There will be an Ash Wednesday service at Ellsworth United Methodist Church on Wednesday, 2/17 at 6:30PM, in our downstairs contemporary worship space. Ashes will be distributed. All are welcome.
Ash Wednesday Service
Health Kits for Haiti – 1100 in our district!
This just in from our District Superintendent’s office:
“Health Kits update:
As of this writing, 29 churches have dropped off health kits and more are expected today. We have also received health kits from the Levant Elementary School (27 kits), a young girl in Milo who made health kits for her birthday party (10 kits) and from Belfast UMC (they are technically part of mid-Maine, 26 kits). The total received is just over 1100!! The kits will now be checked to make sure they contain all they are supposed to and will then be packed in boxes of 48 to be put on a truck for Sager Brown in Louisiana. I do not have the date the truck will be here so kits can still be dropped off at the district office, just be ready for the smell of 1100 bars of soap.
(It is my understanding that there are no fingernail clippers to be found in the Presque Isle area at this time.
Way to go! Thanks to all who have contributed – and continue to contribute – to this very worthy mission effort.
>> Get a list of items to make your own health kits
-Amy B.
No GPYes! tonight (1/4/10)
There will be no GPYes! contemporary worship service on Monday, January 4, 2010. The church parking lot is still a bit treacherous, and our resident clean-up crew isn’t feeling very well.
Enjoy your week, and see you all next Monday!
-Amy
News and Notes – November 2009
Here’s what’s cookin’ at Ellsworth United Methodist Church this month:
Eggs & Exchange Breakfast – November 15
The president of Loaves and Fishes food pantry, Lincoln Ehrlenbach and his wife Debbie, were the guest speakers at our monthly Eggs & Exchange breakfast. They explained the enormous service they provide for people in need. We learned how they receive food from several sources, and the many ways volunteers can help.
Volunteers are needed to help unpack food, distribute food, pick up donated food, stock food bank shelves and perform myriad other jobs. The Loaves and Fishes organization is able to purchase food for $.16/pound from the Good Shepherd Food Bank in Auburn.
We also learned that we can help just by using our Shaw’s cards when we shop. Here’s how it works:
1.) Register your Shaw’s Rewards card online 
2.) Enter code # 49001018490 when prompted
3.) Shop at Shaw’s on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday and Shaw’s will donate 1% of your purchase to Loaves and Fishes.
If you are interested in doing this, but do not have computer access, please call Loaves and Fishes coordinator Jackie Thurber at 667-4363 and she will do it for you.
2010 Pledge Campaign
Everyone received their pledge letters 2 weeks ago. We will be dedicating our 2010 pledges this coming Sunday, November 22nd. Please bring your pledge request sheets with you so that we may prayerfully dedicate them.
Thanksgiving Basket Food Item Collection
Food request cards were taken on Sunday, Nov. 15th for items to be collected this Sunday, Nov. 22nd. The various items will be combined to make up a nice Thanksgiving dinner for a family in need. We are still in need of some food items. If you can donate any of the following:
- 3 lbs of onions
- fresh fruit
- 2 packages refrigerated dinner rolls or biscuits
please contact Priscilla at 667-2341 or send her an email.
Contemporary Worship – G.P.Yes! 
Mondays, 6:30PM
November 23 – Come give thanks in prayer and song.
November 30 – Annual “Hanging of the Greens”
Come help us decorate the sanctuary (there’ll be cookies and ice cream and music, oh my!).
Dedication of our new outdoor sanctuary – December 6 following worship
A new outdoor worship area will be dedicated, on the lawn to the right of the church. A birch cross is in place and a bench has been purchased, both in memory of our beloved sister in God, Winifred Willey. It is our hope that this sanctuary will provide a place to pray and meditate for passersby and church members alike. If you haven’t seen the new outdoor area, take a swing by, have a seat, steal a moment to pray (but do leave the bench for others). We hope you take the opportunity to visit.
Prayer list – Please keep the following folks in your prayers:
- Josh Jones – Deployed to Afghanistan this week
- George & Ruth Torrey – George was hospitalized with a non-ruptured aneurysm last night, and remains at Maine Coast Memorial Hospital under surveillance.
- Patrick Harris – Our quadriplegic friend from Bar Harbor, hospitalized and moved to central Maine, exact whereabouts or health status unclear at this time
- Victor’s new grandbaby – This as-yet-to-be-named little boy is Victor’s second grandchild.
Send other prayer requests to Amy at nightingale70@gmail.com
Community Resources & Organizations
Sometimes you just don’t know who to call or how to get in touch with someone that can help. We hope this list of commonly used community organizations and services will be helpful to you or someone you know.
Commonly Used Community Organizations
Childcare Opportunities Resource Development Center
(Childcare referrals, provider training, provider and education support)
1-800-834-4378 – www.childandfamilyopp.org
Community Health and Counseling Services
(Outpatient mental health, case management services, therapy services)
1-207-667-5357
(Outpatient mental health, case management services, therapy services)
1-207-667-5357
Department of Health and Human Services
(Child abuse reporting, access all state programs);
1-800-432-7823
(Child abuse reporting, access all state programs);
1-800-432-7823
Adult Protective Services;
1-800-642-8404
Downeast Health Services
(Family planning program, medical services, WIC services)
1-800-492-5550 – www.downeasthealth.org
(Family planning program, medical services, WIC services)
1-800-492-5550 – www.downeasthealth.org
Maine Coast Community Dental Clinic
1-207-667-0293
1-207-667-0293
Eastern Area Agency on Aging
(Whole spectrum of needs, legal aid, disability referrals & assistance)
1-800-432-7812 – www.eaaa.org
(Whole spectrum of needs, legal aid, disability referrals & assistance)
1-800-432-7812 – www.eaaa.org
Emmaus Center
(Family homeless shelter, dry & drug free)
1-207-667-3962 – Email: emmaus@downeast.net
(Family homeless shelter, dry & drug free)
1-207-667-3962 – Email: emmaus@downeast.net
Faith in Action
(Volunteers-general services for elderly)
1-207-664-6016 – www.fiacommunityconnection.org
(Volunteers-general services for elderly)
1-207-664-6016 – www.fiacommunityconnection.org
Free Medical Clinic of Downeast Maine
(Uninsured, immunizations, medication assistance)
1-207-667-7953
(Uninsured, immunizations, medication assistance)
1-207-667-7953
H.O.M.E.
(Variety of basic needs services)
1-207-469-7961
(Variety of basic needs services)
1-207-469-7961
Hancock County Home Care and Hospice
(Skilled home care)
1-207-374-5510
(Skilled home care)
1-207-374-5510
Hospice of Hancock County
(Home volunteers, bereavement services, incl. children)
1-888-266-8035 – Email: info@hospiceofhancock.org
(Home volunteers, bereavement services, incl. children)
1-888-266-8035 – Email: info@hospiceofhancock.org
Maine Sea Coast Mission
(Pastoral services, plus youth development)
(Island healthcare services, fuel assistance, community based fishery management)
1-207-288-5097 – www.seacoastmission.org
(Pastoral services, plus youth development)
(Island healthcare services, fuel assistance, community based fishery management)
1-207-288-5097 – www.seacoastmission.org
Neighborcare
(Volunteer services for individuals, families)
1-207-374-2273
(Volunteer services for individuals, families)
1-207-374-2273
Open Door Recovery Center
(Substance abuse treatment, outpatient)
1-866-783-3271
(Substance abuse treatment, outpatient)
1-866-783-3271
Social Service Office Blue Hill Memorial Hospital
1-207-374-3492
1-207-374-3492
Tree of Life
(Food Pantry, open Thursdays 10am-3pm)
Turnstyle
(Used clothing, open Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, 10am – 3pm)
1-207-374-2900
(Food Pantry, open Thursdays 10am-3pm)
Turnstyle
(Used clothing, open Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, 10am – 3pm)
1-207-374-2900
Washington Hancock Community Agency
(Transportation, prescription assistance information-plus, small business assistance)
1-207-664-2424
Friendship Cottage (Caregiver Resource Center for adults)
1-207-374-5612Fuel assistance (8am-12noon)
1-800-828-7544
(Transportation, prescription assistance information-plus, small business assistance)
1-207-664-2424
Friendship Cottage (Caregiver Resource Center for adults)
1-207-374-5612Fuel assistance (8am-12noon)
1-800-828-7544
Child Abuse and/or Neglect
(Suspicion of physical, sexual or emotional abuse)
1-800-452-1999
(Suspicion of physical, sexual or emotional abuse)
1-800-452-1999
Hancock County Sheriff’s Department
Imminent danger call 9-1-1
1-207-667-7576
Imminent danger call 9-1-1
1-207-667-7576
Phone Help
(Mental health crisis services incl. hot line & mobile, for adults)
Adult: 1-888-568-1112
(Mental health crisis services incl. hot line & mobile, for adults)
Adult: 1-888-568-1112
Runaway
(National – youth in crisis, parental referral, confidential message service, home-free service)
1-800-786-2929 - www.1800runaway.org
(National – youth in crisis, parental referral, confidential message service, home-free service)
1-800-786-2929 - www.1800runaway.org
Shaw House Teens Shelter
(Safe haven, homeless shelter)
1-866-561-7429
(Safe haven, homeless shelter)
1-866-561-7429
The Next Step
(Domestic Violence – verbal, mental, physical – legal advice,shelter)
(Services strictly confidential)
1-800-315-5579 www.nextstepdvproject.org
(Domestic Violence – verbal, mental, physical – legal advice,shelter)
(Services strictly confidential)
1-800-315-5579 www.nextstepdvproject.org
Youth Crisis Stabilization Program
(Phone help & face-to-face; time & place flexible)
1-800-499-9130
(Phone help & face-to-face; time & place flexible)
1-800-499-9130
GPYes! Services to Start June 15th
The Ellsworth United Methodist Church invites area residents and visitors to its new, Monday evening worship service.
The first of these weekly services––called GPYes! Navigating Our Lives With God––will be held from 7:00-7:30 p.m. on Monday, June 15, in Fellowship Hall at the church at 21 Hancock St. After that, GPYes! starts at 6:30 each week.
This kickoff service will follow the first of the church’s free “Manna Monday” suppers, regularly scheduled for the third Monday of each month as part of the GPYes! experience.
Any and all are welcome to this free meal at 6:30 p.m. on June 15, which will be a spaghetti feast, with pasta and sauce, bread, salad, and make-your-own sundaes.
What is “GPYes!”?
The new, weekly GPYes! services are intended for those who can’t make Sunday morning worship or don’t feel comfortable in a traditional worship setting. The “GP” stands for “God’s Power”, and the services will have a GPS-based map/navigation theme, sharing God’s message and personal stories as participants “navigate” their lives with God.
What happens at a GPYes! service?
Music. Munchies. Movies. Message. Mission.
All of these things will be found at a GPYes! service. The space in Fellowship Hall is safe and informal––couches, chairs, coffee tables––and so is the atmosphere. Guests will listen to and sing contemporary praise and worship songs, discussing the lyrics in a Christian context; play music and share talents through guest musicians and occasional open mic nights; watch relevant movies and discover bits of God’s message; work on existing mission projects, local and global, and come up with new ones.
What if I’d like a traditional service, just not on Sunday mornings?
To accommodate those who want a more formal experience but can’t attend Sunday morning, the GPYes! service on the fourth Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. will be a traditional blended service identical to Sunday’s worship.
For more information about GPYes! or directions to the church, please contact Pastor Susan Yaruta-Young at 374-3536 or Amy Briggs at 266-4347.
Free Public Spaghetti Supper-June 15, 2009
The Ellsworth United Methodist Church invites everyone – and yes, we do mean EVERYONE – to a series of free suppers called “Manna Mondays,” beginning Monday, June 15th at 6:30 with a spaghetti dinner, and then the third Monday of every month after that in their Fellowship Hall at 21 Hancock Street in Ellsworth.
These monthly suppers are free and open to everyone, and will feature a main dish, a side dish, dessert and drinks.
Our new “Manna Monday” suppers are a way to feed our community, physically and spiritually. Each supper will culminate in a short, alternative worship service that will feature upbeat, contemporary music, open discussion, scripture study, movies and more. For more information call 374-3536.
EUMC News – March 31, 2009
Happy spring, everyone!
Hopefully everyone has had a chance to soak in a little bit of the sunshine and warmer weather we’ve had lately. Keep the faith – spring is coming soon!
On a somber note, our good friend and brother in Christ Henry Alley passed away on March 14th. Services were held at Ellsworth United Methodist Church on Sunday, March 22nd.
Henry had a fondness for big band and swing music, and his family had asked for some of his favorites to be played during the afternoon. Thanks to Laura Young for singing “I’ll Fly Away,” to Ruth Torrey for playing the hymns on the piano and Victor Glass for running the music in my absence. I heard that Henry’s family actually asked Victor to “turn it up!” at one point – what a great spirit Henry had, and what a wonderful family. We’ll miss you, Henry.
Winter mission donations
Thanks to everyone who contributed items to our winter mission of collecting everything from paper goods, to personal items, to cleaning supplies!
The project was a HUGE success. Thanks to everyone’s generosity we are able to offer a great variety of essential items to those in need!
Easter Lily blossoms
If you would like to order blossoms in memory of or in honor of loved ones, please download an order form here or get one from Priscilla at church.
For those of you receiving the newsletter by mail – your order form is included in the mailing.
Orders must be sent to Priscilla by April 10th. Price for each blossom is $2.50 each.
EASTER SERVICES
Good Friday Service – Ellsworth UMC 7:00PM
The focus of the service will be the reading of the passion of Jesus.
Participants are invited to bring non-perishable foods and personal paper
needs such as, toilet paper,sanitary items and diapers.
A walkway of silence along a labyrinth of donated non-perishable food and paper goods will be formed. Items will be donated to local charities.
Easter Sunrise Service – 7:00AM Penobscot UMC
With muffin/fruit/juice/coffee following.
Easter Praise Worship Services
9:00AM Penobscot UMC
11:00AM Ellsworth UMC
Mission Items Reminder
Just a reminder about the Mission Item collections for the month of March. The racks in the back of the sanctuary are filling up quite nicely with the items on our list so far (personal care items, paper products, soap, shampoos, etc.).
Here’s the list for March:
Mar 1 – Paper towels
Mar 8 – Toothpaste/toothbrushes
Mar 15 – Laundry detergent
Mar 21 – Dishcloths, towels, sponges
Mar 28 – Cleaning supplies
Anything collected during these Mission Months are to be distributed to area individuals and families in need.
Don’t forget to grab a non-perishable food item from your cupboard on the way to church each week as well! Judy says she’s been able to bring an average of 2 big bags of food a month to the Emmaus Center.
Keep up the great work!
Local Mission Collections
Recently, our church decided to form a “Mission Committee,” a group of people that are focused on raising interest and participation in various projects or “missions” intended to help those in need, around our neighborhood, and around the world.
To introduce the concept of that committee, and explain a little bit about where the idea came from, EUMC’s Judy Bragg wrote the following letter:
“In these difficult financial times, many more people are finding they need to use the services of the food pantry (Loaves and Fishes) in Ellsworth. This is supported by the Ellsworth Ministerial Alliance, of which our church is a part.
“To support our obligation, we are asking each family to make a small donation of food each week. We could then donate one or two bags of food to the Loaves and Fishes each month. Financial donations are also accepted; there is a collection jar at the back of the sanctuary for this purpose.
“Our church family was very generous in providing dinners for families at Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well as giving generous Christmas presents to a deserving family. We know the Ellsworth United Methodist Church family will continue to support the Loaves and Fishes food pantry in the same way, as people are hungry every day of the year.
“Pastor Susan has a small ‘Discretionary Fund’ to use for family needs that fall outside of what social services agencies provide. This fund is provided by each of us through our donation in the basket during Communion services [once a month]. It needs to be supplied regularly, as it has been used a few times this winter.
“Families who have needs are channeled through the Ellsworth City Hall to an employee who deals with eligibility for various services, and helps the clients with food, housing, etc. needs and procedures to follow to obtain these services.
“We have also discovered these services do not meet all needs. For example, Food Stamps do not allow for such purchases as shampoo, toothpaste, cleaning items, personal care items, etc.
“If we could all contribute to build a collection of supplies, they would be available for the Pastor to distribute as she sees fit. In the interest of helping those who have less than we do, we are asking people to contribute items on the designated Sundays as follows:
Feb 1 – Toilet paper
Feb 8 – Hand/bath soap
Feb 15 – Shampoo/conditioner
Feb 21 – Disposable razors
Feb 28 – Personal care items
Mar 1 – Paper towels
Mar 8 – Toothpaste/toothbrushes
Mar 15 – Laundry detergent
Mar 21 – Dishcloths, towels, sponges
Mar 28 – Cleaning supplies
“Many of us take these basics for granted and do not realize how blessed we are compared to those who are truly needy. Let us follow John Wesley’s motto – “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, at all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can.”
God bless,
The Mission Committee
Ellsworth United Methodist Church
Note: The Mission Committee is looking for volunteers to be on the Committee itself, as well as help coordinate activities. Contact Judy Bragg at jubobragg@verizon.net or Pastor Susan Yaruta-Young at young@midmaine.com if interested.
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