MUMC - 2026 January - February Newsletter
Mountainhome United Methodist Church
P. O. Box 327
Mountainhome, PA 18342
Phone (570) 595-2077
2026 January - February Newsletter
January 9, 2026
“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25
Hello friends!!!
Happy New year! It is hard to think we are into 2026, yet Lent starts next month! My prayer for this year is that we feel refreshed, and we will have new eyes for mission this year! As we move through this season together, we give thanks for the ways God continues to be at work among us. From worship and fellowship to quiet acts of care and service, we see Christ’s love lived out in our community each week. Wherever you are on your journey of faith, know that you are welcome here, prayed for, and invited to join in what God is doing as we grow, serve, and hope together. We have exciting things coming up, so take a look at our calendar. Be blessed and keep the faith!
Pastor Kathryn
Next breakfast gathering
We will meet for breakfast with Pastor Kathryn at Mountainhome Diner -Thursday, January 15th and February 12th at 9 a.m.
Faith Through Fear – MUMC Monday Mindful Meditations
Due to the Holidays, we will not have any Mindful Meditations in November and December.
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, chosen and played by Ruth Kochera (or sung by the choir).
Special Moment
If you were in church during the Sunday, November 16th church service, did you notice that during the singing of the last Hymn "Let There Be Peace on Earth", the sun came streaming in the stained glass window (only when we were singing) and caused the cross on the altar to look like it was glowing. Must have been God smiling down on us or making his presence known. Thank you to Becky Jo who was able to get a picture of it which is attached. What a touching moment.
Mountainhome U.M.C. – 2026 January - February Newsletter – continued
Potluck Dinner – Monday, January 19, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m.
On January 19th, from 5-7 p.m., our potluck is a celebration of who we are as a church family and who we are becoming. Around this shared table, we’ll enjoy good food while also beginning conversations about the exciting visions God is placing on our hearts for the year ahead. Every, voice, every dish, and every idea matters. Please sign up to let us know what dish you will bring. A sign-up sheet is on the table in the foyer.
Souper Bowl of Caring, Sunday, February 8, 2026
On February 8th, we will be collecting cans of soup to benefit C.A.M.E. There will be boxes at the ramp entrance to place the cans in. Please make sure that no cans have expired expiration dates.
Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026, from 10 -11 a.m. Pastor Kathryn will at MUMC for imposition of ashes. All are welcome to stop by!
Lenten Bible Study - Pastor Kathryn says the book we will be studying is “Share the Dream” by Matthew Daniels and Chris Broussard. Bible Study will Thursday February 19 & 26 and March 5, 12, & 19 & 26, 2026 at 10 am
Child Care, Lay Readers, Greeters 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 is on the table by the ramp entrance.
“God has given each of you a gift(s) from his great variety of spiritual gifts.
Use them well to serve one another.” 1 Peter 4:10 NLT
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 $20 payable to the Mountainhome U.M.C.
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
Easter Flowers – Flowers will be placed in the church for Easter Sunday, April 5. Order information and fors will be coming by the end of February or beginning of March.
Easter Candy – More information will be coming. Order forms will be coming at the beginning of March.
Lenten Services – We still do not have any information on the Lenten Services for this year but will get it to you as soon as possible.
Tools for Ministry
Date & Time: Saturday, March 14, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
(Lunch will be provided.)
Location: Asbury UMC 1533 Springhouse Rd, Allentown, PA 18104
For those who are very active in the church, I am strongly encouraging those to sign up when more information comes out for Tools for Ministry! This is a great time for everyone to get some new information and ways to engage our church in community!!
Mountainhome U.M.C. – 2026 January - February Newsletter – continued
Bishop’s Day on the North District
Date & Time: Tuesday, February 3 at 7:00 PM
Location: East Stroudsburg UMC 83 S Courtland St, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301 More detailed information will be shared soon, and I look forward to being with you as we worship, learn, and discern God’s future together.
Prayer List: Prayer request can be mailed to the church office at mountainhomeumc@gmail.com Ken Blamble Mickey Miller Karl Dinkelacker Lee Kosinski John Hinkle Cliff and Cathy Stout Barry & Ryan Weidlich Pastor Kathryn Dorothy for friends Ruth & Cathy Tim Reisenwitz Harry Niering Ted for Suetanna Remake Sam Swan Mickey for Justin Joe Diorio
Jim Bonser Dave for Theresa Dan and Susie Raymond Martha Frances – sister of Nina Burger Elaine Shebey for brother, George Kathy Price for Judy and her brother George and for Patrick
Kathy for Morissa Pastor Kat for Bernice Kathy for Bonny Hayes Becky Jo for Angela Butz Maureen for Bob and Marian Sally for friends George Sara for the Mitchell family Pastor for Chuck and Amy
All of 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 and college students head back to school
Families of: Gerald Case (Liz Jones’s brother), Chuck Knipe, Lucille Dickson (Jackie’s sister), Patricia Niering, Robert Lansdowne (Ashley Salter’s grandfather), Mackenzie Crafa (especially mom, Sherry)
Special Thank you to:
Cookie Walk – follow up We had our Cookie Walk on Saturday, December 13, 2025. Thank you to all who helped in any way to make this fundraiser to be such a success. Especially to Barb Runft and Kathy Price who organized the event. We raised around $3,300.
MUMC - U.S. Marine's Toys for Tots collection – A thousand thank you to all of our members!!! The Marines who picked up the gifts were very surprised that our collection was SO successful, and that our church concentrated on "toys for teens" and that we will now be a regular participating site!
C.A.M.E. collection with boy scouts – Thank you for all who donated. The boy scouts drive was a great success.
Poinsettia orders: Thank you to all who purchased Poinsettias. We were able to decorate our church with 35 poinsettias.
Decorating Committee – A special thank you to the Price, Nauman, & Gray families plus all the others who helped with the decorating of the church for Christmas and the undecorating.
If you would like to donate to Mountainhome U.M.C., please send donations to: Mountainhome U.M.C., P. O. Box 327, Mountainhome, PA 18342
Mountainhome U.M.C. – 2026 January - February Newsletter – continued
We celebrated the baptism of Oliver Turner, son of Daniel and Amanda (Fish) Turner on November 9, 2025. Grandson of Ralph and Debbie Fish.
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.
Mindful Meditation - there will be no meditation until after the Easter.
Jan. 15 – Breakfast at Mountainhome Diner 9 a.m.
Jan. 19 – Potluck dinner – 5 - 7 p.m.
Jan. 26 - Finance Comm. (meets the 4th Monday of the month at 7 pm every other month). Jan. 26 – Administrative Council meeting – 6:30 pm
Feb. 8 – Souper Bowl of Caring collection – at ramp entrance
Feb. 8 – Boy Scout Sunday
Feb. 9 – Trustees (meets the 2nd Monday of the month at 7 pm).
Feb. 12 – Breakfast at Mountainhome Diner 9 a.m.
Feb. 18 - Ash Wednesday – Pastor Kathryn will at MUMC for imposition of ashes from 10-11 a.m. Feb. 19 – Lenten Bible Study
Feb.26 – Lenten Bible Study
Mar. 5 – Lenten Bible Study
Mar. 12 – Lenten Bible Study
Mar. 19 – Lenten Bible Study
Mar. 29 – Palm Sunday
Apr. 2 – Holy Thursday (Passover)
Apr. 3 – Good Friday
Apr. 4 – Easter Egg Hunt for children ages 2 to 12. 11 a.m.
Apr. 5 - Easter
Pocono Plateau Camp and Retreat Center
Pocono Plateau Camp will be celebrating 80 years in operation. For their birthday they will be having an 80th celebration the weekend of Sept 11th - 13th. Also, they have announced their camp offerings for this year. If you are interested in more information, registering for a camp, volunteering or donating just go to their website: www.poconoplateau.org/summer-camp/.
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.
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.
