Fairhaven UMC
E-Messenger
Thursday, June 8, 2023
Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ!
May the power of the Holy Spirit rekindle your passion for serving God and our neighbors.
We hope you enjoy your weekly e-newsletter and pray you will read the many announcements about the ministries and activities of Fairhaven UMC and the Baltimore-Washington Conference.
Sunday Worship
Join us in person or online at 10:30 a.m. for our Education Sunday worship service, as we recognize and give thanks for the students and teachers who participate in the education ministry at Fairhaven. Many of our youth will participate in leading our service. The Hallman Scholarship will be awarded, along with an Huree University appeal. Following worship, coffee hour will be hosted by Ellen Voorhees and the Hallman Scholarship Fund.
Link to last week’s service: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oanPR8Xrxk
Save the Dates!
June 18: Father’s Day
June 19: Juneteenth observance, 6:30 pm (see information below)
July 24-26: Vacation Bible School – Compassion Camp, 6-8 pm each evening
Church Ministries and Member News
Sympathy to the Family of Kenny Johnson: With sadness, we report that Kenny transitioned from this life on Wednesday morning. His memorial service is being planned for Sunday, June 11 at 2 pm. Please keep Linda and the rest of his family in your prayers.
Thanks to all who organized the Coffee Hour after service last week to celebrate Rev. Ken’s renewal leave as we wished him a safe, productive, and refreshing leave. His coverage schedule is below.
Huree University - as has been our practice for several years now, we will be making an appeal for donations to Huree University in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia this coming Sunday (Education Sunday). During each of the last two years, we have collected more than $10,000 - enough to provide tuition for ten or more students for a full year. So far this year, we have accumulated approximately $6,500. Please give this appeal prayerful consideration and let's try to match the amount we have donated in the past. You can donate online through the Breeze system, or you can write a check to Fairhaven with "Huree" in the memo line.
Vacation Bible School 2023
We need you!!
Hello Fairhaven friends and families!
Vacation Bible school Compassion camp is fast approaching…
When: 7/24- 7/26 Time: 6- 8 pm Where: Fairhaven church grounds
Please, please consider helping out for some or all of the time. Help is needed in the following areas: recreation, snack, science, art, music and storytelling. Teens and up are encouraged to help out. Please email Trica at tricasmiles23@gmail.com if you are interested in assisting or if you have questions about how you may be able to help. All helpful hands are needed.
Rev. Gerry Green’s Retirement: You are cordially invited to a Special Retirement Celebration for pastor, colleague, mentor, brother, and friend, Reverend Dr. Gerard “Gerry” Green, Jr., District Superintendent of the Greater Washington District. Reverend Green’s ministry with the Baltimore-Washington Conference, and with all of us, has been his joy throughout his career.
Date/Time: Sunday, June 25th, 3:00-6:00 pm
Place: National UMC, 3401 Nebraska Avenue, NW, Washington, DC.
Cost: $20 for great food, fun, and fellowship!
RSVP: by June 15th
To RSVP and pay, please click HERE. Include # of people attending, choose “one time” under Donation Frequency.
Pastor Ken’s Study-Renewal Leave Pastoral Coverage Schedule:
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June 5-11: Rev. Megan Blanchard
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rev.megan.blanchard@gmail.com (704-787-3072)
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June 12-25: Rev. Bonnie Hawk
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revbonniescott@gmail.com (410-303-2887)
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June 26-July 16: Rev. Joye Jones
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joyefulj@verizon.net (240-481-9724)
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July 17-August 6: Rev. Esther Holiman
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emholimon@aol.com (410-241-2430)
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August 7-20: Rev. Gerry Green
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therevjr@msn.com 301-318-4630
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August 21-27: Rev. Megan Blanchard
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August 28-September 4: Rev. Gerry Green
Juneteenth: You are invited to attend a Juneteenth celebration on Monday, June 19, 2023, at 6:30 pm at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church on Darnestown Rd. next door to Pleasant View. It will be a chance to learn about Juneteenth and to fellowship with members from faith communities in our Rt. 28 Faith Cluster. The planning committee needs to have a rough estimate of the number of possible attendees. If you are planning to come, please let Sylvia Craig know by tomorrow, Friday, June 9th ph-785-554-4074 or email - funnysyl@yahoo.com
Lighthouse Congregation: Fairhaven has been approved as a Lighthouse congregation. As a Lighthouse congregation, we have agreed to be safe haven for United Methodists whose congregations have disaffiliated, but as individuals or families they plan to remain members of the UMC. We will provide opportunities to worship and serve in ministry without pressure to join Fairhaven, as well as pastoral care and small group conversations and opportunities for new beginnings.
Invest in Fairhaven: We have reached the approximate halfway point of the Invest in Fairhaven campaign and we thought we should offer a financial update (as of 5/15).
Total Pledged: $174,500
Pledges received to date: $94,543.83
Unpledged gifts received: $29,390.29
Total received: $122,934.12
Many upgrade and beautification projects have been completed thanks to your generosity. Replacing our sanctuary audio-visual system is next on the list. Requests for proposals have been sent to vendors and we await their responses. Once that project is complete we can determine what other upgrades are necessary and achievable.
Thank you from the Outreach Committee: Thank you to everyone who donated to the recent appeal for Move In Kits.
Fairhaven has collected items for three complete kits. These kits of basic household items will be donated to MCCH for formerly homeless individuals or families as they relocate to a home of their own.
Thank you!
Safety Reminders: If you are the last person out of the building, please be certain the doors close and latch behind you. Some of the doors do not always latch as they swing shut. Thank you. Also, please take extra care when leaving the church building, especially at night. Walk to your car in pairs/groups and be aware of your surroundings.
If you would like to participate on Sunday mornings, please contact:
Lay Reader - Sharie Bernard at shariemb@gmail.com
Ushers – Barbara Dougherty at pldbad@aol.com
Acolytes - https://calendly.com/erikavonline/acolyte or Erika Vassell at erikavonline@gmail.com
Central Maryland District and
Baltimore-Washington Conference News
Rev. Ken, Rev. Megan, Geoff, Sharie, and Rita joined with others from across the area for the 239th session of the Baltimore-Washington Conference which met last week in a vital, memorable, faith-stirring gathering. Read the overview story.
Upcoming Workshop: "STEP OUT: Discerning a Call to Ministry" - have you ever asked yourself whether God is calling you to ordained ministry? If so, there will be an event at Wesley Freedom UMC in Sykesville, MD on Saturday, June 24th from 11 am - 3.30 pm, titled "STEP OUT: Discerning a Call to Ministry," that will help you come to a decision. Registration information and more details are available at https://www.pdcbwc.org/a-call-to-ministry.html.
'Hope is invented every day': Check out the latest episode of Thursdays at the Table, Bishop LaTrelle Easterling's podcast, which features an intriguing conversation with guest Joel Goza, the author of America’s Unholy Ghosts: The Racist Roots of Our Faith and Politics.
Celebrating History: Strawbridge Shrine, near New Windsor, celebrates its annual Colonial Days on June 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This free, family-friendly event features skill demonstrations, music, and tours of the shrine where Methodism began in America in 1760. The Shrine needs temporary tour guides to help during Colonial Days. They will provide a script that you can read to the visitors. Contact Helen at ledug2001@yahoo.com.
Summer Camp for Baltimore Washington Conference registration information is now available at www.bwccampsandretreats.com and on the church bulletin board. The three camp locations are conveniently located around the Baltimore-Washington area. Each one offers spectacular views and a place to renew your spirit, connect, and have fun. Camp lasts for a week, but the memories last a lifetime. There are sessions for those entering grades 3-12.
Sign up to join Bishop LaTrelle Easterling on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in January 2024. This sacred journey to Israel and the West Bank, from Jan. 29 through Feb. 7, will be hosted by the Society for Biblical Studies. The theme of the trip, which costs $3,439, is "The Land of Jesus: Then and Now." See an FAQ. Register.
Contact Information
Pastor Ken Hawes: email not monitored June 5 through September 4.
Deacon Megan Blanchard: rev.megan.blanchard@gmail.com
Rita Green fairhavenumc@gmail.com, 301.330.5433
Mike Vitanovec fairhavenumctech@gmail.com