On Sunday Aug 12th, Bruce and Jane Werner shared in their message the ministry they helped with back in the early 2000’s involving the school for disadvantaged children “Every Child Counts” in The Bahamas. If you would like to learn more about the school, click everychildcountsabaco.org to get to their website.
Several people after the service asked how they might donate funds to the school. The best way is to make checks payable to: “Every Child Counts” and mail to: Every Child Counts P.O. Box AB 20085, Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Bahamas It is 84 cents postage for a 1 oz letter to The Bahamas.
Remember that clocks change early Sunday morning November 6th. “Fall back” one hour. That is, set you clocks back an hour when you go to bed Saturday night on Nov 5th or you will be practicing with the choir.
Please check your garages, tool sheds, and utility rooms for the following items on the UM ARMY tool list (image below and pdf attached). The youth will use these on their mission trip to Claremont, NH the week of July 17-23. If any are lost or broken, they will be replaced.
Put your last name in permanent marker on your tool. We return them Sunday July 23rd. We do replace tools if they are lost or broken. Speak to Pastor Kim, Chris Steadman, or Irv or Karen Rose if you have questions.
The new mission committee will be collecting items needed to compile health kits for UMCOR, the humanitarian relief and development agency of The United Methodist Church, throughout Lent.
These health kits, which are one of six types of relief-supply kits provided by UMCOR during times of crisis, provide basic necessities to people who have been forced to leave their homes because of human conflict or natural disaster. Health kits are also used as learning tools in personal hygiene, literacy, nutrition, and cooking classes.
Please join us during coffee hour on April 3 to assemble collected supplies into official ready-to-go kits. See the list below of very specific items needed for each kit. Please note: All items must be new. Do not wash any of the items as they will be considered used.
1 hand towel
15 x 25 inches to 17 x 27 inches;
Kitchen, cleaning, and microfiber towels not acceptable.
1 washcloth
1 comb
Comb needs to be sturdy and longer than 6 inches long;
No pocket combs or picks please;
Rattail combs and combs without handles are acceptable with a minimum of 6 inches of teeth.
During worship on Sun, Oct 25th, Nov 1st and 8th, we consider our blessings and how we can give back in gratitude so that ministry flourishes in 2016. We have some members of our church family sharing how our church has changed their lives using posters read during worship. Watch each Sunday’s offerings below.
On Sunday Nov 8th, we invite all who are able to make a pledge and offer it as an act of worship. We do have a $10,000 challenge grant that will match new and increased pledges up to $10,000. If someone increases their pledge $10 a week that equals 52 weeks x $10=$520. The grant will match the $520 so that the church receives a total of $1,040.
After worship on Sun Nov 8th, we traditionally hold a free celebration brunch for everyone provided by the Vergennes UMC women. Contact Jill Wilkens who is keeping track of the numbers so that Vergennes knows how much food to prepare.
We have many people reporting that they are beginning a daily devotions habit and finding their faith growing.Here are some great ways to do devotions on your computer (or smartphone) depending on the time you have:
1 minute spiritual devotions by United Methodist Pastor Steve Garnaas –Holmes.Features a daily poem on faith. Use this link:
3 minute retreat by Loyola Press that invites you to take a short prayer break at your computer. Spend some quiet time reflecting on a Scripture passage. This is the link to this website.
12 minute retreat: “Pray As You Go” offers a guided reflection on a scripture passage each day including a variety of different styles of sacred music.Here is the link to this website, then select the day for its reading.Also available as an app for iPhones and Androids.See the website to obtain these.
Printed Devotions: We have Upper rooms at the back of the sanctuary.These are a small magazine devotion that comes out every two months.“Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young is very popular.“Bread for the Journey” by Henri Nouwen is also very good.
Seven members of our church community went to Eleuthera, Bahamas to work to improve housing for the people there who are poor in monetary things, though rich in joy, enthusiasm, faith and community.
Below are photos from this experience including Karina Tarte playing with a young boy at one of our work sites, a before and after of the house we built roof framing for, indoor wall framing at the other site, and scenes at both work and at our living site.
The North Ferrisburgh United Methodist Church has been supporting the John Graham Shelter with food donations, work on their buildings, and providing rides. Now there is another option – join their vigil and sleep out in Middlebury on Dec 6th.
For more information on either participating or donating click on the following:
Sunday school classes for ages 4 through High School begin the first Sunday in September. Young people attend the first 15 min of worship then go out to classes. Nursery care for babies to 3 years old every Sunday.
Sharing Christ's warm transforming love with our community, our state, our nation, and our world
