BAPTISM: Chris Klaus, Minister of Music & Worship

Transcription

1 January 2014 Vol. 3 Issue 1 Connecting Generations to Grow Relationships with God, Others, and Creation BAPTISM: Chris Klaus, Minister of Music & Worship Adopted by Grace Matthew 3: And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased." our word to God promising our response of faith and love. We pray that With God s help we will proclaim the good news and live according to the example of Christ. We will surround you with a community of love and for- write your name on a symbol (such as a rock or a shell). These will be collected and submerged into a vessel. During the ceremony you will be asked to come forward and select a name from the water. We will then encourage looking to connect with others. Just imagine the power unleashed by he Holy Spirit if we all take time to pray for one another every day! Join us this special day as we prepare our hearts for the seasons of Epiphany and Lent through the practice of praying for not only ourselves, but for others by the renewing of our Baptismal covenant. January 12 is a very special day in the Liturgical year of the Church. It is the Baptism of our Lord. This is a day in which we remember our baptism and renew or reaffirm our Baptismal Covenant. Here are a few words taken from the United Methodist Hymnal regarding The Baptismal Covenant: The Baptismal Covenant is God s word to us, proclaiming our adoption by grace, and giveness, that you may grow in your trust of God, and be found faithful in your service to others. We will pray for you, that you may be true disciples who walk in the way that leads to life. On this special Sunday, you will be asked to you to pray for this person throughout the year. Perhaps you will not know the name that you select. That s okay! We can introduce you and/or help you contact this person. Who knows, you may meet a new friend or someone new to Latham who is Inside this issue: Discipleship and Confirmation Lifetree Update 3 In Reach 4 Connect/Communicate 5 Finance 6-7 Announcements 8 Children s Ministry 9 UMW 2013 Recap 10 Calendar 11 Worship Planning 12 Board of Stewards 13 2 Student Ministry 14

2 P a ge 2 Rev. Chris Martin, Minister of Discipleship & Outreach The very nature of discipleship is an ongoing process; and as we embark on a new year, it s a great time to establish some discipleship goals (or resolutions if you like that word better) for the coming year. One great place to start would be reading through the entire Bible during A resource I have suggested using for this is called Life Journal, which can be purchased online at (or simply go to that website and it will give you the assigned reading for each day of the year.) I am personally resolving to follow this reading plan for the coming year, and I know that several small groups are going to be doing this as well. So I encourage you to join with us as we dive in to the Biblical text with expectations of being shaped by the living and active word of God. I would also strongly suggest that you look for the opportunity to join a small group during the coming year. These groups are vital for mutual accountability, encouragement, and spiritual growth all aspects of genuine discipleship. We continue to work toward launching several of these small groups, and if you would like to participate or if you have any questions please let me know chrismartin@lathamumc.org or Oswald Chambers has long been part of my early morning devotional reading and no matter how many times I read over those same pages, I find his words continue to challenge and guide and strengthen my walk with the Lord. This morning (Jan. 6) these words spoke resoundingly to me, Worship is giving God the best that He has given you. When we consider what God s best looks like in our life salvation, life, family, etc our response should be much more than just lip service. This kind of worship is about a way of life a disposition - not simply a church service on Sunday morning. May we offer to Christ our life in the coming year, in all its fullness, as a way of worshipping him for everything that He is and all that He s done in our life. Heather Porter: A Look at Confirmation from a Mentor s Perspective Confirmation is an exciting time in the life of the church. For the confirmands, the mentors, and the ministers this is a very busy few months. During this time, the youth have the opportunity to learn about their church and ask questions they may not ask in the normal Sunday School setting. As they learn what it means to be a Methodist, they engage in conversation with each other and with other adults from their church. One may think that the youth are the only ones to learn during this time; but as time goes on, it is easy to see that the "kids" will challenge the adults on many levels. Confirmation is eye opening for everyone because it is a time when everyone can deepen their faith and learn just a little more about their God. Throughout Confirmation relationships grow and friendships are fostered. A great deal of study is done but the time is not complete without the retreat! A weekend is devoted strictly to the children and time with them. As the goal of helping them learn more about themselves and Methodism continues, the confirmation retreat is meant to take them "away from it all". For two days, they go through intense study at Camp Sumatanga. They also have a wonderful opportunity to bond with the adults that are mentoring them. Through walks in the wilderness to

3 P a ge 3...Confirmation Continued games, the youth get to really see what a church family means and what connectedness can do for a person. They engage with one another, they question their religion, other religions, and maybe even why they are "who they are". Through it all, the group laughs, sometimes, they cry, but at all times they love one another. As a mentor, I would not trade the opportunity to work with these youth. I see them start the process very unaware of what is happening or what they are about to learn. When it ends, I sit back and I see how very different they are. They are changed. They have learned something. They love each other. They have grown. They have an understanding of why they are here. We should be proud! They are our future! Welcome New Members James Adams Rachel Chua Aidan Cleary Jack Martin Jason Sutherland Emma Willett Eli Worsham *Truett Hope *Carson Klaus *Have completed all classes and will be formally confirmed in January or February. LifeTree Café Leadership for 2014 By Hughey Reynolds Latham s Nominations and Leadership Development Committee is happy to announce that our church now has the leadership in place for Lifetree to continue at Latham in As of our December 3, 2013 Board of Stewards meeting, our slate of volunteer leaders for Lifetree Café was incomplete and therefore the future of this important ministry was in jeopardy. Those who stepped forward to accept the vacant leadership roles are active participants in the weekly sessions of Lifetree Café. They believe it provides a service for our church and community and are committed to its maintenance and growth. The leaders of LifeTree Café are: Director: Andy White Director Advisor: Jane Smith Friendship Champion: Sam Lasseter Host Champion: Gerald Smith Out on a Limb Champion: Doug Seay Anita Banks will continue to coordinate the finances of Lifetree. Lifetree Café does not have a line item in Latham s 2014 budget. It is supported by weekly freewill offerings left in jars on the conversation tables and by special donations from people who believe in this ministry. Communications for Lifetree are being coordinated by our new Director Andy White. He has created a Lifetree Café Huntsville Facebook page. Check it out and Like the page. On it you will find information about current and upcoming Lifetree Café topics. You can leave your comments and Share the page on your timeline as well. These are excellent ways to help advertise Lifetree Café of Huntsville in our community. Lifetree Café of Huntsville meets every Thursday at 6:30 in the Welcome Center of Latham United Methodist Church. For more information or to learn how you can help support Lifetree Café of Huntsville, call Andy White at or him at andrew.white@timeous.us.

4 P a ge 4 Appreciation Breakfast Liz Hall Zeman InReach Ministries Marvene Borntrager It is appropriate to celebrate a new year with an appreciation for all the hard work done by all the volunteers at LUMC. So we are going to have a celebration! What: A come and go buffet breakfast When: Tuesday, January 28, :00am to 9:00am Where: Fellowship Hall (Farley Hall in the Family Life Center ) Who: Anyone who helps keep Latham s mission alive through teaching others, helping others and supporting our various programs. Why: Because your efforts are essential to the mission of LUMC and God and they are appreciated How: Good food, music, great company, kind words, a good way to start your day! Please call/ Marvene by Friday, January 24, 2014 to let us know you are coming. We need this headcount for food purposes. As I drove to work this morning, I thought about what is happiness? To me, happiness is having gratitude for what I have and being able to share that with others. Not just receiving blessings but giving blessings. What does Happiness mean to you? On one of the social media groups on the internet, the theme for December was to post something each day you were thankful for. I would like to encourage you to continue this gratitude into We, as Christians should want to show our brothers and sisters in Christ the love that He commands us to show. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:37-39 Many times when we give to others we think we are blessing them. Well, we are, but in return we receive a much bigger blessing. As you go forward this year, whether you are in the grocery store, in a parking lot, in your neighborhood or in church, please share the love of Christ. If you would like to volunteer in some area in 2014, please contact us, and we will connect with you through In-Reach Ministries. Make 2014 an awesome year and help us build the body of Christ here at Latham. If you know of a fellow member of Latham that is sick, in the hospital, has a need of some kind, please call us at ( ) to make sure we know. Please don t assume that we already know. Be our ears, eyes and heart to pass along the LOVE.

5 Connect Team News Susan Terry Communication News Richie Hall P a ge 5 THE NEW DIRECTORY IS COMING!!!!! We have so many new faces at Latham that when the staff mentions names of people, often others can t put a face with the name. We want to fix that!! Sign up now for your slot to get your picture taken. There is no obligation to buy anything. The new directory will primarily be online, accessible from your computer or smart phone. If you don t have computer access, we can print you out a hard copy; but are trying to limit the number of hard copies to those that NEED them since the church will incur the printing costs. It won t be a COMPLETE church directory without you!!! A member of the Connect Team will be in the Welcome Center each Sunday to help you and your family find a time that is convenient for you to schedule an appointment to have your portrait made. We hope you ll sign up and be a part of this special celebration of our Latham UMC family. LUMC CDC Usborne Book Fair Fundraiser January 28 & 29 With a product line of over 1,400 titles, Usborne offers something for every age. Various books will be on display in room 167 to look at and order. I am absolutely ecstatic to announce that Russ Willett has graciously agreed to accept the lay position of Communications Coordinator for this viable and critical ministry of the church! Russ brings with him years of significant and very versatile experience, not to mention an absolutely magnetic personality that makes him incredibly fun to be around and work with! I look forward to working with him and capitalizing on the incredible strengths he will be bringing to this station. The Communications Team looks to be quite busy in 2014 We have several initiatives we ll be launching and things we ll be working on: 1) Our Film/Video Crew promises to put together several unique / custom presentations to enhance our worship experiences together on Sunday Mornings. 2) Our Website Crew will be working to optimize our already stellar website and increase our SEO (search engine optimization) to make it easier for those searching for churches online to find us and navigate our beefy online presence. 3) We will continue to improve our social media and look to add Instagram & other mediums to our arsenal of media tools and resources. 4) And our Marketing Team is going to get incredibly busy here before long... We look forward to all that 2014 is going to bring!

6 P a ge 6 Status of 2013 Operating Budget Buddy Bishop, Finance Chairman October financial report showed actual YTD income = $634,169 versus actual YTD expenses = $645,367. This results in $11,198 in negative cash flow. Against the approved 2013 budget: YTD budget (straight line basis)+ $662,455 estimated versus actual YTD income+ $634,169 indicates we are behind $28,286 or 4.3% where we wanted to be by the end of October. However, our history has shown that November and December are the months were we typically begin to ramp up in monthly income and end the year on a high note. Also, since December has five Sundays we have a good probability we ended the year on a positive note. For example, the past three years of December history show: $100,438 (2012) $83,659 (2011) $79,449 (2010) Our approximate monthly spending rate varies on average somewhere between $62,000 and $66,000. So, how we finished the year depends heavily on how we did in December. We have reasonable expectations we did that. Also, so far, we have not had to use the $12,000 rainy day amount approved last year as a contingency. Bills are getting paid on time although we may have to wait a Sunday s collection. BOS agreed last year that if we had a positive balance from the 2013 budget, we would apply the amount to the remaining portion of Latham s unpaid 2013 Conference Apportionments We refinanced $1,050,000 capital debt with BBT on April 4, Interest rate 3.8%, seven year payout, minimum monthly payment of $14,282.51, early payoff penalty 2% now, dropping to 1% in April 2014 and remaining at 1% through life of the loan. Typical monthly payments $17,400 to $17,800. Loan balance as of November 30, 2013 $807,366. Current cash on hand in the Capital Fund Account, December $265,137 drawing essentially zero interest. Can we be creative and reduce the loan principal? A BBT letter indicated they would modify the prepayment penalty if, by December 13, we exercised a one-time pre-payment penalty of 0.75% on unpaid balance. Finance proposed to apply approximately $200,000 of the cash on hand in the Capital account to the loan on principal. This amount would reduce remaining principal. When done, the one-time pre-payment penalty was approximately $6,000 or less based upon December 13 balance. BOS approved Trustees to sign the paperwork at BBT to revise the prepayment clause prior to December 13, 2013 and revise the bank note pre-payment clause to the one-time.075%. The Result allowed for more options to pay off debt faster with a greatly reduced prepayment penalty.

7 P a ge Operating Budget Original Request Reductions Approved Budget INCOME Gratitude Giving $783,342 $ 783,342 Rental Income $21,000 $ 21,000 Egive fees -$1,600 $ (1,600) Total Income $802,742 $ 802,742 EXPENSES PROGRAM MINISTRIES Communication Ministries $37,600 $0 $37,600 Worship Ministries $14,513 $0 $14,513 Connect Ministries $1,390 ($980) $410 Disciple Ministries $10,600 ($1,850) $8,750 Children's Ministry $8,000 ($3,025) $4,975 Youth Ministry $15,400 ($3,250) $12,150 In Reach Ministry $2,300 $0 $2,300 Outreach Ministry $22,675 ($5,000) $17,675 Total Ministries Expense $ 112,478 $ (14,105) $ 98,373 TRUSTEES Insurance $36,270 $0 $36,270 Utilities $60,450 $0 $60,450 General Maintenance $69,800 ($3,000) $66,800 Committees $37,500 ($20,000) $17,500 Parsonages, Total $3,000 $0 $3,000 Information Technologies $10,500 ($2,500) $8,000 Total, Trustees $217,520 ($25,500) $ 192,020 STAFF PARISH Salaries $368,776 ($6,553) $362,223 Min/Staff Support Costs $80,848 ($15,294) $65,554 Total, Staff Parish 449,624 ($21,847) $ 427,777 APPORTIONMENTS District $9,552 $ 9,552 Apportionments $97,750 $ 97,750 Budget Reduction ($12,850) Total Apportionments $107,302 ($12,850) $ 94,452 Total Operations Budget $886,924 ($74,302) $ 812,622 Reserved Fund Income less Expenses = $ (84,182) $ (9,880)

8 P a ge 8 Church Wide Announcements for the Month of January Everyone is invited to join us at Mc- Gucken Park Sunday, Jan 2PM for a fun Flag Football Tournament! This event is sponsored by the youth and young adult ministries, so things could get interesting! Latham s Long- Range Planning Committee will be meeting Tuesday, January 14th at 6:30PM in the Youth Wing. Future meetings and dates will be discussed and planned based upon information shared during this first important event. Latham s Student Ministry will be taking a sizeable crew to Camp Sumatanga MLK weekend for a fun and exciting Spiritual Retreat geared exclusively to and for teens! Please pray for our student s and leaders! Latham s Student Ministry, in connection and partnership with Aldersgate UMC, LSUMC, & St Thomas will help with and participate in a multi-church youth outreach event at St Thomas we re calling VIGIL designed to reach teens across South Huntsville! Other Happenings & Great Things Going on at LUMC ELDERBERRIES Join the Elderberries for fellowship, lunch and entertainment by the Sheldon Family Singers January 16 at 11:30 in Farley Hall. Lunch is $8:00 and is served at 12:00 noon. Call Dot Coombe or Bill Barnes for lunch reservations if you are not on the regular calling list. You will be welcomed whether or not you purchase lunch. Hope to see everyone there! Thanks to all for making Operation Santa Claus a great success!! Seventy-nine, Seventy Nine folds had a very Merry Christmas. Their gifts ranged from Gift Cards to Sudoku Books...shoes and to DVD movies and from vacuum Cleaner to a New Orleans Saints jogging suit. And yes, your found and gave it all. Many mentally disadvantaged will have a truly memorable Christmas. All thanks to you, So give yourselves a big pat on the back and get ready for 2014! Thanks again. Donna Whitacre

9 P a ge 9 January Mission for Children: Thanks to all those that brought pajamas for Manna House for our December mission. This month we will be collecting pet food and accessories (toys and treats) for the Animal Shelter. You can drop off your donations in the Welcome Center at the Collection Corner. DATES FOR 2014 CHILDREN S MINIS- TRY: North Alabama Children s Choir Festival Set There will be a Choir Festival for children in grades 2 through 5 here at Latham on Saturday, Children s Ministry Susan Terry, Minister of Children and Connect March 1st. Please save that date on your calendar. The festival is open to ANY child in those grades who would like to come...not just Latham members. More details to follow. Children s Spring Musical: May 5PM Vacation Bible School: June 23 27, 6-8PM Sunday 5:00PM Other Happenings & Great Things Going on at LUMC Jo Walton Literary Club The Jo Walton Literary Club meets on Monday, January 13th, 2:00 p.m. in room 151. They will be discussing the book, A is For Alibi by Sue Grafton. For more information, contact Betty Langhout ( ) or Amma Barnes ( ). Northeast District Seminar The NE District of UMW is hosting a Human Trafficking Seminar at Trinity UMC on January 25, 2014, beginning at 9:00 a.m. There is no charge for this seminar and no preregistration necessary unless you need childcare. Anyone, male or female, is welcome to attend this seminar as it is for the entire North Alabama Conference and not just UMW. Judy Gillespie, president Latham UMW

10 P a ge 10 United Methodist Women Judy Gillespie, President Latham United Methodist Women works hard for our church and our community as well as foreign projects. All seven circles meet once a month. We all come together once a quarterly for a joint meeting. We have a total of 120 members with 23 of those being inactive. We thought it would be a good idea to put all of our efforts in black and white for us to actually see what we have accomplished during $5,000 to local missions Money pledged to District UMW Sent 2,454 pencils to Nicaugua Sent 13 pencil sharpeners to Nicaragua Money to Children s Home Money to Redbird Mission,Beverly, KY 79 Christmas gifts to Operation Santa Claus Provided items for a homeless person Sent money to Henderson Settlement in KY Donations to Suzanna Greer Provided lunches to Acquaris Club Provided money to backpack program Meals provided to sick members $3,272 profit from lunch after UMW Sun. Furnished lunch for UMW Sunday Donations made to Manna House Collected toys for Manna House Donations to Operation Christmas Child Donations to Prayer & Self-Denial Sent cards to world-wide UMW supporters Donation made to Lillie Latham Fund Donations to World Thank Offering Provided food for Unity Festival Special Giving to Redbird Mission $ Provided food for VBS workers Provided food for VBS family picnic Box tops for education to Redbird Mission 40 health kits to UMCOR for tornado relief Eye glasses to local doctor for mission trips Collected 2,954 soup labels for Redbird Participated in UMCOR project to send money to Philippines Gave Edwin Hodges Ministries 450 lbs. of Christian literature Donated $300 to Edwin Hodges Ministries over & above what is in local budget Served food at Manna House & sorted and distributed items to people there Donations made to the National Children s Advocacy Center Provided refreshments for Mini School of Missions held at Latham 30 boxes sent to Honduras through UMCOR project One circle sends gift certificates to members during illnesses $1,511 donated to local missions in memory/honor of members Money donated & knitted sweaters & caps to Lakata Indian School Aluminum can pop tops to Ronald McDonald House Plastic twist off bottle caps to Morris Elementary School Furnished 50 pair of socks for Marshallese men For the past 20 years, one circle has sent goodie boxes to all of our college students Provided a reception for the Huntsville Symphony Band Christmas concert Donated $1,700 to be used to repair water damage in the Narthex Submitted by Judy Gillespie, President UMW

11 5 Mary Jane Yost January 2014 Event and Birthday Calendar P a ge 11 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 6 Lorie Hubscher Kerry Hopper Dianne Maples Aidan Cleary 7 1p Morris Elementary Tutoring 1 Sara Storey Erin Stephens Gage Stephens Laverne Swift 8 Jennifer Lucas 2 Lawrence Howard Leslie Johnson Todd Sutherland 9 Lane Derek 10a Circle 5 7p Tutoring 3 Laura Myles Gregory Lazarian Jack Hagler Ben Bentley Jim Teed 10 Hal Mooty Matt Emerson 4 Jan Sturbois Linda McKeone 11 James Beck Zack Savage 9a Boy Scout Paper Drive 12 Food Pantry Sunday Audra Prefling Michael Gris Robert Storey Susan Terry Robert Hanson 12p Connect Team Mtg 2p Flag Park LaMerle Cook Jennifer Barger Sam Nesman 1p Morris Elementary Tutoring 2p Jo Walton Literary Group Liz Hall Zeman 9:30a Circle 3 1p Morris Elementary Tutoring 1:30p Circle 1 6:30p Long Range Planning Michael Adams Jerrilyn Clayton David Gibson 10a Circle 2 10a Bible Study Buddy Bishop 10a Elderberry Board Meeting 11:30 Elderberry Luncheon 7p Tutoring Jon Crawford Andrew Hendrix Ryan Hovik 11a Latham Ladies Caren Chua Emma Willett BEHOLD 19 Charles Page Katrina Wendt BEHOLD 26 Ramona Bowden YOUTH JOINT EVENT WITH LSUMC, AUMC & ST THOMAS 20 Office Closed MLK Holiday 1p Circle 6 BEHOLD Aiden Copeland 27 Nonnie Dellinger 1p Morris Elementary Tutoring 6p First Aid & CPR Training 7p Circle :30a Circle 4 1p Morris Elementary 28 Patrick Peveler Shari Yost Lee Fulcher Dan Hahs 7a Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast 1p Morris Elementary Tutoring 6:30p Board of Stewards 22 Conrad Lee 9:30a UMW Board Meeting 6:30p Finance Committee Mtg 29 Don Hankey Carol Savage Debbie Fender 23 Jim Page Thomas Nelson 7p Tutoring 30 Steve Brahm Barbara Lindsey 7p Circle 7 Every Sunday: 7:45a Band Rehearsal 8:30a Morning Watch 8:55a Orchard Service 10:05a Sunday School 11:05a Liturgical Service 2:30p Garage Band 3:30p LAMBS 5:00p Pastor s Bible Study 5:00p Treehouse 5:00p Women s Bible Study 5:00p The Culvert-Youth Service 5:30p Celebration Choir 5:30p Cherub Choir 6:00p Bible Study 24 Peter Webster Christopher Brahm Pat Sinopole 31 Ben Martin Christian Sutherland Lucas Hazelrig Wes Wells Every Monday: 8:30a Bend & Stretch 6:00p Just Faith 6:00p Praise Band Every Thursday: 8:30a Bend & Stretch 6:30p Lifetree Café 25 Mark Doering Every Wednesday: 10:00a Ladies Bible Study 1:30p Wesley Singers 6:00p Boys Scouts 6:00p Jubilation Handbells 7:00p Ladies Bible Study 7:00p Chancel Choir

12 Worship Planning Retreat: By Hughey Reynolds Members of Latham s staff who plan and lead worship weekly will retreat to the Reynolds house on Lake Wedowee (pronounce WE DŎW WE) on January 9, 2014 for 2 days and nights of worship planning. Our purpose is to get away for a couple days to get ahead on planning upcoming worship services. We want to discern both the Word and Message that God desires to speak to and through the people of Latham and the Word and Message that the people of Latham need most to hear from God. We intend to listen to God in prayer before and during the retreat and to you, members of our church and community. What are the topics of concern; the scripture verses that inspire, puzzle, or trouble you; or aspects of worship that you would like to experience? Write a note, , or instant message to one of us, or leave a Facebook post on the Latham UMC page to let us know. Our pastors and staff have used a team approach to plan worship for several months but seldom had time to plan more than a week or two ahead, or more than the next series. As a team focused together on worship design over two entire days, we expect to project sermon and worship themes and series topics for the first 6 months of Team planning, from the original idea to the specific elements of a single service, results in greater creativity, relevance, and coordination of worship with and between the ministries of our church. Staff members at the retreat will represent Latham s Mini s t r y T e a m s (children, youth, communication, connect, discipleship, music & worship, inreach, outreach). The setting for our retreat is integral to creative planning. In her book ingenius, Tina Seelig says that the environment we choose for design work either stifles and limits our creativity or stimulates and launches it. Instead of the 4 walls of our offices and staff workroom where we have done most of our planning in the past, we want to see what creativity comes to life when we are surrounded by a 10-thousand acre lake with ducks and geese floating in the slough, miles of forest, and deer, turkey, rabbits, and squirrels foraging for food all around us. And if that doesn t stir our creativity, we can always drive a short distance to the farm to see the momma cows interact with their new calves or walk the cow and deer trails, creek banks, and fence lines. If that sounds fun and adventurous, then don t be surprised if worship reflects it this year. Do not be surprised either if the result of our worship planning retreat is a more consistent approach in all the ministries of our church to making disciples of Jesus Christ and connecting generations to grow relationships to God, others, and creation. If that happens, the retreat and the worship that results will be a success!

13 Chair, Board of Stewards Marty Martin (256) Chair, Finance Buddy Bishop (256) Vice Chair, Board of Stewards David Gore (256) Chair, Trustees To be voted on in January at first Trustee meeting Secretary, Board of Stewards Amma Barnes (256) Chair, LUMC Child Development Center Catherine Beck (256) Lay Leader Ken Stephens (256) Coordinator, Communications Russ Willett (256) Lay Members to Annual Conference Dale and Richard Peters (256) Co-Coordinator, Connect Ministries Ginny Bentley (256) Chair, Staff Parish Relations Dean Stone (256) Co-Cordinator, Connect Ministries Celia Seay (256)

14 Coordinator, Discipleship Joe Martin (256) Coordinator, Outreach Doug Seay (256) Coordinator, Traditional Worship Rosemarie Bishop (256) President, United Methodist Women Judy Gillespie (256) Coordinator, Contemporary Worship Jim Geisinger (256) President, United Methodist Men Peter Loveman (256) Coordinator, In-Reach Liz Hall Zeman (256) Farmer s Market Director Jane Smith (256) Student Ministry Spring Semester at a Glance: Richie Hall Minister of Youth and Communications Man alive it's been cold these past few days. I hope everyone has found a way to stay warm... Winter is definitely here. Even though it's insanely cold outside, we're really starting to heat things up in the student ministry! STORYTELLERS: Semester-Long series most Sunday nights using LIVE MUSIC to tell some really cool "stories" applicable to all of us. We're kicking things up a notch, and you'll want to bring friends each week. I've never seen (or even heard of) anything like this being done, and we're expecting this to be AWESOME! Don't miss it :) Band Practice: Sunday afternoons starting at 3:30 PM. We've got a LOT to do this semester with our Storytellers series - and we ll be leading in Youth Worship most Sunday nights. BEHOLD: coming up January 18-20th. We've got a great crew signed up to go. We re all really looking forward to this incredible spiritual weekend at Camp Sumatanga together. This is going to great. Super Bowl Party: Sunday, February 2nd in the Youth Wing. Everyone is invited!

15 Students Continued... Movie Night: Friday, February 7th. Right now we're planning on a Valentine Themed night. Should be really cool. Great tplace to bring a "date"! We have several other significant things on the calendar for this semester: 1) Mission Projects 3 different Saturdays between now and the end of the school year. I'm expecting great turnout! 2) Fat Tuesday Pancake Dinner : March 4th 3) Weekend of Discovery: March 14-16th We're hoping for an unbelievable turnout. INVITE FRIENDS! And parents - we need all hands on deck! 4) SONrise Easter Service: April 20th 5) Overnight trip to the TN Aquarium April 25th 6) Dinner Theatre Fundraiser: May 9th & 10th We will be utilizing (in large part) a lot of what we're doing together on Sunday nights this semester to put together two fun evenings with dinner and a show with significant spiritual implications! **Buchanan Scholarship** Everything needed to apply will be put up on the church's website (and linked to the youth Facebook page). There is a significant amount of scholarship money available this year. Get your application in early!! InStitches Ministry Part of the InReach Ministry Team Josephine Trowbridge Susanna Greer Leisa Teed Rebecca Schultz Herschel Moore Kimmy Pugh Ira Sutton Marge Ely Sara Smith Donald Kenyon Bill Vosahlik Hughey Reynolds Tom Langhout Jon Grass Sid Ellis John Adam Cray Mike Gray Carol Schlott Norma Jean Denno Audra Prefling In 2013 In Stitches (Prayer Quilt Ministry) is pleased to report the giving of 41 quilts to the following recipients: Shirley Verschoore Kendall Vining Gerald Smith Gerald Livingston Louis Callas Rose Marie Bishop Judy Bennett Alice Bennett Pennie Kirsh Regina Shelton Patrick McEnvale Lisa Guant Jim Shivers III Luke Emerson Jack Cheek Elfriede Rucker David Smith Dan Hankey Sarah Lewis Deborah Dupree Thank you to each of you who contributed to In Stitches this year. We have enough money and fabric to continue this ministry. Thank you to all who create and make these wonderful quilts. We are able to reach more people because of your talent and love. God Bless, Joey Evans

16 January 23rd January 9th January 30th January 16th Latham United Methodist Church 109 Weatherly Road Huntsville, AL Phone: Fax: On the web: lathamumc.org Connect with the Staff Rev. Dr. Hughey Reynolds, Senior Pastor Chris Martin, Minister of Discipleship Susan Terry, Minister of Connect & Children s Ministries Richard Hall, Minister of Youth & Communications Chris Klaus, Minister of Music & Worship Marvene Borntrager, Staff Coordinator for Inreach Anita Banks, Business Administrator Traci Harris, Director of Child Development Center Cherry Keeton, Organist Joey Evans, Pianist hughey@lathamumc.org chrismartin@lathamumc.org susanterry@lathamumc.org richardhall@lathamumc.org chrisklaus@lathamumc.org office@lathamumc.org admin@lathamumc.org lathamcdc@lathamumc.org Lifetree Café Join the conversation each Thursday Night at 6:30 PM. An hour long experience is packed with interesting stories, fascinating people, and lively conversation that will feed your soul.