Commack United Methodist Church
486 Townline Road Commack, NY 11725-7310 (631) 499-7310 Web Site: http://www.commack-umc.org Email:
[email protected] Pastor’s E-Mail:
[email protected] Rev. Richard C. Mills, Pastor (631) 499-4770 January 2007
Open Hearts
Open Minds
Open Doors
such a sophisticated place as Commack? Now, eight and a half years later I ask myself the same question. A Charge Conference is the time that we look back at the past year and forward to the coming year. Next year is our dreams and last year is our history. The reports of the work done this year will appear in the reports elsewhere in this booklet. I would like to use this report for some personal reflections on our ministry together over the past year and some thoughts about next year.
Dear Brother or Sister in Christ, This month I am sharing my report to the 2006 Church/Charge Conference. To the People Called United Methodist’s in Commack, Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
History: The year 2006 has not been a good year for me personally. My father died in January; my father-in-law, who was also a great friend, died in August and my wife died in September. This could be devastating for almost anyone if he had to go through it alone, but I didn’t. The CUMC walked with me every single step. I have never been alone. This year you ministered much more to me than I
It is with mixed feelings that I write this report, my twenty eighth pastor’s report, to a charge conference. It is also my last to Commack and my last as an active pastor. It seems like just yesterday that I sat with the SPR committee, scared to death that they wouldn’t want me and scared to death that they would want me. How could I, a country boy (Redneck), ever serve in
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did to you. You taught me that this is our ministry and we need each other. There is a song that we have sung together many times called, “They Will Know We Are Christians by Our Love.” You have really shown that you are Christians by your love. For your love and support I am eternally grateful. Dreams: 2007 will be a transition year for both CUMC and me. I won’t be a part of your dreams as you prepare for a new pastor and new style of ministry. Change is a scary thing. It is scary for the church, it is scary for me, and it is scary for the new pastor. I have discovered that it is nowhere near as scary when you can walk into the future holding someone’s hand. You have each other and I suggest that you hold each other’s hand. When your new pastor comes take his or her hand the same way that you took mine then you can walk into tomorrow unafraid.
...and the third thing -
Change of Address... Harriet Miller Phoenix Mountain Nursing Center 13232 N. Tatum Blvd. Phoenix, AZ 85032
Serving as your pastor for these nine years has been a highlight in my life. You have touched me very deeply and made me feel great. The fears of a country boy serving a church like Commack have been replaced by a feeling of gratitude and love for the chance that you have given me to serve your church. As of July 1st I won’t be your pastor, but I will always be your friend.
Elizabeth Waidelich 165 Hawthorn Avenue Apt. 221 Central Islip, NY 11722
Yours in Christ, Dick Thank you to the Worship Committee for decorating the altar! From the church office...
INSPIRATION...continued
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praise it.”
An updated phone directory will be printed in January. Please notify the office of any changes/additions that need to be made. Also, if you’re not sure if the office has an updated email on file for you, please call and confirm the information. Thanks for your help and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Have you noticed, for example, how enjoyable it is to watch a ballgame, a concert, or a great performance with someone else? Have you ever seen incredible sights alone, wishing your loved ones could see them, too?
Leprechauns are Coming!! It’s more meaningful if we can share our excitement with someone else, and that’s why we gather in church for worship. Every week we have the opportunity to join fellow believers to share our joy of Jesus. Sometimes we praise Him best in a crowd! St. Patrick’s Day Dinner March 17, 2007
THE FUNNY FARM... (Just like the office mornings!!)
Mark your calendars NOW!
on
Tuesday
One day a group of scientists got together and decided that man had come a long way and no longer needed God. They picked one scientist to go and tell Him that they were done with Him. The scientist walked up to God and said, “God, we’ve decided that we no longer need you. We’re to the point that we can clone people and do many miraculous things, so why don’t you just go on and get lost.”
Profits from 223rd Harvest Dinner: $891.00.
Assembling Together... Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. Psalm 34:3 In his book, Reflections on the Psalms, C.S. Lewis said this about praising God: “The world rings with praise – readers praising their favorite poet, walkers praising the countryside, players praising their favorite game, even praises of weather, dishes, actors, flowers, mountains, rare stamps, and once in a while, even the praise of a politician. I had not noticed how the humblest and at the same time most balanced minds praise most, while the cranks and the misfits and the malcontents praise least.”
God listened patiently and kindly to the man and after the scientist was done talking, God said, “Very well! How about this? Let’s have a man making contest.” To which the man replied, “OK, great!” But God added, “Now we’re going to do this just like I did back in the old days with Adam.”
Then Lewis adds: “I had not noticed, either, that just as men spontaneously praise whatever they value, so they spontaneously urge us in joining them to 3
We reflect upon who really counts, As the fresh and bright new year arrives. And as we ponder those who do, we immediately think of you. Thank you Jesus for being the reason We'll have a Happy New Year!
The scientist said, “Sure, no problem” and bent down and grabbed himself a handful of dirt. God just looked at him and said, “No, no, no. You go get your own dirt!”
By Joanna Fuchs UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
The UMW thanks all who helped to make our Christmas Cookie sale a success... the bakers, the packers and the purchasers. We hope you enjoyed the goodies. $188. was realized from the sale, all of which goes towards our mission projects
JANUARY BIRTHDAYS
We wish for you, a happy day For lots of love to come your way May your heart be filled with cheer That will last another year
Our Christmas worship and program was attended by 27 members of the UMW and the congregation. Ginny presented a wonderful program, assisted by Matilda, Dolly and Judy T. The refreshments and fellowship in a gaily decorated parlor was enjoyed by all.
Best heartfelt wishes, sent your way Hoping that joy be yours today This special prayer for you, we say "God bless you on your special day" HAPPY BIRTHDAY to: Matthew Colavito Carl Faber Nancy Gamby Kaylee Reddo Martha Lockhart Karen Malgraff Betty Mascola Larry Sehringer Art Wilson
Our next meeting will be held on Thursday, January 11 at 7:30 PM. Kathy Muller will lead the worship and program "A Call to Prayer and SelfDenial" The program will consist of prayer, scripture readings and some missionary experiences. Cyndi Pinkham will serve as hostess. Installation of officers, led by Ann Aupperle, will also be held at this time.
All other January birthdays (you were not intentionally omitted.)
This year's theme is "Preserving Property; Serving People." The offering will be allocated to the Retirement Benefits Fund, which provides for pensions and healthcare for retired deaconesses and missionaries for whom the Women's Division is responsible
New Year’s Reflections Looking back on the months gone by, As a new year starts and an old one ends, We contemplate what brought us joy, And we think of our loved ones and our friends. Recalling all the happy times, Remembering how they enriched our lives
Those who benefit from this year's offering served many years in Wesley Houses, Bethlehem Centers and other settlement houses, mission schools, hospitals, residences for young women, 4
recipes. Items for display are always a nice addition, so if you have souvenirs and photos of recent travel, a hobby or favorite activity, you would like to exhibit, let us know.
rural church work, parish work and a variety of church agencies. Many persons now on pension received very small salaries for their work through the years. The current (as of 2004) annual pension rate of $ 410 per year of mission work provides some financial security for these women in their later years. They continue to serve in their communities, continue their witnesses and many are still active in the UMW.
If you have any questions or wish to volunteer your assistance, in setting up or to entertain, please don't hesitate to call us. John & Kathy Muller 499-6672
If transportation is needed to attend please contact our president, Ann Aupperle, and she will make arrangements.
MISSION WORKAREA Christmas is a joyous occasion as we celebrate the birth of the Christ Child. Our "angel tree" gave everyone in the congregation an opportunity to make a difference in the life of someone less fortunate. The angel requests disappeared and were quickly replaced by wonderful gifts delivered by our Church Santa's. Children received toys and clothing chosen especially for them and Santa didn't forget the parents who struggle each day just to survive. We were not there to see the smiles on the faces of these children but just imagining those joyous faces help us experience the true meaning of Christmas. The angel tree does more than provide a gift - it is a sign of caring, a sign that these children and their parents are not forgotten, a sign that as Children of God they are special. This year because of the economy we had 11 families on our tree and 2 extra families that God provided for in His special way. We were lucky enough to have the staff of Pumpkin Patch and the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts of troop 125 helps the congregation supply gifts for the angel tree this year. The cub scouts also provided a tree and decorations for a family that almost had Christmas without a tree. I extend thanks and prayers from the families whose lives you have brightened this Holy Season.
DATE TO REMEMBER: There will be a UMW program planning meeting on January 13 at 10:30 am in the parlor. Our 13th Annual International Dinner... The International Dinner will be held on Saturday, February 10, 2007, at 6 pm in the Fellowship Hall. There is no fee, but we ask every family to bring an entree, with enough to feed their family plus four. In addition, please include a dessert or salad and sign up for the other items we need to complete the meal (e.g.: condiments, coffee, sugar, etc.) There will be a sign up sheet in the hall. Most important is that you list the number of those attending, so adequate seating is arranged. We are again looking for our homegrown talent, so please see us if you wish to participate. The wearing of your national/heritage dress will add to the festivities and it would be nice if your entreé was one of your family's heritage 5
Again we thank you again for your generosity. May God bless you in this New Year.
We received donations of hams, turkeys, groceries and cash that enabled us to put together food boxes for special Christmas dinners. Our food baskets are always received with grateful thanks. We add as much we can so that the children have something to eat while they are home from school for Christmas vacation. Many of these children rely on breakfast and lunch at school, and are left to eat whatever is available when school is not in session. Let us try to remember that this is an ongoing problem for these families, and keep our food box filled. It would be impossible to name and personally thank every person who is a part of our ministry, but every one of you has my heartfelt thanks. You make my job easier as we all do the Lord's work.
Anne Tammaro & Gail Stroup Missions Workarea BOARD OF TRUSTEES I would like to begin by thanking all of the Trustees for their help throughout the year and the entire congregation for their support in our efforts to maintain and improve the physical assets of our Church. Our major undertaking for 2006 year was concentrated on the Religious Education Building. New floor tiles were installed in all of the classrooms and the new heating pipes in the open playroom and the classrooms have been boxed in. We also installed the new curb and decorative fence along the north driveway. Pumpkin Patch paid for all of this work. We will be getting estimates next year for installation of a dropped ceiling in the east-west corridor to conceal the heating pipes and electrical conduit. We are also in the process of obtaining cost estimates for upgrading the electric service in the RE Building. If funding permits, we will attempt to undertake both projects.
This month Phyllis delivered 750 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Please help us continue this ministry on the first Saturday of each month at 8:30 AM. We make 600 to 700 sandwiches each month - which become 600 to 700 meals. This means that 600 to 700 people do not go hungry that day. It’s amazing to think this simple act reaches so many. One woman sends us five or ten dollars a couple of times a year. She explained that at the lowest point in her life -she was living in her car – tired and hungry and ready to give up on life when someone handed her a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. This did more than satisfy her hunger- it gave her a feeling that some one cared and a feeling of hope.
Again, we had two successful work days with members of our own congregation, the Commack Korean Church congregation, and the boy scouts giving of their time to help with us clean and spruce up the Church grounds. Without their help and the assistance of many individuals on an on-going basis throughout the year, we would have to pay a considerable amount to outside contractors to accomplish these tasks. As a congregation, I believe we can be proud of the welcoming look of our Church.
We all seem to lead such busy lives and we all have so much to do, but there are so many that need our help; let us all take a look at how we can help to feed the hungry in our area in 2007. It only takes a couple of extra items added to your food shopping to make this happen.
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In the coming year, the Trustees and the entire congregation will be faced with difficult decisions in terms of the many projects which are needed and the limited financial resources available. I had intended to advance the building expansion project this year and have had preliminary discussions with an architect, but I have serious concerns with regard to our ability to pay for it, particularly in light of other major repair projects which we are now faced with. The large cross on the front exterior of the church is in poor condition and in need of extensive work. Preliminary estimates are in the $25,000+ range. We are now looking into less costly ways to preserve the cross. The Chapel is in dire need of interior and exterior painting and all of the windows must be refurbished or replaced. However, because of the historic status of the Chapel, the restoration work is significantly more involved and more expensive to undertake. The windows alone are expected to cost $20,000 to $30,000 to restore. If we ignore these problems the conditions will worsen and the repair costs will escalate. As a congregation, I have faith that together, with His guidance, we will find the way to accomplish all of these projects, including the expansion with new accessible restrooms and an elevator. Tom Mazzola
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