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UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF PATCHOGUE S i n c e 1 7 9 1 1791

September 2018 WORSHIP IN Outside Your rock band. One thing was However, while in seminary SEPTEMBER Zone? for sure—the people who I did work on a farm for two gathered around were days in Pennsylvania. And Sept. 2—The Rev. Dr. ave you ever felt quite happy, perhaps a when the fields are Charles Ferrara, uncomfortable little tipsy. However, they plentiful, I learned that the James 1:17-27 about doing H were a great crowd with a farmer and crew get out Sept. 9—The Rev. Dr. something? Can you good attitude—all things there and work that field. Charles Ferrara, Mark 6:1-13 remember loaning considered. Well, Jesus is telling us somebody something who Sept. 16—The Rev. Dr. So, here we were trying that it is no coincidence never returned it and you Charles Ferrara, to hand out free bottles of that the village of were uncomfortable Mark 8:27-38 cold water and fliers Patchogue and surrounding about asking for it back— Sept. 23—The Rev. Dr. telling the recipient about areas is exploding with life, even though it was yours Charles Ferrara, our beautiful historic growth and vibrancy. It is a to begin with? Mark 9:30-37 church next to the rock challenge by both Jesus and Have you ever been Sept. 30—The Rev. Dr. band playing a song from the new demographics to uncomfortable about AC/DC. awaken our church to go Charles Ferrara, telling someone the truth? Most of the people we out and work the field that Mark 9:38-50 It was true, but you were approached graciously is plentiful. intimidated about how the accepted the free water; Continued on Page 2 other person might react. I but very few, if any, would believe most wanted to receive our people are like this some flyer or hear information way or the other. about our church. To This past summer our which I was not church decided to disappointed. participate in Patchogue’s Why? You never know Alive After Five® event to if we had reached just one help promote our church person and made them and our SOS (Save Our curious enough to come to Sanctuary) Campaign—a church on Sunday. campaign to help with all Jesus said in John 4:35 the desperately needed that the fields were ripe repairs our beautiful 127- for picking. Later in Luke year-old building is in 10:2 he told his disciples need of. that the harvest was Our assigned space plentiful. where we had a table, Now, growing up in tent and display set up Brooklyn I have absolutely was right next to a loud no farming experience. Circle of Concern Our Zone (From Page 1) New Membership Class Bereavement: But back to my comment about astor Chuck invites anyone being uncomfortable— Len Ricchi family interested in learning more Most people are not comfortable about sharing his or her faith. P about our church and be- For Guidance and Healing: Americans, in general, are that way— coming a full member to sign up for Henry Prince, Marjorie Bates, Jim Da- we don’t want to impose our beliefs on the next New Member Class on vis, Maura Sherman, Michael Becker, others. I get that. It would probably Sunday, October 14. shock most people to know that by Frank, Gabriella Palacios, Katie The class will meet in the Cloud nature I am an introvert—and have Graves, John Puk, Baby Luca, Scott been all of my life. I do not find it easy Room at 11:40 AM, following Fellow- Rosenburg, Janice, John Gamber, Ba- approaching people about ship Hour. Sign-up forms are located by Ben Ruddy, Jim M., Fran Knoedl, uncomfortable subjects. at the usher stations in the rear of Bill, Mark Halliwell, Ron King, Krystan I think most of us fear rejection the sanctuary and in the church & Nick, Barry Kaminski, Nancy Barate- concerning such matters. But seeing it office. is September, wouldn’t it be a great la, Gladys Carabello, Cathy Halliwell idea to just invite a friend, a family (Lauren’s mother) member, a co-worker, a neighbor—or New Live Streaming even a stranger, to your beautiful e continue to live These at Home: church? It just may be that experience stream our worship Lee Hollowell that will change his or her life. My wife and I did that with our W services but have

neighbor across the street from us and changed their internet location. The These in Rehab or Nursing Care he has come to church all summer and video, both live and recorded can Facilities: recently said to me that it has changed now be found on YouTube. Geri Sheridan in Brookhaven Health his life. A link can be found at Isn’t that what Jesus does the Care Facility, 801 Gazzola Dr., East PatchogueUMC.org or if you have Patchogue most—CHANGE THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS? the YouTube app you can access our Alice Zahnd in Gurwin Jewish Nursing So, yes—we may be uncomfortable channel directly. To find it, search on Facility, 68 Hauppauge Rd., inviting someone to church. They may “Patchogue Methodist Live Stream”. Commack, NY tell us no, not interested. That’s okay. Unlike our old UStream service, But they just may say “Yes” and show the recordings do not post immedi- Pray for our church and her future up on Sunday morning like our neighbor did. Remember, the field is ately. It now takes up to a day for the directions! ready and the harvest is plentiful in the postings. Patchogue area. All there is needed is We switched after Ustream can- Prayer cards are located at the usher’s for us to go out there and invite them celed their free service. YouTube is in. station at the rear of the sanctuary. free. Hope you all had a wonderful Summer and that we all returned safely Paster Chuck’s sermons are also Make a prayer request at to begin a brand new chapter for our posted weekly as audio podcasts. church in September. There is a link on our website but In His Grip, you can also download the —Pastor Chuck “Podcasts” app. A search on

September Birthdays “Patchogue” will show “Podbean- Patchogue United Methodist PatchogueUMC.com Sept. 17 Cailin Rogers Church”. Sunday School Begins Sept. 16

No End In Sight For Church as, is seeing earlier, longer Clara and Fremont have sent gift Response and more destructive wildfire sea- cards, volunteers or cash to help out. sons. Sonja Edd-Bennett, director of Even those who aren’t evacuated or he evening session of vaca- the conference’s disaster response in immediate danger are feeling the tion Bible school was just ministry, worries this could become a effects. wrapping up at First United T “new normal.” “The smoke is affecting people’s Methodist Church in Redding, Califor- “We haven’t even hit the height of health,” said the Rev. Judy Shook, nia, when the word came — the Carr the fire season yet,” she told United pastor of Ukiah United Methodist Fire was advancing and it was time to Methodist News Service. “There’s Church. “Many people are wearing evacuate. even some concern that we no longer masks or forced to stay inside with The Rev. Joe Major, his wife, Julia, have a fire season, and that these the windows closed. It’s affecting and dozens of church members loaded fires could potentially affect us year- community events.” into cars and navigated clogged roads, round.” At least six firefighters have died along with thousands of other resi- Two fires in the Mendocino Com- so far in the 2018 , setting a dents leaving the area on July 26. plex fire — geographically the largest grim record. More than 14,000 fire- “This fire was explosive,” Major re- wildfire in California history — forced fighters are currently working the called. “The people in the northern the evacuation of 40,000 of the fires, about half of them from out of neighborhoods of Redding had almost 65,000 living in Lake County. state or overseas. Thousands are no time to get out.” All of the seven United Methodist based in Ukiah, where planes fly out Unpredictable and fast-moving, the churches in the county have had cler- of the airport to spread fire retard- created firewhirls or gy or church members under evacua- ant. “firenados” — intense fires that tion at some point in the last few “We see them in our restaurants whipped up towering spirals and cre- weeks and at least one family in Shas- and people applaud,” Shook said. ated winds up to 143 miles per hour. ta Lake United Methodist lost their While the fires burned, two United Since July 23, the fire has killed eight home. In total, 147 homes were de- Methodist churches were busy in and destroyed more than 1,000 resi- stroyed in an area that was already late July and early August ministering dences — and it’s just one of 18 fires strained by the loss of 2,000 homes to to children still traumatized by last still burning in the worst wildfire sea- fires in the last three years. year’s fires. son in California history. “Only about 10 percent of those Ukiah United Methodist and First The United Methodist California- homes have been rebuilt, so the United Methodist of Santa Rosa each Nevada Conference responded in Red- county is facing a significant housing hosted Camp Noah, a free day camp ding by distributing more than $5,000 crisis as a result,” said the Rev. Shan- for children in their communities in gift cards for Walmart, groceries non Kimbell-Auth, pastor of Mid- affected by the October 2017 fires, and fuel to evacuees. dletown United Methodist Church. including many whose families had That came on the heels of response The conference is distributing gift lost their homes. efforts for a series of other fires, be- cards for groceries and fuel to evacu- Developed by Lutheran Social Ser- ginning in June with the ees at the local assistance center for vices, the Camp Noah curriculum in Lake County and the the Mendocino Fires in Lucerne — uses the story of Noah to teach resili- in Siskiyou County — all on top of on- more than $7,000 to date, thanks to ency and disaster preparedness but going recovery efforts for the October funding from the United Methodist does not proselytize or present a reli- 2017 wildfires and in previous years. Committee on Relief, the conference gious perspective. Each camp hosted Due to warmer weather, drought and and donations from local church- about 40 children; organizers at both more home construction in forest are- es. Churches as far as away as Santa churches said the program met a real toys for families affected by the fires lutions on the treatment of immigrants need. and volunteered at evacuation cen- as well as the denomination’s longtime “There were lots of deep conversa- ters at Shasta College and Simpson debate around the status of LGBTQ tions that you might not expect 6- College as well as at shelters for ani- individuals. Such resolutions are aspi- year-olds to have,” said the Rev. Lori mals separated from their owners. rational, but they give a sense of how Sawdon, pastor of First Church in San- The Redding church hosted an inter- church members apply their faith to ta Rosa. faith prayer vigil for the community current challenges. Many children took advantage of a and served as home for the Shasta On the question of how the United quiet room set aside for the camp College Vocal Institute, a voice and States should treat newcomers, annual and staffed with counselors ready to drama intensive for high school stu- conferences proclaimed a common listen. “One mother told me that her dents, which needed to relocate message: Keep families together. son didn’t cry himself to sleep for two when the college campus was repur- “Immigrants are living in fear because nights in a row — something he’s posed for evacuees. they are increasingly victimized by done since last year’s fire, until Camp “Church members just jumped in,” family separation, detention, deporta- Noah,” Sawdon added. Major said. “This is where I see God tion, raids and acts of hate and vio- Disaster relief staff expect a simi- working through all this — so many lence,” said the Great Plains Confer- larly long road for recovery and re- people reaching out and caring for ence in a resolution urging change to building long after the 2018 fires are one another.” “Our Sinful Immigration System.” contained. Edd-Bennett says the next How you can help “Christians are called to respond to step is to assess needs; she’s planning United Methodists wishing to help situations of great suffering such as to apply for long-term UMCOR recov- can make donations directly through this,” the resolution continued. ery grants to assist in the Redding and UMCOR’s Domestic Disaster Re- That was one of the three resolu- Shasta Lake communities. sponse Advance #901670. tions Great Plains voters passed calling Meanwhile, UMCOR is still working Donations can also be made to the the U.S. to be more humane toward in places like Weed, California, where California-Nevada Disaster Response people seeking asylum or simply a a fire struck four years ago. Fund either by check or online. better life within its borders. And the “UMCOR does not abandon the —Mary Jacobs, UMNS conference, which encompasses the community after the initial response,” states of Kansas and Nebraska, wasn’t said the Rev. Toni Hartman, pastor of Methodists Unite On alone. Yreka United Methodist Church. At least 18 of 54 U.S. annual confer- “They’ve stayed and worked with Welcoming Immigrants ences — a third — passed resolutions them through the whole process.” hile United Methodists insisting on the reunification of immi- In Redding, Major and his wife re- differ on how the de- grant families or more generally urging mained evacuated for about a week, W nomination should re- churches to care for immigrants. along 80 people in the congregation gard homosexuality, they speak with Among those urging support for immi- of 300. The church and the Majors’ much broader agreement on immi- grant families were three conferences home were safe, but eight other gration. along the southern U.S. border: Rio church families lost their homes. Bish- Both division and consensus were Texas, Desert Southwest and California op Minerva Carcaño preached at Red- apparent in recent months as annual -Pacific. ding on Aug. 5 and met with those conferences, the denomination’s re- Continued on Page 7 families. gional bodies, met to worship and Church members are now focused conduct church business. on helping Redding recover and re- As happened last year, a number build. They collected supplies and of conference voters approved reso-

500 North Ocean Ave. NorthOcean 500 11772 NY Patchogue,

631 -

475 - 0098

The deadline for the October issue of The Link is Sept. 14 (note early deadline). Please email your copy to [email protected].

For security purposes, the Church St. entrance is now locked as soon as Sunday services begin. If you are run- ning late, be sure to use the Sanctuary entrances. Methodists on even those seeking asylum in the the hands of the 864 lay and clergy United States. Immigration (From Page 5) delegates elected by annual confer- President Donald Trump issued an ences to attend the special General But United Methodist support for executive order June 20 declaring an Conference in 2019. immigrants stretched well beyond the end to family separations, but the Since 1972, the denomination’s southernmost ports of entry, extend- order did not address how families Social Principles have described the ing from Oklahoma to Indiana to New already separated could be restored. practice of homosexuality as England and multiple conferences in Since then, federal courts have or- “incompatible with Christian teach- between. dered the administration to reunify ing.” Today, the denomination’s Book More on annual conferences families. Nevertheless, hundreds of of Discipline — of which the Social Annual conferences are yearly, re- children remain split from their par- Principles are a part — also makes gional gatherings around the globe ents or guardians. officiating at same-gender weddings that combine United Methodist wor- The United Methodist ministry Jus- or being a “self-avowed practicing” ship and business. tice for Our Neighbors, which pro- gay clergy member a chargeable They celebrate the licensing, commis- vides legal aid to immigrants, has offense under church law. sioning and ordination of new clergy been working to reunite families. A majority of bishops in early May as well as clergy retirements. United Methodists also have prayed recommended the commission’s One There are 54 conferences in the Unit- for and organized worship with those Church Plan that would leave ques- ed States and 80 in Africa, Europe and detained. tions of the ordination of LGBTQ cler- the Philippines. United Methodist On the last day of their annual con- gy up to annual conferences and News Service is posting annual con- ference, 75 Pacific Northwest mem- same-gender marriage up to local ference reports as we receive them. bers held a prayer vigil outside the churches. See reports. federal detention center in Washing- At least two conferences have en- Such resolutions frequently in- ton State, where hundreds of undocu- dorsed that plan. Other conferences voked Scripture, which, in both the mented immigrant adults were de- more generally have called for unity Old and New Testaments, urges hos- tained. in diversity. Still others have called for pitality for migrants. As a Great Plains Earlier this month, Oklahoma Indi- stronger enforcement of the denomi- resolution pointed out, Jesus likened an Missionary Conference members nation’s current prohibitions. himself to a stranger needing wel- held a prayer vigil outside a detention Voters in the Oriental and Equa- come. center for young boys in Texas. tor , East Congo and the Kivu confer- The resolutions also often cited The strong response against sepa- ences, all in the Democratic Republic The United Methodist Church’s Social rating families contrasts with the var- of Congo, took stands against same- Principles, which have long opposed ied responses conferences have given gender marriages. “immigration policies that separate to a debate that potentially can sepa- The Estonia Conference in eastern family members from each other or rate the denomination. Europe endorsed the commission’s that include detention of families During their sessions this year, Traditional Plan, which calls for strict- with children.” most conferences took time to dis- er enforcement of church restrictions Conference voters passed these cuss the work of the Commission on a related to LGBTQ individuals. resolutions amid public outcry about Way Forward, which has proposed The Mississippi Conference re- the Trump administration’s “zero- different possibilities for how the de- ferred a resolution urging that the tolerance” policy toward illegal immi- nomination handles ministry with church maintain current standards to gration, which directly led to the sep- LGBTQ individuals. its General Conference delegation. aration of thousands of children from Ultimately, decisions about the Continued on Page 8 their families. The policy affected denomination’s direction will be in

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF PATCHOGUE T h e L I N K

10 Church St., Patchogue, NY 11772

The Rev. Dr. Charles Ferrara, Pastoral Minister Camille Flynn, Administrative Assistant Office Phone: 631-475-0381 | Fax: 631-475-3132 Email: [email protected] Office Hours: 9:00 AM –2:00 PM., Closed Monday Worship Video Live Streaming at PatchogueUMC.Org

Sunday Worship and Sunday School—10 AM Fellowship Coffee Hour—11 AM Hearing assistance provided

Methodists (From Page 7) Both the -Idaho and New start a conversation and discuss this The conference referred to its York conferences took steps to en- and gain understanding. To really see board of ordained ministry a resolu- sure LGBTQ individuals would be part the image of God in every human be- tion that encourages the board and of their General Conference delega- ing requires us to see the image of district committees on ministry to tions. The New York delegation has God in every human being. That is the remain faithful to the language of the named two LGBTQ individuals as its role of the church.” Book of Discipline with regards to co-chairs. —Heather Hahn, UMNS clergy behavior and human sexuality. These conferences all met before The conference adopted a resolu- full details of the commission’s plans tion encouraging all Mississippi Unit- were publicly available. ed Methodists to remain committed Many across the denomination are to the process of the Commission on urging prayer as the denomination a Way Forward and to remain true to heads to the special General Confer- their vows and connection. ence. The Virginia Conference members Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson, who passed a resolution saying they“ urge leads the North Georgia Conference, and pray that the 2019 General Con- was among them. Bishops do not ference will resist schism and express have a vote at General Conference. openness to diverse perspectives in “Our decisions over the next year are matters of sexual identity and prac- incredibly important,” she told the tice.” conference. “My request is, please