Special Notice
Due to the current situation involving the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Neidig Memorial United Methodist Church and the Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church are committed to doing all that we can to prevent the spread of the virus.
Therefore, in consultation with different groups in the church, we have decided to cancel the Bunny Breakfast usually held the Saturday before Easter Sunday. We also are cancelling our usual dinner served before the Maundy Thursday Service, as well as the breakfast that is usually served between the Sunrise service and the regular Sunday service on Easter Sunday.
The United Methodist Women have also made the decision to postpone the annual Flea Market until late summer or early fall of this year. We ask that if you were planning on making donations to the Flea Market, you hold on to those donations until closer to the event. If that is not possible, please let us know and we will make arrangements to receive the donation.
Neidig Memorial, its pastor and its staff thank you for your help and prayers as we seek to fulfill our call to be faithful to Christ in these trying times. If you have any concerns, questions, or would just like to talk to someone, please feel free to contact Pastor Steve on his cell phone (717) 841-2051.
--- Pastor Steven Cowfer
Links to all the past video sermons/services can be found on the new Video Services page.
Nuestros servicios de video también están disponibles en español.
On Site Services cancelled for June as well
Televideo Services Still Offered
Read the following for details.
For those interested, this is my notice to my congregation regarding worship this coming Sunday. I would like to invite not only those who attend our services normally, but anyone else who would like to listen in this Sundaymorning. I look forward to the opportunity to share in some simple worship with as many as possible.
You can watch the Sunday sermons live at 10:30am (approximately) on our Public Page found here: https://www.facebook.com/Neidig-Memorial-UMC-Public-Page-328550723909647
I pray that all are doing everything they can to stay both safe and healthy. This has been a difficult week for all of us. Our routines have been changed. We have inhabited a world that is filled with more fear and confusion than normal. At the same time, especially during this season of Lent, we are comforted with the knowledge that our God is with us.
There seems to be some difficulty in trying to strike a balance this week between wanting to trust in God completely for our health and safety while trying to live as normal a life as possible amid a global pandemic. Some wish to lean more toward trusting God to keep them safe while others want to take as many precautions as possible.
While both of these sentiments are valid, the truth is that we don't need to choose one or the other. Taking every precaution to keep ourselves safe and healthy is not an example of a lack of faith in God; at the same time, a strong faith in God is not the only thing we need to do in order to stay safe and healthy.
We are a community, and while we may want to trust God to keep us safe and healthy, we also need to remember that while we might not get sick, just being out and about unnecessarily puts others at risk. It isn't only about us.
That being said, it is crucially important that churches do all that we can to help arrest the development of this pandemic. Therefore, I have decided to cancel our Sunday worship service this week (March 22) and most likely next Sunday (March 29) as well.
I hate to cancel worship, as it is a vital part of our faith journeys, but it is more important at this moment to do all we can to "do no harm" as John Wesley reminds us. I will be hosting an on-line worship service that will be live-streamed through our Neidig Umc Facebook site. The service will start at 10:30, as our normal service does. It will likely be shorter than a normal service, but it is important that we worship in some way.
I know not everyone has access to the internet at home, so this is not a perfect solution. However, I pray that you will try to join me on-line on Sunday morning. I continue to pray that you are all safe and healthy.
God is with us, God's voice calls us, and God's spirit gives and will continue to give us peace.
In His Name,
Pastor Steve
Note: Our services might have gone virtual but our need for funds is still cold hard cash, both for church expenses and our mission projects. While we realize you might not be able to give as much or any during these times, if you can, we want to make it as easy as possible for you. Please click here for information on donation options.
Get Good Factual Information on COVID-19: https://www.pa.gov/guides/responding-to-covid-19/
May 2020
Organized chaos. That is the best definition I can give it. Eimy’s family had a sort-of reunion yesterday. One Zoom meeting with people all over the world and with so many pictures on the screen that it was a bit disorientating just trying to figure out who was talking. Despite the fact that it was confusing and complicated, it was also quite fun and even funny, as one great uncle was holding his cellphone like you would a regular phone,even though he had its camera on, giving us a close-up look into his ear.
I tell this story because it is a perfect example of the effects of our current estate. For the first time in my life-time, and quite possibly much longer, the entirety of humanity is suffering from the same exact thing. Even most wars don’t have this kind of reach.
It has taught us things. It has taught us that we are not immune to global threats. It has taught us that life is more precious and fleeting than we often care to admit. It has taught us the value of human connection as we are prohibited from so many of our normal interactions. I hope, though, there is one more thing we have or are learning: patience.
Around Christmas in 1986, Richard Nixon was asked if the USA was better off this Christmas than last. It was a difficult time around the world for many reasons, most of them economic. His answer was telling. He said, “As Americans, we have many great strengths, but one of our weaknesses is impatience. The Russians think in terms of decades, the Chinese in terms of centuries. Americans think in terms of years, months and even days. But if in a quest for realistic, lasting peace, we expect overnight success - instant gratification - we are bound to be disappointed.”
The pandemic is taking too long for most of us. But, we will go through it . We might not like learning to be patient, but it has now become a required skill. We should remember that our God does have a plan for us that is good, even though we can’t always understand how we will get from here to there. God will see that it happens.
Let us be patient with each other. Let us be patient with those who put themselves in harm’s way for our benefit. Let us be patient in all things. Even when it feels like we are surviving in some sort of poorly-organized chaos, let us remember what Paul tells us in his Epistle to the Romans. Be Joyful in Hope. Patient in Affliction, Faithful in Prayer.
In His Peace,
Pastor Steve
An archive of Pastor Steve's past "From the Pastor" writings can be found here.
Neidig Memorial UMC has two sister churches with who we share space and activites. Pastor Steve also serves as pastor at Mt. Zion UMC and New Thing UMC (Pastor Joann Darrow) shares our space. For news of these organizations, click on their names here:
Patch Notes:
We are a work in progress. Please bear with the default text and broken links as we build our web presence. Let us know of any site problems or things YOU would like to see on our pages. Email us at neidigumc@gmail.com
CHURCH CANCELLATIONS
All church service and activity cancellations will be annount on channels 27 (WHTM) and 21 (WHP) through the scrolling cancellation list on the bottom of those channels news screens. If you have a function at Neidig and you need to have a cancellation announced, contact Sharon Staub (717.216.1040) or Pastor Steve.
If you are uncertain if a church activity is still ongoing due to the COVID-19 outbreak, please contact the event coordinator to confirm. I'll try to keep the site updated with cancellations.
UMW Flea Market - POSTPONED
Friday, April 17th from 2pm to 7pm
Saturday, April 18th from 8:00am to ??
Please hold all your donations at home. If this is impossible due to personal issues, please contact the church via phone (717.939.6921) or email: neidigumc@gmail.com
It's that time again to ask you for your "Unwanted Treasures". You have been very supportive with your donations in the past and hope you will do the same again this year. There are a few guidelines we are asking you to follow:
- Absolutely NO clothing or shoes
- Only paperback books and novels - no reference, how to, enclyclopedias, or Reader's Digest
- All electrical appliances must work and have their parts.
- Toys should be especially clean and ready for children to play with
- No worn out, broken, or unusable items
It will make our job so much easier and go much faster if these guidelines are followed. We are asking, if at all possible,to put your donations in boxes when you place them on the stage (on the apron only). If you have large items, such as furniture and can't keep it until the flea market, please contact the church at 717.939.6921 and we will make arrangements to pick it up. All donations must be in by April 13th . TBA
2020 FLOWER AND BULLETIN CALENDARS
The 2020 Flower and Bulletin signup calendars are on the bulletin board across from the chapel main doors. Please sign up for flowers or bulletins in honor or memory of a loved one. The flowers are $25.00 and the bulletins are $5.00
Gift Cards
Gift cards are a perfect choice for remembering that special someone. Gift cards are available for purchase after the worship service or order forms are available at the rear of the church. Please see Tana if you have any questions.
United Methodist Women
The UMW next meeting will be announce asap.
Fellowship Hall, 6:30 pm.
All are invited to join the United Methodist Women meetings. Refreshments will be served after the program.
Help the Homeless
BASKET REFILLED!! Come and get it.
by picking up a "homeless bag" from classroom 4. Show others you care by passing them out to those you see asking for help on the street. Please let Peggy Gundy know if the basket is empty or low on supplies.
United Methodist Men - Postponed
Tuesday, April 7th - 6:30pm - Classroom 4 -
All men are welcome to come and join in fellowship at our monthly meeting and activities. The meetings are currently held on the 1st Tuesday of the month. All men of Neidig and the Community are welcome. Please note, that the time of 1st Tuesday is not written in stone. If you would like to attend UMM but that time does not fit your schedule, please contact Mike Emerick at Neidig (717.939.6921) and he will call you back to discuss what works. We are willing to change meeting time.
CONTINUING BIBLE/FAITH STUDIES AT NEIDIG
POSTPONED: Originally scheduled for Monday, March 17 at 10:00 a.m. in Classroom 4 where Pastor Steve is leading a Bible Study based on the non-fiction novel "Have a Little Faith". New date TBA.
POSTPONED: Wednesday Morning at 10;00 a.m. in Classroom 4 where Bible Study continues, followed by a light lunch and blanket making. We normally finish about 2:30 p.m.
MOVIE NIGHT: at 6:30pm POSTPONED til further notice.
Fun and Fellowship begins at 6:30 pm in Fellowship Hall
FREE. Everyone welcome. Light refreshments will be served.
Neidig's "Meals on Wheels"
The "Meals on Wheels" team from Neidig Church is in need of more helpers. Drivers as well as runners are needed. It will only take up about 1 1/2 hrs. of your time for 1 day every 6 weeks. There is great satisfaction in helping your neighbors and serving God. Please see or call Peggy (number in directory) if you can help in any way or have any questions.
MISSIONS
Missions is looking for some fresh blood. We are looking for people with time and energy to organize our monthly missions. If you are interested in participating contact Sharon at 717.216.1040 .
May Mission was for Central Pa Food Bank, again cash donations accepted but if you wan to donate canned good/non-perishable items, you can leave them with Pastor Steve at parsonage or, if you have a key, in one of the laundry baskets at each church entry. (Note: Red side door currently broken. Do not use. TYVM)
Adult Sunday School Mission Project
Adult Sunday School is collecting personal toiletry items for Pat Nissel Street Ministry. We are working in conjunction with the Adult Sunday School . Toiletries for both men and women are needed but mostly for women as that is their largest client base. While all items are needed, in particular they need full size bottles/tubes of:
- Body wash
- Shampoo
- Toothpaste
- Deodorant
Cash donations can be given to Peggy Gundy and item donations can be placed in the basket on the chapel altar.
Missions Questions: CONTACT SHARON STAUB 717.216.1040 or neidigumc@gmail.com with any questions.
Mission Central Computer Ministries
On January 20th, Mission Central held a special collection of electronics/computers. However, they accept for recycling and refurbishment computers, accessories, cables, wires, old cell phones and other old electronics (excluding televisions) year round. To have any of these items claimed for MIssion Central contact Sharon at neidigworks@gmail.com and she will make arrangements with you to collect.
Just thought you might like to know: Conference Events
(information from the conference newsletter)
MORE INFORMATION
Area Community Events
Please email the pastor or webmaster at neidigumc@gmail.com to add your event to our community notice board
LINK TO QUIKLINK FOR CONFERENCE WIDE EVENTS
http://susumc.org/index.php/communications/news/susquehanna-quiklink
DISTRICT WEBSITE
Check out our new District Website at harrisburgdistrict.org All District events are listed on our calendar and can be found on the website. Submit your events to the office at harrisburg@susumc.org for the
newsletter/website.