The Vine

Walking Through Change�. June brings about a time of change for many. For some, the beginning of summer time brings about a change of pace or a time for vacations. For students, it is a time for leaving the current class level behind and saying good-bye to classmates for the sum-mer. For United Methodist pastors who are moving, it is a time of farewell to con-gregations and communities. For graduates, it is time of farewell to insti-tutions. In each of these cases, with the end of something; a schedule, a class, a ministry, etc., there is a beginning of something new or different. While it is a time of anticipation, it can also be a time of anxiety, not knowing what the future holds. Now that Justin is graduating from Clearview High School and preparing for his time in college and Kristin is to graduate from JMT and move on to Clearview Middle School, it has been an opportunity for me to think back on times of transition in my own life. These are times when you, again, feel excited about what is coming up, but because I didn’t know fully what to expect, I couldn’t help but be a little bit anxious. The one thing that can be said, though, is that all of us have to face these times of change. It is what life is all about. Things do not, cannot, and should not stay the same. We face graduations, births, new employment, employment changes, retirement, failing health, becoming healthy again, family changes and others.

The EVE Circle is doing a missions project at the Camden Neighborhood Center! We are in need of gently used living room furniture such as sofas, love seats, side chairs, end ta-bles, and lamps to spruce up their Senior Women's Space. Also, there is a specific need for a small round table for the women to use to serve as a coffee station. Please contact any member of Eve Circle or Pastor Doug with any questions.

Psalm 31:14-15a says, “But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in

your hand.” This means that all that we face is in God’s hand. There is nothing we face of which God is not aware, so we can trust in him. The New Testament assures us in Ro-mans 8 that nothing can separate us from God’s love. While there is no promise that we won’t struggle with the change or that it won’t be difficult, what we can know is that God, through the presence of the Holy Spirit, walks ahead of us and with us into and through the change. We have nothing to fear. I can say, that as I look back over those times, I have found that to be true. I am grateful for people who prayed and helped me through times of uncertainty and changes that I have had to live through. I thank God that I have been able to feel and know his presence, too. This month, as it is a time of change, if you are experiencing a transition, know that God walks with you through it. Know that he is ahead of you prepar-ing the way. I would encourage the rest of us to think about and remember in our prayers anyone who may be going through a time of uncertainty and change in the days ahead. All of our time is certainly in God’s hand. Pastor Doug

Attention All High School Seniors

The Alice Buck Memorial Scholarship will again be awarded this year to any graduating high school senior who is furthering their education, is a member of the United Methodist Church of Mantua, and completes the application process NO LATER than June 2, 2013. Application forms are available in the church office. Scholarships will be awarded on Student Recognition Sunday, June 9, 2013.

Student Recognition Student recognition day is June 9th. We would like to honor this year’s graduates for all grades! Please contact the office by phone or email (office@mantuaumc.org) with the Stu-dent’s Name, Grade Graduating From, and the name of the school the Student was at-tending. If the student will be attending college, please let us know their intended major and the name of the college they will be attending. Thank You!

To my Mantua family, As most of you know, my time with you is quickly running short. The Lord's plans for me are leading me from Mantua, and June 31st marks my final day. It is with a heavy heart that I move on, as you all hold a dear place in my heart. Where The Lord is leading me is still undetermined, I am confident that The Lord has big plans for me personally, as well as Realville and Mantua UMC. With that in mind I wish to convey deep gratitude. You have welcomed me in as one of your own and instantly made me feel like family. As a part of your family, I have grown immensely. I came to you as a boy, unsure of what it meant to be in a paid ministry position and largely uncomfortable at the pulpit and I'm leaving as a young man ready to face much of what surely The Lord has in store for me. Under your loving care and guidance, I have been granted incredible memories and experiences with teaching, preaching, and visitation. Additionally, I want to thank you for entrusting me with your youth. Realville has easily been one of the greatest blessings in my life to date. The 30 youth who make up Mantua's youth are simply incredible; full of life, spirit, passion, and a real fire for The Lord. While the group, on average is young, consisting of mostly Freshmen or Middle Schoolers, I have always been excited to watch as so many are eager to take roles of leadership and strive to be the leaders that our world truly needs. To be a part of their young lives, if only for the two years that I've been, has been nothing short of incredible, and I owe it all to you Man-tua, especially Realville's parents. Finally, I ask for prayer. Prayer for not only myself as The Lord guides me on a new journey, but continued prayer for your church's children and youth. Pray that The Lord sends Realville exactly the right leader to deal with their wants and their needs. Pray that they stay strong and connected through the transition. Pray that no matter what they never forget that they are loved and ac-cepted by their families, their church and their God. Know that I will be praying for you all, as you all will forever hold a dear place in my heart. In Christian Love, Jim McDowell

Dave Pettigrew Friday, September 20th

Eddy Mann Friday, October 18th

The Eons Friday, November 15th

Chelsea Musik Friday, January 17th

One of Six Friday, February 21st

Dana Isles & Facedown Friday, March 21, 2014

The Friday Night Coffeehouse has just had it’s last event until September. Please enjoy your Summer and come back to see our musical guests scheduled for the Upcoming Coffeehouse Year!

The Corinthian Cupboard is in need of some specific items. Thank you in advance for your generosity. Baked Beans Mashed Potatoes Applesauce & Canned Fruit Tuna fish Chicken Gravy Cranberry Sauce Snack pack pudding Coffee & Tea Canned Yams & White Potatoes Cookies & Crackers

Pinelands Center at Mt. Misery Summer Camp brochure is now available! There are brochures and registrations availa-ble in the Narthex or visit http://www.gnjumc.org/camps/detail/1 for more information and registration forms.

Let’s Celebrate!!!

Retirement Dinner for Rev. Robert Tomer

Hosted by Clonmell UMC Sunday, June 23, 2013 at 5:00 pm

St. Michaels Mutual Club 406 Memorial Avenue, Gibbstown, NJ 08027

During this time of fellowship let us show our appreciation and celebrate Rev. Tomer’s 42 years of faithful ministry within the United Methodist Church.

Tickets $15 per person To purchase tickets, contact Lois 856-423-4374 or lamsonsinnj@comcaast.net Mail payments to: Nora Cummings c/o Clonmell UMC 516 W Broad Street, Gibbstown, NJ 08027

Please Respond by May 31, 2013

Everywhere Fun Fair

Vacation

Bible School 2013

Only a few more weeks before summer starts. Why not start off summer with a week of fun and learning with family and friends at the Everywhere Fun Fair. VBS will be held June 24th - 28th from 6:00pm - 8:30pm. We will begin with dinner every night, then missions, music, skit video, classes for all ages, games, crafts, activities, snacks and prayer.

Volunteers & donations are still needed for the following areas: Teachers, Classroom Helpers, Games and Activities Attendants, Cleaning up each night (Friday night we clean the whole church), and Prayers.

Donations for dinners: Jelly, Salad dressing, Iced tea and Lemonade mix.

Pre-registration: During fellowship you can pre-register in McConnell Hall. Donation - $5.00 per person (for the whole week incl. dinner each night) T-shirts - $5.00 each Music CD - $5.00 each

For more information or if you would like to help, see or call Jenise Fraser: 218-7802

Would you like to donate your hair to Locks of Love?

Please join us at The United Methodist Church of Mantua. We will be cutting hair on Wed., June 26, 2013.

From 6:00 - 8:30pm. If you would like to participate please call

Jenise at (856)218-7802.

LOCKS OF LOVE 234 SOUTHERN BOULEVARD, WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33405

phone 561-833-7332 fax 561-833-7962 www.locksoflove.org

Happy June Anniversary!

1 Nancy Reyher 2 Sammy Ensor 3 Roy Overton 4 Dane Drucker 5 Kaylie Eckert 7 Sean McMullen Christine Smith 8 Jenise Fraser Stephanie Stecklair 10 Jan Fuhrer Ruth Kressley 11 Kaelyn Gallagher Tim Newcomb Nolan Rollins Christian Salvatore 12 Monica Brickner 13 Tracie Schaekel 14 Ashley Davis Joshua Davis 15 William Nourse Jackie Farace 16 Kelly Rouh Jeffrey Wescott Bill Wolf

17 Matthew Fraser Rick Rollins Meghan Sullivan 18 Craig Rudisill 20 Jacob Field 21 Charles Muhlbaier 22 Laura Ristine Peyton Shute Mark Wyatt 23 Sophia Fuchs Matthew Niewoehner Michael Salvatore 25 Robin DeGirolamo Ashley Stens 26 Nick Zelinsky 27 Paul Banff Daniel Donat Suzee Wagner Doug Wardrop 28 Janet Hankins 29 Alicia Donat Denise Stewart 30 Colin Keller Kaitie Langer Kevin Sullivan, Sr.

13 Sco� & Kristen Lisle

20 Allen & Ruth Kressley

Bob & Becky Langer

23 Tom & Sarah Jennings

Pete and Marge Scirro�o

24 John & Carol Lewis

25 Lance & Laura Holman

27 Paul & Stacie Toppin

28 Kevin & Susan Sullivan

DO YOU HAVE A FEW HOURS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF THE SENIORS AT PITMAN MANOR?

The following opportunities are available: ***Monday-Saturday- Approximately 10AM-11AM Help our residents receive their mail, volunteer in our business office to distribute the day’s mail in to the resident mailboxes *** Monday-Saturday- Approximately 1-1½ hours anytime after 1PM until 7PM Help our Healthcare residents receive their mail, volunteer to deliver the mail to the resi-dents on our Healthcare Unit ***Monday-Saturday 3 hour morning shift(9-12) or 2 ½ hour afternoon shift(1-3:30) Help our residents and staff satisfy their sweet tooth by volunteering at our Lobby Candy Counter-various shifts available, must be 16 years of age or older to volunteer ***Sundays! Either 2 hours in the morning 9:30-11:30AM or 2 hours in the afternoon 2:30-4:30PM Escort a resident from Assisted Living or Healthcare so that they can attend their worship service of choice. ***Any day of the week but especially evenings and Friday, Saturday and Sunday after-noons. Can you commit to visiting the Manor once weekly for 1-1½ hours at least 3 months to visit with a resident to talk or play a table game such as cards, SCRABBLE, dominos? For details on how to volunteer at Pitman Manor, contact Sharon Yesner at 856-589-7800, ext. 1476 or send an e-mail to syesner@pm-umh.org

Realville News Summer is nearly here, and Realville is beginning to wrap up for the season. We've been overwhelmingly blessed through the year and have been drawn closer as friends and be-come closer to The Lord. We have just a few things left until we say farewell, in favor of pools, beaches, and vacations, but they are exciting and will leave ever lasting memories. In addition to a variety of church events such as Rock the Block, and a bonfire or two, we look forward to going rock climbing again. We enjoyed it so much, that we absolutely had to make it a repeat trip. Additionally, we are planning a year end celebration in the form of an award show, called the "Mannies", an event, that I'm sure, will become an annual tradi-tion.

United Methodist Church of Mantua Ministering Through Video

Painless Fundraiser

• Buy Shop Rite ($20) or Acme ($25) Cards. • The Church receives 5%

• You receive gift cards dollar for dollar. • It costs you nothing!

Currently: We sell approximately $1,000 of gift cards per month. Annually we earn about $600. Where does the money go? It pays for some of the equipment needs of MTV. In addition, contributions have been made to The Roof Fund, Chime Choir Repair, UMC Mission Trips and The Carpet Fund. Goal: We have a goal of $1,000 per week. This is easily achievable! If we only

had 50 families that shop at either Shop Rite or Acme and each family bought one card per week, that would be $1,000. The church would earn $2,600 per year.

When we meet this goal, MTV would not only be mostly self-supporting,

we would also be able to make larger contributions for other church needs.

Action: LET’S DO IT! Exchange your cash or check for Shop Rite or ACME gift

cards and Go food shopping for your family! It costs nothing but reaps great rewards!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT! Bruce Reyher

MTV Treasurer

June 2013 Mantua Methodist Vine By William M. Crowley, Educational Research Director

2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV), “Study to show thyself approved unto GOD$” This exciting, unending series researches the KJV Bible with other sources.

BAPTISM

Definition Baptism, found in the Old and New Testaments, is the rite of purification through water.

Introduction The Old Testament pre-dates our current Baptismal practice. GOD, as stated in Scripture, used wa-ter as a sin purgative and for ritual cleansing. All resemble baptism.

The Great Flood (NRSV) Genesis 7:4, “For in seven days I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights; and every living thing that I have made I will blot out from the face of the ground.” The LORD’s purging the earth with water removed sin’s contamination. The ark saved Noah and his family. Is our ark ready to escape the fire-storm at end-times or will we stay for the barby? (NRSV) 1 Peter 3:20-21, “'eight persons, were saved through water. And baptism, which this pre-figured (represented an event that is to come), now saves you'”

Israel’s Red Sea Passage Israel’s Red Sea passage Paul presented as an Old Testament pre-Christian baptism. (NRSV) 1 Corinthians 10:2, “'and all were baptized ' in the cloud and in the sea,'”

The Crossing of the Jordan River The Jordan River’s waters halted and retreated allowing the Israelites passage. This was consid-ered a baptism for the Israelites entering the Promised Land. (NRSV) Joshua 3:15-16, “So when those who bore the ark had come to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the edge of the water, the waters flowing from above stood still, rising up in a single heap far off at Adam,'”

Solomon’s Molten Sea (NRSV) 1 Kings 7:23 & 26, “Then he (Solomon) made the molten (brass) sea;*it held two thou-sand baths.” Then the lavers (basins) were made. (KJV) 1 Kings 7:30, “And every base had four brazen (brass) wheels, and plates of brass: and the four corners thereof had undersetters (shoulders): under the laver (basin) were undersetters (shoulders) molten (of brass), at the side of every addition.” The lavers provided washing for sacrificial animals and cleansing ceremonial priests’ hands and feet before entering the Temple.

Baptism for the Dead (No Biblical Confirmation) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) practice this unusual ritual:

If the deceased was never Baptised, then a Baptism can be done by proxy(?) We can only summarize this practice. A volunteer is Baptized in the name of the deceased. Given: Baptism is necessary to enter Heaven. Action Taken: this theory supposedly allows the deceased to ac-cept8or reject (?) Baptism. Reject? Maybe they are already with their friends.

What is in a WORD? Surprising isn’t it?

United Methodist Night at the Philadelphia Phillies Saturday, August 17, 2013

Philadelphia Phillies & the L A Dodgers Game Time 7:00 pm To order tickets call:

Scott McDade @ 215-218-5434 or smcdade@phillies.com

Please mention our conference when ordering tickets: Greater New Jersey Annual Conference Order early, don’t wait. Questions?: Rick Walker, Greater NJ United Methodist Men president

856-939-2152 or walkerrn@comcast.net

Upcoming Sunday School Events June 9th VBS kickoff during service, last day of Sunday School with Award Rally! June 24-28 VBS Week—Everywhere Fun Fair! June 30th VBS closing and first day of Summer Children's Church!

Old Hymnals: The J.U.G. Class is looking for old hymnals to be used in a fund-raising project. If you have any that you would like to donate or know where we could get some, please contact any J.U.G. member. Thank you.