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United Methodist Church ... making a difference 501 Hampton Lane (Beltway Exit 27B & Dulaney Valley Road) email: towsonumc@towsonumc.org Towson, Maryland 21286 410-823-6511 Elevator accesses all 3 floors! .
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                 Church fax: 410-823-8916
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FINANCE ALERT Record snowfalls have impacted everyone, including our church. Several bad weather Sundays have kept attendance understandably low and we even lost a Sunday altogether. Low attendance also means low offerings. At the same time, keeping our lot clear and repairing damage from power outages and power surges has cost us thousands and thousands of dollars not budgeted. Please make every effort to keep current with your pledges and offerings and consider an extra gift to help us through this difficult time. We do not want a financial hole deeper than the snow. Thank you for your continued support. —David Garman, Chair of Finance Committee — EDUCATION —
LENTEN STUDY CONTINUES .. based on the book Watching the Disciples , Learning from Their Mistakes. You may choose to join a study group on Sundays during the Christian Connections hour at 9:45 AM in Fellowship Hall Wednesdays at 10:30 AM in Room 214-216. Tuesday's class is no longer available. If you miss one class, you may pick it up any of the three days during the week. Books are $6.00 and are available to be purchased from the study facilitators. The book also lends itself well to individual study and reflection. Contact Liz in the church office if you'd like a book for personal study towsonumc@towsonumc.org.
TRAVEL WITH THE DISCIPLES -- Jesus' Last Week in Pictures, Reflections on Then and Now Thursday, March 25, 7:15 PM in Fellowship Hall Pastor David Cooney has returned from traveling with a group from our congregation to Israel. Various members of the group will share their experiences. Come as you are and join us!
JONAH This Lent? (for the children) Let's follow Jonah through his amazing journey. You can read through his story, and even illustrates it by putting stickers on the colorful centerpiece that comes with the booklet. As the story unfolds, be ready to learn about God's forgiving love -- a love shown most miraculously at Jesus' cross and his empty tomb! Pick up one for your child outside Room 319 (on the third floor).
WOMEN’S THURSDAY EVENING BIBLE STUDY Our women’s Thursday Evening Bible Study (aka WOW) meets every Thursday evening from 7:00 to 9:00 in Room 317. Contact Robin Smith for more info: robin_smith@verizon.net.
“Thinking of You” Card Ministry One of the workshop options at this year’s Women’s Retreat was making “Thinking of You” cards. The participants taking this workshop made cards to share with the congregation. A “Thinking of You” card ministry box is located on the bookshelf in the Parlor. If there is someone in a Work Area, Ministry, or group whom you think would appreciate a note, please help yourself to one of the cards. If you would like to donate a “Thinking of You” card, either hand-made or from a retail card store, please feel free to add one to the box. Thank you!
Women’s Retreat Evaluation Forms An evaluation form was mailed this week to each of the participants at this year’s retreat. Please either mail the form back to the church at 501 Hampton Lane, Towson, MD. 21286 or put in the Education Work Area mailbox in the main church office.
BCASCO (Baltimore County Association of Senior Citizens Organizations) is offering their 6th Annual Senior Educational Forum on Friday, March 12, 2010 here at Towson United Methodist Church from 9:45 AM to 12 Noon. There will be speakers, displays, and giveaways. For more information, contact Beth Wiseman at 410-484-6866.
— MISSION OPPORTUNITIES —
COMMUNION / MISSION OFFERING MARCH -- souper bowl We are collecting money so we may purchase soup OR we are collecting cans of chunky soup or Ravioli/Spaghettios type of canned food. The youth will be available today to tell you more about who will receive your donations through our Emergency Food Pantry.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE TRAINING The next ERT class will be held on Saturday, March 13 at St. Johns United Methodist Church, Seminary Avenue, Lutherville. The class size is limited to 20. To register for the class, or if you have questions, contact Rev. Jay DeMent (Baltimore Regional Coordinator for the UMCOR Emergency Response) at pastorjaychris@yahoo.com. This is an all day class with lunch, beverages, and snacks available.
NEWS FROM KELY RAMPMEYER HELLOOOOOOO! I hope that all is well back at home! I think about you guys and I miss you every day. You have been a major support to me in this past year. And – I can’t even begin to tell you how much I appreciate your encouragement, financial support, and prayers. As you are aware, I am currently on the field with The World Race. At the moment, we are in Malaysia teaching English to Afghani refugees and getting ready to head to the Philippines for our tenth month! I will be back in Maryland on April 30, 2010. (YAY!!) But, it seems that my next big step is right around the corner. I was in Africa when I heard the news of Haiti, and it absolutely broke my heart. The telecast that we were watching was filled with heartbreaking images and testimonies of the tragedy. I tried to stop thinking about it, but this task proved impossible, so I knew I needed to go and help. God willing, I am going to be flying down to Haiti from May 16 – 22, 2010. AIM (the program that runs The World Race) is launching weekly trips to fly down and pass out medical supplies and food to locals affected by the earthquake… I would love it if you would keep me in your thoughts and prayers during this time. We have been told that the conditions are “brutal,” and help is desperately needed. ...Please send happy thoughts our way as we only have two more months! (Craaaaaazy!) THANK YOU SO MUCH! I hope I will be seeing you this summer!! Love and blessings, Kelly
EMERGENCY FOOD FOR SHUT-INS The Department of Aging has given our church pre-packaged boxes of non-perishable food that may be used on days when the electricity is off or the snow and ice prohibits visitors from bringing food. If you know someone who could use one of these boxes, please contact Dwight Kines at 410-828-0792.
YOUTH RAISING MONEY FOR WORLD VISION Hire youth For the price of a donation to World Vision (which includes Haiti relief), you can have a group of youth come to your house and work for 1-2 hours on any project that you need done. Please call Sally Savidge at 410-817-9797 or e-mail ssavidge@comcast.net to schedule a time. Thank you for your support.
MEALS ON WHEELS -- volunteers needed Please call Ron Miller at 410-828-8643, he would be glad to answer any questions since he is a long time volunteer. Also, Nancy deLaski is an area coordinator, she can use help in the Cockeysville area delivering food. Nancy can be reached at 410-581-3881.
WHILE YOU’RE OUT SHOPPING — Please consider picking up a couple of extra items for our Emergency Food Pantry. Bring to church and place in the marked bins in the lobby. Thanks! Items needed: Spaghetti Sauce Spaghetti Noodles Chunky chicken soup Chunky beef soup Canned fruit (no peaches, pls) cereal-any brand canned ravioli, spaghettios, etc. canned chili
HELP WANTED!! Our Emergency Food Pantry needs TUMC members to volunteers to DELIVER FOOD once a month to NEEDY INDIVIDUALS & FAMILIES in the local area. You will be given one household to deliver to on a monthly basis. TUMC will supply the food through our own food pantry. Please contact Val Wehrle at 410-628-1985 or vmwehrle@yahoo.com.
Y.A.N.A. (You are never alone) is in need of the small pocket-sized calendars we all get in the mail this time of year. If you get extras, we would appreciate your putting them in the toiletries box section of the Sharing Bins.
PRAYER SHAWL & OTHER YARN MINISTRIES There is a bin in the missions Sharing Bins in the lobby for you to drop off completed projects or donations of yarn. A folder with patterns for baby caps, shawls, hats, washcloths, etc. is also kept in the bin with extra needles. If you need supplies, feel free to help yourself from this bin. Questions about baby caps should be directed to Ida Lou Hudler at 410-823-4922. Questions about Prayer Shawls and other yarn ministries, should be directed to Carol Matlin at 410-256-0657 or e-mail Sue Brown. The Prayer Shawl Ministry meets the 1st Wednesday and the 3rd Tuesday evening from 6-8 PM and the 3rd Tuesday morning from 9-11 AM -- every month.
“Keep ‘em coming” — The UMWomen are making a difference! This is the message we received from GBMC and St. Joseph’s Medical Center. Since 2005, the number of Baby Caps knitted are now 8,700. Donations of light colored yarn will be accepted; please put in the YARN bin in the main lobby. Many thanks to all who help in this project!
CLOTHING DROP-OFF FOR HOMESTEAD UM CHURCH Please place all clothing (and accessories) in the two large plastic containers, which are located at the end of the main parking lot, next to the fence of the Child Development Center play area. If you can, drop off between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM Monday through Friday, it would be greatly appreciated. Also, please do not make any bags or boxes too heavy. Your donated clothes and accessories are taken to the Homestead United Methodist Church for distribution to the less fortunate people in the Waverly area of Baltimore City. Thank you for your participation in this worthwhile cause. —–Jenna Lee Burkart
WE’RE COLLECTING OLD EYEGLASSES The Senior Adult Ministry Group is collecting old eyeglasses that will be recycled. Bring your old eyeglasses to church and place them in the marked basket in the main office. Thanks!
- WORSHIP & PRAYER -
USHER UPDATE We need ushers, so please call Ron
Donoho at 410-825-0789.
CAN YOU HELP SUNDAY MORNINGS? We are seeking strong individuals to be a HELPING HAND Sunday mornings before and after the 11:00 worship service. We need you to help people out of and into their cars when they pull up to the front door of the church and to help those exiting and re-entering the coach that brings parishioners from the local retirement homes. You will only have to do this once a month, or less, depending on how many sign up to help. Please contact John Fader at 410-296-5256 or john.fader@worldnet.att.net. — Thanks !
UPPER ROOM DEVOTIONALS The March/April issue of the Upper Room daily devotionals in regular and large print are available in the main lobby of the church. Look for them on the counter under the stained glass window display. The suggested donation is $1.00. If you are unable to come to church to pick one up, call the church office and we will gladly send one to you. 410-823-6511
TUMC IS MORE HIGH-TECH THAN YOU THOUGHT! Did you know that if you miss a Sunday, that you can obtain an audio tape, CD, or DVD of the service? For a mere $2.00 donation, you can sit in front of your TV at home and watch the service, listen to the sermon, sing the hymns, and pray as if you were here with the rest of the congregation. After receiving an audio tape or CD, you can listen to the service while you’re driving to work or on vacation. Contact Bud Burkart at 410-665-2303 and make arrangements to pick up or have Bud get it to you.
YOUR DONATIONS TO THE CHURCH All donations, including communion offerings, fruit offerings, and other special offerings to the Church, require your name, address, and offering envelope number in order to document your charitable giving. Such donations will be reflected on quarterly giving statements. We believe these quarterly statements satisfy the requirement of the tax authorities that the recipient provide a receipt for all donations. If you are currently assigned an envelope number, all identifiable donations will be reflected on your quarterly statement. If your donation is unidentifiable or you do not have an envelope number, your donation will not appear on a quarterly statement. Anyone wishing to receive a quarterly statement must have an envelope number; please contact the Business Office if you do not have one. Blank offering envelopes are available in the pews if needed; please include your name, address, and envelope number if you wish to receive credit on your contribution statement. If you have any questions, please contact a member of the Finance Committee or the Business Office, 410-823-3693.
- FELLOWSHIP & SERVICE -
MUSIC NOTE… Company’s Comin! On Friday, March 12 The Chorale from Duke University will be our guests for dinner, a concert at 7:30, and overnight. We need to provide a meal for 37 people and housing for 35. If you are able to help, either by bringing a dish or by hosting 2 or more students, please contact Kathie Metz at 410-823-6519 or kmetz@towsonumc.org.
TALENTS AND TREATS The Alleluia Singers’ annual talent show/fundraiser will be Sunday, March 14 at 6:00 PM. We will begin in the sanctuary to hear the organ under Tyler Canonico’s feet & fingers, then move to Fellowship Hall. Singers’ talents are on display in the arts as well as in the kitchen: dessert will be served and leftovers packaged for you to take home and enjoy. All proceeds will be used in support of the choir tour June 20-25. Come for entertainment and dessert, and extend your continued support for our youth choirs.
THINK SPRING AND WARM BREEZES THINK BILL RAKER!! Tuesday, March 16th 10:30 AM — March Fellowship Meeting in Fellowship Hall BILL RAKER IS THE GUEST SPEAKER. We will have our famous home-cooked luncheon at a cost of $8.00. Men & Women … come celebrate SPRING with us. Make your reservations through Thelma McCormick, 1055 W. Joppa Road #546, Towson, MD 21204, 410-825-6188.
The Charm City Harp Ensemble's Third
Annual Concert
The TUMC 50th Anniversary Cookbook is still available; it’s a great gift for any occasion and can be mailed anywhere! The cost is $15.00 which, for a limited time, includes shipping to anywhere in the domestic United States! All proceeds of the TUMC 50th Anniversary Cookbook go towards the Shining Brightly building campaign.Mail a check made payable to “TUMC” in the amount of $15.00 for each book ordered to: Towson UM Church Attention: Michele McWilliams 501 Hampton Lane Towson, MD 21286 If you would like to have cookbooks mailed to the recipient, please include the name and address that it is to be mailed to and your name and phone number. Otherwise, include your name and phone number, and Michele McWilliams will deliver your book(s) to you. Questions? Call Michele McWilliams 410-561-0817.
New Mother’s Support Group Mothering Matters is a free support group for new moms and their infants 6 months and younger sponsored by St. Joseph Medical Center. The group meets Thursdays at 10:30 AM to 12 Noon in Room 311-313 and is facilitated by a registered nurse who specializes in Mother/Baby care. You don’t have to go through the challenges of new motherhood alone. Bring your baby and network with other new moms. If Baltimore County Public Schools are closed or open 2 hours late, the group will not meet. For more information, call 410-337-1880.
JUVENILE DIABETES SUPPORT GROUP ... meets here at Towson United Methodist Church in Room 312-314 the third MONDAY of the month at 6:00 PM.
HELP US TO SHINE BRIGHTLY Our 50th Anniversary year has been full of excitement. We have had many special activities, all held in our newly renovated building. Restoring our facility and making it ready for the next fifty years cost $3.2 million. We are within $250,000 of completely paying for all of the upgrades and improvements. If everyone will help, this is very possible. Recently, you received a new pledge card and envelope. Please prayerfully consider a gift to Shining Brightly. This is the legacy we are leaving the next two generations. Be part of it. What a gift for those to come.
ALUMINUM SODA CAN TABS YES, the youth are still collecting the TABS from aluminum cans. The tabs will be traded in for money, which will be donated to the Shining Brightly Capital Campaign. Please bring you collected tabs to church and drop them in the container in the church office BEHIND THE RECEPTIONIST'S DESK (under the table next to the windows). Get your friends, neighbors, office, school, family to join you. Help the youth help the capital campaign!
BRING IT TO CHURCH! We have 2 brightly colored bins in the parking lot ready to accept your paper recycling 24/7. This is a fundraiser for the general budget of the church — we receive cash from Abitibi Paper Retriever for every ton of paper collected.
Here is what they will take: NEWSPAPERS SHOPPING CATALOGS MAIL MAGAZINES OFFICE & SCHOOL PAPERS ENVELOPES PHONE BOOKS FAX & COPY PAPER COLORED PAPER SHREDDED PAPER MUST BE CONTAINED IN PLASTIC BAGS
Here is what they WILL NOT take: PLASTIC GLASS METALS TRASH CARDBOARD Note again: NO Cardboard of any type
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INSTEAD
OF PUTTING YOUR RECYCLABLE PAPER AT THE END OF YOUR DRIVEWAY ...