Pastor Charlie

CROSS FLAME
DOWNINGTOWN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
751 E. Lancaster Avenue, Downingtown, PA 19335
As I write to you, the summer is almost over. I’ve been on my vacation as
have many of you. Most of you, if you haven’t already gone, will be away for
a bit soon. A lot has happened. We’ve had our Vacation Bible School, and
our youth mission week had 35 kids participating supported by 14 adults. We
also enjoyed 7 cottage meetings where I got to meet and talk with 90 of you
about where you’ve been as a church, how you got here, what was exciting
for you, and how I can help you make your dreams for your church come
true.
I’ve learned a lot about DUMC in the short 8 weeks I’ve had the privilege of being your pastor. I learned that
you really value what you’ve owned – the Hanging of the Greens, the youth mission week, and the family
feeling that this congregation provides for example. I hope that those of you who have participated in the
cottage meetings have felt both listened to as well as heard. I am committed to not only listening and
hearing, but to acting on the basis of what I listened to and heard, not what I think or have read in some book
or found at some workshop.
We have much to celebrate and give thanks to God for, but there is significant work to be done. We will have
to find ways to preserve that feeling of family while relaxing our boundaries enough to not only invite new
families in, but to make them be and feel like a part of the family. We will have to roll up our sleeves and do
some work, for I have yet to see a fall stewardship campaign – for instance – run itself. If we want a youth
program, kids will have to open their schedules and parents will have to open their calendars and car doors to
make it happen. This is work. It is work that I will be doing with you, but it remains work.
Sometimes we think that such things are too big of a problem to even try to tackle. Two things about this
kind of thinking: First, a problem is an opportunity in work clothes. If we adopt a can do attitude, somehow
other people come alongside of us and things begin to happen. Second, if we only try the things that we
know that we can accomplish, why would God have to get involved? We need to push ourselves a bit and
start attempting things here and there that really can’t succeed unless God gets involved. That’s what faith in
God is all about – trusting God to provide the gifts & resources we need to accomplish what God wants
accomplished. I’m in that kind of endeavor with you, all the way.
Yours in our mutual ministry for Christ,
Pastor Charlie
SEPTEMBER 2012
Charles C. Cole, Pastor
Office: 610-269-1496 Fax: 610-269-6804 E-mail: dumc1@comcast.net
WORSHIP at 10:00 a.m. SUNDAY SCHOOL at 10:15 a.m.
http://www.downingtownumc.org/

PREACHING SCHEDULE
September & October 2012
September 2, 2012 [Green] –
Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Song of Solomon 2:8-13; Psalm 72 (UMH 795); James
1:17-27 & Mark 7:1-23
Ed Green Preaching
September 9, 2012 [Green] –
Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Proverbs 22: 22-23; Psalm 124 (UMH 846); James 2:1-
17 & Mark 7:24-37*
“There’s More to Healing than Meets the Eye”
September 16, 2012 [Green] –
Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Proverbs 1:20-33; Psalm 19 (UMH 750); James 3:1-12 &
Mark 8:27-38
“And Who Do YOU Say That He Is?”
September 23, 2012 [Green] –
Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost
Proverbs 31:10-31; Psalm 1 (UMH 738); James 3:13-4:3,
7-8a & Mark 9:30-37*
“You Can’t Pitch a Ladder Against a Tent”
September 30, 2012 [Green] –
Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Esther 7:1-10; 9:20-22*; Psalm 124 (UMH 846); James
5:13-20 & Mark 9:38-50
“Praying as If It All Depends On God, Acting As If It
All Depends On You”
October 7, 2012 [Green] - Nineteenth Sunday after
Pentecost / World Communion Sunday
Job 1:1 & 2:1-10*; Psalm 25 (UMH 756); Hebrews 1:1-4;
2:5-12 & Mark 10:2-16
“The Real Story of Job Isn’t About Patience”
October 14, 2012 [Green] –
Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
Job 23:1-17; Psalm 22:1-15 (UMH 752); Hebrews 4:12-
16 & Mark 10:17-31*
“The Three A’s of Eternal Life: Attitude, Acceptance &
Action”
October 21, 2012 [Green] –
Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost / Laity Sunday
Job 38:1-7 (34-41)*; Psalm 104:1-9 (UMH 826);
Hebrews 5:1-10 & Mark 10:35-45 - “Be Careful What
You Ask For”
October 28, 2012 [Green] –
Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost
Job 42:1-17*; Psalm 34:1-8 (UMH 769); Hebrews 7:23-
28 & Mark 10:46-52*
“There Are None So Blind As Them Who Will Not See”
THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH…
Words cannot begin to convey my appreciation
for all the love and support you have showered on
Cindy and me as I faced my cancer surgery and during
my recovery. We have been overwhelmed with the
sheer volume of cards, notes and e-mails. Thank you!
Your phone calls have meant so much too. Thank you!
It has made things so much easier for Cindy when you
have brought in meals, so that the world’s greatest
care-giver didn’t get worn out in the process. Thank
you! Your prayers, as James 5 tells us, have been of
great effect. I have not only felt them, but they have
helped me recover even faster. Thank you!
I have been home since August 16 th , and the
last of the tubes and drains came out on August 23 rd .
Now all that remains is to recover my energy and
strength as my plumbing heals. None of this would
have been possible without your compassion and care.
I am humbled by not only its volume but its effect. I
look forward to returning to the pulpit on Sunday,
September 9 th . I will be in the office after Labor Day, a
couple of hours each day that week. I’ll gradually be
increasing the hours I’m in the office as my strength
and energy allow. I’m hoping to be back close to full
speed by the end of September. Thanks again for
being the kind of Christian community every pastor
hopes to serve!
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Charlie
===========================================
CONFIRMATION CLASS TO BEGIN
SEPTEMBER 23 rd
If your youth is going to be 12 by June 30, 2013, they
are eligible to be a part of this year’s confirmation
program. We have sent letters to all those that we
knew of that fit this criteria, but we may have missed
someone. Please let the church office know if you or
someone you know wants their young person to be a
part of this important program.
Orientation for parents and those to be confirmed will
be after church on Sunday, September 23 rd . Please
plan to be there – both parents and the youth to be
confirmed, for it is vitally important for both parents
and the youth to take ownership of this process.

Congregational Condolences are
extended to…
Connie Long and family upon the death of her father
and to Linda Wismer and her family upon the death
of her mom who was 102. Let’s not only keep them
in our thoughts and prayers, but let them feel our love
and support. “O God, all that you have given us is
yours. As first you gave Connie’s dad and Linda’s
mom to us, so now we give them back to you. Receive
them into the arms of Your mercy. Raise them up with
all of Your people. Receive us also, and raise us into a
new life. Help us so to love and serve You in this world
that we may enter into Your joy in the world to come.
Amen.” (from “A Service of Death and Resurrection,”
The United Methodist Hymnal, pages 874-875).
===========================================
CHARGE CONFERENCE SET FOR
NOVEMBER 14 th ….
Downingtown United Methodist’s Charge Conference
has been set for November 14 th . The District
Superintendent, the Rev. Tom Haugh, will meet with
the Staff Parish Relations committee at 6:30 p.m. and
with the entire group at 6:45 p.m. This might be a
good time to have a covered dish dinner before the
meeting for the whole congregation and to celebrate
where we are as a congregation. Officers need to have
a 3 paragraph report in by October 31 st . The report
should include what you planned to do, what you
accomplished and what you’re planning for 2013.
===========================================
GETTING READY FOR
THE NEW CHURCH
DIRECTORY
In about 8 weeks Lifetouch
Photographers will be setting up their cameras to take
pictures of our congregation for our New Church
Directory. The photographers will be at Downingtown
United Methodist Church:
October 16 th , 17 th , 18 th , 19 th , and 20 th .
There will be three ways to make appointments
� Sign up at church on Sunday (near Info. Desk)
starting Sept. 9 th .
� Sign up online using our Church Website:
www.downingtownumc.org
Click on Church Directory, go to Register For
Your Portrait Session and follow directions.
� Sign up calling the Church Office
Details for advertising your business in the directory
can be found on the same site or contact Jan Caviglia
jbcaviglia@verizon.net
FINANCE UP-DATE
from your Finance Committee
As of the end of July, we have taken in $128,757.88.
This is $22,941.58 less than our expenses of $151,
699.46. Needless to say, our reserves cannot
withstand much more of this kind of short fall. We
are asking each and every member to take a look at
your commitment to Downingtown UMC and dig a
little deeper. We would really like to break even this
year, and not end up in the red, or worse. Please,
everyone, do what you can. Thank you.
Financial Snapshot:
First Seven Months of 2012
2012 operating budget $272,462
Weekly giving average $5,240
needed to make budget
Actual giving 2012 $128,757
Through July 31
2012 actual giving $4,153.48
weekly average July 31
Actual Expenses $151,699
through July 31
Summer giving is usually lower. Please try and keep
up with your giving during this time.
PROJECT CHURCH MOUSE matches up
DUMC college students with congregation members in
a pen pal relationship. The Church Mouse corresponds
with the college student via cards, emails, little gifts,
prayers, etc. Currently, there are 14 college students
in Project Church Mouse. There are 3 students who
are in need of a Mouse. If you would like to be a
Church Mouse for a DUMC college student, please
contact Kathy Stocker at 610-495-1606 or
stockekj@comcast.net.
REMINDER TO ALL College Students and incoming
College Freshmen: Please return your Project Church
Mouse information to Kathy Stocker as soon as
possible. Thanks to all the students who have already
sent their Church Mouse forms.

United Methodist Women
Contact person – Taunia Fluck
610-873-8418 or
taunstheboss@comcast.net
Hubbub Circle
Wednesday, September 19 at 7:00 pm
At Bonnie Slusar’s house
Contact person – Nancy Colbert
610-873-8685 or ngcolbert@comcast.net
Lydia Circle
Tuesday, September 25 at 9:30 am
at Jean Kennedy’s home
Contact person – Pat Gaines
610-269-0329 or fpgaines@verizon.net
Lydia Circle is accepting new members.
Priscilla Circle
Tuesday, September 25 at 2:00 pm
at Simpson Meadows
Contact– Elsie Gates 610-518-9081
New Beginnings Circle
Tuesday, October 2 at 7:00 pm
Contact person - Mary Louise Corrigan
610-269-3138 or mlcorrigan@verizon.net
===========================================
THANKS FOR THE DONATION!
Special thanks to Pat McFarland and
the Downingtown Service Unit of the
Girl Scouts for the monetary
donation for the new microwave in
the church’s kitchen.
===========================================
THANK YOU’S
DUMC has received several thank you letters recently:
Friends Association for Care & Protection of
Children for the donation of gifts through our
Christmas in July project and for the work that
the Youth Mission Team did this summer.
Chester County Food Bank for the 90lbs of
food the Youth Mission Team collected and
delivered to the food bank
Home of the Sparrow for the donation from
the congregation of 2 filled bookbags for their
Back to School program.
The thank you letters are on a poster in the
Welcome Center for you to read.
DUMC Spirit Night
at Chick-Fil-A
Monday, September 10,
5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Eat-In or Drive Thru
Join us for this fun event! Enjoy
dinner out and support DUMC.
Chick-Fil-A will donate 10% of all
sales during this period to our DUMC
Outreach Team. We will also be
spinning the Coupon Wheel where
you will receive a valuable coupon
for each $1.00 donation to DUMC!
DUMC FAMILY PICNIC
Enjoy a time of fellowship with your church
family on Sunday September 16 in Kerr Park
immediately following our worship service.
Please plan to attend this
all-church picnic which will
be fun for folks of all ages!
We would love for you to
invite your own family
members and friends as
well!
We will be cooking hamburgers and hotdogs and
asking you all to bring covered dishes of salads, chips,
snacks, and desserts. We will also provide ice tea and
lemonade, and all the paper goods needed. We have
rented a large pavilion next to the playground, so we
should have plenty of tables. However you should
bring a few folding lawn chairs if you have them.
Our favorite DJ Jim Dawson will be there from 12:00 –
3:00 with lots of fun – hula hoops, limbo contests, etc.
The DUMC Youth Group is planning some athletic
contests. And a great playground is adjacent to our
picnic pavilion. And of course there will be plenty of
old-fashioned chit-chat as we all get a chance to catch
up with each other, and share some stories of the
“good ol days.”
So we know how many hamburgers and hot dogs to
buy, we are asking you to sign up in the DUMC lobby
or call the church office. We need to know how many
people are in your group (remember we would love to
meet those grandchildren!) and what covered dish you
plan to bring.

SUNDAY SCHOOL for Grades K-5
SEPTEMBER 2012 ROTATION
SEPTEMBER 3 - Sunday School will be finishing the
video series. All K-5 will meet in the Video Room for
that day. The rest of September will be “Noah and the
Ark.”
NOAH AND THE ARK
Scripture: Genesis 6:9 – 9:17
Memory Verse: “I set my bow in the clouds, and it
shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the
earth.” Genesis 9:13
CINEMA ON THE MOUNT: We’ll see a video to
remind us of the story.
LORD’S LAB: We’ll create rainbow of crayons – a
colorful reminder of the promise God made with the
people. Other possible activities include
experimenting to find out what floats and what
doesn’t, and rainbow bubbles.
ABRAHAM’S TENT: (story/games): We’ll hear Noah’s
story and then play various games to reinforce the
story.
===========================================
SUNDAY SCHOOL MISSION PROJECT
Our K-5 Sunday School program is always looking for
ways they can help with Mission projects. Usually, we
pick a few small things to do during the year. Often
we choose a month with a fifth Sunday to spend that
“extra” day providing a Mission Project. This year,
thanks to Amy Auker’s suggestion, we are focusing on
something specific throughout the year (and,
hopefully, beyond). We are sponsoring a family in
Malawi through Pamoza International
(www.pamoza.org). Throughout the year, the children
will learn about life in Malawi, differences and
similarities between the lifestyle of a child in Malawi
and their own. To kick-off our project, Maryanne
Wood gave a fun and informative presentation on her
travels and work in Malawi and showed us what a
typical day there might be like.
The children chose to sponsor the Kelvin Botha family
of Chitupira Village. This is a family of 12: mother
and father Kelvin and Glades, their 6 children, and 4
nephews who live with them. The children range in
age from 6 to 18. We hope to be able to correspond
with the family and will be making cards and letters to
send to them.
Offering collected during Sunday School will go
toward the $30 monthly sponsorship donation. We
will also have a few workshops during Sunday School
to make small crafts, like Bible bead bookmarks, to
offer to the congregation for a small donation.
We will be updating you on our project as time goes
one! Thank you Amy, for the fabulous suggestion!
===========================================
CHERUB CHOIR for kids in K-5th grade will start up
again in late September/early October. Keep your
eyes on the bulletin for the date!
===========================================
As a reminder, the Preschool
Sunday School class is meeting
each Sunday when the children
are dismissed for worship. This
class is open to all
children ages 3-5 who are toilet
independent. The class meets in
the classroom next to the
Nursery and across from the Church Office. Please
contact Catie Gardy with questions or if you can help
with the class. Weekly sign up for help with the class
will be on the classroom door. Catie@gardyhouse.com
or 610-594-2546.
===========================================
DON’T FORGET
“SUNDAE SUNDAY”
September 2 following Sunday School

DUMC FALL COMMUNITY YARD SALE:
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2012
Many of you asked to be kept in
the loop as far as the possibility
of a Fall Community Yard Sale at
DUMC. We are planning a Fall
event on Sept. 22, same rental
prices ($10/space, $ 20 space +
table). The times will be 8:00 am -
1:00 pm, set-up will begin at 7:15am.
We will be collecting clothing and books beginning
Sept. 2nd. Your donations of homemade baked treats
for our Bake Sale are appreciated.
Feel free to email me with any questions that you
might have. Janice Luke jvel129@msn.com 610-269-
7149.
Yard Sale: To register for the participation in the Sept.
22nd Yard Sale, please fill out a registration form
online at
http://downingtownumc.org/youth_missions_week or
fill out a registration form available at the Welcome
Center or in the Narthex and give it to me or put it in
my mailbox.
We need lots and lots of baked goods
for our Baked Goods table.
Donations can be dropped off at the
church during regular office ours or
on Saturday morning, Sept. 22nd
after 6:00 am.
===========================================
DUMC Youth Group Fall Kick-Off
Sunday, September 16
at the
Family Picnic at Kerr Park
at Noon
There will be food! Bring your sport-of-choice
equipment and your friends! Don’t forget to sign up!
See Picnic article elsewhere in the newsletter.
Gleaning at Pete's Produce: A huge
thank-you to Martin and Priscilla Burkhart and Janice
Luke for representing DUMC at Pete's on August 13th.
While few in number, we harvested 850 lbs. of corn
and 6 cartons of tomatoes. Great Job!
===========================================
DUMC Missions will be
sponsoring a Wreath/Christmas
greenery fundraising program again
this year. Orders will be taken
through the month of October and
will be available for delivery the
Sunday before Thanksgiving.
===========================================
SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS &
ANNIVERSARIES
BIRTHDAYS ANNIVERSARIES
1 Lisa Wildauer 3 Andy & Gail Dooley
5 Stephanie McMurray 3 Jonathan & Novelyn
5 Kondwani Nyoni Asiddao
7 Bill Ryder 5 Fred & Elsie Gates
7 Ruth Margherita 7 Bruce & Cindy Norris
9 Linda Wismer 9 James & Wendy Michel
11 Fred Gates 10 Charlie & Peggy
11 Thom McMurray Espenlaub
12 Victoria Rodgers 12 Mark & Lisa
13 Avery Michel Montemuro
14 Sydney Yoder 19 Cal & Betty Wilder
17 Connie Long 24 Paul & Susan Morgan
18 Bonnie Slusar
20 Katie Ciammetti
21 Natalie Ambrozates
22 Olivia Pellegrini
23 Travis King
24 Brandon Montemuro
25 Charlie Espenlaub
25 Cody Cunningham
27 Deborah Fisher
27 Katie Henshall
28 Kelsey Veurink
28 Katrina Gallant
29 Tyler Bower
29 Beth Nanni
30 Linda Wilt
===========================================
CHOIR REHEARSALS STARTING!
Wesley Choir - Thursday, September 6 at
6:45 pm
Reverberations Handball Choir –
Thursday, September 6 at 7:45 pm
Men’s Choir – Sunday, September 9 at 8:45 am
Wesley Choir – Short rehearsal on Sunday, September
9 at 9:30 am

Once again the Youth of DUMC and their friends have represented themselves and the congregation in a grand fashion.
Collectively, thirty-five Youth and sixteen Adults came together to make this another amazing week of Service within our
community. Following is an accounting of the places that we served, but it doesn't do justice to the impact that was made.
We begin each morning at 7:00 am as the youth trickle in between 7 and 7:30. We discussed plans for the day, put our nametags
on, filled the coolers with our water and socialize. At 8:00, we begin our devotional time as we reflect on a Bible verse and how it
relates to us and our work. Pastor Cole joins us every morning to send us out with a prayer.
The main theme for the week is that we are the body of Christ as we serve others, that each one of us as an individual makes the
group as a whole. We work well together. We complement each other. Our goal is the same. We minister by our actions.
Monday July 16th
It has become custom that we begin out week at Quest Hippotherapy. Sandy Meile, barn manager for Quest, looks forward to our
visit and we arrive at 8:45. She is ready for us, list in hand; inside work and outside work needs to be done. With very little
discussion, we divide into groups and begin the tasks at hand. Inside, the training arena and barn are cleared of cobwebs and the
10 stalls that house the horses are cleaned, stall bars dusted and wiped clean. Outside, the property and trail is edged and
trimmed back of overgrowth, the outside fields are cleaned of manure, which is loaded onto the bucket of a tractor for recycling
at Longwood Gardens. Weeds are dug out and carted away in wheelbarrows, and a "climbing hill" for the horses is cleared of large
rocks so that a mower can be used for maintenance. Water-breaks are frequent. As one group finishes their task, they join
another group to help them out. By 11:30 Sandy's list is history and we are treated to an exhibition in the arena where Sandy,
with help from Cassie Hart, Marcella and Shannon Booz (who volunteer there), demonstrate the valuable work that they
accomplish with horses and children/adults with muscular and developmental disabilities.
We return to Fellowship Hall for lunch and prepare for our visit with the folks at Simpson Meadows. This is a win-win situation.
The Seniors enjoy interacting with the Youth and the feeling is reciprocated. We introduce ourselves to the residents and we
learn a little about them. One group of youth joins residents as they put puzzles together in the activity room; the other plays
sport games with a group in the lounge. We share a yummy snack together, sing a few songs and bid farewell to our new friends.
Our first day has been a great success!
Tuesday July 17th
Tuesday Morning finds us at Paradise Farms. As with Quest, we have a history here. Mr. Dan McGaughey, the property manager,
has worked with us before and looks forward to our visits. On this visit, he turns us over to his assistant, Tony Heck.
Today we spread mulch along a hillside stairway, the same stairway that we filled with stone a few years ago. I think that it's fair
to say that the mulch is a bit lighter than the stone and there were certainly a few more of us this year than there was when we
spread the stone. Having said that, it was a very ambitious morning project and it was at least 10 degrees warmer this time
around. We have shovelers, bucket bearers and spreaders that worked together impressively. The shovelers are at the top of the
hill and fill buckets from mulch piled high in the back of a pick-up truck. We form a bucket brigade to get the mulch up and
down the steps efficiently, stopping only to replenish the mulch pile and frequent water breaks. The spreaders rake the mulch
to achieve a uniform coating. We complete our assigned task with time to play a rousing basketball game at the Paradise Farm
basketball court; some of us play ball, the rest of us are quite happy to be spectators. I have to say that Pastor Cole, who joined
us on this venture, plays an impressive game of basketball, and during the game the young ladies gave the young men a run for
their money. We return to Fellowship Hall, eat lunch and settle ourselves for our Prayer Service. This year we send out over 50
Prayer Cards, each with a Prayer Square, to address prayer concerns of family, friends and acquaintances. Each card is signed
by every one of us. Each prayer concern is brought to our circle and laid before us. Each prayer request is offered to God by
name. This year we held two Prayer Circles as requests came in throughout the week.
Wednesday July 18th
This morning we are on our way to Vollmecke Orchards in Coatesville. Vollmecke Orchards CSA is a 37-acre, family-owned
organic farm and orchard. Karen Vollmecke is the chief farmer and was recognized as Farmer of the Year by the Chester County
Board of Commissioners in 2006. Some of the produce grown on the farm is donated to the Chester County Food Cupboard.
Karen is very gracious as she takes in all 32+ of us this day. We separate into two groups; some of us hoe rows of soil in
preparation for planting, the rest of us cut back a row of Kale that has become bug infested. All of the leaves are to be cut from
the stalk so that it can be treated with organic pesticides and regenerate new leaves. The rows are long and the Kale has many,
many leaves. And it is hot! And yet with their patented good humor the task at hand is accomplished with time to harvest, and
sample, the carrot crop. We leave the farm having made new friends.
We return to the coolness of Fellowship Hall and lunch. The youth have chosen their project of choice by lottery: cover and
decorate coffee cans for the Can-do project, make chew-toys for the puppies at the ASPCA, freshen-up the animals for the Live
Nativity, bake treats for those visiting patients at Neighborhood Hospice. We wipe down the baseboard in Fellowship Hall, put
some tables away, water the Community Garden and call it a day.
Thursday July 19th
Today we work, and then we play. The truth is we play everyday, but today it's actually scheduled into our day.

Again the youth have chosen their project of choice by lottery; their group choices are interesting. The truth is that
many projects just can't accommodate a group of 35, so by necessity we need to divvy up into 3 groups. We all travel to West
Chester: one group to the Home of the Sparrow shelters to help with maintenance issues, one group visits the shelter owned by
the Friends Association for the Care and Protection of Children for the same purpose, and the third group helps out with the
children who attend the Christ Care Center for Children's summer program. We deliver "Christmas in July" gifts to all three
agencies.
At the Home of the Sparrow, with the help of Scott Michael and Mike Stover, 560 pounds of debris was removed from their
garage and loaded into a van to take to Habitat for Humanity for a new life in a new home. At their other house, several youth
prepared a bedroom for a new family to enjoy, cleaning it top to bottom. Bureau drawers are repaired and relined. Outside, the
property is weeded and swept, improving the appearance of the yard, porches and walkways.
At the Christ Care Center for Children, a group of youth interacted with pre-school children, bonding with them and gifting them
with their own brand of TLC. This group plays games, reads books and showers affection on the pre-school children there. By all
accounts, a great time was had by all and it was hard to bid these cherubs farewell, even though the lure of an afternoon at
Dorney Park beckoned. Beth Nanni and Julie Hart helped supervise this endeavor.
At the apartment house owned by FACPC, the front yard was weeded, an apartment was readied for a new family, an outside
paver-planter was emptied of plants and dirt and disassembled, the porch and windows were cleaned, the outside area cleared of
debris, trash cans were cleaned out and disinfected and furniture was moved at their warehouse. This apartment house provides
families the opportunity to live together during life-altering circumstances while providing them with resources to help get their
life back on track. The goal is to help the adults find employment and affordable housing while they remain a family and retain
their dignity. Glenda Brion, volunteer coordinator, spends some time educating us as to the scope of their work and is very
appreciative of our time and energy. Dave Moyer and I helped out at this site.
After lunch back in Fellowship Hall, Thursday afternoon is spent at Dorney Park for a much deserved afternoon at play. The heat
of the day keeps lines short at the Roller Coasters and the Water Park does a brisk business. The afternoon passes quickly. We
meet at the appointed time and head for the Lionville Chick-fil-a for dinner and pick-up at church. Due to illness (my
mother's)and injury (Wendy King's) we fore-go the customary sleep-over, so we worship and head for home.
Friday August 20th
Today we head out to see the folks at The Barn at Spring Brook Farm in West Chester. They have become dear friends and they
do wonderful work. Words don't do this facility justice; it is a beautiful setting, staffed with kind and grateful people and sweet
farm animals. Children with physical disabilities and Autism spectrum conditions enjoy grooming the animals, summer camps,
the Tree House and a variety of other programs. Once again, our main focus is on maintenance; we clean windows, the rest
room, animal stalls, lawn tractors and the massive loft where the camps take place. We have this down to a science. Again, we
complete the assigned tasks in short order and we leave this beautiful place to head back to church for lunch and our last
afternoon together for this year.
This afternoon is a combination of tying up the loose ends of some projects while embarking on some new ones. Again by
lottery, teams are chosen. The youth have three projects from which to choose. Some have chosen to tie-up loose ends of prior
projects; we deliver toys to the ASPCA and Neighborhood Hospice, take Care Cards to the Post Office for hand-stamping, return
the Nativity animals to their summer home, clean-up Fellowship Hall. Julie Hart, Wendy King and I supervise this venture.
A second group head out to Cropper's to conduct a Food Drive. They come back to the church with heart-warming stories of the
generosity of strangers, including that of a gentleman who donated his paid-for cartful of groceries to our youth, noting that he
knows what it is like to want for food. He told that he knows what it is to fall on hard times, and he welcomed the opportunity
to give back in appreciation to those who helped him out when times were tough for him. They deliver over 90 lbs. of donated
groceries to the Food Bank from their time at Cropper's, a job well done. Janie McMurray is the adult-in-charge of this venture.
The third group heads to the Chester County Food Bank. This is a beautiful new home for the Food Bank that allows them to
dehydrate fruit and cook and can vegetables. This minimizes waste by being able to process vegetables and fruits before they
spoil. Here our youth help pack emergency food packages, unload food donations and help with the making of dried fruit
snacks. Martin Burkhart headed up this group.
We return to the church amid light rain showers; Youth are picked up, lights turned off and with that,
our 2012 Missions Week comes to an end.
It is always bittersweet when this is over. We have made new friends and renewed old friendships. We
work hard and we laugh a lot. There is a mutual respect between youth and leaders that is remarkable. It
takes a lot of coordination to make this week work as well as it does. It takes commitment from youth,
their parents and those amazing adults who volunteer their time and their energy, some at a moments
notice. It takes support from our church family through fundraising, donations and kind words. From the
bottom of our hearts, we thank-you.
Stop and look at the pictures that will soon appear on the bulletin board to chronicle our week's adventure.
Check out the smiles on the faces of the youth. They are awesome!

SUNDAY SAMARITANS for SEPTEMBER 2012
GREETERS USHERS WORSHIP LEADERS SCRIPTURE READERS
SEPTEMBER 2 Wendy King & family Jim Harmon, Fred Gates Peggy Pastino Wendy King
SEPTEMBER 9 Bob & Jan Caviglia Dave & Kathy Stocker Mary Louise Corrigan
SEPTEMBER 16 Greg & Linda Leib Janet Wilson, Viola Walker Elsie Gates Bob Stoner
SEPTEMER 23 Mary Louise Corrigan Chris Whiteman, Elizabeth Tinsman Nancy Colbert Connie Long
SEPTEMBER 30 Lisa Wildauer Mark & Lisa Montemuro Kathy Stocker Dawn Richter
TABULATORS WELCOME CENTER
SEPTEMBER 2 Phil & Lois Boyer, Kelly Copeland HUBBUB
SEPTEMBER 9 Steve Hedrick, Joe Pellegrini, Bill Davis CIRCLE
SEPTEMBER 16 Lee Bradley, Janie McMurray
SEPTEMBER 23 Jim & Joyce Harmon
SEPTEMBER 30 Thom & Janie McMurray, Carol Forbes
SEPTEMBER 2012
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1
2
Worship 10:00 am
Sunday School 10:15 am
Sundae Sunday following
Sunday School
9
Men’s Choir 8:45 am
Wesley Choir 9:30 am
Worship 10:00 am
Sunday School 10:15 am
49ers Chorus 7:00 pm
16
Men’s Choir 8:45 am
Wesley Choir 9:30 am
Worship 10:00 am
Sunday School 10:15 am
Church Picnic following worship
49ers Chorus 5:30 pm
23
Men’s Choir 8:45 am
Wesley Choir 9:30 am
Worship 10:00 am
Sunday School 10:15 am
Confirmation Orientation
12:15 pm
49ers Chorus 5:30 pm
30
Men’s Choir 8:45 am
Wesley Choir 9:30 am
Worship 10:00 am
Sunday School 10:15 am
49ers Chorus 5:30 pm
3
LABOR DAY
Office Closed
10
DUMC Spirit Night
at Chick-fil-a to
benefit Outreach
17
24
4
11
18
25
Lydia Circle
9:30 am
Priscilla Circle
2:00 pm
5
Yoga 6:00 pm
12
Yoga 6:00 pm
19
Yoga 6:00 pm
Hubbub Circle
7:00 pm
26
Yoga 6:00 pm
6
Wesley Choir
6:45 pm
Handbell Choir
7:45 pm
13
Girl Scouts
6:45 pm
Wesley Choir
6:45 pm
Handbell Choir
7:45 pm
20
Girl Scouts
6:45 pm
Wesley Choir
6:45 pm
Handbell Choir
7:45 pm
27
Wesley Choir
6:45 pm
Handbell Choir
7:45 pm
7
14
21
8
28 29
15
Conference UMW
Team Meeting
9:30 am
22
DUMC Community
Yard Sale
8 am – 1 pm