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Coming Soon—Join Us!

Celebrate God’s gift of music—

JUNE 7

Music Ministries Sunday

8:00am First State Ringers

9:30am Combined Choirs & First State Ringers, with guest musicians.Music spanning the centuries.

11:00am SonSpirit Band and Singers

Start your summer at White Clay Creek State Park with good friends—

June 14 11am Sunday worship—Church Picnic!

Be a part of the NUMC family (and friends) attending our church picnic at White Clay Creek State Park, rain or shine. Come for SonSpirit worship at 11am in the pavilion and stay for good food, amazing fellowship and organized family games. In true Methodist potluck fashion, please bring a dish and a beverage (e.g., a large bottle of soda, lemonade, iced tea, etc.) to share. Ice, paper products, and utensils will be provided, but feel free to bring your own if you want to be more “green!”

Sunday morning services that day will be:

Liturgical services at the church at 8 & 9:30am (no 11am liturgical service).

SonSpirit at White Clay Creek State Park at 11am.

Signing up for the picnic will greatly help our planning: call or email Jo Anne Deshon (738-9524; deshonj@udel.edu) or contact the church office (368-8774). Please respond by June 8. Plan to carpool, as entry fees to the park are $3/DE-tagged car and $6/non-DE tag. All are welcome!

Lay Leaders: Stacey Altemus, Karen DeMonte, Danny Fisher, Adrian Peoples

Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. David M. Palmer ext. 214

Pastor of Congregational Care Rev. George Ayer Tigh ext. 212

Campus Pastor Rev. Mary K. Haggard ext. 216

Assistant Campus Pastor Rev. Ward Mesick

Director of Education Ministries Donna Hitchner ext. 225

Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministries Melanie Hartley ext. 217

Sunday School Administrative Assistant Lisa Santare

Director of Music Ministries/Principal Organist Ned Perwo ext. 220

Associate Organist/Bell Director Lauren Cataldi-May ext. 299

Business Manager Rob Cappiello ext. 218

Office Manager Danette Eberly ext. 213

Bookkeeper Connie Wright ext. 215

Facility Manager Rob Taylor ext. 227

Custodian Piedad Luna ext. 227

STAFF

302/368-8774

www.newark-umc.org

webmaster@newark-umc.org

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To God’s People of Newark UMC,

Grace and peace be with you.

Thank you to all who have expressed well wishes for my sabbatical. Some have asked about pastoral coverage while I am away: the office will always know who is

on call. The church’s phone announcement also will provide the name of the pastor on call.

My first several weeks of sabbatical will be renewal out in the southwest. I will finally see the Grand Canyon, as well as parts of Arizona.

When I return, I will start working through my reading list (some of the material is listed below). I am deeply concerned about the changing Christian culture, and I hope to gain insights into how we can be a faithful congregation providing deep spiritual experiences for our current members and be a community.

One weekend in July, I will visit my good friend in Ithaca, NY. This is in preparation for taking members of the Worship Team to Asheville, NC in August to explore a new way of worship planning. My friend Rev. Dr. John McNeill visited Jubilee Community Church for the same reason, and has begun to implement new worship planning in the church he serves.

I am looking forward to learning from the family of St. Paul’s UMC in Ithaca, John’s downtown United Methodist Church in a university town.

I will keep Newark UMC in my prayers and look forward to seeing you again on the first Sunday in August.

Shalom,

Rev. Dr. David M. Palmer

Some items on my reading list:

What Millennials Want When They Visit Church America’s Changing Religious Landscape You Lost Me: Why Young Christians Are Leaving

Church...and Rethinking Faith A Religion of One’s Own Inside the Minds of the Spiritual but not

Religious How (Not) to Speak of God

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NO SUMMER TAIZÉ WORSHIP

We will return to first-Wednesday worship in September!

Sing with Summer Choir!

This year’s summer choir will lead in worship on

July 5

August 2

September 6

We’ll sing at the 9:30am service.

All interested singers are invited join us in the Choir Room at 9am to rehearse that Sunday’s anthem!

There are now TWO WAYS to sign up! Sign up online via our website page. Visit www.newark-

umc.org and click on Music Factory. Fill out the online registration form and click on the link at the end of the form to pay online.

Stop by the church office to pick up a form; mail/bring in check & form to Christian Ed office.

Sign-ups have begun! DEADLINE: JUNE 30

Check us out on Facebook at

www.facebook.com/numcmusicfactory

Music and Drama Camp

August 3-7

Worship presentations at 9:30 and 11am on

August 9

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Renewing Our Foundation (ROF) Update:

Photovoltaic Solar Installation Project

2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015*

Giving to Annual Budget $809,451 $802,538 $775,323 $641,650

Actual Expenditures $825,975 $794,297 $787,410 $680,379

Surplus/(Deficit), Annual Budget ($16,524) $8,241 ($12,087) ($38,729)

*Thru 4/30

In an effort to keep the congregation informed, below is a snapshot of our current financial status. Your Finance team is diligently working to set our 2015-2016 budget at a level that demonstrates good financial stewardship and supports NUMC’s many incredible programs—all without affecting staffing for the coming year. Our pledges for 2015-16 will enable this careful planning to become a reality.

The 2015 phase of the NUMC Renewing Our Foundation (ROF) program will be the installation of photovoltaic (PV) solar energy panels covering the flat roof of the Education Wing of the church building.

A PV system performance specification has been developed and issued for bids to prospective system installers by our architect, Daley and Jalboot, and their mechanical/electrical engineering design subcontractor, Schiller and Hersh. On May 14, a project pre-bid meeting was held with four solar installation contractors. In early June following bid submittals, a preferred contractor will be selected, with planned construction over the summer and system testing and start-up in early fall.

The planned 31 kW system will generate electricity for in-house use and will reduce the amount of electricity NUMC will need to buy from the City of Newark. This system will generate significant environmental benefits, which will come primarily from avoided power plant emissions.

The system is forecast to generate ~40-45,000 kWh annually, to save the church approximately $5500/yr in electrical costs.

The system will be funded by a loan from the NUMC Endowment Fund principal, which will be paid back with interest from the system’s cost-saving benefits over a 20-year period.

-Peter Schmalz

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August 29: Save the Date!

UD Welcome Freshmen Picnic

Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 29 and join the NUMC Believers in Action as we welcome a new class of freshmen and their families to the University of Delaware!

We will be looking for people to make and donate salads and desserts, as well as help setting up, working in the kitchen, serving, and cleaning up.

Thanks from the BIA Team!

Thank you for all the prayers, cards and

love that you sent to Connie during her

long hospital stay & recovery from her liver

transplant. We're back home enjoying life!

-Tom & Connie Sims

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Youth Ministry Announcements

Church and Youth Group magnets for sale! The youth are selling magnets with the church or youth logo for $5 each—we have a surplus left over from the pledge drive and everything must go! Decorate your car, fridge, locker, whatever. All proceeds go towards the youth summer mission trip. Contact Melanie with any questions!

NUMC Youth Group End of the Year Party: Sunday, June 7, 6-9pm at the Stauffer’s. We’re ending the year with food and games—bring your favorite cookout food and come ready to play!

Youth Summer Newsletter is available! The summer newsletter is available for youth families and includes information on summer activities and events. Contact Melanie to receive a copy.

Graduation Announcements: It's that time of year again when NUMC wants to congratulate our college and high school graduating seniors! Our community is proud of your accomplishments and we want to give you/your child/grandchild accolades in our August Parish Notes. Please send Melanie the following information to be placed on the list:

Name (as you would like it appear) School graduating from After-graduation plans

Feel free to email Melanie or call the church office with your questions. Have a great day!

Young Adult Announcements

Young Adult Bible Study

Tuesday nights, 6:30-8:30pm, Rm 109

We have started a new study on the book of 2 Samuel! We continue our journey in the early kingdom years of Israel and getting a more in-depth look at David. Join us weekly for dinner and discussion!

Stay tuned to the NUMC website for summer events and outings!

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Summer Spark Sunday School

The Summer Spark program is offered during the 9:30am service (following the Children’s Message) on most weeks from 5/31-8/30. The program is run like a weekly VBS mini-lesson with craft, games, storytelling, and the occasional snack. Children also may visit centers between activities. Not every type of activity will be offered every week—there may be weeks when the craft will take up too much time to squeeze in a game, or one when the snack is the craft, etc.

Each week features a different Bible-story theme. All activities are designed with younger children in mind, from age 4 through entering 3rd grade in the coming school year. Children younger than 4 can go to the toddlers room (summer location TBD). Older children who are not acting as GREEN Team helpers are perhaps better served by remaining with their families for the entire 9:30 worship service.

On summer holiday weekend Sundays (7/5 & 9/6), children age 4 through entering 3rd grade will be released from the worship service just prior to the adult sermon and escorted to Rm 211, where they can make a craft, assemble puzzles, or play board games with friends. No lesson is offered on holiday weekend Sundays.

Summer GREEN Team

Depending upon how many team members are interested and available, there may be the opportunity once again this summer for GREEN Teamers to be readers during the first part of the 9:30am worship service.

Important: If your child wishes to be involved with either/both helping with Summer Spark Sunday School or serving as a worship service reader, please print and complete the GREEN Team registration form on the GREEN Team page on the NUMC website (www.newark-umc.org/wp/green-team/), and return it to the Christian Education (CE) office in Rm110 as soon as possible.

Sunday School lessons in the summer months will be geared toward younger children. Youngsters who are entering grade 4 and above and who are not helping with GREEN Team tasks will be more appropriately served by remaining in the worship service with their families.

GREEN Teamers who are serving on a specific Sunday should wear their team t-shirt. If your child does not have a t-shirt, or if his/her shirt needs replacing, please stop by the CE office. If any children are scheduled to be on duty but suddenly cannot find their t-shirt, please try to dress them in something green, and have them come to the CE office for a team name tag. Occasionally, there may be a loaner-shirt available for the morning.

Summer Adult Learning Opportunity begins May 31

Sunday mornings after the 9:30 worship service (about 10:45); Memorial Lounge

Join us as we discuss How Jesus Became God, by Professor Bart D. Ehrman, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Bestselling author and Bible expert Bart Ehrman reveals how Jesus’s divinity became dogma in the first few centuries of the early church. The claim at the heart of the Christian faith is that Jesus of Nazareth was, and is, God. But this is not what the original disciples believed during Jesus’ lifetime—and it is not what Jesus claimed about himself. How Jesus Became God tells the story of an idea that shaped Christianity, and of the evolution of a belief that looked very different in the fourth century than it did in the first. The material is presented in 30-minute video segments followed by discussion.

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Wesley World

We have 2 lay delegates running for General and Jurisdictional Conference!

They are Roy Collins, an alumnus, former student officer, and current Wesley Board member, and Sam Mitchell, current student and Devotions Chair and future pastor. Our hopes are high for these two, since our Annual Conference theme is Equipping a New Generation. Please pray for our Conference and for all those offering to serve as delegates.

This summer we'll be doing a study (TBD) for the few folks who are around. Stay tuned

Brunch Angels: We would like to thank everyone who helped feed our students this year. Your baked goods and casseroles have gone a long, long way toward students getting a taste of home while the struggles of a difficult semester roll along. Their mothers would like to thank you for the fruit, and the veggies as well.

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Come browse Bunting Library and find lots of books for your summer reading! Books for everyone are on display for your reading pleasure (and learning). The Library also has many DVDs available, and we have just acquired quite a few that are new to our collection. Here's a sampling—there are many more!

Sea Monsters (National Geographic) Wonders of the World (Walt Disney's Legacy Collection) Sacred Planet (Walt Disney) Toy Story (Walt Disney) Forrest Gump The Hiding Place (true story of a family hiding from the Nazi madness during WWII) Unbroken (true heroic story from the WWII era) Hermie and Friends (for young children) Veggie Tale: A Lesson in Facing Hardship (another for young children) The Five People You Meet in Heaven (audio)

The library remains open this summer during NUMC’s open hours—see hours posted.

Recent Reads Book Group

Come and share books, light refreshments and delightful company.

Join us in Bunting Library on Monday, June 8 and June 13 from 1:15-2:15pm.

Women’s Summer Luncheon 2015

We had such a great day at Sinking Springs Herb Farm last summer, we decided to return this year! On June 27, any woman who is a member or friend of NUMC is welcome to attend this event, to be held at the historic Bristoll Plantation just south of Elkton. We’ll enjoy a lunch of fresh turkey salad with herbed vegetables, herbal tea, and a delicious dessert. Cost of the luncheon is $20. You also can participate in an (optional) craft activity: Christine Wiebe (“Crafts by Christine” on Facebook) will demonstrate how to make a very simple bracelet from your choice of bead colors and styles. Cost for the craft is $5.

Not into crafting? There are plenty of gardens to stroll and benches to enjoy while you chat. You could even watch the crafters!

Please consider joining our group for this pleasant outing. Only 33 slots are available; contact Donna (368-8774 x225; dhitchner@newark-umc.org) by June 22 to make your reservation.

Women’s Retreat 2015

Our deadline is approaching for the Retreat Team to give numbers to the kind people at Black Rock Retreat Center, a lovely location about 40 minutes north of Newark in Quarryville, PA.

If you are considering attending this year’s retreat on Friday, October 9 (check-in any time after 4pm) through Sunday, October 11 (back in Newark around 2pm), please tell a team member as soon as possible.

The NUMC website has more information regarding the cost of the trip (includes 5 meals, Saturday breakfast through Sunday lunch). Fundraising will continue through September to make the cost as affordable as possible. We recommend that attendees make installment payments between now and the end of September to total at least $100, to keep the final payment manageable. For more information, call Donna (368-8774 x225).

Sign-up forms are on the NUMC website (http://newark-umc.org/wp/2015-womens-retreat/), or you can stop by the CE office any Sunday in June. Save your space—the sooner the better!

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OUTREACH

Donations for Go-Bags

In the 8 years that the Newark Empowerment Center has been in operation, there has been a steady increase in clients. Daily attendance ranges from 30 to as many as 50, and most clients receive a Go-Bag on departure—each bag contains soup/stew/pasta cup with pop-top, fruit cup, peanut butter/cheese crackers, and beverage. With your support, the Outreach Team provides 250 Go-Bags for the NEC three times each year: February, June and October.

We invite you to help us fill this month’s Go-Bags. Our greatest need is for canned stews, soups, and pasta cups. You may leave your

donations at the reception desk: please drop

them off by June 5. Thanks as always for your generous support of this ministry.

Special Giving Sunday

The total for the Native American envelope offering was $504. Thank you, NUMC family, for your generous contributions to the Special Giving Sundays!

BELIEVERS IN ACTION

Our Challenge

When you have challenged yourself to do something then achieved that goal, didn’t it feel great?! Or perhaps the goal you set was too lofty and you gave up…how did you handle that?

In many work environments, the leader requires that we set a limited number of attainable

goals and one “stretch” (a.k.a. growth) goal.

God is the leader (and much more!) in our “limited liability partnership”, and just as a wise employer/leader wants us to grow without frustration, so God wants us to grow without caving in to frustration, recognizing that through faith we can set and achieve those attainable goals even while making progress toward the “stretch” goals.

Among the challenges NUMC faces is that of being responsible with its financial resources. This certainly feels familiar, since it is a challenge in our personal lives, as well! Our Believers in Action Team challenges us to:

Consider that Christ sacrificed his life for us!

Prayerfully re-examine your financial pledge to NUMC ministries:

Is it attainable?

Could you have stretched more for

growth?

What attainable sacrifice would you need to make to increase your giving by $0.25/day = $1.75/week = $91/year? (Watch for suggestions from fellow members of your church family!)?

If you are not already tithing, take a step closer to giving back to God 10% of your income and challenge yourself to living comfortably on the 90% you keep!

If you haven’t already done so (or if you are accepting this challenge for increased giving), please send in your pledge card as soon as possible. You’ll be helping yourself commit to this attainable goal, as well as helping NUMC in its fiscal stewardship!

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Emmanuel Dining Room:

Cookies Needed

We are asking for pre-packaged store-bought cookies to fulfill our monthly commitment to Emmanuel Dining Room. We appreciate your help in bringing these to the church office by 9am on Thursday, June 18, July 23

Questions? Call 368-8774.

NUMC’s Diane Brahy making a difference with Habitat for Humanity

DELAWARE PRIDE FESIIVAL—AUGUST 1 at Legislative Hall, Dover, DE

NUMC’s Social Justice LGBTQ Inclusion Team will host a table at the Festival’s information fair, sharing the wonderful work of our congregation as we Radiate God’s Love.

To join us, or for more information, contact Ruth Oatman (roatman2@earthlink.net) or Lys Murray (lysbetj@gmail.com).

CREATION CARE

NUMC’s Environmental Stewardship Team has collected a number of useful links to help our members make responsible choices that honor God’s call to us as stewards of His creation. Visit the NUMC website to learn more about

Interfaith Power and Light Energize Delaware Home Performance

Program Delaware Weatherization Assistance

Program (WAP) Delaware Green for Green Program Delaware Energy Office’s Green Energy

Grant Program Delaware Environmental Summit

SOCIAL JUSTICE @ NUMC

69 East Main Street Newark, DE 19711-4645 www.newark-umc.org 302-368-8774 Return Service Requested

Parish Notes Deadline July 15—email parishnotes@newark-umc.org

ANNUAL CHURCH CONFERENCE Tuesday, June 23 at 7pm

Election of key leadership, along with Trustees

Celebration of Ministries

Led by Wilmington District Superintendent Rev. Derrick Porter