16

June 2016

Grace UMC Mission Statement

"Love God, love people, make disciples of Jesus Christ."

Grace Notes News from Grace United Methodist Church

Carbondale, Illinois 618-457-8785

Web site: www.carbondalegrace.org

E-mail: carbondalegraceinfo@gmail.com

June 5 Communion Sunday

Acts 11: 1-18

“Out of the Box”

The first Sunday is a sharing Sunday. You are encouraged to

bring canned food for the food pantry.

June 12 Acts 16: 6-10

“Does God Interrupt Our Lives?”

June 19 Father’s Day

John 3:16

“Our Father’s Love”

Guest Preacher: Linda Egner

June 26 Guest Preacher: Laura Morthland

You are encouraged to invite family and friends

to our worship services!!

2

Dear Friends,

Someone asked me how I felt when I sent off my older

daughter to a college in another state. I still remember

how hard it was. She grew up in a very small school

district in a very small town. Her graduate class was

about 30 students. The town’s population was about

800 people. She thought it was the center of the world.

Bong-Choul and I hoped that she would experience a different

part of the country. So she went to Boston University in Boston

which is a very multi-cultural, historical city. It was a radical

transition to her.

We tried to prepare for her transition with two things. One is to

provide roots and the other is to develop wings. It’s essential to

help our children to develop their solid roots in Christian identity.

As long as they know who they are and whose they are, they will

make it through. They are God’s beloved children. My older

daughter, who left home to Boston without knowing anyone,

found first a thriving Korean-American church which became her

home-away-from home and her new family. I knew she was in

good care at the church. I was very thankful to God. The other is

to help our children to develop their own wings to fly. They

leave home and make decisions on their own to grow to full po-

tentialities. That is involved in risk-taking and failures. We

would like to protect them as much as we could. But we know

they need to learn how to fly and grow from their mistakes and

failures.

Some of us will send off our children or grandchildren to the next

stage of their lives soon. It is an exciting time as well as an anx-

ious season. Others of us have young children still at home.

Let’s make sure we help them to develop roots in Christian teach-

ing and wings to fly to their full potentials.

Love, Pastor In-Sook

15

14

3

Mother’s Day Collection Report

The Women's Center has indicated the need of a

heavy duty washing machine. The Mothers' Day col-

lection of $1,125 has been sent to the Center for this

need.

Father’s Day

As we did with our mothers, we will collect

names for both living and deceased fathers to be

listed on the Remembrance Notes included in the

Sunday bulletins on Father’s Day. Remembrance

gifts will be given to the Marine Corps League

Auxiliary serving the veterans in Southern Illinois.

Each and every special holiday Auxiliary mem-

bers visit each veteran in the Marion VA Hospital

to present each veteran a check and greeting card. At other times

they regularly visit with veterans at the hospital and at the Anna

Veterans' Home, giving them money to be used as they wish in

the hospital shop. When needed, they purchase clothes for the

veterans and give out packages to homeless veterans. At the

"Stand Down" ceremony they present military hats, according to

the branch of service the veteran belongs to. Hospital workers

who are veterans also receive the attention of the auxiliary.

Handbells

Anyone that is interested in participating in a

handbell ensemble this summer or in the future, or

anyone interested in helping to initiate our commu-

nity youth handbell choir, please contact Jaci Ar-

thur at jacimcdole@gmail.com. Also, for those

interested in the handbell choir, regular rehearsals

will resume in August.

4

Note from Midwest Distribution Center

“This winter massive flooding hit the Midwest and the

Center was there quickly getting supplies to those af-

fected. Your generosity, love and commitment to

showing God’s grace in a practical ways made this

possible. You supplied 3,780 cleaning buckets and 1,471 health

kits in the first week of January alone.”

Note: Grace Church was one of the churches that participated

in the collection of flood bucket supplies.

The Youth Group

Needs Your Help!

Our senior high youth group is

trying to pick its name. We've

narrowed it down to three, now it's

up to you to help us decide! Starting on May 29th and running

through June 26th, there will be a table in the foyer with three

buckets. Attached to each bucket will be a name and an expla-

nation of the name's meaning. All you need to do is make a do-

nation to the bucket (or buckets) of your choice. The one with

the most money will be our new name. All donations will go to

the Sparrow Coalition to fight poverty and homelessness in

southern Illinois.

Also, after Grace Race on June 3rd, our youth will have a lock-

in. If you would like to donate an hour of your night to help

with games, some snack food or drinks, and/or some pillows,

blankets, or sleeping bags, please let Jaci Arthur know, bring

them by the church office, or leave them in the new high school

Sunday School classroom (The Patchwork Room) before Grace

Race starts.

Thank you for your continued support of our youth and youth

13

12

5

Thank You On May 22nd, during the Sunday school hour, a group of

children and adults visited Carbondale Rehab and Nursing, our

church neighbors. The children gave the residents handmade

tissue paper flowers and flames. Our neighbors at the nursing

home showed their gratitude in many ways. Thank you to all

who came and shared God's love! A special thanks is given to

the Morthland family, who worked on "homework" to provide

plenty of tissue flowers.

Help Needed Extra adult help is needed on July 3 and 10 during children's

Sunday school, 10:10-11:00 A.M. Because of summer vacation

schedules, only one teacher is available on these dates. A lesson

will already be planned by the teacher, but help with the

planned activities is always appreciated. Please contact Kay

Eckiss at 521-9895 if you are willing to help or come to the

children's area, sign the help sheet, or talk to one of the teach-

ers. Thank you for your consideration.

Upcoming Events Saturday morning games in the park! Your suggestions are

welcome. We will meet for fun and provide a variety of games

for kids. If you have a favorite family or field day game, please

contact Kay Eckiss. Date to be arranged. Keep watching for

details.

CHILDREN'S

NEWS

6

Please have articles for the July 2016 Grace

Notes to the church office by June 24.

Circle of Friends Potluck Tuesday– June 14 - Noon

Bring a dish and join the fellowship.

Youth Group Highlights:

Questions? Comments? Want to stay con-

nected? Contact Jaci Arthur at

carbondalegraceyouth@gmail.com.

Upcoming Events & Announcements:

~ June 3rd - our youth will help during Grace Race then stay

for a Youth Night Out lock-in.

~ June 15th - service work at St. Francis Care animal shelter

~ July 1st - Youth Night Out

~ Do you have any suggestions for discussions, Youth Night

Out activities, service projects, or anything else? Let Jaci

know!

~ Stay tuned for more information on summer activities, mis-

sion projects, and more!

Senior High Sunday School:

In June, the Senior High Sunday School class will begin a 5-

week, video series called "#struggles: Following Jesus in a Sel-

fie-Centered World."

June 5th - #struggles: Recovering Contentment

June 12th - #struggles: Restoring Intimacy

June 19th - #struggles: Revealing Authenticity

June 26th - #struggles: Resurrecting Compassion

July 3rd - #struggles: Replenishing Rest

11

June Birthdays

(by date)

2 - Jenny Choo

4 - Wyatt Vale

11 - Meg Anderson

11 - Martha Fly

12 - Donna Blache

16 - Ray Forby

17 - Kathy Vineyard

19 - Brianna Upton

21 - Jonathan Morthland

23 - Alice Berry

23 - Stacy Stark

24 - Phyllis Fisher

27 - Katie Schultz

29 - Stella Smith

29 - Kelly Arthur

29 - Song Kang

Early July Birthdays

7/1 Charlie Sanders

7/3 Lisa Upton

7/5 Megan Devenport

7/6 Bobbie Gerrish

7/6 Herb Russell

7/7 Jessica Pease

Grace United Methodist Church

9:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship

10:10 a.m. Sunday School

11:15 a.m. Traditional Worship

June 7 George & Kathy Vineyard

June 10 Ron and Kay Eckiss

June 10 Kenny & Phyllis Fisher

June 14 Nathan & Rachel Harness

June 18 Lonnie & Jill Escue

June 20 Steve & Donna Blache

June 29 Keith & Rae Stiff

June Anniversaries

10

Mark your calendars!!

Grace Camp 2016: Light of the World

July 11-15, 1-4pm

Volunteers are still needed. Please contact Kay Eckiss, Jaci Ar-

thur, or the church office for more information. Also, we will

have an informational meeting/potluck lunch for all volunteers

on Sunday, June 26th at 12:30 in the auditorium. This is impor-

tant; we don't want any of our leaders feeling left out of the loop

or unable to answer the simple yet important questions.

The leadership team would like to extend a huge thank you to all

those who have donated items already! For anyone still wanting

to help, we need all donations to the church by June 12th. Here's

the list of the things we still need:

- 1 wool cloth

- 1 package of water beads (approximately 100)

- 1 prism

- 1 whole red cabbage

- 1 small container of vinegar

- LED tea lights (we need LOTS of these)

- several sheets of tissue paper in various colors

- Paper plates (at least 130 more)

- Disposable cups (at least 80 more)

- 20 or more metal cans (e.g. - metal coffee cans, soup can, bean

cans, vegetable cans)

- 20 or more small squares of sandpaper

- 40 or more small blocks of wood

- 2-5 bottles of wood glue

- 20 Jumbo popsicle sticks

- 75 or more small bells

- 2-5 small bottles of lemon juice

- 30 or more small, art paint brushes

- 150 count white paper (printer paper)

- String (various sizes and colors, approximately 6-inch strands

needed for 60+)

- Plastic bottles (at least 20 more)

7

Small Group Testimony

It has been a truly nurturing experi-

ence being part of the small group (book

group) at Marilyn's house which gathers

on Wednesdays once a week. We have

worked through two book studies to-

gether and have learned so much about our hope in Jesus' resur-

rection and our inheritance in his kingdom.

Since having children I haven't been able to take much time

out of such a busy schedule meeting my children's needs. But this

fall with James in Preschool I decided (a little reluctantly) to com-

mit some time to meeting, reading and praying for those in the

group. It has been the most valuable part of my week!

A Christian author I enjoy once said to me that worship ser-

vices on Sundays are the celebration of our faith in Jesus, whereas

being nurtured spiritually happens in small groups and our spiri-

tual needs can and should be met that way. I agree! To be able to

connect spiritually with people of diverse ages and life situations

is very eye-opening and lends much perspective on what God is

accomplishing through others in his body. To be able to share

deeply with people in a safe environment that is confidential and

caring is invaluable. I have seen God work and felt his presence

in the burdens I've shared through the prayers, ears and wisdom

of those in the group. A good friend once compared the support

of a small group to Aaron and Hur in Exodus 17 as they held up

Moses' tired arms so he could continue praying when he got weak

and tired.

This has been my experience and I hope to continue growing

closer to God and this lovely group over the next year. Praise

God!

Jessica Pease

Drama Team

If anyone is interested in working on stage

or behind the scenes with the Grace Players,

please contact Jaci Arthur at

GUMC.Grace.Players@gmail.com.

8

Say Hello to Our Director

for Grace Camp 2016!

My name is Jessica Murphy, and I will be the di-

rector of Grace Camp this year!! Right now I am the K

-3 music teacher at Parrish and Thomas Elementary

schools here in Carbondale, which is the most reward-

ing job I could have asked for. I also coach for the Herrin Tiger-

sharks and Saluki Swim Club. I have been married for two years,

and my husband and I are parents of two dogs, and are soon-to-be

parents of a baby, coming in October!

I am so excited to be working Grace Camp again! I worked

with the camp a few years ago, when it was Music Camp, and I

thought it was such an incredible experience to share God's Word

in such a unique way. My husband and I then ran the lights for

the Grace Players' "Journey On" here at Grace. When I was asked

to come back and direct Grace Camp, I was excited to have an-

other chance to help out in a bigger way.

New Members Class

Pastor In-Sook offers two sessions

on “What Does It Mean to Be United

Methodist?”.

The class is for people who are will-

ing to join the church and also for people who are eager to learn

again about the United Methodist Church. If you would like to

join, please let the pastor know.

Sundays, July 10 & 17, 10:15-11:00 a.m. in Room 19/20

Session One

Wesleyan Heritage

John Wesley’s Theology

Session Two

Wesleyan Quadrilateral

Sacraments

How do United Methodist “Do” Church?

9

Diane Hickman passed away May 2 at Kindred Hospi-

tal - St. Louis at Mercy. Our heartfelt sympathy is

given to her husband Ron, daughters Cathy and Casey,

brother Gene and their families.

Cynthia Oetjen’s brother Bob Seibert passed away May

10. Our condolences to Cynthia and family.

What a caring and wonderful congregation!

Peggy and Lloyd both loved their church

home. Thank you so much for your love and

attention.

Susan Decker (Peggy Kerley’s niece)

WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR ME by Clara Bowie

Singing provided a backdrop for my spiritual growth. At a

point when I was feeling very low and seeking consolation, I

prayed fervently and realized that singing was and continues to be

my transforming experience. It has transformed me to higher

spiritual planes. This revelation, coupled with intensive prayer,

has in effect, brought me back to life.

My recent encounter with God has added a new dimension to

my faith. I have been a practicing Christian all of my life. But I

was limiting what prayer can do. It has taken me closer to God

and Jesus.

No matter what town or situation I landed in, I found myself

singing. Singing was always there, a dominant part of my life,

for which I shall be eternally grateful. Singing kept me making

new contacts, new friends, learning new music, and serving the

Giver of all gifts, my Lord.

Singing has been a wondrous gift to me all of my life. I feel

that I need to give back and share with people and give God the

praise!

“Every time I think I’ve gotten the last song, another one

comes along...”

Clara Bowie is a member of Grace UM Church, who currently resides in

Shawnee Christian Nursing Center in Herrin, IL. This article contains excerpts

from her memoir in-progress, My Singing Heart.