Epiphany in the United Methodist tradition begins with Epiphany Sunday, which is celebrated at the beginning of the year and extends for five or six more Sundays…
Many people who helped to make the celebration of the long-time members of our church a success!
The Recognition Worship Service, held on November 15, 2015 in their honor, was truly a time of reflection. It brought many of us together in the spirit of giving, fellowship, faith, and love. Seventy-four members were honored on this day and were given a certificate, pin, and special luncheon, prepared by our congregation. (more…)
The UMW would like to thank all of the individuals who assisted in making the Christmas Fair a success. A special thanks to those who set up tables, picked up the vegetables and the cheese, baked bread, cakes, and cookies, and to those who donated items for the various tables, including the breakfast items and hot dogs. Also many thanks to those who manned the tables, as well as those who came out to support the event. A total of $2,600, less expenses, was raised. These funds will be used toward the pledge to the church, the District, Long Island Harvest, Long Island Council of Churches, the Ronald McDonald House, the INN, and the Turner/Riggio Foundation (a school in Africa). – UMW
Under the direction of Shari Bailey, Sunday School Superintendent, and Teacher, Michelle Samuel, the Sunday School youth played a significant part in the November 15th Sunday Worship Service.
Ryan Dwyer, Zoe Gomes, Chrystelle Good, Kyle Pierre-Louis, and Dylan Donaldson read scripture; Jeremy McKenzie and Kayden Andall made outstanding ushers. Together with the congregation, they shared in a celebration of faith and fellowship, as well as a special recognition of 74 members who have been with the church for 25-74 years.
Each youngster and congregation member had a role in this celebration, and shared an unforgettable moment which will be remembered by many.
At this time of year when all crops have been harvested, we celebrate Harvest Sunday. On Sunday, November 22nd, we reflected on all the good things God has given us and inspired to share with others who are not so fortunate. The food that was collected was beautifully displayed, and after the service, was given to all members of the congregation.
The Hempstead Fellowship Brunch is organized by UMC of Hempstead member and volunteer, Ruth Robinson and her dedicated Outreach Committee members. Each month, these ladies and gentlemen from the church prepare a menu with a variety of food and desserts; on the day of the brunch, they cook and serve people in need in the community. This monthly endeavor, a blessing for many, has become more popular, in part, because of the caring people receive when they come in for a healthy and delicious meal.
The next Fellowship Brunch will be held on November 21st, 2015 in celebration of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. Guests will enjoy a full Thanksgiving meal, complete with the traditional turkey and all the trimmings.
Miriam Harris joined the UMC of Hempstead in 1989 and is a proud member of our church for the past 26 years. Prior to joining the church community, she belonged to the Greenport United Methodist Church.
Miriam Harris and Janice LaLumia
Greenport was Miriam’s home for many years; it’s the town where she grew up with her three brothers and two sisters. She fondly remembers her childhood—her mother was a Native American from the Shinnecock tribe in Long Island, and her father was born in Puerto Rico. The family made their home in Long Island. Miriam, who is 91 years young (and proud of it!), has lived her entire life in Long Island. In 1950, she married Edwin, her husband of 39 years. They were together until he died in 1989.
Her interest in dressmaking led her to the Traphagen School for fashion design in New York City where she studied all facets of dressmaking and design. “I made all my clothes, my family’s clothes, and my friends’ clothes,” said Miriam. “I was always interested in arts and crafts, and painting too.”
Eventually, Miriam began working for the U.S. Postal Service where she remained until her retirement in 1984.
Leading a full and active life, Miriam naturally became involved in some of the committees at the UMC of Hempstead. She was a member of the Social Concerns Committee, and then joined the UMW in 1990, a few years after she found this church. She was the Chair of the Esther Circle for five years, and remains active in this group.
One of Miriam’s favorite memories at the UMC of Hempstead brings a smile to her face: “I really enjoyed being the Chairperson of the bake table at the annual Church Fair,” she said. During this annual fundraising event, she managed sales, requested donations from people, and sold baked items on the day of the Fair.
Ashlee Chung, who attends Walnut Street School in Uniondale, was one of three students chosen from her class to exhibit her art work at the Eleventh Annual Nassau All-County Art Exhibition. The Exhibition was held at Adelphi University on March 15, 2015.
The eight year-old budding artist is the granddaughter of Grace Brammer, who is a long-standing member of the United Methodist Church of Hempstead.
“Ashlee loves art and has been doing a lot of painting. I am very proud of her,” said a smiling Grace Brammer.
The eggcitement at the annual Easter Egg Hunt was contagious as children and their families had the opportunity to visit and take pictures with the Easter Bunny on Saturday, March 28th. They also had their faces painted, ate a delicious breakfast prepared and cooked by church members, participated in a race in the gym, found colorful, candy-laden Easter eggs on the church lawn, and won an assortment of great raffle prizes. The event was coordinated by Pearl Miles-Lee and her dedicated volunteers.
