COMMACK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

The Messenger May 2015

The Thursday after Easter our District Superintendent, Rev. Adrienne Brewington, and several others planned a day long retreat for clergy. It was entitled “Finding Jesus on the Road” and offered us the opportunity to come together, pray, meditate, learn more about each other, reflect on the season and just be. It was a wonderful, restorative day that was needed after the busy Lent/Easter season. What follows is a statement for reflection that was used for the day and that I have kept and put on my office wall. I share it with you, hoping you will find it meaningful and encouraging on your faith journey and our sharing that journey together.

Peace,

IN THIS ISSUE;

• A MESSAGE FROM OUR PASTOR

• • • • • • • •

BIRTHDAYS & NOTES UMW LYDIA CIRCLE HISTORIAN’S CORNER YOUTH NEWS

You have come from afar and waited long and are wearied. Let us sit side by side, sharing the same bread drawn from the same source to quiet the same hunger that makes us weak. Then standing together let us share the same spirit, the same thoughts that once again draw us together in friendship and unity and peace. ~Prieres d’Ozawmick, Canadian Indian 20th Century

EASTER PICTURES ANNOUNCEMENTS & NEWS

• CALENDAR • ADS

486 Townline Road, Commack, NY 11725

(631) 499-7310

www.commack-umc.org

Bible verse; Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord. Psalm 31:24

May Birthdays

May your day be brightened more with your Father’s loving touch. Happy Birthday!

1st 2nd 3rd 3rd 7th 11th 12th 13th 15th 15th 22nd 23rd 23rd 25th 27th 27th 27th

Tricia Green Rev. Beverly Furey Debbie Stellmann Anne Stoddard Mary Frey Sam D’Amato Virginia Freilicher, daughter Phyllis D’Amato Marge Wright-Stolen Richard Tammaro Harriet Neuberth Dolly Walker John P. Kessler Judy Titolo Arthur Titolo Beth Theofield Matt Lauri Al Fick Marsha Baron Tracey Donovan Johnny Reddo

Matera Dotty & Joe Megna send blessing, love & congratulations to their grandson and his new bride; Rich Matera & Katie Calak on their upcoming marriage. May 23, 2015

At our next meeting, Thursday, May 14th we will entertain guests from Pilgrim State Hospital. Fellowship with conversation and song , along with an array of finger foods is being planned. Usually 10-12 guests enjoy the evening, sitting at tables arranged with coordinating plates and flowers. UMW members are requested to arrive, with their plates of food, at 6:00 pm as our guest usually arrive at 6:30.

ALL MEMBERS OF THE CONGREGATION,

• May 10 Mother’s Day • June 14 Father’s Day We will be remembering Mother & Father’s Day with a memorial/in honor booklet. There will be a $1.00 donation for each person honored with a sentiment of 10 words or less, if desired. Application forms will be available and with your donation, may be placed in the offering plate or given to Mary in the office. DEAD LINE FOR MOTHER’S DAY SUBMISSIONS IS SUNDAY M AY 3RD FATHER’S DAY DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS SUNDAY, JUNE 14 • May 31 Confirmation UMW will be hosting a cake and coffee reception in the Fellowship Hall following the service.

INCLUDING MEN ARE INVITED TO ATTEND

Lydia Circle The circle meets on the first Wednesday of the month from 10:30 am - 12 pm We are a social gathering of women who share their friendships via conversation, poems and readings. Light refreshments are served. All women are invited to attend.

All are welcome.

Attention: on May 10th , our Long Island East District Superintendent, Rev. Adrienne Brewington will be joining us for service.

Historian’s Corner Submitted by John Muller, Church Historian

On the first Sunday in March the Sunday School continued their annual Lenten tradition of baking pretzels for the congregation. There is a special reason for this lesson occurring during Lent. There is a legend that says somewhere in the early 300’s to early 600’s AD, at a particular monastery there was a monk who decided to make a bread that would remind all at the monastery the importance of prayer, especially during Lent. The monks already made a bread during that time with no milk or eggs in it, to conform to their fasting rules. One day, the monk in the monastery bakery looked at some dough scraps and realized he could roll them into a rope, then twist the rope in the shape of arms crossed over your chest. This is how the monks held their hands when they prayed in those days. A lot of people, if told to put the pretzel right-side up, would have the knot towards the bottom and the two curves at the top. But, our Sunday School Children know it’s the other way around. The two curves are the elbows and go at the bottom, with the knot and two ends (representing hands) towards the top. This way, you can envision arms folded across the chest and resting on the shoulders. Some versions of the legend say that the children began calling the treat "Pretiola", which means "little reward" in Latin. (a common language of the monks) . Others say they were called bracellae, meaning "little arms" in Latin. Later, the Germans transformed this word into brezel or prezel. This became the word pretzel in English. The simple shape of the pretzel, arms folded in prayer, reminds us to pray every day. Every time you see a pretzel, remember prayer! Maundy Thursday was extra special this year. Our Upper Room Communion service used the unleavened bread the Sunday School class had made in early February. The bread was a bit “tougher” and chewier than our modern day bread, making it more authentic to what the disciples would have been eating with Jesus during their Passover meal. Youth Group will be hosting an All-Church Picnic Memorial Day Weekend after morning Worship on May 24th at Sunken Meadow. Watch your bulletins and the announcements at the beginning of worship for details.

Easter 2015

Rev. Lynda’s Renewal Leave June 1 – August 25

The Staff Parish Relations Committee recommend to the Administrative Board that Rev. Lynda be granted a 10 week renewal leave beginning Monday June 15 and returning Monday, August 24, 2015. At their March meeting the Board voted to approve the Leave. United Methodist clergy may request a leave of up to six months after they have been in full time appointment for six years. Rev. Lynda has been serving in full or half time appointments for over 27 years so the Leave time is well earned.

While she is on Leave worship will be led by Rev. Arturo Maine and our Lay Servants Mike Mallgraf, Anne Tammaro, Deb Hervey and Gloria Burgess. Emergency pastoral care and funerals will be covered by local United Methodist clergy.

Rev. Lynda will spend her time in recreational renewal of body, mind and soul as well as on-line study of the Old and New Testament. She will also visit other churches to experience a variety of worship services.

If you have any questions about this renewal leave please speak with Rev. Lynda, Mike Hervey as the SPR chair or any members of SPR.

To stay up to date visit our calendar on line; http://www.commack-umc.org/Calendar.shtml

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486 Townline Road

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Commack, NY 11725

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