Post on 26-Mar-2020
Inside this Issue
Financial News ..………...4-5
One in a Million…
FUNdraising Events ….......4
Men’s Retreat Memories .....6
Changing Diapers
(Danny Cooper) ………….......7
Youth Page ………....…....8
Join the Knights of North Castle
at VBS (June 22-26) …...9
ARC Dances ……….......10
Focus on the Cross ….....11
Diversity for Unity:
Monday ASL Classes ……..11
Deaf History Month ……...12
Rock Your Socks ………...13
Outreach: …….…...….14-15
Quilts of Valor, Rise Against
Hunger, Habitat Work Days,
Code Purple
Safe Secure Sanctuary …..16
Spring Cleaning 3/28! …..16
Food & Faith & Family …...17
Progressive Dinner March 14
NCF Nurses-Scholarship ...18
Introducing EXPO, OLLI ...18
Our People …….………...19
“Do You Want
to Build a
Snowman?”
I don’t know about any of you, but those of
us on the FUNdraising Team are ready for a
winter snowfall! We are longing for those so
anticipated snow days, yet here I sit writing
this article and it is 65 degrees outside.
While we wallowed in our sorrows of no
good snow days this winter at our last FUNd-
raising Team meeting, the word “snowball”
sparked a thought! As we wait for that world
stopping blizzard to hit, how about we work
Hebrews 6:10 (NLT):
For God ... will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. Check out Page 4 for more exciting FUNdraising projects!
“from the Pastor’s Desk… Page 3
on knocking out the last less than $1 million
due on our church mortgage by “snowballing”
the debt. During this season of Lent, we
are challenging each family to create
their own snowball. Starting with $0.50 for
week #1, each week you continue to double
the amount you contribute to your snowball -
so week #2, you bank $1.00, week #3 $2.00,
week #4 $4.00, week #5 $8.00, week #6
$16.00. By Easter Sunday, if you follow
through with the entire plan, you will have
saved $31.50. If 50 families participate, we
will have raised $1575.00! If 100 families
participate, $3150!
Let’s get the snowballs flying and knock
out our remaining debt! If you didn’t get
your personal snowball at the Shrove Tuesday
Pancake Dinner on February 25, please reach
out to myself, Nikki Fox, or Linda Lyon and
we will be sure to get you equipped!
Thanks for helping with the last $1 million!
Blessings to all!
Robyn Lefort
on behalf of the FUNdraising Team
www.wyomingumc.com THE WYOMING MESSENGER March 2020 Page 2
Spring is here and Easter is coming soon, what better way to serve our Savior than to praise His name with song and fellowship with His extended family! Spring Hymn Sing Monday, March 16 at 6:45 PM. All are invited to come and make joyous music with residents and staff of Dover Place (on Walker Road)! For more information please call Donna McCartney (302) 331-0876
anchored
WHO? All ladies of the church… bring a friend!
WHEN? Sunday, MAY 3rd & Monday, MAY 4th 2020
WHERE? Riverview Retreat Center at Pecometh,
Centreville, MD. Each room includes two queen beds and
bathroom in this Methodist center on the banks of the
Chester River on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Handicapped-
accessible rooms available www.pecometh.org.
HOW? Fill out a registration form (at the welcome desk)
and leave it in the envelope provided at the welcome desk, or
mail in with payment.
WHY? An opportunity to fellowship in a Christian atmos-
phere as we sing, pray, eat, laugh, enjoy the beauty of
God’s creation, share in a comfortable setting, listen to
each other and connect in a special way.
COST… includes three meals and is dependent on the
number of guests in a room.
Payment deadline: April 12th
Questions/More Information:
Tracy Fennemore (302) 264-9790 tfennemore@gmail.com
The Round Table Club of Wyoming-Camden
invites everyone to a card/games party
benefiting area scholarships on Friday, March
13 at 12 PM in the Family Life Center.
$10/person includes a light lunch, beverages &
delicious desserts. Door prizes, too!
Call Gwen at 698-1455 to register by March 6.
www.wyomingumc.com THE WYOMING MESSENGER March 2020 Page 3
and instead chose to focus on what
is positive? What if we stopped
complaining and instead focused on
the blessings that God is giving to
us every day? What if we gave
up on spiritual apathy, and instead
became passionate about worship
and following Christ? What if we gave up on worry, and instead
trusted that everything is in God’s
hands? What if we gave up on
distraction, and instead honed
our focus on what matters most:
our relationship with God, our
family, and our friends? What if we gave up on feeling unworthy
or unlovable, and instead remem-
bered that God sent his Son into
the world for us?
As we enter in the month of
March, we likewise enter into the
season of Lent. Starting on Ash
Wednesday, which was February
26th, Lent is the 40 day (46 counting
the Sundays) season of reflection,
repentance, and preparation that
helps us grow in our faith and love
for Christ as we count down to
Easter. One of the traditions of
Lent is “giving up” something as a
form of sacrifice. A lot of people
fast from social media during Lent,
while others give up dessert, coffee,
eating out at restaurants, or other
things that help us focus on Jesus’
sacrifice for us on the cross.
All of this is well and good, but
what if we could take it a step
further and consider giving up some-
thing of even more consequence?
What if, for example, we gave up
saying
hurtful
words
towards
others,
and
instead
chose to
use our
words to
build
others up?
What if we gave up
negativity
From the Pastor’s Desk
That’s a lot of “what ifs,” but my
point is that Lent can be so much
more than just a ritual experience,
and instead can be the catalyst for
deep and impactful spiritual growth.
Those practices can then carry
over past Easter in a renewed and
refocused life. In the prayers of
the church across the ages,
may we keep a holy Lent.
Less than $1,000,000 to go.
We need YOUR continued support!
By Linda Lyon, FUNdraising Chair
with Larry Towle, Finance Chair
In the February newsletter Larry Towle mentioned that we
have just under one million dollars left to pay on the mortgage
for our beautiful church building. That’s amazing! Thanks to all
of you who have participated in Capital Campaigns, given
weekly, made lump sum donations, or attended one of the
many FUNdraising events over the last 10 years.
GOD is good!
To keep this momentum going, the FUNdraising Team is kick-
ing off a $1,000,000 blitz. We would like to bring awareness to
the events we have and increase participation in these events.
More participation = more money to pay down the debt.
Please look for this amazing million-dollar bill. Check out one
of our events and mark your calendars!
What’s coming up?
Make a snowball and help us “snowball” the debt. Get
your bag from a Team member on March 7th if you didn’t get
one on Shrove Tuesday (see cover page!).
Dine-out at GrottoPizza
in Camden on March 25th for a
% of the bill to go towards our
fundraising efforts.
SCRIP gift card sales April 19th and April 26th with
delivery JUST IN TIME for graduations and Mother’s Day.
www.wyomingumc.com THE WYOMING MESSENGER March 2020 Page 4
New
‘waiting area’
Lots! left to be
done…
Bob in his
not-so-new digs
Work has begun to rearrange
the existing church office space
yet again… to accommodate
Church Sexton Bob Cousens
(now in the ‘maintenance room’
with his desk), Pastor Eric
Fontanez of Casa de Esperanza
(in the former office of Pastor
Dave Hill), the OLLI - University
of Delaware office (soon to be in
current Classroom 211), and
finally, by July 1st this year, our
newly appointed Associate
Pastor, the Rev. Lindsay Wessell
who will be in the office right
across from her husband’s.
Outside the new pastoral
offices, a ’waiting area’ will be
created.
Bear with us in this
transition period…
we appreciate
everyone’s patience!
The Wish List ‘clothes line’, located in the narthex close to the coat room, features quite a few
new items Wyoming Church needs in various areas. Amounts small and large to choose from! It’s easy…
1. Pick the tag with the item you’d like to provide - the approximate dollar amount is listed.
2. Submit the tag with the money to the church office.
The actual purchase of the item will be made by a member of the Special Gifts Team along with the team
or ministry member making the request. As in the past all Special Gifts will be acknowledged on the
plaques and in the books displayed
in the Memorial Room.
Sharon Duncan,
SGT Chair (302) 698-1904.
www.wyomingumc.com THE WYOMING MESSENGER March 2020 Page 5
FINANCIAL REPORT for the month ending January 31, 2020 Larry Towle, Finance Team Chair
Income/Expense to Date 2020 Budget
Weekly Offerings 75,038.51 576,450
Facilities and Other 10,308.98 92,950
Total Offerings 85,347.49 669,400
Total Administrative Council 22,176.46 352,201
Total Council on Ministries 6,210.51 79,465
Pastor Parish Relations 8,944.12 167,362
Mortgage Principal liabilty 9,974.19 71,325
(Reduces debt to PNC)
Total Expense 47,305.28 670,353
Net Income(Loss) 38,042.21
Balance of Mortgage 1/1/2018 990,049.00
Principal Paid in 2020 9,974.42
Mortgage Balance end of month 980,074.58
January Offerings
2020 Pledges
$0 $100,000 $200,000 $300,000 $400,000 $500,000 $600,000
Tithes and Pledges 2020
Would you consider making a
Special Gift to Wyoming
Church… to mark milestones on
your life's journey? To Celebrate,
To Honor, To Remember or simply
To the Glory of God?
www.wyomingumc.com THE WYOMING MESSENGER March 2020 Page 6
DETOUR - Finding Purpose When Life Doesn’t Make Sense - This retreat weekend did turn out to be,
as George predicted, “a wonderful oppor-
tunity for men to take the next step, to a
higher level, in our efforts to be closer to
God.” I could not agree more. We were
able to actually see Christian Methodist
Men, from various parts of the state,
come together as strangers, with nothing
more than a common faith, and develop
and build friendships in a very short
amount of time. Feedback has been
very positive and rewarding, and we are
already making plans for next year and
hoping to grow our numbers of men at-
tending. Along with the churches who
attended this year, we will invite What-
coat UMC to see if there is any interest in
taking part and I’m excited to announce
that Wyoming UMC will take the lead.
We have chosen January 22-24, 2021 for
the weekend of the retreat. The theme
will be ‘Chiseled, Becoming The Mas-
terpiece God Created You To Be.’
This will be a study on the Life of Simon
Peter and how God’s hands changed him
from sinner to saint; and how God will do
In September of 2019 George Pettyjohn
wrote an article for the The Wyoming Mes-
senger about an upcoming Men’s Retreat.
On January 24th thru the 26th of this year,
the men of Wyoming UMC along with
men from Asbury UMC, New Castle, and
the men from the host church at Hock-
essin UMC joined together for a time of
faith and fellowship at Camp Pecometh.
The theme for the retreat was ‘DETOUR,
Finding Purpose When Life Doesn’t Make
Sense.’ It followed the story of Joseph,
son of Jacob, as found in Genesis, chap-
ters 37-50. The time spent together was
broken up into six sessions beginning on
Friday evening and ending Sunday morn-
ing. The sessions included prayer, singing,
dvd presentations, and a time of discus-
sion among a variety of group tables. The
time between sessions was spent enjoying
a delicious meal prepared by the staff and
Camp Pecometh followed by a time of
fellowship and getting to know one and
another, sharing stories, and enjoying the
scenic area around Camp Pecometh.
Thanks to Pastor Vern Bryant of Hock-
essin and Pastor Bill Downing (retired)
from Wyoming, we were able to partake
of the elements of Communion on both
Saturday and Sunday.
the same for us as he did for Peter if we
permit Him. This study will be done by
Phil Tuttle, the same presenter for
‘DETOUR’. The format will remain basi-
cally the same with plenty of time for
study, fellowship, and free time. The re-
treat is open to men of all ages and back-
grounds and I hope you will take ad-
vantage of this opportunity. I sincerely
believe you will find it rewarding and ful-
filling. There will more information to
follow as we are just getting started, but
please keep it in mind.
Ken Banaszak (second from right)
www.wyomingumc.com THE WYOMING MESSENGER March 2020 Page 7
Danny Cooper Coordinator/Counselor
@ Daybreak Counseling Services
In today’s world, where self promotion
and public availability have become
the acceptable norm, the quiet,
unassuming humility of Christ can
often be hard to discern
Changing Diapers
For everyone who exalts himself
will be humbled, and he who
humbles himself will be exalted.
Luke 14:11
A few years ago, I listened to a radio inter-
view featuring a young, on the rise, Chris-
tian recording artist. The radio announcer
asked the young man, whose fame had
grown immensely in
a very short time,
how he kept his
feet on the ground
and his life pointed
in the right
direction in spite
of his popularity.
The singer sheepish-
ly laughed and said,
“It’s amazing how humbling it is to take
out the kitchen trash and change your
baby’s diapers!”
Like the I Corinthians plaque above a
church nursery once read, “We will not
all sleep, but we will all be changed”! How
wonderfully refreshing it is to be changed!
At a conference I once attended in sunny
Orlando, Florida, I was wowed by all the
nifty bells and whistles that seemed to
permeate the tropical conference center
where this annual event was held. Every-
thing appeared to be in its precise place.
Every detail was exact and tasteful, from
the window treatments in the halls, to the
background music that seemed to encircle
every step taken throughout the vast
resort. When gathering for lunch one
As advanced as we are as a society, and
as advanced as we surely will become,
may we still hunger for the simple,
uncomplicated relationship with our
God that never wavers
around us, but more importantly, how is
our connection with the One who gave
us life…with the One who came so many
years ago to save us from ourselves?
Let us never forget that good things only
remain good things if they do not compete
with our allegiance and reliance on the
most important thing, our God.
When good things become increasingly
important to me, to the point where my
time and attention to God is compro-
mised or neglected, are they still, in fact,
good things?
As life changes, and thankfully it must, let
us recommit
ourselves to not
change our
fragile connec-
tion to our God
in our growing
excitement with
ourselves and
the greater and
greater abilities
we enjoy in this life. As advanced as we
are as a society, and as advanced as we
surely will become, may we still hunger
for the simple, uncomplicated relationship
with our God that never wavers in availa-
bility; that thankfully never becomes ob-
solete or outdated. Thank you God…
for being You!
afternoon in the expansive banquet hall,
conversation about the exquisite setting
became the focal point of our circular
table of eight. One attendee spoke about
the hotel staff, and asked the question,
“Have any of you had any complaint with
your stay; with your room, or the front
desk… with anything?” There was silence
in our replies. No one, obviously, had a
single negative comment to make about
our host facility. The same inquisitor
then asked, “Have you seen the owner
during your stay? He has been on the
scene here at various points of the con-
ference.” Once again, our quiet, steady
munching was
indication enough
that not one of us
had laid eyes on the
person responsible
for this incredible
experience. Our
spokesperson then
concluded this
one-sided
conversation by saying that we would
most likely not notice the wealthy owner
and operator of
this luxurious
complex because
he tends to walk
around the place in
a janitor’s uniform;
that he typically
busies himself by
emptying waste
paper baskets and tidying up the rest-
rooms. Like before, our small group fell
silent, this time not with the business of
eating, but with an awed appreciation
for such a witness of humility and service.
I think we were all changed by what we
heard.
In today’s world, where self promotion
and public availability have become the
acceptable norm, the quiet, unassuming
humility of Christ can often be hard to
discern. As the demands of life persist,
and the influx of stimuli continue to grow
in intensity, can we take a moment today
to remember our Lord, who cannot and
will not compete with our growing
reliance on ourselves and the enticements
of this fallen world. We may be more
connected than ever before with life
www.wyomingumc.com THE WYOMING MESSENGER March 2020 Page 8
The youth ministries of Wyoming Church are open to
all youth in grades 6-12.
Youth Group meets from 6 to 8 PM
on Sundays March
1st… 8th… 15th… 22nd… 29th.
“Whole lotta praisin’ goin’ on” at the annual
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper and Superb
Puppets of Praise performance of the musical
“Resurrection”. Puppeteers (left to right - back row): Brock Nelson
(also picture on the right ), Sharon Burge, Marlene
Loomis. (front row) Jane Fennemore, Wesley Mann,
Jeff Purdy, Carlton Passley, Betsy Freidel, Karissa
Mann (also pictured on the right). Picture on the far
right: Gail Garner and Coco, ASL interpreting team.
Not pictured: Puppets’ fearless and wonderfully cre-
ative director Jack Freidel. We can’t wait till the
next puppet show and ice cream social on July 5!
“Backstage.”
www.wyomingumc.com THE WYOMING MESSENGER March 2020 Page 9
Mark your calendars:
Vacation Bible School 2020
June 22-26
We Need You…
… as teachers and helpers in our classrooms!
It's hard to believe, but VBS prep for this year is under-
way! Our theme this year is "Knights of North Castle" and it
looks really awesome! Our dates are June 22-26, 8:30 AM to
12:15 PM. SO, save the date and please let us know if you are
able to help this year so we can begin staffing. If you have an
age preference, let us know that as well. We need a teacher
and assistant for each class. Additionally, if you would be inter-
ested or know someone who may be, we are in need of a head
decorating person for our hallways/class areas.
Thanks so much for your thoughtful consideration and efforts
towards our VBS ministry!
Janna Whitenight bjwhitey@comcast.net and
Kate Kleinot dk72106-kate@yahoo.com
We Need You…
… as actors in our VBS Bible Story room!
Costumes and props all provided. What a fun group you’ll be
joining… Practices start on March 5 and will be every Thursday
from 3 to 5 PM. Stop in the choir room to check us out or
contact
Tracy Boyer at tlboyer65@gmail.com.
We Need You…
… for our church’s Safe Secure Sanctuary
Program
You are right --- the title says “June’s Vacation Bible
School”! So why are we talking about a much heralded June
Event when it is only the Month of March? The answer is very
simple and straight forward. One of the important elements of
another fantastically successful Vacation Bible School (VBS) is
the months of planning and preparation that dozens of leaders
and volunteers undergo prior to the Monday, June 22nd,
through Friday, June 26th, activity.
One of the vital components of this year’s VBS is the need
for folks to volunteer as a Monitor and/or as a Steward for
a two hour block of time from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM or from
10:00 AM to 12 Noon during the VBS Morning Sessions. If
after prayerful consideration you feel led to volunteer to be a
Monitor and/or a Steward please know that the 5 minute
Monitor/Steward training is very simple. Also, please know that
not only would you be fulfilling a vitally important role for our
beloved Wyoming Church but you would have the opportunity
to experience first hand the tremendously delightful, high ener-
gy event that the VBS leaders, adult and youth volunteers and
chefs from the Sexton Kitchen Team create.
As a VBS Monitor or Steward Volunteer you will have the
opportunity to be an integral participant in the use of
Wyoming Church’s new video camera system. Beginning on
Sunday, March 1st, Terry Higgins will have Monitor/Steward
Opportunity Schedule Forms available for distribution.
See or contact
Terry at tmhiggins59@hotmail.com or 363-5823 (Cell) or
492-3354 (VM).
VBS Directors Janna Whitenight and Kate Kleinot
Early Spring is the Perfect Time to Order
Perpetual Care Bricks for the Memorial Garden!
sent to you for your review and subse-
quent confirmation. When you have
completed a signed confirmation the
order will be forwarded to the Stone
Mason for inscription. Your completed
Memorial Brick is then picked up, given
a final review for accuracy, followed by
a personal notification to you that the
Memorial Brick is ready for placement in
the Memorial Garden. Final placement
will be at your convenience and in a loca-
tion of your choosing within the confines
of the Memorial Garden itself.
Questions are welcome and can be
directed to Terry Higgins at (302)
363-5823 or tmhiggins59@hotmail.com .
As our Winter season here on the
Delmarva Peninsula begins to give way
to the very early, tentative, first signs of
Spring, we need to remember that this is
an excellent opportune time to consider
ordering a Memorial Brick for placement
in our Church’s Memorial Garden.
The process from order request to
final placement is very easy and straight-
forward. To begin the order procedure
all you need to do is pick up an order
form from those that are to be found on
the Memorial Garden Model located just
to the left of the Welcome Desk in the
Narthex.
Once your order is received, it will be
entered into the tracking system and
www.wyomingumc.com THE WYOMING MESSENGER March 2020 Page 10
Good times &
Good friends…
at the ARC
Valentine’s
Dance!
Join our friends
with disAbilities
again on Friday,
March 20th at
7 PM for
the
St.
Patrick’s
Dance!
www.wyomingumc.com THE WYOMING MESSENGER March 2020 Page 11
Signs speak louder than words… at the ASL Sign Language Class taught by Gail
Garner on a Monday night from 6 to 8 in Room 223+225. Beginners and advanced
students welcome! Pay as you go - $2/class.
In the spirit of “True old-time Religion”
(Pastor Rick’s sermon on 1 Corinthians 2
on February 9) let’s not “value the method
over the message".
When people enter our church, their
focus should be only on the cross - above
the stained glass windows, conveying the
message "Jesus is Lord".
All tables, displays and exhibits are usually
placed on one of the sides in our vast
entrance and gathering space, the ‘narthex’.
At the cross, at the cross I surrender my life
I'm in awe of You. I'm in awe of You!
Where Your love ran red and my sin washed white
I owe all to You. I owe all to You, Jesus. Chris Tomlin
www.wyomingumc.com THE WYOMING MESSENGER March 2020 Page 12
World Deaf
History Month
World Deaf History Month celebrates
deaf history and, in particular, contribu-
tions made by the deaf and hard of
hearing community to American culture
and society. Deaf History Month is cele-
brated each year from March 13-April
15. It straddles two months to highlight
three of the key milestones in deaf
history:
March 13, 1988: The Deaf President
Now movement succeeds in having
I. King Jordan named the first deaf
president of Gallaudet University.
April 8, 1864: President Abraham Lincoln
signs the charter for Gallaudet Universi-
ty in Washington, the first school for the
advanced education of the Deaf and hard-
of-hearing in the world.
April 15, 1817: The first permanent
public school for the deaf, the American
School for the Deaf in Hartford,
Connecticut, opens.
In observance of Deaf History Month,
listed below are some books—
fictional and factual—for children, teens
and adults focusing on deafness and Deaf
culture.
The Dark Days of
Hamburger Halpin
-By Josh Berk
When Will Halpin transfers
from his all-deaf school into
a mainstream
Pennsylvania high school, he
faces discrimination and
bullying, but still
manages to solve a mystery
surrounding the death of a popular football
player in his class. For junior and senior high.
The Deaf
|Musicians
-By Pete Seeger
and Paul DuBois
Jacobs
Jazz pianist Lee is
asked to leave his
band when he
loses his hearing. At sign language class, Lee
meets Max who plays the sax. Riding the sub-
way together, they form a new band with a
big audience.
For kindergarten to grade 3 & older readers.
Deaf Sentence
-By David Lodge
A distinguished retired
professor suddenly finds
himself struggling with
intermittent hearing loss
while taking care of his
dying father who is also
going deaf. For adults.
Moses Goes to
a Concert
-By Isaac Millman
Moses and his class-
mates, all of whom
are deaf, go to a
concert with their
teacher and enjoy
experiencing music.
They discover that
the percussionist in the orchestra is
also deaf. Includes information on sign
language. For kindergarten to grade 3.
Famous People who are Deaf or
Hard of Hearing
Marlee Matlin is an American actress
whose career has spanned over the
course of almost 5 decades. Matlin
gained critical acclaim for her lead role
in Children of a Lesser God in 1986 which
earned her an Academy Award and a
Golden Globe. She was the first and
only Deaf performer to have ever
won this award.
Nyle DiMarco is a Deaf American
model, actor, and activist who is known
for his recurring role as Garrett Banducci
in Switched at Birth. DiMarco uses his
presence in the public arena to raise
awareness for the Deaf community and
Deaf issues.
Host of the critically-acclaimed Late
Show, Stephen Colbert is completely
deaf in his right ear. Resulting from an
operation to correct a perforated
eardrum.
Rikki Poynter is an American
YouTuber who posts regularly on topics
including; closed captioning awareness,
Deaf culture, and accessibility among
others. Rikki is a champion for Deaf
culture, posting informative and enter-
taining videos to spread awareness and
challenge norms.
Millicent Simmonds is an American
actress from Utah. Millicent became deaf
after a medication overdose at just 12
months old. At just 14, she earned a
breakout role in Wonderstruck in 2017.
She followed this up with her role
in A Quiet Place.
Star of Netflix's hit series Stranger
Things, Millie Bobby Brown is deaf in
one ear. Born with hearing loss in one
of her ears, her condition has worsened
over time leaving her deaf in her right
ear.
After suffering a high fever which left her
with nerve deafness when she was just a
baby, Glee star Jane Lynch has reported
that is completely deaf in one ear.
Former US President Bill Clinton
was diagnosed with high-frequency
hearing loss which is likely the result of
exposure to loud music in his youth, and
his enjoyment of duck hunting.
Pete Townsend, lead guitarist of the
famed British rock group The Who has
endured much damage to his hearing
after almost half a century’s worth of
writing and performing music to crowds
around the world. Pete now wears hear-
ing aids and uses a special hearing moni-
tor whilst performing.
Derrick Coleman is the first legally
Deaf offensive player in the NFL. After
playing for UCLA, Coleman was signed
to the Minnesota Vikings in 2012, cur-
rently playing for the Arizona Cardinals.
Coleman began to lose his hearing at just
3 years old due to a genetic and incurable
hearing impairment. He uses a mixture of
hand signals and lip reading to communi-
cate with his team during games.
Whoopie Goldberg, beloved actress,
comedian, and E.G.O.T. winner wears
hearing aids due to hearing loss she
believes resulted from attending loud
concerts and events in her youth.
Best known for his starring role on the
hugely popular 24 series, Kiefer
Sutherland is a British actor. Sutherland
suffers from profound hearing loss in one
ear and partial hearing loss in the other
due to ongoing damage from harmful
sounds whilst on set.
Hailing from Detroit, Sean Forbes is a
Deaf American rapper, activist, and
speaker. Sean uses music to champion
Deaf awareness and Deaf culture. Out-
side of music, Sean co-founded D-PAN,
www.wyomingumc.com THE WYOMING MESSENGER March 2020 Page 13
On March 21, 2020, the Down Syndrome
Association of Delaware will be joining other
schools and organizations around the world
in celebrating WORLD DOWN SYNDROME
DAY.
Together we will create a single global voice
for advocating for the rights, inclusion and well-
being of people with Down syndrome in our
schools, community and around the world.
3/21, World Down Syndrome Day, was chosen to
signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy)
of the 21st chromosome which leads to Down syn-
drome.
The DSA of DE is again selling socks so that we all
can show our support on 3/21.
Watch for the sale Sunday mornings
leading up to March 21st!
the Deaf Professional Arts Network.
D-PAN is a non-profit organization which
promotes accessibility and awareness
within the arts and media industries.
Linda Bove is a deaf American actress
who earned her fame as Linda the Librar-
ian in the beloved children's series Sesa-
me Street. In her role, Linda introduced
millions of children to sign language, and
helped helped raise awareness for Deaf
culture.
Founder of DEAFinitely Dope, Matt
Maxey is a Deaf American Sign Language
interpreter who joined Grammy-winning
Chance the Rapper on his Be Encour-
aged tour in 2017.
American actor, comedian, writer,
and director CJ Jones is most com-
monly known for his breakout role in
Edgar Wright's 2017 hit film Baby
Driver.
Kitty O'Neil was an American stunt-
woman and speed racer who truly
pushed the limits throughout her
career. Whether she was setting
world speed records, or leaping 127
feet from a balcony as Lynda Carter's
Wonder Woman stunt double, Kitty
never let her lack of hearing stop her
from achieving success. In her
words, “Deaf people can do anything,
never give up. When I was 18, I was
told I couldn’t get a job because I was
deaf. But I said someday I’m going to
be famous in sports, to show them I
can do anything.”
Fun Sports
Facts
Did you know that both the football
huddle and the umpire’s hand signals in
baseball were developed so that Deaf
players could participate?
In 1892, the Gallaudet football team was
playing against another Deaf team. Paul
Hubbard, the quarterback didn't want to
risk the other team seeing him using ASL
to explain the play to his teammates, so
he asked them to form a tight circle for-
mation, now known as a huddle. This
formation was later picked up by profes-
sional scouts and became a permanent
fixture in football.
There is a newspaper account of Ed
"Dummy" Dundon, a deaf pitcher in the
American Association from 1883-84,
using hand signals in a game that he
umpired in 1886. This is the same year
that William “Dummy” Hoy signed a
contract as the first Major League
Baseball Player who was also Deaf.
Upon his retirement, he was second in
games played in the outfield (1795),
seventh in assists (273), and third in
double plays (72). He scored over 100
runs nine times.
= =
Diversity = Access = Acceptance
Diversidad = Acceso = Aceptación
Wyoming Church will again sponsor a food packing
event for Rise Against Hunger on Saturday,
March 21, at 9:30 AM in the Family Life Cen-
ter. All are invited to help. We will pack 10,000 rice and soy-based meal packets each of which will
feed 6 people. These meals might be sent to any of
78 countries around the world. Rise Against Hunger
also helps to educate families in agriculture practices
so that they can grow their own food in the future.
Last year, our packaged meals went to Zambia.
We have pledged $3,451.68 to cover the costs of
these meals. Your help is needed! Please, use the
envelopes that are on the display in the narthex,
your giving envelopes, or the pink envelopes in the
pews. You must indicate that the funds are for Rise
Against Hunger and use your giving number / and /
or name so that it will appear on your statement.
Our congregation is awesome in the many ways we
reach out to help others!
Check out your personal invitation and
start supporting this effort now - follow this link
(also on wyomingumc.com)
Far right:
On February 1st, Outreach Sewing
Day, Quilts of Valor made by the
Helping Hands Quilt Guild were
awarded to Betty Harvath (left) and
Ron Leczner.
www.wyomingumc.com THE WYOMING MESSENGER March 2020 Page 14
Left:
Another Quilt of Valor was presented to Frank Rob-
erts (front right) by the Cotton Club in another recent
ceremony at the Magnolia Fire Hall.
Busy and wonderfully creative
‘Helping Hands’ working on Quilts
of Valor on February 1st
Quilts of Valor stitched with Love and
Awarded to Veterans
been great this season and I would love for us to finish strong. Our laundry team has been
knocking it out of the park and we have several new volunteers added to our team that have
made this a fun and exciting year for CP.
Please check the March schedule and see where you can pick up a shift or two. We still need
snacks (cookies, crackers and chips). Many times when we put out snacks, the men grab a
couple of them at a time. There's a reason for this. Sometimes they don't know if we'll be
open the following night or when their next meal will be after they leave here in the morning.
That extra pack
or two of crackers
may be all they
eat all day. That
is why we are in
constant need of
extra snack foods.
If you are willing,
please leave single
serving snack
donations in the
Code Purple box
in the Narthex.
As always, we
welcome new
volunteers and
would love to
have you join
our team!
www.wyomingumc.com THE WYOMING MESSENGER March 2020 Page 15
Code Purple It didn't snow this year, but
it definitely got cold plenty of
nights and we are so grateful for
our Code Purple team, who
helped save many of our neigh-
bors from a night out in freezing
temperatures!!
March weather is tricky to plan
for. We are scheduled to reopen
on March 1st through the 13th
(excluding the 4th) and my
guess is that we will be canceling
several of those nights due to ris-
ing temperatures. We still need
to fill the schedule though. If
the temperature is going down to
34 degrees and the windchill will
be below freezing, we are going to
open. We have the resources and
ability to save these men from
freezing to death in tents or stair-
wells and if it's close in terms of
temperatures we will err on the
side of saving lives. You all have
Wyoming Church will volunteer for
two work days for Habitat this
spring. On Wednesday, April 15
and Saturday, April 18, we will
provide workers and lunches for those
who work. Please, prayerfully consider
joining this effort to help provide afforda-
ble housing to many in our community
who so deserve it.
Look for the sign-up sheets in the
narthex soon.
Donations, donations… from individuals and
local organizations, here from the Delaware
Farm Bureau, all put to good use for our
Code Purple
guests.
Please contact Melissa at (215) 808-5867 or email at
MEKMann@comcast.net Thank you for being the blessing!!
Welcoming And Friendly Wyoming Church - Pass It On!
Wyoming Church’s time honored, 150 year plus, well-eared reputation of being
a super friendly Church continues unabated. All of us have felt the warmth of a
sincere welcome each time we attend a Church function or event. Many of us
still remember out first Wyoming visit and the positive impression that subse-
quently led to our attendance and membership.
One of the most important things that we can do for the increasing numbers of
returning and new folks is to create a friendly environment in which they feel
comfortable. So just as you were made to feel comfortable when you first
came to Wyoming, please consider doing the same thing for all of those folks
that you may not yet know as well as you might like to know them. So - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - Pass It On!
www.wyomingumc.com THE WYOMING MESSENGER March 2020 Page 16
If March’s ‘Weed ‘N Feed’
Is Coming, Can Spring Be Far Behind?
Our Wyoming United Methodist
Church’s Spring ‘Weed ‘N Feed’ is set
to occur on Saturday, March the 28th,
beginning at 9:00 AM. We will meet at
the Portico to work on a variety of
grounds projects including weeding,
trimming, edging, blowing, raking,
mulching, planting and tidying-up.
We will plan to complete the morning’s
projects by 11:30 AM so that we can
adjourn to Conference Room 101 for
a complimentary luncheon.
As a result of the great and consistent
care given to the Grounds by dozens of
dedicated folks during the past calendar
year, our Wyoming Church campus has
weathered our mild (so far) Winter and
is therefore looking good. However,
the Easter Celebration Season begins in
early April and we want to be looking
our best for all those who will be wor-
shipping with us.
Please note that this date of March
the 28th coincides with the In-
House Spring Cleaning Project
headed by Sharon Duncan and the
Adopt-A-Highway Clean Up Event
under the direction of Renate
Purdy. So, after prayerful consid-
eration, please sign up for one of
these three events - sign-up sheets
in the Narthex. Please know that
your presence and energies are
needed and will be most appreciat-
ed. You will enjoy great Christian
fellowship and good food at our
beautiful Wyoming Church.
Questions?
‘Outside - Weed’n Feed’
Terry Higgins 363-5823 or
tmhiggins59@hotmail.com
‘Inside’
Sharon Duncan 698-1904 or
skd999@aol.com
‘Wyoming Mill Road’
office 697-8400 or
office@wyomingumc.com.
Thank You!
New Cameras for our
Church’s Safe Secure
Sanctuary Program
As a result of several months of
thorough planning and preparation by
our Wyoming Church’s Safe Secure
Sanctuary (S3) Leadership Team, the
Trustees and the Wyoming Church
Council have approved the installation
of an expanded, high definition, video
camera system for our Wyoming
Church. Specifically, the new system
will replace out current 16 low defini-
tion, inadequate coverage camera system
with a 62 camera high definition, facial
recognition, interior/exterior system.
The interior portion of the new system
will provide coverage for the classrooms,
nursery suite, practice rooms, commons
and gathering areas, entrances/exits,
sanctuary, family life center and offices.
All internal cameras will have infrared
and video capability while all exterior
cameras will have audio as well as
infrared and video capability.
Camera recording results will be greatly
enhanced with a tremendous increase in
storage capacity.
Your Wyoming Church’s S3 Leadership
Team compiled and followed a thorough
protocol for vender application and se-
lection including a due diligence process
that included the interview of six current
clients of the proposed vendor of choice.
All of the due diligence questions and
responses are available for review should
any person care to view them. In addi-
tion, three very positive, unsolicited
comments were received from various
local community individuals relative to
the reliability of the proposed vendor of
choice.
The vendor of choice is Secure Data
Computer Solutions (SDCS), a local,
family owned, high tech company estab-
lished in 1987. Installation and readiness
operation of the system is slated to be
completed by the end of March, 2020.
All system components are installed with
a one year warranty that will be honored
by the vendor. The total cost of the
system components, installation and ser-
vice contract is $22,787.00. This amount
includes a $1,600.00 service contract
that begins at the end of the one year
warranty and is block-of-time sensitive as
opposed to calendar sensitive.
The members of the Wyoming Church
Council have provided the funds for this
project with the provision that the Lead-
ership Team make every effort to ask
those good folks of our Congregation
who, after prayerful consideration,
would feel led to consider providing
funds to offset this project’s cost.
To that end, the S3 Leadership Team
has received an anonymous grant of
$1,000.00 from the family of one of the
team members. The initial gift of
$1,000.00 brings the cost of each
camera to approximately $350.00 ---
actually to be precise about it the
amount per camera is $351.41.
Check out the poster display in the
Narthex showing the exact locations of
all of the interior and exterior cameras.
Your S3 Leadership Team consists of
Carol Abbott, Larry Gant, Ernie Piazza,
Bill Purdy, Frank Roberts, Tom Vella,
Dave Yencer, and Terry Higgins,
Chair. The April issue of the Wyoming
Messenger will include an article from
the Leadership Team that will lay out the
ongoing and expanding role of the S3
Plans for continuing to create a positive,
welcoming, safe and secure environment
at our beloved Wyoming church.
See or call Terry Higgins at 492-3354
with your questions or comments.
www.wyomingumc.com THE WYOMING MESSENGER March 2020 Page 17
Progressive Dinner on
March 14 (6PM)
3 Course Dinner
at 3 different homes...
'tried & true' family favorites
for starters & desserts
around the entree of baked
potatoes with all kinds
of trimmings!
Sign up while
there’s room!
Call Renate 399-3898
or Sharon 698-1904
with questions.
- Adult Fellowship - Join us at 6 p.m. on March 4 for "a covered dish" dinner. Bring your
table settings (plate, fork, knives, etc.) and your favorite covered dish to serve 10
-12 people. All adults invited. Include friends and neighbors. This is not a
"married couple" event.
Information/Questions --- George Pettyjohn 736-1236.
March Men’s Prayer Breakfast --- Prayers For Patience In Life! Men --- Of All Ages; now is the time to mark your March Calendar for Saturday, the
28th, to be at the ‘Backroom’ in Hall’s Restaurant, 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM, for our monthly
Prayer Breakfast. Terry Higgins’s Mini-Message will lead us in a quest to expand
our ‘Patience Quota’ with those in our lives. Following the Mini-Message we will order
from the menu and enjoy good ‘cooked-to-order’ food and great table fellowship. We
are certain that you will be warmly welcomed by all those present. Josh Turner (302) 678-9818.
Soup Day : March 11th from 11:30AM to 1PM for your choice of
Ham ‘N Bean, Cream Of Potato or Lentil Soup.
A bowl of soup, bread, beverage, and dessert all for $4. Bring a friend or many for a
lunch we are sure you will enjoy. Proceeds from Soup Day go to Outreach programs.
As always, we will have our WUMC Bake Table with sweets for you to purchase
and enjoy. Proceeds from the Bake Table go to our mortgage debt reduction.
Anyone interested in donating homemade baked items may bring them in on Tuesday
(soup prep day) or Wednesday morning before Soup Day Lunch starts.
www.wyomingumc.com THE WYOMING MESSENGER March 2020 Page 18
Calling all Registered Nurses, Nursing
Students and Nursing Assistants!
Nurses Christian Fellowship is now
taking applications for their annual…
… Educational Grant
Purpose: To encourage nurses to con-
tribute to the advancement of nursing
that fulfills the NCF purpose by incor-
porating Christian principles into nurs-
ing research and nursing education.
Project Funding:
Annual funding is provided by
Delaware Chapter of NCF.
Funds for this grant do not cover
expenses incurred prior to the
funding date.
Eligibility criteria:
Delaware resident
Registered Nurse with a current
license seeking an advanced
degree in nursing.
or
Student currently enrolled in a
nursing education program.
Submit the following:
Completed education grant
application form by April 30, 2020
Letter of acceptance to the nurs-
ing program or proof of enrollment in
nursing program.
Recommendation letter from
church minister or church leader
Nursing Grant available:
A one-time award of $500.00 for a
qualified nursing student.
How to apply: All applications must be
submitted in writing on the Education-
al Grant Application.
Forms and more info:
Lisa McCalister (302) 632-3023.
Wyoming Church is happy to welcome
EXPANDING OPTIONS, a group of high-
functioning adults within the Autism spec-
trum and their caregivers. EXPANDING
OPTIONS meet for a time of fellowship
in Room 223+225 in the North Wing
every fourth Tuesday from 7 to 9 PM.
OLLI’s Thursday Speaker Series is free & open to everyone…
… in the Family Life Center from Noon to 12:45 PM.
March 5 - Karen Abate, Kent County Master Gardener
Gardening Smarter, Not Harder, Accessible Gardening This presentation will discuss the benefits of gardening and some adaptive techniques to make gardening easier, less draining, and much more enjoyable for those with physical limitations. This engaging conversa-tion will highlight accessible gardening tips and real-life practical solutions. Participants will have the opportunity to handle easy-to-use gardening products and share their own accessible gardening tips.
March 12 - Art McLaughlan: What is an Assault Rifle? The technical/legal definitions of firearm terminology in historical context.
March 19 - Pat Ryan, Historian
Irish History: An Overview
March 26 - Opera Delaware Upcoming Spring Program - Members of Opera Delaware will perform and give details about the shows they will be performing for the public during their upcoming spring season.
Check our EXPANDING OPTIONS at https://expandingoptions.org/
www.wyomingumc.com THE WYOMING MESSENGER March 2020 Page 19
~ Our People ~
~ Death ~
3/16 Robert Hawkins 3/18 Dylan Pearson, Chloe Malone 3/19 Natalie Delgado 3/20 Walt Ramstedt 3/21 Heather Martino 3/22 Blake Fennemore, Dick Seyler
3/23 Hank Baker, Clara Gravatt, Chris Harris
3/24 Lauren (Massey) Maule 3/26 Hillary Martino 3/27 Ryan Dotson, Wayne Gordineer,
BJ VanKavelaar, Louise Webb
3/28 Shirley Hawkins, Carlton Passley 3/29 Cooper Barth, Donna McCartney
3/30 Nancy Shively
3/31 Kaylee Gorgoretti
4/01 Robert Kirby 4/02 Hannah Cote, Matthew Dotson,
3/1 Linda Lyon 3/2 Carol Abbott, Shannon Ritter 3/3 Joe Hajec, Renate Purdy, Sheila Snyder 3/4 Elaina Ditty, Jack Kling, Cindy Pearson,
Richard Stockslager, Evelyn Voshell 3/5 Jeff Williams 3/6 Jeffrey Purdy, Elayna Simpson 3/7 Joyce Stockslager 3/8 Gloria Barker, Sharon Burge, Rod
Thompson 3/9 Carleigh Campbell, Tim Freidel, Gwen
Robinson 3/10 Joan Davis 3/11 Susan Higgins, Karen Priestley 3/12 Dana Sharpe, Gail Vella 3/13 Dwight Meyer 3/14 Linda Marker 3/15 John Riggins, Tressa Stant
Irene Gillette, Walt Jankowski, Ethan Roache
4/03 Ross Lancaster 4/04 Cort Massey, Ian Pearson,
Alicia Sumpter 4/05 Kathy Deckard, Reileigh Gray 4/06 Noah Delgado, Chris Kirby,
Jim Klecan
4/07 Marty Downing
~ February Birthdays ~
David Mitten,
the son of the
late Jean Mitten,
on February 18, 2020
If we live, we live for
the Lord; and if we die,
we die for the Lord.
So, whether we live or die,
we belong to the Lord.
Romans 14:8
216 Wyoming Mill Road, Dover, DE 19904
Phone: 302-697-8400 Fax: 302-697-8470
E-mail: office@wyomingumc.com
www.WyomingUMC.com
Office Hours:
Monday thru Thursday 9AM to 3PM
To: You!
Parents… it’s time
to REGISTER your
child for
There are camps available for kids and youth from K through 12th grade. Check out the display in the narthex or the Camp Pecometh website www.pecometh.org
for more information on all summer camps.
Mark your calendars now for
Pecometh Day on April 25 from
11 a.m. till 3 p.m. Bring the whole
family and enjoy free activities includ-
ing open house tours, games, music,
hayrides, food, and exhibits.
The Wyoming UMC Kitchen Sexton
Team have again provided generous
financial assistance to all children/
youth who want to go to summer
camp at Pecometh. May 1st is the
deadline to sign up for that assis-
tance. The % of the campership will
be determined by how many campers
from our church sign up. Only one
camp per person will receive financial
assistance. Please note that once your
child/youth is registered, you must
email the invoice showing the $50
paid deposit to bfreidel1@yahoo.com
by May 1st to be eligible for the
campership.
In early May we will notify you how
many campership $$ we are able to
provide for your child.
Any Questions, email, call
or text Betsy Freidel at
bfreidel1@yahoo.com
cell (302) 535-3983.
March Memory Verse …and whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative
of the Lord Jesus.
Colossians 3:17
March’s Memory Verse was taken from Day 5 of the “Daily Bread” Easter
Reflections booklet “In Pursuit of Jesus”. Take your free copy - in the north wing
vending area near the monthly Upper Room devotionals… give one to a friend!