Check back for dates for the first annual WUMC pumpkins sale.

The Staff Parish Relations Ministry is pleased to inform you that a new pastor has been appointed to the Woodbury Untied Methodist Church. Elizabeth Schrader has been chosen for us by Bishop Park and we have affirmed that decision.

Betty, as she prefers to be called, is a born and breed Methodist, raised in Stratford. She attended Morningside College, a Methodist school, in Iowa, went on to Boston University School of Theology and Iliff in Denver and a Merrill fellowship at Harvard.

As a pastor she has worked in both the New York Annual Conference and the New England Conference. She has worked in the Catskills, for the Annual Conference on the Commission on the Status and Role of Women, in Pittsfield, MA, Somerville, MA, Worchester, MA, Norwich, CT, and for the last 8 years at Long Hill UMC in Trumbull, CT.

Pastor Betty was personable and engaging and spoke easily of her calling. She has a passion for youth and children’s ministries. She was in awe of our missions programs and was delighted knowing that we are a community known for our loving kindness as an expression of our faith.

We will be in communications with Pastor Betty as July grows closer and we prepare for her arrival. Please feel free to talk with members of the Staff Parish Relations Committee if you have questions.

Every Third Saturday in the months of  June, July & August

4:30 – 7:30 pm

Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Salads,

Fresh Fruits and much more!!!

Same Pricing As Our Spaghetti Suppers

Adults $9-Seniors $7-Kids $5 & Family (of 4) $25

Woodbury United MethodistChurch

3 Church StreetWoodbury, CT06798

www.woodburyumc.net

Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors

On Monday, May 10th from 5-8 pm the Woodbury United Methodist Church will
be hosting its first Family Fun Night at Friendly’s Restaurant on 519 Heritage Road in Southbury (Heritage Village).

The event is being held as a fundraising effort for the church and 10% of the
dinner proceeds during those hours will be directed towards WUMC. At this even
ministry chairs will have various information available regarding the annual golf
tournament, Vacation Bible school etc. as well as live “magical” entertainment by Peter James. Peter has been known in this area for providing magic shows at Flanders Nature Center and promises to bring some magic into Southbury for this evening.

As our Methodist slogan reads: Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors. . . the
doors of Friendly’s will be open on Monday night, will you come have dinner with us and join in fun and fellowship?

If you didn’t plan dinner for Mom on Mother’s Day, you can still celebrate on
Monday night. . .

For more information, please contact the church office (203) 263-4775

03/28   Palm Sunday

8:00 a.m.No service

10:30 a.m.service

03/30  Tuesday Vesper Service

7:00 p.m.

04/01  Maundy Thursday

6:00-8:00 p.m.

Upper Room Service with Pot Luck Dinner, Communion and Foot Washing

04/02 Good Friday

7:00 p.m.

                      Community Ecumenical Service at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Woodbury

04/04 Easter Sunday

7:00 a.m.

SunriseService at HollowPark

Rev. Dr. Craig McClellan preaching

8:00 a.m.No service

10:30 a.m.

Easter Service

A Joyous Celebration of Resurrection.

(No Sunday School on Easter Sunday)

Dear Friends,

The Staff Parish Relations Ministry learned this past week that the Rev. Kristina Hansen has been reappointed to a new church home on Long Island, beginning July 1, 2010. The United Methodist Church subscribes to a system of itinerant ministry, rooted in John Wesley’s vision of spreading the Word of God. It allows pastors to share their gifts with a wider circle of churches.

Pastor Kristina has enriched our lives in countless ways.  She has introduced us to new ways of experiencing worship such as by washing each other’s feet during Holy Week to celebrating Advent through a Seder meal. She has engaged in thought-provoking discussions with our youth during Confirmation and has included our children in all aspects of church life. She has stood with us in our moment of need. We thank her for sharing these God-given gifts with us. A piece of her ministry will always be a part of the Woodbury United Methodist Church as we hope a piece of the Woodbury United Methodist Church will stay with her in all the places her ministry takes her, including her new church home in Northport, LI.

As a part of the church profile the Staff Parish Relations Ministry annually provides to our District Superintendent, we indicate whether we would like to keep our pastor, whether we could keep our pastor or have a new pastor, or whether we desire a new pastor. Our pastor provides the District Superintendent with similar information. Ideally, a pastor should have a good relationship in his or her current church, but be willing to serve elsewhere when asked. As a committee we indicated that we would like Pastor Kristina to stay. However, we did discuss that we are in a much healthier place and would soon be able to deal with a change if it came to pass. Pastor Kristina indicated that she would like to stay with us, but that she would be willing to serve elsewhere if needed.

Very soon, our Bishop, in consultation with the Cabinet of District Superintendents, who is responsible for making all pastoral appointments, will match the needs of our church with the gifts of a pastor. This is done with prayerful discernment.

Our District Superintendent, the Rev. Ken Kieffer, has met with our Staff Parish Relations Ministry this past week to discuss our needs and gifts as a church. This conversation will be taken into consideration as the Bishop decides the appropriate pastor for our church. In a relatively short period of time, we expect Rev. Kieffer to set a date for our introduction to our new pastor. The Staff Parish Relations Ministry will have an opportunity to learn, discuss and share how the gifts of our incoming pastor fit with the missional needs of our congregation. If we have reservations about this match, we can request that the Bishop reconsider our appointment.

The Staff Parish Relations Ministry understands that from now until July 1, when the official move is made, that this will be a period of transition for all of us: the pastor, the congregation and the staff. It will be a time of reflection and saying goodbye to Pastor Kristina. A formal farewell service will be coordinated between many ministries of the church in June. But, this will also be a time of preparation, readying ourselves to warmly welcome a new pastor into our midst, hopeful of the gifts and new energy that he or she will bring to our shared ministry.

If at anytime you need to talk or have questions, please feel free to contact any member of the Staff Parish Relations Ministry: Meg Temple, Bob Asman, Mike Boisseau, Heidi Reidies, Theron Kissinger, Florence Brown, Mike Roche, Liz Zaccaria, Paul Hatch, and Claire Boettcher.

Sincerely,

Meg Temple

Staff Parish Relations