My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Greetings in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
I write this letter, thanking and praising our Creator God in and through the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, using the words of the Psalmist, who said, "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits..." (Psalm 103:1-2).
I thank God for each and every one of you, for your hearts of generosity, minds for the mission of God around the world, and love and compassion for all the people of God. In 2012, in addition to supporting faithfully all the ministries and missions in your respective local churches, you have enabled the Committee on Finance and Administration of the New England Annual Conference, the leaders at all levels, and Conference staff to send 80% of the general apportioned funds to the ministries and missions of the United Methodist Church in the United States and around the world. This figure is 4.89% higher than 2011.
Furthermore, you have supported several second mile advance missions within and beyond the Conference throughout the year. On top of this, you have sacrificially given $77,100.38 to UMCOR for the ministry and mission to the victims of Superstorm Sandy and an additional $29,674.20 for the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference Disaster Relief Fund, also for Superstorm Sandy.
As your Episcopal leader, I am deeply touched and moved by your sacrificial and loving support for the global ministry and mission of the Church! I know that some of you are in very challenging financial situations. Your willingness to join one another in our accomplishments for ministry and mission of the global community means a lot to me. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Having been a recipient of the ministry of the global mission and having personally witnessed how even a single cent can make a difference in some parts of the world, I cannot thank you and praise you enough for your generosity and love.
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." We do not know what is ahead of us, but we do know we will face challenges. Nevertheless, by God’s grace, we can make prayer the first step in reaching any goal God sets before us. It is my hope and prayer that with your help and support, we will become a 100% apportionment-paying Conference before the end of the quadrennium (2016)! Will you kindly join me in praying that this goal becomes a reality?
Kindly remember God loves you all and so do I!
With a grateful heart, deep admiration, thanks, and appreciation to each and every one of you, the leadership of the CFA, all the other leadership of the Conference at various levels and the staff who are in ministry with us.
Your brother in Christ,
Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar
Saturday, January 19, 2013
UMCatalyst News Notes 1/16/2013
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
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
Friday, January 11, 2013
UMCatalyst News Notes 1/9/2013
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
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
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
From the Pastor's desk...
Dear NUMC,
The world did not come to an end on December 12 2012.
Praise God! Not that I ever had any doubt that we would still be here in what humanity has tagged the year 2013. There have however, been some rather disturbing events happening all around us. Still fresh in our minds is the Newtown tragedy where twenty innocent children and eight adults were killed. I am including the lives of the gunman and his mother as well. Our Lord Jesus Christ would have been concerned about their souls too . We grieve with that town that is still hurting.
There were other dark happenings, besides other shootings and other precious lives lost, there were storms, tornadoes, and events of nature that caused much disruption and displacement. Add to that the Fiscal Cliff/Slope/Curb that occupied the time of our federal representatives right down to the beginning of the year. The times, they are a-changing, sang Bob Dylan in the 1960’s, and we are still in the midst of changing times.
This is a good time to be reminded that God never changes, God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Never mind what changes we go through ,we can be sure that we can turn to God for all of our questions answered and all of our needs supplied. What has changed over time is our understanding of God as we take the time to open ourselves to God’s revelation of God’s self to us. My prayer for all of us this year is that we grow closer to God and look to an Omniscient God to direct our lives. That is where our security lies—with God; not with guns, not with money, not with things, not with other people, not with power, but with God. It is God who gives us the ability to create our lives in whatever ways we want to. If our focus is on weapons of destruction then that is what we will realize in our lives. If we focus on Jesus, then Christ-like things will occur. And we can make our lives new again. Remember all these other things are temporary, even our lives are temporary. Only God is eternal. It makes sense to me that we should place our bets with the eternal (woops, not Methodists, we don’t gamble) but if I were taking a gamble, I’d go with God all the time! May 2013 be a year of abundant blessings, a year of the Lord’s favor!
Shalom,
Pastor Laurel
The world did not come to an end on December 12 2012.
Praise God! Not that I ever had any doubt that we would still be here in what humanity has tagged the year 2013. There have however, been some rather disturbing events happening all around us. Still fresh in our minds is the Newtown tragedy where twenty innocent children and eight adults were killed. I am including the lives of the gunman and his mother as well. Our Lord Jesus Christ would have been concerned about their souls too . We grieve with that town that is still hurting.
There were other dark happenings, besides other shootings and other precious lives lost, there were storms, tornadoes, and events of nature that caused much disruption and displacement. Add to that the Fiscal Cliff/Slope/Curb that occupied the time of our federal representatives right down to the beginning of the year. The times, they are a-changing, sang Bob Dylan in the 1960’s, and we are still in the midst of changing times.
This is a good time to be reminded that God never changes, God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Never mind what changes we go through ,we can be sure that we can turn to God for all of our questions answered and all of our needs supplied. What has changed over time is our understanding of God as we take the time to open ourselves to God’s revelation of God’s self to us. My prayer for all of us this year is that we grow closer to God and look to an Omniscient God to direct our lives. That is where our security lies—with God; not with guns, not with money, not with things, not with other people, not with power, but with God. It is God who gives us the ability to create our lives in whatever ways we want to. If our focus is on weapons of destruction then that is what we will realize in our lives. If we focus on Jesus, then Christ-like things will occur. And we can make our lives new again. Remember all these other things are temporary, even our lives are temporary. Only God is eternal. It makes sense to me that we should place our bets with the eternal (woops, not Methodists, we don’t gamble) but if I were taking a gamble, I’d go with God all the time! May 2013 be a year of abundant blessings, a year of the Lord’s favor!
Shalom,
Pastor Laurel
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. See, I am making all things new.”Revelation 22, 21-25; 21: 5
Sunday, January 6, 2013
New Tidings for January and February
Thursday, January 3, 2013
UMCatalyst News Notes 1/2/2013
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
+North United Methodist Church, Manchester, CT, USA
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
+North United Methodist Church, Manchester, CT, USA
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Give new Hats and Mittens
REMINDER:
SPECIAL CHRISTMAS TREE DECORATIONS!
This year we would ask that people please bring new hats and mittens for all ages to use as decorations for the tree. The "decorations" will then be donated to those in need.
Donations will be accepted up to Sunday Dec. 30.
SPECIAL CHRISTMAS TREE DECORATIONS!
This year we would ask that people please bring new hats and mittens for all ages to use as decorations for the tree. The "decorations" will then be donated to those in need.
Donations will be accepted up to Sunday Dec. 30.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
UMCatalyst News Notes 12/19/2012
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
+North United Methodist Church, Manchester, CT, USA
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
+North United Methodist Church, Manchester, CT, USA
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Monday, December 17, 2012
Coping advice
Experts share tips on coping with this sort of event:
http://www.cga.ct.gov/coc/newtown.htm
http://www.cga.ct.gov/coc/newtown.htm
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Christmas Party
Saturday, Dec. 15 at 6:00 pm
Our annual Christmas Family Fellowship time.
Activities will include:
Decorating the Sanctuary Christmas Tree, Making Ornaments,
Singing Christmas Songs, and more.
All are invited to bring appetizers and desserts to share.
If you have an activity/craft idea to
share—bring it along!
Questions may be directed to Irene Fitzgerald.
Monday, December 10, 2012
Yesterday's Sermon - Listen Online
If you missed it or just want to hear it again, yesterday's sermon is up online. You should be able to listen to it without it opening another window or tab now, let me know if there are any issues.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
UMCatalyst News Notes 12/5/2012
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
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
Monday, December 3, 2012
New Newsletter and Sermon Online
Read:
The Latest Edition of Tidings, our newsletter. As always, lots going on.
Listen:
Sermons, including "A Friend in Jesus" from November 25, 2012
If you are seeing this on Facebook and could take the extra step and click 'Like' it makes it more likely that others will see it as Facebook doesn't consistently display posts without activity.
The Latest Edition of Tidings, our newsletter. As always, lots going on.
Listen:
Sermons, including "A Friend in Jesus" from November 25, 2012
If you are seeing this on Facebook and could take the extra step and click 'Like' it makes it more likely that others will see it as Facebook doesn't consistently display posts without activity.
Friday, November 30, 2012
UMCatalyst News Notes 11/28/2012
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
Saturday, November 24, 2012
UMCatalyst News Notes 11/20/2012
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
Thursday, November 1, 2012
PROFILE FOR MISSION AND MINISTRY
In preparation for our Sunday, Dec. 9 Charge Conference, the Staff Parish Relations Committee
requests that you please answer some questions. Your answers will help us evaluate our past efforts and better plan for future growth.
Survey Forms may be found on the church website, and in the Memorial Room at Church.
Please submit all forms to the church office by mail or by placing in the collection plate on Sundays.
Thank you in advance for your participation in this important process.
requests that you please answer some questions. Your answers will help us evaluate our past efforts and better plan for future growth.
Survey Forms may be found on the church website, and in the Memorial Room at Church.
Please submit all forms to the church office by mail or by placing in the collection plate on Sundays.
Thank you in advance for your participation in this important process.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
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
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
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.
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