West Burlington United Methodist Church
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
   |
NEWSLETTER WEST BURLINGTON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
SEPTEMBER 2010
NEWS 'N NOTES
PASTOR’S PONDERINGS
“For everything….there is a season….” In recent days these words from Ecclesiastes (3:1-8) vibrate around my grey matter. There is much more to these verses, but these particular words resonate with my spirit and this season in my life (In June I became a “senior”!). There is much to ponder behind and inside these words and sentiments.
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; 3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; 7 a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8 a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. If we each take a few minutes to ponder our lives and the world in which we live there just may be an opportunity for God’s Spirit to speak to us.
As I write this column the ending of summer’s leisure schedules and the beginning of calendared school schedules is looming before the children and families of our church and our community. Even if you do not have children in your home you soon realize that much of our lives are programmed around the nine month school calendar, even in retirement, and even in the life of the church.
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
Unplanned, unscheduled, and unattended summer meetings of the church leadership will soon end. We will soon begin to have planned, scheduled, and attended meetings as we prepare for our fall ministry opportunities and plan for the year ahead. (A calendar of meeting dates is included in this newsletter)
The youngest children in our midst will soon resume Sunday school, on September 12. Thank you to Melinda and Dave Hentzel for taking leadership. They will be assisted by Susan Vandenberg. We are in need of a couple of persons who would be willing to substitute, if the need arises, for one hour on a Sunday morning. Please let Pastor Jackie, Melinda, or Susan know that you would be willing to be a caring and loving presence with our children.
The voices of our children will once again be heard in worship. Thanks be to God for the melodious voice of a child. They have so much they can teach us, even in their young season of life.
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
As with the change of creation’s seasons there will be some changes in the life of the church.
*Beginning with this edition of the newsletter we are trying multiple ways of distributing the information as we practice being good stewards of our resources. We will reap financial cost savings and we will be more environmentally friendly (“Going green!”).
*Beginning this fall there will be a division of our youth group. The interests, needs, and desires of those in middle school and high school are apparent and quite different. To address the concerns of our high school students we will be dividing youth participation into two groups.
Students in grades 6-8, “Mid High”, will meet ONE Sunday a month—they will meet at 5 p.m. on the LAST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH! This group will meet on September 26, October 31, and November 28 at 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. They will NOT meet on December 26.
High School students in grades 9-12 will meet ONE time a month, for the purpose of doing a mission project in our community. Dates and times will be emailed.
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
BIGHT RED BOLD LETTERS: “RETHINK”….church….
At annual conference RETHINK church was apparent on display tables in Hy-Vee Hall. Check out the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall. The RETHINK church program…is a “What if…?” dreaming, visioning, praying, designing, deciding kind of way of doing church in a changing world. For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”
As we prepare for Charge Conference and planning for 2011 we will be setting ministry goals. Together we will decide where we believe God is calling us to be active, participating disciples in this time and place. I share these questions from the RETHINK church materials for you to ponder :
· What if church wasn’t just about Sunday, but also about the other days of the week?
· What if church wasn’t just a place we go, but something we do?
· What if church wasn’t just a building, but thousands of doors,
each of them opening up to a different experience of church?
· What if church was the way church was in the beginning—
outbound, unbound and active?
What if we rethink church—not in terms of what it is, but what it could be?
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
As everything around us begins to take on new shades and hues of color, as creation calls out the arrival of a new season…in our individual lives, in the life of our church, in our common shared life with all of God’s creation…may we be open to the work of God’s Spirit.
The Spirit of God reminds us that when everything around speaks of change the one abiding constant is a God whose love is the same, whose presence is steadfast, whose grace is sufficient for the changes of life’s seasons, and a God who goes with us into each moment of each day in every season of life. “Be still….and know….that I AM God.” (Psalm 46:10)
Blessings, Jackie
NEW OPPORTUNITY….NEW ACTIVITIES….
Mark your calendars….HAM AND BEAN SUPPER! October 20th. This is a new fundraiser for us. The idea came from Gil and Carol Goldensoph, who in a previous church, found this a great fundraiser and time for fellowship. Their team, Jack Hayes and Marge Allender, are heading up the event. Please volunteer where there is need. More information will be shared in your worship bulletin.
Mark your calendars….CHRISTMAS MARKET! November 6th. This is another new activity for us. Marge Allender, Jack Hayes and Melissa Standard are the team heading up this project. More information will be shared later in the fall. If you have Christmas items to donate you may contact anyone on the planning team and they will be happy to receive your items. Thank you for helping to make this a successful event.
TREMENDOUS THANKS!!!
This spring WBUMC made the decision to participate in a fundraiser outside of the church by working in the concession stands, April to September, for the Bee’s home baseball games. Coaches, Zeta Shannan and Carol Hillgartner did an amazing job scheduling, communicating, and leading the rest of the team to a victory! THANK YOU! On the “A” team were a host of folks who stepped up and volunteered to work the concession stand. THANK YOU to everyone who donated their time and energy to be a part of our winning team. THANK YOU to God for the gift of time and desire to serve the church in this way. This was a tremendous undertaking and commitment by all who participated. A TREMENDOUS THANK YOU goes to each of you for your part on the team. THANK YOU also to the cheerleaders, those who from the sidelines, cheered us on with their words of encouragement and prayers.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Beginning with this edition of the church newsletter we will be making changes to the ways in which we distribute the material. There will be multiple ways to receive a copy of the newsletter.
1. Our website: www.westburlingtonumc.org is the first place the newsletter is displayed. 2. Copies will be emailed to those for whom we have email addresses. 3. The bulk of the distribution will be at church. Copies will be placed on the back table. 4. Selected persons will receive it in the mail.
This new method will be tried for the remainder of the year and then reevaluated. By making these changes we will not need to renew our bulk rate mailing permit ($190) for next year, we reduce the amount of paper we are using, and we reduce our printing/coping expenses. This is one way to RETHINK the way we are doing the business of the church.
Please keep the church office informed if our contact information changes. Thank you.
DATES OF MEETINGS FOR THE REMAINER OF 2010
CHARGE CONFERENCE will be Sunday, November 7 at 6:30 p.m. at Mediapolis UMC.
CHURCH COUNCIL—meets the second Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m.
September 13
October 11
November 8—no Council meeting due to Charge Conference on November 7
December 13
FINANCE—meets the first or second Thursday of the month at 5:30 p.m.
September 9
October 7
November 4
December 9
TRUSTEES—meet the first Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m.
September 7, meeting on Tuesday, rather than Monday, due to Labor Day
October 4
November 1
December 6
STAFF PARISH—meets the fourth Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.
September 28
October 26
November 23—no SPRC meeting due to the holiday
December 28—no SPRC meeting due to the holiday
UMW—meets the second Wednesday of the month at 9:30 a.m.
September 8
September 11—District Meeting at Fairfield UMC
October 13—World Thank Offering collected
November 6—Ingathering
November 10
December 4—Cookie and Candle Sale 8-11 a.m.
December 15—Christmas luncheon at noon
CHURCH CALENDAR
SEPTEMBER
September 2—Committee on Lay Leadership at 10 a.m.
September 6—Labor Day—church office closed.
September 7—Trustees at 7 p.m.
September 8—UWM at 9:30 a.m.
September 9—Finance meeting at 5:30 p.m., delayed one week to prepare reports
September 12—Sunday School begins at 9:15 a.m.
September 13—Church Council at 7 p.m.
September 26—Mid High Youth Group at 5 p.m.
September 28—SPRC at 7 p.m.
September 30—SUMM End of Month Meal—WBUMC no responsibilities
OCTOBER
October 3—World Communion Sunday
October 4-6—Adult Mission Trip, Chatham, IL
October 4—Trustees at 7 p.m.
October 7—Finance at 5:30 p.m.
October 8—Mumm/Garrison rehearsal
October 9—Mumm/Garrison wedding
October 10—Crop Walk
October 11—Church Council at 7 p.m.
October 13—UWM at 9:30 a.m.
October 17—Salvation Army Meal—youth and parents
October 20—HAM AND BEAN SUPPER—Gil, Carol, Jack & Marge
October 26—SPRC at 7 p.m.
October 28—SUMM End of Month Meal—WBUMC Hosts
October 31—Mid High Youth Group at 5 p.m.
NOVEMBER
November 1—Trustees at 7 p.m.
November 4—Finance at 5:30 p.m.
November 6—CHRISTMAS MARKET—Marge, Melissa & Jack
November 6—Ingathering
November 7—CHARGE CONFERENCE at Mediapolis at 6:30 p.m.
November 10—UWM at 9:30 a.m.
November 23—SPRC at 7 p.m.
November 25—NO SUMM End of Month Meal—Thanksgiving
November 25—church office closed for Thanksgiving
November 28—Advent begins
November 28—Mid High Youth Group at 5 p.m.
November 30—Soup for the Soul at noon
**Additional dates to the church calendar will be announced in the worship bulletin
UMW NEWS from Joyce Baker and Louise Haight
We hope everyone had a NICE summer. Can’t believe it is time to begin our meetings again.
It is time to start working on our In-Gathering Kits. The list of kits is included in this newsletter. If you have any questions please see Louise or call 753-0098.
September 8 we will meet in the Fellowship Hall at 9:30 a.m. We have invited Annette from the Homeless Shelter to come and speak to us. It should be an interesting and informative meeting. Be sure to mark your calendars and join us.
September 11 our District Meeting will be held at the Fairfield UMC. It would be nice if we could have a few people attend.
October 13 we meet in the Fellowship Hall at 9:30 a.m. We need to bring our THANK offering.
The In-Gathering Kits should be at the church by October 31. They will be delivered to Mt. Pleasant on November 6.
November 10 we meet at the Fellowship Hall at 9:30 a.m. for our regular meeting.
December 4, we’ll be holding our annual Cookie and Candy Sale at the Fellowship Hall from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
December 1 we will meet to fix cookie plates for the shut-ins and “seniors”. Everyone should bring 3 dozen cookies for this project. We’ll be having our Christmas Potluck at 12:00 noon in the Fellowship Hall.
UMCOR KITS--INFO for Ingathering Kits
UMCOR BIRTHING KIT
1 hotel-size bar of soap (1 oz. and up) 1 pair of clean latex gloves
1 square yard of clear 4-mil plastic sheeting 3 pieces of clean string, each 12’ long
1 clean single use razor blade (carefully wrap the blade in paper or plastic for protection)
2 flannelette receiving blankets, each 1 square yard
Place these items inside a sealed one-gallon plastic bag. (Value $8 plus $2 shipping)
HEALTH KITS help disaster victims reclaim their dignity and self-respect and are used as teaching tools
with children. When people can maintain personal hygiene, their overall health improves. Add $1 for
toothpaste to be purchased by the UMCOR Depot.
• 1 new hand towel (15” x 25” up to 17” x 27”) • 1 new washcloth
• 1 bath sized bar of soap in wrapper (3 oz. or larger) • 6 band aids (3/4”)
• 1 large, sturdy comb (not pocket sized)
• 1 new toothbrush in original sealed wrapper (no child-sized)
• 1 nail file or fingernail clipper (no emery boards or toenail clippers)
Fold the towel and washcloth and lay the other items on top. Place in a Ziploc bag.
(Value $12 plus $2 shipping)
SEWING KITS foster independence rather than dependence. Cottage industries often grow out of sewing
classes where these kits are used to practice skills.
• 3 yards cotton or cotton-blend fabric (one piece) • 1 sewing scissors
• 1 new spool matching thread • 5-8 matching flat buttons
• 1 package hand sewing needles
Fold fabric and lay other items on top. Seal in Ziploc bag. (Value $18 plus $2 shipping)
SCHOOL KITS provide tools for education, which changes lives. In countries where children don't have
books, school supplies or classrooms, a school kit may be their only educational resource.
• 3 Notebooks, approx. 8 ½ x 11 wide ruled • 1 2 1/2” eraser
(210 to 250 sheets total) spiral or bound • 1 blunt scissors
• 1 30 cm metric ruler • 1 hand pencil sharpener
• 1 box of 24 crayons (ONLY 24) • 6 unsharpened pencils with erasers
All items are placed in a sturdy cloth bag, 14” x 16” (finished size) with 22” handles. Do not put any of the
items in Ziploc bags. (Value $11 plus $2 shipping)
Empty school bags are also needed and are valued at $3 each.
LAYETTE KITS provide women with basic supplies for the needs of their new babies
.
• 6 cloth diapers • 2 shirts or 2 one-piece body suits (Onesies)
• 2 gowns or sleepers • 2 baby washcloths
• 2 diaper pins • 1 sweater or jacket open in the front
• 2 receiving blankets
Bundle items inside one of the blankets and secure with diaper pins. (Value $35 plus $2 shipping)
Baby sweaters or jackets may be sent and are valued at $6 each. Patterns for a knitted baby sweater or for
a sewn jacket are available from the district representatives.
For further
YOUTH NEWS
Beginning this fall there will be a division of our youth group. The interests, needs, and desires of those in middle school and high school are apparent and quite different. To address the concerns of our high school students we will be dividing youth participation into two groups.
Students in grades 6-8, “Mid High”, will meet ONE Sunday a month—they will meet at 5 p.m. on the LAST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH! This group will meet on September 26, October 31, and November 28 at 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. They will NOT meet on December 26.
High School students in grades 9-12 will meet ONE time a month, for the purpose of doing a mission project in our community. Dates and times will be emailed.
There will be no Confirmation class this year.
|
