SUMC Announcements

This Sunday, May 20, the children of the church will be planting flowers for the Union Aid apartments. This is a subsidized building just a couple blocks away from the church. We would appreciate flower donations. Also all children are welcome to help plant the flowers during Sunday school time. We will be on the lawn near the Learning Tree on the Thorn Street side of the church. I am also looking for adult helpers. The Fellowship of the Cross kids will take the pots (with at least 2 adults) to the apartments, and plant the remaining flowers in the flower beds there. Please bring flower donations to the front porch of the parsonage.

Thanks very much!
Tonya Bollman

Hi everyone! Vacation Bible School is fast approaching and we still need volunteers to Dive In and Go Deep for God!!
Please see me in between services this Sunday, May 20th or, email me if you can help out! VBS will be an evening program during the week of June 25.

Thanks!
Kelly Herman
kkjjherman@yahoo.com

I’m sure you’ll agree that the church playground, donated by the Learning Tree in recent years, is a joy to our church family and the children in the community.

The time has come for us to add a fresh layer of mulch to the playground surface in order to meet the necessary fall zone requirements. The Learning Tree has purchased 25 yards of fiber mulch and the preschool parents will be helping to spread the mulch. However, this is our playground too, and more help is needed for this project. Please consider helping to spread mulch on Saturday, May 5 beginning at 8am.

If you will be coming, please let me know at slane819@yahoo.com, as there will be refreshments.

Bring a garden rake, shovel and/or wheel barrow.

Many hands make light work.
Thanks in advance for your support.
Gratefully,
Sandra Lane

WANTED: Names of the Class of 2012 graduates from our church family. We are looking for those seniors who will be graduating from High School or College. We would like to honor them during a Sunday worship service June 24th. Please inform the church office or Sandra Lane or Warren Kinneer of any person not listed below who may be a 2012 GRADUATE.

Following is a list of High School graduates:
Tyler Alt
Megan Bell
Wesley Canfield
Aura Escobar
Adam Fonner
Lindsy Nail
Emily Resler
Tyler Willson
Annie Utterback

Following is a list of the college graduates:
Chris Bartley
Cheryl Barwell
Joe Boward
Rebecca Hetzell
Christine Jehle
Mike Lewis
Chris Nickell

If a name is misspelled, please notify us immediately so we can make the correction. Best wishes to all students.

Our children will be leading BOTH services on Mother’s Day, 5/13, and we’d really like to have EVERY child, from the youngest on up participating, if they want to.

We will be singing some songs and leading other portions of the services. If you have a child who would like to participate, but isn’t involved yet, please contact us so that we may assign them a part for that Sunday. Don’t let the singing keep them from participating. If they truly do not want to sing, then there are other things we need help with, such as greeters and ushers.

We want to invite all the kids to an extra rehearsal to work on the music this coming Sunday, April 29th. We will meet in the Simpson Room right after the second service is finished, order pizzas/salads for lunch, and then plan to work until 2:30. If you could send your child with a dollar or two to help cover the cost of the pizza, it would be appreciated.

We will also be meeting the first two Saturdays in May, 5/5 and 5/12, from 10 am to noon in the sanctuary, where we will walk through each of the services and practice where to stand and what to do. It would be helpful if the kids could make at least one of those Saturday practices, if not both.

We want EVERYBODY involved on this special day of worship. Leap of Faith, our worship band, will be accompanying them for parts of it, so please encourage your kids to consider joining us– they’ll get to sing with the band, and we promise it’s going to be lots of fun!

If your child wants to participate, but can’t make a rehearsal, let us know so we can plan for them to do something that doesn’t require any prior practice.

If you have questions, check with:
Kelly Herman - kkjjherman@yahoo.com
Charles Wilson - crwilson1956@gmail.com
Pamela Mayo - pemayo@verizon.net

We are looking for adults who are willing to volunteer with Children’s Ministries (Children’s Church and/or Nursery). Many of our adult volunteers are already involved in other areas of worship, leaving us in need of more volunteers so we can continue to offer these options during the 11 am Traditional Worship Service. Anyone serving in Children’s Church or the Nursery needs to have both a Criminal History Check and Child Abuse Clearance. The church will cover the cost of the clearances.

If you would like to become a volunteer, please contact the church secretary, Pam Hess. She can send you the forms to complete, or you can pick them up in the office.

We had confusion and conflicting announcements yesterday concerning the Book Club meeting. The April meeting will be NEXT Monday, April 30, at 7 pm in the Parlor. That gives everyone an extra week to read the Jane Austen book of their choice. Everyone is welcome to come, even if you didn’t read a book.

Saturday, April 21st
5:00-7:00 PM
$8/adult; $4/children age 3-10
under age 3 free

See any team member, Sandy Kuriger, or the office for tickets.

Help needed, as well. See any team member to volunteer your time.

Please join us for a pancake breakfast on Saturday, April 14 from 8 am – 11 am in the Simpson Room. All proceeds from the breakfast will go to our Bethany House friend and breast cancer survivor Kelly Cellars.

Kelly was a teacher in both the preschool and afterschool programs at Bethany House. After passing out on a PAT bus in Pittsburgh in late December, she was required to undergo tests and screening to absolve the bus company of any liability. During the course of these tests, it was determined that she had dangerous tumors in each breast. Within three weeks, Kelly had had a double mastectomy. She is continuing treatment, but is grateful to God for giving her ‘a push’ on the bus!

Kelly is 40 years old, married and has 5 children, including twin 5 year old girls. Her son is a college student at Temple University and her two older daughters live in Pittsburgh. Her husband had to leave his job as a long distance truck driver in order to stay home and care for Kelly & the children while she was undergoing surgery and continues treatment.

Tickets are $5 each (3 years and under eat free) and can be purchased from Pam Hess in the church office, or from Belinda Resler, Diane Bartley or Cheryl Fulton. Donations are also welcome! As stated, all proceeds will go to Kelly and her family to help with their bills. Help us support our friend Kelly!

Belinda, Diane, Pam and Cheryl

Thursday, April 5, Maundy Thursday Service 7:00 pm

Friday, April 6, Ecumenical Good Friday Worship Service at Noon
We will gather at St Paul’s Lutheran Church, 616 Washington St, Sewickley at 11:30 a.m., then at 11:45 a.m. we will begin the procession with the cross to Sewickley United Methodist Church for the remainder of the service. If you do not want to participate in the carrying of the cross, you may come to Sewickley’s sanctuary at noon for prayer and meditation.

Easter Sunday, April 8
Ecumenical Sunrise Service at Sewickley Cemetery Chapel at 6:30 a.m.
Easter Contemporary Service 9 a.m.
Traditional Worship Service 11 a.m.

Congratulations to Pam Hess who was recently awarded a Special Mission Recognition pin from our unit for her service with Red Bird Mission in Kentucky, the Center for Hope in Ambridge, and the Congregate Feeding program on the northside of Pittsburgh.

The Spring Rummage Sale will be held Friday, May 11 and Saturday, May 12 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m in the Church basement. Your donations may be placed in the potato room in the basement.
Please remember that we cannot accept electronics or large pieces of furniture.

Our pledge service was held in February. If you missed it and would like to make a pledge, please contact Pat Grossarth, treasurer at 412-741- 6208. We adopted a budget of $4480.00.
We meet our budget by holding rummage sales, having a sales table at the monthly church luncheons and pledges from members and friends of UMW.

April 17th at 6:00 pm – Committee members and others interested in outreach ministry are encouraged to attend. Meeting room to be determined.

Volunteers needed, age 11 and older, for our Change the World event at the Sewickley warehouse from 9 a.m. to noon. Please contact Martha Boward or the church office if you wish to participate – we need to let World Vision know how many to expect. Visit www.umcom.org/changetheworld to see what other United Methodist churches are doing on Change the World Weekend 2012.

Prizes are needed for children, adults and families. Place prize donations in the box at the back of the sanctuary. If you frequent a local merchant and would be willing to ask for a donation, please speak to Martha Boward or Alisa Lenhardt. Even a $5 gift card would be welcome.

May 5th – Advance reservations will be taken in mid-April. Please join us for this fun evening – if you can roll dice, you can play. Children welcome, as well. More details will be in the bulletin.

Don’t forget to purchase a package or two of new underwear and/or socks for the children of Bethany House Academy. Don’t forget the tweens and teens as you select those Easter Undies! Look for the box at the back of the sanctuary. Donations will be taken following Easter.

SUMC continues to collect items to assemble cleaning kits. There is a poster in the back of the sanctuary. Outreach is asking that you pull off the tab of what you will supply and print your name on the chart. A bin will be in the back of the sanctuary for your donations. Outreach will shop for you, if you would prefer – just mark funds “Cleaning Kits”. Thank you for your continued support of UMCOR’s disaster relief efforts.

To encourage counting our blessings this Lenten season, a calendar was distributed on February 19th. During Lent, the calendar suggested a “fine” based on blessings in our lives – for instance, on Ash Wednesday, the fine was based on the number of pancakes eaten on Shrove Tuesday. This year’s goal is to fund Fish Fingerlings through Heifer International. It’s not too late to participate – calendars at the back of the sanctuary. Please bring your fines to church on Sunday, April 15th.

WANTED: Names of the Class of 2012 graduates from our church family. We are looking for those seniors who will be graduating from High School or College. We would like to honor them during a Sunday worship service June 24th. Please inform the church office, Sandra Lane, or Warren Kinneer of any person not listed below who may be a 2012 GRADUATE.
Following is a list of High School graduates:
Tyler Alt
Megan Bell
Wesley Canfield
Aura Escobar
Adam Fonner
Lindsy Nail
Emily Resler
Annie Utterback
Tyler Willson

Following is a list of the college graduates:
Chris Bartley
Cheryl Barwell
Joe Boward
Rebecca Hetzell

The 4th Annual SUMC Street Carnival is set for August 11, 2012, 11am - 6pm. This is a wonderful outreach to the community. However, we need all hands on deck to make it happen. We ask that you prayerfully consider where you can volunteer. Everyone is welcome. Please visit the back of the sanctuary to view our Team Leader and Team member openings. If you have any questions, please ask Diane Bartely or Sandra Lane.

Saturday, April 28, 10 am
Have you ever been curious about Zumba? This one time class will give you a little (Latin) taste. Zumba combines high- energy music with unique moves and combinations for an all-over body workout. Wear comfortable exercise clothes and rubber soled shoes or sneakers.
$5 donation

The Biggest Loser Challenge II is well under way and we are asking for your prayers of support as this group works diligently to meet their goals for optimum health. We are very appreciative for the wide selection of healthy choices at this year’s Lenten Dinners. For BL participants: support meetings are scheduled for April 14 and 28, 9 am.

The 2012 General Conference will meet in April to conduct business and set policy for the church. Among the many items under consideration is a proposal to restructure the United Methodist Church.

We are all asked to provide spiritual support for the conference through prayer. The Upper Room is making available a resource called 50 Days of Prayer which is a guide that begins March 16th. You can download PDFs or subscribe to a daily email at the website.

http://50daysofprayer.upperroom.org/

Kim Benjamin, Lay Leader

We will go to World Vision Sewickley warehouse on Saturday, May 19th from 9 a.m. to noon as our 2012 Change the World event. You must be over age 11 to participate. Please contact Martha Boward or the church office if you wish to participate – we need to let World Vision know how many to expect. Visit www.umcom.org/changetheworld to see what other United Methodist churches are doing on Change the World Weekend 2012.

Mark your calendars for May 5th to join us in the simple and fun game! We are in need of prizes for adults and children – if you have new items to donate, please contact Martha Boward or bring to church.

SUMC will collect new underwear and socks for the children of Bethany House Academy through Easter. Don’t forget the tweens and teens as you select those Easter Undies! Look for the box at the back of the sanctuary.

Offering supports the Volunteer in Mission offices and programs. 90% of the offering goes to the WPA Conference and 10% supports Jurisdictional VIM efforts. Please use the “blue” envelope for this special offering or make your check or envelope “VIM”. Thank you for your support of Volunteers in Mission.

Thank you for contributing to this youth project. The $100 collected will be sent to the Sewickley Community Food Pantry and the Center for Hope.

For the next several months, SUMC will collect items to assemble cleaning kits. There is a poster in the back of the sanctuary. Outreach is asking that you pull off the tab of what you will supply and print your name on the chart. A bin will be in the back of the sanctuary for your donations. Outreach will shop for you, if you would prefer – just mark funds “Cleaning Kits”. Thank you for your continued support of UMCOR’s disaster relief efforts.

One Great Hour of Sharing enables the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) to live out its mission to alleviate human suffering. UMCOR responds to natural or human made disasters - those interruptions of such magnitude that they overwhelm a community’s ability to recover on its own. The One Great Hour of Sharing offering makes ministries available in the United State and across the globe. The need for food, shelter, health and peace knows no continental boundaries. In 81 countries in all, you assure that the United Methodist Church is in the lead to alleviate suffering.

One Great Hour of Sharing gifts underwrite UMCOR’s “costs of doing business.” That means every penny of every gift you make to a specific UMCOR project will be spent on that project. UMCOR receives no World Service funds or any other apportionments. Only through your donation to One Great Hour of Sharing is the work of UMCOR possible. Please give generously – envelopes will be included in the bulletins on March 18th – or you can mark your check or envelope “One Great Hour”.

To encourage counting our blessings this Lenten season, a calendar was distributed during Sunday School on February 19th. During each day of Lent, the calendar suggests a “fine” based on blessings in our lives – for instance, on Ash Wednesday, the fine was based on the number of pancakes eaten on Shrove Tuesday; the Easter day fine is based on whether the sun shines! Jesus calls us to be Fishers of Men – this year’s goal is to fund Fish Fingerlings through Heifer International. If your family did not receive a calendar, but you would like to participate, please pick up a calendar from the information table at the back of the sanctuary.

Stephanie Ackerman will share her gift with us in this 6 week class, meeting on Tuesdays in the lower level of the church. Classes will begin tonight, February 14, and run through March 20, 7:00-8:30pm.

Class format will include a 15-30 minute stretch/warm-up, followed by step by step instruction of basic steps for various dance styles such as jazz, Broadway, hip hop and contemporary. Goals will be to improve flexibility, increase endurance and have fun!! Wear comfortable clothes that will allow you to move freely and sneakers.

During Lent, everyone is invited to gather for dinner each Sunday in Lent at 5:00; bring a potluck dish to share.  The entree, desserts, and beverages will be provided by the host groups listed below.  Our programs, which begin at 6:00, are designed to interest all ages.  We hope you can come to one, some, or all.
 
Feb. 26
Biggest Loser Group (Sandra Lane)
“The Biggest Loser Journey” (Sandra Lane)

March 4
UMW (Pat Grossarth)
Lenten and Easter Fair (St. Paul’s Ladies)

March 11
Liturgists and Youth (Atleah Grubb/Aimee Scott)
Youth Group Presentation

March 18
Council (Susie Moffett)
Dee Ruckert,  Pastel Presentation

March 25
Trustees/Nurture (Bob Fulton/Donna Sawhill)
Fellowship of the Cross Presentation (Pam Mayo)

April 1
Music Ministry (Kathy Canter)
Organ Program and Hymn Sing (Charles Wilson)

There will be a Vacation Bible School meeting on March 4 following the traditional service to discuss the theme, dates and volunteer opportunities. See Tonya Bollman with any questions.

Lunches occur the 1st Thursday of every month. The committee will need salads at church by 10 am. If you are a regular salad maker and wish to change what you make, or if you would like to donate a salad and haven’t in the past, please call Pat at 741-5407. Also, we can use help on the day of the luncheon. Please volunteer. Thank you from Pat Rudy and Committee.
 The date for March will be March 2, from 11 am to 1 pm, Price: $8.00
 Due to Maundy Thursday, there will not be a luncheon in April

The Book Club’s next meeting will be on Monday, February 27, at 7pm in the Parlor.  We are reading  "People of the Book” by Geraldine Brooks. Inspired by a true story about the Sarajevo Haggadah, a 15th century Jewish text written in Spain during the inquisition, Brooks tells of how the Haggadah was passed from person to person through the years until it was rediscovered in Sarajevo in 1996. It’s a novel of historical grandeur and intimate emotional intensity that tells the story of Hannah Heath, a rare book expert,  who is charged with discovering the past of the book under the watchful eye of bank security guards, Bosnian police and United Nations peacekeepers and observers. She finds love and intrigue along the way and comes to question why people do not realize ‘that to be a human being matters more than to be a Jew or a Muslim or a Catholic."  Contact Cheryl Fulton with any questions.

Serving our country is Capt. James Mills, husband of Sue and father of Olivia and Ethan. Please keep the Mills’ family in your prayers. Also, remember Capt. Mills (deployed for 1 year, currently serving in Bahrain) with a card and/or little gifts of remembrance that he might experience the outpouring of Christian love from his church family: 
 James H. Mills, CAPT USN, COMUSNAVCENT (N6), PSC 901 #60, FPO AE 09805-0001.

There will be no Bible Study on Ash Wednesday, February 22.

• Beginner/Intermediate Jazz Class — Dancer extraordinaire, Stephanie Ackerman, will share her gift with us in this 6 week class, meeting on Tuesdays in the lower level of the church. Classes will run February 14 through March 20, 7:00-8:30pm. Class format will include a 15-30 minute stretch/warm-up, followed by step-by-step instruction of basic steps for various dance styles such as jazz, Broadway, hip hop and contemporary.  Goals will be to improve flexibility, increase endurance and have fun!!   Wear comfortable clothes that allow you to move freely and light sneakers.
• Biggest Loser Challenge II
Our first challenge was a grand success, so we will do it again and look forward to seeing more members of the congregation to participate. Please attend the Lenten Dinner and program on February 26 to learn more about the journey taken by the first group of participants.  The first weigh-in and kick off date of the BL II will be Monday, February 27.   More details will be shared in the March newsletter.  Make the commitment and join us!!!

February 26th – Donations are welcomed at any time, but look for the grocery cart on the fourth Sunday of each month. Pick up an item or two while you shop and help replenish the local food pantry.

SUMC will again collect items to assemble cleaning kits. Look for a poster in the back of the sanctuary that will show the needed items. Outreach is asking that you pull off the tab of what you will supply and print your name on the chart. A bin will be in the back of the sanctuary for your donations. Outreach will shop for you, if you would prefer – just mark funds “Cleaning Kits”. Thank you for your continued support of UMCOR’s disaster relief efforts.

Friday, February 24th 5:30 p.m. – SUMC will show soon-to-be released “Robin Good and His Not-So-Merry Men” following a kid-friendly light dinner. To allow parents time to enjoy some time without children, the movie and activities will run until 8:30 p.m. Children ages 4 and up are welcome to this event – we do ask that children under age 4 be accompanied by an adult. The event is open to the community, so extend an invitation to your neighbors. In order to have adequate supervision, registration is required for this movie event. Please email names and ages of children to veggietalessumc@yahoo.com or call the church office.

On Wednesday, February 22nd, we will begin our observation of Lent with fellowship and worship.  We will share dinner with our friends from St. Matthews AME Zion in the Simpson Room at 6:00.  They will provide an entree and desserts.  Please bring a potluck dish for the table. We will worship together at 7:00 in our sanctuary.  Please come to begin this important season of the church.

The United Methodist Women will hold their next meeting on Sunday, February 19 at 12:15 p.m. in the Simpson Room. Following a light lunch, a business meeting and the pledge service will be held.

This special offering helps promote awareness issues and supports Western PA Conference ministries that provide opportunities for fuller inclusion of people with disabilities. Please use the special envelope located in the pews or at the information table, marking Disability Awareness on the check or envelope.

Please consider making a donation to UMCOR, the United Methodist relief agency, which has responded to many needs recently including:

• ALABAMA:  As recovery continues from tornadoes that ripped through Alabama in April 2011, the state was once again struck by tornadoes on January 22, 2012.  UMCOR will access the continuing needs and work with local conferences to assist with recovery. You can help UMCOR provide assistance when disaster strikes by giving to US Disaster Response Advance #901670.
• CHILE: UMCOR aid has reached fire survivors.  Some 140 families who survived wildfires that ripped through the Biobio Region of Chile on December 29 will receive much-needed food aid from the Methodist Humanitarian Aid Team, an UMCOR partner.  Your gift to Chile Emergency Advance #3021178 will help.

Donations to UMCOR may be made with your regular offering - please mark your check or envelope accordingly.

The “Secret Pal” Exchange continues through February 26, when we’ll reveal the identities at the fellowship time. Participants, please put your gift for your “secret pal” on the table with the red tablecloth in the Simpson Room each Sunday and be sure to take the gift from your “secret pal.” If you need further information, please see Bola Nicholson.

There is a Turkey Dinner wrap up meeting Sunday, February 12, after the traditional service for Team Leaders in the Simpson Room. Bring your feedback to help with planning for next year’s big event.

Thank you!! Many thanks to all those in our dedicated and hard working congregation; our 64th Annual Turkey Dinner was a huge success thanks to all of you! From the pie donations, to your patronage at the dinner, and all the work in preparation before and during Turkey Day, your efforts helped to make a positive impact on the community through hospitality, which is what we do best. I am personally grateful for the effort and knowledge shared by each and every team leader and volunteer — I look forward to working with you all again for the 65th Annual Turkey Dinner. Thanks so very much.

Blessings,
Sandra Lane

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Once again, the members and friends of the Sewickley United Methodist Church will provide the area communities with a sumptuous feast of roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, green beans, coleslaw, dinner rolls, fruit pie, and beverages served family style in the Simpson room or via “take-outs” from the youth activity rooms beneath the Simpson room. Each year our volunteers manage to out-do themselves in supporting this event, and the Ohio River valley communities look forward to the great food and wonderful hospitality.

The dinner is organized every year by 22 team leaders, each responsible for a certain function, and this year they are led by Sandra Lane, the chair of the 64th SUMC Annual Turkey Dinner. New members and friends are added to the team each year, so new ideas and fresh perspectives are never lacking.

Tickets for the dining room seatings at 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. are $15 for adults, $6 for children from 4 to 10 years of age, with children 3 and under admitted free. All tickets for the take-out service from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. are $15. Tickets may be obtained from Dottie Price at 412-741-4660, or by calling the Church office at 412-741-9430.

Read more about it on the Turkey Dinner page.

Get your tickets early this year! For the last seven years we have sold out and have had to turn folks away.

A small group assisted with the Center for Hope’s food distribution on January 18th. One participant, who went back and forth into the cold to help load the groceries into the patrons’ cars, called the work “fun”. All who assisted found the experience to be rewarding. In order to plan future involvement, Outreach would like to know of anyone else interested. Center for Hope welcomes children and teens to volunteer, as well. Please see Martha Boward or Barry Lewis if interested.

Donations are welcomed at any time, but look for the grocery cart on the fourth Sunday of each month. Pick up an item or two while you shop and help replenish the local food pantry.

SUMC will again collect items to assemble cleaning kits. Look for a poster that will show the needed items. Outreach is asking that you pull off the tab of what you will supply and print your name on the chart. A bin will be in the back of the sanctuary for your donations. Outreach will shop for you, if you would prefer – just mark funds “Cleaning Kits”. Thank you for your continued support of UMCOR’s disaster relief efforts.

Special Offering – February 19th
This special offering helps promote awareness issues and supports Western PA Conference ministries that provide opportunities for fuller inclusion of people with disabilities. Please use the special envelope located in the pews or at the information table, marking Disability Awareness on the check or envelope.

Outreach is planning a Cinco de Mayo (May 5th) Bunco Night to benefit Imagine No Malaria. Besides asking you to mark your calendar to come play this simple dice game and enjoy great fellowship, Outreach needs your help with prizes. Outreach will accept new items that can be used as prizes, so clean out those unwanted/unused gifts and other small items that have been taking up space in your home. Items must be in new condition. Donated items may be placed in the box at the back of the sanctuary. Direct any questions to Martha Boward or Alisa Lenhardt.

Friday, February 24th 5:30 p.m.
SUMC will show soon-to-be released Robin Good and His Not-So-Merry Men following a kid-friendly light dinner. To allow parents time to enjoy some time without children, the movie and activities will run until 8:30 p.m. Children ages 4 and up are welcome to this event – we do ask that children under age 4 be accompanied by an adult. The event is open to the community, so extend an invitation to your neighbors. In order to have adequate supervision, registration is required for this movie event. Please email names and ages of children to veggietalessumc@yahoo.com or call the church office.

New members will be received during the 11 a.m. Traditional Service this Sunday, January 29. If you would like to join the church at that time, please contact Pastor Russel at pastor@sewickleyumc.org or 412-741-9433.

The United Methodist Women will hold their next meeting on Sunday, February 19 at 12:15 p.m. in the Simpson Room. Following a light lunch, a business meeting and the pledge service will be held. At the January meeting a budget of $4,480 was approved. If you cannot attend the February meeting and would like to make a pledge, please contact Pat Grossarth, treasurer.

In 2011 we were able to complete our pledge to mission as well as support the following Western PA conference agencies - Asbury Heights, Ward Youth & Family Services, Ruth M. Smith Center, Zoar Home, Church Union and Bethany House. Also receiving support were Union Aid Society, Sewickley Community Food Bank, Salvation Army, Red Bird Mission and the East Liberty Family Health Care Center.

After the Turkey dinner on February 9, the potato room in the basement of the church will be available to accept your donations to the spring rummage sale which will be held May 11 and 12.

We are the hosts for the March 4 Lenten dinner. Please bring a dessert as well as a casserole.
Pat Grossarth is in charge of coordinating this activity for the UMW.

This Saturday, January 28th, I will be re-vamping the Nursery Room. There are many older toys and items in the Nursery that are well-loved and need to be replaced. If you have anything you’d care to donate: used toys, books, puzzles, music, etc., it would be appreciated. I will be there at 9 am to start, and anyone who is able to join me is welcome. We should be done quickly! If you have toys or anything to drop off, please contact me, and I can pick them up, or leave them in the nursery with my name on them.

I know the children thank you for your support in helping us to update the nursery!

Have a great week,
Kelly Herman

One of the most endearing things about this community dinner is that it brings all of us, as a congregation, together. I invite you to take part in the fun and fellowship with any one or more of the tasks below.

February 4 Saturday from 9-11am
Facility Prep- We need a few folks to help get both kitchens and the dining area prepped. Wiping down all surface areas, setting up tables, washing silverware and dishes.

Wednesday, February 8
Several jobs falls on this day depending on what your schedule will allow.
Bread Tearing- begins at 8 am is usually done before 11am but you are welcome to float in and out with whatever time you have to offer. You can expect some casual fellowship time with fun for all.
Turkey Roasting - Take a turkey home to roast, we have nearly 50 turkeys that need roasting. You will be provided will a full set of instructions. We ask that you bring back your cooked bird by 9am on Turkey Day!!
Potatoes- The peeling of potatoes are done by machine but on the evening of Wednesday, February 8, we need a few folks to help chop the potatoes into pieces. Men usually do this work but women are welcome too. Start time is 6pm.

Thursday, February 9- Turkey Dinner day!!!
Wait Staff- During the dinner we need folks to serve food and drinks, clear and re-set tables; working a shift of 1-2 hours would be helpful.
Clean up- A fresh group of helping hands would be great for this work that begins after the second seating around 7:15 and is done by 9:00pm. Work includes: vacuuming the Simpson Room, collecting the linens and getting the kitchen back in order.

There is a sign up sheet in the back of the church for all of the above listed tasks. Let us where you’d like to help and we welcome with open arms.

If you can’t be there in physical spirit perhaps you’d like to help in another way. Many years ago, members of the congregation collectively made 90 pies for this dinner that serves 600. In recent years, with busy schedules we have opted to have Safran’s bake them for us. However, we do try to cover the pie costs with donations. $5 /1 pie or $10 / 2 pies, please see Sandra Lane, if you’d like to make a donation towards pies.

And finally, we have tickets to the dinner available for sale- see Dottie Price or call 412-741-4660. Seating times are 5pm or 6 pm and take- out is available. $15 each

Thanks and blessings to you,
Sandra Lane
Turkey Dinner Coordinator

Help Wanted
The 64th Annual Turkey Dinner is set for Thursday, February 9, 2012. Your participation is what makes this dinner a success. As you can imagine, there are various tasks involved when you are feeding 600 friends from the community a homemade turkey dinner with all the trimmings. We welcome you to be a part of this great time of fellowship and rest assured there is a job for everyone. Please speak with Sandra Lane to see how you can help out or visit the signup board in the back of the sanctuary.
Thank you.

Turkey Dinner Tickets On Sale Now!!!
This homemade meal includes turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, green beans, coleslaw, dinner rolls, coffee and fruit pie (sugar free pies available). There is are seatings at 5:00pm and 6:00pm and take out is available. Tickets can be purchased through the church office @ 412.741.9730 or speak with Dottie Price, Ticket Team leader.
Don’t miss out – this event is a sell-out every year.

Pie Money
Many years ago, members of the church used to make 1-2 pies which were served at the Annual Turkey dinner. As lives became more hectic we opted to have Safran’s do the baking for us. However, we still try to defer the cost by collecting donations for the pies; $5 /one pie and $10 /2 pies. If you would like to make a donation please see Sandra Lane. Many thanks.

Turkey Dinner Team Leader News
Turkey Dinner Team leader meetings are scheduled for Sunday, January 8 in the Simpson room after the 2nd service. The second Team Leader meeting will be Sunday, January 29 after the 2nd service. And, a wrap up meeting on February 12. Thanks in advance for your continued dedication to this event.

With cold weather upon us, we are asking for cold weather foods – soups, stews, hot cereals, cocoa, etc. While the cart will be in the sanctuary on January 22nd, donations may be brought at any time and placed in the Simpson Room.

The Outreach committee will meet on Tuesday, January 17th at 6:00 p.m. to discuss plans for 2012. All committee members are encouraged to attend, but anyone is welcome at the meeting.

A small group of people are needed to assist at the Center for Hope, preparing for their food pantry distribution. Martha Boward will leave Sewickley UMC at 4:45 p.m. and is able to take 5 people with her. Please speak with Martha if you would like to help. Future opportunities are being planned.

“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.” Psalm 139:14

With the focus on basic survival after Hurricane Katrina, one grassroots organization in New Orleans, La., wanted to make sure the dreams of the city’s youth would not be washed away. In 2007, the Fountain of Youth Foundations (FYF) was created to offer refuge to teens dealing with violence in their communities. “It was a healing process for them to talk about someone being hurt in the family by violence,” said Sabrina Short, executive director. The youth decided they needed to embrace change and discussed ways to stop the violence. In the end, 1,500 youth pledged to end violence in New Orleans. A community developer project that receives funds from United Methodist’s Human Relations Day offering, FYF focuses on mentoring, community service and encouraging teens to look beyond their surroundings. Participant Clarence Williams said the program taught him to “experience the world, go out, have fun. Just help others. Do things; get to know people. It showed me a lot.” College and graduate students serve as summer interns to support the ministry. “For the first time in my life,” said intern Philip Kuntz, “in terms of ethnicity, I was a minority. I guess I had some hesitation about what it would be like. But it was surprisingly natural.”

Your gifts to Human Relations Day provide avenues to restored relationships through ministries like Youth Offender Rehabilitation, Community Developers self-improvement programs and United Methodist Voluntary Services community advocacy programs. It’s time to think and support justice, to become radical in changing lives and changing the world. Please give generously. Special envelopes for Human Relations Day offerings may be found in the bulletin or at the back of the sanctuary. You may also include your special offering with your regular giving – please mark Human Relations.

2011 Year-End Giving Statements have been prepared and will be ready for pick up at the back of the sanctuary this Sunday. Please review your statement and notify the church office of any discrepancies.

With cold weather upon us, we are asking for cold weather foods – soups, stews, hot cereals, cocoa, etc. While the cart will be in the sanctuary on January 22nd, donations may be brought at any time and placed in the Simpson Room.

• For providing Christmas gifts for 66 children from Bethany House Academy. For many of the children, your gift was the only one that they received. The greatest gift given, however, was your acts of generosity and caring. Thank you.
• For decorating the “Mitten” Tree with warm mittens, scarves, hats, gloves, and socks. Didn’t the tree look beautiful? Thank you for decorating it so well.
• For your continued support of the Sewickley Community Food Pantry. While we didn’t have a special collection for December, the grocery cart was overflowing. Thank you.

“Everybody can be great… because anybody can serve,” said the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. “You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”

Better Community Development, (BCD), a social outreach ministry of Theressa Hoover United Methodist Church, Little Rock, Ark., is putting that philosophy into action. Recently, BCD teamed up with United Methodist-related Philander Smith College — also in Little Rock — to offer the Religious Life Service Learning Internship. The internship, which takes place in a non-profit or religious setting, helps students to determine their vocation in the church. Interns explore questions of value, faith, meaning and vocation. Supported by the annual Human Relations Day offering, the community developer program traces its roots to Theressa Hoover United Methodist Church, which continues to reach out to its neighbors today. When we give to this special offering, we share “hearts full of grace.”

Your gifts to Human Relations Day provide avenues to restored relationships through ministries like Youth Offender Rehabilitation, Community Developers self-improvement programs and United Methodist Voluntary Services community advocacy programs. It’s time to think and support justice, to become radical in changing lives and changing the world. Please give generously. Special envelopes for Human Relations Day offerings may be found in the bulletin or at the back of the sanctuary. You may also include your special offering with your regular giving – please mark Human Relations.