why are we here? - nimmonsburg umc · 2019. 5. 3. · (sign-up sheet in the church narthex)...

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vision is to serve God and others through words and witness, to treat all people as sisters and brothers, and to foster responsible stewardship for the good of all God's creation. Current Mission : (1) Reaching out to people wherever they are to receive them just as they are, (2) Relating them to God through Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, (3) Nurturing them to become effective Christian Disciples, (4) Fostering them to responsible stewardship of God's creation, (5) Sending them out as apostles to witness for Christ to create a more just world.” Although this is a great statement about who we are and who we want to be, it is really big! I believe that this can be reduced to one simple sentence: "The purpose of Nimmonsburg UMC is: 'To REACH and RESOURCE people to be Disciples of Jesus Christ and to RELEASE them into ministry to the world.'" Throughout 2017, I pray that we can work with this purpose statement, understanding what it means, figuring out what it looks like, and living into it personally and corporately. Pastor Jenni In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus gives his disciples their purpose statement: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded.” This is the Great Commission of Jesus to those who call themselves followers. The purpose statement of the United Methodist Church (UMC) is: "Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the transforma- tion of the world." This is the reason we do what we do. This is what drives us. The purpose statement of The Upper New York Conference (churches in upstate New York) is: "To live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to be God’s love with our neighbors in all places." In this way, we fulfill the purpose of UMC and the Great Commission of Jesus. So what about us at Nimmonsburg UMC? Why are we here? What is our purpose? On September 26, 2000 the Administrative Council adopted the mission statement which was developed by the SPPRC and the Pastor. It states: "The Nimmonsburg UMC is committed to be a community of faith, and is intentional about serving the Lord. We are united in the worship of God the Father and Jesus Christ His Son with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Just as Christ came to be our servant, our Why Are We Here? Nimmonsburg United Methodist Church 918 Upper Front Street, Binghamton, New York 13905 Rev. Jenni Piatt (607) 724-5421 Nimmonsburgumc.weebly.com I was asked about our purpose statement, and the question made me realize that we need to remind ourselves why we are here. Beginning this month and over the next couple of months, I will re-run articles from 2017 when our purposes statement was adopted. I pray this will refresh our vision and give us energy to do the work of the Church. May 2019

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Page 1: Why Are We Here? - NIMMONSBURG UMC · 2019. 5. 3. · (Sign-Up Sheet in the Church Narthex) Deadline to sign up is Tuesday, May 7th at 1:00 pm. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU LET US KNOW IN

vision is to serve God and others

through words and witness, to treat

all people as sisters and brothers, and

to foster responsible stewardship for

the good of all God's creation.

Current Mission: (1) Reaching out to people wherever

they are to receive them just as they are,

(2) Relating them to God through

Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord,

(3) Nurturing them to become effective

Christian Disciples,

(4) Fostering them to responsible stewardship

of God's creation,

(5) Sending them out as apostles to witness

for Christ to create a more just world.”

Although this is a great statement about

who we are and who we want to be, it is

really big! I believe that this can be reduced

to one simple sentence:

"The purpose of Nimmonsburg UMC is: 'To

REACH and RESOURCE people to be

Disciples of Jesus Christ and to RELEASE

them into ministry to the world.'"

Throughout 2017, I pray that we can work

with this purpose statement, understanding

what it means, figuring out what it looks like,

and living into it personally and corporately.

Pastor Jenni

In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus gives

his disciples their purpose statement:

“Go and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the

Father and of the Son and of the Holy

Spirit, and teach them to obey

everything I have commanded.” This

is the Great Commission of Jesus to

those who call themselves followers.

The purpose statement of the United

Methodist Church (UMC) is: "Making

Disciples of Jesus Christ for the transforma-

tion of the world." This is the reason we do

what we do. This is what drives us. The

purpose statement of The Upper New York

Conference (churches in upstate New York) is:

"To live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to be

God’s love with our neighbors in all places."

In this way, we fulfill the purpose of UMC and

the Great Commission of Jesus.

So what about us at Nimmonsburg UMC?

Why are we here? What is our purpose? On

September 26, 2000 the Administrative

Council adopted the mission statement which

was developed by the SPPRC and the Pastor. It

states: "The Nimmonsburg UMC is committed

to be a community of faith, and is intentional

about serving the Lord. We are united in the

worship of God the Father and Jesus Christ

His Son with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

Just as Christ came to be our servant, our

Why Are We Here?

Nimmonsburg United Methodist Church

918 Upper Front Street, Binghamton, New York 13905

Rev. Jenni Piatt (607) 724-5421 Nimmonsburgumc.weebly.com

I was asked about our purpose statement, and the question made me realize that we need to

remind ourselves why we are here. Beginning this month and over the next couple of

months, I will re-run articles from 2017 when our purposes statement was adopted. I pray

this will refresh our vision and give us energy to do the work of the Church.

May 2019

Page 2: Why Are We Here? - NIMMONSBURG UMC · 2019. 5. 3. · (Sign-Up Sheet in the Church Narthex) Deadline to sign up is Tuesday, May 7th at 1:00 pm. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU LET US KNOW IN

May 5, 2019—Communion 3rd Sunday of Easter—White/Gold Romans 5:1-11 Matthew 5:1-12 Sermon: “Complementing Your Conviction—Part I”

May 12, 2019—Mother’s Day 4th Sunday of Easter—White/Gold

George Miller will be our “Singing” Guest during this Special Musical

Worship Service

May 19, 2019 5th Sunday of Easter—White/Gold 2 Peter 1:3-11 Matthew 5:13-16 Sermon: “Complementing Your Conviction—Part II”

May 26, 2019 6th Sunday of Easter—White/Gold Hebrews 11:1-3 & 7-8; 11:39-12:3 Matthew 21:18-22 Sermon: “Memorial Day”

Page 2

Lectionary Readings and Sermons

Days To Remember In May

Please let us know if we missed your birthday or anniversary. We want to celebrate with you!

Birthdays: 5/7 - Champagne Burish Ed Daub 5/8 - Randi Austin Phyllis Bartlett 5/10 - Reese McCoy 5/11 - Emily Proutey 5/18 - Peter Boigeol 5/19 - Erin Hagerman 5/20 - Stephen Lockhart Brian Mach

Anniversaries: 5/5 - Carol & Thomas Hoyt 5/18 - Rachael & Justin Hagerman 5/19 - Eva & Steve Randall 5/25 - Dave & Jenni Piatt 5/26 - Terri & Brian Mach

5/21 - Dakota Hennings Debra Williams 5/23 - Sabrina Morrell 5/24 - Kay Kocan 5/29 - Mona Zipay 5/30 - Carol Hoyt Russell Sanaeko

Please keep in mind that requests for Church Endowment Funds are being accepted through May 31, 2019. All requests should be submitted in writing

to Rex Decker, Chairman, or Cherrie Rueffer, Treasurer.

Deadline is Fast Approaching for 2019 Endowment Fund Requests

If future generations are to remember us with gratitude rather than contempt, we must leave them

more than the miracles of technology. We must leave them with a glimpse of the world as it was in the

beginning, not just after WE got through with it. - Lyndon B. Johnson

Page 3: Why Are We Here? - NIMMONSBURG UMC · 2019. 5. 3. · (Sign-Up Sheet in the Church Narthex) Deadline to sign up is Tuesday, May 7th at 1:00 pm. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU LET US KNOW IN

If you would like to become a member of Nimmonsburg United Methodist Church, we will be receiving new members during Worship on May 26th. If you are interested in joining our Church family as a member, please plan to meet Pastor Jenni on May 5th following Worship in Room 202. If you are not able to meet on that day, please speak to Pastor Jenni.

Would You Like to Become a Member?

Page 3

The Binghamton District Evangelism Team invites you to come and hear some fresh ideas about effective ways to share your Christian faith. The training will be led by Rev. Jenni Piatt.

Description:

Evangelism, or sharing the Gospel, is never easy, but we a r e g e n e r a l l y inclined to make it harder than it really is. What we tend to forget when faced with the life or death situation of winning personal commit-

ments to Christ is that it’s as simple as, “Just Say It!” God will

open the hearts of people, God will open doors of opportunity.

But what often happens when it’s time for us to open our mouths to share the good news of Jesus Christ, it echoes more like the sounds of silence.

Even those who h a v e b e e n a Christian for a long time, or have pro-fessionally shared Jesus with others, may find it difficult to share in more personal settings. We stumble over our

words and the more theological we try to sound, the more confusing it becomes to both the hearer and ourselves.

Come and spend some time in a safe atmosphere, learning and practicing the simple art of telling your story.

“Just Say It!” is an opportunity to think about, write out, and share your personal faith story in a way that is memorable and available any time the Holy Spirit might require it.

Everyone is welcome to

attend!

Saturday May 18th

9:30 to 12:00 Nimmonsburg

UMC 918 Upper Front St., Binghamton

Please register in

advance by e-mailing your

name, address and church to:

Bill Prentice, Registrar, at:

[email protected] If you have

questions, contact Rev. Jenni Piatt at:

churchpastor [email protected]

FAITH SHARING TRAINING

NOW MEETING (Nurture, Outreach and Witness)

Thursday, May 9th at 6:30 pm

Page 4: Why Are We Here? - NIMMONSBURG UMC · 2019. 5. 3. · (Sign-Up Sheet in the Church Narthex) Deadline to sign up is Tuesday, May 7th at 1:00 pm. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU LET US KNOW IN

Page 4

ANNUAL MOTHER-CHILD BANQUET

The UMW Annual Mother-Child Banquet will be held on Tuesday, May 14th at 6:00 pm in Fellowship Hall. The program will feature the Cordial Chords, a talented group of musicians ranging in age from 7 through teenagers. The meal will be prepared by David Stroka, a local caterer. Mark your calendars and plan to attend this relaxing and enjoyable evening. (Sign-Up Sheet in the Church Narthex)

Deadline to sign up is Tuesday, May 7th at 1:00 pm. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU LET US KNOW IN TIME!

Our Lay Readers for May and June are:

5/5 - Cheryl Weeks 5/12 - Mini Daub 5/19 - Judy St. John 5/26 - Cheryl Ryder 6/2 - Cheryl Weeks 6/9 - Bruce Kellett 6/16 - Dick Oakley 6/23 - Patti Derr 6/30 - Pat Olmstead

Our Sunday School Teachers for May are:

5/5 - Justin Hagerman & Andrea Pickney 5/12 - None Needed 5/19 - Cheryl Ryder and Annette Ryan 5/26 - Shelly Schaffer and Phyllis Bartlett

Lay Readers and

Sunday School Teachers

ANNUAL CONFERENCE PREVIEW May 19th from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm (following Worship)

Find out what will be discussed at our upcoming Annual Conference. This is the time to be better informed and to make sure our representatives

know how we feel about the issues.

Vacation Bible School is sponsored by Binghamton First

Church of the Nazarene, Community Baptist of Port

Dickinson, Nimmonsburg United Methodist Church, Ogden-Hillcrest United Methodist

Church and St. Francis of Assisi

Vacation Bible School will be July 8-12 from 6-8 pm at Binghamton First Church of the Nazarene. We are collecting coffee cans for them to use as drums. Please drop them off at the Church Office.

Vacation Bible School

Page 5: Why Are We Here? - NIMMONSBURG UMC · 2019. 5. 3. · (Sign-Up Sheet in the Church Narthex) Deadline to sign up is Tuesday, May 7th at 1:00 pm. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU LET US KNOW IN

Page 5

Wednesday, June 26th 6:30 pm at NYSEG Stadium

Tickets—$9.00

Rev. Jenni Piatt will be singing the National Anthem, and Rev. Dr. David Kofahl, our District

Superintendent, will be throwing out the first pitch!

If you would like to attend this fun night, please sign up on the sheet in the Church narthex so we know how many tickets are needed.

United Methodist Night at the Ball Game

HONORING OUR GRADUATES!

We want to recognize and congratulate each of our 2019 graduates, so please let us know who you are. You can drop a

note in the collection plate, or let the office know. Thanks!

signing up for the Maines Give-Back Program. Simple applica-tions are available in the Church narthex. Just fill it out and turn it in to the office and we will take care of getting your card. It doesn’t cost a thing, but it helps out our Church!

Thank you, and happy shopping!

We recently received a check from Maines Paper & Food in the amount of $271.27 representing 5% of what was spent at Maines

over the past six months by our members and friends!

If you haven’t already done so, please consider

Maines Paper & Food Give-Back Cards

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your generous gift of $232.00 to the CWS Blankets

Program. As families and communities around the world recover

from emergencies and struggles in the face of challenges, you are

standing with them. You are providing relief and hope. Because of

you, Church World Service is able to respond when disasters occur

and support is needed. We thank you!

May God bless you for your support,

Rev. John L. McCullough, President and CEO of Church World Service

Page 6: Why Are We Here? - NIMMONSBURG UMC · 2019. 5. 3. · (Sign-Up Sheet in the Church Narthex) Deadline to sign up is Tuesday, May 7th at 1:00 pm. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU LET US KNOW IN

Page 6

George Miller will be here to sing with us, and for us, on May 12th, during Worship

George Miller was here at Nimmonsburg last March and gave a wonderful concert which many of you will remember. His

amazing and powerful voice filled the sanctuary, and his message of the Gospel filled our hearts. George has been serving the Lord for many years in mission work around the world with his beautiful deep baritone voice. From contemporary music to well-known favorites, George blesses us with music that is uplifting, and to let us know that God is able to help us through anything. No matter where you go from one side of the ocean to the other, people are hurting and need to hear the gospel. George believes that “It is through Christ, and him alone, God has given me compassion through song and personal testimony to make people feel special.”

Don’t miss this special worship service!

George will be doing a FREE Concert at Hawleyton United Methodist Church, 901 Hawleyton Road, Binghamton, on Saturday, May 11 at 6:00 pm. Everyone is welcome!

of the General Conference. It’s also a time to help attendees under-stand what becomes part of the Book of Discipline on Jan. 1, 2020.

There will be an opportunity for questions and conversation about what God might be doing in and through the United Methodist Church in the future and a brief time of worship as well.

Bishop Mark J. Webb will be hosting a regional gathering for our area on Tuesday, May 14th at 6:30 pm at Chenango Bridge United Methodist Church.

The gathering will focus on the Judicial Council's decision regarding constitutionality of the petitions that made up the Traditional Plan affirmed at the 2019 Special Session

Bishop’s Regional Gathering

GIFT TO BC COUNCIL OF CHURCHES FROM NUMC

The BC Council of Churches is collecting donations for a grocery store that will be

opening on Binghamton’s Northside at Canal Plaza (formerly Big Lots). This area has

been classified as a “food desert” which means that people living in the area are more than

a mile from a grocery store and do not meet certain criteria for income, access to transpor-

tation and access to affordable food. This non-profit store will be operated by the Broome

County Council of Churches and will offer access to healthy and affordable foods, with

proceeds going toward community projects.

NUMC has given $1,000 towards this project from our High Street Gift.

Page 7: Why Are We Here? - NIMMONSBURG UMC · 2019. 5. 3. · (Sign-Up Sheet in the Church Narthex) Deadline to sign up is Tuesday, May 7th at 1:00 pm. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU LET US KNOW IN

Page 7

As I’m sure you know, times change! Dick and I have relocated to Buffalo to be

closer to Juli and the girls. Dick has moved to an excellent residential facility to get some

extra much needed care, and I’m staying with Juli for the time being. Moving forward,

please use Juli’s address for mail in the future. Love, Mona and Dick Zipay

3011 Pleasant Avenue, Hamburg, NY 14075 (716) 656-5137

NUMC’s Administrative Council has voted that our Church give $10 each to five offerings which will be taken at the Upper New York Annual Conference in June. The offerings will go to: Upper New York Mission Central Hub, Helping Hands Fund, Clergy Care Fund, Mission of Peace and New Faith Communities.

Annual Conference Offerings

Free Community Dinner

Please join us on Saturday, May 25th

at 5:00 for our FREE Community Dinner. Everyone is welcome to attend this time of fellowship and good

food!

We will have a special celebration during Worship on Sunday, May 26th to recognize and honor all of our members who have been here at NUMC for fifty years or

more, and to accept new members into our Church.

Please plan to be here to be part of this celebration. (And yes, there will be cake!)

Celebrating Our 50 Year Members and New Members

Please make sure that

you inform the office if you

change your address,

phone number, cell number

or e-mail address so we can

keep our records up-to-

date. Thanks!

Page 8: Why Are We Here? - NIMMONSBURG UMC · 2019. 5. 3. · (Sign-Up Sheet in the Church Narthex) Deadline to sign up is Tuesday, May 7th at 1:00 pm. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU LET US KNOW IN

We are looking for someone (or someones) who would be willing to coordinate our Annual Christmas Bazaar.

If you are interested in this position, or in helping in any other way, please contact Patti Derr. Thanks!

Church Bazaar Coordinator Needed

Thinking About Joining Senior Social Club? NUMC’s Senior Social Club is for all active seniors of any age. Please come and join us in fun activities for your mind, body and soul, and a free hot lunch! We meet once a month on a Tuesday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Please contact Denise Kellett for the next Senior Social Club date, and she can answer any questions you might have. We hope you will try us out!

We are also in need of people who would like to assist with Senior Social Club by preparing lunch or helping with activities. Please also see Denise if you are interested in helping.

Page 8

Can you help us find these people?

Please give the office any information you have for any of them. Thanks!

James Atwater Jeff Krosse Linda Martin-Shriki Karen Lawnicek

David Lindsey Linda Moors Samuel Moors Eric Rozboril

Andrew Shapiro Brian Shapiro Stephanie Shapiro Jackie Sullivan

Mike Sullivan Martha Washburn Michael Leonardos

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to our Pastor’s Discretionary Fund. Through this fund we have been able to provide emergency help for serious and immediate needs.

We have envelopes in the pews, and in the narthex, if you would like to donate at any time.

Page 9: Why Are We Here? - NIMMONSBURG UMC · 2019. 5. 3. · (Sign-Up Sheet in the Church Narthex) Deadline to sign up is Tuesday, May 7th at 1:00 pm. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU LET US KNOW IN
Page 10: Why Are We Here? - NIMMONSBURG UMC · 2019. 5. 3. · (Sign-Up Sheet in the Church Narthex) Deadline to sign up is Tuesday, May 7th at 1:00 pm. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU LET US KNOW IN

Nimmonsburg United Methodist ChurchNimmonsburg United Methodist ChurchNimmonsburg United Methodist Church E-Mail: Phone:

Bishop: Rev. Mark J. Webb [email protected] Ofc: (855) 424-7878

Bing. District Super.: Rev. Dr. David Kofahl [email protected] Ofc: (607) 748-0662

Pastor: Rev. Jenni Piatt [email protected] (716) 560-4400

Office Administrator: Marjorie McCoy [email protected] Ofc: (607) 724-5421

Chair of Trustees: Paul Derr [email protected] (607) 648-5471

Chair of Admin. Board Patti Derr [email protected] (607) 648-5471

Chair of S/PPRC: Judy St. John [email protected] (607) 773-0038

NIMMONSBURG UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 918 Upper Front Street Binghamton, New York 13905 (607) 724-5421

Our Easter Egg Hunt and Party was a huge success. Thank you to Andrea Pickney and

her team for all of their efforts in making this a memorable time for all of the children.