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

June 5, 2008                                                                                                  Volume LIV – Issue 11

Preschoolers enjoy year-end fun

   On May 16, children in the M-W-F class of Friends Together United Methodist Preschool visited the home of Gilbert and Rita Louk where they were able to view a variety of birds feeding, learn about the life cycle of butterflies (they were able to set two free that had recently hatched from cocoons), and feed fish in the Koi pond.  The group also enjoyed a trip to the 4-H petting zoo on May 7.  A great big thank you goes out to Gilbert Louk and Barb Muench for serving as bus drivers on the many field trips taken by the children during the past school year.

Summer newsletter schedule

   We are reducing the number of newsletters published during the summer. See the list below for mailing dates

(in bold print) along with submission deadlines for each.

June 5 –submission deadline is May 30

June 19 (No newsletter)

July 3 –submission deadline is June27

July 17 (No newsletter)

July 31 –submission deadline is July 25

   There will be many opportunities for spiritual growth and fellowship this summer.  See the special orange insert included with this edition of The Heartbeat.

Preschool request

Calling all former educators and/or those experienced in working with children…

   If you have some free time and would like to spend it helping youngsters explore and learn, Friends Together Preschool is looking for people interested in serving as occasional substitute teachers during the school year.  The

State of Kansas does require that our substitute teachers undergo a one-time physical and TB test and have first aid training.  In accordance with the Methodist Church, they would also need to participate in Safe and Sacred Spaces training.  If you would be interested in helping us out and being on our list of substitutes, please contact me by leaving a message with the church office, or better yet, come to our Open House on Sunday, June 8.  We will be in the preschool room from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.  I will be available then to answer any questions you might have. Thank you!             --Jenny Olsson, Teacher/Director

Humor

   Many times I’ll find books on the library desk without any identification as to who is giving them to our church library, so I’ll thank you “in absentia.”  Several in that category received recently are humorous—God Has Never Failed Me, But He’s Sure Scared Me to Death a Few Times, by Stan Toler, and another by the same author, The Buzzards Are Circling But God’s Not Finished With Me Yet.  The author is a minister who feels that laughter plays a big part in his faith life.  He believes that humor is as necessary as air when you hit those speed bumps on the journey of life, and his “Buzzards” book is a combination of poignant and hilarious reminders that God is still at work in the world, no matter how many buzzards may be circling, with chapter headings such as “When the Fountain of Youth Has Rusted,” and “I Know I’m Lost but the Scenery’s Spectacular.”  This author says that when nothing seems to be happening in your life, something really is happening.  His upbeat stories reveal how God’s love is always there, helping you cope even if you can’t program the newfangled DVD player.  These books are published by Guideposts.

   We have many other books about humor and laughter in our church library, such as Holy Humor and More Holy Humor, by Cal Samara, and Laughter from Heaven, by Barbara Johnson, and Humor for a Woman’s Heart, by the same author.  These humorous books have not had good circulation and I’ve wondered if you feel that humor and God, or religion, are not compatible.  The Strong’s Concordance lists thirty-eight references to “laughed”, among them Psalm 126 which says “Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing.” Job 8:21 says “He will fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouts of joy.”  So, you see, it’s okay to laugh!

                                                        --Jean Brown, Librarian

   I’ve learned that it is just as important to forget

a wrong as it is to remember a kindness.  --Anonymous

Children’s corner

God’s Big Backyard

Sundays, June 1 – August 10, 9:15 a.m.

   Hey, kids – age 3 through sixth grade!  Join us at Sunday school this summer as we explore God’s Big Backyard.  Our outdoor adventure begins right here in our classrooms and gets bigger each week as you take the love of Jesus into our neighborhood and community.  Each week we will begin our adventures with Nick (a feisty squirrel) and Cooper (a friendly dog), who will help us discover how much fun service can be and challenge us to serve our families, friends, neighbors, community, and Jesus.  You won’t want to miss our adventures in God’s Big Backyard – beginning at 9:15 a.m. on June 1st through August 10th.

Beach Party: Surfin’ Through the Scriptures

July 27 – 31, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

   You won’t want to miss the most amazing, fun-filled week this summer at our Beach Party!  We are teaming up with Grace United Methodist Church to meet new friends, grow in our faith together, and make this a memorable Vacation Bible School.  You will discover the importance of being all you can be for Jesus and work on developing five “Be Attitudes” to practice for a lifetime:

• Be obedient
• Be kind
• Be forgiving
• Be bold in your faith
• Believe in Jesus

   Each session has a Bible story, recreation time, a science lab, tasty treats at the Snack Shack, and art projects.  Get ready to catch the wave of God’s love—surf’s up at FUMC!

Worship & Arts Camp at Grace UM Church

August 4-7, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

  The week after VBS we are once again teaming up with Grace UMC for a week-long worship camp for children in grades 2-6.  Participants will explore the essential elements of a worship service, perform music and dance and write prayers to fit the chosen theme.  The children will then lead the worship service on Aug. 10.

New session of Tai Chi begins July 15

   A new session of Tai Chi will begin on July 15.  The class will meet on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. in the parlor.  If the new class exceeds more than 8 persons, an additional class time may be added to facilitate individual instruction by the teacher.  The class will again be taught by “Ming” (Zelman Wong).  Tai Chi is a gentle exercise program composed of slow, deliberate movements, meditation and deep breathing, for the body and the mind.  If you you’ve been considering learning Tai Chi, this summer class will be a perfect opportunity to do so.  Please call the church office to sign up if you would like to participate.  The class is free; however, a donation basket will be available.

Father’s Day breakfast

   Cornerstone Café will be serving a special breakfast for fathers on Sunday, June 15.  We will be having biscuits and gravy, fruit and juice, and of course, great coffee.  Please make plans to join us from 9:00 to 10:30am.  As always, everyone is welcome and the price for a great breakfast is a free will donation.

Youth news

Day At The Lake  Any youth who are not going on the mission trip are invited to spend Sunday, June 15, at Lake Kahola.  Tim and Donita Shafer will be hosting and driving.  We will meet at the church at 2:00 and plan to return by 7:00.  Please sign up on the bulletin board if you are interested.

Fireworks Stand  FUMC youth will once again be operating a Fireworks Stand to raise money for youth programming.  Our stand is located ½ mile south of South Avenue on Prairie Street.  Please help us by spreading the word with family and friends.  All youth and parents are reminded to get signed up NOW to work shifts and spend the night.  The sign up sheets are on the bulletin board.  Fireworks arrive on Thursday, June 26 and we will sell

June 27-July 5.

Stockholder Dinner  The Stockholder Dinner is scheduled for Sunday, June 29, following 10:35 worship.  All stockholders are invited to share a meal and hear about the youth mission trip to serve inner-city people in Indianapolis.

Worlds of Fun/Oceans of Fun  The annual district sponsored trip to WOO/OOF is Monday, July 28.  We will leave at 8:00am and return around 11:00pm.  This is always a great day.  The cost is $42/person and includes admission to both parks, picnic lunch and trip insurance.  Given that our budget is a little tight right now, we are asking that anyone who is able to contribute $20 to the cost of this trip do so.  Sign up deadline is Sunday, July 6.

Summer Schedule  Please check calendars, newsletters, bulletin inserts and bulletin boards carefully during the summer as we do not meet as regularly on Sunday evenings as we do during the school year.  Thanks!  As always, call with questions.

Mission Trip  From June 14-22, twenty-seven youth and chaperones will be gone on a mission trip to serve people living in the inner city of Indianapolis, IN.  Please keep this group in your prayers as they travel and serve. 

     If you would be willing to have the name of a specific person to pray for, please fill out the following form.  This is extremely important and we appreciate your support in this way.

NAME: _______________________________________

ADDRESS:  ___________________________________

PHONE:  _____________________________________

Bridges to the Future

   Are you a Bridge Builder?

                                                        Total               Givers

Level                    Amount                            Givers             as of

of Giving            Each Qtr.            Needed           6/2/08

Moon Bridge            $100                  20                   6

Suspension Bridge      $ 50                  40                   6

Covered Bridge         $ 25                  100               10

Foot Bridge              $ 10                  100                 6

Zip Line                      $5                  --                    2

Other                                                                            1

     There is a level of giving for everyone.  If you have not pledged, please find the level of giving that is right for you and submit you pledge by the end of 2008.

     Our church has pledged $64,620 to the Conference for the next three years.  So far, individuals have pledged $14,665.

General Conference news

Key items approved at the 2008 General Conference:

§People who join United Methodist churches will now promise to be faithful in “their witness” as well as in their prayers, presence, gifts and service.  The conference also voted to add the witness phrase to the liturgy used by the church when a person makes a profession of membership.

§The mission statement of The United Methodist Church was expanded by adding the phrase “for the transformation of the world” after “make disciples of Christ.”  This represents a significant shift from a focus on becoming a disciple for one’s own benefit to becoming a disciple to join in a movement of greater purpose: to change the world.

§The assembly retained language defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman.  The conference decided to continue to describe homosexuality as “incompatible with Christian teaching” was called a time of “faithful witness.”  This was followed by a peaceful demonstration of the assembly floor.  Afterwards, 16 bishops met with witnesses advocating for full inclusion “We went into a time of discussion, speaking from our hearts as much as our heads,” said Bishop Sally Dyck.

§Pastors or district superintendents may now ask the bishop to give sacramental authority to a deacon if an elder is not present.  That right is confined to the location of the deacon’s primary appointment.

§The assembly affirmed the validity of scientific findings as ways to expand our understanding of the naturally world and the mysteries of God’s creation and the Word.  Intelligent Design.

§The conference asked the denomination’s Board of Church and Society to identify and publish on its Web site educational resources on stem-cell research.  The resolution encourages pastors to use the resources to become informed about the use of embryonic stem cells for medical research and to offer these resources for study in their local church.