First United Methodist Church of Wabash, Indiana THE PASTOR S PAGE

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1 F I R S T E D I T I O N July 2012 First United Methodist Church of Wabash, Indiana Mission Statement...To provide a loving fellowship that brings about spiritual transformation through worship, prayer, study and action in order to know Christ and to make Him known. Vision Statement...Our passion for God and for people means we will be a church which offers Christ to all and is open to God s leading. 110 N. Cass Street, Wabash, IN Celebrating Interdependence THE PASTOR S PAGE Every year near July 4th, I think of the irony of the phrase, Independence Day. Of course we know independence was about a political connection to England rather than an independence of individuals from one another; however, there is something of that self made man or I'll do it myself mystique which seems to drive Americans. We have, corporately, an inner two year old that proclaims it has no need for anyone else. Isaac, our two year old, has decided he can do much of life on his own. I do it he emphatically states. My turn he asserts. Moments later he will ask to held like a baby. We all of us are like that, to some extent. We want to be independent, to have no need for anyone else. And then we are struck with the hard reality that God made known to us at the beginning: It is not good for the human to be alone. We need one another. Life is meant to be lived in community. This Independence Day, celebrate your interdependence... your acknowledgment that you need others and that joining together is better than ripping apart. Tell someone you are glad they are part of your life and do not forget to check in with your five people to see how they are doing at this living life together thing... UPCOMING: Sunday August 26 Tom Ditch, singer, songwriter, author, will be performing an evening concert at 1st UMC Wabash. Mark the date. You will not want to miss this. Tom has performed around the globe as well as on national TV. Tom is coming to Wabash as a gift to our community. Please make time and mark it so you do not miss the songs and stories he brings. Shalom, Pastor Kurt

We Ain t There Yet I m told that many years ago, when the Trans Alaskan Highway was little more than two well worn ruts, signs were erected along the way to let travelers know where they were.

2 We Ain t There Yet I m told that many years ago, when the Trans Alaskan Highway was little more than two well worn ruts, signs were erected along the way to let travelers know where they were. At mile 300 of the 1200 mile trek there was a sign Mile 300 you ain t there yet but you sure are making progress. I thought about that sign last week, as I realized July 1st marks the start of my seventh year as your Minister of Family Life and Outreach. When Bishop Coyner approved First UMC as my secondary appointment part time all those years ago, I never dreamed where this journey together would take us. Looking back, I m amazed at how far we ve come I started with you when we were worshipping in the High School auditorium and the dry wall was up in the new addition. Together we ve shared new ideas, new adventures and a new building. I am humbled and honored to have been a witness to the dedication and spirit that you have shown. The results have been gratifying we continue to grow as a church, both in terms of lives touched and ministries offered. We have faced the challenges of the death of a Senior Pastor, a falling ceiling and bad economy with dedication and servanthood. We continue to reach out to our neighbors and community in important ways. (June s VBS a good example) I look back at the last six years with gratitude to God and to you...my dear Church family. Yet, as the sign says we ain t there yet but we sure are making progress. As I look ahead, I see more hills to climb, more challenges to be faced. There is still so much to do to help more children, youth and adults Know Christ and Make Him Known. I have confidence in our staff team, but most of all, I have confidence in God who has led us this far, and who has promised He will never leave or forsake us. Thanks for a great six years. No Pastor could be more privileged than I to serve you. We may not be there yet but together we will continue to make progress! Let the Children Come, Pastor Heather Summer Sermon Series TOGETHER WE KNOW CHRIST AND MAKE HIM KNOWN: N: TOGETHER: June 24 - Come Away With Me...keeping Sabbath WE KNOW CHRIST: July 1 - Why Do We Learn? July 8 - Disciple and Master, Teachers Together AND MAKE CHRIST KNOWN: July 15 - To One Another; ministry July 22 - To Others; mission July 29 - Why? BEING CHURCH: Aug. 5 - Who Are We Going To Be? Aug How Are We Going to Do This? MEMORIAL FUND GRANT APPLICATIONS Applications for the yearly Memorial Fund Grants are available in the church office. All applications are due by June 30, NOW COLLECTING READING GLASSES Do you have reading glasses lying around your house that no longer work for you? Now you can bring them to the church and they will be donated to those who need them. A box for your donations is on the foyer table under the stairway. Thank You. HARD COPIES OF NEWSLETTER Please feel free to pick up a hard copy of The First Edition on Sunday or during the week at the Welcome Center. NEWSLETTER DEADLINE The deadline for items to be printed in the First Edition will always be the 15th of the month. Next deadline is July 15 for the August information. Thank You.

3 Carnival Hog Roast Dinner Silent Auction SUNDAY, JUNE 24TH AT THE WABASH COUNTY YMCA FROM 5:00 8:00 P.M. The Power of 80!!! This event will raise funds to help support Blessings in a Backpack, a program in which $80 can feed one child on the Free and Reduced Lunch and Breakfast plan ALL school year through the weekends. Our goal is to reach ALL three elementary schools in Wabash County Southwood, Metro North, and OJ Neighbors! Carnival Games like the Moonwalk, Silly String Corral, PhotoBooth, Pop Ring Toss, Goldfish Drop, Face Painting, Hair Art, and Balloon Artist Eat at the Free will Donation Hog Roast Dinner Bid at the Silent Auction with items such as TinCap Tickets, Specialty Packages, Salon Packages, and many more items Blessings in a Backpack is an international organization that provides food on the weekend for children who qualify for the National School Lunch Program (aka Free and Reduced lunches). To date, money has been raised for 250 children in the MSDWC and Wabash City School systems. First UMC contributed money for approximately 25 of those children, thank you for your help with this project. In the Fall, Jenny Wilson will need help packing the Backpacks, possibly on Thursday. If you are interested in helping, contact Denise Stouffer or the Church Office. LOOKING AHEAD July 29 all church pool party 2-4 p.m. at the Parsonage. REMEMBER F.I.S.H. & Kids First and bring canned and/ or dry items you would like to contribute with you on Sunday, July 1. A collection box is in the foyer. The items will be delivered for you during the week. SCHOOL SUPPLIES SALES Once again we are collecting school supplies for children in need. Backpacks are especially requested by several families. A collection box is located near our entrance beside the FISH and Kids First collection box. Watch for sales and help children go back to school with the items needed. All School supplies are needed. There is typically a high demand for the following items: backpacks, school boxes/art boxes, colored pencils, watercolor paints, Kleenex, markers, calculators

A Note From Kids First The last two months we have been very busy with lots of activity and changes. The biggest change has been our staffing. As most you already know Ms.

We are also welcoming two new staff members Sally Meyer and Rhonda Duhamell.

At the beginning of the month we started our new school age program, which is going very well.

4 A Note From Kids First The last two months we have been very busy with lots of activity and changes. The biggest change has been our staffing. As most you already know Ms. Amy is gone and we wish her the best in her new adventure. Ms. Gloria our pre-school teacher has been given the assistant director position. We are also welcoming two new staff members Sally Meyer and Rhonda Duhamell. I would like to thank Steve Keffaber, Bob Schmalzried and Teresa Witkoske for their assistance in the interview and hiring process. At the beginning of the month we started our new school age program, which is going very well. We still have openings, so if you know of anyone that requires childcare for ages 6 to 12 please let them know of our new program. This last week we had a very busy and fun week at VBS. We want to thank Jim Burton and Jim Stanton for busing the children to and from Christ UMC. We would like to extend a special thank you to the trustee board and all involved in acquiring our new refrigerator and dishwasher; they are a true blessing to our ministry. Thank you for your support and God Bless, Missie Edwards, Director THANK YOU TO ALL OUR VBS VOLUNTEERS! Co directors from Wabash First Pastor Heather, Angel Hostetler; Pre- School Director - Missie Edwards; Group Leaders - Ann Higgins, Jeremy Boardman, Lauren Weisenbarger (Kids First); Sharon Jones, Carol DeLong, Cathie Lefforge, Sabrina Wagner, Kiersten Cole, Preschool story - Emily Boardman, Ruth Ann Pilgrim; Preschool Music Susan Vanlandingham; Preschool Crafts Kim Enyeart (Kids First); Preschool Recreation Kelley Cook; Preschool Science - Natalie Schuler, Jake Schuler; Story Teller - Sharon Bair; Actors - Jon Higgins, Matt Cook, Lauren Weisenbarger; Puppeteers Kelley Cook, Elizabeth Freeman; Sound Board Donna Highley; Registrations Kathy Doran, Ilah Wagner; Music Karol Evenson; Crafts - Kelly Schuler; Recreation - Jennifer McFarland, Kory Fuller, Austin Hostetler, John Schuler; Bus Driver Jim Stanton; Transportation Coordinator - Jim Burton; Youth Teacher Jessica Bair; Rotating Helpers - Pastor Kurt, Elizabeth Freeman, Andrea Schuler; Snack Server Hope Rider; Nursery - Sue Burton, Jaci Gahl; VBS Nurse Linda F. I. S. H. Friends In Service Here THANK YOU First United Methodist Church, Thank you for your generous donation to F.I.S.H.! Thank you also for your ongoing support of F.I.S.H. with food and funds! Thank you for your care over the community! May God bless you and keep you, Janet Slouse, FISH Director SENIOR EVENTS July 28 - Alphorn Concert in Wabash County, leaving the church at 6:30 p.m. Chairs provided. August 23 - we will see I Love a Piano musical at the Wagon Wheel Playhouse in Warsaw at 2:00 p.m., dinner to follow. September plans to be announced later. Dave & Ivy Miller, Cal & Carolyn Eichenauer, Martha Baker, Senior Event Coordinators

Update on Community Breakfasts Since the fall of 2007, our breakfasts have usually been held the first Saturday each month from September through April or May.

5 Update on Community Breakfasts Since the fall of 2007, our breakfasts have usually been held the first Saturday each month from September through April or May. There is a set menu and procedure to follow with different groups within our church sponsoring each breakfast. Last year the groups were for the Courageous movie, Trunk or Treat, Kid s First, United Methodist Women s Missions, and Methodist Youth Fellowship. The average amount earned was over $ The purpose of our breakfasts are fellowship for those working and our guests, feeding some who are hungry, exposure for our church, opportunity for us to invite people, and the earning of money for the sponsoring group. The charge is a free will donation. Many of our members volunteer often and many often attend. For our breakfasts to continue we need more sponsors and volunteers for the coming year and involvement by the entire church. If you have any opinions, suggestions, or want to sponsor a breakfast, please contact Esther Keffaber or Jane Hentgen. FROM OUR PARISH NURSE Imagine No Malaria Imagine No Malaria is an effort of The United Methodist Church (UMC) to eliminate death and suffering caused by malaria in Africa by The Mission Resource Team of the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church recently sponsored a 5K Run/Walk/Stroll to raise money for Imagine No Malaria. The goal of the team is to have a similar event in each district by the year If you are interested in a 12 Week Walking Plan to help you prepare for such an event in the future, I will have a chart available in the MAC after church during July. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 90% of all Malaria deaths occur in Africa. Children under the age of 5 are the most effected. This disease is spread by mosquitoes. There are medications available to prevent and treat this disease. Searching on the internet, you will learn that mosquitoes are becoming resistant to control methods. For more information about malaria: Mayo Clinic: < > UMCOR: < > < > Blessings, Linda Gardner, RN Parish Nurse SUMMER ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAM 9:00 a.m. The adult Sunday School program for the summer includes the following organizations/speakers. Others will be added as the summer progresses. At present this class will be held in the library meeting room beside the elevator. June 24 Claire Coyne Lighthouse Mission July 1 Angel Hostetler FUMC Community Outreach July 15 Ken Perkins Southern Animal Husbandry July 22 Rose Wenrich 85 Hope August 19 Missy Edwards Kids First Child Care THANK YOU Dear Christian Friends, Thank you very much for the prayer shawl. As I start my third cancer treatment its warmth and comfort will help immensely. Carol Oms

NO COST CHILD ID PROGRAM First United Methodist Church and Kids First Childcare welcomes New York Life agent Jeremy Stackhouse on July 17 from 8:00 a.m. to noon and July 18 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for a no cost Child ID event held in the Gathering Room of the church.

6 NO COST CHILD ID PROGRAM First United Methodist Church and Kids First Childcare welcomes New York Life agent Jeremy Stackhouse on July 17 from 8:00 a.m. to noon and July 18 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for a no cost Child ID event held in the Gathering Room of the church. In only 3 to 5 minutes, a Child I.D. card is printed for each parent or guardian free of charge. Child I.D. cards feature a child s photo, fingerprints, contact information and other pertinent information needed by the police in case of an emergency. Anyone who would like their child to participate is welcome. The Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church The 2012 Annual Conference June 7 th June 9th As your lay member to the 2012 annual conference, I hope to be able to share some of what I learned with you. The theme was Making Room.... Some Key Phrases at conference: Making Room for God. Making Room for new leaders. Making Room for a diverse community. Making Room for the unchurched. In addition to meetings covering church business, I experienced opportunities for worship and faith based study. I attended a workshop about 3 Foolproof Ways to Green Your Church. A number of Indiana congregations have Creation Care teams to keep their church environmentally friendly. I attended a laity session that included a message and discussion led by the Key Note Speakers. The topic was related to practicing Radical Hospitality. I learned new ways to greet others effectively. Laity shared programs their local churches have implemented for local outreach. To view more information, you may want to look at the conference website: < > or < > I have a short DVD that will be interest to some small groups and committees. Excerpts from this are: < > If you are interested in looking at the materials that I have collected, including the DVD, please contact me. Thank you, Linda Gardner

7 FROM OUR CHURCH TREASURER, Mel Rennaker 2012 FINANCIAL REPORT May 31 Monthly Approved Budget Amount Year-to-Date Percentage $385, $32, $160, % May Year-to-Date Income $29, % $160, % Expenses $24, % $151, % Difference $5, $3, GENERAL BUDGET OVERVIEW Beginning Balance Income Expense Ending Balance $39, $160, $151, $53, % 39.39% GENERAL BUDGET INCOME May YTD Income YTD Estimate Annual Est Member Pledges $ 25, $ 134, $ 127, $305, % Member Contribution $ 3, $ 16, $ 14, $34, % Non-Member Contribution $ $ 6, $ 2, $6, % Loose Offering $ $ 1, $ 1, $4, % Sunday School Offering $ $ $ $ % Checking Interest $ $ $ $ % Upper Room $ 2.00 $ $ $ % Offering Envelopes $ 2.00 $ $ $ % Building Use $ $ 1, $ $2, % 2011 Pledge Payment $ - $ $ $ % Extra Gift Contribution $ 5.00 $ 5.00 $ 6, $15, % TOTAL $29, $ 160, $ 153, $368, % GENERAL BUDGET EXPENSES Committee Groups May YTD Expenses Budget Missions $ 1, $ 6, $ 17, % Denomin. Ministries $ 3, $ 17, $ 40, % Personnel $ 14, $ 73, $ 182, % Council of Ministries $ $ 4, $ 15, % Building & Grounds $ 4, $ 48, $ 123, % Office Operations $ (3.70) $ $ 4, % Finance & Stewardship $ $ $ 2, % TOTAL $ 24, $ 151, $ 385, % NON-BUDGET MISSIONS May Year-to-Date UMCOR - US Disaster Relief $ $ Kids First Day Care $ $ Blessings Backpack $ 1, $ 1, White's Residential $ $ Kairos - Prison Ministry $ $ Quarterly Contribution Statement You will soon be receiving your 2 nd quarter contribution statement. Please review the statement to ensure your contributions you have made this quarter have been recorded correctly. If any corrections need to be made, please notify the church office.

July 2012 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 5th Sunday after Pentecost (white) Dry/canned items collected for FISH & Kids First 8 6th Sunday after Pentecost (green) 8:45

8 July 2012 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 5th Sunday after Pentecost (white) Dry/canned items collected for FISH & Kids First 8 6th Sunday after Pentecost (green) 8:45 AM-Usher/ Greeter Meeting (Sanctuary) 15 7th Sunday after Pentecost (Green) 22 8th Sunday after Pentecost (Green) 29 9th Sunday after Pentecost (Green) 2pm-4pm-All Church Pool Party (Parsonage) 2 7:00 PM-Boy Scouts (Scout Room) 9 6:00 PM-Cub Scout Pack Mtg. (MAC) 6:15 PM-Pastor's Bible Study (Conference Room) 7:00 PM-Boy Scouts (Scout Room) 3 7am-Walk with the Lord (Paradise Springs 6:30pm-Trustees (Workroom) 10 7am-Walk with the Lord (Paradise 6:00 PM-Cub Scout Den Meeting (MAC) 7:00 PM- Parsonage Bible Study 4 INDEPENDENCE DAY Church Office & Kids First closed 11 4:15 PM-All Staff Meeting (workroom) 6pm-James Study (Conference Rm) 16 6:15 PM- 17 7am-Walk with 18 Pastor's Bible the Lord Study (Conference 8am-noon-Child ID 5-8pm-Child ID Rm) Event (Gathering Event (Gathering 7:00 PM-Boy Room) Room) Scouts (Scout Rm) 12:00 PM-Red Cross Blood Drive 6pm-James Study (MAC) (Conference Rm) 6pm-Kids 1st Committee (Kids 1st area) 6:30pm-FLOCK 6:30pm-Finance 7:30pm-Ad Council 23 6:15 PM- Pastor's Bible Study (Conference Rm) 7:00 PM-Boy Scouts (Scout Rm 30 6:15 PM- Pastor's Bible Study (Conference Room) 7:00 PM-Boy Scouts (Scout Rm) 24 7am-Walk with the Lord 6:00 PM-Scout Den Meeting (MAC) 7:00 PM- Parsonage Bible Study pm-James Study (Conference Rm) :30 AM-Emmaus meeting (MAC) 6:30pm-Senior Trip to Alphorn Concert

9 July 2012 A = Wedding Anniversary B = Birthday Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 B-David Ford 3 4 A-Ed & Genevieve Cochley A-Steve & Lisa Ford B-Anthony Cook B-Muriel Randall 8 B-James Flack B-Elaine Leach B-Joe Lee 9 B-Lucas Riggle B-JT Stoops 10 A-Bill & Julia Simpson B-Karen Daine B-Bill Simpson 11 B-James Hostetler 12 B-Sally Scott B-Krista Vanlandingham 13 B-Lydia Ancil B-Doug Konkle B-Nancy Powell 14 A-Erik & Melissa Highley B-Angie Siders B-Mckenna Hemsoth 17 A-Kevin & Jill DuBois A-Brett & Heather Vanlandingham B-Jane Lutz B-Steve Weir 18 A-Howard & Kari Halderman A-Jon & Ann Higgins B-Wade Riggle B-Annie Schuler 19 B-Steve Ford 20 A-Ed & Martha Langstaff 21 A-Gary & Marta Gidley B-Karol Evenson B-Mary Lou Green B-Pastor Heather 22 A-Bill & Nancy Kramer A-Steve & Cheryl Weir B-Erika Ford A-Scott & Kelly Schuler B-Malachi Dubois B-Jennifer Pernell B-Molly Swinehart 29 B-Connie Hall 30 B-Hope Rider B-Chad Swinehart 31 B-Malachi Higgins

Wabash First UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. To Know Christ and to Make Him Known

Wabash First UNITED METHODIST CHURCH To Know Christ and to Make Him Known 8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m. Worship Service November 11, 2012 110 N. Cass Street, Wabash, Indiana 46992 Tel. (260) 563-3108 Email -