The Messenger Volume 9 Colo & Collins United Methodist Churches September 2015 Pastor Lewis Flanigan Church Phone: 641-377-2534 Email: coloumc@yahoo.com The Body of Christ, Part 2 It is amazing what can be done when no one cares who gets the credit. I ve used that quote, in one form or another many, many times because I know it is true. On August 9 th, in my sermon, I used a couple of examples of those who have served behind the scenes to make the ministry of these churches possible. I couldn t have begun, in the time allotted for a sermon, to name them all. I even hesitate here to name any for fear that I might miss some. However, I do want us to consider all those who minister behind the scenes: Have you noticed the flowers outside both churches? Thank you to all who have worked to make our churches more beautiful! Have you ever wondered who cuts the grass? A volunteer in both churches comes each week to mow the grass, and, if you aren t watching carefully, you won t even notice when they are there. On August 9 th, I was going to mention Teen Girls in my sermon, who helped with V.B.S. in Colo. When I got to that place in my sermon, I looked up and noticed that we had 3 Teen Boys helping with worship videographer, sound person, and running the PowerPoint. Our Teens, and younger ones too, do so much that we sometimes take them for granted, I think. At V.B.S. in Colo, we had over 30 volunteers! That is incredible. Then there are the Thursday Volunteers those that fold bulletins, fold the Messenger, insert activity sheets in the Children s Bags, and pick up in the sanctuary each week. From time-to-time, someone will ask me who is doing the PowerPoint, reading the Liturgy, or running the sound system. I usually don t know at either church who is assigned for the day. I don t really worry about it, because I know how faithful you are in doing these things, or getting a substitute. Besides, if something comes up, and someone isn t able to make it, we always seem to have those who step forward to fill in. We are a part the Body of Christ! It is amazing to see what can be done when no one cares who gets the credit. Thank you for all you do to make the ministry of these two churches happen. Oh, by the way, did I mention the opportunities to be in ministry in the near future.. Pastor Lewis
September Bible Verse: Mark 6:37 But he answered them, You give them something to eat. As summer ends, the Executive Committee will be meeting on Wednesday, August 26 at 9:00 AM at the church to plan make plans for the rest of the year. Our first Unit Meeting of the fall is September 3 at 9:30 AM. The committee will be serving rolls, fruit and coffee! All women are welcome to attend! Program: Dorothy Dadisman If you have been saving stamps, please bring them to this meeting. Hostesses: Elaine Stucky, Joan Hanson, Mary Eley and Jane Coughenour September 26 is the North Central District Annual Meeting at the Humboldt UMC. All officers and members are encouraged to attend. October 1: Local officer slate is due to the District Secretary. It is also our Guest Night (Dessert) at 7:00 PM. Hostesses are: Doris Otto, Katy McKinney, Sandy Hill, Sandy Clatt, Dorothy Cerka, and Judy Beckett. Sarah Grover will be giving the program about her family s summer mission trip. Remember to save BOXTOP FOR EDUCATION for the Colo-Nesco Schools, Stamps for Missions, and Campbell Soup Labels for Bidwell. Susan McKinney UMW President Healthy Church Initiative Celebration The Colo UMC will be celebrating the completion of Phase I of the HCI process on Sunday, September 27 th. District Superintendent Harlan Gillespie will be with us for worship on that day, and will be preaching. United Methodist Men s Group All men are welcome to join us at Niland s Café at 6:30 a.m., the second Thursday of each month. The next gathering will be September 10 th. (Each person pays for their own breakfast.) Sesquicentennial Celebration Team The 150 th year of ministry by Methodists in Colo will soon be upon us (2017)! We are looking for those who are willing to serve as the team to plan this celebration. Dates have to be set. Invitations have to be sent. Activities have to be planned. If you would be willing to serve on this team, please contact Pastor Lewis or Dorothy Cerka soon. We would like to have this team in place by November 1 st!
W.O.W. Worship on Wednesdays Again this Fall, beginning on September 9 th, we will again be offering Worship on Wednesdays (W.O.W.). While the time will still be the same, 6:00 to 7:15 p.m., there will be some minor changes this year. We will shorten the time for meals, to add a few minutes of class time. Once a month or so, we will have a special time together during the normal music time. The Education Area Leaders have decided to change curriculum this year, as well. This year, we will be using Deep Blue: A Weekly Adventure Through the Bible, which will go along with the helps in the Deep Blue Bibles we have been giving away to 3 rd graders. However, W.O.W. will still be the fast-paced, active time together from last year. Classes being offered this year are: Pre- K/Kindergarten; 1 st Grade; 2 nd Grade; 3 rd -4 th Grade; 5 th -6 th Grade; Youth Group; and, an Adult Class. Please pray about helping with this vital ministry of our church; then contact Erin Hulshizer, Andrew Short, or Pastor Lewis to volunteer. This year, we will have a sign-up sheet (in the upstairs Fellowship Hall) for W.O.W. meals to fill in the dates that we need volunteers. We have suggested menus, if you would like to choose from them. Currently, in September, we need meals for September 16 th & 30 th. Thank you to the Rachel Circle which is taking the 1 st Wednesday; the Joy Circle which is taking the 2 nd Wednesday (every other month); and the Youth Group which is taking the 4 th Wednesday each month. For more details about meals, please contact pastor Lewis. Our presentation of Bibles to 3 rd Graders will be on Sunday, September 13 th during Worship. This year, the Colo Joyful Noise Choir will be meeting each Wednesday, 7:20 p.m., for rehearse, pray, and make a joyful noise. If you enjoy singing, we would love to have you join us. For those arriving for rehearsals on Wednesdays, we ask that you park on the East or South (parking lot) sides of the building and enter by the closest door. W.O.W. will be releasing around that time, and they generally exit through the North door of the church. This will help traffic flow, and help to keep the children safe as they leave the church. Collins Up-dates At the Collins UMC, Sunday School will commence for the Fall on Sunday, September 13 th. The U-N-I Circle will meet on Tuesday, September 15 th, 1:30 p.m. Lucille Lillard and Jenelva Patterson will be the hostesses. Messenger Deadlines/Assembly All articles to go in the Messenger are due in the church office by noon on the 20 th of each month. Each month, the Messenger will be folded on the 4 th Thursday of the month, at 9:30 a.m. in Colo. All volunteers are welcome and encouraged! [In September, that will be September 24 th.] Newsletter desired??? Do you read this newsletter? Would you read it on-line? We are emailing it to all on our email list, and we are now posting it on the Colo IA UMC Facebook page. If you would prefer to receive it in either of those venues, and not by the postal service, please let us know. If you would prefer to stop receiving this newsletter at all, please let us know that as well.
Colo One Committee Board What is it? The Colo UMC adopted our current One Committee Board 3 years ago. During the past 3 years, we have living into an adaptive structure of leadership that meets the requirements of the United Methodist Book of Discipline. What this means is that the Church Council acts as every Committee of the local church. In other words, instead of having multiple committees, there is only 1 the Church Council. How does it work? This means that there has been a change in how business or ministry is conducted in this process. Last year, this recommendation was adopted: 1. The Church Council defines the goals and parameters for ministry, evaluating progress being made toward those goals. 2. The Pastor is responsible for leading the church forward toward those goals within the parameters set; with the following essential functions (from Emmanuel Cleaver s Pastor on Track, a. Cast a Vision b. Develop staff and leaders around the vision c. Lead the people d. Teach and preach, and e. Discern God s Will 3. The Area Leaders (Education, Worship, Trustees, etc.) are responsible for managing each area under the guidance of the pastor. Last year, because of our evaluation process, further adjustments were made: The Church Council meets quarterly to evaluate the ministry of the church in light of the goals and parameters set. This evaluation includes statistical data, as well as stories, etc. of how the goals are being met. Other meetings can be called to meet Disciplinary requiremtns for decisions that can only be made the by the Council The pastor reports monthly to the PPRC by email, with quarterly meetings to evaluate possible problems, and to make sure self-care goals are being met. The Area Leaders meet monthly, or as needed, with the pastor for a minimum of 20 minutes to discern how ministry in their area is going, and to make necessary adjustments. Who is on the One Committee Board? The Church Council is comprised of the following: Dorothy Cerka, Chair; Wayne Hanson, Lay Leader & Annual Conference Delegate; Susan Stockdale, Council Secretary; Dan Halferty, Treasurer; Sandy Hill, Financial Secretary, Jessy Jackson, Financial Secretary, Susan McKinney, UMW President; and Spencer Short, Youth Representative. Also, serving on the Council are the following Area Leaders: Education Andrew Short and Erin Hulshizer; Worship Judy Beckett and Joan Hanson; Outreach/Mission Brad Snodgrass; Trustees Brad Kohlwes &John Jackson; SPPRC Ginny Heintz, Susan Stockdale, Larry Edel, and, Vickie Wilson. Pastoral Office Hours Pastor Lewis keeps no set office hours. Call for an appointment (404-273-4803). He will be in and out of the Colo office on Monday, Wednesday, & Thursday mornings. On most Tuesdays, he will be at coffee in Collins and then at coffee in Colo. Coffee is at the Community Center in both towns. THANK YOU! Pam would like to thank all who helped to make her birthday celebration special this year. Also, we would like to thank all who have remembered us this summer you re your garden goodies. Thank you. --Pam & Lewis Flanigan
SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS Colo 1 Taylor Hall, Tony Dodd, Royal Mansfield, Robert Ramsey 2 John Cerka, Diana Watts, Bill Patterson 4 Ethan Robinson, Irven Boozell 5 Ruth Wilson, Tabitha Halferty, Lindsay Hart, Jessica Fisher 6 Bonnie Florke 7 Fred Cerka, Don Wilson 8 Keith Wilson 10 Helen Crouthamel 11 Amy Lennie 12 Arianne Dutton 13 Dustin Ogden 14 Carroll Stokesbary, Jessy Jackson 15 Althea Cerka 17 Jacob Wilson, Jordan Wilson 18 Amy Dadisman, Katie Upchurch 19 Craig Ayers 21 B.J. Whitaker 22 Anna Klatt, Michael Ramsey 23 Cole Otto 25 Keely Dodd, Bruce Clatt 26 Donna Swanson 30 Robert Meller Collins 5 Nathan Wright 12 Scott Horn 17 Chuck Cummins, Darla Carver, James Wright, Jr., Annette Briggs 18 Ryan Etnier 22 Reno Milligan 28 Courtney Long Fuller 30 Brian McDonough Collins September Anniversaries 27 Bill & Kathy Long September Dates to Remember Sundays, September 6, 13, 20, 27 9:00 am Collins Worship 10:30 am Colo Worship 11:30 am Colo Fellowship 7:00 pm Confirmation Class (all except the 6 th ) Tuesdays, September 8, 15, 22, 29 5:30 to 6:30 pm Colo Food Pantry Open Wednesdays, September 9, 16, 23, 30 6:00 to 7:15 pm W.O.W. 7:20 pm Colo Joyful Noise Choir Fridays, September 4, 11, 18, 25 9:30 to 10:30 am Colo Food Pantry Open Thursday, September 3 9:30 am United Methodist Women Unit Meeting Thursday, September 10 6:30 am United Methodist Men at Niland s Sundays, September 13, 20, 27 9:00 am Collins Sunday School during Worship Tuesday, September 15 1:30 pm Collins U-N-I Circle Saturday, September 19 8:30 5:30 pm Confirmation Class trip to West Bend, IA Sunday, September 20 Articles for September Messenger Due by Noon 1:30 pm Pastor/Parish Relations Committee at Collins Tuesday, September 22 Pastor s Monthly Day of Spiritual Renewal 6:00 to 7:00 pm Maxwell Food Bank Open Thursday, September 24 9:30 am Assemble Messengers Volunteers Welcome & Encouraged
Colo & Collins United Methodist Churches Non-Profit 602 Fourth Street U.S. Postage Paid P.O. Box 266 Permit # 2 Colo, IA 50056 Colo IA 50056 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED ADDRESS LABEL September 2015 Messenger Watch out for children going back to school this month!