THE GATEWAY. First United Methodist Church, Sheridan WY Don Derryberry, Pastor (307) Teresa Williams & JennaRae Akers, Editors March 2017

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1 THE GATEWAY First United Methodist Church, Sheridan WY Don Derryberry, Pastor (307) Teresa Williams & JennaRae Akers, Editors March 2017 In the next few months you ll hear more about my plans. Our Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) is working with the District Superintendent to secure the appointment of a new pastor. Zell and I plan to retire here where I will no longer be your pastor but will continue as your friend and fellow disciple of Jesus Christ doing ministry in and through First United Methodist Church of Sheridan. Shalom Rev. Don

2 The Gateway Page 2 March 2017 Cares Concerns Celebrations Prayers ~...for Gene Abbot, recovery from eye surgery....for Darlene Barbula, illness....for Carl Carmichael s Father....for Joe Lewis niece Terri....for those suffering colds & flu....for those effected by floods & tornados....for Staff Parish Relations Committee, search for new pastor & new office manager. Office Manager It is with sadness we have accepted the resignation of office manager Teresa Williams. Teresa has accepted a position, in her trained field of business. She has been a wonderful addition to our staff and accomplished much in getting our new office set up. Staff Parish Relations Committee has begun the process of finding someone to replace her. Teresa will stay with us to train our new manager (or until June whichever comes first). If you or if you know of someone who might be interested, contact Carl Carmichael, chair of the SPRC. Easter Music The Chancel Choir will soon be working on Easter Music for the Palm Sunday Cantata. If you d like to join the choir for this special time of praise, you d be welcome. Practice is every Wednesday at 7:00pm. Finance Update We finished 2016 with a deficit, however thanks to our reserve fund we were able to meet all year s expenses. In January our expenses exceeded our tithe and offering income by $500. Staff Parish Relations committee and the Committee on Finance and Administration are looking at the situation. We are hopeful by addressing budgeted expenses and with increased giving we will see our income more than meet our expenses without having to use our reserve funds. Christ in the Passover On Thursday, March 30 th at 7pm, Samuel Rood, from Jews for Jesus, will be at First United Methodist Church with his presentation Christ in the Passover sharing the significance of the Jewish Passover in the life and final days of Jesus. A free will offering will be taken. Photographer Needed! Lots of you take photos. Could you help coordinate a new pictorial directory for Sheridan s FUMC? We have a new pastor coming this summer. It would be helpful for him or her and all of us if we had names and faces together. Many churches now have established digital directories, which makes it much easier to keep information on church folks up-todate. The directory would be found through the church web page by putting in a password so personal information could not be obtained by just anyone. For those without access to computers and for those who want hard copies, a directory could be printed out. A photographer would take family or individual photos for the directory. He or she could also take photos of church activities to be added to the directory. If families have photos they would like to submit for the directory, they could bring or send to the church digitally or printed photos could be scanned. The Church Family Care committee will sponsor this project, but a photographer or two and other volunteers for a new church directory would be a great help. This could be a special interesting project for someone. Let the church office know if you are interested. Tween Group Our First United Methodist Youth (FUMY) Tweens continues to meet. We are small but we are powerful. We will gather March 5, 12 & We will not meet on the 26 th. Plans for March include faith building, fun, feasting and fellowship. March 12 th

3 The Gateway Page 3 March 2017 Salad Luncheon We are hosting the public on Thursday, March 23 rd at the UMW Annual Spring Salad Lunch!!! This will be a very exciting event you won t want to miss. You can participate by attending OR by furnishing a salad or two OR both! This event is one of the primary ways the United Methodist Women s group raises funds to support mission projects locally, regionally, nationally, and globally. See the sign-up sheets on the Sunday clipboards to let them know you are willing to make a salad or two or three. There are also opportunities to help setup, serve and cleanup. You are welcome to any and all parts of this great event. See You March 23 rd! Around the World in 60 Minutes The next trip of First United Methodist Church s Around the World is scheduled for Sunday March 19 th. Our tour guide and destination are under negotiation: watch the bulletin and the Cross & Flame for updated information. Join us at the Country Kitchen for a no-host, order off the menu, dinner at 5:00 pm and get another stamp on your FUMC Passport. Mark your calendar now! See you there! Looking Through the Rose Window FUMC was recent recipient of a bequest from the estate of long-time member Ona Toland Gunstrum who died January 8, An even greater legacy is scrapbooks she left the church. Ona was born April 23, 1892, in Marsland, Nebraska. Her parents, Methodist pastor Henry Adam and Emma Correll Toland, were en route to Buffalo, Wyoming, because the doctor told her father he would probably die within six months unless he moved west. On the day of Ona s birth a blizzard kept the doctor away, and thus, her birth was attended by the pharmacist from below their upstairs apartment. The family including Ona s elder brother reached Clearmont on the railroad and were met by a young driver with a spring wagon pulled by a couple of broncs, according to Ona s story. Buffalo was 40 miles away on a rocky trail. On occasion the driver offered a flask to his passengers, each time taking a pull himself, urging his team to go faster. Ona became a member of FUMC on July 24, 1904, at the age of twelve. She retired from teaching at Sheridan High in 1962 and married long-time acquaintance Laurence Carl Gunstrum. Those who knew Ona will attest that Jesus walked with her every day of her self-described fulfilling and meaningful life. Spuds French Fries, Mashed, Pureed, hundreds of ways to fix a potato from Ajiaco to Xogot Momo. On March the 18 th we will have good old baked potatoes at our Spud Spectacular. Tentatively we will also have entertainment by Just Harmony and from students at one of our local schools. The cost of the ticket remains 14 cents and we do ask for a donation to support the Evangelism/ Missions Committee. Tickets will be limited to 130 and are expected to go fast. Sign-up sheets for toppings and support staff are available on the clip boards. Come and enjoy, Evangelism/Missions Building Update Handrails have been installed on the east side of the church and the entry doors have been re-keyed, except the south and the southwest doors. These will be re-keyed as soon as the contractor receives new parts. See Teresa to trade your old key for a new one. Final payment has not been made to the contractor yet, but when accomplished we project a mortgage of about $600,000. We have 10 months left to collect pledges and contributions from our last campaign, God s Plans, Our Hands (GPOH) and we have about $100,000 left to collect from that pledge event. The Modernization Project is not complete until the loan is repaid, so we anticipate conducting some sort of capital campaign in the later part of 2017 to pay off the loan and accrued interest. Modernization has been and continues to be quite a journey. Thanks for your continued support and prayers as God leads us through this process.

4 The Gateway Page 4 March 2017 Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper On Shrove February 28 th, First Christian, First United Methodist, Trinity Lutheran Churches and St. Peter s Episcopal churches will join together for our annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper. Why pancakes? Shrove Tuesday gets its name from the ritual shriving (to confess) of the faithful in preparation for the Lenten fast. During Lent they would abstain from eating meat, butter, milk and eggs. To use up these forbidden foods before the fast, a last feast was held and the best way to use up these ingredients is to make and eat pancakes. Serving will begin in the FUMC dining room starting at 5:30p.m. It is open to everyone in the community, so bring a friend. A free will offering will be received. Ash Wednesday Services The season of Lent, (40 days prior to Easter not counting Sundays) begins on Ash Wednesday, March 1 st. This is a time for self-reflection, confession and repentance. First United Methodist Church will offer two opportunities to begin this time with prayer. From 7:30-9:00 a.m. Wesley Chapel (on the main floor next to the new offices) will be open for personal meditation and prayer. At 7:00 p.m. there will be a community Ash Wednesday service in the sanctuary. Both times the imposition of ashes, as a sign of penitence, will be offered. Wednesday Lenten Luncheon: Wednesdays, beginning March 8 th, from 12 noon 1:00 p.m. pastor Don will lead a discussion/study to explore the Apostles Creed: What Christians Believe and Why. Lunch is provided by different groups of the church. If your group is willing to provide a light lunch please see the clipboard for the sign-up sheet or call the church office. We are still in NEED of lunches for the 8 th, 22 nd, and April 5 th. Monday Evening Prayer CREED What Christians Believe and Why This year, you have the opportunity to pause at the beginning of the week for prayer. Each Monday night at 7:00pm, from March 6 th to April 10 th there will be a time for study and prayer as we explore what Christians believe through the lens of the Apostles Creed. This will be a more in-depth study of the materials presented at the Wednesday Lent Lunches. Receiving of new members On Palm Sunday, April 9 th we will be receiving new members into First United Methodist Church. If you are interested in officially joining the church contact the office at When we know who is interested we will schedule a membership informational sharing. Lent & Holy Week Schedule March 1 st Ash Wednesday Services Morning 7:30 am & Evening 7:00 pm 7 pm - Bible Study Creed an in-depth study of the Apostle s Creed beginning March 6 th Noon - Lent Lunch & Study A lighter discussion of the Apostle s Creed beginning March 8 th April 9 Palm / Passion Sunday UM Men Breakfast more information to come Our Chancel Choir will share in a Holy Week Cantata April 13 Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service 7:00pm April 14 Good Friday Noon Community First Presbyterian Church FUMC Service 7:00 pm April 16 Easter Sunrise Service 6:00 am Kendrick Mansion/Trails End Museum Easter Celebration 9:30 am in our Sanctuary followed by Fellowship & Children s Easter Egg Hunt Coordinators / HELPERS Needed FUMC is in need of individuals to help with some ministries that are a vital part of our church. AROUND THE WORLD IN 60 MINUTES The coordinator of these events would be responsible to secure the Country Kitchen back room for 20+ people (no host meals) for the 3 rd Sunday evening of

5 The Gateway Page 5 March 2017 some months. A list of possible travelers is available. This requires a couple phone calls to arrange for someone to present their travels and call the restaurant to confirm the scheduled event. Fill-In Secretary Someone is needed to do basic office chores when the Office Manager is out of town. Person will be trained on required tasks. The person would handle walk-ins, phone, and basic computer tasks. Communications Task Force Leader The Communications group oversees the newsletters, website, and social media areas for FUMC. This requires setting the agenda for the monthly meeting (currently held 2 nd noon for lunch), details of two monthly newsletters, and advancing the use of electronic media. Sound Board Operator The Audio Visual Teams provide the visual and sound for worship services. Training will be provided. The sound board operator makes the Pastor sound good. Secretary-Council on Finance & Administration This person would be responsible for recording the discussions and decisions of the Council on Finance & Administration (COFA) meetings on the 2 nd Tuesday evening each month. Church Family Singers Interested in singing with in a small group? Contact Bob Hall ( ) or Lloyd Marsden ( ). Adult Sunday School Convener The Seekers class will need a convener to organize this group as they choose and discuss a current book. Mission Partners Facilitator Are you a member of this mission giving group? Would you be willing to call the group together to determine the recipients of the year s gifts? THANK YOU to Pat Jones for volunteering to coordinate Communion Helpers & to clip Church Family articles from the paper for the bulletin board. If you are interested in taking on one of these positions, please contact Zell Derryberry ( / ) or the church office/teresa ( ). Homes needed for Exchange Students I am reaching out to the Sheridan community members today because we have International Exchange Students coming to your area and we are looking for loving families to host them. There are several high school spots open for exchange students and I am hoping you may consider opening your home to one. S t u d e n t s m a y a t t e n d t h e h i g h s c h o o l w h e r e y o u l i v e o r p o s s i b l y w h e r e y o u w o r k, i f t h a t i s d i f f e r e n t. We accept all kinds of families, children, no children, empty nesters, single parents, and so on. The main requirement is love, kindness, and the willingness to learn about your student s culture while sharing your own. We have a great group of students arriving in Wyoming for the school year. Our students are age and have the appropriate visa, medical insurance and their own spending money. We have students from over 60 countries with a variety of interests, talents, and hobbies. If there is a certain type of student you think would be a good match for your family (interests, gender, language spoken, etc), please let me know. It takes volunteer families, like you, to keep exchange programs going. Thank you for considering to share your life to change another. Thank you for your time and consideration of such a meaningful opportunity. Also, I would grea tly appreciate it if you were able to assist in our search by passing this information on to your friends and family. Please tell them to mention First United Methodist Church, Sheridan, Wyoming as their referral, so that I can send you a $100 Visa Gift Card if they do host a student. Please contact me for additional information or with any questions you may have. You may also visit our website for more information and to begin the host family application at All the Best, Kristin Babby, Regional Director CCI Greenheart kbabby@greenheart.org Phone: