June 2016

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DAMASCUS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

THE BEACON JUNE 2016

9700 NEW CHURCH STREET DAMASCUS, MD

20872

PHONE: 301-253-0022 E-MAIL: WEBSITE:

OFFICE

@DAMASCUSUMC.ORG

WWW

CLERGY

.DAMASCUSUMC.ORG

AND

STAFF:

Devoted Servants, Drawn to Jesus, Dedicated to Making Disciples

David Cooney, Senior Pastor

Dear Friends,

Amanda McMurtrey Associate Pastor / Christian Formation Polly Edmonds Baldridge Minister of Music & Worship Arts Tom Baldridge Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministry Cora Horst Director, Pleasant Plains Preschool Jane Webb Office Manager Linda Stastny Office Administrator Stephen Kalnoske Organist / Pianist / Worship Arts

We have celebrated Easter and Pentecost and the graduations of our seniors, school is soon out, the Charles Wesley Singers are preparing for their annual mission tour, all signs that summer is up on us. I have a variety of summer news items to share. The first is that we have planned a unique summer worship schedule. To make it easy, the summer schedule will be ONLY FOR JULY AND AUGUST. Worship will be at the regular times of 8:15 and 11:00 through June and that schedule will resume again the first Sunday in September, the 4th. What about July and August? We will have only one Sunday service at 9:30 am AND a Wednesday evening service at 7:00 pm. (There will be a meal opportunity before the Wednesday evening service beginning at 6:15 pm, but the worship portion begins at 7:00 pm). Why the change? There are several reasons.

Debbie Benson / Bookkeeper Lisa Marshall / Property Manager Tyrone (TJ) Budd, Jr. / Weekday AM Custodian Julio Pedraza / Weeknight & Sunday AM Custodian

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: About Our People

19

Announcements

13

Christian Formation

4

Christian Formation / Women

7

Graduating HS Seniors !

16

Missions & Outreach

10

Office Information

18

Stewardship/Finance

13

Vacation Bible School

3

Worship Arts News & Events

9

Young at Heart

5

▪ A single service on Sunday gives our 8:15 and 11:00 congregations the opportunity to worship together. ▪ A single service on Sunday means a fuller sanctuary allowing us to be at our best for each other and especially for the many summer visitors looking for a church. A half or more empty sanctuary does not give the right message. ▪ Many folks are away on weekends during the summer. A weeknight service provides a worship opportunity for those unable to be here on Sunday. ▪ A weeknight service gives us the opportunity to experience different worship formats. At times we may be in the dining hall or the pavilion or the sanctuary. Sunday and Wednesday will be different experiences so, if you are able, you may want to attend both. For instance, in July on Sunday there is a three-week series called “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Wisdom Literature in the Old Testament.” On Wednesday we are looking at the Gospel according to Dr. Seuss and you will be hearing about Yertle the Turtle, Horton Hears A Who, and other stories. Different forms, different themes, both meaningful. Remember, this is for July and August ONLY. July and August Sunday at 9:30, Wednesday at 7:00. Any other time - Sunday at 8:15 and 11:00. 

Pastor’s Article (cont’d)

As announced earlier this year, Tom Baldridge is stepping down from the position of Director of Youth Ministry. Tom plans to remain active in the program but is ready for someone else to have the responsibility of overseeing it. Tom has served in this role for three years and has done an outstanding job of supporting our youth and building our youth ministry program. I know I speak for all of you, as well as myself, in offering a word of deep thanks for a job well done. The good news is that we will not have to miss him because he will still be with us. In evaluating our communication strategy, it has become clearer and clearer that many are not reading the Beacon. Of course, if you are reading this, you might be thinking what do I mean, I read it all of the time. Thank you for that, but many are not joining you. One deterrent seems to be the length. Another is that different people get information in different ways. So, over the next months we will be adjusting our communication strategy. We are going to strive for a much shorter Beacon, a brief weekly newsletter in the Sunday bulletin, fewer but more strategic emails, a continually improving web presence, and things that are always changing like current bulletin boards and flyers. Many wonderful things happen at our church. We want to you to know the what, when, where, and why. We are committed to communication in a timely and effective way. Many will be in and out over the summer, including Amanda and me, as we take our vacations. We hope you have good fun, and relaxing times. Please remember, though, that while we take vacations, our bills do not. Electronic giving allows you to give when you are not here. If that is not for you, please have a plan for keeping up with your giving this summer. We need each other to stay strong and solvent. - David

An Update from our Pastor Parish We would like to thank Tom Baldridge for his leadership as youth director these past three years. Tom, the energy you've poured into building relationships with our youth has created a safe place for God to speak to them and for them to respond. Though you've relinquished your youth director position, we look forward to having you still be part of the spiritual growth of our youth and serving in other capacities. - Staff Parish Relations Committee

Welcome! The Staff-Parish Relations Committee is delighted to welcome Nick Works as our new Director of Youth Ministry. Nick, his wife Carla, and son and daughter Jonathan and Kate have been part of our church for a little over a year. Nick, an ordained Baptist clergyperson, works at Wesley Theological Seminary as the Director of Recruitment. He has been in ministry, mostly with young people, for 20 years and holds a BA in Christian Ministry, an MA in Theology, and a MDiv. He is now pursuing a DMin. His vision of ministry is finding out where God is working and putting your energy there. Clearly our youth ministry will continue to be in good hands.

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Vacation Bible School

It’s time to register for this year’s Vacation Bible School. Classes are starting to fill up, so please send in your registrations soon (see page #18 of this Beacon). If possible, a $30 donation per child would be appreciated to help offset our costs. We welcome students ages 4 through 6th grade. And, we welcome youth helpers going into grades 7 th-12th. Youth helpers can earn SSL hours for their time spent at VBS. Youth helpers need to complete a Youth Helper Registration form and a Safe Sanctuary Covenant Statement form, and turn them into the office no later than June 24, 2016. I need an adult to help with driving students to/from Damascus Gardens apartments each morning of VBS. Please let me know if you are able and willing to drive the church van. I also have a need for someone to be at Damascus Gardens from 8:30 - 9:00 am each morning of VBS to help “check in” students and direct them to the correct vehicles. Please give me a call if you can help. Thanks and God bless you. Cathy Scarbrough (301) 972-6844 3

Christian Formation (cont’d)

Pleasant Plains Preschool

a ministry of Damascus United Methodist Church

[email protected] 301-253-9798

This year’s Wacky Hair/Hat Day was our best yet! Everyone looked great! Registration for the 2016-2017 school year has begun. We would love to have your little one join us! We offer classes for ages 2-5. Please contact Cora Horst, school director, at 301-253-9798 or [email protected] for more information. A list of classes and tuition can be found on the church website: www.damascusumc.org.

Men’s Night Out for June The Men of DUMC (and male friends, family & neighbors) are invited for a Men’s Night Out on Monday, June 20 at 6:00 pm at the Longhorn Steak House, 20017 Century Blvd., Germantown, MD 20874. RSVP TO: Ted Ross @ www.tedrossconsulting.com or 301-704-7992.

The Connections Café DUMC’s Coffee Hour Held Sunday mornings between services. Come and enjoy a hot mug, a few nibbles, and relaxed fellowship. All are welcome. The Connections Café is located in the back half of the GREAT HALL. Joyfully, Marcia Hofman, Kathy Jones, Gloria Maready, Kim Ferguson, Gabrielle Hulcher, Lora Maynard, Nancy Counts, Eunice Rush and Jacque Janss have been using their gifts of hospitality to create this time of fellowship for our congregation. We would welcome more hands to assist, even if it is just an hour here and there on any given Sunday. We would also be grateful for food donations like baked goods and fresh fruit. Just stop in or call Marcia Hofman at 301-253-2960 or email her at [email protected] to sign up to help and/or provide food. We could use you! 4

Christian Formation (cont’d)

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Christian Formation (cont’d)

Remaining Young at Heart Schedule for 2016 Sunday, JULY 3

OCTOBER

Holiday Concert Rehearsal on the west front lawn of the Capital, Washington, DC. THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

Tour of Brookside Gardens and Wings of Fancy Butterfly House, Wheaton. Lunch afterwards nearby. Date TBD.

Other July possibilities:

Tour of Kingsley School house on Clarksburg Road and lunch to follow (heavy walking involved). Date TBD.

Frederick Keys Baseball Game Visit to Raven’s Training Camp & Lunch

Coordinator/Contact person needed for both events listed Call Ted, Sue or Jane to volunteer.

Dates to be determined for both of above. Contact person: Mike Springirth / 240-832-2404

NOVEMBER Tour of Channel 7 Newsroom in Arlington, VA, followed by a lunch out. Date TBD. Contact person: Mike Springirth / 240-832-2404.

DECEMBER

Picnic & swimming at the home of Bill & Lora Maynard, Damascus. Date TBD. Contact person: Lora Maynard / 301-253-5868.

St. Cecilia Christmas Concert at the Weinberg Center, following a dinner out in Frederick. Exact date TBD. Contact person: Sue Constantinides / 301-253-6591

Pontoon Ride at Blackhills Park, Clarksburg. Date TBD. Contact person: Kathy Celli / 301-253-9652.

Disney Cruise December 3 - 10, 2016. Departure is from Port Canaveral, Florida. Booking now and openings still available. Contact person: Kelly Bratburd: / 301-831-7435

Toby’s Dinner Theater to see Sister Act. Coordinator/Contact person needed. Call Ted, Sue or Jane to volunteer.

Friday or Saturday, SEPTEMBER 17 or 18

Festival of Lights or Zoo Lights. DUMC Dinner & Christmas Party.

Trip to the Maryland Wine Festival in Westminster.

Coordinator/Contact person needed for both events listed. Call Ted, Sue or Jane to volunteer.

Date and time TBD. Contact person: Jane Webb / 240-620-6920

Did you know? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center has a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by Christian volunteers. When you call 1-800-251-2468, a person will answer the phone, receive your prayer request and pray with you. After your call, your prayer concern will be forwarded to one of 300 Upper Room Covenant Prayer Groups located all over the world. On the Web, requests can be submitted by visiting www.umc.org, click on “pray” in the green box. Your request will be e-mailed to the Prayer Center within 24 hours and sent out to Upper Room Covenant Prayer Groups as well. More than 30,000 prayer requests are received each month. 6

Christian Formation / Women’s Ministry

Damascus United Methodist Women News June, 2016 UMWomen Circle Dates Susanna JOY Circle will meet Monday, June 13, 2016 to share in a luncheon at 12 noon at the Atlantic Grille, 3531 John Simmons Street, Suite #D-05, Frederick, MD. The WWJD Circle Picnic will be held June 16 at the DUMC Pavillion. We will gather at 6:30 pm. We will honor our own Peggy Chaney by dedicating a garden in her memory. Hazel Strahorn will host the picnic and will provide paper products, utensils, supplies, drinks, and clean-up. If your last name starts with A-S, please bring an appetizer, entrée or salad to share. T-Z, please bring a dessert. If this doesn’t work for you, do what you can. Bring family and/or a friend to share in the experience, we will have plenty for all. OTHER IMPORTANT INFO: Thursday, June 2, 2016: DUMWomen Gener al Meeting at 1:00 pm in the Dining Hall. We will intr oduce a 6-month project using Bishop Peggy Johnson’s book “The Church and People with Disabilities,” and highlighting our DUMC Sunday School Buddy Program. Suzanna JOY Circle will host. Special Project for JUNE ONLY: Bibles for the Tr oops at $5.00 each. We invite any and all member s to join in this project (see order form below) . Please see Pennie Adams, Esther Samakouris, Joy Schwab and Kathy Jones to help out in the worthwhile endeavor.

SPECIAL PROJECT FOR JUNE BIBLES FOR THE TROOPS - $5.00 EACH PLEASE HELP US SUPPORT OUR TROOPS Name:_______________________________________________ each

Number of Bibles: _________ @ $5.00 TOTAL COST: ___________ Thanks you for your help with this project.

Orders may be given to Pennie Adams, Esther Samakouris, Joy Schwab or Kathy Jones, with a check made payable to: Damascus United Methodist Women 7

Christian Formation / Women’s Ministry (cont’d) FUTURE EVENTS

LADIES’ NIGHT OUT

TUESDAY, July 19 Music Café @ 6 pm 26528 Ridge Road Damascus, MD RSVP by July 17

THERE WILL BE NO Ladies’ Night Out IN THE MONTH OF AUGUST

WHEN:

Monday, June 20 @ 6 pm WHERE:

GrillMarx @ 6 pm 12011 Snowden Farm Pkway. Clarksburg, MD RSVP by June 18

CONTACT PASTOR AMANDA AMANDA.MCMURTREY @DAMASCUSUMC.ORG Call 301-253-0022 or Text 970-231-5123

Fellowship · Conversation · Companionship · Fun · Sisterhood · Everyone Invited · New Event Each Month

LADIES, SAVE THE DATE!

Friday, April 28 – Saturday, April 29, 2017 The 2017 Women’s Spring Retreat will be held atop South Mountain in Frederick County at the Skycroft Conference Center. Due to the positive 2016 retreat feedback regarding motel-style accommodations (all linens provided), we have reserved 20 motel-type rooms with double beds and private baths. The $100 retreat fee will cover all costs, including 3 meals – Skycroft confidently shares “we are known for our fine food.” If you were able to join us for this past April’s retreat, we hope you will mark your calendar for next year’s retreat! If you were NOT with us, we would love to have you join us! We think you will be glad you did – come laugh, share, create, learn, and relax with us.

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Worship Arts News and Events June 2016

Polly Edmonds Baldridge, Minister of Music and Worship Arts 240-750-8287 | [email protected] Stephen Kalnoske, Organist

Spread the News !

Invite your friends and family across the states !!!! Our Summer Youth Mission Tour choir will be performing at the following locations . . . Wednesday, June 22 @ 7:30 pm - TBD, Ohio Thursday, June 23 @ 7:30 pm

Portage Chapel Hill UMC, 7028 Oakland Drive, Portage, MI 49024

Friday, June 24 @ 2:00 pm

Rest Haven Care Center, 280 West 40th Street, Holland, MI

Saturday, June 25 @ 6:00 pm

Midland First UMC, 315 W. Larkin Street, Midland, MI 48640

Sunday, June 26 @ 11:00 am

Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 4800 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48201

Sunday, June 26 @ 7:30 pm

Wednesday Night Summer Worship Music Opportunities Do you feel called to share your song in worship? Music of all kinds is welcome and encouraged at DUMC. If you’d like to share something special at a Wednesday worship gathering in July or August or during a summer Sunday, please contact Polly Baldridge.

Calling All Creative Spirits!! The Praise Artisan’s Guild is in need of a few committed people to support the DUMC Worship Programs with creative displays and décor. This is not a full-time job, no regular meetings, just decorating seasonally by the UMC calendar. Your creative ideas and time commitment are needed!

Monday, June 27 @ 1:00 pm

Please contact Connie Ross 301-633-9504 [email protected]

Tuesday, June 28 @ 7:30 pm

WORSHIP ARTS ENSEMBLE NEWS

Westside UMC, 900 South 7th Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48103 Performance in the Park, Cedar Point, One Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky, OH 44870 First Presbyterian Church, 110 West Broadway, Granville, OH 43023

Worship Arts ensembles for all ages resume rehearsals in the fall. Damascus UMC offers the following opportunities:

~~~~~~~~~ Homecoming Concert Thursday, June 30, at 7 pm

The Charles Wesley Singers and instrumental ensemble present an inspirational evening of sacred music, including favorite anthems and Benjamin Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb. Freewill offering benefits United Methodist Committee on Relief.

SUMMER CHOIR – FOR ALL AGES NO ROBES | NO PROCESSIONAL | NO ONE EXCLUDED 9:30 am Sunday Service in July and August

All singers are invited to sing during worship over the summer! Come 20 minutes before services each week for a quick rehearsal to review anthem. The Charles Wesley Singers will sing at Sunday 8:15 am services in June, and Chancel Choir will sing at 11 am services in June. For July and August, both choirs will join to share in the single 9:30 am service – some mornings there will be more than one anthem to feature both groups. This is also an opportunity for children and youth to sing with their parents and other adult friends. Come join us – anthems will be picked from familiar repertoire. 9

Colorful Hands of Jesus Puppet Troupe for 2nd to 5th grades Cherubs Vocal Choir for 4 ½ years to 1st grade Choristers Vocal Choir for 2nd to 5th grades Youth Puppets Puppet Troupe for Middle Schoolers Inspiration Ringers Handbell Choir for 2nd – 5th grades Youth Handbell Choir Handbell Choir for Middle and High School Men’s Choir Vocal Choir for changed voices of all ages Chancel Choir Mixed voice choir for changed voices Youth Praise Band Band meets 1st and 3rd Sunday of month Ring of Joy Advanced handbell ensemble For additional information, please contact Polly Baldridge!

MISSIONS / CARING MINISTRIES MISSIONS AND OUTREACH MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR MONDAY, AUGUST 15 Come and meet Dr. Belinda Forbes, one of the missionaries we support in Nicaragua. Dr. Forbes is with the General Board of Global Ministries of the UMC and serves in Managua with Christian Medical Action (AMC). She works as a dentist and as a public health educator. Dr. Forbes was originally from Ireland, but was raised in Massachusetts. Her husband is a medical doctor in Managua in the field of community health programs with AMC. They have two daughters. Dr. Forbes says, “Mission oriented to health and development is less about direct transfer of goods or knowledge and more about sharing, learning, and together implementing ideas that can enable God’s transformation of suffering to wellness . . . and to reaffirm their (Nicaraguan brothers and sisters) trust and hope that God has a plan for their lives . . .” Save the date: Monday evening, August 15. Follow Dr . For bes at www.belindagbgm.blogspot.com Some of the best Missions projects in which a congregation can be involved, come from the “bottom up” not from the “top down.” If you were around on Mission Sunday, you may remember that the puppet presentations by both the children and youth emphasized prayer as the starting point of mission work. I believe that we pray to see where God wants us to be involved in serving others and sharing the Good News of God’s love in Jesus. God calls us—not just pastors or church leaders, but God calls all of us to serve and share God’s love in word and deed. Years ago I heard the pastor of The Church of the Savior in Washington, DC speak about Mission service in that congregation. After prayer and reflection, lay people could stand before the congregation and share a “call” from God to serve in a mission ministry. If there were two other people in the congregation who shared/felt a similar call from God, those lay people were a team charged with leading a new mission ministry in the life of the congregation. If years later the mission ministry had completed its objective, it was celebrated by the congregation and given a proper Christian “funeral.” Then new missions could be embraced to meet new needs. That is “bottom up” missions! Since your talents and spiritual gifts are not the same as mine, God may call you to a different service and mission ministry. My prayer for you is that as God places a mission on your heart, you will have the courage to say “yes” and share that call so that others at DUMC may respond and work with you if that is a ministry our congregation can support. God calls, and the Holy Spirit gives us the power to serve and make a difference in the lives of people because God loves everyone! Serving God’s world with you, Carol C. Yocum Mission Chair [email protected]/301-788-6446

AN AUGUST OPPORTUNTIY TO SERVE FOR ABOUT 6-7 HOURS (WITH LUNCH) ON A WEEK DAY AT THE BRETHREN SEVICE CENTER IN NEW WINDSOR, MD. If you are interested in packing items needed by people in other countries, call Carol Yocum. A mutually-agreed-upon day in the second or third week of the month will be chosen.

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MISSIONS AND OUTREACH (cont’d) News from Nicaragua We hope that everyone is enjoying the beginning of summer. We have started to receive rain, both in Managua and in La Danta, a hopeful sign for the possibility of a first harvest in August. Between Cultures hosted a great retreat with La Danta at the end of April, analyzing the components of living in a Christian community, and where the community’s weaknesses and strengths lie. After the retreat many of the members have made the commitment to help Don Juan more in organizing the church services and participating in the different areas of it.

The prayer partner program between DUMC members and La Danta church members is up and running. It has been a great way for those who can’t travel to Nicaragua/the U.S. to get to know one another, or to renew relationships for those who have. If you would like a prayer partner in La Danta, please email me at [email protected]. We know that there is concern about how the mosquito-borne Zika virus is affecting Nicaraguans. We want to recognize the government’s social work in fumigating homes and public buildings, creating health brigades to educate people on prevention, and make sure that people are clearing clutter from their homes where mosquitos could lay their eggs. Nicaragua currently has the second lowest rate of the virus in Central America, with 196 cases diagnosed. Of those cases 38 were pregnant women; nine have had healthy babies, and the rest who are still pregnant have had ultrasounds that show that the babies appear not to be affected. Prayers are appreciated for those affected by Zika and other mosquito-borne illnesses. Thank you for your continued support, Amanda, on behalf of Between Cultures

Habitat for Humanity – Help Build a House This Summer

Come join the Prayer Shawl Ministry

Join us as we travel once again to Garrett County, MD to help build houses for lowincome people in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity. This is an unforgettable experience to work alongside future homeowners for one week, and then to return the following year to see them working in their yard or their children playing on the porch of a home that you helped build!

Prayer Shawl Ministry is a creative way to combine the love of knitting and/or crocheting with ministry to people in need of comfort. The shawls we make offer tangible evidence of God’s love to each recipient. If you would like to give a prayer shawl to someone whom you know, you can contact one of the pastors, Cathy Heinbaugh, [email protected], 301-253-0742, or Jan Mullinix, jmullinix74@ yahoo.com 301-482-1122.

Monday, June 20 @ 12:30 / Church Office

Our trip will be July 10 through July 15 with a required pretrip meeting on June 16 at 7 pm. Anyone 14 yrs or older is welcome to join us (although 14 and 15 year olds may not be able to fully participate in all aspects of construction). The trip is $50 for DUMC members and $100 for others. Look for applications on the church website (http:// www.damascusumc.org/get-involved/missions/#Habitat% 20for%20Humanity).

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MISSIONS AND OUTREACH (cont’d) Caring Tip: Two Unexpectedly Caring Words I recently watched the movie Still Alice. This Academy Award-winning film tells the story of Alice, a 50-something college professor who is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. In a short, poignant scene toward the middle of the film, Alice’s daughter Lydia asks about her experience with Alzheimer’s: “What’s it like? What does it actually feel like?” Alice tells her daughter: “Well, it’s not always the same, I have good days and bad days, and on my good days I can, you know, almost pass for a normal person. But on my bad days, I feel like I can’t find myself . . . I can see the words hanging in front of me and I can’t reach them and I don’t know who I am. And I don’t know what I’m going to lose next.” After a moment, Lydia replies with just two words: “Sounds horrible.” Alice smiles a little and says, “Thanks for asking.” The words “Sounds horrible” might not sound caring, but actually they convey tremendous empathy and compassion. All too often, when someone shares painful feelings, we’re so anxious to help the person feel better that we downplay that pain. Lydia could have done that, saying something like: Try to focus on the good days, not the bad. There could be a medical breakthrough at any time. You need to stay positive! Instead, Lydia validates and shares in her mother’s feelings - which was just what Alice needed right then. So the next time someone shares about a painful situation, something like “sounds horrible” might be just be the right thing to say. In Christ, Joel Bretscher Director of Communications Stephen Ministries, Saint Louis, MO

Healing Service Our monthly Healing Service will be held. Sunday, June 19, 2016 at 7:00 pm in the Church Parlor.

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Stewardship/Finance Greetings from your Finance Committee! We are five months into this year’s budget and all the components of the budget are right where we would want them to be. We are, however, at the end of the school year when many families, couples, and individuals enjoy an opportunity to travel. Vacations allow us to relax, renew, and to rejuvenate our spirits. But … summer tends to be a difficult time for our church budget. Please be faithful and diligent in maintaining your contributions throughout the summer months. One approach that allows you to keep current in your contributions, regardless of where you are, is E-GIVING. If you are comfortable with the process of electronic transactions, please see the information on E-GIVING elsewhere in this Beacon and on our website. A little factoid #2 - The Reverend Samuel Wesley (1662-1735), the father of John and Charles Wesley, was an Anglican Priest (Church of England). On February 9, 1709, the rectory of his church was destroyed by fire. Six-year-old John Wesley was the last family member rescued from the fire just before the roof collapsed. If you turn in our hymnal to 293, you will see the words for the only Samuel Wesley hymn that survived that fire. Have a blessed summer and be renewed by the change of pace. Sincerely, David A. Rust, Chairman

Announcements

Friendship United Methodist Church (FUMC) in Damascus, Maryland will be having their Annual Barbeque, Bake Sale, and Yard Sale – Saturday, June 25, 2016 beginning 11:30 a.m. until ?

Contact Betty Spencer to reserve Yard Sale Tables at 301-831-5732 or the church office at 301-2533411; Cost of Tables are $15. Yard and Bake Sale will begin as early as 9:00 a.m. Dinners: Includes 3 sides & drink in price. Bar-B-Q Ribs $15, Chicken $13. Bake Sale Goods (cakes, Cookies, Brownies, Pies, etc.) Sides: Potato salad, green beans, cole claw, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, applesauce, roll and butter. Friendship United Methodist Church 27701 Ridge Road, Damascus, MD 20871 Phone: 301-253-3411 13

Announcements (cont’d) The first ever Relay For Life of Damascus 5k will be held Saturday, June 4 at 5:00 pm at Damascus High School. The run is over partial trail and partial pavement. The 5k will start at the far end of the football field and will traverse through the athletic fields of Damascus High School, the Magruder Trail, two local neighborhoods and back through the Magruder Trail to the high school. The race will end back on the football field in the middle of the Relay For Life activities. This is the first ever 5k event to be held at Relay and is sponsored by Carl Vail of Morgan Stanley.

The following are local businesses where you can pick up registration forms: * All American Bicycle Center * Anytime Fitness * Fitness 4 You * GNC – Live Well * Han Mi Martial Arts Registration is $30 or $35 and checks may be made payable to the “American Cancer Society.” All participants will receive a 5k T-Shirt.

For further information or to have a registration form emailed to you, contact Carl Vail at [email protected].

What is hospice care? When to call hospice? Why Montgomery Hospice? Besides providing the answers to these questions, Montgomery Hospice provides grief groups and workshops open to all persons living in Montgomery County. Please feel free to share this information with everyone you know who might benefit from these programs.

~ ~ ~ ~

Drop-In Discussions about Grief and Healing

Journaling and Grief Workshop Miniseries Beyond Words, expressing Grief through Art Making Loss of a Sibling Grief Workshop For more information on the above programs, please look for the flyers on the community bulletin board by the Parlor entrance or stop by the church office. You may also go to www.montgomeryhospice.org to view the information.

Montgomery Hospice is a nonprofit hospice serving residents of Montgomery County, Maryland. Our team of doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, spiritual counselors, social workers, certified nursing assistants, bereavement counselors and volunteers works with our patients and their families to provide quality end-of-life care in homes, extended care facilities and at Casey House, our acute care facility. 14

Announcements (cont’d)

Host Families Needed! - Canadian Boys Choir July 5 – July 7, 2016

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Do you have extra room in your home to host a visiting boys choir from Canada? Are you in town July 5 through July 7?

There will be 45 boys ages 11 to 17 years old, and 15 adult chaperones coming to DUMC. Help show these young men our DUMC hospitality! The choir will perform at DUMC at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday July 5, and host families will bring choir members home after the concert. The boys will spend all day Wednesday touring the area and will return back to DUMC in the late afternoon for time with their host families. They depart on Thursday morning July 7. Please contact Liz Elliott at [email protected] or (301) 651-9072 by June 1 if you can house 2 or more members of the choir. Thank you for opening your homes and your hearts to these young people.

Can You Help ? ? ? Damascus Help Furniture Committee is in need of the following: refrigerator, dryer, good clean beds, bunk beds, dressers, lamps, end tables, kitchen/dining table and chairs, microwaves and pots & pans. Damascus HELP is in need of volunteers to serve the Damascus and Clarksburg areas. We are a nonprofit organization that provides help in emergency situations. With some of the following opportunities, you do not need to leave your home. We need Officers of the Day (answering the phone from your home on a call forwarding system), food drivers (delivering food), and pantry pick up helpers (picking up food from food drives). Additionally, we need transportation drivers (take individuals to and from doctor’s appt. and Social Services), financial caseworker (work with clients to pay utility bills), and furniture movers (pick up and deliver furniture). Volunteers must be older than 18 for insurance purposes. Please contact Damascus HELP at 301-253-4100 or email [email protected] or for additional information. www.damascushelp.org

Thank You ! We thank you so much for the prayers, cards and calls during the death of our brother, Don. Your kindness and compassion is greatly appreciated. Thanks again, Delores Neal and Rosalyn Bowman 15

You Have a Bright Future Ahead!! Graduating High School Seniors Logan Abernethy - Graduating from Urbana High School. Will attend Frederick Community College for two years and then transfer to University of Maryland. Plans to major in Music. Jenna Bacon - Graduating from Damascus High School and plans to attend Towson University, majoring in Early Childhood Education. Madison Bowe - Graduating Poolesville High School and will attend Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, PA in the fall, studying Environmental Science. Kyle Boyer - Graduating Damascus High School, will attend Montgomery College to study Computer Science.

Claire Dobrzanski - Graduating Damascus High School and will attend the University of Utah, in Utah, majoring in Biochemistry/Pre-Med. Chris Gaylord - Graduating from Damascus High School, will attend Montgomery Community College and plans to work in Nursing. Carly Green - Graduating Damascus High School, will attend St. Mary’s College to major in Anthropology. Cameron Horst - Graduating from Damascus High School and plans to attend University of Maryland, College Park, majoring in Engineering. Rose Hulcher - Graduating from Damascus High School and will attend the University of Michigan, studying Industrial & Operations Engineering. Quil Kiback - Graduating Northwest High School and will attend the Montgomery County Scholars Program at Montgomery College. Plans to study either History or Political Science. Ian Kinnaman - Graduating from Damascus High School and will attend Youngstown State University, Ohio, to study Music Education. Bethany Maczka - graduating from Damascus High School and will attend Montgomery County, Maclin School of Business. Jessi Marshall - graduating from Damascus High School and will attend University of MD, Baltimore Campus, to study Political Science. Austin Mollard - has enlisted in the US Navy and will report for basic training by December 31, 2016. He plans to go on to be an Aircraft Mechanic, eventually pursuing his pilot’s license. Riley Murray - graduating Damascus High School and will attend Town State to study Speech & Language Pathology & Audiology. Kelsey Najaka - Graduating DHS, will be attending Shepherd University, studying Elemetary Education. Keith Packard - graduating DHS and will attend St. Mary’s College, MD and major in education.

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Gabe Russell - Graduated DHS and has enlisted in the Marines and leaves in Nov., 2016, for basic training. Cody Sander - Graduating DHS and will attend Towson University, major undecided. Corbin Sander - Graduating DHS, future plans undecided. Marci Senires - Graduating Urbana High School. Will attend Salisbury University in the fall, major undecided. Lucas Sicard - Graduating DHS, will study engineering at Montgomery College. Jack Stull - Graduated Clarksburg High School. Will attend American University in DC, major undecided. Rachel Taylor - graduating from Clarksburg High School, major undecided. Micah Tsoi - graduating Urbana High School and will attend the University of Maryland, College Park, MD to obtain a double degree in Piano Performance and Material Science & Engineering. Other subjects he would also like to pursue are French, Economics, and Psychology. Patrick Walker - graduating DHS and will attend the United State Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He will report on June 30 to the Academy. Marin Williams - graduating Damascus High School, will attend Montgomery College in the fall, to study business.

. . . .to Damascus ! ! 17

Office Information Check in at DUMC every Sunday PLEASE NOTE:

Every day our Facebook friends post check-ins at restaurants and events. Why don’t more check in at church? Let’s change that and show everyone that we are as excited to attend DUMC as we are to eat at a new restaurant or see a new show! Before you silence your phone for church, update your status with a check-in at DUMC. You can add a comment or photo after the service. It would be fun to see how many of us participate. Maybe our other friends will be intrigued enough to attend as well.

There are five new e-mail addresses effective immediately Main office: 301-253-0022

PASTORS: David S. Cooney, ext. #103 cell: 240-529-8887 / [email protected] Amanda P. McMurtrey, ext. #104 cell: 970-231-5123 / [email protected]

Don’t forget to like the DUMC page on Facebook!

STAFF: Polly Edmonds Baldridge, Minister of Music & Worship Arts cell: 240-750-8287 / [email protected] Tom Baldridge, Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministry cell: 301-802-4775 / [email protected]

Administrative Meetings For June, 2016

Jane Webb, Office Manager ext. #101 / [email protected] Linda Stastny, Office Administrator ext. #102 / [email protected] Lisa Marshall, Property Manager cell: 301-253-5241 / [email protected] Debbie Benson, Bookkeeper ext. #106 / [email protected]

June

1 Office Staff Meeting 10:00 am in the Annex/CR

June

2 Trustees Committee Meeting 7:30 pm Great Hall/back 2 Missions Committee Meeting 7:30 pm in the Great Hall/Stage Side 2 Finance Committee Meeting 7:30 pm in the Sacristy

Office Hours

June

The office is open Monday - Thursday, 8:00 am 6:00 p.m. On Friday, we open at 8:00 a.m., sometimes close for lunch (approx. an hr.) and occasionally close for the day at 4:00 p.m. Additionally,

June

Pastor David is off on Fridays. Pastor Amanda is off on Tuesdays. Jane Webb is off on Mondays. Linda Stastny is off on Tuesdays.

June 15 Technology Committee Meeting 7:00 pm in the Annex/CR June 23 Administrative Board Meeting (Tentative) 7:00 pm in the Dining Hall/back

Please keep this in mind when waiting for a response to e-mail or phone messages. Thank you.

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NOTE: The Christian Formation and SPPRC Committees will NOT meet in the month of June.

About Our People

Your Connection to Care When you are facing a difficulty, faith issue, or serious illness, your pastoral care team is here for you. Pastors David and Amanda are easy to reach and available to you. Their contact information is below:

David S. Cooney, ext. #103 cell: 240-529-8887 [email protected]

Amanda McMurtrey, ext. #104 office: 301-253-0022 [email protected]

They can also help connect you to a Stephen Minister or an Earth Angel.

ABOUT OUR PEOPLE Congratulations to Dan & Kate Wright on the bir th of their new daughter , Hannah Grace, on May 17; big sister, Mary; and grandparents, Steve & Cathie Deadrick. Pray for Kitty McNaughton Ayers with the passing of her husband Norm on Satur day, May 21. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 11 here at DUMC. Pray for the Bob Wilson family with the passing of Virginia Sacco (Gina’s mother) on May 23 in Wheeling, WV. Pray for those receiving medical care, going through tests, facing surgery or in recovery: Pennie Adams (Cochlear implant), Benjamin Bautista (developmental concerns), Catherine Cramer, (Randy Anderson’s sister with pregnancy complications), David Bellefleur (Hank’s brother recovering from motorcycle accident), Helen Boyer, Mary Burton (hear t issues), Ann Cochran, Patty Crane (Cher yl Minekime’s cousin with medical issues), Joyce Dooley (Car ol Taylor ’s mom), Pat Duvall, Linda Evans, Larry Froeberg (Kar en Taylor ’s father recovering from complications from back surgery), April Fry (Diane Fry’s daughter-in-law with M.S.), Diane Fry (having complications fr om her hand sur ger y r ecover y), Marianne Goldup, Patsy Kressig (Judy’s mom), Miel Linthicum, Jeanette Long, Daniel Lorenzo (Angie Thompson’s brother with heart failure), Tom Mielke (Marilyn Kinsey’s son-in-law with M.S.), Teresa Morella (recovering from back surgery), Nancy Nickerson (r ecover ing fr om neck/back sur ger y), Neal Pardini (r ecent fall causing additional leg vascular problems), Sue Pratt (Amy Bilello’s mom), Carole Sacco (Gina Wilson’s sister-in-law) liver disease and candidate for a transplant, Jane Snapp (recuperating from a broken shoulder), Karen Turner (Kathy Jones’ niece with Lupus) and Roy Wood (Kim Briglia’s brother-in-law) in rehab after a serious car accident. Pray for those who have been diagnosed with cancer including Patty Benson (Doug’s wife), Mike Bowman (Roz Bowman’s son), Ann Boyer (Kevin’s mom), Sue Bradley, Steve Capkovits (Ruth Harward’s cousin), Karen Caroscio (Stephanie Vara Carter’s mother-in-law), Mickey Cochran, Pam Compton, Tammy Lee Cosman (Don & Rita’s sister-in-law), Lauren Dunham, JP Feuillet, Kathy Geehreng, Dawn Helton (Marge Taylor’s daughter), Rick Henderson (Ken’s brother), Willa Kackley (Judy Benedict’s aunt), Leroy (friend of the Malley’s going thru kidney cancer treatment), Dave Lingrell, Hazel MacKenzie (radiation treatments), Tanner Matney, Christopher Matovich (Ger r y Par dini’s nephew) Frances Richards (Rev. Beth Richards’ sister), Greg Sacco (Gina Wilson’s brother), and Tim Sanner (Dan Krotz’s uncle). Continue to pray for all who serve in the military: The following ar e stationed in the United States: John Clayton – Army (Cathy Heinbaugh’s brother), Thomas LaMaster – Navy (Ted & Esther Samakouris’ grandson), Gregory Lee – Army (Cara Hardick Lee’s husband), Benjamin J. Saunders – Navy (son of Connie Ross), Alex Sauter – Marines (son of Todd & Kelly), and Kossi (Alfred) Setodji –Army (son of Philip and Mary Davi Avudutu).

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