Newsletter with images in PDF format
Newsletter on Mailchimp
BEYOND THE GREEN DOORS
The newsletter of the Peterborough United Methodist Church
43 Concord Street, Peterborough, NH
September 2022
In This Issue:
Events
Celebrations
Missions
From Pastor Thom
Breakfast
Homecoming
Growing up in Peterborough
Youth Hike
Missions
Holiday Stroll
Fellowship
UMCOR Sunday
Youth Car Wash
Sun 10a Sunday Worship Service in-person and online
Tue-Wed 9a-12 Admin Virtual Office Hours
Thu 9a-12 Admin In-Person Office Hours
Wed 5p-8:30 Pastor Thom’s Office Hours
Sep 9 7p Open Mic Night doors open 6:30
Sep 10 1-4p Youth Benefit Car Wash @Belletetes Jaffrey
Sep 11 UMCOR Special Sunday
Sep 11 8a Free Community Breakfast
Sep 11 11a Holiday Stroll planning meeting
Sep 13 6:30p Admin Council meeting via Zoom
Sep 18 10a Homecoming Sunday
Sep 20 1:30p Book Group
Sep 21 7p Missions meeting via Zoom
Sep 27 Newsletter submissions due
Birthdays:
David Ladeau 9/1
Ethan Monroe 9/2
Jeff Woodward 9/6
Justine Gaskamp 9/12
Jace Southwick 9/12
Shannon Dunning Morris 9/13
Jean Harris 9/18
Kelly Molloy 9/19
Valerie Galloway 9/24
John Woodward 9/27
Gladys Bugler 10/1
Membership Anniversaries:
Rosamond Hoffay 9/23
Craig Descoteaux 10/4
Susan Campbell-Halley 10/7
Michelle Isabelle 10/8
Jim Poplin 10/21
FROM PASTOR THOM
Greetings brothers and sisters in Christ,
It is hard to believe that my wife, also known as Terry, our two dogs, and myself have been living in New Hampshire for six months. We are still trying to find our way around and finding good places to bring our dogs for walks. We still commute to Massachusetts two times a week, which is about a two-hour drive one way. My wife and I are glad we made the move; we love the lifestyle and where we live.
This month has gone by quickly, it seems like yesterday when I first preached at Peterborough UMC. I must admit that when the district superintendent first asked me to consider serving a church, I had my apprehensions. I still have many things to get accomplished at my home before it is complete. The second time he requested me to serve a church, it was Peterborough UMC and as you know, I accepted the call. I am blessed to serve you as the Pastor of Peterborough UMC.
During this month I have been trying to meet the members of the church who attend Sunday Worship and those who could not for one reason or another. I have been making phone calls with the intention of reaching out and building relationships with my flock. If you have not been able to come to church and have not received a call, please forgive me, and call me 774-266-3033. It is important to me and the church that you know we are here for you, especially when you cannot come to the church.
It will be a challenge for me to get up to speed knowing how the church operates and the people on the different committees. However, I am not one to run away from a challenge. On the contrary, I always turn to one of my favorite scriptures Philippians 4:13. I can do all things through God who strengthens me.
Together we will take on any challenge and overcome through prayer, perseverance, and dedication. I have quite a bit of work to do, but I will be looking to all of you for assistance.
This is a new season for the church, it is time for the Pastor and the church to get to know each other. We need to learn each other’s strengths and weaknesses to build each other up. I am committed to learning about each person in the church from the oldest to the youngest. I will be trying to find your spiritual gifts and request your help in areas that we feed and grow your spiritual gift. It is extremely important to me that I reenergize the church with a new excitement to bring us to the next level of commitment. The Lord has plans for this church, I do not know what they are as of this point, but I am continuing to pray for God’s discernment and guidance.
The future of Peterborough UMC is bright and full of hope. We are just getting started and the journey will be long, but together we will make it a marvelous adventure. This church has so much potential, we just need to embrace change. We will still look to the past and our elders for guidance and knowledge to move forward. If you can come to the church and for some reason or another have taken a step back, I am requesting you to give the church another chance and allow us to build a relationship and future with you.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Thom
FREE COMMUNITY BREAKFAST – Sunday, September 11, 8am
HOMECOMING- Sunday, September 18, 10a
You are welcome! Start a new season at PUMC.
Homecoming Sunday, September 18th, 10am in-person or online
GROWING UP IN PETERBOROUGH IN THE 50S AND 60S
Here is a neat video from the Union Congregational Church. Growing Up In Peterborough In the 1950s & 60s. Jimmy Smith shares a bit of local history from his childhood. https://www.uccpeterborough.org/post/growing-up-in-peterborough-in-the-50s-60s
HIKE WITH THE YOUTH
In July some of the youth and a few adults hiked up Gap Mountain to pick blueberries. It was a beautiful day with plenty of sunshine and lots of blueberries. We stopped on the hike up to check out the “bear cave.” Fortunately there were no bears on that day!
FROM THE MISSIONS TEAM
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
Sept. 9 Open Mic Night (2nd Friday of the Month; doors open 6:30pm)
Sept. 10 Youth Car Wash
Sept. 11 UMCOR Sunday (Special Sunday)
OPEN MIC NIGHT – Sep 9, doors open 6:30p
THANK YOU!
This year’s backpack drive supplied 19 colorful Land’s End backpacks stocked with school supplies to help area children have a great start to their new school year! We appreciate all who made donations and assisted with the filling of the backpacks!
HOLIDAY STROLL PLANNING MEETING – Sunday, September 11, 11a
The Missions Team is looking for groups from Peterborough UMC to take part in this year’s in-person Holiday Stroll on Saturday, Nov. 19. Ways our church has contributed in the past include: bake sale, holiday greens, Christmas crafts, Youth/Sunday School fundraiser, Fair Trade goods and a holiday lunch. We look forward to hearing your ideas at our first informal planning meeting after church on Sunday, September 11 in the Fellowship Hall.
FELLOWSHIP TREATS SIGN-UP
A new sign-up sheet is now located near the entry into the sanctuary for folks to volunteer to bring a little something to nibble on during Fellowship time after service. Please consider signing up for a date that works best for you and bring a light snack to go with coffee. Thank you!
UMCOR SPECIAL SUNDAY – September 11
Give now: UMC.org/SSGive
YOUTH BENEFIT CAR WASH – Saturday, September 10, 1-4, at Belletetes in Jaffrey
Everyone is invited to contribute to the newsletter! Send in your photos, thank yous, birthdays, events, testimonials, poems, letters, printable artwork, prayer submissions…
Please submit all materials for the next newsletter (October) to our editors by the LAST TUESDAY, September 27. This is the newsletter that will be released Sunday, October 2 and cover until to Sunday, October 30. Send to the office at 603-924-4294 or email info@peterboroughumc.org, with the subject “Newsletter submission.” Thanks!
Want to subscribe? You can email or call the office (above) to get a print copy of the newsletter, or visit http://bit.ly/subscribepumc to get it in your email.
PETERBOROUGH UMC COMMUNICATIONS
In addition to “Beyond the Green Doors,” Peterborough UMC offers the following ways you can keep in touch.
We are on the web: https://www.PeterboroughUMC.org
We are on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pumcnh/
Any concerns with content can be addressed with the pastor.