Church Services. September 15, 2014

Transcription

1 September 15, 2014 An Open Letter to My Granddaughter on the Occasion of Her Birth Dear Kadee, It is now near a day and a half since you were born and I am struggling to find the words to write and say. I am a bit speechless and yet one day you will know as with any preacher that does not last long. I am sitting alone, as your Grammy is already with you, in the dining room of our home with a cup of coffee with only my thoughts and a picture of you before me on the table. I have yet to hold you but I can already sense your warm smooth skin, your sweet fragrance, and the softness of the new born hair on your head. I already know you are the most beautiful and loved baby there is, that is Poppie talk and you ll need to get used to it as will anyone else who happens to overhear. This morning as I ponder the world into which you have been born I want to share some thoughts, wisdom, and other comments with you within this first letter. Our world is filled with a lot of scary things. There are wars being fought over religion and territory. There are people who claim to speak for God who commit atrocities against their fellow humankind without thought or remorse. There are people in our own country who want to retaliate against them in a kind of eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth mentality that only perpetuates more war and violence. There are people in our own country, in our own government, even in our churches who would do violence to another, discriminate against them, call others names, and deny them legal, civil, and human rights for no other reason than for who they love, the color of their skin, the state of their finances, the religion they practice or lack thereof, and Kadee, in the world we live in today there are those who would deny you rights and privileges and freedoms simply because you were born a little girl. Dearest Kadee, I know you cannot read this yet, I hope someday you do and it makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. I hope you read this when you are a young woman and say, Poppie, really? People used to do those things to others? That is so sad and I m glad it is not that way any longer. I do not write these words to scare you; I would never do such a thing. I write these words to apologize. I am sorry. I am sorry we are not able to welcome you into a world in which equality and justice for all are the rule of the day. I am sorry we who have come before you continue to screw things up so badly for those who will come after us. It is not fair, but please do not be afraid. I write this note to you on a cool September morning as the sun begins to break over the eastern horizon. This letter to you is a hope-filled promise and reassurance. As the days carry on I want you to know for all the scary stuff that is out there it is still a good world. This is a beautiful world filled with the very Presence of God, with grace and love and music and harmony, it is just that sometimes it takes a little extra effort to find it and embrace it. There are still those who believe and fight for equality and justice and right. There are still those out there who know what it is to love unconditionally and strive to make this world a better place. I want you to know Kadee I try to be one of those persons and as of September 13 th I have one more very special reason to continue the fight and promise to you to do my best to leave this world a little better than I found it, for you and for all those who are like you and just beginning. Kadee, you have been born to incredible, grace-filled, loving parents, your mom and dad will immerse you in the very unconditional love of the Spirit. You will be surrounded by so many family and friends who will love you unconditionally, of that I have no doubt. That love, I pray, will nurture you into whatever kind of dreams you are able to dream, into whatever kind of magnificent woman you choose to be. But I get ahead of myself and now I am dreaming of what might be rather than what is and who you are in this moment. (continued on page 4) SPECIAL SUNDAYS & EVENTS Saturday, Sept BLOCK PARTY 6:00-8:00 pm Sunday, Sept Gay Pride Walk 1:00pm Sunday, Oct. 5 - World Communion Sunday, Oct Youth Sunday Sunday, Oct Blessing of the Animals Services 9:40am & 11:00am Sunday, Oct Trunk or Treat Church Parking Lot 2:30-4:00pm Pastor Kent s Blog kent.little@collegehillumc.org Phone # - (316) Webpage - College Hill United Methodist Church A Reconciling Congregation Wise in the Ways of the Spirit, Bold in the Ways of Justice, and Graceful in relationship with all Creation. Church Services 8:30am - Sanctuary Traditional Celebration 9:40am - Fellowship Hall Art & Soul Celebration 11:00am - Sanctuary Traditional Celebration Sunday - September 21, 2014 Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost SERMON Jesus Was Not A Capitalist Rev. Kent H. Little

2 September 14, 2014 Attendance 277 LaVerne Gates CHUM Volunteer If you would like to meet and greet LaVerne, you will find her at the 11:00am service - her favorite service. She has been attending CHUM for 63 years! She is retired from the business world of investments. She has, and is, a volunteer in many, many areas here at College Hill. She is currently on the Trustees and Foundation committees, was the reception coordinator for many years, on the UMW Executive team and the circle chairwoman, and long ago was a member of Staff Parish. I know there is much much more that LaVerne has volunteered and done for us at CHUM but at least these are the highlights and the tip of the iceberg for this special lady! Did you know LaVerne was born and raised in ElDorado? She has 2 daughters and 3 grandchildren. Her husband of 37 years was in pharmecuetical sales. She is a member of Delta Theta Chi Sorority (not college related) and they have been doing scholarships and educational projects for 62 years. She is also a member of P.E.O. You won t find LaVerne sitting home bored...she is a very active lady at CHUM and in her personal life. ****************************** Many thanks to our Debbie and the Agape Sunday school class for my surprise birthday celebration at Meet & Greet. If you have to get less than young, this is the way to do it! Love, Pat Lipper TGIF - September 6:30pm Wichita Fish Co W. Douglas Everyone is welcome to join us for dinner and conversation! For more information contact Janice Rich, Congratulations to TruDee and Kent Little in the birth of their first grandbaby, Kadee Marie, born on Sept. 13th at 10:00pm. The parents are Matt & Emily Little of DeSoto, KS. Fall Film Series Women s Rights Journey Do you remember when there were Female Help Wanted Ads separate from Male Help Wanted Ads? We should not just sort of remember but should know these stories about the journey of women s rights. The film showing Wednesday, September 24, is the first part of the PBS documentary, MAKERS: Women Who Make America. Part one is entitled, Awakening. It is the story of the birth of the modern Women s Movement. When Betty Friedan s, The Feminine Mystique came out in 1963, millions of American women felt the constraints of 1950s post-war culture, which confined them to the home or to low-paying, dead end jobs. At the same time, another group of women were emerging from the anti-war and civil rights movement determined to achieve their own revolution. Join us at 6:30pm for the film followed by discussion. ****************** Register To Vote If you are not registered to vote, or if you need to change your registration because you have moved or changed your name, forms and assistance will be available at CHUM these following dates and times: Wednesday, Sept. 17, from 5:30-6:30pm Saturday, Sept. 20, from 9:00-11:00am Saturday, Sept. 20, from 6:00-8:00pm Sunday, Sept. 21, from 9:15-11:00am Wednesday, Sept. 24, from 5:30-6:30pm REGISTER TO VOTE - GET IN- FORMED ****************** Snack Supplies Needed for Children s Ministry: Pretzels Snacks that are gluten free Goldfish Microwave Popcorn Trail Mix Raisins (in small individualized boxes) Pudding Cups Please bring drop off your donations in the office. Upcoming Crawls On Saturday, November 8, we will be traveling by bus to Ellsworth, KS to eat at Pretty Boy Floyds. You can stop in the church office to make your payment for your reservation and select your meal. You will have a choice of chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes, grilled chicken with rice, or pasta. Salad, vegetables, and tea or coffee will also be served. If you want dessert or a mixed drink, you will have to pay extra at the restaurant. The cost for the bus trip and the meal is $30.00 then you will pay extra for a dessert and/or mixed drinks. Another special crawl will take place Thursday, December 18. We will be taking our 2nd Annual Crawl to Botanica to enjoy Illuminations and more. Mark your calendars! Snack Supper Now 5:45-6:30pm For Wednesday, Sept. 17, pizza, salad, and ice cream bars will be served. On Sept. 24, Communicators will be serving crock pot soups and chili. Please contact Susan Moeder by or phone at (316) or SUSANLMOEDER@gmail.com if you would like to sign up and serve a snack supper. There are several open dates available through May. Sanctuary Altar Thank you to our talented volunteers who serve on our Altar Committee. If you would like to join this volunteer ministry, please contact the church office. Committee members meet quarterly to schedule their assigned Sundays. Altar flowers can be ordered in memory or in honor of a loved one or a specific celebration. If you would like to order flowers, please contact the church office. MISSIONS Change for change at the end of August was $1603. Have you ever thought you would like to make a small gift to Grace Med, Open Door, The TV ads or GLBTQ WSU scholarships? If so your Sunday change or a few dollars in an envelope marked "Change for Change" will be added to the year end total and divided among these four missions. Thanks for every penny, Missions

3 SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS NOTES AGAPE, Rm Thank you to all of the class who helped celebrate Pat Lipper s 70th birthday at Sunday s Meet & Greet. The party was a success! Special thanks to Suzanne Hawley, party planner extraordinaire! Also, thank you to everyone who helped with the first Snack Supper of the season. We are signing up for another Snack Supper, so put November 5th on your calendars. If you have treats next Sunday, you know who you are. ARCHITECTS, Rm. B1 Lilaha gave the list of the upcoming events: Happy Birthday to Enid on 9/16, Cabinet meets Monday 9/15 to make a lot of decisions, Game Day is 9/18, and Mission Sunday is 9/28. We will advise you where this money will go later. Notice the flier handed out regarding the need to be aware and safe from scams & frauds. Neil gave the lesson on the Book of Habakkuk - who was one of the 12 minor Prophets. His name means Embracer. It deals with a lesson on Faith. Thanks for this informative small Old Testament study which allowed discussion of similar happenings going on today. Lots of thanks Neil! BUILDERS, Rm We start the The Dead Sea Scrolls on Sunday. Sharon has treats. Keep Shauna Shepherd, Carole Huddleston (Lowell s sister), Royce and Ulrichs in your prayers. COMMUNICATORS, Rm Thanks Patti Biddle for leading our lesson on Mary, mother of Jesus. Calendars: Meet & Greet on Sept. 21, Snack Supper on Sept. 24, and next class social on Oct. 26. Prayers: Pam s brother, David, and her friend Mary Jo; Caywood s neighbor, Greg; friend of Brad Biddle; Joe Sims; and Trudy MacDonald. CONTEMPORARY STUDIES, Rm. B5/7 - Thirty-eight joined together on this fine Sunday! Bob and Dee Eades enjoyed bringing their daughters, Carol and Donna, as visitors. Happy Birthday to Janice Vint and Nan Porter. Before viewing the PBS series on the Roosevelts, several shared their involvement with the Presidential family. Keith Williamson shared with us Chapter Two regarding Life as Accidental. Tabletalk focused on sharing accidental aspects of our journey to make us what we are and help us shape our lives. Next, Chapter Three: All Life Is Deeply Linked. DOUBLE CIRCLE, Rm. B4 - Betty gave a report on members of the class. Betty Burchfield has lots of pain. Wenona was discussing the snow they are having. Ivaughn is about the same. Thanks Betty for keeping track of our members who can t come to class. Don gave devotions. Robin played The Way of the Cross. Dr. Brake chose the song - good choice! The Class Party will be September 26th at noon at the church. Dr. Brake gave a good lesson about the Covenants. Attendance was 11. TRAVELING COMPANIONS, 11:00am - Join us for discussion on spiritual development and personal growth. VICEROY, Rm. B3 - When Marcus Borg said that "Salvation" is about this life and not after life, is he also saying there is no reason to think of after life in terms of "Heaven" and "Hell"? What do scriptures say about these issues? Join us as we consider what we believe. Saturday, September 20 Open House/Block Party 6:00-8:00pm Church parking lot UPCOMING CALENDAR September 21 No UMY October 5 Smelly Salted Canned Fish the church October 12 YOUTH SUNDAY All 3 Services No UMY October 19 Flier Distribution & Corn Maze 2:30-5:30pm Cost $10.00 September 28 Road Rally church October 26 Trunk or Treat 2:30-4:00 pm

4 Non-Profit Org. US Postage PAID Permit 583 Wichita, KS Address Service Requested (continued from page 1) I m going to close now, precious little one, and get on with my day looking forward to that moment this afternoon when I can wrap you in my own arms, kiss your face, and hear you breathe and coo. Your Poppie will always love you, always, no matter what and there is nothing you can do about it. One additional note Kadee, I am publishing this note to you in our church newsletter and on my blog because not only do I hope all these things for you, but I pray every day all of us, the church, our society and culture, universally will one day embrace such a world where justice will roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever flowing stream, a world where love and justice for all is the rule rather than the exception, a world where all means all. May it be so. May it be soon. May you always have Peace and Light for your Journey, Poppie Blood Pressure Checks Sunday, Sept 24 In the library 9:20-9:45am 10:45-11:15am. Free Breakfast and Food Pantry Saturday, May 17th 9:00-11:00 a.m. Fellowship Hall Last month we served over 200 clients! ROMEOs (for men only) Every Thursday 8:00am Spears Restaurant 4323 W. Maple CHUM FOUNDATION The CHUM Foundation is scheduled to meet on Sunday, September 28, at 1:00pm in the church Parlor. All committee members are encouraged to attend. Conversation Laughter Fun Breakfast Coffee

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6 CHUM Go Project Education Caravan Initiative As part of our Great Plains Annual Conference Educational Initiative our Go Project team as contacted three elementary schools that were identified to us by the Wichita School District that would appreciate help that we might be able to provide. We have been in contact with Spaght Elementary, Washington Elementary, and Griffenstein Elementary. In our conversations with each school we offered the possibility of assisting the schools with supplies, services, or both. Included in this flyer are the material items the schools have identified as needed as well as services in which volunteers would be appreciated. We are beginning to collect the material supplies immediately and simply ask you to purchase items as you are able and bring them to the church so we can distribute them to the school. If you use a particular schools list if you would identify that somehow that would be appreciated. If you just use the Districtwide list just indicate those supplies are for the schools in general. If you wish to assist one of the schools through services by volunteering please contact the church office and give them your name. We will have forms to be filled out for the District. If you choose to volunteer there will also be a training workshop you will need to attend put on by the District. Our goal is to have a training date set by October 1, 2014, so please contact the office ASAP so we can get you on the list. This is another exciting outreach and mission connection here at CHUM, another evidence of our life and living and loving of our community and world. Thank you for your interest, your gifts, your service, mostly thank you for being Wise in the Ways of the Spirit, Bold in the Ways of Justice, and Graceful in Relationship with All Creation, for this is certainly a part of our vision! And We re Off Let s GO!

7 Supplies needed include: Kleenex Spaght Elementary School Dry Erase Markers Underwear Youth size (male and female) Plain Pocket Folders Washington Elementary Support List Services: Listen to students read. Volunteer in the classroom Tutors Support teachers with preparing materials Volunteers to run the Eagles Nest * Provide food for events (conferences for staff, in-service day snacks, etc.) Planting plants in the flower pots in front of the school. Help in a 4 th grade classroom while the teacher runs a classroom store. Supplies: Glue Sticks Post it Notes Dry Erase Markers Highlighters Kleenex Pencils Spiral Notebooks 2 Three Ring Notebooks Folders Plain and Decorative Dividers Fun items to put in our Eagles Nest * students earn punches on a card by showing respect, responsibility, honesty and positive behavior. When they get so many punches they are able to shop at the Eagles Next Coats, Gloves, Hats for Wintertime Money donations Griffenstein Elementary People to teach students crafts or knitting and crocheting. Library Book order form and distribution assistance Gardening Reading buddies for all grades Cooking with students Helpers for Friday fun activities Girl s self-esteem group Light woodworking Other creative ideas that people would like to share with students. Pre-packaged snacks for students. No volunteers will be in the direct supervision of children. No training is required. Detailed information about all schools available in the church office.