The Canton United Methodist Church

“The Circuit Rider”

May/ June 2019 Edition

Bishop Mark Webb of the Upper New York Annual Conference

intends to appoint Rev. Dr. Nancy Hale as pastor of the Canton United
Methodist Church effective July 1, 2019.

“Getting to know you, getting to feel free and

easy.
When I am with you, getting to know what to
say.
Haven't you noticed suddenly I'm bright and
breezy?
Because of all the beautiful and new things
I'm learning about you, day by day.”

-- From Roger and Hammerstein’s “The King

and I”

Grace and peace to you in the name of God, the source of life and love!
We are about to enter into a time of getting to know each other. We already have a lot in common that will help us
along the way: we share a deep love for God, and we long to be faithful disciples of Jesus who share God’s love with
all of God’s children.

In the coming months, I will share things about myself that will help you get to know me. One thing you might have
noticed from the lyrics above is that I love Broadway musicals. You may hear some show tunes wafting from my
office now and then! And, of course, I’m looking forward to getting to know all of you, as individuals and as a
community of faith. So, to help us all in this process, I want you to know something important about me:

I have profound hearing loss and use both a cochlear implant and a hearing aid. With God’s help and the
assistance of some incredible technology, I am able to function surprisingly well. Like most people with hearing
loss, I have trouble in large, noisy rooms, or any place where background noise interferes with my ability to hear
someone speaking. I can use the phone (with assistive technology), and I do very well in small groups and one-on-
one (if there’s no background noise!) Most of the time, I manage so well that people forget I have hearing loss, and
occasionally I need to remind them! But the best way to facilitate our communication is by facing me, speaking
clearly and perhaps a little more loudly, and gently dragging me into a quiet space if necessary!

My experience with disability has made me more aware of people who are marginalized, excluded, or otherwise
discriminated against. It has also given me a passion for accessibility of all kinds, for all people. While I do not
believe God “gave” me this disability, God has certainly used it to strengthen my faith and my ministry. I am grateful
for the ways God continues to work through me to expand the scope of God’s love, grace, and acceptance to
others, and especially to those who need it the most.
 I am so excited about moving to the beautiful North Country and beginning a new chapter in our ongoing faith
journey! In the meantime, please feel free to connect with me by email (hale1961@gmail.com) or by text message
(607-316-6134 – please identify yourself in the message so I know who you are!), or send me a Facebook friend
request (search for Nancy Jill Hale).
I invite you to pray for Pastor Michael, myself, and the congregations in Cobleskill, Clinton, and Canton in this time
of transition. May God guide us into a sense of peace and hope and enthusiasm for this new chapter in God’s
ongoing story of love and grace!
Peace,
Pastor Nancy
 1-May UMW Meeting 6:00 p.m.
1-May No Free Will Dinner
2-May Rummage Sale 4-7 p.m.
3-May Rummage Sale 10:00 a.m. -4:00 p.m. Bag Sale at 2 p.m.
4-May Rummage Sale 10:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m. Bag Sale
8-May Maplewood Service 10:30 a.m.
11-May Books & Outlook 1:00 p.m.
11-May Private Function All Day
12-May Mother's Day
14-May Church Mtg. Night 6:30 p.m.
18-May Funeral Luncheon 1:00 p.m.
27-May Memorial Day
1-Jun Dairy Princess Parade
5-Jun UMW Meeting 6:00 p.m.
11-Jun Church Mtg. Night 6:30 p.m.
12-Jun Maplewood Service 10:30 a.m.
14-Jun Flag Day
15-Jun Books & Outlook 1:00 p.m.
16-Jun Father's Day

“Kindness is like a
garden of
blessings.”
—Sirach 40:17
 9-Jun Rev. Ted & Carol Linn
1 Eric Smith 21-Jun Rick & Cathy Burt 1 Mike Dafoe
1 Michael Burwell Melissa Goolden
4 Sheila Blair Hooley
9 Cooper Filiatraut 2 Melissa Schneebeli
10 Emily Carrier Melissa Syrett
10 Julia Palmateer Nancy Massia
10 Hallee Bullock Robin Crowell
11 Kylie Race 3-May Myron (Mike) & Linda Dafoe 5 Barbara Baxter
12 Beth Leitch 11-May Eric & Carol Smith 6 Anneke Larrance
15-May Scott & Marcianne Ayers-Murphy
14 Joshua Tupper 7 David Wentworth
24-May Ted & Phyllis Lawrence
15 Lorene Royce 29-May Pastor Michael & Jennifer Terrell Peter Syrett
16 Ben Koser 29-May Babasola Fateye & Dipupo King Noah Terrell
16 David Sibbitts 8 Ed Haycook
17 Jennifer Terrell 9 Dale McDonald
19 Caldwell, Gina “Prayer is where Karen Pcolar
20 Katy Basham the action is.” 10 Ella Stacy
21 Wesley Marquart 11 Larry Goolden
22 Phil Royce Marcia Syrett
23
24
Molly Tyn
Pat Sibbitts
―John Wesley 12
Joyce Lawrence
Chris Marquart
24 Ted Linn 13 Maysa Moumen
25 Sarah Barrick 16 Collin Curley
26 Ashley Elliot 17 Matthew Barrick
28 Anna Campbell 20 Judy Liscum
28 Chris Wentworth Nathan Archer
30 Christine Woodcock 23 Abbie Savage
Mary Jane Goolden
“The point is not to pay back 25 Scott Wight
kindness but to pass it on.” 26 Karen Stemples
Kimberly Archer
—Julia Alvarez
29 Jane Brown
Some of our children posing for a photo on Our Sanctuary decorated for
Easter Day! Easter Day.

Pastor Michael’s
LAST SERVICE

Palm Sunday 2019 JUNE 16, 2019

Join us on Sunday, June 16 at
10 a.m. as we say goodbye to Pastor
Michael, Jennifer, Willow and Noah.
There will be NO 8 AM SERVICE this
day. Other details have not been
discussed yet, but we want you to be
able to mark your calendars and plan
to be in attendance. Please spread the
word and let’s give the Terrell’s a
wonderful sendoff.
The movers will be here to move
out Pastor Michael and family on June
17 so work can begin in the parsonage
before Pastor Nancy moves in.
Game Night 2019
Greetings Canton UMC,
Well we have began our third year of scouting in the Canton
community! We now welcome Canton UMC’s first ever in Canton,
all girls BSA Troop 1100 which was born on April 1, 2019. The new
girls BSA Troop will meet for the first time on Sunday, April 28.
The Cub Scouts have been working on various adventures to
accomplish their ranks. We will have a move-up in rank ceremony in
June to advance the boys to their new ranks. This is always an
exciting time for the cubs.
We had our Pinewood Derby the end of March and it was a success.
The cubs raced their cars and had a good time. We had three
Andres proud of the
winners who earned trophies. Noah Terrell and Kalyx Potter
toolbox he made!
represented Cub Scout Pack 11 at the District Pinewood Derby event
in Hermon in April. Kalyx one first place overall.
We had a tour of the Orebed Sugar Shack in Hermon in April and that
was a wonderful pack event. The wonderful owners gave us maple
candy and we tried maple butter. The kids learned how to tap trees
the old-fashioned way. It was a great time.
Since Pastor Michael will be moving in June, we will then transfer
leadership of the pack to Mr. Richard Brothers, who will serve as the
new Cubmaster. Mr. Brothers currently serves as the Committee Kalyx & Noah at the District
Chairman. It will be an adjustment for the cubs but with the support Pinewood Derby!
of the church we think the cubs will adjust. We need your prayers
and support during this transition as many of the cubs are saddened
by Michael’s pending departure, as you can imagine.
If you would like to support our Pack, you are welcome to order
Yankee Candles from www.yankeecandlefundraising.com and enter
Code #999978224. You have till July 10, 2019 to place an order and
have items shipped directly to your door. Thank you for your
support.
We hope to see you around soon. Look for us as we march in the
Memorial Day and Dairy Princess Parades.
Kristofer won Best of Paint
Pack 11 Committee Job for his Pinewood Derby
Car
 KEEPING OUR MEMBERSHIP PROMISES
Our Prayers…
Pat Mustakangas, Jim Barrick, Ella Stacy, Jean
Cornell, Norma Landsdowne, Jerry Fisher, Myrtle
Butterfield, Greg Findley, Dale McDonald, Jean
Zender, Rachael Bartlett, Faye Diamond, Linda
Endreson, Mike Dafoe (recovery), Phil Royce
(recovery).
Our Presence… To Beatrice Fellnor on the loss of her husband, Charles
Average Sunday Morning Worship Attendance “Chuck” Fellnor. Chuck passed away unexpectedly on
2018 2019 April 8, 2019.
March 109 72 To Thomas & Jean Zender on the death of his father, Carl
April 85 86 V. Zender Sr. Carl passed away on April 24, 2019.

Our Gifts… To Jane Brown on the loss of her husband Vernon

“Brownie” Brownie passed away unexpectedly on April
In addition to our local church, we give to our 27, 2019.
global connection of the UMC through
“Ministry Shares”. Our commitment for 2019
total $18,708 which is an increase of $1056
($1559 monthly). Any extra you can give us
to meet our goal of 100% this year is
appreciated. We strive to pay 100% this
year, and we thank you for your help in
making this a reality.

Our Service…
Special thanks to our Free Will Dinner servants,
and food delivery helpers. Carlton & Phyllis Dixie Weekes & Pastor Michael on Easter Morning!
Doane, Carlene Doane, Mike & Linda Dafoe,
Roger & Sheila Blair, Thadine Wight, Mark
Richards, Judy Wallace, Chris Burwell, Joe &
Tari Briggs, Carol Johnson, Lorene Royce,
Eddie, Madison & Mariah Simser, Heather
Fisher, Linda Bascom, & Sally McElhearn.
To all of our Chancel Choir Members, Bell Choir
Members, Sunday School Leaders, and
Representatives for the Church & Community
program.
To Henry Sansone, Willow Terrell, Molly & Owen
Tyo, and Theodore “Teddy” Maneely for serving
as acolytes on Sunday Morning. They bring the
light of the Holy Spirit into our presence every
time we gather for worship!
Dixie Weekes & Henry Sansone on Easter Morning!
If you would like to write to Fran Van Horne
her new address is the following:
100 Flume Road. Apt.242
Manlius, New York. 13104

Are you having trouble

getting rid of the dust on
your car dash board? Try
a Swiffer duster! It helps
remove all the dust off
your dash board for at
least six months!

Congratulation
to all the High
School &
College
Graduates!
Best of luck in
the future!

Please remember that the church is still

here this summer. Please join us as our
new Pastor Rev. Dr. Nancy Hale begins on
July 1. I know that she will want to meet
all of you!
Hello my family of Christ,

I want to thank all of you for the many ways you allowed me to be your pastor. As the years
go by, I will look back fondly on our time together; I trust the same will be true for
you. Thank you for opening the doors to us “strangers” in July of 2012, and for inviting us
to be a part of so much of your ministry.
In my files, I have a list of the pastors who have served you since 1827. I know that I'm the 39th pastor of Canton
UMC, and of all the other pastors, only four stayed longer than I. I wonder about the experience of those Canton
UMC pastors of who preceded me. I wonder about the people they served? What did their passion for Jesus Christ
look like?

In almost 8 years, I’ve watched children grow up. I’ve baptized, performed marriages, performed too many funerals,
visited many hospitals and shut-ins, coached soccer and baseball, founded Cub Scout Pack 11 and an all-girls BSA
Troop 1100. Together, we realized a few dreams, lived through a few trials, and persevered.

While I am leaving you, there is one who remains constant: Jesus Christ. Jesus has been here from the beginning, and
will be with you for the rest of time. If through the power of the Holy Spirit you allow Jesus to guide (you) our Canton
UMC Congregation will always have a mission. It may not look like the church we have today. There may be difficult
decisions which need to be made. But a passion for our Lord and Savior will see you through all your future trials.
This passion guided the earlier congregations of Canton UMC, a passion which allowed them to navigate their
own trials. They managed and flourished; so can we.

The biblical record is full of stories about people who faced harder trials than we. A few times the people of Israel
were exiled from their land; every time they returned. When Elijah was on the run from King Ahab and Queen
Jezebel he prayed, “I’ve been very passionate for the LORD God of heavenly forces because the Israelites have
abandoned your covenant. They have torn down your altars, and they have murdered your prophets with the sword.
I’m the only one left, and now they want to take my life too.”

The LORD heard Elijah’s prayer and encouraged him with these words: “I have preserved those who remain in Israel,
totaling seven thousand–all those whose knees haven’t bowed down to Baal and whose mouths haven’t kissed him.”
When Elijah had done the math it looked to him like it was all over. God’s math was different from Elijah’s. God
made a way where there was no way, and God will do it again for people who have faith.

I hope you have a wonderful future. I hope that under the new leadership of Pastor Nancy you will continue to do
great missions and even a better job at connecting with the neighborhood and by inviting more people to join you on
Sunday morning and at all times during the week. Give Pastor Nancy time to learn your names, hobbies and
interests, and your faith stories, as you will learn more about her as well.

My last service at the Canton UMC will be Sunday, June 16 at 10 a.m. I'm not exactly sure when we will be moving
out of the parsonage as of this newsletter writing but I would imagine it will not be much longer after that.

Finally, I share with you the words you've heard me say every week since I've been your pastor, modified from an
Irish blessing: "Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of God's hands." Keep smiling and embracing
everyone. I love you all – again, thank you for loving us.

Godspeed,
The Terrell Family: Michael, Jennifer, Willow and Noah

Our new address will be: 103 Utica Road, Clinton, NY 13323
Canton United Methodist Church
41 Court Street
Canton, NY 13617