Bible Study, Prayer and Communion Offerings
Beginning in September an Adult Study Group will begin meeting each Sunday at 8:15 am. Led by Pastor Ed, we will read and discuss the day’s lectionary lessons.

On Sundays, Ed will lead a brief service of Holy Communion at the altar following worship (after greeting people.) Marjorie Hiles will lead the service when Ed is away. The Communion Table is open to all who desire to partake each Sunday (with the exception of the first Sunday when the Lord’s Supper is part of the service.)

Each Tuesday Ed hosts a short prayer service at 11:30 am, followed by brown bag lunch. All are welcome to join in fellowship and prayer. 

Social for All Seasons
The United Methodist Women will hold their annual Social for All Seasons (benefiting deserving children and adults) on Monday, June 16. The event will begin with appetizers served at 7 o'clock. Each table will have a special program planned, we will have our silent auction and during this time you will be served a great dessert. There are still tickets available, so if you have not purchased yours, please call a member of the UMW or Regina Sprague.

Vacation Bible School

Shepherd of the Valley's Vacation Bible School will be held on August 4 to August 8 (from 9 am to noon.) This year’s theme is Beach Party. Children in preschool through 6th grade are invited to attend. The week will feature Bible lessons, crafts, recreation, music, and fun! The cost is $10 per child/$25 max per family and includes a daily snack. Registration forms are now available for printing here, on the Bulletin Board across from the Church Office or sign up at the table in Fellowship Hall following service in the coming weeks.

June Mission Opportunity  

Reserve the dates, June 22 to 28, 2008 for a Volunteers in Mission Work Team to the United Methodist Economic Ministry (UNEM) in Salem, Maine. This trip is sponsored by the Center Conway UMC in Salem, Maine, and led by Howard and Joan McGlauflin.  Projects may include construction, painting, repairs, and working in the thrift store or food pantry. There is a limit of twenty people on a first come basis based on registration date. The cost is $275 which consists of a registration fee of $40, food costs of $60, and dormitory fees and work supplies of $175. In addition, a cook is needed—no charge!  Transportation to the UNEM in Salem, Maine will be provided by the volunteer. All talents and ages are welcome.  Youth must be 14 or older and an adult must be provided for every three youth. See the pastor for further information.

Youth Membership Conversation

On June 15^th after worship, parents of all middle and high school youth are invited to hold a conversation about our youth ministry and what it can be at Shepherd of the Valley. On the next page you will find the contents of a letter sent to some of our youth parents providing more details about this meeting and what we hope for youth ministry and activities here. We look forward to seeing you!

Youth Group News
Brochures for Summer 2008 opportunities at Camp Aldersgate are available in the pastor’s study. This year includes new versions of old favorites Cooking Camp and Native American Camp and  new programs Water Adventure and Elementary Adventure, joining programs like Shoot for the Stars (now expanded for junior high campers), Gals and Pals, and Teddy Bear Camp, BUILD (a mission camp for senior high youth who are ready to live out Christ’s message in our community), Living Arts, Horse Camp, Sports Camp, and others. Camp Aldersgate also offers family camps for parents and children or grandparents and grandchildren. Camp brochures, registration forms, and scholarship applications (from SOV) are available in Pastor Ed's study.

Keep an eye out for other events and activities. We appreciate any additional adult volunteer help during the year. If you want to be included on Youth Group e-mail list, please give Greg Thuotte (gthuotte@cox.net) your e-mail address.

Senior Day Out
Senior Day Out will be meeting on June 19th at 11:00 o'clock in the morning for our annual cookout and pot luck luncheon. Our renowned chef Fred Faria has graciously volunteered to prepare our hamburgers and hot dogs and we are asking everyone to bring a dish that will complement our main menu. The Senior Day Out committee will supply dessert and beverages. A morning of fun and games has been planned, so if you have a favorite game that you would like to play, please bring it with you. Also remember to bring a comfortable chair since we will be outside!

Christian Classics Book Club
In May, we are reading A Christian’s Secret to a Happy Life by Hannah Whitall Smith. First published more than 130 years ago, this uplifting classic has inspired and encouraged generations of believers. Smith, acquainted with many grief’s and doubts, gives us this small treasure as an uplifting guide to the true meaning of the Bible's message: We have all been endowed by our Creator with the strength and spirit to move beyond life's difficulties and attain the shining happiness that is Christianity's promise. 

We will meet each Tuesday at 7:00 pm for light and enjoyable discussion only - no in-depth study. A bit more challenging than inspirational fiction, classics are still pleasurable reading and produce fruits of discipline, enlightenment and accomplishment. Books are always FREE with the cost of participation! For a book, see Joe and Donna Blanchette following worship in Fellowship Hall.

Nursery Help Needed
We are looking for a mature adult to run the Nursery. If you are interested, please contact Pastor Ed. This is a paid position.

Food Pantry
Shepherd of the Valley participated in Alan Shawn Feinstein’s 2008 End Hunger Challenge. Thanks to your generosity we collected $841 in food donations and gifts from this drive. However, we do need your continued support. With a marked increase in requests for food assistance, the food pantry is dangerously low. Of special need are cereals, canned meats, vegetables, and fruit, rice and pasta, pasta sauces, macaroni and cheese boxes, peanut butter and jelly jars, and paper goods.

The Food Pantry at Shepherd of the Valley is an important resource for many needy individuals and families from Scituate and the surrounding towns. When you bring your food items in, please leave them on the shelf in Fellowship Hall. We are also looking for boxes to pack up items for distribution. Thank you for your generosity!

Reminder
Worship continues to be held each Sunday at 9:30 am. Note that we also have a fully staffed nursery each Sunday. 

Blood Pressure Screenings
The Medical Assistance Committee has purchased equipment to take blood pressures. Someone will be available to take blood pressures on anyone who is interested in the Pastor's office every Sunday after the church service. If you would like to help offer this service and are qualified, please sign up on the bulletin board next to the church office. If you have questions, please see Dorothy Fassbender.

Church E-mail List
One of the ideas coming out of our church growth planning is to develop a church e-mail list. This list will only be used internally for reminding members and friends of upcoming events, spreading church news, and getting the word out quickly in emergencies such as worship service cancellation due to bad weather. Adding your e-mail address to this list is purely voluntary and you may request its removal at any time. Your personal e-mail address will not be visible to others on the list, nor will the list be published or shared outside the church. If you would like to be part of this Shepherd of the Valley electronic network of members and friends, please fill out the request form below and drop it in the offering plate, or e-mail your request to office@sovumc.org.

Building Visions 
Becoming a Reality! 

After months of negotiations, we have signed the contract with Atlantic Management Group to build our new chapel/multi-purpose space addition.  We have received the necessary approvals of the fire marshal and have presented the project to the Scituate Planning Board, and will shortly be obtaining the permits that will allow us to break ground and start construction.  We have scheduled our ceremonial groundbreaking for October 14 at the end of our worship service, and if all goes well, the addition should be finished by spring.

As part of the process, some changes to the original plans had to be made.  In order to obtain the fire marshal’s approval, we will be installing a fire alarm for the entire church, not just the addition.  While this did add to our budget, the good news is that we will be compliant with existing state laws for our fire alarm system.  Because of budget constraints, we did have to make some changes to the building itself.  The exterior will now be stained shingles and the roof asphalt, both of a gray color, instead of the original copper.  We have also had to make the foyer slightly smaller, and have lost a small amount of storage space.

Despite these changes—and hard negotiations not to have to make them—our budget is still coming in at about $430,000 (an increase over the original budget of $400,000), not including furnishings.  This will mean we will have to do some additional fundraising.  We are, however, developing different options where you can leave your lasting legacy as part of this addition.  Keep your eye out for details.

As construction starts in the next few weeks, you will start to see fencing and equipment on site.  Since the addition is located where our current entrance drive is, we will need to re-route traffic through the upper parking lot (which will become the permanent entrance).  There will be some loss of parking spaces and other inconveniences as work on the addition progresses, but we feel this is a small price to pay for something that will enhance our church building, and our church life.

Click here for architect's rendering of inside.

Host An Exchange Student
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