A message from Bishop Devadhar regarding the storm

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Greetings in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I am sure that these last few days have bought moments of anxiety, concern, pain, and sorrow as you have watched “post-tropical” superstorm Sandy make its way through many parts of the Eastern seaboard and other places affecting the lives of countless numbers of people.

There were different effects in different areas of the New England Conference. Loss of electricity has been widespread, and many areas have yet to have power restored. To date only a few reports of damage to New England Annual Conference churches have been received. Most local church damage has been related to the intense winds (a toppled steeple, a tree falling on a sanctuary) and has not been catastrophic.

I am calling upon all of us to continue to be in prayer with those in Southern New England and in the mid-Atlantic region where damage in some areas has been devastating. Parts of Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey report significant damage and a number of deaths and injuries. Areas in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and the Mid-West continue to feel the power of this storm.

In the same way that the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) responded and provided financial assistance in a number of disasters in New England in recent years, they are here for us again. May we encourage you to be in prayer for the important ministry they are doing to reach out to the victims of Sandy and other disasters and kindly continue to support their ministries through your generous financial support. If you want to explore how to support UMCOR, kindly visit the New England Annual Conference website at www.neumc.org/hurricane.

Starting last week, we (NEAC) communicated information on disaster preparedness from UMCOR and our insurance companies, so our congregations and members could be as prepared as possible for the severe storm. We have continued to provide information for insurance and other reporting. Please do not hesitate to contact your District Superintendent or Jim McPhee or Bill Burnside at the New England Annual Conference if you need guidance or help in any matters related to the aftermath of the storm.

In moments like this and as we continue to raise all kinds of existential questions about why and how, may we offer our prayers to our Creator God, using the words of the Psalmist, who said, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult." (Psalm 46:1-3).

May the words of the Psalmist offer hope to all who are affected by this storm in one way or another. May all the efforts of God's children everywhere, reaching out to those who need help, be blessed by our Creator God as we carry out our own ministries with the compassion of Christ and with the real peace and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

May this be the time, not only to pray for all the children of God who have been affected by Sandy, but also to place the words of our prayers in action through our Christian witness and outreach by our acts of mercy and kindness.

With prayers and love,
Bishop Suda Devadhar

Hurricane Help

Hurricane Help

Thankfully we didn't get hit as hard by 'Sandy' as was feared.  Other areas were devastated.  One way to help is by donating to UMCOR.

UMCOR spends 100 percent of designated donations on the projects our donors specify. When UMCOR donors give their time, money, and supplies, they join UMCOR as the hands and feet of Christ.

MACC

MACC FOOD PANTRY—
current shopping list:

• Cereal
• Canned meats (tuna, chicken, ham & beef stew)  
• Peanut butter
• Pasta & sauce
• Canned veggies/fruits  
• Soup 
• Healthy snacks for children  
• Condiments (mustard, ketchup, mayo, salad dressing etc.)  
• Toilet tissue   
• Paper towel   
• Diapers 
• Laundry detergent 
• Feminine products  
• Toothpaste   
• Tooth brushes   
• Soap  
• Dish soap
• We always need paper and plastic grocery bags, clean plastic bottles with tight fitting lids, freezer bags and egg cartons.

Donations can be placed in the shopping cart in the NUMC Narthex or on the floor near it if it is full.  Another great option is to buy a SCRIP card and give it to Marlene and let her do the shopping for you.  This way you help NUMC through the SCRIP free money and MACC gets more on its shelves.

SCRIP

SCRIP is NUMC’s on-going fundraiser in which all are welcome and encouraged to participate every week!

If everyone were to participate by simply purchasing store cards for their weekly grocery budget—the church would benefit greatly with

NO additional cost to you.

Not to mention other regular purchases—gas, drug stores, restaurants, fast food, etc.

Thank you so much to everyone who continues to make their routine purchases through NUMC.

HOLIDAY SHOPPING TIME IS UPON US—place your orders and check out the current participating vendors. Direct questions to: Anita Haynes 860-712-9991

GIVE Gift Cards and/or 

USE Gift Cards for routine purchases! 

100% Participation in SCRIPS is the goal!

November Tidings Available

The November Issue of Tidings, our monthly newsletter, is now available on our website. Be sure to fill out the SPRC survey as well.

Hurricane - Prepare

The New England Conference of The United Methodist Church has assembled some resources to help with preparedness for hurricane Sandy, particularly for churches. For the full article follow this link: http://www.neumc.org/news/detail/743

UMCatalyst News Notes 10/24/2012

Follow this link to read the latest in e-news for clergy and laity in the New England Conference:

UMCatalyst News Notes

You can also check out old issues in the News and Publication Archives of the New England Conference of The United Methodist Church

Join us in walking or in spirit this Sunday as we walk this Sunday in the CROP HUNGER WALK.

CROP Hunger Walker - Walk to help end hunger in your community and around the world.

CROP Spirit Walker -  Can't be there for our Walk? Be there in spirit - you can gather contributions and help fight hunger and poverty!

DONATE - Give from your heart to fight hunger and show your support for our team of walkers.

If the links don't take you to just the right place to easily do what you would like, if you go up to the menu item "Your Walk Details" and select "2012 Online Teams" you will see North United Methodist Church clearly listed with links to Join Us or Donate.

One child dies from hunger-related causes every 5 seconds.  In the U.S., more than 43 million Americans don't have enough to eat.  Please help as you are able to bring us closer to ending hunger.

UMCatalyst News Notes 10/3/2012

Follow this link to read the latest in e-news for clergy and laity in the New England Conference:

UMCatalyst News Notes

You can also check out old issues in the News and Publication Archives of the New England Conference of The United Methodist Church

Tag Sale/Bake Sale

TAG SALE/BAKE SALE * SATURDAY, OCT. 13th 

There are sign-ups in the Memorial Room for helping during this coming week (10/8 - 10/12) with the Tag Sale set-up and pricing, and for working the day of the sale.

Bake Sale 

The Knitting Ministry is hosting the bake sale and welcomes additional volunteers to help bake items for the sale. Items may be brought to the church at the following times:
 Friday, Oct. 12: 9 am – 12 pm, 1 – 4 pm, 6 – 8 pm
 Saturday, Oct. 13: 7 am – 8 am

World Potluck

The ALL CHURCH POTLUCK will be held on SUNDAY, OCTOBER 7th directly following the 10 am service. This is our celebration of World Communion Sunday so please bring something that represents your culture to demonstrate the diversity of the Christian church. An explanation of its cultural significance would be most welcome to broaden all of our minds and a list of ingredients would be much appreciated to make it clear what is safe to eat for those with food allergies. Cards will be provided to write the ingredients of your dishes if you have not written them out ahead of time.

 * After the potluck, help would be appreciated to bring the tag sale items from downstairs up to the sanctuary. Thank you!

October Tidings

The October issue of Tidings, our monthly newsletter is available now on our website.  Check out all the news and happenings.