Harmony United Methodist Church
Weekly Newsletter
Here are the latest opportunities to strengthen
your faith and connect with the community.
UPDATES TO WORSHIP EFFECTIVE MAY 30TH


  • Indoor services offered at 8:30am and 11am.  
  • We will continue to live stream both services to reach those that may not be comfortable coming out to worship. You can access the service via our website, harmonyva.org or our YouTube page, Harmony UMCVA 
  • Fully vaccinated persons may be unmasked for indoor worship
  • Fully vaccinated persons may sing without a mask for indoor worship  
  • All church entrances will be available for entry and exit. 
  • No distancing requirements in place
  • No capacity limits 

  • Please continue to monitor your health and well being to keep everyone safe.  
  • Please don't come to church if you feel sick, have had a cough, fever, shortness of breath, chills, congestion, or loss
  • of taste or smell before coming to church. 
  • Please also don't come to church if you have been in contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID in the past 14 days. 

Please remember many youth and children (along with some adults) don't have the vaccination yet but may want to worship with us. All are welcome if they feel comfortable to join us and follow the safe practices noted above. We will also offer distanced seating in the old social hall for anyone more comfortable worshiping in that setting.

PRG Team (Post-Covid ReEntry Group)
Graduation Sunday will be held on June 13th. We are excited to recognize all graduating High School and College students at both the 8:30am and 11am services. The 8:30am service is live streamed for those who are not comfortable attending in person. The YouTube and website links are at the top of this email.

Please email Robin, rgood@harmonyva.org, with your students name, graduating school, future plans if you choose to include this, address, and whether they will be attending one of the services.

Ashley Johnson is asking for pictures of all of our graduating students. Please send either a senior picture or a picture of their choosing to ajohnson@harmonyva.org.

The deadline to turn in all of the information
including pictures is June 1st.
Thank you all for your prayers and concerns in the recent passing of my mother, Mrs. June Cotsimopoulos. I will be eternally grateful to her for raising me in the Christian faith. 
She loved her visits to Harmony and was so delighted to meet my Church family.
 
May the Peace of God be with you all. 

Andrew, Cheryl, and Joey
Book of Acts Study

Still Open for New Attendees
In the fall of 2020, our weekly book studies began with "Luke: The Gospel of Reassurance" by Michael Card. For Advent, we used Amy-Jill Levine's "Light of the World, and for Lent we used, "Be The Bridge," by Latasha Morrison. These studies, each challenging in their own way, offered us insights into God's love for us in Jesus and moved us to consider our life of discipleship more closely.

This Book of Acts study builds on these past studies by showing us that faithful discipleship involves sharing our faith with others and inviting others to become a part of Christ's Body, the Church.

Picking up where the Gospel of Luke left off, the Book of Acts takes us through the founding and growth of the Christian Church. Beginning with the resurrected Jesus' ascension into heaven, we follow the acts of the Apostles as they spread the good news of the living Lord, nurture new converts in the faith, face dangerous prosecution, and organize to take the gospel message to the world. During this time, as this new religious movement grows, other influential church leaders emerge. In Acts, we meet the Apostle Paul for the first time.

Please join me for this study through the Book of Acts. Preregistration for the Acts study is not required, but it would be appreciated for planning purposes.

The study guide, "Acts," by N.T. Wright, and pictured above, is available through Amazon and other online book vendors. Please purchase the book yourself.

Prior to the first session, participants should have read through page 15 of the study guide which includes chapter one, "Luke Story Continues."

To register, please go to your Realm account or register through Signup Genius using this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508054FAEA72BA31-book

I hope you can join me for this study!
Pastor Debra
We continue to welcome the children for our Children's Worship as well as offering nursery for both 8:30am and 11am services.

Children's Ministries is seeking adult volunteers to work in the nursery and to help with
Children's Worship and summer camps.
In addition, if you are a teen looking for volunteer hours and you love working with children, we could use your help with summer camps.

More information about 2021 Summer Camps
coming soon!!!

Please contact Jessica Randall, jrandall@harmonyva.org for more information.
GRADUATES
Please send your info and picture to Robin Good in the HUMC office by June 1st.

Save the date:  Graduation Sunday will be Sunday, June 13th. All high school and college graduates will be recognized at both services (8:30 and 11) so please choose either service to attend. The services will also be virtual, live streamed to our YouTube channel.  

High School Seniors: 
Join us on Sunday, June 6th at 5pm in the HUMC parking lot to decorate your senior "tile". These tiles will be displayed in the Sanctuary for Graduation Sunday and then installed on our NEW senior wall in the Youth Loft! (Watch your email, Facebook or Instagram for more info)


SUMMER OUTDOOR YOUTH SCHEDULE
All middle and high school students are invited to join us!  
5-7pm one Sunday each month throughout the summer:
May 16 
June 13
July 18
August 22


Don’t forget to “follow” our Harmony Youth on Instagram! 


or

We are still encouraging everyone to upload a photo to your Realm account so it can be included in the directory we are preparing. If you still do not have a Realm account and would like to create one, contact Robin in the church office and she will send you an invite. There is also a link at the top of this email so you can access your account.
Happy birthday to all of those who celebrate
birthdays in May!
Sunday Offering Options
Robin is in the church office on Tuesday's and Thursday's from 9am to 3pm if you need assistance.

We are still offering different methods for continuing your weekly/monthly givings if you are able:

  • Visit our website and access our online payment option: Online Giving
  • Login to your Realm account and make a one time payment or set up recurring payments
  • Ask Robin to set you up with direct debit: Direct Debit Form
  • Mail a check to 380 E. Colonial Hwy, Hamilton, VA 20158
  • Use the drop box outside the breezeway doors. The dropbox is secure and will be checked daily
  • Bring it to the church office during temporary office hours noted above.

Thank you for your continued support during this time. And if you are in need of assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out by phone, 540-338-2937 or email, rgood@harmonyva.org or dlucas@harmonyva.org.
TOY AND BOOK DRIVE FOR INOVA HOSPITAL PEDIATRIC CANCER PATIENTS

Seniors of Woodgrove High School, Julia Hubbuch and Ryan Wright, are conducting a “toy and book drive” to donate to pediatric cancer patients (ages 2-12). This drive is organized through the Team Mathias organization, and all donations will be given to patients at Inova Hospital. (To learn about Team Mathias please visit https://www.teammathias.org/about/)  Julia and Ryan are sharing this collection with Harmony church members as an opportunity for anyone who would like to donate to this worthy cause. 

Please note, there is a quick turn around time for this collection!! Donated toys/books will be picked up Thursday, June 3rd, so donations must be dropped off in Driscoll Hall no later than Wednesday, June 2nd. A collection box has been set up and donations can be dropped off during this Sunday’s services or on Tuesday between 9:00-3:30. If you would like to donate but these drop-off times don’t work for you, please call or text Roxanne Tipton at 540-454-4654 to arrange an alternate time. 

All donations need to be brand new to ensure the safety of these children. They should be items that are easy for them to use in their beds in the hospital and are not a safety hazard. Some suggestions include:

• Puzzles for children ages 2-12
• Lego sets
• Dolls
• Board games
• Card games
• Toy trucks
• Stuffed animals
• Gift cards (Amazon would be preferable)

For those who are able to donate to this collection, Julia and Ryan extend their heartfelt thanks. 
Good afternoon HUMC family, 
I want to take the time to tell you all that I'm humbled by this past winter season...not that you don't always rise above any expectations we may have through your support. With the renovations you supported with all the daily changes we encountered and then back to the shelter for CWS the following year...you never wavered...no matter the challenge you were there. Thank God. This CWS season not only did we face a global pandemic with many hurdles...we asked for meals with a complete swap of what the meals would look like...breakfast for our neighbors...somehow thru my suggesting this crazy change you all brought forth the request not only with love and passion...but some of the best breakfast meals I've seen, ones that had many of our guests standing in line. We served 116 unduplicated guests this CWS season and clearly could not have done that without our village.
 Thank you just doesn't seem to touch half the appreciation and gratitude I have for you. With this being VOACC's 30th year in Loudoun serving our homeless in partnership with our Church families and my 20th...I just want to say it's my great privilege to be a part of God's blessings with you. Many blessings to each one of you.  
Linda Kimble| Volunteer/Donations Coordinator
Volunteers of America Chesapeake &_Carolina 

JOHNSON WILLIAMS APARTMENTS (JWA) COLLECTION

The Missions Committee wishes to thank the congregation for the contributions made for the JWA residents. Roxanne Tipton and Judy Fry packed the food and hygiene bags to distribute to the 40 residents and upon arrival at JWA, Kim Martz joined to share in the pleasure of distributing them. The “care” packages were left at each resident’s door for them to discover later. 

When we arrived, we were greeted by the manager of the facility who expressed how appreciative she and the residents are of our continued support. We were also fortunate to see and interact with several of the residents which is always exciting! They remembered us from our prior visits and were so happy to see us again. They each shared that they were very appreciative to be receiving extra supplies for their homes and expressed they were looking forward to when we could all meet once again and enjoy some quality time with them once restrictions are lifted. 

This is always a rewarding experience and it is our hope that we will soon be able to take refreshments and spend time with them. It was an awesome day and God continues to smile upon us as we go about his work. 
UPDATED 5/21/21:


BABY BOTTLE CAMPAIGN 
This annual fundraiser between Mother's Day and Father's Day will benefit Mosaic Virginia, a Christian organization located in Lansdowne whose mission is to educate, support, and empower women facing unplanned pregnancies with compassion and medical care. 
 
There will be a container in the windowsill in the back of the sanctuary for returned bottles. There will also be a container of empty bottles there as well in case you didn't get one last Sunday. Take one home and for one month put your spare change in it, then return the bottle to the church on Father's Day. If you have any questions or want to know more about Mosaic Virginia, contact Mary Preston at 540-338-4152.

For those who are not yet comfortable or able to return to church to receive/return a bottle but would like to contribute, please feel free to make a monetary donation and note on the memo line of your check or envelope of your donation - “Mosaic Virginia/Baby Bottle Campaign”. You can mail your donation to the church or drop it off in the church drop box outside the breezeway doors.
UPCOMING MISSION EVENTS
Opportunities for providing basic needs to those in need
“And they’ll know we are Christians by our love”
 
"CANS 4 CONFERENCE" FOOD DRIVE
 
Every year Annual Conference has one or two mission initiatives, usually a collection and/or hands-on project of some kind; but because Conference will be virtual this year, things will be done a little differently -- collections will be made and distributed locally in each district.
 
While the Conference is collecting both canned/dried food and modified UMCOR kits, Harmony's congregation is being asked only for canned/dried food, all of which will benefit local ministries in the five counties that make up the Winchester District. Collected items will go to C-CAP of Winchester, C-CAP of Front Royal, Bright Futures of Winchester/Frederick Co., Loudoun Hunger Relief, and other food pantries and agencies.
 
Collection dates are June 2-16.  For those wishing to donate, please bring your food items to the church on Sunday morning or during office hours on Tuesday’s or Thursday’s (between 9:00 and 3:00). There will be tables in Driscoll Hall marked "Cans 4 Conference." If those times aren't convenient for you, contact Mary Preston (540-338-4152 or K4LJH@comcast ) to arrange another day/time. 
 
On Saturday afternoon, June 19, our donations will be taken to Duncan Memorial UMC in Berryville, our district's designated drop-off spot.  Help is needed for unloading vehicles in Berryville, and also for delivering collected items to the various agencies. If you would like to volunteer, contact Joann Ballard (540-338-3007 or jballard1902@gmail.com ).


DC TOP T-SHIRT COLLECTION

Missions received a call from the DC TOP Ministry asking if HUMC would be able to assist in providing men’s white t-shirts. This is a critical need with the upcoming warm weather for those that are homeless. If you are able to help, please place “new” white men’s t-shirts in sizes L, XL, XXL on the table labeled “DC TOPS” in Driscoll Hall, on Sunday mornings or during office hours on Tuesday's and Thursday's (between 9:00-3:00). This collection will run from June 2-16. 

Missions has been posting information to our Harmony Church Facebook page as a communication platform to keep our church family informed and engaged. Realizing not everyone utilizes Facebook, we are sharing this information through our church newsletter as well, and it will also be posted on Harmony’s website (www.harmonyva.org). Visit our “Serve” page on Harmony’s website for information on food resources, volunteer/donation opportunities, or for information for those needing assistance during this difficult time: https://harmonyva.org/missions/ Missions will continue to provide updates to each of these communication platforms as a source of information for everyone. 

Every one of these organizations are in this for the long haul. They’ve planned for the worst, hoped for the best, and we’ve all prayed continuously. 

Salvation Army:
We continue to do the most good in Loudoun County. Please help us to keep our mobile canteen full donating to  https://give.virginiasalvationarmy.org/give/278052/#!/donation/checkout
You can also view their video: https://youtu.be/QojSRnTaeXw

Tree of Life:
Tree of Life Ministries is available during this challenging time. They provide food deliveries, food to-go meals, and a food pantry. Contact and email information is listed at http://tolministries.org/food-purcellville.html as well as information about volunteering and donations. 
 
Mobile Hope:
Mobile Hope Stays committed to their “Listen for the Honk” program while at the same time helping at risk youth in our community. Visit  https://mobile-hope.org/

Loudoun Hunger Relief (LHR):
LHR continues to work urgently to make sure that they are able to serve everyone who comes to them for food. Visit https://www.loudounhunger.org/ to see opportunities for donating time, food, money. 

Society of St. Andrew (SoSA):
SoSA's mission statement is simple: to bring people together to harvest and share healthy food, reduce food waste, and build caring communities by offering nourishment to neighbors. Visit https://endhunger.org/ for the opportunity to donate. 

Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter (LAWS):  
LAWS' commitment to provide free and confidential services for anyone who has experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, or child abuse. If anyone is aware of anyone in need, share with them the LAWS' HOTLINE number 703-777-6552. For opportunities to donate to this important community resource, visit https://www.lcsj.org/donate-to-laws/

Loudoun County Public Schools:
LCPS Meal Update: Beginning Monday, February 1, 2021, delivery of school meals will be limited to Mondays only with all meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Snack, Supper) for the week (Monday through Sunday) delivered on Mondays.

Elementary school pick up locations will remain open daily from 10-1.
Middle and High School pick up locations will remain open daily from 10-2:30. 

Please visit the interactive map at https://lcpshealthycafe.org/  to identify the nearest bus stop for mobile service. For meal service questions, please call the LCPS Nutrition Services Division at 540-751-2690.

COVID-19: Loudoun County's Response:
During this time of community need, residents, businesses and government are pulling together to respond. Here are suggestions for what you can do to help your neighbors, as well what the county is doing in response to the crisis. https://www.loudoun.gov/5322/COVID-19-Loudoun-Countys-Response

Loudoun Sheriff’s Office Prescription Pick-up and Delivery Service:
Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman announced a prescription pick-up and delivery assistance program for the county’s senior residents and those who are more vulnerable to Coronavirus (COVID-19). Visit https://www.loudoun.gov/5341/Prescription-Pick-Up-Delivery-Service--C to learn specifics.
UPDATE 4/16/21

THE NEED FOR HELP CONTINUES


The fund continues to help families and individuals negatively impacted by COVID. We thank everyone for the donations received thus far.

The COVID-19 Relief Fund was established to offer an opportunity to deliver church-wide community support. This is an excellent chance to demonstrate our love and compassion for all of our neighbors. We’ve received generous donations and have donated to several community organizations, but we’re anxious to continue our support. COVID’s impact on our nation and our community continues to create uncertainty and stress for many in Loudoun County, especially those who were already struggling. Let’s help the organizations in our community that are working directly to share our blessings with others. We will continue to receive donations through this fundraising effort for as long as the need exists. If you are able and would like to donate to this fund, donations may be made through your personal Realm church account or by making a check payable to Harmony UMC. Please write “COVID-19 Relief Fund” on the memo line. Your check may be put into the Harmony Drop Box outside the breezeway door entrance or mailed to Harmony UMC, 380 E. Colonial H’way, Hamilton, VA. 20158. Our Loudoun Network of Providers relies on our support. These extraordinary times call for persistence and commitment and your continuing donations are very much needed.
 
Blessings to all and continued prayers for good health and safety,
The Mission Committee
 
Additional information about this fund is provided in the attached brochure and there are links in the brochure you can access 




Bishop: Sharma Lewis
District Superintendent: Sarah Calvert
Pastor Debra Lucas, dlucas@harmonyva.org
Robin Good, Admin Assistant, rgood@harmonyva.org
Jessica Randall, Dir. of Children's Ministries, jrandall@harmonyva.org
Ashley Johnson, Dir. of Youth Ministries, ajohnson@harmonyva.org
Preschool Director, preschool@harmonyva.org
Barbara Jennings, Choir Director, bjenncwo@aol.com

380 E. Colonial Hwy
Hamilton, VA 20158
540-338-2937