Volume 60 Issue 6 June 2010
Harbor United Methodist Church Marshfield United
55 First Parish Road, Scituate, MA 02066 Methodist Church
Church office: 781.545.0818 185 Plain Street, Marshfield, MA 02050
Reverend Rick McKinley is also available by appointment
Dear friends:
I read an article recently that said that John Calvin, 16th century theologian and principal figure behind the sys-
tem that came to be known as Calvinism, was touted in 2009 by 3 major magazines as the “come back kid,” declaring
him one of the 10 most-often quoted people in America. One of the central tenets of Calvinism is predestination - that
God has a plan for your life - that everything is preordained, preprogrammed, and predetermined. One popular author in
recent years wrote in his book: “Because God made you for a reason, he also decided when you would be born, every
single detail of your body and the uniqueness of your personality, and how long you will live. He planned the days of
your life in advance, choosing the exact time of your birth and your death.”
This way of thinking about God has had tremendous appeal, and I think for good reason. In a world that often
seems out of control, it’s comforting to think that someone is in control. In a time of social, economic, and political up-
heaval, it’s comforting to think that somehow, despite of how unsettled and anxious we might feel, there is a greater pur-
pose to it all and that things are happening just like they are supposed to.
There are significant problems with this theology, however, (and one of the contributions of the people called
Methodists though they are certainly not the only ones who offer this), is that it fails to account for human freedom. You
and I were created in the image of God. Therefore, the spark of divinity is alive in each person, a spark that includes
freedom, the freedom to love or to not love, the freedom to choose God or to reject God. If that were not the case, then
our so-called “choice” to love God and love each other is really no choice at all! As John Wesley once wrote in a ser-
mon: Without true freedom, “the stones of the earth would be as capable of reward and as liable to punishment as
[human beings.] Yea it would be as absurd to ascribe either virtue or vice to him [sic] as to ascribe it to the stock of a
tree.”
Maybe you’re thinking, “What does all of this matter? It seems like theological babble to me, just splitting hairs
about this belief or that. How does this impact my life?” Consider these examples: In the last 24 hours, 30,000 children
died somewhere in the world because of factors related to malnutrition. They died because they didn’t have enough food.
Somewhere in the world, a parent prayed over their child as they lay dying of cancer. Somewhere in the world, one per-
son acted in violence toward another, or toward themselves. On the streets of cities around the world, including the
streets of Boston, thousands of families slept on sidewalks because they had no home of their own.
Are all of these things “preordained, preprogrammed, and predetermined?” Is this “God’s plan,” and all of these
details were set before the foundations of the earth? Is that what God was taking joy in planning? (See Ephesians 1: 4 -
6, The Message version)
My understanding of God and how God fits in with the examples listed above is that as children die without
food, God weeps. At every hand raised in violence, God weeps. As each person goes to sleep curled around a heating
grate on the sidewalk, God weeps. When a child grows weaker as the cancer spreads, God’s heart breaks. And God’s
heart breaks when any of us choose to center our lives on things other than God. This heart that breaks for humanity is
revealed most fully in Jesus, who, when looking upon the city of Jerusalem, people living without an awareness of God’s
love, or people choosing another way, longed to gather them like a mother hen gathers her chicks. (Matthew 23:36-38)
I guess the message I most want you to hear is: God is love. God is love. God is love. And this God who is love
desperately loves you. That may be the one thing that is “preordained, preprogrammed, and predetermined” that we can
count on.
Grace and peace, Rick
PAGE 2 V O LU M E 6 0 I S S U E 6
Financial Report
as of April 30, 2010
Operating income for April $ 13,351.87
Operating expense for April
Surplus/(Deficit)
14,737.38
(13,85.51) Potluck Luncheon June 6,
Beginning checkbook balance 4/1 33,315.24
Christian Education Sunday
Total income this month 17,734.87 Children will be recognized along with teachers during worship.
All children completing second grade and new to HUMC will
Total expense this month 22,202.91
receive Bibles and the younger children will sing a song for the
Ending checkbook balance 4/30 28,847.20
congregation. Plan to join us for a pot luck lunch immediately
Less Special Funds Accounts 10,291.82
following worship.
Cash for Budget 18,555.38
What the Pastor Is Reading
Ten Most Common Mistakes made by New Church Starts
by Jim Griffith and Bill Easum
Jesus Manifesto by Len Sweet and Frank Viola
June Birthdays
Are you a….
David Evans 10
New resident or Visitor Janet Ryan 10
or have a neighbor who is one of the above? Jack Gage 18
Rick McKinley 20
Then please call Ken Cerny, Lay Leader at 781.749.5862. Siobhan Sweeney 27
Thank you. Ian Crovella 29
Colin Crovella 29
Anniversaries
Don & Laura O’Keefe 4
Scituate and Marshfield Interfaith Food
Pantries
Items requested this month include: mustard, ketchup, mayo, prepared pudding cups,
dishwashing liquid, shampoo, and paper towels.
Thanks again for your continued generous support.
Thanks so much, Alice Hamer 781.545.4112
Proverbs 14:21b Blessed is he who is kind to the needy.
Expect a Miracle
Mary Ellen and I want to thank everyone for your prayers, letters, cards, and visits, while enjoying ten weeks in
Florida on vacation. We’re home; the power of prayer ABSOLUTELY works; let no one tell you otherwise. Expect a
miracle.
John Ross
V O LU M E 6 0 I S S U E 6 PAGE 3
Sunday Worship Servants
Jume Acolyte Liturgist Communion Youth Liturgist/
Servers Worship Assistant
6 Ian Sincoski M: Phyllis Pierson Pastor Rick, Valerie Sweeney, Falon Sweeney
S: Valerie Sweeney Falon Sweeney, Dave Sincoski
13 Olivia Moura M:Wayne Thompson Pastor Rick, Paul Moura, Micaela Lovering
S: Paul Moura Micaela Lovering, Sue Lovering
20 Madeline Ryan S:Christy Bruccoleri Pastor Rick, Christy Bruccoleri, Kelly O’Keefe
Kelly O’Keefe, Melinda Cerny
27 Ben Pretzer S: Ken Cerny Pastor Rick, Ken Cerny, Max Pretzer
Max Pretzer, Pam Pretzer
Greeters for June are Bill and Colleen McCall. Ushers are Allison Crowell and Shelley Rinehart.
The Thursday and Sunday Night Small Groups are providing coffee hour for the month of June.
Please call to switch dates with the next person above, if you are not available to participate on your
assigned day. Also kindly contact Ann White at 545-0815 to tell her of the change. Thank you.
Prayer Concerns
Please lift the following in prayer, that they may be strengthened, guided, and healed…
Consider visiting or sending a card.
Please contact Alice Hamer at 781.545.4112 if you know of anyone who is ill, a recent shut in, has had a tough go,
or suffered a loss . If we can get this information, an appropriate card will be sent to them.
Jack Gage (testing) Jimmie McCall (Bills’ brother - pray for strength) Lucy Morris
Helen and Maynard Huntley Joe Davies (nephew of Mary Voelger) Olga Finnie
Teri Hopkins Martin Sally Haines (Shirley’s cousin - cancer) Ruth Roberts
Rich Lynam (Shirley’s son) Pam Pretzer’s mother and father and brother Brad Perley Griswold
Star Bakery Project/NITCA Maria Jose - in orphanage in Nicaragua Ruth Stevens
Don and Dawn Evans People and animals of Haiti Ted & Suzy Zylinski
John & Mary Ellen Ross Donna Roberts (health issues) Holly Silva
Ann Borda Mimi Liu (healing for Rheumatoid Arthritis) Muriel Silva
David Richards Linda Huskisson (patience & strength in caring for Betty Schmidt
Sally Naser elderly parent) Thelma Corcoran
Marissa Voelger Bryan Pretzer’s cousin Dean Thelma Antoine
Hazel caring for mother
PRAISE For Answered Prayers
Mattie Dillon
Steven O’Keefe
Michelle and Family
Duncan Sparrell
*** Remember that services start at 9:30 as of June 13th! ***
Youth Group News
The Youth Group is starting their fundraising push for the Machias
Maine Mission trip July 11-17 this year. We will collect money at the
transfer station on June 19-20, hold a car wash at Harbor Saturday,
June 26th from 10am-1pm, and there might possibly be
some "Flamingo Flocking" as well!!
The youth are in desperate need of a female chaperone to join Bill
McCall and Bryan Pretzer in leading the group and our projects. Our
Safe Sanctuary policies require at least one female adult chaperone
on any co-ed trip. Please let us know if the Spirit is moving you to
help out this year!
Yours in Christ,
Senior Youth Group Leaders, Bryan Pretzer and Shelley Rinehart
Adult Machias Mission Trip
The dates are set for the adult mission trip to Downeast Maine. The team leaves July 25th and will stay until July 31st.
This trip is open to all. Things you might do while on this trip: paint houses, build stairs, sort and fold clothes at the mi-
grant Thrift Store. There is something for every skill level! You will also have a chance to see some of most beautiful
parts of New England. The cost of the trip is typically around $200 per person, but the group will be doing fundraisers to
help alleviate out of pockets costs. For more information, contact Rick at harborumc@verizon.net or Kevin and Joanne
McNally at kspnally@gmail.com. Also, we continue to collect men’s clothes for the thrift shop. Place your donations in
the box in Bruce Hall marked Machias Mission.
Ye Olde Village Fair Needs YOU!
No Experience Necessary!
Looking for new leadership for Ye Olde Village Fair this fall!
Bryan and Pam Pretzer are handing over the organizer reigns after 10+ years.
New ideas? New marketing? Same amazing food!
This wonderful church fund raiser, usually the first weekend in November, pro-
vides great fellowship, fun and food for our faith community and the community
at large!
Be a part of the fun!
Contact Bryan, Pam or Rick to volunteer!
Shirat Hayam Birthday
Congregation Shirat Hayam will observe its 13th birthday with a Bar Mitzvah celebration
on Saturday, June 5, beginning at 10 am with a service at the Temple, 185 Plain Street,
Marshfield, followed by a luncheon and reception at the John Carver Inn in Plymouth. Pro-
spective members, friends and family are invited. Cost for the reception is $25 for adults
and $12 for children 12 and younger. For more information, call 781-582-2700,
info@shirathayam.net, or visit shirathayam.net.
(CSH shares liturgical space with MUMC and the First Alliance Brazilian Church. The
Harbor and Marshfield is warmly invited to this event.)
Ju n e 2 0 1 0
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 4 5
9 AM to noon - 9 AM to noon - 9 AM to noon - Small group leader
Office hours in Office hours in Office hours in training
Marshfield Marshfield Scituate 8 AM to 1 PM
10 to 11:30 AM -
7 to 8:30 PM - Small
Small Group (Mary
Ellen Ross) Group (Rick Shirat Hayam
7 to 8:30 PM - Small 7 to 8:30 PM - Small McKinley) Birthday
Group (Steve Group (Melinda 10 AM Marshfield
Smith) Cerny)
6 –Christian Ed. 7 8 9 10 11 12
9 AM Marshfield 9AM to noon - 9 AM to noon - 9 AM to noon - 9 AM to noon - Small group leader
9:30 AM East Office hours in Office hours in Office hours in Office hours in training
Breakfast Scituate Marshfield Marshfield Marshfield Scituate 8 AM to 1 PM
10 to 11:30 AM -
10:45 AM Scitu- 7 to 8:30 PM - Small
Small Group (Mary
ate Ellen Ross) Group (Rick
Pot Luck Lunch 7 to 8:30 PM - Small 7 to 8:30 PM - Small McKinley)
Group (Steve Group (Melinda
Smith) Cerny)
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
9:30 AM Scituate 9AM to noon - 9 AM to noon - 9 AM to noon - 9 AM to noon -
11 AM Marshfield Office hours in Office hours in Office hours in Office hours in
Marshfield Marshfield Marshfield Scituate
10 to 11:30 AM -
7 to 8:30 PM - Small
Small Group (Mary
Small group Ellen Ross) Group (Rick
picnic 7 to 8:30 PM - Small McKinley)
Group (Melinda
Cerny)
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
9:30 AM Scituate 9AM to noon - 9 AM to noon - 9 AM to noon - 9 AM to noon - Youth Group
Children’s Office hours in Office hours in Office hours in M Office hours in Car Wash
Ministry Meeting Marshfield Marshfield 10 to 11:30 AM - Scituate 10AM to 2PM
Small Group (Mary
after services Scituate
Ellen Ross)
7 to 8:30 PM - Small
6 to7:30 PM - Group (Melinda
Small Group Cerny)
(Diane Evans)
27 28 29 30
9:30 AM Scituate 9AM to noon - 9 AM to noon - 9 AM to noon -
Office hours in Office hours in Office hours in M Small groups meet in various homes and at
Marshfield Marshfield 10 to 11:30 AM - both campuses so please visit the website
Small Group (Mary
Vacation -> Ellen Ross) to get more details about connecting with a
7 to 8:30 PM - Small small group.
6 to7:30 PM - Group (Melinda
Small Group Cerny) www.harbormarsh.org
(Diane Evans)
THE HARBOR &
MARSHFIELD UNITED
METHODIST CHURCH
55 First Parish Road
Scituate, MA 02066
185 Plain Street
Marshfield, MA 02050
Pastor: Reverend Rick McKinley
Church Office: 781.545.0818/781.837.2746
Office Email: harborumc@verizon.net
Office Hours:
Mo, Tu, We: 9 AM to noon - Marshfield
Th: 9 AM to noon - Scituate
Also available by appointment.
Connect - Grow - Serve
harbormarsh.org
Children's Ministry Planning Meeting:
June 20 after worship
In the fall we will have Children’s Church at 9:30 AM, the same time as church. We have some exciting
ideas for making the time with our children exciting and fun but we need your help. We are having a
planning meeting on June 20, after worship, and welcome anyone interested in being a part of this ex-
citing new change. The more people we have, the better we will be able to rotate the leadership so peo-
ple only miss a few weeks of worship with the larger community. The plan right now is to schedule
adults to match each series, four to six weeks at a time, since we'll be tying the children's curriculum to
the themes of the main worship experience. Any questions contact Allison Crowell at 781.545.3002 or
allisonmcrowell@comcast.net.