2915 West 95th Street • Leawood, KS 66206 • (913) 648-2131 • www.leawoodumc.org

For more information about Leawood UMC and a calendar of events, please visit our website www.leawoodumc.org.

March Birthdays

3/2 Pat Ganser Jenn Wickham 3/3 Sara Sutherland Annika Kuhnke 3/5 Marne Hough Christy Pulley 3/6 Stanley Reimer 3/8 Jeff Wilson Nicholas Hoffman 3/9 Andrew Terry 3/10 Barbara Samuelson Lucy Bovee 3/11 Kathryn Knapp Lisa Kuhnke Scott Hubler Lauren Clay 3/12 June Marshall 3/14 Gwenn Puetz 3/19 Patsy Whitney Deryl Roberts 3/21 Kyal Hornbaker 3/23 Vern Chalfant 3/23 Jeanne Foster Kennedy Nelson 3/24 Barbara Chaplin Danny DelCastillo 3/25 Amy Jones 3/26 Tammy Stallcup 3/27 Guy Casey Perry Beal Cindy Wheeler 3/28 Bill Rowe Melinda Householder Derrick House 3/29 Gordon Faubel Jack Krumme Kenneth Powell Greg Vernon 3/31 Delores Krumme

The Spirit • March 2014

In Our Thoughts and Prayers

UMW things to remember. . .

Greeting Cards

A variety of greeting cards may be purchased by contacting Verna Chalfant. Every bit of your minimum $5.00 donation goes to missions.

UMW Library

Please be sure to check out the UMW library, located in the Leawood UMC Library. Each year we add new books to better equip members for mission in their communities and around the world.

Please keep Mel and Carrie Kirk in your prayers. Their son, Stephen, passed away Sunday, January 26, 2014. Please keep the family of Vivian Denison, a longtime Leawood UMC member, in your prayers. Vivian passed away Friday, February 7.

Many of you know about the Interfaith Hospitality Network and the job that about 15 of our congregational members do to help the situational homeless families that come into the IHN program. Those of us who volunteer at IHN make meals for, spend the night with and work with guest families at Asbury UMC about five times a year. There are a few of us who do a bit more, working at the family center, driving guests to appointments, etc. But NOW is the time when you can become involved as well! The IHN Family Center is moving! Our goal is to be moved into the new Family Center by April 15. We will be located in the College Boulevard Business Park at College Boulevard and Lamar. The current Family Center, on Strang Line Road in Olathe, is quite small. Up to four families spend any free time that they have during the day in four fairly small rooms, and as the guests are currently in a state of crisis, sometimes that's just a little bit too much togetherness! Guests are sometimes crammed into the kitchen, computer room, TV room and storage room, particularly on weekends when the kids aren't in school and the adults may not be working! The new location will have over 4,000 square feet, while the old location is 2,500 square feet, with much of the current space being taken up by offices and a reception area. The new location will have extra space so that family units will have some privacy and room to breathe and relax. A generous anonymous donor has pledged the money that it will take to "build out" the new family center, but there are so many other costs involved. That's why this year's PATHWAY HOME campaign is about raising money for the new IHN family center. IHN is truly a pathway to a new home for our guests. They are able to find jobs if they don't already have one, and every penny of their salaries go toward saving for a new home, be it a house or an apartment. So, if you would like to donate to the PATHWAY HOME campaign, please put a check in the offering plate soon, or send it to the church with IHN in the memo portion. If at all possible, donations would be most appreciated by Sunday, March 23, so that we can give the church's gift to IHN by March 30. Of course, donations are welcome anytime. And, if you'd like to join our rank of volunteers, all you need do is go to the JOCOIHN.ORG website, or talk to Linda Zemke or Ryan Grindstaff for more information. Your expenditure of time is minimal in this program, but the rewards of seeing homeless families escape poverty is more than worth your time and effort.

March 2014

INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY NETWORK - THE PATHWAY HOME! From Linda Zemke

The Spirit •March 2014

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."--Isaiah 55:8-9.

This verse of Scripture brings peace to my soul, as I ponder the Passion of Christ. It is difficult for many of us to embrace the pain and death of Christ. As hard as we try, we just can't fully understand why God chose this route to secure our salvation.

"He is despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. He was despised. He has borne our grief and carried our sorrows; smitten by God and afflicted. He was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities; he was chastened for our peace; by His stripes we are healed. The Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted; it pleased the Lord to bruise Him and put Him to grief. His soul was made an offering for sin. God shall see the travail of His soul and be satisfied. He was numbered with transgressors."

quoted from Isaiah 53. Matthew 8:17--"He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses." 1 Peter 3:18--"Christ suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit."

But here is the other side of the coin, so to speak. Thomas à Kempis explains in “The Imitation of Christ," that the Cross of Christ is the very way to the kingdom of heaven. In the Cross, the following can be found: health, life, fullness of heavenly sweetness, strength of mind, joy of spirit, height of virtue, full perfection of all holiness. There is no help for the soul, or hope of everlasting life, except through the virtue of the Cross."

This stirs in me feelings of praise, freedom, hope, sense of well- being, gratitude. I love it that God's thoughts and ways are higher than mine.

PRAYER COLUMN Patty Brasel

“The Way” A Lenten Series at Leawood United Methodist Church

Lent is a time of reflection and there’s nothing like a pilgrimage to conjure that up. Inspired by passages in the scriptures that talk about the journeys, roads and pathways of life, we will make our “way” together through this poignant season. The movie “The Way” accompanies us as our modern-day inspiration to live the life we’ve been given to the fullest. Join us for worship during this Lenten season.

Leawood United Methodist Church

We invite you to join one of our adult Sunday school classes. Pick a class and come anytime! Newcomers are always welcome! Questions? Contact Susan Moackler (913)653-2396. Faithbuilders Sunday School Class Join the Faithbuilders Sunday school class which meets in the church library on Sunday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. We welcome you to join us for this enlightening time of faith, fellowship and friendship. Seekers’ Adult Sunday School Class We meet at 9:30 a.m., Sunday morning in the Seekers' Room on the garden level of Church. Join the Seekers' Class to be a part of a supportive, life enriching group of men and women who are young at heart and were once known as the "Young Adult Class." The Spirit Sunday School Class Welcome to the Spirit Class! Please join us Sunday morning at 9:30 in the center classroom in BBP Hall in the lower level. This class focuses on Bible study. You will find shared leadership and great discussion, leading to growth in discipleship. We encourage guests and visitors to join the Spirit Class and our social gatherings as well. Disciples and Doughnuts This class is multigenerational and always welcoming of new people. Our goal as a class is to explore the basics of what it means to be a Christian and discern how we might grow in our faith to be better disciples. We try to have lessons that are easy for anyone to participate in without weekly preparation. If you are a very busy person or can’t make it every week, this is the perfect class for you!

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Adult Sunday School Opportunities

Re-Think Sunday Floral Arrangements Re-think the opportunity of recognizing a birthday, anniversary, special event or of commemorating the loss of a loved one, by choosing either a fresh-cut floral arrangement or a lovely silk floral arrangement to be on display for a Sunday service. Choosing the silk floral arrangement, which will be re-used, provides an opportunity to send your floral donation of $25.00 to a mission of your choice. The fresh-cut arrangement can be taken home after the 10:45 a.m. service. Please sign-up on the floral chart outside of the church office and be sure to designate which arrangement — “fresh” or “mission.”

The Spirit • March 2014

This month all UMW members will be reading the scripture, meditating and responding in faith…. Scripture: Matthew 7:24-27 Meditate: Trust A Breath Prayer: Sit comfortably. Take a deep breath. Imagine God calling you by name. Respond to God using your favorite name for God: Jesus, my Savior, the Spirit of Joy… Then come up with a breath prayer, like Loving God may I rest in your arms, Jesus fill me with your love…Repeat your breath prayer several times as you breathe in and out.

A Call for Assembly Prayer Shawls and Baby Blankets April 24-27, 2014

Six Leawood United Methodist Women will be headed to Louisville, Kentucky, to the quadrennial Assembly of United Methodist Women from around the country. The organizers of Assembly have asked for an ingathering of prayer shawls and baby blankets. They can be knitted, crocheted, quilted, or otherwise sewn. We will take your donations to Assembly, where they will be displayed and then distributed to individuals and families in need. Please put your completed blankets and shawls in the mission closet in the designated carton. Leave a message for Barbara Smith with the Church Office at (913) 648-2131 with questions.

Suggested, but not mandatory, sizes are: Prayer shawl, triangle: 65" long and 32" center back Prayer shawl, rectangle: 19" x 69" or 14" x 70" Baby blankets, square: at least 30" but not more than 38" square

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Leawood United Methodist Church

Have You Ever Been Lost?

Before I came to Leawood United Methodist Church, I served as the district

superintendent for the Flint Hills District. The last church conference I held

was for the charge of Keats/Riley. The event was to be held pretty late in the

season (December) late on a Sunday afternoon. I planned to drive directly to

Riley, Kansas from Junction City following a previous engagement.

I had a “trusty” GPS in the Camry, primarily useful for providing my

estimated time of arrival. A cold overcast Sunday with a few little flurries accompanied me as I headed north

out of Junction City. The GPS guided me and following its directions, I turned onto a rural highway right behind

a couple of other cars that knew where they were going. (yeah…well)

Running parallel and a few hundred feet to my right was a fairly wide, well-traveled and well-maintained gravel

road. That seemed odd. After several miles the other cars turned off, of course, but I was sticking with my

navigation system. Suddenly a very substantial bump in the road at a junction with a large gravel road caught

me by surprise. Not good for the shocks or the tires! It seemed kinda weird!

Every mile thereafter I encountered one of these massive concrete crossing points. I noticed the fields and

surrounding area were no longer typical farm ground. The sight of a mock Iraqi town complete with burned

up vehicles and various concrete buildings, made me think “We’re not in Kansas anymore!” I began to worry.

Then I saw the large signs…DANGER, LIVE FIRE AREA!! TANK CROSSING!" Apparently, I'm driving through

the Fort Riley military maneuvers range!" But, by now, I was only a mile or two from the south end of the town

of Riley. My GPS was still leading me! I pressed on, watching carefully for any tanks, armored vehicles, or loud

explosions nearby. At the south end of the town, I encountered a simple, but solid, gate that was locked. Less

than 3 blocks separated me from my destination. Should I park the car and walk? Probably not a good plan…

In the end, I called the pastor on his cell phone and we rescheduled the church conference. This provided

much laughter and comic relief (for some weeks) for the faithful at the Keats & Riley churches. [Confession is

good for the soul, especially if it gets laughs.] I returned to Junction City and, as did the wise men in Matthew,

I ‘returned home by a different way.’

Have you ever been lost? Were you bewildered? Scared? How did you get through it? What did you learn about

yourself? I’d love to read and hear your stories. This Lent we will be “journeying together” on “The Way!”

Pastor Howard

seniorpastor@leawoodumc.org

Ash Wednesday Services March 5

7:00 a.m.—9:00 a.m.— Come and Go Service of Ashes

7:00 p.m.—7:45 p.m.— Ash Wednesday Worship Service

Palm Sunday April 13*

Holy Thursday April 17

7:00 p.m.— 8:00 p.m.

Easter Sunday April 20*

*Sunday services are at 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. All services are in the sanctuary.

Green Team Barbara Chaplin, Chair WALKING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS

“As we prepare for Easter and the renewal of our baptismal commitment to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, we should be observing Lent in a slightly different way this year. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on March 5, 2014. Through a measuring tool called Global Footprinting, we are able to assess the impact of various lifestyles upon the Earth. It is a complex process, but a simple formula. At present, there are about 7 billion humans alive on the planet If we divide the usable area of the planet evenly so that each of us receives a fair share, every person would be entitled to 4.5 acres. From that 4.5 acres each of us would have to find the wherewithal to take care of our individual needs, ie. Food, garbage, clothes, etc. The Global Footprint tool is able to calculate how many acres it takes to support a lifestyle of any individual, or country. According to this data, Tanzania needs 2.6 acres , Egypt 3.5, India 1.9, Japan 10.2 and the US 22.3. If our fare share is 4.5 acres that means others must do with less so we can maintain our level of affluence. This disparity gives new meaning to the Biblical admonition: “Thou shalt not steal.” How do we achieve a more just and equitable world? If we raise everyone up to our level it would require four or five more Earth-like planets. We must learn to share. From the beginning, simplicity has been an essential Christian virtue. Simplicity does not mean moving into a cave or only eating berries. Living simply means setting limits that reflect our faith values by taking only what we need – not hoarding, not taking in excess. When viewed through the lens of the Gospel, simplicity becomes liberating for the prosperous and life-affirming for those who are poor. By voluntarily choosing simplicity, Christians reorient their hearts toward finding a treasure which will never perish. This helps to bring about a just society and protects God’s creation for generations to come. Lent is a great time to start.” How can each step we take on Earth be a blessing, walking in the footsteps of Jesus? From: Lent 4.5 Christian Simplicity www.lent45.org

The Spirit •March 2014

I will make a way in the wilderness and

rivers in the desert.

. Isaiah 45:19

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Volunteers in Mission Would you like to join Volunteers in Mission (VIM) group going to Moore, Oklahoma, to help rebuild from the tornado last year? We will be going April 26 - May 3, 2014. We will probably be painting, dry walling, etc. However, we are always flexible to do whatever they assign us to do. Leave a message for Dan or Judy Ashford at (913)261-9426 or with the church office at (913) 648-2131, if you want to join this group to help Moore, Oklahoma, recover.

The Bessie Westfall Circle will meet on Tuesday, March 11, at 7:00 p.m. at Judy Ashford's home at 3314 W. 95th Street. In July, we will be doing our Pledge Program. Hope Circle will meet Tuesday, March 11, at 7:00 p.m., and will visit reStart. We will carpool from the church, so please meet in the church parking lot at 6:30 p.m. Contact Susan Moackler,nebraskagal@att.net, if you have any questions. Grace Circle will meet in the Seeker's Classroom on Wednesday, March 19, at 10:00 a.m. United Methodist Women Reading Program This is a fabulous way to try out some books you might not normally consider. The purpose of the reading program is to expand participation in God’s mission, increase sensitivity of all humans, encourage critical thinking, grow in understanding of scripture and strengthen our involvement in Christian mission. Our Leawood United Methodist Women's library is located just to the right when entering the Landau Library at Leawood UMC. Books are organized in five different categories, Education for Mission, Leadership Development, Nurturing for Community, Social Action, and Spiritual Growth. Anyone is welcome to borrow the books. Simply complete the card in the book and leave it in the checkout box. Please return your book within three months, placing the card back in the book and noting your return date. The new books for 2014 are Radio Shangri-La; The Dressmaker of Khair Khana; Back to

Zero; Women, Spirituality and Transformative Leadership; Small Things with Great Love; Up; A Place at the Table; An Invisible Thread; Strong Was Her Faith; and Jesus. To learn more about the reading program and other books that are available, see the display in the library or the new 2014 Program Book. Lost book: If anyone knows of the whereabouts of the book, Connected Wisdom, please return it to the United Methodist Women's Library. Thanks! The Leawood UMW ‘Out to Lunch’ Bunch will meet at the Corner Bakery Café at 117th and Roe on Wednesday, March 5, at 11:30 a.m. Last month, snow spoiled our plans, so we hope for the best in March! Historian Needed We are looking for someone to step forward to fill the Historian position in our group. If you like to scrapbook, this position is perfect for you! All you need do is take pictures from different functions and place them in a book of your choosing. Contact Martha Kent if you are interested. 2014 Leawood UMW Program Book Please make a change in your 2014 Leawood United Methodist Women Program Book. The National Office has launched a new website: http://www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/ Please contact Leawood UMW President, Martha Kent, at (913) 888-0219 with questions or call the church office at (913) 648-2131.

Leawood United Methodist Church

UMW Meetings and Events