The Spire

The Rutland United Methodist Church Newsletter

SEPTEMBER 2010

Office Phone: (802) 773-2460

E-Mail Address: RutlandUMC@aol.com

Office Hours: Monday 8:00 AM To Noon

Wednesday and Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Staff:

Rev. Deborah Estey – Pastor

Bert Ladd – Business Administrator

Lorraine Dotson – Administrative Secretary

Theresa Hall – Custodian

Charlie Baker – Maintenance

Ellen P. Wakker – Interim J.O.Y. Choir Director

Ann Reed – Organist/Pianist

Karen James – Music Coordinator / Bells of Joy Choir Director

Linda Allen and Marsha Johnson – Sunday School Superintendents

Cathy Fleming – Nursery Staff

From the Pastor’s Desk

Vacations are over. Traveling has come to an end. We begin to settle into the rhythm of the fall. Have you ever really pondered how God created this wonderful earth? In Ecclesiastes it states “there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven”. There is a time for summer activities and relaxation. But there is also a time to settle into the routine of work and school and begin a “new season”.

The season of fall for nature begins with the changing of the leaves, and then with the falling away of the dead leaves. Humanity should take a lesson from the trees. It is time for us to “change our leaves”. God has a calling for each one of us as well as a special calling for our church. As we change seasons, may we begin to listen to God and discern what needs to “die and fall away” from each of us in order to fulfill the mission that God has given us.

At the end of August our church participated in a worship and prayer service. We prayed for the community

surrounding us – the court house and justice system, the prisoners and the staff of the jail, the school teachers and the students, and the poor and marginalized. Hopefully, each of us is still praying for these four groups. God has a mission for us. God will speak to us as we concentrate on our prayers and begin to listen. What have you heard?

As we leap into fall, may we leap into mission in our community in new ways. May our “leaves” change. May our focus become more outside these doors. May the “dead” fall away. May we examine what works and what doesn’t and make adjustments accordingly. God has a plan. The season of fall is beautiful. As we re-think church, this fall can be beautiful for us as we discover what God has in store!

All requests for custodial or maintenance related to the church building or grounds must go through Bert Ladd, Business Manager. Do not contact the church employees directly.

The church is in need of colored 8 1/2" x 11" copy paper. Many thanks to those who have donated assorted supplies.

In the lines below you can see that the finances of the Church are struggling as much as those of the rest of the world.

We have been able to keep our bills current, but are not making any progress at paying the trustees back for the money borrowed for fuel. The change to the New England Conference has delayed some billing because of slowness on the billing process, but fear not, it will all catch us with us soon. Thank you for your continued support.

The fall season is not far off. The next meeting of the United Methodist Women is September 21^st, at 1:30 p.m.

I'm inviting all the women of the church to attend and see what is new and exciting about the UMW in our church. We do many worthwhile things that help our church, community, and the world in which we live.

It is easy to become discouraged in today's world-wide society because there are so many things wrong with it. These are complicated problems that the ordinary person has no way to fully understand or of doing anything about correcting at their source. However, there is one simple thing that every person on earth can do and we, as Christians, are especially equipped to do, and that is to live by the GOLDEN RULE.

DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU. Think about it! If all people on earth would do this one simple thing, problems would begin to be solved. Yes, it's very simplistic, and unlikely to ever happen, but if it is ever to have a chance at happening, it will have to be one person at a time.

I am writing specifically to the people of the Rutland United Methodist Church, who have God, Jesus Christ, and The Holy Spirit, the THREE IN ONE, ruler of the universe, at our backs to guide us, pick us up when we fall, and lead us ahead on the right path.

To begin intentional Golden Rule living, these are a few of the simple things I have thought about doing:

1. Treat EVERY PERSON with the same respect you would like to have shown to you, no matter who that person is.

2. Give others the benefit of the doubt. If someone begins to rant and rave at you, take a deep breath to calm yourself. Do not respond in kind, but try to consider the circumstances the other person might be in. Try to

discussion can take place. (This also applies to when you feel anger toward another.)

3. Do not gossip about others. Things get distorted as in the "whisper game" when they go from one to the other, and you would not like that to happen to you if the circumstances were reversed.

4. When someone is in need, ask yourself, "What can I do to help?" If someone is ill or struggling or bereaved, don't just THINK, "I should send a card or speak a word of comfort", just DO IT!

It all comes down to getting in the habit of thinking, in ALL circumstances, "How would I like to be treated?", and then treating others the same way. It's such a little thing, but so important. If everyone in our Church Family would get serious about this one thing, only God knows what good things could come out of it.

If you have a new email address, home/cell phone or mailing address, please send your updated information to the church at: rutlandumc@aol.com.

The Prayer Shawl Ministry will be meeting after our summer vacation on Tuesday, September 28^th, at the home of Beth Fernandes. This is a ministry that can involve everyone: knitters, donations for yarn, and names for those who need a shawl. Thanks to all who have been a part of this ministry.

It's September and fall is upon us. How did we get so far into the year of 2010 so quickly! Time has not stood still and I, for one, am so grateful to our Heavenly Father for allowing me to live such a long life. Each new day holds something wonderful, if nothing more than the fact He is sustaining me on this journey. There are so many things to be thankful for even when there are health issues -a loving, caring, helpful husband, many good friends and family, wonderful neighbors and a loving heavenly father, plus a caring church family. I am also thankful for such a loving pastor who is "there" for any who need her and who goes "that extra mile" in so many ways -- especially those who are in the hospital or a nursing home or in need of guidance in their lives.

God tells us to "love thy neighbor as yourself" and I fear some of us have a long way to go sometimes to accomplish this, but we just have to strive each day to do what He asks of us. When I think of all He provides for us, his children, it is a very small thing He asks us to do.

We have some wonderful Christians in our church who do so much so quietly and I could name many of them, but they would be embarrassed and I would not want to miss someone. You are all an inspiration to the rest of us.

And now, have a wonderful fall, enjoying the beauty surrounding us. Make the most of each day and take special time every day thanking God for His many blessings and praying for those who are ill or in need of help. Each one of you is a child of God and He listens when you pray and He does answer and will give you comfort.

I want to thank Walter Kelly, Shawn Williams, Wayne Carlson, Ralph Perry and John Ralph; long lost cousin, for unloading wood pellets on Wednesday, August 11^th. It was a very hot day. This is a job well done and took less than an hour to do, thanks to many hands.

A big THANK YOU to those in our congregation who volunteer to provide the snacks for our fellowship time on Sunday mornings after the 10:00 a.m. service. We appreciate the effort it takes to plan, prepare, serve, and clean up for our enjoyment. We know it doesn't "just happen".

A new Bible study will begin in a few weeks at the Parke residence in Fairhaven. The focus of the group will be a study on becoming a “green church”. Please join us. Call the office if you are interested in participating. The cost of the book is $7.

The Chocolate Festival is certainly reaching a level of excitement and anticipation. As of now we have in hand, or committed to, about 300 items. These range in value of $10.00 to $2,000.00. Certainly that makes it a range where everyone can come and enjoy a delicious chocolate desert and have fun bidding on various items. Items vary from food items to a vacation most anywhere in the world.

The next phase we need help with is selling tickets for the event. On Sunday September 5^th, we will have tickets available for each family to take and sell to their friends, family and acquaintances. The tickets are only $5.00 each and entitle each person to a dessert of their choice and an opportunity to win a door prize. By Sunday October 3^rd, we must have unsold tickets or money from the sale of tickets returned. The tickets are in packs of 10 and make great gifts for your friends.

Please keep the evening of October 14^th and the day of the event available, if possible, to help move items into Holiday Inn. There is lots of work to do on these dates. In closing, let us say thank you to everyone for stepping up and providing items for the auction and especially to the business people not involved with the church who have so generously supported our event.

As I'm thinking about the Summer Block Party, Ernie Couch & Revival and Chocolate Festival, I must remind you that on November 13^th, we will be serving our Thanksgiving turkey dinner as we had last year.

Sign-up sheets for helpers and a list of needed items will soon be in the rear of the Chapel. Six 20-lb. cooked turkeys, squash, potatoes, and all the fixings are needed. Mark the day on your calendar, and think BIG!

It's that time again. Our annual Rally and Sunday School sign-up is scheduled for September 19^th.We will meet in room three after YAHOO time, before heading off to the various class rooms. Following the church service, we will be serving lunch for all of our Sunday School families. Mark it on your calendars and join the fun! We need helpers in the nursery. Cathy is most often alone in the nursery caring for a handful of little ones. It's essential to have an extra pair of hands in case of emergency. Please pray about volunteering for two or three Sundays during the year.

Please let us know if you are willing to provide help for special events or in case a substitute is needed. Extra hands are always welcome. Check out our sign-up sheets located in the back of the church. Interested? If you have any questions, please talk with Marsha Johnson or Linda Allen about being a part of our children's ministry! Thank you all for your prayers, suggestions and help. It has been a wonderful year because of all of your help!

At the annual meeting March 3, 1938 it was reported that the mortgage was $19,500.00.

At the first meeting after conference a request was made to the Bishop for the return of Rev. Grippin. If he did not return, the salary this church was offering a new minister was $1,800.00. Appreciation to the Philathea class was expressed for the payment of the full Bill..It was reported that 50 members of our church attended Conference in Saratoga to hear the Bishop speak. The budget was set at $5,680.00. Rev. Grippin was returned to the parish and his salary was $2,400.00.

An atmosphere of jubilation permeated the June Board meeting. Mr. Bruce, Treasurer, reported that all coal bills were paid and that we had a credit of $13.00 with the coal company. The Board voted to express appreciation to the Ladies’ Aid which organized and raised over $600.00 last year. Members of the Rutland Congregational Church were invited to worship with us during the month that their church was closed for repairs.

At the June 23^rd meeting the pastor reported that Rev. Broberg of Ayershire, Iowa would occupy the parsonage during August and will act as substitute preacher. George Baily will speak on one Sunday.

A yearbook was completed and copies were available. The Alpha Class which took over the project was thanked by the Board.

In September Mr. Grippin announced that he would be glad to give talks all through the fall and winter with illustrated slides of his trip this summer. They were to be held on Sunday evenings for as long as Rev. Grippin wished. It was reported that eight delegated from our church attended the Epworth League Institute at Poultney. (Your church historian was one of them.)

At the October meeting it was voted to send $25.00 to Pierce Hayes in China and $25.00 to Dr. Benson Baker in India.

In November it was voted to have a preaching mission later in the year. At the December meeting it was reported that the Ladies’ Aid paid the last of their $500.00 pledge to the Building Fund and an additional $100.00 at their January meeting.

In February the Board authorized the purchase of choir music to be used at a choir music festival at Conference in Saratoga. A sum of $118.00, known as the Gray Memorial Fund raised by the Primary and Junior Department, will be kept by Mr. Graves and start of the Memorial Sanctuary Fund.

Gospel fans need to circle Monday, September 27^th, on their calendars. On that date, Nashville, Tennessee's own male gospel group, Ernie Couch & Revival will be in concert at RUMC. The evening will begin with a potluck dinner at 6:00 p.m., followed by the concert at 7:00 p.m.

Ernie Couch & Revival exemplifies what good Gospel music is all about. This live band performs their music in a unique blend of styles to ensure everyone present enjoys the concert. They are well known across the United States and Canada for their high-energy brand of live music. Many describe the group as refreshingly different, and a lot of fun. Jason Couch says "We want folks to leave our concerts feeling better than when they arrived. We hope that they have not only been entertained, but that they go home in a better frame of mind and more focused on the One that makes life worth living."

EC&R has traveled the road for more than a decade and present a professional evening of music. The group strives to bring quality to their work worthy of the One they sing about. EC&R has recorded numerous projects on their own, as well as recording with such greats as: Jake Hess, George Jonas, James Blackwood, Boots Randolph, George Beverly Shea, Petra, and others just to name a few. You can visit the group's web site at www.erniecouchandrevival.com to learn even more information about this fantastic group. If you are a fan of concerts or looking for an enjoyable event to attend, don't miss seeing Ernie Couch & Revival in concert.

Linda Allen is still missing three china teacups that she loaned for the Ladies' Tea and Fashion Show held in May in the fellowship hall. The following words are stamped on the bottom: "Syracuse China - Made in America - Apple Blossom". The cups are decorated with the apple blossom pattern and have a gold rim. Please inspect any china teacups that you loaned for the tea to be sure that you do not have Linda's.

Marc Whitman has put together information in a website devoted to his beloved wife, Meredith, who is battling brain cancer. You may access the site by typing in your web browser address line or click on:

Lexi Moore has put together a list of needs for those wishing to offer their help to the Whitmans.