Thoburn News Volume 38 Issue 11

Transcription

1 Thoburn United Methodist Church Thoburn News Volume 38 Issue 11 Inside this issue: It s a gray morning as I write. Temperatures are beginning to drop to more fall-like ranges. We have enjoyed a wonderful Indian summer Thoburn Website 2 Noisy Offering 5 Financial News 6 Congratulations 6 Sympathy 7 Thank You Notes 7 Calendar 8 Upcoming Events 10 Church News 12 Youth Activities 14 Thoburn s Mission: To share the love of Jesus Christ with all people. From the Pastor period of bright, gorgeous afternoons, followed by cool evenings. God has once again done a spectacular job of painting the landscape with seasonal colors that can only come from the Creator s hand, changing every day. At least a couple of major events occur on the calendar this month. Of course, November brings the season of giving thanks. This most-american of all our holidays often gets lost in the shuffle of the commercialism of Halloween and Christmas. But don t miss the opportunity to celebrate this special time of remembering to give thanks for the blessings of God s bounty and love. This is also the month in which we will cast our votes in November 2008 the general election. (Are you as tired as I am of the political wrangling?) We may wonder if our vote makes a difference. It does. Be thankful for the opportunity to share in the democratic process and remember, when you are in the polling booth, to seek God s guidance, not only in the selection among the candidates for office, but in the important issues that also are on the ballot. Let us remember that regardless of the outcome of the voting, the wondrous God who paints the lovely landscapes for us to enjoy is also the God who walks beside us through the changing landscapes of our lives. We make the best decisions we can, then we must pray that God will continue the journey with us, unfolding the way. -Pastor Brad Thoburn United Methodist Church 209 East Main Street P. O. Box 4 St. Clairsville, OH Phone: Fax: Pastor s bcall.tumc@sbcglobal.net Church thoburnum@sbcglobal.net Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID St. Clairsville, OH PERMIT No. 28 TIME SENSITIVE MATERIAL PLEASE DELIVER PROMPTLY THOBURN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Sunday Worship 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. (for all ages) Pastor: Dr. Bradley G. Call Parish Visitor: Richard Jenkins Administrative Assistant: Sheryl King Assistant Secretary: Linda Rauschenberg Christian Education Director: Linda Hudson Choir Director: Mary Jo Magyar Organist: Joyce Crouch Pianist: Linda Steffl Bell Choir and Youth Choir Director: Debbie Myser Children s Choir Director: Jo Ann Copeland Financial Secretary: Mike Kelly Treasurer: Shawn Meier Custodian: Bill Eddy Published Monthly November 2008 Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors Visit us on the web! PLEASE TAKE NOTE: Newsletter items for next month should be submitted to the Church Office no later than the 15th of each month. Drop off or to thoburnum@sbcglobal.net.

2 PAGE 2 VOLUME 38 ISSUE 11 PAGE 15 VOLUME 38 ISSUE 11 Communion Stewards Thoburn Website More Youth Activities Communion Stewards Needed We are in need of persons to serve as Communion Stewards. Individuals and/ or teams are needed who will help with preparation, set-up, and clean-up for communion, either for the 8:30 or 10:45 service. We typically celebrate communion about 8 times per year. We would like to have several teams of stewards so that the responsibilities can be rotated. If you have a serving heart and like to work behind the scenes, this is an opportunity for you. Please let us know in the church office if you can help with this important ministry. This letter was received from Richard Jenkins daughter in Denver, Kathy Smith: Hi Dr. Call & Members of Thoburn UMC, Dad told me about the website last week & I just finished touring most of it. Wanted to let you know that it is a fantastic site & I very much appreciate having it to stay connected to the church family who has been so much a part of my life. There truly is no place like home & Thoburn is a part of home to me. It will be good to hear your sermons Dr. Call on a weekly basis. Please pass along my high five to whoever designed & is maintaining your site. Go Public with Your Faith We have completed the study of Going Public with Your Faith. Approximately twenty persons participated in this study. We own the complete curriculum kit, so any groups, classes or individuals who would like to use it may borrow it from the church library. It is an excellent tool for learning how to share your faith in a nonthreatening way. The Isabella Thoburn and Mary Reed Circles will have a joint meeting on Monday, November 3rd at 7:00 p.m. at the church. The program, World Thank Offering, will be presented by Judi Blanton. Hostesses will be Louise Foster & Jo Prosser. This is a youth sponsored event!!

3 VOLUME 38 ISSUE 11 PAGE 14 VOLUME 38 ISSUE 11 PAGE 3 Outreach Ministry Team Noteworthy Additional members are needed for our Outreach Ministry Team. This is the team that makes recommendations about the mission offerings, plans for work camp experiences, and oversees the general outreach ministries of our church. If this is an area in which you would enjoy working, please let us know in the church office. Youth Activities Children s Christmas Workshop The Animals Christmas Carol Saturday, November 22, :00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Parents, to help us prepare for this event, please call the office to register your child by Friday, November 14, 2008 Charge Conference, November 6 th The annual all-congregation meeting in the United Methodist Church system is called the Charge Conference. This is the opportunity for the whole congregation to rally around the vision, purpose, and goals of our church, to assess the ministries of the past year, and to look ahead to the coming year. Financial status of the church, membership and attendance data, leadership personnel, and other matters of importance are considered by the congregation at that meeting. This year we will be considering a change to our church s organizational structure, as a proposal is considered which will change many of our committees to ministry teams. (See related article elsewhere in this newsletter.) Our church will join with Bellaire 1 st UMC, Bellaire South UMC, Cadiz Scott Memorial UMC, Shadyside Lincoln Avenue UMC, and Martin s Ferry UMC this year for our Charge Conference. It will be held at Shadyside Lincoln Avenue UMC, November 6, 7:00 p.m. Please plan to attend. All church members have a voice and vote at Charge Conference. Your IRA Can Support Your Church In early October, Congress passed legislation to allow donors to make charitable gifts (including gifts to the church) directly from their IRAs. When you transfer the gift directly from your account to the church, you do not have to recognize that withdrawal as income and it counts against your mandatory minimum distribution for the year. For most donors, the net result is a tax neutral gift and provides the same benefits as if you itemized your tax deductions. You can use this for any gifts you want to make to the church, from your usual weekly offering to special gifts. Some important things to remember: Donors must be age 70 ½ or older; Gifts must go directly from your account to the church. If you receive the funds then write a check to the church, you will not receive the tax benefits. Currently this opportunity expires at the end of You may want to consider doing some or all of your 2010 giving during Traditional or Roth IRAs are eligible. Gifts count toward your required minimum distribution for the year. For more information or to request a distribution to the church, contact your plan administrator. After you make the request, please notify the church office so we can be sure to credit you with the gift when it is received.

4 PAGE 4 VOLUME 38 ISSUE 11 Circle of Ten, Rule of Three Practice the Circle of Ten, Rule of Three Here is a way for us to do a better job of being a welcoming congregation. When you are in worship, make a point to greet everyone within a 10 radius of where you are sitting (the circle of ten ). Then, after worship, dedicate the first three minutes after the benediction to greet any people you have not met. It only takes three minutes for a visitor to exit the building after worship (the rule of three ). Your welcome could make all the difference in a visitor seeing us as a caring congregation! PAGE 13 VOLUME 38 ISSUE 11 Please take note... Proposed Organizational Structure Change One of the items to be voted on at Charge Conference Nov. 6 is a proposed change to our organizational structure. The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church states that the local church shall be organized so that it can pursue its primary task and mission in the context of its own community... By Discipline, we are required to have the following units: Church Council Staff-Parish Relations Committee Trustees Finance Committee Lay Leadership (Nominations) Committee Beyond that, we are to have such other elected leaders, commissions, councils, committees, and task forces as the charge conference may determine. Permission is given for a local church to develop an alternative organizational plan for carrying out its ministry. Procedurally, this is to be done by the charge conference in consultation with and upon the approval of the district superintendent. In addition to the required organizational units listed above, we have a number of committees that help carry out our ministry and mission. This proposal is to rename all of these remaining committees, with the exception of the Long Range Planning, Audit, Scholarship, and Memorial Committees, as Ministry Teams. The renaming would be more than semantics. By renaming those units as ministry teams, we would underscore to those persons in that group their primary purpose of doing ministry rather than serving on a committee. Collectively, this might help create a more ministry-focused mindset within the congregation at large. Further, this proposal includes removing these ministry teams from the present three-year rotation of classes of members. Thus persons could find their niche and remain engaged in that ministry for an indeterminate period of time, as their interest and availability continue.

5 VOLUME 38 ISSUE 11 Church News PAGE 12 Bible Study Update Our next Bible study will not begin until January 7-8, Our next study is entitled God Is Closer Than You Think, focusing on experiencing the presence of God. Because we believe that the story of the Bible is the story of God s desire to be with people, we will explore the ways in which God can be found in every moment of our lives. In this six-session study, award-winning author John Ortberg serves as guide and interpretive leader (via DVD). Participants may want to purchase their own copies of the book, as individual purchasers can find a better price than we can provide in quantities. Interested in joining our church? Our next orientation for persons interested in exploring church membership will be held Sunday, November 2, 2008, 2:30-5:00. We will explore what it means to be a United Methodist and how that is lived out at Thoburn. This is a casual, conversational atmosphere, and is offered for those who have decided to join the church as well as those who just want to explore a little more. Following the orientation, participants will join in a light supper together. Please call the office ( ) to register. The annual Thanksgiving Church Family Dinner will be held at the church on Monday, November 17th, at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Please bring your own table service and a covered dish. Turkey, dressing, gravy, rolls and beverages will be furnished. Reservations are due to the church by Wednesday, November 12th. Please sign the clipboard located in the narthex, or call the church office. Don t forget to bring non-perishable food to be donated to the House of the Carpenter. VOLUME 38 ISSUE 11 In November, faith communities around the nation will join in observing National Donor Sabbath. National Donor Sabbath offers an opportunity to consider the drastic need for organ and tissue donors, sharing the Gift of Life. The reasons to support donation are staggering: Nearly 100,000 Americans are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. Thousands await a healing tissue transplant. More than 2,800 Ohioans are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. 19 men, women, and children die each day in the U.S. because the necessary organs were not available to meet this need. A single donor can save the lives of up to eight people by donating vital organs (heart, two lungs, two kidneys, liver, pancreas and small intestine) and heal up to 50 more through tissue donation (corneas, bone, fascia, skin, veins, and heart valves). We invite you to join us in the season of Thanksgiving by considering the importance of the Gift of Life. National Donor Sabbath Visit the website to complete a request form at NOISY OFFFERING UPDATE Noisy Offering PAGE 5 Our children collected $ to help the people of the Gulf Coast who were affected by hurricanes Gustav and Ike. Through our giving we allow the living hope of the Lord to be seen more clearly by those in need of our help. Thank you for your faithful response.

6 PAGE 6 VOLUME 38 ISSUE 11 Report of Treasurer for September, 2008: The Operating Fund (#3000) progresses as follows: September Prior month end undesignated funds 25, Current month operating fund income 31, Current month operating fund expenditures (32,931.59) Month/YEAR end undesignated funds 24, Additional designated offerings collected: - $ 5, September RITF $ Scholarship Fund $ Meals for Mission Current mortgage $599, Financial News Respectfully submitted, Shawn Meier, Treasurer Congratulations to Cory & Jessica Hanlon, Blanchester, OH on the birth of their new son, Nicholas Robert Hanlon born Sept. 30th. He weighed 6lbs., 15 1/2 oz. and was 20 1/2 long. The proud Grandparents are Judy & Tom Hanlon and Betty Linn Hanlon is the proud Great-Grandmother. Congratulations WEDDING CONGRATULATIONS TO: Bob Kanopsic, Jr. and Tisha Vargo who were united in marriage on Saturday, October 4 th. Bob is the son of Bob, Sr. and Della and Grandson of Ada Kanopsic. PAGE 11 VOLUME 38 ISSUE 11 Recycling at Thoburn The Recycling Barns have been moved to the back side of the Belmont County Fairgrounds. Go south on S. Sugar St., turn left on St. Clair St., and the barns are on the left. There is one barn for paper only and a second barn for other recyclables. The following items are accepted: Metal cans (should be rinsed) Plastics (#1 and #2 only) check for the #1 & #2 inside triangle on the bottom Glass jars & bottles (should be rinsed-no mirrors or windows) Paper & Cardboard including newspaper, magazines, office paper, telephone books, catalogs, sale bills, junk mail, food boxes (boxes must be broken down to lay flat). All items must be securely bound or contained in a box or bag to prevent spilling. All items should be stacked in the back of the barn. Aluminum cans, aluminum pans, and aluminum foil can be put in the small plastic garbage can located in the garbage area outside the church kitchen. These are taken to a recycling center and the proceeds go to Habitat for Humanity of Belmont County. We also collect aluminum can pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House. Collection Houses are in Sunday School rooms and Fellowship Hall. Don t Forget! Daylight Savings Time ends November 2nd!

7 VOLUME 38 ISSUE 11 Up Coming Events PAGE 10 PAGE 7 VOLUME 38 ISSUE 11 In Christian Sympathy John Lukas, St. Clairsville, OH who passed away September 13th. (Husband of Alma Lukas) Thank Anthony Magnone, St. Clairsville, OH who passed away Saturday, September 27th. (Husband of Barbara and father of Mark Magnone and Lynnette Cupp. Thank You notes received Dear Thoburn U.M. family, We wanted to thank you so much for the Flip-flops and other things that you sent for our children s vacation Bible school here in Romania. Our kids (and teachers) were all so excited and we were able to find a pair for each and every child!! We love and appreciate all you do!! May God bless you for your kindness!!! Love, Nick & Carole Decean Nursery Ministry Team Thank You to those of you who have so lovingly come forward to share in this ministry. The role you play in worship is vital. It gives our young parents an opportunity to become fully involved in the worship service. You are a blessing. Dear Church Family, Thank you so much to everyone that sent me a birthday card while I m in Italy! It meant so much to me & I really appreciate it! Everything is going well in Italy & I m having a great time. Thanks Again! Love and miss you all! Sarah Ostrander I would like to thank all who sent cards and kept me in their prayers while in the hospital. Also to Richard Jenkins for coming over the morning of my procedure. May God bless you. Kay Day Dear Church Ladies, Thank you for the lovely meal you had for us after the funeral. The family of Anthony Magnone, Barbara, Mark, & Lynnette A basket full of thanks for all of those who helped us with the weekend conference for U.M.W. May God richly bless all of you. In Christian Love, Jo What a great birthday party! Thank you to the Fox Family, the beautiful LOGOS children and their families. The books are very special...just as all of you are. God Bless, Grandma Jo

8 November 2008 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 All Saints Sunday Food Collection Sunday 2:30 p.m. New Member Orientation 6:30 Celebration Ringers 7:00 p.m. Praise & Worship Event at 7:30 p.m. Boys Scouts St. Marys 3 7:00 p.m. Isabella Thoburn Circle and Mary Reed Circle 4 Vote! Election Day 6:00 p.m. Long Range Planning 5 4:00 p.m. Jubileee Bells 5:00 p.m. LOGOS 5:00 p.m. MYF 6:40 p.m. Guitar Choir 7:00 p.m. Youth Choir 7:05 p.m. Omega Choir 7:30 p.m. Thoburn Choir 6 9:30 a.m. Thoburn Quilters 1:00 p.m. Women s Chorus/Cumberland Pointe 7:00 p.m. Charge Conference, Lincoln Ave UMC 7:00 p.m. SPR 7:00 p.m. Marketing Committee 7 11:00 a.m. 1:30 p.m. Let s do Lunch 8 9:00 a.m. Library Committee 9 6:30 p.m. Celebration Ringers 7:30 p.m. Boy Scouts 10 6:00 p.m. Education Committee 7:00 p.m. Order of Arrow 11 7:00 p.m. Outreach Committee 7:00 p.m. Finance Committee 7:00 p.m. Council of Churches Friends Church 12 4:00 p.m. Jubilee Bells 5:00 p.m. LOGOS 5:00 p.m. MYF 6:40 p.m. Guitar Choir 7:00 p.m. Youth Choir 13 9:30 a.m. Thoburn Quilters 1:00 p.m. Women s Chorus/Belmont Manor 6:30 p.m. Trustees Meeting :00 a.m. Men s Breakfast 7:05 p.m. Omega Choir 7:30 p.m. Thoburn Choir 16 Organ Donor Sunday 10:45 a.m. Alpha/Omega Choirs 6:30 p.m. Celebration Ringers 7:30 p.m. Boy Scouts 17 Thanksgiving Dinner 6:00 p.m :00 p.m. Jubilee Bells 5:00 p.m. LOGOS 5:00 p.m. MYF 6:40 p.m. Guitar Choir 7:00 p.m. Youth Choir 7:05 p.m. Omega Choir 20 9:30 a.m. Thoburn Quilters 1:00 p.m. Women s Chorus/Park Health 7:30 p.m. Church Council Meeting Children s Christmas Workshop 9:00 a.m. 12 Noon 7:30 p.m. Thoburn Choir 23 Noisy Offering 6:30 Celebration Ringers 7:30 p.m. Boy Scouts Scholarship Communion Sunday 1st Sunday of Advent 6:30 Celebration Ringers Office Closed 28 Office Closed 29