THE TRUMPET CALL

Our Mission: To love Jesus Christ and to share His Love

Our Vision: To be a Christian community where Christ is transforming lives
East Stroudsburg United Methodist Church Volume V Issue 2 January 13, 2019

Pastor’s Corner
This past week, our church has welcomed a new staff member: Rachel Thompson. Rachel has been a
part of our congregation for almost two years, and her husband, Dave, was a part of our church family for
many years previous to that. Rachel is our new Director of Congregational Care. Bethany Mills has had
Congregational Care as a part of her job description, and indeed is training Rachel for several weeks
before she completely gives up the position. When we hired Bethany in August 2017, we knew at that time
we also needed someone in the area of communications as well, but we didn’t know then how God would
work things out for us in that area. It became readily apparent that Bethany had many gifts in the area of communications,
though she was equally competent in the three areas she was hired for: discipleship, evangelism, and congregational care.

Through a staff cutback in another area, we realized we could add

communications to Bethany’s portfolio while at the same time hire
someone to take the congregational care part as a “stand-alone”
position. We interviewed three persons from our congregation, and
believe the Lord led us to Rachel. For those concerned about the
pressure this puts on the budget, please know that we were able to
work with available dollars and not increase the staffing budget at all
(in fact, it netted a several hundred dollar reduction). We are so
pleased to welcome Rachel, and she is pictured here with husband
Dave and son Alexander.

Here is a little of Rachel’s story in her own words: “I grew up in

Northern New Jersey in a big family and active church community. I
journeyed to the Chicago area for college, and graduated from
Wheaton College with a degree in Elementary Education. When I
graduated, I moved to Jersey City to teach 6th grade in Hoboken at a
small private school. After my husband, Dave, and I were married,
we moved back to the Poconos right before our son was born. Our
son, Alexander, is now one and a half, and we are expecting a baby girl in May. When I am not home with our family, I
enjoy running, spending time in NYC, and being outside.”

Rachel says that what drew her to the Congregational Care position was the opportunity to help care for our church
community. “Throughout my life,” she says, “ I have been blessed to be a part of communities that are empathetic,
supportive, and nurturing. I am happy to have the opportunity to help continue to build our relationships here at ESUMC in
those same ways. In today's world, many of us feel disconnected and distant from one another, which makes opportunities
for connection and fellowship together even more essential. I believe the most important aspect of this position is listening
to the needs of others, and consistently responding to those needs with both grace and support. I am most excited about
getting to know more members of our congregation, and spending time with different groups of people.”

The biggest opportunity for growth that she sees in our Congregational Care ministries is getting more people involved. “We
have many church members who are incredibly faithful volunteers. I would love to see our volunteer base grow, so that we
can provide an even greater level of care for our church community. I am so thankful to be serving in this new role, and am
looking forward to working alongside all of you!”

Rachel, we are equally excited to work alongside you in your new position. Please pray for Rachel as she takes the reins,
and pray also for Bethany as she transitions into her new role which will now bring discipleship, evangelism, and
communications under one umbrella. We are so blessed to have such an amazing, competent, and faithful staff; praise
God!

Many Blessings, Pastor Jim

 Drop-In Study “The Grave Robber”

Come join us as we begin

Mark Batterson’s series called
“The Grave Robber”. You will love the
faith-building, life-giving message
found in this series as each week we
look at one the seven miraculous
signs of Jesus found in the Gospel of
John. Mark Batterson walks us
through the very spots where Jesus
chose to reveal himself through these
miraculous events.

Merry Marthas
The next meeting of Merry
Marthas will be on Saturday
January 12 at 9:00 AM. Craig
Gouger will be joining us and
showing us how to make some
roasted soups. Along with the roasted soups we will be making a
few other basic soups for the church's new casserole
ministry. The soups we make will be frozen in containers and
donated to the congregational care team for the casserole
ministry. The cost of this event will be $5.00 and each will get to Tuesdays from 6:30-8:00 pm January 22 – March 19
take home a container of soup. Additional containers will be Oberholtzer Hall
available for purchase. Please RSVP by email to Sue Mertz Register: http://www.fpu.com/1076606
mommamertz@gmail.com or call and leave a message at More info: fpu.esumc@gmail.com
570-629-4069.

Welcome Team Training

For all currently serving
and new volunteers.
When: Sunday, Jan. 13th
Where: In the Choir Room
Time: 9:45 - 10:30
& 11:45 - 12:30
Join in to brush up on
practices for serving.
January 26th, 2019
ContactKathy Hinkey for details at k_hinkey@hotmail.com 8:30 am - 3:00 pm

Volunteers Needed at the Welcome/

Information Desk
Consider serving 15 minutes per Month to offer greetings,
hospitality and Information especially to newcomers pre or
post worship services.
Contact Kathy Hinkey at k_hinkey@hotmail.com, or phone at
570-236-8183.
Online registration is OPEN; January 20th, 2019 is DEADLINE.
Briana Ragonese will be available to assist your registration
process on Sunday, January 13th and 20th in Fellowship Hall.
Recovery Meetings Community Room of Office
Building Basement

E S U M C Sunday Services and Studies NA: Mon-Sat, 12:00 to 1:30 PM Just for Today;
Wed, 6:00 to 7:30 PM New Beginnings (Women)
Traditional 8:30 AM Contemporary 10:45 AM AA: Thurs & Sat, 8:00 to 9:00 PM Keep It Simple
Sunday School 9:45 AM Saturday, 5:30 to6:30 PM.
Discipleship 9:45 AM Sunday, 4:30 to 6:30 PM Serenity House
 570-460-8423

February 10-16 at ESUMC.

March 3-9 at Wesleyan. Plan ahead, make your calendars!

TO VOLGOGRAD WITH LOVE

Please be in prayer for our Russia

Mission Team as we meet for the
beginning of Orientation for our trip.
We will be meeting in the
conference room on January 13th
from 12-2 pm.

Broken
people
made
whole
through
Christ’s
LOVE

UMW Dollar Challenge - January You are Invited!

We are collecting non-perishable food items The entire ESUMC family of God is
invited to attend our Spiritual Life
to help support the Community Meal served Retreat at Pocono Plateau on
Saturday, March 30th. Pastor Amy
Banka and her husband
every Monday at ESUMC. Watch for a Michael ,will provide leadership for
the adult and youth sessions
collection box in Oberholtzer Hall. respectively, embracing the theme,

Love: The Most Excellent Way.

Programming will also be provided for elementary age
children and childcare for infants/toddlers. The cost for
the day, which includes lunch and dinner is: ages 0-3, free.
Ages 4-11, $10. Ages 12+ $30. To register or for further
information, stop by Fellowship Hall any Sunday, or visit our
church website: www.esumc.net. Deadline for registration is
March 20th. Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to grow in
your faith, fellowship with our church family, and have fun!
 THIS WEEK AT ESUMC CHURCH CONTACT LIST
Office
(570) 421-3280
church@esumc.net
Hours: 9am to 1pm
Sunday, 13 January 2019 Monday thru Friday
9:40 AM to 10:40 AM Safe Sanctuary training Sunday School Open Area
Pastor
9:45 AM to 10:45 AM Drop-In Study 9:45-10:45 am Classroom 10
Jim Todd
9:45 AM to 1:30 PM Training for Worship Team Choir Room jtodd@esumc.net
12:00 PM to 2:00 PM Confirmation Class Youth Room Ext. 1014
12:00 PM to 2:00 PM Russia Trip Meeting Conference Room
Church Administrator
Jill Teaford
Monday, 14 January 2019 jteaford@esumc.net
6:00 PM to 7:30 PM SPR Mtg Classroom 10 Ext. 1015
6:30 PM to 8:30 PM Sr High Bible Study Grandview Parsonage Administrative Assistant
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM Men's Basketball Fellowship Hall Kathy Ravago
7:30 PM to 9:00 PM Steering Team Mtg Classroom 2 kravago@esumc.net
Ext. 1010
Tuesday, 15 January 2019 Director of Spiritual Life &
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM Staff Mtg Conference Room Communications
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM Finance Mtg Conference Room Bethany Mills
bmills@esumc.net
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM Bell Choir Rehearsals Bell Room Ext. 1023
5:30 PM to 8:00 PM FC Pocono Soccer Fellowship Hall
6:30 PM to 8:30 PM Bob Snyder Small Group Classroom 8 Director of Student Ministries
Scott Kuhnle
6:30 PM to 7:30 PM Cub Scouts- Wolves (2nd grade) Youth Room - Lower Lev skuhnle@esumc.net
6:45 PM to 9:15 PM 1&3 Tuesday SM Mtgs Stephen Ministry Room Ext. 1013

Director of Children & Family

Wednesday, 16 January 2019 Ministries
7:30 AM to 8:30 AM Christian Men's Breakfast Fellowship Hall Erica Dorsch
9:00 AM to 10:00 AM Prayer Circle Eaton Chapel edorsch@esumc.net
Ext. 1017
1:00 PM to 6:00 PM ARC Blood Drive Fellowship Hall
6:00 PM to 7:30 PM Worship Planning Team pm Youth Room Director of Traditional Music/
6:30 PM to 7:30 PM Cub Scouts - Bears (3rd grade) Classroom 10 Organist
6:45 PM to 9:15 PM Stephen Ministry Training Stephen Ministry Room Pauline Fox
foxes@esumc.net

Thursday, 17 January 2019 Director of Contemporary

9:00 AM to 11:00 AM Women's Bible Study Conference Room Music
Doug Malefyt
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Zumba Fellowship Hall dmalefyt@esumc.net
5:00 PM to 6:00 PM Youth Fellowship Meal Kitchen
6:00 PM to 7:30 PM Jr. High Bible Studies Jan-May Youth Room - Lower Lev Director of Choir
Joe Dorsch
6:30 PM to 8:00 PM Choir Rehearsal Choir Room
josephdorsch@gmail.com
6:30 PM to 9:00 PM FC Pocono Soccer Fellowship Hall
Director of Bells
Chris Perfetti
Friday, 18 January 2019 perfetti3@ptd.net
All Day Confirmation Retreat at Pocono Plateau Retreat
Director of Congregational
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Second Harvest every other Friday Care
6:30 PM to 7:30 PM Cub Scouts Tigers (1st Grade) Classroom 10 Rachel Thompson
7:00 PM to 9:00 PM Cub Scouts - Webelos (4th Gr) Community Room rthompson@esumc.net
Financial Secretary/IT Support
Saturday, 19 January 2019 Michael Corey
mcorey@esumc.net
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM Men's Bible Study Conference Room
Ext. 1012
Audio/Visual Technician
Charles Rajnai
charlesrajnai@gmail.com
Facilities Manager
East Stroudsburg United Rob Coyle
Scan QR rcoyle@esumc.net
Methodist Church to Ext. 1018
83 S. Courtland St. ESUMC Sextons
Weekday Sunday
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301 Website
Bob Lee Craig Banner