A Newsletter Published by First United Methodist Church – Emporia, KS

August 14, 2008                                                                                                      Volume LIV – Issue 14

Another garage sale gets underway

   On Sunday, August 10, many volunteers once again began working to set up for another church-wide garage sale.  Two times each year members of our congregation work long hours to transform our Fellowship Hall into a “bargain superstore.”  The garage sale is a fundraiser organized by the United Methodist Women and the money raised goes to support local and regional missions.  THANK YOU TO EVERYONE who helps make this event a continued success.  We couldn’t do it without you!

Laity Seminars at Saint Paul

Saint Paul School of Theology announces the inaugural year of the Laity School of Theology.  Beginning this September and extending through next April, the seminary will offer six one-day sessions on Saturdays.  Each interactive session will be taught by Saint Paul faculty, built on solid scholarship, and presented in an accessible manner for persons with a variety of educational backgrounds.  Participants can attend one session or all six.  Topics will include: worship, Bible, Ethics, church history, and theology.  The cost is $35 per session, lunch included.  To register for any or all of the courses, call Saint Paul School of Theology Continuing Education offices at 816-245-4815.

Youth news

Youth Week  We had a great time during Youth Week with a variety of activities that highlighted what our program is all about.  Thanks to everyone who participated.  Youth Week signals the beginning of a new school year and a new year of youth programming.  If you have not joined us in awhile, now is a great time to check out what we have to offer you.

New Youth Area  The new youth area is completed.  If you have not had a chance to check it out, please do so.  It is amazing!  It will serve the needs of our youth for many years.  Invite a friend and come join us.  Many thanks to everyone who worked on this area in so many different ways.  Special thanks go to Brian Muench, Ken Roemer and Dan Roemer.  They all put in a huge number of hours on this project.

Fall Kick-Off  Our Fall Kick-Off is scheduled for Sunday, August 24, from 1:30-8:00 at Melvern Lake.  We will meet at the church and go out together.  Plan to swim, play games, have a picnic, vote on Youth Council and hear plans for the new year.  Please sign up on the bulletin board so we can adequately plan for food, chaperones and transportation.  Any adults interested in joining us should contact Barb.

Youth Council  Youth Council is made up of two elected representatives from each grade level.  The Council meets monthly to plan and evaluate all aspects of youth programming.  If you would like your name to be on the ballot, please sign up on the bulletin board.

A repair for brokenness

   Our life is full of brokenness—broken relationships, broken promises, broken expectations.  How can we live with that brokenness without becoming bitter and resentful except by returning again and again to God’s faithful presence in our lives?                    --Henri Nouwen

Children’s corner

Promotion/Education Sunday is August 17  Please plan to join us as we celebrate Christian Education and its vital role in our lives.  Our children will be promoted to their new grade level and meet their new classmates and teachers.  Our fall curriculum is called Faithweaver, a wonderful curriculum designed to “weave faith through the family.”  The adult class, Pathfinders, will use this same curriculum in hopes of opening up family discussions at home about the Bible stories covered in class.  If you feel called to teach and share God’s love with our FUMC children, please talk with Cindy Kienholz.  As a teacher, you will receive training, curriculum, and lots of support.  Also, there are always two teachers needed in each classroom.

Half-Time  Mark your calendars for our next Wednesday evening Half-Time session:  September 3 – October 22.  We are very fortunate that Paula Sauder has agreed to once again coordinate the dinner crew, and a family dinner will be served at 5:30 followed by classes for all ages from 6:00-7:30.  Children, ages 3 through sixth grade, will explore FRIENDSHIP.  The traits we need to be a good friend, the many ways friendships enhance our lives, and how Jesus is our forever friend.  Come join in the fun and bring a pal!  If you would be interested in teaching or helping with one of the children’s classes, please contact Cindy Kienholz.

Celebration Choir  What a joy it is to sing for the Lord!  Our children’s choir, grades 1-6, will begin practice during the Half-Time program beginning on September 3.  We will then be singing on the third Sunday of each month.  Let us make a joyful noise unto the Lord!

Bring a friend to our Open House

Join us for free food, fun and fellowship as we celebrate the completion of our building changes & improvements and learn about our fall classes and events.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 12:00-2:00PM

Have LUNCH with us -- hot dogs, chips and more!

Bring the kids for CARNIVAL GAMES in upstairs classrooms and games in youth rooms downstairs.

VISIT our new Nursery, Children’s and Youth rooms.

Feel the Spirit as the “Solid Rock” PRAISE BAND plays in Fellowship Hall.

Enjoy ACOUSTIC MUSIC with Coffee and Dessert in Cornerstone Café.

Tour FRIENDS TOGETHER PRESCHOOL

located in our building.

Please plan to join us and bring a friend!

A friend in need

   In times of trouble, we look to caring Christian friends to listen to us while we work through our feelings.  A Stephen Minister can be such a friend, either to you or to someone you know.  This week our Stephen Ministers will meet together as they continue to learn ways of caring for people with needs.  If you or someone you know could benefit from the trained, caring, presence and listening ear of a Stephen Minister, leave a message for Jayne Duncan at the church office: 342-6186.

Those books

   What are those books doing in the church library?  This might be your first reaction when seeing the titles of six new books in our library.  Well, I’ll tell you why!

   The first, The Gospel According to Disney, by Mark Pinsky, tells us that the world’s most famous rodent and his animated friends say more about faith and values than you might think.  Peter Pan taught us that “faith, trust, and pixie dust” can help you leave your cares behind.  Bambi stimulated support for gun control and environmentalism.  The author looks at twenty Disney classics and uses each as a point of departure for discussion of Christian values.  There is a consistent set of moral and human values in these movies, largely based on Western, Judeo-Christian faith and principles, which together constitute a “Disney gospel.”

   Moving on the The Gospel According to the Simpsons: The Spiritual Life of the World’s Most Animated Family, also by Mark Pinsky.  In many ways, the Simpsons are weak, well-meaning sinners who rely on their faith—only when absolutely necessary.  God is not mocked, nor is God’s existence questioned.  One reviewer said “the character of Lisa Simpson is everything good in mainline denominational churches and their commitment to the social gospel.”  For Homer, God is a parachute he hopes he never has to use, but he wants God to be there—just in case!  This is really a very interesting and thought-provoking book, and makes you see this TV show in a new light.

   The next book is The Gospel According to Dr. Seuss, by James Kemp.  This author, a minister, says you can find no better illustrations for Biblical principles than those found in Dr. Seuss’s stories, with such themes as faithfulness, fairness, friendship, greed, pride, adventure, and much more.  Both the meaning and the relevance of many Bible passages come to life.

   Next issue:  Three more of “those” books.

                                                        --Jean Brown, Librarian

“Glorious indeed is the world of God around us, but more glorious the world of God within us.  There lies the land of song; there lies the poet’s native land.”

                                          –Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

From the finance committee

Pledge Income Budgeted for July 2008:     $48,537.50

Pledge Income Received for July 2008:      $38,150.88

                                             Shortfall of:      $10,386.62

Please help us make this up!

Bridges to the Future

   Bridges take us from where we are to where we want to go.  In early 2005 Bishop Scott Jones challenged the Kansas East Conference to envision where God may be leading us to a higher level of effectiveness for Christ.  Strategic plans were developed, and in June 2006, the Annual Conference unanimously adopted these plans.  A feasibility study followed.  In June 2007, the results of the feasibility study were presented to the Annual Conference and a capital campaign was approved.  Bridges to the Future is a conference-wide plan to raise $5.3 million to fulfill strategic ministry goals for campus ministry, Camp Chippewa and church growth and development.

  Of this amount, $900,000 has been allocated to Camp Chippewa for repair and update of their facilities.  Camp Chippewa offers children, youth and adults opportunities to develop spiritually and grow in their discipleship.  This site was established in 1958 and normal wear and tear has taken its toll on the facilities.

   One million dollars has been allocated to campus ministry.  Making disciples of college students is essential to the vitality of our congregations and the future recruitment of church leaders.  If the campaign goals are met, Emporia State is to receive $550,000 for furnace replacement, exterior upgrade, parking lot, new roof, air conditioning, handicap accessible bathrooms, purchase of land and construction of an addition for a chapel.  Leadership was also identified as an important need in order to strengthen the campus ministry program.  Emporia’ campus minister, Kurt Cooper, became full-time as of July 1, 2008.

   Three million dollars is designated for new church starts with the remaining funds dedicated to revitalization of existing churches.  Part of making disciples for Jesus Christ involves the creation of new congregations, revitalization of our current churches and strengthening our ministry with various ethnic groups.  Led by the Holy Spirit, the conference has switched its focus from purchasing land to developing the pastoral leadership needed to establish a new church.

   Our church has pledged $64,000 to the campaign over the next three years.  Meeting the pledge will influence lives for Christ.  We are hoping that all individuals and family units will pledge an amount that is right for them.  Ask yourself how you can be a part of His plan.