.m. YES

Save the Dates

March 16

MUM’s Kitchen

12—3 p.m.

March 21-22

Acquire the Fire

Greensboro, NC

April 6

Mission Registration and

$50 Deposit DUE!!!

April 25-27

Senior High Mystery Trip

June 8

Graduation Sunday

10 a.m. Unity Service

We still have room for you to sign up for the epic

Acquire the Fire weekend!!! The event is March 21-22

in Greensboro, North Carolina. Ron Luce and Mike

Guzzardo will be the speakers ,and The Almost, Rap-

ture Ruckus, and Abandon will be the rocking bands.

Registration forms can be picked up in the youth build-

ing. Register ASAP!

SUMMER YOUTH MISSION OPPORTUNITIES!!!

Hinton Rural Life Center When? July 13-18 Where? Hayesville, NC (in the mountains) How much? $400 (cost is all inclusive) Who? This is a church-wide mission trip. We have 25 slots saved for youth. What type of mission work? Home Repair

SLAM (Students Living a Mission) When? July 28—August 1 Where? RDU - Lodging at Hayes-Barton UMC How much? $125 Who? Any and all youth (6-12th grade). Chaperones and adult volunteers are also needed. Why/What type of mission work? Work with a variety of local mission and service or-ganizations

PAGE 7 VOLUME XXIV, NUMBER 3

March is a time for basketball madness, and it’s

time for our next Food Drive. This March Madness,

you can support your favorite team by supporting

Millbrook’s The Food Pantry through Munch Mad-

ness! The Food Pantry is always in need of dona-

tions, and what better way to stock the shelves

than through a little friendly (we hope) competi-

tion.

This food drive will run a bit differently than others

we’ve done. Instead of counting each individual

item, we will operate on a point system. More

points can be scored by donating food items that

The Food Pantry really needs. Here is the point

system we will be using:

THREE-POINT SHOT (3 points)

Boxed dry cereal

Toilet Paper

Bags of Apples/Oranges (3 to 5 lb. bags)

Canned Meat

TWO-POINT SHOT (2 points)

Macaroni & Cheese boxed mixes

Spaghetti Sauce

Boxes of Oatmeal

Hamburger Helper

Canned Fruits

FREE THROW (1 point)

Bar of Bath Soap

Canned Meals (like Spaghetti O’s)

Canned Tomatoes

Ramen Noodles

A $1 donation

Use this as a guide, and remember, any and all do-

nations are welcome but only the items listed actu-

ally count for points. Donate them to the specially

marked bins, with your team’s logo, and let the

MUNCH MADNESS CONTINUE! The team with

the most points by March 30 will be the winner

and the pastors will wear the winning team’s jersey

on Final Four weekend. For more information, con-

tact Josh Orndorff at jro11@duke.edu.

SUPPORT THE FOOD PANTRY IN

MUNCH MADNESS!

MILLBROOK

BOOK CLUB

meets Tuesday,

March 25, 2014 at 7 p.m. in PB206.

Come add your voice to what could be a very interesting and intense conversation about the March selection, a 2012 best-selling Christian novel: The Harbinger by Rab-bi Jonathan Cahn. In The Harbinger the author, a Messi-anic Jew, suggests that the 9/11 terrorism attack was a divine warning to the United States, tying the attacks to Isaiah 9:10, which reads: "The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycamores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars" (KJV)

The Millbrook Book Club is pleased to announce a special April Meeting/Book Selection: We are honored and excited to have Elaine Neill Orr, author of A Different Sun (our April selection) coming to speak and lead the Millbrook Book Club on Tuesday, April 29 at 7 p.m. in PB101. Copies of A Different Sun will be available for sale at church soon.

Our May selection (to be discussed May 27) is Me, Myself & Bob by Phil Vischer. On June 24, we’ll discussThe Giver by Lois Lowery. Remainder of 2014 selections are yet to be determined. All readers are invited to participate in the Millbrook Book Club! We normally meet on the 4th Tuesday of the month (no meeting in July or December) at 7 p.m. in PB206 (the Conference Room on the 2nd floor of the Pryor-Bradford Christian Ministry Center) Contact Molly Beck (919-909-4579) or Annette Towne (919-349-3128) for more infor-mation.

COLLEGE MINISTRY— Help us grow the sense of be-longing to Jesus and our church community as we remind all of our college students that we’re thinking of them, es-pecially during the stress of exam time. We will send each student a gift card from their church family “back home”! You can donate a gift card ($5 or $10 face value only) or make a monetary donation to this endeavor by placing a check in the offering plate (please mark it "College Minis-try"). Gift cards can be placed in the offering plate, too. We must have all donations by April 28 to be mailed out in time. Thank you—Grace Anne Martin, College Ministry Coordinator, Nurture Team, 919-781-7922

Also—it is important that we have the correct mailing address for all our college students. If there has been a change since last semester, please alert the church office by April 21. (919-876-0865, office@millbrookumc.org

PAGE 8 VOLUME XXIV, NUMBER 3

NEWS FROM THE UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

HIGHER, DEEPER, WIDER

EXPANDING YOUR PRAYER LIFE

Millbrook UMW presents work-shops on Expanding Your Pray-er Life, Saturday, April 12, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m., classroom PB201 in the Pryor Bradford Christian Ministry Center. Workshop # 1 will begin promptly at 1:00 p.m. with a presentation on

Centering Prayer led by Rev Katie Crowe, Senior Pastor for Trinity Avenue Presbyterian Church in Durham. Center-ing Prayer emphasizes prayer as a personal relationship with God and as a movement beyond conversation to com-munication. The focus of Centering Prayer is the deepen-ing of our relationship with the living Christ. We will break for a time of fellowship and refreshments served by Circle of Hope. Workshop # 2, Praying in Color will begin at 2:15 p.m. and will be led by our own Molly Beck. Most often, prayer is a verbal or silent experience. Learning to "Pray in Color" is a way to add a visual dimension involving hands, paper, and colors. Background in art NOT necessary! At 3:00 p.m. the workshops will end, but we will offer a time of practicing these prayer disciplines. Attendees are wel-come to stay at Millbrook UMC to pray or adjourn to the beautiful Labyrinth located at Millbrook Baptist Church. There we can walk and spend time communing with our Lord. Reservations are requested. Please contact Ann Ashburn to make your reservation or for more information, 919-781-3965 or annashburn@earthlink.net.

Please join the New Women's Circle for their March meet-ing. They will be meeting Sunday, March 16 from 4-6 p.m. in the Parlor of the Pryor-Bradford Christian Ministry Cen-ter (PB104) where they will be discussing the book Grace for the Good Girl. For more information or if you have any questions, please contact Kimberly Reynolds by email at kreynolds@supportiveschools.org.

INVITATION FROM THE MILLBROOK UMW

The UMW of Millbrook United Methodist Church invites you to be a part of our small groups, as together we “Accept/Belong/Connect” as women of faith. The pur-pose of the UMW states: “The organized unit of United Methodist Women shall be a community of women whose PURPOSE is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church.”

Did you know…

...that the UMW is largest faith organization for women in the world? It began in 1869 in Boston when 6 women met to discuss sending missionaries to India

...that our Millbrook UMW provides Baptismal napkins for each person baptized here?

...that our Millbrook UMW sends a monetary gift to mis-sions to honor or memorialize church family members (immediate family) when there is a birth, graduation, death or other significant event?

...that our Millbrook members contribute pledge money to help local and global mission organizations improve the plight of women, children and youth? More than 20 million dollars per year nationally is sent to over 100 countries worldwide. Many people are helped by our efforts. In ad-dition, the Millbrook UMW supports many benevolent or-ganizations here in Wake County, as well.

...that our Millbrook UMW promotes spiritual growth through our reading program, guest speaker programs, mission studies, prayer and our circle programs?

...that our Millbrook UMW members regularly visit church shut-ins to keep them connected to our church?

...that our Millbrook UMW members can always be counted on to support our church’s activities and programs? We serve God by helping others.

…that Millbrook has 7 circles (with another forming soon) of very diverse women who embrace their individuality while uniting in their support of the UMW Purpose? Circles meet at varying times and days—something for everyone!!

We sincerely invite all women of our church to be a part of our spiritual, service, and supportive organiza-tion. Together we will “Accept/Belong/Connect!” If you have any questions or need more information, please contact: Sandy Coats, Membership/Nurture/Outreach Coordinator for the Millbrook UMW at: (919)

263-9193 or cnscoats@bellsouth.net

Reminder: The UMW District website is a good place to

check for upcoming UMW events! http://capitalumw.com/

MARCH 15, 2014: The Call: Living Sacramentally, Walking Justly. This District Mission Study will be held at St. Mark’s UMC, 4801 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Study held from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

PAGE 9 VOLUME XXIV, NUMBER 3

NEWS FROM THE FAMILY MINISTRIES

New 1712 E. Classes begin March 19! If you’ve never tried Wednesday night programs at MUMC,

this is your chance! “Praying the Psalms” led by Will McLeane: David prayed them, Jesus prayed them, and most Chris-tians across the centuries have prayed them. Where have the Psalms gone? Why are they not an active part of our prayer lives today? In this five-week Bible study we will be “Praying the Psalms” and exploring how they orient, disori-ent, and reorient our relationships with God, each other, and the world. In doing so, we will follow the Spirit's lead and journey together towards nurturing a rich and powerful prayer life.

“The Will of God” led by Rev. Bruce E. Stanley: During the dark days of World War II, as the outcome of the war was still in doubt and the people of Britain were being pounded by Nazi bombers, 6 million Jews were being ex-terminated and devastation was everywhere, Rev. Dr. Leslie Weatherhead preached a series of sermons on "The Will of God." So clear was his thinking, so well formed was his theology that people insisted the sermons be published as a monograph. Though far removed from the event (the last Holocaust survivor is believed to have died this week at age 110), Weatherhead's work is considered by most semi-naries as the best place to go for consideration of what the will of God is and how it is expressed.

“Love to Stay” led by Natalie & Tommy Dautel: Adam Hamilton explores how, with God’s help, we can make love last. Drawing upon a survey of thousands of couples and singles, interviews with relationship and mar-riage therapists, the latest research in the field, and wisdom from the Bible, Hamilton looks at what it takes to create and sustain healthy, meaningful romantic relationships across the course of a lifetime.

Informational meeting for all new 1712 E. opportunities

will be held March 12 in Pryor-Bradford classroom #PB205! Attendance at the informational meeting is not required, but we’d love to have you pre-registered for these classes, so

please contact Natalie Dautel, natalie@millbrookumc.org, to register or ask questions.

ALL INVITED!

EASTER EGG HUNT SATURDAY, APRIL 19

11:00 a.m. SPRING FOREST ROAD PARK

(4203 Spring Forest Road)

Please bring a picnic lunch for your family. Plan to enjoy the wonderful playground and open fields following the egg hunt. Invite your neighbors and friends to join us for a great time of fellowship and fun celebrating Jesus’ resurrection!

How can you help? Treats are nec-essary to fill the eggs! Donations of candy and stickers are needed. Dona-tions may be dropped in designated bins now through April 6. Candy should be very small and individually wrapped. Thank you!

Come join the Lunch Bunch Ladies for our April 2 meal to-gether at Bahama Breeze (across street from Duke Raleigh Hospital) at 12:30 p.m. You will enjoy Chris-tian fellowship and good food with a great bunch of ladies! For further information, contact Eunice McDonald at 919-872-1711.

THIRD AGE FELLOWSHIP: The next meeting of the

Third Age Fellowship will be Thursday, March 20, at 11 a.m. in the Pryor-Bradford Christian Ministry Center.

We will be listening to an early presentation by one of our favorites, the TRINTY LAYMEN. (This vocal quartet was

originally scheduled for May, so we are blessed to enjoy them sooner than initially anticipated!)

Consider bringing a non-perishable item for MUMC’s The Food Pantry and a $1-2 donation for our incidental costs.

This fellowship is open to the senior adults in our church, our community and in your life. We welcome your partici-pation and friendship.

The bus trip to Charleston, SC, planned for this spring, cur-rently has a waiting list. For those who have a confirmed reservation, the final trip payment is due at this meeting. Trip directors are Sandra Peed (919) 876-5227 and Carol Resar (919) 435-1681.

Questions about the Third Age Fellowship may be directed to David Barber (919–846-2223

The MUMC Flame - "Pass it on!"

Millbrook United Methodist Church

1712 East Millbrook Road

Raleigh, North Carolina 27609

Phone: (919) 876-0865

Church Office E-Mail: office@millbrookumc.org

Website: www.millbrookumc.org

Next Newsletter Deadline: April 7, 2014 Newsletter Publication Date will be April 9, 2014

To continue our long-standing tradition of adorning our worship spaces with living flowers on Easter morning, the Worship team offers you an opportunity to dedicate Easter lilies in honor or memory of a loved one. Dedications will be printed in the bulletins on Easter Sunday.

Order deadline is April 6, 2014. The cost of the lilies is $12.00 each.

You (or your designee) may take your plant(s) home from the Pryor-Bradford Christian Ministry Center after the 9:45 a.m. Easter service or from the Sanctuary after the 11:00 a.m. Easter service.

Please complete this order form and mail it, along with your payment, to the church (1712 E. Millbrook Road, Raleigh, NC 27609). Fax or email the completed form and make payment online. (http://www.millbrookumc.org/#/welcome/give-online)

Please print clearly. Circle to clearly indicate whether your dedication is an honorarium or a memorial. I would like to dedicate # ____ Lily(ies)

Total Enclosed: $_______ (# of Lilies X $12)

In (honor) (memory) of: __________________________________________

In (honor) (memory) of: __________________________________________

In (honor) (memory) of: __________________________________________

In (honor) (memory) of: __________________________________________

In (honor) (memory) of: __________________________________________

Dedicated by: ___________________________________________________

Contact Info (Phone/email): ________________________________________

Please make your check payable to MUMC, indicating “Easter flowers” in the memo line. Thank you!