The Beacon Summer 2016 OGDEN-HILLCREST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

1061 CHENANGO STREET, BINGHAMTON NY 13901

Joyce K. Allen, Pastor “We proclaim God’s word to the world according to the Gospel of our

Lord Jesus Christ and strive to be Christ-like in all we do.”

Close to God

I can take my telescope and look millions and millions of miles into space. But I can lay

it aside, go into my room, shut the door, get down on my knees in earnest prayer, and

see more of heaven and get closer to God than I can assisted by all the telescopes and

material agencies on earth. —Isaac Newton

NEIGHBORHOOD VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL New Friends Delicious Snacks Surprising Adventures

Cave Games Incredible Music Interactive Bible Stories Fun Crafts

Monday, July 18 – Friday, July 22 6:15pm – 8:30pm

Location: Binghamton Nazarene 1282 Chenango St.

Info: 607-724-0842

Pre Register at: www.bingnaz.com or: registration forms available in the church

SPONSORED BY: ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI, OGDEN METHODIST, BINGHAMTON

NAZARENE, PORT DICKINSON BAPTIST, AND CHENANGO BRIDGE METHODIST

PASTOR’S PAGE

Summer brings an end to the everyday routine for some folks. We have friends who’ll be

leaving town when school ends and we won’t see them again until fall. Some of us will

summer in the Southern Tier, finding lots of activities and celebrations to keep us busy. At

Ogden Hillcrest UMC, there are several kinds of summer fun planned.

Check the calendar for picnics the backyard of the parsonage and at Port Dickinson Park.

You will find opportunities for fun and service at Vacation Bible School at the Church of

the Nazarene and in our own backyard. There is never a shortage of spots for someone to

be in ministry.

This summer I am going to doing a sermon series on “Lesser Known People

from the Bible”. Even if you’ve spent your whole life in the church, you may

not have heard of these people. For example, Elhanan is the Rodney

Dangerfield of the Bible. He killed a giant, just like David did, but nobody

gives him any respect. Clergy folk have an odd idea of what fun is, but

digging deeper into the Bible is fun for me! I hope you will enjoy it too.

Whether you will be in upstate New York or some far flung

location, remember God is with you. And don’t forget that God

wants your relationship to continue to grow over the summer.

Please read your newsletter carefully so that you find all of the

summer fun you want to mark on your calendar. If you do it while

the paper’s in your hand you won’t forget!! Come and join in, you

are part of the family.

Peace, Pastor Joyce

TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY

On vacation during the month of August.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT FALL STUDY

Beginning September 14th, at 6:30 pm we will begin a new weekly

fall study. We will be studying Three Simple Rules “A Wesleyan

Way of Living” by Bishop Rueben P. Job, retired. Based on John

Wesley's three general rules to give Christians a guide for living a

faithful life.

PIZZA AT THE PARSONAGE

You are invited to the Pastor’s backyard for the first Pizza night on July 13 and 27, August

10 and 24th at 5:30pm. Please bring a lawn chair if you have one. There is no shortage of

church chairs if you don’t. Pastor Joyce will provide pizza and salad, plates, napkins and a

little bon fire if it’s chilly. We can just hang out and enjoy the evening

and there are always lawn games and board games here. The menu may

change but Pastor Joyce plans to host a gathering like this every two

weeks throughout the summer. Come over for food, fun and

fellowship!

Don’t sit home!!

IN GENERAL

We try to slow down a bit in the summer but, if we are going to be ready for fall, we must

plan now. If you are on a committee, check these dates please. If you want to be involved,

come on out. Except for the Staff-Parish Relations committee, church meetings are open

to anyone.

Tuesday August 2: Lay Leadership, 7pm

Wednesday August 3: SPR, 7pm

Monday August 8: Trustees, 7pm

Monday August 15: Church Council’s Planning

Session, 7pm

Tuesday August 23: Lay Leadership, 7pm (if

needed)

On July 8th we return to a favorite, the Red Oak Diner. Everyone you ask

has a different favorite here. I like chicken and biscuits but you can get

breakfast lunch or dinner. The owner always asks me to remind everyone

that dessert is free on Friday evenings. Meet

at The Red Oak at 6pm or in the parking lot

at church to carpool at 5:30.

We will take a vacation in August, with a church picnic

and two pizza at the parsonage nights, we will surely have

a chance to eat together. Watch for September’s

announcement and we will meet again.

ELIZABETH

CHURCH MANOR

WORSHIP SERVICE

Our church will be leading the worship service at Elizabeth Church

Manor on August 21st at 2pm. You are invited to come and help

out in some way. Can you turn pages in a hymnal? Some people will need your

help. Perhaps you would like to read scripture or a poem. Would you like to say

a few words or hold someone's hand? God has given you some wonderful gifts

to share with others. We will meet in the lobby at ECM at 1:40. If you miss us

there, head to the second floor dining room.

WHAT MY PASTOR SHOULD KNOW

In the back of the sanctuary you will find papers with this title on them. Pastor Joyce likes

to have information about how to reach your family members if you’re sick. It helps too,

if your pastor knows some of your end of life wishes. If you choose to fill out a form, please

give it to Pastor Joyce.

A REMINDER

Please let the church office know if you have a scheduled hospitalization. If a

friend or family member lets us know of any emergency situations, the pastor

can come and visit you. In the past, hospitals could call and let us know if any

church members were patients. With HIPPA laws today, the hospital cannot

tell us you are there.

FOR THE NYS VETERAN'S HOME

IN OXFORD CONTINUES

Let's show appreciation for our veterans! Ogden Hillcrest UMC members will have the

opportunity to donate items for the residents of the NYS Veteran's Home in Oxford during

the summer months (June, July, and August). You may place your donations in the

collection box in the back of the church. In September members of the mission committee

will deliver our donations. Thanks in advance for your generosity.

COMING SOON: POUND AUCTION

Come join us for a “Pound Auction”. There will be a “pound auction” on August 11

during the church picnic at Port Dick Park . What is a “pound auction”? Bring a wrapped

pound of something to auction off and disguise it so that no one can tell what it is. Attach

a note to your pound to give a hint of what it might be. For example, if you bring a

pound of bird seed you can label it – for the birds. Have fun coming up with your own

ideas. We will auction off your donations during the picnic. Proceeds will go towards

apportionments. A percent of apportionments is used to fund missions.

HOORAY FOR US!

What's the buzz? We raised $959 for Africa 360. Thanks Ogden for you generosity!

Mosquitoes beware!

Thursday, August 11th, 5:30 pm

Port Dick Park

A

(Pass a Dish)

THE CHURCH MOUSE

Did you come to church on Children’s Day? I

knew the young men and women were going to do something but when I

realized they were talking about what they had learned and what they enjoy

about church, I ran back to get myself a handkerchief. Oh yes, I shed a tear or

two. I wondered if anyone made the connection between the little girl who likes

communion and the grandmother who involves her in getting it ready. God must

have been very pleased to hear the joy in our church that day.

I am really glad I snuck into Cindy Feyler’s van with the group headed for Animal

Adventure. I had a fun afternoon seeing all the different animals. I noticed that none of my

relatives are on display there. Don’t worry, where there is animal feed, my people thrive.

Speaking of thriving, I heard that Peg Shelley is doing better and finding the word she

wants to say more often. She is at Elizabeth Church Manor and would enjoy visitors.

Francis Sandwick, over at Fairview Good Shepherd home, wishes she could have more

visitors from church.

Some of our choir and friends went to the Highlands to sing for

John and Kathy Case. I heard Pastor Joyce telling about how John

Case has a computer that he runs with his eyes. The computer

speaks for John, since ALS has taken his ability to speak. John

looks at the letters until they are circled and then moves to the

next. When he was done, the computer told Pastor that John was

glad to see her. Miracles are all around us if we only notice them!

And the Chicken Bar-b-que! Another miracle! We sold every piece of

chicken we had, along with the beans, cole slaw and baked goods. There

were people waiting in line for food as we sold the last that we had. It’s a

big week all around, for a church mouse. Folks come in and cook for several

days. Other people work at the Thrift Shop, bringing down great stuff

to be sold. Baked goods arrive from Thursday on. And then the

chicken. Ogden Hillcrest has the best chicken! What a great week to

be a mouse. I am stocked up for weeks. The next thing I am waiting

for is that pizza in the back yard. Yum.

Methodius Mouse

Class of 2016

Celebrate your achievement, your graduation is a special moment

to enjoy all that you've done. Never stop learning, tomorrow

belongs to those who prepare for it today. We are so proud of you

as you move into the future!

Christopher Carey, graduated from SUNY Broome with an Associates in Applied Sciences

and he will be attending SUNY Cortland in the Fall. Nephew of Maralena Dropp.

Kevin Taylor, Class of 2016 from Chenango Valley High School. Has been accepted into

SUNY Broome in the Fall of 2016 under the Liberal Arts Program. He plans to continue his

education after Broome to pursue a career in as a teacher in History. Son of Mark and Karen Taylor.

Arden Turkewitz, graduated from College of Charleston, SC. Granddaughter of Shirley

Christoff.

Hannah Polsin, graduated from Pembrooke Academy in New Hampshire. Granddaughter of

Shirley Christoff.

Devyn Freeman, graduated from Susquehanna Valley High School, has been accepted at Le

Moyne College in their Nursing Program. Daughter of Dave and Linda Freeman, granddaughter

of Janet Freeman Reynolds.

Joseph Patrick Case, graduated from Liberty High School, Eldersburg Maryland. Will attend

Towson University to study Computer Science. Grandson of John and Kathy Case.

Emily Lockett, graduated from Cortland College with a 4.0 in Recreational Therapy.

Granddaughter of Norma Jean and Roger Throup.

Melissa Church, graduated from Harpursville Central School. She will attend SUNY Oneonta

to major in the Home and Careers teaching program. Daughter of Carol and Michael Church,

granddaughter of Jeannine and David Andrus and Bruce and Betty Church.

Alexis Savidge, graduated from Wells College. Granddaughter of Roger and Betty Savidge.

Nathan Savidge, graduated from Maine Endwell High School. Grandson of Roger and Betty

Savidge.

Daniel Christoffersen, graduated from Alfred State SUNY College of Technology. Son of

Janine Petrick.

Kelly Manning, graduated from Brookfield High School, Brookfield, Connecticut. Daughter

of Ralph Manning and granddaughter of Norma Manning.

Trevor Manning, graduated from Binghamton, High School. Son of Todd and Jodie Manning,

and grandson of Norma Manning.

Haley Manning, graduated from University at Albany, SUNY. Daughter of Todd and Jodie

Manning, and granddaughter of Norma Manning.

Norman Richard Manning, graduated from Limestone College, Gaffney, South

Carolina. Son of Norma Manning.

United Way of Broome County has asked us to be a

recipient of Day of Caring projects. We have submitted

requests for 3 projects, 2 painting and 1 yardwork. They

provide the volunteers. It is scheduled for September 9th.

We would like to ask for some volunteers of our own. We

need a leader for 1 painting project. Don Crampton has agreed to

lead the other painting project and Bill Judd will lead the yardwork

project. Jim Shaffer will coordinate overall. We need some snack

& drink volunteers, UW will pay for pizza. Contact Jim if you

would like to lend a hand. Thank You!