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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
September 2011
Pastor Susan’s Corner
1 & 2
Paperback Book Ministry
2
Esther Circle News 2
Mostaccioli Dinner 3
Backpack McNight 3
Jonah Fish Fry 3
Alzheimer’s Walk 3
Used Book Sale 4
Backpack Program 4
Pathfinders Study 4
Angel Food Ministry
5
Michelle Reed Itczak Baby Show-er
5
NOvus Youth 5
SAWs Ramp Mission
6
Ed Shew Thanks 7
Bock Party Thanks 7
Cluster News & Events
7
Women of Faith 8
Lamplighters 8
Facebook 8
Joys & Concerns 8
Sept./Oct. Upcoming Events
9
Regular Events Calendar
10
A FRESH START
PASTOR SUSAN’S CORNER
It's time for a Fresh Start at Clinton First
United Methodist Church. God is doing a
new thing in our midst! Are you ready? Are you up for the chal-
lenge? As I shared in my sermon on August 14, A Fresh START
requires us to
1. Stop making excuses
2. Take inventory of our lives
3. Act in Faith
4. Refocus
5. Trust God
With the most important being: Trust God
Our Fresh Start actually began on July 1, when I began my
appointment as your pastor. The
past seven weeks have been ex-citing as I have been getting to
know you and have met with all
the different Teams of the Five
Practices, as well as the Council,
SPRC, Lay Leadership
(nominations) and
Finance Committees. I've
listened to some frustrations, some dreams, and you've shared
some concerns and hurts with me; I want you to know I've heard
you. I truly believe that there are a lot of good things going on at
CFUMC. I also believe that we must start with a clean slate--
listening to God and listening to one another as we strive to be
the best we can be for building God’s kingdom.
As a church we must work together with a common vision and
a common goal. We must move forward in UNITY. I believe
"United we stand; divided we fall," to be a true statement.
“I also believe that we must start
with a clean slate--listening to God
and listening to one another…”
2
As we move forward TOGETHER, I ask you to "Pray without Ceasing." pray for:
God's wisdom and guidance
The lost souls in our community
Each other
Your pastor
We already have some special things planned this fall:
September 11 Memorial service
"Barn Fest" worship services on Sunday September 18, 25, Oct 2, 9. (one will be a
blessing of pets-- ). Cowboy Sunday with the Griders.
Thanksgiving Sunday, November 20. Cluster Dinner at the SVHS. 1:00 pm Everyone is
invited.
Hanging of the Greens worship service--November 27. Community advent celebration--November 27 at CFUMC
Christmas program--December 18-- 5:00 or 6:00 pm
Christmas Eve Service-- 7:00 pm
Sunday, December 25-- Christmas day worship 9:30 am
If you would like to help plan any of these events, please see me--- ideas are always
welcome.
Peace and Blessings,
Pastor Susan
PS. Thanks for the warm welcome, and for all the work that was done on the parsonage,
getting it ready for me. I'm getting ready to paper the kitchen and then will be finished--
the house has a lot of character!! Then we will be ready to schedule some cottage
Esther Circle
Invites All Ladies! All the women in the
church are invited to the first
meeting in the fall of the Esther Circle on
September 20 at 7:00 pm. It will be at the
home of Lou Ann
Andis. Katharine
Marsolf will present the
lesson. Hope you can attend!
Next meeting:
Tuesday,
September 20th
Are You a Reader?
Help the new Paperback Book Ministry
Carla Russell is collecting gently used paperbacks to donate to the Vermillion
County Jail. Paperbacks only, please and nothing with staples. All paperbacks
are welcome, but books for male readers are especially desired.
3
Save Date for Walk to End Alzheimer’s Saturday, September 17 12:00 Noon The annual Walk to End Alzheimer's will be held at Rose Hulman in Terre
Haute on Saturday, Sept. 17, 12:00 noon. If you would like to join the Clinton
First United Methodist Church team, please contact Peggy at peg-
[email protected] or join the team online at
http://walktoendalz.kintera.org/terrehaute/clintonfumc. If you aren't able to join
us but would like to donate to the Walk, you can do so online at
http://walktoendalz.kintera.org/terrehaute/clintonfumc_peggy or give cash or a
check made out to "Alzheimer's Association" to any team member. Last year
our team collected over $1300 to support Alzheimer's research. Thanks so
much to our church family for your prayers for Chuck and me and also for your continued support
(whether it be with your participation, prayers, or donations) of the Walk to End Alzheimer's!
Peggy Strobel
September 3-4, Sat. & Sun. In the barn Sponsored by the nOvus Youth. More details to follow.
Check Out Upcoming Events!
Annual Jonah Fish Fry Coming Up! Who: Sponsored by the
When: Friday, September 16 4:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Please invite your friends and families.
More details to follow. Contact Person: Ed Shew
Backpack McNight ! Tuesday, September 13--5:00-8:00 pm Be sure to come out to McDonalds and support
the Backpack Program
Chuck Strobel
dancin’ to the
music in 2008
4
Backpack McNight Sept. 13 5:00-8:00 at McDonalds Kick Off Coming--We are getting ready to
kick off our first full school year, after
implementing a pilot program last May. Last
year, we served 74 students per week, and this
year that number could jump to 300 or so
Central students! We are grateful that Elanco,
a division of Eli Lilly, has joined in partnership with this program. Thanks also to Bill Hartman
for assembling shelves in the food closet.
Volunteer Info--We would like to give
everyone a role that allows them an opportuni-
ty to serve while also being flexible enough to
fit many schedules. In order to know just what
you'd like to do, please check
the sign up sheet at church. We still need
packers!!! This year, you may sign up for once a
month or every week. There are other jobs
that would involve being "on call" to help un-
load items at church when our "shoppers" get
back with food to fill our closet or to help with publicity. If you can think of a way to use your
talents to assist this ministry, do not feel lim-
ited by what is listed on the sheet! We need
everyone's help!
Shelby Marsolf
Backpack Food Program Kicks Off!
With Ed Shew teaching the
High School class, the
Pathfinders’ Sunday School
class has recently started a
new study. The Lord’s Prayer:
Jesus Teaches us How to Pray by
Mary Lou Redding from The Upper Room has opened
discussion, and Brian Hutchinson is currently
leading the study.
“Because the Lord’s Prayer is so familiar, we
run the risk of praying it by rote without really
thinking about the meaning of the words. Mary
Lou Redding, editorial director of The Upper Room
daily devotional guide, explores this ancient pray-
er phrase by phrase and helps us see how it can
be a model for all of our praying.”
“Rather than approaching scripture from a
scholarly standpoint, Redding invites us to
consider passages with our hearts. She
encourages us to make connections between the scriptures and our daily lives.”
With weekly chapters of daily scripture passages
and reflection questions for each chapter this
study is giving the class a new perspective on a
very familiar prayer. You’re welcome to join the
class for this study. You may find it very
rewarding
Pathfinders Begin New Study
Friday, September 23
Starts at 7:00 am
Union Hospital Clinton
will host a Used Book Sale
from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on
Friday, Sept. 23, in the
hospital lobby.
Proceeds will benefit the Employee
Christmas Fund and the Carol Shew
Memorial Scholarship. Please plan to come
shop and help benefit these worthwhile caus-
es. Have books you would like to donate for
the sale? Call (765) 832-131
Used Book Sale to Help Carol Shew Scholarship Fund
5
Angel Food Project--Good Stuff! A Hand Up, Not a Hand Out
It is a "hand up, not a hand out" to help people
(anyone) get more for their dollar to feed their
families. The food is excellent. The largest box is
a real bargain; for $46 there is about 50 lbs of
frozen foods. Compared to local groceries, the
food would probably cost double that amount. Sign Up Info--The next sign up time will begin
on Saturday, August 27 and run until Thursday,
Sept. 15. People can order by mail, in person, or
online. We take cash, money orders, checks, and
food stamps. All they need to do is fill out one of
the order blanks, mail it and a check to the
Cluster (Wabash Valley 83
Cluster, 310 S. 4th St., Clinton,
IN 47842) by the deadline, and
come pick it up on Distribution day at NOON in
the pole barn. The Distribution day for the
September menu will be on Saturday, Sept. 24 at
NOON. If people go online and look at the various men-
us, there are several more that they don't list on
the paper menu, and they are in color, which
makes you hungry just looking at them.
Web Site: angelfoodministries.com
Pam Kennedy
I want to be a bright child
As smart as I can be.
That is why I'm hoping
My mom will read to me.
If you plan to bring a card
Please take another look.
I’d love to cozy up in bed
For a favorite bedtime book.
Please put a Post-it with your
name inside
And add your personal touch.
So I’ll remember your gift always,
And say thank you very much!
All are invited to a
baby shower
honoring
Michelle Reed Itczak
Sunday, September 25
At Clinton First United Methodist
Open House 2:00-5:00 pm
RSVP to Rhonda Reed
Or, sign up sheet is at church
(Be sure to read the poem at right)
Michelle is registered at Target,
Babies R Us, Toastybaby.com
Guess “Whooooo’s Having a Baby?
We met at my house for our “Back to
School Celebration”. I cooked pork bbq
and the youth, with their parents and
siblings, brought both a salty and sweet
item. We played cornhole, some of the kids
swam in the pool, some colored the sidewalk
with chalk. The kids sat around and talked, but
the majority of the time was filling our fac-
es. We had 13 youth, 3 siblings and 9 adults. It
was a great event.
Tim Reardon Web site: http://www.novusyouth.org/
nOvus Youth: “Back to School Celebration”
6
Great response! After Gary Andis
announced in church on August 21, that he
was organizing a crew to build five ramps for
the disabled, more than ten people showed
up to work! Gary, who has a lot of mission
and carpentry experience was contacted by
Rik Kennedy, who initiated the SAWs (Servants at Work) project. People who
need ramps can sign up on the web site
www. sawsramp.org.
Lofty goal! Originating in Indy, the goal of
SAWs is to build 1,000 ramps. There are
volunteer groups established in Evansville;
Paris, IL; Terre Haute and now Clinton!
SAWs provides the lumber and the plans in a
kit. Crews then assemble and install them.
Kennedy visited the group working in the
barn on Tuesday, Aug. 23. Those who
helped with the project, in addition to Gary,
were Carter Crouch, , Randy Hogan, Bruce
Starkey, Jessica Haraburda, Dean Harris, Ken
Pierce, Ted Marsolf, Tom Frey, Ed Shew, Bill Hartman, Larry Carlson & Mike Allee (from
Emmanuel UMC) They assembled three of
the ramps and installed one the very next
day.
More to Do Gary is asking for help to
install the other two on Tuesday, August 30.
The last two will be completed when the
materials arrive. What a blessing!
Dean Harris mans the saw.
L to r Larry Carlson, Randy Hogan and
Carter Crouch help assemble the ramp.
Randy Hogan finishes up while Ken
Pierce looks on.
Ta duh! The completed project
Forging Freedom: One Ramp at a Time!
7
Thank you from Ed Shew Very belatedly I wish to thank everyone for their visits, prayers, food,
help, and donations to the Nursing Scholarship in honor of Carol. The
sadness of Carol's loss has certainly been made easier by all your kindness
and prayers. Larry Carlson gave an outstanding tribute to Carol Sunday,
August 21 and her memory will be there along with so many others that have gone
before us from our church family.
Thank you for all you have done for our family.
Ed, John, Heather, and Nathan.
Block Party a Success on July 28 Dear Friends at First United Methodist Church,
On behalf of the library staff and the Board of Trustees, I want to
thank you for helping to make our “Rock the Block” party a big
success! All of the visitors, families and young people enjoyed the evening, in spite of the heat.
The participation of community groups and volunteers was very gratifying, and we hope you
can join us as we plan similar events in the future.
Sincerely,
Karen Walker, Director
More Block Party Thanks Lou Ann Andis thanked everyone for helping with the block party. Funds were raised for the
Capital Campaign, and $30 were sent to 14th & Chestnut Mission. Torrid heat, but still a nice
crowd; perfect for delicious root beer floats and a simple meal.
We would like to have more involvement from
more people in the congregations, attending the
Cluster meetings and planning sessions and volun-
teering for Angel Food Distributions. The Cluster
receives $1.00 back for every box sold, which has
been designated to go to our Cluster Youth fund
to be able to have the Youth from the Cluster and
their friends go to events that normally they
wouldn't be able to attend because of cost/
location. So far they have gone bowling, had a
family picnic at Inland Park, attended two
concerts, and enjoyed he latest excursion of going
to Lafayette to Tropicanoe Cove. Our goal is to
eventually have enough money to be able to hire a
Youth Minister who could minister to all the
youth in the Cluster churches. This is one thing
that each individual church cannot do alone, but
together we can accomplish great things!-That's
what the Cluster is about --working together to
bring disciples to Christ.
Upcoming: The second annual Cluster
Thanksgiving Dinner for all seven Methodist
Churches in the Wabash Valley 83 Cluster is on
Sunday, Nov. 20 at 1:00 pm at the SV High
School.. Everyone is invited! The Cluster will also
participate in the South Vermillion Wild Cat and
North Vermillion Falcon Stores this winter for the
high school age youth.
Pam Kennedy
Email address: [email protected].
Cluster News & Events--Can You Come? See How Angel Food Ministry Helps Cluster Youth
8
Susan's recent message in the play (the
parable of the sower). Enjoying the musical
were: Gary and Lou Ann Andis, Denise
Barnes, Molly Britton, Carole Edmonson,
Becky Ellis, Sandee Frey, Kathy Haraburda,
Dean and Sally Harris, Margie Lapworth,
Audrey Lientz, Pastors Andy and Susan Martin, Sara Nield, Chet and Freida Rutan,
and Peggy Strobel.
Peggy Strobel
On the evening following
the celebration of Carol
Shew's life that morning,
18 Lamplighters and
friends went out to eat
at Grand Traverse Pie Company and then to
the musical Godspell at Crossroads Repertory Theatre at ISU. As we watched the play, I
couldn't help but feel that Carol would have
loved taking her youth groups to it. And we
even got to see a dramatization of Pastor
Lamplighters Attend Godspell at ISU
speakers and each had their own
inspirational stories to tell. She
said the
audience might be laughing and
crying almost at the same moment! Almost
all of the speakers are also authors, and Car-
la is looking forward to reading several of their offerings. The showcase also featured
outstanding music and drama. Ironically, the
dramas developed the same scriptures that
Pastor Susan has spoken about, such as Peter
walking on water. One person described the
weekend as “the Walk to Emmaus on
steroids!” The Women of Faith Showcase is
returning to Indy next year, something to
think about!
Carla Russell’s enthusiasm was contagious as
she shared her experiences at the Women of
Faith showcase on August 19-20. It was held
at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis where
more than 13,000 women gathered for the
two-day event filled with music, humor, dra-
ma and inspirational stories. Women of Faith presented
Natalie Grant, GMA Female Vocalist of
the Year 4 years in a row
Mary Mary, 3 time Grammy-award win-
ning American gospel duo
Henry Cloud, co-author of the million-
selling book, Boundaries
Sheila Walsh, bestselling author, speaker,
TV talk show host
Carla added that there were several more
Women of Faith Showcase
Our church is on Facebook!
Check us out at http://www.facebook.com/clintonfirst
Joys and Concerns *Telecare Prayer Chain: Contact Vera Shew if you have a prayer re-
quest or concern. Or, email church at
9
CALENDAR
SEPTEMBER UPCOMING EVENTS
Day(s) Date Time Event
Saturday 9?3 11:00-3:00 pm Volunteers work at Water Booth for LIFT Please help! Sign up sheet is at church
Sat & Sun 9/3-4 TBA Mostaccioli Dinner in the barn sponsored by youth
Monday 9/5 7:00-11:00 pm Volunteers work at Water Booth for LIFT Please help! Sign up sheet is at church
Wednesday 9/7 7:00 pm Risk Taking Mission Meeting
Thursday 9/8 7:15 pm Church Council meeting
Sunday 9/11 9:30 am Memorial Service-Details to be announced
Sunday 9/11 Noon Education & Intentional Faith development team members invited for pizza at NOON
Monday 9/12 7:00 pm Trustees Meeting
Tuesday 9/13 5:00-8:00 pm Backpack McNight at McDonalds
Tuesday 9/13 7:00 pm SPRC Meeting
Wednesday 9/14 6:00 pm Lay Leadership Meeting
Thursday 9/15-9/17* ------------ Angel Food sign up deadline, or *online Sat. 9/17 (P.5)
Friday 9/16 4:30-7;30 Jonah Fish Fry (See p.3)
Saturday 9/17 12:00 Noon Alzheimer’s Walk at Rose Hulman
Sunday 9/18 9:30 am Barnfest Service
Tuesday 9/20 7:00 pm Esther Circle meeting at Lou Ann Andis’
Thursday 9/22 7:00 pm Cluster gathering at Eugene UMC
Friday 9/23 7:00am-7:00pm
Union Hospital Clinton Used Book Sale (See p.4)
Saturday 9/24 12:00 noon Angel Food Distribution in the barn (See p.5)
Sunday 9/25 9:30 am Barnfest Service
Sunday 9/25 2-5:00 pm Michelle Reed Itczak baby shower at church (See p. 5)
Tuesday 9/27 7:00 pm Radical Hospitality meeting
OCTOBER UPCOMING EVENTS
Sunday 10/2 9:30 am Barnfest Service
Sunday 10/9 9:30 am Barnfest Service Cowboy Service w/music from Marsha & Bob Grider Please dress in cowboy attire
Wednesday 10/12 TBA Family Game Night w/meal More details to follow
Tuesday 10/18 7:00 pm Esther Circle at Irene Howk’s
SEPTEMBER 2011 CALENDAR REGULAR EVENTS
Sunday
9:30 am After worship 11:00 am
First Sunday of month is Communion Sunday & Food Pantry Sunday Worship KFC for Preschoolers-Grade 5 children Coffee Time Sunday school for all ages
Monday 6:30 am Men’s Breakfast Faith Group Contact Tim Reardon or Ed Shew
Tuesday 7:00 pm Worship at Chateau
Thursday 1:30-3:05 Pack for Backpack Program
Thursday 6:00 pm Weight Watchers
Food Pantry September :Pork & Beans
Please support the Food Pantry
The need is great!
