Subject: This Week at Medford UMC - 1/20/2023


This week at Medford UMC for {today}.

A Word from the Pastor

Friends - 

Often, in response to an experience of awe and wonder, our response is: "I'm changed! I can never be the same again!" We say it after something leaves us feeling particularly grateful or inspired. The reality is that sometimes the change sticks, but other times the change only lasts as long as the mountaintop moment itself. 

I don't know that I've ever had any one experience that dramatically changed me. But I do try to cultivate moments of awe and wonder whenever I can. I think they collectively change me. In fact, I find them to be key to sustaining my faith. Hiking, seeing a sunrise, walking on the beach, travel, art, music, having new experiences of people and situations - all of it leads to a deeper sense of awe, wonder and curiosity about the world, people, myself, and God.

As I've grown older, I seem to have acquired a skill that helps with this. It's one I thought was unique to my father. Though he only had one eye (that's another story), he had a remarkable ability to spot wildlife wherever he was, especially when driving. "See that turkey over there, Joe? Up near the fenceline?" He constantly surprised me with what he could see (even on his blind side!?) But now, I find I can do the same. And what's more, I also seem to have gained the ability to notice other details like beautiful insects, or unique patterns of colors in the sky . They often stop me in my tracks and cause me to say, "Kate! Look!"

I find it's these little moments of awe and wonder that bring me back to thanksgiving for the gift of life and for the beauty of the world. Sunday, we're going to explore a story that's all about giving thanks (or not!) - a miracle of healing from Luke 17:11-19. Looking forward to seeing you this weekend. Meantime, keep your eyes open for things that inspire you!

Peace,

Joe



 

Opportunities to Serve & Give

 

Valentine Pretzel Sale: The Sarah Circle of the United Women of Faith will be selling chocolate covered pretzels, the perfect gift for Valentine’s Day! Proceeds will be given to the Camden Neighborhood Center. Each beautifully decorated bag is $5.00. A member of the Sarah Circle will be available after services in the FLC lobby and outside the sanctuary to take your order. Orders can also be placed in the church office during the week. Order deadline is Sunday, January 29 and pretzels will be ready for pickup on Sunday, February 5. Thank you for your support of this ministry in Camden!

 

Soup is on! We're ready to take the vegetables we grew in our church garden that were harvested and frozen, and make them into soups to give away to people who may need a little message of love and support! Please join us on Sunday, February 26th after the Traditional Service for a soup making party!

This event will include a fellowship lunch and devotional time to kick off the lent season.

Please let us know you'll join by signing up here, if you have a favorite vegetable soup recipe, please email Jeneene Reduker at jeneenelr@gmail.com to be sure we have a full ingredients list! Check back next week for a list of donated ingredients we will need.

 

Former MUMC member plans trip to Nepal: One of our former members, Lindsay Roberts (Crosby), who now lives in Colorado, is planning a trip to in March to bring awareness to human exploitation in Nepal, in addition to helping raise money for new schools there. If you would like to learn more about her work, or if you'd like to make a donation, visit her GoFundMe website.

 

Pray for our new leaders: As we begin 2023, we welcome new committee chairs and say thanks to all our outgoing leaders. Here is your Medford UMC elected leadership for 2023: Doug Fearon (Church Council); Carolyn DiGiamarino (Lay Leader), Barbara Carlson (United Women in Faith); Rich Campbell (Men's Group); Patty Rosvold (Finance); Donna Huang (Staff-Parish Relations); Mike Polhemus (Trustees); Jeneene Reduker (Nurture); Bob Harriett (Witness); Danielle Adams & Heidi Polhemus (Outreach); Ministry Evaluation Task Force (Anne Tokazewski). Please keep each of them their teams, and the entire staff in prayer.

We also want to publicly thank outgoing 2022 leaders: Barbara Carlson (Lay Leader); Melissa Maver (Council Member); Ginger Harriett (Finance Chair); John Payne (Finance Member); Linda Campbell, Earl Fairhurst & Patty Rosvold (Nominations); Paul Martin (Staff-Parish Chair); Jeff Higgins (Member of Staff-Parish & Church Council); Steve Reduker (Trustees Chair); Tom Bintliff & Lauren Gliko (Trustees); Manny Estevez (Nurture); Chris Carl (Outreach Chair); John Cornue & Karen Dvorschak (Outreach); Scott Risser (Witness); John Cornue & Heidi Polhemus (Ministry Evaluation Task Force Chairs); Milt Eisenhardt, Scott Risser & Dave Sipler (Ministry Evaluation Task Force); Kim Baker (Reconciling Ministries Team Chair); Milt Eisenhardt (Men's Group President); Bonnie Crosby (United Women in Faith President). Our apologies if we missed anyone - we are grateful for the work of all our lay leaders!

 

SERVING OPPORTUNITY: We would like to offer a new opportunity to volunteer in preparing for the 10:30 worship service. On the first Sunday of the month, we need volunteers (one or two persons each month) to prepare the elements and prepackaged communion cups on Sunday morning before the 10:30 service. Detailed directions will be provided. If you would be interested in serving in this way or need more information, please contact Lisa in the church office, 609-654-8111; lisa@medfordumc.org

 

CALLING ALL WOMEN: MUMC’s United Women in Faith is in the process of updating our contact list. We would love to include any woman who supports the mission work of the UWF. If your contact information has changed in the past year or you would like to be added to the 2023 UWF directory, please submit your information to Lisa Mountain at lisa@mefordumc.org as soon as possible.

Thank you all for another very productive and fulfilling year!

 

An announcement from the State of NJ: More than two million New Jersey residents are eligible to receive up to $1,500 in property tax relief under the new ANCHOR program - are you one of them? Homeowners and renters can apply online and by mail; homeowners also have the option to apply by phone by calling 1-877-658-2972. For specific questions about the program and to see if you qualify, visit the ANCHOR FAQ page and watch this video from the New Jersey Treasurer's OfficeDeadline is February 28, 2023.

 

The heart of generosity flows from the understanding that everything we are and everything we have is a gift from God. We are not owners; we are merely caretakers - and that only for a time. And so, when we give, the question is not necessarily whether giving away 5% or 10% of our income is most appropriate. Perhaps the question we ask is: how does ALL of our giving, how does all of our spending, serve God? If we spent less in certain areas, would we be able to give more generously to care for the poor, or support the ministry of the gospel? We invite you to consider these questions as you ponder your gift this week. To make a gift today, visit medfordumc.org/give or give through the app. Thank you!

 


 

 

Small Groups & Spiritual Growth

 

Parents with College Age Young Adults - On Thursday 1/26 our Youth will be assembling Care Packages for College Students.  If you are interested in your college age young adult to receive one of these mailings from their MUMC community, please send their name and address to Bethany Carl (bethany@medfordumc.org) by Wednesday 1/25.  Please also share a favorite snack food they like and if there is anything your young adult may need prayer for in their semester ahead.

 

Children & Youth Ministries:  In Kids Church this Sunday, PreK – 2nd graders will continue to learn the Bible lesson of Jesus Blessing the Young Children and will explore the story through Science.  3rd – 5th graders will be using their Bibles to learn about the Letters to the Early Christians and Middle Schoolers will listen to the third part of the Sermon Series called a Fresh Start.  Jesus has the power to change our lives through God's grace.  How can we be thankful of this gift in our lives?

Special Reminders/Announcements:

·       Youth Bells & Youth Group/Confirmation is held every Thursday night.  Details and Times included in the newsletter.

·       We are in need of Children & Youth volunteers!  Please contact Bethany if you are interested in knowing more about the roles we need filled on our CYM team.

More details & text alert information for CYM programs can be found in our newsletters: (PreK & Elementary Edition) & (MS & HS Edition).  If you would like to be included in the Children & Youth Newsletter emails, please contact Bethany Carl (bethany@medfordumc.org)

 

 



To share your announcement in the weekly email, send it to thisweekatmedfordumc@gmail.com.



 

 
Weekly Calendar
 
Date Event / Meeting Time Place
Fri Pickleball 3:00pm Family Life Center (FLC)
Sat Pickleball 10:00am FLC
Sun Contemporary Worship Service 9:00 am FLC
  Traditional Worship Service 10:30 am Sanctuary
Mon Caring Team 1:30pm Rm 105/6
  Lois Circle 1:30pm Rm 104
Tues Pickleball 3:00pm FLC
Jubilation Ringers 6:45pm Sanctuary
Wed Band Rehearsal 7:30 pm FLC
Thur Women's Bible Study 10:00am Rm 104 & ZOOM
  Youth Bell Choir 5:30pm Sanctuary
  MS/HS Dinner & Service Project 6:30pm FLC
  Celebration Ringers 6:45pm Sanctuary
  8th Grade Confirmation Class 7:30pm FLC
  Vocal Choir 7:45pm Sanctuary
Fri Pickleball 3:00 pm FLC

 



 

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Medford United Methodist Church
2 Hartford Road, Medford NJ 08055
609/654-8111

 

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