082219E-Newsletter

The Moscow United Methodist Church 126 Church Street Moscow United Methodist Church Moscow, PA 18444 Office: 570 842-7251 Email [email protected] Website www.moscowumc.com e-newsletter July 22, 2019 In This Newsletter Congratulations to our Pastor, Lori Robinson for receiving her diploma Congrats Pastor Lori from Wesley Theological Seminary! Pastor Lori Letter Toothbrush Mission Red Bird Mission Rolling River Rampage VBS Learning Tree Preschool Sunday School Book Club Ad Council Minutes

Pastor’s Letter Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all. However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. Ephesians 4:3-7 The summer is moving right along! I hope everyone is finding time to get out and enjoy the nice weather, either reveling in the sun or relaxing under a large shade tree. We are blessed to live in an area where there is much to do, many places to go for recreation. Wherever you may find yourself this summer, soak in the beauty of and feel the harmony of God’s creation. It is in full bloom! Sadly, during this beautiful season we are living through what are challenging times in our beloved country. Much prayer and God’s guided action is needed. However, every generation of Americans has lived through challenges of some sort. Our story continues to be written not only as citizens of this country, but more importantly as God’s children, people who represent Jesus as the Body of Christ, The Church united. God’s story of salvation is unfolding. In Ephesians chapter four, the Apostle Paul wrote to encourage the people to rejoice in their bond of peaceful discipleship. Within the five verses above, the word ONE is written eight times. It is always important to recall that each of us is uniquely created and has been generously given a special gift to share for the betterment of all. We are ONE united together under God who lives within and through all, for all. To know we are called to one glorious hope for the future is reason to rejoice, as we connect in that hope with others here and now while moving through this world into the eternal kingdom that awaits. May we live out this scripture each day in a big way lighting the path forward. The Spirit of the Lord is upon us. Through much prayer, humble living, and joyful praise, let us show our neighbors and the entire world that in faith all things are possible by the peace we possess in our hearts.

Moscow United Methodist Church’s mission for this years Conference is the collection of toothbrushes. Donations can be placed in a basket located in the rear of the church. Each month the toothbrushes will be collected and delivered to the District Office. Thank you in advance for your support in Moscow UMC’s ongoing mission work!

Red Bird Mission 2019 Shoeboxes Local drop off location: First New Milford UMC, 69 Pratt St, New Milford, PA 18834 Date: November 24, 2019 A suggested donation is at least $1 per shoebox. Please do not put money inside the shoeboxes. Place the money in an envelope and attach it to the shoebox. RED BIRD MISSION – RED BIRD MISSION – Adult Shoebox Child’s Shoebox Note: All items should be FULL size Note: All items should be FULL size and in their original containers, as and in their original containers, as purchased. purchased. Comb and/or Hair Brush, Shampoo, Comb and/or Hair Brush, Shampoo, Hand Lotion, Deodorant, Toothbrush Hand Lotion, Child’s Toothbrush and and Toothpaste, Chap Stick, Full size Toothpaste, Chap Stick, Full size Bar Bar of Soap, Washcloth, Disposable of Soap, Washcloth, Socks, Mittens, Razors, Shaving Cream, Nail Care Winter Hat, Small Flashlight, 2 or 3 Items, Socks, Work gloves or Mittens, small toys, 2 or 3 school items Winter Stocking Hat or Scarf, Christian bookmarks, wrist bands, and The mission is also accepting “gently other spiritual items are also used” and clean clothing items for appreciated. The mission is also men and women. accepting “gently used” and clean clothing items for boys and girls. Bag Bag or box them and bring them to or box them and bring them to the the church. church. Suggested School Supplies Backpack, facial tissues (personal pack), scissors (safety, child’s, or student), glue sticks, pencil box, ruler, washable markers, dictionary, colored pencils, basic calculator, crayons (24 pk), index cards, ballpoint pens (blue or black), hand sanitizer, 3-ring 1” binder, 2-pocket folders , Loose leaf paper, highlighters, spiral notebook (wide ruled or college ruled), #2 lead pencils, construction paper (assorted colors),erasers.

Rolling River Rampage, Community VBS was a huge success! Pastor Lori and Pastor Eric lead a week of spirituality, learning, and Especially fun!

Moscow United Methodist Learning Tree Pre-K Program (4-5 year olds) 9:00 – 11:30 – 3 or 5 day option Preschool Program (3 – 4 year olds) 12:00 – 2:00 – 2 or 3 day option Mommy & Me Program 12:30 – 1:30 – Thursdays For more information ……. Call 570-468-2485 e-mail [email protected] Web: www.moscowumc.com/preschool Its not too late to enroll!!!

Sunday School returns Sunday September, 8, 2019 NEW TIME 8:30 AM Class will last 45 minutes.

Moscow United Methodist Church Book Club This month’s book is “The Goldfinch” by Donna Tartt The Book Club will meet on Thursday, September 19, 2019 at 6:00 pm

Moscow United Methodist Church Administrative Council Meeting Minutes Monday, June 17, 2019 Attendees: Pastor Jean Blackie, Paulette Fotta, Howard McIntosh, Kim Havenstrite, Heather Phillips, Linda Verrastro, Barbara Havenstrite, Diane Croom, Jack Carling, Pat Verrastro, Elise MarchegianiPastor Jean opened the meeting with a prayer. Pastor Jean made the motion to accept the May minutes after making a clarification under the Budget Report. The minutes will now read – “Pastor Jean stated that procedure is always changing. We will need to contact the District Superintendent to find out the current procedure.” Paulette seconded the motion and all were in favor. Budget Report The budget for the month of May was distributed and reviewed. We were able to pay two months of ministry shares in May. The Learning Tree budget was distributed and reviewed. Linda clarified that the miscellaneous expense was the Learning Tree field trip. There will be enough money in the bank to pay for the salary until the end of the summer. Paulette made a motion to accept both budget reports. Second by Heather – all were in favor. Pastor Report Pastor Jean reviewed the grant history from the Susquehanna Conference: 2017-2018 – We applied for a Parish Ministries grant. We asked for $12,000 and received $6150. We also received $1000 through our District block grant. 2018-2019 – The Parish Ministries grant had ended. We applied for a Social Justice Ministries grant through the Missional Board. We asked for $7500 and were granted $1500. We also received $1000 through our District block grant. The Social Justice Ministries grant has ended for the 2019-2020 school year. The church will need to make contact during the summer to inquire about upcoming grants. The bank documents were presented and signed allowing the old signers to be removed from the accounts and adding the new signers to the accounts. Lay Leadership The church is working on filling the open positions. Barbara Havenstrite and Susan Hunt have volunteered to become the auditors for the church. Betty Riley has also agreed to become scripture reader coordinator. Pastor Jean made a motion to approve these positions effective immediately. Second by Howard – all were in favor. Two Sunday school have resigned for next year. The remaining teachers are waiting to see what time Sunday school will be next year, now that the worship time will be at 9:30AM. Pat may be stepping down as Sunday school teacher since there have not been enough children in the Jr/Sr High classes. Paulette mentioned that another survey would be going out to the congregation for their input on the Sunday school schedule. The adult Sunday school class has agreed to meet at 8:30AM. The nominating committee will be contacting everyone in the congregation to remind them about the time change for worship. They will also mention the open volunteer positions to see if they can find anyone interested in filling them. Pastor Jean is looking for one more person to help the nominating committee with these calls. SPRC Paulette reported there would be a special meeting following the Ad Council meeting to approve the salary for Pastor Lori. The SPRC did inform Gouldsboro Church of the time change to Moscow

worship service. They told them that the church plans to review this change in May in case the time change is not working out for Moscow. Gouldsboro church is planning to sell their parsonage instead of renting it out. Preschool The Learning Tree has 16 children enrolled for next school year with 3 more potential students. Heather is working on putting the grant paperwork together but she needs to contact Frank Ciero about an updated audit. Unfortunately, Naro Trucking and RLE would not make donations to the preschool this year but they are going to try contacting John Basalyga again. Diane Croom stated how supportive and amazing the preschool program is and how disappointed many families would be if we did not offer it next year. There was a discussion regarding better marketing to really get The Learning Tree out there, possibly updating the preschool website and Barbara suggested that a few families march in the Moscow Street Fair Parade this summer. Trustees: The new hearing assistance system has been installed and will be tested out at the next church service. Dan Schilling, the new contact for this system, will also be receiving quotes for a new CD player console and three microphones. The current microphones will no longer be able to run on that frequency. Jessica Galey withdrew her application for the Fleckenstein scholarship without prejudice. She decided to work another year before attending college. The policy will have to be reviewed to see if there are any stipulations whether she can re-apply next year. Simple Gifts musical group will not be able to perform this year. The next meeting will be Monday, July 15, 2019 at 7:00PM. Howard made a motion to adjourn. Second by Heather – all were in favor.