United Methodist House

A Civil War and a Civil Ending!

2011-08-28T13:41:00.001-04:00

After many discussions and portrayals the Civil War was put to rest (we hope). Slaves (portrayed) discussed the emotional stress of slavery to people and family, while Isabel Wilkerson (author of The Warmth of Other Suns) reminded us of what it was like to be black during the Jim Crow era and the Great Migration north.

Williamsburg portrayers

Isabel Wilkerson

We were saddened by this historical reference and the ending of another season. However, the UM House was alive with a very cohesive unit and a dynamic leader.

Chaplain Beth McKee

Saturday meal on the porch

Our 9th Week Gang

Late night discussions

The connections made were warm and hopefully lasting. In addition we experienced great music.

The Beach Boys

and their 'little deuce coup'

Orchard Park Emmanuel tea party team

Harold and Sandra Steiner, Meadville, Pa.

This couple eloped and was married 46 years ago in our House.

The view from our porch says the end of the season is at hand. It has been another great summer.

We await the 124th year of Hospitality at the UM House.

Peace!

A Plethora of Creative People!

2011-08-20T14:35:00.000-04:00

"You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have it," said Maya Angelou. This week we saw many creative individuals at Chautauqua and the UM House. Rev. Otis Moss and the Trinity United Church Choir, Amy Jill Levine (Vanderbilt Univ.), Music School Festival Orchestra, the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, the North Carolina Dance Company and dance students, Diane Ackerman (One Hundred Names for Love), Rev. Paul Womack (Hurlbut Church), Rev. John Miller (UM House Chaplain), Blood, Sweat and Tears and many more talented people.

Otis Moss, the 3rd

Blood Sweat and Tears

"Spinning Wheel"

North Carolina Dance Studio

Our dancers

The Chautauqua Symphony

Diane Ackerman

At 14 Pratt Avenue the creative genius of Rev. John Miller and Rev. Paul Womack provided us with many thought provoking moments.

John & Diane

Paul on Paul

Scenes from a very innovative week:

Three Methodist pastors solving the world's problems.

The 'Almost Heaven' contingency

Janet and friends

Evening on the porch

Stone Church Tea Group

LET THERE BE PEACE IN THE WORLD!

UM House bridges the generation gap!

2011-08-12T23:03:00.000-04:00

Nick, Helen, Sam and Ben

This was the week that the youth of America (Nick's favorite word) populated the UM House. Helen, Nick, Ben and Sam were the center of attention, even though the 'economy' was playing across the street in the Amphitheater. They participated in Boys and Girls Club, Robotics and Geo Caching as the porch looked on frustrated by the state of the economy but refreshed by the carefree presence of these kids.

Oldest Youth Club in America

An uplifting addition to our yard

Boys, beach and bikes

Nighttime visitor, Audrey

Doug sees 'double'

Monday madness team at Hurlbut

Waiting in the rain for the bus

Back at the UM House the Chaplain, Wendy Deichmann, Pres. of United Theological Seminary in Dayton and our guests listened to speakers attempt to explain the financial crisis. With no answers available they watched the youthful exuberance of our kids and wondered why the world worries; the youth of the world will find a way out of the mess we created.

Chaplain Wendy

Juanita sings a gospel hymn

Dewittville dynamos

Buffalo Buddies

Some other activities from Chautauqua this week:

Orchestra ovation

Al and Val, porch regulars

Cleveland Jazz!!!

Origami by Yamamoto

Clint Black croons

Nick and Judy

Two generations show how a love fest can take place at Chautauqua and the United Methodist House.

Let Them Eat Cake!! And We Did!

2011-08-07T00:15:00.000-04:00

'Celebration' said Lionel Richie and Chautauqua and the UM House did just that with a week of cake and punch as we celebrated the 137th year of the Institution, the 35th running of the Old First Night Run/Walk, 130 year anniversary of the CLSC and a concentrated study of Iran (Persia before 1935).

Hugh crowds listened to speeches about Iran

Nuclear Negotiators: Mousavian (Iran) and Burns (US)

Rev. Raphael Warnock, Ebenezer Baptist

Dan Brown spoke to us 'in code'

Finalists in piano competition
Our favorite: Magdalena Ondicova (middle) was the winner

The running of the First Night Race

At the UM House our chaplain, Rev. Betty Ann Buckley, of Alpha Christian TourS led us on a faith 'journey.' With her mother, Shirley, we celebrated the week with much enthusiasm.

This was the week of the Chautuaqua Literary and Scientific Circle induction of new members. It was quite a week of tradition and companionship.

Here are some other 'icing on the cake' events at the House:

author Martha Hickman's book signing

The Westbury Sunday chariot

The Orchard Park 'tea party'

Karen's birthday at the Missionary House

Janet Fitt's birthday

Is this enough celebrating?

Yes! Straight no Chaser!

This week was endorsed by the President.

"I am Woman, Hear Me Roar!"

2011-07-30T22:46:00.000-04:00

'21st Century Women' was the theme for the week and a plethora of outstanding females graced Chautauqua and the UM House; Barbara Lindblad, Joan Chittister, Farhana Qazi, Barbara Brazile, Magdalena Ondicova and Alison Krauss to name a few.

Barbara Brazile

Farhana Qazi looks at women in war

Barbara Lindblad, Chaplain of the week

Joan Brown Campbell at the ecumenical service

At the UM House the refreshingly dynamic pastor Paul Taylor and his wife, Loretta, inspired us with their presence.

Methodist delegation

Take a look at what went on this past week:

Saturday night special

The Denominational Houses' Ice Cream Reception for the youth dancers and orchestra

Cuban tea ladies

Alexandra and Bailey

Little Joshua and Mario

Joshua's cousins

The week ended with a great female singer and composer, Alison Krauss at the amphitheater.

I would like to add two women to those already mentioned who have shaped and molded my life; my wife, Karen, who's birthday is this week and my mother, Esther, who passed on this past February. Thank you!
Women do and can make a difference in this 21st Century!

Chautauqua: Red Cross Relief Effort?

2011-07-23T23:21:00.000-04:00

Remember the 'black-out' in NYC in 1977? Karen and I stood at the sight of the Aaron Burr/Alexander Hamilton duel (1804) in New Jersey and watched the lights go out in Manhattan. One would have never thought that Chautauqua would be the scene of such an emergency; alas, it was. No electricity (where rumor has it that Thomas Edison installed his invention in the amphitheater) and the United Methodist House was without lights and AIR!

Hospitality is our motto and we "celebrated the darkness" with an impromptu party on the porch by candlelight and new flashlights. A stranger ventured onto the porch with an open container of melting sherbet which we finished in quick fashion.
The week was ably led by our pastor from Houston, Texas, Robert Stutes. He spoke at the Chaplain's Chat about the uncomfortable relationship the Methodist church has had with the 'arts' which was the theme for the week.

Betsy and Robert

Blessings for a young baseball player, Drew Burr

Here are some photos showing the "I survived the UM House Black-out" gang:

The puzzling Heitzenrater family

The Urban girls plus Fran and Carol

Heitzenrater's grandchildren celebrate 2 birthdays

The 'tea' was brought to us by the women of Youngsville.

Pastor Paul Womack, our new President, preaches about Paul of the Bible in our chapel every Tues. evening. We like to refer to this as 'PAUL ON PAUL.'

Elsewhere in Chautauqua life continues in its peaceful fashion:

Purple Martins of Chautauqua

Tommy James and the Shondells

All in all it was a week to remember. It is nearly the half way point in the Season and we look forward to seeing many more of you in the next 5 weeks.

Spies, Spies and Spies!!!

2011-07-16T22:51:00.002-04:00

The theme for week three was 'American Intelligence' and the place was creeping with double agents. But on the UM House porch everything was 'above the table' with the Annual Meeting/ Soiree (The Chautauqua Strummers) taking place.

Business first

Departing Board members

The passing of the gavel

Bob Richards blessing the new gardens.

Dave Doupe and his friend

The new patio

Singing led by the Strummers and Bob Richards

The Strummers - always stir up the crowd

The main course

Our spiritual leader was Rev. Bill Gottschalk-Fielding who stuck with the theme for the week with his Chaplain's Chat topic, 'Spying, Lying and Prying: Christian Vocations?'

Our dancing girls and discussions on Thursday evening

Here are some other activities from the past week:

Relaxing on the porch

The Edinboro 18

The week ended with a martini, a PINK MARTINI.

Editing the Ethics of the search for the 'common good.'

2011-07-09T20:24:00.000-04:00

Sounds like a 'heavy' theme to endure for a week. However, at the Methodist House we always provide for the 'common good' of our residents and friends of the porch. The week was lead by our chaplain Dick Barton who steered us through a sea of positive activities.

Dick and his wife Gloria

Wayne Furman was a soloist

The ladies from Clarence provided the 'tea.'

We celebrated the 4th of July with the annual rendition of the 1812 Overture with exploding paper bags followed by a party at the UM Missionary House under the new leadership of Doug & Celia Thompson.

Good food, conversation & fireworks

Doug DeJarnett and the Mounts enjoy the flares around the lake.

Bishop Grove's captivating personality

Natalie Womack & Barbara Crounse converse

The Studebaker/UM Missionary House at dusk.

The week was filled with celebration, conversation and companionship. The 'common good' was indeed provide for.

Three Taps & We're Off!

2011-07-02T12:19:00.000-04:00

President Tom Becker banged the gavel, 'bam, bam, bam', the Mormon Tabernacle Choir opened their mouths and 'walla' the Season began at Chautauqua.

The tenors used our House as their home base.

The United Methodist House also opened with fanfare; the Saturday Night Meal for our new guests and then a weeks worth of lectures, music and physical activity ensued.

Alice & Bill Ward sang on Sunday.

Rev. Sarah Roncolato with her husband Dave.

We saw some familiar faces returning to the UM House;

Dick & Sally Grove.

Lois Minnagh

Janet & Everett Fitts, Lois & Ed Paul

The Thompsons, Nate & Tessa.

Janice Eichberg &Ann-Marie Lenhardt

The ladies from Fairview UMW provided the 'tea.'

A new addition to the tea was the music of
Gretchen Golibersuch.

"Yes, the opening week was a great success," said one youthful observer, and Steve Martin topped off the week."

Pre-Season Ponderings!

2011-06-19T20:56:00.049-04:00

Springtime and Chautauqua is showing its stuff. The grass is green and growing, the workers can be heard 'remodeling' or is it 'restoring' and our UM House is alive with the vitality of the season.

The proof is in the photo.

The second floor has been painted (thanks Bob Anderson) and a new patio made of Jamestown pavers has been added.

All of this beauty would not be possible if not for the efforts of our work crews this Spring.

Giant thanks to the Kenmore UMC Youth Group who gave cheerily of their time sprucing up the House.

Avion Brooks' family & friends also provided the annual Methodist floral arrangement in the yard as well as cleaning duties.

So, stop in and visit us this summer. Our porch is always open for all UM House friends.

Chautauqua in the Winter

2011-02-10T16:22:00.000-05:00

Chautauqua has its own beauty in the winter. Here are a few views:

We await the Spring and the work weekends. Until then have a safe winter.

A Fall Visit to Chautauqua!

2010-11-02T23:13:00.000-04:00

As you can see Fall has come to Chautauqua and the UM House. The 'work weekend' produced the following accomplishments:

A new storage shed

Leaves were raked

Porch winterized

The upstairs is being painted and new carpeting will soon be arriving.

Property chair Chuck Bolan prioritizes work.

Volunteers are the mainstay of the UM House and they provide its constant care and renovation. We salute their efforts!

We look forward to the upcoming 2011 Season and hope that you will join us on the porch at that time.

Day is Dying in the West!

2010-08-29T09:11:00.000-04:00

The end of the 2011 Chautauqua season is upon us. What a great summer it has been at the United Methodist House and the last week was no exception. The ninth week is always one filled with great speakers and outstanding entertainment. Sandra Day O'Connor and Rev. Cynthia Hale highlighted the week and Neil Sedaka and Bob Newhart ended it.

Sandra O'Connor: resident Justice

Neil Sedaka's songs revisited

The UM House was a center of enthusiasm as the chaplains, Laura and Steve Calos, proved to be a worthy ministerial duo. We ended the year with the Board meeting and the 'closing three taps of the gavel' by Thomas Becker made it official.

Our tag team ministry

Happy Birthday Jim Hammerlee

Lois Sandberg sings

The girls of Kenmore

Mort and Iris November kept everyone in line.

Thank you Celia Thompson

A Cynthia Sayer performance

The Cleveland Jazzzzz Orchestra

Intense conversations

As the sun sets over the United Methodist House we wish all of you a peaceful and healthy winter and look forward to seeing you on our porch next summer.

A Week of Celebration!

2010-08-20T23:27:00.000-04:00

Kool and the Gang made the term "Celebration" a phrase and song future generations could relate. The expression took on added meaning this week at the UM House. Our past President Robert Richard's family and friends celebrated his granddaughter's baptism in the chapel on Sunday. This was closely followed by the annual Baldwin-Wallace College reception and fine arts presentation. But the most momentous celebration came when the Sec. General of the Board of Discipleship of the Methodist Church arrived from Nashville, Tennessee to lead us in discussion and fellowship for the week as our chaplain. Rev. Karen Greenwaldt proved to be a fresh warm addition to our 'porch' and her husband Russell Harris, a potter by trade, complemented that hospitality.

Baby Tatum baptized with water from the River Jordan.

Mom Stephanie and Tatum

The Yellow Jackets

Russell and Karen

Chautauquan Gothic

Other 'celebrations' during the week:

Visit from son Ryan and his wife Jill

Professional singer, Stephanie Arbuckle

Final concert and celebration for Youth Symphony

Salman Rushdi

The ladies of Park UMC, Northeast, Pa.

Celebration, Celebration, Celebration!

We were an attraction to the Venerable Bhikku Bodhi.

Arrival of the new 'Volt'

Gretchen Wilson

PEACE!

Sacred Space: The United Methodist House

2010-08-14T13:08:00.002-04:00

The seventh week at Chautauqua was entitled "Sacred Spaces", emphasizing the connection between physical location and spiritual intensity. Along with the observations of Ken Burns, the cinematographer, and his bent on the subject, the discussion on the 'porch' was the importance of the UM House as a 'sacred space.' Our mission statement emphasizes our house as a place of respite and renewal. Whether one likes the comfortable chairs, the peaceful parlor and chapel or the cookies and cold drink the UM House provides a sanctuary from the 'real world.'

Ken at ampitheater

The quiet Field Memorial Garden

Solitude on the roof

A place for worship

A meeting place

A peaceful parlor

Truly a sacred place

The week's activities:

Chaplain Rev. Larry Lundgren

Joan and Helen

Westfield Ladies

Abba revisited

Professor Heitzenrater originator of the Wesley secret decoder ring.

It Takes A Village!

2010-08-06T19:25:00.000-04:00

This week the theme was 'education' and the UM House was the 'village' that provided the guidance and the patience to make seven young children comfortable in their first Chautauqua/UM House experience.

Nick, Ben, Zack and Sam

Robbie and Caitie (and Mom)

Jessica (and Mom)

This was also the CLSC week to induct their new members.

The Gatekeeper

Flag bearer

Alice Cripe followed family tradition by graduating
from the CLSC as her great grandmother did in 1911.

John and Susan; Class of '98

Our chaplain, Rev. Mark Terwilliger is musically talented, ecologically minded and an inspirational speaker. He complimented the 'village.'

Phyllis, Mark and Michael

The week's other activities:

Juanita Jackson

The ladies from Warren UMC

First Night Run survivor

Serious Uno game

UM Bikers

Dramatic Beginning!

2010-07-31T10:17:00.000-04:00

The week began with a 'bang' as a tornado hit Mayville just 2 miles away. This photo was captured with a phone illustrating just how far the camera industry has come. It just so happened that the theme for the week was photography and Kodak provided speakers and photos. Steve Sasson, inventor of the first digital camera spoke about his epoch making discovery.

Steve taking a photo using the 'original.'

Where's Bob? (double click on photo)

Our chaplain, Rev. Barry Lewis, also arrived with a 'bang' as a spherical object from the Chautauqua Country Club's fourth hole came crashing through his car window. However, throughout the remainder of the week his presence was clearly felt with good conversation, thought provoking messages and a musical interlude (The Circuit Rider 5).

------------- etc, etc, etc.

Barbara Brown Taylor & Friends

Sacred Jazz

Mountaineers

Porch friends

Thanks for a great week.

Doomsday & Hope!

2010-07-23T23:39:00.000-04:00

Week four at the Institute started off with a pessimistic view of the world situation due to the existence and control of nuclear armaments. (Sen. Sam Nunn) While Sojourner Magazine editor Jim Wallis saw a youth lead 'social movement' beginning to form as a counter to nuclear weapons.

At the United Methodist House a young energetic chaplain, Gretchen Hulse, from a Pittsburgh based inner-city ministry provided & demonstrated hope and promise for a chaotic world.

Several of our guests were participating in a writer's workshop sponsored by Highlights Magazine which was started by a member of the local Hurlbut United Methodist Church.

A review of the week's activities & visitors:

The Annual Reunion/Board Meeting Extravaganza!

2010-07-16T23:45:00.000-04:00

One of the biggest days in the Chautauqua season is the Annual Reunion/Board Meeting at the UM House. This year was unique in that we said 'goodbye' to President Bob Richards and welcomed the new Board leader, Bruce Burr. The festivities were colorful and harmonious with the 'Summer Strummers' performing on the porch as we celebrated the significant contributions of Bob Richard's tenure as president.

Our chaplain was the Rev. William Pegg from Rush, NY., an expert on the Middle East and a prolific traveler to that area.

Photo album of the 3rd week:

A Big Event Week!

2010-07-09T23:48:00.002-04:00

The Fourth of July at Chautauqua is a real treat; bands,parades, fireworks and The 1812 Overture.

There were 'Big Events' at the UM House also; a bishop as the chaplain (Bishop William Boyd Grove), the Hanging of the Hymns of Bishop Grove and Chris Redmond, and the dedication of the new fireplace, a gift of the Ed & Fran Lopus Family.

And many more activities:

A Successful First Week! Roger!

2010-07-02T23:55:00.001-04:00

Crowds were large due to the appearance of Roger Rosenblatt and friends, Jim Lehrer & Alan Alda, and Bishop Spong.

Meanwhile at the UM House our chaplain, Dr. Duane Morford,

led us through a series of interesting presentations.

The entertainment was spectacular: The Jersey Boys & The Chinese Acrobats. Our porch was the center of community, food and laughter (Pat Snyder's Laugh Exercises).

Joyce Kilmer would have said it best; as a tree in memory of Helen Urban was planted in our yard by Susan Urban, Carol Parks & Mary Keary.

Preparations Are Over! Let the Season Begin!

2010-06-25T22:44:00.001-04:00

Gardens are planted, new blankets are labelled and the front yard is growing.

The annual Association of Denominational Houses meeting was held on our porch under the direction of Dave Lollis.

We are ready to welcome our guests to Chautauqua and the United Methodist House!

The Unveiling of the New & Improved UM House: The Changes & the Cast of Contributors! (special thanks to Kenmore UMC youth group)

2010-06-13T17:16:00.001-04:00

Thanks to the Board (under the direction of Bob Richards)

and all the volunteers who have made this house such a peaceful haven.

"Waiting for the Summer Season 2010 to begin!"

2010-04-17T12:07:00.001-04:00