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The Circuit Rider Shepherd of the Valley United Methodist Church November, 2018
Shepherd of the Valley United Methodist Church Worship and Church School
604 Seven Mile Road Sunday, 9:30 a.m.
Hope, RI 02831 Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9:00-12:00
Phone: 821-8217 Fax: 826-7787 E-mail: [email protected] Web site: sovumc.org
Rev. Katherine Mitchell
Also in this Issue
Articles
Antique Appraisal Fair
And Marketplace .......... 3
Stewardship .................. 5
Electronic Funds
Transfer .......................... 5
Regular features
Office Notes ................... 5
Upcoming Events .......... 6
Music Notes ................... 8
Help Wanted .................. 8
Caring and Sharing ....... 8
Church Council
Minutes .......................... 9
Musings from the Blue Couch Dear Shepherd of the Valley Friends and Family,
I was recently reading Luke 17:11-19 in which Jesus is walking
along outside a village and he comes across a group of lepers. Such
a sight would be very common because lepers were not allowed in
the village because of their disease. They often traveled in groups as
they tended to create their own communities after being rejected by
the communities from which they came.
So they are walking along. They see Jesus and ask for him to have
mercy and heal them. Jesus tells them to go into the village and see
the priest. While this may seem like an unusual direction for Jesus
to give, it really isn’t because the priest was considered the health
officer of his time. The priest had to confirm that the leper was
cured before he can return to his home and normal life. Jesus tells
them to go ahead and see the priest. As they head on their way they
find themselves cured of their disease.
One of the Lepers, a Samaritan realizes that he is healed and runs
back to Jesus praising God for having been healed. The Greek word
that is used in the original text is “Doxa” which means to honor or
glorify. He runs back to Jesus honoring and glorifying God for the
healing. Jesus points out that the only one who offered thanks was a
Samaritan who are considered by Jesus’ community as Godless. But
here the Samaritan is offering his thanks and praise. And Jesus tells
him that his faith has made him well, his faith that healed him.
I really think that what Jesus was saying was that although all the
Shepherd of the Valley United Methodist Church
Mission Statement
We are Shepherd of the Valley United Methodist Church, a multi-generational Christ community
seeking to sing God’s spirit into the world by inviting all, serving all, loving all.
November, 2018 Page 2
men were cured. Only the Samaritan man was
truly healed. What this story emphasizes it the
difference between being cured and being healed.
When we are cured whatever is wrong with us is
fixed, whether that means our body is made
physically healthy or perhaps a particular crisis is
resolved. What Jesus tells the Samaritan man that
he is more than cured. He is “made whole.” This
is a very important nuance, the difference between
being healed and being cured. When we are
healed we are made whole. And it is the
Samaritan’s faith, his gratitude that heals him.
So often in life we go through a difficult time. We
struggle through something that at the time seems
impossible to survive. And then when we come
out of it we just go on with our lives as if nothing
had ever happened. Maybe we are relieved it is
over, when the problem is fixed or we are cured,
often times we just want to put the unpleasantness
behind us and move on. But when we just move
on we miss the opportunity to grow as human
beings and to grow in relationship with God. Real
soul deep healing comes with gratitude, which
changes us. When we come through something,
or even when we are going through something,
whether it is physical or emotional, when we
know gratitude, we can be truly healed. We
experience God’s grace and are transformed by
gratitude.
Melody Beattie who is a very popular self-help
guru says:
Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns
what we have into enough, and more. It turns
denial into acceptance, chaos to order,
confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a
feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a
friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past,
brings peace for today, and creates a vision
for tomorrow.
The more we are able to live a life of gratitude the
more we are able to fully live our lives and maybe
even leave our lives when the time comes without
fear and anxiety, without worry because our
relationship with God, love and life strengthens
and grows.
This November as we head towards the
Thanksgiving season lets be intentional about
reflecting over the past year and finding those
things for which we are deeply grateful. Let’s
share them with other and let people know when
we are grateful for their presence in our lives.
I can definitely tell you this. I sure am thankful
for you!
May You Live Fully and Love Wastefully,
Pastor Katherine
November 11th
Sharing of gifts and pledges
Guest preacher
Catered celebration brunch
following worship
December
Circuit Rider
Information Due
November 4 (Early due to the
Thanksgiving holiday)
November, 2018 Page 3
Past and Presents Antique Appraisal Fair and Holiday Market
Saturday, November 17th, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Antique Appraisal Fair Ever wonder if your knick-knacks are worth any money? Do you swear something you own must be worth millions? Come find out for sure at our Antique Appraisal
Fair and Holiday Market! Bring up to three things ($5 for one antique item, $10 for three) you would like to be appraised by experts in the field from Bruneau & Co.
Auctioneers, and while you wait, browse for Christmas presents, craft items, baked goods or grab a bite to eat at the Holiday Market. The Appraisal Fair will run from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon in the Hope Room.
Holiday Market See Fellowship Hall and the Narthex transformed into a Christmas Market. We’ll
have all the goods and rooms we’ve offered in past bazaars, but set up as booths or pop-up tents. This is a great way to start your shopping and support SOV.
Congregational Support Needed This is one of our major fundraisers so we need your support in these ways:
Baskets: Come up with a theme (movies, pets, teatime, crafts, etc.) and bring us the contents (either purchased or out of items you have at home). You can make
the basket yourself or we’ll be glad to assemble it for you at our workshop. Please make sure to sign the sign-up sheet on the Bulletin Board in Fellowship Hall so we can keep track!
Mystery Gift: For the mystery gift, bring something with a $5-10 value to sell at
the market. We will be organizing and selling these items by theme (age range/gender, bath, kitchen, games, etc.). Please bring this in wrapped and labeled! They will be sold for $5.
Christmas Items: Bring in any unwanted Christmas items/decorations that are in good shape that could be sold in the Christmas Booth
Grandma's Attic: Grandma’s Attic is back! Bring in any unwanted, good condition items that could be sold for under $5 in Grandma's Attic.
Baked Goods, Candy, Etc.: All the cooks, bakers, and candy makers out there—we need your contributions!
Volunteer: We will be setting up on November 9th and 10th—please come help out. We also need help the day of the Fair. Contact Sam Dyl at 401-862-6748 or
[email protected] if you can help.
Flyer: You will find a flyer about the Fair and Market on the next page. Please
print or copy and post in the public spaces your frequent: local stores or shops, libraries, or other places where our community can learn about it.
November, 2018 Page 5
Stewardship:
Supporting SOV’s
Missions and Ministry
at Home and Abroad By the time you read this we will be in the midst
of our 2019 Stewardship Campaign. This is the
time when we pledge our support for the missions
and ministry of Shepherd of the Valley for next
year. Our campaign will be a four-week program
highlighting local, conference and worldwide
missions and ministry. We will already have
heard about the nature of a mission church in the
New England Conference when we had the dialog
about Open Table of Christ on 10/21. Over the
next several Sundays, we will be hearing about the
following:
10/21: The nature of a Mission Church in the
NE Conference. Dialogue about Open Table
of Christ.
10/28: Personal witness - Kristin Hayes-Leite
11/4: International Mission of Peace - Lisa
Marciniak
11/11: Consecration Sunday - the Rev. David
Abbott, United Methodist Foundation of New
England, will lead us in worship. Following
the service, we will celebrate with a catered
brunch in Fellowship Hall.
As members of our church family, you will shortly
receive a letter celebrating your support of the
work of our church this year, and asking for your
continued support of current and new ministries in
2019. After prayerful reflection, we ask you to
express your commitments on an enclosed pledge
card. We also encourage you to join those
members who already use the convenience of our
secure EFT (Electronic Funds Program) program.
Thank you for your contributions of time, talents
and gifts to Shepherd of the Valley this year. We
look forward to your continued support in 2019.
Together we make a difference!
Linda and Howard Gay
Stewardship Chairs
Electronic Funds
Transfer Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) provides a safe
and secure way for you to give regularly—your
gift will be deducted from your checking account
on a weekly or monthly basis. Forms are available
in the narthex at church. Please note that if you
already use EFT and you have changed your gift,
you will have to fill out a new form. If your gift is
the same, you don’t need to do anything—your
regular withdrawals will continue.
Office Notes Upcoming Event?
If you have an upcoming event or are hosting
coffee hour and need supplies, please check what
we have in the kitchen and storage area. If
something is missing, let Pam know if we need to
order something at least two weeks ahead of time.
Sunday Bulletin Announcements
Just a reminder that your announcements for the
Sunday bulletin must be submitted to the office
not later than the Tuesday before you’d like them
to appear. Call the church office (821-8217),
leave a note in the church office mailbox, or email
[email protected]. Thank you!
Church Program Drop-offs
Are you dropping something off for Open Table,
the Christmas Fair, the food pantry, or another
mission project or event? Please put a label on
your items/boxes so we can ensure they end up in
the proper place. If you put it in the clothing
closet (next to the sanctuary), please leave Pam a
note so she knows it’s there.
Shop ‘til You Drop! (and support the United Methodist
Women)
Charming Treasures Danielson Pike, North Scituate
November 7th
5:30 – 8:00 p.m.
November, 2018 Page 6
Upcoming Events
All Hallows Eve Labyrinth Walk
On October 31st we will hold our third annual All
Hallows Eve Labyrinth Walk. According to
folklore, Halloween night has been considered the
time in the year where the veil between this world
and the next is thinnest. On Halloween night we
will light our labyrinth with luminaries and take
time to walk with those we love who have passed
on. We will gather at the parsonage for a bowl of
soup a 7:00 p.m. Bring a mug and a spoon. Then
we will walk the labyrinth together. This
experience is open to the public.
All-Saints Sunday
November 4th. we will be
celebrating all Saints Day. You
are welcome to bring pictures
of people you have love and
lost either this year or in the
past. We will take the time to honor the saints in
our lives.
Wednesday Day Bible Study
This group meets Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m. in the
Hope Room. We are currently looking at the
Bible itself. Who wrote it? Why is it structured the
way it is? This group is open to all! Join us!
Women in Spiritual Harmony (WISH)
WISH will be starting our Advent study on
November 28th
. We will be doing Christmas Gifts
That Won't Break by James W. Moore. The
product description is as follows. "This year as
you light the candles of your Advent wreath,
reflect on the unbreakable gifts that God has given
us: hope, love, joy, and peace, and be reminded of
God’s greatest gift…a baby who leads us through
all the days of our lives. Beloved teacher James
W. Moore explores the spirit of Christmas with
stories, Scriptures, and thoughts that warm our
hearts throughout the season while challenging us
to rethink the gifts we ask for and give at this
time." If anyone is interested in participating in
this study, contact Dorothy Fassbender before
November 6th
. We meet Wednesdays from 9:30 to
11:00 a.m. at the church. All women are welcome
to join us!
Wednesday Evening Bible Study
This group meets at 7:00 p.m. in the Hope Room
and will be continuing our study of Painting the
Stars: Science, Religion and an Evolving Faith.
Celebrating the communion of science and
faith, Painting the Stars explores the promise of
evolutionary Christian spirituality. Featuring over
a dozen leading theologians and progressive
thinkers, the seven-session program includes a
downloadable/printable participant reader (written
by evolutionary theologian Bruce Sanguin) and a
facilitator guide with discussion questions. The
basic format for each 1-1 1/2-hour session
includes conversation around the readings, a 20-
minute video presentation and guided discussion.
No previous study experience is necessary and all
are welcome to join at any time! Please note that
we will not be meeting on October 31st or
November21st.
Buy Local and Support the United Methodist
Women!
We will be having an in-store party, at Charming
Treasures on Danielson Pike in North Scituate. On
Wednesday November 7th, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Stop in anytime for appetizers, dessert, socializing
and shopping! Get a head start on your Christmas
shopping, or treat yourself! There is no pressure
to buy anything. A percentage of the sales will go
to United Methodist Women to support local and
global missions. Any questions call Pat Rodin at
647-3111, or email [email protected].
Family Friday
"Family Fun Night” will be Friday, November 9th
starting at 6:00 p.m. It will be the first Parents'
Night Out and Kids' Night In! Kids can come in
their pajamas to enjoy a movie and the adults will
have their own fun elsewhere! Hope to see you
there and remember, dinner is provided for both
adults and children!"
United Methodist Women (UMW)
November Meeting - The UMW will meet on
Thursday, November 15th at 11:00 a.m. We will
gather and begin with our business portion
followed by a program featuring making
Thanksgiving Day cards for our shut-ins. We are
November, 2018 Page 7
working on having someone to show us the
various techniques available. All supplies will be
provided, just bring your ideas and talents with
you. Every woman is invited. Bring a lunch,
drinks are provided. Come and share this time
together.
Advance Notice: Christmas Party! - Our
December Christmas party will be held on Friday
the 14th at 6:00 p.m. It will be a pot luck dinner
followed by a Yankee Swap. You are asked to
bring a $10.00 gift, all nicely wrapped. The
prettier the package the more enthusiasm you will
create. We are also going to collect items that
Cramar Nursing Home on Seven Mile Road in
Hope is in need of. A notice as to what we will be
donating will be in the December Circuit Rider
and the Sunday Bulletin.
Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service
On November 21st at 7:00 p.m. we will be joining
Trinity Episcopal and St. Joseph’s Catholic
Church in celebrating an ecumenical
Thanksgiving service. This will be an excellent
opportunity to center ourselves in a spirit of
gratitude as we enter into the holiday season.
Pastor Katherine will be preaching for this service.
Ann Brandt Memorial
On November 23rd
at 2:00 p.m. you are invited to
join the family of Ann Brandt in a life celebration
memorial service at Shepherd of the Valley. Ann
was a long-time, active member of our church.
Hanging of the Greens
On November 25th
, we will
be celebrating a Hanging of
the Greens service. Please
bring a special ornament to
church to hang on our family
tree. The children will be
leading this service.
Regular Meetings and Events
Editor’s Note: Our church has many meetings,
classes, and fellowship opportunities that occur on
a regular basis. Please check the list below for the
schedules of programs or opportunities you might
be interested in. If you have something you’d like
included in this section, please email me at
[email protected], call me at 944-9668, or leave a
note in the Circuit Rider mailbox at church.
Hannah Bell-Lombardo
Monday Morning Prayer Group: We gather for
prayer in the Hope Room at 10:00 a.m. on the
second and fourth Mondays of each month.
United Methodist Women (UMW): The
UMW is now meeting on the third Thursday of
the month from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Please
see the article in the “Upcoming Events”
section for details on this month’s meeting.
Knitting Ministry: The Knitting Ministry
meets on the second Tuesday of each month at
1:00 in the library. Our projects include
prayer shawls, baptismal shawls, preemie and
chemo hats, and sweaters for World Vision.
Even if you can't attend the meetings, you can
always knit at home. If you have questions,
please call Sue Kizlinski at 401-527-8702.
Women in Spiritual Harmony (WISH): WISH
meets Wednesdays from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at
the church. See information on our g studies
in the “Women in Spiritual Harmony” article.
All women are welcome.
Wednesday Day Bible Study: This group will
be studying the Bible, Wednesdays at 11:00
a.m. in the Hope Room. See the article on the
prior page.
Wednesday Evening Study: This group will
resume meeting Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. in
the Hope Room. See the article on the prior
page.
Men’s Fellowship Breakfasts: This group
meets at the Phenix Square Restaurant at 6:00
a.m. November’s meetings are on the 2nd
,
16th
, and 30th
. All men are welcome.
Signing Choir: The Signing Choir rehearses
on Sundays at 9:00 a.m. All are welcome to
join—no signing experience needed!
Family Sunday: The last Sunday of each
month is Family Sunday where our children
serve as ushers, greeters, Communion
stewards, and liturgists. If you have children
who are taking part in the worship, please
arrive by 9:00 a.m. so we can run through the
bulletin and review our “jobs” for the day.
November, 2018 Page 8
Music Notes Reminding all again that the SOV Adult Choir
will begin in earnest our preparation for our
annual Christmas Cantata. We are looking
forward to as many singers as possible to join with
us again for this great
worship experience and
offering for the
Advent/Christmas season.
As they say, come one,
come all! Remember that
you don’t have to read music
to participate.
Steve Haunschild
Help Wanted Antique Appraisal Fair and Holiday Market
Lots of help is needed to make this event, one of
SOV’s major fundraisers, a success. Please see all
the ways you can help under “Congregational
Support Needed” in the article on page 3.
Sunday School
Our Sunday School can always use helping hands.
We have three classes (pre-school, elementary,
and middle school), each taught by co-teachers. If
you are interested in teaching, or in helping out in
any way, please email Lisa Marciniak, our Family
Ministry Coordinator at [email protected].
Lisa will also be passing around a binder with help
requests during worship on Sundays. Please
review this carefully to see if there’s somewhere
our Sunday School can use your talents, even on
an occasional basis.
Fellowship Hour Sign-Up Hosting Fellowship Hour is a great time to
promote fellowship in the church. You don’t have
to provide anything elaborate—just some goodies
and coffee (and
help/instructions are
available for the coffee-
making). Simply sign up
on the list in Fellowship
Hall.
Caring and Sharing
Turkey Tree
The Thanksgiving Tree is on display in
Fellowship Hall. We anticipate needing 40 baskets
but that number could rise. Please grab a card (or
two) with our needs from the board. All donations
are due by Sunday, November 18th
and place in
the appropriate box in Fellowship Hall or in a
fridge/freezer. If you prefer to make a monetary
donation, we'll be happy to do the shopping.
Shepherd’s Pantry
Our food pantry continues needs all the basics,.We
can use vegetables, tuna, pasta, spaghetti sauce,
cereal, fruit, soup, and crackers. Since many of
our clients have health issues, healthier food
options, including lower sodium/fat free items, are
always welcome. Have boxes? Computer paper
boxes are the perfect size. Toilet paper is needed
as well. Many thanks for your continued
donations and cash gifts for the support to help our
neighbors in need.
Grocery Tapes for Missions
Save your register tapes from Brigidos! We
receive $.01 for missions for each dollar spent.
Give them to Regina Sprague or drop them off in
the UMW mailbox at church.
Shut-Ins
The Nurture-Outreach Ministry Team has a new
shut-in list posted on the bulletin board next to the
kitchen. Please think of these important members
of our community and send them a card, or better
yet, stop by for a visit. If there’s anyone you
know who needs a visit, let one of the team
members or the church office know and we’ll add
them to the list.
Fellowship Hour Thank You There is not a lot to say about how important
fellowship hour after church is until you look
around and see everyone visiting and connecting
during this time. A special thank you goes out to
all our Sunday Fellowship Hour hosts and
hostesses who provide the goodies and make this
time possible. All should step up to the plate and
take a turn. Feel free to have a friend or family
November, 2018 Page 9
member help you out—volunteers are needed and
help showing how everything is done is available.
PK invites you to “friend” her on Facebook.
Save Your Pop-Tabs!
We are continuing to collect your pop tabs—
there’s a box in the kitchen for them. These tabs
go toward helping with food, supplies, and utilities
for the Ronald McDonald House in Providence.
The House provides a home-away-from-home for
families of critically ill children. Without these
donations, the House would not be able to provide
for the families. Thank you for the tabs and if you
have any questions about donations, please contact
Sue Dyl.
Blood Pressure Measurement
We are able to check blood pressures in the office.
Check with Pastor Katherine.
Church Council
Minutes: September
24, 2018
Present: Council members present included Rob
Bower, John Lombardo, Samantha Dyl, Maryanne
Desrosiers, Lisa Marciniak, Barbara Walz,
Howard Gay, and Tom Senerchia. Also present
were church members Donna Faria and Marti
Bower, Pastor Katherine Mitchell, and guest
David Abbot, Director of Stewardship for the
United Methodist Foundation.
The meeting was opened at 7:05 p.m. with sharing
our joys and concerns, introduction of those
present, and an opening prayer.
David Abbot provided some information on his
background and experience with fundraising, and
asked about our hopes. John brought up the need
for a new roof, and our plan to fund that by
borrowing from our endowment, to be paid back
with interest from the trustees’ funds. He also
noted that improvements to the sanctuary and
Fellowship Hall are needed, and referenced the
problems experienced in planning for and funding
the Hope Room. David discussed a capital
campaign as spiritual work, and noted the
relationship of our spaces to our vision and
mission as well as our relationship to each other.
The next step for us to consider would be an
outside-facilitated “dream session” to start
identifying what’s important to us in our space.
Out of that would come a wish list with visuals,
and a feasibility study.
Howard described the fall stewardship campaign,
which will be modeled on last year’s successful
campaign. There will be outside and internal
speakers, with a culmination of the drive on
November 11th
.
Sam brought us up to date on the Christmas
Market, which will be similar to last year’s with
some tweaks. The big difference will be the
appraisal portion, being coordinated by Jay
O’Connor.
Pastor Katherine closed us with a prayer. The
meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Hannah Bell-Lombardo
Shepherd of the Valley Non-Profit Organization
United Methodist Church U.S. POSTAGE PAID
604 Seven Mile Road West Warwick, RI
Hope, RI 02831 PERMIT 1
DO NOT FORWARD— CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
TIME VALUE—DO NOT DELAY NOVEMBER, 2018 CIRCUIT RIDER
Saturday November 17th
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Antique appraisals from 10 a.m. - 12 noon
$5 per antique item or $10 for three