Newsletter with images in PDF format
BEYOND THE GREEN DOORS
The newsletter of the Peterborough United Methodist Church
43 Concord Street, Peterborough, NH
November 2020
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
Events:
Sunday Worship streaming on YouTube Sun 10a http://bit.ly/pumcYouTube
and posted online (after Sunday) http://bit.ly/pumcworshipvideo
Online Fellowship Hour Sun 1p https://bit.ly/pumcfellowship
Daily Morning Devotional daily 7a http://bit.ly/revcardfb
Nov 4 30 Days with King David Study begins via Zoom 10a & 7p
Nov 10 Church Conference 6:30p Zoom meeting *AdCo cancelled
Nov 24 Newsletter submissions due
Nov 24 PUMC Book Group 1:30p
Nov 24 Interfaith Thanksgiving online 6:30p
Nov 29 Incarnation Study begins via Zoom 10a & 7p
Stay Involved:
Digital Welcome Card http://bit.ly/pumcwelcomecard
Bulletins http://bit.ly/pumcbulletin
Children’s Bulletins http://bit.ly/pumckidsbulletin
Sunday School To Go https://bit.ly/sundayschooltogo
Offering http://bit.ly/pumcoffering
Online Giving http://bit.ly/pumconlinegiving
Facebook https://bit.ly/pumcfacebook
YouTube http://bit.ly/pumcYouTube
DO WE REALLY WANT TO KNOW?
Matthew 24:36-44 (New International Reader’s Version)
36 “No one knows about that day or hour. Not even the angels in heaven know. The Son does not know. Only the Father knows.
37 “Remember how it was in the days of Noah. It will be the same when the Son of Man comes.
38 “In the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking. They were getting married. They were giving their daughters to be married. They did all those things right up to the day Noah entered the ark. 39 They knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be when the Son of Man comes.
40 “Two men will be in the field. One will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill. One will be taken and the other left.
42 “So keep watch. You do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 You must understand something. Suppose the owner of the house knew what time of night the robber was coming. Then he would have kept watch. He would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready. The Son of Man will come at an hour when you don’t expect him.
Do we know enough to do God’s work in this world? Are we lacking in the ability to know?
While we cannot know the day and hour when we will be asked to account for the things we have done in our life—we can know that the day and the hour will come when we will be asked to account for our lives. This does not have to be frightening, we have been told all that we need to know to be prepared.
In Light of what Jesus has taught us, we know how to live—we know how to balance our heart’s desires with our body’s actions and our mouth’s words. So, the key for us is to, “Keep awake, therefore.”
The mention of Noah should remind us that Noah was alert to God’s will while his neighbors did whatever they wanted to do. Jesus is warning us against drowsing off into lazy conformity with our culture. In this text we see that not only did the Disciples do not know the day and the hour, but also the Son does not know either. This tells me that our standing with God never rests on our knowing—but on our trusting and following the way Jesus set out for us.
We live in the time between sleepiness and presumption: we can neither be presumptive that we “know” it all, nor passive and claiming we do not “know” enough to know what to do
And that worries us—we are people of the Enlightenment who see measuring time, as necessary. It is riveting to read that in Jesus’ own words—even the Son himself does not know the hour when God’s will is to be made known. We see firsthand the dimension of the incarnation that accentuates the humanity of Jesus. The incarnation of Jesus gives us—at critical points like this—a better understanding of the limitations of our humanity.
When we hear two men will be in the field and one will be taken—we can certainly recall that history is replete with stories about unfortunate events where one person suffers, and another person is spared. These times defy human understanding.
In order to put this in perspective, we must remain open to all the possibilities God has in store for us in God’s time. The disciples ask for a sign—ignoring that Jesus is living among them—and yet they still want another sign. Jesus on the other hand wants them to be vigilant now.
In using Noah as an example Jesus is not threatening to end the world with a flood again—rather he is asking the disciples to be alert. He is not trying to bring dread but anticipation; not cringing but constancy. Knowing this we can respond to waiting with faith, compassion, and courage. The only barrier we have is that human beings are not comfortable with “not knowing.”
So, I end with an example of how “not knowing” can be a blessing. In Budapest, Hungary, after the fall of communism, people are now able to request their files. A protestant clergyman refuses to retrieve his file, he does not want to know that perhaps a colleague or a friend denounced him, He asks, “What would I do with that knowledge?” He says he wants to leave that knowledge with God.
We followers of Jesus are asked to be patient in our anticipation. Not easy in a society that presents us with choices that thrive on immediate gratification. So, during this season my prayer for us is that we remain alert and that we prepare to experience the incarnation of Jesus as a mark of eternal hope.
PANDEMIC PLEA
Help! Has anyone seen Dial antibacterial liquid hand soap available in any stores that you frequent? Has to be the deep orange, medical type use soap and has to be Dial brand. Needed desperately for treating rosacea skin condition. If you know of where it’s available, give Susan Lindquist a call.
CHURCH FAMILY CELEBRATIONS
Birthdays:
Ann Hampson 11/2
James Poplin 11/3
Lucy Jane Benton 11/6
Richard Clason II 11/8
Cynthia Faust 11/8
David Pierce 11/14
Ron Crowe 11/22
Membership Anniversaries:
Patty Echavarria 11/1
Steve Venning 11/1
Steven Griggs 11/3
Patrick Troy 11/3
Wendy Dunning 11/13
Pat Woodward 11/13
Lucinda Lowell 11/15
Tom Lowell 11/15
Justine Gaskamp 11/27
Russell Gaskamp 11/27
2020 PUMC HOLIDAY FAIR CANCELLED
The consensus of last Monday evening’s ZOOM meeting attendees was to step back from trying to orchestrate an on-line Holiday Stroll for PUMC. The logistics for building an event on our church website and FB page was too daunting a task and there was concern that there would not be enough crafty items, knitted and sewn items to make a sale feasible. The obvious lack of home baked items would also take away from our usual bake table and apple pie sale. SO… keep calm and continue crafting for next year’s Stroll and we’ll come back stronger than ever!
WREATH ORDERS – due November 10
In the meantime, though, don’t lose heart! Priscilla and Ron Crowe are spearheading the annual wreath sale and you have until November 10th to order your wreaths for your front door, barn door, back porch, et cetera!
Please see the wreath sizes, prices, and bow colors below!
You must order by November 10, pay on delivery.
Call Priscilla Crowe.
Sizes available are 12 inch for $15, 14 inch for $17, 16 inch for $20, and 18 inch for $22 (same as 2019).
Bow sizes are 6 loops $3.50 or 8 loops $4.50, bow colors are brick red, burgundy, and cream.
Please let Priscilla know your name, the quantity, size, bow size, and bow color.
PUMC BOOK GROUP
The next meeting of the PUMC Book Group will be via ZOOM on Tuesday, November 24th @ 1:30 PM. ZOOM invites are sent out on the day before the meeting, so if you would like to join this month’s book discussion, let Susan Lindquist know.
The book title for November’s discussion is Blood of the Prodigal by PL Gaus. Books can be downloaded through various on-line sources (NH State Library, Audible app, Kindle, etc), by contacting your public library to request a copy or through on-line and local bookstores. If you’d like to read the book and are having trouble sourcing it, contact Susan Lindquist.
More about the book Blood of the Prodigal by PL Gaus: https://bookshop.org/books/blood-of-the-prodigal-an-amish-country-mystery/
SHOP WITH SERRV FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Another opportunity to support the church is offered by the Mission Committee’s annual Fair Trade Sale to support SERRV artisans’ work and local non-profits that our church supports.
Gifts to buy? Homes to spruce? Shop handmade from the web link below and 20% of your purchase will support local PUMC Missions – the other 80% will support Serrv International, a nonprofit that employs global artisans living in poverty. That’s 100% good.
Thank you!
✔ Fair wages
✔ Sustainable income
✔ Safe working conditions
✔ Education
✔ Equality
Dedicated to fighting poverty through fair trade since 1949, Serrv International works with nearly 8,000 artisans and farmers in 24 countries to bring you the world’s most beautiful handcrafts.
It should say at the top of your screen:
20% of your online order today will be donated to Peterborough United Methodist Church
Your SERRV items will be shipped directly to your home.
Order early for Thanksgiving or Christmas items for the best selection and keep an eye out for special promotions.
Upcoming Promotions:
• 11/14-11/15 FREE Ground Shipping over $50; Promo Code: SEHOLIDAY20
• 11/21-11/22 FREE $10 Gift Card with every $50+ purchase; Promo Code: SEGC20
• 12/5-12/6 FREE Ground Shipping over $50; Promo Code: SESNOWMAN20
Use this link to browse Serrv’s collection of Fair Trade Artisan goods and learn more about their partners around the world:
https://www.serrv.org/?a=Missions
MONADNOCK HABITAT FOR HUMANITY CELEBRATES THE COMPLETION OF THE HUNDLEY FAMILY HOME
Friday, October 23rd, 2020 was a day of excitement and much gratitude for Monadnock Habitat for Humanity (MHFH) and the Hundley family of Keene. On this date, Curtis and Shannon Hundley passed papers and became first time homeowners of a Habitat-built three-bedroom, two-bath ranch at 62 Armory Street in Keene. By doing so, they assumed full responsibility of a 30-year interest free mortgage held by MHFH.
This project initially began in March with the ground-breaking and foundation work, which unfortunately was affected by the COVID-19 stay-at-home directives and what seemed to be a tremendous setback for MHFH. But thankfully, and with only about a 6-week delay, the MHFH board members and the Hundley’s worked together for the next several months to make this project a reality. It was the love, generosity and support of so many friends, community business owners and organizations of all types that made this housing achievement all possible.
Curtis and Shannon Hundley, with their three school-aged children will now be living in a well-built new home in a safe neighborhood at a reduced price well-below market value. This was only possible due to donations of building materials and services from local companies and with the construction primarily completed by Habitat volunteers. The new homeowners contributed to the mandatory “sweat equity” requirement, along with their extended family during the build. A boost in MHFH fundraising for this project came from the generosity of the Mary Kidd Estate.
A scaled-down dedication ceremony was held on Saturday morning outside the home with the Hundley family and their close friends, along with the MHFH board and some key committee members. Due to COVID-19 the normal ceremony with an open invitation for all volunteers, contractors and suppliers was not possible, so suppliers and contractors were invited for a drive-by parade as a way of participating!
Requirements for acceptance to Habitat Ownership:
• Need for safer housing due to poor home construction, crowded or temporary situation, sub-standard conditions, unsafe neighborhoods. etc
• Income and financial ability to pay an affordable mortgage (these payments are then cycled back to MHFH to help build more affordable Habitat homes in the community)
• Commitment to participate in classes on personal finances, budgeting, home maintenance and other relevant topics to help ensure successful home ownership
• Willingness to partner with MHFH on the build by contributing 300 hours of “sweat equity”
Now in its 29th year, MHFH moves forward with future plans. And, more than ever, realizes its mission to build decent, safe and affordable housing is needed during these times of uncertainty and desperate housing situations. When not building homes, MHFH often responds to requests for help from low income homeowners with small home repairs related to weatherization, safety and accessibility.
For MHFH to move forward on our next project without delay, financial assistance is needed now. We have identified qualified families in need at this very time! For those willing and able to donate, there are many ways to do so via our website at www: monadnockhabitat.org. Memorial donations may also be made as well as donations as part of an estate plan. Other options include donating land, materials, or funding specific parts of home builds.
With the help of many, may we join with each other in our shared vision and spirit of building homes together. PLEASE DONATE TODAY! Donations may be mailed to MHFH, P.O. Box 21, Keene NH 03431.
FACEBOOK
Have you given us a Like on Facebook? Good stuff on there. We’re also on Instagram and YouTube.
ONLINE FELLOWSHIP HOUR!
Please join our hosts this Sunday at 1pm for online fellowship with the PUMC church family.
Want to contact someone and don’t see their info listed? They should be in the church directory, or contact the church office at 924-4294 or email info@PeterboroughUMC.org and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Everyone is invited to contribute to the newsletter! Send in your thank yous, birthdays, photos, events, testimonials, prayer submissions…
Please submit all materials for the next newsletter (November) to our editors by the LAST TUESDAY November 27. This is the newsletter that will be released November 1 and cover until Sunday November 29. Send to Melissa French at 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/
This newsletter was compiled by Melissa French. Any concerns with content can be addressed with Reverend Card.