Electric Heights UMC News

The pastor’s message page has been updated with the June messages. The communications page also holds a complete copy of the June newsletter for convenience. Enjoy.

Due to an overwhelming shortage of young adults this Wednesday night, the GIFT special event, “Intro to the Bible,” has been rescheduled for Wednesday, June 22 at 7:00 PM in the church.

We will also be gathering on Wednesday, June 8 at 7:00 PM at Vincent’s Pizza on Route 30 (East Pittsburgh) for an evening of fellowship. Check your mailboxes for more information on these two events.

Pastor Steve has mentioned that he would like to visit as many members as possible as soon as he arrives at Electric Heights. To that end he has asked for directions to our homes. We included a form in the last newsletter so that people could write down directions to their homes. Now we have also added a web/email based form so that those of you who would rather submit a typed version can do so through this site.

What book has outsold “The Bridges of Madison County”, the “South Beach Diet”, and EVEN “The Purpose Driven Life”?

What book has been misquoted or quoted out of context more often than any other?

What book has brought comfort, encouragement and correction to millions of people for thousands of years?

Of course, it’s the Bible. On Wednesday, May 25 at 7:00 come and get an overview of what it really is all about. Find out how it’s put together, how and why we should bother to read it, and, most importantly, what it has to do with life in Western Pennsylvania in the 21st century. You might be surprised!

Please join us!

We enjoyed an excellent dinner at Monterey Bay restaurant in Monroeville on Wednesday, May 11. Several members of GIFT took Rich and Charmaine out to dinner to wish them well as they move on to Rich’s next appointment. Everyone had a great time and even the land lovers admitted that the seafood was fantastic. We thank the chef and wait staff at Monterey Bay for a great time.

Here we are… gathering for a picture after dinner.

I updated the link on our ministry page to include a gallery of pictures from Janet’s mission trip to Uganda. There are a lot of fascinating pictures that are worth checking out.
(When you go there just click on the link that reads, “visited Uganda in January 2005″.)

Every year at our Annual Conference we collect specific kits that are sent to a centralized warehouse to be available in times of need. Several of these flood kits and health kits made their way back to Western PA in the aftermath of the flooding last September.

This year, instead of collecting individual kits, we have decided to concentrate on three of the top ten bulk items needed at the Distribution Center. These are:

• Hand Towels
• Toothpaste (4.5 oz or larger)
• Children’s blunt scissors

We will have boxes available beginning the week after Mother’s Day to collect these items. Our hope is that by focusing on these bulk items, more of us will be able to participate in this project, even if we can only contribute one item.

Last fall several of us had the chance to meet Bishop Thomas Bickerton when he visited the District. The Bishop is on his second round of visits, rumored to be even better than the first, and will be at Faith UMC in Delmont on Tuesday, May 10 at 7:00 PM. He is a warm and engaging speaker with the ability to cast great vision for us as we work towards our common mission of making disciples for Jesus Christ. Please speak to Janet or Rich if you are interested in going so we can arrange for rides if necessary. You won’t be disappointed!

The young adults who met for last month’s fondue fest emerged with a new name, a new meeting schedule and location, a new program of events, a few new members, and a renewed dedication to building friendships while learning about and serving God (not to mention an overdose of chocolate and cheese).

GIFT is now meeting on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month at 7:00 PM in the church parlor/kitchenette, unless otherwise specified. Email and postcards will be sent out for reminders and any schedule changes or additions – get on our mailing list!

Rather than undertaking a long project such as a book as we did last year, we are planning seminars and events that will be contained to one or two sessions. If you miss a meeting, it’s no problem. Just show up for the next one and jump right in! We are implementing a rolling schedule of activities, so new ideas are always welcome.

Spring 2005 Schedule
May 25 Intro to the Bible: led by Janet Lord
June 8 Summer Kickoff Social & Service Event (ideas welcome!)
June 22 Video & Discussion: Mysteries of the Bible