immanuel family news
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Youth/ Family News
Missions
Calendar
Immanuel Family News
PASTOR’S PONDERINGS JULY 2016
Summer has arrived!
Upon awakening this morning, I looked out the window at the
freshly-cleaned swimming pool and thought about all the good
times we’ve enjoyed in that pool and those that are still ahead for
this summer and future summers. All of our kids, their friends, and
now our grandkids have enjoyed this pool and it has become a rite
of summer to spend time relaxing in the cool, fresh waters of the
swimming pool.
This morning, because the water temperature was warmer
than the air temperature, the pool actually seemed to be steaming
an invitation to me to take the plunge. Yesterday, after a long day
working in the yard and gardens that water felt wonderful! And this
morning, even though it looks inviting again, I am committed to
finishing the yard work from yesterday before enjoying the pool
once again.
And this situation makes me think about how summer offers
us each the chance to enjoy other parts of the beauty of God’s
creation. Here in central New York we spend lots of time huddled
against the cold weather of fall and winter and once summer arrives,
there is this general re-awakening to the wonders that God has
provided. The warm sunshine streams through our open windows,
the flowers spring forth from the ground in our gardens and grass
turns green once again. And, of course, the neighborhood ice cream
stand re-opens and tempts us with those same delectable treats!
And through all of this, God smiles as we enjoy the truly
beautiful world God has made! My prayer for you this summer is
that you take some time to pause and enjoy the magnificent gift of
Creation God has provided. Do something to be outside, plant a
garden, enjoy a local park, spend time cleaning up around the
neighborhood. The opportunities are endless. What can you find to
help you enjoy and celebrate the beautiful world around you? Just
look around and remember…. God has made all of this beautiful
world just for us. So enjoy and maybe, in some small way, you can
help to make it better for others?
I can’t wait to meet you in Church this summer!
Pastor Jack Keating
July/August 2016
Youth/Family
July/Aug. 2016 page 2
Even though the kids are home for the summer,
things are heating up in our children/youth ministries.
Let’s start with our summer celebrations.
The SR HI Youth will be celebrating at the
Rosamond Gifford Zoo @ Burnet Park on Saturday,
July 9th. We will meet at the church at 9:30am and be
at the zoo right when the doors open. We will hang
out together for a few hours and then stop for lunch.
The cost of admission will be paid for; however, please
bring money for lunch.
The JR HI Youth will be celebrating at the
Demmerle’s with a pool party on Sunday, July 10th
from 1:00pm – 3pm. Please bring a snack to share
with the group and check your mailboxes for more
information.
Also on July 10th, all youth in grades 6th – 12th are
welcome to join me for BE THE CHURCH Sunday
starting at 9:30am. We will be cleaning out the
youth/Sunday School rooms. Please check your
bulletin and emails for further details about this
missional Sunday.
On Sunday, July 17th, our Summer Sunday Schoolbegins. Summer Sunday School is open to all children
in grades Kindergarten through 5th grade. We will be
spending time with vegetables this summer (that’s
right, Veggie Tales!)
Vacation Bible School starts on Monday, August
1st and runs through Thursday, August 4th. Our theme
for the week is “LIVE FROM BETHLEHEM”! We will be
interviewing angels, shepherds, the three magi and we
are hoping to get a chance to talk with the Holy
Family. There will be songs, games, healthy snacks,
crafts, bible adventures and our own Imagination
Station. Cost is $10 per child; no more than $25 per
family. You may register at our website:
churchofthebells.org. We are still in need of a few
more adult volunteers. If you would like to be a part
of this fantabulous ministry, please contact me at 466-
6171.
Summer is a time for rest and rejuvenation and we
tend to get out of the structure of our daily lives. I
would like to encourage all of you to continue
worshiping together as often as you can this summer
as we welcome Pastor Jack and his wife, Becky, to our
family. I am very excited about the future of Immanuel
and can’t wait for you to meet them.
Shalom,
~Carol A. DoucetteChristian Education Coordinator
Dear Members and Friends of Immanuel Church,
Irene and I want to express our heartfelt thanks
and appreciation to all of you for your love, support,
and faithfulness during our interim ministry together
over the past 3 1/2 months. It has been an honor and
a privilege to serve you. We want to thank you also
for your cards, notes, gifts, and words of appreciation.
May God’s deepest blessings be upon you as you
move forward into your bright future.
~Russ and Irene Hall………………………………………………………………….
United Methodist WomenAs we gathered to present our fundraiser events last
year we really appreciated the support we realized
from Immanuel and from the community. The results
of these events have allowed us to present $330.00 to
each of these three different local agencies, Vera
House, Samaritan Center, and McMahon Ryan- Child
Advocacy Group.
******************************************
On May 15, 2016 our congregation welcomed the
following into our family of faith:
Arlene Jones
Beverly Blakeslee
David Blakeslee
David Stevens
Darlene Stevens
Jamie Lee Stevens
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Mark your calendar! Our annual church picnic will
be Sunday, July 17 following worship. Hamburgers,
hot dogs and drinks will be provided. Please bring a
dish to share. We will have an opportunity to “Meet
and Greet” Pastor Jack and his wife, Becky. Please
sign up in the Narthex so we have enough
hamburgers and hot dogs!
Mark your calendars for Nov 8, this is the date for the
Election Day turkey dinner. All help is always
appreciated!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The church office will be closed on Fridays, July 1
through September 2.
Missions
July/August 2016 page 3
Mini Golf Tournament is Saturday, August 6! Registration forms are included and can be turned
in to Shelley Dawson Smith or in to the church
office. There is still time to make donations.
Contact Shelley Dawson Smith at 487-1290.
August Disaster Recovery Mission Trip The next Immanuel mission trip is scheduled for the
week of August 15-19, 2016 in South Carolina.
Contact Mike Block at 468-2185.
Shoe Ministry Immanuel has recently started a
shoe ministry and your help is needed. We are
collecting shoes and gently used sneakers that will
be delivered to "Ralph the Shoe Guy" who owns
Discount Shoe Repair in downtown Syracuse.
Ralph refurbishes the shoes which may involve some
polish or replacing the laces or putting on new soles
and then he gives the shoes to the Rescue
Mission. Ralph started this ministry 5 years ago and
it has grown from a few hundred shoes to 12,325
pairs last year! Ralph donates his time and supplies
however he will accept cash to help defray the cost
of the supplies. So let's help Ralph and the Rescue
Mission reach 15,000 pairs of shoes this year! The
donation box is in the Narthex across from the
church office. Any questions ask Shelley Dawson
Smith 727-0671.
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
3M Fund update The 2013-2016 3M Fund is coming to a close on
6/30/16. The pledges for this 3 year fund totaled
$196,434.00 and as of 6/13/16 only $141,102.98 has
been collected resulting in a shortfall of
$38,756.52. As you may know the monies from this
fund are primarily used to pay the church's
mortgage but also used for maintenance of our
building and for mission projects. Please prayerfully
consider your 3M pledge.
If you have any questions about your pledge or
are unsure of the amount of your pledge please call
Shelley Dawson Smith at 487-1290.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + +
It’s not too late to turn in your pledges for the 2016-
19 3M Fund!
Mission News
Some of you will remember the Ukas, a Muslim
refuge family from Kosovo that Immanuel
sponsored when they left their war-torn country
with only the clothes on their backs and were lucky
enough to be chosen to come to America. Being
their “Sponsor” meant that we completely furnished
and set up an apartment for this family of 7, paid
the first month’s rent, stocked a huge pantry and
refrigerator and provided food for 3 weeks. We met
them at the airport when they arrived in Syracuse,
provided them with clothing and shoes, and helped
transport them to appointments, etc. under the
direction of the Refuge Resettlement Agency.
In May, 1999, when a small group from Immanuel’s
Global Mission team met them at the airport, the 16
year old son, Arber, was the only one in the family
who understood or spoke very limited English.
Today Arber has graduated from Keuka College
majoring in Biochemistry. His sister, Arta, graduated
from Cazenovia College majoring in Education.
Delvina, Anduena, and Gresa (the youngest who was
8 at the time) have all graduated from RIT majoring
in Biomedical Engineering. The entire family have
adjusted very well and are living successful lives.
They love America and are thankful for the
opportunities they have had, and especially to
Immanuel for giving them a new start in life.
Today both Delvina and Arta are happily married
and raising two young sons each. I still hear from
the girls occasionally and just recently received a
note from Delvina part of which I would like to share
with all of you. She wrote:
“After we last spoke, I found my way to meet some
very nice people in Ohio, and we have been
attending the United Methodist church here in our
town. My kids absolutely love the kids programs and
Matt and I love being part of such a wonderful
congregation. Recently we have been talking about
sponsoring a refugee family and it has been quite
the journey hoping to give back the way I was given.
We are just starting the process, but I thought you
would enjoy hearing all this news.. Just wanted to
send you our love.. Hugs Delvina”
~Judy Turton
Pastor Pastor Jack Keating
Phone (315) 487-1171
Email [email protected]
Website www.churchofthebells.org
Worship 9:30 am Sundays (Summer)
Sunday School During worship
Handicapped accessible
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Our Mission
“To make disciples of Jesus Christ
for the transformation of the world.”
July/August 2016We wish to be good stewards of both financial and environmentalresources. If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, pleaseemail us at [email protected] and request removal.