AUGUST NEWSLETTER
Hi MUMC friends!
August invites us to slow down and notice the goodness that surrounds us. The days are still
warm, gardens are flourishing, and summer reminds us that God is present not only in our worship
but also in the ordinary moments of our lives. I always enjoy seeing our sunflowers bloom each
summer in front of our church! A reminder of God’s faithfulness in little moments. As we move
through this month, may we take time to breathe, give thanks, and recognize the sacredness of the
everyday. Whether we are gathered in church, enjoying time with family, working in our gardens, or
simply sitting quietly. God is there -- loving us, renewing us, and calling us to share that love with
others.
“The Lord is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made.”
Psalm 145:9
May August be a month of gratitude, joy, and renewed faith as we remember that every
ordinary day is a gift from God. Don’t forget to check out our church calendar - we have LOTS of
events coming up!! Fall is right around the corner; we are already looking ahead for people to
participate in trunk or treat!!!
And lastly, we are looking for other volunteers who are willing to share their time, talents, and
gifts with our church family—whether you can sing, organize, teach, create, cook, fix things, or simply
lend a helping hand, there is a place for you!
Keep the faith!
Pastor Kathryn
Next breakfast gathering at Mountainhome Diner
We will meet for breakfast with Pastor Kathryn at Mountainhome Diner -Thursday, Aug.13th at 9 a.m.
New Members Class for this Summer –
Pastor Kathryn is having a new members class will be this Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026 after the church
service. We have 2 people joining. If you are interested in joining Mountainhome U.M.C. please
contact her or leave a message with the church office.
Church yard sale will be Saturday August 1st! 9-2!
Community rummage sale!!! Also, lunch and baked goods for sale. See attached flier.
Mountainhome U.M.C. – 2026 August Newsletter – continued
Mountainhome United Methodist Church | Join Us Today - Get Involved Now
Don't forget to check out the MUMC new website: mountainhomeumc.com
Kelley also wants people to know that you can donate to the church through
the website either weekly or by setting up donations to be made on a regular basis.
You can also send donations to: Mountainhome U.M.C., P. O. Box 327, Mountainhome, PA 18342
Mountainhome U.M.C. also has a QR code which you can find on the page before the calendars.
Children’s message – In April we started having a Children’s message at the beginning of the
service. All children are welcome to come up for this time. If you would like to share a message one
Sunday with the children, we welcome you to sign up for a week or two on the signup sheet.
Pastoral care: If you are in need or would like Pastoral Care or if you know of someone who needs
Pastoral Care, please contact the church office by calling the church office at (570) 595-2077 or by
emailing the office at mountainhomeumc@gmail.com. There is also a signup sheet for suggested
people to receive Pastoral Care on the table by the ramp entrance.
Pocono Plateau Camp and Retreat Center will be celebrating 80 years in operation. If you are
interested in more information, registering for a camp, volunteering or donating just go to their
website: www.poconoplateau.org/summer-camp/. They have a Weekend 80th Anniversary weekend
planned for September 11th to 13th if you would like to attend or you could just do a Dinner on
Saturday. See Flier attached. We wish Rev. Carmen O’Shea and her family all the best in her next
assignment and thank her for her service at Pocono Plateau. Welcome to Rev. Jared Stoltzfus, the
new director, and his wife Liz who will be taking Carmen’s position.
Child Care, Lay Readers, Greeters, Children’s Message leader and Acolytes needed: We are
always looking for people to help with Childcare during church,
Lay Readers to read scripture readings,
Greeters to hand out bulletins, greet people and take the collection
Acolytes to light the candles before service begins and at the end of the service.
There are sign-up sheets for Childcare, Lay Readers, and Greeters by the door to the office.
The signup sheet for Acolytes and Children’s Message leader is on the table by the ramp entrance.
Semiquincentennial Moments
On the last Sunday of each month, beginning in January of 2026 and ending in December of 2026,
there will be a Semiquincentennial Moment given at the close of worship to commemorate the birth of
our nation and the history of Mountainhome United Methodist Church.
The Moment will include music from 1776.
Historical Church information:
Do you have any historical information about Mountainhome U.M.C.? We would love to hear from
you. Jackie is looking for anyone to share with her some parts of history of the area that they might
have including pictures! She would like to include this information in her semiquincentennial moment
and add to our church's history records. The information you have can either be emailed to me or
jbibbersr@msn.com Jean Bibber or mailed to the church Mountainhome UMC, Attn: Jackie
Magann, P.O. Box 327, Mountainhome, PA 18342
Mountainhome U.M.C. – 2026 August Newsletter – continued
Prayer List: Prayer request can be mailed to the church office at mountainhomeumc@gmail.com
Mickey Miller Linda Besecker Dorothy for friends Ruth & Cathy
Cliff and Cathy Stout Harry Niering Ted for Suetanna and Richie Fisher
Charlie Fullington John Hinkle Dan and Susie Raymond
Tim Reisenwitz Mickey for Justin Becky Jo for Brenda Stuffy
Sam Swan Mike Resienwitz Pastor for Chuck and Amy
Susan for cousin, Jim Bonser Dorothy for Ricki Toni for nephew, Wesley
Andrea for Moritza Smyth Pastor for Bernice Elana Mong and Family
Kathy for Debbie Briscoe Julie for Cathy Josie for Rebecca
Joan for Richard Dimoria Kathy Price Abe for Jim Chamberlin
Dorothy for Denise Clare for Jenny
Elaine Shebey for brother, George and for Patrick Jean for Susie Gallagher & Matt
Martha Frances – sister of Nina Burger Scott Shepard for his mother, Barbara
Sally for friends Laura & George Becky Jo for Jaycie Jaskolka Northrup
Dave for Theresa, for his son Micah and healing prayers for Janet
Families of: Karl Dinkelacker (Pastor Kathryn’s grandfather),
Pauline Heckman (Judy Linder’s mom) James Dillon especially wife, Mary Beth (Wieboldt)
Jim Siglin (Especially wife Cathy) Ruth Kochera and family in the passing of her brother
Joe Dilger & Family in the passing of Joe’s sister Thomas Grainger Eric Thorne
Maher Family Kevin Carson Lew Kistler Lindsey Graham
All in the Middle East, Our Country, People who need food, clothing & shelter, men & women in
uniform, all caregivers & those they care for, victims of natural disasters, those suffering from addiction,
an end to violence in our nation, safety and protection for fellow Christians
Dates to keep in mind:
M.U.M.C. – Office hours are Tues. – Thurs. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Choir – Choir rehearsal for worship is at 10:15 a.m. following the service on Sunday.
New members are always welcome. No prior musical experience is needed.
Children’s Sunday School – Sunday mornings at around 9:15 a.m., after the choir’s anthem.
Mountainhome Mom’s Group meets every Friday at 10 am.
Exercise groups - Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00 am to 10:00 am. We do enough steps to add up to
3 miles. For more information contact Hannelore Gaupp at 570-595-0236.
Aug. 1 – Church Yard Sale from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Aug. 2 – New Members Class after 9 am church service
Aug. 8 – Paint a Rock, Share a Blessing from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Aug. 10 - Trustees meeting - 7 pm
Aug. 13 - Breakfast at the Mountainhome Diner – 9 a.m.
Aug. 30 - Semi quincentennial Moments – end of church service
Sept. 11-13 – Pocono Plateau Camp & Retreat – 80th Anniversary celebration
Oct. 10 – MUMC Prayer Labyrinth & lunch at Pocono Plateau Camp 10 am – 12:30 pm info to follow
Nov. 7 – Community Free Soup event
Mountainhome U.M.C. – 2026 August Newsletter – continued
Flower Chart There is a new 2026 flower chart posted next to the secretary’s office, if you would like
to sign up to have flowers placed on the alter one or more Sundays in memory or honor of someone.
The cost per Sunday is $40, for both arrangements, payable to the Mountainhome U.M.C.
Christian Awareness Ministry Ecumenical –
Contact information for C.A.M.E. is (570) 595-9141 In the Mountainhome U.M.C. Ministry Center. If
you or someone you know is in need, they are open to serve the community on Mondays between
8:30 a.m. – Noon. Items you would like to donate can be dropped off at C.A.M.E. on Monday 8:30 –
noon, Tuesdays 8 – 10 a.m. and Fridays 8-10 a.m.
In the next newsletter we will have information on helping the Boy Scouts with their Fall food drive.
MUMC – Church Directory: We will be updating our church directory since we have people to
remove and new members that need to be added. If you have any changes to what we have listed for
you in the directory, please let Susan Diorio know.
Mountainhome Mom’s Group – meet every Friday at 10 am The Mom’s group offers support from
other moms focusing on mental health and other important “Mom Life” issues they face and feel!
Snacks will be provided. Bring your kiddos, too. A time for fellowship and friendship. New members
are welcome.
Special Thank you to:
Picnic and Praise – Thank you to everyone who helped with this event and especially to Clare who
provided the music for the event.
Look forward to information on the following events being planned
Stay tuned for more info!!!!
Community - Free Soup - Saturday, November 7th
Mountainhome U.M.C. will be serving free soup to any community member on November 7th from
10 a.m. - 1 p.m. All community members are welcome. We will be looking for people to help with
making soup for the event. If you are interested, contact the church office. More information will be in
the next church newsletter.
Mountainhome U.M.C. – 2026 August Newsletter – continued