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The Observer F I R S T U N I T E D M E T H O D I S T C H U R C H
June 2013
Pastor Susan’s Corner 1-2
Wizard of Oz 2
Mission Opportunities
3
“Suds” a play 3
Carry-in at Frey Cabin 4
Golf Benefit for BackPack Program
4
Country Rhoades Fish Fry
5
Food Pantry 6
Baptisms & New Members
6
Graduates/Scholarships
7
Henryville Mission Trip
7
Esther Circle 8
Moore, Oklahoma Tornado Relief
8
Shew/Chaney Wedding
8
Campers 8
Tech News 8
June/July Upcoming Events
9
Prayer Concerns Info 9
Ladies Unity Event 9
Contact Info 10
Regular Events Calendar
10
It’s hard to believe it is June already. I blinked and May is history.
Even though May seemed to go by quickly, it was chock full of
excitement-- We honored our Mothers on Mother’s Day; the children
also blessed us by singing this day. The next Sunday we celebrated
Pentecost, by honoring our graduates: Christian, Damon, and Bryce;
AND we had six baptisms and received four new members. We have
also had the opportunity to attend Town Hall Meetings to become
more informed about the Consultation Team’s findings. They identified
Three Strengths, Three Concerns, and gave us Three Prescriptions to
enable us to Be The Fruitful Congregation that God wants us to be.
My family celebrated the wedding of
my nephew, Jered, and his new bride,
Melissa; the next day we celebrated
Mother’s Day. My family also had the
privilege of celebrating my mother-in-law’s 80th birthday. We are still trying
to dry out from all the rain; farmers are
still trying to get their seeds in the
ground; school is out for the summer and children and youth are EVE-
RYWHERE! Be careful and watch for them as you are out and about—
they don’t always seem to be aware of everything around them.
As I continue to ponder and dream about the vision God has for the
Clinton First United Methodist Church--I am continually brought back
to the phrase, “If God brings you to it, he will see you through it.”
What is he bringing our church to? I believe that God has been calling
us to become abundantly fruitful--that he sees great potential for the
body of Christ that meets at the corner of 4th and Blackman in Clinton,
IN. I also believe that God is doing a new thing, right here in our
midst.
Through the Fruitful Congregation Journey or, as other conferences
across the United States are calling it, the “Healthy Church Initiative,”
we have the opportunity to work with a coach, Mark Eutsler, and
change our weaknesses into strengths--as we work together to form a
PASTOR SUSAN'S CORNER
...“If God brings you to
it, he will see you
through it.”
2
clear vision—A vision is the plan, the way, the map we are going to use to be faithful to the
mission of “Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World.” Once we
have a clear vision-- we will use it to evaluate all our ministries and make sure they are
compatible with that vision. Are we getting the results we want to get? What can we do to
help us achieve our intended results? How can we tweak it?
Our second prescription—develop a Leadership and Faith Development process-- As a
church who reaches out into the world with the intentions of making “New Disciples,” we will
be touching lives who have no church or faith background--and it is important for us to have a
“Spiritual Growth” path in place to meet each person where they are in their faith journey and
help them grow and become more mature in their faith. We all start out as infants in faith and
throughout life, we grow and mature—and we will continue to grow in our faith until the day
we die (if the opportunity is provided).
The second part of this is to develop leaders who lead well. Too often leaders are recruited
and expected to carry on what has been done in the past—assuming they know what is
expected of them. Two or three years of carrying on without training can get us off track and we lose our focus. Training our leaders will help those in these roles feel much more
confident and view their role as a transformational force within our church and community.
We know that what we have been doing in the past is not getting the results we would like to
see. Building confidently trained leaders can only make our team stronger.
The third prescription is to connect with the community and build relationships with those
who live around us— The key to reaching and making new disciples for Jesus Christ-- learning
about our neighbors, their needs, their desires, and finding ways to meet them where they are.
It is focusing on what is going on outside our walls and in the lives of our community. Do we
need to add another worship service? How can we improve our children and youth ministry?
How can we reach the 18-40 generation?
Another part of this prescription is to look at our facility and spruce it up by removing
unused clutter, making it more attractive, safe and guest friendly. We have a building with a
lot of character and beauty—yet there are some simple things we can do to make it even
more beautiful and usable in 2013- and beyond. A face lift—a fresh coat of paint, repairing
cracked plaster, removing unused furniture and equipment, etc.
In the two years I have been your pastor, I am more convinced that we have great potential
to be a vital presence in our community. I believe that this is where God is calling us--and I
feel that this is why God has been preparing us for this journey. God has called us to be fruit-
ful—and he is providing this tool to see us through it. What a blessing this will be for our
congregation and our community.
Blessings,
Pastor Susan
The Wizard of Oz Coming to the Ritz Theater Talent runs deep in the Hogan family and it’s showing up again! Janna reports
that her daughter, Sabrina, and two of her boys, Marshal and Cooper are
going to be in the play, The Wizard of Oz on June 28 & 29 at 7:00 pm . There
is also a matinee on the 30th at 2:00 pm. Sabrina is a crow and a poppy.
Cooper and Marshal are munchkins. They may even have speaking parts!
3
Beginning on June 9th Pastor Susan will be leading the Study—“The
Me I Want to Be--Becoming God’s Best Version of You” during the
Sunday School hour. This will also be the Sermon Series beginning
June 9th. Study guides are $8 (I will have those available for you).
We will meet in the Cookie Fellowship Area. Books are available from CBD (Christian Book
Distributors) or Amazon in paperback, hardback or Kindle.
New Study: “The Me I Want to Be”
Communion Stewards
Prepare communion on the first
Sunday of each month—
purchase bread and grape
juice—contact Pastor Susan if
interested in serving in this capacity.
Outdoor sign
Keep outdoor sign current with special
events or changed weekly with words of
wisdom and inspiration for our community.
Contact Pastor Susan if interested.
Ministry of Music
Joni Weeks is looking for
people to sign up to provide
Special Music for the summer.
Please contact her to arrange
for available dates.
Mission Opportunities! Would You Like to Help?
Mark Your Calendars!
The Lamplighters and
friends are planning to
attend the musical "Suds"
at ISU Crossroads Repertory Theatre
(formerly ISU Summer Theatre) on
Sunday, July 21st, at 4:00 p.m. The
cost per ticket is $20. This musical
comedy will take you on a nostalgic and
fantastical journey back to the early 60s,
where you will find yourself humming
along with some of the best hits from
Motown and that good old rock 'n roll
music. The musical is set in a laundromat
where two archangels
have descended to advise
the heart-broken heroine
Cindy in her quest for
Mr. Right. Be sure to wear your
toe-tapping shoes!
Reservations are due by July 7 and
payment needs to be made to Peg-
gy Strobel by July 14. We will most
likely carpool from Walmart around 2:45
p.m. and go out to eat
following the play.
Attend Musical, Suds!
4
Come to the Carry-in at the Cabin!
Don’t miss it! Tom and Sandee Frey have
once again invited our congregation and the
Covington UMC congregation to their cabin in
Covington.
What’s provided: Fried chicken and other
meat dishes, drinks and table service will be
provided. What you can provide: Everyone is asked
to bring their favorite dish and lawn chairs.
And, if you haven’t had a chance to attend, this
is a fun event to enjoy hangin’ out, playing
games, and eating some GREAT food.
Directions to the cabin:
Take Indiana 63 North to the intersection of
US 136. Take the ramp to US 136 Covington
(East) into Covington. After crossing the river
bridge, take the Second Street (first left) --
Portland Arch Road (north) for approximately
five miles. Look for the green "2018" sign along the left side of the road. This driveway
looks like it belongs to the little white house,
but it goes on beyond the house for a 1/4 of
mile. There you will find the cabin.
Sun. June 30, 1:00 pm
Tee Up to Benefit BackPack Program! Golfers, Mark June 14 on your calendar!
On June 14th the Breakfast Optimist Club of
Clinton will host a golf outing at Matthews Park
Golf Course with proceeds going to the
Clinton BackPack program. For more than
three years, BackPack has been helping children
in our community get nutritious and easy-to-prepare food they need over the course of the
weekend. At the end of the school year,
BackPack was serving approximately 200
children enrolled in the three elementary
schools at South Vermillion. During the school
year, approximately 20 plus
volunteers from our commu-
nity assemble bags of food at
a cost of approximately $3
for each bag. Each school
year is approximately 36
weeks long and BackPack
makes deliveries 34 weeks
during the school year.
If you are a golfer, mark your
calendar and plan on playing in this
golf outing. Tell your friends or
form your own team and plan on participating
in this special fundraiser to benefit our
BackPack program. It will cost each golfer $45
to play and includes green fees, cart and lunch.
Lunch will be provided by Union Hospital
Clinton, and it’s all you can eat and drink.
Other Ways to Participate: If you are not
a golfer, you can still participate by sponsoring
a hole for $25. When you sponsor a hole, a
sign will be made recognizing you or a group,
such as your Sunday school class or other
group you belong to, as a sponsor. You can
enter by calling Lou Bonomo at 812-249-8379
or Laury Burris at 812-230-2030. If you would
like to sponsor a hole you may do so by calling
Ken Pierce at 832-9721.
5
Note: If you can help, please sign up in the lounge area. Also, our church is responsible for selling 100
tickets. Please help support our youth and their projects. Sandee Frey is the contact person.
6
Food Pantry News Mail Carriers Deliver --For the Food Pantry! Audrey Lientz reported that the Food Pantry received 6,388 lbs of
food from the mail carriers’ drive on May 1. Food was everywhere!
She also shared the good news that vouchers are no longer needed,
past the initial sign up for food.
4-H Livestock Auction to Help the Food Pantry The Mission Committee has appropriated funds to purchase a pig at the 4-H auction on June
28 at the Vermillion County Fair. Ed Shew will also be taking donations from those who
would like to contribute. The donation is tax deductible. This has become an annual event and
really helps increase the amount of meat the Food Pantry can provide.
New Member
Elizabeth Chaney
Baptisms and
On May 19, the congregation was very pleased to
welcome new members through holy baptism and
transfer of membership.
Baptized: Chris Downs and his children, Landon, and
Leah; Brent Hoover and his daughters, Allison and Brynn.
New Members: Elizabeth Chaney, Brent Hoover and
Chris and Ashley Downs
Hannah Hoover, who is a member,
and her husband Brent, a new
member
New members
Chris and Ashley Downs
New Members!
7
Progress Made in Henryville!
Congratulations to Our Graduates!
Christian Rennick
Graduate of South Vermillion H.S.
Christian is the son of Mike and
Theresa Rennick. He plans to
obtain an apprenticeship in
carpentry.
Bryce Weeks
Graduate of South Vigo H.S.
Bryce is the son of Eric and
Joni Weeks and the
He plans to attend the
University of Evansville and
major in electrical
engineering.
Damon Reiber
Graduate of Southwest Parke H.S.
Damon is the son of David &
Deanna James. He plans to
attend Trine University with a
major in criminal justice or
sports administration.
Scholarships Awarded! On May 19, Ed Shew, as Youth Group leader,
awarded each graduate a scholarship sponsored by
the UMYF to help them in their future plans. They
have all been active and participated in fundraising,
mostaccioli dinners, mission trips and many other
youth activities. Best wishes to all!
During the week of May 19th
Gary and Lou Ann Andis
traveled down to Henryville,
Indiana, with a group from
Indianapolis. They were there to continue with
clean-up after the devastating tornado in March,
2012. Lou Ann’s understanding is that Henryville is now 85% rebuilt.
According to Lou Ann, this is a very talented
team of thirty people who have worked together
on several earlier trips. Four members of the
team are from the Henryville area. One of the
ladies is the Emergency Management Director
from the area.
While they were there, two or three teams
went out each day. Some of the work
accomplished was building ramps, building decks,
putting in a new kitchen ceiling, installing a new
kitchen floor, putting OSB board around a house and lots of general cleaning and picking up. Gary
said lots of “hit list items” were taken care of.
Lou Ann said she spent her time in the kitchen
preparing and serving LOTS of food. She stated
that “it was a good week, and we were blessed as
much as the people receiving.”
8
Phyllis Marsolf was hostess on May
21 for the circle. She shared a devo-
tion taken from a book, Plum Jelly &
Stained Glass & Other Prayers. Mem-
bers attending were Margie Lapworth, Karen
Hartman, Ruth Hollingsworth, Karen Carlson and
Audrey Lientz. Lou Ann Andis and her husband, Gary, are on a mission trip in Henryville.
On May 13, a luncheon was served to 45 mem-
bers of the Parke-Vermillion Retired Teachers
Assn..* Plans were made to purchase towels
that will be inscribed with a scripture verse and
given to visitors who attend worship services.
Margie will be hostess on June 18, and Lou Ann
will give the program. Margie gave the lesson us-
ing articles from the book, Committed to Christ.
The two subjects
were “Being a
Witness” and
“Thoughtful z
Response.”
During the prayer circle, the people in
Oklahoma were remembered; two special offerings are being taken during worship services
to help with the needs.
(*Note: I know from personal experience that
the turkey dinner and all the “trimmin’s” were
delicious! Many teachers commented on the
quality AND quantity of the food. Thanks!
K. Carlson)
Next meeting:
Tues., June 18, 7:00 pm @
Margie Lapworth’s
Esther Circle News
Elizabeth Chaney and Edward Shew invite you to join them on
Saturday, June 15, 2013 at 3:00 pm as they begin their new life
together as husband and wife. A cake and punch reception will
follow. If you need a gift idea, gift cards from Menard’s, Sears,
Hobby Lobby, Penney’s, Macy’s or almost any restaurant would be
appreciated..
They’re Getting Married--June 15!
UMC Market Online Shopping to Benefit Our Church!
Information in the document at http://www.gcfa.org/sites/default/files/u3/Press%
20Release%20-%20UMC%20Market%20FINAL%202.pdf tells how you can sign up for a free program that provides a percentage of the sale to the church you select when you shop online at
popular retailers….Rhonda has requested info to link from our church website, but you can go
ahead and sign up on your own if you want to by going to http://www.umcmarket.org/. This is
approved by the UM General Council on Finance and Administration.
Reminder: Clinton First is on Facebook!------http://www.facebook.com/clintonfirst
Technology News from Rhonda Reed
Ed Shew and Elizabeth Chaney
Remember the People in Moore, Oklahoma! Please continue to pray for them. If you wish to donate, UMCOR, (United Methodist
Committee on Relief) is an excellent way because 100% of your donation will be used
for the specified project. Go to www.umcor.org and follow the links. Or, call 1-800-554-8583.
Calling All Campers! If you are interested in summer church camp, Hurry! Go to the link
www.beacamper.com to discover the multitude of camping opportunities.
9
CALENDAR
JUNE UPCOMING EVENTS Day(s) Date Time Event
Monday 6/3 7:00 pm Trustees Meeting
Thurs.-Sun 6/6-8 ------------- Fifth Indiana Annual Conference at Indianapolis Convention Center
Saturday 6/8 4:00-7:30 pm Country Rhoades Fish Fry at Central Elementary (p.5)
Sunday 6/9 10:40 am New study “The Me I Want to Be” led by Pastor Su-san in coffee time area during SS ( p.3)
Friday 6/14 ---------- Golf Outing to Benefit BackPack Program (p.4)
Sunday 6/16 9:30 am Father’s Day
Tuesday 6/18 7?00 pm Esther Circle @ Margie Lapworth’s
Friday 6/28 7:30 pm 4-H Livestock Auction (p.6 )
Fri.-Sat. Sunday
6/28-29 6/30
7:00pm& 2:00pm
“Wizard of Oz” at Ritz Theater at Rockville (p.2)
Sunday 6/30 1:00 pm Carry-in dinner at the Frey cabin with the Covington UMC (p.4)
JULY UPCOMING EVENTS
Sun-Sat. 7/7-13 ------------ Mission Indy--Nine persons attending
Sunday 7/14 ----- Payment due for “Suds” to Peggy Strobel (p.3)
Sunday 7/21 4:00 pm “Suds” a play at ISU Crossroads Repertory Theatre (p.3) All are invited!
Prayer Concerns *Telecare Prayer Chain: Contact Pastor Susan at (765) 592-3445 if you have a prayer
request or concern. Or, email church at [email protected]
L to R 1st Row: Jewellyn Andis, Pastor Susan Martin, Sally Harris, Lou Ann
Andis, Freida Rutan, Sara Nield. 2nd Row: Peggy Strobel, Karen Carlson,
Juanita Crouch, Robin Rutan, Shelby Marsolf, Sue Wormsbecher, and Phyllis
Marsolf
Ladies Unity On May
4, Wabash Valley Ladies Uni-
ty Night celebrated ten years
of success! This year wom-
en from all over the Valley
gathered to hear Lisa Harper
inspire and move them. Our
church was well represent-
ed, and the women benefited
greatly from the event and
great fellowship
afterwards1
THE OBSERVER
June, 2013
Contact Information A Publication of the Clinton First United Methodist Church PO Box 186 Clinton, IN 47842-0186 Phone (765) 832-3159 Rev. Susan Martin http://clintonfirst.org [email protected]
Sun 9:30 am Worship service
Communion 1st Sunday
Food Pantry, Hillcrest, and CAMA
donations 1st Sunday
11:00 am Sunday school for all ages
6:30 pm Youth Group
Tues. 7:00 pm Worship at Chateau
Weds. 6:00 pm Praise Team Rehearsal
Regular Events Calendar