Commack United Methodist Church 486 Townline Road Commack, NY 11725-2026 - 631.499.7310

Web Site: http://www.commack-umc.org [email protected] Emails: [email protected]

226 YEARS OF CHRISTIAN SERVICE IN COMMACK 1783-2009 Rev. Lynda Bates-Stepe, Pastor 631.499.4770 Carolyn Gehlbach, Editor JUNE 2009

Open Hearts

Open Minds

Open Doors

ignore or abuse. It is a period when the pace slows down, when we can be more restful, more thoughtful, more observant. It may be only for a few hours or for a whole day. Sabbath does not have to happen on Sunday but everyone needs some time on a regular basis to let go and just be. It is necessary for our health and well being. It is hard to do, especially when you have children. But children and youth need Sabbath time too; you do your kids no favors by keeping active all the time. We’ll be here Sundays at 9:00 am to help you make space to experience God. My hope and prayer is that worship will help you to find that Sabbath time for renewal and reconnection. Whether Sunday morning or at another time during the week, this summer find some time to live easy and be open to the Spirit that is always with us. Peace,

A Word from the Pastor “Summertime and the living is easy”* We talk about summer as the slow and easy time of the year, without so many responsibilities and obligations. When I began in ministry we used to anticipate a leisurely pace and having more personal time during the summer months. But somehow that never happened. Truth is, for all of us summer can be as busy as any other time of the year. We manage to fill up the days and the hours until our calendars are as occupied as they are in May or November. And before we know it, those 8 or 9 weeks of summer are gone.

*Summertime, lyrics by DuBose Heyward from Porgy and Bess

Some advice: schedule free time. Is that a great oxymoron! Schedule free time; keep an open agenda by locking up the hours or even a whole day. Sometimes we have to do it that way otherwise it will never happen. That’s actually true any time during the year but this summer make it a point to schedule some unscheduled time so you can enjoy Sabbath renewal. Give yourself and your family the experience of lazy days of summer and reconnect with each other and with God. Sabbath time is a gift from God that we often

You are cordially invited to attend a special “praise night” for our Argentina short term mission trip this year. It will be on Sunday afternoon, June 21st at 6:00 PM in the Sanctuary. Come and enjoy the evening with us. .Rev Austin Park

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A QUOTE: by Helen Keller "The best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even heard, but must be felt with the heart" ***************************************************** JUNE BIRTHDAYS

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

Thank you to those who set up and contributed to our Mother's Day Candle program. The Altar looked so inspiringly pretty and was a beautiful and loving tribute to the women, past and present, in our lives. The proceeds of this and other UMW events go towards our mission projects. We will be using the same format for Father's Day.

BIRTHDAY WISHES to Mike Hervey, Mel Walker, Florence Brooks, Brad Kopping, Joan Nehlsen, Carole Fricke,Alec Rysdyk, Doris Hoffman Barbara Devine,Elizabeth Waidelich

Our evening with the annual visit from the residents of Pilgrim State was a great success, as it has been for about 40 years! We had 12 guests, men and women with 2 attendants, and they all enjoyed the food and sing a long, led by our resident M.C. Nancy.

May you enjoy God's blessings and find sunshine and happiness on your special day. ___________________________________________ THANK YOU CUMC Work Day A special THANKS to all those who assisted at the church on our Annual Work Day.

Hostesses Marge W, Martha L. and Ann A. did a great job of decorating the parlor with lavender covered bridge tables, matching tableware and flowers. Short work was done of the delicious assortment of finger foods and fruit,and the excess food was sent along with our guests to enjoy 'at home.' Thanks to Tim and John who also joined in the fellowship.

Lillie Cummings, Tom Colavito, Ginny Eichenauer, Deb Hervey, Alf Jurgensen , Maureen Kessler, Mary Kopf, Dagmar Mackay, Sarah Mackay, Tom Mazzola Joe Megna, John Muller, Joan Nehlson, Tim Sampson, Al Svoboda, ,

ACTIVITIES June 6 Family Style Picnic on the Church Lawn. $5.00 per person. Save the Date! th

Our next meeting will be held on Thursday, June 11 at 7:30 PM. The program "Food Security" will be led by Betty Carson with Matilda Gollatz as the evening's hostess. We invite all women to attend, if transportation is needed please contact president Nancy Gamby and she will make arrangements.

Saturday, June 13, 2009, Community Yard Sale 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM Rain or Shine/Space available. Questions??? Call Anne Tammaro or [email protected] Peanut Butter Gang will meet on Sat. July 4th Thrift Shoppe will be closed on Sat. July 4th

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Back Yard Breakfast Sunday July 26th at the home of Deb and Mike Hervey

CUMC HISTORICAL BOOKLET We still have a small supply of these booklets printed for our 225th Anniversary last September. They are a timeless history of our church including photos of our stained glass windows. They are available in the church office for a nominal fee.

CRAFT FAIR Saturday August 29, 2009 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Rain or Shine Questions??? Call Nancy Gamby or [email protected] Holiday Craft Fair- November 21, 2009 Contact Nancy Gamby or Sunday School Prepares for Year-End Program. This year, our Sunday School will

Kathy Muller ____________________________________________ 2

end the year on Father’s Day, June 21st, by leading our Worship Service. The theme will be God Keeps Promises. Each class will present a lesson related to one of God’s wonderful promises. Our Pre-K and Elementary chorus will share wonderful music.

July 2nd will be the night we go to enjoy the Ducks baseball team! Be sure to mark the date on your calendar!..... Tickets will be $11, same as last year, in our regular reserved section.... Kids 3 and under are free. Their schedule calls for FIREWORKS that night for us to oooh and aaah over! We will offer tickets first to the church family as we have a limited number. Those remaining can be sold as the date grows closer.

“COME to CAMP EDGE” The Happening Committee Pat, Karen, Margie, Lisa and Mike

June 28th thru July 1 – 6:30-8:30PM VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

THRIFT SHOPPE- 631-499-7311 The Thrift Shoppe will be open every Tuesday & Friday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. 1st & 3rd Saturday 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM Come See our Summer Fashions All Clothing Half Price Anne Tammaro & Patti Spory Summer Hours will be posted on the Door for July and August openings

Come and learn to Experience and Discover God Everywhere as this year’s VBS theme takes us to CAMP E.D.G.E. VBS is open to everyone ages 3 to 103 and is free to all participants. This year will feature a kick-off event on Saturday June 27th starting at 4PM with a special animal handler followed by an all church cookout and campfire. Those who wish to do so can camp overnight in the Pumpkin Patch play yard. VBS will continue to run Sunday night June 28th at 6:30 – to 8:30 PM each night thru Wednesday July 1

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Dear Members and Friends, We received a note from ~~~Rev. Dr. John Carrington as follows: Marie Depass died quietly Friday morning. May 22, 2009. Thanks for your prayers and those from Commack Church. She died at home where she had excellent care by Calvary Hospice personnel. My family was in New York for my youngest grandson's graduation from Columbia University last Wednesday. They all had a chance to say goodbye to Marie.

Male story tellers are needed. We also need to have folks lend us their artificial Christmas trees so we can turn our sanctuary into a wooded mountain campsite! Please see Deb Hervey (5435522) if your tree is within easy reach in the attic or basement. Our youth will pick it up and return it to you. Male story tellers, craft leaders and general helpers are also needed.

For those wishing to send cards to Virginia Carrington on the loss of her mother we include the following address: Rev. Dr. John and Virginia Carrington 50 Ralph Road New Rochelle, NY 10804-1525

ANNUAL LONG ISLAND DUCKS GAME NIGHT! 3