April 2011 COMMACK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Th e Mes s eng e r Open Hearts

Open Minds

Open Doors

A Wo rd Fro m O u r Pa s to r Months and months ago I had a great idea. It was so good and I knew it would benefit me, the church, and the larger community. I kept thinking about how significant it could be. It’s just that I just never got around to actually doing it. Has that ever happened to you?

What’s Inside 

Notes & Prayers

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Birthdays

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Upcoming Events

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Boy Scouts

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UMW

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Thrift Shoppe

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Family Page

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Calendar

Rev. Lynda Bates-Stepe Pastor

Donna Etergineoso Editor

God’s Spirit to be with those who have lost a love one.

Our church neighborhood includes many businesses and so I walk along those areas as well. Empty storefronts may indicate dreams that were never realized and the great variety of enterprises can Well, in February I finally began a Satur- take my prayer in many different direcday morning Prayer Walk. And I’m happy tions. Although it is usually early in the to say that other than the week I was day, I also pass other people whom I away on vacation I have done it every greet with a smile and a simple hello Saturday. along with a silent request to God for their well-being. A Prayer Walk is a way of spending time in the community observing and being in A Prayer Walk can be done by an individprayer for the people who live and work ual but it is great to have two or three in the area. It’s not an obvious thing; people go together. If you are interested anyone seeing me would simply see a in joining me, please do. If you’d like to person taking a walk, although doing so be part of this outreach but are not comat very slow pace. fortable with a 20 minute walk, you can remain in the sanctuary in prayer. I usuI begin in the church sanctuary in prayer ally begin about 9:00 am but please let and then head out in a different direction me know if you’d like to join me. If I’m each week. For about 20-30 minutes I not expecting anyone else I might be a silently walk. As I walk I try to be alert to little more flexible about what time I actuthe sights, sounds and smells around ally get going! me. In residential areas I pray for the families who live in the houses I pass by Join me in reaching out to our neighbors looking for clues about their life. Passing with God’s love through a Prayer Walk. a yard with toys and a swing set I offer up It’s a blessing for those who walk and, prayers for the children who enjoy them. we hope, a blessing for those for whom If there is a For Sale sign, I say a few we pray. words for the family who is in transition and the family who will eventually call Peace, this place home. If there is a car with a Rev. Lynda Bates-Stepe memorial decal in the back window, I ask 486 Town Line Road · Commack NY 11725 (631) 499-7310 Office: [email protected] Pastor: [email protected] www.commack-umc.org

April 2011

A Prayer... Holy God, My life is always in your hands Use me to do your will and to reflect the reality on earth. As long as I live, let my life count for good. Guide me to grow in faith and strength, And to live the abundant life that comes from your grace. Amen

Thank you! Once again, FABULOUS members of CUMC have accomplished a St. Patrick's Day Dinner. The entire crew showed up to PEEL cut, dice and chunk veggies, and set the tables . Without the pot lifters and turnip mashers there would not have been a dinner. The Girls Scouts did a great job, as always!!! We were so happy to welcome the Confirmation class members, Julia Theofield, Joe Matera, Robin Bagno and Stella, a confirmation friend to be our food servers. They were so willing and cheerful! It was such a pleasure to work beside them. The jokes for the evening were supplied by “Funny Lady” Pat Shea. About $400, was raised for the church and to help keep the kitchen in working condition. Thanks to everyone!!! ~Patti and Gery Spory

With deepest regret... It is with deep regret that I inform the parish that our Mother, Harriet Graves Miller, has passed and is with the Lord. She passed on March 20th, 2011. She is not suffering any longer. She was a parishioner of your church for many years before she moved out to Arizona to live with her son, Frank E. Miller. She was survived by her son, Frank, daughter in laws Carol and Maureen, six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Please discontinue the news bulletin you so graciously sent to Harriet each month. We would like to take this time to thank ALL of those who kept sending cards to Harriet at the nursing home. It meant so much to the family. Thank you again for your prayers and love you sent Harriet. ~Frank and Maureen Miller

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April 2011

The Messenger

APRIL Bir thdays 5th Maggie Hervey 5th Carly Theofield 5th Emma Theofield 9th Tom White 13th Julia Theofield 20th June Fick

21st Florence Schneckenberger 22nd Kimberly Clendenning 24th Sobana Prasad 27th Sarah D’Amato Tom Devine Jennifer Mallgraf

We wish for you, a happy day with lots of love to come your way. May your hearts be filled with cheer that will last through the year.

If anyone knows how to contact Mey Sawa, who attended CUMC for several years, and whose last known address was in Irvine, California, please contact Mary Kopf or the church office with their contact information.

GOD IS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK We will be meeting the following Thursday mornings from 10:30 - 12:00 noon in the Parlor:

NO CLASS -

April 7th April 14th April 21st April 28th May 5th May 12th May 19th

Holy Thursday

If you are interested in a Monday evening Study Group, please contact the church office or sign up on the sheet on the table in the back of the Sanctuary.

STUDY GROUP

Thursday morning Study Group

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A p r i l 2 0 1 1A p r i l 2 0 1 1

UMW

Our annual Harvest Fair is scheduled for Saturday, October 22, 2011, and planning is underway! We’ll have all of our traditional booths again this year and some new attractions are in the design stage. If you have any ideas, suggestions or would like to add your name to our list of dedicated volunteers, please let me know. Yes, the Parcel Post Booth was a success in 2010 and it is coming back this year again! While on your vacation in a far-away land or while sightseeing on Long Island, please pick up a small item to donate to our Parcel Post Booth. All items will be sold for $5 (so the item you purchase should cost no less than $5.00). Please wrap it in brown paper to disguise the contents (the surprise is half the fun!) and note from where it originates on the package. You may give your donation to Sobana or to me…or you may drop it off in the church office, noting it is for the Parcel Post Booth at the Harvest Fair. As you begin your spring cleaning, please save the items that you no longer want but are still functional, in good condition, so you can donate them to our White Elephant Table. We’ll be accepting donations prior to the Fair. If you would like to share your talents on a craft project or two, please speak with Kathy Muller. It’s wonderful if you have some ideas for projects…and, if you don’t, I’m sure you’ll be inspired after talking with Kathy! Thank you! . Connie Jarvis, Harvest Fair Chairperson

THRIFT SHOPPE

The next meeting of the UMW will be held Thursday, April 14 at 7:30 in the parlor. The program will be “Angels in Fur,” a program about service and assistance dogs. Plans are underway for representatives of service dog organizations to present their training and placement programs. Perhaps a few dogs will accompany them. Deb Hervey is our hostess for the evening. All women in the congregation are invited to attend. If transportation is needed please contact our president Nancy Gamby and she will make arrangements.

HARVEST FAIR

Coming Soon

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April brings out all our Spring and Summer fashions. Stop over to see our collection of clothing for the entire family. In your conversations with friends and family, try to mention the Thrift Shoppe. So many people come in and say how they never knew the shop was here and they are amazed at our collection of "stuff". Stop in to look at our items for Spring, or to give us a hand in arranging clothing, or dusting the shelves. We need many hands and bodies, and new sets of eyes to deal with arranging and organizing.

The Thrift Shoppe hours are: Tues. & Fri. 10 to 4, and The first Saturday of the month 10 to 3. Thank you for your support.

The Messenger

Mark Your Calendar... Wednesday Lenten Service Schedule Please join us for these special services: The following Wednesday Lenten Services will be preceded by a Soup Dinner at 6:00pm and services will begin at 7:00pm.

Date

April 6th April 13th

Soup/Service 6pm/7pm 6pm/7pm

Event

Rev. Lynda Bates-Stepe Rev. Penny Gadzini

Location

CUMC, Commack Northport

Holy Week Schedule April 21st April 22nd April 24th

Holy Thursday Communion Service Good Friday Easter Sunday  Sunrise Service – At Sunken Meadow State Park Meet at Field 1 – Concession Stand  Easter Sunday Service with Communion

7:30 PM 7:30 PM 6:00 AM 9:00 AM

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April 2011

Boy Scouts Troop 125 TWO BALD EAGLES AND SIX BALD SCOUTS RAISED $2350 FOR ST. BALDRICKS Troop 125 Teamed Up To Have Their Heads Shaved To Stand In Solidarity With Kids Fighting Cancer Boy Scout Troop 125 gathered at Changing Times Ale House in East Northport on Sunday afternoon, March 13 to participate in the annual St. Baldrick’s event. Eight boys collectively raised $2350 $1600 more than their goal of $750 - to have their heads shaved by local barbers who donated their time to the event. Participants from Troop 125 included two Eagle Scouts, Sean J. and Ryan A; they were accompanied by scouts Matt C., Tommy K., Matt M., TJ P., James R. and Mike S. Other scouts from the troop were on hand to lend their support. A huge motivating factor to making this fundraising event a success was the incentives put in place by the past Senior Patrol Leader (SPL), Chris G. and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL) Ryan G. Incentives at different dollar amounts were put in place, and since all the goals were met, the adult leaders and parents of the boy scouts will cook the scouts a spaghetti dinner and past SPL Chris G, ASPL Ryan G, along with Scoutmaster Bob Kowalski and Assistant Scoutmaster Ken Voigt will all be taking a “polar dip”. A date has yet to be set but Mr. Kowalski was heard asking, “Does anyone have a Scoutmaster size wetsuit I can borrow?” The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives. Pictured with – and without hair -- from left to right are: James R., TJ P., Sean J., Tommy K., Matt M. Scouts not pictured are Ryan A., Matt C. and Mike S. BEFORE

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AFTER

The Messenger

SCOUTS FROM TROOP 125 COLLECT 2,601 LBS. OF FOOD IN COUNCIL-WIDE FOOD DRIVE A Scout is helpful… and in the days of shortages in the local food pantries, Troop 125 Boy Scouts were out in force to try and change the situation. The Scouts took part in the national call to service through the annual “Good Turn for America, Scouting for Food". Armed with paper bags and empty boxes, they participated in this effort to help stock the local food pantry at Commack United Methodist Church in Commack, the troop’s sponsor for over 40 years. Canned and boxed goods were donated by community members, as the scouts requested donations of people who were shopping at Commack’s King Kullen on March 5 and East Northport’s Stop & Shop on March 12. An impressive 1,573 pounds were collected during these two days alone, which, in addition to other food collection efforts throughout the year, made for an annual total food collection of 2,601 pounds. The food variety included staples such as soup, tuna, assorted canned vegetables and fruits, pasta, rice, sauces, cereals and baby food. The peanut butter and jelly collected helped restock the shelves for the Commack United Methodist Church’s Peanut Butter and Jelly Gang whose customary sandwich making takes place every first Saturday of the month and is open to anyone who wishes to help the hungry in the community.

Boy Scout Troop 125 with food collected as part of the national call to service through the annual “Good Turn for America, Scouting for Food," all of which was given to the food pantry at Commack United Methodist Church.

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April 2011

More on Prayerwalking Prayerwalking an article from www.prayerguide.org.uk Prayerwalking has been part of Christian heritage for many centuries. The British countryside has many long distance paths used by monks and other travelers from one cathedral city to another. The bible links walking with God's promises on several occasions : Noah is described as "walking with God", Abraham was told to walk the land, for "I am giving it to you." Joshua was told "I will give every place where you set your foot as I promised Moses" (Joshua 1:3) The prophet Micah declared "All the nations may walk in the name of their gods, we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever." (Micah 4:5)

offer up prayers for things we see. This can take a range of approaches from individuals praying as they walk around the parish, to structured prayer campaigns for particular streets and homes. Prayerwalking can also give us insights on the spiritual climate of our towns and cities as the Spirit provides insight as we walk the streets. Such insight can have a powerful effect on our mission and ministry strategies.

Another purpose of prayerwalking is personal time with God (see our book recommendation below). Just as Jesus withdrew to lonely places to pray (eg Luke 5:16), we can often find a unity with God in the beauty of his creation. For some, trying to pray alone in the house can be difficult when the mind wanders, and other distractions take over. Out in open spaces, the eye is caught by fresh Prayerwalking has been a powerful spiritual tool in the new elements of God's creation and can bring the mind Christian toolkit for generations. Prayerwalking today still back to prayer. has the power to take our prayer out into the territory Pointers for Prayer : There is nothing difficult about around us. Just as many British churches had an anprayerwalking. Alone or with others, simply wander and cient tradition of "beating the bounds", during which they look at what God is doing. Allow your mind to focus on would be laying claim to their parish for God, so too, God in prayer, allowing the thoughts that intrude into prayerwalking today can claim territory for Christ. your mind into your conversation with God. It can be Developing the habit of prayer walking enables us to see helpful to have a notebook to jot down the things that our neighborhoods as Christ sees them, and allows us to you see and pray for.

CUMC Thrift Shoppe

COMMUNITY YARD SALE JUNE 11, 2011 10AM - 3PM

Vendors Wanted 10 x 10 Space $20 Refundable Cleanup Fee $25 For more information call Church office 499-7310 Page 8

The Messenger

Family Page - Riddles and Humor 1. How can you tell where the Easter Bunny has been?

10. Why did the bunny cross the road?

2. Why did the Easter Egg hide?

11. How do you make rabbit stew?

3. What did the man say when he saw 10 bunnies hop- 12. What did the bunny want to do when it grew up? ping over the hill? 4. What did the man say when he saw 10 bunnies hopping over the hill with sunglasses?

Can you read this?

5. Which side of the chicken has the most feathers?

C D E D B D bunnies?

6. What did the rabbit say to the carrot?

M R not E D B D bunnies!

7. If a rooster laid an egg on top of a hill, which side would it roll down?

O S A R! C D E D B D fluffy cottontails? L I B! M R 2 E D B D bunnies!

8. Why did the bunny go to the dance? 9. Why is the bunny the luckiest animal in the world? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Eggs (X) marks the spot. He was a little chicken. There goes 10 bunnies hopping over the hill. Nothing. He didn’t recognize them. The outside, of course! It’s been nice gnawing you.

7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

Roosters don’t lay eggs. To do the bunny hop! Because it has 4 rabbit’s feet. To prove he wasn’t chicken! Make it wait for 3 hours. Join the Hare Force.

RULES OF CHOCOLATE 

If you get melted chocolate all over your hands, you're eating it too slowly.

will jump out of the chocolate to protect themselves.

 Money talks. Chocolate sings. Chocolate covered raisins, cherries, orange slices  Chocolate has many preservatives. Preservatives and strawberries all count as fruit, so eat as many as make you look younger. you want.  Why is there no such organization as Chocoholics  Diet tip: Eat a chocolate bar before each meal. Anonymous? Because no one wants to quit. It'll take the edge off your appetite and you'll eat 

less.

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A nice box of chocolates can provide your total daily intake of calories in one place. Isn't that handy?

Put "eat chocolate" at the top of your list of things to do today. That way, at least you'll get one thing done.

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If you can't eat all your chocolate, it will keep in the freezer. But if you can't eat all your chocolate, what's wrong with you?

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If calories are an issue, store your chocolate on top of the fridge. Calories are afraid of heights, and they

Chocolate is a health food. Chocolate is derived from cacao beans. Bean = vegetable. Sugar is derived either from sugar beets or cane, both vegetables. And, of course, the milk/cream is dairy. So eat more chocolate to meet the dietary requirements for daily vegetable and dairy intake. Page 9

April 2011

The Parish Resource Center- Helps You Get Started What is the Parish Resource Center? The Parish Resource Center is a non-profit organization which helps members of church congregations in their various ministries. Parish Resource Centers are located in Rocky Point, Bellport and Valley Stream on Long Island, New York, as well as Lancaster, Pennsylvania and Denver, Colorado.

Commack UMC subscribes to the Parish Resource Center so the assistance is at NO COST to you. We’re sort of like a library but a whole lot more where you can borrow books, videos, banners, puppets, etc. for all the different areas of your church. We also have a team of consultants who will meet with you to: *plan a new church program or improve an existing one, *help you select group study material from our many resources, *plan a retreat, *offer advice if you’re in a new volunteer or paid position in your church, *help you make a banner for your church, *assist you in choosing Sunday School curriculum,

*show you the best ways to recruit volunteers, *plan activities for your youth group, *plan a worship service, *learn how to plan and organize a fundraising activity, *help you select a Christmas pageant that’s right for you, *and assist you in many other ways.

Do I have to come to the center to benefit from the center’s services? No, if you cannot come to the center, we would be happy to assist you over the phone or via e-mail or face book. We can also mail, e-mail or fax materials to your home or church office. Do I need to make an appointment? You are welcome to come to the center without an appointment during our regular operating hours. However, if you let us know ahead of time that you are coming, we can better prepare to assist you and have resources, articles, etc. waiting for you when you arrive. Parish Resource Center 89 Hallock Landing Road, Rocky Point, NY 11778 Phone: 631-821-2255 e-mail: [email protected] website: www.parishresourcecenter.org

Dancing Under the Stars

Parish Resource Center 25th Anniversary Celebration Saturday, May 14, 2011, 7-11 pm Majestic Gardens, Rocky Pt., NY Buffet Dinner; Wine/Beer; Dessert; Coffee/Tea

Dancing to the Big Band Music of the 17 Piece “The Good Old Dance Band” Raffles, Door Prizes . . . LOTS OF FUN!

Tickets:$75 pp Reserve by April 30:$65 pp Table of 10: $650 For reservations Call PRC at: 631-821-2255 Or e-mail: [email protected] Pay online: www.parishresourcecenter.org/lieast Tel: (631) 821-2255 or e-mail: [email protected]