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…you should become fools so that

you may become wise. (1 Cortinthians 18b) appy April Fools Day!

Did anyone play a “fool’ on you – or did you “fool” someone with a good prank? I hope so! April Fools Day is a great chance to have some harmless fun with a well-planned “trick” or “fool”. Maybe it’s got something to do with being cooped up inside over long, dreary winter days but there is a spirit of excitement and new energy in the spring that reenergizes us, makes us more playful, and causes us to laugh more easily. And so, we have the custom of starting the first day of the first full month of spring with a day set aside for playing tricks. Now, I admit when I was a child, my tricks were pretty simple – usually involving a plastic or paper spider suspended on a string to dangle over my “victims” head or placed on their pillow to scare or “fool” them. But some April Fools tricks are a lot more complicated. For example, have you ever seen a spaghetti tree? Rumor has it that they were growing in Switzerland in 1957 – on April 1st, of course! Did you know that the Liberty Bell has been sold to Taco Bell and has been renamed the Liberty Taco Bell? This was an April Fools Day prank sponsored by Taco Bell a while back that got some people so upset they were ready to march on Washington to protest the sale of our national treasures! Or, have you heard that in London there is an annual washing of the lions event at the Zoo which only ticket holders who enter by the correct entrance are allowed to see? The lion washing prank dates back to the 1600’s - when there were actually lions living at the Tower of London. They were moved to the London Zoo in the 1800’s but there never was any annual washing event at either location. It was a prank that was played on unsuspecting first time visitors to the city – on April 1st each year for more than 100 years. But where does the idea of the prankster and the fool come from? Fools – like court jesters – were part of the courts of kings in Europe starting in the medieval times. These court jesters provided entertainment and would often poke fun at serious matters with humorous actions, songs, poems, and jokes. It was a tricky business being a jester because of course you could only push the king so far with your humor and offending the king was very, very dangerous. So, the jester walked a tight line between

NEW YORK/CONNECTICUT DISTRICT

Rev. Elizabeth J Ott, District Superintendent Chan Gillham, Administrative Assistant P.O. Box 3007 Stamford, CT 06905 203 348-9181 [email protected]

April 2013 Edition

A publication of The New York/Connecticut District, of the New York Annual Conference, of the United Methodist Church Marilyn McCarter, editor 34 Kelly Lane Pine Island, NY 10969 845 258-4361 [email protected]

Continued on page 2

~2~ NY/CT Connector April 2013

truth and humor. The wise and long-lived jesters soon learned that it was best to make themselves the brunt of their jokes. Still, historically, jesters were also believed to have a certain simple wisdom and to be divinely touched with special insight. In fact, kings sometimes talked to their jesters about their concerns and received advice on the management of the kingdom from the wise/fool. So it seems, Paul was writing about being something like a “court jester” for Christ when he wrote this letter to the early church in Corinth. Corinth was a very sophisticated city, full of well-educated world travelers along with visitors from far off lands. Though the rulers of the empire were in Rome, their powerful police force was everywhere – the Roman army – and the soldiers did their jobs with typical Roman efficiency – which was often abusive to the local people. Pagan temples with their cultic worship practices could be found all over the city and they were vast money-making enterprises with lots of powerful support among the people of Corinth. And, of course, everyone paid the “offering” to the emperor who had made himself a god. There were so many powerful forces to deal with in Corinth, so many people who needed to be pleased, so many different ideas and beliefs about the gods of the day, and so many wisdom beliefs for people to choose from. It was into this city that Paul came to deliver the good news of Jesus Christ – a story about a Jewish man who was the Son of God, crucified by the Romans, and risen from the dead. The sophisticated people of Corinth were scandalized by the foolishness of the story. They could accept that a simple man might be God’s son – they had similar stories in their own tales of the Greek gods. And they could accept that God’s son could rise from the dead. That possibility was not completely foreign to them. No. It was the cross that scandalized them – in Paul’s words. The scandal of it is the ugliness of the cross and the fact that it was a weapon of torture used to kill slaves, murderers, and the worst of the worst kind of criminals. How could God’s Son be killed on a cross? To the people Paul was writing to, any son of a god would die a hero’s death, perhaps on a field of battle or in some other way that was more fitting. Who would follow this kind of god – a god who would die on a cross! Only a fool would believe this story! So, Paul says – to be a Christian– be a fool. A fool for Christ. A wise fool. A fool who uses all their skills to share the good news in a world that still thinks it is wise without the Gospel and finds the truth of Christ hard to accept. To be this kind of fool for Christ is to be like the early disciples after the resurrection who told the truth of the gospel to all who would listen. They had a joy- full and childlike way of seeing things around them, with new eyes, with new fresh outlooks, with a love for God and neighbor in their hearts. They may not have been “April fools” but they were “Easter fools”. Fools for Jesus. Fearless - like children are without fear. Trusting - like children are trusting. Happy - with the simple things of life like children are happy with simple pleasures. And because of their courage, trust, and simplicity, people heard the story of the God of love who played the greatest “trick” of all by shattering the power of death once and for all through the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. What better reason to be a fool – not just for April Fool’s Day, of course but a true fool, a wise fool, a fool for Christ? After Easter is the time to ask - in what way is God calling me to be a fool for Christ? Perhaps by letting go of worldly wisdom and accepting a more simple approach to faith? Or by trusting God with the childlike trust of the early disciples? Or in moving into a deeper way of loving God and neighbor as children love – with openness and honesty? After Easter is a great time to let go and be a jester – a fool for God! Because now we are reminded through the great celebration of Easter day once again – Christ has died, Christ is risen, and Christ will come again! Happy Easter Fool! Blessings,

Betsy

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NYAC dates of note: Achieving Your Missional Church – St Stephen’s Lutheran Church, Hicksville, NY Saturday, April 20, 9:30am – 3pm UMM 14th Annual Meeting “Bishop’s Luncheon” –New Rochelle UMC Saturday, April 27, 12 -3pm ANNUAL CONFERENCE – Hoftstra University, June 5 - 8

The New York Annual Conference through the grace of God embodies a beloved community of hope, building up a healthy Body of Christ, with heart-warmed

United Methodists in mission for the transformation of the world.

NY/CT DISTRICT NOW ON FACEBOOK See link below or search for New York – Connecticut District. Please "like" the page and you can follow all the latest District news on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/nyctdistrict

NY/CT UPCOMING DATES

NYAC Bishop’s Cabinet: (District Superintendent attends) – April 9 & 10; April 16 & 17 NY/CT DISTRICT CONFERENCE – Drew UMC Sunday, April 21, 5pm Sower Financial Planning Workshop – Monroe, NY UMC Sunday April 14, 11:30am – 2pm Our American Heritage – Jesse Lee Memorial Saturday, April 27, 9am – 3:30pm

The DS is in the office, schedule permitting, on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Wednesday is reserved for Cabinet Meetings and Friday is her customary day off.

To reach Betsy, you may email her at [email protected], call the district office at 203-348-9181 or her cell phone at 914-584-3872. .

Emails and phone messages are answered at the earliest opportunity.


CALL TO DISTRICT CONFERENCE… All in the NY/CT District are invited to participate in the

SUNDAY, APRIL 21st The celebration will open at 5:00 pm with a hymn sing and include:

Inspiring Worship Recognition of new & renewed Lay Servants Recognition of District Confirmands Theintroductionofscholarshipopportunitiesforyouthmissionevents. Election of District Officers

And, in true Methodist tradition…

Will conclude with a POTLUCK DINNER

DREW UMC 28GleneidaAvenueCarmel,NY

Registration not required, but helpful for planning If possible, provide the district office a "head count" from your church by Thursday 4/18

203 348-9181 [email protected]


OUT & ABOUT the District

Hymn of the Month –the “Tax Payer’s Hymn” I Surrender All #354

First UMC, Stamford provided Easter Baskets to the children of Covenant to Care for Children, a Bloomfield, CT based organization. These children are either in foster care or with a family that does not have the means to provide a basket for their children. The money collected from the Lenten Offering was used to purchase food gift cards for Covenant to Care families to help them purchase food for their Easter dinner. Covenant to Care for Children mobilizes and channels the generosity of caring and faithful people to advocate for, mentor and provide direct assistance to Connecticut's children and youth who are neglected, abused or at-risk.

First UMC, Stamford Cross Road Crier Highland Mills UMC opened its doors to the community to bring the great stories of the Bible to life with “The Bible 30-Day Church Experience,” based on the epic TV miniseries THE BIBLE. The TV miniseries aired on five Sunday evenings from March 3rd on the History Channel, and concluded Easter Sunday. Each Tuesday evening Highland Mills UMC held a roundtable study group focused on the miniseries. Rev. Darlene E.R. Resling also used the study as basis of a special sermon series in the weeks leading up to Easter.

Highland Mills UMC The Valley Voice

The children of Katonah UMC collected money during Lent for Imagine No Malaria. They took collections each Sunday during children’s time, and held a special bake sale during fellowship hour. They also learned that just a few years ago, someone in the world died every thirty seconds, but as a result of Imagine No Malaria, that number has been cut in half. Check out www.imaginenomalaria.org

Katonah UMC The Focus

Trinity-Boscobel UMC has committed to a schedule of providing dinners for a homeless shelter in Peekskill, NY. A project of Caring for the Homeless of Peekskill Inc, Jan Peek House is a 19-bed facility for the area’s homeless men and women. It is open 365 days a year providing shelter, food and a conduit to comprehensive support services.

Trinity-Boscobel UMC The Tower

The UMW of Vail’s Gate UMC provided Easter Joy baskets with gifts to Project Life for 14 foster children are looking forward to finding a home in the near future. Project Life (Living Independently For Everyone) provides shelter, support and ongoing services for homeless families in Orange County.

Vail’s Gate UMC The Vail’s Gate Visitor

Continued next page


OUT & ABOUT the District continued… Members of the Poughkeepsie UMC Healing Prayer Team held a Prayer Walk at noon on Good Friday. The “walkers” spent time praying for all of the ministries and groups and property of PUMC, while meditating on Good Friday. For those who preferred, the Sanctuary was open for quiet prayer.

Poughkeepsie UMC The Journey

The Sunday School children of East Avenue UMC are mission minded and for the Lenten season, they’ve got their minds on Heifer International (http://heifer.org/). Heifer International's mission is to work with communities to end hunger and poverty and care for the earth. The kids are looking to raise money to purchase some animals to give to families in need. They kicked of the project dressing up as different kinds of animals on Sunday, February 17, in order to announce to the congregation about this mission project.

East Avenue UMC EAUMC Events

Send articles and pictures for publication in the Connector to: [email protected] and

ADD TO YOUR NEWSLETTER DISTRIBUTION LIST.

Connectional Worship Opportunities It’s true. You have not one, not two, not three, but FOUR opportunities to share your Spiritual Gifts at District Connectional Worship Celebrations in 2013.

Please join your District Worship Sub-committee as a member or offer your specific assistance in one or more of these great celebrations:

April 21: District Annual Conference August 10: Youth Epworth Conference

October 5: Great Day of Methodist Singing December T/B/D: Advent Service

Contact:

Pastor Sung Moy, Pastoral Co-Chair ([email protected]) Bill Listwan, Lay Co-Chair ([email protected]) Warren Whitlock, Hospitality/Recorder ([email protected])


In the Spring of 2012, funded by $700 from offering made at the Celebration of the appointment of our new District Superintendent, Rev. Betsy Ott and a gift of $3000 from Warwick UMC, the District Council on Ministries put out a call for Evangelism grant applications. Eight churches were awarded grants. Here are the requests and reports on three of those grants:

Grace UMC of Newburgh – Summer outdoor movies. An evangelism project in the neighborhood around the church starting with an existing event, a summer outdoor barbecue, but expanding to weekly movies, giving children a safe place to go to on Fridays and offering Christ through actions and words.

Using funds from the Evangelism Grant, Grace UMC hosted community-wide, free "Family Movie Night" events on four different Friday evenings during the Summer of 2012. These were advertised locally with neighborhood fliers, church announcements and through social media. These events were open-air viewings of newly released family movies, featuring films such as "Happy Feet Two", "Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked", "How to Train Your Dragon" and "We Bought a Zoo". A white screen was created on the outside of the church building, and families brought their own lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy a movie under the stars. Popcorn and lemonade were provided free of charge. These events addressed our outreach goals of expanding our scope within the immediate neighborhood of Grace UMC. The church serves very few of the actual members of its surrounding community, and the goal was to provide a very welcoming format that emphasizes our commitment to the community and its families. In addition to our church and Youth Group members, movies were enjoyed by neighbors “just passing by”, who saw the scenes up on the outside wall, or heard the soundtrack over the speakers. The free refreshments sealed the deal.

The attendance was generally about 25-30 people or so, which we feel made the events worthwhile. There

was one week when the weather did not cooperate, so the movie was shown in the gym in our educational building. This event, of course, did not get the “street pull” that the outdoor events did. Each event began with a short prayer, led by Grace UMC’s Pastor Mike. If we were to continue this type of event, we would consider other advertising venues to publicize the event more. We would also reconsider/reconfigure the outdoor venue, which was hampered a bit by the outdoor lighting that is necessary to maintain safety.

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Highland Mills UMC – Sowing Seeds of Love. A mix of evangelism supplies for use in town festivals and picnics, along with prayer request boxes for placement in local businesses.

Feed them, clothe them, meet their needs then preach the gospel. Our actions, how we behave in the presence of strangers, is how a community can be influenced for the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself said the poor will be with us always. But just because someone may be economically poor momentarily, does not mean they have to live that way forever. And they certainly do not have to live spiritually poor. Jesus came so that we may have life and life abundant through a relationship with Him.

Highland Mills UMC’s outreach was a direct result of a relationship that was built through our church food pantry. Sometimes people who need assistance don't have transportation to get to the food pantry. A member of the Evangelism Team volunteered to deliver food to a family in need. God began a work as she delivered food to this needy family month after month. She began to see a greater need in the Mobile Home Park where she was delivering the food and brought her thoughts to the Evangelism Team. And through this the Mobile Home Park Outreach was birthed.

I heard someone once say that 90% of ministry is simply showing up. If you've ever wondered how God can use you to share your faith with another person through this thing called, “evangelism” just show up. God's Spirit will lead you and direct you in the way you should go.

Prior to the event we met with the owner and office manager of the Park and asked if we could hold our outreach on the premises in a common area. They were happy to accommodate and helped distribute fliers to the residents prior to the

event. On Sunday, June 24th 2012 our Evangelism Team and 22 fellow members of our congregation went to the Mobile Home Park and created an atmosphere of love and fun for young and old alike. We, “evangelized” the afternoon away through grilling food, painting children's smiling faces, playing games with the children, making bracelets, handing out Bibles and tracts. Shopping bags were given to families to take home that contained cereal, juice and toilet tissue. So many conversations took place that day amongst the people there. Relationships were established. The most memorable part of the day was seeing a pair of children's

worn, broken flip flops thrown into the garbage can and the smiles of the children as they ran through the park wearing new flip flops. Truly it's the small things, the simplest things, in life that can bring about so much love, so much hope, and hopefully – change. The owner of the park was with us for part of the day. He wanted to know if we would come back again. We couldn't make any promises but for those of us who were there and for our loving congregation back home who prayed us through that day, we are grateful. Those who leave everything in God's hands will eventually see God's hands in everything. (Evangelism Team member Carrie Doscher) note: As a result of the success of this event

and the relationships developed, Highland Mills UMC recently completed a school supply drive for the children of their community.

Evangelism grants continued…


East Ave UMC of Norwalk – Oyster Festival Evangelism Booth. Will expand the funnel cakes booth EAUMC has at the annual Oyster Festival by providing outreach including Christian music and manning a booth with volunteers who can offer a free listening ear and prayer for anyone who has a need, with an invitation to worship w/ EAUMC.

It was with great excitement that we received the grant from the Evangelism Grant Committee. East Avenue United Methodist Church has made evangelism outreach an integral part of its visioning worship and vision statement.

EAST AVENUE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IS A COMMUNITY WHERE GOD’S LOVE FOR US THROUGH JESUS CHRIST IS RECEIVED, PRAISED, NURTURED, EXEMPLIFIED, AND

SHARED WITH EACH OTHER AND THE WORLD. Our evangelism project was to add a prayer booth/evangelism tent to the side of our existing Funnel Cake booth at the Norwalk Oyster Festival. The plan was to purchase a tent, portable sound system, children’s toys with Christian emphasis, and acquire Gospel of John handouts. We also had an evangelism trainer come speak during a Sunday morning service to help prepare us for the weekend event as well as being trained in the evangelism session of Call To Action. In addition, Kenny Aaron, a guitarist and evangelistic singer out of NYC volunteered his CDs to be played during the festival. He also attended Saturday to perform live but was preempted by a wind storm. The tent was lent to us by a parishioner reducing costs so we were able to proceed with the program and hold costs to amount of grant. The weekend event was a great success. As parents waited for their funnel cakes to cook, we invited their children to the side tent where the “Faith Fishing Pond” was set up. The children dropped their lines behind the walls and pulled out a package of children’s gifts and evangelism trinkets. As the parents joined the children, we engaged them in conversations about their faith or church and offered them the Book of John handout. The outreach also engulfed teens who were attracted to the contemporary and significant covers of the Gospel of John handouts. Even though weather caused the Oyster Festival to close on the busiest night and destroyed our side tent, every bag of gifts (145) and all but five gospels were given out. There

were at least two volunteers available at all times to greet the children and parents. Sunday we were up and running again without a tent to cover us.

It was a wonderful first experience for our church and thoughts are we will continue and expand it to not only the Oyster Festival but to other events that our church takes part in.

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Mark 16:15 NIV

Evangelism grants continued…

Our American Methodist Heritage

Come learn about Methodism’s

big message, big story,

and big struggles.

Class Leader: Jerry M. Eyster, Certified Lay Servant

A program for all United Methodists.

9:00 a. m. to 3:30 p.m.

Saturday,

April 27, 2013

Jesse Lee Memorial

United Methodist Church

207 Main St. Ridgefield, CT 06877

Program sponsored by NY/CT District Lay Servant

Ministries – for details contact Elaine Winward at

[email protected]

$15 registration fee Doors open at 8:30 a.m.

$5 for lunch or bring your own Advanced Course Credit


2013 Woodsmoke at Kingswood

Youth Camp for 5th-12th Grades

Two one-week programs are available for youths entering 5-12th grades in the Fall of 2013.

Week 1 - July 14-20 2013 Week 2 - July 21-27 2013

Scholarship assistance available For additional information contact Julie Wityk at 212-569-1599 or

www.kingswoodcampsite.org


Harry Denman Evangelism Award for 2013 For more than thirty years, The Foundation for Evangelism has been privileged to work with each Annual Conference in celebrating the outstanding personal evangelism and commitment of United Methodist CLERGY, LAITY and YOUTH to “Offer Them Christ” by sponsoring the prestigious Harry Denman Evangelism Award.

All nomination materials for the 2013 Harry Denman Evangelism Award may be downloaded from The Foundation for Evangelism (www.foundationforevangelism.org under “recognition”) or call 800 737-8333 to receive information by mail. Send nominations to:

Ann Pearson, Director of Connectional Ministries New York Annual Conference 20 Soundview Avenue White Plains, NY 10606

THE DUE DATE FOR THE NOMINATIONS IS APRIL 15, 2013

The Shirley Parris Service Award For Exceptional, Uncompensated Service to the United Methodist Connection

Nominees should exemplify the selfless and loving example of Ms. Shirley Parris, whose lifelong devotion to Jesus Christ was expressed through her service to the local church, the New York Annual Conference and the Jurisdictional and General Conferences of the United Methodist Church. A resolution recommending this award was unanimously passed at the 2011 New York Annual Conference.

Nominees may be either lay or clergy persons who have demonstrated a consistent pattern of faithful, uncompensated service and tireless devotion to Jesus Christ and the United Methodist connection. Each nomination should include a descriptive resume of that individual’s service to his or her local church, the district, annual conference, jurisdiction and the general church. The nomination form and instructions are available on-line at the Conference website www.nyac.com.

Completed nominations should be forwarded to: Renata Smith, Conference Lay Leader

THE DUE DATE FOR THE NOMINATIONS IS MAY 1, 2013


A Workshop presented by the Parish Resource Centers of Long Island,

New York Conference of the United Methodist Church Metropolitan Synod of the ELCA

Achieving Your Missional Church Workshop Leader: Joy Skjegstad Saturday, April 20 from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, 270 S. Broadway, Hicksville, NY

Being "missional" means thinking of the people in your community as being "in your church." How do you build relationships with them? How can your church partner with and serve the community around you? Join us for a day of training and discussion about how churches can move from a vision of being missional into the reality of really connecting with the community. This day of training will cover the following topics:

• "Meet the Neighbors"--10 Easy Ways to Connect to Your Community • Ways to build community ministry into the fabric of your congregation • Creative models for ministry including mobilizing volunteers, developing partnerships, and starting

a nonprofit at your church, including steps to implementation and case studies from real congregations.

• Effective strategies for getting church members out of the pews and into the community • Funding and partnership ideas

To register call Parish Resource Center at 631-821-2255

email us at [email protected], or visit our website at www.prcli.org

Subscriber Pricing

Group Size The Early Bird Price,

Register by April 6 The Regular Price

Register after April 6 Individual $65 pp $75 pp 2-5 (Same Church) $55 pp $65 pp 6+ (Same Church) $45 pp $55 pp

A $30 per-person scholarship is being offered by the NY Conference of the United Methodist Church. Each person will receive this discount off the rate above.

Joy Skjegstad, author of Winning Grants to Strengthen Your Ministry (Alban Institute 2007), Starting A Nonprofit At Your Church (Alban Institute 2002) and Seven Models for Community Ministry (Judson Press 2013), is a national speaker and consultant on nonprofit management and ministry development. She has more than 25 years of experience starting and growing nonprofit organizations, including serving as the Executive Director of the Park Avenue Foundation at Park

Avenue United Methodist Church and as the founder of the Institute for Ministry Leaders, a university-based training program that builds the management capacity of churches and other ministry organizations. She also served as the President of Sanctuary Community Development Corporation and has held a variety of other leadership positions with non-profits in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.

Fourteenth Annual NYAC - UMM

Our “Bishops Luncheon” is held to honor

Bishop Martin D. McLee

“Inside Out”Saturday, April 27, 2013 from 12:00 - 3:30pm

This Years Luncheon will be held at;

New Rochelle, United Methodist Church 1200 North Avenue, New Rochelle, NY 0804

“Join Men from around this conference & bring your pastor”

Directions to the church and Registration form are on Page Two

Enclose this Registration form & your check made payable to: "NYAC UMM." Mail both of these to: John Lemon, Financial Secretary, 645 Westchester Ave., Apt. 17C, Bronx, NY 10455, (917) 365-7850

Registration Form

Your Name _________________________________________ Day time phone # _____________________

Address _______________________________________, ___________________________, ______, ___________

The Church you Attend __________________________________________________________________

(Use the back of this Registration Form for additional attendees)

New Rochelle, United Methodist Church 1200 North Avenue, New Rochelle, NY 0804

Cross County Pkwy / Hutchinson River Pkwy, Ext 16

__________________________________________________________________

Luncheon Donation $ 30.00

Page 2


2013 Scholarships Available Gloster B. Current Scholarship This scholarship was established in memory of Gloster B. Current, Sr. to encourage young persons of African descent to pursue careers in public service such as the ministry, social work, health care or government service. The applicant must attend an accredited institution of higher education, have leadership potential, financial need and be recommended by a pastor of a United Methodist Church. The deadline for submitting an application for the scholarship is April 20, 2013.

New York Education Society Fellowship Program The NYES Fellows and Scholars scholarship assistance supports NYAC students attending an accredited college, university, technical, professional or graduate school. Awards typically range from $500 to $1000 for each academic year. Priority is given to 1) first-time applicants, 2) students entering helping professions, and 3) those actively involved in local UMC/campus ministry programs. Deadline: May 1, 2013

The United Methodist City Society 2013 Urban Ministry Scholarship Program Scholarship Fund is designated primarily to assist those persons who are planning to enter full-time ordained ministry in a United Methodist Church with special interest in urban ministry. Scholarship Awards will be announced at the New York Annual Conference Session during the UM City Society Report. Application deadline is May 10.

General Board of Discipleship, Young People's

Ministries (National) Grants: The Youth Service Fund and the Grants for Ministries with Young People are available for ministries with young people around the world. Deadline: June 1. Scholarships:The division currently offers two scholarships: the Richard S. Smith Scholarship and the David W. Self Scholarship, for United Methodist students entering their freshman year of college in the United States. At this time the opportunity is only available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents of the United States. We are continuing to seek new ways to help young people outside of the U.S. obtain funding. Deadline: June 1.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND LINKS TO GUIDELINES AND APPLICATIONS go to http://nyac.com/pages/detail/1725


Vacation Bible School Cluster Groups

Join in on the VBS 2013 fun!

Cluster groups are forming now. How does it work? Each participating church must commit to the following criteria:

✰ The Pastor must be involved in the VBS planning and the actual program

✰ Plan and run a hospitality outreach event during and after VBS to connect with the families attending the program

✰ Promote your Sunday School during VBS and invite families from VBS to attend Sunday School and worship service

Each church will contribute $25 toward the cost of shared resources agreed upon by the cluster group. The group will determine how shared items will be transported between

participating churches. Shared items may include purchased items, decorating items, puppets, games, items made, etc.

Each church to sign up will receive a VBS starter kit for either Cokesbury's Everywhere Fun Fair VBS or Abingdon Press's Hip Hop Hope VBS. YOUR CHOICE!

You will receive the starter kit at your first cluster meeting after a commitment form is signed.

Let's get connected and make this the best VBS year ever!

Questions? Contact Cassandra Negri childrensministry@nyac-um c.com


NYACHurricane Sandy

It Is NOT a Disaster – It IS a Challenge –

& Opportunity to Serve

THE NEW YORK ANNUAL CONFERENCE UNITED METHODIST MEN ARE CALLING ALL METHODIST MEN TO ACTION—IN—MISSION.

UMM Teams will be doing both light and deep cleaning and clearing of trash and debris. We may be doing construction work such as sheet-rock removal.

The weather may be cold &/or wet, so wear appropriate clothing and footwear.

All other personal protective equipment will be provided. Breakfast and Lunch will also be provided.

ALL Volunteers should FIRST Register with NYAC Disaster Response at:

http://www.nyac.com/ or use the form on next page to register. After registration, please notify Royston Bailey with deployment dates you and/or your team would like to serve.

Disaster Relief Work team Deployment Dates for Connecticut,

New York/Connecticut & Catskill Hudson – June 1, July 6, and Aug. 10, 2013 Assemble at 8:30 AM at Freeport UMC, 46 Pine St., Freeport NY for deployment

Questions or Comments? Contact:

Royston Bailey, NYAC-UMM President, or Ernie Searle, NYAC-UMM Communications

at [email protected], cell #1-516-770-3135 [email protected], cell #1-347-512-9933

New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church

20 Soundview Avenue, White Plains, NY 10606 Telephone: 914-615-2233 Fax: 914-831-522 Email: [email protected]

NYAC Hurricane Sandy Relief Volunteer Application (please print clearly)

Personal Information:

Name: _____________________________________________ Home Phone: _________________________________

Address: _________________________________________ Cell Phone: __________________________________

City, State, Zip: _________________________________________________________________________________________

Email address: _________________________________________________________________________________________

Date of Birth: ________________ Gender:______ T-Shirt Size (adult unisex sizing): _________________________

Emergency Contact: Name: ____________________________________________ Phone: _________________________________ Experience: Occupation: ___________________________________________________ Do you hold a professional license or specialized certification (e.g. MD, RN, PE, EMT, Pastoral Counseling), explain? _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Are you CPR certified? Yes No Are you AED certified? Yes No

Are you certified in Standard First Aid? Yes No

Do you have a current UMCOR ERT Badge? Yes No If no, did you take the ERT training class and, if so, when? ______________________________________________________________________

Have you ever served on a VIM team? Yes No If so, indicate where: ______________________________________

Please check the special skills you possess and indicate applicable skill level

Dates & Times: Arrival Date & Time: _________________________________ Departure Date & Time: ______________________________ Church Affiliation: Church: __________________________________________________________________________________________

Church Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________ Church Phone #: ___________________________________________________________________________________ I understand that team members must be cooperative, flexible, and patient. I agree to cooperate with the team leader(s) concerning our life together, including daily assignments, food, lodging, transportation and any other activities involving the team as a whole. I agree to stay with the team from the beginning to end (except as excused by the team leader), to abstain from the use of alcohol and tobacco while together, and to behave in a Christian manner. __________________________________________ ____________________________ Applicant's Signature Date

Special Skill - Level Beginner Intermediate Advanced Professional

Basic Construction

Carpentry

Electrical

Masonry

Plumbing

Office/Computer

Registration Fee: $10 – includes VIM T-Shirt

Mail completed application to: NYAC Mission Office, 20 Soundview Ave., White Plains, NY 10606 or fax to: 914-615-2244

Welding event Activity Schedule:

WedneSdAy June 26 Arrive at Kingswood between 4PM-6PM. Register at the Farmhouse. Check in to your camp site. Meet and greet! 6:00PM- Dinner at your camp site 7:00PM to 9PM- History of Welding, lecture on welding safety. At the barn.

thuRSdAy June 27 8:00AM- Breakfast at your camp site 9:00AM- Hands-on demonstration of the following welding processes: SMAW (Stick welding), GTAW (Tig welding), GMAW (Mig welding), Oxy-Acetylene welding, Oxy-Acetylene cutting, Plasma Arc cutting, Torch Brazing and Soldering. nOOn- Lunch at your camp site 1:00PM- Practice welding techniques 3:00PM- Free time (Hike, swim, enjoy the beach, boats, relax) 6:00PM- Dinner at your camp site 7:00PM- Discuss ideas for individual welding projects or sculptures, and a sculpture for Kingswood

fRidAy June 28 8:00AM- Breakfast at your camp site 9:00AM- Begin welding individual projects or sculptures nOOn- Lunch at your camp site 1:00PM- Continue welding projects 4:00PM- Free time (Hike, swim, enjoy the beach, boats, relax) 6:00PM- Dinner at your camp site 7:00PM- Camp fire social

SAtuRdAy June 29 8:00AM- Breakfast at your camp site 9:00AM- Continue welding individual projects or sculptures (or sculpture for Kingswood) nOOn- Lunch at your camp site 1:00PM- Continue welding projects 4:00PM- Free time 6:00PM- Dinner at your camp site 7:00PM- Tractor-drawn Hey! Ride tour of Kingswood

SundAy June 30 8:00AM- Breakfast 9:00AM-10:30AM - Continue work on projects 11:00AM-1PM - Worship and lunch

WELDING: The Basics, and More!An Adult Camp Event at Kingswood Campsite

Wednesday, June 26 – Sunday, June 30, 2013Really! This event is for novices and experienced welders. If you’re an artist, express yourself and create a beautiful welded sculpture! The 4½ day program includes instructions and hands-on experience in welding your own metal sculpture or project. The event is led by Jim Dolan, New Jersey Chairman for the American Welding Society, a Certified Welder and Welding Inspector, with degrees in Metallurgy and Material Science, and 50 years experience. His company has been chosen to certify the welders who will create the World Trade Center Memorial.

You’ll learn welding processes, basics and safety, then practice welding under Jim’s hands-on guidance. Weld your own project, and work together to produce a massive group project. We can supply the material for small sculptures and/or bring your own SMALL project - about the size of a 5 gallon pail. And we hope the group will also choose to weld a metal sculpture for Kingswood… using pieces from old farm equipment, plows, and other stuff that’s in the fields around the barn.

The event includes lodging at an equipped tent site (accommodates up to 5 adults), and all gourmet campsite- prepared meals. You’ll need to bring a sleeping bag, or sheets, a blanket and pillows, towel, clothing for warm and cool weather, a rain jacket, a bathing suit, and your camera.

Bring cotton long sleeve shirts and slacks (no cuffs), cotton socks and boots or high-top-shoes to wear while welding. We’ll provide welding goggles, a face shield and gloves.

If you prefer, lodging is available at the nearby Hancock Hotel (at additional cost).

Visit kingswoodcampsite.org for updates.

Registration for this event ($375 per person, all-inclusive) is limited… call Holly Moore now at 845.679.5692

tentAtive Schedule:

thuRSdAy June 13 Arrive at Kingswood between 4PM-6PM. Register at the Farmhouse. Check in to your camp site. Meet and greet! 6:00PM- supper and orientation

fRidAy June 14 8:00 AM- breakfast 8:45AM- videos and book work 11:00AM- swim test and basic rescues 12:15PM- lunch 1:00PM- videos and book work 3:00PM- water time 5:30PM- supper 7:00PM- start first aid

SAtuRdAy June 15 8AM- breakfast 8:45AM- finish first aid and spinal 11AM- water review and spinal management 12:15PM- lunch 1:00PM- CPR (adult) 3:00PM- water time 5:30PM- supper 7:00PM- CPR (child and infant), eview

SundAy June 16 8:00AM- breakfast 8:45AM- spinal management, whatever needs to be finished, review 12:15PM- lunch 1:00PM- written exam 2:30PM- water test (about 10 minutes per student, student can leave when done)

Here’s your chance to become a certified lifeguard in three days! This weekend course will be an intensive class. Upon successful completion you will have an American Red Cross certification in Waterfront lifeguarding, first aid, and CPR for the professional rescuer with AED. Be prepared to swim two times a day and take notes. Course requirements include a 550-yard swim, a brick retrieval in about nine feet of water and a twenty-yard swim with the brick, finding three objects in five feet of water, two-minutes tread of water. A waterfront lifeguard can work at a pool, lakefront, or pond.

Led by Joel Freeman – certified Red Cross instructor for lifeguarding, first aid and CPR – teaching for over 15 years ([email protected] )

Cost: $350

Materials Fee: $80 ($35 certification cost, $12 face mask, $33 books)

The cost includes lodging at an equipped tent site (accommodates up to 6 adults), and all gourmet meals prepared in the campsite. Bring a sleeping bag (or sheets and a blankets), pillow, towels, clothing for warm and cool weather, a rain jacket, two bathing suits. If you prefer, lodging is available at the nearby Hancock Hotel (at additional cost).

Lifeguard CertifiCation Camp


Registration for this event is limited… call Holly Moore now at 845.679.5692

An Adult Camp Event at Kingswood CampsiteThursday, June 13 – Sunday, June 16, 2013

tentAtive Schedule:

MOndAy June 24 Arrive at Kingswood between 4PM-6PM. Register at the Farmhouse. Check in to your camp site. Meet and greet! 6:00PM- dinner 7:00PM- opening session to include: introduction of participants & hand and machine tool safety

tueSdAy, June 25 8:00AM- breakfast 8:45PM- hand and machine tool operation 9:30AM- review of Adirondack chair plans and specifications 10:30AM- break 10:45AM- create billets for the chairs nOOn- lunch and FOB 1:00PM- adapt billets to chair specifications 4:00PM- review of day’s activities and plans for day 2 5:00PM- Manager’s Potluck Dinner and free time

WedneSdAy, June 26 8:00AM- breakfast 8:45AM- layout chair parts for drilling assembly holes 10:00AM- break 10:15AM- begin dry assembly nOOn- lunch and FOB 1:00PM- disassemble, apply adhesives and assemble units 5:00PM- review day’s activities and schedule for Dday 3 6:30PM- dinner

thuRSdAy, June 27 8:00AM- breakfast 8:45AM- discuss finishing procedures 9:45PM- finish projects and guest speaker from local lumber company nOOn- lunch

This is a woodworking camp geared towards campers with little or no woodworking experience. Build your own Adirondack chair!

• Learn to read and understand project plans• Study kinds of wood and wood qualities• Be introduced to woodworking hand tools and power tools• Cover the “Lowe’s” & “Home Depot” aisle shopping• Layout and construct an Adirondack chair to take home• Go over the finishing process

Led by Bob Porter – 46 years in the technical field of education as an industrial arts teacher, coach of several sports, professor of the applied sciences at the post-secondary level, 35+ years as project manager and site committee member of Kingswood

Cost: $350

Materials Fee: $20

The cost includes lodging at an equipped tent site (accommodates up to 6 adults), and all gourmet meals prepared in the campsite. Bring a sleeping bag (or sheets and a blankets), pillow, towels, clothing for warm and cool weather, a rain jacket, bathing suit. If you prefer, lodging is available at the nearby Hancock Hotel (at additional cost).

WoodWorking Camp



An Adult Camp Event at Kingswood CampsiteMonday, June 24 – Thursday, June 27, 2013

EXPERIENCE THE GIFT OF SABBATH TIME

Come to Kingswood to help restore the rhythm of life … to rediscover the balance between work and rest … to experience an oasis of sacred time … to delight in God’s creation … to give yourself the gift of nourishing rest … to make space to notice and reflect on times of God’s grace in your life and in our world.

The schedule will include:

• A balance between structured sessions and free time for rest and renewal

• Time to refresh our bodies and souls

• Time for solitude and time in community

• Worship

• Presentations about the meaning of Sabbath in the scriptures and in tradition, ways of practicing Sabbath, and planning how to integrate Sabbath into our lives at home

• Praying the Divine Office

• Opportunities for creative expression

• Free time for swimming, boating, hiking, doing jigsaw puzzles, and wandering Kingswood’s 760 acres

• Campfire program

• Prayer Trail

• An optional individual spiritual direction session

Spirituality Camp: Sabbath at Kingswood



God is not found in the soul by adding anything, but by subtracting – Meister Eckhart

An Adult Camp Event at Kingswood CampsiteThursday, June 27 – Sunday, June 30, 2013

Led by Holly Moore – Program Director at Kingswood, a spiritual director and retreat leader, and a graduate of the Guild for Spiritual Guidance. She holds an Advanced Certificate in Spiritual Direction and a Master’s Degree in Religious Education and is a member of Spiritual Directors International and Hearts on Fire (The Fellowship of United Methodist Spiritual Directors and Retreat Leaders).$325Come integrate Sabbath into our own lives.

Cost: $325

The cost includes lodging at an equipped tent site (accommodates up to 6 adults), and all gourmet meals prepared in the campsite. Bring a sleeping bag (or sheets and a blankets), pillow, towels, clothing for warm and cool weather, a rain jacket, bathing suit. If you prefer, lodging is available at the nearby Hancock Hotel (at additional cost).

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