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MUSIC MINISTRIES—FALL START-UPS

Join our Music Ministry—you know you want to. Here’s key information, including our fall rehearsal start dates…let’s make a joyful noise together!

Summer Choir: Sunday, 9/3 All ages welcome!

9:00am rehearsal in the Choir Room 9:30am Sing in the worship service

Chancel Choir: Weekly rehearsals resume Thursday, 9/7 at 7:15pm (Choir Room). Open to all high school through adults. On the fence about singing? Give Chancel Choir a test run (short-term seasonal commitments also are an option). Our first singing Sunday is at the 9:30am worship service on 9/10. Music and rehearsal helps are emailed each week.

Contact: Ned Perwo, Director of Music (nperwo@newark-umc.org).

Carol Choir: Weekly rehearsals resume Sunday, 9/10 @ 10:30am (Dining Room).

Open to children in grades K-3; occasionally younger children may join (case-by-case basis).

Contact: Katie Martinenza, Director (katie.martinenza@me.com).

Choristers: Weekly rehearsals resume Sunday, 9/10 @ 5pm (Choir Room).

Open to children/youth with unchanged voices in grades 4-8. We currently have 10 wonderful singers signed up for Choristers—let's get a solid 12! Our first rehearsal will end with a pizza party—bring a friend!!!

Contact: Ned Perwo, Director of Music (nperwo@newark-umc.org).

First State Ringers: Weekly rehearsals resume Tuesday, 9/12 @ 7pm (Bell Room).

Auditioned ensemble for experienced handbell ringers.

Contact: Ruthie Toole, Director (rtoole56@gmail.com).

SonSpirit Band and Singers: We never stop rehearsing! Join us on Wednesdays @ 7pm in Heritage Hall.

We especially need the following:

Singers (all voice parts)

Bass guitar

AV team members

Contact: Sara Gaines, Director (osumusicat@comcast.net).

Lay Leaders: Danny Fisher, Richard Gaines, Lisa Gensel, Betsy Kent

Senior Pastor Rev. Derrick E. Porter ext. 214

Campus Pastor (Wesley Foundation) Rev. Ward Mesick ext. 216

Director of Education Ministries Donna Hitchner ext. 225

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

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

Sunday School Administrative Assistant Lisa Santare Business Manager Robert Cappiello ext. 218

Office Manager Danette Eberly ext. 213

Bookkeeper Pat MacKenzie ext. 215

Facility Manager Rob Taylor ext. 227

Custodian Piedad Luna ext. 227

STAFF

302/368-8774

www.newark-umc.org

webmaster@newark-umc.org

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Invitations

Giving an invitation to someone involves presenting the right spirit in coordination with the right words. We pray to adopt the right spirit and to know whom to approach and when.

We pray for the right words to convey what we are inviting persons to. As we pray about how to invite persons to our church, examine and consider the following sample invitations. Many of these invitational sentences will garner questions that will permit you to elaborate on the ministry of NUMC. Invite somebody today!

Come to church with me, so we can make a joyful noise to the Lord.

Come to church with me, so we can worship the Lord with gladness.

Come to church with me, where we can sing hymns of praise and thanksgiving.

Come to church with me, where we can acknowledge that we are God’s children.

Come to church with me, where we can give God all the glory, honor and praise.

Come to church with me, where we can express our gratitude to God with our prayers, our presence, and our gifts.

Come to church with me, so we can say thank you to God.

Come to worship service with me, so we can bless God’s name.

Come to church with me, and experience an inclusive fellowship.

Come to church with me, so we can hear a word from the Lord.

Come to church with me, so we can get a weekly dose of hope.

Come to church with me, and experience a loving fellowship.

Come to church with me on Wednesday night, so we can pray about our problem(s).

Come to church with me, so we can get involved in mission work.

Come to church with me, so we can experience an exceptional offering of music to the Lord.

Come to church with me, and learn how we can change the world.

-Reverend Derrick E. Porter

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We need your help at Community Day!

Volunteers (and visitors) are needed at the NUMC Community Day booth on Sunday, Sept. 17 (rain date is Sunday, Sept. 24)! Volunteering is EASY: smiling, answering questions about the church you love, passing out NUMC brochures to those who want more information, and enjoying the community are the only skills needed! This is a great opportunity for the “Noisy Methodists on Main Street” to share the excitement of being part of this faith community. We will attract young ones with an estimate jar (and probably give some things away, too).

Want to donate a bag of (small) individually wrapped candy that can be among the give-aways or go into the estimate jar? Contact Kathy Werrell (kcwerrell@gmail.com, 302-239-4646) if you can help radiate God's love at Community Day in September!

2017-18 Pledge Update

(as of August 14, 2017)

MANY THANKS to those who have responded to the call with their pledges for the 2017-18 fiscal year. This data facilitates responsible staffing and spending.

If you have not already submitted a pledge card or online pledge, we encourage you to do as soon as possible.

Fiscal Year Mission/Operating Budget Building/Debt Reduction

# Pledges $ Pledged # Pledges $ Pledged

2017-18 146 $420,220 55 $39,077

2016-17 124 $335,166 37 $21,127

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Go-Bag Items Needed

The Outreach Team will assemble Go-Bags soon. We are requesting donations of the following items:

microwaveable protein meals (flip-lids) boxed (real) juice breakfast bars fruit cups packaged cheese crackers with peanut butter or

cheese filling

Please label your items Outreach and bring them to the main office by 9/30. Thank you for helping with this very important project!

Outreach

October 1: World Communion Sunday

Newark UMC and United Methodists around the world will join together on this special day to celebrate Holy Communion. A special offering will be taken to help provide scholarships for U.S. racial- and ethnic-minority students and international students, both undergraduates and graduates, whom God has gifted to learn and to serve, but who are hindered by financial obstacles.

If you wish to give to World Communion Sunday online, please go to the NUMC Online Giving page (http://newark-umc.org/wp/online-giving/) and indicate World Communion Sunday in Optional. Or you can use one of the special giving envelopes included in the bulletin that Sunday to donate with cash or check. Please include your envelope number on the special giving envelope, with World Communion Sunday in the check memo line.

Last year our congregation gave $490.00 for this special purpose. Thank you!

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6pm Wednesdays

in the Chapel:

Noisy Methodist Prayer!

In addition to our first-Wednesday Taizé services of grace and peace, we have added this weekly opportunity to pray out loud to the Lord.

Join us as we lift up petitions and supplications for each other in the church, the community, the nation, and the world. See you next Wednesday! Taiz

MUSIC FACTORY 2017

A Table for Five Thousand: The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes by Allen Pote and Tom S. Long

My sincerest thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make Music Factory 2017 a tremendous success: parents, for sharing your hardworking, amazing children; our leaders who worked tirelessly and went above and beyond; the staff helping with setup, etc.; our photographers and videographers; the congregation for being such a supportive, appreciative audience; the best youth assistants anyone could ever ask for; and THE CHILDREN!!!!

Thank you, all! --Lisa Santare, Music Factory Coordinator

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Age 4 through Grade 4

Given the difficulty in filling leader and helper spots last year, we are looking for all parents/caregivers of children attending the workshops to take their turns in the workshop space on Sunday mornings. In most cases, you would be the second adult in the space (a requirement of our Safe Sanctuaries policy).

Please register your child for Sunday School by visiting this link*, where you also will be able to sign up to serve in the PIAL program. Even if you are unsure whether you will be able to help, please choose some Sundays as a goal to shoot for. If you find that you are unable to serve on the selected week, you will be able to switch with another parent (please try to make that determination by Wednesday of the Sunday you are scheduled to serve).

After everyone has the opportunity to sign up, Lisa will be filling the holes in the schedule with other parents who have not yet submitted their forms (around 9/7). The complete schedule (through just before the beginning of Lent) will be mailed out and posted on the website in mid-September.

The new curriculum is easier than anything we’ve used before. It is highly scripted, and all your supplies are prepared for you ahead of time; supplies bins are picked up prior to class on Sunday morning.

Thank you all for your service in helping our young disciples learn what it means to love and serve Jesus!

Print forms are available in the Christian Education office (Room 110) on the main level.

NEW!

Sunday morning “chat sessions” for Grades 5 and 6

The pre-teen class of fifth and sixth graders is being removed from the workshop rotation this year. Instead, we will have a curriculum tailored just for them. We’ll meet in Room 109

following the Children’s Message. Similar to the elementary curriculum, class leadership is scripted and easy to follow, with lots of leader-helps and discussion suggestions.

The Christian Education Team is looking for about 4-5 individuals who would be willing to serve on a team to meet with these young persons for about 30-45 minutes on Sunday mornings. This does not involve an every-Sunday commitment, but rather the willingness to serve on a team of non-parents who can explore faith formation with this fine group of pre-teens. Anyone over the age of 18 is welcome to join this important leadership team. Contact Donna (dhitchner@newark-umc.org) or Lisa (lsantare@newark-umc.org) or Mel (mhartley@newark-umc.org) for more no-obligation details.

2017-18 All-Worship Sundays

In keeping with Rev. Porter’s guidelines to involve more children and youth in attending (and serving in) worship, our All-Worship Sundays will offer limited experiences outside of the worship space. There will continue to be a nursery for those up to age three (who will turn four after 1/1/18). Preschool Fours and older Threes (turning four between 9/1 and 12/31/17) are eligible for a Sunday playdate experience in Room 215. No formal lesson will be offered, but Bible puzzles, books, games, and videos will be available. Children of GREEN Team age may help with the little ones ONLY if both parents are engaged in the worship service and unable to sit with the child(ren) in a pew. All other children are welcome to take a clipboard of activities from an usher before entering the Sanctuary or bring material from home to write/draw on during parts of the service. Or visit the Bunting Library to check out books for your child(ren) to read during the service.

PLEASE NOTE: Any youth or child (Grade 4 and up) who would like to serve as a liturgist during the 9:30 service should contact Donna or Mel for more information.

Christian Education: Sunday School

Parents Involved As Leaders (PIAL)

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New Study—Reading the Bible Today

Sunday mornings at 11am

From Rev. Dr. David Palmer--Whether you have studied the Bible for years or have never joined a Bible class before, I invite you to join me in this eight-week class on Reading the Bible Today. The class will meet from 11 am to 12 noon on Sunday mornings. It will run from September 24 through November 12. I will be using good biblical scholarship from my seminary time (that hasn’t really changed) and current developing biblical scholarship, along with my own continuing to evolve biblical theology from 36 years in the ministry.

Each class will include information shared and time for discussion on how this helps our reading the Bible for guidance in our lives. The classes will build on one another, but attend as you are able. Watch the website and bulletin for location. Our themes are:

1. Biblical Development 2. Old Testament Matrix

3. God’s Blessing

4. God’s Warning

5. New Testament Matrix

6. The Blessing of Jesus of Nazareth

7. The Warnings of Jesus 8. Conclusion and Discussion

Youth Announcements: Welcome back, students!

It’s a new school year and a new year of NUMC youth group! Programming kicks off this month.

Contact Melanie (mhartley@newark-umc.org) for information and to receive emails and newsletters…or find us on Facebook!

Sunday, September 10: Youth and Young Adult Coffee Hour

Students and leaders will be available to say hello and share information about what’s coming up at youth group this fall, so grab a cup of coffee and say hello!

Sunday, September 17, 6-8pm: Youth Group Kick-Off

It’s our first youth group meeting of the year! Food, games and the beginning of a great year together!

Sunday, September 24, 5:15pm: Summer 2018 Mission Trip Meeting

Information about our summer 2018 mission trip including location, projects and finances. The mission trip is open to any students entering grade 9 through graduating seniors.

Adult Learning Opportunities

Sunday mornings

Teachables meet in the Samuel Wesley Room (just inside the handicapped entrance on the side of the building) at 9:30am. We will spend September and October discussing the Rob Bell book, Love Wins.

Trying Christians meet in Memorial Lounge at 11am—you’re most welcome to join us! Our first four weeks:

9/10: Hymns of Jane Parker Huber (led by Roland Roth)

9/17: Coptic Christians (led by Jerry Swalley)

9/24: Top Ten United Methodist Beliefs (led by Mark Deshon)

10/1: Top Ten United Methodist Beliefs (led by Mark Deshon)

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Upcoming Weekend Focus on Discipleship

What is our responsibility as followers of Jesus? What does baptism have to do with discipleship? How is the community of faith involved? What does it mean to live in God’s household? What are the General Rules of The United Methodist Church? What characterizes a mature and dependable disciple? How can you become a more dependable disciple?

These are just some of the questions that will be dealt with during our upcoming Weekend

Focus on Discipleship, Oct. 6–8.

Our special guest that weekend will be the Rev. Steven Manskar. Rev. Manskar is the Director of Wesleyan Leadership for Discipleship Ministries of The United Methodist Church.

On Friday evening, Oct. 6, at 6:30pm, there will be a pot-luck dinner in Heritage Hall for all who are currently participating in either a Covenant Discipleship group or Disciples TREE.

On Saturday, Oct. 7, from 8:30am-3:30pm, Rev. Manskar will lead a workshop that will focus on the rudiments of discipleship and include discussion of Covenant Discipleship groups and Class Leaders. NUMC is hosting this workshop, which is open to United Methodists conference-wide. The registration fee is $30, which includes Rev. Manskar’s new book, Disciples Making Disciples, if you register by Sept. 23. Deadline for registration for the workshop is Sept. 30. Register (online only) at newark-umc.org/wp/discipleship-workshop. Attendance is limited, so sign up now.

On Sunday morning, Oct. 8, Rev. Manskar will be preaching at all three services and will bring a challenging message about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.

During the month of September through the middle of October, you are invited to become a participant in either Disciples TREE or a Covenant Discipleship group. Information is available on the table in the hallway just outside the sanctuary or at newark-umc.org/wp/what-we-do/growing-disciples. If you’re interested, please complete one of the forms on the table and place it in the offering, sign-up online, or contact Mark Deshon (302-738-9524, deshon@udel.edu).

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Bunting Library News

RECENT READS BOOK GROUP

Monday, September 11 at 1pm in Bunting Library

Come join us! Meet with a nice group of interesting folks, share refreshments with us and talk about books we have been reading. This is a great and fun way to learn about books you might want to read, too!

Adult Fiction

The King Who Made Paper Flowers, by Terry Kay. Read how a collection of ragtag misfits show that random acts of kindness can transform a city.

Last Bus to Wisdom, by Ivan Doig. Donal Cameron is being raised by his grandmother in 1961. After she becomes ill, he is sent to her sister (which doesn't work out). Charming, wise and slyly funny.

Shabby Chic Trilogy, by Kirsten Fullmer. Welcome to Smithville, a close-knit community full of tradition, friendship, and busybodies, and where there are long-buried mysteries, secrets and fabulous vintage design with the Shabby Chic Trilogy.

Adult Non-Fiction

Being United Methodist in the Bible Belt, by F. Belton Joyner. The house—the “oops”—the people—the book—the doing—the way—the journey—and more!

Fear of the Other, by William Willimon. Saved by the other—the other, my enemy—learning to fear like Christians—loving the other—Jesus, the other.

Children’s Fiction

Cool Dog, School Dog, by D. Heiligman and T. Bowers. When Tinka the dog follows her owner to school and creates havoc, the children discover a way to let her stay in the classroom and help.

But It's Not My Fault, by Julia Cook. Poor Noodle! Things are not going his way, but it's not his fault! What's wrong?!

The Boy Who Ate Dog Biscuits, by Betsy Sachs. All Billy wants is a dog of his own, but he gets a baby sister instead!

Juvenile Non-Fiction

Girls Think of Everything, by Catherine Thimmesh. Great true stories of ingenious inventions by women and girls—from 3000BC to the present day!

GREAT NEWS! During the summer, we have been getting in new books for adults and for children, adding to the library's ever-widening collection. Here are just a few of the new ones we have received lately—come in and choose several to take home and enjoy!

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NUMC United Methodist Women: Thank You, Church!

We asked for school supplies and you responded—your generosity had the boxes overflowing! You have helped school children here in Newark, Wilmington, Elkton, and around the world. The supplies were taken to Neighborhood House, Child Inc., Empowerment Center, Elkton Middle School, and the HUB at Christiana UMC for school kits for UMCOR . The children are blessed to have such a caring congregation helping them to have a better chance to succeed in school. Thank you!!! _______________________________________

Come Join UMW for Lunch! Sept. 10 at 12:15pm in the Dining

Room

Hear about the Wesley Foundation Spring 2017 Mission Trip

All are invited to the United Methodist Women's Back from Summer Lunch as we look forward to another great year of learning about and helping missions for Women, Children, and Families. The Wesley Foundation goes on a mission trip during Spring Break each year, and Karen DeMonte was fortunate to go with them last March. She will be talking with us about this wonderful opportunity. Don’t miss it!

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

Many of you know that I have been teaching Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) in our community for over six years. This 8-week course, founded by Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts, is taught internationally and is designed to cultivate mindfulness, a special way of paying attention to the present moment rather than living in the past or future.

Living mindfully is a calmer and more compassionate way to live life, something needed by most of us, considering the pace and the stressors of our current world. Some of the benefits of becoming more mindful include reduced symptoms of anxiety and pain, increased ability to relax and focus, improved sense of well-being, and improved communication skills. Participants learn to respond and not react to life’s challenges, and cultivate their own inner resources for managing stress.

This fall, I am happy to offer the MBSR class at half-price to any NUMC member. The class begins on Sunday, 9/24 (2-4:30pm) with an orientation on Sunday, 9/17 (3-4:30pm).

There are brochures available at the church. Please email me at clpalmermindfulness@gmail.com if you would like any further information or to register for the class.

Grace and Peace,

Cara Lee Palmer

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Emmanuel Dining Room:

Cookies Needed

We are asking for pre-packaged store-bought cookies to fulfill our monthly commitment to Emmanuel Dining Room. We appreciate your help in bringing these to the church office by 9am on Wednesday, September 20.

Questions? Call 302/368-8774.

Congregational Care

Congregational Care includes hospital and homebound/assisted-living visitation, TLC (Tender Loving Christians), funeral receptions, Stephen Ministry and card ministry. We try to visit those in the hospital on a daily basis Monday through Friday and visit the homebound twice a month. TLC takes care of direct needs like providing meals, rides and other help, and we have a monthly card-sending campaign. Also part of Congregational Care is NUMC’s Stephen Ministry, which provides weekly one-on-one caring support for those who ask for this ministry.

This is quite an undertaking for a church of our size, and we can always use more volunteers. We also need help from our congregants to identify members who would benefit from our caring ministries! Please contact Rich Lapointe with names, addresses, and phone numbers of those members that you are aware of (302-292-0539; rlapoint0539@gmail.com). Your help can truly make a difference! And please prayerfully consider becoming part of this compassionate team.

As we gear up

for a new school

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those who have given to the

wall of water.

This important ministry will be

one of the first that the

incoming freshmen see, and

your support is critical to that.

–Ward Mesick

Clerical Help Needed in the Music Office

NUMC is blessed with a large, thriving Music Ministry. As a result, your Director of Music is surrounded by stacks of paper looking for a home.

Do you have a love of organization, alphabetization, and appreciation for the Oxford comma?

Contact Ned at nperwo@newark-umc.org to volunteer on a short-term basis.

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

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

Getting to Know You…

As a result of conversations that arose from our Social Justice workshop back in April, a small group of NUMC members have met and talked about establishing a relationship with an area African-American congregation.

We are delighted to report that plans are in the works to share a potluck dinner with the congregation of Ezion-Mount Carmel UMC this fall at NUMC! Stay tuned for dates and details.

If you’d like to be part of the planning team, please let us know by touching base with one of us: Reverend Porter, Sara Gaines, Lys Murray, or Catherine Rounsley-Maxwell.