The big news here this week is that the Family Life Center addition has passed inspection and the city of Blue Springs has issued our Temporary Certificate of Occupancy! The Building Committee said, just before the Open House, that they hoped we could actually begin using the facility by May 1. They were right on target! This is a great moment for us! Now, you may wonder why it is a "Temporary" Certificate of Occupancy. We will not receive a final certificate until the whole project is completed, including the landscape plan. There is still a lot to do outside, but the weather has not been very cooperative for landscapers the last couple of weeks! The plan is ready to go, and the workers from the nursery will begin sometime soon. Until that part of the project is complete, we can make use of the building under this temporary permit.

            Some of you may still plan to make a financial commitment to the "Expanding Ministries" capital campaign. I hope you will do that if you have not already. It is needed. It may be important to you to be able to say, "I helped put this wonderful building here." There are commitment cards available at the Information Table in the narthex and also in the church office. 

 

            We have the custom here of electing lay leadership to serve terms coinciding with the Annual Conference appointment year. That means our officers are elected for annual terms beginning July 1 and ending June 30. We will continue that custom, and the slate of officers for election will be presented at a special Church Conference at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday June 10.  We will meet in the sanctuary and our District Superintendent, Susan Cox-Johnson, will preside. The agenda will be the election of Local Church Officials after hearing the report from the Lay Personnel Committee. It is one of the strengths of our system of church government that some offices have limits set by the Discipline. First UMC also has a policy limiting years of service on committees. This means we are in the habit of including new persons and raising up new leadership. I hope, if you are asked, you will be willing to serve. If you are one whose term is coming to an end, please know your efforts have been appreciated! Put the date for the Church Conference on your calendar.

 
            This is the last weekend to look over the services and items being offered through the "Fan the Flame" effort. I really appreciate all the work and enthusiasm which has gone into this! Be sure to take a good look at the board this weekend. After this, those treasures and opportunities will go away! In addition to being fun, using individual gifts and talents, meeting some new friends, this will also raise some money for the ministries of FUMC! Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this!

            This weekend we celebrate Holy Communion in all our worship services. Karen and I have asked the Communion Stewards to prepare the trays with individual cups for all the services. We will not offer the Chalice this time. This decision simply reflects our awareness that the flu is on our minds. In fact, I think very few germs are passed by using the Chalice; but this way we know we are being as careful as possible. I look forward to seeing you this week in worship!
 
            Sincerely,
 
            Steve