Marion United Methodist Church March 2015 Newsletter

Transcription

1 Marion United Methodist Church March 2015 Newsletter Mark Your Calendar March 2 March 4 March 6 March 8 Church Council Meeting / 6:30 pm Wednesday Night Dinner / 6:00 pm World Day of Prayer Daylight Saving Time Begins / Spring Ahead March 11 PDO Registration (see page 5) EVERY WEEK Monday 5:00-6:00 pm / Ageless Yoga 6:00-8:00 pm / Scouts Tuesday 4:45-6:15 pm / Mixed Yoga Wednesday 3:15-5:15 pm / WWF (age K-6th) 5:00-6:00 pm / Tai Chi 5:30-6:30 pm / Children s Choir 6:30-7:30 pm / Adult Choir Thursday 8:30-10:00 am / Mixed Yoga 6:30-7:30 pm / Scouts For more Information about weekly events contact: March 16 March Mar.30-Apr.4 March 29 March 30 March 31 April 1 April 2 April 2 April 3 April 3 April 5 April 12 May 9 Trustee Committee Meeting / 6:00 pm Spring Break / PDO and Preschool HOLY WEEK Noon Service Listed Below In RED Palm Sunday Service Wee Praise Choir sings during Sunday Service Easter Egg Hunt following Sunday Service First United Methodist Church, West Memphis Presbyterian, West Memphis Marion United Methodist Church, Marion Calvary Baptist Church, West Memphis MUMC Maundy Service / 6:00 pm Calvary Baptist Church, West Memphis Good Friday / PDO and Preschool closed Easter Sunday Finance Committee Meeting / 5:00 pm Blood Drive Yoga/Tai Chi-Shelley Griffee WWF- Debbie Scola Scouts-Marie Chrisman Choir-Celeste Letchworth or the church office

2 Dear Friends, Last month I answered some Frequently Asked Questions about our pending departure from Marion at the end of June. Since that time, a lot has happened. First, let me update you on my own status: On February 23, it was officially announced that I will be appointed a General Evangelist for the Arkansas Conference beginning in July. The office of General Evangelist is rooted in our Wesleyan tradition as United Methodists. In the early days of Methodism, John Wesley set aside preachers who travelled about the United Kingdom of Great Britain, Wales, Scotland and Ireland preaching the Gospel. At that time Methodism was a movement whose purpose it was to "reform the nation, especially the church, and to spread scriptural holiness throughout the land." Francis Asbury did much the same thing in this country before and after the historic beginning of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Baltimore in Methodist circuit riders were in the vanguard of the pioneers who spread west with the growth of America, preaching the gospel and raising the moral standards in those days of the wild frontier. But the office of evangelist has an even older association than that. In Ephesians 4:11, Paul mentions several different ministries in the church, and the spiritual gifting that Jesus brought for those ministries: The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers. For much of my ministry, I have served as a pastor. But now I have again answered the call to serve as an evangelist. And what about the new pastor at Marion? I am excited to share with you that he is Rev. Robert Cloninger. He and his wife Betsy were married in Robert is currently the Executive Pastor at First United Methodist Church, Fort Smith. He has served the church during a time of transition in which he was called upon to provide strong pastoral leadership. I believe that the Bishop and his Superintendents have listened very carefully to the "wish list" of the Staff Parish Relations Committee, and compiled a very accurate profile for your new pastor. Robert expresses a deep commitment to preaching, worship, discipleship and evangelism, which will serve Marion well for many years to come. I believe he is the right man for the right time. This is my simple advice to you as a church: love your new pastor and his family and they will love you. Greet them with the same hospitality with which you greeted us, and they will bond with you. Pray for them, and there will be a double blessing: you will grow spiritually, and your new pastoral family will grow with you. I encourage you to reach out to Robert and Betsy and welcome them to Marion. Robert's is rcloninger@fsfumc.org. His church mailing address is 200 North 15th Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas. One more personal word, though you know it won't be my last: Please know that you will all be held close to my heart and in my prayers all the days of my life. I have been blessed and honored to serve as your pastor. Peace be with you, Tom

3 Ash Wednesday Service Ash Wednesday was observed on February 18 th with a morning service, an evening service, and prayer vigils throughout the day. Ash Wednesday, a day of fasting, is the first day of Lent occurring 46 days (40 fasting days, if the 6 Sundays, which are not days of fast, are excluded) before Easter. According to the canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, Jesus Christ spent 40 days fasting in the desert, where he endured temptation by Satan. Lent originated as a mirroring of this, fasting 40 days as preparation for Easter. Ash Wednesday derives its name from the practice of blessing ashes made from palm branches blessed on the previous year's Palm Sunday, and placing them on the heads of participants to the accompaniment of the words "Repent, and believe in the Gospel" or "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return". Ashes are viewed throughout Christian history as a symbol of humility and sacrifice for those who wear them. Lent is the period from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday, and lasts six and a half weeks. The final week of Lent is called Holy Week; during this period, observant Christians reflect specifically on the last days of Jesus Christ's life. During Lent, Christians purify themselves by praying, fasting, repenting of their sins, and making changes and sacrifices in their lives. In Memory of Mandy H. Gilmore Fred and Amelia Stuckley Scott and Ann Carpenter Jim and Carol Johnston Sarah Crowder Charles and Cathy Horton In Memory of Charles Bucky Sharpe Sallie C. Graves Fred and Amelia Stuckey John F. Stroud, Jr. Tom and Cindy French Bartt and Beverly Vaughn Cranford, Johnson, Robinson, Woods, Inc. Dean and Laura Barger Scott and Ann Carpenter Jim and Carol Johnston Jack and Lynda Avery Sarah Crowder Gilbert and Susan Travis Henry and Jane Mills Rev. Wayne and Doris Clark Charles and Cathy Horton Bonnie L. Wyatt Danny and Linda Futrell Dr. Lance and Pam Scarbrough In Memory of Mary Spicer Bartt and Beverly Vaughn Joy Sample Friends and Fellowship Class Tom and Cindy French Rev. Wayne and Doris Clark Neal and Elizabeth Williams Margaret Fogleman Taylor and Meghan Fowler Nancy and Judge John Fogleman John and Debbie Scola Dean and Laura Barger Scott and Ann Carpenter Jim and Carol Johnston Jack and Lynda Avery Parker and Linda Eubanks Joe and Patsy Catt Sarah Crowder Bill and Kathey Holmes Emily Kyzar Charles and Cathy Horton In Memory of Karen Croom Joe and Patsy Catt Dean and Laura Barger Lannie and Holly Lancaster

4 UMW Barbara Smith Fellowship Hall The UMW took on remodeling and decorating the Barbara Smith Fellowship Hall. The room is used for various activities from meetings and wedding receptions to memorial dinners. This project has taken three to four years and is almost complete. The last component to be added this year is a screen for power point or slideshows. The funds for the screen were donated by John and Debbie Scola in honor of their family. Other donations were beautiful chairs given by Sarah Crawford in memory of her husband, our beloved Earnest Crawford; the beautiful Bible and Bible stand given by Sue Bonds. Just recently, the room was updated with the UMW church banner put in place by Carol Johnston and her son, John. If you haven t seen the banner, please check it out. The UMW is extremely proud of the room and hope to finalize the project this year. The UMW would like to thank all who made donations and to Carol Johnston and the decorating committee for all the hard work. Turkey Dinner Report and Information: The Marion United Methodist Women's group is a Five Star Unit which is the highest rank possible. This year s annual turkey dinner went smoothly thanks to all involved and under the leadership of Debbie Scola, coordinator of the event. The dinner has been an annual event for over 50 years and is the main fundraiser for the MUMW with tickets in high demand each year. Tickets sales have gradually increased and reached a total of 900 sold in The amount raised has declined over the last three years resulting from an increase in food prices and would have been much less except for the wonderful ladies of our church and their generous hearts. They pitch in by making cornbread, baking cakes and pies, bringing eggs, corn starch and all sorts of things we need for the dinner. Some ladies have chosen to give a monetary donation instead. Even though this is a UMW event, it definitely takes everyone in the church coming together to make it happen. The men of the church help us by carving the turkeys for us. Roger Gilmore with the help of our beloved Mandy, smoked the majority of the turkeys the past two years. It takes everyone on the day of the turkey dinner. The men help with carrying the heavy pans of food and a multitude of ladies help serve. This past year we delivered over 75 take outs. June 7 Noon June 27, Noon Sept. 20, 4 :00 PM Nov. 12 MUMW Turkey Dinner INCOME TICKET SALES $ 11, $10, CONTRIBUTIONS $ $ LEFTOVER SALES $ $ 1, COOKBOOK SALES $ $ Total: $ 13, $12, Expenses: $ -3, $ -4, NET PROFIT: $ 9, $ 8, For 2015, ticket sales will remain at 900 and hope not to increase the pricing; however, these issues and others will be addressed and determined at a later date by the Turkey Dinner Committee. Dec/ 6 UMW 2015 CALENDAR Potluck Lunch for Bro. Tom & Celeste Salad Luncheon Pledge Reception Turkey Dinner Potluck and make Care Baskets Outreach by UMW: Every year, Marion United Methodist Women give $5,000 toward the debt of our church. We also give $1,000 in local missions. Some of the mission projects we have helped in the past are Hope for the Holidays, Hope House, Steudlien Center, Women in Transition, Good Neighbor Center and 8th Street Mission for Jesus Christ. REMINDER If you and your family have empty drink cans, please set them aside and drop off in the trash can located at the MUMC kitchen door. James Sample will take the cans in for recycling. Thank you for your help with raisings funds and cleaning up the environment. Recycling Facts: Recycling just one aluminum can saves enough electricity to power a TV set for 3 hours and making cans from recycled aluminum uses 95% less energy than making them from scratch. Thanks James Sample for agreeing to help with this project.

5 P D O Monthly Scripture: Luke 10:27 You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind. Things children say: (typed as answered) Connor and Cooper love their Nanna for picking them up from school Claire loves her mommy because she my best friend! Davis loves her Mamie and her YES just because I do! Louie loves his mommy because she take care of me and that s a lot of work! February was the month to learn about hearts and loving Jesus. Also, the children learned Ms. Pam s favorite color, pink. PDO (Parents Day Out) REGISTRATION: School Year PDO (Parents Day Out ) Registration will be held Wednesday, March 11th as follows: 11:00 a.m. Members of MUMC & returning PDO students 11:15 a.m. Siblings of those who have attended MUMC PDO and/or Preschool; 11:30 a.m. All Others There is a $75.00 registration fee and completed information pack are to be submitted at time of registration. Preschool The Brownie Eyed Baker recently visited MUMC preschool. After learning from Ms. Lindsay about baking ( and giving her a few tips) the class decorated cupcakes for their parents. Little bakers in training!!! Even the boys took on the challenge of decorating the cupcakes. The Final Result Cupcakes personally decorated by each child

6 We have started a series of lessons on the Ten Commandmenments (kids version) It will be for both WWF and Children s Church Children s Ministry Children s Church Volunteers next 10 weeks concluding April 22nd Mar 1 Mar 8 Mar 15 Mar 22 Apr 1 Jay and Tammy Hale Jason and Natalie Collard George and Misty Kennedy Lindsay Gill, Kristi Boon & Cassie Morris Josh and Devon Doyle Parents, Please swap with someone on the list if you cannot serve on your designated Sunday. If you know someone who would like to volunteer please let me know. Christopher Coopwood will now be our third person for Children s Church to comply with Safe Sanctuary guidelines. * *NOTE: We will allow 3 children in grades 1 5 th to assist only one Sunday out of the month. They can sign up in children s education area. BREAKING NEWS!!!!!!!!!!! WWF will NOT meet on Wednesday March 25th due to spring break I am excited to announce that the youth will now participate in Children s sermons on Sunday mornings. They will present the sermon once a month. Thanks to Olivia Brick for breaking the ice on 2/15! Who is next? Stay tuned.. Wee Praise choir ages Pre-k thru k will sing during Service on March 29th Easter Egg Hunt & Pizza Lunch For all children and families in the gym following service on March 29th We have kicked off our Second Children s Bible Challenge. There are 2 levels the Jr. (K 3 rd grades ) and Sr. (4 6 th grades ) challenge. Bring your Bible to Sunday School Learn where the New Testament is in the Bible. (Jr/Sr) Learn the books of the new testament (Sr) Learn and recite a weekly bible verse (Jr/Sr) For completion of each named task you are awarded a single sticker. Once a child has earned 5 stickers they will receive a Bible sticker. The second Bible challenge will conclude on May 3 rd. We are also awarding a sticker each Sunday to our pre-k kids for attending Sunday school. Children s Ministry Bible Challenge

7 MUMC Sponsors Cub Scouts Pack 172 Marion Cub Scouts Pack 172, chartered by Marion United Methodist Church, celebrated their annual Blue & Gold Pack Meeting with rank awards and tasty treats of cup cakes and specially decorated cookies. Mayor Frank Fogleman stopped by to shake hands with and congratulate the Scouts on their rank advancements and encourage them to continue their careers in Scouting. Parkin Archeological State Park hosted a Scout Patch Day event for Marion s Cub Scout Pack 172 (chartered by Marion United Methodist Church) and Boy Scout Troop 72 (chartered by the Marion Rotary Club) on Saturday, February 14. The Scouts spent their Valentine s Day learning about the American Indian Village of the Casqui, the 1541 expedition of Hernando de Soto, and the Sawdust Hill community that once existed at the Park site. It was a beautiful day in which the Scouts enjoyed hiking around the park, practicing spear throwing, participating in a graveyard scavanger hunt, and learning sawmill skills. While the younger scouts were having fun learning about the Park s rich history the Boy Scouts were there prepping themselves to participate in the Park s Archeology Merit Badge class which is scheduled to be held in early this summer. Boy Scouts learning to use saws like the ones once used by the sawmill community. Pictured above from left to right are the following: Park Interpreters Ryan Smith and Melissa Harvey, Scouts R.J. Elnabras, Aden Hightower, Max Chrisman, Gabe Raines, Bowen Hightower, James White, Nick Chrisman, Clifton Lawson, Jayden Hodges, and Collin McCafferty. Life, Health & Exercise THUMBS UP to MUMC It seems as though most of us live life moving at a fast pace these days and never give a second thought to our bodies other than when our stomach growls or a pain occurs. Each New Year, people make that vow to work out and get in shape. Our lives become routine until some type of tragedy happens wherein maybe you or a loved one ends up in a hospital from an accident, may need surgery of some type or has been diagnosed with cancer. These are situations where the need for blood could become a reality and could indeed save a life. For all of those volunteers who took time out of such a beautiful Saturday to stop by and give the gift of blood, we thank you! For those who were unable to give, don t worry, we have another blood drive set up for May 9th. We didn t quite make our goal of 25 units given this time, so let s pull together and show them what MUMC volunteers can do. Don t forget to mark your calendars for May 9th from 11:00 am until 5:00 pm. THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!!!!!!

8 March Birthdays 1 Carter Benton 2 Wayne Tabor Brooklyn Arceneaux Liz Laughter 3 Denise Letner Franklin Fogleman 6 Wesley Betts Char Griffee Carol Acuff 7 Meredith Gill Dennis Pirani 9 John Scola Laura Carpenter 12 Pam Young 13 Steven Crook Jake Hale Robert Lugar 14 Cassie Morris Robyn Phillips Andrew Thompson 15 Laura Entrekin Dianna Hanks 17 Joanne Arceneaux 19 Rex Rogers 20 George Kennedy 21 Caroline Rose Catt Robert Melton Elizabeth Wallace 22 Jack Carter Freddie Williams 23 Shea Hart Alexandria Inman Jon Stotts Freddie Williams 24 Lindsey Gill 26 Tracye Carter Hudson McKewen 27 Jeffrey Schwartz 28 Sydney Collard 29 Neena Pirani 30 Tess Hall 31 Kristi Boon William Hartley March Ushers March Greeters Bart Turner Cliff Lafitte Joe Catt Vance Bacon Rich Busby JohnTraugh Welcome to Marion United Methodist Church Ford Turner Class Grace & Peace Class James Sample Neal Williams Gary Mueller Bishop Mark Norman District Superintendent Tom Letchworth Pastor Cyndi James Church Administrator Sheila Henderson Administrative Assistant MUMC Staff Gary Wehrum Director of Recreation Tim Parker Director of Youth Ministry Celeste Letchworth Director of Music Ministry Marcia Sutton Pianist Debbie Wallace Organist Debbie Scola Director of Children s Ministry Teresa Gardner Preschool Director/Teacher Elizabeth Williams Preschool Teacher Pamela Scarbrough Parents Day Out Director/Teacher Kristie Stotts Parents Day Out Director/Teacher