Marion United Methodist Church

Transcription

1 Marion United Methodist Church JUNE 2015 Newsletter June Greeters June Ushers Friends & Fellowship Sunday School Class Ted Archer Rex Gill Jeff Johnston George Kennedy Buddy McCain Gary Wehrum 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 12:00-1:00 pm / Marion Rotary 5:00-6:00 pm / Tai Chi 6:30-7:30 pm / Adult Choir Thursday 8:30-10:00 am / Mixed Yoga 6:30-7:30 pm / Scouts Sunday 9:00 / 9:30 / Sunday School 10:45 / Sunday Service For more Information about weekly events contact: Yoga/Tai Chi-Shelley Griffee WWF- Debbie Scola Scouts-Marie Chrisman Choir-Celeste Letchworth or the church office Mark Your Calendar June 7th / Pot Luck for Bro. Tom & Celeste June 14 / Worship Service by Youth Ministry June / Annual Conference June / Youth Mission Trip June 21 / Tom Letchworth s Last Sermon June 21 / Father s Day June / Vacation Bible School June 27 / UWM Salad Luncheon July 5 / Sermon by Robert Cloninger

2 Dear Friends, Where do I begin? And even more significantly, how do I end? This will be my last newsletter article as your pastor, after four wonderful years in that role. Moreover, it will be my last newsletter article as a pastor anywhere, because my ministry is taking me into a new path. As of July 1, I will be appointed a general evangelist in the Arkansas Conference, which means I will be free to share the Gospel anywhere in the world that the doors may open. I am excited about this new adventure, and I solicit your prayers as I begin this new ministry. But of my 35 years in ministry, 31 years have been lived out as a pastor in local churches from Texas to Arkansas. Now, I will truly be a "travelling preacher" as Methodist circuit riders used to be called. I think it unlikely that I will serve as a pastor again in the future, but who knows? I've said this many times, but I will say it yet again: I am so very grateful to have ended my pastoral ministry at Marion! The love, generosity, support and prayers that have undergirded Celeste and me from June 2011 to the present have been incredible! I don't have the space to begin to recount all that we've accomplished together, what you mean to me, how much we have come to love you. While there have been ups and downs, moments of grief, and even those rare moments when we've had to "agreed to disagree," I've never failed to feel your love and support. You will begin a new adventure with a new pastor and music director; and we will begin our own new adventure. Pastor Robert Cloninger and Larry Denman will bring new and exciting dimensions to the ministry at Marion. Love them as you have us, and you will grow and thrive and flourish in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. So, on those occasions when we may come to mind, pray for us, as we will for you. And, to quote Dag Hammarskjold, "For what has been, thanks. For what will be, yes!" May that be the prayer of all of us as we trust God for a glorious future. Peace be with you, Tom

3 Congratulations Celeste Letchworth!!!!!! While attending the Blue Ridge Mountain Writers Conference, Celeste took home first place in the Unpublished Teleplay or Screenplay category for Moving Violations a screenplay written while taking class at MSCC under the direction of teacher, Anwar Jamison. She also took home second place in Unpublished Devotional category for Red Light, Green Light. RED LIGHT, GREEN LIGHT by Celeste Letchworth My Auntie Mae brags that she s never gotten a speeding ticket a believable accomplishment for someone who has never driven over twenty-five miles per hour. She will admit, however, that a police officer once gave her a friendly reminder. She has to admit it my sister and I were eye witnesses, and the event has been eternally recorded in our family s oral history. I retell the memorable tale of Auntie Mae s Friendly Reminder at all of our family reunions, usually at the insistence of Uncle Gib. It was a Saturday morning in late September and we were on our way to the farmer s market. Auntie Mae needed fresh garlic and oregano. (TV football goes better with homemade pizza.) When we got to the stoplight at 12 th and Main, Auntie Mae stopped. This may not sound unusual, but the important detail here is that the stoplight was green. Evidently this is a normal occurrence for Auntie Mae, because she didn t seem to be bothered by the horns blowing. As luck would have it, a police car was in the newly formed line of stopped traffic. The officer got out of his car and tapped on Auntie Mae s window. Ma am, is everything okay? Auntie Mae nodded, staring straight ahead, keeping an eye on that green stoplight. The officer patiently asked, Then may I ask what you re doing? Auntie Mae rolled down the window. I m only doing what any law-abiding citizen would do, Officer. She used her school teacher voice on him. I m stopping at the stoplight. The officer took off his hat and bowed from the waist. On behalf of the city of Norristown, I sincerely apologize for the shade selected, he pointed at the light with his thumb, but that s the best green we ve got. Auntie Mae pealed through the intersection at an amazing thirty miles per hour. Uncle Gib still laughs when I tell him about Auntie Mae stopping at a green light, and he s heard the story at least twenty times. I have to admit I m just like my Auntie Mae. I stop at green lights too God s green lights. I don t know why I stop. Maybe it s a fear of the future or lack of trust. Most of the time I m just too lazy to get in gear. And so I waste one of God s most valuable resources time. Not just my time, but the time of everyone that s behind me in my spiritual journey. Some of God s green lights are for streets I don t like. I can sit and wait a long time for the light to turn red so I won t have to go. I convince myself I m playing it safe, but I miss out on so many of God s blessings that way. What if Noah stopped at God s green light to build that ark? What if Moses stopped at God s green light to lead the exodus? What if Joseph hadn t followed the angel s instructions to escape to Egypt with Jesus and Mary? Joseph didn t wait for a more convenient time he woke up and left immediately. Joseph knew that green lights don t last forever. If I told Uncle Gib that I stop at spiritual green lights, he might not laugh, but I bet I d get a sympathetic wink. Still, one of his favorite laugh-out-loud-til-you-snort stories will always be about the best green we ve got. That, and the one about how I took my driver s test in Auntie Mae s car and flunked. But that s another story.

4 PDO The children learned that Jesus has the whole world in His hands! Gifts for Mother s Day created by PDO. Gifts were pictures with the saying, If mothers were flowers, I d pick you. Ms. Kristie and Ms. Pam give the little ones last minute hugs before summer vacation. The PDO class spent time outside with popsicles while reviewing colors learned throughout the year. They love it when the teachers get creative and bring snacks into the act of learning. The PDO Class play together one last time. Three Year Olds Getting Creative!!! Preschool - 3 yr olds The children enjoyed a trip to the zoo as one of the last events before the school year came to an end. It isn t good-bye for the three year old class, but rather, see you in August when school is back in session. Have a great summer!!! The three year old class made friendship flowers with their thumbprints for each of their classmates with the verse Isaish 40:8 to remind them that God s word will always be with them.

5 Preschool - 4 yr olds The month of May brings the end to another school year as children return home to enjoy their summer of fun, vacations and spending time with family. This year also marks the last group of preschoolers to go to chapel with Bro. Tom who has often said that Wednesday mornings is one of his favorite times of the week. This certainly has been a great group of children and we wish them the best as they move on to Kindergarten. Left: Bro. Tom talks with the children about how God cleans us on our insides. To help the children understand, the children demonstrate how a car goes through a carwash to get the outside clean, but the inside remains uncleansed. Each child went through the line as a part of the lesson. W E D N E S D A Y C H A Bro. Tom spent his last Wednesday with the children sharing the story of how Jesus said good-bye to his disciples as he ascended into heaven. After holding chapel with the children, Bro. Tom surprised everyone with balloons linking the story of Jesus and saying goodbye to everyone at preschool with releasing of the balloons. P E L Preschool Graduation Special Thanks to Tracy Brick for running the sound system! Graduation for the preschool class of 2015 was held on Friday, May 15, The class marched down the isle with heads held high and started the event by leading guests in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance followed by the Lord s Prayer. The children recited Psalm 23:1, Matthew 7:12 and Proverbs 3:5. The children sang He Has Made Me Glad, Deep And Wide, Can t Get To Heaven On Roller Skates and I Will Go To Kindergarten When I Am five. The class received Diplomas for completing the preschool year. The program concluded with praise rock Soul And Fire and My God s Not Dead while wearing sunglasses. This certainly has been an entertaining year, and we wish our preschoolers much luck as they venture into kindergarten. The graduating class consisted of Anberlyn Sherwood, Anderson Davis, Brooklyn Cantu, Carter Rhyne, Cohen Rhyne, Danner Bond, Derek Dobbs, Drake Cheney, Ethan Brech, Kindale Smith, Marshall May, Ryan Brewer, Sam Gibbs. Goodbye and Good Luck!

6 Children s Ministry May and June Birthdays: Olivia Brick, Avery Boney, Parker Smith, Luke Kennedy, Jett Sutton and Will Moore. Third row: Chris Coopwood, Miller Owen, Avery Boney, Anna Wehrum, Isabelle Smith, Averie Ward, Olivia Bailey, and Olivia Coopwood. Our favorite thing is snack time! Second row: Elliott Allen, Jett Sutton, Slade Inman, Blake Vaughn, Carter Benton, Collin Barger, Donovan Doyle, Luke Kennedy and Will Moore First row: Debbie Scola, Abby Simmons, Noah Lacefield(Coopwood), Whit Kennedy, Parker Smith, Harper Doyle, Bren Sutton and Sam McAnnally. Last day of Worship with Friends after school program! DON T FORGET TO SIGN UP FOR THE SUMMER CAMPS!!! Date: July 1 Time: 9:30 1:30 Event: Art Camp at Brooks Museum of Art (Cost - $20 bring a sack lunch) Come get wacky at the Brooks as we explore art. Children of all ages and their adult friends can drop into our open artworks studio and create a variety of projects using many different materials. They can also watch a multitude of short films made just for kids and explore the galleries with family guides to help get them looking. Date: July 22 Time: 9:30 2:00 Event: Memphis Zoo ( (Cost - $25 includes admission; bring a sack lunch) 2800 animals representing 400 species on 70 acres. Includes children's farm. Date: July 29 Time 9:30-2:00 Event: Museum of Biblical History ( (Cost - $20 includes lunch and admission) Biblical Museum mission is to present to the public, especially young people, the historical and cultural backgrounds of the Bible. Date: August 5 Time: 10:00 2:00 Event: Bouncing House in the Gym (Cost - $20 includes lunch and admission)

7 DAY 1 (SUNDAY JUNE 21) Bible Story: God provides for Elijah. (1 Kings 17) Bible Point: God has the power to provide. Key Verse: And God will generously provide all you need. (2 Corinthians 9:8) DAY 2 (MONDAY JUNE 22) Bible Story: God heals Naaman. (2 Kings 5) Bible Point: God has the power to heal. Key Verse: He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. (Psalm 147:3) DAY 3 (TUESDAY JUNE 23) Bible Point: God has the power to forgive. Bible Story: Jesus dies on a cross to take away our sins, then comes back to life. (Luke 22:31 24:12) Key Verse: You are a God of forgiveness. (Nehemiah 9:17 DAY 4 (WEDNESDAY JUNE 24) Bible Story: Jesus promises us an eternal home. (John 14:1-3) Bible Point: God has the power to love us forever. Key Verse: Everyone who believes in him will have eternal life. (John 3:15) SUNDAY JUNE 28 TH THE CHILDREN WILL PERFORM THEIR VBS SONG DURING CHURCH SERVICE. Scouts sponsored by MUMC The summer schedule for the scouts will be as follows: Meetings will be held from 6:00 pm 8:00 pm Mondays: June 1, 15 and 29; July 6 and 20; August 3, 24 and 31. Thursdays: July 16 and August 27 Upcoming events: June 3-6: June 23-26: Cub Scouts will attend summer resident camp at Kia Kima in Hardy Twin Banks District Cub Scout Daycamp on Mud Island. Some of our Cub Scouts are a attending this daycamp, and some of our Scout leaders and Boy Scouts.

8 SENIORS 2015 ABBIE RAWLS LANDON SCARBROUGH University of Arkansas. Arkansas State University and major in Communication Disorders And Speech Therapy. JACKSON NIX University of Arkansas and major in Journalism. AUSTIN CATES University of Arkansas and major in Plant Science. JOSHUA DOLYE RIEVES WALLACE University of Mississippi. Plans to attend Southeast Missouri State University and major in Marine Biology. SAM STUCKEY Plans to attend Samford University and major in Pre-law/History. BRANDON MOORE University of Arkansas and major in Crop Science. COLE STRAYHORN University of Arkansas and major in Agriculture / Business. CALEB MARCONI University of Arkansas and major in Plant Science. Not pictured: Mary Peyton Bell

9 Seniors 2015 Sunday, May 25, 2015 the seniors along with their families were treated to a dinner in recognition of the great job in reaching one of the first milestones in their life. The event was filled with stories, laughter and great food. The graduates informed the attendees of their plans as they move forward into the college world. All graduates received a small gift from the church for their accomplishments. We wish this group the best of luck in their next venture of life. The food was prepared by Jane Hartley; Joe and Patsy Catt; Lannie and Holly Lancaster; Judy Catt and Jerri Crase. The MUMC Youth (10th and 11th graders) served the honorees and their guests. MUMC YOUTH MINISTRIES Please join us Sunday, June 14, 2015, as the youth group will lead the services for the morning worship at 10:45. Tim Parker will lead the singing at the service, there will be a drama presentation and Olivia Brick will sing a solo. Don t miss out on this unique experience. Children s Sermon Our youth group has taken on the challenge of providing the children s sermon once a month. While we sit back and enjoy the lesson given each Sunday morning and enjoy the comical responses we sometimes receive from the children, we sometimes fail to realize the time and effort that goes into these short but very meaningful lessons. It goes without saying that we appreciate our youth and the leadership they are providing for our children. Annalee Parker talks to the children about how everyone should love and be kind to one another as written in 1 John 4:9-11. On the Road to Worship The youth group is getting ready to head out for a week long trip to include visits to Jackson, Mississippi and Chattanooga, Tennessee. During this trip, the youth group start with a mission of worship providing much needed help to Homeless Shelters in Jackson, Tennessee, through the We Will Go Ministries. After putting in two long days of hard work, the group will head to Chattanooga Tennessee on June 17th and 18th where they will enjoy whitewater rafting, hiking, horseback riding and a riverboat cruise. The trip has been scheduled for June If you haven t made plans to go on the trip, but wish to do so, please contact Tim Parker, Director of Youth Ministry.

10 It s Time For VOLLEYBALL!!!! Please come out to watch and cheer for your favorites. Games will be held on Mondays and Thursdays at 6:00; 6:40 and 7:20 in the evenings on the sand volleyball court located on the south side of the MUMC property. Games began Thursday, May 28th. This year, there were enough people to form seven teams. Be sure to bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the entertainment. There are shade trees for those who prefer to stay out of the sun. We look forward to see you there!!! Also, there will be a Sand Blast Volleyball Tournament held on June 6, Please see information below or call Gary Wehrum. TEAM 1 Amanda Harlow Ralph Hardin Sarah Mallett Anna Parker Joe Thompson Allison Wehrum Gary Wehrum GREAT JOB MUMC! Our quarterly blood drive took place Saturday, May 9th from 11:00 5:00. While we may not have met our goal during the first quarter, we certainly made it this time. There were 27 donors and 25 units of blood given to Life Blood. Thank you to all who participated in this life saving event. Our next blood drive will be held in the Blood Mobile on Saturday, September 23, 2015, during Hullabaloo. THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!!!!!! TEAM 3 Mike Bell Tripp Carter Lauren Coopwood Gail Harlow Robyn Price Lisa Schafer Harley Strayhorn TEAM 5 Robert Aureli Megan Barnes Jeff Joyner Amanda McClain Natalie McNeely Cheyenne Smith Landon West TEAM 7 David Acuff Monica Milsap Rachel Newsom Blair Rogers Craig Rogers Mike Streider Heather Stroud TEAM 2 Maggie Aureli Vance Bacon Nicole Lindley Chan Watson Tammy Watson Chris Wilson Dorothy Wilson Justin Craven TEAM 4 David Copeland Meg Earney Keith Edwards Joanne Harlow Chloe Morgan David Morgan Natalie Myers TEAM 6 Chris Coopwood Anna Dries Brooke Mitchell Lanie Schafer Mitch Shidler Mallory Shuberte Freddy Williams

11 MUSIC DIRECTOR: On Wednesday, May 27, 2015, the choir welcomed Larry Denman into the MUMC Family. The evening allowed Larry the opportunity to get to know members of the choir and attend a rehearsal under the direction of Celeste Letchworth. Larry will work with the choir during the month of June along side Celeste during this transitional period. Starting July 1, 2015, Larry will take over as our music director. Please be sure to welcome Larry, Catherine and their daughter, Adelaide to our family. Larry Denman was born and raised in Texas, spending most of his young life in Coppell, a suburb of Dallas. He left Texas to attend college at Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi, where he met his beautiful wife, Catherine. In 2012, Larry and Catherine were married, and he followed her back to her hometown of Memphis. For the past three years, he has been teaching elementary and middle school music, first in a public school, and then at St. Paul Catholic School. Larry is just beginning his studies for the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Choral Conducting at the University of Memphis, where he is conductor of the Collegiate Choir and assistant conductor of the University Singers. Larry is also assistant conductor of the Memphis Symphony Chorus. On nights he is not in rehearsal, Larry loves spending time with Catherine and their two children: six-month -old baby Adelaide and two year old goldendoodle Millie. Larry and family are excited to be a part of Marion UMC and to make Marion their church home. ANNUAL CANCER SURVIVOR DINNER: The American Cancer Society held its Annual Cancer Survivor Dinner for the fifth year at the MUMC Gymnasium on Thursday, May 28, 2015 with Ramona Taylor as the moderator of the event. The evening was filled with entertainment starting with Jerri Crase on the keyboard and Wally Fowler on the trombone. Wally sang Amazing Grace and Hallelujah. Wally lead the crowd as they joined in to sing portions of Hallelujah. Needless to say, the room was filled with emotions. Later in the evening, Rhonda Standridge sang, Coal Miners Daughter followed by a comical act as she sang She s Got You by Patsy Cline. This was a perfect end to the evening. Testimonal speaker at the event was Cyndi James who is a survivor of Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Relay for Life will be held Friday, June 5th from 6:00 pm until midnight at Tilden Rogers Complex on College Road. Please be sure to put this on your list of things to do. The event is made possible by many people starting with a donation from Esparanza Bonanza for the food served at the event. The food was prepared by Etta Mae Horton and her family. The girls of the DCA and JDC served the guests. Dawn Brenner prepared the decorations and the Quota Club took care of setting the tables and purchasing gifts for every cancer survivor attending the event. SISTERS IN CHRIST The Sisters in Christ circle recently enjoyed a trip to the Wilson Tavern in Wilson, AR. The group enjoyed touring the quaint town, having a delicious lunch, and hearing about future events. Mr. Gaylon Lawrence, who purchased the Lee Wilson Co. and all its land, welcomed the ladies to "his world." The circle plans to have a luncheon trip at least once a month. Paula Howerton and Jane Williamson have taken on the role of party planners for the monthly luncheons. Showing Larry that the MUMC choir knows how to get serious and how to have fun with a break to take a choir selfie! Pictured above: Paula Howerton, Ann Rogers, Debbie Scola, Rita Gilmore, Jane Williamson, Nancy Baratti and Jan Long along with guests Brenda Gadberry, Lib Shippen and Ann Moore.

12 June Birthdays 6/1 William Entrekin 6/2 Karen Jones Emma Kate Boon 6/3 Tammy Catt 6/6 May Ferguson 6/9 Lexie Laughter 6/10 Tracy Brick Jill Molloy Jeff Phillips 6/11 Matt McMechen 6/12 Eva O Beirne 6/13 Avery Boney Houston King Judi Steinmeyer Emily Kyzar 6/15 Sandy Nelson 6/16 James Sample Sierra Arceneaux 6/17 Manning Shidler Whitney Young 6/18 Jamey Boney Kathryn Laughter 6/20 David Brick Jay Peyton 6/21 Chase Letner Kolby Jones Elizabeth Gill 6/22 Johnny Griffee 6/26 Mike Sargent Nancy Fogleman 6/27 Pam Scarbrough Kaylabeth Sample 6/28 Jane Williamson Shay Wyatt 6/29 Chris Archer 6/30 Lynett Bolton MUMC Gary Mueller Bishop Mark Norman District Superintendent Tom Letchworth Pastor Cyndi James Church Administrator Sheila Henderson Administrative Assistant Marcia Sutton Pianist Debbie Wallace Organist LaKeshia Lee Custodian Sam Watts Custodian Online Giving We are excited to announce the option of online tithing. The account can be set up for a single donation or weekly and/or monthly tithing. Once you have the account set up, giving will be based upon your instructions. Once a payment is made online, you will receive notification through your account. This is also an easy way to keep up with tithing throughout the year. To set up your online giving, go to and access online giving. If you have any questions you may contact the church office at or Matt Entrekin at Tim Parker Director of Youth Ministry Gary Wehrum Director of Recreation Debbie Scola Director of Children s Ministry Pamela Scarbrough Parents Day Out Director/Teacher Kristie Stotts Parents Day Out Director/Teacher