NEW HANOVER UMCNEW HANOVER UMC

April/May 2020 Newsletter

Inside this Issue:

Pastor’s ViewPoint

Stephen Ministry Commissioning

News from the Nurturing Center

Help Stock Preston’s Pantry

People Talk

RightNow Media

Church Calendar

*Please note, that the church office is currently closed and all events have been cancelled until further notice due to the Coronavirus (COVID19) pandemic.

May 10 - Mother’s Day!

May 25 - Memorial Day, Office Closed

Online Worship Service - Sundays at 9am

During these unprecedented times, you can still worship with us at New Hanover UMC. Here are three ways to join us each Sunday at 9:00 am.

Website: Our website is the easiest way to watch. Visit newhanoverumc.org and click Livestream. If using a phone, press the menu button on the top left to find it.

YouTube: Search New Hanover UMC on YouTube. Then subscribe and click the bell for notifications. When we are live look for the video with “Live” in the

Many aspects of our society have been affected as our country tries to manage the Corona Virus outbreak. Church was not immune to this impact but ministries such as Life Groups became an important part of supporting and caring for each other in a time of crisis.

Fortunately, technology provided creative ways to connect and many Life Groups continued to meet virtually during the church-wide Spiritual Growth Campaign, 24 Hours that changed the World by UMC Pastor Adam Hamilton.

Pastor Ricky’s Life Group used “Zoom” to meet and he shared that the people in his group really appreciated meeting remotely because they were able to share their experiences, express concerns and pray while being supportive of each other in uncertain times, in addition to doing the Bible study. There was a learning curve using the “Zoom” technology but with flexibility and patience, and some laughs, they got through it!

My Life Group helped donate food,

Join a Life Group and Stay Connected Virtually by Heather Wallace, Director of Life Groups

personal care items and clothing to City Light, where the ‘unsheltered homeless’ live in tents, abandoned buildings, parking garages or out in the open.

Despite these trying times, Life Groups continue to be communities of faith and support to offer hope and light when our world seems dark and chaotic.

If you are interested in joining a Life Group, contact Heather Wallace at heatherw@newhanoverumc.org

Beginning Sunday, April 19, Pastor Ricky will begin preaching on a new 6 week sermon series by Adam Hamilton, Unafraid: Living with Courage and Hope in Uncertain Times. If your Life Group

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Facebook: Like the New Hanover UMC Facebook page. Each week when we are streaming it should show up in your feed. Visit our page and scroll down if it doesn’t.

After the service ends you’ll be able to watch on demand on all 3 platforms throughout the week.

Pastor’s ViewPoint

Senior Pastor, José “Ricky” Ayala

On April 13, we hit the one month marker since getting directives on how to deal with and/or avoiding the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). We have all been impacted one way or another. Our church has received word about layoffs, families needing food or assistance to pay utilities, some are in hospitals or at home while they overcome an illness not related to the coronavirus, etc. Add to that list the emotional toll that is being felt all around us. Several of you have openly shared with me the fears, worries, pain, and hurt that you or someone you know is experiencing throughout these trying times. Thank you for your honesty as sometimes it’s hard to really say what we are feeling because it may make us look “weak.” For me, doing so makes you “real.” I believe that our next sermon series Unafraid: Living with Courage and Hope in Uncertain Times will be a blessing to all of us in the midst of what we are going through. We will continue to provide an online worship presence on Sundays at 9am. Let me take a moment to add that our sanctuary setting and the way we will deliver our online worship service will be different throughout this series. However, I believe you will still be blessed because

our focus will not change. It will still be on the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

As sons and daughters of the Living God, we must remember that in the midst of everything, God remains in control. Ever since biblical times, we read how God delivered His people from many things they went through and with every fiber in my being, I believe God will deliver us from this as well. In defeating death after His crucifixion, Jesus holds the keys for deliverance from hell, death, fears, worry, pain, hurt…you name it! Let’s continue to call upon the name

of Jesus. Let’s worship Him. Let’s have the courage and hope to face the future unafraid.

In this together, Pastor Jose “Ricky” Ayala

Cotinued from page 1... Join a Life Group and Stay Connected Virtually

would like to join this 6-week Bible study, here is how you can participate:

• Watch New Hanover UMC Sunday church service LIVE Stream on Facebook or YouTube.

• Complete the study guide questions that go along with the sermon. If your group does this study, let me know and I will e-mail you the weekly study guides for you to forward to

your group.

• Meet as a Life group on “Zoom” or “Google Hangouts” until we have permission to begin meeting in person.

The book is available on Amazon (kindle version too) if you would like to purchase it.

I look forward to beginning this new series.

Stephen Ministry Commissioning by Ana Gallardo, Director of Lay Pastors & Stephen Ministers

On March 7 and 8, New Hanover UMC commissioned 12 trained and committed Stephen Ministers. The training was led by Ana Gallardo and Nancy Niconovich. Thank you all for making this a memorable day for the newly commissioned Stephen Ministers: Randy Boldizar, Lori Carbo, Anthony Cariola, Mark Cassel, Fay Crowell, Randy Graber, Yvonne Grebe, Janice Lee, Jen Lloyd, Dave Reppert, Missy Swanson & Crystal Thomas.

They are now available along with the team of current Stephen Ministers and Lay Pastors: Don Brennan, Joanne Cushman, Dory Erb, Deb Fryer, Ana Gallardo, Darlene Gardner, Susan Graper, Dick Hatfield, Jean Hatfield, Mary Hess, Verna Lawson, Meda Maron-Kulscher, Paul Miller, Nancy Niconovich, Louise Petro, Helen Reichert, Ralph

Ritter, Dan Robison, Pat Weisel, Barb Westwood, Susan Wolbert to assist the Pastoral staff in providing the congregation with distinctively Christian care.

If you are facing a difficult life circumstance and would like a Christ-centered caring Stephen Minister to confidentially, share your journey, for as long as it takes (up to 2 years); or if you would like to learn more about Lay Pastors & Stephen Ministry please contact Ana Gallardo at email: ana@newhanoverumc.org

People Talk

RightNow Media

Thank you to all the Lay Pastors and Stephen Ministers who came out to help with our Ash Wednesday Service on Wednesday, February 27.

Thank you to all the staff & volunteers who are serving behind the scenes in Worship Ministries and Tech Arts to help with our LIVE Stream services during these unprecedented times. Your dedication and commitment to our church family and our community is greatly appreciated.

Do you have Right Now Media (RNM) on your Smart TV, Smart Phone or Computer?

RightNow Media is an app that gives you instant access to thousands of Bible study videos and kid’s episodes. Powerful Biblical video content anywhere, anytime for you and your family!

New Hanover UMC has a church-wide subscription, so anyone in our church can access it for free!

For people who are interested email Heather Wallace at heatherw@newhanoverumc.org. RNM will send you an e-mail invitation to join their app, then you need to set up a user name and password to access it.

Help Stock Preston’s Pantry!

Donations are being collected weekly for Preston’s Pantry Monday - Friday from 8:00 am - 2:00 pm outside the church office (look for Pastor Gil’s red truck). The Pantry is run by Boyertown Area Multi-Service. They are currently accepting all non-perishable food items, especially cleaning and personal care items.

Food: Jelly, pancake mix, syrup, rice, crackers instant mashed potatoes, condiments, hamburger helper meal kits,

kids snacks, meat meals (Chef Boyardee)

Cleaning & Personal Care: Paper towels, size 6 diapers, toothbrushes, men’s deodorant, dish soap & cleaning supplies

New Hanover UMC, wants to thank everyone who has already donated to this cause. We are FOR our Neighbors!

News from the Nurturing Center by Dory Erb

The Nurturing Center said a sad goodbye to Rachel Yednock this month. Rachel served as the assistant in the Nurturing Center since August of 2018. She is pursuing a career in nursing and has the opportunity to take a new job that will give her invaluable experience as she moves toward her professional goal. Rachel was loved by me, our children, and our youth. She will be missed, and we are sorry to see her go but wish her all the best in this new phase of her life.

With the goodbye to Rachel, the Nurturing Center extends a warm welcome to its new assistant, Nikki Marshall. The next time we are safely back in the Nurturing Center, Nikki will be supervising at the 10:30 am service.

Nikki has been a faithful volunteer in the Nurturing Center, volunteering two Sundays a month, so I am sure the transition will be a natural one.

Nikki is married to Jake Marshall, New Hanover UMC’s Pastor for Worship. Nikki and Jake moved here from Massachusetts and together have five children, Emma, Abby, Nate, Charlotte, and Ben.

We are so blessed they landed at New Hanover UMC. Nikki loves babies, and she has such a kind and loving nature. I know she will be a blessing to our Nurturing Center family, and I am looking forward to serving with her. When we return to church, stop down and say hello and welcome Nikki to the Nurturing Center. Blessings and prayers for good health.

Nikki Marshall

New Hanover UMC

New Hanover UMC2211 Swamp PikeGilbertsville, PA 19525

Address Service Requested

610-323-2353 - Church 610-327-9096 - Creative Moments

610-327-9207 - FaxE-mail: info@newhanoverumc.org

Web Site: www.newhanoverumc.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/

NewHanoverUMC

José “Ricky” Ayala, Pastor

Gil Vining, Pastor for Outreach

Todd Pearage, Pastor for Students& Their Families

Jake Marshall, Pastor for Worship

Rob Petro, Pastor for Congregational Care

Curt Erb, Coordinator of Human & Financial Resources

Amy Bates, KidMin Director

Heather Wallace, Director of Life Groups

Kristin Schmidt, Creative Moments Director

Ana Gallardo, Coordinator of Lay Pastor & Stephen Ministers

Liz Buckwalter, Administrative Manager, SeedSower Editor

The Sandy Cove Women’s Retreat was a fun and meaningful experience for all attendees. It was our largest turnout yet with a registration of 97! The weekend focused on the theme of Ephesians 2:10, We Are God‘s Masterpiece.

God provided a new and larger chapel space for our activities which included wonderful teaching, awesome worship, hilarious skits, small groups and time alone with God. We laughed and enjoyed our breakout sessions including a special concert, rock painting, Bible journaling and country line dancing (which was a huge hit)! It was a time to connect with old and new friends and enjoy walking on the beautiful grounds bordering the Chesapeake Bay.

On Sunday we shared in communion, worship and prayer while we reaffirmed God‘s love for us and his intentional design and purpose for our lives. God‘s presence was felt throughout and we were all so thankful for a chance to draw closer to him.

2020 Women’s Retreat Recap by Pam Yanusko