District Update 26 JUL 2017
Do you think anyone is going to be able
to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us?
There is no way!
Romans 8: 35a MSG
Prayers
District Prayer Calendar
Week of July 30
Rochester Federated – Greg Homan
Rupert UMC – Tom Atkins
Rutland UMC – Hannah Rogers
Sandgate – supply
Updates
Clergy One-on-One interviews
Two reports are due before the clergy interview: Pastoral Conversation and the new Shared Ministry Assessment. Please return these reports via email to vmtdistrict@neumc.org.
Appalachian Trail Chaplain, Matt Hall, to preach
Matt Hall will preach on Sunday, August 6, at the Tinmouth Community UMC at 9:00AM and again at the Church of the Wildwood in Chittenden at 11:00AM. You are invited to worship at either service.
Rev. Shirley Oskamp also extends this invitation for Saturday, June 5:
Matt Hall of Virginia, is hiking the APP Trail as the United Methodist Chaplain this summer. We are hosting him at our home for dinner on Saturday, August 5th.
We envision a casual outdoor gathering & potluck dinner, beginning at 5:30pm, with lots of great conversation. Please bring a dish to share and folding chairs if you have them. Musical instruments are welcome as are children. No dogs, though. Our cats would not be happy.
Matt's journey is an interesting one, having to do with recovery and charting his life in a new, positive direction. Here is an article about him and why he is walking as well as a little history of the chaplaincy: Matt Hall
Please let us know if you are able to join the gathering so we have enough of everything! Shirley (email: soskamp@gmail.com)
Appalachian Trail Chaplain
4 Vermont Churches participate in UMARMY in Claremont NH
“Our youth and adults grew in faith and hope as we created a marvelous Christian community for a week.” Rev. Kim Hornung-Marcy
Read on!:
A total of 70 people from churches in New Jersey and Massachusetts as well as Vermont participated in the U.M. ARMY camp in Claremont, New Hampshire, during the week of July 16. St. Paul’s UMC (St Albans) sent two adults and one youth, Faith UMC (South Burlington) sent 3 adults, Grace UMC (Bradford) sent 2 adults and 4 youth, and North Ferrisburgh UMC sent 12 youth and 7 adults.
We built one massive handicap ramp, and probably the most complicated project was on a steep hillside that required multiple platform steps down the steep side of a house. We did 8 stair projects and numerous painting and yard work projects, all completed in the week.
A fantastic time of worship, service and games was capped by our Client Night where clients expressed their gratitude for how we answered their prayers and how, by seeing our youth, they have renewed hope in America’s and our church’s future. Some people we met even talked about how they want to get back to attending the United Methodist church.
The Claremont Eagle ran a front page article on the group: UMARMY Assists Homeowners.
The photo above is of the entire group of 70. We stayed at First UMC in Claremont - this is their newly purchased building. This is a church of about 12-15 people with a part-time local pastor. They have gone all out for us for the past 3 years we have served in Claremont.
The North Ferrisburgh UMC heard from their team members in worship on Sunday, July 23. Click here for a link to a video of their message.
UM ARMY=United Methodist Action Reach-out Mission by Youth, umarmy.org
A Day with Diana Butler Bass – October 4
The Plattsburgh UMC (NY) has extended an invitation to anyone interested to participate in events on Wednesday, October 4, with Dr. Diana Butler Bass in Plattsburgh. Diana Butler Bass is an author, speaker, and independent scholar specializing in American religion and culture.
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10:00AM - Noon: Conversation on her recent book, "Grounded" - Finding God in the World - A Spiritual Revolution. Please come having read the book!
Noon: lunch and continued conversation.
1:00PM to 3:00PM: Diana will lead a conversation on implications for local church communities.
7:30PM: Diana Butler Bass will deliver the Cron Lecture at the Newman Center in Plattsburgh, speaking on "Faith in the News," looking at religious/spiritual trends…
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Read details of these events. Clergy and laity are invited. The cost is $10.00 to register and $10.00 for lunch. We will receive more information later.
Action for Ecological Justice Conference September 30
A conference, Action for Ecological Justice, Celebrating a Year of Creation, sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington, will be held on Saturday, September 30 at St. Michael's College. It is open to all.
The keynote speaker is Dr. Carolyn Y. Woo, Former CEO & President of Catholic Relief Services.
The conference is scheduled from 10:00AM to 5:00PM; general admission is $35, students are free; breakfast and lunch provided.
Click here for the flyer with registration information. If you would like copies of a larger flyer to post, please contact Betsy Hardy, info@vtipl.org.
Vermont Interfaith Power & Light Newsletter
The July VTIPL newsletter has lots of links to articles and events of interest related to climate change and other issues affecting God’s creation. Please take a few minutes to browse.
Cleaning Buckets available
Are you aware of places in need of cleaning buckets after this summer’s heavy rainstorms? The Conference has a supply of them, so be in touch with Evie in the District Office if you know of a need. (vmtdistrict@neumc.org)
Ministry Exploration Summit August 25-26, 2017
For lay people exploring a call to ministry:
Ministry Exploration Summit Facts
Next Summit: Friday – Saturday, August 25-26, 2017, in Manchester, NH
August 2017 Mail-In Registration Form
August 2017 Online Registration (with credit card payment option)
August 2017 Email Registration E-Form
Questions? Contact the BOM Registrar, bomregistrar@yahoo.com or (603) 892-0359
You’re Invited - UMCOR Kit Parties
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 9-11AM
Shelburne United Methodist Church (30 Church Street, Shelburne)
Green Mountain HUB
Our goal is to put together at least 300 kits at this party.
AND
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 9-11AM
Trinity United Methodist Church (137 Main Street, Montpelier)
Central Vermont HUB
Our goal is 100 kits at this party
All Ages Welcome – No Special Skills Required
Please join us for fun and fellowship as we assemble, verify and box UMCOR health kits for Mission Central. Spread the word and invite your friends!
2017 Fall Walks to Emmaus
Men: Thurs Evening October 26 – Sunday afternoon, October 29
Women: Thurs evening November 16 – Sunday afternoon November 19
Bishop Booth Rock Point Conference Center in Burlington
If you are looking for an opportunity to deepen your faith and discern how you are called to respond to God’s grace, this might be the place for you. Contact your pastor or anyone who has experienced the Walk to Emmaus in the past.
Discover your gifts for retreat leadership
Retreat Leaders Training introduces participants to the skills and frameworks that are vital to facilitating a meaningful retreat experience. The training will be Nov. 30-Dec. 2, 2017 at StoweFlake Resort & Conference Center in Stowe, VT, and will be led by Dr. Susan MacKenzie. Deadline to register is Oct. 15.
See the brochure
Tending the Fire will be offered in Vermont at Hedding UMC in Barre in 2018.
For more information, visit www.tending-the-fire.com or contact Rev. Lemmel at barblemmel@mac.com or (802) 881-3267.
Wednesday, November 15 to Friday, November 17, 2017
Sudbury UMC, Sudbury MA
The Rippleffect is designed to provide resources that will inspire and equip you and your leaders to live more fully into the mission of the church.
District Events
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16: District UMW Fall Gathering at Grace UMC, Essex Junction. Program: spiritual journey to South Korea.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28: Bishop Devadhar will be “on the District” to share a potluck meal followed by holy conversation about his plans for the conference. Pastors and several lay people from each church are expected to attend! The location will be at a church in Chittenden County (host needed for a crowd!).
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 3:00 PM: The installation service for incoming District Superintendent Jill Colley Robinson will be held at Faith UMC in South Burlington VT.
Local Church Updates
FRIDAY AUGUST 4, 7:00 PM: musical concert by Elisabeth Von Trapp at the Montgomery United Methodist Church (20 Fuller Bridge Road, Montgomery Village, VT). Admission is by donations received during the concert. Questions or more information: call Merle Van Gieson 802-326-4536.
FRIDAY & SATURDAY, AUGUST 18-19: Vacation Bible School at Highgate Methodist Church (3327 Route 78, Highgate VT). Call 868-4921 with inquiries.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 20, 9:30 AM: Outdoor revival service at the Highgate Methodist Church (3327 Route 78, Highgate VT)
THURSDAY NIGHTS JULY 27, AUGUST 3, & AUGUST 10, beginning @ 5:30: Summer Suppers at the Groton United Methodist Church on Scott Highway in Groton, VT. Menu includes Casseroles, Roasted Meat, Summer Salads, Homemade Baked Beans, Rolls, Pies, Coffee/Punch. Price by donation.
District Office Schedule
Week of July 30
Jill: appointments around the district
Tuesday, August 1: DCOM training in Manchester NH
Evie: in the Williston office Monday, Tuesday, Thursday; working from Northfield on Wednesday.
To have a notice included in an Update, email vmtdistrict@neumc.org.
Previous District Updates are available on the website.
