Connections - Shaftsburg United Methodist Churchshaftsburgumc.weebly.com/uploads/1/...october_2016.pdfwith the HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Response (ACCR), an organization that assists

Connections October 2016 Page 1

Connections A PUBLICATION OF

PERRY & SHAFTSBURG UNITED METHODIST CHURCHES

October 2016 Volume # 24 Issue # 19

Pastor Nancy’s Contemplations As God’s household, you are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. The whole building is joined together in him, and it grows up into a temple that is dedicated to the Lord. Christ is building you into a place where God lives through the Spirit. ~ Ephesians 2:20-22 (Common English Bible) Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. ~ Hebrews 10:23-24 (New Living Translation)

These and other New Testament authors wrote to people of their time and place, most believing that Jesus’ return and the final coming of God’s Kingdom would take place within or soon after their own lifetime. Their words, collected, preserved and endorsed by the Church for centuries as part of God’s Word to us, continue to inform, guide, encourage and inspire us in our faith and living. The passages quoted above are among many that call Christians to live out the truth that we are God’s people, one in Christ as the family of God and as Christ’s witnesses to the world. As the words above indicate, we are not only witnesses to the world “outside” the church, but to each other as well. Many churches these days develop an intentional system of small groups to help people grow in faith and discipleship—two aspects of life in Christ that are closely connected. These small groups are organized in a variety of different ways, according the needs and culture of the people of each church. The idea of intentional small group ministry is far from new. It has been the basis of the Methodist movement from the beginning, though actual practice of it has varied over the years. Nearly 300 years ago, John Wesley and his brother, Charles (of hymn-writing fame), organized the so-called Holy Club when they were college students. They met to pray, study scripture and do exactly what the above advice from Hebrews recommends: “to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.” They were derisively called “Methodists” by some other students because of the methodical ways they organized themselves to not only encourage and inspire each other, but also to hold each other accountable in love. Later, when John Wesley started the Methodist movement to reach out to people in England who were estranged from the Church, it was organized around similar groups called Class Meetings. This began before the movement became a church or denomination. (Wesley was then an Anglican priest, and remained as such for the rest of his life.) The movement spread to the North American colonies, and eventually organized as a church after most of the Anglican priests returned to England at the start of the Revolutionary War. This kind of small group organization, mostly lay-led and served by traveling pastors, was more “portable” than most church structures, and it spread throughout the U.S. and its territories. Today, similar intentional small group ministries are helping many Christians grow in their faith and discipleship, i.e., living out faith daily, through the gifts of God’s Spirit used in loving service in and through the church and in the world. I believe God is calling us to consider a form of intentional small group ministry in our two churches. If you sense God calling you in that direction, too, please let me know, so that we can explore how small group ministry might help us be faithful as individuals and as the church together.

Christ’s peace & joy, Pastor Nancy


OPPORTUNITIES TO MEET & GREET OUR NEW BISHOP Bishop David Bard will begin serving the Michigan Area on September 1, 2016. All are invited to welcome Bishop Bard, his wife Julie and their family by attending any of the three welcome events that will be held across the state. Each event will include a worship service with Bishop Bard preaching followed by a reception.

Kalamazoo First United Methodist Church Sunday, October 16, 2016 3:00 PM

212 S. Park Street, Kalamazoo MI 49007 269-381-6340

Indian River United Methodist Church Sunday, October 23, 2016 3:00 PM

956 Eagles Nest Rd, Indian River, MI 49749 231-238-7764

Pastoral Care Needs Pastor Nancy will be on vacation Oct. 6 – Oct. 20. If you have a pastoral care need during that time, please contact Sue Price or Dorothy Hunt. Sue may be reached at 517-625-4748 or at 989-627-2855. Dorothy Hunt may be reached at 517-927-4599. They will be able to put you in touch with a pastor on call.


SUMC Church Council September 13, 2016

The SUMC Church Council meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. In attendance were, Tammy F, P. Nancy, Connie H, Fred K, Jim & Luann L, Jim L. opened with prayer. Prior minutes were approved. Tammy opened with prayer, prior minutes approved. EDUCATION: The 3-week bible study begins 09.15; adult SS classes started up again yesterday; Peggy B has a new 3 month program for the little kids to test. TRUSTEES: Need to redo front entry concrete patches to mitigate trip hazards. Jim to call Doty Mechanical for fall tune-up and also call for carpet cleaning. We are testing a copier for PUMC and if satisfactory, they will have delivered to basement.

Thanks to Mike Shaft for power-washing the pavilion and also painting the wagon. WORSHIP: Choir restarts with 09.20 practice. PN desires to get a Worship Committee meeting scheduled. MISSIONS: Continuing w/ Perry Schools meals/snacks for 6 children per week also the summer snack-lunch program went very well. Connie working with Meijers to establish a discount for items in the weekly lunches. We will again be having our 'Shoe-box ministry' this year and donations will go from mid-October til the boxing day (11.21). SPRC: Ad.Council approved the proposed pastoral compensation structure for submission to upcoming church conference. PLANNING COMMITTEE: Scheduled activities: (1) 10.08 - campfire w/ hotdogs (bring lawn chair); (2) 11.12 - progressive dinner; (3) 12.17 - Christmas caroling. FINANCE AND STEWARDSHIP: Everything is paid current; however, the General Fund continues to erode as giving is down $200/wk from 2015 (though expenses are somewhat lower too) leaving General Fund with a substantial negative position. Our mortgage now stands @$22,023 and will be paid off in 22 months. These issues will be a topic of the upcoming church conference and is a critical element of our 213 discernment. NON-COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Fred moved and Jim supported motion for Walt Saxton and Mike Shaft to continue as Local Lay Servants - motion passed.

Jim moved and Fred supported motion to reflect Dan Marzak as in-active for membership report to church conference - motion passed.

PN vacation Oct 7-20 (Jim to take one service, PN to line up other pulpit-person). Still need middle/high school SS teacher as Dick Rice resigned due to his extensive

travels w/ retirement van. Next meeting will be October 3; meeting adjourned 8:32 p.m.


AD COUNCIL MEETING: PERRY UMC

September 8, 2016

Present: Bob Hempsted, Gerrad Leitelt, Carol Nama, Heather Nolen, John Plowman, Sue Price, BJ Rosen, Pastor Nancy Powers. Chairperson Carol Nama called the meeting to order. Pastor Nancy read a devotion from 1 Timothy 9-11 & 17-19. Minutes from the July 11th meeting were read and accepted. Trustees:

Dick Locke had informed Gerrad that some folks are having some difficulty with the steps due to the new door. This will be looked into.

The cross light on the front of the church is out. John and Paul will work on the stained glass window. New copier is on loan from Michigan Office Solutions. It is located at Shaftsburg for the trial period. It

will cost $1,500.00. A motion was made and passed to purchase this copier

Education: Sunday School will start on September 18th. Date for an Education Offering was tabled. Pastor is offering a Bible study this month.

Worship:

The children’s Sunday school class will be doing a lot of the service on September 18th. Meeting on Monday, September 12th.

SPRC:

We approved Paul Powers and Heather Nolen as Lay Servants. John moved, Heather seconded and we approved Pastor’s salary package for 2017. A copy is included

with these minutes. Pastor will be on vacation October7-20. Heather and Gerrad will cover the services on the 9th and the 16th.

UMW:

Will meet on the 12th.

Finance and Stewardship: BJ’s financial report was given and accepted. Her report is attached with these minutes.

Non-committee Reports:

Pastor has been working on our membership rolls. Next meeting November 14, 2016 Secretary, Carol Nama


YOUR UMCOR GIFTS AT WORK IN “LOW-ATTENTION” DISASTERS

(Excerpts from an article by Susan Kim on the UMC website, August 18, 2016)

Your contribution to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is helping disaster survivors across the nation recover from events that never made the headlines. What is a “low-attention disaster?” It often means that there is little financial assistance and volunteer labor for people most in need, said Catherine Earl, a disaster response program manager for UMCOR. “It is possible, however, to turn a low-attention disaster into a highly meaningful recovery for survivors through the dedicated efforts of the church in partnership with UMCOR,” Earl said. For example, few people outside of Wyoming heard about the devastating hailstorm that struck Pine Bluff three weeks ago. Out of 580 homes in the community, 493 had substantial damage, said Bob Stowe, Wyoming district disaster response coordinator. “The hail was between ping-pong-ball and tennis-ball size. Every south-facing window in structures was broken out. The vinyl siding on houses was shattered and roofs were destroyed. A lot of cars were totaled.” People in Wyoming are also recovering from flash floods in Lusk, wildfires in several other areas of the state, and more flooding near Riverton and Lander. More than 100 homes have been affected but no one is hearing about them, said Gary Haddock, a disaster response coordinator for the Rocky Mountain Conference. Yet UMCOR is supporting recovery in all these areas. “As UMCOR, we are honored to go and help wherever help is needed, even if no one else in the country knows about it,” he said. Across the nation, conference disaster responders help stretch recovery dollars by partnering with other organizations. In Florida, responders are working in a small community in North Escambia, which was hit by tornadoes in February. Through a National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) connection, the Florida Recovery Team is working with the HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Response (ACCR), an organization that assists disaster survivors with emotional care through the use of therapy dogs. Volunteers also help UMCOR reach more for less money. “Every dollar can be stretched because of the help of volunteers who are willing to go where there is little or no media attention,” said Earl. In McGehee, Arkansas, long-term recovery is just beginning after March storms damaged hundreds of homes, and the area needs repair teams. “We have 233 on our list requesting assistance,” reported Byron and Janice Mann, disaster response coordinators for the Arkansas Conference — yet very few people across the nation are even aware. The same situation happens in an urban setting. In Detroit, at least 25 families — some of them waiting for two years — need experienced teams of volunteers to hang drywall, put down floor tile, or muck out basements. Recovery in these communities depends on volunteers showing up. Meanwhile, how do disaster responders focus when working in a community that’s receiving seemingly little attention? They focus on the people, said Forrest White, a disaster recovery manager in the Virginia Conference. At least eight tornadoes touched down in southern and southeastern Virginia in February 2016, and hundreds of people are in the throes of a long-term recovery. “We try to focus on the survivors, and try to serve them as God calls us to do,” he said


Prayer ~Joys & Concerns:

Shaftsburg Prayer List Kittle’s great grandson undergoing leukemia treatment. Bob Graham cousin, Nancy who had a stroke. Our First Responders- Police and Firefighters who are under attack in this country and across the seas in the military. Chris Copeland who is leaving Canada and looking for work in US. Marcia Copeland who is under the weather. Travel mercies for our church members who are traveling, the Rice’s. For comfort of victims of terrorism and the violence the terrorist are creating worldwide that it might end and the memories of 9/11. Ron and Sue Hammond as they prepare to move again. The passing of Robert Riddley husband of Jackie Shaft Riddley. Carol Maize unspoken. Marty Castle unspoken. Duane – Tammy Frazee father who can’t have further heart surgery, but must slow down. Lori Whipp-Weaver, Millie Prince who are not with us at the moment, but who we look forward to seeing soon. Justin Cole with Leukemia. The boy who was assaulted by older children. We give God thanks for recovery of Carol Maize’s brother and for her life returning to normal. For his answered prayers. Gaylord Hunt for his eye surgery. Seen Bobby back with us. Guests who are coming to our church.

Perry Prayer Concerns

Please keep these people in your prayers: Mike and Julia Pavich; Mary Piper; Bonnie Dunn; Ray and Jennifer Sundell; Everett Held; Mary Lynn Herman; Mary Piper’s grandson Nicholas; Paul Powers; Jeffrey Tobias; Dick McDevitt, Melanie Davis’ nephew Alex; Scott Polhemus; Heather Nolan and her parents and grandparents. Grief support for the Henry Sayles family and for the family of Char Bragg’s friend Nancy. Continue to pray for our shut-ins: Harold and Jean Canfield, Rich Polhemus and Liz Taylor. Keep all of our service men and women in your prayers, especially Roxane Benjamin’s son James and Logan Stevens.


October 2: World Communion Sunday Offering (Adapted from a United Methodist General Board of Global Missions website, www.umcgiving.org)

Your gift to the special offering on World Communion Sunday helps to provide scholar-ships for national and international graduate students whom God has gifted to learn and to serve. Around the world, countless gifted and qualified people face financial obstacles that hinder them from preparing for the vocation God has given them, especially youth and young adults. For ethnic students who will be the first generation in their families to attend college, or for those people of color who haven’t historically had access to resources that make higher education possible, the road toward education has often been difficult.

Equipping Disciples Like Mary Grace to Serve in Jesus’ Name As a small child Mary Grace Galapon labored as a housemaid in exchange for food and clothing. Yet, allowed to attend church, she found hope. The generous gifts of people in United Methodist Churches around the world on World Communion Sundays has allowed this deaconess, of the Mindanao Philippines Annual Conference, to pursue an education that is now changing her community as she works to eliminate poverty. Please consider helping to continue this effort as our churches participate in the World Communion Sunday Offering on Oct. 2. Our gifts will make education a possibility for more gifted and qualified students all over the world to become the world-changers God created them to be.

Prayer Meetings Wednesdays: 10:00 – 10:30 a.m at Perry UMC

Thursdays: 6:15 – 6:45 p.m. at Shaftsburg UMC

All are welcome either day. Join us as we make room in our hearts and minds for God’s Spirit to speak

to us, and as we pray for each other and for the world.

NEW NOISY CHANGE OFFERING AT PERRY UMC The next one will be October 30. The 5th Sunday Noisy Change offerings will benefit the church’s building and maintenance fund, which keeps our building and grounds safe and welcoming.

October worship scriptures: Oct. 2: Luke 17:5-6; Psalm 65; 2 Timothy 1:1-14 Oct. 9 & 16: to be chosen by lay speakers; pastor on vacation Oct. 23: Lamentations 1:1-6; Psalm 137; Luke 6:20-31 Oct. 30: Habakkuk 1:1-4 & 2:1-4; Psalm 119:137-144; Luke 19:1-10


OCTOBER CELEBRATIONS

Perry

Birthdays

Jenna Lloyd 10/10 Misti Leitelt 10/22 Suzanne Carr 10/26

Byllye Kay Wilson 10/30

Anniversaries

Duane & Loyola Dysinger 10/15

Jason & Melanie Davie 10/28

Shaftsburg

Birthdays

Sharon Shaft 10/4

Anniversaries

Ron & Sue Hammond 10/25

To Worship

October Ministries

In Shaftsburg Worship Opportunities to Serve

Bulletin Board: Greeters: Opportunity Awaits Flowers: 10/2 – Communion 10/9– Melinda Shine 10/16 – Luann LeBaron 10/23 – Open 10/30 – Garden fellowship Liturgist September: Cathy Bradley

Music Prelude: Pat Murley Meet & Greet 10/2 – Simple Spread 10/9 – Deb Kline 10/16 – Simple Spread 10/23 – open 10/30 – Melinda Shine


Mm

Don’t Forget your Box Tops for Education! We use these to fund our Shaftsburg Sunday School Programs. Place them in the white container in the Narthex.

CHRISTMAS TREE BLANKETS A little early you think to be thinking about Christmas? But never too early to be thinking about children and young people who might be cold this winter. The Christmas tree project at our church this year will be to put blankets under it for some of the students at our schools. Don’t bring them until December but be on the lookout for the great buys and store them. Thanks, Perry Worship Committee

KID’S CUPBOARD NEWS Spread the word about Kid’s Cupboard at Shaftsburg UMC: Open the 4th Monday of each month, 2 p.m. to 8p.m. We supply children’s clothes sizes 0 to 6 years, baby food, diapers, shoes, baby equipment and toys. Have questions? Please call Kathy Rice at 675-5359

Perry UMC will collect non-perishable food items for the Perry food bank on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month (the same Sundays as Noisy Change offering). Items may be left in the box in the entryway.

An Al-Anon Group meets at the church in the Adult Sunday School Room at 7:30 pm on Wednesday nights. This is a support group for all family and friends of alcoholics and all are invited to the meetings. Any questions, contact Mary at (616) 648-2052

Men’s Breakfast returns, October 1st. 7:00 am we start cooking and eating begins at 8:00 am. All are welcome!

Connections September 2016 Page 10

Kid’s Corner – Word Find The Battle of Jericho – Joshua 6 Can you find the following words: ARK ISRAELITES PRIESTS SIX DAYS ARMY JERICHO RAHAB SOLDIERS BATTLE JOSHUA SEVEN TIMES TURMPETS DESTROYED MARCH SHOUT WALLS

B U Z F G R E J T Y O J W S S A W B A E D F I O J A D A T E H S Y T K J G R U S E G V E I A E Y C O C H A B Y H F M P C R M S G H P S H O U T U D M A L I E R C D C R Z E G M A U K G T T P I U T S O L D I E R S L N I H R S R S G T L M A T W W E L B E L C O B T M T R C R E V E D J S I X D A Y S D N G N E A R M Y U M W B Y L Z W M K S R Q S B A W W K U U A E A M B S O I R W A Q X U L H A R P R I E S T S V M Q L O F A C P V A X S M Q B B C O C J Z H


October 2016 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday P = Perry S= Shaftsburg

Pastor Nancy Vacation

Oct 6th – Oct 20th

1 Men’s Breakfast 7:00 am cooking 8:00 eating

2 Communion Trustee Meeting 8:30 am – S

3 Joint SPRC – 6:00 S Ad Council – S 7:00 pm

Perry 4 Choir Practice 5:00 pm Choir Practice 7:00 pm - S

Perry 5 Prayer Meeting 10.00 – 10:30 am AA Meeting 7:00pm – S Al-Anon – 7:30 S

Shaftsburg 6 Prayer Meeting 6:15 – 6:45 pm Pastor Vacation Starts today

7 8

9 Noisy Change P & S Haiti Hot Lunch

10 Perry Worship Committee 5 pm Perry Trustees 6:00 pm

Perry 11 Choir Practice 5:00 pm Choir Practice 7:00 pm - S


Shaftsburg 13 Prayer Meeting 6:15 – 6:45 pm

14 15

16 Perry Pot Luck noon

17 Perry 18 Choir Practice 5:00 pm 7:00 pm Choir Practice - S


Shaftsburg 20 Prayer Meeting 6:15 – 6:45 pm Pastor Vacation Final Day

21 Perry Rummage Sale9:00 – 4:00 Pastor Returns

22 Perry Rummage Sale 9:00 – 2:00

23 Noisy Change Trustees – S Local Mission – P Cut off for Newsletter

24 Kid’s Cupboard Shaftsburg 2:00 – 8:00 pm

Perry 25 Choir Practice 5:00 pm 7:00 pm Choir Practice - S


Shaftsburg 27 Prayer Meeting 6:15 – 6:45 pm

28 Bingo at Olive Garden 2:00 pm

29

Noisy Change 30 Perry Bldg/Maint Fund

31


Perry U.M.C. – A family of God, sharing the love of Jesus Christ with our community and the world.

131 South Madison St. – P.O. Box 15 Perry, MI 48872

Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. (during the school year) Worship 11:00 a.m.

Office phone (517) 625-3444 http://perryumc.weebly.com

Shaftsburg U.M.C. – Taking the name and meaning of Jesus Christ

into our community.

12821 S. Warner Rd. at Lansing Rd. P.O. Box 161 Shaftsburg, MI 48882

Worship: 9:30 a.m. Christian Education: 11:00 a.m. (during the school year)

Phone (517) 675-1567 shaftsburgumc.weebly.com

Newsletter email: [email protected]

Perry & Shaftsburg United Methodist Churches P.O. Box 15 Perry, MI 48872

Documents

Connections - Shaftsburg United Methodist Churchshaftsburgumc.weebly.com/uploads/1/...october_2016.pdfwith the HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Response (ACCR), an organization that assists