Island Heights United Methodist Church. May and June 2017 Newsletter. 111 Ocean Avenue P.O. Box 146 Island Heights, N.J.

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1 Island Heights United Methodist Church 111 Ocean Avenue P.O. Box 146 Island Heights, N.J Church: Parsonage: The Reverend Blair Goold, Pastor May and June 2017 Newsletter From Conference materials comes the following: Life is a journey. At Island United Methodist Church we are on a spiritual and missional journey, and we are forever discovering joy in this journey together. I happily report that missions are growing, worship attendance is increasing, new disciples are learning, small groups are increasing, and generosity in giving is changing lives. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit we are becoming more and more of a vital congregation. And when a church is vital, it attends to the needs of its community, provides a space for spiritual development, and ultimately functions as God s instrument for transforming lives. Over the next several months you will hear more about the work of Team Vital, which is a group of twelve at IHUMC who have been meeting and strategizing our forward movement as a church. This team is focused in the areas of Worship, New Disciples, Small Groups, and Giving. In this article I want to highlight the area of Small Groups. Small groups deepen faith, create community and grow vital congregations. Small groups are comprised of people who gather together on a regular basis with the goal of becoming more faithful disciples of Jesus Christ through a process of learning, support, accountability and service to the world. Did you know we have over ten small groups in our church? This is a good sign we are already naturally inclined to gather in these kinds of groups, which facilitate our spiritual growth and sharpen our missional mindset. But we believe we could have more! Not all needs can be met at a Sunday service, and small groups provide the setting for deeper accountability, support and care for one another. It is our goal that everyone in our worshiping community will have the opportunity to be part of a small group. In the month of June there will be survey for our members regarding small groups. Team Vital wants to know how we can grow our small group ministry, and data is important. In the survey there will be questions about what small groups you may already belong to, what kinds of groups would be helpful for your growth which currently do not exist, and what meeting times in the week work best in your schedule. I encourage you to take a few minutes to fill out the survey and then return it to the church. IHUMC is a vital congregation, and we are on our way to even higher levels of ministry and spiritual development. The joy is in the journey! Blessings and Peace, Pastor Blair

2 Sunday Worship Service 9:30 AM Worship and Sunday School are both held at this time. Coffee Fellowship follows the 9:30 service, ALL are welcome to join in for coffee and conversation! Saturday Contemplative Christian Worship A time to pray A place to be still A time to breathe Please join us ~ All are Welcome Saturdays 5:00 to 5:45 PM in our sanctuary Church Office The office is open Monday through Thursday, from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Secretary, Arlene Gratzel Phone: After Hours Emergency Contact Fax: ihumc@comcast.net Web Site: Pastor s visits to shut-ins are on going, if you would like a home or hospital visit with communion for yourself or a loved one, please contact Pastor Blair, or the church office, Tithing Envelope Boxes If you need them, please contact Judy Dolcy at Grieving With Friends If you or someone you know needs help in the grieving process or if you are willing to join others in their journey, please contact Pastor Blair or Carol Herbert. Please join Carol and friends for conversation and lunch. Lunch at Cool Beans ~ 1:00 P.M. May 25 & June 22 IHUMC FOOD PANTRY We would like to congratulate our Food Pantry on completing 4 years of service to our community. We reopened in April 2013 after we saw the need from Super Storm Sandy. It was in 2013 that we became an official Monmouth/Ocean County Food Bank affiliate. The Pantry has served hundreds of adults and children in many households in Island Heights and surrounding towns since then. A huge heartwarming Thank You to our many volunteers throughout these 4 years some have been with us since inception and are very faithful and dedicated to this ministry. We also want to thank our congregation for always supporting us with monetary donations as well as many food donations along with our request for school backpacks, supplies and Christmas gifts. We are also supported by local businesses and organizations that donate to us so that we can make a difference in some families lives. Thanks to the Rotary Club, Boy Scouts, IH School, Shop rite, IH Police and the TR Business Ass n to name a few. The IHUMC Food Pantry is OPEN the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month. 9:00 a.m. to 11 a.m.

3 United Methodist Women Met on Tuesday, May 16th for a fun evening where they learned some easy stretches to gain some flexibility. There was a brief business meeting followed by some healthy refreshments. Anyone interested in leaning more about all the projects and events they hold every year should contact Gail Hosler at Joining this group is a good opportunity to meet other women of the church and also to see if there is a small group or project that they have that would be of interest to you: Naomi Circle of Light ~ 1st Wed ~ 12 noon Craft Group ~ Wedensdays ~ 9:30 Book Club ~ 3rd Thursday ~ 12 noon Knitters & Crochetters ~ Mondays ~ Annual Tea - September 29 Volunteers for the House Tour ~ Oct ~ December Annual Garden Picnic ~ Ann Mazzi s 12 Noon ~ All ladies welcome UMW Book Discussion Group The group meets in Fellowship Hall the 3rd Thursday of each month at 12 noon. The members bring their lunch and the volunteer hostesses provide dessert and a beverage. Newcomers are always welcome. Bring a friend! Books are available free of charge through Ocean County Library or through the Church Office.Meeting dates for May & June: May 18 June 15 People of the Book Light Between Oceans If you have any questions, please contact: Joan or Sue United Methodist Men Past ~ Present ~ Future The Past: The UMM donated $2,200 to a number of organizations and causes including our Church, IH Fire Dept and First Aid Squad and the effort to restore Camp Meeting ground. These funds were available due to your support of our monthly breakfast and the hard work of the diligent dozen volunteers who put it together each month! Thanks to all. The Present: I, Bob Horn, was elected UMM President and we want to thank Dick Beck for his service. He is still secretary and treasurer because we wont let him retire. The Future: The UMM are planning a lunch cruise on the River Lady for September 12, Cost will be $45 per person or $40 for seniors. We are inviting the entire congregation to join us. The River Lady needs notice of approx. how many of us will go so please contact me, Bob Horn@ or (snaponbobhorn@verizon.net) so planning can go forward. The Island Heights First Aid Squad is going to hold a CPR class in Fellowship Hall. We will let you know final details. UMM Meetings: June13 All men are welcome to attend at noon in Fellowship Hall. Please bring a bag lunch, beverage and dessert will be provided. UMM Breakfast May 20 & June 17 8 to 10 A.M. Adults: $5 PLUS Children: $3 After breakfast, visit the UMW s BAKE SALE TABLE (GOOD TREATS!)

4 Weekly: Join Pastor Blair on Thursdays am-noon in Fellowship Hall. Join us on Saturdays at 5 until 5:4 for A contemplative, meditative Christian worship service every Saturday at in the sanctuary. It s a space to breathe, a place to reflect, and a time to reconnect with God. THE GIFT AUCTION JUNE 5 th Missie Maul and Pat Wallace and the Gift Auction committee are busy wrapping and storing baskets in every available space! They are still looking for premade theme baskets, new items, gift cards, baskets and monetary donations for those big prizes! Donations can be dropped off at the Church Office. Check with the businesses that you frequent to see if they would like to give a donation good way to introduce people to their business. Volunteers will be needed the day and night of the event to bring the gifts to the Clarion Hotel, stand by the tables and also to sell the value packs. Any questions call: Missie: or Pat: ~ Join us every Friday 7-8:30pm ~ Youth Room

5 GOOD NEWS!! From Bob Horn: There is a wonderful article in The Relay about a family from Brigantine who have received assistance from our Methodist Church s A Future With Hope. You can read the article online at gnjumc.org. We support A Future With Hope with our contributions to the NJ Conference. And Conference has announced that the apportionment is being reduced again this year! There is a good article from the Bishop title We have a future on that same webpage. There is an article in GNJ where a group came to work on a house in Toms River and the homeowner said they made a huge difference in her life and she hopes to move back in during the summer. It will cost more than $21 million to rebuild 500 homes. A Future with Hope needs our help. Our NJ Annual Conference will be held in Wildwood, NJ on May 21, 22 and 23, Sunday, May 21 would be a wonderful time for you to attend. The event might change your view of our little Church. The message, music and prayers are inspiring. If you have any questions, contact Bob or Susan For those who are internet impaired, I will leave my copy of the Relay in the lobby. God can do great things in our lives! PEOPLE IN THE NEWS: Lois Devine is proud to share an important milestone in her son-law s military career. Lois will be flying out with other family members to Illinois to attend the ceremony for David Hammerschmidt where he will be promoted to Cornel in the Air Force. Lois s daughter Kim, grandson, Austin and David have traveled all over the world during his 25 years in the service. They will be moving back to California in June. Lois and family are very proud of this amazing accomplishment after all his training and education. CONGRATULATIONS DAVID!! Secret Gardens & Scenic Porches June Pastor Blair will be on vacation from June 19 to the 25. Island Heights Cultural and Historical Association Meet at in Fellowship Hall June 19 Depression Glass July 17 Ludlow Thorston ~

6 May 2017 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT Knitters FH 16Food Pantry 9 11 am 17 18Bible UMM Breakfast 8 10am IHC&H UMW Book Club 12noon Knitters Bible Annual Conference in Wildwood FH Trustees Grieving w/ friends 1pm Memorial Day

7 June 2017 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1Bible Study Confirmation 5 Knitters Gift Auction 5:30 pm 6 Food Pantry Naomi Circle of Light 12N 8 Bible Sunday School Graduation 12 Knitters Annual Garden Picnic at Ann Mazzi s 12 noon 13 UMM 12N Bible UMW Book Club 12 N UMM Breakfast Piano Duets 4PM Rick Askoff & Friends 19 Knitters IHC&H 20 Food Pantry Bible Grieving w/ Friends 1pm Knitters 27 Food Pantry (in place of 7/4) Bible 30 Pastor Blair on vacation June Trustees