Church Finance Update

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Brooke Hawkins
5 years ago
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My answer always was, "I miss people... I miss the conversations, getting to know people, praying together, in other words, I miss sharing life together.

1 Village UMC Family, The last six months have been a blast for me. Many friends asked me, before I came to Village, if I wanted to be back in the local church, since the main part of my job was administration and strategic planning for many groups of the conference. My answer always was, "I miss people... I miss the conversations, getting to know people, praying together, in other words, I miss sharing life together." Well, my prayer was answered when God sent me (and us, the pastoral team) to Village UMC. I enjoy sharing life with you all and, as I have mentioned to many of you, each Sunday I come out of church with a big smile. God has been good with all of us. I give thanks to God for the past six months! Now 2018 is about to start (I can't believe 2017 is gone!) and the good and hard work needs to continue. God indeed has big plans for Village UMC. We are in the middle of a thriving neighborhood. God's help, we will continue to reach out to our community this new year. God is working in and through us! This strength comes from a close relationship with God and being empowered by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, I invite all of you to engage in any way you feel called by God with opportunities to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ. Perhaps this growth can be achieved by joining a Bible study, either Wednesday night or Sunday morning. Or maybe it is by joining the choir. Another way may be to volunteer for Village Cafe or Mobile Meals. A new opportunity will be the after school program we want to launch by February. This program will need people to drive, cook, tutor (homework and reading) or share a skill you may have with these young children. We have a lot of work coming in 2018, but I am glad this task has been entrusted to Village UMC, because together we will answer God's calling! If the last six months have been a blast, I can only imagine what the next year will be like! I look forward to continue sharing life together. Many blessings, Carlos

2 Page 2 Church Finance Update Every year since 2014, pledges have declined and the corresponding budget for VUMC has decreased until now! We are thankful to report that pledges for 2018 have increased 2.7% over While this is admittedly a small percentage, any movement in a positive direction is to be celebrated! And that s not all! Two donations were received in the 4th quarter of 2017 that have lessened the concerns of church leadership regarding major repairs or capital improvements, not to mention simply paying monthly bills. A little breathing room has been missing in these past few years so it is all the more appreciated. VUMC s paying of Conference Apportionments was impacted dramatically in 2016 when for the first time in recent years, only 36% of apportionments were paid rather than the usual 100%. This year has been much better; we were able to pay 66% thanks in part to the generosity of individual designated donations and the year end gifts. As you know from your own life experience, it s hard to dream big when you have trouble paying your monthly utilities. This has been the tension here; so much that we want to do, but so little in discretionary funds. We are optimistic that the trending increase will continue well into 2018, and that some of our dreams can be realized as this year unfolds. Thank you for your faithfulness and continued support of your church family. Single Parent Support Network The Single Parent Support Network Christmas celebration was a resounding success. Fellowship Hall was packed as we hosted well over 200 adults and children from our community. A special thanks to Rhonda Thomas who leads this ministry, and to everyone who volunteered for this event. The main word that was heard describing the evening was fun, which is a great way to think of church! Do you know a family who could benefit from being a part of our Single Parent Support group? Please tell them about this growing ministry at Village. The group meets every Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM. They will be loved and encouraged, childcare is available, and they can come early for our free dinner at Village Café, so no rushing around to feed everyone before leaving home! Lighthouse Kidz Singers Are Back! Lighthouse Kidz Singers have shared anthems with traditional worship services during the fall semester. Rehearsals for the spring semester begin on January 10. Children in Kindergarten through Grade 5 meet each Wednesday in the Jungle Room upstairs from 6 to 6:30 p.m. They learn about the Bible and Christian faith as they develop their singing skills. All children in that age group are encouraged to become Lighthouse Kidz Singers.

3 Quilt Winner Congratulations to the winners of the quilts that were given away during the UMW Christmas Brunch on December 2, Winners were: Choir Love quilt Linda Prentice French Braid quilt Letty Eby Soccer quilt - Eric Wolfinger Thanks very much to the Stitch-n-Sew group for their hard work, and to all who purchased tickets for this fundraiser. Page 3 Boxtops YES, Soup Labels NO Look for Boxtops for Education official coupons on food packages, tissue boxes, etc. Clip them out and bring them to a bag hanging on a bulletin board in the hallway leading to Fellowship Hall. The boxtops are donated to Andrew Johnson Elementary School for supplies and equipment. Soup labels are no longer being accepted. Thanks for helping in our efforts to support Johnson Elementary in this small way. Winter Jam One of our youth highlight events, Winter Jam, will return on March 17th, 2018, and the planning phase is getting serious; we d like to have our group set and tickets purchased in February so read on! We had a great time last year when we purchased early admission privileges so we would like to do that again. We can join in the 3:30 pm door opening as long as we have a minimum of 10 in our group. Cost will be $41.99 and includes a t-shirt, seats of our choice prior to general admission doors, and other collectibles. The lineup has been announced and performers will be some of our favorites including: Skillet, Kari Jobe, Building 429, comedian John Crist, KB, NewSong, Jordon Feliz, Dan Bremnes, Mallary Hope, Westover, and speaker Nick Hall. This concert is one of our favorite events of the year and you ll have a blast if you come along. Hope to see everyone there! Philip Brooks Pat Bonner Karen & Lynn Brian Dallas Dunn Beau Ferguson Charise Frazier Stan Funderburg & family Bud Griffy Jennifer Haessig Darion Kash Jeanne Kelley Barbara & Walter Kendall Bill Kidwell Jim & Johnna Kienholz Tom Lee Jeff Marrs Prayer Concerns Bill McKelvey Wilma Pojezny Rick & Linda Poole s family Sandra Pope Madison Reynolds Starlette Reynolds Xavier Reynolds Bonnie Smith Sandy & Tim Soli Janet Stein Carolyn Thompson Wanda Vanderburg Danny Wilson Nicki Woodford I am praying to you because I know You will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray. Psalm 17:6 (NLT) For intercessory and other prayer needs, please contact the main office at or Gayla Blakely at

12:00 PM Prime Timers 12 13 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM Welchel Baby Shower 14 15 Martin Luther King, Jr.

4 Page 4 January 2018 S M T W T F S Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 JAN 1 Church Office Closed :15 PM Trustees Meeting 8 9 6:00 PM Finance Meeting 6:00 PM Wesleyan Women :00 PM Prime Timers :00 PM - 5:00 PM Welchel Baby Shower Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 16 1:00 PM Mary Ruth Circle 6:00 PM Communications Committee Meeting :00 PM UMW Leadership Meeting Eat At Johnnie s Day FEB 1 2 We love because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19

Alison Samson Wanda Vanderburg January 14 Janice Tai January 15 Austin Elliott Keara Lee January 16 Jamie McCormack January 17 Jeff Jameson January 19 Mary Lou Delbridge January 21 Nicki Woodford

5 Page 5 Celebrations and Items of Interest Happy Birthday to YOU!!! January 2 Patti Pojezny Jane Wingrove January 3 Steven Carter January 8 Linda McMasters January 10 Savanna Davis Rory Fidler January 12 Patsy Jameson Kyndel Leatherock January 13 Dwayne Blakley Alison Samson Wanda Vanderburg January 14 Janice Tai January 15 Austin Elliott Keara Lee January 16 Jamie McCormack January 17 Jeff Jameson January 19 Mary Lou Delbridge January 21 Nicki Woodford January 22 Mary Taylor January 26 Tom Lee Ann Runnels January 28 Sarah Jones Nancy Kendrick January 30 Alden Clark Peggy Clifton Happy Anniversary January 2 Leigh & Annette Culbreath January 3 Robert & Linda McMasters January 4 Hsi & Janice Tai January 13 Bill & Wanda Noble January 15 Jeff & Tami Fidler January 28 Maury & Ginger Langston Ushers for January 9:00 AM Service Dustin & Peggy Williams 11:00 AM Service To be determined! UMW Leadership Meeting: January 23rd, 1:00 PM VUMC is a Stephen Ministry congregation. Thank you! Thank you, Anonymous, for the poinsettia in honor of my 3 years as President of the UMW. It was quite a surprise blessing. Peggy Clifton Discover classes and other events at our online calendar If you have to miss a Sunday, never fear! You can listen to the sermon online at our websitewww.villagemethodist.org Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18

6 Page 6 Winter Discipleship Programming Winter discipleship programming starts this month! Connect with a Bible study led by Pastor Elaine (Mondays) or Pastor Carlos (Wednesdays), join a book study led by Julie Whitson (Thursdays), or join in some early morning breakfast and fellowship with (Fridays). Single parents are also welcome to connect with the Single Parents Support Network led by Rhonda Thomas on Wednesdays. We are eager to get started! Which program will you choose? Pastor Rev. Dr. Elaine Robinson Pastor Rev. Carlos Ramirez Supply Pastor Jay Williams Church Office Administrator Meagan Ewton Youth Ministries Coordinator Jeremy Davis IT Technician Phillip Brooks Choir Conductor Daniel Taborda Instrumentalist Judy Horne Finance Administrator Sally Langer Custodian Rodger Goss, Samuel Welchel The Village Herald (USPS ) is published the first Friday of each month by The Village United Methodist Church, 2501 W. Britton Road, OKC, OK Periodical postage paid at OKC, OK. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE VILLAGE HERALD, 2501 W. Britton Road, Oklahoma City, OK Periodicals Postage Paid

2019 Leadership First United Methodist Church

2019 Leadership First United Methodist Church CHURCH COUNCIL MEETS 2ND TUESDAY 6:30 (LIBRARY) Dick Johnston Recording Secretary Asst. of Lay Ministries Asst. of Youth & Recreation Laura Brooks Staff Parish Relations Lay Member of Annual Conference