We are beginning Step 2 of The Fruitful Congregation Journey. The focus is on developing our church as a whole applying the concepts in Step 1 within the church and to identify the areas that need focused attention in order to move our church forward into greater effectiveness and fruitfulness in making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Step 2, which takes approximately 6 months, will help our church assess its strengths and weakness and to identify three key objectives that will help our church to move forward. With the help of a coach, Step 3 will help our church implement the key objectives identified in Step 2. This typically will take 12-18 months. In talking with colleagues who have gone through the Fruitful Congregation Journey all have found it challenging and beneficial in the life of the church. We need to look honestly at where we are so that we can discern where God is calling us to go as a community of faith committed to following Jesus in making disciples for the transformation of the world. The challenges arise primarily from wanting to do things the way we have always done things and expecting different results. If we continue to do things the way we have always done things our congregation will continue to decline in numbers as we continue to increase in age. It has been said that the only person who likes change is a baby with a wet diaper. However, not changing is not an option. Individually we are all always changing. According to the Stanford School of Medicine, Every one of us completely regenerates our own skin every 7 days. A cut heals itself and disappears in a week or two. Every single cell in our skeleton is replaced every 7 years. 1 And as the body of Christ here at the corner of Wheeling and Neely we are changing as individually we change and as members die and are replaced by new members or not replaced at all. The challenge before us is to discern what God s will is for us as individuals and collectively as a community of faith and then to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit to do whatever it takes to move toward the vision God calls us to. Consider the journey of Saul who received a vision of the living Christ which transformed him from a persecutor of those who followed Jesus into Paul who boldly proclaimed the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and spread the good news of God s grace and love throughout the Gentile world. God used Paul to reach communities far and wide. Paul s journey was not without its challenges. In 2 Corinthians 11: 23-27 he writes, I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Consider what Paul endured and then consider what he writes in Philippians 4:11b-13, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. If Paul could endure all that he endured for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus the Christ, we should be able to endure the changes and challenges God will call us to because God will give us as individuals and us as the community of faith the strength we need also. As we follow Jesus into the future we are called to create together with God we will be fruitful and we will invite others to join us as we bear the fruit of new disciples who bear the fruit of the Spirit. the fruit of the Spirit is, love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-25). Stepping forward in faith, John 1 http://stemcell.stanford.edu/research/ accessed 130627. Riverside United Methodist Church Page 1
Birthdays July 1 st Joe Mitchell 2 nd Amy Clevenger 6 th Julia Cougill Gwynneth Pittenger 8 th Ruby Kelsey Miller Betty Satterfield 10 th Peggy Polk 12 th Marge Salisbury 18 th Jerry Golden Mike Modesitt 26 th Frank Campbell 30 th Cindy Miller 31st Eva Case August 1 st Ann Golden 2 nd Ruth Garringer 4 th Bob Harvey 7 th Jerry Hill 9 th Odessa DeHaven 10 th Donna Pittenger 13 th Mary Ann Beuoy 14 th Jeanette Taylor 16 th Marlene Boyer Erika Pugsley 24 th Rex Pittenger 27 th Henry Dorton 31 st Larry Souders Anniversaries July 2 nd July 6 th July 12 th July 18 th July 26 th July 28 th July 31 st August 9 th August 17 th August 24 th August 25 th August 26 th August 27 th Riverside Jim & Beverly Reese Matt & Nicole Affolder Andrew & Debby Pittenger Maurice & Nancy Carver Rex & Cindy Miller Herb Rider & Karen Blank William & Pat Terhune Larry & Jeanine Souders Mike & Shirley Modesitt Larry & Nancy Campbell Doran & Joyce Kendall Rex & Donna Pittenger Fred & Elaine Wallace Rich & Aonde Carraway Riverside United Methodist Church Page 2
Give thanks with a grateful heart for Pat Brown & Nancy Campbell and their helpers for preparing and serving the meal for the New Friends of Riverside luncheon. Barry & Judy Turner for hosting the Fruitful Congregation team dinner. Everyone who donated food & beverages for the Mitchell Elementary Teacher Appreciation event in May. Barry Turner for working on the dishwasher in the kitchen. Mark Clevenger, Pastor John, & Barry Turner for many, many hours of work repairing & sealing the cement block wall in the Lower Lobby to stop the water from seeping in through the block. The Worship Team thanks everyone who provided cookies that were gifted to the men on Father s Day. The Trustees thank everyone who came out to work on the church grounds. Linda Keyton and Wilma Grile for faithfully changing the street sign. Thank you from Jim and Beverly Reese To my wonderful church family: Thank you so much for your participation, gifts and food that you provided for such a memorable day last Saturday (May 18). It meant so much to myself and my family! Your generosity is overwhelming and I am humbled beyond words. I am truly blessed to be among such great people! Thank you, Jim &Bev Reese Thank you from Mitchell Kids Hope Kids Thank you. Everything you did for us brightened our year! Thank you from Debbie Shidler* Thank you so much for recognizing the graduates this last Sunday and giving us a sweet card. Working here has been such a blessing. Thank you again for including me. *Debbie is one of our childcare workers who graduated from BSU this year. Thanks from Linda Keyton Thanks for all the cards, memorials, for those who came to calling hours and the funeral, and for kind words when my mother died. I want to thank you all. It meant a lot to me. Riverside United Methodist Church Page 3
Odessa DeHaven has moved to a new home. Her address is now: 2300 West White River Blvd., Apt. 12, Muncie, IN 47303. Phone: 812-205-4939. Pre-Worship Singing Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Colin and Emily invite you to join them for pre-service singing from 9:25 to 9:40 every Sunday morning (beginning again July 14). Learn new songs, make requests, sing old favorites, and praise God while building a stronger church family. Hope to see you there! COVENANT PARTNERS MINISTRIES COMMUNITY DAY DATES Bags are due: Monday, July 21 for distribution on Wednesday, July 24. Bags are due: Monday, August 26 for distribution on Wednesday, August 28. Please put the following in each bag: 1 hand soap, 1 dish washing liquid, 1 box of tissues, 4 rolls of toilet paper, 1 small bottle/box laundry detergent. Prayer Group There is an exciting new opportunity to strengthen and deepen your prayer life by meeting with a group to pray every week together. We meet every Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. at Riverside. Please plan to attend. Contact Sandy Hunter (288-3679) or Fred Wallace (289-0769) for more information. HABITAT WORK DAYS Mark your calendar for Friday and Saturday August 23 and 24, 2013 and plan to join us for a day of work and fellowship with Muncie Habitat. We will be working from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. The work to be performed is to be determined and the location is to be determined. They are building new and doing rehab of existing houses. We will need 12 people. There will be a sign up sheet and more information as we get closer to August 23 and 24. If you have questions contact Joe Speece at 759 5017 or E-mail jmspeece@aol.com. Riverside United Methodist Church Page 4
Mission Opportunities Are you looking for some summer activities? Riverside s mission team has several opportunities for you to reach out and help others. July 24 Help with Covenant Partner Community Day See Susan Reno for details. Don t forget to bring your Covenant bags by July 22. July School Supplies and Tennis Shoes Collections for Hearts and Hands. Help provide Muncie school children with school supplies and shoes. August 21, 22, &23 Sign up to work at the Christian Ministry food Pantry from 8:45-12:30. July 28 or August 4 Long Term Recovery Teams are helping with the reconstruction of homes in the Kokomo area following the spring floods. Individuals or teams are invited for a day or weekend work session. Contact Rev. Jeff Newton at urban.outreach@gmail.com or call 765-461-9618 August 23 & 24 Habitat Work Days. You can sign up to work at the building site or help with lunches. Joe Speece will provide more information closer to the date. September 9-14 Join the Habitat Travel group in upper Michigan for a week of work, fun, and fellowship. If you are interested in going see Joe Speece. Riverside has been participating in several activities with the TEAMwork for Quality Living to become more aware of the poverty challenges in Muncie. In May, Pastor John and I participated in the Food Stamp Challenge. For three days we had to be resourceful and find ways to eat for $1.36 per meal it was a challenge! We have also attended several forums and meetings that provided great information on many aspects of people dealing with poverty. As we learn about future activities and meetings we will provide the information so more people can get involved. We need to reach out to those in need Riverside can help! Get ready for the big BAOMA BLOCK PARTY on Sunday September 29 which will kick off our fund raiser for the Baoma Secondary School in Sierra Leone. The construction was started in July 2011, when Mary Schumacher went on her mission trip. Riverside will join other churches in the East District to raise funds to buy blocks, windows, roofing materials, and other needed supplies to complete the construction. You can be a part of this mission project by buying a block. There will be a lunch served after church and Sulaiman Dauda who attended an Operation Classroom school in Sierra Leone and is a graduate of the University of Indianapolis will be our guest speaker. Mark your calendar and plan to be present for the BAOMA BLOCK PARTY. More information will be coming. Remember Even if it s a little thing, do something for those who have need of help, something for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it. Albert Schweitzer. Mission Team Riverside Riders Bike rides have begun and you re invited to join us on future rides. The pace is slow and the rides are within our capabilities. If you ve never been on the Cardinal Greenway you re really missing some beautiful scenery. Our rides this season are as follows: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays and 2 nd and 4 th Saturdays. We meet at Riverside and leave around 9:00am. We re normally back about noon. Riverside United Methodist Church Page 5
Tools for School School hasn t been out for all that long but it s time to start thinking about and planning for the Tools for School backpack school supply program. The school supplies will be picked up at the Delaware County Fairgrounds on Saturday, August 3 so donations of school supplies and/or money must be brought in by July 21. If you will be making a donation please write School Supplies on the memo line on your check or on the offering envelope if giving cash. The North Muncie Cluster is challenged to provide school supplies for 400 2 nd and 3 rd Graders. 2013 School Supply List for 2 nd & 3 rd grades Glue sticks 2 Bottle of glue (any size) 1 Pointed scissors (any size) 1 Jumbo erasers 2 #2 pencils 10 or 12 2-pocket folders multiple solid colors 6 Watercolor markers (8ct or larger) package 24-pack crayons 1 Ruler with inches and centimeters 1 Spiral notebook (any size) 2 Wide-lined notebook paper (any count) 4 packs 3-ring binder (1 ring) 1 Red ballpoint pens 2 Blue or black ballpoint pens 2 Yellow highlighters 1 Dry erase markers (any count) 1 package Small calculator 1 Riverside United Methodist Church Page 6
Soles 4 Souls The need this year is great. Churches, businesses, not-for-profit agencies, etc. throughout Muncie and Delaware County are being asked to dig a little deeper this year re the back to school needs for the children in our community. We are being asked to donate 20prs of Men's Size 11 sneakers. If you're able to purchase a pair or two please bring them to the church by July 14 and place them in front of the Altar. If you prefer to donate money, we estimate $25-$30 per pair. Mark your gift "Soles 4 Souls". HOW KHUSA WORKS KIDS HOPE USA is the catalyst for an expanding network of church/school partnerships. These partnerships take on the enormous challenge of kids at risk One Child, One Hour, One Church, One School at a time through one-on-one mentoring relationships. ONE CHILD An at-risk public elementary school child who needs a relationship with a caring adult. There is a desperate need among America s at-risk children to be the one-and-only in the life of a caring adult. This need for love can only be met one child at a time. You can do something real, and be that one caring adult. So when your KIDS HOPE USA child asks, How many other children do you see at my school? you can say, I'm here, just for you. When kids feel loved and valued, they are better able to learn, grow and succeed. ONE HOUR Sixty critical minutes each week when a trained mentor befriends a child and helps him or her acquire basic academic skills. How much is an hour worth? One educator seems to think an hour is worth a lot. Given the choice between $100,000 for instructional material or the love of KIDS HOPE USA mentors, she says, I would choose the love. One hour a week, every week, is the most important hour many of these kids have. One hour of one-on-one attention, just for them. ONE CHURCH Takes ownership of a program with its neighborhood school and provides a trained mentor and a behind-the-scenes prayer partner for each child. Many church members today have a deep longing to do something real, to make a real difference. KIDS HOPE USA gives churches the tools they need to tap into this energy and create a meaningful, sustainable partnership with a school in their community. KIDS HOPE USA church/school partnerships offer churches and their members the opportunity to put their faith into action. ONE SCHOOL Welcomes this proven intervention to increase the academic skills of atrisk children, while incurring no additional expense. Our schools need help. Too many of their children face a world full of problems they didn t create, and can do nothing about. Principals and teachers recognize KIDS HOPE USA mentors as an effective, proven intervention in the lives of their at-risk kids. They know how the one-on-one relationships fostered by a KIDS HOPE USA program restore self-confidence and personal security, and encourage academic excellence in their school. Be a Kids Hope Volunteer. One hour a week will change the life of a child and it might even change yours. We need your help so sign up today. Volunteer forms are on the table in the narthex. Training will be on Sunday, August 25 th after church. Lunch will be provided. If you have questions call or ask Barry Turner. (288-4630 home) ELECTRONICS RECYCLING DRIVE As a Boy Scout project, Charlie Murphy is collecting used electronics (televisions that don t work, VCRs that eat your tapes, DVD players that don t play, computers that don t compute ). From now through July 12 you may call Charlie at 284-2438 to arrange to deliver your recycling to their home or they will be glad to arrange a pickup at your home or place of business. You may also text Tori at 749-9557 or email requests to victoria4404@comcast.net. You may also bring your electronics to the church and leave them on the table in the lower lobby. Riverside United Methodist Church Page 7
WELCOME HOST AND MINGLER SCHEDULE Date Outside Door Inside Door Lobby Mingler Sanctuary Mingler July 7 Jay & Erika Pugsley Karen Blank Herb Blank Bob Harvey July 14 Jack Stanton & Dorothy Bowman Earlene Harvey Mary Schumacher Cindy Miller July 21 Jerry & Ann Golden Barry Turner Judy Turner Laura Shadoin July 28 Fred & Bob Wallace Jennifer McGunegill Ann Beuoy Jo Ann Ware Aug 4 Joe & Judy Van Winkle Sara McKillip John McKillip Marge Salisbury Aug 11 Frank & Betty Campbell Barry Turner Odessa DeHaven Judy Turner Aug 18 Mark & Amy Clevenger Susan Reno Betty Lacey Sandy Hunter Aug 25 Jerry & Jo Anne Thomas Marlene Boyer Cindy Miller Kay Rankin Sept 1 Wilma Carney & Hester Mitchell Sandy Jordan Ann Beuoy Cindy Miller Sept 8 Jack Stanton & Wilma Grile Debra DeHaven Dale DeHaven Lynn Wright Sept 15 John & Sara McKillip Laura Shadoin Sandy Abbott Pat Ashcraft Sept 22 Jack Richardson & D. Bowman Earlene Harvey Lynn Wright Bob Harvey Sept 29 Fred & Bob Wallace Barry Turner Sally Wetzel Pat Brown Oct 6 Mark & Amy Clevenger Jennifer McGunegill Sandy Abbott Betty Campbell Oct 13 Jerry & Ann Golden Linda Keyton Darwin Keyton Wilma Grile Oct 20 Joe & Judy Van Winkle Earlene Harvey Sara Mitchell Bob Harvey Oct 27 Dick & Ruth Garringer Jan Phelps Mick Phelps Pat Ashcraft Nov 3 Ron Brown & Larry Campbell Nancy Campbell Tom Schamp Pat Brown Nov 10 Jay & Erika Pugsley Pat Brown Marge Salisbury Karen Blank Nov 17 Susan Reno & Sandy Hunter Darwin Keyton Janet Schamp Linda Keyton Nov 24 Jack Stanton & Ron Brown Cindy Miller Virginia Sharp Lynn Wright Dec 1 Mark & Amy Clevenger Karen Blank Herb Blank Dorothy Bowman Dec 8 Jerry & Ann Golden Marge Salisbury Betty Lacey Mary Schumacher Dec 15 Fred & Bob Wallace Sandy Jordan Sara Mitchell Marlene Boyer Dec 22 Jack Richardson & Pat Ashcraft Sandy Abbott Wilma Grile Kay Rankin Dec 24 Sandy Hunter & Fred Wallace Susan Reno Janet Schamp N/A Dec 29 Joe & Judy Van Winkle Jennifer McGunegill Virginia Sharp Judy Turner Riverside United Methodist Church Page 8
Ending the Silence and Taking Action on Climate Change: An Urgent Moral Imperative UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH 4800 West Bradford Drive, Muncie, IN Three Thursdays--Video/Discussion Series:::: FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ::: 1. Ending the Silence on Climate Change Thursday, July 18, at 7p From Moyers and Company on PBS, first broadcast on 1/6/2013, repeated 3/23/2013 2. Do the Math Thursday, July 25, at 7p A movie from 350.org, led by Bill McKibben - first shown on Earthnight, Sunday, April 21, 2013, and includes coverage of the Feb. 17, 2013 rally in Washington, DC, that attracted 40,000 citizens 3. Bidder 70 Thursday, August 1, at 7p An award-winning documentary on climate activist and aspiring Unitarian Universalist minister Tim Dechristopher, who is the subject of 2 articles in the Winter 2012 issue of UU World Circles has drawn national attention for helping families out of poverty and inspiring communities to commit to new long-term solutions for addressing this persistent issue and to building more wealth. Circle Leaders graduation will be Thursday, July 11 @ 6:30 p.m. downstairs at the Open Door Health Services Community Room, 333 South Madison Street. Hear the stories of the individuals and couples who have gone through the Circles training. Understanding People in Poverty Wednesday, July 17, 10 a.m. 12:15 p.m. @ Grace Episcopal Church, 300 S. Madison Street There are patterns that exist among people from generational poverty. Learn why some people operate as they do so that you may be more effective in working with them. Sponsored by the 2013 Poverty Awareness Year Partnership: Fifty-six organizations, agencies, and churches who believe understanding poverty is the first step to eliminating it. Yes! You need a reservation! Call 747-7158 or e-mail angelic@teamworkql.org Big View Meetings Big View Meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of every month from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the basement of First Baptist Church, 309 East Adams Street and feature a far ranging discussion of the causes of poverty in the community and how to address them for the long-term, in the process removing systemic barriers. Riverside United Methodist Church Page 9
Energize Your Home and Get More Comfort and Savings. Earn money for RUMC by having an audit. Residential Home Energy Assessments from Energizing Indiana are a smart approach to improve the comfort of your home. Home Energy Assessments can help you raise your home s performance, lower energy bills, improve in-home air quality and increase your home s value. Energy Advisors will guide you step by step through the process to produce long-term, cost-effective energy savings by analyzing your energy use, recommending appropriate efficiency measures and by installing several low-cost energy-saving measures. Advisors will also assess the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems in your home to determine if they are operating efficiently. We also may inspect your home s air duct sealing, insulation levels and more to evaluate your home s energy consumption and heating and cooling efficiency. The Home Every Assessments may include energy saving measures such as: -flow faucet aerators (limit 3) -flow shower heads (limit 2) Once your home s energy assessment is complete, you will receive a comprehensive report detailing what can be done to start saving energy and make your home more comfortable. Many times a Residential Home Energy Assessment reveals that only simple and relatively low-cost improvements are necessary to achieve significant energy savings. Eligibility Requirements: Homes built prior to January 1, 2010., triplex, quad or mobile home -sponsored assessment completed in the past 3 years NIPSCO, Indianapolis Power & Light or Indiana Michigan Power Definition for single family homes: Residential structure designed to include one dwelling. No more than 4 adjacent units (unless divided by a firewall every 4 units) may share walls and other structural components and all units must have separate outside access, plumbing and heating/cooling equipment. Relative to working with landlords, we are pleased to work directly with the property owner to schedule the assessments vs. reaching out one-by-one to their tenants to attempt to schedule. This is beneficial to all involved: our staff can concentrate their efforts in one territory as the owner and/or their maintenance staff allows access to the properties; the owner enjoys improvements to all their properties and is not dependent upon tenant to schedule; and the tenant will appreciate the energy/dollar savings. From the 4th through the 11th of September the Muncie Exchange Club will host Muncie s first Field of Honor flag display. The Healing Field and Field of Honor flag display programs began on the first anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks as a way to depict the immensity of loss we suffered, not in depressing images of broken concrete and twisted steel, but through an uplifting posting of three thousand flags one for each victim lost that day. Muncie s Exchange Club has chosen to present a Field of Honor event for Patriot Day to honor the men and women who have or are serving in the military and to remember those that have given the ultimate sacrifice. Exchange members and volunteers will post hundreds of U.S. flags on the front lawns of the Minnetrista Cultural Center which is located at 1200 N Minnetrista Parkway. Flags can be sponsored to honor our service men and women, a personal hero or anyone you would like to remember during this patriotic display. Go to http://www.healingfield.org/muncie13/ or contact Larry Campbell 759-9819 or Larry Souders 284-8618 to sponsor a flag. Proceeds from sponsorship of the flags will benefit local charities supported by the Muncie Exchange Club. Riverside United Methodist Church Page 10