...

for those who cry out

for love & jus ce

photo by Fred Gagnon

June 2018 Photo by Fred Gagnon

For too long the church has bought into –Where drinking from the common cup becomes a
the prevailing narra ve of Empire– a pyramid with symbol of our commitment to live into the gospel
concentrated power at the top. And those who rule, story – and its counter-cultural good news that
whether the 1% economically, those in the upper class, doesn’t rely on a rise to the top of a pyramid but
those born of the right color or na onal origin, those rather sets a table in our midst and makes a place
thought deserving, or those given ins tu onal authority are for everyone.
the ones in charge. Whether their rule is thought to be
Jesus was se ng a table for all in an economically-unjust
benevolent or not, it’s about maintaining the pyramid.
society. . . . How can we take on the promise of the early
In sanctuary design this arrangement leads to chancels that church about tables and live into the vision and power of
are off limits to the people, to raised pulpits where the the reforma on with the priesthood of all people
wisdom of the ordained clergy are the voices amplified and gathered?
projected for a passive congre-
In her highly-an cipated
ga on to sit and receive.
new book Grateful, social
But what would it mean if we historian Diana Butler
lived into the wisdom of Jesus– a Bass, says our deepest
leader who divested of the divine need in our spiritual lives
power given him to embody a is to get rid of the
more equalitarian model where pyramids. In a society
every person offers the imago more and more divided
Dei–the image of God– and demonizing of the
regardless of class, color, gender other, she reflects on a
or status? What would it mean study that finds Americans
to live into the wisdom of the more anxious, less
early church whose central op mis c, and more
image was the table, not a distrus ul than ever. She
pyramid? explores a more shared sense of communal gra tude–an
understanding with a focus more on “we” than “me.” It’s
What if we gathered around a table? On the same level. about developing and apprecia ng the es that bind
What if we gave privilege to not just the preacher’s voice society. And how our ins tu ons can sustain those es to
but to the wisdom of the community in its understanding of neighbor rather than allow us to revel in our individuality.
scripture?
New church starts and congrega ons seeking to live into
What if we understood that the word of God is within us the new kin-dom have figured out that the worship style
and among us as well as in the Bible? of fixed pews and set-apart chancels works against this
What happens when we create an environment where the sense of community. Our Capital Campaign Team is
Bible is in conversa on with the other elements of the working on ways that our sanctuary– when the pews and
quadrilateral – reason, tradi on, and the experience of our carpet are removed – can be re-designed for such a
lives? future – and we are grateful for the opportunity to form
–Lives shared around the table, broken open even as the us anew around the table as the body of Christ for the
bread is broken and shared. world. Pastor Kelly
 2 T
Special health concerns:
Bob & Diane F___ , Hank &
Bev K___ , Tom R___ &
Phyllis R___ .
Marilyn Burns - LifeCare, Wilbraham
Dot Buzzelle - Redstone
Joan Kearns - Wells Country Village,
Vernon CT
Paul Willer - Reeds Landing
It is with sadness that we bring you the
news of the passing of Edith Buckley.
Edie died on Saturday, May 26th a er a
massive stroke. Please remember her
family, and her nieces and nephews
who surrounded her in the hospital.
Evelyn & Andrew Soucie June 2
Terry & Alan Robertson June 11
Julie & John Dunlop June 18
Beginning Monday, June 11
church office summer hours
will be
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Monday – Thursday
Regular hours will resume
August 20
Carol Derouin will be out of the
office July 16–19. The office will
be open that week Monday
through Thursday 9:00 am - 12:00
pm staffed by volunteers.
Please call the office if you can help.
M M
A Big Thank You to Brian Kingsley.
On a recent
beautiful spring
day, Brian raked
and cleaned up the Memorial
Garden to ready it for mulch.
The project was supervised by
Brian’s dog, Jack, who barked
at anyone that tried to distract
Brian from his work.
Great Job, Brian & Jack!!
O P C S ,I .
Dear Friends,
Thank you for your contribu on of $75 to Open
Pantry Community Services. In our con nuing struggle to
maintain our services, your concern and support for those
who are less fortunate is most welcome and much appreciated.
Your generous donation will help ease the burden of some of
our community’s less fortunate, bringing a ray of hope where it
is most needed. On behalf of the people we serve, thank you for
your kindness.
Sincerely,
Terry S. Maxey, Agency Director
L F
On the third Wednesday of each month, the
Loaves and Fishes team meets at 8:30 a.m.
in the
church
kitchen to prepare a
hearty lunch, which is
then served at a local
soup kitchen in
neighboring Springfield.
Help support this
important ministry
that helps feed those Patty Richards & Fred Gagnon help prepare
who are homeless in the meal for Loaves & Fishes.
the Springfield area.
Dona ons can be made to Loaves and Fishes by wri ng a
check to ELUMC with “Loaves & Fishes” on the memo line.
Volunteers are needed; please contact Denise Forgue
(413-231-0411) or Vance Gagnon (413-209-4522) if you can
assist with food prep and/ or cleanup. Thank you.
 T M M 3

P P
It was a beau ful
day for a parade
and United Methodists
from ELUMC and
beyond along with
other people of faith
marched together in
the May 5th NoHo
Pride parade

The Denyko family, You're invited to join us at the

Stephanie, Vera, daughter, East Longmeadow United Methodist Church
Kay, and son, Sammy (in
for Rolling River Rampage Vacation Bible Camp!
the stroller) and Jacob a
Join the volunteer team as we experience the ride of a
family friend, (next to
lifetime with children and discover what it means to be
Stephanie) all enjoyed
God's ra ers!
marching in the Parade.
June 25-29th from 6-8 PM.
For more informa on or to find out how you can
help, call/text Laura Kinney at (413) 348-7212, email
laurakinney21@gmail.com, or go to
T rrr.cokesburyvbs.com/elongmeadowumc.
I
O
N H /
C S
The Trustees have ALL-CHURCH CAMPING
been meeting with Weekend
several hea ng
contractors to July 20-21-22
Joan Clark, Paul Kinney, Fred Gagnon & Bill Gelinas discuss discuss op ons Partridge Hollow
heating/cooling options with a contractor. for the church’s
new hea ng/cooling system. A new system should be in place Campground
before the cold weather this Fall/Winter season. Monson, MA
Come join us for the weekend, 1 night or 1 day. No
S D Tent? No problem we’ve got plenty. The campground
has a pool, wading pool, playground, horseshoe pit, etc…
June 10 - Last Day of Sunday School For more informa on please contact Rick Hutchinson.
June 17 - Choir Recognition Sunday, Show our gratitude to our or see the registration form on the back of the calendar
talented Chancel and Bell Choirs. insert. (for the on-line version of the Newsle er please
go to the last page.)
September 9 - Rally Sunday Deadline to register is July 13. Please e-mail completed
September 16 - Sunday School begins again. informa on to Rick Hutchinson or leave it in his church
mailbox.
 4 T M M

6 A V
G -N-F N C R 2018

Members of the East Longmeadow United Methodist Church participated in Revitalize CDC’s
Green-N- Fit Neighborhood Rebuild on April 28 th.
This has become an annual event everyone looks forward to.
We worked alongside United Methodists from Trinity Springfield.
Starti ng the Day

The ELUMC crew is ready to get to work. (kneeling),

Kelly Turney, Brian Kingsley, (back row) home owner
Awilda, who is also the vice president of Old Hill
Neighborhood Associa on, Sco Grabowski, Tom
McGowan, a random volunteer, Kelly Greene and
Andrew Samuelson.

Dr. Andrew Balder & others work hard cleaning the deck and planting.

Andrew Samuelson entertains his fellow

workers with a broom solo.

Sco , Andrew & Kelly G.

 T M M 5

R C G
L B T
S .M ’
Submitted by Diane Hemingway
Thanks to all who were able to come to the Ladies ELUMC is grateful to donate $500 to the
Brunch & Tea on Thursday, May 17th. A special thank you Rainbow Community Garden at St. Mark's and build relationships
to Laurie Conz, Liz Gelinas, Diane Hemingway, Gail McGrath with the Bhutanese community.
& Pastor Kelly for providing and serving the brunch. Everyone The Bhutanese population are refugees fleeing ethnic persecution
enjoyed getting together and sharing a great meal. having lived in UN refugee camps in Nepal. They were
rese led by the State Department in eleven different
countries. The Jewish Family Service has been working
with these families, who o en have mul ple genera ons
living together. The children a end the public schools.
Their Pentecostal congregation worships at the Lutheran
church. Senator Lesser helped make the connection between
St. Mark's, (who wanted to provide community garden
space for those who needed it,) and the Bhutanese families
(who wanted to garden.)
We celebrated the blessing and opening of the garden in
a joint service with St. Mark's on May 27th. Senator Eric
Ivy Gelinas helps Pastor Kelly serve Lesser preached. Given our history at ELUMC, par cipa ng in
Be y Edge & Diane Ferguson. this community ministry with a dona on from the Mission
Endowment Fund seemed right.
A er all, Florence Pomeroy o en hoped ELUMC would
Cam Leveille is
ready to dig in host a community garden and she and her husband Herb
while Chris left ELUMC an enriching history of responding to the call to
Hutchinson & act and working to promote peace. The Pomeroys began a
Pat Jerome community vegetable farm in the 1950's which con nues
look on. today. In the 1980's, they opened their home and hearts
to 2 Vietnamese and 2 Cambodian refugee boys, helping
them learn English. One of the youth stayed for 4 years
and graduated from East Longmeadow High School.
Florence went to Nicaragua as a Witness for Peace, and
walked the Via Cruces from Pi sfield to Boston in her
"senior" years. Herb passed away in 1999, and Florence
con nued to share her strong spirit and belief that every-
one should be part of God's mission un l her passing in
2012.
ELUMC, through the Jewish Family Services, sponsored a
Somali refugee family, helping them rese le and worked
with them to learn English. Zanieb (mother), Abdul
(father), and 3 wonderful children, Amina, Ahmed, and
Louise House, Lois Harris & Abo ( at the me, 14, 10, & 5). Rela onships were built
Gail McGrath enjoy some and grew with everyone involved learning from each other.
tea and conversa on.
ELUMC continues our commitment to welcoming the
stranger through our par cipa on with the Jus ce for Our
Reese was ready to Neighbors immigra on legal aid clinic in Springfield.
a end the tea or even Hope and working towards a healing, las ng peace is like
a royal wedding with a garden that grows from seed to harvest. Lives also grow
her pink fascinator.
with love, jus ce, and welcome.
See pictures from the dedica on
service at end of the newsle er.
6 T M M
PRAYER CHAIN IN
NEED OF NEW
“LINKS”
Currently, our prayer
chain has two
branches. Both branches
have lost a few
par cipants, or “links”, in the last year or so.
Consequently, we are looking for replacements. Would
you like to serve your church community by becoming a
new “link” in one of our chains? If you care about the
well-being of others in our church community, and if
you don’t mind receiving calls, phone messages, and
calling others, you are fully equipped to become a
successful “link” in this caring ministry. People with
prayer needs in the congrega on really do appreciate
being able to access a formal prayer ministry, when they
feel a need for prayers about themselves or loved ones.
Like sharing happiness and success, sharing anxiety,
grief and pain with those who care brings a measure of
relief and comfort to those in need of prayer.
If you yourself have special prayer needs, please contact
the pastor, the Rev. Kelly Turney, or the church
secretary, Carol Derouin, in the church office at (413)
525-7416. Carol will pass the word along to the leaders
of the 2 prayer chains. If the office is closed please
contact Lois Harris at 413-525-9883.
If you are interested in and would like to find out more
about our program, or would like to join one of our
teams, please contact Prayer Chain Coordinator Lois
Harris, at (413) 525-9883, or Church Secretary Carol
Derouin, at (413)525-7416, at your earliest convenience.
Thank you very much for seriously considering
becoming a par cipant in this much needed and
appreciated ministry of the ELUMC.
Diane Ferguson & Lois Harris,
Prayer Chain Coordinators.
C S
R
Congratula ons to this years
Carrington Scholarship recipients:
Annalyse Arnold, continuing her studies at Framingham University
pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology.
Emily Dunlop, con nuing her studies at the University of
New Hampshire pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology.
Ryan Fisk, con nuing his educa on at Elms College pursuing
a Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis.
To my church family,
I want to send a sincere thank you for
the Carrington scholarship I was
awarded. It means a lot to see my
educational goals as attainable thanks to ELUMC's generosity.
Additionally, it means so much to see my church family supporting
me in this way. I feel so loved and blessed to be a part of this
congrega on. Thank you all, I hope to accomplish great
things with your help.
Sincerely,
Emily Dunlop
F M D
Hi everyone,
Spring is finally here!
Thank you for all the great feed-
back for our musical efforts. I am
so blest to be among you! Of course,
you are welcome to be a part of the
Chancel Choir or the Bell Choir – admission is free.
By the me you read this we will be heading toward the end
of our choir season on Father’s Day, June 17, and we will
have survived services in the “Upper Room.” I miss the pipe
organ, but have been happy to be closer to the congrega on.
Grace and Peace,
Rick
“Music is a language that doesn’t speak in par cular words. It speaks in
emo ons, and if it’s in the bones, it’s in the bones.”
― Keith Richards
 T M M 7

R O S S Please pray each day this summer about our

T S Sunday School program -- so that the spirit may
Nursery: Natalya Yazhbin Volunteers: Ashlee Deziel, Julie Dunlop, speak to you and others who might help, teach,
Liz Gelinas, Diane Hemingway, Carol Johnston, Bev Kalloch,, Laura subs tute come this fall. Without all of us taking
Kinney, Kaitlin Leveille, Pam Minahan, Jessie &, Olivia Ryan. part our youngest disciples will not get the love and
guidance of the faith community we have promised
Sam Denyko, Faye Gelinas, Cam Leveille,
them upon their bap sm. The Educa on Team
Curtis Minahan, Madison Wilkes.
knows you have a busy schedule and are unable to
Pre-school: Teachers - Laurie Conz, Pa y Ryan commit to teaching every week. The program is no
Ryan Deziel, Theo Gelinas, Joshua Hack, Aleah Hernandez, Sawyer longer built around that model....now there is flexibility
Ketcham, Reese Leveille, Taylor Minahan, , Michael Manley. and a team of teachers building a schedule of
K - 1st & 2nd: Teacher - Molly McLaughlin coverage together.
Leo Deziel, Ivy Gelinas, Jack Ketcham, Caleb Kinney,
Kay Denyko, Ryan Manley.
3rd , 4th ,5th Grade: Teacher - Paul Kinney
Bailey Kinney, Caiden Manley.
Jr. High: Teacher - Kelly Greene
Olivia Ryan, Bailey Kinney.
Subs tute teachers: Laura Kinney, Laurel Manley,
Jessica & Olivia Ryan, Kaitlin Leveille. Bless to Me
Many of you can name a Sunday School teacher who had
Discovering blessing
an impact on your lives.... We’ve heard the stories of Ray Ellison's
lessons standing on a table or Paul Kinney's class, Tom St Marie in the ordinary,
with his guitar or Kelly Greene's bingo. Each pu ng their unique
spin on their classes. There are those some might think unlikely Encountering holiness
teachers, but students tell of their impact like Ed Warner, Carol
Johnston, Jeff Jones, the Chandlers. Some mes, it's a er a person in daily living this summer
dies, that the mourners tell the stories of when the deceased
taught them in Sunday School -- and all the things they remember.
It's also lovely to hear from folks nearing their end of days who
talk about the impact teaching had on them.... even if it was that
one year thirty-five years ago. They can recall how unprepared they
felt for the job, how they were "voluntold" for the job, how they
resisted the job for so long . . . and yet how grateful they were for
the experience. How those students, that me, had touched
them. They say it was perhaps more meaningful for them as a
teacher than for their students.
To lead a children's Sunday School Class, you need not be a Florence
Pomeroy with a life of extraordinary service, or a Molly McLaughlin
whose longstanding faithfulness has held the program together, or a
Pa y Ryan with her conscien ous detail to each child or even a
Laurie Conz with her organization and craftiness. July 20-22 -  Join us at Partridge Hollow
Campground for the All-Church Camping
You need only have a heart for our children and our faith... The Adventure with Sunday morning worship around
Educa on Team and its curriculum can help you fill in the rest. the campfire.
The best way to learn the Bible stories that form our faithful living is
by teaching them to others. In August - our services move to the evening on
the front lawn; bring your own lawn chair.
 East Longmeadow United Methodist Church
215 Somers Road, STE 2
East Longmeadow, MA 01028-2998
413-525-7416 • a reconciling congrega on
www.elumc.org
Address Service Requested

SAFE SANCTUARIES
T

THE SUNDAY EXPERIENCE

8:30 a.m. – Bible Study for Jr./Sr. High & Adults
10:00 a.m. – Worship & Church School
(pre-schoolers through Grade 5)
Professional child care is provided for
“Cribs & Creepers”/“Toddlers & Twos.” For the on-line church calendar
11:15 a.m. – Fellowship Time follow this link:
http://57650311.view-events.com/
The Methodist Messenger is a journal of the ministry of The East Longmeadow United Methodist Church. Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.

Father’s Day
June 17, 2018
Each month the Loaves & Fishes ministry provides a hot nutri ous meal
to over 100 people in Springfield. There are women and families but
most who receive our meals are men. Some are veterans, many are
fathers, some have fallen on hard mes or suffer from addic on. . . .
But in feeding those who are hungry we feed Christ.
In honor or memory of our fathers and other important men in our lives this coming Fathers' Day, our church
will be raising funds to support the Loaves & Fishes ministry.

Please fill out this form and return it with your dona on of $10 to the church office by June 10.
Checks should be made payable to ELUMC with Loaves & Fishes wri en on the memo line.

This gi to Loaves & Fishes is given by:____________________________________________________

In Honor of ___________________________________________________________________

In Memory of __________________________________________________________________
EAST LONGMEADOW
JOINT WORSHIP
AND
RAINBOW
COMMUNITY
GARDEN
DEDICATION
Sunday, May 27, 2018
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

Many Thanks to the participants of today’s service and dedication:

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church for hosting this service and the garden
Senator Eric Lesser
Readers: Kevin Strickert (St. Paul Lutheran) and Scott Grabowski (ELUMC)
Acolytes, Ushers, Eucharistic Ministers, Counters, Vestry Healing Ministers
Nancy Gague, Organist, Holy Grounds Ministry (St. Mark’s Episcopal Church)
Members of East Longmeadow First Congregational Church (UCC),
Members of East Longmeadow United Methodist Church,
Members of St. Paul Lutheran Church,
Members of Kingdom Embassy,
Members of Salvation Nepali Church
ELCAT, News 22
And most of all, God Almighty, who gives us the means to do all things!
 FORTH
ELUMC ALL-CHURCH CAMPING WEEKEND
JULY 20-22, 2018 (Friday-Sunday)
PARTRIDGE HOLLOW CAMGROUND
72 Sutcliff Rd, Monson, MA
Come Join Us for the Weekend, 1 Night, or 1 Day!
No Tent?? No Problem… we’ve got plenty!!
All Ages Welcome!!
There’s Plenty to do Including Swimming, Horseshoes, Nearby Hiking,
Westview Creamery, Group Camp re etc…
We will Provide Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks, Beverages
Pricing
CAMP SITE $80/weekend $40/ 1 night
FOOD ages 15+/ per person $40/weekend $20/ 1 night or day visit
FOOD ages 5-14/ per person $20/weekend $10/ 1 night or day visit
To determine your total cost, add the cost of the camp site plus the food costs

REGISTRATION
NAME: CELL:

EMAIL:

I AM PLANNING TO CAMP OR ATTEND FOR:

2 Nights
1 Night circle one Friday Saturday
I’ll Be There For Saturday (daytime)

NUMBER OF CAMPERS AGES 15 AND ABOVE

NUMBER OF CAMPERS AGES 5-11
NUMBER OF CAMPERS UNDER 5

YES, I NEED A TENT I ALREADY HAVE A TENT

I HAVE FOOD ALLERGIES:

Campers need to bring appropriate clothing for the weather (cool nights), sleeping bags,
pillows, folding chairs, personal items. Adult beverages are welcomed (and you’re
encouraged to share them with the camp chef)