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United Methodist Church at Shrub Oak 1176 East Main Street • Shrub Oak, New York 10588 • Office: 914-245-4682 • Fax: 914-743-1003

Parsonage: 914-245-3114 • E-mail: umcso.ny@gmail.com

“OUR THIRD CENTURY IN SERVICE OF THE LORD”

Reverend Iwy Patel-Yatri, Pastor

October 2019 Vol. 41, No. 9 Mailed on September 26, 2019 – Next Deadline 10/15/19

Dear UMCSO Family,

When I went to Evan’s “Back to School Night”, I was given the chance to visit his classrooms

and hear from his teachers about what he was being taught. One comment that stayed with me was

from his Geometry teacher, who noted one of the ways that the youth learn is through mistakes. In

his class, he encourages students not to just focus on getting the right answer but understanding why

it is the right answer.

This made me think about the many questions we often have in life. We are trying to find the

right answers, making the right decisions when it comes to our health, our work, and our families. All

of this because we want to have a good life. Yet, the reality is that even when we make the “right”

decisions, life does not always go the right way. Regardless of our best efforts, we face challenges,

crisis and problems. At the end of it all, we know that this world is temporary and our time here is

limited. So, why do we spend so much time worrying about the temporary things of this world? How

important are the “right” answers or decisions that we agonize or worry over? Part of the answer

goes back to what Evan’s teacher said about learning the why or how of the answer.

The answer to our problems is God because He is the creator and source of all things. As

Christians we often talk about putting Jesus first and making sure that he is the foundation of our

life. But I wonder if we really take the time to understand why. We say that it is important to read

the Bible and fail to follow through. I have found that when life falls apart around us, we question

where God is and wonder why he isn’t helping us. Yet we are quick to make decisions on our own

understanding without seeking God’s guidance. Proverbs 3:5 tells us, “Trust in the Lord with all your

heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” Instead of doing things on our own, we need to

turn to God and lift our needs to him and seek his answer.

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For God is the source of everything; he can provide strength and help us get through the tough

things in our lives. Story after story in the Bible testifies to how God has helped people and charted

the way when things seemed impossible.

When we read the Bible and hear again from Jesus, we will find promises and words that will

encourage us. It doesn’t stop with words, but Jesus also promises us that when we believe and trust

him, he will send help through the Holy Spirit, who will guide and direct us to the right path, to God’s

plan and purpose for us. But we don’t learn this important lesson until we fail in our efforts.

Is there a situation you are facing in your life that you have tried to fix on your own but nothing

seems to work? Whether it’s health, work or family concerns it might seem impossible to navigate on

your own. Here is the lesson I have learned by failing – that I am limited and weak. Yet, when I turn

to God and ask him to help me and trust in him even when I don’t understand, life changes.

Problems don’t go away but with God’s help, I am able to get through these issues and not only that

but God is able to use the bad experiences for good. I am able to find joy through the knowledge that

God is on my side and is the source of my happiness and life eternal. I pray that we may trust the

one who loved us so much that he “gave his one and only son so that whoever believes in him may

not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

In Christ’s love,

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Wednesday, October 2nd 9th, & 16th, 7:00 pm – “It’s Not Supposed to Be this Way” book study continues. The last day is October 16th. Wednesday, October 2nd

10:00 am – Sort clothing for Midnight Run, GP Room Friday, October 4th 7:00 pm – Midnight Run to New York City. Sunday, October 27th 12:00 noon – Confirmation event, Ding-Dong-Ditch. Please bring your family and friends to these special events planned especially for you. _____________________

NEW MEMBERS

Classes for new members will be held on November 3rd and 10th respectively. New members will be received during Worship on November 17th.

2019 HATCH-ATHON

UMCSO will attend its’ first ever Hatch-athon; a collaborative, creative session where our youth will brainstorm around ideas for youth ministry. Teams of five from various churches will gather to “hatch” innovative, new ideas for goals and activities. The session will be held October 11 – 13th at Asbury Crestwood UMC in Tuckahoe, NY. Please keep our youth in prayer as they participate in the Hatcha-thon.

KNOW SOMEONE

WHO COULD USE A CARD?

If you know someone who is sick or having surgery please let us know. Our dedicated member, Connie Vollmer, sends cards to those who aren’t well. So, please let us know and Connie will send a card to cheer them up or encourage them.

Maxine Haigh

Saturday, October 5th –11:00 am Lay Leadership Meeting

Sunday, October 6th - Ad Council Meeting after Worship

Sunday, October 13th – Mission Committee Meeting after Worship.

Sunday, October 20th 3 pm – Church Conference. 2:30 pm - DS meeting with SPRC.

_______________________

OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS

Owen Hocker 1 Tawyanna Francis 2 Margie Carlock 3 Gretchen Gale 3 Jennifer Luposello 3 Daniel Pagano 3 Emily Grace 4 Gayle Spina 4 Jetesia Martin 5 Derek Walls 5

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Christopher Closi 9 Greg Gale 10 Cory Casey 11 Lindsey Gilbert 11 Lisa Will 11 Pat Watkins 13 Kathy Pereira 16 Hank Schrot 16 Mary Howell 17 Cherie Philips 17 Bruce Shields 17 Glory Dharmaraj 19 Regina Hickey 20 Maureen Magley 21 James Pinto 21 Alex Beliakovich Shkoda 22 Cassie Gaylor 23 Glen Bucher 25 Cathy Galecki 25 Billy Ryder 29 Bob Davies 31

OCTOBER

ANNIVERSARIES

Maria & Tommy Demartino 2 Patricia & Tony Capozza 3 Dorothy & David Zugner 3 Nancy & Ken Semcken 3 Annette & Russ Reynolds 3 Maureen & Larry Magley 3 Lisa & Douglas Gaylor 7 Nancy & Ken Mannino 11 Fran & Bob Davies 12 Kathy & Jack Casey 15 Kim & Bill Ryder 14 Patty & Larry Robcke 18

Mary & Nigel Ferreria 22 Stacey & Chuck Twoguns 30

Thanks to all our volunteers who so freely and willingly give of their time and talent in the name of the Lord.

Acolytes Sophia Stella Donovan Matthews Chris Mannino Audio Visual Marilyn Bucher Cliff Cullum Dom Schiavi Evan Yatri Chimes, Bulletin & Inserts Mary Ferreira Joy Santaroni Nigel Ferreira Coffee Hour Hosts Dianne Benincasa Fernando Arias Friends of the Church

Communications Maryilyn Bucher

Communion Elements Patti Scozzari Debbie Vesuvio Hospitality Jean Engel Rachel Ward Maxine Haigh Grace Reynolds Greeters Bill Carlock Don Hoffmann Grace Reynolds Dianne Benincasa Susan Crookston Fernando Arias Kathy Schiavi June Willis Ushers Patti Scozzari Joy Santaroni Annette Reynolds Debbie Vesuvio Kathy Schiavi Dianne Benincasa Sophia Stella Gayle Spina

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“ABSENCE”

(By Lay leader, Dianne Benincasa)

I was once told, "just as silence can be deafening, absence can be full of presence”. I looked at my friend as though she had two heads on her shoulders. She told me this after my mother passed away. The absence of my mother, left a feeling of emptiness in me, and it always resurfaces around the holidays. I look up to our Heavenly Father and ask Him, “When is this feeling and darkness going to cease?” After my mother’s passing, it took months for me to accept the fact that our weekly phone calls were no more. Her every other month visits to Maryland were over. When Rob was born, I remember picking up the phone to call her, and remembering she isn’t here for me to tell her of the birth of her Grandson and my first child. To this day, I can close my eyes and see my mother standing in the kitchen, cooking with her apron on. I can remember her smile when I walked through the door after driving up from Maryland for a weekend visit. The hole left by her death is so profound I begin to fill it with tears and with all my happy memories of the times we had together. Strange as it may sound, I see my mother in my son. She played the piano and…so does Rob. She had big, brown eyes…so does Rob. When Rob plays the piano, I see my mother’s love of music…and I smile. It took months to accept the fact that the phone was not going to ring and I wasn’t going to hear, “Hi Dianne, how is everything with you, when are you coming up for a visit?” Each time these memories come to mind, I stop and take a deep breath and remind myself of the one thing that I cannot have is her physical presence but I do have the assurance of being with her again in God’s Kingdom. I have pictures in my home that I frequently glance at, which is comforting, but it’s not the same. I miss her loving hug, and the touch of her hand, and I always will. A reflection is not a substitute for the real thing. It does, however, trigger a sensory memory. It can make the distance between her and me feel not so terribly far. Instead of saying she is no longer here with me, I look for the parts of her that remain. For example, the many items that were my mothers are now in my home and I feel her presence.

Since I can no longer hold her hand or hug her, it helps to hold something that belonged to her to cope with her absence. I have a sweater I gave her, hanging in my closet. I wear a piece of her jewelry from time to time, and it helps…and again, I smile. So I tell you all who have had a loss like mine, we cannot change the fact that our loved ones are no longer physically with us. No matter how much it hurts, no matter how much we shake our fists at the Heavens, we have to look for them in the clues they have left behind. Our broken hearts are

never empty, at least mine is no longer. Why? Because my heart is full of her warmth and her presence fills the silence and emptiness with happy and loving memories that I cherish, until we meet again in God’s Kingdom.

Jesus’ Promise: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”

~John 11:25.

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SUNDAY SCHOOL CORNER

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they

will not turn from it. ~Proverbs 22.6

Our Sunday School Kickoff and Pancake Breakfast on September 8th was a great success! We enjoyed delicious food and a chance to reconnect after the summer vacation. Special thanks to chef, Jack Casey, and to all of the dedicated volunteers who helped make the breakfast a special event for our church family. Following the “Blessing of the Backpacks” by Pastor Iwy during the Children’s Moment, our children and youth went to their new Sunday School classes. It is not too late to join! We have a class for every age group from

preschool to adult, and everyone is welcome. Crib and toddler care during the church service has resumed with Bonnie Hutta. She is an experienced childcare provider who will keep a watchful eye on our little ones so that parents can be fully present during worship. This fall will be full of exciting events for our children and youth. In October, our Confirmation Class will continue their team-building activities with a Ding-Dong-Ditch event, and they will start reading the book of Mark as part of their religious study. In November, our older youth have the opportunity to participate in Mission Possible, serving in our local community. Also in November, we will be collecting food for Thanksgiving baskets and small toys for Operation Christmas Child. We want everyone to be a part of supporting and growing our Sunday School at Shrub Oak. Our goal is to teach our youth the good news of Jesus Christ so that they may one day go into the world to share His love. Please continue to support our Sunday School staff with your prayers and your presence. Together, we can make a difference in our families, our community and our world.

Yours in Christ, The Sunday School teachers

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MIDNIGHT RUN Friday, October 4th, 7:00 pm

Our next Midnight Run into New York City delivering food, toiletries, clothing & fellowship will be

on Friday, October 4th. If you have or know of anyone who has men and women’s jeans,

sneakers, or backpacks we sure could use them. We need people to go on the Run on Friday

night and to help make lunches.

We also have opportunities for everyone to help. We need food, clothing, and supplies. We will

Sort clothing –Wednesday October 2nd, 10:00 am, GP Room. There are sign-up sheets in

Breezeway and the GP Room and collection boxes in the breezeway for new socks, new

underwear and food items. Please check it out as there are many openings and see how you

can be part of this mission. Thank you for your support and generosity!

Linda Hoernes

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CONFIRMATION

CLASS SCHEDULE 2019-2020

1. Sunday, October 6, 2019 9:15 am Mark 1, 2 & 3

2. Sunday, October 27, 2019 12:00 Noon Ding-Dong-Ditch

3. Sunday, November 3, 2019 9:15 am Mark 4, 5 & 6

4. Sunday, November 24, 2019 9:15 am Mark 7,8 & 9

5. Sunday, January 12, 2020 9:15 am Mark 10, 11 & 12

6. Sunday, February 2, 2020 9:15 am Mark 13, 14, 15 & 16

7. Sunday, April 5, 2020 Service Hours Sheet due

8. Saturday in May 2020 TBD Bishop’s Rally, Credo due

9. Sunday, May 31, 2020 Confirmation/Pentecost Celebration

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Due to the great work done by our youth led team, “Mission Possible”, we will once again work to connect with our community through service by helping our neighbors to rake their leaves during the fall season. With our caring volunteers, we aim to build relationships, improve living conditions and spread God’s love in our community.

Our fall Mission Possible “Raking Leaves” event is planned for Saturday, November 9th with a possible rain date of Sunday, November 10th, 11:30 am -3:00 pm. Please note that applications are due by October 16th. Both applications for service requests and volunteers can be found in the back of the church and are also downloadable from the links posted on our website: www.umcso.com

The Mission Possible group will review each application thoroughly to determine if we could accommodate everyone’s needs. We accept volunteer applications on a first come/first approved basis. Youth volunteers are required to be of High School Freshman year or older. Adult volunteers are also needed to support this ministry. Let us partner together with our community to build relationships, improve lives and spread God's love!

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SUCCESSFUL CHURCH FAMILY BBQ September 20th

The church BBQ on Friday, September 20th was a blessing for all who attended. It was great to end the long work and school week as a church family. We were blessed with beautiful weather. Over 30 people enjoyed the food, companionship and smores cooked over the campfire! A special thanks to all who helped to plan, prepare, set up and cook! We would like to plan other Friday night church family activities, so please let Pastor Iwy know if you have any ideas. Here are some photographs from the event. Check out our website for more images from this event.

Annette Reynolds & Linda Hoernes

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SCHOLARSHIP FUND

The Mareno and Brooks Families have set up a fund to honor Antonio Mareno, Sr. (a longtime member of The United Methodist Church at Shrub Oak and family members Juanita and Tom Brooks). The scholarship is a way of paying it forward to help those seeking education after high school (college, trade school, certificate training or similar) or GED costs to get a high school diploma.

4 individuals - $200.00 each AND

5 individuals - $50.00 each (Emergency Financial Assistance)

Please contact the church office for an application form if you are interested in the scholarship.

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UNITED METHODIST CHURCH AT SHRUB OAK

SPECIAL REQUEST

Dear Church Family, We are still trying to get in touch with members of our church who we haven’t seen in a long time. Their names were presented for removal at last year’s church conference after we received no response from a letter or email that was sent to them September 22, 2017. The removal process takes two years. Their names will be presented for the second and last time at this year’s conference on October 20th unless we hear from them indicating that they wish to stay on our membership list. If you are in contact with any of them, please let them know their names will be removed from membership in October if we do not hear from them prior to October 20th:

Peter, Ian & Katelyn Flor

Dana Golanec

Shirley Kenney

Keri Trace

Carlie Schoen

Thomas & Luiza Cobelli

There were no names presented for removal at the 2018 Charge Conference. New letters have been sent to the following people requesting their response by September 30th. If we haven’t heard from them by September 30th, their names will be entered into the 2-year removal process at the Charge Conference on October 20th. These are people we haven’t seen or heard from for a long time or been able to contact. If you have contact with any of these people, please let them know they will be receiving a letter requesting their response by September 30th as to whether they wish to stay on the membership roles at UMCSO. We hope to hear from them:

Cindy & Garrett Ayling

Tina, Kim, Erika Costello

Doug Empson

Linda Genco

Regina Hickey

Lauren Hocker

Ken Ingersoll

Anto & Poshia Jesu Indra

Stacey, Chuck, Brandon, & Shianne Twoguns

Laura Uribe

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LECTIONARY SCRIPTURE READINGS

(Month of October 2019)

Sunday, October 6th (Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost) World Communion Sunday Lamentations 1:1-6 Psalm 137, (UMH #852) 2 Timothy 1;1-14 Luke 17:5-10

Sunday, October 13th (Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost) Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 Psalm 66:1-12 (UMH #790) 2 Timothy 2:8-15 Luke 17:11-19

Sunday, October 20th (Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost) Laity Sunday Jeremiah 31:27-34 Psalm 119:97-104 or Psalm 19 (UMH #750) 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 Luke 18:1-8

Sunday, October 27th (Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost) Reformation Sunday Joel 2:23-32 Psalm 65 (UMH #789) 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 Luke 18:9-14

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UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE

For the latest news on what is happening in the UMC,

Please visit the UM News Service website:

https://www.umnews.org/en

October 2019

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

Every Sunday is Food Sunday

1

Bible Study

10:00 am

GP Room

Bible Study

7:30 pm

2

Midnight Run

Sorting

10:00 am

GP Room

Small Group 1

10:30-11:30 am

Book Study

7:00 pm

3

Prayer Group

11:00-11:30 am

Chapel

4

Small Group 2

10:00 am

GP Room

Crafts for a Cause

11:00 am

Midnight Run

7:00 pm

5

Men’s Group

8:00 - 9:30 am

GP Room

Small Group Leaders

9:30 am

Lay Leadership

11:00 am

6 17th Sunday After Pentecost (Green) WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY

9:15 am Confirmation Class

9:30 am Adult Sunday School

10:30 am Worship

12:00 noon Choir Practice

12:00 noon – 2:00 pm Youth Group, Upper Room

Ad Council Meeting after Worship

7

Women’s Small

Group

6:30 pm

GP Room

Trustees Meeting

7:30 pm

8

Bible Study

10:00 am

GP Room

Bible Study

7:30 pm

9

Small Group 1

10:30-11:30 am

GP Room

Book Study

7:00 pm

10

Prayer Group

11:00-11:30 am

Chapel

11

Small Group 2

10:00 am

GP Room

Crafts for a Cause

11:00 am

Hatcha-thon begins

5:00 pm

Asbury Crestwood UMC

12

13 18th Sunday After Pentecost (Green)

9:30 am Adult Sunday School

10:30 am Worship

12:00 noon Choir Practice

12:00 noon – 2:00 pm Youth Group, Upper Room

Mission Committee Meeting after Worship

14

Women’s Small

Group

6:30 pm

GP Room

15

Bible Study

10:00 am

GP Room

Bible Study

7:30 pm

Chimes deadline

16

Small Group 1

10:30-11:30 am

GP Room

Book Study Final

Session

7:00 pm

17

Prayer Group

11:00-11:30 am

Chapel

18

Small Group 2

10:00 am

GP Room

Crafts for a Cause

11:00 am

19

Men’s Group

8:00 - 9:30 am

GP Room

Small Group Leaders

9:30 am

20 19th Sunday After Pentecost (Green) LAITY SUNDAY

9:30 am Adult Sunday School

10:30 am Worship

12:00 noon Choir Practice

12:00 noon – 2:00 pm Youth Group, Upper Room

2:30 pm DS/SPRC Meeting

3:00 pm Church Conference

21

Women’s Small

Group

6:30 pm

GP Room

Vision Table

7:30 pm

22

Bible Study

10:00 am

GP Room

Bible Study

7:30 pm

23

Small Group 1

10:30-11:30 am

GP Room

24

Prayer Group

11:00-11:30 am

Chapel

25

Small Group 2

10:00 am

GP Room

Crafts for a Cause

11:00 am

26

27 20th Sunday After Pentecost (Green) REFORMATION SUNDAY

9:30 am Adult Sunday School

10:30 am Worship

12:00 noon Choir Practice

12:00 noon Confirmation Ding-Dong-Ditch

28

Women’s Small

Group

6:30 pm

GP Room

29

Bible Study

10:00 am

GP Room

Bible Study

7:30 pm

30

Small Group 1

10:30-11:30 am

GP Room

31

Prayer Group

11:00-11:30 am

Chapel