SUMC Announcements

Many Thanks to the 10 people that donated toward our Carol-grams. We had a great time singing to the nursing home residents and they were very appreciative. Our next FUNdraiser is going to be a big time classy event and a lot of fun.

Carabella is a clothing boutique nestled in the heart of Oakmont, Pennsylvania. Owner Carol Kinkela has successfully created a one of a kind boutique offering designer clothing matched by no other clothing store in the city. With a wonderful assortment of sweaters, sportswear, coats, shoes and accessories… Carabella is a one stop shop for woman. On February 11th you will enjoy collections that will include everyday wear, dress casual and career to cruise wear by the top designers; Donna Degnan, White and Warren, Zenella and more.

Carol’s generous outreach has touched so many charitable causes such as the Alzheimer’s Association, Cystic Fibrosis Research, The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America, Relay for Life, JDRF, the Pittsburgh Opera and many more.
“No charity should go unnoticed. I have been blessed by a city that has supported me and I am determined to do what I can to give back".

The Carabella ‘Mobile Store’ will be at the Edgeworth Country Club on February 11th.
Doors open at 5:30 for previewing the clothing, Dinner and Show start at 6:30 with time for browsing and shopping following the show.
Tickets are $45.00 and includes live music featuring Sewickley United Methodist Church’s Contemporary band - Leap of Faith
Stop by to see the latest spring styles…and help support the Honduras Mission Team.
RSVP to Alisa Lenhardt at 412-741-6200 or alenhardt@hotmail.com
Checks payable: Sewickley United Methodist Church

Annual Staff Christmas Purse—Members of the SPRC (Staff Pastor Parish Committee) will once again be collecting contributions for the annual Christmas Purse for our staff members. The collection will begin December 5 and conclude on Sunday, December 19th. You may give your donation to any SPRC member including: Cheryl Fulton, Warren Kinneer, Kathy Canter, Hurst Bartley, Jack Moffet, Jack Morrow, Linda Flaherty, Bola Nicholson or Sandra Lane. You may place cash in an envelope marked “Christmas Purse” and place it in the offering. Please make checks payable to “Cash” - not Sewickley United Methodist Church and note in the memo: Christmas Purse. Thank you for your donation, which will allow us to offer our dedicated and tremendous staff members a holiday bonus. If you have any questions, please contact Cheryl Fulton or Warren Kinneer.

Thank you for your continued support of Sewickley United Methodist Church and their staff.

Staff Pastor Parish Committee

You can print your Poinsettia Order Form from the website at www.sewickleyumc.org

On the homepage, click on the picture of the Poinsettia and print the form out. Fill it out and bring it with you to church on Sunday or drop it by the office during the week. Make sure to include your payment with the form.

If you want to mail the form with your payment, mail to: Sewickley UM Church, 337 Broad St., Sewickley Pa 15143.


Thanks,

The Church Office

The wreaths and centerpieces have arrived! If you placed an order and would like to pickup, Sandra Lane will be in the pastor’s garage to distribute on :

-Thursday, December 2 from 5-6pm
-After church on Sunday, December 5

If you were a wreath seller please arrange for your pickup during these times as well. Thank you.

Hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving with family and friends. The Christmas season is officially here and the church needs you to help decorate. If you would like to help, there will be a group gathering on Tuesday, November 30th at 10:00 am. Come join in the Christmas spirit and help decorate.

Pastor Russel

Hello SUMC friends,

In preparation for the upcoming Christmas Cookie Walk, we have another group baking opportunity available and we welcome your participation. Last week, several ladies worked very hard making 80 dozen shells for the Lady Locks. On Monday, December 6, starting at 4:30pm we will be filling those shells. We not only need help filling the shells but we need folks to make the filling, if you can do both- that would be fantastic!! Recipe is listed below, please feel free to double it. Please bring a pastry bag if you have one.

There is a sign up sheet in the back of the church- or you can contact Pat Ferguson directly and let us know if you will be coming to help fill, or if you can make a filling recipe and how much?

Lady Lock Filling Recipe
2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup crisco
1 tsp vanilla
1 T flour
1/3 c margarine
1/2 c hot milk

Add hot milk last. Beat well with mixer.

The last group baking will be for Sugar Cookie Cut Outs- on Thursday, December 9- baking will be from 9-12 noon and decorating from 1-3pm. We are also looking for recipe donations here- recipe is below. Please sign up or let Pat know if you can be there to help, or make a recipe to donate or both. We thank you in advance for your support.

FILLED COOKIES
from Esther Boward’s recipes

cream together:
1 cup crisco
2 cup sugar
2 eggs

Add:
2 tsp. baking soda
4 tsp. cream of tartar
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. vanilla

Mix in:
1 cup of milk, alternating with
about 7 cups of flour.

Amount of flour used should be such that the dough is soft, but not sticky. No need to refrigerate dough, but it may be chilled or frozen.

Roll dough out about ¼” thick on floured surface. Flour cookie cutter before cutting shapes. Place on greased cookie sheet. Cut-out cookies should be baked for about 10 min. at 375.

Filled cookies: filling can be jam or commercial fillings found in baking aisle. Size of circle is your choice – 2-3 diameter. Cut two circles for each cookie, cut out small circle in center of one. Place complete circle on greased cookie sheet. Place filling on top and cover with second circle (with hole). Bake at 400 for 12-15 minutes.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the November Rummage Sale. With the proceeds of $950 we were able to support our mission obligations for 2010. Please remember not to place anything in the Potato Room until after the Turkey dinner in 2011.

We received good news from Red Bird Mission. Their school which was to close in May has been able to reopen due to gifts from alumni, Kentucky and Indiana United Methodists and local businesses. However, there were also budget cuts that scaled down the school through reductions of staff (50%), transportation and no support for athletics.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3RD FROM 6:00-9:00 PM FOR 1/2 HOUR SHIFTS

Volunteers are needed for 1/2 hour shifts to portray Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, Wisemen, Shephards, and Angels. The Live Nativity takes place at the front of the sanctuary - no acting or speaking needed - just willingness to wear a costume and stand or sit for 1/2 hour. Small children are welcome, as well - we have child-sized costumes for all parts. We would love to have your baby play the part of Baby Jesus - don’t worry if your baby won’t sit still!

If you can take a shift, please email Martha Boward, Donna Sawhill, or Diane Bartley. A sign-up board will be at the back of the sanctuary on Sunday.

The Live Nativity takes place as part of Sewickley’s Lightfest (formerly known as Light Up Night) and includes music in our sanctuary. The Tween Sunday School class will also have an Imagine No Malaria cocoa booth on the front lawn. Be sure to support their effort to help make malaria history. Many other activities will be available within the Village of Sewickley. Plan to volunteer and enjoy those festivities, as well.

On behalf of the Outreach Committee,

THANK YOU for

Funds for 12 Turkeys for local needy families
Groceries for Bethany House Academy
School Supplies for Bethany House Academy children
UMCOR cleaning kit supplies
Giving through special offerings to support the Youth Service Fund, Christian Education , Rural Churches, World Communion Sunday, and UM Student Day
Helping our youth raise over $275 through Trick or Treat for UNICEF
Non-perishables for the local food pantry
Supporting Imagine No Malaria iniatitve, including Nothing but Nets
Meals for the Bethany House Academy children
Serving through the Congregate Feeding on the Northside
Shoes for Soles4Souls

AND SO MUCH MORE



May you have a truly blessed Thanksgiving.

In His Service,
Martha Boward


Thanksgiving Prayer by Samuel F. Pugh

Oh, God, when I have food,
help me to remember the hungry;
When I have work, help me
to remember the jobless;
When I have a warm home,
help me to remember the homeless;
When I am without pain,
help me to remember those who suffer;
And remembering, help me
to destroy my complacency
and bestir my compassion.
Make me concerned enough
to help, by word and deed,
those who cry out
for what we take for granted.

It is the annual “Click for Cans” challenge from Chunky Soup. Help the Steelers win 18,000 cans of soup for the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank. Click every day to help the Steelers come out on top of the voting. Set your calendar to remind you – let’s show some Steelers pride. Get clicking – and spread the news and the link to everyone you know. http://www.chunky.com/ClickForCansLanding.aspx

From now through November 15th, every diner who brings at least two non-perishable grocery items for the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank will receive a free small pizza. All local Bravo! Restaurants are participating.

Friday, November 19th

Contact Beth Nelson at the Conference Center to help man the booth at Point State Park or to donate cookies (or funds to purchase cookies). Beth can be reached at Beth.nelson@wpaumc.org.

There has been a delay in the start date for this project. Information on each child will be available beginning November 21st. This year, you will be able to see a picture of the child for whom you are buying a gift. Additionally, there will be information regarding the child’s clothing size and some information that the child provided in an interview with our Bethany House volunteers.

We have agreed to provide 12 turkeys to needy families through Fellowship UMC. The cost of each turkey is estimated to be $15. If you are able to help with the cost of a turkey or two, please let Martha Boward or the office know. You can enclose your donation with your regular offering, marking the envelope or check with the amount and “turkey". Turkeys will be delivered to Fellowship Church on November 19th.

Bethany House has a preschooler from Tanzania whose mother does not speak any English. The preschooler is learning English slowly. Keith is in need of any ESL (English as second language) tools to help the family. If you can offer any assistance please contact Cheryl Fulton.

In preparation for the Christmas Cookie walk on December 11 - our first group baking opportunity will take place this Saturday, November 13 starting at 9am. Lady Lock shells will be on the baking agenda so if you wanted to know how to make this popular cookie or just want to help with the cookie walk - this is your chance. Please let Pat Ferguson know you will be coming.

We will once again provide gifts to the children of Bethany House. Please watch for details in Mid-November.

NOVEMBER ITEMS
For November, Outreach will be collecting NEW reusable cloths (like Handi-Wipes) and scrub brushes. Each kit requires 18 reusable cloths and a scrub brush. The goal is to complete 25 kits by June 2011. Please place these items in the orange bucket in the back of the sanctuary. Monetary donations welcome – we will shop for you! Please mark any donations “Cleaning Kits” and include your envelope number or name for proper recording on your church giving statement. Questions? Contact members of Outreach Committee. Thank you.

NOVEMBER 28, 2010
Through the General Board of Higher Education & Ministry (GBHEM), United Methodist college students receive in scholarships and loans. The United Methodist Student Day offering may assist a seminary student called to be a pastor or a missionary. Maybe it will enable a student to complete nursing school or get an education degree. Each year, 10 percent of the contributions also are returned to the annual conferences for merit scholarships. If you would like to make a special offering to support this ministry, please use the envelope included in your bulletin. Mark your check or envelope “Student Day”.

NOVEMBER 7, 2010
The Youth Service Fund of the Western PA Conference has assisted many youth programs in our Conference, our Nation, and our World. If you would like to support youth missions through this special offering, please use one of the blue envelopes located in the pews and at the back of the sanctuary. Be sure to mark your check or envelope “Youth Service”.

October 31 will be your last chance to order a fresh Christmas Wreath or Centerpiece. Sandra Lane will be available after church this Sunday and next to take any remaining orders and collect outstanding payments. Thank you.

Thank you to the individuals who provided the delicious healthy snacks for the Pittsburgh District training event on October 14. Thanks also to those who helped serve that evening.

We welcome Dotty Price to our unit and also thank her for accepting the position of unit secretary.

The Rummage Sale will be held on Friday Nov. 12 and Saturday, Nov. 13 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days. Set-up and pricing will take place earlier in the week. Please call Pat Grossarth at 412-731-6208 if you can help.

We will meet on Monday, Nov. 15 at 6 p.m. for a light supper, followed by our business meeting and a program.

Our Christmas dinner will be held on Tuesday, December 7 at 6 p.m. at Hoss’s restaurant
in Moon Township. Please call Dotty Price at 412-741-4660 to RSVP by December 1.

Tuesday, November 30 at 6pm

Make an appointment with yourself for some creative time to unwind and relax. If you’ve never been to the Clay Cafe- it is a paint your own pottery studio located in Sewickley at the Nickelodeon Mall on Beaver Street. We will get together to work on a project of your choice to paint- you can do something for yourself or make a Christmas gift. SUMC H&W will provide healthy hors d’eouvres. The price will vary depending on the piece you choose to paint but our paint and firing fee will be the same ($7).

We must know if you are coming in advance as the owner of Clay Cafe is keeping her shop open for us that night if we bring enough guests- so please sign up on the sheet located in the back of the sanctuary or let Sandra Lane know you will be attending.

REMINDER, REMINDER

SECOND SHIPMENT OF PUMPKINS WILL ARRIVE SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16 AT 11:30 AM. PLEASE ARRIVE 30 MINUTES EARLY TO HELP UNLOAD. LUNCH WILL BE SERVED IN THE SIMPSON ROOM FROM 11:00 ON.

PUMPKIN PATCH NEEDS VOLUNTEERS TO SIGN UP TO SELL PUMPKINS!!
Please consider signing up for a two hour shift selling pumpkins at the pumpkin patch. We have two more weeks to go, and we have many open slots on the schedule! The work shift schedule is located in the back of church on Sundays, and can be found in the vestibule behind the church on the pumpkin patch supply bench during the other days. Please take the time to sign in your name when you are able to help. We appreciate you taking the time to help with this service project. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Diane Lally 412-259-8752. THANK YOU!

Please consider signing up for a two hour shift selling pumpkins at the pumpkin patch. We have two more weeks to go, and we have many open slots on the schedule! The work shift schedule is located in the back of church on Sundays, and can be found in the vestibule behind the church on the pumpkin patch supply bench during the other days. Please take the time to sign in your name when you are able to help. We appreciate you taking the time to help with this service project. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Diane Lally 412-259-8752. THANK YOU!

FREE MOVIE SHOWINGS - visit projectinghopepgh.com or see bulletin board in the back of the sanctuary for show listings and other details.

The 8th annual Projecting Hope Film Festival
October 8 - 10, 2010 | Cranberry Cinemas
October 15 - 17, 2010 | Waterworks Cinemas

Each year thousands of patrons come out for a weekend of God-honoring entertainment on the big-screen. Enjoy inspirational favorites, as well as new releases before they hit theaters…

ALL ON THE BIG SCREEN and ALL FOR FREE!

In addition to viewing information feeds from October 10th to October 19, visiting 10-fold.org during those days helps generate financial support for a range of projects - AT NO COST TO YOU. Sponsors have pledged funds for various projects based on how many people visit the site. I hope that you will take this opportunity to see the UMC in action - Opening Hearts, Opening Minds, and Opening Doors.

The UMCOR Hotline: 10-Fold Edition
10-Fold is an online educational campaign that highlights some of the ministries of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) along with other mission projects and programs supported by United Methodists and The Advance.
Join the campaign October 10 to 19, 2010, at www.10-fold.org for webcasts, streaming video, online chats, and other media that bring into focus the life-giving and life-saving work of UMCOR. Increase your knowledge of United Methodist ministries by 10-Fold.
This special Hotline offers a glimpse of the five UMCOR programs that are highlighted by 10-Fold.

• October 10: Haiti Recovery
• October 16: Justice for Our Neighbors
• October 17: Clean Water and Sanitation
• October 18: Health Care in Africa
• October 19: Sustainable Agriculture

UMCOR. Be There. Be Hope.
UMCOR’s mission is to alleviate human suffering-whether caused by war, conflict, or natural disaster-with open minds and hearts to all people.

The 10-Fold movement launches this Sunday at www.10-fold.org. Be counted.

October 31st, following 10:45 am Service - Children age 4 and up are invited to Trick or Treat for UNICEF in the church neighborhood. Cheese pizza will be provided for the Trick or Treaters following the service. We will leave from the church no later than 1:30 pm and will conclude by 3:00 pm. Please let Martha Boward know if your child(ren) will Trick or Treat for UNICEF. If you are willing to chaperone, please let her know that, as well.

Camping Sunday offering provides funds to offset camping ministry expenses not covered by Annual Conference Mission Share. The offering assists with summer program staff salaries and training of staff and volunteers. Bibles for campers and Mountain Praise, the camp worship series, are also funded in part through the Camping Sunday offering. Offering may be included with your normal offering or through use of envelopes provided for these special offerings. Please be sure to note “Camping Sunday” on your envelope or check.

Gil Anderson, a long time member of this church passed away yesterday at the Masonic Village. There will be a memorial service for him on Wednesday, October 6 at 1:00 pm, followed by a time of fellowship in the Simpson Room.

Therefore, all Bible Study classes will be canceled.

Our western PA bishop, Thomas Bickerton, was featured several times in this CNN video about the U.N. partnering with religious groups.

I thought you might like to see how prominent the United Methodist Church’s role is in the fight against malaria!

Kim Benjamin
Lay Leader

The United Methodist Women ask that items for the Nov. 12-13 Rummage Sale be put in the potato room after the Haunted House is over (Oct. 31).

The United Methodist Women will meet Monday, October 18 at 6:00 p.m. in the Simpson room for a light supper followed by a business meeting and program. The program will be highlights from Assembly held in St. Louis, MO and the Cooperative School of Christian Mission held this summer at Grove City College.

Thank you to everyone who contributed in some way to another successful Rummage Sale. We collected $1,130.00 for local, national and international mission projects. Our last Rummage Sale of the year will be November 12 and 13 and we are extending the hours from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days. Please contact Pat Grossarth if you can help with the set-up or the sale.

Please remember that we cannot take television sets, computers, fax machines or large pieces of furniture as they do not sell. Please donate these items to another charity.

Once again we will be collecting items for Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes - small stuffed animals, notepads, pens, pencils, toothbrushes, mild bar soap, comb, washcloth and socks. We are also accepting donations of $7.00 per box for shipping.

Sunday, September 26th is the Fourth Sunday Food Pantry Collection. All donations of non-perishable food items are appreciated. Please place items in the grocery cart.

25 sets of 7 sponges each and 5 scrubbing pads each are needed. Please place your donations of these new items in the orange bucket in the back of the sanctuary. The Outreach Committee will combine donations to make the required sets. Monetary donations may be placed in the offering - please mark “cleaning kits” on the envelope or check.

TGIF members will be putting together a memory quilt made up of squares created by you or a youth group member. Each square will be $10- you may choose to decorate it with supplied fabric markers or take it home and do your own cross stitch work. You can also ask a youth member to decorate your square - supply the information needed on our order form and the kids will take care of the rest. In the end we will have a church family quilt that can make a beautiful wall hanging in our church and you will be helping our youth group raise some funds. See Sandra Lane for an order form.

When: Saturday, October 16, 2010, 6:00-9:00pm
Where: Linden Place Apartments
Please refer to the sign up sheet regarding what food/drink item you can bring.
Please bring a wrapped gift to donate to the auction which will benefit our youth campership program.

SUMC Health and Wellness Ministry presents:

SELF DEFENSE FOR NON-MARTIAL ARTISTS

This fun and useful class will teach participants self-defense techniques based on the Korean martial art, Tang Soo Do. The class will cover basic concepts followed by practice exercises of self-defense skills. All ages and genders are welcome. Class size will be limited, so please sign up ahead, see sheet located in back of sanctuary.

When: Tuesday, October 12, 2010, 7:00-8:30pm
Where: Lower level at SUMC
Cost: Free Will Offering
Instructors: Master Don Diffendal, 4th Dan

The delivery dates for the pumpkins are Saturday, October 2nd at 9:00 AM and Saturday, October 16th at 11:30AM. If you are able to help out either or both of these dates, please sign the volunteer sheets located in the back of the church.

We are requesting that everyone show up a 1/2hour early for both delivery dates:
Saturday, October 2nd at 8:30AM
Saturday, October 16th at 11:00AM
Please meet in the Simpson Room; we will be serving breakfast on the 2nd and lunch on the 16th!

Also located in the back of the church is a sign up chart for the specific shifts available to work the pumpkin patch. Please take the time to sign up when you are able to volunteer!!

If you have any questions or concerns please contact Diane Lally.

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT…IT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED!!

The response to the “Prayer Blankets” has been wonderful! A special thank you to Linda Flaherty for keeping the supply refreshed during the summer months. We are presently sewing a few more blankets and are in need of volunteers. If you own a sewing machine and are able to sew a straight line, the prayer blanket committee could use you! If you are interested in helping out, please contact Diane Lally. Thanks for your support!

Sewickley UM Church will be operating a booth this Saturday and Sunday at the Wings Over Pittsburgh Air Show in Moon this weekend, September 11th and 12th.

Please stop by the booth an purchase some chicken nuggets, fries and a drink. We will be Booth # 3 by the B-52 Bomber.

Hope to see you there.

Pam Hess
WOP Coordinator

Sunday School classes start this Sunday, Sept 12th, at 9:45 am! Everyone is welcome!!!

We have two classes for adults. One meets in the library and discusses a variety of topics. One meets in the parlor and will make use of videos to lead discussion on contemporary topics.

All of our children and youth meet downstairs:
High School - Sandra Lane and Pam Hess - Youth Room
Middle School - Greg Lane and Jim Canfield - first room on left at bottom of stairs
4th & 5th - Susie Moffett and Ruth Thomas - classroom beside the choir room
1st, 2nd, & 3rd - Kim Benjamin and Jenine Furry - classroom in front of the nursery
Preschool & K - Tonya Bollman, Belinda Resler, and Andrea Lewis - nursery

Preschool thru 5th on handbell Sundays - Martha Boward and Andrea Lewis - downstairs kitchen/social hall
(Typically the 2nd Sunday of the month, starting in October)

Parents, please accompany your children to class or make sure they are with another adult. At 10:30 am, we bring the kids up to the Simpson Room for a light snack before the service starts at 10:45 and their parents can meet them there. There will not be time between the Contemporary Service and Sunday School for kids to eat, so please make sure they have breakfast before they come.

Sunday, September 26, 2010
(immediately following the Traditional Service)

This will be a casual luncheon to honor and celebrate the boys and men in our life.

$8 Adult
$5 under age 12
free under age 3

Please let us know if you will be joining us.

——————————————————————-

Name ______________________________________

Phone _____________________________________

Number of adults attending @$8 ______________

Number attending under 12 @ $5 ______________

Number attending under 3 ______________

Total: ____________

Please turn form and money into office or give to Donna Sawhill, Cheryl Fulton or Sandra Lane.
Rsvp by September 23.

There will be a recital in the sanctuary on Sunday, August 29 at 5:00 pm, presented by the voice and piano students of Miss Sara! Come support our kids as they showcase the pieces that they have been working on throughout the past several months and longer. You will see performances from Bo Lenhardt, Allison Lenhardt, Grace Rogansky, Felicity Moffett, and Tyler Pietschmann. Following the shot recital will be a dessert reception in the Simpson Room, where you can congratulate all of these performers on their hard work. Everyone is welcome!

Thanks!
Sara Lamb

The fall rummage sale will be held on Friday and Saturday, September 10 and 11 from 8 a.m. to 12 noon both days. Thank you for your contributions. The potato room is almost full to overflowing. Please remember that we cannot take televisions, computers or large pieces of furniture as these items do not sell very well. Our spring rummage sale raised close to $1,000.00 to support missions for women, children and youth.

We will meet on Monday, September 20 at 6 p.m. in the Simpson Room for a potluck supper followed by our business meeting and a program about mission trips. There is still time to make a pledge to United Methodist Women. Our treasurer is Pat Grossarth.

In June we honored Steve Grossarth, Mike Swaney, and Warren Kinneer with Special Mission Recognition pins for their service to United Methodist Women.

Church Library will resume Fall Hours after the Labor Day Weekend break. The library will be open on Sunday from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM and Thursday evenings during the choir practice times 6 PM to 7:30 PM. Also, open during Wednesday morning and evening Bible Study. During normal church office hours, the church secretary can open the door for access.

This year was an off year for the business of our annual conference with only a few resolutions and no changes to our conference rules. Next year we will be electing members to the General Conference which will be held in Tampa, Florida in 2012. As usual the annual conference budget was the big ticket item on the agenda. A new item is the “Imagine No Malaria” program which was proposed by our Bishop Thomas Brickerton. This program will challenge the United Methodist General Conference to raise $75 million so that malaria in Africa can be stopped by 2015. The Nothing but Nets program is still important, as a means of saving children and adult lives in many places in the world.

We heard how mission share payments are too high and that we shouldn’t need to pay our fair share. The good news is that the shares aren’t going up too much this year but the bad news is that the conference is cutting back programs and staff members to make up the difference. There is an old saying from my home in the mountains, “You have to pay the fiddler to play, in order to dance”. The same is true with our church mission share. We have realized this with our relationship with the Bethany House ministry. If all the churches in our annual conference paid their mission share in full, Keith wouldn’t have to be out begging for money.

I was assigned to Section 7, the corporation business meetings, which was held in the hottest building on Grove City’s campus with no A/C. We did sweat a little but survived the ordeal. It wasn’t all work at Grove City, we had an ice cream social and a pizza party with live music in one of the courtyards, on two of the evenings. It was a great time to catch up with old friends and meet many new folks. Thank you for sending me to represent Sewickley at this year’s annual conference. SUMC will be looking for a delegate to represent our church at next year’s 2011 conference, if you are interested contact the pastor.

Warren R. Kinneer

On Sunday, August 29, ( late afternoon, exact time TBA) we will take a trip to see the movie Eat, Pray, Love based on the best selling book by Elizabeth Gilbert. The story is about one woman’s journey of self-discovery as she travels to Italy, India and Bali. Please let Sandra know you will be coming via sign up sheet in back of sanctuary or e-mail slane819@yahoo.com

Saturday, July 24, 11am-6pm

This is a great day of fun for the whole family! There is so much going that we have to close off Thorn Street from Broad to Walnut for the needed space to accommodate everything. There will be fun games and prizes, a dunk tank (Pastor Russel takes a seat too), inflatable bounce house, cake walk, live entertainment all day (including our own contemporary praise band, Leap of Faith) and great food. There are several ways to be a part of this event—you can help out for a few hours or come with your family and neighbors to enjoy the day. Contact Sandra Lane or Diane Bartley if interested—there is a job suitable for everyone. We also have plenty of openings in the dunk tank too.

Seriously.

Thanks for your support!!

If you are not in town, here are a few ways you can still help out:

1. We are in need of quick pop-up tents. If you have one, may we borrow it?
2. BHA Sponsorship Program - here is another way to be a part of this event even if you are not here. $10 tax deductible donations are being accepted to help cover the cost of tickets for the visiting children of Bethany House on the day of the Carnival. Let’s give these kids a day they will not forget!!
3. We are in need of cakes for the Cake Walk. Speak with Kelly Herman or Kristine Swaney if you can provide one.

Congratulations to Kurt and Melanie Gaebel on the birth of Baby Gaebel on June 29th. She weighed 8lbs. and was 20 3/4” long. Proud Grandparents are Rev. Russel and Nancy Shuluga and Hope and Tom Gaebel. Extended family is Amy and Matthew Hurst, and cousins Matt Hurst, Jr., Andrew Hurst and Lee Ann Shuluga and cousin Victoria Reardon.

Singles from all around Western Pennsylvania will gather at Jumonville for their annual retreat. It begins on Friday evening, September 3 and ends on Monday the 6th. The keynote speaker is Roy Gearhart. The Sunday evening worship and communion experience is very moving, and the evening walk to the top of the hill is a breath-taking adventure. They have a time for study and time for some great recreational activities. The best part is the friendships you develop and the sharing with folks that have the same joys and hurts you have in your lives. Look for fliers and registration forms posted in the back of the sanctuary.

In September we will be recognizing our new third graders and giving them their Bibles. As of this printing, we have only two students entering the third grade, and they are Paige Lenhardt and Adelia Brunton. If we missed your child, please let the church office know or contact Sandra Lane, the Church’s Librarian.

The church picnic was a wonderful event with over 85 people in attendance. There was good food and great fellowship with both church families. It was a sunny day, but the rain during the weekend caused high waters in the creek at Walker Park, and for this safety reason, we moved the picnic site to the church. Thanks to the Library Committee and Jenine Furry for all their great efforts in making the day a wonderful experience. Most of all, thanks to all the folks who came out, for it was a nice crowd. See you all next year.

The church library is now on the summer schedule. The Library will be open for use during the normal church office hours weekdays and on Sunday morning from 8 AM to 11:30 AM.
Summer time is a great time to read a good book. We do offer some wonderful books for your reading pleasure. Stop in and visit us.

Congratulations to all the members of the Class of 2010 upon graduation from your course of study. On June 20 during the morning worship service we recognized our High School graduates Brittany Hetzell, Amanda Yant, Brianna Pflugh and Paige Alexander. We also had three graduates from College; Brianna Wilkinson, Robert O’Donnell and Yawah Nicholson. Best wishes to all as you pursue your life career goals.

GROVE YOUTH CHOIR CONCERT (FREE)
WHEN: JUNE 25, 2010
TIME: 7:00 PM
PLACE: SEWICKLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH


NEED HELP: We are still looking for a few more contributions for a Continental Breakfast on Saturday June 26th. Please call Lou Ann Scott and let her know you would like to help.

Thank You,

The Church Office

Dear SUMC Family:

You are kindly invited to join us for our First Annual Benefit Concert for Bethany House on Friday, May 21 at 7pm. Our own contemporary service band, Leap of Faith, will be hosting the concert and joined by the Vineyard Fellowship Church praise band. A freewill offering will be taken during the concert and a reception will follow immediately afterwards in the Simpson Room.

As you know, our church is a strong supporter of the ministry provided by Bethany House Academy to the children and families of Northview Heights in Pittsburgh. These children regularly deal with the effects of poverty, drug abuse and violence within their own neighborhoods and the efforts of Executive Director Keith Murphy and the staff and volunteers of Bethany House can make the difference in whether these children survive or thrive.

Please share this information with your friends and neighbors! Your support will help to insure that the exceptional work of Bethany House is able to continue.


Blessings!
Cheryl Fulton

Class of 2010 to be honored at the June 20th morning worship service at 10 AM. We are so happy to have our youth graduating and entering into a new stage in their life journey. The following are members of the Class of 2010.

College:
Brianna Wilkinson
Thomas O’Donnell

High School:
Brittany Hetzell
Brianna Pflugh
Amanda Yant
Paige Alexander

If we missed your graduate please let, the library committee or the church office know as soon as possible.

Sunday, June 6, 2010
12:30 setup/1:00 break bread

This picnic brings our church together with our friends from the St. Matthews AME Zion church. Hotdogs, hamburgers, drinks and paper products will be provided. Please bring your favorite side dish to share. In addition to the fellowship, friendship and food there will be games for the kids and adults. Be sure to pack water shoes, towels and maybe a change of clothes for some exploring in the nearby creek!! Please come join us – there will be a sign up sheet on the bulletin board in the back of the church.

Sunday, March 28th is the last date for contributions to the Easter Undies for Bethany House. We are in need of undies for Tweens and Teens, both boys and girls.

Thank You

Cheryl Fulton

The Youth would like to invite the congregation to lunch with the Easter Bunny, Sunday, March 28, 2010 (Palm Sunday) after our traditional service. A love offering will be collected and proceeds will go to the Youth’s Retreat. Come one, come all and enjoy a kid friendly meal and get your picture taken with the Easter Bunny. All guests can sign up on the sheet in the back of the sanctuary. Contact Lou Ann Scott or Sandra Lane to sign up.

We will hold our March meeting on Sunday, the 14th following the regular worship service. A light lunch will be served. We plan to have a service project assembling kits for UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief). Look for details in the Sunday bulletins prior to our meeting.

Now that the Turkey dinner is over, rummage sale items may be placed in the potato room in the church basement. The Rummage Sale will be May 7 & 8.

The Pittsburgh District UMW will hold a Mission Study Day on Saturday, March 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at First Bethel United Methodist Church in Bethel Park. The study leader is Linda Kurtz Beher who is the author of the 2009-2010 mission study book, “The Beauty and Courage of Sudan: Why a Dream of Peace is Possible.” The cost is $8.00 which includes lunch and the deadline for reservations is March 15. Contact Gerry Czado at 412-901-9798 for further information.

As of this time, we have only two college grads (Brianna Wilkinson & Thomas O’Donnell) and two High School grads (Amanda Yant & Brianna Pflugh). If your student is part of the Class of 2010 please tell the church office or a member of the library committee. Thank You.

Please mark your calendars for the Annual Church Picnic on June 6th. We’ll be updating the picnic plan in the next few issues of the church’s newsletter.

Thank you to the Scouts and Scouters who participated in the Candle Ceremony at the February 14th Worship Service. The Boy Scout program is all about each boy who enters the program that grows up to be a good citizen, a good neighbor and a responsible individual that we can depend upon at any time.

We thank the adults who came forward for the ceremony, they are the leaders that helped the boys to grow. It was once said, “It takes a community to raise a child” this has been true in the Scouts for the last 100 years.

Our Scout Oath and Scout Law have survived the test of time and still are the guidelines of every Scout.

The Scout Oath instills the ideals of duty to God and country, duty to other people and duty to oneself.

A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. This law has been my guide from my youth throughout my adult life and has never let me down.

We thank God for the Boy Scouts of America, so we can continue to build good men and women for our future.

Submitted by,
Warren R. Kinneer

The UMW meeting will be held on Sunday, February 28 at 4 p.m. We are meeting prior to the Lenten dinner that we are preparing. Members are asked to bring desserts (cookies, brownies, cake or pie) for the dinner.

In January we held our pledge service, “What Gift Shall I Bring”. If you were not able to attend, please see Pat Grossarth, treasurer, for a pledge card. Our unit’s budget for 2010 is $4,405. Of that amount, $2,500 is our Pledge to Mission.

You are part of a one million member organization that raises 25 million dollars a year to support mission projects for women, children and youth around the world. This year the Pittsburgh District has pledged $54,000 and the Western PA conference has pledged $250,000.