MAY/JUNE 2010 

"THINKING OUT LOUD"

Of all the many reasons we come together as a congregation, whether it be in small groups for bible study, prayer, recreation, or conversation; or for mission projects like serving community meals and trips to provide natural disaster relief; or for potluck suppers, fellowship times, or anniversary dinners; of all these and others, perhaps the most important to me is our coming together to worship God. Certainly our congregational worship is the way in which most of us experience the church on a regular basis. Whether we participate in one, many, or none of the other ways "we are the church," worship is the "constant" for so many of us. We?fve experienced worship in some meaningful ways recently, including the Order of Healing, the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion, Memorial Services, special gifts of music shared, and an energetic Pre-School Sunday this past week! I?fd like to tell you of several more ways we will come together to worship God and to celebrate our life in community in May and June.

On this coming Sunday, May 2^nd, our seminary intern, Jim Dwight will share some thoughts as he prepares to graduate from Lancaster Theological Seminary. There will be a Fellowship Time in Maugans Chapel following the 10:30 a.m. service to say "thanks" to Jim and Linda for the time they?fve shared with us. But ... it?fs not quite "goodbye," as the Dwights will continue to teach the 4^th through 6^th grade Sunday School class through June 6^th!

Holy Communion will be celebrated at both worship services on Mother?fs Day, May 9^th. Remember to bring non-perishable food items for the Food Bank.

Our 10:30 a.m. service on May 16^th will be something very different from anything we?fve done in the past. We will have a unique service called "The Blessing of the Animals," to be held across the street in the Hamilton Park Playground (in the social hall if rain). Your pets are welcome to join you for this worship service, where each one will receive a blessing. We ask simply that dogs come on leashes, cats in carriers, and that other animals are appropriately housed and/or restrained. The service will be under an hour and treats will be shared with all God?fs critters! Bring your lawn chairs, please.

Gift of the Spirit will be celebrated in worship on Pentecost Sunday, May 23^rd, and we hope to receive new members into our fellowship at our 10:30 a.m. service that day.

Our Senior Choir will sing at our 10:30 a.m. service on June 6^th for the last time until September.

Our "summer schedule" begins on June 13^th. From June 13^th through September 5^th, there will be one worship service each Sunday, at 9:30 a.m. The "regular" schedule of worship at 8 and 10:30 a.m., with Sunday School at 9:15 a.m., resumes on September 12^th. There is a break from Sunday School classes over the summer months.

Please join us for Sunday morning worship at Hamilton Park UCC. No matter who you are or where you are on life?fs journey, you are welcome here.

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TRANSITION NEWS

The Transition Committee and the Pastoral Concerns Committee have endorsed Rev. John F. (Jack) Esbenshade for Associate Pastor. The Finance and Personnel Committee will meet with Jack to define the terms of the covenant (contract) for this part-time position. Sunday, June 6^th has been tentatively set as the date for a trial sermon, which would be followed by an election conducted by the Lancaster Association.

John N. "NED" Kreider, Chairman

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SMALL GROUP LIFE

The "Companions in Christ" small group will meet on the following dates, to finish out the 2009/2010 program year:

*May 3, chapter 12 ~ "The Future Church"

*May 17, chapter 13 ~ "Eternal Life"

*June 7, chapter 14 ~ "Epilogue"

*June 21, documentary ~ "Jesus in India"

The group will break for the summer, resuming on September 20^th to study Marcus Borg?fs book, Reading the Bible Again for the First Time. "Companions in Christ" meets on the first and third Monday of each month in Maugans Chapel, from 7 until 8:30 p.m. If you would like to join the group when it resumes in September, please speak with Pastor Cathy.

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The "Book Review" group will meet on Tuesday, May 11^th at 7 p.m. to review Lisa See?fs Shanghai Girls, and on June 8^th to review Marti Leimbach?fs Daniel Isn?ft Talking (will be available @ $11 at the May discussion). The group will then break for the summer, returning on September 14^th to review Kathryn Stockett?fs The Help. The Help will be available @ $9 at the June 8^th discussion. Everyone is welcome to participate in the "Book Review," just read the book and join the discussion!

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The Men?fs Breakfast group will meet at The Apple Tree restaurant at Centerville Rd. and Columbia Avenue on Thursday, May 13th and again on Thursday, June 10th, at 8 a.m. each morning. All men are welcome to participate; the Men?fs Breakfast group meets for breakfast and conversation at 8 a.m. on the second Thursday of each month.

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The next meetings of the "In-Depth" group are:

*Friday, May 14th at 6:30 p.m. at Pat Merchant?fs home

*Sunday, May 30th at 6:30 p.m. at Bob and Anne Webber's home

*Sunday, June 13th at 6:30 p.m. - Hosted by John & Anne Thayer

The "In-Depth" group continues to study "Paul for Everyone." Interested in participating in the discussion? Call one of the group members!

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The next "Women?fs Gathering" on Sunday evening, May 16^th will be the final one for the 2009/10 program year. It?fs been a good year, and what better way to end than with the annual potluck supper/flea market bingo event! All women of the church, including friends and relatives, are invited to Maugans Chapel from 6 until 8 p.m. on May 16th. Bring a potluck dish and as many wrapped "prizes" for bingo as you wish. Remember: the idea is not to go out and purchase expensive bingo prizes but to wrap those items you might be thinking of donating to charity or selling at your next flea market. They might be funny or practical or whimsical or homemade (or not!) - the idea is to have fun and not spend any extra $$$. Paper goods and drinks will be provided.

The Women?fs Gathering meets on the 3^rd Sunday of each month, from 6 to 8 p.m., in Maugans Chapel for bible study, speakers, film, crafts, projects of different kinds, with an annual retreat at the Hartman Center church camp each February. If you have suggestions, requests, ideas for any of the "Gatherings," please talk with Cathy Shiley. And, please, mark your calendars now!

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"Knit Together," HPUCC?fs small group for the needle arts, meets on the fourth Monday of each month (May 24th and June 28th) at 7 p.m. in Maugans Chapel. Everyone is welcome to participate in a group project (prayer shawls, Eli?fs Elves blankets, baptismal cloths and new baby blankets, etc.) or bring your own needle arts project to work on during the evening. The fellowship is great!

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?eHoley ground?f in full swing! There?fs always room for one more at the Wednesday afternoon golf outings known as "Holey Ground" ~ 9 holes of golf at 3 p.m. at Cross Gates. Just telephone Dick Gockley at 291-5906 by noontime on Wednesdays to reserve your spot. Experienced and beginning golfers are welcome.

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MEALS TO CRISPUS ATTUCKS CENTER ON MAY 1 AND 2

The next dates that we are responsible for serving dinner at the Crispus Attucks Center are Saturday, May 1^st, and Sunday, May 2^nd. Lots of help is needed and appreciated, as are donations of money to help with the cost of the meals. Sign up or call the church office if you can help; money donations may be given to Pastor Cathy, Mike Landis, or Barb McGee.

Our other dates to serve this year are: August 28 & 29 (Saturday & Sunday), October 3 (Sunday), and November 21 (Sunday). Mark your calendars now, if you would like to help.

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NEW ADULT ELECTIVE BEGINS ON MAY 2

The adult Sunday School class that meets in the social hall, a.k.a. "Jack?fs Class," will begin a new study on May 2^nd. Professor Anne Thayer will offer a series called "Leaders Public and Private: Women in the History of Christianity." This series will focus on the changing roles of women in the history of western Christianity and will introduce some interesting women along the way. Each Sunday?fs topic is listed below:

May 2 ~ Early Church: Women as worship leaders and martyrs;

May 9 ~ Central Middle Ages: Women defined out of ordination, yet leaders in religious life;

May 16 ~ Reformation: Women asserting the priesthood of all believers; and

May 23 ~ Modern World: Women organizing and preaching.

All are welcome to participate in this enlightening discussion.

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ISAAC?fS SUPPORTS "ELI?fS ELVES" PROJECT ~ MAY 15 AND 16

A Community Night Fundraiser at Isaacs Restaurant Downtown is scheduled for Saturday May 15^th and Sunday May 16^th. Plan to take your family and friends there for dinner from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on either night and Isaacs will donate 25% of your check to Eli?fs Elves. You will need to bring the attached flyer. Flyers will also be included in the bulletin and available at the church office. Please tell your friends and families! "The most beautiful things in life are not always seen by the eye?crather they are felt with the heart."

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COMMUNITY MEAL AT FIRST REFORMED ON MAY 18

The next date for serving a Community Meal at First Reformed UCC is Tuesday, May 18th. Helpers are needed for serving the meal - new serving time is 5:30 p.m. - and to provide desserts. See sign up sheets at either entrance.

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OUTSIDE WORK DAY - MAY 22

Save the date! Saturday, May 22nd beginning at 8 a.m. is the annual outside Mulch Day! Everyone is invited to help beautify our church grounds. Bring gloves, shovels, and willingness to work.

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FAMILY LIFE HOSTING ?eMOVIE NIGHT?f ON MAY 21

The Family Life Ministry Team will host a family movie night in Maugans Chapel on Friday, May 21^st, beginning at 7 p.m. A movie appropriate for all ages will be enjoyed, with snacks provided. Please sign up at either entrance today. Everyone is welcome!

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MAY 23 "MIDDLE EAST" AWARENESS

On Sunday evening, May 23^rd, from 6 to 8 p.m., Rev. Dr. Anabel Proffitt will offer an educational program on her January trip to Palestine/Israel with Lancaster Theological Seminary. Everyone is invited to hear, through Anabel, the stories of the people living in this area of disquiet who were willing to share with the seminary group. The program will be held in Maugans Chapel. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend what promises to be an interesting evening. Refreshments will be served; please sign up at either entrance.

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JUNE 6 - PROMOTION SUNDAY AND ALL-CHURCH PICNIC

June 6^th will be a big day for our Sunday Church School program! First, June 6^th is Promotion Sunday in our Sunday Church School. Everyone is invited to the social hall at 9:15 a.m. for the Closing Program, to include Light Refreshments, Teacher Recognition, Promotion and Attendance Certificates to children, and a Wrap-up of our Pennies for Peace project.

Then, beginning at 4:30 p.m., we will enjoy an old-fashioned Sunday School picnic in the Hamilton Park playground. Hot dogs and hamburgers will be provided by the Family Life Committee and drinks and paper products will be provided by the Christian Education Team, so sign up to bring a potluck dish to share. Go light on signing up to bring desserts, however, as the Sunday School will provide (at the end of our picnic) a make-your-own-sundae opportunity to celebrate our contributions to Pennies for Peace! Lots of games for all ages are planned, as well as music provided by some of our youth; sign up today. Be sure to bring your own lawn chair!

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HARTMAN CENTER SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM

The Hartman Center summer camp program still has room for more summer campers in all categories! Talk with Deb Frailey or Cathy Shiley (or anyone who has participated in summer camp in the past) for more details. Hamilton Park Church will pay one-half tuition for our children and youth campers. In order to help with these costs, we will again offer Camper Stock at $20 per share. Look for a representative of the Christian Education Ministry Team in the narthex on the first three Sundays in June to purchase your share(s) of stock. A wonderful investment in the faith development of our children and youth.

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PENN CENTRAL CONFERENCE ANNUAL MEETING

The Annual Meeting of the Penn Central Conference will be held at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove on June 11-13. Pastor Shiley will attend, along with two delegates from Hamilton Park UCC. If you would be interested in participating as a delegate, please talk with Pastor Cathy as soon as possible.

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MISSION TRIP TO MISSISSIPPI ON JUNE 12 - 20

A confirmed group of 10 persons will travel to Lakeshore, Mississippi this June to provide continued relief to Katrina-ravaged southern United States. The group will leave early on June 12^th, returning mid-day on June 20^th. To learn more about the trip and to offer your help - either as a participant or in some other way - talk with co-ordinator Dottie Holt.

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"4 OUR CHURCHES" CAMPAIGN

The following article appeared in our June 2009 issue of the "Watch":

"After months of consideration, the Consistory has approved a plan to help support the Penn Central Conference UCC 4 Our Churches Campaign and our own Endowment Fund. Over the next 3 years (2010-2012), we hope to receive gifts of $40,000 in special offerings (four offerings annually) to be divided equally with $20,000 going to the Conference Campaign and $20,000 to our Endowment Fund.

Six years ago, the church borrowed $56,000 from Endowment Fund Principal to pay for an ?eemergency?f replacement of our main air conditioning/air handling (heat) system. At that time, the leadership of the church had promised that at some point in the future the loan would be repaid. The $20,000 raised over the next three years is a beginning in a repayment plan.

The Consistory reached a decision knowing full well that we all face hard economic times. Hopefully there will be better days in the next three years."

At the time of Dave Bushnell?fs leaving, we received gifts toward this effort in his honor, with $3400 sent to the Penn Central Conference and $3875 deposited to the HPUCC Endowment Fund. Our agreement was to include an envelope in the "Watch" on a quarterly basis so that you might make gifts to this campaign as you are able. The first envelope of 2010 is included in this mailing; please consider making a gift to this campaign for the first half of 2010.

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HPUCC CHURCH RETREAT AT HARTMAN CENTER - LABOR DAY WEEKEND

It?fs time to think seriously about attending the Hamilton Park Church "all church retreat" at Hartman Center over the Labor Day weekend. We have reserved Michaux Lodge and one set of cabins (we can add more if needed) for Saturday, Sept. 4^th beginning at 10 a.m. until Monday, Sept. 6^th, at 3 p.m. Lots of great fun is planned, including swimming, hiking, crafts, campfires (with s?fmores, of course!), and lots and lots of games and activities. Everyone is welcome! Look for sign-up opportunities soon. In the meantime, be sure to put this "all ages event" on your calendar.

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NEW MEMBERS ON HOMECOMING SUNDAY,

OCTOBER 31

There are a number of folks who have been visiting with us on a regular basis who have expressed interest in becoming members of Hamilton Park Church but are unable to make a commitment this May. We will, therefore, be hosting a series of Newcomers?f Classes in October, with new members received into our fellowship on Homecoming Sunday, October 31^st. If anyone has questions about joining Hamilton Park UCC, please contact Pastor Cathy.

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NEWS FROM THE HPUCC PRE-SCHOOL

MAY & JUNE USHER TEAM CAPTAINS

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NURSERY TEAM LEADERS

LECTORS FOR MAY & JUNE

May 2 - Rick Bennawit

May 9 (Mother?fs Day) - Ted Rasmussen

May 16 - Moyra Glass

May 23 (Pentecost) - Joanne Rohrer

May 30 - Susan Minasian

June 6 - Joanne Blankenstein

June 13 (summer schedule) - Dick Biechler

June 20 (Father?fs Day) - Rom Reese

June 27 - Nancy Bonalumi