"Where has all October gone, long time passing (to the tune of Where Have All the Flowers Gone )...except that it wasn't a "long time passing." I feel a good 'ol Midwest YIKES coming on. Did October blow by or what?! Whew! Church Conference, stewardship Sundays, meeting with the ordination committee, only topped the list. We are b-u-s-y folk. I sense it as we gather on Sundays, Spirit moving through, by, beside, down, over, between and among all of us. We have one another and God as we look to our future and make plans.
I mentioned during our church conference that I wanted this coming year for us to be intentional about creating a vision for our future as a church. Who do we really want to become? Do we hear God calling us in any particular direction? Does our mission statement truly reflect who we are as a congregation? Can we be more intentional about our collective faith development and formation? Could we take more risks in mission and outreach ministries? While we may have uncertainty about the answers, let us step out in faith as we come up with questions that will take us to new places in our hearts and in our minds and then figure out how to get there together.
I'll leave you with these words from St. Augustine:
You called, shouted broke through my deafness;
you flared, blazed, banished my blindness;
you lavished your fragrance, I gasped and now I pant for you;
I tasted you and I hunger and thirst;
You touched me and I burned for your peace.
Blessings,
Pastor Gayle
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CAST Worship!
Tara will be offering a time of worship and discussion on Thursday evenings at 7:00pm beginning November 5th. The purpose of CAST (come and seek together) is to provide a safe place of worship and discussing faith for people in our community who have been separated from the church for whatever reason. The goal will not be to convert anyone to any particular denomination, but rather to open up the worship of God and community of God to people who may not feel like they have a place in traditional settings for worship and fellowship. Anyone who is seeking a deeper understanding of their faith journey, or looking for a mid-week worship service, is also welcome to join us!
Tara is also wanting one volunteer each week to assist with CAST, so if you would be able and willing to help, please call her at the church.
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The Saints Among Us and Who Went Before Us: a report from the middle school Sunday School Class
On "All Saints Day", November 1st, Kailynn Yetter and Chanse McAllister (Sunday School Students) conducted a brief interview with the adult Sunday School class asking them this question: can you tell us a person who you feel is a Saint? Either a person who has done God's work and passed on or a person living among us today.
Here are their wonderful answers:
*From Norm Burnett: Dr. Clifford Bacon, a man full of compassion.
*From Evelyn Harmon: Mother Theresa. She wasn't wealthy, but she helped so many people. she was compassionate and full of God.
*from Helen Burnett: Pearl Hennesy. she wasn't well, but put people on the right track and brought them to the light of God.
*from Evelyn Harmon: Josephine Elmore. She was such a good person, who had many tragedy's in her life. She helped so many people, and even when the pharmacy got messed up she never complained once!
*from Edna McBride, Norm & Helen Burnett, Evelynn Harmon: Pastor Gayle. She is a worker of God, who loves to help people and is such a fun upbeat person.
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United Methodist Women
Denise Dolphin is leading the winter book choice. (all women of the congregation are welcome to participate) Her selection is to be announced in the near future.
UMW is seeking a President and Vice President for 2010. Other officers have volunteered to remain. The President is responsible for presiding over meetings, scheduling of events and forming a budget. If you are interested, please let Trudy Rollison or Pastor Gayle know.
The Holiday Bazaar is scheduled for December 5th. Susan Rorex volunteered to chair the Bazaar. Letty Norcutt offered to chair the Bake Sale. A lunch of soup, salad, bread and dessert is planned. A chair for the luncheon has not been identified.
On December 12th, Susan Rorex will host the Prayer Pal Revealing Potluck at noon. All women of the church are invited. A volunteer is being sought to send our invitations. If you do not have a Prayer Pal, but wish to participate, please bring a gift to exchange. Please keep gifts in the range of $10.
On December 13th at 4:00pm, all church members are invited to go caroling. There will be a chili feed afterward, sponsored in part by UMW.
The next meeting of UMW is November 14th at 10:00. The main focus of the meeting will be preparing for the Bazaar. Please consider making and donating homemade items. There is no limit and can include crafts and baked goods. All hands are needed for this major event.
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FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY
If you are interested in Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University class that will tentatively start in Jan. 2010, please let Theresa Mavity (625-4760) or Linda Felton (623-1509) know. This class is a financial management class, covering everything from relationships with money, budgeting, saving, retirement, college planning, investments and more! It is appropriate for singles and couples of all ages and is open to anyone in the community. Spread the word!
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WANTED!
Someone is wanted who will organize Christmas Caroling on the afternoon of December 13th at 3:00pm. Our hope is to carol at the Beehive, Harmony Manor and the homes of folk who don't get to church, e.g. Margaret Smith, the Engstroms, etc. Jeanette Jones has agreed to be our pianist at both the Manor and the Beehive. You do not have to sing to organize this event--and it's a one time donation of your time and energy. It will require contacting the Harmony Manor (they eat at 4pm) and the Beehive (don't know when their dinner is) letting them know we'd like to do this and the time we'd be coming over--3pm at the Manor and then the Beehive. We will go caroling outside the homes of some of our parishioners-- a capella caroling at that point. And of course, carolers would need to be recruited (think outside the UMC box. Recruit friends, Romans, Countrymen....) We may need to do a car pool or ride around in a horse trailer. Figuring out logistics is also part of the job. After caroling, we return to the Fellowship hall for chili and hot chocolate.
A Team of people is wanted. A Night Watch (December 31st) Team! We need a youth or two on this team also. What does the Night Watch Team do? Help organize our 2nd annual Night Watch Partay! Food, Fun, games, dancing, bingo, shows, etc. This is an evening for all: friends, Romans, Countrymen and women, children, youth. We will begin with a worship service around 7 or 7:30pm, and then begin our celebration. We need a "point" person who will recruit folk to make this another fun-filled evening.
See Pastor Gayle if you are interested.
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CRAFTERS!
If you are interested in working on things for the Christmas bazaar, or just want to get together with other creative people, please join these creative forces on Monday nights at 7:00pm at the church. The Crafters are a "hands on ministry" who, through the joy of working and learning together, comfort, strengthen and encourage each other. You are invited to participate every Monday, every other Monday or even just once a month.
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CHOIR
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord all ye lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; come before his presence with singing!
Why don't you consider becoming a "Seasonal" Singer as you join the choir fro Advent and Christmas. Choir practice is on Tuesdays, beginning at 7pm sharp! Contact Laura Pike for more information.
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DON'T FORGET
1. To meet with your 4x4 group this holiday season!
2. To pray for and bring care package items if you feel so moved for:
Luke Haaglund, Allen Mayo, Chris Sherbondy, Joe Clayton and Shannon Martin.
3. The annual Harvest Community Potluck! To be held at the LDS Church on November 18th at 6pm. Please bring a dish to share (turkey and beverages will be provided), AND a non-perishable food item for the Christmas basket giveaway at the Fairgrounds.
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Food From the Saints!
A nice warm soup, some crusty bread and maybe a nice crisp salad...what could be better than that? Here is a quick and easy Shrimp Chowder to try...it's yummy good and super easy.
Saute` a half cup sliced green onions and 2 chopped garlic cloves in 1 Tablespoon of butter, over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Add 2 10-oz cans cream of potato soup, 1 1/2 soup cans of milk, 1 16-oz can whole kernel corn, drained, 8-oz cream cheese, 2 cups fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined, salt, pepper, and paprika or Old Bay Seasoning to taste. Bring to a boil. Boil for 1 minute. Serve.
Trust me--yummy! Debbie Stone
