Visited Aunt Mattie Brown yesterday!
She was quick to inform me that she got 58 cards from friends associated with or friends of friends of Community of Joy! One came from Alaska. Some were just signed, "A friend of Community of Joy!"
So touching!
Next year for her 106th we will start sooner and see if we can't get her 106 cards on her birthday!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
An Interesting Morning...
And it's not even 10 a.m. yet. So far have spent the morning on the phone!
First with a person in our congregation who thinks that just because something makes sense to them that the doctor will agree and work things out in the way that makes sense to them! Highly doubt it will work that way!
Second, I get alot of phone calls from people in the community needing help from the church. Today, I got one that is a first for me. Can't imagine even thinking a church would help in this way. The woman knew who I was (Pastor Hutchison) and then proceeded to tell me she needed help. I asked how I could help... then she proceeded to say, "I need $291.96 because my husband died and that is what flowers cost." I promptly told her I was sorry, and that I could not help with that.
Third, I had a charge on my credit card from the wedding I officiated in Lancaster for the room. The bride said they took care of the room and the hotel (A Double Tree by Hilton) first said they needed my card incase incidentals were charged to the room, but then charged me for the room. When I inquired why I was charged the next day, they assured me that they refunded my money. The bride got it settled and told me so after the wedding. But when the bill came, it is on my account for $165.39. SO, I called the hotel, asked for a manager and she was very nice... she assured me that the credit was made on the 18th to my card. So, then I called my card company and they said no credit is issued and it should be by now. So the two of them are working it out. Which I am sure they will get worked out soon!
Hope the afternoon goes better!
First with a person in our congregation who thinks that just because something makes sense to them that the doctor will agree and work things out in the way that makes sense to them! Highly doubt it will work that way!
Second, I get alot of phone calls from people in the community needing help from the church. Today, I got one that is a first for me. Can't imagine even thinking a church would help in this way. The woman knew who I was (Pastor Hutchison) and then proceeded to tell me she needed help. I asked how I could help... then she proceeded to say, "I need $291.96 because my husband died and that is what flowers cost." I promptly told her I was sorry, and that I could not help with that.
Third, I had a charge on my credit card from the wedding I officiated in Lancaster for the room. The bride said they took care of the room and the hotel (A Double Tree by Hilton) first said they needed my card incase incidentals were charged to the room, but then charged me for the room. When I inquired why I was charged the next day, they assured me that they refunded my money. The bride got it settled and told me so after the wedding. But when the bill came, it is on my account for $165.39. SO, I called the hotel, asked for a manager and she was very nice... she assured me that the credit was made on the 18th to my card. So, then I called my card company and they said no credit is issued and it should be by now. So the two of them are working it out. Which I am sure they will get worked out soon!
Hope the afternoon goes better!
Monday, June 27, 2011
I TOTALLY Agree!
Yesterday, a good group of people from Community of Joy decided to delay their lunch plans and eat their cake before they had lunch - all to help our dear Aunt Mattie celebrate her 105th birthday.
It was a touching moment for sure!
As most gathered in the living room of Marie's home and enjoyed chatting together with the birthday girl... Pastor Sharon and I were in the kitchen with Marie (Mattie's sister in law and whose home Mattie lives in now). Marie, with tears in her eyes, kept saying over and over... "This is what I love about our church - there is no finer group of people!"
And all afternoon, I kept thinking to myself, I so totally agree with Marie! What a great group of people make up Community of Joy! Selfless, generous, giving, eager to love others - So honored to be part of such a group! Some, who were at the early worship gathering even came back to join in the fun! What an awesome group of people!
Marie, this is what I love about our church too, there is no finer group of people! Eager to be the hands and feet of Jesus!
It was a touching moment for sure!
As most gathered in the living room of Marie's home and enjoyed chatting together with the birthday girl... Pastor Sharon and I were in the kitchen with Marie (Mattie's sister in law and whose home Mattie lives in now). Marie, with tears in her eyes, kept saying over and over... "This is what I love about our church - there is no finer group of people!"
And all afternoon, I kept thinking to myself, I so totally agree with Marie! What a great group of people make up Community of Joy! Selfless, generous, giving, eager to love others - So honored to be part of such a group! Some, who were at the early worship gathering even came back to join in the fun! What an awesome group of people!
Marie, this is what I love about our church too, there is no finer group of people! Eager to be the hands and feet of Jesus!
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Happy 105th Birthday Mattie!
We took the party to her... a number of us from Community of Joy went by her house on our way home from worship. We sang, visited, and enjoyed some cake together on this her 105th birthday.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
105 years young...
Tomorrow, Aunt Mattie Brown will be 105 years young! We have a cake and are prepared to celebrate with her at Community of Joy! When the cake decorator asked what I wanted on the cake, she did a double take when I told her 105! Then a deli worker saw it and said, "for real?" And then went and loudly announced to the deli crew and counter customers that they were decorating a cake for a 105 year old!
I agree! Impressive!
The funny thing is, if Mattie had been with me, she would have to show them her drivers license or they would not believe she is 105!
I hope she feels up to coming to worship... but if she doesn't we will go after the 10:30 to take her the cake and celebrate with her!
I agree! Impressive!
The funny thing is, if Mattie had been with me, she would have to show them her drivers license or they would not believe she is 105!
I hope she feels up to coming to worship... but if she doesn't we will go after the 10:30 to take her the cake and celebrate with her!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
New Website
Community of Joy now has a new website... same address... www.joyfilled.com.
We are delighted to have found cloversites.com where we can pay a low one time fee of $1000 and $20 a month to develop and host our site. The awesome thing is that we have total control over the site and when it gets updated and changed. It is easy to do so. And we don't have to pay another dime to change a thing.
Previously, we had to pay a web developer to update the site everytime we wanted to make a change. That was in addition to the initial cost of the site and the montly hosting fees.
This way we can maintain a fresh site!
We are delighted to have found cloversites.com where we can pay a low one time fee of $1000 and $20 a month to develop and host our site. The awesome thing is that we have total control over the site and when it gets updated and changed. It is easy to do so. And we don't have to pay another dime to change a thing.
Previously, we had to pay a web developer to update the site everytime we wanted to make a change. That was in addition to the initial cost of the site and the montly hosting fees.
This way we can maintain a fresh site!
Amazing how God Made things....
I find it amazing how fearfully and wonderfully made God's creation is.
Did you know that baby turkeys can fly at 8 days old? By 8 days old, they have fully developed wing feathers and can fly enough to get out of harms way. AMAZING!
Did you know that baby turkeys can fly at 8 days old? By 8 days old, they have fully developed wing feathers and can fly enough to get out of harms way. AMAZING!
You never know...
You never know what you will find as you journey through life!
I have been taking care of my friend's pets as he and his family are vacationing... and in his back yard right here in Salisbury - in a housing development... are the following kinds of birds...
Turkeys, pheasants, quail (4 varieties).
These are baby turkeys.
These are baby Pheasants.
Quail - Bob Whites
Quail
Another Variety of Quail
Chinese Green Pheasant
Ringneck Pheasant
Red Pheasant
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Celebrating...
Friday and Saturday found Sharon and I in Lancaster PA at the Willow Valley Resort where I was honored to officiate the wedding of Angie Sadd and John Daniel Groff. Angie was just a little older than Caroline when we lived in Mt. Joy, PA and she was the daughter of Emma's babysitter. It was fun to be part of Angie and JD's special day! They were married in the Willow Valley Chapel.
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Thursday, June 16, 2011
Ever so slowly....
The function of my mouth and eye is coming back ever so slowly! I can see progress, but still have a ways to go.
The other day, I was with Caroline at the Eye Doctors and Dr. Filapov was examining Caroline and when he turned around to talk to me, he blurted out... "what is wrong with your eye?" And then after telling him my story, he made me get in the chair and took a look at it. He said I have been doing a great job protecting it and he gave me a sample eye drop... which stays on my eye much longer than the other drops have been staying. I have spent $166 on eye drops so far in this journey!
I threw my back out last week and have been taking muscle relaxers which has caused me to have even less control of my mouth than before. But when I am not on them, the control comes back but still not 100%.
What a journey it has been! And to think it all started in early March when I had a dead tree limb fall on my head while in the woods!
The other day, I was with Caroline at the Eye Doctors and Dr. Filapov was examining Caroline and when he turned around to talk to me, he blurted out... "what is wrong with your eye?" And then after telling him my story, he made me get in the chair and took a look at it. He said I have been doing a great job protecting it and he gave me a sample eye drop... which stays on my eye much longer than the other drops have been staying. I have spent $166 on eye drops so far in this journey!
I threw my back out last week and have been taking muscle relaxers which has caused me to have even less control of my mouth than before. But when I am not on them, the control comes back but still not 100%.
What a journey it has been! And to think it all started in early March when I had a dead tree limb fall on my head while in the woods!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
God's Mysterious Ways...
God moves in mysterious ways that we often don't see or understand, but when they become visible, it is amazing!
I've had two such experiences in the last few weeks.
First, two Sunday's ago, a lady from the neighborhood who is a teacher, attended worship and wondered if we would like to join her in doing a summer reading tutoring outreach to our community. Then on Wednesday of that week, while at Pinehurst Elementary School, I was approached by a title 1 teacher who was looking for a location to host some summer reading tutoring for the children from that school who live in our neighborhood. WOW! I am starting to think God is wanting us to go a new direction.
Second, about 6 weeks ago, I was contacted by a friend who goes to my home church in Cordova, MD, who through her job with MandT Bank had met a local couple who needed some help getting a wheelchair ramp at their house. This is awesome, because we used to have a Ramps R Us ministry that built ramps for people who needed them. It gets better. In the process, I found out that Lowes is applying for a local hero grant through the corporation to supply the material and they must partner with a local non profit - and Community of Joy can be that partner! In addition, I have indicated to the Lowes contact person that CoJ would love to be a partner on other projects in the community. She was delighted to hear this and now has my contact info on file.
Out of this, I have visited the couple a few times and exchanged many emails. Richard has ALS and is somewhat limited in his ability to go places. He shared with me that he would love to connect with a church - he has been away from church for some years. Well, I was delighted to be able to say to him that we are handicap accessible. In addition, he told me yesterday when I was visiting him, that he doesn't just want to receive, he wants to give... so he is praying for the church and he is willing to try to teach me to play the bass guitar - which is something that I have wanted to learn for a while now. I have a bass but do not know how to play it. He tells me that he can teach me as he plays one himself! WOW!
All I can do it sit back and watch with wonder how God moves in our midst!
I've had two such experiences in the last few weeks.
First, two Sunday's ago, a lady from the neighborhood who is a teacher, attended worship and wondered if we would like to join her in doing a summer reading tutoring outreach to our community. Then on Wednesday of that week, while at Pinehurst Elementary School, I was approached by a title 1 teacher who was looking for a location to host some summer reading tutoring for the children from that school who live in our neighborhood. WOW! I am starting to think God is wanting us to go a new direction.
Second, about 6 weeks ago, I was contacted by a friend who goes to my home church in Cordova, MD, who through her job with MandT Bank had met a local couple who needed some help getting a wheelchair ramp at their house. This is awesome, because we used to have a Ramps R Us ministry that built ramps for people who needed them. It gets better. In the process, I found out that Lowes is applying for a local hero grant through the corporation to supply the material and they must partner with a local non profit - and Community of Joy can be that partner! In addition, I have indicated to the Lowes contact person that CoJ would love to be a partner on other projects in the community. She was delighted to hear this and now has my contact info on file.
Out of this, I have visited the couple a few times and exchanged many emails. Richard has ALS and is somewhat limited in his ability to go places. He shared with me that he would love to connect with a church - he has been away from church for some years. Well, I was delighted to be able to say to him that we are handicap accessible. In addition, he told me yesterday when I was visiting him, that he doesn't just want to receive, he wants to give... so he is praying for the church and he is willing to try to teach me to play the bass guitar - which is something that I have wanted to learn for a while now. I have a bass but do not know how to play it. He tells me that he can teach me as he plays one himself! WOW!
All I can do it sit back and watch with wonder how God moves in our midst!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
What a great experience!
This year Community of Joy has been the faith based partner at Pinehurst Elementary School - our neighborhood school. And what a great experience it has been for us!
Yesterday was our final monthly incentive for this school year. A very hot day, but that didn't stop the children from having fun! They sure loved being out and experiencing the activities that were out there for them.
Thanks to each of the people from CoJ who gave of their time all year to do these incentives!
I hope that next year we can take another step in our relationship. Perhaps we could stir up some mentors - it only takes one hour a week to make a huge impact on a child.
Yesterday was our final monthly incentive for this school year. A very hot day, but that didn't stop the children from having fun! They sure loved being out and experiencing the activities that were out there for them.
Thanks to each of the people from CoJ who gave of their time all year to do these incentives!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Moving Out of Our Comfort Zones!
Again and again, God shows us that when we step out of our comfort zones he will meet us and take us places that we could not go on our own. But when we stay in the safety of our comfort zones or within the realms of only what we can do or see... we miss out on being part of God's amazing power in our lives.
Our story as a congregation has been filled with illustrations of this reality!
More recently, in 07, we saw this when our little band of people stepped out in faith and bought our ministry center, then spent about $70,000 to remodel it.
This year, we saw this when we were struggling to meet our budget and I felt led by God to challenge us to raise $5,000 to fill an Ark through Heifer International in response to the part of the Lord's prayer that says, "Give us this day our daily bread" and the recognition that for many in our world this is a prayer of desperation and for the rest of us, it should be a prayer of commitment to share with those who have need. On Easter Sunday we collected our offering and were about 300 dollars shy of the goal... in less than two weeks time, we had the $5,000 and our offerings in April went up!
At Community of Joy we support a church plant - veritas - in Lancaster Pa- in their recent prayer letter they shared a similar expereince when they stepped out of their comfort zone and God met them abundantly!
Our recent appraisal of our building has me wondering if we should begin looking for ways to step out of our small building and into a bigger place. And I blogged about this a few weeks ago. After that blog, someone said to me.... maybe we should consider building on here. That got me to thinking... we could easily double our worship space and add a few rooms as well... all we need is an architect and engineer to draw up plans and we can start to see how much that would cost.
Not sure which way we should go, but thinking that the time might be upon us to step out of our comfort zone and meet God in something that we can't yet see.
If you know an architect that would take on a gratis job... please let me know.
Join me in praying for God's direction as we consider which way to step into God's glorious future!
Our story as a congregation has been filled with illustrations of this reality!
More recently, in 07, we saw this when our little band of people stepped out in faith and bought our ministry center, then spent about $70,000 to remodel it.
This year, we saw this when we were struggling to meet our budget and I felt led by God to challenge us to raise $5,000 to fill an Ark through Heifer International in response to the part of the Lord's prayer that says, "Give us this day our daily bread" and the recognition that for many in our world this is a prayer of desperation and for the rest of us, it should be a prayer of commitment to share with those who have need. On Easter Sunday we collected our offering and were about 300 dollars shy of the goal... in less than two weeks time, we had the $5,000 and our offerings in April went up!
At Community of Joy we support a church plant - veritas - in Lancaster Pa- in their recent prayer letter they shared a similar expereince when they stepped out of their comfort zone and God met them abundantly!
Our recent appraisal of our building has me wondering if we should begin looking for ways to step out of our small building and into a bigger place. And I blogged about this a few weeks ago. After that blog, someone said to me.... maybe we should consider building on here. That got me to thinking... we could easily double our worship space and add a few rooms as well... all we need is an architect and engineer to draw up plans and we can start to see how much that would cost.
Not sure which way we should go, but thinking that the time might be upon us to step out of our comfort zone and meet God in something that we can't yet see.
If you know an architect that would take on a gratis job... please let me know.
Join me in praying for God's direction as we consider which way to step into God's glorious future!
Monday, June 6, 2011
Much Appreciated!
If the above picture doesn't say enough...(that is all that was left today at 3:30 p.m.from the 3 filled trays of sweets) the following thank you note, that I was handed today when I stopped by Pinehurst to clean up the mess, says it all!
"Dear Friends, We of Pinehurst have been amazed all year at your unselfish giving to the students and staff of our school. You have been wonderful! For you to end the year with this marvelous treat is more than we ever imagined. Please know your gifts of time and treats have been noticed by all. We appreciate your kindness."
With Appreciation....
Today, we are hosting a special all day long reception to say "thank you" to the teachers and staff at Pinehurst for all that they do! I just returned from taking three LARGE trays of about 13 different kinds of cookies and candy - all homemade - and three large coolers of pepsi, diet pepsi, and water - iced down and cold! Many of the staff and teachers were making there way down to the lounge as we were setting up and leaving and they each expressed their appreciation for the gesture! I hope it brightens their day and they feel the love!
In addition to this event, we have joined with them in helping to staff the monthly good behavior incentives. All who have helped out have enjoyed this partnership very much! Wednesday will be our last one, which will be sad for me! I have so looked forward to these each month!
I can tell that a constant presence has deepened the connection with the children and staff. On Friday night, Sharon and I were at Ritas and saw the gym teacher, who promptly came up to engage in conversation and express her appreciaton for the help of the church.
The next thing on our horizon as far as the partnership goes, will be to donate school supplies this fall when the children go back to school!
I am delighted to be part of a church that cares about it's community and desires to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Still hanging on...
It's been a while since I posted anything related to my recent journey with bells palsy as a result of Ramsay-hunt Syndrome. I am now in the end of my 12th week and while much improved, still have paralysis of my face. My mouth still is not freely able to move on the right side. I am happy that no longer do I have to drink from a straw or worry about liquid or food coming out of my mouth.
And my eye still needs drops. I am up to $119 worth of eye drops for this journey and am afraid that shortly I will be buying another $11 bottle as my eye still doesn't blink or my tear duct doesn't work yet. This has been the most annoying part of the journey for me!
I am not sure how much longer it will be or if I will ever get the full use back, but it is what it is and I am living well with it as it is.
And my eye still needs drops. I am up to $119 worth of eye drops for this journey and am afraid that shortly I will be buying another $11 bottle as my eye still doesn't blink or my tear duct doesn't work yet. This has been the most annoying part of the journey for me!
I am not sure how much longer it will be or if I will ever get the full use back, but it is what it is and I am living well with it as it is.
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