united methodist church at shrub oak
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United Methodist Church at Shrub Oak 1176 East Main Street • Shrub Oak, New York 10588 • Office: 914-245-4682 • Fax: 914-743-1003
Parsonage: 914-245-3114 • E-mail: [email protected]
“OUR THIRD CENTURY IN SERVICE OF THE LORD”
Reverend Iwy Patel-Yatri, Pastor
January 2020 Vol. 41, No. 1 Mailed on December 24, 2019 - Next Deadline 1/15/20
Dear UMCSO Family,
Soon we will enter into a new year. As I look back at the year 2019 and the resolutions I
had made, I start lamenting about the things I should have done and didn’t do. You’ve
heard the saying, “If you aim at nothing, then you’ll hit it every time.” Too often, we find
ourselves saying, I’ll get to this and that…once I do this or that. Once I make enough
money and achieve success, I will take time off to spend with the family and
volunteer. Once I have free time, I will go to church or attend a Bible Study or join a small
group. If any of this sounds familiar, then you are not alone. Most of us have “around to
it” mentality in that we put off things that we say are important but then they drop down on
our list of priorities.
Think back on this past year and note the things on your “around to it” list. Look at where
God fits into your priority; whether it is to spend more time in prayer and Bible reading or
giving intentionally of your time, talents and resources for God’s service and purpose. If
your answer is you’ll get to it, then I encourage you to re-evaluate your priorities as we
begin this New Year. If we do not make an intentional effort to grow in our relationship
with God then we’ll hit that target of “nothing” every time.
The reality is that Christ has given us an important mission to carry out in this world. As
Jesus ascended to heaven, he gave us the great commission, “Go out and train everyone
you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded
you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20 (Message translation). All churches who claim Christ as their
foundation have this at the heart of their mission statement. We are called to point people
to Christ, baptizing and telling them about all that Christ said and taught.
As we end another year, I invite us to take a look at how we are doing in living out this
mission at UMCSO. How many times have we shared with others what Christ has done
for us? How many have we invited to church so they can hear and learn for
themselves? If we have not intentionally aimed at making this a goal in our personal as
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well as church life, then we’ll hit nothing every time. The following story about, “The Job
Nobody Did” asks us to evaluate how we are doing with the job that Jesus has given to us.
Once upon a time there were four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and
Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was asked to do it. But
Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it. But Nobody
did it. Somebody got angry about it, because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought
that Anybody could do it, and Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it. It ended up
that Everybody blamed Somebody and Nobody did the job that Anybody could have done
in the first place.
Friends, we just celebrated Christmas, which is the coming of Christ into this world. Christ
did the work that he was sent to do on the cross by taking away our sins. With this New
Year, God gives us another opportunity to receive Christ into our lives and proclaim His
Good News. Christ tells us that he will come again and when he asks us how we did the
job he commissioned us to do, consider your answer. We can play the “around to it”
game but life doesn’t always work in such a way. Things happen that are beyond our
control and before you know it, the opportunities will have passed us by as quickly as one
year ends and a new one begins. Let us take seriously this time we have to commit
ourselves to Christ’s mission and make disciples for our Lord.
May the Holy Spirit revive, equip and make us bold
to share the Good News of Christ to as many
people as we can, in as many ways as we can, and
in as many places as we can! May the message of
Christmas fill your heart and remain with you in the
New Year.
A Blessed New Year to all!
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UPCOMING EVENTS
IN DECEMBER
New Year’s Pancake Brunch – Sunday, January 5th, after Worship
Let’s celebrate the New Year together! Please sign up in the GP Room.
Youth Overnight “lock-in” – Friday, January 10th, 6:00 pm to Saturday, January 11th, 11:00 am.
KNOW SOMEONE WHO COULD USE A CARD?
If you know someone who is sick or having surgery please let us know. Our dedicated member, Connie Vollmer, sends cards to those who aren’t well. So, please let us know and Connie will send a card to cheer them up or encourage them.
Maxine Haigh
UPDATES TO UMCSO CHURCH DIRECTORY
If you have any updated information or new emergency contacts, please get in touch with Maxine Haigh, Marilyn Bucher, or the office for updating these records.
January Birthdays
Russ Reynolds 1 Mike Pereira 2 Brice Coleman 3 Laura Hoenig 4 Dominick Schiavi 4 Augustus Aryee 6 Robert Reynolds 8 Lillian Maskiell 9 Ruth Bush 12 Mary Ferreira 12 Tim Carey 14 Annette Reynolds 17 Elliot "Jay" Drisko 18 Linda Hoernes 21 Thomas Antonucci 23 Kiran Matthews 23 Peter Sutton 23 Sawyer Gilbert 24 Christina Montaldo 24 Shirley Thompson 24
Garrett Ayling 25 Michael Antonucci, Jr. 29 Tommy DeMartino 30 James Gale 30 Margaret Reid 31
Yvonne and Victor Chung 5 Marilyn and Glen Bucher 17 Lisa & Jaime Latasa 31
CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS IN THE SANCTUARY
We would like to thank all our members who donated poinsettia plants. Many thanks for the help in setting up the Christmas decorations in our sanctuary.
Michele Squibb
Grace Reynolds
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ANGEL TREE
A special thank you to everyone who contributed to the Angel Tree. The gifts were greatly appreciated by the Head Start kids and those receiving Meals on Wheels. It is wonderful that our church is able to help our local community and let them know we care. Thanks again!
Susan Crookston
A special thanks to all our volunteers who are so loyal in serving God’s people and His Church. Communications Marilyn Bucher
Acolytes Michael Antonucci Kayla Francis Christopher Mannino Sophia Stella Veronica Neal-Young Chimes Mary Ferreira Joy Santaroni Nigel Ferreira Audio Visual Marilyn Bucher Cliff Cullum Dom Schiavi Evan Yatri Coffee Hour Hosts Marshall Moseley The Reynolds Family The Matthews Family Friends of the Church Communion Stewards Patricia Scozzari Debbie Vesuvio Rachel Pinto
Greeters Kathy Schiavi Jean Engel Don Hoffmann Bill Carlock Marilyn & Glen Bucher Grace Reynolds Mary Vance Hospitality Jean Engel Maxine Haigh Grace Reynolds Rachel Ward Daryl Lindholm Ushers Peter Hoernes Annette Reynolds Russ Reynolds Joy Santaroni Kathy Schiavi Patti Scozzari Gayle Spina Debbie Vesuvio
LECTIONARY SCRIPTURE READINGS
(Month of January 2020)
Sunday, January 5th (Epiphany of the Lord) Isaiah 60:1-6 Ephesians 3:1-12 Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 (UMH #795) Matthew 2:1-12
Sunday, January 12th
(Baptism of the Lord) Isaiah 42:1-9 Acts 10:34-43 Psalm 29 (UMH #761) Matthew 3:13-17
Sunday, January 19th
(2nd Sunday After Epiphany) Isaiah 49:1-7 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 Psalm 40:1-11 John 1:29-42
Sunday, January 26th (3rd Sunday After Epiphany) Isaiah 9:1-4 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 Psalm 27:1, 4-9 Matthew 4:12-23
A HAPPY NEW YEAR
TO ALL!!
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HAPPY NEW YEAR!! (By Lay leader, Marilyn Bucher)
Welcome to 2020!! Wow, 2020 – we are well into the 21st Century in what seems like
the ‘blink of an eye.’ When I celebrated my 75th birthday in November, it felt like a milestone. I’m now ¾ of a century old and yet, here I am saying ‘yes’ to representing you as Lay Leader for the next three years. According to a paper I was given, my responsibility includes “working with the pastor to fulfill the mission and vision of the congregation.” I will certainly do my very best to fulfill this responsibility but I need YOUR help! You are the congregation. You may be a child or an adult; you may be a member or not but you make up a vital part of the congregation. I need your help.
Our Mission statement was developed by the congregation a few years ago and says: “Through Jesus, we strive to GROW in our relationship with God through Worship, Prayer and Study. Guided by the Holy Spirit we seek to make Christ’s love known as we CONNECT and SERVE others.” So, I write this first Chimes article to let you know that I need all of your input. We are all a part of the congregation, not just those whose names appear on committees. We have many faithful leaders at
UMCSO for which I am very grateful; but we need EVERYONE’S input and assistance if we want to grow, connect and serve others and spread the Word of Jesus Christ to those we come in contact with each day of our lives.
So let’s start locally.
Are there needs you see in your neighborhoods or your workplace that the church
could help to fill?
Is there a need in the local schools or towns that UMCSO could address?
How can we let our neighbors know that we believe in Jesus Christ and that He is
coming again soon?
I would like you all to think about these questions and what you think we could do as a church or individually to address them. Jot your ideas down, talk to your friends and neighbors, and come to our Vision Table meetings held on the 3rd Monday of every month at 7:30 pm to share your ideas. You don’t have to have all the details worked out; we are happy to do that together. We need to know where we are needed and we need you to tell us. If you cannot attend the meeting, send me an email ([email protected]) with your suggestions or give me a call (914-260-7653). My sincere hope is that over these next three years, our local neighbors will know that UMCSO is here to extend the love of Jesus Christ to all we meet. We will be more than the ‘pretty stone church with the red doors across from the Hart Library.’ We need your help to become a light shining in the darkness for the world today.
At 75, I’m willing to do my part, but I need your input, suggestions and hands and feet to
put this into practice. Please prayerfully consider this. God bless you all as we begin this New Year of 2020! A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!
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SUNDAY SCHOOL CORNER
“All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace.” – Isaiah 54:13
Thanks to our Sunday School teachers and other dedicated volunteers, December was full of many special events that helped our children and youth to better understand the miracle of Christmas. On December 7th, we held our annual Trim-A-Tree event. Our children of all ages helped create beautiful ornaments to decorate the tree in the sanctuary. After a pizza lunch, the children hung the ornaments, and we all participated in a
Sing- along led by Rob Gutowski.
In church, Rachel Pinto and Lisa Grace helped the children understand the story of Christ’s birth through the Advent children’s moments and the lighting of the Advent candles. The high school class also created a bulletin board depicting the birth of Christ.
Our children and youth were blessed with many opportunities to celebrate the season with music and drama. Thanks to the amazing efforts of Cory Casey, our children performed a pageant in costume during the worship service. And on Christmas Eve, our bell choir performed, also under Cory’s direction.
Finally, mark your calendars for an important event to come in the New Year! On Sunday, January 5th, we will be holding our annual New Year’s Breakfast after worship. Chef Jack “Flapjack” Casey will provide pancakes, and there is a sign-up sheet posted for other items.
We pray for a blessed New Year for all.
Yours in Christ, The Sunday School Teachers
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UMCSO 2020 Committees, Boards and Work Areas Members-At-Large of the Administrative Council
2020 2021 2022 Jim Matthews Fernando Arias Jonathan Goodman
Don Hoffmann Peter Hoernes Linda Stella
Grace Reynolds Bill Carlock
Committee on Lay Leadership (Formerly known as Nominations) Ex-Officio, Lay Leader, Marilyn Bucher
2020 2021 2022 Les Hazelton Fran Maddalone Hank Schrot
Maxine Haigh Marilyn Bucher Dianne Benincasa
Laura Hoenig Don Hoffmann Debbie Vesuvio
Missions & Outreach
2020 2021 2022 Linda Hoernes (Chair) Lynne Schrot Kathy Schiavi
Cory Casey Annette Reynolds Dianne Benincasa
Patti Scozzari Susan Crookston
(Sub Committee Support: Peter Hoernes, Kathy Casey, Russ Reynolds, Susan Closi, Pat Antonucci,
Sharon Krueger)
Staff/Parish Relations Ex-Officio, Lay Leader, Marilyn Bucher
Ex-Officio, Annual Conference Lay Representative, Dianne Benincasa
Safe Sanctuaries Chair, Kathy Casey
2020 2021 2022 Rachel Ward Pinto Jean Engel Gayle Spina
Kathy Schiavi Doug Gaylor Daniel Pagano
Colette Carpenter Susan Closi Lynne Schrot
Board of Trustees
2020 2021 2022 Peter Hoernes Don Hoffmann Michael Stella
Glen Bucher Russ Reynolds Justin Jensen
Susan Crookston Karla Ruth
Endowment Glen Bucher, Doug Gaylor, Peter Hoernes, James Matthews
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Vision Table (Open to all Church Members) Ex-Officio, Lay Leader, Marilyn Bucher
Cory Casey (Chair)
Doug Gaylor (Admin. Council Chair)
Russ Reynolds (Trustees Chair)
Linda Hoernes (Mission Chair)
Gayle Spina & Kathy Schiavi (SPRC Co-Chairs)
Doug Gaylor/Lisa Grace/Kathy Casey/Annette Reynolds (Sunday School Administrators)
Marshall Moseley (Finance)
Marilyn Bucher (Membership & Communications)
Glen Bucher (Trustees Treasurer)
Robert Gutowski (Music Director)
Education Doug Gaylor, Lisa Grace, Kathy Casey, Annette Reynolds and all active teachers
Finance Ex-Officio, Lay Leader, Marilyn Bucher
Ex-Officio, Annual Conference Lay Representative, Dianne Benincasa
Marshall Moseley (Chair, Finance) Linda Hoernes and Rachel Ward Pinto (Treasurers); Cliff Cullum and
June Willis (Financial Secretaries); Glen Bucher (Trustees Treasurer); Doug Gaylor (Chair, Administrative
Council); Gayle Spina & Kathy Schiavi (Co-Chairs, Staff/Parish Relations)
Audit James Matthews, Hank Schrot
Book of Remembrance Linda Stella
Membership and Church Growth
2020 2021 2022 Connie Vollmer Muriel Carpenter Marilyn Bucher
Joan Prentice Beverly Goodman Lisa Latasa
Annette Reynolds Grace Reynolds Susan Crookston
Parsonage
Twila Hunter Fran Maddalone
Annette Reynolds Grace Reynolds
Worship
Mary Vance (Greeters Robert Gutowski (Music D.) Maxine Haigh (Hospitality)
Linda Purcell (Flowers) Cliff Cullum (A/V) Dom Schiavi (A/V)
Michelle Squibb (Flowers Patricia Scozzari, Debbie Vesuvio,
Pat Golanec (Ushers, Acolytes &
Communion)
Joy Santaroni (Coffee Hour)
**Bold indicates those who were elected to serve at the 10/20/19 CC
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YOUTH GROUP DECEMBER OUTING Sunday, December 15th
The youth group traveled to NYC to visit the Rockefeller tree and worship at
Hillsong. They had a good time together as they enjoyed the sights and sounds of the city! Check out photos from this trip.
OVERNIGHT YOUTH LOCK–IN Friday, January 10th, 6:00 pm - Saturday, January 11th, 11:00 am
There will be food, games, prizes, and movies to kick off the 2020 year. We will also be having a group discussion with the youth to get their input on our church’s
missions and ministries. Please let Cory or Lisa know if your child will be in attendance
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CAROLING AT JV MALL Sunday, December 15, 2019
On a beautiful Sunday afternoon, we were blessed to sing carols at the JV Mall! Seventeen folks ranging from 3 years on up joined together to proclaim the
Good News of Christ, our newborn King! It was a joy to have folks stop and join us in the carols and take a moment to remember and praise Christ, the reason for the
season. Many thanks to Annette for organizing and to all the participants!
COOKIE SWAP GATHERING
Saturday, December 14th
Some 16 members had a joyous time at our annual Cookie Swap on a festive Saturday afternoon. After enjoying a delicious meal, we played games guessing
the lyrics to Christmas songs and unscrambling words of the season. After exchanging presents, we ended with the traditional cookie swap! Many thanks to
Joy and Dianne for organizing this fun event! See Photos from this event.
January 2020
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
EVERY SUNDAY IS FOOD SUNDAY
1
New Year’s Day!!
2
Prayer Group
11:00 - 11:30
am
Chapel
3
Small Group 2
10:00 am
GP Room
Crafts for a Cause
11:00 am
4 Men’s Group
8:00 - 9:00 am
GP Room
Small Group Leaders
9:30 am
5 Epiphany Sunday (White)
9:30 am Adult Sunday School
10:30 am Worship with Holy Communion
12-1:00 pm Choir Practice
New Year’s Pancake Brunch after Worship
6
Women’s
Small Group
6:30 pm
GP Room
7
Bible Studies
10:00 am & 7:30 pm
GP Room
8
Small Group 1
10:30 - 11:30 am
GP Room
9
Prayer Group
11:00 - 11:30
am
Chapel
10
Small Group 2
10:00 am
GP Room
Crafts for a Cause
11:00 am
Overnight Youth
Lock-In
6:00 pm
11
Overnight Youth
Lock-In Ends
11:00 am
12 Baptism of the Lord (White)
9:30 am Adult Sunday School
10:30 am Worship
12-1:00 pm Choir Practice
Sunday School Teachers’ Meeting after Worship
Trustees Meeting after Worship
Blessing & Installation of Committee
Members
13
Women’s
Small Group
6:30 pm
GP Room
14
Bible Studies
10:00 am & 7:30 pm
GP Room
15
Small Group 1
10:30 - 11:30 am
GP Room
Chimes Deadline
16
Prayer Group
11:00 - 11:30
am
Chapel
17
Small Group 2
10:00 am
GP Room
Crafts for a Cause
11:00 am
18 Men’s Group
8:00 - 9:00 am
GP Room
Small Group Leaders
9:30 am
19 2nd Sunday After the Epiphany (Green)
9:30 am Adult Sunday School
10:30 am Worship
12-1:00 pm Choir Practice
12-2:00 pm Youth Group Upper Room
20
Women’s
Small Group
6:30 pm
GP Room
Vision Table
7:30 pm
21
Bible Studies
10:00 am & 7:30 pm
GP Room
22
Small Group 1
10:30 - 11:30 am
GP Room
23
Prayer Group
11:00 - 11:30
am
Chapel
24
Small Group 2
10:00 am
GP Room
Crafts for a Cause
11:00 am
25
Halos Band Practice
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Sanctuary
26 3rd Sunday After the Epiphany (Green)
9:30 am Adult Sunday School
10:30 am Worship
12-1:00 pm Choir Practice
12-2:00 pm Youth Group Upper Room
27
Women’s
Small Group
6:30 pm
GP Room
28
Bible Studies
10:00 am & 7:30 pm
GP Room
29
Small Group 1
10:30 - 11:30 am
GP Room
30
Prayer Group
11:00 - 11:30
am
Chapel
31
Small Group 2
10:00 am
GP Room
Crafts for a Cause
11:00 am