COMMACK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

The MESSENGER

October 2015

What I did on my summer vacation Actually, vacation was only a small part of the summer with the majority of my time given to a study/renewal leave. One of my goals was to attend different churches and experience worship in other settings. It was a terrific experience; I am grateful for the opportunity to be with sisters and brothers in Christ. My desire was to be fully present in worship which I managed to do (mostly). But following church I would reflect on the experience and the elements that helped make it an uplifting, prayerful, provocative experience. Here are some of my thoughts. Websites are so very important. Each week I would think about where I might go and get on the computer to check out the opportunities. An up-to-date website gave me the information I was seeking. A less than current website was difficult. If the website didn’t look very current I would find myself second guessing the information; I wondered if there was a change in the service time or if the pastor was on vacation. The website doesn’t need to be fancy but it should be current and easy to access and I think we do a great job with our website. When there are changes to worship time or location make sure that is indicated everywhere. I know it looks tacky to take a piece of cardboard over a nice sign but it helps make any visitors feel confident that they are arriving at the correct time. And a change in location should be well marked. It might even be a nice touch to have someone at the usual entrance to welcome and direct worshippers. It is rare that we change our worship time but for several Sundays a year we worship in the 1789 Chapel. Imagine a visitor driving in and seeing the church closed up and the parking lot nearly empty. We need to consider what is helpful and welcoming on those days. The initial welcome from the congregation can make all the difference in the world. Even just a nice smile and nod from those sitting around you. To walk in, sit down, and not be acknowledged is an uncomfortable feeling and if the ushers are distracted or talking with other people you can feel invisible. I’m not the type that likes to be ‘called out’ and my colleagues were very sensitive, letting me be fully present as a worshipper. But it is comforting when people say hello. At the other end of the spectrum, a time of passing of the peace that turns into a visiting around the sanctuary is disconcerting if you don’t know anyone. I’m biased on this one because I believe passing the peace to be a worshipful, awesome exchange. In the early centuries of the church when worshippers didn’t know if they would return to see each other again the next week, passing of the peace was sacramental. I would like to keep that sense of the holy in such an exchange with worshippers greeting those closest to them and the peace making its way through the congregation. Others may disagree and find the energy of an open and extended exchange uplifting but I would encourage everyone to keep an eye on visitors and newcomers so they don’t feel like a stranger in a strange place. More than half the churches I attended used multi-media. For some it was brand new (one congregation was trying it for the summer and collecting feedback from the congregation). Most used simple power-point. In some cases it was just the words of the hymns, others did announcements and more of the service. There were a variety of ways used to project and see the words or images; a freestanding roll up screen or a wall to the side of the altar were the most common. No church had a system as integrated as ours either in its hardware or the way it is used in the service.

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... continued from cover Like Commack UMC most churches were in summer mode so there were no choir anthems or special music. One did begin the service with a small group leading the congregation in contemporary hymns but usually the music during the services was from the hymnals. Some used an organ and others had piano accompaniment. I would love to go to some of the services during the school years when there are choirs and special music but I believe several of the churches I attended don’t necessarily have choirs anymore. It was a wonderful experience and I am grateful for the opportunity to do this. My thanks to the Staff Parish Relations Committee and the congregation for supporting this Leave. I very much recommend that when you are away or visiting family and friends during the holidays you make it a practice to attend other churches. It doesn’t even have to a United Methodist Church! And remember to bring home any good ideas and bulletins for me! Peace,

Prayer Our Creator God, thank you for welcoming us into creation and into a loving relationship with you. Welcoming God, grant us humble hearts to receive your welcome and go out into your world with your outstretched arms of welcome. In your Son’s name we pray. Amen

23RD 29th 31st

Kasandra Manjares Carlos Manjares Amanda Simco Erlinda Mendoza Dorothy Shattuck Judy Sullivan

May God grant many more blessings, so you may be a fruitful vine with the abundance of the Lord. Happy Birthday!

We are “busy as bees” finishing up our boutique creations! Most items have been tagged and boxed, ready for display on October 17th...and we’re still “crafting” at home.

MITTEN MINISTRY / KNIT & CROCHET Thanks to members of the Saturday “Sisters of the Dropped Stitch”, knit and crochet group, we have a large number of warm mittens, hats and scarves for the homeless.

Please note that we also welcome donations from our members who knit & crochet at home. If you are interested in learning or need a knit or crochet refresher, come join us every Saturday from 1-3 pm in the parlor. We are privileged to have a certified knit/crochet instructor donating her services. We have free yarn and needles may be borrowed. Questions? See Kathy Muller for more information.

If you would like to put a note or picture in The Messenger just email me at [email protected] To be considered for the next month please have all entries in by 15th, this leave me time to fit it in. I am always here to help, and I promise to get to all requests for flyers, letters, or general “honey- do” list items as time permits. Please be patience I will get to all requests as my time allows. Peace, Mary

The October 8th meeting will be held in the parlor at 7:30 pm. Matilda Gollatz and Tracey Kopping will present the program “Women of Long Island”. Our speaker for the evening will be Dr. Natalie Naylor. Professor Naylor taught Long Island and American social history for more than thirty years at Hofstra University and was director of its Long Island Studies Institute from its founding in 1985 until she retired in 2000. Dr. Naylor edited or co-edited several institute publications (most recently, Journeys on Old Long Island) and has published many articles on Long Island history. She has been editor of the Nassau County Historical Society Journal since 1996. We encourage our members and any interested women to attend this meeting. Judy Titolo will serve as our hostess for the evening. At our September meeting Dot Megna presented the World Thank Offering program titled “A Welcoming Spirit.” In turn all those present expressed how they would welcome an individual to the group. In spite of the heavy rainfall, nine members were in attendance. The Commack UMW always discovers creative ways to raise funds of the World Thank Offering, so that lives of women, children and youth will be impacted beyond measure. The women are requested to donate 25¢ for every pair of shoes they own. Ladies, please remember to bring your donation baggie to the October meeting.

LYDIA CIRCLE The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, October7th at 10:30 am in the parlor. All women are invited to join in this welcoming social group. We often share our thoughts, prayers and short meditations as we enjoy light refreshments.

MISSION NEWS Submitted by Phyllis D’Amato

July, August and September saw our PB&J group out in force – enough to make many needed sandwiches (on average, 1200/month)! Our congregation really stepped up since high school community workers generally don’t need to work volunteer hours during the summer. Great going! Thank you to all who volunteered and contributed to our PB&J supplies. You are a blessing to those who are without meals on the weekends. Please drop off any donated supplies in the back of the church in the designated box (on Sunday). If you bring them during the week, make sure the church office knows. Look in the Bulletin each Sunday for reminders on any special needs. Please remember that the Peanut Butter & Jelly Gang (PB&J) meets the first Saturday of every month. Our next gathering will be October 3rd beginning at approximately 8:30 a.m.

We will be collecting for the Thanksgiving Food Drive – both dry and canned goods are needed (stuffing, gravy and all the trimmings). Your “FREE Turkey” coupons or food store gift cards will also be gladly accepted. Remember any cakes, pies, cookies and juice will also be appreciated. If you have any turkeys, hams, etc. we also have room in our refrigerator/freezer to accept these and any other perishable items. Just give the office a call and let Mary know you are dropping these items off so that pick-up/storage arrangements can be made or call Anne Tammaro.

Remember to save your leftover Halloween candy. We will be collecting leftover candy after Halloween to send to the soup kitchens to make candy rolls for their Christmas party.

Thank you to all who gave school supplies and shoes for children starting the school year who might otherwise not have such basic needs. I’m sure it put a boost in their confidence and a skip in their step! THANK YOU ~ THANK YOU ~ THANK YOU ~

DAILY DEVOTIONAL God of the darkness and the day, It is so hard to wait and trust that you are present. sit with us , help us to sleep , calm our anxiety and bring us to each new day in hope. from The Upper Room 2003

Youth Group Supplies Peanut Butter for September “Where’s the jelly?” “Aren’t you missing some bread?” “What are you going to do with all that peanut butter!?!”” These were just some of the comments/questions voiced recently at Costco. Members of our youth group were able to share with at least a dozen people, what we were going to do with all that peanut butter. We explained we were making PB&J sandwiches for the homeless and while we had plenty of bread and jelly donations, much more peanut butter was needed. Using the proceeds from the “Souper” Bowl Sunday collection, 3 members of the Youth Group shopped for peanut butter in record time. From the time they met up in front of Costco, loaded the jars into the cart, out of the cart onto the cashier conveyor, from the cart to the car and then carried them all down the stairs and stored safely in Fellowship Hall was about 40 minutes!

Youth Group Starts with a Splash The Youth Group gathered at the Hervey’s to kick-off the year with a cookout and time in the pool and hot tub. There will be a sleepover and planning meeting in early October and a fall campout is still being finalized. Youth should watch their e-mail and the announcements on Sunday morning for more details.

Sunday School Teachers Needed If any adult (that’s anyone 18 or older) likes sharing crafts, puppetry, games or cooking with children, we would love to have you consider teaching Sunday School once or twice a year. We have two opportunities – our Sunday School class which is for children 2nd – High School and our Little Lambs program that we would like to get started again for children 3 yrs. – 1st grade. We often combine both groups for lessons easily adapted to all ages or when there are fewer than 3 children for Little Lambs. No in-depth bible knowledge is needed, just a love of the Lord and children! Please contact Penny White, Deb Hervey or the church office.

Sunday School Kicked off on September 20th Sunday School Lessons kicked off in September with the class “Digging Thru the Bible” using cooperative games and crafts. In October we will be studying Creation with some creating of our own, including cooking.

Rally Sunday Has Everyone Moving with God’s Force (G-Force) From the opening Introit of I’ve Got the G-Force” to the closing Hymn “Go and Make Disciples”, our children and youth who participated in Vacation Bible School (VBS) this summer led a spirit-filled worship service on Rally Sunday. With God’s Force we can light up the word like electricity! They shared the stories of how Moses was called to be God’s “Moving Man” and the story of 4 friends who cared enough to tear open the roof where Jesus was teaching and lower their paralyzed friend to where Jesus could heal him. Both stories show how we are all called to Move! Act! Care! Follow! And Share! During time for all ages, 3 oversized fleece crib blankets that were made during VBS were blessed. They will be sent to the Coalfields Ministry in McDowell County, WV. This is a United Methodist Ministry that is in the same area as the family that the UMW supports. The service closed with the congregation singing Go and Make Disciples – using all we’ve learned we must share God’s love and invite others to join us. After the service all enjoyed delicious cookies from many members served by our Sunday School parents.

The 6 L’s Gospel Story Mrs. Hervey shared an easy way to remember the story of the paralyzed friend. It is the story of the 6 L’s. 1st L – LOVE – The four friends loved their friend very much they were moved to action 2nd L – LIFTED – The four friends lifted their friend to the roof 3rd L – LOWERED – The four friends lowered their friend into the room where Jesus was teaching 4th L – LOOKED-UP – Jesus looked up when pieces of the roof fell into the room and saw a paralyzed young man 5th & 6th L – This is a bit tricky when you take one L and then the 2nd L is flipped upside down and laid on top of the 1st L you form a “C” – the friends showed they cared and Jesus showed God cared very much because he not only healed him, he forgave his sins.

That’s the story of the 6 “L’s”!

FAMILY FIRST FRIDAY FLICK NIGHT is Back

October 2nd 7:30 PM in the parlor

KID’S KORNER

HISTORIAN’S CORNER Submitted by John Muller Church Historian Continued from last month

THE SHEAS

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THRIFT SHOPPE Tuesdays 10am-4pm Fridays 10am-4pm the first Saturday of the month 10am - 2pm

REMINDERS: Please bring in your items from your travels, near and far, for the parcel post table at the Harvest Fair.

Looking for donated items to sell at the Harvest Fair on the White Elephant table

I help to run a thrift store at the Sayville United Methodist Church. We get a lot of donations of bras and we do not sell them. I have found a store that will distribute them free of charge to the local shelters on Long Island. I have been collecting them and then bring them to the collection store. Recently I donated 80 bras, some new, some old. The collection site was very appreciative for the donation. I thought other churches might want to be involved in donating bras. Our thrift store will be a drop off site for other churches and I will be responsible to bring them to the collection site. They can be dropped of on the porch of the thrift store at 164 Greene Ave Sayville , our store is open Fri. and Sat. if people want to bring donations in the store. My e-mail address is [email protected] for further information Marion Gross, Sayville UMC

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A POLO MATCH !! OCTOBER 4......SUNDAY! A REALLY GREAT SPORT TO WATCH....TEAMS COMPETING ON HORSEBACK!! THE GAME WILL IS AT BETHPAGE STATE PARK.....GATES OPEN AT 2PM AND THE GAME BEGINS AT 3. YOU CAN BRING A BLANKET OR CHAIRS AND A PICNIC....SIT ALONG FIELD SIDE, OR SIT IN THE GRANDSTAND.....THERE ARE REFRESHMENTS TO BUY, BUT A PICNIC IS FUN.! WE HAVE NOT DONE THIS AS A GROUP BEFORE SO IT WILL BE 'A FIRST' ! AN ADVENTURE! MAYBE WE WILL START A NEW TRADITION!! COSTS: $8 CAR FEE (NY STATE FEE.)..N/C FOR EMPIRE PASS CARD HOLDERS...AS MANY AS YOU WANT IN THE CAR. TICKETS: $5 ....KIDS UNDER 12 ARE FREE. WE MIGHT WANT TO CAR-POOL OR FOLLOW EACH OTHER TO THE PARK SO WE CAN CONNECT EASILY WHEN WE ARRIVE. PARKING LOT IS $10...OR YOU CAN SIMPLY WALK THE 4 MINUTES TO THE FIELD.

COMMACK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 486 Townline Road Commack, NY 11725

Non Profit US Postage Paid Permit # 24 Commack, NY

* If there is any change to this address please inform the church office ASAP

If you would like to be emailed the Messenger next month (a color version!) instead of receiving a paper copy; please email Mary in the office at [email protected]