Please enjoy our newsletter for February 2016.
See it prettified in the PDF, with links and lovely photos: Beyond the Green Doors – February 2016 Newsletter
Beyond the
Green Doors
The newsletter of the
Peterborough United Methodist Church
43 Concord Street, Peterborough, NH
February 2016
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
Tue 2 Prayer Shawl Ministry 1 pm
Wed 10 Book Group 7 pm
Wed 10 Ash Wednesday 7 pm
Sat 13 Sweetheart Potluck
Fri 19 Open Mic 7 pm
Sun 21 Friend Day 10 am
Wed 24 Newsletter submissions due
Sat 27 Men’s Group 7:30 am
Tue Mar 1 UMW Meeting 7 pm
Thu 24 Holy Thursday 7 pm
Fri 25 Good Friday 12 noon
Sun 27 Easter
Sat Apr 2 Benefit Dinner Transitional Housing
Sat 16 Tailgate Dinner 5 pm
BEYOND THE GREEN DOORS
Church leaders should not be the only ones contributing to the newsletter. Send me your photos, events, testimonials, gratitude wall submissions…
Please submit all materials for the next newsletter (March) to our editors by the last Wednesday of the month, February 24. This is the newsletter that will be released on Sunday February 28 and cover until Sunday March 3. Send to Melissa French. Email, ready for copy and paste, with the subject “Newsletter submission.” Thanks!
UPDATES FROM PETERBOROUGHUMC.ORG
Speaking of Faith – January 24, 2016 – Worship Service Video
Somlandela – January 24, 2016 – Music Ministry
Stand in Awe – January 24, 2016 – Music Ministry
The Childhood of Jesus – January 3, 2016 – Worship Service Video
What Does the Lord Require Cover Image
In the Sanctuary – Original Poem
Together in Christ: New Year’s message from Bishop Devadhar
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
We continue to seek people to help with aspects of our worship and fellowship. Methodism was founded on the concept of Lay Ministry so consider volunteering your talents to strengthen our ministries.
Offering counters
Worship Helpers
Coffee Hour
MEN’S GROUP
The Peterborough UMC Men’s Group meets the last Saturday of the month, the next meeting is Saturday February 27. Cooking begins around 7:30 – 8 am. All men are welcome no matter where you are on your spiritual journey. You can be of any religion or none.
NURSERY
Welcome Brianne Yazzi, our new Nursery Attendant!
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
The prayer shawl group meets at the church the first Tuesday of the month. We have plenty of yarn to choose from, and willing hands to help you get started. We knit or crochet from 1:00- approximately 2:00. All are welcome!
FREE ITEMS
1. Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000 in original package
2. Microsoft Wheel Mouse Optical in original package
3. Panasonic Palmcorder Camcorder Uses tapes only used once
– Contact Carol Owen
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
The United Methodist Women will meet March 1, 2016 at 7 PM at the church. The program “What Ever Happened to the Peculiar Institution?” Human Trafficking in the Modern Age will be presented by Susan Lindquist. A video will be shown followed by a discussion time. This is a growing problem in our country and UMW national is working with government agencies to pass appropriate legislation.
All the women of the church are invited. Bring your friends and husbands also.
FRIEND DAY
Remember, the 3rd Sunday of the month is Friend Day worship. Please consider bringing a friend or neighbor with you, calling someone to carpool to church, and wearing your nametag in worship!
If you want us to sing you Happy Birthday, you should come to church on Friend Day!
Invite a friend – Bring a friend – Be a friend
FOOD PANTRY NEEDS
The food pantry has requested paper goods like napkins and tissues, and snacks for kids.
TAILGATE DINNER
We have once again committed to supporting The Community Kitchen in Keene by serving a Saturday dinner for the homeless. The next dinner will be on Saturday, April 16th. We need people to cook, people to donate supplies, and people to serve. Please see Susan Lindquist for more info.
HUNDRED NIGHTS
There is a tub in the fellowship hall for collecting donations for the Hundred Nights homeless shelter in Keene.
Here is their current wish list:
beef or turkey jerky
bottled water
cereal bars
cheese sticks
raisins/dried fruit
tuna or chicken salad cracker kits
can openers
backpacks
conditioner and shampoo
hair brushes
nail clippers
sanitary pads
FINANCE COMMITTEE NEEDS MONEY COUNTERS
The finance committee needs volunteers to be trained to count the money collection on Sundays. The job requires counting and record in the money and depositing it at the GFA bank. Time required is about 30 minutes after church. We would like to be able to rotate this responsibility.
Please contact Ken Schultz or Carol Owen if you are willing to be trained.
BIBLE STUDY
On Sunday, 7 February, we will begin our new 13-week adult Bible study of “Sacred Gifts and Holy Gatherings”. This Bible study concentrates on the significant events of our church calendar and the basis of the holy sacraments and traditions that mark us as Christians. We will study the origins of our traditions in faith from both the Old and New Testaments and I hope improve our understanding of why and what we do as we become disciples of Jesus the Christ. All are welcome to join us at 11:25 AM.
Submitted by Jim Poplin
SWEETHEART POTLUCK SUPPER
The Worship Committee will hold a “Sweetheart Pot Luck Supper” Saturday February 13, 2016 at 5:00pm. For families and members of the United Methodist Church to be held in the United Methodist Fellowship Hall, 43 Concord St. Peterborough, N.H. The meal would be Free! Please donate your favorite dish. We are looking for casseroles, salads and desserts. Please contact David LaDeau with what you would be able to do. The Worship Committee will then compile a list of your “favorite dish” for the supper. We will also have a sign-up sheet in the fellowship hall. It should be a fun and memorable evening. Any other ideas or suggestions for the evening shall be welcome. Dave LaDeau will provide some music for the event.
WORSHIP COMMITTEE
The Worship committee has announced the following liturgical dates for 2016:
Wednesday Feb 10th Ash Wednesday 7 pm
Sunday Feb 14th First Sunday of Lent
Sunday March 20th Palm Sunday
Thursday March 24th Holy Thursday 7 pm
Friday March 25th Good Friday 12 noon
Sunday March 27th Easter
Sunday May 8th Mother’s Day
Sunday May 15th Ascension Sunday
Sunday May 22nd Pentecost Sunday
Sunday June 19th Father’s Day
Submitted by Worship Committee Chairman David LaDeau
VIGIL FOR THE HOMELESS
We would like to thank everyone that participated in the Vigil for the Homeless at Keene’s Central Square on the first night of winter. The vigil is a local version of a nationwide memorial to recognize the homeless who have died over the past year. Christmas is always a busy time of year for everyone so it was heartening to see members of our congregation at the event to hand out programs and candles, greet people and generally mingle with the crowd.
Submitted by Susan Lindquist
CYPRUS FRIENDSHIP PROGRAM
Some of you will remember that our family hosted several pairs of teens from Northern Ireland in past years. In 2011 we hosted our first pair of Cypriot teens and last year hosted our second pair.
These dynamic young adults left quite an impression on our family and indeed everyone they met while here in the US. This year I have volunteered to be an area coordinator and I need your help!
The Cyprus Friendship Program is seeking host families for its July 2016 summer program. Teenagers from north and south Cyprus, age 15-17, are paired and form relationships across the UN Buffer Zone on the island. For four weeks in the summer, the teens are hosted in pairs by US families and participate in their daily lives. They also attend group activities focused on community service, conflict resolution, leadership, team-building, and environmental awareness. CFP is recognized and supported by the Elders (Jimmy Carter, Desmond Tutu, & Lahkbar Brahimi) as well as the current presidents in the north and south of Cyprus.
Host families must provide a room for the teens to share, day-long adult supervision, and a neutral environment. Host families cover the teens’ living expenses during their U.S. stay. Tax-deductible donations to CFP cover the international travel and program activity costs. CFP is an all-volunteer movement in Cyprus and in the U.S. CFP pays no salaries, rent or capital costs. Each Cypriot teenager and their family contribute about one third of the total cost.
For more information go to www.cyprusfriendship.org and contact Christine Robidoux.
Open your home to a CFP pair during July and contribute to a more peaceful world! Please feel free to share this information if you know someone who you think would be a great host.
CHINESE AUCTION
Very important Chinese auction coming up in April. Need new or like-new items to be donated for auction. lt will be held in conjunction with a “Chicken Supreme” dinner. Also needed are empty #1 coffee cans. Please see Suzi Wong (Sue Poplin) for questions and donations.
UMCOR HEALTH KITS
We will once again be collecting for UMCOR health kits. Our goal this time around is 20 kits. You are welcome to create a full kit or buy 10 or 20 of one of the items we need. A sign up sheet is available in the fellowship hall.
TRUSTEES
Trustees will have the kitchen ceiling of the Wesley repaired and repainted due to ice damage last winter. This spring, the exterior trim on church buildings will be taken care of. They are also considering changing the locks on all church doors and re-issuing new keys for replacement.
GRATITUDE WALL
We are adding another feature called the Gratitude Wall. Where have you seen God’s grace in your daily life? Did someone do something especially cool, or go above and beyond, that deserves recognition? Has someone given of their prayers, presence, gifts, service, or witness in a way that struck you as particularly meaningful? So many people in our church family do so much, a little appreciation and applause can go a long way. This is also a place to acknowledge births and other celebrations and big events in our church family’s lives. You can send a submission that will be posted anonymously, preferably only one or two sentences.
NEW MEMBERS
A big welcome to our new members, Deb Batten, Bruce Batten, Amy Clason-Gilmet, Richard Clason, Richard Clason II, Kristel Gatcombe, Billi-Jo Ogo, Eno Ogo, Hiel Lindquist and Susan Lindquist!
CHURCH FAMILY BIRTHDAYS
Joke’s on me, no one submitted a birthday in February.
If you want a song, show up on the Friend Day (3rd Sun) of your birth month! Have a birthday upcoming, or an anniversary or other event to lift up? Submit your birth month or event date and you will be added to the list.
BENEFIT SUPPER
Save the date! The missions team will be holding a benefit supper for area transitional housing on Saturday April 2. Monadnock Area Transitional Shelter and Shelter From the Storm benefitted from both donations and awareness generated by our last dinner.
LENTEN SMALL GROUP MINISTRIES
Consider investing in a “faith renovation” this Lenten season, deepening the relationships and exploring your faith from a new angle. Lent is the perfect time to take a break from practices that have become over-familiar and to try something new! If you tend to think of giving something up for Lent, think this year about changing your behavior patterns for Lent. Sign-ups for new groups are in the fellowship hall.
Building Better Relationships
A book-guided group from the ” Women of the World ” series, this reads like a workbook, with Bible passages, room for notes, and discussion questions. 8 sessions. Sign up to determine the schedule.
Salt Shaker Suppers
Great for social connection throughout the cold season, three potluck-style suppers will be organized during Lent.
Partnering with the King
Daily devotional with a compact, direct style to lead you through a passage-by-passage look at the Gospel of Matthew. Additional questions for personal customization. 31 readings divided into 6 sessions.
Worship Team
Not worship committee, this temporary team will meet three or four times during Lent to design inspiring, biblical, creative worship services for the season after Easter. Perfect for those who learn by doing. Sign up to determine the schedule.
Fresh Air
Looking at the Holy Spirit through eight biblical characters, this reflective, poetical book is designed to inspire your own reflections. Sign up to determine schedule.
This newsletter was compiled by Melissa French. Any concerns with content can be addressed with.
PETERBOROUGH UMC COMMUNICATIONS
In addition to “Beyond the Green Doors,” Peterborough UMC offers the following ways you can keep in touch.
We are at the church. Silly. Come visit us, Sunday at 10 am!
We are on the web: http://www.PeterboroughUMC.org
We are on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/peterboroughunitedmethodist/
We are on Google: https://plus.google.com/+PeterboroughumcOrgnh