The Messenger

First & Wesley

United Methodist Church

89 Center Street

West Haven, Connecticut 06516

203-933-8795

July - August 2019

We lost a best friend this spring, and our church had lost one of our most dedicated

members. After the funeral of Linda Memmott, a member of our church asked me,

“How can we manage without her?” I answered her by taking an example of the

basketball game played about 6 years ago.

The New York Knicks trailed by more than 20 points a few minutes before the first

half ended. What was worse, the star player Carmelo Anthony had to leave the court

as he was injured. It seemed that the game was over. However, the Knicks overcame

the loss of their leading scorer as well as a more than 20-point deficit and finally, won

the game. How was it possible? When the Knicks lost their star player, everyone else

stepped up and dedicated themselves to the game.

Not long ago, our church used to have plenty of star players who dedicated themselves to our church with

strong leadership. At that time, Christianity was part of American life, and many Protestant churches in North

America thrived. Our church sanctuary was filled with worshippers at two Sunday services, and a number of

Sunday school teachers greeted their students at the door with great joy. Our church did not have to worry as

much about financial resources or volunteers.

Yet, our church has lost Carmelo Anthonys one by one. Modern Christians are too busy working during the

week to volunteer at the church, and we are too tired to go to church on Sunday. Individualism has affected our

Christian lives, and economy has been slow. I feel like we are trailing by more than 20 points, and it seems like

the game is over. We desperately need Carmelo Anthony, but he left the court.

What can we do? Now is the time when all of us step up and dedicate ourselves to the game named God’s

ministry. “I am busy!” This cannot be a good excuse, in that every modern person is busy. It is a matter of

priority.

We have already had a good sign at our church as Linda Memmott’s spirit of service is still alive. As we had an

organizational meeting for Harvest Fair last month, we had nine volunteers willing to step up. It is true that we

have lost a lot of Carmelo Anthonys, but the game is not over yet.

Cheer up, First & Wesley! We are the Easter people. We have great hope: As long as each of us steps up, we

still have a chance to win the game of God’s ministry together. May the Lord, who has kept our church,

continue to guide us and give us strength for the spiritual journey! Friends, take a good rest during the summer

and be ready to come back to do more active ministry in September, fully recharged. Amen.

Sungmu Lee

Prayer Group

The Prayer Group will meet for the summer on July2nd and August 6th from 10:00am to 12:00 noon in Richard and

Thelma Reid’s home, 101 Bellevue Avenue. Come and spend some time in fellowship, time of study of scriptures and

time of prayer for each other, our families and friends and for our church family.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I want to share with you a blessing written by Helen Steiner Rice in booklet “A collection of Blessings”

A Pattern for Living

“Love one another as I have loved you.” May seem impossible to do But if you will try to trust and believe,

Great are the joys that you would receive.

For love makes us patient, understanding and kind And we judge with our hearts and not with our minds.

For as soon as love enters the heart’s open door, The faults we once saw are not there anymore – And the things that seem

wrong begin to look right When viewed in the softness of love’s gentle way.

For love works in ways that are wondrous and strange, And there is nothing in life that love cannot change, And all God

promised will someday come true, When you love one another the way He loved you.

First & Wesley United Methodist Church July 2019

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

2 10-12p Prayer Group (101 Bellevue Ave. West Haven)

3

4 Independence Day

5

6

7 Independence Day Service 9:30 Worship & Communion 10:30 Celebration Coffee Hour

8

9 7:30p Finance Meeting

10

11 10 Koinonia Café

12

13 8-2p Community Tag & Book Sale

14 9:30 Worship 10:30 Anointing for Healing and wholeness 10:30 Coffee Hour

15

16 17

18 10 Koinonia Café

19

20 9:30 Setting up decorations for VBS

21 9:30 Worship & Communion 10:30 Coffee Hour ⟵ Vacation

22 Bible School

23 (5:30p Free Dinner;

24 6-8:30p Program)

25 10 Koinonia Café ⟶

26

27 9-1p Downstairs Painting Project

28 9:30 Worship 10:30 Coffee Hour

29

30

31

*Backpack Drive runs July 1st through August 4th.

* For further updates, visit www.firstwesleyumc.org/calendar.

First & Wesley United Methodist Church August 2019

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

*Backpack Drive runs July 1st through August 4th.

1 10 Koinonia Café

2

3

4 9:30 Worship, Communion & UMARMY Consecration 10:30 Celebration Coffee Hour ⟵

5

6 10-12p Prayer Group (101 Bellevue Ave. West Haven) U.M. ARMY

7 Mission

8 10 Koinonia Café Week

9

10 9-10:30 Men’s Breakfast ⟶

11 9:30 Worship 10:30 Anointing for Healing and wholeness 10:30 Coffee Hour

12

13 7:30p Finance Meeting

14

15 10 Koinonia Café

16

17 10 Harvest Fair Meeting

18 9:30 Worship & Communion 10:30 Coffee Hour

19 20 6p Missions & Outreach Meeting *Messenger Articles Due

21 22 10 Koinonia Café

23

24

25 9:30 Worship & Blessing of the Backpacks 10:30 Coffee Hour

26

27 7p Trustees Meeting

28

29 10 Koinonia Café

30

31

* For further updates, visit www.firstwesleyumc.org/calendar.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

2019

TO MARS AND BEYOND!

Our VBS is literally “Out of this world” this year. Come

and join us!

JULY 21st -25th

5:30 PM Free dinner - 6:00 - 8:30 PM - program

If you would like to help out with this mission program, please

contact Helen Smith either by phone at 203-444-2362 or by e-

mail at drsmith@snet.net.

Donations needed for VSB as follows.

Food:

2 lb. of butter 2 gal. of whole milk 4 doz. hot dog rolls

6 lbs. Hot dogs (about 50 hot dogs) 10 pkgs. Oreos Lemonade – 3 5 lb. cans powder

Box of sterno Elbow macaroni – 4 1-lb. boxes Shredded cheese – 5 lbs

2 watermelons 5 packages seedless grapes 1 large Italian dressing

5 pineapples Chips/100 individual prepackaged 1 large Thousand Island dressing

Other:

Binder clips (8) 35mm film canisters with lids (12) Stopwatch (1) Clay Glitter

Acrylic or quartz rod (1) 3/4” styrofoam balls (36) 12” X 24” polycarbonate sheet (1)

wood blocks (4) Kaleidoscope (1) Microscope (1)

Telescope – small (1) 1-pint ball canning jars (6)

The gift card fund raiser has been on-going at our Church since 1993. Our

Church receives 5% of the value of the cards sold as a donation from Stop & Shop. Over the years, through

those who have participated in it, we have raised $2000-$3000 per year. It has raised $500 as of April 21 this

year. If you shop at Stop & Shop, please consider getting gift cards from our coordinator, Dave Smith. This is a

painless way to support our Church's finances based on your normal purchases at no additional cost to you.

The cards are available each week after the Church service.

Pennies from Heaven

The Native American Penny Collection for Conam is ongoing to provide very much needed food and fuel.

Please help the Sunday school students by giving them your loose change each week to support those in need.

The pennies keep on coming – getting rolled and deposited. We are in constant contact with other units of our

group as well as the rest of our other members.

UMARMY We have 3 youth and 2 adults going to UMARMY

(United Methodist Action Reach-out Mission by Youth)

from August 4-10. This is an opportunity for our youth

to help other people, gain leadership skills and grow in

their relationship to God.

If you would like to include someone for birthdays or

anniversaries, please see below. Example- name change,

address change, marriage, birth, death, etc.

Email: firstwesleyumc@gmail.com or send to church office.

July Birthdays

1 – Sam Werle

4 - Leah Burbridge

Melissa Simone

7 - Elaine Schwag

9 - Art Yost

Laura Skipper

10 - Verna Marshall

Dominic Moscato

12 - Jim Ammon

Joe DelFranco

14 - Richard Pyrdol

15 - Kim (Lentini) Moscato

Jacki McKim

Marge Ambrose

16 - Edith Warner

17 - Vicki Soule

18 - Peggy Spagone

20 - Demari Foster

27 – Josephine Dondorful-Amos

29 - Cynthia Dodd

30 - Richard Wetmore

August Birthdays

2 - Lisa Kiesinger

Evan Corbin

3 - Joan Sablone

8 - Kimberly Geiger

11 - Geoffrey Danz

13 - Derek Baker

Michele Gertsch

14 - Tricia Spagone

Ryan Abekah

15 - Tara Rapuano (Lentini)

Laura Marshall

Richard Memmott

16 - Marcelyn Danz

22 - Jim Stuhlman

24 - Gail Bartozzi

25 - Michele Caron

26 - Edith Mulligan

28 - Helen Smith

31 - Robert Skipper

Brooke Moscato

July Anniversaries

7 - Edith and David Warner

15 - Gail and Al Bartozzi

20 - Raymond and Jodi Memmott

24 - Bill and Phyllis Hunt

26 - Chris and Jian Chan

August Anniversaries

There are no anniversaries in August.

If you would like to include someone for birthdays or

anniversaries please see below. Example- name

change, address change, marriage, birth, death, etc.

Email: firstwesleyumc@gmail.com or send to church

office.

Have you visited our Church Website lately?

It is truly beautiful and informative.

The Church calendar is updated as needed

and you can check on dates and times of

meetings and events.

Website is firstwesleyumc.org

Check it out!

Pastors

Discretionary

Fund:

Please consider giving a “Love Offering” to Pastor’s

discretionary fund. You may place your gift in the

container on the back table of the sanctuary. If you wish

to write check to the church, please write “Pastor’s

Discretionary Fund” in the memo section.

Tell us if you have a member information change: example- name

change, address change, marriage, birth, death, etc.

Email: firstwesleyumc@gmail.com or send to the Church

Church Painting Projects

July 27th 9 AM - 1 PM - The trustees will be painting

the dining room and the hallways on July 27th. We are

looking for anyone who would like to help us do this. If

you can help, please contact Helen Smith. If anyone

would like to help on Friday, the 26th to do prep work for

this, please talk to Helen.

A/V WORSHIP SUPPORT TEAM

If you are interested in helping out during our morning

worship by running the PPT for the service or monitoring

the sound, please see Helen Smith or call/text her at 203-

444-2362.

Also, if you are interested in programming the PPT for

Sunday morning worship, we really need one or two more

people who would be able to do this. Again, talk to Helen

Smith if you would be willing to use your computer skills

to aid in our worship!

Thank You

Adult Sunday School

Class will resume in September.

Wednesday Bible Study Class will resume in September. Please let the

Pastor know if you would consider attending on a

different day and time.

Prayer Shawl Ministry First and Wesley

United Methodist

No Prayer Shawl Meeting in July and August. We

will resume in September at the home of Linda

Kopec. Prayer shawls are available in the church

office.

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Children with backpacks (and adults with

briefcases, backpacks, or bags) are invited to

bring their bags to the service to be blessed.

Each person will receive a special tag.

Coffee Hour

Please help us keep the Coffee Hour going.

Coffee hour is needed. We all need the chance to

meet after church and chat with our friends. We

need kind-hearted souls to take a turn at serving

coffee after church services. Coffee, punch, milk

and sugar are set up for you ahead of time, all you

need do is put it all out just before the service is

over. Please see Christine Chan or call our church

secretary at 203-933-8795.

Sunday School and the Craft Corner

Sunday school will resume in September.

Please join us for Vacation Bible School

from Sunday, July 21 – Thursday, July 25.

For more information, contact Gail Bartozzi

with questions .

Craft Corner will not meet over the

summer. We will start again in

September.

Contact Gail if you would like a card sent to someone

or have questions about the group you can call the

church office or e-mail Gail at

a.g.bartozzi@sbcglobal.net.

Missions & Outreach

FIRST ANNUAL LIVING NATIVITY: After attending the NEW YORK ANNUAL CONFERENCE

(NYAC) with Helen Smith and Pastor Lee, Peggy Jerrell updated the committee on various resources and

grants available from the Conference to assist congregations in their community outreach. Capitalizing on this

opportunity, M&O will organize its first living “Nativity” in December. Event details are forthcoming, but we

hope to offer hot chocolate, a small petting zoo and create a new church tradition celebrating the birth of Jesus

Christ! Anyone interested in helping out should let us know as soon as possible.

MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING (Facilitated by BRIDGES) will take place on Friday,

September 13, 2019 at Parsons Complex (old Milford High School) located across from City Hall. This is an

all-day (8 hr.) interactive training course. The price is $50 (church will subsidize so final cost is $25) to attend

and includes lunch. Anyone interested in taking part in this training should let Peggy know ASAP as we have

limited spots available.

BRIDGES has a grant for a van to treat patients with opioid addiction. The van is parked at the West Haven

Green on Tuesday and Wed. from 1 to 5 PM. Patients can obtain a prescription for Narcan and/or Suboxone.

Other than the Tues. and Wed. times, the van is parked at the Bethel Shelter on New Haven Avenue in Milford.

WHEAT: During the summer families can go for food twice a month, instead of the once monthly.

SUMMER LUNCH PROGRAM: First & Wesley will not serve as a Board of Education Feeding site this

summer. We will put First & Wesley on the list again next year for reconsideration. There are opportunities to

assist with the Summer Lunch Program in the Hill Section of New Haven working through the United Way.

We are looking into this option and anyone with interest should let Nana know.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL (VBS) will be held on Sunday, July 21 through Thursday, July 25, 2019.

Donations and volunteers are needed. Please see Helen Smith to donate your time, and/or goods and supplies

for the five day program. We can still use your help in advertising, so please grab a postcard from Helen on

Sunday and share it with your neighbors.

ANNUAL FAIR will be held on Saturday, November 2, 2019: Our first planning meeting was held on June 15

to begin preparations. We are grateful to Mary Rolfe who has agreed to serve as co-chair and we look forward

to supporting her as she takes on this leadership role

Our next Meeting is scheduled for TUESDAY AUGUST 20, 2019 at 6:00 pm. All are invited to attend and

share your time and ideas.

Our Church's Financial Status Income Shortfall for Budgeted Expenses

Budgeted Income / Expenses Week No. 25 Year To Date

(1) Weekly Collections Of Current Expense Income - For Budgeted expenses 6/23/2019

Budgeted Income (2) For Budgeted Expenses - Fair, Pancake Day, Stop & Shop Cards, Envelopes, Room Use, etc. - Weekly Collections(1) $3,046 $59,494

- Fund Raisers(2) $250 $5,287 (3) Investment Income Paid In April And October

- Frontier Foundation Income(3) $0 $5,500 (4) Average Toward The $193,159 Full Year

Budget For 2019 Total Income $3,296 $70,282

Budgeted Expenses(4) $3,715 $92,865 (5) Income Shortfall = Expenses Minus Income

Budgeted Income Shortfall(5) $419 $22,583

The Messenger First & Wesley United Methodist Church

89 Center Street West Haven, CT 06516

Phone (203) 933-8795

www.firstwesleyumc.org

Email: firstwesleyumc@gmail.com

Reverend Sungmu Lee

Sunday Worship Time: 10:30 am

The July ~ August Newsletter