Mainstreeter Blast November 18, 2021

Click here for November 21st, 2021  Bulletin       A Message from Pastor Kelly     November 21st is Consecration Sunday- Stewardship is about how you use the blessings given you: your time, your gifts, your service and your witness. Please join us in worship as we celebrate all the gifts we bring in faith, and we bless our pledges of financial gifts for the 2022 year of ministry at Main Street UMC. Make the use of your money reflect your values and consider sharing in proportion to your blessings. Prayerfully consider your giving and take a step toward tithing your income. The irony in moving out of Scare City (or scarcity), we don't have to pack and go anywhere. Rather, we're called to transform the places within and around us with the evidence of God's love and grace. We are called to build altars everywhere to reveal the gifts of abundance to a hungry world. On this Consecration Sunday, we bring our pledges for our 2022 giving and explore how we offer radical generosity to transform the places where we are. 2022_Pledge_Card_Single.pdf -Pastor Kelly         Fellowship Virtual Coffee Hour Be sure to join us for our Virtual Coffee Hour and Fellowship Time following the 10:30 am service.  We look forward to seeing you there! https://www.mainstreet-umc.org/activities/coffee-hour     More information can be found in the obituary.  Please use the following link: https://farwellfuneralservice.com/stephen-w-rogers/         The Informed Giver Part 5 – Mission Shares   The previous articles addressed the nuts and bolts of budgeting, income categories, and tracking/reporting contributions.  This article attempts to focus more on our mission through the eyes of finances.  Financially vital congregations focus on God's great abundance rather than bemoaning the fact that people don't give as they used to and worrying about what to cut from the budget if pledges are not adequate for desired expenses.  These congregations start the annual budgeting process with a period of time dedicated to discerning God's plans for the coming year instead of assuming that they know what the budget should include.  Financially vital congregations seek to develop stewards rather than see members as donors.   While we may not totally be there quite yet, MSUMC is well on its way to becoming a financially vital congregation.  Just look at what we include in our mission statement – "…to assist in times of difficulty and sorrow…to provide a haven for the needy of spirit, body and mind…to invite all to use their gifts and graces in a variety of ministries to downtown Nashua, the surrounding community and the world." And one of core values is serve – "Serving is doing God's work in the world. It is action…Jesus' entire ministry was filled with acts of service – feeding the hungry, healing the sick, comforting the grieving, and advocating for the weak, the poor, and the oppressed. We strive to identify new ways and places where God is calling us to serve."   One of the primary areas we are already serving is in paying our mission shares.  Many of you will recall that there was a period of time, not too long ago, when MSUMC was not able to pay its mission shares in full.  For the past several years however, this has been prayed for and we have been blessed to meet our obligations and pay our full apportionment of mission shares.  If you were like me however, you may have not known anything more than the title Mission Shares or how much they are.  So what exactly are these?   Mission shares from MSUMC, along with mission shares from all other churches in our conference, are part of the New England Conference budget as determined by the Annual Conference.  These shares, or apportionments, in reality enable the mission and ministry of Local Churches, our Conference and our Denomination, locally, regionally and throughout the world.      Since the creation of the New England Conference in 1994, the same formula has been used to determine shares.  This formula is the sum of statistics reported by local churches (compensation and benefits for pastor and staff, program expenses, operating expenses) and statistics added by the conference statistician for pension, health insurance, property insurance, and workers compensation minus the estimated expense of operating church buildings for outside groups.  This sum is then divided by total spending for all congregations to obtain a church factor.  This factor is averaged for the last three years.  Not included in determining mission shares are capital expenses and improvements, spending on mission, membership, attendance, or church income.  As shown below, mission shares for each church change from year to year based on the conference budget, what our church spends on itself as a percentage of what all conference churches spend on themselves, and a three-year rolling average to prevent drastic changes to a local church budget from impacting their Mission Shares in one year.   Mission Shares are made up of three parts with ratios that change each year:  1 – World Missions (supporting work around the world), 2 – New England Missions (providing spiritual life, faith ministries, diversity ministries, leadership development, conference stewardship activities, and connectional mission shares [anticipated unpaid apportionments), and 3 – Ministry Support (covering health benefits for retired/disabled clergy, conference share of Episcopal operating expenses, salaries/housing/office expenses for district superintendents, deployed clergy and equitable salary for support of churches where there are critical needs, and conference administrative support).  Please note that unpaid portions of Ministry Support are carried over to the next year with interest.  MSUMC mission shares also include contributions to the Clergy Retirement Security Program.    So how does this translate into numbers?                                                                                     2021                            2022 - New England Conference                                                     -- World Missions                                $1,560,832 (20.8%)     $1,753,428 (24.1%)             -- New England Missions                     $1,729,246 (23%)        $1,652,966 (22.8%)             -- Ministry Support                              $4,231,682 (56.3%)     $3,862,946 (53.1%)                 Total                                                $7,521,760                  $7,269,340   - MSUMC Church Factor                                 0.0071168                   0.0072836   - MSUMC Mission Shares  -- World Missions                               $11,108 (20.8%)          $12,771 (24.1%) -- New England Missions                    $12,307 (23%)             $12,040 (22.8%) -- Ministry Support                              $30,116 (56.3%)          $28,136 (53.1%)  -- CRSP Pension                                   $11,726                       $11,726                             Total                           $65,257                       $64,673   This is a lot of information to take in, but I hope it gives you a fuller and clearer picture of what Mission Shares are all about.   Thank you for being an informed giver.   Paul           The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) filed for bankruptcy after numerous suits were filed for sexual abuse. As part of the bankruptcy process, United Methodist local churches across the country had the opportunity to file a proof of claim. Filing a proof of claim indicated, among other things, that the local church had a right to be indemnified/protected by BSA as well as BSA insurance policy coverage for any claim filed against the local church by a scout survivor. Your local church filed a proof of claim and now has the opportunity to vote on the bankruptcy plan. Because local churches' votes must be received by December 14, 2021, and because we will not know if all United Methodist local churches will be covered against BSA claims until November 23, 2021, all United Methodist local churches that filed a proof of claim must prepare now to record their vote. The congregation's vote is critical to ensure United Methodist local churches are protected from a lawsuit filed concerning an individual claiming they were abused while in a scouting program associated with the local church. A special charge conference is set for Monday, November 29th at 3:00 pm to record the vote.  As this is a Charge Conference, only member leaders/officers can vote. Regular members can attend with voice but NOT VOTE. The format of this conference is primarily online.  However, if you are interested in a hybrid/in-person option, please contact the Main Office at (603)882-3361 or office@mainstreet-umc.org       Sunday School News Join us this Saturday,  November 20th at 1:00 pm at the church for our November Sunday school event.  We will be making Thanksgiving centerpieces and decorating the sanctuary with leaves. Maybe Fletcher, our friend from last week's Children's time story, will visit us!  We will also be handing our Advent materials for the children to enjoy at home, and there may be a treat or two as well.  All are welcome to join us; if the weather cooperates, we will be outside, if not we will follow the Safety committee's protocols ( masks and social distancing ) and be inside.  We hope to see you there!       The Downtowner photo of the week was captured by Andrea Weir, taken at last Thursday's Veterans Day parade down Main Street in Downtown Nashua. Look at these cute parade-goers! Thanks for sending it in!     One of our youth members, Amy Campbell, an 8th grader at Merrimack Middle School will perform this Friday & Saturday. Title: Merrimack Middle School Drama Club            "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" Location: Merrimack Middle School, 31 Madeline Bennett Lane, Merrimack, NH Date & Time: Fri,  Nov 19th and Sat, Nov 20th; 7 - 830pm Cost: $10 per ticket https://www.onthestage.tickets/mms-drama-club/individual-tickets           Vestry Class Information   All the Good:  A Wesleyan Way of Christmas Begins November 28th @ 9:00 a.m. on Zoom The Vestry Class will journey through Advent together, guided by the practices in John Wesley's means of grace.  As always, this group promises compassionate community, frothy conversation, and prayer.  Facilitated by Paul Pederzani, the class is video-based, and no preparation is necessary. To join, use the following link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81723594937?pwd=NklVREs0TmJxOW56N00yZ0R2OEZNdz09 Meeting ID: 817 2359 4937  Passcode: 404376    Books for personal use:  If participants wish to purchase the accompanying book, it is called "All the Good: a Wesleyan Way of Christmas."  It can be purchased at www.cokesbury.com https://www.cokesbury.com/all-the-good-2?pagenumber=1 or amazon.com at  https://www.amazon.com/All-Good-Laceye-C-Warner/dp/1791017975/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=   A daily Advent devotional Guide, "All the Good:  Devotions for the Season" can also be purchased at Cokesbury and Amazon.com.       WHAT IS UNITED METHODIST STUDENT DAY? One of the major challenges that students face is the lack of financial support to attain a college education. Worrying about expenses adds to the already existing anxieties youth experience and it may take away from their ability to excel in their studies or activities. But for students attending United Methodist Churches, we extend a hand to help them accomplish their career goals. For more than 100 years, United Methodists have been supporting their students' educational needs through a special offering. The funds received from the offering go into the United Methodist Student Loan Fund to underwrite scholarships for United Methodist students. Scholarships are awarded to deserving United Methodist students annually. Sunday, November 28th 2021 Please use this link          Plaid Friday is BACK!!!!   Support Local & join us for Plaid Friday this year in Nashua, NH! Plaid Friday is the relaxing and enjoyable alternative to the big box store "Black Friday." The first 400 attendees will receive a free Plaid Friday Nashua tote bag, stuffed with special offers and other goodies from participating Downtown shops and restaurants. Tickets are free, but a donation of $5 or $10 is suggested, and will help support Great American Downtown's mission of vibrancy during a year that has been a big challenge for an organization that relies on large events to support our work. Thank you for your support of Downtown Nashua! We'll see you at Plaid Friday! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/plaid-friday-nashua-tickets-205794515937         Christmas Poinsettias   The Worship Committee will be offering Christmas poinsettias for purchase this year--to make the sanctuary festive for those worshipping with us in person and for those joining us online.   Poinsettias will be offered in red or white and cost $11.00 each.   Please contact:          Terri Kenny at:  603-891-2526 (home)           603-689-8233 (cell:  voice or text)           terri_kenny@comcast.net        OR  Main Office: (603) 882-3361 office@mainstreet-umc.org   We will be putting up a slide of names and they'll be listed in the bulletin. All payment should be sent to:    Main Street United Methodist Church           P.O. Box 1517           Nashua, NH  03061-1517           Attn:  Finance   The deadline for ordering poinsettias will be Sunday, December 12th.  Poinsettias will be available for pickup after the Friday,  December 24th service. Thank you and God Bless.             Office Help Needed   I would like a to form a team of office support volunteers who would be willing and available to assist for special projects, such as bulk mailings, VBS preparations, creative assignments and anything else that might come along. I will provide ample notice prior to task and be flexible in scheduling times to help.  Qualifications include: enthusiasm, good sense of humor, and creative patience. Please email me at : office@mainstreet-umc.org or call (603) 882-3361 Thank you so much for your volunteer consideration. Natasha Drew                     Pastor's Sabbath Days: Pastor Kelly: Tuesday Pastor Kristy: Friday Days to Reach Pastors Pastor Kelly: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday Pastor Kristy: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

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Mainstreeter Blast November 11, 2021

Click here for November 14th, 2021  Bulletin       A Message from Pastor Kelly     What keeps you living in Scare City? What anxieties and fears feel like they are lurking around the corner? For me, it's often a focus on institutional survival. I hear it all the time in my work at the national level, at the denominational level – what will it mean for the United Methodist Church to no longer be "united." Can we survive coming untied? With the 2020 General Conference postponed yet again, there's a lot of uncertainty what this latest delay will mean for a church already experiencing the pressures and declines of every other denomination. Trends that have been accelerated by the pandemic. I get it. Infection rates and hospitalizations have risen again and deaths in New Hampshire reached a high level not seen since January. The pandemic is not yet over despite our desperation for it to be done. The stress and strain of it all permeate our society. Signs on shops apologize for supply chain disruptions, invite our patience, and plead for us to be nice to employees. Anxiety is spilling out in our behavior in ways we wish it wasn't. Some days, it feels like we all need to breathe deeply and light a lavender candle.  It can all be overwhelming, if you're not sitting with our youth around a table on Sunday mornings. Because if you're in the Confirmation Class you experience a group of brilliant young people who are resilient and thoughtful and caring. Who are graciously following safety protocols because they want to protect their loved ones and their community. Who are curious about our Wesleyan tradition. Who have been formed by this faith community and who trust their elders here. They are willing to explore what it means to be people of faith and they are interested in helping create a more just and generous place. When I hear them share where they are experiencing life-giving moments, where they are witnessing the movement of the spirit, where they see kindness and creativity and justice, I know the Holy Spirit is still at work in the world. When I see their passion for being loving people, I know God is still calling us into the act of co-creating that more loving world. And then I don't feel so scared about institutional survival and I can move from that tight place of fear into the wide-open spaces where the community thrives and Main Street Church was part of the journey to get there. -Pastor Kelly         Fellowship Virtual Coffee Hour Be sure to join us for our Virtual Coffee Hour and Fellowship Time following the 10:30 am service.  We look forward to seeing you there! https://www.mainstreet-umc.org/activities/coffee-hour       The Informed Giver Part 4 – Income Purposes   The last article covered the giving categories used by MSUMC.  This article identifies the different line items and purposes under each of those categories.  For your awareness and information, in 2021 the Finance Committee created an MSUMC Income Definitions and Purposes document that will get reviewed and updated annually during the budget planning cycle for future years.  An excerpt from this document is presented below.   General Use Funds   Envelopes & Pledges General Fund:  Contributions/donations attributable to a church member that are received in member or pew envelopes, mailed to the church, or from online.  They may/may not be known to be against a pledge.                Loose Offering:  Offerings received during services or on premise donations not part of above; generally in the form of cash. Heart of Nashua Continued:  Earmarked for connector mortgage and principal paydown. Missions – Earmarked for MSUMC portion of the New England Conference Mission Shares.   Maintenance/Repairs: Earmarked for routine, preventive and corrective maintenance and repairs.  Loaves & Fishes:  Earmarked for MSUMC Youth Director and Family/Intergenerational Coordinator salaries. Fund Raising-Ham & Bean:  Monies received for payment of a Ham & Bean meal ticket.   Fund Raising-Other w/Memo:  Monies received for an approved fund raiser.   Trust Fund Dividends:  Dividends received from MSUMC investment accounts.  Current MSUMC Trust Funds covered under this category include:                 - Trustee's General Account to help fund ministries of MSUMC and applied to the General Fund.  Invested in/through the UMFNE.                 - Trustee's Unrestricted Cramer Fund with income contributed to the general fund of the church and the principal available for the general fund of the church.  Invested in/through the UMFNE.                 - Trustee's Restricted Account to help fund ministries of MSUMC from income funds only [i.e. dividends].  See restriction below.  Invested in/through the UMFNE.    Bank Interest:  Interest received from MSUMC bank accounts.   Facility Use Donation w/Memo:  Donations received from individuals or non-MSUMC organizations that use MSUMC facilities.   Funding for the Future 100 for $150 – Contributions to increase the investment value/principal of the above mentioned Trust Funds. Easter Offering:  Contributions received in the Easter special offering envelope or notated with Easter in the memo line of a check. Thanksgiving Offering:  Contributions received in the Thanksgiving special offering envelope or notated with Thanksgiving in the memo line of a check. Christmas Offering:  Contributions received in the Christmas special offering envelope or notated with Christmas in the memo line of a check. Miscellaneous w/Memo:  Contributions/donations received that do not fall in one of the above categories.  A memo will be annotated to describe the specific purpose.   Designated Funds   Downtown Crossing – Supports immigrants, refugees and other members of the local community. Food Pantry – Supports the Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter and other food assistance ministries. Pastor's Discretionary Fund – Discretionary funds received in January, March, May, July, September and November and provided to the pastor to be used at his or her discretion.  Donors cannot specify or control payments from this fund.         Good Samaritan/Benevolence Fund – Discretionary funds received in February, April, June, August, October and December for support to needy individuals within the local community.  Donors cannot specify or control payments from this fund. Capital Maintenance/Improvements - Earmarked for specifically identified purposes that exceed General Fund maintenance expenses/purposes or which may increase an asset's function or service capacity.    Memorial – Contributions collected "In Memory of".  If not restricted by the donor, these funds may be used for general use fund expenses. Wanakee Scholarship – Contributions help pay for church youth to attend Camp Wanakee. Youth Ministry – Supports MSUMC youth programs.   Pass Through Funds   Africa University – UMC supported university transforming Africa by educating and empowering students from across the African continent. CWS Blankets – Supports the Church World Services Blanket program providing blankets to those in need.  Normally occurs during Mother's Day. CWS Tools – Supports the Church World Services Tools program providing tools and materials needed to rebuild people's lives.  Normally occurs during Father's Day. Heifer Project – Support's Heifer International's mission to end hunger and poverty in a sustainable way by supporting and investing alongside local farmers and their communities.  Normally occurs during the Easter/Lenten season. UMCOR Sunday (formerly One Great Hour of Sharing) – Enables the United Methodist Committee on Relief to reach out through worldwide ministries of food, shelter, health and peace.  Supports UMCOR administrative functions only.  (Fourth Sunday of Lent)  UMCOR Disaster – 100% of monies received provide dedicated support to identified US and International disasters. Human Relations Day – Strengthens United Methodist outreach to communities in the United States and Puerto Rico, encouraging social justice and work with at-risk youth. (Sunday before the national observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday) Native American Ministries Sunday – Nurtures mission with Native Americans and provides scholarships for United Methodist Native American seminarians. (Third Sunday of Easter) Peace With Justice Sunday – Enables The United Methodist Church to have a voice in advocating for peace and justice through a broad spectrum of global programs. (First Sunday after Pentecost) World Communion Sunday – Provides scholarships for U.S. racial- and ethnic-minority students and international students, on both undergraduate and graduate levels. (First Sunday of October) United Methodist Student Day – Furnishes scholarships and loans for students attending United Methodist-related and other accredited colleges and universities. (Last Sunday of November)   Restricted Funds   Trustee's Restricted Account – Helps to fund various ministries of Main Street United Methodist Church with income from funds only [can be used for GF expenses] and preservation of the principal gift [the restriction].   Invested in/through the UMFNE. Trustee's Restricted Hall Music Fund – Restricted to flowers and music needs.  Income/dividends applied to/re-invested in the fund.  Invested in/through the UMFNE.     As mentioned in the beginning, these line items and purposes will be reviewed during the annual budget planning cycle.   For the next article, I would like to provide more details and information on Mission Shares.  I think some of you may be surprised on how this works and how much MSUMC contributes.   Thank you for being an informed giver.   Paul         Message from SPRC   On October 31st, Mike Brown; Chair of SPRC, shared information about our staff. highlighting the various roles each staff member plays and areas that each one continues to commit to and devote extra energy towards. There was an announcement made regarding Pastor Kristy and her great impact with our ministry regarding those who are unhoused.  Mike mentioned all of her areas of expertise and shared that Pastor Kristy has done more in this past year to further our mission in this area than we have ever accomplished before, all while being unpaid, without a salary role as Associate Pastor at MSUMC. It was announced that and Associate Pastor Fund has been created.     We have been blessed to receive an anonymous donation of $15,000 from a member of the congregation towards a direct salary for Pastor Kristy.  Thank you to our anonymous donor for this generous act of giving. Mike shared both a challenge and a goal for congregation.  We are now accepting donations for the associate pastor fund to exceed the initial donation of $15,000.  Towards that goal we have already received confirmation of 3-4 additional donations of $1000 each.  Donations of all sizes will be accepted.  If you're interested, please mail a check to MSUMC and put Associate Pastor Fund in the memo field.   The associate pastor fund will cover Kristy's appointment thru 2022 calendar year.  Beginning in January, Kristy will receive bi-weekly paychecks drawn against the fund.  I plan to provide updates on progress of the donations in November and December.     Thank you for your time, energy and continued donations.     Advent/Christmas Cantata Announcement It's that time again - time to start preparing for our Christmas cantata! Like last year, the cantata will once again be a video project. However, this year, there will be the opportunity to sing together and record IN PERSON! On Sunday, November 14th and Sunday, November 21st from 12-1 pm, there will be an outdoor rehearsal and recording session for the cantata. We will gather outside the connector building at the back of the church, where we will rehearse and record. Be sure to dress warmly, and you are encouraged to wear something festive! In addition to in-person recording, there will be a virtual choir component to the cantata, just like last year, for those who are not comfortable singing in person.  There are also reading opportunities, which will be filmed in December. If you are interested in any of these opportunities, please contact Emily at emilyradams10@me.com. I will send you the music in advance so that you can practice on your own, as well as practice recordings to help in learning your music. I'd love to include your voice this year!     BIG BOX FOR ADVENT   Andrea Weir is working on the Advent children's times. She needs a BIG BOX like one that a refrigerator or washer comes in. If you have one she can use starting November 21st. You can reach her at mcam.weir@gmail.com       Join us on Saturday,  November 20 at 1:00 pm at the church for our November Sunday school event.  We will be making Thanksgiving centerpieces and decorating the sanctuary with leaves. Maybe Fletcher, our friend from last week's Children's time story, will visit us!  We will also be handing our Advent materials for the children to enjoy at home, and there may be a treat or two as well.  All are welcome to join us; if the weather cooperates, we will be outside, if not we will follow the Safety committee's protocols ( masks and social distancing ) and be inside.  We hope to see you there!       Virtual Yuletide Fair Reminders We are live and online! There is still time to shop for great gifts, holiday decorations, household items, wonderful paintings, plants, pet accessories, and more. We have 15 different areas to shop! You won't believe the creativity and skill of our crafters, so many lovely handmade items throughout the fair and some cool used things in Grandma's Attic.  And if you love fudge, cookies, jelly/jam, mini pies, rolls or bean soup you are in luck. Visit the Main Street UMW Facebook page between now and Fri. Nov. 12 at noon.  There is also a new link created for those not on Facebook:  https://www.mainstreet-umc.org/fair    All instructions will be provided and pick up at the church will be: Fri., Nov. 1, 6-7 PM  Sat., Nov. 13, 9 AM-2 PM Sun., Nov. 14, 11:30 AM-12 PM (after church) Additional baked goods will be available  Note to bakers: Baked goods can be dropped off Fri. the 12th from 9 AM-1:00 PM. Contact umwfair20@gmail.com if you need an item picked up, need the required baking instructions, or have questions.       Wed. Nov. 17, 7PM via Zoom United Methodist Women's Meeting This month our regular meeting will be virtual.  We will share prayer concerns, review how the Fair went this year, see a sample of the Christmas Eve ornaments and discuss possibilities for our December program. A zoom link will be sent out prior to the meeting. If you are not currently receiving emails from UMW and would like to, please notify the church office at office@Mainstreet-umc.org and we will add you to the mailing list.     Missions Reminder Scouting for food will take place November 13th. You should have received a donation tag  Saturday, November 6th .  MSUMC will be a recipient agency.  For more information please use the following link: https://nhscouting.org/resources/scouting-for-food/                           Pastor's Sabbath Days: Pastor Kelly: Tuesday Pastor Kristy: Friday Days to Reach Pastors Pastor Kelly: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday Pastor Kristy: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

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