Worship Schedule

Sunday, May 27 Worship Services— 8:45 a.m.,

9:00 a.m. & 10:55 a.m.

Fellowship Time—9:30 a.m.

Sunday School—10:00 a.m.

Wednesday, May 30 Holy Communion— 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, June 3 Worship Services— 8:45 a.m.,

9:00 a.m. & 10:55 a.m.

Fellowship Time—9:30 a.m.

Sunday School—10:00 a.m.

Wednesday, June 6 Holy Communion— 6:00 p.m.

The O.U. Reporter OPEN HEARTS OPEN MINDS OPEN DOORS

May 24, 2012 Issue No. 120

2012 MISSISSIPPI ANNUAL CONFERENCE June 7-10

Jackson, Mississippi

After 8 years of faithful service, Bishop Hope

Morgan Ward will be leaving Mississippi to

serve in another area. The MS Annual Confer-

ence wants to honor Bishop Ward and her hus-

band, Mike, with a generous gift.

Bishop Ward has asked that we to do this by

giving to the “O For a Thousand,” pre 1982

pension effort. In her letter to Mississippi

United Methodist churches, she wrote the

following:

“Some have asked what they might do to

honor the ministry Mike and I have had with you here in Mississippi. A most generous offering

at the 2012 Annual Conference - for this purpose - will warm our hearts. We will be honored

as retired clergy and spouses are supported.”

“O For a Thousand” supports United Methodist ministers who served before the current pension

benefit plan began in 1982. Bishop Ward has challenged our conference to raise $250,000. To

honor Hope and Mike Ward, Warren and Janis, Claire, and OU’s delegates, Polly Williams and

John Webb, hope to take a large donation to this year’s Annual Conference to support clergy and

clergy spouses who have graced our lives.

Oxford-University UMC will collect our Annual Conference

“O For a Thousand” offering on Sunday, June 3.

Other Annual Conference Highlights Thursday, June 7—Pine Flat UMC receives Small Membership Church Award

for the New Albany District. See p. 5 for details.

Friday, June 8-Sunday, June 10—Guest preachers will be:

Rev. Adam Hamilton, pastor, United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas

Bishop James Swanson, Sr. of the Holston Conference

Dr. Joseph Bishman, Shawnee Valley District Superintendent, West Ohio Conference

Sunday, June 10: Reception honoring Bishop Hope Morgan Ward and Mike Ward

& Service of Ordination & Reading of 2012 Appointments

Youth Minister Greg Smith will lead the traditional services on June 10.

See p. 2 for more details.

Come cool & casual to the 8:45 service

this summer!

Preaching Schedule: June 3: Warren Black Special Music: Davis Jones singing “Precious Lord”

June 10: Greg Smith Special Music: Early Morning Trio—Sarah Hampton, Ginger Patterson & Lee Uhlhorn

June 17: Claire Dobbs Special Music: Men’s Quartet for Father’s Day

June 24: Warren Black Special Music: Youth Minister Greg Smith & Youth Choir Director Helen Smith sing-ing with guitar

ALTAR FLOWERS

If you would like to place flowers on the altar are July

29; August 5, 12, 19; September 9, 16, 30; or October 7,

please contact Toya Bruss at (662) 832-3061.

PRESENCE Sunday Worship

May 13

8:45 a.m. 74

9:00 a.m. 86

10:55 a.m. 417

Sunday School 290

May 20

8:45 a.m. 88

9:00 a.m. 78

10:55 a.m. 321

Sunday School 314

Christian Love &

Sympathy is Extended to Billy Rhodes

in the death of his

father, Bobby Rhodes ●

Bob Norman

in the death of his father,

William Harvey Norman ●

Ken Collier

in the death of his uncle,

Hal Williford ●

Mason Bennett in the death of his grandmother,

Lola Mae Bennett

In Memoriam John Morgan King

September 5, 1960-May 9, 2012

Congratulations to Beth Chrestman and Ryan

Whittington who were married

May 19. Ryan is the son of

Joyce & Darryail Whittington.

PRAYERS

▪Kathy Allen

▪Frank Anderson

▪Robert Bennett

▪Lou Breazeale

▪Mildred Davis

▪Nancy Hampton

▪Nancy Carole King

▪Pat Lamar

▪Dru Le Grand

▪Kay McDuffie

▪Eugenia McLaurin

▪Katie Mae Overstreet

▪Joanne Zuidema

▪Dot Zinn

▪Martha Altfilish, Margaret Fields’s

sister

▪John Brinson, Helen & Roy

Brinson’s son

▪Joanne Brown, Patrick Brown’s

mother ▪Sandra Collier

▪Jan Coppock, Deborah Robinson’s

mother

▪Joe Ann Farley, Bob Farley’s moth-

er

▪Valerie Hardy, Jackie Rozier’s sis-

ter & Larry Hardy’s sister-in-law

▪Jean Halford, Lisa Thompson’s

mother

▪Tina Heath, Earl Dismuke’s mother

▪Kim Hill, Tina Daniels’s cousin

▪James Houston, Ann Huggins’

brother

▪Richard Matsufuji, Reba

Matsufuji’s son

▪Carol Pearson, Ashton Pearson’s

father

▪Trey Poole, Wanda Poole’s grand-

son

▪Joanne Rone, Scott Rone’s mother

▪Phil Sneed, Claire Hardy’s brother

▪Donna Thornton, Margaret Fields’

daughter

▪Jack Walters, Jackie Rozier’s father

Water Valley National Guard, de-

ployed to Afghanistan

Page 2 The O.U. Reporter

The Journey Preaching Schedule

May 27: Claire Dobbs June 3: Claire Dobbs

June 10: SUMMER BREAK The Journey resumes August 1.

Expenses YTD Date $ 537,852.15

Received Sunday $ 29,269.62

Received YTD $ 559,313.94

Needed Each Week $ 29,071.58

Budget Needed to Date, 2012 $ 610,503.18

Shortage, 2012 $ (51,189.24)

Budget Needed to Date, 2011 $ 567,743.82

Shortage, 2011 $ (60,499.87)

WHERE CAN YOU SERVE? HOW CAN YOU HELP?

OU’s Children Need you!

Each summer, we recruit more Sunday School teachers to

join and help our teaching team. Are you willing to serve the

children of this church for one Sunday a month? If so, please

call the Children’s Ministry Office at 234-4293, text Pat For-

rester at 832-5624, or email pforrester@ouumc.org.

We serve over 300 children in our church from birth through

6th grade. It takes many hearts, minds, and bodies to serve

this many children.

Do you hear the call?

BUDGET UPDATE—May 20, 2012

Blood Drive

Success

Thanks to all who participated.

A total of 18 people

registered and 16 were able to

donate 21 products. We met

our donor goal and had two

first time donors. We appreci-

ate all who give the Gift of

Life. September 2012 affords

the next opportunity to donate

for the OUUMC blood drive.

Youth Minister Greg Smith

Preaching June 10

Sunday, June 10, OU’s Youth Minis-

ter and Journey Music Coordinator

Greg Smith will lead the 8:45 and

10:55 Traditional Services while War-

ren and Claire are in Jackson at Annu-

al Conference.

Greg has bachelor’s degrees in pro-

fessional biology and nursing from the University of

North Alabama and a Master’s of Divinity degree from

Beeson Divinity School at Samford University. He and

his wife Helen, our Youth Choir Director, have a two-

year-old daughter, Megan.

The O.U. Reporter Page 3

NEW MEMBER & BAPTISMS

Jackson Matthew Taylor was baptized on May 13. He is

the son of Jennifer and Matt

Taylor and the brother of Anna

Katherine.

Alice Rinehart Mitchell was baptized on May 20. Allie

is the daughter of Laine and

Clint Mitchell and the sister of

Kathryn Bruce.

Wanda & George Johnston 642 North 14th, #12 Foxhill

638-3337

Wanda and George joined OU on May

20 from Mt. Zion UMC in Marietta,

Georgia. Wanda is a flight attendant

with Delta, and George works in sales

and marketing at Verint. They have one

son in Atlanta, a daughter in Florida,

and one grandchild.

You are invited to a celebration honoring Rev. Jerry Beam’s

years of service with the United Methodist Church

Sunday, June 3, 2012 Reception begins at 3:00 p.m. Holy Communion at 4:00 p.m.

First UMC Family Life Center 207 East Bankhead Street New Albany, Mississippi

A Note of Gratitude...

Hello all, my name is David Woodington. Before going off to

college at the University of Alabama, I lived here in Oxford, and

OUUMC played an important role in shaping both my faith and

the path I find myself on today. Going through our Sunday

school classes and then sitting up in the balcony for the worship

service every Sunday, this church was a vital part of my life. I

had a lot of memorable experiences growing up in this communi-

ty. In particular, I remember the fun trips we took as a youth

group, whether to do missions or just go play laser tag. Perhaps

most significantly, I got a lot out of the edifying lessons taught

by Shellie, my youth director, and what I learned there piqued a

personal interest for me in theology. This church then graciously

helped me find my way to Duke Youth Academy, a two-week

theological academy for high school students, and it was here

that I discovered that I wanted to pursue theology more seriously.

Ultimately, I felt led to take this passion into an academic study,

and I just completed my first year as a master’s student in Reli-

gion at Florida State University. I eventually hope to complete a

PhD and become a professor. I study both early Judaism and

Christianity and spend my time, among other things, learning

ancient languages like Greek, Hebrew, and Latin and reading

texts from Christians in the centuries immediately following the

death of Jesus. I like to see myself as a historian, and I thorough-

ly enjoy finding out more and more about the historical roots of

our Christian faith. I hope to one day be a professor who teaches

students about Christianity while also serving as a mentor and an

example for them in my own faith and morality. I have no doubt

that both my time learning and growing in OUUMC and its

youth group and the opportunity that this church opened up to me

at DYA are the reasons why I am where I am today, and I cannot

thank you all who are a part of OUUMC enough for all you have

done and continue to do.

OU Visits Rust College Primetimers, a senior adult ministry, hosted a trip to Holly

Springs to visit Rust College on Tuesday, May 22. thanks

to Sue Tettleton and Laurie Triplette for the pictures.

Page 4 The O.U. Reporter

Dear Church Family,

On behalf of Leap Frog,

I would like to thank you for open-

ing the doors of our church and

your hearts to the children of this

great ministry. O-U UMC has

provided the opportunity for these

children to have much needed tu-

toring and enrichment activities after school. Many thanks to

our entire church staff for so warmly welcoming the children,

the student-volunteer tutors, and the Leap Frog staff.

In addition to graciously sharing our building, our church has

also provided the snacks four days a week this year. I would

like to thank the following people for being a part of this min-

istry: Amy Dennis Stephanie Berry Karen Forgette

Corley Wicker Hickey Crouch Melanie Thompson

Martha Huckins Kitty Mann Shannon Ferguson

Susan Gunn JJ Collins June Rosentreter

Carolyn Pegram Dixie Jordan Julie Montgomery

Jennifer Erwin Carole Dye Patty Tatum

Betsy Smith Laura Parkinson Allison Crain

Mary Beth Mobley Jolee Hussey Ginger Brown

Beth Doty Krisi Allen Eleanor Davis

Nancy Campbell Judy Riddell Meghan Feltenstein

Katie Pearson Julie Wilson Merrill Nordstrom

Dorothy Laurenzo Lauren Renfroe Lori Elliott

Elizabeth Paine Denise Jennings Mandi Tosh

Liza Frugé Rosemary Oliphant-Ingham

In Christ,

Adrian Shipman

Sunday, May 13, OU honored its graduating high school seniors. Congratulations, Class of 2012! We look forward to great things from you!

Pine Flat UMC Honored with

Small Membership Church Award

for the New Albany District It is perhaps a stretch to look at the aftermath of the April

2011 tornadoes that leveled 14 miles of Lafayette County as

any kind of blessing. Certainly at first glance, one would not

put “tornado” and “blessing” in the same sentence, but that

just goes to show how marvelous and unconventional our

God is. Though there was, and to some extent, still is, suffer-

ing sufficient for several lifetimes, there also was, and is,

grace aplenty. Grace was found in the responses, first of the

rescue and emergency workers, and then of the members of

Pine Flat United Methodist Church, the neighbors of the Pine

Flat and Yocona Communities, in all the OU and UM Church

volunteers, and Baptist and Catholic, and other contributing

congregations, and the University, Oxford and even Tennes-

see folks who descended like manna … with manna.

It was through the love of people that the Holy Spirit shone.

There is no other way to say it. People were asked for help

and help they did; not just with money, but with their time

and their sweat; with their tears and their hugs, too. As a re-

sult, the faith community at Pine Flat has grown, and for that

I am truly thankful. Pine Flat United Methodist Church will

be remembered at this year's Annual Conference with the

Small Membership Church Award for the New Albany Dis-

trict. Because this is going to sound a good bit prideful to say,

I will ask forgiveness ahead of time: in my humble opinion,

the people of Pine Flat UMC have earned it.

Warren said I had to say something about myself. All right.

It is largely the responsibility of Oxford-University United

Methodist Church that I am where I am. Another way of say-

ing it: it's all y'alls fault, for inside the sanctuary at 424 South

10th Street is where I met God. So thank you for that, for

being who you are and doing what you do. Keep in mind that

when a forlorn stranger walks in your door, you never know

what impact you are going to have on him or her or them and

thus what impact you are going to have on a small part of the

world, even if that small part seems to be only one life. Con-

tinue to err on the side of Christ, because your ministries

make differences that extend beyond the doors of OUUMC.

May God continue to bless you.

Gene Bramlett, Pastor

Pine Flat United Methodist Church

Youth Activities Center Hours

Monday-Friday—1:00-4:30 p.m.

June 4-8, June 18-29, July 2-20, July 30-August 3

June 11-15: MAC Closed for VBS

July 23-27: MAC Closed for floor refinishing

STUDENT MINISTRIES

The O.U. Reporter Page 5

Vacation Bible School: June 12-15

For kids K-5th grade

Visit www.vacationbibleschool.com/ouumc to register your child or sign up to volunteer.

Children’s Church Schedule

Here at OU we try to include and involve parents in our children’s pro-grams. We need your help with our young ones each Sunday. It truly takes all the parents to keep our programs going year-round. This year, we incorporated an older Children’s Church program involving 3-6 grades. Susan Thomason graciously volunteered to lead this group of children. With growing numbers in Children’s Church, we need to assign parents to assist in order to adhere to Safe Sanctuary operating guidelines. The following schedule is for May and June. We will be taking a break from Children’s Church during July. Children’s Church will start back the first Sunday in August. May 27: Cam & Shannon McLaughlin, Room 309 Susan & Patrick Bradley, Room 316

June 3: Eason & Jason Futch, Room 309 Marcia & Ray Garrett, Room 316

June 10: Amanda & Chuck Hill, Room 309 Brenda & Bob Norman, Room 316

June 17: Carrie & Jimmy Traylor, Room 309 Beth Spencer & Bob Cummings, Room 316

June 24: Carol Langendoen & Connie Hunter, Room 309

UMYF

Summer

Schedule

May

Sun., May 27: No UMYF—Memorial Day Weekend Wed. May 30: No Youth Band Practice

June Sun., June 3: No UMYF June 3-9: Team Effort Junior High Missions Mon., June 4: Prayer Lunch – Every Monday @ Phillips Grocery (unless otherwise noted) Sun., June 10: Movie Night in Tupelo—We will meet at the church at 2 p.m. and travel to Tupelo to the Malco Theatre to watch one of the late afternoon showings. Please plan to bring money for the movie ticket ($7.00), snacks at the movie, and food on the way home… Thurs., June 14: Laser Tag in Memphis—Meet at the church at noon (or after VBS) to travel to Memphis, TN, for Laser Tag, dinner, and some hang-out time at one of the shopping malls in Memphis. Laser Tag is $25.00 per person…and please plan accordingly for dinner and any shopping (and buying) that might need to take place. Sun., June 17: No UMYF—Father’s Day June 17-23: Discovery Ministries Adventure Camp Sun., June 24: Pool Party & Cookout at Blake & Denise Smith’s house—details t.b.a. Thurs., June 28: Day Trip on the Sipsey River—Meet at the church at 8 a.m. to travel to the Sipsey River for a half-day of canoeing. The cost is $25.00 per person. We will also eat twice on this trip so plan accordingly.

CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES

Saturday, May 12, OU held its first Mother-Son Baseball Game. Thanks

to Mandi Tosh and Pat Forrester for organizing this fun day!

Thank you, Roosters!

Scott and Barbara Michael and Roosters Blues House donated all of the chicken at our last potluck luncheon.

Thanks for the delicious meal!

Return Service Requested

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. Postage Paid

Permit No. 89

Oxford, MS 38655

OXFORD-UNIVERSITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

424 SOUTH TENTH STREET

OXFORD, MS 38655 Phone: 234-5278 Fax: 234-4202 Website: http://www.ouumc.org

Name Phone E-mail

Pastor Warren Black 234-5278 office@ouumc.org

Associate Pastor Claire Dobbs 234-5278 clairedobbs8@gmail.com

Director of Children's Ministries Pat Forrester 234-4293 pforrester@ouumc.org

Director of Preschool Programs Susan Phillips 234-3371 dds@ouumc.org

Youth Minister/Journey Music Coord. Greg Smith 234-5278 gsmith@ouumc.org

College Ministries Coordinator Allyson Willis 231-9929 aew illis@bellsouth.net

Director of Music Lee Uhlhorn 234-7102 leeuhlhorn@gmail.com

Journey Coordinator Julianna Ross 234-5278 juliannaross@hotmail.com

Church Administrator Russ McLellan 234-5278 rmclellan@ouumc.org

Admin. Assistant to the Pastors Barbara Camp 234-2680 bcamp@ouumc.org

Communications Coordinator Emilie Bramlett 234-5278 ebramlett@ouumc.org

Organist Jason Derrick 234-5278 w jderric@olemiss.edu

Receptionist Jan Estes 234-5278 jestes@ouumc.org

Bookkeeper Sylvia Harvey 234-5278 sharvey@ouumc.org

Manager of Buildings and Grounds James Young 234-5278 office@ouumc.org

Assistant Manager of Buildings Lisa Corrothers 234-5278 office@ouumc.org

Custodian Bennie Malone 234-5278 office@ouumc.org

Our Church Staff:

Notes from the Past SIXTY YEARS AGO: Reverend Finger was the preacher at the commencement exercise at Holmes Junior College on May 18, 1952.

***

FIFTY YEARS AGO: In May 1962 church officials were Blanton Doggett, minister; Dr. and Mrs. Q. M. Lyon, music director and or-

ganist; Don Anderson, Wesley Foundation director; Mrs. C. C. Hathorn, secretary.

The church observed Armed Forces Sunday on May 20, 1962. Ushers wore their military uniforms. ***

FORTY YEARS AGO: On May 21, 1972, there was a meeting for discussion of the merger of the North Mississippi and Upper Missis-

sippi Conferences of the United Methodist Church.

Sandra Hickman and Rupert Bruner were married in the sanctuary on May 27, 1972. ***

THIRTY YEARS AGO: The O-U men played North Oxford Baptist in softball on May 3, 1982.

The Double Circle Sunday school class had a potluck supper in Wesley Hall on May 5, 1982.

There was a Young Men’s Breakfast at Smitty’s on May 11, 1982. ***

TWENTY YEARS AGO: Heard Butler and David Critchlow were married in the sanctuary on May 2, 1992.

Soloistt Maureen Bakenhus sang “Song of Jesus Christ” on May 31, 1992.

Larry Goodpaster attended the General Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, in May 1992.

Frank Anderson was given the Book of Golden Deeds Award by the local Exchange Club in May 1992.

The Young Adult Sunday School Class had a cookout at Beth and Rusty Rasberry’s house on May 9, 1992.

The following high school graduates were recognized on May 19, 1992: John Blair, Amy Goodpaster, Jennifer Hall, Kimberly Jones,

Katherine Murphy, Allison Nix, Bethany Oliver, and Shane Outlaw.

James Young was named Bus Driver of the Year in May 1992. ***

TEN YEARS AGO: Acolytes in May 2002 were Kirsten Cole, Currie Martin, Brett Faulkner, Natalie Ryan, Julie Atchley, Kristina Wil-

liams, David Woodlington, Simsie Shaw, Benjamin Eagles, Mandy Halford,

The May 5, 2002, bulletin announced that Amy Clifton had married Stephen Bossenberry on April 13.

Margaret Ann Foster was born May 2, 2002.

Susan Major received a Fulbright Scholarship in May 2002.

Infant Jacob Leo Radigan was baptized on May 12, 2002.

Soloist Marjorie Buckley sang “She Comes Sailing on the Wind” on May 19, 2002.

Sarah Hampton, Ginger Thurlow, and Lee Uhlhorn sang “He Hideth My Soul” on May 26, 2002.

Annette Lynn Hall and Saraa Kathryn Hall were born May 17, 2002.

Brittany Aldy and Bill Myers were married in the sanctuary on May 25, 2002.