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NORTH FERRISBURGH UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Don't you love good surprises? Building the new playground, certainly seemed like a great idea. Little did I know, however, how important it would be. For one thing, the adults in the church got to know each other better while building it. This summer we have easily doubled the number of young people attending summer worship because they are with us through the Children’s Time and then can play outside on that playground.

We have also added after church activities. See the fun photo above and the schedule for future activities on the Events listing column above on the right.

Our hope is that the friendships among and across generations will help us all grow in our faith. The most important thing that develops faith in our young people is for adults to model a growing faith.

Intergenerational churches bless all ages! Walking the walk and talking the talk are both key. We learn best from others. Jesus’ love, courage, power and forgiveness undergird all our blessings and surprise us with benefits we can’t always foresee.

Grace and Peace, Kim

A Message from Pastor Kim

Intergenerational summer fun with kids on July 3rd at Spare Time’s virtual roller coaster

Events LinkMen’s Breakfast: Sat, July 9th, 7:30am Fellowship Hall. All men welcome.Baptism of Jasper Dugger: Sun, July 10th during worship, with celebratory coffee hour afterwards.Intergenerational Summer Family Fun: “Methodist Minute to Win it” Sun, July 17th after worship at church.UM ARMY Team in Claremont NH: leaving Sun, July 17th, return July 23rd; report to congregation Sun, July 24thIntergenerational Summer Family Fun: Water Balloon Toss and Banana Splits Sun, July 24th after worship at church.Lobsterfest: Sat, July 30th 5 and 6:30pmIntergenerational Summer Family Fun: “Mt Philo Hike” Sun, July 31st after worship.Wed Morning Bible Study: Wed 10–11:30am in Upper Room on Romans.

Sharing Christ’s warm transforming love with our community, our state, our nation, and our world

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Fire Fighter Thank You Picnic: On June 22nd we served around 120 people! They were very affirmed and moved by our thanks. No one could remember anyone else doing this for them. We had a wonderful time.

UM ARMY (United Methodist Action Reach Out Mission by Youth) Mission trip: We are taking ten youth and five adults to Claremont July 17-23. We also helped send two young adults and one adult to the May Young Adult week this year. Matt Becker and Hannah Hatch had a great time on that trip. Let us know if you can donate a tool or purchase some of the supplies needed. Click here Tool list and instructions for post on this on our website . We need the tools delivered to church by Sun, July 10th.New Minister of Music starts September 4th: Our Staff Parish Committee is pleased to announce that we have hired Joe Kwiatkowski to be our new minister of music starting in September. Joe graduated from St. Michaels with the top music award. He plays multiple instruments,

is very strong in piano, and has directed bands and choirs since high school in both Protestant and Catholic churches. His references said things like: “We are heartbroken to lose him.” “He was our best student in 25 years.” “He is a blessing.” He is moving back to Vermont in August. So his last Sunday at his current church is the same as Lloyd Dugger’s at our church – August 14th. So pray for all as two churches and two very talented Music Ministers transition.Work at Lobster Fest, Saturday July 30th: Grab a poster at the back of church and put it up in the community to advertise our event. Sign up in Fellowship Hall to help at our one all church fund raiser or call the church office Thursdays and Fridays to volunteer. Ages 5 (with parent) and up can help, and we need a variety of jobs filled. Speak to Laurie Curler or Jill Wilkens or Linda Lucia (our co-chairs) if you have questions. Workers do need to pay if you want to eat, but let Pastor Kim know if you need a scholarship.

Lobster Fest Event Info: Sat, July 30th at church. To reserve your seat call 425-2263 (Jill Wilkens). Click Lobsterfest to see more information about reservation details on the website.

NEWS ITEMS

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Congrats to: Sofie Wolak Girl’s State delegate from Mt Abe High School. Aidan Rowe and Shannon Dugger for lead roles in Seussical the Musical. Munro and Shea McLaren and Jonathan Willis who enjoyed spring soccer, and Arielle Dumont enjoying her soft ball season. Olivia Paine, Jennifer Steadman, Sofie Wolak, Megan McIntyre on the Mt Abe HS honor roll for great grades. Jamie Steadman who got her two year college degree recently.Rejoice: Sue Stoner’s friend paralyzed after skiing accident is driving and living in his own handicap accessible home, doing well. Bob Titus is walking and with stent in place hoping to return home after July 4th.Lift up: Jack Harvey recovering from infections and waiting for back pain

treatment. Will Pennington, young friend of Gary Gray and Patty Forbes fighting pancreatic cancer. Local Fire fighter family with a premature daughter—baby Nyra is doing better. Diane Shortsleeve fighting pneumonia and bronchitis. Karen Rose asks prayer for her brother fighting lung cancer. Thanks to: • EVERYONE who helped with our Fire Fighter Barbecue. • Jennifer and Lily Steadman who went through all the church tools and supplies for the Mission trip. • Irv and Karen Rose for help with Mission trip tools. • Karen Siewert, Lou McLaren and Jill Wilkens working hard on our financial reporting systems. • Chick Wood for hosting the June Wildberries meeting. • Laurie Curler, Jill Wilkens and others working on Lobster Fest.

PRAYER REQUESTS AND RESPONSES

NEW ENGLAND UMC ANNUAL CONFERENCE REPORT Our June, New England Annual Conference was unusual this year. Normal business was suspended for the first day for discussion and vote on being in non-conformity with all parts of our United Methodist Discipline (the rule book of the church) that discriminate against LGBTQIA persons. The vote was 445-179 to be in civil disobedience. This means that Pastor Kim can perform gay marriages and the Conference will not consider sexual orientation in the ordination process or placement of ordained pastors. Many other Conferences in the U.S. have voted to “not prosecute pastors who perform gay marriages and to not

discriminate in ordination or placement of pastors” including: New York, Chicago, Montana/Idaho, Pacific Northwest and Pacific Southwest conferences. This issue has been a point of contention for at least 40 plus years. Our Conference felt it was time to move forward since the May General Conference decided only to “study the issue further”. If you have questions about this decision please contact Pastor Kim, clergy delegate, or Ted Marcy or Clare Connor our lay delegates. Pastor Kim has studied the scriptures extensively on this issue. She is happy to listen if you have concerns or questions. Please contact her.

NFUMC NEWSLETTER! JULY 5, 2016

Important Information

“Those who walk with God, always reach their destination”

Henry Ford

North Ferrisburgh United Methodist Church

P.O. Box 7

North Ferrisburgh, VT 05473

SundayJuly 10th

SundayJuly 17th

Coffee Hour: Carole Stoneking Margo Emmell and Ann Biron

Liturgist Diane Shortsleeve

Greeters: Jed and Jini Hornung

Nursery: Christine Steadman Karina Tarte

If you can volunteer for an open spot email Christine Steadman nfumc@gmavt.net or call the church office at 425 2770. Contact her if you would like to be placed on the email prayer list where we send out prayer requests as they occur.