Act for Peace a Message from Bishop Marcus Matthews Violent Crime Plagues Our Com- PRAY Munities - Urban, Suburban, and Please Pray Daily with Me, Now Rural Alike
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Volume 7 Number 8 OCTOBER 07 A Call to End Violence: Act for Peace A Message from Bishop Marcus Matthews Violent crime plagues our com- PRAY munities - urban, suburban, and Please pray daily with me, now rural alike. Children going back to through the end of October, specifi- school are no longer assured of a cally for peace in our communities. safe place, as seen in the Amish • Pray for our young people. school house and Virginia Tech • Pray for the victims of crime shootings, and the recent murder and violence. in Kutztown, PA. Murder rates are • Pray for those caught in a cycle the highest ever seen in Philadel- of poverty, crime, and prison. phia. • Pray for our elected officials, Issues such as poverty, inequi- peacekeepers, and workers in the table education, proliferation of justice system. handguns, drugs, and gambling all • Pray that God will speak to us contribute to the increase in vio- and through us to be His witness in lent crime. It is time for the Body a hurting world. of Christ to make a transforming • Put the power of prayer to difference in the world! work, that lasting change will We, United Methodists - nearly transform our world. Remember 225,000 of us in about 1,000 when you pray: “All things are churches in The Philadelphia Area possible with God.” of The United Methodist Church - are called to be a prophetic voice ACT for God’s Kingdom. And we are Find creative ways to be in minis- called to be Christ’s hands and feet try in the heart of your neighbor- that help to make God’s will a real- hood that will help love your com- ity. munity into life! I ask that each of you, pastors • Identify and form a partnership and laypersons alike, join me to with a school in your area to help pray, act, and advocate on behalf of children improve reading and math the least, the last, the lost - espe- skills, to connect, and to mentor cially for the innocent children of children into a healthy life. our neighborhoods. • Create a safe place for peace in Bishop Marcus Matthews writes letters to elected officials to advocate for safer streets in the your community by offering activi- neighborhoods of Southeaster Pennsylvania. continues on page 9 Women who tithe by Suzy Keenan* Growing up during the depres- sion in Virginia, Ruth Daugherty and her five siblings watched their mother and their father, a United Farewell to Eleanor Brethren pastor, model tithing. “Even during the depression, my Weiser father took 10% from his pay each week and put it in a black box in Page 3 my parents’ dresser drawer,” she said. “On Sunday, they took it out Summer Camp of the box and went to church to place it in the offering plate. We Summary had one pair of shoes and one Sunday dress, and even though Page 6 giving was a sacrifice, we weren’t without the basics of life that we Back to the Basics needed.” Ruth gives out of the joy of Page 12 giving, “not out of obligation. It is one way that I can share what I have, to do the ministry of Jesus. Index My gifts are the part of my hands Calendar ..................2 reaching out in ministry where I Praveena Balasundaram teaches Sunday School at Solebury UMC can’t be, and help to do what I in New Hope, PA, where her husband is the pastor. For Praveena, Nation ......................4 cannot personally do.” giving a tithe includes not only financial giving, but also giving of World ......................5 Tithes and offerings are not the time and talents. end of her financial giving. That Classifieds ................11 continues on page 9 2 OCTOBER 2007 4 p.m.- Charles Wesley: The Sweet PA and Western PA annual Singer of Methodism - Historic St. conferences. Join us for 4 days of Conference Calendar George’s celebrates the tercentenary educational training, networking, OCTOBER 6, 2007 Norristown Soup Kitchen and United of one of Methodism’s founders and fellowship and fun! Register today by Terry Teykl will be leading a semi- Methodist Neighborhood Services. one of the most prolific hymn writers calling 202.488.5600 or go to: www.umc- nar on Saturday, October 6, at Wash- “Feed the Hungry” has donated thou- in Christendom: S. T. Kimbrough gbcs.org/livingfaith. Group discounts ington Crossing UMC. The seminar is sands of dollars to these local food brings his dramatic portrayal of available! open to all pastors and laity in our missions. Bethel Hill United Method- Charles Wesley with the back story NOVEMBER 3, 2007 conference. The topics include prayer, ist Church, Rt. 73 & Bethel Road, and performance of his music. A 100- Making Disciples Training Series - strategic prayer targets, and reaching Worcester Township, PA; 215-368-7180. voice choir from across the region will Stewards of God’s Gifts. See page 8. your community through prayer. Dr. OCTOBER 7, 2007 sing Wesley hymns in an interlude, Teykl, who recently spoke to our en- World Communion Sunday and Rev. Dr. Charles Yrigoyen will be NOVEMBER 9-11, 2007 tire annual conference during the CVI For more information go to: on hand for a book-signing following Encounter Youth Event process, uses practical insights and www.umcgiving.org the event. A rare John Wesley hand- See page 12 for more information. humor to speak definitive truths re- OCTOBER 7, 2007 written hymnal will be on display for NOVEMBER 12-14,. 2007 that day. LINK: garding the power of prayer, drawing Fuente de Amor UMC will offi- The Pennsylvania State Pastor’s from unconventional methods and his www.historicstgeorges.org/fileadmin/ Conference cially launch to the community Sun- Sweet%20Singer.pdf extensive experience in the local day October 7, 2007 at 6:00 PM. Special This year’s Pennsylvania State Pas- church and as a general evangelist. music, dance and celebrating, with a OCTOBER 17, 2007 tors’ Conference will be held Novem- The registration fee includes a book, bilingual service (Spanish and En- Cornwall Manor Founders Day ber 12-14, at The Hilton Harrisburg workbook, and other relevant materi- glish). Fuente de Amor meets at Celebration. Annual tradition and Towers. The theme is “Being als. Check out the church website for Fulton Elementary School Audito- honoring friends who have played an Christian in a Hi-Tech Culture.” The registration information. rium, Orange and Mulberry Streets in important role in Cornwall Manor’s cost is $125 if your registration is www.crossingumc.org Lancaster, PA. For more information: founding and history as well as those postmarked by Sept. 30, 2007. The reg- OCTOBER 6, 2007 717-394-2311 or e-mail: who have supported Cornwall Manor istration is $150, if postmarked ”Why men hate going to church” [email protected] through 58 years of ministry. Guest begining October 1, 2007. You can United Methodist Men’s Breakfast speaker Dr. Ruth A. Daughtery, free register on line by going to at Jarrettown United Methodist OCTOBER 9, 2007 lance educator and consultant, who www.pachurches.org. There is also a Church, 8:00am – 9:45am. With guest Autumn Leaves serves as Secretary of the link on this site to reserve a room at speaker, Marine Viet Nam veteran, An event for older adults, featuring northeastern Jurisdiction, on the the Harrisburg Hilton. If you have church softball player, trumpet aficio- programming that includes United Methodist Publishing Board, additional questions, please contact nado, Pastor of our booming New Maranatha Productions, Inc. dramati- Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Rev. Dennis Keen, the Eastern Penn- Hanover United Methodist Church, zation of the story behind the hymn Board of Ordained Ministry; president sylvania Conference representative to the Rev. Dave Lewis. The food is guar- “Amazing Grace” and Act 1 Produc- of LUMINA board in Lancaster. the PA Council of Church by calling anteed to be outstanding! Jarrettown tions “Hymns from the Heart”. Bring For more information: Kyle Mohler, (215) 355-2474 or emailing UMC, 1460 Limekiln Pike, Dresher, Pa. your friends and enjoy snacks, a hot Public Relations & Development Coor- [email protected]. See you there! 19025, right off the Ft. Washington lunch, and opportunities to play dinator, 717-273-2647, ext. 8237 or NOVEMBER 25, 2007 bingo, do crafts, or walk in the beauty Exit of the Pa. Turnpike and Rt. 309. [email protected]. United Methodist Student Day of fall foliage in Mount Gretna. Come RSVP and direct any questions to OCTOBER 19-21, 2007 For more information and to order in groups or as individuals to fellow- [email protected] or 215/ Confirmation Camp resources, go to: www.umcgiving.org ship and have fun. Call today and 643-1269. For Junior and Senior High youth reserve your spot, (717)-273-6525, at NOVEMBER 26, 2007 who are involved in confirmation OCTOBER 6, 2007 Gretna Glen Camp and Retreat Cen- Bishop’s Advent Day Apart - training in their local church. 22nd Annual Apple Festival at ter, 87 Old Mine Rd., Lebanon, PA. Aldersgate UMC, Wilmington, DE. Dr. Confirmands come with their church Historic Boehm’s Chapel www.gretnaglen.org e-mail- Lovett H. Weems, Jr. will be the speaker. leaders and learn how to identify and 13 W. Boehm’s Church Road, Willow [email protected] DECEMBER 8, 2007 use their gifts for the body of Christ. Street, PA 17584. Enjoy apple dump- Making Disciples Training Series - lings, Watch Apple Butter Being OCTOBER 10, 2007 Special emphasis on missions and The Methodist Home for Children United Methodist connectionalism. Accountable Discipleship: The power Made, Live Music by Hiram Ring of of small group ministry.