Church Chat · 11/11/2016 · November 2016 Don’t Forget About our Website (1) The Grove...

November 2016

Don’t Forget About our Website (1) www.grovechurch.org

The Grove Newsletter

Church Chat

“Elders, Deacons, Local Licensed Pastors:

What’s the Difference?” In September, Deacon Diana Esposito wrote about

her ministry as a deacon. In October, Pastor Lin

George wrote about her ministry of a licensed local

pastor. This month, I’ll talk about an elder & try to

wrap up the entire matter. “Elders have a fourfold ministry of Word, Sacrament,

Order, & Service and thus serve … in witness &

service of Christ’s love and justice,” says Paragraph

340 of The 2012 Book of Discipline of the United

Methodist Church. If you unpack those four words:

1) elders preach; 2) celebrate baptisms & holy

communion in worship; 3) administer the church; &

4) serve the needs of people in God’s reign through

acts of mercy & justice. While a deacon’s ministry is primarily in the world

through the church, an elder’s ministry is primarily in

the church to the world. The licensed local pastor

functions similarly to the elder in the local church,

but without all of the rights & responsibilities.

What are those rights & responsibilities of the elder?

For one, elders & deacons are ordained (set apart) by

the church in a sacred ceremony. The elder has the

most stringent set of responsibilities & requirements

of the various orders (groups), but also has the most

rights & privileges. An elder agrees to itinerate – be moved at the

discretion of the bishop. An elder must earn a

Masters of Divinity graduate degree from an

accredited & approved seminary (theological school).

An elder, unlike the licensed local pastor, may

preside at weddings, funerals, & other worship

services outside the confines of the local church. The most observable differences between the three

orders are the visible symbols of ordination, the so-

called “badges of office.” An elder dons a stole (long

Surviving the Holidays page 2

Volunteers Needed to Read page 9

to Children

Elderberries News page 11

and much more...

In This Issue...

scarf) which is placed on both shoulders with the

ends hanging in front. A deacon also wears a stole,

but it is placed over the left shoulder, draped

diagonally across the back & chest with one end in

front & the other behind. A licensed local pastor is

not ordained, & therefore does not wear a stole. To many people, the three orders of clergy in the

UMC seem to be the same, but we’re really not.

Think of it this way--- an ER doctor, trauma nurse,

& fire department paramedic are part of the

emergency medical services providing care during a

crisis, yet each has a distinct job. Similarly, elders,

deacons, & licensed pastors all serve Jesus Christ in

ministry, but do so with a different calling lived in

diverse ways. One is not better than the other, but

each serves a complementary & necessary role in

the kingdom. Grove Church is blest to have all three orders

serving this parish!

- Pastor Gary

November 2016




Be a Part of the Nurture Ministry

We were delighted to see so many people enjoying the Nurture Brunch on October 2nd

Pastor Lin had a wonderful sermon and we saw a thoughtful video highlighting the many

ways the Nurture Team supports the congregation. If you are intrigued by the opportunity to

help, please complete one of the “Joy is a Gift Worthy Giving” flyers that were distributed

that week. Copies can now be found at the information desk. Perhaps you can deliver altar flowers occasionally to a member living near you who can’t

get to church, or maybe you want to join the Christmas carolers for one afternoon of

brightening the holidays. These are true intergenerational activities where children and young people can play

important roles. Watch for the time and date to be publicized soon. If you enjoy visiting by phone or in person

with someone who gets out infrequently, we have lay visitors who do this regularly and are able to adapt it to

their availability.

Come Join us for the Next

Community Dinner

Our next community dinner will

be held on November 10th from

6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. These

dinners make a wonderful

opportunity for a night out

without cooking. Bring your

family, invite some friends and neighbors, and find

some new friends at the dinner. It also provides an

opportunity to bring your friends to see what Grove

is doing. Don’t’ forget, there is no charge for dinner

but a free-will offering is welcome. See you on

November 10th.

Sunday, November 6th, 2-4 p.m. It can be difficult to face the holidays when someone

we love is no longer with us due to death, divorce, an empty nest, not having family in

the area or other circumstances.

“Surviving the Holidays" is for anyone who will be facing the holidays while coping

with loss and/or change in close relationships. This educational support program

includes a DVD presentation that offers sound advice to help us navigate the

Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays when we may not be looking forward to them or

don’t know how to approach them. There will also be time for sharing helpful

ideas. Please contact Pastor Lin at 610.350.9372 or [email protected] to

register or for more info. A $6 registration fee is requested for materials. Scholarships

are available upon request. Free childcare is provided. Please share this invitation with

others who may benefit.

Surviving the Holidays

SAVE THE DATE

A Quiet Christmas Service Wednesday, Dec. 21st at 7:30 p.m.

Christmas Caroling for All Ages 2:00 p.m. to 4 p.m. and

5:00 p.m.to 7:00 p.m.

mailto:[email protected]

November 2016



2016 Operation Christmas Child

Packing Party is Sunday, November 6th at 6:30 p.m.

In Asbury Hall

Everyone is invited to come and pack a tote.

The Operation Christmas Child Coordinator for the greater

Philadelphia area will give us a brief presentation about how the

shoeboxes have potential to change children’s lives.

Come grab a tote and pack it with the donations we’ve collected

throughout the year, write a Christmas card, and make a difference

in a child’s life!

For more information please contact Denny Scheffler at

[email protected] or 610-458-0421.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

The GriefShare Group accepts new group members throughout the program.

The current program is running through December 7th. Sessions are on

Wednesdays from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. We will not meet the week of

Thanksgiving. Free child care is provided. Registration is requested. The $25

fee covers the book and materials. Scholarships are available. Contact Rev. Lin

George, [email protected] or 610.350.9372 or make a contact request online at:

http://www.griefshare.org/.

You Can Still Join GriefShare at Grove

The Prayer Shawl group will be meeting November 9th. Please note the change to the second

Wednesday of the month. We meet in the Z Lounge from 1:00 p.m to 3:00 p.m. in the

afternoon. Hope to see you there.


http://rss-insurance.com/rss/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/operation_christmas_child.jpg


tel:610.350.9372

http://www.griefshare.org/

November 2016



Many Ministries at Grove We are blessed at Grove to have such an active, committed congregation. So much is done that could go

unnoticed, so this is a column to celebrate the many individuals in our congregation who are in active

ministry. We know we will never manage to acknowledge everyone, but this is a start. If you have ideas for

entries in the column in future months, email [email protected]

The Nurture Team, headed by Judy Grinwis, Carol Moore and Pastor Lin, treated all of us to a wonderful

breakfast between services in October. Homemade breakfast casserole, sticky buns, muffins, and bagels were

among the many treats. It was delicious!

Adopt A Highway filled 17 bags of trash from Grove and Whitford Rd. Thanks to Bill Seybold who

coordinated and helped, as well as Linda Seybold, Krista Carstens, Renè Popyack, Kathy Parker, Bill Kellar,

Dan Wiant, and Bill and Holly Smith.

The Clothing Ministry sale was a great success, thanks to Rachel Byerly, Kristin Mattie and Denny

Scheffler. There were more than 35 volunteers who helped during the week with sorting and helping the

shoppers. Many people from local agencies found needed clothing and treasures. Many of us in the

congregation also had fun shopping. The clean up effort was awesome and everything was packed up before

12:30 p.m. on Friday!

The Toy Sale was going on in conjunction with the clothing sale, and was managed by Cindy George. Lots

of families found needed baby equipment and lots of children found toys and treasures. Five boxes of

children's books were donated to the Laundromat Library League. Cindy and her husband Steve even

delivered all of the leftover items to GreenDrop when there was a problem with the agency that had planned

to pick up everything. Helpers this year were: Marshall Mattie, Lynn DiFerdinando and her daughter Chris,

Dave and Donna Koch, Kim Ryan, Nancy Peterka, Elaine Vincent, Patti Klotz, and one of our preschool

teachers - Barb Jones. The sale raised more than $633.00 for funding that's designated to support making

Easter baskets for underprivileged families in our community at the church Easter Egg Hunt coming up in

the spring (as sponsored by the Director of Christian Education, Patti Klotz).

Kathy Hoffmaster is editing the weekly bulletin and the monthly newsletter, which is a big help for the

office.

Some items recently from our hard-working trustees:

Jim Barcio and Bob Moore moved the clothing and toy sale items from the garage and helped set up the

tables and racks.

Eric Schwalm plugged all the roof AC penetrations and completed mounting the fire escape signs.

Jim Barcio worked with the masonry contractor to fix and replace the decaying brickwork. He also power

washed the outside entrance mat.

John Barcalow worked with a contractor to stucco the old office chimneys.

Eric Schwalm found the source of a ceiling leak - it wasn’t the roof but was a HVAC pipe, which he

fixed. Great detective work!

John Barcalow and Bob Moore fixed the lights in the sanctuary for the stained glass windows.

Bob Moore has been working with our roofing contractor for repairs to the old office roof.

Lori Plunkett has been working with an insulation/stucco contractor to estimate repairs to the back wall

of the education building.

John Barcalow and Bob Moore have been meeting with a stone mason to determine the extent of damage

and correction needed for our serpentine stone work.


November 2016



GROW Team at the Chili Cook-Off

Jo Lewis continues to lead the Rebekah Circle, the long time United Methodist Women’s Circle group that

meets during the daytime once a month. She is an inspiration to all of us!

Brenda Lewis orders nametags for all of us who want them, and she got the Grove logo added to the nametag

design - these new ones look so nice! Anyone who would like to order a new nametag, stop by the Welcome

Center on Sunday.

The chili cook-off was amazing! Grove won 3rd place in the non-profit division of

the West Chester Chili Cook-Off, sponsored by the West Chester Rotary Club.

Louanne James was our fearless leader, with assistance from Susan Parno, coming

up with the prize-winning recipe, designing the booth and decorations, and

organizing the entire event. The wonderful cooks were Michael, Andrew and

Darlene McDonald, Layne Martin, Dan Wiant, Susan Parno, Ruth Ann Hebble,

Kathy Parker and Louanne James. We made 23 gallons of chili! Thanks for Mark

James for creation of the wonderful handout, which had our "Chili!Chili!

Hallelujah!" recipe and Grove information about service times and Sunday School - 700 families now have

that information in hand! Mark was also instrumental in transporting stuff to and from the event. On the day

of the cook-off, Brianna and Julianna Rhodes were great hostesses at our booth. Mark and Tracy Rhodes,

Dan Wiant, Susan Parno, Kathy Parker and Louanne James kept the chili hot and were very busy dishing out

the samples for tasters. Tom Wagner provided music with his guitar, which further added to the festive

atmosphere and entertained all of us working in the booth.

According to the Rotary Club’s website, last year, with the generosity of our sponsors, the raised $60,000 to

support the good works of the Rotary Club of West Chester. At last years Cook-Off they were able to award

more than $32,000 in grants to area non-profit organizations including:The Arc of Chester County, Chester

County Children, Inc., Chester County Family Academy, Community Volunteers in Medicine, Domestic

Violence Center of Chester County Inc., Friends Association for the Care and Protection of Children and

many more.

November 2016



Church & Society

United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) In May, Tropical Storm Roanu devastated Sri Lanka, leaving 400,000 people without access to clean

drinking water and 190,000 people displaced from their homes. The storm brought heavy rainfall, which

caused serious flooding and damaging landslides.

UMCOR supported partner GlobalMedic in providing a comprehensive water, sanitation, and hygiene

response to flood-affected survivors. UMCOR provides emergency relief in many areas of the world. To find

out more about UMCOR's ministries, please visit umcor.org. You can donate to any project by placing a

contribution in the offering plate at a local United Methodist church, including Grove, or by sending a check

to:

UMCOR

PO Box 9068

New York, NY 10087-9068

or by calling 1 800 554 8583, where credit card donations are accepted.

Circle of Giving

In November, we suggest that you consider donating cooking oil, sugar, and cake mixes. You may place

your contributions in the beautiful wooden box inside the church entrance on Sunday or anytime that you

happen to be at the church. All contributions are delivered to the West Chester Food Cupboard each week

where they help to meet the ever increasing need. In September, more than 150 pounds of food was

provided from Grove. The Cupboard continues to be a source of food for those in the Borough of West

Chester and is open on Wednesday evening and Saturday morning to accommodate the working poor.

Paper For People On Sunday, November 6th, we will be accepting your donations of a variety of paper products. Suggested

donations include paper towels, toilet paper, tissues, diapers, napkins, paper cups and plates, etc. Collection

tubs can be found inside the church entrance on that Sunday. Your contributions will be delivered to the

Coatesville Soup Kitchen, an organization that operates out of a local church’s social room, providing a

free, hot lunch every other Monday to those in the community.

Christmas Food Appeal

The Bible teaches that obedience to God and seeking justice for the poor are the basis for lasting prosperity.

The psalmist reminds us, “How blessed is he whose hope is in the Lord his God; who executes justice for the

oppressed; who gives food to the hungry.” Can we share some of our resources to provide a Christmas meal

for those who have so little? The Grove congregation has the reputation in the Greater West Chester Area of being a caring group of

individuals. This is evidenced by our year-round distribution of food to the needy, our participation in the

work of Safe Harbor, the West Chester Food Cupboard and the Lord’s Pantry and by serving meals and

helping with the weekly food give-aways at the local Salvation Army. Each holiday season the

congregation is challenged to consider, as individuals and as families, what it means to be without food.

What some members of Grove’s congregation have chosen to do to alleviate this condition during the season

of Christmas is embodied in our tradition of the Christmas Food Appeal.

November 2016



Last year through your generosity, bags of canned food, produce and either a turkey or canned ham provided

for 70 families. Donated funds amounting to approximately $2200 made all of this possible. As we did last

year, we are asking that you make a monetary contribution that will provide for the turkeys/hams, canned food

and produce. If you know of any person who might benefit from our program, and/or if you have a turkey or

ham to contribute, please contact Bill Seybold (610) 696-3699 ASAP.

Contributions may be put in an envelope and given to Bill or Linda Seybold or placed in the Church & Society

mailbox in the coatroom by Sunday, December 18th at the latest (checks made payable to Grove UMC, memo:

Food Appeal).

You are encouraged to support the biblical mandate to feed the hungry. The generosity of your response will

determine the extent to which we can serve the needy in our midst. Please become part of the tradition! Those

who helped deliver food parcels last year and other interested persons are invited to participate this year on

local delivery day, Wednesday, December 21st at 1:00 p.m. Please call Bill for more information.

Salvation Army “Bell Ringing”

Shortly after Thanksgiving, the familiar red kettles and ringing bells will be in evidence outside places of

business in our local communities. As in the past, Grove will support the local Salvation Army by staffing

locations in the Exton area on Saturday, December 3rd. Each pair of “ringers” will staff a two-hour shift at

one of five locations. Available shifts begin at 10 a.m. and the last shift is from 4:00 p.m. to 6 p.m. We have

our regulars, but this is a good opportunity for new members or those who are visiting with us. Neighbors and

friends are most welcome. A sign-up sheet will be available by in the elevator lobby, starting on Sunday,

November 13th. All collections will benefit the Salvation Army in West Chester. We can’t guarantee the

weather, but be assured that you will meet some nice people---what better way to “get in the Christmas spirit”?

Questions?? Call Bill (610-696-3699).

Prevention of Gun Violence Suicide is the second leading cause of death among teens and young adults and the tenth leading cause of death among all Americans. On average, 4 teenagers and 118 total Americans complete suicide every day.

90% people who survive a suicide attempt do not go on to die by suicide.

Many suicide attempts occur with little planning during a short-term crisis.

50% of suicide deaths in the United States are by firearm.

Access to firearms is a risk factor for suicide.

Firearms used in youth suicide usually belong to a parent.

Reducing access to lethal means, like firearms, saves lives.

A gun in the home is 22 times more likely to be used in a suicide, homicide, or unintentional shooting than for

self defense. If there is a gun in your home:

Keep it unloaded and locked up or with a trigger lock. Store the bullets in a different place that is also

locked.

Do not let children and teens have a key to the places where guns and bullets are stored.

If a household member becomes depressed or has severe mood swings, store the gun outside the home for

the time being while you seek help!

Make certain to share this information with your neighbors, family, and friends. We need to all work

together to protect our children!

States where there are more guns have a higher rate of suicide. Be sure to work with your state legislators

to strengthen gun safety legislation!

The Chester County Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence continues to advocate for gun safety at a

community and national level.

November 2016



Stewards of God’s Creation Earthjustice is a nonprofit environmental law organization that wields the power of law and the strength of

partnership to protect people’s health; to preserve magnificent places and wildlife; to advance clean energy;

and to combat climate change. A recent activity by Earthjustice to benefit the environment follows:

Tribal members and supporters from every corner of the country camped out just outside the Standing Rock

Sioux Tribe’s reservation in solidarity this August anxiously awaiting a federal court decision on whether a

massive oil pipeline will be built on the tribe’s sacred lands. The proposed Dakota Access pipeline would

transport about half a million barrels of shale oil per day from the Bakken region in southern Illinois,

destroying the tribe’s cultural heritage and putting the Missouri River at risk of an oil spill. Despite the

objections of three federal agencies, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approved the pipeline, and construction

has already begun. On behalf of the Standing Rock tribal government, Earthjustice is suing the corps for

denying the tribe its legal right to weigh in on the project, and the presiding judge is expected to issue a

decision early in the fall. Church and Society supports Earthjustice financially through a line item in the

Church and Society 2016 budget.

Adopt-A-Highway

Be aware as you drive on Grove and Whitford Roads that the usual roadside trash is not in evidence. That is

because some members of the Grove congregation gave of their time one Saturday morning in late September

to gather the trash that unthinking people left by the roadway. That morning’s collection netted 17 bags of

trash which PennDOT picked-up. Please thank the following persons for their efforts: Bill Kellar, Rene

Popyack, Sue Parno, Krista Carstens, Bill & Holli Smith, Kathy Parker, and Linda & Bill Seybold…each of

whom qualifies for the prestigious Debris Award. We will schedule another 2016 pick-up, if the situation

warrants. We can always use more helpers!

Religion and Race

The Committee on Native American Ministries (CoNAM) invites everyone to its fall social/worship

gathering on Sunday, November 6th at Camp Innabah (712 Pughtown Road, Spring City, PA). You will be

introduced to Native American style social dance, hear one of CoNAM’s members give and illustrated talk

about his summer mission trips to Montana, and we will plant a Peace Tree! A light meal will be provided.

Directions or need a ride? Call Bill (610-696-3699).

Prison Ministry Has Joined Annual Christmas Gift Program For 24 years Grove has been providing generous Christmas gifts to the less fortunate children in Chester

County and the Philadelphia area. Now we will also have names and a wish list of children who's parent or

parents that are incarcerated. Help share God's love and joy that is present in your heart to a child or children

this Christmas Season. The following groups will be receiving gifts:

Chester County Children Youth and Families- children that are in foster care

Methodist Home for Children- provides daycare, before and after school care, social services for low

income children and their families in Philadelphia

Chester County Prison- children of incarcerated parents

The names and information about each child will be available in Fellowship Hall on Sundays beginning Nov.

13th. All gifts must be returned no later then December 4th in order to get to the organizations for their

Christmas celebrations. Please do not wrap the gifts. Simply put the gift inside a gift bag. Deposit the gifts in

Fellowship Hall on Sunday mornings. For more information call Bev Hoehing (610)-344-7366 or Pam Abate

(610) 524-8793

Grove Workdays for Good Works Update

The Grove volunteers for the Good Works ministry have had a productive summer.

We started working on Dedra’s home in May, and we finished up during our

October workday. This is the first house we worked on as a Good Works Partner

November 2016



Volunteers Needed to Read to Children

Church, and we’re proud of the work we’ve been able to do to help Dedra and her family.

Neither torrential downpours in June and July nor scorching temperatures in August and

September stood in the way of our dedicated volunteers. Their

accomplishments include installing storm doors, replacing a kitchen

window, fixing various electrical and plumbing problems, repairing,

strengthening, and painting the back steps, replacing interior doors, lots

of improvements to the bathroom, and various other tasks. Every month

we’ve been challenged to learn how to do something new, and we’ll

come away from this home with quite a few new skills for the team.

On Saturday, November 12th, we’ll start work on a new site. It’s safe to

say that our next house will be more challenging than the last one.

We’re likely to encounter far more extensive and challenging repair

projects and can expect to spend about 12 months working at that house.

If you’ve ever thought that you’d like to support our ministry but aren’t cut out to do hands-on repair work, we

also need your financial support. The average cost to repair each home is

$9000, and, as a Good Works Partner Church, Grove is asked to contribute

toward that amount to the extent we are able. Recently, a Good Works Fund

was created at Grove and making a contribution is very simple. All you have

to do is put a donation, made out to Grove Church and marked “For the

Good Works Fund,” into the Offertory plate on Sunday. The money

collected in that fund will be sent to Good Works to help pay for the

materials for the home on which we’re working.

If you are interested in volunteering to help on a workday, we can definitely

use your help. Our next two workdays are November 12th and December 10th. Contact Betty at

[email protected] additional information. Everyone, senior high school age or older, is welcome,

and no special skills are required.

AH HAH ("Arts Holding Hands and Hearts) an energizing organization in

Coatesville, is seeking caring adults who would like to become volunteer readers

to and with children. The reading sessions will take place at the Gordon Early

Literacy Center. All volunteers will need to get their clearances to work with

children, and AH HAH will work with them to go through that process. The

process is free and simple.

In phase one, more than 50 "Pull Up Lending Libraries" of children's books have

been placed throughout Coatesville. Phase two provides reading partners for

children. For more detail see www.artsholdinghandsandhearts.com . They are a

participating organization of the Laundromat Library League, an organization in which Grove is a key

participant. (See www.laundromatlibraryleague.com.)

To explore volunteering as a reader contact Jan Michener at AH HAH at (484) 883-2367. Arlene and

George Rengert, Grove members and Laundromat Library League principles, are also happy to answer your

questions at [email protected] or (610) 696-2282.


http://www.artsholdinghandsandhearts.com/

http://www.laundromatlibraryleague.com

tel:484-883-2367


tel:610-696-2282

November 2016



Update on the Laundromat Library League

Sunday Morning Adult Forum

The LLL became incorporated as a 501(c)3 last month. This puts it in a better position to receive donated

funds that are needed to purchase books in Spanish, for the costs of incorporation, for website maintenance,

and similar needs. It also has a new website, still under development but partially finished and ready to view

at www.laundromatlibraryleague.org.

Grandview United Methodist Church in Lancaster has joined this project as a participant organization, and as

of early October, they were maintaining Library Boxes of children’s books in two laundromats and were

working on a third. The liaison to the LLL from Grandview is Connie Brown, known to many of us at

Grove. The LLL also now has several laundromats in Athens, Ohio, engaged (in partnership with the

Kiwanis). This inches us close to 50 Laundromats! This time last year we had Library Boxes in only 18

locations.

For pictures of some of the people and activities of the LLL, visit the Laundromat Library League’s

Facebook page. If you want to help grow the project, see whether you can interest any of your friends and

relatives in other places in locating and “adopting” a laundromat or two. The LLL can provide Library

Boxes and children’s books to any location where networking makes delivery possible.

We would like to thank the Grove Clothing and Toy ministry for the donation of leftover children’s books,

and Grove Preschool for the Board Book drive they are having.

For more detail on any of the above, or to be placed on an email list to receive regular updates on progress

and needs, contact Syd Raihall (484-947-5536; [email protected]) or Arlene Rengert

([email protected]; 510-696-2282).

Over the past several decades since it first began, the Sunday Morning Forum has covered a wide variety of

contemporary topics that Christians of good conscience should thoughtfully consider. This fall, we are

continuing with justice-related topics and invite anyone to stop in. One of our November sessions will involve

learning about who the Legal Aid Society serves and how it works. Another session will tackle the topic of

domestic violence. Watch the weekly notices for specific dates, or contact the Forum coordinators (see

below). The Forum meets at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings in Z Lounge, with conversation and coffee/tea

for 15-20 minutes before the meeting.

Mark your calendars for a “field trip” on December 4th. In our Forum session, we will have an overview of

balanced and restorative justice, with a focus on comparing the differences between the juvenile and the adult

system of justice. For this we will be interacting with Carrie Avery, Program Coordinator at the Chester

County Youth Center where youth are incarcerated. Following that session, we will carpool to the CCYC

where Carrie will lead a tour. You are welcome to come on this tour even if you are not able to attend the

Forum, but please contact us advance. To sign up and also to learn of the lunch possibility afterwards, contact

one of the Forum coordinators: Susan Parno (610-363-6897; [email protected]) orArlene Rengert (610

-696-2282; [email protected]).

http://www.laundromatlibraryleague.org/





November 2016



West Chester Area Refugee Resettlement Project

Elderberries News The Grove Elderberries meet monthly at Simpson Meadows in Downingtown to accommodate Grove

members and others who are residents there. The club is open to all Grove members and to interested folks in

nearby areas. Meetings are held on the third Monday of each month from March to December at noon with a

luncheon followed by a program or speaker. There are no meetings scheduled in January or February due to

winter weather conditions.

On Monday November 21st, join the Elderberries at noon for a luncheon at Simpson Meadows with program

from Michael Rapp from Brandywine Flags. Be sure to make your lunch reservations with Helen Jenson at

(610)363-7832.

Coming in December, on Monday, December 5th at noon there will be a Christmas Luncheon at Simpson

Meadows. The program will be holiday music present by Simpson Meadows’ own Three Piece Musical

Ensemble. Join us for fellowship and good cheer! For additional information and to make reservation, call

Helen Jensen at (610)363-7832 or Charlotte Loughrey at (610)269-4907. Come join us and bring a friend!

Grove is one of the many faith communities that participate in supporting the

relocation of a refugee family to this area. We are pleased that the father of the family

now has steady work, and the mother as of this writing has several good leads. The

five children (third grade through high school) are all in school. There is a continued

need for volunteer "homework helpers." We'd be happy to send the description of

what this entails to anyone who is interested.

If you were at the September Ice Cream Social you may have met the family and you

saw their excitement that both Grove's Tabernacle Choir and the Youth Choir sang a

piece in Swahili. You were treated to a special duet by the parents of the family as well--such voices!! And

such charm!!!

Grove also welcomed the family to its fall clothing and used toy sale, and some Grove members helped them

"shop."

Several Grove members participate in providing family members transportation to medical appointments,

English lessons, and other activities. If you would like to be a part of this team, or if you would just like to

stay informed and be on our email list with updates, let us know.

Kathy Parker (610-363-2141 [email protected]; ) and Arlene Rengert (610-696-2282)

[email protected].

November 2016



Grove Preschool Collects Board Books

Applying Bible Principles

We are so excited! The children, parents and staff of the Grove Preschool have

joined with the LLL (Laundromat Library League) to furnish books at

laundromats for children who may not have access to books. When a child

accompanies their parent to do their laundry, there is a box filled with

books. The child may read while waiting for mom and may also take a book

home with them. The LLL provides books to close to 50 laundromats at this

time, most in this area but some in Lancaster, Philadelphia, Kennett as well as

other parts of the country. The Grove Preschool will collect “board books” for

the youngest of these children. We are delighted to announce this collaborative effort and welcome you to add

your books into the collection box which will be in the lobby from Monday to Friday. Thanks, Grove

Preschool for giving your books to share with others in need..

Many people — including Christians — sometimes end up in serious financial difficulty because they ignore

this basic principle from God’s Word: God wants us to know the state of our finances. Proverbs 27:23-24

instruct us, “Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds; for riches do not last

forever, nor a crown for all generations.”

In Old Testament times, livestock were one of the primary measures of a person’s wealth. Today, we might

be admonished, “Be diligent to know the state of your bank accounts and your possessions.” Or as Proverbs

24:3-4 says in a contemporary version, “Any enterprise is built by wise planning, becomes strong through

common sense, and profits wonderfully by keeping abreast of the facts.”

Why is this so important? As managers, we are responsible for what God has entrusted to us. Part of that re-

sponsibility includes monitoring the status of our possessions and making wise investments.

One of the best investments we can make is to send deposits to the “Bank of Heaven” by giving to the Lord’s

work here at Grove United Methodist Church. When we do that, we are not only exercising good steward-

ship, but we are also earning God’s approval. There’s no better return on an investment than that!

As you think about your life today, do you have a good picture of where you are financially? Are you keep-

ing the commitments concerning giving which you have made to God?

Think about it: A dollar spent for lunch lasts about five hours. A dollar spent for a necktie lasts about five

weeks. A dollar spent for an automobile lasts about five years. A dollar spent in the service of God lasts for

eternity.

November 2016



Our semi-annual Clothing Ministry was held the first week of October. Thanks

to the generosity of our congregation and the local community, bags and bags

and bags of clothing found their way to Asbury Hall to be unpacked, sorted,

folded, and hung on the many tables and racks. By Wednesday evening, tables

were organized and piled high awaiting our customers.

The Community Dinner team organized free hot dogs and snacks for shoppers on

Wednesday evening. It was a busy evening (at one point, we had more than 225

shoppers!) and thanks to Denny Scheffler, it went off without a hitch. Thursday

and Friday brought more shoppers and the unsold items were picked up by

Orphan Grain Train to send worldwide, where there is a need.

We are blessed to have a great team helping us. Kristin Mattie helped organize

the behind the scenes paperwork; Denny Scheffler took charge of the evening

sale times; Jim Barcio, Bob Moore and Mike Hardie were instrumental in helping with set up/tear down and

moving the racks to and from the garage; and the 30+ additional volunteers contributed invaluable folding/

sorting/counting/packing.

As we are a ministry first, we donate a lot of items to various agencies. Grove Preschool was able to help

stock their “accident clothes”. Thirteen new household/personal care items were sent with Helene May for

the Simpson Meadows Social Connection program. Teddy Campbell chose 18 warm items for the Ronald

McDonald House for out of town patients’ families. Several boxes were filled with new clothing for

UMW’s Ingathering.

Local agencies sent their clients to shop for clothes at no cost. We were visited by 145 people (that does not

include the family members for whom they were also shopping) from Maternal and Child Health

Consortium, Royer Greaves School for the Blind, Holcomb Behavioral Health Services, Coatesville

Salvation Army, Birthright and Home of the Sparrow. More than $1800 worth of clothing was sent home for

free with these families.

We raised more than $650. This money will filter through UMW to support Cleaning Buckets with

UMCOR. Want to help next time? Mark your calendars for the week of April 2nd. Clean out your closets and

lend a hand!

Fall Clothing Ministry Recap

Grove’s volleyball team is keeping busy with grams throughout November (see the schedule below). Please

contact Joe or Krista Carstens at 610-873-1152 with any questions.

11/1/2016 7:00 PM at East Brandywine Baptist Church

11/3/2016 7:00 PM at Pope John Paul II

11/7/2016 7:00 PM at Exton UMC (formerly UMCR)

11/10/2016 8:30 PM at Pope John Paul II

Grove Volleyball Team

November 2016



Thank You

Dear Grove Church, I would like to thank everyone very much for all the cards, encouraging messages, gifts, flowers and visits

during my recent hospitalization. Also thank to Pastor Lin for her visit and prayers. Also thanks to the

Community Dinners workers for their message and flowers. Once again, I am reminded how fortunate I am to

belong to such a wonderful and caring congregation. Your messages meant and continue to mean a great deal

to me during this recovery period. I am progressing well and hope to make a full and complete recovery. Marlene Crites

Dear Grove Church, Thank you for your gift to the General Board of Global Ministries. Please know that 100 percent of your

contribution will support the missionary community in honor of Alison Gilmore. Giving enables United

Methodists to partner with one another in mission and ministry around the world. Thank you for joining with

us in God’s mission. May God grant you a sense of hope and joy as you continue your support for mission.

Roland Fernandes, General Treasurer

General Board of Global Ministires

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your wonderful gift! We are grateful for your prayers, thoughts and support. We remember you

in our prayers and give thanks for you! It is a daily blessing to be partnering with you in ministry and mission

in these mountains.

Thank you so much,

Michael Feely

Director of Mission Advancement

Henderson Settlement

November 2016



Help Us Keep

Our

Records

Current

Please notify the church

office about changes to

your address, phone

number, email address,

births, graduations, etc.

You can do this by calling

the office at

(610) 696-2663 or by

sending an email to

[email protected].

Tuesday, November 1

1:15 Library Committee

7:00 Pieces of One Rehearsal

7:00 Steering Team

7:00 Grove Volleyball Game

7:30 AA

Wednesday, November 2

5:30 Girl Scout Troop 4053

7:00 GriefShare

Thursday, November 3

6:15 Bell Choir

6:15 Yoga

6:30 Girl Scout Team Meeting


7:30 Tabernacle Choir

7:30 Board of Trustees

Friday, November 4

Saturday, November 5

Sunday, November 6

10:40 Cherub Choir

11:00 Junior Choir

11:00 Adult Forum

12:30 Youth Choir

2:00 Surviving the Holidays

6:00 Youth Dinner

6:30 OCC Packing Party

Monday, November 7

7:00 OA

7:00 CHADD/PADD


Tuesday, November 8

Election Day (Preschool Closed)


7:30 Finance Committee

7:30 AA


1:00 Prayer Shawl

6:30 Charge Conference

7:00 GriefShare

7:00 Web Team


6:00 Community Dinner

6:15 Bell Choir

6:15 Yoga



Friday, November 11


6:00 Confirmation Social Night

Please notify the church office

when you or a loved one goes

into the hospital and would

desire a visit.

Sunday, November 13

10:40 Cherub Choir

11:00 Junior Choir

11:00 Adult Forum

12:15 Nurture Ministries

6:00 Youth Dinner

6:30 GYM

Monday, November 14

Newsletter Deadline

7:00 Pack 55 Committee Meeting

7:00 OA

Tuesday, November 15


7:15 SPRC Meeting

7:30 AA



7:00 GriefShare

6:00 AAUW


3:30 Exton Elem. Girl Scouts

6:15 Bell Choir

6:15 Yoga


Friday, November 18


2:30 Brownie Troop 41919

Sunday, November 20

10:40 Cherub Choir

11:00 Junior Choir

11:00 Adult Forum

12:30 Confirmation Class

4:00 Youth Choir

6:00 Youth Dinner

6:30 GYM

Monday, November 21


7:00 UMW

7:00 OA



7:00 Program Team

7:30 AA


7:00 Web Team Meeting


Thanksgiving Day

Church Office Closed

Friday, November 25

Church Office Closed


Sunday, November 27

10:40 Cherub Choir

11:00 Junior Choir

11:00 Adult Forum

6:00 Youth Dinner

6:30 GYM

Monday, November 28

3:30 Staff Meeting

6:30 Koinonia Circle

7:00 OA


7:00 GROW Team


7:30 AA



7:00 GriefShare

November 2016



Grove UMC Newsletter

490 W. Boot Road

West Chester, PA 19380-1112

Address Service Requested

November 2016 Newsletter Grove United Methodist Church

490 West Boot Road West Chester, PA 19380

Church Office: (610) 696-2663 Church Fax: (610) 450-6775

The Rev. Gary Knerr, Senior Pastor The Rev. Lin George, Assistant Pastor

Patti Klotz, Director of Christian Education The Rev. Diana Esposito, Youth & YA Ministry

Michael Shoremount, Director, Traditional Music Robert W. Johns, Organist

Mike Hardie, Director, Youth Choir Melissa Bechtel, Director, Preschool

Ken Johnson, Director of Contemporary Worship Bethany Morley, Office Manager

Barbara Thornton, Assistant Office Manager Marilyn Schneider, Deacon Intern

Sunday Service: 8, 9:30, 11am * www.grovechurch.org * West Chester, PA * Office: (610) 696-2663

Non Profit Organization U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

WEST CHESTER, PA Permit No. 284

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