Signal
Feburary 2013 Newsletter
NEWS FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK…
Dear Bellevueites,
As Lent approaches each year, it is usual for us, as Christians, to ponder over what we
will we do and what we will give up in order to do what we do better. This is because Lent is
about change/conversion, repentance, and renewal. The period is for deepening our faith and
bringing us closer to God, as well as being the mercy and peace of God toward others. May God
lead us, in the spirit of Jubilee, to pursue goodwill or something new that will extend God’s
kingdom. Perhaps one or two of these ideas will be helpful:
1. As you read/hear the Gospel for Ash Wednesday Service and reflect on the Spirit
driving Jesus to the desert, what is the Spirit driving you to do this Lent?
2. Pray daily and read your Bible every day.
3. Become a more knowledgeable Methodist. Read the sermons of Mr. John Wesley.
You will find them online.
4. Pay attention to the Responsorial Psalms. Often, our focus on the three Scripture
readings on Sunday morning might diminish the attention we pay to the Psalm Response which
we sing. May we listen to them with more interest during this Lent. Perhaps the refrain or
some other part might become your mantra or prayer for the Lenten or Easter season.
5. In addition to praying for your family/friends, may you cultivate the habit of praying
for people in line at the grocery store, on the road, mourners in a funeral procession,
ambulance passengers, people in the news, as well as those beyond our borders.
6. Choose one of the Gospels, meditate on it and write down all of the questions that
Jesus asks. Which of these questions is Jesus particularly asking you at this time in your life?
How are you responding?
7. Incorporate moments of silence into your daily routine – moments of silence for
prayer, a silent moment at your desk before beginning work, and in your car before setting off
for home.
8. Become involved in a congregational activity that ministers to others, especially the
lonely, widowed, home bound, and those grieving; send Easter cards to people who are not on
your mailing list.
9. Search out adult faith formation opportunities at the church. Speak to Chair Worship,
Jeff Morey regarding an Ash Wednesday Service and a Lenten Study in the works.
10. Start a home discussion group; Lay Leader, Steve Mattice or Chair,
SPPRC Ozzie Mocete will help you get started.
11. Listen to congregational announcements, read the church bulletin
and newsletter.
12. Do one specific thing to help create a Christian environment at your job or place of
business.
13. Forgive a long-held grudge and witness abundant blessings.
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14. Give something away as often as you can afford it. It could be money, a compliment,
a helping hand or a smile. It is said that a smile is the key that fits the lock on everyone’s heart.
15. Show gratitude to the staff who work at the church, the Janitor who keeps our
church clean, the Church Secretary who keeps us going, the Music Director who adds value to
our worship, maintenance people who clean your workplace, garbage collectors who take away
the trash, the mechanic who fixes your car, and the numerous clerks in the stores. In person or
in writing, thank someone every day this Lent.
16. Volunteer your time at a nursing home, soup kitchen, and a hospital or a hospice
organization, with older adults, the widowed, and the home bound.
17. Be careful with your choice of words because words can cause damage beyond
repair. May your words be thoughtful and uplift the spirit of many during this Lent.
18. Take up the serious study of one contemporary issue such as poverty, world hunger,
and violence.
19. Explore what you can do to support the work of community organizations that are
providing food, shelter, legal and financial assistance to homeless people, immigrants, and
refugees.
20. Volunteer your time or contribute to the cause of a group or organization that is
seeking to make peace in the local community or in the world at large.
May you have a blessed Lenten Journey.
In faith and solidarity,
PK
****************
LENTEN STUDY
Beginning Wed., Feb.20, at 6:45 PM in the Christian Service Room, there will be a Lenten
study led by Jeff Morey entitled The Last Week: What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus’
Final Days in Jerusalem. If you are interested, please contact Jeff at 474-3516.
JUBILEE COMMITTEE FORMED
At the January 23rd meeting of the Evangelism Task Force, it was
decided to suspend operation of the Evangelism Task Force for one year
and concentrate on planning Jubilee events for the 50th year celebration
of Bellevue Heights at the current location. With the blessing of the
Church Council at its meeting on Jan 28th, the first meeting of the Jubilee
Planning Team will be Monday, Feb. 11th , at 7:30 PM. This is a direct
follow-up to the retreat held on Saturday, Jan 5th. It is the hope that
everyone interested in being part of the planning of Jubilee events will
join others who are also interested in planning a wonderful celebration of our 50-year
Jubilee. We hope to see you on Monday, Feb 11th at 7:30 PM.
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50 YEARS ON THE HILL
2013 is Bellevue Heights United Methodist Church’s Golden Anniversary at this
location. We are planning the whole year around this milestone with many different events
occurring at various times during the next eleven months. Can you imagine the stories
that can be told, the memories that can be shared and the pictures that can be seen? The
50th year team would like to invite you to join us in planning this eventful year. Please
consider joining us on Monday, February 11th, at 7:30 in the CSR with your input or
suggestions.
There is a memory box in the back of the church where you can
put any pictures of our church and its activities over the years that you
would like to share and any memories or stories that you would like to
have retold.
ASH WEDNESDAY
Please join us on Wednesday, February 13th, for our traditional AGAPE Meal followed by the Ash
Wednesday service led by Steve Mattice.
A meal of soup, bread and fruit will be offered at 6:00 PM. Please bring your own table service.
Following the meal, there will be an Ash Wednesday service, with distribution of ashes, in the
sanctuary.
++++++++++++
12TH ANNUAL S.W.E.A.T. FOR HABITAT BOWL-A-THON
The Youth group will be participating in the 12th annual S.W.E.A.T. for Habitat
Bowl-a-thon on Sunday, February 10th, after church at Bowl Mor Lanes in East
Syracuse. The youth have pledge sheets and will be reaching out to the
congregation to sponsor them. The money raised from this event will be used
to build tool storage sheds for Habitat houses without basements and/or to help build a house
on Gifford Street. Please consider sponsoring a youth for this event. Thank you!
************
2013 CAMP AND RETREAT MINISTRIES
2013 Camp & Retreat Ministries flyers have arrived. They are located in a
binder in the narthex. You can also obtain this information on-line via
campsandretreats.org. There is also a letter from Mike Huber, CRM Director with information on
discounts that are available. Camper scholarship money is available through Bellevue Heights UMC.
Reminder: The camps are for all ages at all different times of the year.
If you have any questions, please contact Diane Dermody.
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From Sandy Murphy: Many thanks to the mystery gift-giver for my “Here Comes
Treble” t-shirt! If you make yourself known, I will thank you officially!
***********
DIVERSIFIED HANDYMAN
Do you need some work done around your home? Bill Gessler can help you with inside
and outside repairs, electrical problems, carpentry, painting, landscaping,
plumbing and power washing. No job too small. Make a list and call Bill today at
315-263-4853.
***********
BELLEVUE HEIGHTS UMC IS ON THE MOVE!
On Sunday, January 27th, two events occurred which indicate that members of Bellevue
Heights church are joyfully reaching out to others:
The first was a report by our youth on their mission trip to New York City to help with
meal preparations and deliveries for people still suffering from the outcomes of Hurricane
Sandy. While much fun and usefulness was experienced by the group, one of the aspects most
to be celebrated was their saying that they not only felt that they were able to give, but that
they also received, and that they experienced a much more "thoughtful" Christmas after seeing
the conditions in which some people were still living.
The second event was the Van Duyn crew going to help transport various Van Duyn
residents to the chapel service on Sunday afternoon. The chaplain exclaimed at the good
number of volunteers who had come, and was obviously familiar with and well-known to our
"fearless leaders". The youth were wonderful in relating cheerfully to the people they were
transporting, and some were known by name to one another. One woman, a visitor who was
wheeling her mother back to her room after her first attendance at the service, said "Thank
you, Bellevue". I was happy to have experienced both of these events on Sunday.
Linda Bergh
CHRISTIANS IN ACTION
The clothes closet at Brown Memorial UMC can still use clothing for cold weather. They
are looking for all sizes of outerwear; i.e., coats/jackets, hats, gloves/mittens, snow pants, boots
in addition to sweaters, sweatshirts/sweatpants. Families on a limited income are very
appreciative of the opportunity to purchase clothes from the Clothes Closet at a very nominal
cost.
The major pantry item for February will be CANNED VEGETABLES. They really need
CANNED VEGETABLES. Also, beef stew and ravioli would be good.
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++++++++++++++++
From Judy Eyer, Director of St. Paul’s Food Pantry:
St. Paul’s Westside Food Pantry, a ministry of SWUM at Brown Memorial
UMC, is in need of canned food at this time. As fast as we stock our shelves
these days, it all goes out. New people come in every day who we’ve never
served before, and former recipients we haven’t seen in a while, as well as our
regulars. We’ll take anything you have, but here’s our list of preferences:
 Peanut Butter
 White rice
 Canned fruit
 Canned vegetables
 Canned meats/fish/stews/soups
 Cash
Please call Esther Crossman, vice chair of SWUM’s Board of Directors, at 315-477-0171 or 315849-6737 to let her know when you want to drop off food, or you may call SWUM Project
Director Rev. Marti Swords-Horrell to arrange a pickup.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts – and shelves!
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. JAMES K. DUAH-AGYEMAN
Our guest speaker on Sunday, February 24th, will be Dr. James K. Duah-Agyeman from Syracuse University. Set forth
below is a brief introduction to Dr. Duah-Agyeman.
On July 1, 2001, Dr. James K. Duah-Agyeman (a.k.a. Dr. D.) began a new chapter in his administrative career
at Syracuse University when he was appointed Director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) a part of the
Inclusion, Community, and Citizenship portfolio in the Division of Student Affairs. Since 2006, he has served as the
Chief Diversity Officer for the Division of Student Affairs and on behalf of the Chancellor and President, Nancy
Cantor, represented the University on the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education of which
Syracuse University is a Founding/Charter Member. In 2012, his role of Chief Diversity Officer for the Division was
enhanced and brought into alignment with University initiatives, particularly as it relates to the Office of Equal
Opportunity, Inclusion, and Resolution Services.
Dr. Duah-Agyeman holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics Education and is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Cultural
Foundations of Education and teaches Intergroup Dialogue on Race and Ethnicity [SOC/WSP 230], which is part of the
national Multiversity Intergroup Research Project. He has been at Syracuse University since 1982 assuming a fulltime employment position in 1986 as Assistant Director/Counselor of the Office of Supportive Services. He was
subsequently named Director of the Center for Academic Achievement, and Interim Associate Vice President and
Director of the Division of Student Support and Development, which included Summer Institute for Incoming First-year
Students, Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program, Learning Disability Services, the University-wide Tutoring
Center, Higher Education Opportunity (HEOP) and Student Support Services Program (SSSP).
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Dr. D's favorite proverb is: "All things come to the person who is modest and kind in a high position" (I.
Ching). With that in mind, he aspires to create a healthy working environment for his staff and a safe and
welcoming environment for all students. "Office of Multi Cultural Affairs,” he says, "is our students’ home-awayfrom-home.”
Youth Group 2013
Save the following dates for some exciting activities for youth in Grades 6-12:
Feb. 3rd Bake Sale after Church
Feb. 10th Habitat Bowl-a-thon 12:30 pm
Feb. 17th No meeting
Feb. 24th Oxford Inn 5-7:00 pm
If you have any questions, please call:
Diane Dermody, or Laura Mattice
A COUPLE OF ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Board of Trustees has elected Carol Karins as its Chair for 2013. There is a need for
2 or 3 more people on the Board. Anyone who is interested, please speak with Carol.
Oswaldo “Ozzie” Mocete is the new Chair of the Staff Pastor Parish Relations
Committee.
Congratulations and good luck to Carol and Ozzie and a big thank you to each of them
for taking on these responsibilities.
+++++++++++++
MATTHEW 25 FARM
Matthew 25 Farm, with locations in Tully and LaFayette, provides free fresh fruits and
vegetables to hundreds of people throughout Central New York. Food pantries, soup kitchens
and entities such as the Samaritan Center, Peace, Inc., Assumption Soup Kitchen and the Rescue
Mission receive large quantities of produce from Matthew 25 Farm. Also, individuals and
families are encouraged to come to the farm and take what they need.
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None of this would be possible without the love, support and dedication of volunteers
from local churches.
Matthew 25 Farm will be starting their own greenhouse in 2013 in order to cut down on
expenses incurred in buying thousands of seedlings each year. Eventually, they hope to raise all
of their own seedlings and be able to provide some free of charge to similar projects and home
gardeners.
The farm manager, Rick Rarick, is available to visit churches this winter and into early
spring to explain what Matthew 25 Farm is all about. So, if your group is looking for a speaker
and would be interested in a short presentation from Rick, please call (315) 810-4264 and speak
with Elizabeth Esmark to set up a date. You may also e-mail Matthew25Farm@yahoo.com.
LECTIONARY READINGS FOR FEBRUARY:
Feb. 3 – 4th Sunday after Epiphany - Jer. 1:4-10; Psalm 71:1-6; 1 Cor. 13:1-13 and
Luke.4:21-30
Feb. 10 – Last Sunday after Epiphany, Transfiguration of the Lord – Exodus 34:2935; Psalm 99; 2 Cor. 3:12-4:2 and Luke 9:28-36 (37-43)
Feb. 13 – Ash Wednesday – Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; Psalm 51:1-17; 2 Cor. 5:20b-6:10 and
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
Feb. 17 – 1st Sunday in Lent - Deut. 26:1-11; Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16; Romans 10:8b-13 and
Luke 4:1-13
Feb. 24 – 2nd Sunday in Lent – Gen. 15:1-12, 17-18, Psalm 27; Phil. 3:17-4:1 and Luke
13:31-35
COFFEE HOUR RESPONSIBILITIES:
February
Staff Parish
March
Christians in Action
April
Friends in Faith and Fellowship
May
Choir
June
Finance
July/August Congregation Sign Ups
September
Evangelism
October
Youth Group
November
Christian Education
December
United Methodist Women
January
Trustees
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USHERS FOR FEBRUARY:
Head Usher – Ray Brunner
Carol Karins, Ted Jewett and Linda Parton
February Birthdays
Happy Birthday to you!!!
Please notify the office by phone or e-mail with additions or corrections.
01
04
05
06
07
08
11
12
13
13
14
15
16
17
18
Virginia Fletcher
Lindsay Nogash
Marge Tyler
James Streich
Emily Mocete
Emily Nielsen
Murray Vortice
Carolyn Yucha
Jennifer Leonard
Heidi Kovarik
James Thompson
Bruce Yenny
Tia Merrick
James Williams
MacKenzie Phelps
Lisa Woolner
Andrew Starke
Charles Brown
Mildred Strock
Carol Karins
Connie Simoneau
John Ott
Jason Vaughn
Emily Lowin
Scott Kroft
19
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
Janet Garman
Kay Yenny
Michca Fortin
Patricia Makely
Richard Black
Beverly Martin
Michael Holley
Steven Engelbrecht
Carla Engelbrecht
Karsten Martin
Dava Lee Schmidt
Amelia Ott Egan
Emily Ott Francis
Patrick Mocete
Lee Ann Hill Gilbert
Stephen Newman
Ni’Zavier Evans
Suzanne Hamilton
Jason Morey
Jessica Ann Hanson
Cynthia Travis
.
IMPORTANT NOTICE - ALTAR GUILD REQUEST
The Altar Guild would appreciate hearing from donors who would like to provide
flowers on the altar on any Sunday during the year. Please call either the office (475-0011)
or Pauline Filsinger (475-6025). The cost through February is $15.00; beginning in March
$20.00. Thank you for all your support. Pauline
FEBRUARY ANNIVERSARIES
Congratulations to:
Sue and Jim Hamilton
2/10/1978
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Please notify the church office, either by e-mail or phone of any necessary changes.
Men’s Fellowship Breakfast
January
12 men gathered at 6:30 A. M. at the Civic Center for breakfast. Mr. Conrad
Schneider from the 911 Center was the very informative speaker. Our next meeting will be
February 13th. at 6:30 AM. Our February meeting will have a change in venue. We will meet at
the Central NY Philanthropy Center located at 431 E Fayette St. Mr. Peter Dunn will provide us
with a light breakfast and speak about the Central New York Community Foundation. The
Central New York Community Foundation connects the generosity of donors with community
needs by making grants to organizations working to enhance the quality of life of those who live
and work in Central New York. The Community Foundation annually makes more than $5
million in grants and provides leadership support in the fields of arts and culture, community
and economic development, education, environment, health and human services. Founded in
1927, the Community Foundation strives to inspire philanthropy in Central New York.
16th
+++++++++++++
Spaghetti Dinner & Auction
GET READY for SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2013
GET SET
GO TO:
Spaghetti Dinner/Auction – Live/Silent
5:30 PM
Preview 6:30 PM
$6.00 Adult
Starts 7:00 PM
$3.00 (3-12)
BID ON:
Crafts, Services, Gift Baskets, Restaurant
and other Gift Certificates, Homemade Sweet
Tooth Goodies
AUCTIONEERS PRESENT
Ann Barnes at the piano
Proceeds benefit “Love Gifts.”
Hope to see you there!!
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