MAY NEWSLETTER

FROM THE PASTOR

      So far there have been better years here in Effingham. Deaths, near-deaths, ice, wind, fires,…seems we’ve had it all but the flood and the brimstone. And yet, that is where we find ourselves living life isn’t it; between Genesis (flood) and Revelation (brimstone); between the already and the not yet. Between the times of “Christ has come, Christ has died/risen, Christ will come again.” And that is exactly where we are called to be disciples of Jesus- in the midst of the mess, in life and in death, to show forth the love and mercy of Jesus as we “abide” in him (see John 15). You see, “If there is this love among you, then all will know that you are my disciples.” (John 13:34 NEB) In the midst of the mess that’s whom Jesus calls us to be, where he calls us to be. It’s not comfortable (i.e. cozy), but, as He is right there with us…there is comfort; in the midst of life, in the face of death (and ice, fires, etc….).    Grace & Peace in Jesus, Pastor Jeff

BOARD NOTES

The Board met after Church Sunday, April 13^th with a good group present.  The pastor reported on visiting the sick and the elderly.  Mrs. Woods was served communion and sent greetings to everyone.  An ordination service was planned for the 20^th for those still remaining to be ordained as elders in our church.

As Pat Strine is recovering, an assistant was discussed to help out for a number of weeks.  Liz Todd was selected to fill this need.  Thanks Liz.

Seth reported the New Orleans trip was changed to possibly traveling to help flood victims in southeast Kansas get back on their feet.  Seth needs to do an internship for several weeks to further his education.  The board approved for him to intern here in our church for the number of hours he needs.

The Methodist Bridges of the future capital campaign was discussed.  It was approved to donate $500 per year for the next five years.  $250 will go to the campaign for camping needs and $250 will go to the Presbytery Heartland Park Camp.  This amount WILL NOT come out of the general fund, so look for more information to see how you can contribute. By Covell Hawk

ELDERS ORDAINED

Pastor Jeff Cochran ordained Joanne Bodenhausen, Kathleen Meeks and Debbie Parnell as elders during the morning worship service at the Effingham Union Church, April 20.

SCHOLARSHIPS

High school seniors need to be sending a letter to the Endowment Committee immediately if they want to apply for a scholarship. Just write a letter stating that you would like a scholarship and where you plan to attend in the fall.  Please send to Dede Caplinger.  

BACCALAUREATE SERVICE

Johnny Williams from God’s Mountain, Rushville, MO; will deliver the message entitled “God Knows” at the ACCHS Baccalaureate service at 7:30 p.m. May 14 in the ACCHS auditorium.  The graduate class and their family and friends are invited to attend.

Williams has been associated with Teens for Christ and Midland Industries, Hiawatha.

The Union Church Women’s Society will be serving the refreshments afterwards. 

AFTER SCHOOL ENDS

The children’s after school ended April 30^th.  We would like to thank everyone for sending their children to it.  We also would like to thank the after school teachers who were faithful with their help.  They were Cindy Ladd, Nancy Fasse, Ida Taliaferro, Roger Frederick, Pastor Jeff, Mary Kay Barnett, Alice Johnson, and Courtney Caplinger. 

BIBLE STUDY

The Bible Study at the Town and Country Center is over for the summer.

FAIR TIME

The FAIR will be here sooner then you think.  Remember it’s a month earlier this year, July 21-26^th.  So mark you calendar and plan to work in the fair stand.  Your help will be appreciated. 

VACTION BIBLE SCHOOL

This year the Christian Education Committee will be having VBS starting Sunday evening, July 27 through August 1^st.  The theme is Jerusalem Marketplace.  Please send your kids and have them bring their friends.  The committee has planned a fun packed educational experience.  The Women’s Society will be serving a light supper.

UM CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

The KS East Conference of the United Methodist Church has launched a capital campaign called “Bridges to the Future”.  This is the first capital campaign by the conference in over 30 years.  The goal of this campaign is to raise $5.3 million for Camp Chippewa, campus ministries, new church starts and revitalizing churches.  The money will be raised through churches, individuals and foundations.  Many United Methodist Women are familiar with the ministries this campaign touches through the Camp Chippewa women’s prison ministry program, or though participation at Camp Chippewa or a campus ministries program at one of our seven state college campuses.

Our church has pledged $ 250 to Presbyterian and UM camps for 5 yrs.

SCHOOL OF MISSION

United Methodist School of Mission is July 10^th-12^th at Washburn University.  The studies this year are:

I believe in Jesus, Israel/Palestine and Giving our Hearts Away: Native American Survival

YOUNG WOMEN

The Young Women's Society met Wednesday April 16th at the Effingham Union Church.  Another project night was scheduled and the women enjoyed working on various projects including crocheting, scrapbooking, and stenciling. As the women worked on their projects their knowledge of the bible was expanded as they watched a video of Cliff Richard who gave a lecture on “the Christian Described”. Thank you to Linda Montgomery and Cindy Ladd for providing childcare. Our hearts and prayers go out to the members of St. Ann’s during this difficult time. Our next gathering is planned for September. The Young Women’s society is an open invitation to young women in the area. You need not attend the Effingham Union Church to be a part of this group. The purpose of this group is to provide Christian fellowship as well as an opportunity for growth in our relationship with Christ. Free childcare is always available. The activities change monthly as volunteers take turns hosting them. We hope you’ll join us! 

WOMEN’S SOCIETY

Recently the Effingham Union Church Women’s Society members and guests spent a fun evening of looking back and remembering the different styles of clothing as members and guests presented a fashion revue of styles from the past.

Chairman Linda Montgomery presided over the business meeting of the first bi-annual meeting of the Women’s Society.  Twenty-eight members and 13 guests were present. The members voted to serve the Farm Bureau supper, August 7^th. Plans were made to serve refreshments at the ACCHS Baccalaureate Service, May 14. The circles were asked to serve a light supper for VBS, July 27-August 1^st.

The members were invited to attend Women of Faith Conference in August at the new Sprint Center in KC MO.  The Society voted to pay a third of the registration fee.

COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER

Effingham’s tragic event Monday, April 21 brought our community, as well as, surrounding communities together. Several towns sent their fire departments to help fight St. Ann’s fire, Mary Kay and Dede were serving the helpers food and water, McDonald’s sent food as did the Red Cross and the Salvation Army.   Pastor Jeff not only helped fight the fire, but was on hand to give St. Ann’s Parish moral support. In the evening the community came together for a prayer service.  Pastor Jeff and Pastor Boyer assisted Father Ben in the service.

The Union Church will support them anyway we can--including keeping them in our prayers.  They are not just our friends and neighbors, but they are our family.  So we pray that God will continue to shower them with his blessing and guide them as they build their new church out of the ashes of the old one.  The church’s true foundation was not of bricks and mortar, but several generations following and honoring God. 

St. Ann’s family saw their past go up in flames, but the flames cannot and will not extinguish their future. PRAISE GOD!! 

THE CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

The Chairman of the Board, Ray Ladd, reported that he offered on behalf of our church the use of our facilities or any other aid that our church could offer to St.  Ann’s.  They were very appreciative, but they can hold mass in their parish center and their office was not affected by the fire

Ray, also, thanked the congregation for giving to the love fund for Pat Strine and her family.  He, also, reminded them that others in the community is and will be in need of our support.

HEALTH KITS

Health Kits are always in great demand.  Although Round-Up won’t be until November, we decided at the Women’s Society meeting to ask you to start gathering things for the health kits when you see them on sale.  These are health kits are used by women and children who have been uprooted from their homes and may have nothing but the clothes that they are wearing.  Shopping lists for health kits are on the back table.  Please pick one up and help us get a head start this year.  If you don’t like to shop, give a donation to the Women’s Society and designate it for health kits and someone will do the shopping. We are still collecting school kits, but August with it sales on school supplies is a good time to shop for them.  Don’t forget about the layettes and disposal diapers.

COLLECTING FOOD

The church is still collecting food for the Christian Church food pantry on the first Sunday of the month. The need keeps growing.  REMEMBER WHEN WE COME TO THE LORD’S TABLE, REMEMBER THE TABLES OF OTHERS IN NEED.

THANK YOU

I wish to thank all of those who attended my birthday reception and for the many cards I received along with all the good wishes. Florence Hinz

Father Ben thanked us for our support and prayers at the time of their great tragedy. 

CONGRATULATIONS

Bill and Sue Alberts announce the birth of a granddaughter, Katelyn Elle, born to Shawn and Heather Kloepper on March 20^th.  Katelyn was welcomed by big sister, Kaliegh Elizabeth, 2 yrs. Old

Becky O’Brien announces the birth of a grandson, Broden Neal to Robert and Lindsey Brown of Independence, KS on March 17^th.  Beth Barnett is the great grandmother.

UMC DOING GOD’S WORK,

 The theme for Bishop’s Week June 18-21 at Mount Sequoyah is “Ministry in Hard Places.” Rev. Rudy Rasmus knows ministry in hard places. Pastor Rudy, urban messenger and co-pastor of St. John’s United Methodist Church with his wife Juanita in Downtown Houston, began his ministry with nine existing members in 1992.

St. John’s has grown to more than 9,000 members. Several thousand in his congregation are either currently or formerly homeless. The church is one of the most culturally diverse congregations in the country. The church is known for its infectious hope that God will change lives.Pastor Rudy co-founded the St. John’s Academy, which serves Houston’s neediest children, and Bread of Life, a (CONT ON NEXT PAGE)

separate nonprofit. The church provides food, shelter, clothing, medical care, job training, counseling and early education school for those children affected by HIV/AIDS and provides a wide range of services for disadvantaged individuals and families. Learn more about Bishop’s Week and download a registration form from www.mountsequoyah.org/www.mountsequoyah.org/Programs_%26_Events.html