In This Bulletin:
Fourth Sunday in Lent
Scripture: Psalm 118:5, John 8:32
Sermon: "How Do You Find Freedom?"
This Sunday we continue the Lenten worship series, "Seeking: Honest Questions for Deeper Faith," with a sermon from guest preacher Rev. Mindy Yanish. (Pastor Melissa will be part of an interfaith delegation visiting Civil Rights sites in Atlanta and Alabama March 19-21.) Please join in worship at Katonah UMC (or on Zoom) this Sunday at 10:30 am. Worship is held at Purdys UMC the first Sunday of the month, and at Katonah UMC the remaining Sundays.
Upcoming & Ongoing Events
•Prayer Circle is every Wednesday from 12-1, in the Katonah UMC sanctuary
as well as on Zoom.
•Friday Bible Study meets on Zoom from 12-1. During Lent we are using a study from GCORR (General Commission on Religion and Race) called "Imago DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion), which explores the Gospel lesson for each week of Lent through the lens of spirituality and justice.
•This week's Sunday School lesson, taught by Patti Kooyman, is
"What Is Good?"
•Our Cooperative Parish is holding services on Wednesday evenings at 7 pm during Lent. On March 15 the service will be at Purdys UMC and on March 22 it will be
at the UMC of Yorktown Heights.
•Pastor Melissa will be part of an interfaith delegation visiting Civil Rights sites in Atlanta and Alabama March 19-21. Rev. Mindy Yanish will be the guest preacher on March 19.
From the Staff-Parish Relations Committee
It is with deep sadness we recently have heard the news that Pastor Melissa has been appointed to Babylon UMC in July. The Katonah/Purdys SPRC met with District Superintendent Rev. InKoo Chung on March 3rd to learn of the wonderful works of our churches and the amazing gifts and graces of our beloved Pastor Melissa. Rev. Chung listened carefully to our concerns and got to know the kind of pastor that would suit our visions and dreams. Through careful listening, Rev Chung gained an understanding of what we desire in a new pastor. Compassion, a deep love of people, counseling skills, sense of humor, warmth of personality, intellect, humble spirit, and a unique understanding and sharing of God's word are qualities we have come to appreciate with Pastor Melissa. We also described activities of the church, typical worship, children's moments, choir, Sunday school, outreach, community involvement, Bible study, the prayer meditation group and the Racial Justice team as priorities in our faith journey and mission to make the world a better place. Rev Chung met with the committee again on March 9 to introduce a candidate (see below)! In the meantime we are thankful for the many blessings Pastor Melissa and Barry are bestowing on our church family. We pray she and Barry answer God's call knowing the need is great. Prayers continue for the Bishop, Superintendent and Cabinet as they go about their appointment work with God's help.
Jane Freeman, SPRC Chair
A New Beginning
It is an exciting time awaiting a new beginning for both the congregation and our newly appointed minister. Now is the time when we can prepare spiritually and emotionally for this new chapter in our faith journey. Thanks to all who have been praying during this time of clergy appointments.
With careful discernment, prayer, and understanding of our church community, on Thursday March 9th Rev. InKoo Chung , the district Superintendent, met with Katonah UMC/ Purdys UMC SPRC committee to introduce our new Pastor, Rev. Lori Miller. Her appointment begins July 1st. Pastor Lori is a senior pastor with relationship as a Full Elder.
Pastor Miller has answered the call as our pastor and comes to us most recently from Newtown UMC in Sandy Hook, CT., having served there seven years. Previously she served as Pastor of Pound Ridge Community Church, and several other churches -- first answering the call in 1985 as an associate pastor. Our new Pastor Lori has a unique set of spiritual gifts, and a diverse set of experiences. She has a warm and caring personality, and lots of enthusiasm. She has experience leading Bible Study, Prayer Group, and involvement in community and ecumenical outreach as well as a gift of preaching. She enjoys hiking, nature, is a voracious reader and loves the cultural offerings of New York City.
We will receive Pastor Lori as our new spiritual leader sent to encourage us on our faith journey in a new, vibrant and effective way. We look forward to working with her beginning July 1, extending grace and support as we get to know each other.
In the meantime we will pray for Pastor Lori, her husband, and her grown son and his family as they prepare for the transition. We will keep Pastor Melissa and Barry in our prayers as they prepare for the new appointment. We look forward to being a welcoming community with God's help. I like the quote from "Seeking: How Do We Begin Again?" from the Lenten series which says "Give us the courage to laugh with joy when opportunities for new beginnings walk our way."
Members of the SPRC present for the meeting 3/9/2023
Jane Freeman Purdys UMC
Paul Dengler Purdys UMC
Kathy Gallagher Purdys UMC
Michelle Dillman Purdys UMC
Paul Milliot Katonah UMC
Anne Corneck Katonah UMC
Angelo Corradino Katonah UMC
Jane Freeman, SPRC Chair
Pastor Melissa's Birthday
Dear Church Family,
April 19th is Pastor Melissa's birthday. Let's present her with a monetary gift. Please give cash or check made out to CASH to Jane Freeman SPR Chair and we will celebrate with cake, balloons and gift on Sunday April 16th. You may mail check made out to CASH or send cash (though not recommended) to:
Jane Freeman
P.O. BOX 41
Purdys, NY 10578
Or present to me in person in an envelope with your name after worship the next few Sundays.
Jane Freeman, SPRC Chair
Giving & Service
Emergency Shelter Partnership
Thank you to everyone who pitched in for another successful week of hosting the emergency shelter! Hats off to Ellen Rohrer, Nina Kellogg (who served dinner 4 out of 6 nights!), Allison Holland & Josh Epstein, Jane Freeman, Anne Corneck, Patti Horvath, Bonnie Hyatt, Barry Mangione, Shalyn Courtenay, Dania Rusanov, Marga Spiller, Lauren Lavender, Michelle Dillmann, Carlota & Jordan Ellsworth, Kathleen Soto, Valencia Elliott, Allison Chernow, Elizabeth Harris, Deirdre Courtney-Batson, and Marlies Fry. It could not have happened without you all!
From Around the Cooperative Parish
Katonah & Purdys United Methodist Churches are part of the Northern Westchester Cooperative Parish along with First UMC Brewster, Trinity-Boscobel UMC in Buchanan, Drew UMC in Carmel, Asbury UMC in Croton, the UMC of Mt. Kisco, Peekskill UMC, Grace UMC of Putnam Valley, the UMC of Shrub Oak, and Yorktown UMC.
This section of the church bulletin highlights ministries and events happening around the Parish.
+Our Cooperative Parish is holding services on Wednesday evenings at 7 pm during Lent. On March 15, the service will be at Purdys UMC. It will be at Yorktown UMC on March 22 and at Drew UMC in Carmel on March 29.
+Northern Westchester Cooperative Parish Conversations on Privilege and Race take place on the last Saturday of each month over Zoom at 10 am. Click here to join via Zoom, or use the following info:
Meeting ID: 893 3921 7734
Passcode: jesus
Dial: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 893 3921 7734
Passcode: 486390
Love & Support
Prayers of the Church Family
For Answered Prayers:
Filomena, Amelia B., Jean Boyer, John Corneck, Paul Harris; Anne, Karen, Nieves, & Stephen Rannekleiv; Ruth Starr, Erich Wenis, Jacob Wenis
For Young People In Need of Help and Healing:
Aiden, Danny, Ellie, Emily, Olivia, Tucker, Sarah Esposito, Sara Reino, Stefan Spall, Evahn Wenis
For Those In Need of Help and Healing:
Ken & Susan, Olga, Dennis & Jean Boyer, Justine Burzesi, Ellie Lucas Chapman, Tee Cotter, Sheila de Roode, Galena E., Alice Elliott, Karina Feliz, Carl Gioio & family, Briedge Joyce, Ed Lane, Bob M., Anne Murdock, Louis Pugh, Chuck S., Marja-Liisa Smith, Terry Waters, Christian Wenis, Michelle Wenis, Nicole Wilson
For Those Fighting Cancer:
Charlie, Diane, Leah, Noel, Valerie, Theresa Baird, Doreen Bistany, Rev. Wanda Craner, Benny Custodio, Tom Conroy, Christine Dacey, Lois Demaio, Peter DiBart, Alice Dunn, Karen Eiler, Jim Fleming, Paul Harris, Janice Hollander, April Midin, Petie Nylund, Artie R., Laila R., Janet Schuman, Jason Silverman, Andi Strauss
For Those Grieving:
Lindsey, Loved ones of Elizabeth Brown, Christine Camarra, Carol L., Bruce Laemmel, Cindy Mathewson, George Milliot, Eleanor Murphy, Ophelia Banklian Newbold, Ruth Ryder, Joe Seroka, Marilyn Shipman
Those Homebound, In Nursing Homes and Care Facilities:
Mary Ann Albanese, Mike Berardino, Irene Burns, Bodo Fischer, Harriet Harris, Pastor Jin Kim, Yvonne Knudsen, Lois Mold, Matty Oschwald, Ronald Schultzel, Ellen & Mike Wenis
Birthdays in the Church Family
Skye Johnson 3/1
Carol Fisher 3/5
Peggy Fabrizio 3/8
Devin Kidde 3/9
Clayton Leibig 3/9
Margot Adams 3/9
Margaret Walsh 3/14
Hannah Carminucci 3/18
Noah Elconin 3/21
Emma Hickey 3/22
Geoffrey Kidde 3/23
Don Capoccia 3/23
Matthew Casavant 3/25
Paul Elconin 3/29
Jack Arbolino 3/30
Kim Hickey 3/31