Hamilton UMC News Letter

Sometimes things happen that remind you of what really matters in life. A few weeks ago, I learned that a dear friend of mine in South Carolina had been diagnosed with breast cancer. She has undergone surgery and may face chemotherapy. I've talked to her several times over the past few weeks, sharing her shock and anxiety, wishing that I could have been there with her in person. And I've heard her talk about the things that are getting her through all this: her family, her friends, her church, and her faith. There are people there for her, ready and willing to do whatever they can, lifting her up in prayer each day, and encouraging her in her fight against this frightening disease.
It is so easy to get so busy with life's tasks and trials that we lose sight of what really matters. We are focused on to-do lists, traffic, schedules, work, the desire to get ahead and do our best. We forget that it ultimately isn't all that important how many business contacts we make, how big our salary is, how many extracurricular activities we and our children are signed up for, or whether the house is always in perfect order. What does matter is whether our lives are spent in loving relationships with family, friends, and God. The most important things in life are so simply - love, faith, joy. It all starts with gratitude - for life itself, for this day, for our loved ones, for our church.
My friend will get through this; I have every confidence of that. She has the things that really matter in life, and that will help her every single day. She has her family, her friends, her church, people who love her and pray for her - even from far away. God bless you, my friend. And God bless each of us as we practice remembering what really matters in life.
Peace,
Pastor Elisabeth

June 1 - Communion
"Just Do It!" Matthew 7:21, 24-27
Psalm 46 Genesis 6:9-22

June 8 - Children's Day
"And a Little Child Will Lead Them" 1 Samuel 3:1-21
Psalm 67 Mark 10:13-16

June 15 - Father's Day

June 22
"Outside Our Doors" Matthew 9:35-38
Psalm 116 Romans 5:1-8

June 29
"The Faith Factor" Genesis 22:1-14
Psalm 13 Matthew 10:40-42

Our Prayers Go Out To
Ongoing Concerns: Eleanor Anderson, Albert and Elizabeth Berryhill (alzheimers), Debbie Blackmon (cancer), Martha Bromley, Phil Bunting, Charlie Coose, Nick Dadonna, Janet Cramphorn Duarte (cancer), Martha Fenwick, Lois Finochhiaro, Alice Horne, Jenna Ingalls, Jim Leyendecker, Amy McRae, Bessie Salem, Kristen Scaduto, Betty Sevigney (alzheimers), Della Smith, Marguerite Soderblom, Debbie Stevens (cancer), Mary Taylor, David Thompson, Bob and Mary Weagle
Military: Max Boucher, Ryan Jones, James Kaiser, Robert D. Morrissette, Keven Preston, Jake Ramsdell
Others: Hughes Amero, Monay Barry, Elinor Cramphorn, Ian Cramphorn, Scott Cramphorn, Jean Helton, Debbie and Leann Lane, Stuart Merry, Margaret Nelson's granddaughter Nancy, Susan Scaduto, Marilyn Smith,Carol Ann Williams, Karen Zagorski
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Birthdays
June 1 Cynthia (Barton) Marquis
June 2 June Littlefield, Mona Farrin
June 3 Harrison Lounsbury
June 5 Emily Wallick
June 6 Ryan Davis, Linda Heitz
June 7 Bill Meade
June 9 Nathan Wallick
June 12 David Moffat, Doris Cooper
June 13 Megan Gray, Melissa Gray
June 17 Angela Carner
June 18 Brenden Wetson
June 19 Samantha Meade
June 20 Claire Johnson
June 21 Lucy Yntema
June 23 Sofia Cordeiro
June 26 Laura Taylor, Kelly Miller, Brian Heitz, Kelsey Hambelton
June 27 Andy Kulhavy, Muriel Walters
June 28 Andy Zagorski

Anniversaries
June 10 Bill and Sandy Meade
June 11 Ken and Lisa Heitz
June 14 Ian and Elaine Hambelton
June 20 Jeff and Karen Tyner
June 22 Charlie and Fay Ciaramitaro
June 30 Chuck and Susan Henderson

June Memorial Flowers
June 1 In memory of Dick Littlefield
Given by June Littlefield and Family
June 8 In memory of Michael Heitz
Son of Kenneth and Lisa Heitz
Brother of Megan Heitz
June 15 In memory of Charles Bryant and Herbert Horsman
Given by Carol and Ken Horsman
June 22 In memory of Robert Cronin, Jr.
Given by Bob and Jennie Cronin
June 29 In memory of Stacia Lotarski
Given by Janice Merry

Prayer Bear Ministry
We have started a new Prayer Bear ministry and we need donations of new or like-new teddy bears. These bears will be given to members or friends in the hospital or rehab, and to those who are homebound. We will select a bear for a specific person, then pass the bear around the pews during worship. When the bear comes to you, say a prayer for that person, then pass it on. People really get a kick out of receiving the bears, and it is just another way to let them know we care.


2008 New England Annual Conference
This year's annual conference will meet June 13-15 at Gordon College. The theme for this year's session is "Living the NET-work." It will continue an ongoing emphasis on connections and strengthening local congregations in the New England Conference. Our lay member to annual conference is Ed Wolkin.

Children's Day - June 8
As another year of Sunday School comes to an end, the children will be participating in worship on Children's Day. We will also recognize the hard work of our Sunday School Superintendent, Karen Tyner, and teachers Joan Wolkin, Beverly Coose, and Claire Johnson.

Covered Dish Picnic - June 8
Following worship on Children's Day we will gather in the social hall for a covered-dish picnic. Bring sandwiches, chips, and other finger foods and plan to stay for this time of fellowship.

Report on Silent Auction
Many thanks to all who helped with our silent auction on May 18: those who helped collect donations, took care of publicity, set up for the auction, donated desserts, ran the auction, and cleaned up afterward. And, of course, thanks to all who made purchases! We were able to raise $1,440. Well done!

Horse Trials
Once again we will be selling food at the Groton Farm Horse Trials. The two weekends are June 20-22 and June 27-29. We are fortunate to have Rich and Diane Stinson and Ed and Joan Wolkin heading up our efforts again this year. The success of this fundraiser - our biggest of the year - depends on our volunteers. You will find sign-up sheets in the narthex before and after church for the next few weeks. Please check your schedules and see how much time you can help. Volunteers are needed in the kitchen and at the site.

Birthday Box
You may have noticed the Birthday Box on the table in the narthex and asked yourself, "What's this all about?" This is a tradition we have received from the Essex UMC. On the Sunday nearest your birthday, bring the same number of coins as your age and drop them in the box. For example, if you are 45 years old, you should bring 45 coins. Money collected in the box goes into the pastor's discretionary fund to help people in need.

Communion Offering
On Communion Sundays there are offering plates located at the front of the sanctuary on chairs in front of the first pews. Any offering received there is deposited in the pastor's discretionary fund to help people in need.