Springfield United Methodist Church

7047 Old Keene Mill Road

Springfield, VA 22150

Telephone: 703-451-2375

Fax: 703-451-1412

SUMC Newsletter

SUMC Family & Children's Newsletter

WELCOME TO OUR GUESTS - Welcome to Springfield UMC! Childcare is provided during worship. Activity bags and bulletins are available for children. Large print bulletins and hymnals and hearing devices are available. Please ask the ushers for assistance.

SUMMER OFFICE HOURS:The office is open Monday - Thursday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. 

The September Calendar was not included in this month's online newsletter. It is available by clicking here (requires Adobe PDF reader).

The Family and Children's Ministry 2010 Brochure is available by clicking here (requires Adobe PDF reader).

The Summer Sunday School at SUMC -- Sunday School for children resumed August 1st with a special "Mission Possible Kids" program for children and tweens. Our children and tweens will be enjoying 5 weeks of learning and fun at our "Mission Possible Kids Summer Sundays." During our regular Sunday School time at 9:15 a.m., bring your child to room 206. Fall Sunday School resumes on September 12th with pre-K, elementary, and tween children meeting in their respective classrooms.

The The 2010-2011 Sunday School Year begins September 12th. Have your child experience the excitement of God‟s love in our engaging Sunday School program. Our loving staff embraces the word of God and nurtures children and youth‟s spiritual growth in a warm, friendly, and creative environment. All children and youth will enjoy the opportunity to grow in their faith and develop new friendships. Children ages 3 ½ - Kindergarten meet in room 206 (children must be potty trained). Children in 1st through 3rd grades meet in room 207. Children in 4th through 6th grades meet in room 203. Our youth class meets downstairs in the youth room. The teenage years are some of the most challenging, and Brother Washington‟s class is where your youth should be! Through devotionals and lively discussions, these students see how God‟s word applies to their daily lives. Sunday School starts at 9:15 am and ends at 10:15 am. All children must be registered for Sunday School. Registration forms are available in your child‟s classroom, on the narthex table, or see Shana Barr. If you have any questions, please contact Shana at sumc.families@gmail.com or (703) 451-2375.

Everyone is welcome to bring their backpacks, lunchboxes, purses, bags, and/or briefcases with them to SUMC's 2nd Annual Blessing of the Backpacks Service and receive a special blessing to help them get a great start on the 2010-2011 school and work year. Pastor Elaine and Pastor Larry also have a special carabineer/keychain for each worship participant to proudly display on their bag! This short family service will take place in the chapel September 12th at 9:15 am. If you have any questions about this service, contact Shana at sumc.families@gmail.com or (703) 451-2375.

ONE SERVICE on September 12th. Please join us for a combined Worship Service featuring music from our Amigos de Cristo, Praise Band and Sanctuary Choir on September 12that 10:30 am. Our Annual Community Picnic will follow as we "Kickoff" the new School Year with a bang! This family fun event will feature food, music, games, and face painting. All our ministries will be highlighted, the Methodist Men will cook burgers and hotdogs, and everyone is encouraged to bring a side dish or dessert to share! Come to worship and stay for fellowship, food and fun!

Alexandria District Spiritual Life Event "Turning Prayer Inside Out" Guest Speaker: Irene McGhee. Saturday, September 18, 2010, 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. Franconia UMC, 6037 Franconia Road, Alexandria, Virginia 22310. 703-971-5151 Bring your bible with you. Registration: Online registration is being done again this year. Please send an email to Linda Stocks: lgstocks@cox.net with the name(s) of the person attending the event. The cost is $15.00 which includes lunch. Payment will be received at the door. If you do not have email, you can send a check to Linda Stocks at 10621 Old Colchester Rd. Lorton, Va. 22079. Please make checks payable to Alexandria District UMW. Registration deadline: Sunday, September 12.

ACOLYTE AND CRUCIFER TRAINING (4th-12th Grade). We need young people to serve as acolyte and crucifer each week at the 10:30am Sunday worship service. Normally, the acolyte serves by lighting and extinguishing the candles on the altar table and distributing and collecting the offering plates. The crucifer is the person appointed to carry the processional cross at the beginning and end of the worship service. The acolyte and crucifer may also assist in other important parts of the worship service including Communion and Baptism. At Springfield United Methodist Church, our acolytes and crucifers are in grades 4th - 12th giving our youth an early opportunity to participate and assist in worship services. If you are in grades 4th - 12th, I invite you to attend this acolyte and crucifer training session on Sunday, September 19 from 12:00pm - 2:00pm. Right now we have twelve youth, but we would like to have several more join our ministry. I hope that by serving as an acolyte and crucifer, you will be filled with a sense of spiritual commitment, will make new friends, have fun, and grow in service to our church. Please sign-up on the clipboard if you are interested, and we look forward to seeing you on September 19.

Ladies, Are you feeling a stirring in your heart to take a next step in your spiritual journey? Are you Ready to.Deepen your relationship with God? Strengthen your spiritual walk? Develop friendships with other women? Experience growth through a small group? Discuss connections between Scripture and everyday life? Please join us on Sunday mornings at 9:15 a.m., beginning September 19, 2010 in Room 208 for the Sisters Bible Study for Women, "Unfailing Love, Growing Closer to Jesus Christ." Through this 6-week Bible-based video Study of the Gospel of Luke, "we will discover that each of Jesus' commands and teachings is rooted in his unfailing love for us and for the world. We are being asked to listen carefully to who Jesus is and what Jesus taught. What Jesus has learned from God he is passing on to us, his spiritual friends." We are a caring and welcoming group of women from a variety of backgrounds, age groups, and life experiences. We come together each week to build Christian friendships and nurture one another in our faith journeys and relationship with Christ through reflection, casual conversation and Christian Discipleship. To share this exciting journey with you would be a blessing.For additional information please talk with our group facilitators: Cindy Mannucci, 703-913-2601, or Amy Payne.

"Can I Hear You God?" Virginia Conference United Methodist Women's YOUNG WOMEN'S EVENT, SEPTEMBER 24 & 25 at Va. UM Assembly Center, Blackstone. Pastor Melissa Porter-Miller (St. Stephen's UMC, Burke). An event for all young women ages 18 to 35. You do not have to be a member of the church or UMW to attend. See brochure on clipboard table for details and registration form. Registration deadline Sept.15.

IT'S THE GREAT PUMPKIN PATCH, CWP and SUMC families and friends! Come join the Barr and Krieger families for a great day "down on the farm" at Belvedere Plantation, near Fredericksburg, VA. On past trips, many families have joined us, and we don't want you to miss out on all the fun. On September 25th, we will travel to a real pumpkin patch and enjoy a hayride, fun barn, corn maze, and private bonfire. Come cook dinner under the stars and enjoy hot chocolate, s'mores, and of course, great fellowship! COST: $11.00-$15.00 per person - see the website for specific admission info. (Price covers admission for fall festival with all the farm activities, admission to the Maize Maze Adventure, and hayride to the HUGE pumpkin patch). You can pick your own pumpkin right off the vine. See their website for more information: www.belvedereplantation.com. TIME: Whenever you get there and into the evening. Our private bonfire begins at 6:00 pm-bring your dinner to roast over the fire! Please let me know your family's intentions so we'll have plenty of s'mores at the bonfire! RSVP to Shana at (703) 451-2375 or sumc.families@gmail.com. For more helpful information about the farm see the table in the narthex. Blessings, Shana

WORKSHOP FOR MOTHERS: "Stress: Risk and Resilence". The Workshop for Mothers will be held at Sydenstricker UMC Hottle Hall on Saturday, September 25th at 10 a.m. Dr. Rene Hackney will give tips on how to de-stress our children (and possibly ourselves). The program is free but please register so there will be enough handouts and materials. The Workshop is sponsored by the Sydenstricker UMWomen. Call 703-644-6384 to register. (See the flyer on our clipboard table and UMW bulletin board beside Nursery door.)

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR Emergency Practice Exercise on Saturday, September 25. Fairfax County residents are needed on Saturday, September 25, 2010, to role play as emergency volunteers in a mock emergency situation. Various Fairfax County agencies and groups will be activating their Volunteer Reception Center plans. With your help, this exercise will improve Fairfax County's ability to manage volunteers and best direct volunteers' energy in times of emergency. No prior training is needed and there are no physical limitations prohibiting participation. The event will take place in the Fairfax City area and will last around 4 hours, beginning mid-morning. If you are interested, please send your name, congregation name and email address to the Fairfax County FCIA IEPSC at ciluser@fairfaxcounty.gov. You will receive detailed information about the exercise through email. Locally, the exercise will be coordinated by Volunteer Fairfax in partnership with Fairfax County OEM and the Fairfax County Health Department.

BIBLE SUNDAY FOR THIRD GRADERS In keeping with our long tradition here at SUMC, the congregation will present Bibles to our third graders. We don't want to leave anyone out! If you have a third grader (or fourth grader who has not received a Bible), please call the office or send an e-mail to Shana Barr at sumc.families@gmail.com by September 19th and give us your child's full name, which will be inscribed in the Bible. The Bibles will be presented at the 10:30 am worship service on September 26th.

The Children's Council will be having their next meeting September 26rd at 5:45 p.m., in room 114 (if we are blessed with a large group, the meeting will move to the Social Hall). Anyone with an interest in SUMC Children's Ministries is invited to come and lend their ideas and support. You do not need to be an SUMC member or have a little one still "in the nest."

The Annual Jim Hemingway Memorial Golf Tournament will be held on Friday, October 1, 2010. There is a sign-up sheet on the clipboard table and we would like to encourage golfers of any ability to join us for a fun day at Forest Greens Golf Club. The format will be Captain's Choice. The price will be $75.00 (same as last year) and will include green fee, cart fee, range balls, and lunch. The lunch will consist of hamburgers or hot dogs and a couple of side dishes. The Endowment Committee holds this outing annually with proceeds going to the benefit of The Scholarship Fund for those studying for church related vocations. Sign up by yourself or form a group to sign up but please come for a fun day for a good cause.

T.A.G. (Tweens and God) New this year for tweens - T.A.G.! A special club for children in grades 4th through 6th. In T.A.G., children will gain new friendships and participate in age appropriate devotionals and fun activities. Word in the pews is that some activities will include laser tag, neighborhood scavenger hunts, movies, bowling, and much more! T.A.G. events are scheduled the second Sunday of the month at 6:45 pm, but due to the Columbus Day holiday weekend, the first meeting will be on October 3rd . T.A.G. immediately follows children's vocal and bell choir rehearsals and coincides with the SUMC youth group meeting. Occasionally, T.A.G. members will join the SUMC youth on mission projects and special activities. T.A.G. is lovingly supported by tween parents, so please check and see where you can lend a hand in all the T.A.G. fun! If you have a tween interested in participating in T.A.G., please contact Shana at sumc.families@gmail.com or (703) 451-2375.

Community Harvest Festival Saturday, October 23rd (Rain or Shine) from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Free family fun! Moonbounce, 16-foot slide, cotton candy, popcorn, music, games, marshmellow roasting and crafts. Please bring gently used children's clothing-free of tears, stains and holes, for neighborhood children in need. For more information please contact Shana at sumc.families@gmail.com or (703) 451-2375.

BELL NOTES We are getting ready to start another great year of bell ringing! We are looking for a few good "ding-a-lings"! If you have ever thought how fun it looked, or that you might want to try it, or if you have a hidden musical talent that hasn't been tapped, now is your time!! We have Children's Choirs on Sunday evenings, a youth and adult choir on Sunday evening, and an adult choir on Wednesday nights. If you think this might be for you, whether you are a beginner or advanced music reader, even if you want to try it for one night, please let Mindi know! We would love to have some new additions to our choirs, everyone is always welcome!! Please contact Mindi Riffer, Handbell Director at 703-373-3345 or email: riffers@hotmail.com with any questions or to sign up!

Mom's Discussion Group! New!! Are you a stay-at-home mom of young children? Do you miss adult conversation? Are you looking for a safe, relaxed, kid-friendly environment where you can meet and talk with other moms while your little ones play? SUMC is starting a new discussion group just for you! It is being held on Wednesdays , 9-11 am in the nursery. Please call Aimee Swisher at 703-216-8750 or email her at afswisher@hotmail.com for more information (or just show up - no RSVPs required!)

NEED A ROOM AT THE CHURCH? - If you are planning a meeting or event at the church, please make sure the space you need is available before you get too far into the planning process. You can schedule the room(s) by contacting Susan Grieg-Shirley, Office Administrator at 703-451-2375 or info@springfieldvaumc.org.
Do not assume your group is on the calendar. Many groups utilize our building, so you must call Susan to be sure your group has the place you will need. Also, please call Susan to arrange for your group to have information or sign-up sheets on the clipboard table.

CAN'T MAKE SUNDAY WORSHIP? Check out our Wednesday night service held weekly at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel. Hear great messages and share in Holy Communion. No reservations necessary. There is a pew waiting for you.

The SUMC Giant Foods Gift Card Program  is a fund raising activity for the church where we sell gift cards that can be used to shop at any Giant Grocery store. Giant has increased its rebate plan and the Church makes 5% from each card purchased. Susan Grieg-Shirley will be in the Parlor from AFTER the 10:30 service selling cards. The cards will be on sale a couple of times each month. Please support this valuable program and pick up a card.

QUILT MINISTRY - Do you like to sew? Do you like to talk? If you have an affinity for either of those two activities--Please join our Quilt Ministry. We meet the second Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m. in the Parlor. Expert sewing skills are not a requirement! We make Prayer Quilts for members of our faith community who are ill or hospitalized. The finished quilts are dedicated in worship, and people are given the opportunity to tie a knot on the quilt and say a prayer for recipient of the quilt. Call Rose Horton at 703-569-3821 for more information.

BRIDGE TWICE A WEEK! - We have two opportunities for you to play Bridge here at SUMC. We have groups that meet on Mondays and Fridays at 1 p.m. in the Parlor. Come join in the fun!

MEN'S BIBLE STUDY - Join the Men's Bible Study on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. in the Parlor! 

WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY - Join the Women's Bible Study on Thursdays at 10 a.m. in the Parlor! 

GRACE NOTES, a weekly e-newsletter sent out by SUMC each Thursday, is a wonderful way to stay "in the know" about weekly events and get an inspirational message from Pastor Larry. E-mail the church, info@springfieldvaumc.org if you wish to be on the distribution list.

SANDWICH MINISTRY - Helping hands are needed in our Sandwich Ministry. Come to the kitchen on Sundays at 9:15 a.m. and find out how you can make a difference. If you've been looking for the sign-up board, it is going to have a permanent home in the Tower Room, but is currently on the clipboard table. Sign up for a week in honor or memory of someone. Donations of $100 will be recognized in the bulletin insert. Thanks for your continued support of this on-going ministry to the Kennedy Shelter.

ECHO NEWS ECHO's critical needs this month include pancake syrup, canned tomatoes, tomato paste, laundry detergent, deodorant, and shaving supplies as well as large PAPER grocery bags. Please place your donations in the Echo Baskets at SUMC.http://www.echo-inc.org.