Newsletter Mancos United Methodist Church #1 December 2008 January 2009

Transcription

1 Newsletter Mancos United Methodist Church #1 December 2008 January 2009 In peace from Pastor Craig The Pharisees asked Jesus, Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest? He said to them, 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 should love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:36-39 As you read this, we will have a new president coming into office. (I don t know which one because I m writing this on October 25) Each candidate tries to convince us that he knows what is best for us, for our communities, for our state, for our nation, and for our world. They both say so much it is hard to summarize their beliefs. Don t worry, I m not going to try and do that here. But, it is safe to say that they are both long winded and ambiguous. During the presidential elections, it is imperative that we listen and make the best informed decision because the office does impact our world. However, during presidential election years I m reminded of Jesus words, his platform. I m glad that as disciples we don t have to dance around special interests, power brokers, and competing, often conflicting interests. Jesus words in Matthew are very clear and direct, he does not beat around the bush. What is the greatest commandment? What will lead us to the good life? Love God. Love People. My hope for each of us as we enter into a new year and into life with a new president is that we put aside our party affiliations and hear the words of the One who is our ultimate leader. His words are simple but not simple minded. They offer us true change and hope for all people. Love God. Love People. God created all people thus all people are sacred in God s eyes. Dorothy Day said, I really only love God as much as I love the person I love the least. God s words are simple but God s way is challenging and difficult. May we make a commitment to follow that way of Christ. Loving God and Loving People. Amen. Walk To Emmaus Update From Amy

2 The Men s Walk was held this past weekend and was a wonderful Christian Leadership retreat for 25 men from Pagosa Springs, Durango, Fruitland, NM, Kirtland, Farmington, Waterflow, Shiprock and Bloomfield. People from all over the Four Corners helped to make this retreat happen and we are very grateful for everyone s participation and prayers. From Phyllis Johnson The Johnsons are having a gathering at their home on Thanksgiving. The following family members will be in attendance, Carl, Tina & Lindsey Johnson from Littleton, CO. Also Jennifer Hix from Highlands Ranch, CO. From Connie Spiritual Retreat 2008 Our yearly Spiritual Retreat was held the end of September at Navajo Lake State Park. We rented three log cabins which sleep six and are fully furnished including dishes, pots and pans and even a dish washer. All we had to provide was our bedding, towels, personal items and food for the meals that each cabins prepared. This year the theme was Make a Joyful Noise unto the Lord. The men were in charge of the spiritual sessions and there was a great deal of joy and laughter. It was a wonderful three days of spiritual growth and plenty of time to relax, read, hike and enjoy the beautiful scenery surrounding the lake. Next year, 2009, the retreat will be held at the same site the last week in September. Please contact Connie if you are interested in attending. Summer Residents Winter Addresses Most of our summer residents have returned to their winter homes. The following are their winter addresses: Brad and Noma Macurda Bill and Sue Ryter 214 Leaflet Ln sueryter@cs.com Spring, Texas Dick & Nancy Saletzki Ron and Mary Kay Lance W. Coggins Dr Via Inez Rd Sun City, AZ San Juan Capistrano, CA David & Linda Starliper Keith and Marjorie Nelson 2355 Swift Dr Hampton Havasu, AZ Deridder, LA Eileen Collyns Jack and Mary Ann Ott (after January 15 th ) 104 Jerez Ct Kalanianaole Ave. #409 St. Augustine, FL Hilo, HI Roma Ewing (After Jan.2009) Charles and Dorothy Reno P.O. Box W. Petirrojo Rossevelt, AZ Green Valley, AZ Heavenly Fitness, a Christian Workout

3 Heavenly Fitness, a class of low impact aerobics to upbeat christian music, is held every Thursday from 10:00 to 11:00 at the Fellowship Hall. The class is open to all levels of fitness, from the beginner to the more advanced. There is 50 minutes of aerobics followed by a short devotional and discussion ending with a prayer. It is a wonderful form of alternative worship and is a great mood lifter. The class will continue through November 20 th, the Thursday before Thanksgiving. We will take a short winter break and will resume in February. If you would like more information contact Connie Goodell at Thanksgiving Parish Soup Dinner The Parish Soup Dinner will be held on Sunday, November 23 rd at the Mancos Church. Our church will provide the soups and the other churches will bring the breads. The dinner follows a Thanksgiving service held in the sanctuary which is led by each of the churches in the parish. This is a wonderful opportunity to be with other members of the parish and will to join with them in expressing our gratitude for God s presence in our lives Hanging of the Greens The Hanging of the Greens, the beginning of Advent, will take place on Saturday, November 29 th. Mary Ann and Jack Ott always provide the beautiful tree for the sanctuary and the Advent Wreath. Several teams decorate the sanctuary and the Fellowship Hall making both a beautiful and welcoming place.the Johnsons provide lunch serving their prize winning chili. We can always use lots of help so please join us at 9:00am for this traditional way to begin the Christmas season. Mancos Arts and Crafts Bazaar Our church will have a booth at the Arts and Crafts Bazaar on Saturday, December 13 th. We will be selling home made pies by the slice or by whole pies and coffee. We will also have a grab bag of gifts for children to purchase for under $1.00. The money derived from our sales goes to the Christmas Baskets we distribute just before Christmas to needy families. San Juan Parish Church Conference The San Juan Parish Church Conference will be held Sunday, December 7 th at the First Methodist Church in Cortez. Each church in the Parish presents a report to the District Superintendent. This report is made up of various committee reports including the Church Leadership Directory for the year 2009, the 2009 Budget, the 2009 Clergy Compensation and many others. We would like to have a good represention from our church so please come join us. The Annual Christmas Dinner, Wednesday, December 17 th This year s Christmas Dinner will again be held at the Mancos Community Center. The dinner is pot luck and the community is invited. We always have a very large number in attendance making it a very special occasion. The dinner is at 6:30pm following a Christmas Carol Sing- a- Long starting at 5:45pm in the church sanctuary. Come and sing your favorite carols and carol your way to the dinner. Poinsettias for the Sanctuary We will be decorating the sanctuary with red poinsettias the week before Christmas. We will have 20 for sale and if you would like to purchase one or more please contact Connie. The price of each poinsettias is $ Everyone is welcome to take home their poinsettias immediately after the Christmas Eve service. Christmas Eve Service, Wednesday, December 24 th The Christmas Eve Service will be held in the church sanctuary at 5:30pm on Wednesday, December 24 th.this is always a beautiful service with exciting pageantry and music and ending with the lighting of

4 candles to the music of Silent Night, What a wonderful way to celebrate the meaning of Christmas with your family and friends. Prayer Concerns Prayers for Charlie Reno who has been diagnosed with cancer and will be going through treatment in Green Valley, Arizona and at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona. Continued prayers for David and Linda Starliper as they deal with their health issues in Arizona. Prayers for Lester Moss as he returns to Valley Inn after being in the hospital in Cortez with pneumonia. Prayers for Les Huesby, ex-pastor at the Dove Creek Church, who has been diagnosed with cancer. From Jennifer Godly Play Children s Program Ends After Four Years After an incredible four-year run of the children s Wednesday afternoon Godly Play, program, I am stepping down. This was one of the most difficult decisions I ve ever had to make. I was as blessed teaching the stories as the children were listening to them. I started working a 35-hour a week job as a Teacher s Assistant in Ro s fifth grade elementary school with Pam Coppinger. The school decided to combine the two fifth grade classes and get an aid to help with the large class. It is a wonderful job, and I get to serve twenty-eight kids all day long now. It s just a different kind of ministry. It is also a kick to work with Margie Russell and share laughs with her. As I m out on recess duty on the majority of days, I m also noticing some minor missions that need to be taken care of on the playground. I m going to go to the school first, but there might be some small ways that we can make a big difference in the lives of the little ones at Mancos Elementary School. I also know of about 8-10 fifth graders who struggle with math because they don t know their math facts, so if you have any creative ways to help with that, just give me a call. I am continuing to work with kids now more than ever, just in a different capacity. Sunday School and Children Our children are so important to us, but with losing our children s Wednesday after school program as well as three of our four Sunday school teachers, I am concerned for our children at Mancos United Methodist Church. Be prayerful and honest in your discernment, but if after careful prayer and consideration, you feel called to teach Sunday school once a month, or if you have a burning desire to work with kids in some capacity such as providing a month long after school chess club, Bible study for kids, study group etc..please, contact Pastor Craig. Let s be open to the spirit and feel free to brainstorm and pray for our precious children and any programming that might benefit them. Angels in the Wings Gwen Hawkins felt like there needed to be a way to connect us, a church, in ways to express love and care for the events going on in peoples lives. Through a discussion with many committed congregants, a card ministry was formed. Sharon Spinney was aware of a similar ministry at a previous church in California and so, they borrowed their name, Angels in the Wings.

5 This special ministry was a group process and became a prayer and card ministry led by the sprit of God, and has blessed, and continues to bless people in our congregation as well as people throughout our country and world. We get the names and needs of people from our congregants who leave a note or express during prayer and concern time at church, said Sharon. There are two different Angels who share the ministry for a two month period. Everyone who has been involved in the ministry has felt blessed themselves. There are Angels in the Wings boxes located in the back of the Sanctuary as well as in the entry into the Fellowship Hall. Many thanks to our special Angels who continue to offer written love, care, and prayer support for people. A special thanks to Esther Cook who was very helpful getting the money approved by the church council to purchase the cards and the stamps for mailing. For more information, please contact Gwen Hawkins or Sharon Spinney. We just wanted to thank all of our wonderful musicians who play for us week after week after week. Thank you Betty, Jean, Dana, Gwen, Noma and Silvia. You bless everyone with your music and it is truly a gift. We also wanted to thank Barb Cover and Sue Paschal who so diligently and joyfully taught Sunday school for over three years. Thank you Marjorie, Noma, Connie and Barb for the fabulous and constantly changing photo boards in the Fellowship Hall. We love to look at the pictures and see all of the neat things that people have been doing and have involved with throughout these last few months. It is a much appreciated ministry. Birthdays & Anniversaries December January 2 Noland Alexander 1 Zane Goodell 3 Jack Ott 3 Jake Driver 6 David Starliper 3 Sue Ryter 7 - Jim Bristol 3 Bill Johnson 7 Jen Paschal 4 Gloria Thomas 10 John Fleitz 6 Dick Edwards 12 Lois Danille 8 Michele Black 16 Dean & Betty Wolcott (Ann.) 13 Jeff Booton 23 Jean Bader 21 Keith & Marjorie Nelson (Ann. 24 Jack & Mary Ann Ott (Ann.) 25 Zach Brown 27 Phyllis Johnson 27 Lester Moss 27 Marjorie Nelson 31 Katherine Stevick 31 Barb Cover 31 Joy Grant Proverbs 3: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. 6-In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 7-Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. 8-It will be a healing for your flesh and a refreshment for your body. 9-Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first-fruits of all your crops; 10-then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim with new wine.

6 You may want to keep this page. These are people who have moved. Velva Brampton th Street West Apt. #318 Bradenton, FL (941) Jim & Margaret Bristol 102 Ballantree Drive Ashville, NC (828) Steve & Donna Lee Budd-Jack 4720 Starboard Drive FL (941) Joy Grant South West 250 th Way Vashon, WA Phyllis Jackson (206) Starboard Drive Bradenton, FL (941) Dan & Toni Corcoran 3015 Monument Avenue Richmond, VA (804) Sue Paschal & Morgan Darden 517 North Main Smith Center, KS (785) Dave & Beth Stevick (Katherine, Ally & Wesley) 7303 County Road 46 Caneadea, NY Deadline for the next issue is January 11, 2009 Nancy and I want to wish everyone a Blessed Thanksgiving, Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year.