Greetings from King of Prussia, PA, and Valley Forge Conference Center. I arrived last evening to prepare for the opening of the 7th session of our Greater NJ Annual Conference this morning. The registration tables are set up to receive the more than 1,200 clergy and lay members of Conference who will shortly descend upon the Conference Center from all over the state of NJ and parts of NY and PA. We will convene at 10:00 AM as Bishop Devadhar and others lead us in a Service of Tribute and Holy Communion, remembering those of our UM clergy and laity who have joined the Church Triumphant since last we met. After considering plenary business matters later this morning, Dean Bender, our Lay Member to Conference, and I, will be attending our respective Laity and Clergy sessions before a late afternoon service at which Bishop Minerva Carcano of the Phoenix Area will speak. Like our own Bishop Suda, Bishop Carcano was elected as a Bishop of the Church in 2004, and is the first Latina woman to be elected bishop in The United Methodist Church. Her presentation today and tomorrow will be among several special events emphasizing and celebrating this 50th anniversary year of the granting of full clergy rights to women in our church. Dean and I look forward to sharing with you the events of Conference in the days ahead.

This Sunday, June 4th, we will gather at 10:15 AM to celebrate The Day of Pentecost–the “Birthday of the Church.” We will begin with Donald Allerud’s arrangement of J. S. Bach’s Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring as our Time of Centering, played by our Harris Ringers: Michael Savoia will share a Pentecost message with the children. We will share in the Sacrament of Christian Baptism for Joseph Michael Manochio, III and Francis Joseph Piatkowski, Jr. My morning Message, Babel Reversed, is based upon the Pentecost reading from Acts 2:1-21. We will also share in hearing the Gospel for this festival day from John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15. Our Chancel Choir will sing Stand Up, and Bless the Lord by J. Montgomery/W. G. Darst. We will celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion together as we prepare to go forth and spread the power of the Pentecost Spirit. Our Celebration of Found Coins for June is designated for the ClothesLine Ministry. May I remind you that Tookie Bacon has issued an urgent appeal for t-shirts and shorts for men, women and (especially) children for this weekend’s distribution. A number of you have already responded and the bags of clean, lightly-used summer clothes are accumulating in the hallway near the Storage/Counters Room. You may continue to bring these summer items to the church today and this evening and through tomorrow morning, when Tookie will pick up the items. Thank you for your generous response.

Our Adult Study group will continue the focus on the granting of full clergy rights to women in our 9:00 AM sessions in the Sunshine Room this Sunday and on June 11th, our final gathering before the summer. This Sunday Pastor Bauknight will join us to offer her perspectives and reflections. All are welcome.

Holy Communion Questionnaire
Congregations of The United Methodist Church are being encouraged to move toward a richer sacramental life, including weekly celebration of the Lord’s Supper at the services on the Lord’s Day. This has been advocated by the 2004 General Conference (This Holy Mystery) and the general orders of Sunday worship in The United Methodist Hymnal and The United Methodist Book of Worship.
During the year we have had classes in This Holy Mystery and four sermons have been preached on Holy Communion. Your Church Council would like to know your feelings as a congregation on this important issue. A simple questionnaire will be included in your bulletin this Sunday morning and on June 11th. Please take a minute to fill it out and drop it in the offering plate. —Thank you, CUMC Church Council

Supper and Talent Show this Sunday, June 4th at 6:30 PM: I hope you will all plan to return to Centenary this Sunday evening to share in some supper and entertainment offered by members of the congregation in our annual Talent Show.

INDONESIA: UMCOR EARTHQUAKE RELIEF AND RECOVERY
The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is working with partners in the region to respond to survivors of the May 27 earthquake on the Indonesian island of Java. An earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale shook the city of Yogyakarta and surrounding areas on the highly-populated Indonesian island of Java in the dawn hours of May 27. More than 5,000 people are reported to be dead with more than 200,000 people left homeless by the violent quake.

UMCOR Indonesia’s offices are located on the neighboring island of Sumatra. UMCOR is in contact with ACT International, one of UMCOR’s international partners already on the ground in Yogyakarta. UMCOR Indonesia staff is at the ready to provide any additional assistance ACT may need. UMCOR is working with another long-time partner, Church World Service, which is distributing supplies since the quake and is assessing further needs throughout the region. UMCOR is also sending needed financial support to assist with their efforts.
Contributions to UMCOR’s “Indonesia Emergency” relief efforts can be placed in an offering plate on any Sunday (Please make your check payable to Centenary UM Church and write “Indonesia Emergency” in the Memo line), or sent directly to UMCOR, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087. Designate checks for UMCOR Advance No. 217400 and “Indonesia Emergency.” Credit-card donations can be made online at www.methodistrelief.org or by calling (800) 554-8583.

Ozanam Shelter Dinner on June 5th: Centenary will be serving dinner at the Ozanam Shelter on Monday, June 5th. Please check the information on the bulletin board in the Narthex and sign up to assist with food preparation or serving. For further information, please contact Glenna Gundell (732-463-1431) or Mary Ellen Heim (732-548-2587). Thanks.
Price Increase for Weekly Flower Arrangements: Please note: As of June 1st, the cost has increased to $25.00 per weekly floral arrangement. The 2006 Flower Chart is posted on the bulletin board in the Narthex. Persons are invited to sponsor Floral Arrangements for our Sunday Worship services. Information is available from our Flower Chairperson, Linda Serentino (732-940-2135) or by calling the Church Office. Thank you for providing these beautiful tributes for our Sunday services.

Children’s Sunday on June 11th:
The First Sunday After Pentecost / Trinity Sunday
(Final 9:00 AM Church School & 10:15 AM Worship for Summer)

Picnic on the Front Lawn following Worship
Opportunity for Updating our Financial Situation Sunday, June 11th Following Worship: A brief time of sharing around our current financial situation will be offered immediately following our 10:15 AM Worship service on Sunday, June 11th. While the grills are started and hamburgers and hot dogs start sizzling for our Sunday School Picnic, we hope many of you will remain while several of our leaders share updated information since our March information session and April Special Church Conference. And thank you all for the special efforts you are making toward assisting us with decreasing our projected 2006 deficit.
Special Offering for Utility Bills: Sunday, June 11th: In the past several weeks, the members of Centenary have responded generously in support of our church and its programs. In particular, the music and children’s programs depend on your continued support in both time and money. The fund raisers and direct contributions have increased income by approximately $9,000 and will help Centenary to maintain the programs while reducing the need to draw on investment funds. Unfortunately, the additional income has been largely offset by increases in gas and electric rates. Therefore, on Sunday, June 11 we are requesting a special offering specifically to help with gas and electric bills. As always, your generosity is appreciated. —Richard Asmuth, Finance Committee Chairperson

Summer Worship & Church School at 9:30 AM Begins on June 18th: From Sunday, June 18th, through Sunday, September 3rd, Worship and Church School / Children’s Worship-Sunday School will be held at 9:30 AM. (Except there will be no Children’s Worship/Sunday School program on July 2nd and September 3rd.) Please make note of this seasonal change in our Church School and Worship schedule for the Summer. On Sunday, September 10th, we will begin a new Sunday morning schedule with Church School and Worship at 10:15 AM. (The Senior High Youth and Adult Class will continue to meet at 9:00 AM.) Watch for further details in upcoming editions of The Lamplighter.

“Neck and Bow Ties Sunday” on Father’s Day – June 18th: Men of Centenary! How long has it been since you’ve worn a necktie or bow tie to church? We invite and encourage the men of Centenary to wear one or the other to Worship on June 18th, Father’s Day. And, the more ostentatious the better!! We hope to see you in your finest flamboyant neck wear.
Food Collection—Sunday, June 18th: Please bring cereals, staple food items in plastic jars or cans, and paper products to share with persons in need in our area. We are deeply grateful for your generous sharing.

Seeking Information About Our 2006 High School Graduates: We are still seeking information about those Centenary members who will be graduating from high school this month. Please call or e-mail (CentaryUMC@aol.com) the Church Office so we may share in the joy of your accomplishments.

Notes/Cards/Letters to Pat Stiles: The Rev. Margaret “Pat” Stiles, former Pastor of Wesley United Methodist Church in Edison, will be retiring in June. Her last Sunday as Pastor of First UMC of Beach Haven Terrace will be on June 18th, following which Pat will depart for her new home in West Virginia. First UMC is putting together a “Treasure Chest of Messages” for Pat, and if anyone from Centenary would like to send best wishes to her, the envelope should be address to Ms. Cathy Sinopoli, First United Methodist Church of Beach Haven Terrace, 101 E. New Jersey Avenue, Beach Haven Terrace, NJ 08008, with “Note for Pastor Pat” on the envelope. Cathy will see that it is placed in the Treasure Chest.

Some Thoughts for This Week:

Affection is responsible for nine-tenths of whatever solid and durable happiness there is in our lives. – C. S. Lewis

Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you’ll ever regret. – Ambrose Bierce
Be bold in what you stand for; But be careful about what you fall for.

Jesus often spoke of Christianity as a banquet, But never as a picnic.

The greatest problem with laborers in God’s vineyard is absenteeism.

Indifference, to me, is the epitome of evil. – Elie Wiesel

When people stop believing in God, they don’t believe in nothing – they believe in anything. – G. K. Chesterton

Death is not extinguishing the light; It is putting out the lamp because the dawn has come. – Rabindranath Tagore

Sermons “Podcast” on Our Web Site: In addition to being available in print, the Pastors’ weekly sermons are now available as a “podcast” on our Web site. You may listen to each Message as it was delivered in Worship Service. Go to www.CentenaryUMCnj.org to explore this and other new features and links. You will also see there the prototype of the cover for the DVD of our Men’s Extravaganza which will shortly be available. Our thanks to Web servant Ernie Agtarap for providing this on-line ministry of Centenary.

It’s nearing time for some breakfast and registration at the Conference Center. In case of a need for emergency pastoral care while I am attending Annual Conference, I can be reached on my cell phone (201-463-5552). You may also call Pastor Bauknight at 908-419-4101 (cell) or 908-245-1529 (home). My thoughts and prayers are with you, as I hope you will be holding all of us in prayer in the next three days as we meet in “Holy Conferencing.” I look forward to sharing with you in study, Worship and fellowship this Pentecost Sunday.

Shalom, John

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The Day of Pentecost / Sacrament of Holy Communion / Sacrament of Christian Baptism
Preacher: John D. Painter Theme: Babel Reversed
Lectionary Readings: Acts 2:1-21 Romans 8:22-27
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15

• Our Harris Ringers will play Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring by J. S. Bach; arranged by Donald E. Allured
• Our Chancel Choir will sing Stand Up, and Bless the Lord by James Montgomery and W. Glen Darst

9:00 AM Church School Classes for All Ages?Adult Class continues exploring the “50th Anniversary of Full Clergy Rights for Women”?this Sunday and June 11th.