Faxon-Kenmar United Methodist Church

Faxon-Kenmar United Methodist Church to welcome new pastor

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

The Faxon-Kenmar United Methodist Church, 1301 Clayton Avenue, Williamsport, PA will welcome its new pastor Rev. David L. Brinker on July 5, 2009. His first Sunday in the pulpit at Faxon-Kenmar will be July 12.

Rev. Brinker began his ministry in 1976. He has served varied congregations throughout Central Pennsylvania and comes to Faxon-Kenmar from Stewartstown United Methodist Church, where he has been Lead Pastor since 2002.

Pastor Brinker was born in Redwood Falls, Minnesota, and received his Bachelor of Arts in Religion (1978) from Lebanon Valley College. Brinker was awarded a Masters of Divinity, Magna cum laude, from Wesley Theological seminary in 1982. He received full membership as a Methodist Ordained Elder in 1983. David Brinker has served as Chaplain in State Parks and Hospitals, has provided leadership for many spiritual retreats, is a stewardship consultant, and has volunteered ongoing leadership service to the United Methodist Church Conference.

Brinker and his wife Christine have a married daughter, Emily Barnes, Fairmont, W. V., and a daughter Rachel, who is an undergraduate student at Oregon State University.

Staff Pastor/Parish Relations Committee Chair, Donald Garver, indicated his committee believes “David Brinker has outstanding and varied experience, ongoing and extensive continuing education and professional development, and brings appropriate qualities and gifts to effectively serve Faxon-Kenmar Church at this time in the life of our congregation.”

Faxon-Kenmar has an excellent musical program, an expanding youth ministry and delivers many community outreach ministries, including its own Thrift Store, through the Faxon-Kenmar Community Becht Center, which is across the street from the Church. Sunday church services are at 8:00 am and 10:15 am.

Pastor Brinker views ministry as a privileged relationship of servant-leadership. Each day he seeks to “know Christ and make him known.”

ATTENTION:
On Sunday, July 12th, there will only be one service at 10:15 am, so we can ALL welcome Pastor David and Chris.

There will be a Fellowship Hour after service.

Summer Music Camp 2009

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Summer Music Camp is now a fond memory as we were able to witness to THIRTY FOUR young people through the dynamic power of music June 22-26. Campers shared their talents: Chimes, Boomwhackers, Hand Bells, Instruments, Recorders, and Singing. Two concerts were performed: Thursday afternoon matinee at 1:00 PM and a Friday evening Concert at 7:00 PM. Enthusiastic parents, family members, community members, church members, and senior citizens groups joined in applauding the kids’ accomplishments throughout the week. EIGHTEEN campers had attended one or both of the two previous years.

Thanks to Marion Stuemphle, Deb Dodson, Sandy Knowlden, Don Hill, and Janet Cowher for enriching their week’s experience with Biblical Sessions on David, Moses, Daniel, Joshua, Paul, and Jesus. Ryan Redebaugh, former student of David Koskey, joined us from NYC, along with Ellen Davis from St John’s UMC, instructing the young people in Chimes and Handbells. Sue Umstead and Laura Schreckengast, three year veteran teachers of SMC, provided instruction in Singing and Boomwhackers. Sue’s son, Nick, music major at Indiana University of Pa and home for the summer, taught Recorders for the second year. Special thanks to Linda Seely and her daughters Marina and Anya for great decorations as well as Jeanne Peterson, Jean Caloz, and Denise Pinkerton for organizing the snacks. Guest musicians included Ed Schleiff (the Harmonica Man), Ryan Redebaugh (currently recording his first album in NYC), Brimmer Engel (local landscaper and a fabulous tenor), Jaclyn Gilbert (former student of Dave Koskey and choral director at Montoursville), and Nick Umstead (Recorder instructor and French Horn major)! Others helped in so many ways: Nancy and Bill Homes, Chuck and Shirley Rightmire, Janet and Dick Wible, Don Garver, Josh Ricker, Matt Derrick, Annette Foresman, Jane Ricker, Shirley Woodruff, and Sheila Koskey …THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

Our theme this year was “Heroes of the Faith” – of course, the ultimate HERO is Jesus, who died and was raised from the dead, thus RED was our color of our T shirts, signifying his blood and death for our salvation. HEROES: “He Empowers (and) Redeems Ordinary Emerging Souls.”

Thanks to the Thrift Store, ET Circle, The Bowers, Mary Elder, and Ruth Mitchell, for their financial contributions.

Our church is known for providing a yearly top quality summer musical experience – truly a MISSION to the community! And as you can see, it could NOT have been accomplished without the many volunteers who “made it happen again in 2009!” David Koskey, Director of Musical Ministries thanks you from the bottom of his heart. God bless you for sharing in such a meaningful way to today’s young people and tomorrow’s church.

Eleanor Thomas Circle News

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

We had approximately 20 women to dinner at Hoss’s on Tuesday, June 23rd for our end of the season dinner. We discussed the fellowship hour that we were in charge of the following Sunday, June 28th. We also discussed a couple of disbursements that had been made, to Christa Lauchle to help with her mission trip to Iraq and to David Koskey for Music Camp Expenses. Finally we discussed the leadership of the Eleanor Thomas Circle. Melanie Scaife will be staying on as Secretary. Annette Forseman will be staying on as Treasurer. Jean Williams has decided to step down as Vice-President. Liz Broshkevitch has also decided after a three year stint as President to step down. The ET Circle thanks both Liz and Jean for their guidance and direction the past three years. Therefore, we are in need of a Vice and a President, or two Co-Presidents. We are asking that all women of Faxon-Kenmar please consider stepping forward and taking over the leadership of the Eleanor Thomas Circle. Please call Liz at the office sometime this summer and let her know so she can announce it in the September newsletter. Usually the next ET function would be the Potluck Picnic the third Tuesday in September, so we would like to have a new president by then.

Thrift Store News

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Thanks to everyone who helped in any way with our recent parking lot sale! We had to have the sale inside, because it poured rain most of the day. But we made approximately $1,200 over the weekend, and had a lot of first-time customers who have said they will definitely be back!

This sale could not have happened without volunteers (both men and women). We had a dependable core of workers who were truly a Godsend! We love each and every one of them! And to those who printed flyers, put up signs, passed the word, donated extra items for the sale, or arranged for someone to haul away the remains, a big thanks also. All these things come together and create success.

We were also able to get rid of lots of little items, some old appliances and storage stuff, and odds and ends that had not sold in the store, so we marked down and really did some spring cleaning! It was just a win-win situation for everyone!

Again we are running low on children’s clothing (all sizes but especially toddler size items), and toys (we really can always use these). Bath towels and jewelry (broken or good) are other items always in demand.

If you would like to work in the store, please don’t wait to be asked! We just assume that everyone knows they are welcome to come help. If you like to sort, neaten piles and/or clean, this is the place to come!

And again, we are grateful for all the help and support from church members and non-members alike!

Jane Pierce

United Methodist Men

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

The United Methodist Men are proud to announce that despite the POURING DOWN RAIN on Saturday, June 20th, they were able to pull in a profit of $193.00 for the Hot Dog Stand that was operated in connection with the Thrift Store’s Yard Sale. Thank you to all those who got wet but kept the Hot Dogs and Bar B Q ready for welcoming customers! This amount will be donated to the Becht Debt principle!

Upcoming UM Men Events: Dinner at Gray’s Run Tuesday, July 21
Crosscutters FAMILY night Wednesday, July 22
Annual Men’s Retreat at Central Oak Heights Campground, October 2-3