News from Kingswood United Methodist Church

Kingswood Connected

gates labyrinth

May 5, 2011

Greetings!

A Word from the Pastor

Stuff!!! .... a quasi theological reflection on rummage. . . .

The halls, the classrooms, your vans, sport utility vehicles, pickups and cars are filled with rummage this week as people, deliver and sort and order and price the abundance/surplus of our lives that no longer fits our bodies or houses or growing children, or that is no longer useful to us for any of a number of reasons.

There is energy in clearing out the clutter. And people are having fun marveling at all the things as they arrive.

Oh, how cute!!!

Or, my grandmother had one of these.

Or, what is this? (Nellie and I had to walk across the hall to get counsel from a young mom

who knew exactly what it was for.)

Or, I get a new table cloth here every year!! It is kind of fun.

But so much stuff!!! We love things .... and we also love having choices .... so, often we buy more than we need. And then our lives become clogged with the duplicates, or with things we keep even when we've already bought a replacement. That is probably my worst habit .... except for usually buying two of something to be sure I have a back up. But more often my problem about keeping the old thing that is still perfectly good, and that I might use some day, or that somebody might get some use from ... like maybe my daughter-in-law, or sister-in-law ... or me in my next life. Right!!! Not!!!

I read something once about keeping an efficient work space that said that most clutter on our desks about delaying a decision. I didn't get it at the time. But as I've cleaned a few closets and cupboards in the last few weeks in order to bring things to the rummage sale, I realize it is true. I have lots of things that I've never used again after a new one was purchased to replace it. And so those things are here.

In some ways it might be considered a spiritual practice .... the rummage sale. Besides passing along the surplus in our lives, raising money for the ministries of Kingswood, and enjoying the company of others as we work/serve together, there is the experience of clearing space in our minds and hearts for more room to breathe and of having fewer distractions so we can notice God's presence more readily.

If you haven't brought a load yet, it is not too late. Bring some stuff, stay awhile to greet the workers, or to help ... and feel the satisfaction of being part of this spring ritual.

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Peace be with you.

Rev. Margaret Gramley

The Rummage Sale is Saturday!

The Kingswood Annual Rummage Sale will be held on Saturday, May 14 from 8am - 4pm. For those of you doing spring cleaning, please remember this great opportunity to donate your unwanted clothes, furniture, housewares, etc. to the rummage sale. Please remember donated items need to be in good, working condition. No large appliances will be accepted.

You can drop off your donations anytime after May 8 at the church.

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED ON SATURDAY!!

Jobs include:

1. Welcoming people to the sale at the door and handing out bags.

2. Monitoring the kids room (assisting shoppers, folding clothes)

3. Helping people load heavy items to their cars

4. General customer service.

5. Cashiering and bagging at check-out

Any time you have to help is appreciated. Even one hour is helpful!

If you have questions or can help please contact Chris Spaeth at (847)520-5933 or email mcmayyy@aol.com

Keep Buffalo Grove Beautiful

Adopt-a-Highway is a mission project sponsored by the Puppet Team to serve the Buffalo Grove community. The congregation is encouraged to get involved in keeping our community beautiful. Clean up is May 15 meet at the church at 11:45. Wear sturdy shoes (no sandals) and bring work gloves. This service project is open to everyone who is in 7th grade and older.

Any questions contact Sheri Brubeck at sheribrubeck@comcast.net.

Graduation Potluck

Graduating College and High School students are invited to attend a celebration of all Kingswood graduates. The graduates and their families are invited to a potluck on Sunday May 15 at noon. Each family is asked to bring a dish to share. If you haven't signed up and would like to participate in the potluck please contact Paula Swanson.

High School Youth Activity - Capture the Flag

Meet on Sunday at 6:30pm to play Capture the Flag. Bring a friend and a snack to share!

Companions on the Journey - June Meeting

Thank you to all the women that attended on Monday May 9. We had good laughs while sharing our rummage and an uplifting spiritual focus of "Amazing Grace".

Our last meeting before summer break is on June 6th. At the June meeting along with fellowship, faith and fun we will discuss plans for the fall. We need everyone's feedback.
Please mark your calendars for June 6 - fellowship, faith, feedback and fun!! Any questions contact Elizabeth Hicks ehicks@kingswoodumc.com.

CFF Great Strides logo

Walk for Cystic Fibrosis

Debbi Bobbitt will be walking in the Great Strides for Cystic Fibrosis in honor of her granddaughter, Julia Flesor and in memory of Elizabeth Weaver on Sunday, May 15 at Citizens Park in Barrington. If anyone would like to join in the walk or donate to the walk contact Debbi at (847) 362-0044. You can also donate or join the walk on line at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Website type in "Debbi Bobbit"or sign up under Julia Flesor's Fighters.

Senior High Mission Trip

The Senior High Work Camp has been announced! The trip is to Galveston, Texas from July 31 to August 6, to work on homes devastated by Hurricane Ike in 2008. They will be working with One Mission Initiative. The youth will be chaperoned by Ruth Anderson, Norm Belew, Jeff Johnson, Krist Neumann, Harry Brubeck and Sheri Brubeck.
You can sponsor a youth using the donation link in the right hand column. Select "Youth Mission Trip", and please add the youth participant's name where designated.

Surprisingly Happy: an Atypical Religious memoir

"Are you happy because you are getting older or because you've found spiritual peace?" Rabbi Shelia Weinberg offers answers to that question in her new memoir. Snapshots of Rabbi Weinberg's life, as told through poetry, prayers, and experiences, offer clues about her search to find God and carves a path for others to learn from her journey.

Author Rabbi Shelia Weinberg will be reading and signing copies of her book, Surprisingly Happy, at Beth Emet The Free Synagogue, 1224 Dempster, Evaston on Thursday, May 12 at 7pm.

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Prayer Labyrinth Project at Kingswood

In June, Tommy Gates will lead a group of Scouts in building an outdoor prayer labyrinth on the western edge of the Kingswood property. This is his Eagle project and he has been working for several months making plans, getting approval and learning about prayer labyrinths. In the next few weeks you'll see him in the Fireside Room with a display showing his plan and receiving any encouragement and financial support you may want to offer.

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American Cancer Society - Relay for Life

On Saturday evening, May 21 some members of Kingswood will be participating in The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life in Wheeling. This is the 8th year that Rebecca Berry will participate in the Survivor Lap and the 2nd year for her husband Russ. This year the Berry children, Kathryn and Matthew, Wendy Avner and Kelsey Schauer will also be participating. If you would like to donate to their efforts please contact Rebecca Berry.

Kingswood Preschool to offer Summer Camp

This 6 week summer program will be offered 3 days a week (Tues.-Thurs.) June 14th -July 21st from 9:00am-12:00pm.

Our program is designed to offer your preschool child

the perfect summer camp experience. All children 3-5 years of age are welcome.

Crafts, recreational activities, music, and plenty of outdoor fun will help create a positive experience for your child. Fun and educational themes will be highlighted as well as weekly special events.

For more information please contact Laura Kopka, Director of Kingswood Preschool @ 847-666-4092. Or email preschool@kingswoodumc.com

KUMC Book Club

The next meeting of the book clube is Friday, June 10 at 7pm at Panera Bread in Strathmore Center. The book club will discuss "Cutting for Stone" by Abraham Verghese. Cutting for Stone is an unforgettable story of love and betrayal, compassion and rededemption, exile and home, that unfolds across five decades in India, Ethiopia and America.
For more information contact Karen Wernette, (224) 677-5277 or kmwernet@umich.edu.