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| First United Methodist Church Pastorgram |
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Daylight Saving Time |
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Don't forget to turn your clocks back when you go to bed next Saturday. Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday, March 14. |
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Bell Choirs |
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The choirs meet at 5:30, 6:30, or 7:30pm each Wednesday and play monthly in our worship services. If you are interested in joining one of the choirs, please stop by a rehearsal. Anyone is welcome to attend and join. If you have any questions call Kathy Ford, 228-7596, about the 5:30 or 6:30 bell choir or Janie Wilson, 228-0828, about the 7:30 bell choir. |
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Widows Support Group |
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The Widows Support Group will meet for lunch on March 17 at Bob Evans in Blue Springs at 11:30am. Call Carol Sartain at 229-9753 for information.
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Perhaps you will recall me making several announcements about plans for a class aimed at cultivating the leadership skills of individuals in the congregation. The individuals who were involved in planning and carrying out this program have done an excellent job. It was planned primarily to appeal to a group of "younger," active members of the congregation. I put "younger" in quotes because we did not really have an arbitrary age limit, and I know the term is very subjective! The name of the program came to be "Leading the Way."
There were nine members of the congregation who ultimately became members of this first class. They are: Shellie Piepmeier, Carter Buchholz, Ashlee Buchholz, Amy Jobe, Matt Guthrie, Andrew Marker, Cindi Sloan, Matt Mainard, and Brooke Roskop. The group has met twice a month in January and February, and will meet two more times in March. They are an outstanding group of individuals and I appreciate their commitment and contribution.
The curriculum for "Leading the Way" covers a variety of topics. This is not a detailed course description, but it includes things like the FUMC Mission Statement, Wesleyan history and beliefs, leadership styles and self-care. There is no assumption that the next Administrative Board Chair or new Trustee, etc., will come from this group. But it is possible. The assumption has been that leadership takes many forms and may arise from any individual in the life of the congregation. It is more a matter of nurturing individuals to think of themselves as leaders and then taking their part in creating a culture of leadership.
Everyone involved in developing this program has done so with the expectation that it will become a permanent fixture in the program of FUMC. Identifying, nurturing, and empowering individuals for leadership is an ongoing task. Most strong organizations understand it as a priority.
Though I will not be directly involved next time around, I believe that the course will be repeated next year. Does it sound interesting to you? Would you be interested in talking to one of the present participants about their experience? I believe they would be willing to talk about their experience and what has happened in the time they have devoted to the course.
Between the participants, planners, and leaders, it may be difficult to have all of them present in the same worship service. We will have to work out the best way to do it, but I hope we can do a brief recognition of the entire group in worship sometime after Easter. I am grateful for each of them. "Leading the Way" is an important investment in the future of FUMC.
Sincerely,
Steve Campbell
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MOMS FIRST
The next meeting of Moms First will be on Sunday, March 7, at noon in room 117. The program for the day will be a discussion on Home Safety led by a representative from the Blue Springs Police Department.
Moms First is a new group created for the purpose of support and inspiration of moms with children at home. Contact Ronda Brewer or the church office for more information.
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The Envelope
I originally planned to give the $50 to someone in need of help with meeting a utility payment. However, after speaking with City Hall and KCP&L, I found that they were unable to give out any names and I understand that philosophy (how do you pinpoint one person with many having that same plight, plus it is confidential). I thought about giving the money to someone off the street, but I wanted to be sure it got into the hands of someone truly in need. So, I turned my thoughts to some deserving agency. There are indeed many good agencies and at least one knows the money will be used for a good purpose. After struggling with who to give the money to, I settled on Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity. I know our church is involved with this agency, but I felt right about donating $50 to their cause. Gary at one time was very involved with Habitat for Humanity, serving on the Board of Directors of what has become Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity, and was involved in building many homes in Grain Valley, and also oversaw the building of two homes. Habitat is a great organization of trying to build affordable housing for those that are in need. I asked the lady at the office to use the $50 to maybe help a homeowner who might be struggling with utilities or some other problem, or to use the money to purchase tools, since they seem to have trouble with tools being stolen. I know with this organization, that the money will be put to good use and I feel so good that we as a church and myself might have helped in some small way. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to help.
Sandra Meinershagen
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SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS
Several opportunities for scholarships are available at First United Methodist Church. FUMC offers two scholarships for students and a non-traditional student grant. The United Methodist Men sponsor the Paul Rand Scholarship, and The Independents singles ministry offers several scholarships for students. More information and an application form is available on the church web page at firstumcbs.org/scholar.asp. You will also find information there about other United Methodist-related scholarships and loans. Application deadline-April 1. |
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The Disaster Relief Ministry presents
The Irish Jig
Friday, March 12, 2010
6:30 ~ 10:00pm
FUMC Narthex and Sanctuary
6:30 ~ Delicious Irish Food
7:15 ~ The Men o' Praise Concert
8:00 ~ Dance to '60s and '70s Music
Freewill offering to benefit the Disaster Relief Ministry
Dust off your dancing shoes for '60s and '70s music!
Wear something green, even if you're not Irish!
Babysitting available upon request
Please contact the Church Office 7 days in advance!
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Training Opportunity
A wonderful opportunity is available to us to discover new possibilities in relating caringly to inactive members. A training course, called Caring for Inactive Members: How to Make God's House a Home, will be held Saturday, April 17, as a one-day retreat.
The content of the course gives clues to its importance as well as revealing its practical nature.
· Hopes and Expectations
· How to Handle Chance Encounters with Inactive Members
· How to Converse Comfortably
· How to Guarantee 100% Success
· How to Set Up Visits
· How to Invite Gently
We look forward to your participation. More information will be coming. If you are interested in this training or have questions, please contact Rev. Karen at the church office. |
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Save the Planet,
Get your Groceries,  Support FUMC Outreach
Reusable shopping bags are available for $5 each. The bags are 12"w x 13"h x 8"d with a sturdy carrying handle. The bags have an FUMC logo printed on both sides. Each bag you purchase allows us to give one to our weekend visitors. |
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Children's Music Ministry
Wee Singers meet each Sunday for 10:10-10:30am in room 115. Wee Singers is a group for children ages pre-kindergarten through grade 1. The Wee Singers are under the direction of Brooke Roskop and Heather Davis.
Power Praise Choir practices in room 100 from 10:10-10:30am every Sunday morning for children 2nd-5th grade. It is under the direction of Libbie Kaufman.
Chime Choir practices at 10:45am Sunday, March 14, and meets every other Sunday in the bell room. Chime Choir is being led by Kyle Alberg.
Puppets
If you like to perform but too embarrassed to get in front of anyone, then puppets is your home. Puppets perform for Children's Sunday school classes and other events throughout the year. Puppets meet every other Sunday (opposite of Chime Choir) at the 10:45 hour. Chime Choir will meet Sunday, March 7, in room 102.
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THE EZRA PROJECT
The United Methodist Men would, once again, like to invite the entire church family to be involved in a unique worship experience one week during Lent. The name for this undertaking comes from Ezra, the scribe, and the public reading of the Law during the rebuilding of Jerusalem in Nehemiah's time. Beginning at the end of the Sunday services on March 21 and ending on Saturday, March 27, at the beginning of the Saturday evening service, we will be sponsoring a public reading of the entire Bible in the sanctuary. We invite everyone to come join us as we prepare for Holy Week. We are asking people to sign up to read aloud for 30-minute time slots, which are available from 6:00am to 11:00pm. When you sign up, you will receive additional instructions for the actual reading. We realize that this might sound like a new or unusual idea; but even so, as Methodists, we believe that reading the Bible is one of the "means of grace" by which God makes his presence real in our lives. So let us join together during this time of preparation and lift up his Word together. Keep an eye out in the narthex between services for a sign-up table or call the church office at 229-8108 to reserve a time to read.
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