SUMC Announcements

The pumpkins are arriving at 9:00 am on Saturday morning, October 1, 2011 and the truck tends to be early!
Also, volunteers are needed to man the pumpkin patch from 10:00 am – 7:00 pm.

Volunteer shifts as follows:
10:00 am – 12:00 noon
12:00 noon – 2:00 pm
2:00 pm – 4:30 pm
4:30 pm – 7:00 pm

Please let Lou Ann Scott know which shift would fit your schedule.

Thanks!

See Sandra Lane or call 412-741-6724 to place your order for your fresh Christmas wreath or centerpiece. We have our Classic wreath for $25, Victorian wreath for $30, and Candlelit centerpiece for $30. All items can be shipped anywhere in the US with a personalized card for $5 more. Last day to place your order is October 30 and the wreaths will be ready for pickup by December 1.

We are also looking for someone to chair this fundraiser for 2012; please speak to Sandra if you’re interested.

Calling all ghosts and goblins… please join in for decorating and scare time. Let’s keep this tradition alive (and dead).
Decorating days will be October 15-21 (afternoons on weekends and evenings during the week). Haunted House tour days will be October 21, 22, 28, 29 from 7-9:00pm

We all know how much fun it is to scare, but we’d appreciate it if you can come decorate as well. Reach out to Diane or Hurst Bartley or Susie or Jack Moffett.

Saturday, October 8, 9am
Fitness trainer, Marianne King, will lead this all-levels class that will help balance strength and stability of muscle groups and connective tissue, strengthen your body from the core out, and improve stability and mobility of joints. The class will blend resistance bands, tubing, and your own body weight with Pilates techniques. You will also receive take-home pictures of the exercises, so you can perform at home.

This class will have a $10 charge to attend and a one time charge for bands or tubes of $3 or $6 respectively.

Saturdays, October 1, 8 and 15 , 11:30-12:30. Boys and girls ages 7-12 are encouraged to come and take part in this class that will explore various yoga postures and breathing techniques for focus and relaxation. $5 donation is suggested for each class and will go towards Bethany House. Class will meet in the Simpson Room or lower level of church depending on room availability. Wear comfortable clothes and bring a mat or beach towel.

The Biggest Loser Challenge is off and running. Please keep our 22 participants in your prayers as they take this journey towards optimum health. If you didn’t sign up officially you can be a tag-along (see Sandra Lane). Get the support you need to help meet your weight and exercise goals while being in the company of others.

B.L. support meetings for October will be October 1 and 15—time TBD, as these are also pumpkin delivery dates.

The Library Committee congratulates the Third Grade Class on receiving their Bibles on September 18th during the traditional worship service. The following seven students received Bibles: Hadley Elizabeth Boyle, Caitlin Elizabeth Steele, Paige Genevieve Geason, Genevieve Carol Moffett, Benjamin Henry Thurkow-Schlund, Alexander John Clifford, and Matthew Alexander Hicks. On behalf of the Library and our church family, we hope each student will enjoy reading the stories about our Christian heritage. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”

The World Communion Sunday offering provides scholarships and training for people throughout the world. Half of the money goes to specific World Communion Scholarships for students from all over the world, working toward careers in ministry with the poor, global health, leadership development, and congregational development and revitalization. Indeed, World Communion Scholars study and serve throughout the world. Half of them must come from outside the United States. The rest of the special offering supports Ethnic Minority Scholarships and the Ethnic In-Service Training Program.

One World Communion Scholar is Tinka Krsteva. She is from Macedonia, one of the three poorest countries in Europe. In Macedonia, most people cannot afford to pay for advanced studies. Pastoral training requires the sponsorship of a church or other organization. Because of her scholarships, Krsteva can study theology, with a specialization in ethics and social concerns, at Martin Luther College in Graz, Austria. When she completes her studies, she plans to return home to be a United Methodist pastor.

Please use envelopes provided or include with your regular offering, marking the amount for “World Communion".

UMCOR, the relief agency of our denomination, is in desperate need of funds and cleaning kits. The many storms of the spring and summer have greatly depleted both funds and relief kits. Without our assistance, UMCOR’s ability to respond to disasters and other global needs will be hampered. UMCOR is frequently one of the first agencies to respond. SUMC is not planning to assemble cleaning kits, but UMCOR will use funds donated for cleaning kits to purchase those necessary supplies. Funds donated to “Summer Storms” will enable UMCOR to not only be a first responder, but will enable the agency to continue long-term recovery efforts in the many areas struggling to clean up and restore. It is only through the generosity of United Methodists that UMCOR continues to be our hands around the world. Please mark your donation “Summer Storms” and include it with your regular offering.

Special Offering goes to supporting the educational ministries of the Western PA Conference which include Training and Resources and Laity Scholarships. Please use the “blue” envelopes found in the pews or in the back of the church, or include with your regular offering (mark “Christian Edcuation").

On Monday, November 28 (7 PM), we will discuss the book Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand, who also wrote the book Seabiscuit. Unbroken is the biography of world War II veteran Louis Zamperini who was an Olympic athlete in the 1936 Berlin games and was training to go to the 1940 games when the war broke out. While enroute to Japan as an Air Force Lieutenant, he was captured and interred as a POW. This is a powerful and triumphant story, beautifully written by Ms. Hillenbrand.

Our very own praise band, Leap of Faith, has been invited to perform at the 10th annual Fern Hollow Fall Music Festival on September 17th. Food and drink will be available, or you can bring a picnic for your family to enjoy on the lawn. There are lots of activities for the kids, and all proceeds go directly to fund environmental education programs in our area. Anyone interested in attending the festival should see Susie Moffett to reserve a ticket at the members’ price ($20/adult and $5/child ages 5-15). You can also contact Susie at mommafett@gmail.com or 412-741-5137. Let’s go show our support for Leap of Faith and have a fun evening of fellowship together!

Kids’ Yard Sale, this Saturday, September 9th, from 9 am to 2 pm, on the front lawn of the church. All funds raised will go towards the SUMC Campership fund.

The “Wings Over Pittsburgh” air show will be held 10 & 11 September at the Air Reserve base in Moon Township. We have the opportunity to raise a minimum of $800 for the church’s general fund and perhaps more. We will run a food concession booth. Our booth requires 12 adults each day (16 years & older) from approximately 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. We provide the workers and the air show concession company provides everything else. This is a fun time, and I hope you will consider volunteering. If you have any questions or would like to let me know which day you can help, please let me know at pamela.hess@gmail.com or 412-749-9702.

Sunday school classes will will begin on September 11. Sunday school meets 10:00 - 10:45, September thru May. We have classes for all ages—both adults and children. We have two adult classes: one that focuses on the Bible, and one that discusses contemporary Christian issues. Our elementary children’s classes include a Bible story with related activities. Middle and high school classes discuss Christian ways to deal with issues teens face today. For the first Sunday - September 11, we will all meet in the Simpson room at 10:00. Then everyone can meet their teacher and go to the classroom together.