DOVETALES – FEBRUARY 2015
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
223 Hillside Street
Asheville NC 28801
The Rev. Dr. In-Yong Lee, Pastor
252-6512
Bill and Patsy Pott, Editors
Contents
- From the Pastor
- Counters
- Mission/ Outreach
- Birthdays/Anniversaries
- United Methodist Women
- Church Calendar
- Letter from Clarissa
- Letter from Shirley DeGroot
“Joyful Report”
Hello, my friends at St. Paul’s!
Things are moving greatly at church, and one of the things that I want to share with you in this article is the last Spanish-Speaking Small Group gathering on Tuesday, Jan. 13 at Brooks-Howell Home Activities Building. Honestly, the group members were somewhat anxious after Clarissa and her family’s departure, because they had been very important part of the group. We were not sure whether we would have enough number of people. But, thank God, 14 people showed up and we had such a wonderful time, eating (Sarah Bowden ordered delicious Latin American food), singing, dancing, and laughing together!
I would love to introduce to you those who were there and tell you where they are originally from: Epifanio Sanchez, Marselino Plasencia, Estela Beltran (Mexico), Monica Murillo, Marilé Mura (Argentina), Sarah Frances Bowden, Rev. David Ortigoza (Brazil), Anita Torres, Ismael Rodriguez, Tiffany Rivera, Angel Vásquez Muños, Angelanys Vásquez (Puerto Rico), Crystal Murlless (Monica’s daughter who was born in the USA), and myself!
You know Epifanio (he sings beautifully!), Monica (our Spanish translator) and her daughter Crystal. Anita and her family have been at St. Paul’s several times, including on Sunday, July 20, 2014 when we had the Hispanic Cultural Celebration and on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015 when we had a farewell party for the Fuentes. Anita (as you already know, she is a wonderful cook!) and Ismael are married. Tiffany is Anita’s daughter, married to Angel, and Angelanys is their daughter. That family learns English in the Ballard Room every Monday at 1:00-3:00 pm by an instructor from Asheville Literacy Council. Another English/Citizenship class offered by the council meets every Tuesday at 6:00-8:00 pm in Peace Class.
David Ortigoza and Sarah Bowden knew each other in Brazil, because Sarah (who was born in Brazil as a daughter of missionaries) taught him Bible when he was a teenager. Marilé Mura is a physician in Argentina. She was born in Italy, grew up in Brazil, went to school with David, and then moved to Argentina. Later in life, they met again and fell in love with each other (or found out that they had already been in love since their childhood) and will get married in May. Marilé and Monica struck up a conversation right away, because they were both from Argentina and because Monica’s mother used to be a physician in Argentina, too!
Marselino and Estela are husband and wife. They both work at Brooks-Howell Home, and were invited by Sarah Bowden. Marselino came to St. Paul’s when we had the Hispanic Cultural Celebration. Every other weekend, they work. We invited them to church, whenever they don’t work. These are all very good people. Thanks to David, who is an excellent song leader, we sang loudly to his guitar. He also led us to sing and dance, and it was so fun! The group decided to take part in our March 15 worship service, which 25 young adults from across the conference (“FlameBuilders”) will attend together with 2-3 District Superintendents. It will be a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural worship service, and the highlights of our cultural celebrations last year will be incorporated in it.
The group got so excited that spontaneously we made a plan to gather in February to have a Valentine’s party. It will be on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 5:30 pm at Anita’s home (327-A Livingston St. Asheville, NC 28801). We will bring a small gift to exchange with one another. Everybody is welcome! If you would like to come, please let me know. We will have a fun time of beautiful fellowship! —-In-Yong
Letter from Clarissa
Hello St. Paul’s Family,
Thank you for the fond farewell you sent us off with earlier this month. We arrived in Panajachel, Guatemala on Saturday, January 10. Adrian has just finished his first week of first grade at LIFE School and I completed my first week at Salud y Paz which included a trip back to the capital to pick up six months of medicine that was ordered in October, meetings with bank managers, the architect, accountant, fellow missionaries, and a short time at the clinic. There is so much to learn! Andres has found a basketball team to play with but acknowledges that it is much harder to play at 5240′ rather than 1900.’ Daily activities are a bit more primitive here so take more time. Andres has tried to keep up with hand washing our laundry and other chores around the house. We have a tiny little refrigerator so have to make almost daily trips to the market which is fun but far away.
We moved into a little rustic apartment in a community of apartments and stand alone efficiencies. It is behind a big wrought iron gate with a rock courtyard between all the residences. Adrian has made good friends with the neighbors and they play Star Wars and zombies in the courtyard all afternoon. It is a 30 minute walk to school in the morning but as we walk we have an awe-inspiring view of three volcanoes, San Pedro, Toliman and Atitlan. A few of the students come from the other side of the lake and wear their life jackets into school which for some reason always makes me chuckle.
We have new phone numbers: 011-502-3048-93-87 is Andres’ and 011-502-5783-6306 is Clarissa. The best email address for me is clarissa@saludypaz.org. We’re happy to update you on work and life any time so just let us know when you have an open space in Dovetails. We love you each and every one and covet your prayers for us and for the ministry of Salud y Paz.
Andres, Clarissa and Adrian Fuentes
MISSIONS/OUTREACH
Looking Back on 2014
Members of St. Paul’s repeatedly refer to our reputation as a “mission minded church.” That fact was reflected in several ways during 2014.
Six Special Sunday with Offering
The suggested amount for each observance is $1 per member. Our contributions were:
* Human Relations Day, $329
* Native American Day, $260.50
* One Great Hour of Sharing, $748.50
* Peace with Justice, $216.50
* World Communion, $353
* Student Sunday, $289.50
Advent/Christmas Offering
“Missionaries around the World” was the theme of the 2014 Advent/Christmas offering. The amount received was $684, slightly more than the amount in 2013 for the same purpose: supplementing the expenses of maintaining over 300 missionaries in various parts of the world.
Covenant Missionary Relationship
Fran Lynch is the deaconess Church and Community Worker is the “Covenant Missionary” in Willow, Alaska with whom we are in partnership. The Covenant agreement of $1410 was paid in full. Fran sends monthly letters detailing her work which are posted on the Missions Bulletin Board near the pastor’s study.
ABCCM
Non=perishable food items – cereals, pasta, peanut butter, jelly, canned meats – are collected weekly, and delivered when the box in the Narthex is full (usually monthly.) Sixty-four bags, some big, some small, were delivered during 2014. The local needs are increasing.
Activities: Individual & Congregational
* Supplies, meals and snacks were provided for Claxton School.
* Super Bowl Sunday was promoted by the youth group.
* Soup/education labels were collected and sent to Red Bird Mission.
* CROP Walk was promoted by the youth.
* Members volunteered with the Haywood St. Congregation.
UMCOR Emergency Appeals
Members have given generously to funds for international emergencies and domestic disasters
* International Emergencies, $1225
* Domestic Disasters, $2325
* UMCOR undesignated, $55; Ebola, $380
* UMCOR Syrian Christians, $100
* Philippines, $20; Outside Ministry, $20
Special Projects
* Habitat for Humanity, $195
* Disciple Prison Ministry, $2 at St. Paul’s
* Givens Estate, $21.50, at St. Paul’s
These latter ministries provide their own envelopes and ask that funds be sent direct; so the church has no record of gifts.
APPORTIONMENTS PAID IN FULL!
A fact to be celebrated as giving has faltered in other churches.
Barbara E. Campbell, Chairperson
Counters for February
Feb. 1 Bill and Patsy Pott
Feb. 8 Bill and Patsy Pott
Feb. 15 Jeannette Byrd/Bobbye Henry
Feb. 22 Sanda Crouch/Holly AElledge
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
Next Meeting: Feb 4th
Brooks-Howell Home
2nd Floor Lounge, 10:00 a.m.
“Black Women’s History in
United Methodist Women”
How is it With Your Soul?”
Each year, for most of a century, the programs of United Methodist Women has included a “spiritual growth” (mission) study. Some years the topic was a particular book of the Bible. Other years it was a current social justice issue studied through the lens of the Bible. In 2012 the topic was “Immigration in the Bible” For 2015, the textbook reflects John Wesley’s concern, and is entitled, “How Is It with Your Soul?”
The study seeks to help us balance the inner and outer dimensions of Christian life. It is organized around four verbs: pray, learn, mentor and transform. It challenges each student to become a more vibrant disciple of Christ.
Fasting as a Lenten Discipline
Lent begins on February 18th. Fasting as not been a traditional Protestant Lenten discipline. At times it has been treated lightly- we’ll “give up chocolate” or “give up going to the movies” when neither was part of our usual routine. However, value in fasting may be found in the following “Lenten Reflections:”
Fast from judging others; feast on the presence of God within each person. Fast from focusing on differences; feast on the unity of all life.
Fast from the apparent darkness and gloom; feast on the reality of light and enthusiasm.
Fast from thoughts of illness; feast on the healing power of God.
Fast from Discontent; feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger; feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism.
Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation.
Fast from negatives; feast on affirmatives.
Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern; feast on the compassion of others.
Fast from discouragement; feast on hope.
Fast from facts that depress; feast on promises that inspire.
Fast from idle gossip; feast on purposeful silence.
Fast from shadows of sorrow; feast on the brilliance of the Resurrection!
-Author Unknown
Barbara E. Campbell, President
Letter From Shirley DeGroot
Upcoming Birthdays
February
1 Gretchen Harnden
2 Tony Skipper
2 Fran Lynch
Birthdays (Con’t)
3 Ann Janzen
8 Krista Crouch
9 Justin Meyer
11 Ruth Clark
12 Martha Israel
18 Betty Letzig
19 Anthony Elledge
28 Bill Pott
March
3 Lula Myres
9 Lucy Smith
Anniversaries
Feb. 2 Robert and Ellen Cashion Jr.
Church Calendar
February
1 Pastor Lee will be in Maputo, Mozambique, Africa FEB. 1-11
1 Chicks with a Mission following worship, celebrating Black History Month in February
3 8:30Prayer; 5:30 Steadfast House “Our Circle” in Fellowship hall
4 10:00 UMW @ B/H; 7:30 Choir
5 3:00 “Same Difference” @ St.Mark’s Lutheran Church
7 8:00 NA
10 8:30 Prayer; 7:15 Boy Scouts in Sanctuary
11 7:00 Choir
12 3:00 “Same Difference” @ St.Mark’s Lutheran Church
14 8:00 NA
15 Boy Scout Sunday
17 8:30 Prayer
18 7:00 Ash Wednesday service, no choir
19 10:00 AUMN @ Biltmore UMC; 3:00 “Same Difference” @ @ St.Mark’s Lutheran Church (last class)
21 8:00 NA
24 8:30 Prayer; 5:30 Spanish-Speaking Small Group @ Anita’s home (please bring a small fun gift for exchange)
25 7:00 Choir
26 5:30 Revitalization Team in Ballard Room
28 Conference Multi-Ethnic Event; 8:00 NA
St. Paul's United Methodist 