June 7 th , what a great day! We were back in the house of the LORD worshiping together.

From Pastor Dennis

Returning to a Previous Appointment

As of the effective date of a new appointment, a pastor shall immediately cease all pastoral counseling and pastoral visitation with members or member families in the previous appointment. Since appointments are generally announced several weeks in advance, each pastor has adequate time in which to effect closure and make appropriate referral to another for the pastoral care of members. Pastors shall have a clear understanding with former congregations that they will not return to officiate at baptisms, weddings and funerals, or do pastoral counseling or pastoral visitation in that parish. Pastors, active or retired, shall respectfully decline to participate in such duties when invited by members of a former congregation. Declining all such invitations is the responsibility of the previous pastor. The present pastor, at his or her discretion, may invite the previous pastor to return for pastoral functions. However, the present pastor should never be under any pressure to invite the previous pastor. This policy is ongoing and doesn’t have an expiration date. Several weeks prior to concluding a pastoral appointment, a pastor shall inform all members of the church of this policy by printing sections one and two verbatim in either a pastoral letter to be sent to each member or a church newsletter to be sent to each member and encourage them to support the policy by their prayers and actions.

From Pastor Tony

Greetings and Peace to You from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!

The Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 1:6, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” This verse has real meaning to me as I reflect back to Sunday, January 5, 2014; the first time I entered Hedgesville United Methodist Church. I was a broken man and had no intention of serving, leading or getting involved in any form of ministry. All I planned to do was attend Sunday worship and go home. If it hadn’t been for my friend and sister In-Christ, Janice Leonard, who greeted me with genuine Christ like compassion and hospitality, I would have never gone back. It didn’t take God very long to reveal His plan for me. Within a few weeks I was attending Sunday School. Within a few months, I was leading a small group. By the end of the year I was helping with the Youth Ministry. In 2015, I joined the choir; special thanks to Hugh Erskine for accepting my “joyful noise.” By the end of 2015 I became a Lay Leader, Youth Leader, and continued to participate in and lead several small groups.

Fast forward to 2017, when I stopped running from God and declared myself as a candidate for Ordained Ministry. My plan was to maybe become a Pastor later in life; a post-retirement plan. Again, God had a different plan. I was called to Pastor the Sleepy Creek Charge in Morgan County in the Fall of 2018. I didn’t think I was ready, but I’ve learned that God doesn’t care about your readiness, He wants you to answer the call! The past two years have been simply amazing! In addition to being a Pastor, I also serve as a Clinical Chaplain for Hospice of the Panhandle. Life is good. As a matter of fact, 2019 was without question the best year of my life! Then in April of this year my phone rang, the name on the caller ID read “Edgardo Rivera,” the Superintendent of the Frederick District. My heart sank. I thought to myself, “I’m not ready for another change. I like things the way they are.” Again, God revealed to me His plan. I spent time in prayer and

Over the Hedge

Upcoming EventsCommunity Dinner

Pot Luck Dinner

NOT YET

realized what a true blessing it is to be called to Pastor my home Church. God, who began a good work in me back in 2014, was about to bring me full circle; back to where it all started at HUMC. I’ve preached many times about not being complacent, it’s time to practice what I preach!

I am full of excitement as WE prepare to enter a new chapter of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Hedgesville! It is my sincere hope and prayer that WE come to a place together as described in John 13:35, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” When WE love one another, everything else will fall into place!

Praising and Serving Him!

Pastor Tony

Committees/Groups

NOT YET, wait for further announcements

Administrative CouncilNo (Chair), Jenny Hess, Sharon Coombes, Mike Shickle, Hugh Erskine, Jean Ritchie, Jamie Curry, Dale/Marvin Thomas, Barbara Noll, Jessica Lopez, Mert Peitersen, Rachel Link and Pattie Myers, Pastor Tony Pirrone.

Finance CommitteeNo (Chair), Tony Pirrone, Jenny Hess, Mike Shickle, Sharon Coombes, Mert Peitersen, Pattie Myers NON-VOTING Members: Choir Director, President of United Methodist Men, President of United Methodist Women, President of United Methodist Youth, Coordinator of Small Group Ministries, Youth Leader, Sunday School Superintendent, Technology Review Committee, Family Ministries Chair, History Chair, Missions Chair, Evangelism Chair

SPRC 3rd Sunday after churchJenny Hess-(Chair), Curtis Hite, Ann DeHaven, Young Adult, Lay Member to Annual Conference, Lay Leader

TrusteesMike Shickle (Acting chair), Curtis Hite, Dale Thomas, Frank Albright, Mert Peitersen, Ex-Officio: Bob Shickle, David Shahan and Nick Viccellio

The trustees have a red form that is found outside the office for maintenance and repairs of the church facilities. If you see an item that needs attention, please assist the church by completing and posting the form on the office door. Thank you for your assistance.

NOMINATIONS COMMITTEEPastor Tony Pirrone (Chair), Harriett Liskey, Jenny Hess, Sharon Coombes, Mert Peitersen and Mike Shickle

FELLOWSHIP COMMITTEE/FAMILY MINISTRIESDale Thomas/Marvin Thomas (Co-chairs), Sharon Coombes, Linda Yost, Jean Ritchie, Mert Peitersen, Dolly Donaldson

Stewardship CommitteeMert Peitersen (Chair)

Methodist Women 2nd Wednesday 1pm in the ChapelJean Ritchie (President) All women of the church are considered members of the group and are welcome

The United Methodist Women were able to meet again after not meeting since March.  We were happy to welcome new member, Dale Thomas.  The UMW presented each member of the congregation with a Happy Kit on our return to the sanctuary.   We look forward to getting additional members and hope to resume some of our planned projects soon.   The UMW also honored eight graduates on Sunday, June 14th. They were: Hannah Alt, Dakota Barnhart, Jamie Curry, Angelo Lopez, Katie Hess, Christopher Curtis, Caleb McClatchey and Matthew Weber.  The graduates were presented with a Sheetz gift card and a small devotional book.

Methodist Men 3rd Saturday 9amAll men are invited and encouraged to attend

YOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE:Jenny Hess, Jessica Knill-Lopez, Rachel Link and Lori Pruitt

Youth Group every Sunday 6:30pm

Boy Scouts Robert UccelliniRobert Uccellini at 304-671-2199 or Hedgesville.troop.37@gmail.com

Cub Scouts Jessica Knill Lopez Jessica Knill-Lopez at 304-995-7937 or Knilljlo@gmail.com

Prayer Chain

Loaves and Fishes Fourth Friday 8amJanice Leonard Help is always appreciated

We would greatly appreciate any contributions

The Loaves and Fishes program is happy to start our outreach program to the needy in the community again.  Our open date is June 26th.

  We have been able to assist those who had extreme needs when we have had calls simply by packaging and dropping off at the parking lot. We used food available from our pantry or as a few donations had been brought in. Martin's were unable to order for a while but we purchased some items just last week.

The “Grow To Share” group is also providing a limited amount of produce on June 26th.

We ask for your prayer support as we again serve the community in these less than normal times.

Money Donations: make your checks out to:Hedgesville Loaves and FishesPO Box 35Hedgesville, WV 25427 ***We are blessed to have so many generous people***

Thank You

Small GroupsStatus Will Be Announced

July

2 Dakota Alt9 Cayla Alt9 Spencer Viccellio9 Anthony Viccellio13 John Knighten16 Claudia Davis28 Dale Miller

Food Donations:Deliver to church, call first and talk to staff304-754-8793