PEARL RIVER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 130 FRANKLIN AVENUE, PEARL RIVER, NY 10965 (845)-735-2241

CIRCUIT RIDER

Worship for July/August

July 3rd: Seventh Sunday after Pentecost – HOLY COMMUNION

The Games: Faster, Higher, Stronger Philippians 3:13-14

July 10th: Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

The Games: Training for the Games 1 Cor. 9:24-27

July 17th: Ninth Sunday after Pentecost– HOLY COMMUNION

The Games: The Power of the Team Hebrews 10:24-25

July 24th: Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

The Games: Endurance vs. Perseverance James 1:2-4,13

July 31st: Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost – HOLY COMMUNION

The Games: The Thrill of Victory, The Agony of Defeat Hebrews 12:1-2

August 7th: Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

Rich Rose will be preaching

August 14th: Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

John Murphy III will be preaching

August 21st: Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Stripped Away: Version 2.0 Luke 10:25-37

August 28th: Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost – HOLY COMMUNION

Stripped Away: You Are What You Eat Mark 14:17-25

JULY/AUGUST 2016

Circle of Sisters will be meeting on Friday, July 15th, at 6:30 at Leslie Rocha's home to discuss the book "Unorthodox" by Deborah Feldman. Please RSVP to Leslie or Maria Halzack if you

will be attending. In August we will get together for dinner on

Friday, August 19th ( restaurant to be announced) please RSVP to Maria Halzack if

you would like to join us.

From the Editor's Desk...one last time....

After 74 Circuit Riders starting in November of 2009, I am handing the newsletter back over to the office, where it used to be prepared. I am confident that

Camille will continue to put together a newsletter that the members and friends of the church will find useful

and informative.

My favorite part of coordinating this for the past few years was the opportunity to write a few words in this column to help capture where we were as a church at that moment in time, or to just share some random

thoughts. As I have had a chance to review these this month, sometimes they reflected happy times, and

sometimes sad, but always there was a theme of hope and faith that came through.

I hope in the months and years to come that you will

consider using this space to share when something in our church moved you, or when an Outreach project profoundly affected you, or when you witnessed or

benefitted from a random act of kindness, or perhaps when you experienced an "AHA" moment of faith.

So my parting "gift" as I step aside as Editor is to share some of my favorite columns "From the Editor's Desk"

in this Circuit Rider, or better yet, a collection of my "AHA" moments!

Enjoy them, and have a safe, restful and enjoyable summer!

Richard Rose

Thank you to My Church Family--So many thanks for making my 90th birthday such a lovely experience!

Love you all, Borin Lugton

Hi Everyone,

Yes... we moved... to South Jersey on May 4th!! Just

wanted to send everyone a quick email to let you know our new address and phone number:

53 Altair Drive, Turnersville, NJ 08012-2407--Home

phone: 856-716-6382 We're getting settled in and feeling more at home each day.

Hope all is well with all of you. Keep in touch. Love, Andrea and George Lagos

Greetings from the Bell Room! All 24 handbell ringers and I would like to thank

everyone for their support this past ringing

season. We hope you enjoyed the pieces we

rang during worship, as well as those during our

two concerts and two festivals.

We are taking a much deserved break for the

summer, to rest up, get more music ready to

ring and perhaps repair and refurbish some of

the bells. We'll be back after school starts

again, sometime in September.

Pamela Gunning, Director of the Handbell Choirs

The UMW honored Marilyn and Ralph

Nelson with the Centenary Fund award for

their many years of devoted service to our

Church.

The 2nd quarter pledge of $650.00 has

been given, also a donation of $150.00 for

the VBS and $100.00 for the Relay-for-

Life. Will will provide supplies for the

Lunch-with Love program in July.

A short Fair meeting will be held on July

10th after worship. Please try to attend.

I wish all the members a very happy and

healthy summer. Peace & Love,

Helen D'Agostino, President, UMW

ALL-CHURCH OUTING TO OCEAN GROVE

On Sunday July 10th

after worship, we will be heading down to

Ocean Grove, NJ for a day on the beach and a wonderful evening

concert at 7:00pm in the Tabernacle, as they present the 62nd

Annual Choir Festival. We will be leaving from the church at

11:00am and returning around 10:30pm. All are welcome!

July 3, 9:30 AM: The Youth will give a brief presentation

on the mission trip during church service. All mission team members should be in attendance.

July 24, time TBD: Pool party! The Stewarts have

graciously invited the Youth Group to their home once again this summer for a pool party. More details will be

sent out in July.

August 7: Tentative day trip to Ocean Grove, NJ following church service. If you are interested, please contact

Becca, 862-266-4636.

We are a community

Rooted in Grace

Growing in Faith

Reaching Out with God’s Love

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Over the past several days, I have had the great honor of

baptizing two beautiful children of God, blessing graduates

as they prepare for the next journey, commissioning our

Youth Mission Team as they headed off to NYC to serve

and serving together with over 30 volunteers as we share

God’s love with 41 children from our community in VBS.

I feel so blessed to see God’s work in action. To watch as

more and more young people become engaged in the life

of our community. To see so many members stepping out

to serve and use the gifts that God has given them. To

watch as God touches the lives of all our members from

the very youngest to those that have been a part of the

community for many decades. There is great power in

knowing a God that loves us so deeply.

During VBS this week, we have been singing and moving

to many songs, but none has touched my heart like the

prayer song we end with each day. The words: “Only

You could love me this way…Only You deserve all the

praise…Only You could love me this way…There is only

one like You. Only You.” The words and melody are

simple, but the message is so powerful. The children’s

faces are visibly transformed as they sing this each

day…some of them even close their eyes in prayer. In

those moments, they are experiencing the power of God’s

unconditional love.

Brothers and sisters, this is a message our world so needs

to hear. God loves you…just the way you are ... deeply

...powerfully. You are loved. Now…go and be that love

in the world.

In God’s amazing grace and love, Pastor Cyndi

When: First Tuesday of the month July 5th Time--9:30 AM

(No August!) Where: Hogan's Diner

Why: A Chance to talk and connect.

Thank you to all who donated for the Relay for Life Walk to Remember. It was greatly appreciated.

Soup labels and Pop-tops are still welcome for the Red Bird Mission.

The Outreach Committee is grateful and very thankful for all past and present donations all have given very

freely to help. You are all appreciated.

Gloria Murphy - Outreach Committee

Thank You Lord/Recognition and Remembrance In Loving Memory of George Ahrens, from Tommie and Family

In Memory of Kay Pawlicki, from Joan Greenhalgh In Honor of Pat Everett for planting the front garden, by Marilyn and Ralph

Nelson Please consider a special offering when appropriate to honor, recognize or give

thanks for a special occasion or a special someone. ________________________________________________________________________________

BACK TO SCHOOL WITH DIGNITY PROGRAM

Our Outreach committee is asking for your help in making a difference for children

who are less fortunate and might be going back to school in September without

school supplies. We will be collecting the items listed below during the months of

July and August.

They REALLY need all of the following: Compasses---Dividers---Dictionaries--Scissors---Book Covers--Hi-lighters--Graph Paper---PencilCases---

Loose Leaf Paper---Pencils---Pocket Folders---3 and 5-Subject Notebooks--1’ Binders--Marble Composition Books---Blue or Black Pens---Pencil Sharpeners---Calculators

Monetary donations are always a welcomed blessing. Our congregation has always graciously given items from their hearts so we thank you in advance.

Please contact Gloria Murphy with any questions.

______________________________________________________________________

PASTOR’S VACATION

Pastor Cyndi and her family will be on vacation July 17th

- 21st.

Rev. Bernie Khaw (Thiells UMC) will be covering any pastoral

emergencies. Cell: 478-299-9974

She will be in CA from August 1st

– Aug. 15th

.

Rev. Dawn Corlew (Bergen Highlands UMC) will be covering

any pastoral emergencies. Cell: 609-338-9711

______________________________

GREAT WEEK OF VBS FUN AT SURF SHACK: Catch the Wave of God’s Amazing Love

Our church was filled this week with over 41 children and more than 30 volunteers from our church and our community, who gathered to explore how to put their faith into action. During this mission-focused VBS, each child experienced God’s amazing love, explored God’s mission for their lives and discovered

ways to live out and share God’s love in the world. A special thank you to Judy DiToma and all our teachers and helpers for making this week a possibility. You are a blessing!

SUMMER MISSION TRIP:

Our young people traveled to New York City on Sunday for a weeklong

mission trip with Center for Student Mission from June 26th - July 2

nd. They

are working in food banks, soup kitchens, assisting inner city youth at summer

playgrounds, planting trees, painting and helping out wherever they are

needed. Most importantly, they are sharing God’s love with each person they

come in contact with and I have no doubt they will in turn be impacted by the

experience. Thank you for your prayers and financial and spiritual support of

our young people! Join us on Sunday July 3rd

to hear about their experience.

NAMES OF YOUTH: Angie Diss, Shaun Hager, Christian Lagos, Amogh Matthews, Michael Stewart, Mark

Stouffer and Sean Stouffer ADULT LEADERS: Becca Chew-Zorn, Tom Zorn, Joel Smus

______________________________________________________________________________________

Disciple Bible III – Remember Who You Are

This 32-week study focuses on the Old Testament Prophets and the Letters of Paul.

Together we will examine the connection between memory and identity as people of

God. If you have already taken Disciple I, this is a wonderfully opportunity to dig

deeper into God’s word. We will be meeting on Monday evenings from 7-9:30pm

beginning September 19th

. If you are interested in participating in this study, sign up

sheets with be available in Coffee hour beginning Sunday July 17th

or you contact the

Church Office @ 845-735-2241 or pearlriverumc@juno.com

_________________________________________________________________________ TRUSTEES SUMMER CLEAN UP AND WORK DAY

A Summer Clean Up and Work Day will take place on Saturday July 9th, starting at 9am. There are many jobs to be done, both outside and inside our buildings. Some are small and some are not. Team up with your best

buddy or work partner and join us on July 9th. A list of tasks will be posted at the driveway side entrance. If you have them, bring your tools, paint brush or cleaning equipment. If you don’t have them you can still

come, we need your help.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Nursery Schedule for July & August:

July 3 – Judy DiToma and Bridget King July 10 – Amy Mendler and Mark

Stouffer July 17 – Ricky Murphy and Caitlyn Roy

July 24 –Tish Ahimon and Christine Scavetta

July 31 – Peggy Anschick and Brandon King August 7 – Collene Murphy and Sydney Gibbs August 14 –Susan Doyle and Michael Stewart

August 21 – Lori Micelli and Amogh Matthews August 28 –Leigh Ross and Bridget King

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

There are currently 63 pledging individuals or families who have pledged $239,400 for the REACH Campaign....it is never

to late to pledge if you have not yet done so. If you have pledged and need more REACH envelopes, please contact either Finance Secretary Rich Rose or the church office.

May 2010

“With a Little Help From My Friends”

Dear Members and Friends, The final lyrics of the above Beatles song go, “Yes I get by with a little help from my friends, With a little help from my friends.” I

couldn’t help but think about this as I read a letter sent from UMCOR to our church. They were thanking us (and on their behalf I thank all of you) for our collection of $1435.25 for the victims of the

earthquake in Haiti.

However, more importantly in my mind was the next paragraph. “Thank you for being there…for being hope in Haiti…your

generosity offers a spirit of hope in the midst of devastation” Yes, our gifts went for specific items, like water, food, medical

supplies and shelter. But UMCOR reminds us that the gift means hope, and that our gift, and the gifts of churches like ours are

combined to bring hope to those who so desperately need a ray of sunshine in their darkest hour.

When we are called to act, our congregation’s efforts are time and again outstanding to our community, and to our world! So let this

serve as a “not so subtle” reminder that it’s not just about the dollars, or the food—it’s about hope! Yes, we can all get by with a

little help from our friends… ______________________________________________

January, 2011

As some of you are probably aware, I have had the pleasure of teaching a confirmation class to five of our youth who are making the journey to membership in May. We are about one third of the

way through the class, and I have to tell you that it is very refreshing to see the seriousness that these five young people exhibit in the

class, and their desire to move forward on their journey. Each month brings new material to learn, concepts to grasp, and philosophic and spiritual ideas to wrestle with, and yet they do so

with equally healthy doses of caution, deep thought and enthusiasm.

As we all put up the new calendars and prepare for a new year, it

occurs to me that we adults can take a lesson from our youth, particularly as we move forward later this year into another period

of transition and new pastoral leadership.

As we move forward on our journey in 2011, let’s also be both serious and enthusiastic about the road ahead of us. We too will wrestle with things that are new and not always comfortable, but

like our youth, let us do so with the following New Year’s resolution in mind—making our church stronger a year from now than it is

today. ______________________________________________

January 2012

One year ago, in the January 2011 edition of the Circuit Rider, I wrote an open letter that ended with the following: “As we move

forward on our journey in 2011, let’s also be both serious and enthusiastic about the road ahead of us. We too will wrestle with

things that are new and not always comfortable, but … let us do so with the following New Year’s resolution in mind—making our

church stronger a year from now than it is today.”

2011 has not always been comfortable, particularly because we have said good-bye to a number of church members and friends,

including Dick Everett, Larry Noonan, Kim Simpson, Priscilla Lowery, Edna Riedell, Tom Cupples and George Ahrens, among

others. But we also have celebrated with the graduation of a confirmation class, welcoming new members, many wonderful

community events and outreach efforts, and the welcoming of our new pastor and her family into our church and our community.

So what about our resolution from a year ago..…is our church

stronger today than a year ago? I would measure that in two ways. First, we continue to progress on the road of financial stability, as

we have again paid 100% of our shared ministries in 2011. But perhaps more importantly, look around on a Sunday morning in

church….it is not nearly as easy to find a seat as it was a year ago!! Happy New Year!

______________________________________________

June 2012

On June 10, Pastor Frank Kowar will preach his final service at the Hillsdale UMC, and begin his retirement. For those who are fairly new to the Pearl River United Methodist Church, Frank was the pastor at Pearl River for about 11 years, leaving in 2007 for his

current charge. Yet while he has not been our pastor for nearly five years, he is and will always be part of our church family.

Many of us will always have many fond memories of Frank, as well as his wife Nancy and their family. My memories run the emotional

gamut, from the great joy and fun sharing a table at Maureen Orletti’s wedding; to his care and compassion officiating a memorial

service for one of our family members; to our own offering of care and compassion when Frank and Nancy tragically lost a grandchild.

Frank will also always be part of my “9-11 memory”, as one of the local clergy who led services at the local park in the days following

this horrific event.

I am sure many of you have similar remembrances, and I invite you to take a moment in the coming days to drop Frank a line and share a memory or a sentiment as he and Nancy prepare to leave. Perhaps my favorite memory is when I think back to some high stress times

in my own life, and hearing Frank tell me (many times), “Rich, don’t sweat the small stuff…..and it’s all small stuff!” Well, Frank and

Nancy, as you pack up and head to Ohio for the next chapter of your lives, remember to not sweat the small stuff…..and yes it really is all

small stuff! Good Luck and God Bless! ______________________________________________

From the Editor's

Desk...Over

the Years!

February 2013

I was pleased to be present recently for the special coffee hour hosted by the United Methodist Women (UMW), where they recognized Helen D’Agostino for her efforts as the head of the

UMW, as well as for the church. For those of you who know Helen, you know that she was “multi-tasking”

long before that word became a part of our everyday lexicon. Helen and I share a joke that whenever I see her coming, I just hand her

my wallet and ask her to give me back whatever is left.

While Helen was recognized and lauded for her “major” efforts on behalf of our church as the head of UMW, I will always most

recognize the “minor” acts that Helen does that we can all take a lesson from. She is always quick to greet a new face, and put them at ease as they enter the church. She often subtly “recruits” our newer members in hosting coffee hours, often providing them a confident

first foray into church service. She often grabs a younger and a “more experienced” member to assist in presenting the communion

items, making this act an intergenerational event.

These are just a few of the things that may sometimes go unnoticed, but are clearly appreciated. So Helen, while we are all grateful for

all that you do for our church, I am particularly appreciative for the little things that you do to lead by example. It is these things that can teach us all to be better members of the Pearl River United

Methodist Church! ______________________________________________

April 2013

For many of us, Holy Week and the intensity of emotions that surrounds it is the “crescendo” of our annual faith journey. Faith

during Holy Week is a continuing affirmation of our secure belief in God and a trusting acceptance of God's will.

We often discuss faith in church, but I want to focus on a definition of faith that seems particularly appropriate this month. One of the

definitions of faith is “confidence or trust in a person or thing”. We have had the pleasure to witness a lot of faith over the past

month. The Board of Ordained Ministry has shown faith in Pastor Cyndi, by approving her upcoming ordination. Our District

Superintendent has shown faith in our church, as with his blessing and recommendation we have been approved to return to full time pastoral leadership, effective July 1st. And finally, the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference has shown faith in the direction of our

church, as they have chosen to have Pastor Cyndi continue her ministry at our church.

Clearly the month of March has been full of acts of faith, so as we

move into April and beyond, I encourage you all to consider another act of faith--a personal “leap of faith” as we continue to grow as a

congregation. Faith has clearly been shown in our church as a whole; so take a moment to assess how you as an individual might take a personal leap of faith that can help both you and our church

continue to grow and thrive.

To borrow (and slightly edit) a quote from Harold Whitman: “Don’t ask yourself what our church needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what our church

needs is people who have come alive.” ______________________________________________

September 2013

Back in June, I was participating in the Orangetown Relay for Life as part of “Team PRUMC”. The main feature of the event is walking the laps around the track, and as in past years I would always put on

my Walkman, and “power walk” around Central Avenue Field.

However, this year as I was doing my laps I came up on Peggy Van Nostrand (whom my wife dubbed the Energizer Bunny) who was

walking lap after lap while most of us had already stopped to take a

break or chat with others. At that moment, I did something that I normally do not do. I slowed down, took off my earbuds, and

walked a couple laps with Peggy. During those laps, we chatted about the beads she was collecting for every lap walked, people we

had luminaria bags for, and a number of other topics. I couldn’t help but be impressed by her determination and her sense of

purpose that evening.

This was the first thing I thought about when we heard the news of Peggy’s passing at church on Sunday. I also thought about the

birthday card I would get every November from the church, thanks to Peggy, and how that small act helps to connect us as a

community.

This week, 38 children are enjoying Vacation Bible School at Pearl River UMC for the first time in a number of years. Peggy would have

been a part of this, and I can’t help but think that with the years she spent with the school district, she is looking down smiling at the energy and enthusiasm that is in the building this week. Peggy, we will miss you here, but I think we all know that heaven became a

better place this week with you in it. ______________________________________________

January 2015

"We are a community rooted in grace, growing in faith and reaching out with God's Love."

Yes, you read our mission statement on the last page of every Circuit Rider now, you hear Pastor Cyndi echo it in many of her messages, and you will see it on church letterhead and other communications.

But in case you have yet to buy in to this simple but powerful message, please take a moment to read the letter below, written by the mother of one of the families who we "reached out with God's

Love" to during Project Joy:

"Hoping you had a great holiday season. and wishing you the best gifts on this Christmas,,,

"LOVE" because where there is love - is also faith.....and where there is faith there is peace.

Where there is peace "is God"....and where there is God!!! nothing is missing!!!

God is in your heart, how do I know it?? Because you picked this letter, my child's letter and I am blessed. And so are you..

God will always bless you for make a big smile to my kids on these Christmas. I can't bring home the biggest tree and fill it with toys underneath, but instead, I will bring them my love and cook them a

delicious meal. and teach them to be thankful of people like you - full of love, thank you so much for your generosity. God will always bless

you and your church family. Wish you a Merry Christmas from the bottom of my heart!!!. Thank

you!!!" ______________________________________________

June 2015

The March 25, 2014 minutes of the Church Council included a discussion that we needed to begin thinking about our 150th

Anniversary, coming next year....... Fast forward 15 months, and here we are!!

As Church Council Chairman, I want to take this opportunity to

thank each and every person who has been involved in any aspect of planning this upcoming 150th Anniversary celebration. To try to

name you all would inevitably lead to an oversight, but I know that you all know who you are!

One of our goals this year was to encourage members to spend 150

hours in 2015 involved in church activities. I suspect that some people have probably spent 150 hours in the planning and

preparation of this event alone in the past few months....and I even suspect that some will feel like they have spent 150 hours on this

between now and June 7th!

To All...Enjoy our Sesquicentennial celebration on June 7!! And to our Youth......nominations are now open to chair the

Bicentennial celebration in 2065!

SUMMER SCHEDULE

Beginning July 3, church worship service will begin at 9:30 AM, and will continue through Sunday, August 28

PRUMC

130 Franklin Avenue Pearl River, NY 10965

Our Mission:

We are a community

rooted in grace, growing in

faith and reaching out with

God's Love.

CIRCUIT RIDER--JULY/AUGUST 2016

Pearl River United Methodist Church

Phone:

845-735-2241

E-Mail: pearlriverumc@juno.com

Website:

www.pearlriverumc.com