Woodmar United Methodist Church
Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world
Pastor Alex Stone
March 2017
Pastor’s Ponderings
Dear Friends,
As you may have heard it was announced on Sunday, February 19,
after our worship service that Bishop Trimble and the Cabinet have
reappointed me to another congregation in the Indiana Conference effective
July 1, 2017.
I and Carla will be serving the Mt. Comfort UMC in Plainfield (which is
about 14 miles east of Indianapolis). Although this comes as a surprise to us,
it was not totally unexpected as we have been at Woodmar UMC since July of
2009; at the conclusion of this appointment year, June 30 – that’s 8 years!
Eight years we’ve been in ministry together making disciples of Jesus Christ
for the transformation of the world.
I can remember commenting to various people after being at
Woodmar only for a few short months that it felt like I had been here
forever . . . in a good way! From the very start I’ve felt as if this was home.
There wasn’t that awkward getting to know you period. Everyone was so
friendly and open and accepting of us. I know you will be for your next
pastor, too; whomever he or she may be.
Believe it or not, I’m reminded of the words of a Beatles song as I
write this:
There are places I remember
All my life, though some have changed
Some forever, not for better
Some have gone and some remain
All these places have their moments
With lovers and friends I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life, I've loved them all
I truly have loved my time with you all. You will be missed. But I know you
will continue “embracing the community, nurturing the Spirit, and following
Jesus.”
Our Mission:
To make disciples of Jesus
Christ for the
transformation of the
world.
Our Vision:
Growing Hope:
 Embracing the
Community
 Nurturing the Spirit
 Following Jesus
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Birthdays…………………………………...2
Community Preschool………………..4
Dates to Remember……………….....2
Extravagant Generosity……………..7
Intentional Faith………………………..3
Mission & Service………………..….…6
God Bless You,
Pastor's Ponderings…………………...1
Radical Hospitality………….............2
Woodmar Happenings….…..3,5,6,7
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Scripture & Sermon Titles
Birthdays
3/1
3/5
3/12
3-19
3/26
Ash Wednesday
Matthew 4:1-11
Steve Strains
Chris Matthews
Excerpts from John 9:1-41
6:00pm
Temptation
Now I See
Radical Hospitality
3/01
3/04
3/06
3/08
3/11
3/13
3/16
3/18
3/20
3/21
3/24
3/27
3/29
3/30
3/30
3/31
Robert Solon
Sue Fusner
Carol Wagner
Steve Strains
Mary Jo Shea
Rosie White
Kyle Kocon
Daniel Zahorsky
Bong Yohl Kim
Debbie Austin
Rebecca Bach
Shirley Lopatkiewicz
Andrea Fukuda
Kathryn Wong
Carl Elliott
Donna Wilkinson
Nicholas Mark
Gabrielle Mark
Stephanie Sobeck
Cara Conaway
David Lopatkiewicz
Ken Anderson
Michael Keefe
Thank You!
The Kocon family would like to express their appreciation for your generosity
on the Giving Tree. “Thank you to the congregation for the wonderful
Christmas gifts for our grandchildren. Thank you so very much, we had the
best Christmas ever! We love you all! “
Children’s Coordinator Needed
We need someone to take over Sunday Morning Children’s Church. All it
entails is scheduling volunteers and helping choose the curriculum. If you are
interested in helping with the development of our children’s understanding
of God and the Bible, please contact Pastor Alex.
Available
We would like to let the congregation know that we have three wheelchairs
available to borrow for short term use.
MARCH DATES TO REMEMBER
3/01
3/02
3/06
3/09
3/10
3/12
3/16
3/17
3/20
Newsletter Deadline
If there is something you
wish to have included in the
April
newsletter, please submit it
to the office by
Monday, March 20.
10:00
6:00
7:00
9:30
12:30
7:00
6:30
11:15
3:15
7:00
Healing Circle
Ash Wednesday Service
Caregivers Meeting
UMW Board Meeting
Preschool Board Meeting
Deborah Circle
Mardi Gras
Daylight Savings Time Begins
Congregational Care Corp Meeting
& 3:45 Paws for Peace
Church Council Meeting
Happy St. Patrick’s Day
Book Club
Trustees Meeting
All Circles Meeting (Mary Hosts)
Preschool Spring Break
1:00
6:30
3/22
9:30
3/27 to 3/31
Weekly Events
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Tuesday—Thursday
Thursday
6:30
10:00
10:00
10 –1
6:30
2
Young Adults
Exercise for Seniors (except the first Monday)
Bible Study
Sonrise Seniors
Praise Team
Intentional Faith Development
Choir Accompanist
The church choir is still in need of an accompanist on Sunday mornings and
during rehearsals. Please talk to your friends to see if anyone you know might
be interested. They can call the church office or Dave at (773)791-8277.
Children’s Coordinator Needed
We need someone to take over Sunday Morning Children’s Church. All it
entails is scheduling volunteers and helping choose the curriculum. If you
are interested in helping with the development of our children’s
understanding of God and the Bible, please contact Pastor Alex.
Tuesday Morning Bible Study
The Tuesday Morning Bible Study will begin a 6-week Lenten study called
The Way: Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus. Using videos shot in the Holy
Land, Hamilton will take us to the Jordan River where Jesus was baptized
and the wilderness where he was tempted. You’ll see the ruins of ancient
Capernaum, where Jesus healed the sick, and ascend the mountain where
he gave his most famous sermon. You’ll be transported across the Sea of
Galilee, where he calmed the wind and waves, and you’ll visit the last
remaining community of Samaritans in the world. Then you’ll visit
Jerusalem, where Jesus spent his final days. Join us in the lounge on
Tuesday mornings at 10:00 to be a part of this exciting Lenten experience.
Woodmar Book Club
Woodmar
Book Club
The book club
will meet on
Monday,
March 20,
at 1:00
The book for March is Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee. It will be presented by
Ramah McCabe. “From Harper Lee comes a landmark new novel set two
decades after her beloved Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece, To Kill a
Mockingbird. Maycomb, Alabama. Twenty-six-year-old Jean Louise Finch-"Scout"--returns home from New York City to visit her aging father, Atticus. Set
against the backdrop of the civil rights tensions and political turmoil that were
transforming the South, Jean Louise's homecoming turns bittersweet when she
learns disturbing truths about her close-knit family, the town and the people
dearest to her. Memories from her childhood flood back, and her values and
assumptions are thrown into doubt. Featuring many of the iconic characters
from To Kill a Mockingbird, Go Set a Watchman perfectly captures a young
woman, and a world, in a painful yet necessary transition out of the illusions of
the past--a journey that can be guided only by one's conscience. Written in the
mid-1950s, Go Set a Watchman imparts a fuller, richer understanding and
appreciation of Harper Lee. Here is an unforgettable novel of wisdom,
humanity, passion, humor and effortless precision--a profoundly affecting work
of art that is both wonderfully evocative of another era and relevant to our own
times. It not only confirms the enduring brilliance of To Kill a Mockingbird, but
also serves as its essential companion, adding depth, context and new meaning
to an American classic. “ Review from Goodreads.com
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March kicks off with our Mardi Gras and Silent Auction on March 10, 6:30-8:30.
We look forward to filling the gym with this fun, family event and fundraiser.
The evening will be filled with the sounds of New Orleans and lots of baskets to
bid on. A festive photo booth, activities for the kids and a dessert bar will make
the event special for all ages.
Registration for Fall Preschool classes is now open. Please spread the word to
your family and friends. The registration fee will be discounted until March 31.
Summer is coming quickly! We have openings available in our childcare for
summer care.
Thank you to the Lion’s Club of Hammond for providing a Vision Screening for our children and younger
siblings. We appreciate all that the Lion’s Club does for our community.
Our education entrance and classrooms are now monitored with a 24-hour video system. BT Video
Systems installed the system on February 20. The monitoring system will add an extra level of security to
our children, staff and facility.
February was an action-packed month in our classes. Teachers were working long hours with child
development assessments, summarizing the assessments and conferencing with parents. Our staff is truly
amazing!
February also was filled with Valentine related topics. Letters were written between friends, Valentines
were a motivation for name-writing and friendship activities were discussed and presented in art.
Dinosaurs added lots of interest and animation in two classes. The noise level seems to increase when
dinosaurs fill the room. Our Pre-K class studied recycling with science experiments like making paper and
recycled crayons. They reinforced the study with a trip to Bellaboo’s for an Ecology field trip. Book Buddy
Bundles were organized and sent home with the 3-4 year olds so they can enjoy great children’s literature
and activities with their family.
Our childcare morning class did a study of incredible African-Americans like Jackie Robinson, Harriet
Tubman, Madame CJ Walker and Garrett Morgan. Did you know that Garrett Morgan invented the traffic
light that we still use today? Our Chapel Time centered on a book written by Archbishop Desmond Tutu,
titled God’s Dream. Take a Sunday stroll through the education wing and enjoy the wonderful art and
learning environments that inspire growth and positive character with our little ones.
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Publication’s title
The Pylon (Tax ID 35-0988814)
Issue date/frequency/number
Feb. 28, 2017, published monthly, Issue No. 75
Authorized organization’s
address
Woodmar United Methodist Church
7320 Northcote Ave., Hammond, IN 46324
Contact information
Office email: [email protected]
Pastor’s email: [email protected]
Web: www.woodmarumc.org
Phone 219-844-3030 Fax 844-3038
Sunday Schedule
Worship 10:00 AM
RISK-TAKING MISSION AND SERVICE
Monthly Mission
The mission for the month of March is Heifer International. Heifer International's
mission is to work with communities to end world hunger and poverty and to care
for the Earth.
Dan West was a farmer from the American Midwest and member of the Church of
the Brethren who went to the front lines of the Spanish Civil War as an aid worker.
His mission was to provide relief, but he soon discovered the meager single cup of milk rationed to the weary
refugees once a day was not enough.
And then he had a thought: What if they had not a cup, but a cow?
That "teach a man to fish" philosophy is what drove West to found Heifer International. And now, nearly 70 years
later, that philosophy still inspires our work to end world hunger and poverty throughout the world once and for all.
How it Works:
We empower families to turn hunger and poverty into hope and prosperity – but our approach is more than just
giving them a handout. Heifer links communities and helps bring sustainable agriculture and commerce to areas with
a long history of poverty. Our animals provide partners with both food and reliable income, as agricultural products
such as milk, eggs and honey can be traded or sold at market.
When many families gain this new sustainable income, it brings new opportunities for building schools, creating
agricultural cooperatives, forming community savings and funding small businesses.
For additional information, please go to the website: www.heifer.org.
Woodmar United Methodist Women
On March 23, 1869, eight women gathered in Boston
and organized the Women’s Foreign Missionary
Society, which would become the United Methodist
Women. Those women raised money to send a
doctor and a teacher to India as missionaries to serve
the women of that nation. In 2019, we will celebrate
and honor one hundred years of a proud history and
bright future.
In February, our unit observed the annual Call to Prayer and Self-Denial. It was a time set aside for prayer, and an
offering was taken to help programs related to Maternal and Child Health.
All circles will meet together on March 22 at the church.
Paws for Peace
Paws for Peace will be meeting at Hartsfield Village on March 16. They meet in the
Memory Care Unit at 3:15 and the Assisted Living area at 3:45. Come and bring
you four-legged friend (up to date with shots, please!) to visit with the residents.
(Or come alone without a pet!) Visitors are always appreciated!
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RISK-TAKING MISSION AND SERVICE
Congregational Care Corps
CCC met on Feb. 12.
*We continue to send birthday, get well and sympathy cards to the congregation.
*Follow-up on prayer requests via cards or calls.
*Cards and calls go out to our visitors as well.
*Caregivers daytime groups will no longer meet due to lack of participants; however, the evening group will continue
on the first Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. in the lounge.
* Paws for Peace will be visiting Hartsfield Village in March.
*Family Bowling Day was on Feb. 12 at Plaza Lanes and was a big hit! I had several people ask that we do it
again. YAY! We had 30 in attendance which includes adults and children. Pizza and fun was had by all! Next time we
will have people pre-pay as they sign up.
*Discussed possible future family events, such as, movie and popcorn day/night here at the church, potluck and
game day/night here at the church and a pizza party here at the church.
* Talked of going to see the movie "The Shack" when it comes out in March. Many of us have read the book and
thought it would be a nice outing to do as a group and possibly go out afterward for some discussion.
Caregivers Group
The Caregivers Group meets the first Thursday of the month at 7 pm. A Caregiver can be anyone from a
spouse caring for a spouse, a child caring for a parent, someone caring for a family member or friend, or a
grandparent helping raise a grandchild. Each has need of a time for self. Join us.
Woodmar also has “Care Notes” available in the Lobby/Narthex and Library/Lounge on a wide variety of
subjects. Please take a look at them and help yourself if you find something of interest to you.
Sign Language Class
The class in American Sign Language that started in September has been having a lot of fun
along with learning much. Please talk to Nancy Craig if you would like to participate. She can be
reached at [email protected] or (219) 845-0595.
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MORE BOWLING PICTURES!
EXTRAVAGANT GENEROSITY
Scrip is available for purchase to take with you or to order. We have Fannie May cards to help fill your
Easter Baskets! Although we have had some wonderful spring-like days, winter has not left us. A good
way to get rid of “cabin fever” during the cold or rainy days is to go out to eat, shop or travel! The Scrip
cards also make great gifts for those who seem impossible to buy for. Many different department stores,
restaurants, gas cards or hotel cards are available to order. You can even get Amazon cards! Take a look at
our list! Thank you for your support this past year. Your generosity has been wonderful!
Invite Family and Friends to the Trustee’s Pancake Breakfast & Bake Sale!
Palm Sunday, April 9th from 8:00—Noon
Pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, milk, juice, and coffee
 $6 for adults and $4 for children ages 3-10
Profits from this fundraiser will help the Trustees maintain our building and grounds.
Tickets will be on sale March 26th, April 2nd and also at the door.
Items are needed for the bake sale!
Please bring your bake sale donations early on Palm Sunday.

Treasurer's Report:
January Finances
We ended January with $11,793 in our Current Expense account. Thank you to everyone for keeping up
with your pledges!
Income for budgeted expenses
Donations
16,957
Rental income
4,367
Initial Offering for envelopes
133
Foundation
Rummage
Scrip
78
Preschool
539
Total
22,074
Budgeted expenses
Program expenses
Building related
Office related
Staff & related
Apportionments
Finance & Fees
Total
261
6,238
978
16,222
500
51
24,250
January Profit/loss
(1,953)
7
Unbudgeted Income
Missions
Mortgage Fund
Memorial
Property Maintenance
Coffee machine
Altar flowers
Communion Elements
Other bequests
Total
664
2,011
45
274
44
20
3,014
Nonprofit Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Hammond, Indiana
Permit 1206
Woodmar United Methodist Church
7320 Northcote Ave
Hammond, IN 46324-2943
Phone (219)844-3030
www.woodmarumc.org
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Mardi Gras and Silent Auction, March 10, 6:30-8:30 pm
Silent Auction items are rolling in! Here’s a sneak peak…..
Vacation Rental for 5 day, 4 night stay in a 2 bedroom condo that sleeps 8.
Choose from a variety of 18 vacation locations.
Tickets to The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
Tickets to Holiday World, Santa Claus, IN
Sky Zone package
Jak’s Warehouse
Plaza Lanes Bowling Party
Zig E’s Funland Package
RailCats tickets
The Wheel Restaurant
Sip Coffee House
Many Baskets for Children!
All are welcome to enjoy an evening of New Orleans festivities!
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