Musings from your Lay Leader
This past Sunday, in Engage, John and Sheila Collins shared a profoundly moving film—“Nostalgia for the Light”. Filmed in the Atacama Desert of Chile, and encompassing both the astronomical research taking place there, as well as the heartrending search of Chilean women for the bodies of their “disappeared” family members killed after the military coup of 1973, this work of art is thought-provoking on many levels.
I was struck, however, by the similarity of the theme of this film—the human search for cosmic meaning and continuity—to the theme of a book I read last year which also moved me at the core of my being. The book is Barbara Brown Taylor’s “The Luminous Web” (which also inspired Sara Thompson Tweedy’s recent sermon on creation).
In these essays, Taylor explores what the latest scientific theories of quantum physics and chaos theory can teach a person of faith—concluding that we are “part of an infinite web of relationship, flung out across the vastness of space like a luminous net”.
Continuing to quote her: “In a world like ours, which even the new science calls a web of relationship, there is no place to stand apart from and above the rest of creation. Only in the most abstract sense can we assert our sovereignty over blue-green algae, toads, palm trees and swans. Our dominion, such as it is, lies in the privilege of our consciousness. We among all the others have been given the job of keeping covenant. We among all the others have been given the privilege of knowing whom to thank. Meanwhile we live in covenant with every living creature of all flesh, and our survival depends on our responsiveness to that fact.”
I don’t pretend to even begin to understand quantum physics or string theory, but I know that science is not a stumbling block to my faith. Rather it has given me a new, mind-expanding perspective of God, creation, and my place in this wondrous universe.
Peace, Helen
The Week at Memorial
Tuesday : 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesdays @ Dorry’s (s.article) at Dorry's
Wednesday Noon Bible Study 12PM -1PM so folks, who need to, can get back to work. Led by Rev. David Parker discussing the scripture lecturing lesson for the upcoming Sunday.
Wednesday Evening Bible 6:30pm - A light supper is served at 6:30 p.m. and the study will meet from 7-8
Saturday, February 4th - 9AM-3PM Annual Conference Leadership Training—-- Memorial UMC, White Plains Mark your calendars the New York Annual Conference will be leading a training for Congregational Leaders! Chairs of committees are encouraged to attend!!The registration information for our upcoming Leadership Training Events is attached. Click Here We ask that each church contribute $ 35.00 towards materials and food. Only Breakfast will be served, please bring your own Lunch
Crochet lessons
If anyone is interested in learning how to crochet, please contact Gabrielle Baldaino. The lessons are free. The crochet project will be scarves and I promise the stitch and pattern will be very simple.
Apple Pies- a few apple pies are still available.
Upcoming Events
Saturday morning, February 4, 2012- Accountability- 9:30 am to 12:00* pm-Reid Castle, Manhattanville College, Purchase, NY BIG APPLE PLAYBACK THEATRE JOINS WESTCHESTER MARTIN LUTHER KING INSTITUTE FOR“ACCOUNTABILITY,” A CONFERENCE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE,
LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSIONALS AND OTHER CONCERNED ADULTS On Saturday morning, February 4 at Manhattanville College, the Westchester Martin Luther King, Jr. Institute for Nonviolence will present its annual youth conference, with this year’s theme “Accountability.” The event for middle school and high school age youth, invited law enforcement professionals and other adults will include information on community members’ rights under the law, and discussion of our responsibilities to ourselves and to others.
Big Apple Playback Theatre, a New York City-based improvisational group, will elicit the opinions and experiences of participants, then bring their true stories to life. Attendees will then have the chance for reflection and dialogue about relationships between communities and law enforcement officers. To close the day, H.I.P H.O.P (Highly Intelligent People Healing Our Planet) will entertain with their original creations.
Young people (between the ages of 11 and 18) from throughout the county are invited to attend with their group leaders, parents or caregivers, as are other adults who have an interest in the future of our youth. Approximately 150 are expected to participate, including groups from community centers, churches, schools and homeless shelters. The conference will address the questions:
How can each of us hold ourselves accountable for our actions and our preconceptions about others?
How can we hold each other accountable in respectful ways?
The Martin Luther King Institute is guided by Dr. King’s faith in nonviolence and his vision that we can build communities that resolve differences fairly and respectfully, in ways that seek “justice without violence.” This thirteenth annual conference in the series Ending Violence, Building Hope: Nonviolence for Social Change takes place from 9:30 AM to 12:00 noon in Reid Castle at Manhattanville College, 2900 Purchase Street, Purchase, NY. Juice, coffee and light snacks will be provided. A $5 donation is requested, but no one will be turned away. The event is sponsored by the Westchester Martin Luther King, Jr. Institute for Nonviolence and the Duchesne Center for Religion and Social Justice at Manhattanville College, and supported by community groups throughout Westchester County. For information contact (914) 949-6555 or
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
February 9—part two of a four part series: Facing the Legacy of September 11th Ten Years Later: Jews & Muslims in America Thursdays, 7:30-9 pm at Congregation Kol ami, 252 Soundview Avenue White Plains Led by Rabbi Shira Milgrom, Congregation Kol Ami Moderated by Muniba Hassan
February 9 –Dr. Kareem Adeeb of the American Institute for Islamic and
Arabic Studies, Stamford, Connecticut
March 8 -Zead Ramadan of CAIR New York (Council on American-Islamic Relations)
March 22 - Discussion among participants led by Muniba Hassan
On four Thursday evenings during the winter months, we will have the chance to study about Islam from Muslim teachers. These evenings have been inspired and created by members of our Interfaithful Committee. We hope that as we learn from these courageous teachers we will learn more about what we share as great religious traditions - and perhaps more about the uniqueness of our own.
The intention of the series is to reach people - Jews and those of other faiths and belief systems - who may not be familiar or comfortable with Islam, and give them information and the chance to ask questions and discuss. FREE AND OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY
February 29th, March 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th - Lenten Bible Study Series: Wednesday Night Bible Study Discusses The Quest for the Living God by Elizabeth A. Johnson -6:30PM-8:00 PM – MLK Fireside Library Join us for a spectacular Lenten study, soup, community and great conversation!
Facilitators: Darlene DiDomineck and John Collins Wednesday evenings at 6:30 supper; group for 1 hour Text: The Quest for the Living God by Elizabeth A. Johnson http://www.amazon.com/Quest-Living-God-Frontiers-Theology/dp/1441174621/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328117752&sr=8-1
Support Memorial's "250" neighbors
Four organizations are based at Memorial, 250 Bryant Avenue:
|
A Word From Pastor Bob
“Awe”
What inspires awe in you? Looking at the stars on a clear night? Sitting on the beach and taking in the vastness of the ocean? Standing on the summit of a tall peak and seeing for miles? A stunning sunset? The birth of a child?
Awe is a deeply religious emotion. Boil awe down to its most basic elements and you are left with “deep and profound respect.” In the Bible, the “fear of God” is more accurately translated as “standing in awe of God.” When Moses removed his shoes in the presence of God, he was expressing profound respect.
Pondering the Creator of all that is can also evoke awe in us. When we gather to worship our Creator, awe can give rise to other emotions: praise, wonder, gratitude and love. Any experience of awe can lead us to its Source.
Bob
Sunday at Memorial
Sunday School!
All children ages 3 – 5th Grade are welcome to join the Sunday School every week following the Children’s Sermon. We use the Season of the Spirit curriculum please feel free to check it out at http://www.spiritseasons.com . See Darlene DiDomineck for more details!
Fellowship Coffee Hour 11am - Hosted by the Pace Family
ENGAGE (11:45-12:30) - Sunday Feb 5 - On the first Sunday of each month, Engage will focus on “the journey inward.” This Sunday’s Engage will be led by Pastor Bob who will speak on “Active Spirituality”: experiencing a connection to the sacred through motion and movement. Bob’s “Soul in Motion” blog is based on active spirituality and he practices this form of spirituality through hiking, rowing and traveling. Come and discover a “new/old” way of being spiritual .
Youth Group (11:45-1:45 – Youth Coffee House) All youth in Grades 6th-12th are welcome to join us for lunch, fun and planning for the year!
Monthly Mission Offering forFebruary:
Memorial UMC Emergency Assistance Program/Good Samaritan Fund Needs Your Help!
Every day 200,000 of our neighbors in Westchester County are food insecure. Members of the Memorial family and the greater White Plains community look to faith communities for critical assistance during times of crisis and struggle. Help us reach out in solidarity to our neighbors in need. As the weather gets colder utility bills increase and so have requests for assistance from our neighbors.
Wish List
Financial donations of all amounts are greatly needed to assist with utility bills, and rent/mortgage arrears.
Gift Cards in $5, $10, $20 increments to:
• Grocery Stores: (Stop and Shop, Pathmark, A&P)
• Gas Stations
• Drug Stores: (Duane Reade, CVS, Target, Walgreens, Rite Aid)
The Memorial UMC Emergency Assistance Program is open Mondays from 3PM – 6PM.For more information contact Deaconess Darlene DiDomineck.
TUESDAYS@DORRY'S
Tuesdays @ Dorry’s 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., Food ordering starts at 5:30 p.m.
Dorry’s Diner • 468 Mamaroneck Avenue • White Plains • 914-682-0005: gathers “conversation partners” weekly for informal table talk, and sometimes we hear live music. There is no charge. Just come and order your food from Sylvia, who serves all of us. Everyone is welcome. Please join us. No reservations are needed. Tuesdays @ Dorry’s is coordinated by Dorry’s friends at Memorial United Methodist Church, Congregation Kol Ami, Sisters of the Divine Compassion and The White Plains Examiner .
January 31-Nancy Tsou-Rockland Coalition for Peace and Justice
On Nov. 23, 2002, the Rockland Coalition for Peace and Justice held its first peace vigil. By Dec. 31, 2011, the group had carried out 476 consecutive weekly vigils—every Saturday for over 9 years. They used signs, banners and flyers to reach out to passing motorists with unified messages: “End the wars now.” “Bring troops home now.” Nancy Tsou, a New City resident, is an organizer with the Rockland Coalition. She will speak with us about the vigils, the wars, and her belief that, as part of the national peace movement, they collectively were able to accomplish something amazing that they couldn't possibly have achieved individually—changing public opinions on the wars.
February 7 - Doris L. Sassower and Eli Vigliano- Soundview Manor, 283 Soundview Avenue, in White Plains, is the only privately-owned home in the city ever to be included on the National and New York State Registers of Historic Places in the lifetime of the owner, while still in occupancy – a triple honor for the city. The resident owner for the past 31 years who made that happen, historic preservationist and longtime civic activist lawyer, Doris L. Sassower, now nearly 80 years young, along with her legal advisor, real estate lawyer Eli Vigliano, will tell you more about it. They will also speak about her proposed Bed & Breakfast Amendment to the White Plains Zoning Ordinance, set for public hearing at the city’s Common Council Meeting on Monday, February 6, at 7:30 p.m. Ms. Sassower's article about the genesis of Soundview Manor, “Soundview Manor and its Irish Roots,” is published in the current issue of the Westchester Historian, publication of the Westchester County Historical Society.
Volunteer Opportunities
Memorial UMC Emergency Assistance Program/Good Samaritan Fund Needs Your Help!
Every day 200,000 of our neighbors in Westchester County are food insecure. Members of the Memorial family and the greater White Plains community look to faith communities for critical assistance during times of crisis and struggle. Help us reach out in solidarity to our neighbors in need. As the weather gets colder utility bills increase and so have requests for assistance from our neighbors.
Wish List
Financial donations of all amounts are greatly needed to assist with utility bills, and rent/mortgage arrears.
Gift Cards in $5, $10, $20 increments to:
• Grocery Stores: (Stop and Shop, Pathmark, A&P)
• Gas Stations
• Drug Stores: (Duane Reade, CVS, Target, Walgreens, Rite Aid)
The Memorial UMC Emergency Assistance Program is open Mondays from 3PM – 6PM.For more information contact Deaconess Darlene DiDomineck.
Memorial Thrift Shop is always seeking Volunteers
Shop Location: Memorial United Methodist Church (MUMC) 250 Bryant Avenue, White Plains, NY 10605
Hours of Operation: Wed 10–2, Fri -Sat 10–4. For More Information Contact MUMC at 914-949-2146 or The LOFT at 914-948-2932. Benefiting Memorial United Methodist Church and The LOFT: LGBT Community Services Center.
Fellowship Coffee Hour
Volunteers needed for Coffee hour. Please sign up and provide after service snacks in the Fireside Library for coffee. hour. Sign up on the form in he Narhex or contact Angela Stone or call her at 914 949-2146.
|
250 Bryant Avenue
