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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 13th
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 20th 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 30th.
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
21-26th. 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 1st. 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 10th-12th
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 7th. 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 1st.
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 20th. 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 17th. 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 |