1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

April 2015
All Easter weekend services will
include Full Stage Worship—with the
New Hanover UMC choir, orchestra
and praise team providing music. All
services will be held in the Sanctuary.
Inside this Issue:
Pastor Dave Lewis’ Viewpoint
Vacation Bible School Volunteers
Celebrate Recovery Road Trip to
Philly
April Women’s Breakfast
Growing Spiritually in Small
Groups
Annual Work Day
People Talk
Progress on Girls Orphanage
Upcoming Outreach Opportunities
April Calendar Highlights:
April 3—Good Friday Community
Service, Trinity EC Boyertown,
noon
April 3—Good Friday Service,
7 pm, Sanctuary
April 4/5—Easter Weekend Svcs,
5 pm Saturday, 8, 9:30 & 11 am
Sunday, Sanctuary
April 11—Women’s Breakfast,
8:45 am, Sanctuary
April 13—Blood Drive, 12:30—7
pm, Chapel
April 18—Church Work Day, 8 am
Start, Outside
April 24—The Getty’s in Concert,
7 pm, Sanctuary
Join us for a Good Friday service on April 3
at 7 pm in the Sanctuary. Each year this
service serves up something different to
help us prepare for the gift Easter brings.
Pastor Dave Lewis will lead this service.
Service times are a little different for
Easter so make a note: Saturday at 5
pm and Sunday at 8 am, 9:30 am and 11:00
am.
Join us as we celebrate the life and
resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ!
Auction, Auction, Auction!! By Jeremy Keating
The Missions Auction is just about a month
away! It has been two years since our last
auction and this year we need your help
more than ever.
We already have some great items up for
bid including a Kindle Fire, various dates at
vacation homes, hunting trips and a
traditional cabinet masterfully created by
New Hanover’s own Joe Brown! We will
also be able to offer a variety of landscaping
items including a push mower, chainsaw,
leaf blower, and weed whacker. These are
just some of the incredible donations we’ve
received in recent weeks, but there is still
plenty to be done.
Here’s how you can
help: First, if you
NEVER donated to the
Missions Auction or if
you are new to the
church, would you
consider making a donation this year?
We’re looking for unique items or services
that will entice people to bid generously. If
you have given in years past, we thank you
and ask that you might consider giving again
this year.
Second, please clear your calendar for
Saturday, May 2 at 4:30 pm, come to the
auction and invite a friend or neighbor to
come with you. The silent auction starts
closing tables at 5:30 pm and the live
auction begins at 6:00 pm
We have some great mission opportunities
for students and adults this summer, and
your participation always makes this auction
a marquee event for the Gilbertsville area
and for the Kingdom of God. If you have an
item you would like to donate, please call or
email Jeremy Keating to find out how you
can process your donation.
NHUMC Hires
Sally Sneff
On March 1, Sally Sneff joined the staff of
NHUMC, as Worship Ministries Coordinator.
In this position, Sally works
closely with Pastor Craig
Biondi in planning and
preparing for weekend
services and special events.
Sally is no stranger to our
Worship Ministry. She
worked on staff as Worship
Coordinator from 2003 to July 2006 and has
served in somewhat the same capacity as a
volunteer between then and now.
In addition to singing on the praise team and
in the choir, Sally handles many of the
administrative and coordination details that
go into making our services run smoothly
and look effortless. Welcome Sally!
VIEWPOINT
Vacation Bible School Volunteers by Andrea Derstine
VBS is only 4 months away! It takes a lot of
volunteers participating at various levels to
pull off this great family event.
Here are some great reasons to
consider getting involved:
Senior Pastor,
I’ve been reading a book called
“Toxic Charity”. The book
suggests that well-meaning
Christians sometimes do more
harm than good in their missions
efforts. Mission trips are singled
out for criticism.
So I have been thinking and
evaluating our mission trips. I
think our trips are doing a lot
more good than harm. We use
them to build relationships,
inspire concern for others, and
work with local leaders who
continue the ministry after we
have returned home.
This May, Craig and Lynsey Biondi
will travel to Zambia. Craig will
work with Eric Thuma to plan a
possible worship conference in
the future where our media and
music servants would teach local
leaders. Lynsey will work with
the surgeon in the Macha
Hospital so she can provide relief
for the staff surgeon in future
years.
The walls are up on the new girls
orphanage in Malawi. Local
people are leading the effort and
doing the work but our mission
trips inspired the resources.
Gene and Nancy Niconovich will
dedicate the orphanage on a
mission trip this August.
This year our Missions Auction on
May 2 will be raising money to
support adult and student
mission trips. Be generous as you
donate items and bid. You will be
supporting very healthy charity!
setting. This may be the only time that
child will hear about Salvation and you
were there to answer their
questions. You could be the
one that makes an impact on
someone coming to Christ!
VBS is a great and fun way to
get to know other people from
the church and the local community. It
only requires a five day commitment and
it's a FUN five days! My husband was a
“guide” last year for the first time and was
surprised at how much fun it was and how
many people he got to meet. He still
maintains friendships with the other
volunteers and parents.
In reflecting on my own
personal faith journey, I
have recently started trying to write down
the names of people that made an impact
in my spiritual life and I keep coming back
to Sunday School teachers and VBS
leaders. How about you? Would you
consider giving up one week of your
summer to share God's love with children?
Another reason to help, is to make a lasting
impact on a child. A lot of the kids that
come to VBS are from the community.
Sometimes kids just need to feel love and
acceptance or just to have fun in a church
If you would like to sign up to be a VBS
volunteer, please send me an email at
[email protected]. We will be
having an information and kick off sign-up
luncheon on Sunday, April 26th. Please
consider helping!
Celebrate Recovery Road Trip to Philly
By Brian Young
So, why would eight people get out of work
early to ride in an old van for fifty miles
through a rain-soaked rush hour traffic
jam? Eight people of various ages,
backgrounds, and experiences, who work
different jobs, and attend different
churches.
The answer lies in what we have in
common—and that is that we all attend
Celebrate Recovery here at New Hanover
UMC. But even the specific reasons why
we attend or how long we've attended are
varied. The one big thing that we all have
in common are changed lives – changed
because of the work we allow God to do in
us. We live our lives in a new way because
He can make it happen. And we can't keep
that story of hope – that good news – to
ourselves!
On March 10th, eight of us made our way
to Word of Deliverance Fellowship
Ministries in South Philly. WDFM is a
community-based organization that
provides faith-based transitional housing
and after-care services to adults with
former substance abuse history.
We arrived at this house-church to be
warmly greeted and made to feel welcome.
Some of the people there have already had
a taste of Celebrate Recovery because one
of our leaders, John Niarrhos, drives down
every Saturday
morning to lead a
men's CR small
group. We traveled
to bring an entire
CR meeting for
them to
experience.
Another leader,
Jenna Krepps,
stepped up to share her testimony with the
men and women who call WDFM their
church home. Many in attendance shared
how inspiring it was to hear such a
powerful story of a life changed – of a life
surrendered to God.
Our NHUMC Celebrate Recovery leaders
keep our ministry growing in who we reach
and how we keep people coming. In
addition to all of the men's and women's
small groups we've facilitated over the
years, we've added a monthly fellowship
meal, energetic and upbeat worship, and a
children's ministry called Celebration Place.
Only God knows where He'll lead us next,
but I'm confident that the CR leaders will
answer, “Here I am. Send me.”
To learn more about our CR Ministry, visit
the church website, come out on a Thursday
evening at 7 pm in room 205/207, or email
Brian at [email protected].
April Women’s
Breakfast
The Women’s Ministry Breakfast Team has
been planning and hosting events three
times a year since September 2010. The
original hope was to have enough women
come to fill some tables in the Chapel. But
it quickly became apparent the Sanctuary
was needed and, 5 years later, the
breakfast attendance continues to push our
seating limits.
What makes these breakfast events so
successful is the unique combination of
people that pour their talents into them.
One of those people is funny lady, Sandy
Monyer, who goes to great lengths to make
the ladies laugh all while giving a Biblical
message or promoting an upcoming event.
On April 11, we are honored to have Sandy
take on a different role at the breakfast and
share her faith story of how God has
transformed her life. But don’t worry,
Sandy still has a hand in the humor that will
be presented that morning!
In addition to Sandy’s testimony, you can
expect great food, wonderful music led by
Monica Shanley, Sally Sneff and Debbie
Madden and the fellowship and laughter
women have come to expect and love.
Registration is just $8 and childcare is
available by contacting Amy Bates at
[email protected].
Annual Work Day
Each Spring, the church Trustees organize a
day to prepare the church grounds for the
busy outdoor season. It’s a day of getting to
know people while working side-by-side
doing a job that brings beautiful results. And
when the work is
done as a team, it
doesn’t feel like
work at all!
Come by yourself or
bring your family or
small group! Many hands make light work.
We’ll start at 8 am with coffee and donuts
and usually finish around lunch, which is
provided.
Please bring work gloves, rakes, shovels and
wheelbarrows to move the mulch and
debris. If you have heavy equipment to help
distribute mulch, contact Steve Kline by
calling the church office (610-323-2353).
Growing Spiritually in
Small Groups
The Small Group Ministry at NHUMC had
39 small groups meeting this spring
including the Spiritual Growth Campaign
study, True Spirituality by Chip Ingram,
along with other Bible studies such as
Disciple, Financial Peace University and
DivorceCare. Over 450 people were
involved in small groups this semester!
Small groups continue to help people learn
more about the Bible, grow in their faith
and their relationship with God. Here is a
testimony from Lori Ludy on how small
groups have impacted her life.
Although I am a ‘newbie’ to
small groups, they have
been the most influential
and motivating force in my
relationship with God. I
joined Marjorie Compton’s
small group a year ago
because of her love of
Lori Ludy
laughter. And believe me, there’s lots of it
in our small group!
Marjorie has become a strong influence on
my journey. I enjoy all the wonderful
ladies in our group and their commitment
to growing closer to the Lord and helping
each other on our spiritual walk. I feel a
special bond, knowing they pray for me,
and would be there for me in a time of
need.
Joining a small group for the church-wide
spiritual growth campaign each year helps
reinforce the concept of growing spiritually
in community with one another. The
accountability factor is important for me.
Although homework is not “checked,”
preparing by reviewing the week’s lesson
makes for more meaningful discussion
during the small group.
For me, joining a small group is one of the
most important ways to grow in your
relationship with God and it is the best
decision I have made here at New Hanover.
Meeting weekly with fellow believers
continues to inspire me on my journey.
Take note of these classes
beginning in April:
 Foundations Class begins April 12 at
6:30 pm in room 205/207
 Confirmation Class begins April 14 at
5:30 pm in room 308/310
PEOPLE TALK
Joy in the birth of twins Owen
Maverick and Quinn Harper to
Christopher and Shawna Bronson
on March 2.
Joy in the birth of Paige Mae to
Clark and Jill Hagerich on March
19, granddaughter of Terry and
Linda Schnable.
Joy in the birth of Lorelei Grace
Alderfer to Devon Reinford and
Jeremy Alderfer on March 25,
granddaughter to Pete and Marjorie
Compton.
Kudos to New Hanover’s Rachael
Trainer along with Jason and
Caitlin Collier, Miriam Fawcette and
Allison Garcia for bringing the
worship concert Total Praise to the
church on March 14.
Bibles were presented to 3rd grade
students during the 9 & 10:30 am
services on March 15. Thank you to
our 3rd grade teachers (Steve Clark,
Jessica Smith, Kelsey Herman, Terri
Yescavage & Stephanie Stranick)
for teaching them about the Bible!
A great job was done by the Junior
High Youth Band as they provided
the music for the morning and
afternoon worship at the Eastern
PA UMC Conference held at
NHUMC on March 21. The Junior
High Band members are Ana
Galeotti, Brynn Schmidt, Colin
Emery, Kyle Green, Emma
Marshall, and Brianna Federico led
by Randy Dittman. This was the
first time many of the band
members have played for an
audience outside of youth group.
Thanks to our Spiritual Growth
Campaign team of Heather Wallace,
Greg Scott, Marjorie Compton,
Dave Specht and Seth Marshall for
leading the church in the True
Spirituality study.
Blessings to the Easter Egg Scramble
planning team of Clayr Slotter,
Laurie DiVitis, Anne Yost and Amy
Bates, for a great event on Sat.,
March 28. A special thank you to
Dan Yost for being our Easter
Bunny this year!! The event was
held in the Sanctuary due to the
recent rains and cooler weather.
Progress on Girls Orphanage
Progress continues on the Girls Orphanage in Malawi, as reported by YouthCares director,
Gibozi Mphanzi. The building of this orphanage was the focus of NHUMC’s Christmas
Offering last year when over $67,000 was raised in just a few weeks.
Upcoming Outreach
Opportunities
There are many ways you, your family or
your small group can get connected in
serving and reaching out to our
community. Here are just a few of the
upcoming outreach opportunities:
New Hanover Fire Company Grounds
Clean-up, Saturday, April 25, 8 am to
noon
Water Handouts at monthly Pottstown
Car Shows, first Saturdays of the
month, May thru September, 7:00 to
8:30 pm
Boyertown Fun Days—NHUMC Booth,
First weekend in June
Tuner Car Show at NHUMC, Saturday,
June 15 starting at 10 am
Boyertown Sidewalk Sale—NHUMC
table, June ??
To get involved, contact Pastor Gil Vining
at [email protected] or Dana
Miller at [email protected].
David M. Lewis,
Pastor
Gil Vining,
Associate Pastor
Rob Petro,
Associate Pastor
Craig Biondi,
Pastor for Worship
Jeremy Keating,
Pastor for Students and Their Families
Monica Shanley,
Director of Lay Ministry
Steve Kline,
Executive Director
Amy Bates,
Children’s Ministry Coordinator
Heather Wallace,
Director of Small Groups
Kristin Schmidt,
Creative Moments Director
New Hanover
United Methodist Church
Tel: 610-323-2353 - Church
610-327-9096 - Creative Moments
Fax: 610-327-9207
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site: www.newhanoverumc.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/
NewHanoverUMC
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New Hanover Township
Gilbertsville, PA 19525
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