SUMC Announcements

The January meeting of UMW will be held in the Simpson Room on Sunday the 11th following the worship service. We will have a light lunch followed by our business meeting and program. We will vote on the budget and program for 2009. Please note that this date is a change from our regular meeting on the third Monday of the month.

Thank you to everyone who supported our Christmas table in December. Your purchases helped us meet our mission obligations for 2008.

Articles are due for the January Minutes Tuesday, December 23rd. Since that is Christmas week, please try to email them to me then. Put in the Subject box “Minutes”

Thank You and I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Joan/Secretary

Experience the life of Radio Entertainment on Saturday, January 17th at 7:00 p.m. with the original production of “The Big Broadcast of ’43”. This simulated live radio show will take you back to July 1943. In this nostalgic, patriotic revue, you can expect velvet-throated vocalists, fun loving comedians, news updates and campy commercials. See Lou Ann Scott for tickets that will be $10.00 each. This includes the show and dessert reception that follows.

Friday, December 5th, 6:00-9:00 pm at the church
Please come serve as part of the Nativity (30 minute shifts)
Costumes are available, or bring your own.

HELP!! We need shepherds, angels, wise men (or women), and the Holy Family
CALL DIANE 749-9142
OR DONNA 264-6652

Our December meeting will be our yearly Christmas dinner on Dec. 8 at Hoss’s restaurant in Moon Township at 6 p.m.

The November Rummage sale raised a little over $700 for our mission work. We will be selling Christmas related items at our table at the December 4 salad luncheon. Donations of Christmas ornaments, linens, books, etc. are welcome.

Please remember that we cannot accept any items for the May Rummage Sale until after the Turkey Dinner in February 2009.

We have received a gift acknowledgment from Red Bird Mission in Kentucky stating that we have contributed 742 Campbell UPC’s and 757 Boxtops for Education so far this year. Thank you for your support and keep on clipping. There is a box at the back of the sanctuary for these items or you can give them to Pam Smith.

Several books for the UMW Reading Program have been added to the Patton Memorial Library. To qualify as a Level One reader, you must read one book in each of 4 categories in addition to reading Response and New World Outlook on a monthly basis.

Dear Friends,

Please try to send or bring in some goodies for our baskets. Also, come help put the baskets together on Sunday morning in the Simpson Room.

Thanks,
Donna

The Patton Library is open on Thursday evenings from 6 PM to 7:15 PM every week. It is also open during normal church office hours. Sunday mornings the Library is open during Sunday School time and remains open for a half hour after morning worship service. Feel free to stop by to browse and borrow books and videos from our wonderful collection of religious materials.

The Library has purchased 30 new DVDs for the children’s church program, which may be checked out for home use. We have expanded into more types of DVD programs for our young people. Hopefully we will have something that will interest each individual. Check out the video section just inside the library main entrance.

The United Methodist Women’s 2008-2009 Reading Program is now available in our library. The UMW has many great books written about their missions both here at home and abroad. Some very good reading that makes us aware of our world’s social issues.

December 21st is the Birthday for Jesus Breakfast sponsored by the Sunday School. The library has purchased a very nice Christmas Ornament to be given to all who attend. Please join us in celebrating the birth of Jesus.

Sewickley United Methodist Church will have a brief Thanksgiving Service on Tuesday, November 25th at 7:00 pm.

There will be an informational coffee meeting on Sunday, November 16th. after worship for all NEW committee members, chairs and existing members and chairs. All members and chairs are encouraged to attend.

There will be hand outs with information about each committee and the responsibilities that go with that committee/position. If you are not sure what committee you are are, please contact the church office at 412-741-9430

The deadline for articles for the December Minutes will be Friday, November 21st. The office will be closed Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28.

The deadline for articles for January 09 Minutes will be Monday, December 22nd.

Thanks for your help with this.

The Church Office

Pancakes for our Playground will be, Saturday, November 8th from 8:00 a.m to 11:00 a.m.

The Learning Tree Preschool will be hosting a fund raising event here at the church to help reach their goal to create a new play structure for the preschool and SUMC.

Please show your support and attend this event. Tickets are $5.00 in advance and can be purchased through Sandra Lane at 412-741-6724 or at the door for $7.00. There will be raffle tickets sold for gift baskets that range in value from $100.00 to $500.00 along with signed sports memorabilia from Mario Lemieux, Sidney Crosby, Jerome Bettis and many other sports legends.

For tickets please call Sandra Lane at the above number. Thank You.

Sandra Lane
Learning Tree Preschool Representative

Our fall Rummage Sale will be Friday, November 7 and Saturday, November 8 from 8 a.m. to 12 noon both days. We will be setting up on Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 4 & 5 beginning at 10a.m. both days. On Thursday, Nov. 6 we will have our table at the luncheon. We are focusing on Christmas items at the table and the Rummage Sale.

We ask that you do not donate computers, printers, faxes and other electronic equipment. Also, no exercise equipment. Clothing and household items are acceptable and appreciated. We are close to meeting our Mission Giving pledge and thank you for your support.

Our December Christmas dinner will be at Hoss’s in Moon Township on Monday, Dec. 8 at 6 p.m.

This is a reminder that this Sunday is the last day to order Christmas wreaths.

Christmas Wreath Sale on Now! Order your wreath today for delivery by December 1st. See or Call Sandra Lane at 412-741-6724. The Classic Wreath is 25″, hand crafted from Minnesota balsam fir adorned with a velvet red ribbon and white tipped pine cones, accented with red jingle bells for $25.00 and shipped within the U.S. at $30.00 with your own personalized card. The Victorian Wreath is 25″, hand crafted from Minnesota balsam fir, trimmed with a wired gold and burgundy bow. Accented with natural pin cones, gold jingle bells and unbreakable satin finished bulb ornaments priced at $30.00 or shipped within the U.S. for $35.00 with your own personalized card. Part of the proceeds benefit the audio/visual improvements in the Sanctuary. Orders for wreathes are due by October 30th.

Thanks
Sandra Lane

The deadline for articles for the November Minutes will be THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23RD. Please email your articles and put in the “Subject” November Minutes.

If anyone has pictures from the pumpkin patch, send those and I will try to put a few in the newsletter also the Halloween party. Send them as attachments.

Thanks,

Joan Gonnella
Secretary

Just in case you haven’t heard, the pumpkins are scheduled to arrive this Friday, October 17th around 4:30 p.m. Please consider helping unload the truck. Many hands make light work. The more helping hands the faster the truck gets unloaded. Thank you!

Lou Ann

It’s not too late ….. we’d love to see you at the Halloween Party this Friday. If you did not sign up just call Pam Wright to tell her you’ll be joining in the fun 412-741-9747.

Come in costume, if you like, and bring along a finger food to share and a wrapped white elephant gift for the auction which will benefit our SUMC camperships..
This is always an evening of laughs and great fellowship - we hope to see you there.

Friday, October 17, 7:00pm at the Linden Place Apartments, Sewickley( Gathering Room ).

Boo!

Don’t forget about the blood drive that will be held Saturday, October 11th from 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Appointments are being taking through the office at 412-741-9430. Walk-Ins are welcomed.

Presenting donors are entered in a weekly drawing for a $1,000 gas card.

Dear Congregation,

I know this seems crazy to be talking about Christmas wreaths after we just unloaded 1300 pumpkins on our lawn. However, it is that time again and we are going to be making a larger, more concerted effort to sell more wreaths since a portion of the proceeds will be going towards our audio/visual improvements in the sanctuary.

We are looking to our church friends, who are willing, to not only buy a wreath for their front door but sell some at your workplace or neighborhood. For those of you who are new, rest assured—these are top quality, fresh wreaths that are handmade from Minnesota balsam fir. I will have a sample to show you on Sunday.

There will be a quick meeting for anyone interested in selling wreaths from October 13 to October 30. Please consider helping out with this quick and easy fundraiser! More details will be shared at the informational meeting on Sunday, October 13 after church in the library.

Many thanks and blessings,
Sandra

Our next meeting is Monday, October 20 at 7 p.m. Kris Swaney, Pam and Laura Hess will present a program about their trip this summer to the Red Bird Mission in Kentucky. Prior to the meeting at 6:30 p.m., a special prayer service for Palestinian Christians will be held in the Chapel.

Our thanks to everyone who helped with the Harvest Festival Rummage Sale. We made over $1,000 toward our Pledge to Mission. The next Rummage Sale will be November 7 and 8. Please do not bring any computers or other electronic items. They are difficult to sell and we cannot find a place to recycle them.

Save the Date: Monday, December 8 at 6 p.m. we will have our Christmas dinner at Hoss’s restaurant in Moon Township.

To Everyone at SUMC,

Many thanks (rather belatedly…) to everyone for their cards and kind words following Greg’s Dad’s death in May. We appreciate all the blessings sent to us through you and marvel at the comfort that God sends us in such a caring community. Thanks to everyone!

Maggie and Greg Wilkinson

Thank you church for paying half of the money so I can go to camp and do fun things. Well I’m having a great time here at Camp Allegheny. I met some new friends. Thanks so much! I’m loving it here so much. I’m just so thankful that I could be at Camp Allegheny. I wish you to be blessed.

Sincerely,
Allison L.

Dear Friends,

Greetings from Colorado Springs and International Bible Society-Send The Light! On behalf of the CityReachers Pittsburgh leadership team and IBS-STL, thank you for your generous gift that will help distribute Pittsburgh specific New Testaments thought the Pittsburgh Post Gazette and door-to-door distribution.

God is opening up amazing doors across the nation to distribute His Word in a unique and cost effective manner. We are humbled and awed by the opportunity to spread God’s transforming Word to hundreds of thousands of homes across America. Isaiah 55:10-11 reminds us that God’s Word will not return empty but will accomplish His purposes!

Please continue to pray for CityReachers Pittsburgh as churches, businesses, para-church organizations and individuals work together to transform the Pittsburgh region by engaging people with His word. Please feel free to contact CityReachers Pittsburgh at www.cityreacherpittsburgh.com, ibspgh@aim.com or (412) 749-1075 if you need more information.

In His grace,
Mark Rader
Director
CityReachers

NEW CONTEMPORARY SERVICE TO BEGIN. SUMC has always taken pride in having TIME to serve God in many ways and in many places. Starting in the NEW YEAR, we will be delivering the message of Jesus Christ at a new service. This Contemporary Service will be held on Saturday evenings, at 6:30 pm in the Simpson Room.

Everyone of all ages and faiths is invited to worship in the comfortable and casual atmosphere of the Simpson Room around our round tables. There will have lively songs of praise from both vocalists and instrumentalists so be ready to raise your voice, clap your hands, and tap your toes! We will use the screen for visual presentations of thematic and seasonal pictures along with lyrics. Bible passages and announcements. Pastor Shuluga will give the message. The offering will be combined with the Sunday collection. Communion will be offered on the first Saturday of each month.

During the upcoming months, we will be assembling a team of people to help facilitate and organize this new worship service. The team will consist of singers, musicians, leaders, technicians, and servers; below is a description of the various team members.

• MUSICIANS: Our praise choir, The Last Psalm, is ready, willing, and able to lead the way with music. They welcome any volunteers to add to the sounds.
• TEAM LEADERS: We would like to have 2 people (DYNAMIC DUOS) each week to assist with the service. Teens and adults welcome. You would only have to serve once or twice between during a rotation.
• TECHNICIANS: We need volunteers to run the computer for the visual presentations and the sound system. (WILL TRAIN, EXPERIENCE NOT NECESSARY)
• SERVERS: We have many opportunities for several side jobs: ushers, coffee makers, chair setter-uppers, and greeters. ALL AGES APPLY.

To volunteer to help in one of the above position, please call the church office at 412-741-9430. Someone will contact your regarding your area of interest. PLEASE COME IN THE NEW YEAR AND BRING A FRIEND TO THIS NEW SERVICE. This is one more way that we can follow Jesus’ command to spread His Gospel to everyone!

SUMC will send a team to San Jose, El Negrito, Honduras in June of 2009. This is a United Methodist Volunteer in Missions trip and we will be ministering to the people. Our focus will be on water quality, hence our theme “Sweet Water for San Jose”. Ideas for ways we can help; building latrines, distributing clay water filters and “Life Straws” (portable individual water filters) and education.

You can read our blog from last year’s trip at the link on the SUMC website. For information about the organization running the clinic where we stay in San Jose go to www.shouldertoshoulderpgh.org. If you are interested in participating as a member of the traveling team or if you have questions, please contact Alisa Lenhardt at 412-741-6200 or alenhardt@hotmail.com We will be taking a small team of about 10 people and space is limited.

Do you enjoy the benefits of our nursery while participating in worship? Or do you like helping with kids? We are in search of someone to coordinate the nursery schedule, which can be done at home, by phone. We are also in need of adult volunteers who would like to work in the nursery on any given Sunday. Volunteers can select when they wish to work and how often. Please consider giving your time to this worthwhile and much needed program. Call Sandra Lane or Tonya Bollman if you have any questions or would like to volunteer.

Our season will kick off on October 2nd with another fabulous Salad Buffet. As always, bring your salad donation to the church no later than 10:30 the morning of the luncheon.

Hospice is a program dedicated to adding quality of life to patients who have a terminal illness. Volunteers are a vital part of Forbes Hospice. We are now in the process of recruiting volunteers for our hospice program. Posted in the back of the Sanctuary are more details about the valued program.

In order to keep in touch with our College students, we will once again initiate the College Connection. Please give/verify with Lou Ann Scott the correct mailing address of your college student. This can be done in person, by phone, or email. This is an important project to let your Youth know we are thinking of them and we surely don’t want to miss anyone.

There will be a meeting on September 14th after the church service for anyone interested in being on the Pumpkin Patch committee. Remember this is one of the many big fundraisers that everyone can participate in. There are many jobs to be done both large and small and we need YOU on this Committee. Bring your ideas; we are open for new fresh thoughts to make this the best year ever!

Speaking of Pumpkins, mark your calendar for October 4th. This is our tentative date of our first 2008 pumpkin delivery. Remember many hands make light work. If you know of any organizations that would be interested in some community service work, please tell them about this project or put them in touch with Lou Ann Scott.

Calling All Teens in grades 9-12th. We are kicking off our year with a pizza party! Be sure to bring a friend on Tuesday, September 16th. at 7:00 pm. RSVP to Aimee Scott at 724-630-9034. We need your input on our upcoming Haunted House event and what mission project we will adopt for the year.

Hope to see you there!

Youth Choir will be starting on Thursday, September 11th. We will meet from 6:15—7:00 pm in the Choir Room. All kids from 4 years old through 4th grade are welcome. Come and lift your voices in praise and song. A sign up sheet is located in the back of the Sanctuary. For more information, contact Sandra Lane.

We are looking for volunteers for the Fall/Winter season! Please consider leading our children in their worship time during the church service. The task involves watching a video with the children, leading discussion or an activity after the video, sharing news for the week, and generally engaging the children (ages 4 to grade 5). You would be free to explore any areas of interest to you: gardening, crafts, storytelling or drama are all great activities! We have resources available for you to use such as games in the library. If this is a ministry you would like to serve in, please call or email Maggie Wilkinson to sign up for a date.

We are blessed to have seven third graders that will receive their Bibles during morning worship service on September 14th. If your student is not listed please let Warren Kinneer know immediately so they too may be honored at the presentation. The name we have are: Jacob McCoy, Jarod Leonberg, Felicity Moffett, Allison Lenhardt, Franzi Nace, Jessica Hooper, Nickolas Schlund.

In early Fall we will be collecting pajamas, robes and slippers for the kids and then “wrap up” our year with our Christmas gift donation, which is a long time tradition at SUMC. These supplies will be distributed to the children through Keith Murphy who along with his dedicated staff, provide assistance to the children of Northview Heights and St. Clair Village. This program has established itself as one of the most progressive programs on the Northside and Southside of Pittsburgh. Bethany House is used by other agencies as a model for producing confident and competent children. They share with the children that it is God’s love that starts and ends each day. They know they are making a difference and that the “support from United Methodists speaks volumes in addressing the commitment to building strong minds, hearts bodies and souls.” We also look forward to having Keith and some of the kids from Bethany House speak to us in the spring at one of our Lenten Dinner programs.

The Outreach Committee

SUMC will play host to a workshop for parents of children in the 4th grade and up. The facilitator is Allen Carson, a former Quaker Valley Middle School Guidance Counselor. The 5 week course will cover such issues as:

• self esteem
• communications skills
• learning how to instill core values, responsibility, and respect in your children
• peer influence
• teen culture

This is a comprehensive course that will help parents make better connections with their children. Baby sitting will be provided in the hopes that both parents will attend the workshop. Meeting dates are September 9, 16, 23, 30 and October 7. We will meet in the Simpson Room from 6:30—8:30 pm. Cost for the workshop is $25.00 and to reserve your spot call the church office at 412-741-9430 and class size is limited to 20.

September 28

Come join us in the Simpson Room after worship and celebrate your homeland! A sign up sheet is in the back of the Sanctuary. We are looking for all dishes from appetizers, entrees, desserts, salads from various countries. We would like everyone to provide the recipes for each dish and if you feel inclined to do so, dress in traditional garments from your ethnic heritage.

Jack Michael Erdman was born on August 14, 2008. He weighed 6lbs. and 91/2 oz. and was 18 1/2” long. Proud parents are Kara (Kuriger) and John Erdman. Maternal Grandparents are Sandy and Bill Kuriger. May God bless this new life..

Clara Margaret and Willa Michele Herman –were presented for Holy Baptism onSunday August 31, 2008.

Parents are: Jason John Herman and Kelly Kristine (Scott) Herman. Maternal Grandparents are: Shawn and Lou Ann Scott, Paternal Grandparents are: Al Herman and the late Margaret (Peggy) Herman. Great Grandparents are: Bob and Dana Yant. Clara Margaret’s Godparents are: Aimee Scott and David Poluszejko and Willa Michele’s Godparents are: Stephanie Ackerman and Rob Dawson.

We pray God’s blessings on these wee little ones…

It’s time for Sunday School! Classes will begin September 21st at 9:30.

This Sunday, the 14th, we are having a Welcome Back breakfast at 9:30. All kids and their families are invited, as are all those interested in the adult Sunday School class. It is a potluck, so please bring a breakfast item to share (such as juice, milk & cereal, donuts, bagels, pastries, coffee cake, fruit, yogurt, casseroles, etc.)

Hope you all can come!

Our September 15 meeting will begin at 6 p.m. with a potluck dinner in the Simpson Room. You do not have to be a member of UMW to attend. Please bring a covered dish or dessert to share.

Our program at 7 p.m. will be presented by Rev. Myles and Joan Bradley who spent 10 days visiting Israel and Palestine with a group of 91 United Methodists from around the world. The tour included visits to many holy sites, the old stones that tell of the history of the faith. More importantly, the tour introduced the Living Stones, the Christian community that has survived for two thousand years in God’s holy land.

They will share images and stories to explain why their journey was “Awesome and Awful” and tell us “the rest of the story” that is never heard in our country. As events unfold in the Middle East it is important to understand that we misunderstand the causes of the conflict in our time.

The first of our two fall Rummage Sales will be held Sept. 5 and 6 starting at 8 a.m. both days. We need help setting up, pricing and selling items. Please contact Kris Swaney or Pat Grossarth if you can help out.

Our unit is also looking for a secretary to take the minutes at our meetings.

We are blessed to have seven third graders that will receive their Bibles during morning worship service on September 14th. If your student is not listed, please let Warren Kinneer know immediately so they too may be honored at the presentation.

Jacob McCoy
Jarod Leonberg
Felicity Moffett
Allison Lenhardt
Franzi Nace
Jessica Hooper
Nickolas Schlund

Laity (that’s all of us regular folks) are invited to a Spiritual Excellence Conference held October 3rd – 5th in Seven Springs. Registration is $65 and due by September 15th. Lunches are included. Dinner and lodging are separate.

Attendees choose two sessions from the following: Spiritual Gifts, Ministry in Daily Life, The Generational Disconnect, Cultural Differences in the Church, and Lay Leadership Development. There will also be praise, worship, and time to enjoy Autumnfest.

For more information, a registration form, or a scholarship application, please contact your Lay Leader, Kim Benjamin, kdcbenjamin@earthlink.net, 724-457-0692.

Our conference is holding a Singles Labor Day Weekend retreat at Jumonville Camp and Retreat Center in the Laurel Highlands near Uniontown. The event takes place August 29th through September 1st. If you are interested, please contact Glenda at 724-843-4899 or by email.

Besides ministering to the people, our focus is on water quality. Ideas for ways we can help: building latrines, distributing clay water filters and “Life Straws” (portable individual water filters) and education. We will be taking a small team of about 10 people. Space is limited. For more information about becoming a member of the traveling team or any questions, please contact Alisa Lenhardt at 412-741-6200 or alenhardt@hotmail.com.

Articles for September Minutes will be due WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20TH. Please submit all articles via email.

With the September issue, we will send out the minutes to all who have requested delivery by email. If you have not requested your minutes be delivered to you this way and would like to do so, please contact the church office at 412-741-9430. College Students can get the minutes delivered to them at school as long as we have an email address.

Our unit received a Certificate of Achievement as a 5 star unit in Mission Giving. We gave funds in each of the 5 areas of Mission Giving. Congratulations everyone!

The September Rummage Sale will be held in conjunction with the Sewickley Harvest Festival. The Sale will be in the basement on Friday, September 5 from 8 am to noon. On Saturday we will be out on the lawn as well as in the basement from 8 am to noon. We will be accepting clothing as well as household items.

We will kick off our fall schedule with a potluck dinner and special program on Monday, September 15. You do not have to be a member of UMW to attend this event. Dinner will begin at 6 pm (bring a covered dish to share) and the program on Palestine/Israel by Rev. Myles and Mrs. Joan Bradley will begin at 7 pm. The Bradley’s visited the Holy Land recently and have put together a program about their trip featuring areas and organizations that we don’t hear about in the general news media.

Anyone wishing to provide Ministry of Music during the Summer months, please contact the church office or our Minister of Music, Daniel Seigfried.

The June Minutes are available here as a PDF.

Thank you to everyone who donated items for the Rummage Sale, sorted and priced items, bought and sold items and helped with the cleanup. Your efforts raised over $1000.00 for missions that serve women, children and youth. Some of the Western PA conference agencies that we support include Asbury Heights, Ward Family Services, Zoar Home and Church Union. We also support the Ruth M. Smith Center, located in Sheffield, Pa . It is the only national UMW mission site located in the Western PA conference.

A big thank you to Pastor Russel and all of his kitchen helpers and servers for another fantastic Daughters’ Dinner.

On September 5 and 6 in conjunction with the Sewickley Harvest Festival we will have another Rummage Sale. On November 7 and 8 we will have the Fall Rummage Sale.

Save the Date: Monday, September 15 we will have a potluck dinner followed by a presentation on Israel/Palestine by Rev. Myles and Mrs. Joan Bradley. The Bradleys went to the Holy Land with the General Board of Global Missions earlier this year.

CityReachers Pittsburgh is a project to distribute New Testaments called Our City. God’s Word. in Allegheny County.

A New Testament with local pictures, history of the city, and testimonies of well-known Pittsburghers will be sent out in the fall with the Post-Gazette newspaper. If enough money is raised, they will also be given out on college campuses and other areas where there aren’t many newspaper subcsribers.
We will be taking donations only during the month of May. $5 will provide 2 testaments. $25 will reach 10 homes! Make out a check to Sewickley UMC and put “CityReachers Pittsburgh” on the check’s memo line, or on the envelope if you give cash.

See www.cityreacherspittsburgh.com for more information.

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If you would like to support UMCOR relief efforts for recent storms in the US, the cylcone in Myanmar, or the earthquake in China, make a check out to Sewickley UMC and use one of the following on the memo line:

Tornadoes Advance #901670
Myanmar Advance #3019674
China Advance #982450

The Spring Rummage Sale will be held Friday, May 9 from 8 am to noon and Saturday, May 10 from 8 am to noon. We need help setting up and pricing the items beginning on Tuesday, May 6 starting at 8:30 a.m. We will also work on Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Please call Pat Grossarth to volunteer to help. The proceeds from the sale support mission projects for women, children and youth in the United States and around the world. Your support is greatly needed and appreciated.

The Celebration of Women dinner will be held Friday, May 9 at 6 p.m. Yes, you can volunteer at the Rummage Sale and sit down to a delicious dinner in the same day! Diane Bartley will present the program “The Woman Mary Kay” following the dinner.

Please remember that we are collecting Labels for Education for Red Bird Mission. Pam Smith is in charge of this project. Several people have expressed an interest in returning to Red Bird this summer to work on a mission project. Contact Kris Swaney for further information.

If you don’t want to travel far from home this summer and you want to learn about missions, please consider attending the Cooperative School of Christian Mission at Grove City College. The weekend school is July 18-20 and the weekday school is July 20-24. There are also Sampler Days on July 19 and 22. If you can only spare one day this gives you a taste of what the School is all about.

This school is not just for United Methodist Women but it is for all those with a passion for mission. A Youth School (Mission Discovery) and a Children’s School are also available. Pat Leiphart has more information.

The May Minutes are available here as a PDF.

The signs of spring are starting to appear and it is time for the UMW Spring Tea. It will be held Saturday, April 19 at 11 am in the Simpson Room. Harpist Emily Cook will entertain us following our delicious tea sandwiches and cookies.

For reservations, please call Joan at the church office (412-741-9430) and leave your name, telephone number, and the number of persons who will be attending. The cost is $5.00. Reservations are due by April 13.

The Pittsburgh District UMW Spring Day Apart will be held Saturday, April 26 at Faith United Methodist Church in Fox Chapel. The cost for lunch is $8.00 and reservations are due April 18. The theme is “Sharing the Blessing… Sharing Hope”, and the guest speaker is Rev. Annette B. Bolds, Dormont UMC. There will be a collection of items for the Ruth M. Smith Center.

Please contact Pat Leiphart if you are interested in attending and would like to share a ride with her.

The United Methodist Women will not meet during the month of March due to Holy Week. We will hold our spring tea on Saturday, April 19 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Simpson room. The cost is $5.00 per person and reservations can be made by calling Pat Leiphart at 724-266-5989.  Emily Cook, a harpist, will provide the entertainment. Her program is suitable for all ages.

Pittsburgh District UMW will hold a Mission Study Day on Saturday, March 8 from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm at Dutilh United Methodist Church in Cranberry. Rev. Myles Bradley, Joan Bradley, Dorothy Sherwood and Mary Rishel will present Israel/Palestine - Reason for Hope. The cost is $8.00 and the registration deadline is March 3. Call or email Mary Kay Miller. Pat Leiphart is planning to attend and will drive.

Spring Day Apart will be Saturday, April 26 at Faith United Methodist Church in Fox Chapel. More details in next month’s Minutes.

The Pittsburgh District was able to make its Pledge to Mission for 2007 ($54,000) by sending in $59,442.89. The Western PA conference UMW also made their pledge to Women’s Division.

Now that the Turkey Dinner is over, rummage sale items may be left in the Potato room in the church basement. The spring rummage sale will be held in conjunction with the Sewickley May Mart on May 9 and 10. We will need help pricing the items the week before as well as staffing the event. This will be a busy weekend as the Celebrate Women dinner will be May 9 and Wings Over Pittsburgh is May 10 & 11.

Dish towels for drying dishes in the church kitchen. If you have any used towels at home that you wish to donate, they will be gratefully accepted. New towels (look for sales) will also be accepted. Please wash them first to remove any sizing.

Sunday, June 1, 2008. 12:30 setup/1:00 break bread

This picnic brings our church together with our friends from the St. Matthews AME Zion church. Please mark your calendars for this special event. More information to come in our Minutes in the months ahead.

The Host Group brings the main dish and dessert.

Dinners begin at 5:00 pm – Programs begin at 6:00 pm

March 2 – Minister of Music Dan Siegfried and the Last Psalm will present the musical “Ready to Fly”
Dinner Host: S.U.M. Women
Entree: Ham Loaf

March 9 – Rev. Larry Hominski will report on the use of our Mission Share gifts
Dinner Host: Trustees
Entree: (To Be Announced)

March 16 – Palm Sunday – Seder – most important meal of the Passover
Dinner Host: Pastor Russel & Friends