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The Monitor September 2016
First United Methodist Church of Salida “Love, Live, Give As You Have Received”
4th & D Streets (P.O. Box 945)
Salida, CO 81201 (719) 539-2755
Ministers: Everyone; Pastor: Calob Rundell 719-539-2755 (O), 720-879-2267(C); Office Administrator: Licia Iverson; Organist: Rod Schleicher; Organist Emeritus: Virginia Imig;
Co-Lay Leaders: Burrell & Sherry Welton 719-660-1652 Burrell, 480-298-3132 Sherry; Church Council Chair: Ken Leisher 719-221-3691;
Pastor’s e-mail: [email protected] Church website: www.salidaumc.org Church e-mail: [email protected]
Pastor’s Ponderings From Rev. Calob Rundell
It’s Time For A New Thing!
Oh friends, a new thing is about to take place. On
September 25th
, at 6:30pm, we are launching our new
Sunday evening worship experience. I am so excited about
what this may turn into and who this
may connect with.
I am excited because new things are an
integral part of the story that God is
telling.
In Isaiah 43:18-19, a prophet speaks
for God and has these words:
“Do not remember the former things, or consider the things
of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth,
do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert.”
These words from Isaiah were spoken to a people that
needed to hear about a new thing. The people that heard
these words of hope were in the lowest point of their
existence, and could not see what a new thing and a way
forward would be. These words were spoken to the nation
of Judah, while they were subjugated to Babylonian
conquest in the year 600 BCE and most of their leaders
were taken into exile for 60 years.
The people of Judah had lost hope. Everything they knew
had been taken from them. Their political identity, their
temple, and their leaders were all plundered and destroyed.
They thought their story was over.
But we know that with God, the story is never over. We
know that God is always doing a new thing, if we can
perceive it. We know that God is always making a way in
the wilderness.
In the life of the church, and in our Methodist tradition that
has been around for over 300 years, it can seem like there is
not a way forward; that our story is coming close to an end.
We may identify with those people of Judah.
But my friends, we know that with God the
story is never over. And if we are perceptive
to what God is doing, we will continue to
have a part in that story.
In our context, we’re about to undertake a
new thing with this Sunday evening
worship. Our goal is to connect with new
folks, to be a part of their lives, and to invite them to be a
part of our life together. Invite your friends, invite your
neighbors, invite your family, and invite yourselves to be a
part of this new thing.
Here are all the details about our Second Worship Service:
When: 2nd
and 4th Sundays of each month, 6:30-7:15pm
(Please note: in Sept., we will meet on Sept. 25th only)
What: We’re going to sing, pray, talk about Jesus. And
then we’ll offer communion.
Where: At the church building, in the fellowship space
(Century Hall).
Rev. Calob Rundell
720-879-22678
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THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS
September Ushers - Coordinator: Ginny Cunningham September 4 Flora Parsons & Mary Lou McCausey September 11 Dick Isenberger & Larry Williams September 18 Debbie Jackson & Cynthia Hearn September 25 Ginny & Jerry Cunningham
September Liturgists - Coordinator: Karen Yerkey September 4 Judy Naviaux September 11 Mary Reeves September 18 Ed Kinzie September 25 Ken Leisher
September Fellowship Hosts – Coordinator: Barb Zechman September 4 Mary Lou McCausey September 11 Available September 18 Available September 25 Tom & Donna Henning
“Heaven at 11:00”
Join us each Wednesday at 11:00am in the Parlor for 20 minutes of Contemplative Prayer (Silence)
Any questions please see Licia Iverson or Sherry Welton
Prayers, Praise &
Celebrations
Jody West – Please keep Jody in your prayers as she recently had a fall which resulted in a hip replacement. After a couple of weeks in the hospital, Jody went back to her home on Aug. 30th to continue her healing. She wants to let you know that she is welcoming visitors and appreciates all your love and prayers.
Jed Henning – Jed, Tom and Donna’s son, had back surgery on August 22nd and is doing very well. Please keep Jed in your prayers as he continues his to heal from this surgery.
Mary Sandell & Our Awesome Choir – Please join us, in welcoming our new Choir Director, Mary Sandell and we celebrate the return of our choir. There is a lovely Mountain Mail article about Mary posted on our bulletin board in Century Hall.
Louisiana Flood Donations – Thank you to everyone who contributed to our local collection of items for people in Louisiana, affected by the recent flooding. If you can help further, you may make a financial contribution to UMCOR. You may make your check out to: Salida United Methodist Church and write, “LA Floods”, in the memo of your check. We will make you’re your donation is received by UMCOR. 100% of your donation will go to help those affected by the floods.
Church Clean-Up - Thank You to everyone who helped with the Church Clean-Up day. In addition to several projects getting taken care of inside the church, the grounds looked so beautiful. We so appreciate the extra TLC shown for our beloved church.
A Note of Thanks from Barbara Williams - To our dear church family, I wish to express my deep appreciation for all your prayers, cards, phone calls, emails and visits while I have been recuperating from my recent surgery. You have lifted me up during a difficult time. To those who have been through this journey before me, thank you for sharing your stories of cancer survival. They have given me strength and hope for the days ahead. I have been fortunate to have had a good outcome and prognoses from my biopsy. As I go forward to the next step of my treatment you will be with me in my heart. Our family is far away and my church family has made me feel cared about and I so appreciate all of you. With gratitude, Barb Williams
Thank you to Judy Naviaux, for once again, for coordinating this summer’s peach orders. This delicious treat is something we all look forward to. Also, a special thank you to Burrell & Sherry Welton for driving to Hotchkiss to pick up the peaches. You all are the best!
Men’s Group Breakfast will resume on the first Saturday in October, 8:00am, Century Hall
Please send your prayer requests, updates, celebrations, and announcements to
Licia in the office at: [email protected]
Our next Finance
Meeting will be held on
Tuesday, August 13th
at 10:00am in the
Basement.
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SEPTEMBER CELEBRATIONS
Birthdays
September 9 Rich Little
September 11 Jeannie Coe
September 11 Rod Plinske
September 13 Virginia Biglow
September 16 Mary Lou McCausey
September 19 Cindy Wilson
September 22 Norma Smith
Anniversaries
September 17 Barbara & Larry Williams
September 18 Ginny & Jerry Cunningham
Operation Spirit
The Heart of the Rockies
Salida Troops Donations
We are helping to collect items for a project at the Lutheran church for our Salida troops.
All donations need to be here on or before Sunday, September 18th
Collection box is in Century Hall. Packing of Boxes will take place on Tues., September 20th at 9:00am
at the Lutheran Church, in their basement.
Thank you so much for your help. Items needed are:
Individual Popcorn Packets Coffee Singles Rice Krispie Bars
Magazines for Men (Golf, Wildlife, etc.) Juice Packages for water singles
All items travel size, if possible.
Special Request: Monetary Donations are needed to cover the cost of shipping the packages to our troops!
Make checks payable to: First Lutheran, write TROOPS on memo line.
Mail to: First Lutheran Church, 1237 F. St. Salida, CO 81201
Faith Book Club
Tuesday, September 13th
at 10:00AM
in Century Hall.
Everyone is invited.
TRINITY
VIEWS
From Margaret Gillikin, the
Trinity District Superintendent
Dear Friends,
As summer draws to a close, I am mindful that this has been a tumultuous season for the United Methodist Church as a denomination and for many of you, personally, as well as some of our congregations. You may find yourself pressed or distressed, rather than refreshed and ready to begin a new season of school and church programming.
In my own life of faith, I find myself turning to the Psalms and leaning particularly upon the wisdom of the first three verses of Psalm 46, offered here in “The Voice” translation:
God is our shelter and our strength. When troubles seem near, God is nearer,
and He’s ready to help. So why run and hide? No fear, no pacing,
no biting fingernails. When the earth spins out of control,
we are sure and fearless. When mountains crumble and the waters
run wild, we are sure and fearless. Even in heavy winds and huge waves,
or as mountains shake, we are sure and fearless.
Being “sure and fearless” in times of uncertainty often seems like a pretty bold proclamation to me. For if there is anything I am NOT sure of, it is the future. I must confess also to being not quite as fearless as I’d like to be… mostly because I am so keenly aware of my human foibles and limitations.
But the thing about this word from the Lord is that it is a proclamation not of assurance in our OWN abilities, but rather a statement of trust and belief in God’s abiding presence and provision. All shall be well… because God is at work. All shall be well… because God is faithful. All shall be well… because GOD IS.
Trinity Views continued on pg. 4…
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The Next Church Council
Meeting will be held on
Tuesday, September 20th
at
10:00AM in Century Hall
Trinity Views continued from pg. 3…
May this word of truth grant you assurance and grace you with an extra dose of confidence in God. Let us move forward together into the future with boldness and courage!
Blessings on the Journey from your District Superintendent,
Choir Invitation ♪Calling All Singers ♫
Join a fun group of people
for a little extra Sunday morning fellowship and praise. The choir is looking for any and all people that
want to sing. No experience is necessary and we will gladly help you learn. First Rehearsal: Sunday Sept. 4th - 9:15 a.m.; First Sunday to sing during worship will be Sunday, Sept. 11th.
Attention returning choir members:
Our first rehearsal is on Sunday, Sept. 4th at
9:15am. See you there!
WELCOME BACK CHOIR!
Pig Roast News
This year’s Pig Roast – 14th annual – was a great financial success. Approximately $4000
will go into the church’s general fund to help support all the wonderful things we do. But this year was about so much more than the money. Van and Norma Ricketts lovingly headed this event for the first 13 years. This summer, we lost Van with very little warning. Faced with the decision of how to carry on with the Pig Roast, the members of this congregation came together like champions and put on an incredible dinner. Norma provided the information, her workspace and equipment; then fed us all the entire day of the pork cooking operation. We love you, Norma. And we love your biscuits and gravy! From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to everyone who helped. This was important and you came through when it mattered. God Bless, Burrell & Sherry Welton
On Halloween night, as ghouls, goblins, ninjas, and superheroes make their way down F Street trick-or-treating, our church will be hosting a “Trunk-or-Treat” in our parking lot.
To be a part of the trunk-or-treat, you decorate yourself and your car, park in the parking lot, and hand out candy as the kids come by.
We will need at least 6 or 8 cars to make this a success. Start thinking now about how you want to dress up yourself and your vehicle for a fun Halloween night! This will be super fun!
We will also need candy…Lots and lots of candy. Everyone can go ahead and start hoarding candy for this Halloween outreach. More details will come in the October Monitor.
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Church Finance
Update
September 2016
Hello Friends,
The Finance Committee is
providing an update to the
congregation regarding the
church’s finances.
Receipts: The church’s receipts are like your own paycheck
or pension check. Our ongoing receipts consist primarily of
pledged and non-pledged offerings and loose plate
offerings. Gifts given specifically to our General Fund,
proceeds from our fundraising efforts through The Pig
Roast and Fudge Force and fees collected through building
use are also part of our receipts. The figures for the month
of July and Year-to-Date are:
July $10,657 Year-to-date $83,304
A portion (13%) of our monthly receipts listed above is
then paid to the Rocky Mountain Conference to support the
wider mission of the United Methodist Church. This
apportionment is paid each month for the receipts of the
previous month. The apportionment payment that is
reflected in our July finances was based on June receipts.
Apportionments paid in July (for June) and Year-to-Date
are:
July $1,841 Year-to-Date $14,101
Other Receipts: We often receive receipts specified for
outreach efforts such as the Samaritan Fund, the
Endowment Fund, UMCOR, or the Summer Raft Guide
Dinner Program as well as certain fundraising efforts such
as the Windows Restoration Campaign. All these receipts
are restricted for the use intended and are not subject to the
apportionment paid to the conference.
Our Total Net Receipts:
July $8,565 Year-to-date $68,953
Expenses - Operating: The church has many of the same
expenses that we all have in our own homes. We have to
pay for insurance, utilities, minor repairs, supplies as well
as payroll taxes for our employees.
July $1,689 Year-to-date $21,497
Expenses – Pastor Salary & Benefits, Parsonage, Staff
Wages: The church also pays the pastor’s salary and
benefits, employs an office administrator, organist and
custodian. Our parsonage, the home for our pastor, has
expenses such as utilities, insurance, and the mortgage
payment. Our wages, salaries, and parsonage expenses
were:
July $9,521 Year-to-date $64,815
Our Total Expenses:
July $11,210 Year-to-date $86,312
As you can see, we are currently at a deficit for the year.
We are now more than half way through 2016 and your
faithful financial support is sincerely appreciated. Your
giving makes possible everything else that goes on in the
life of the church. Without your giving, the rest of this
newsletter would be very, very empty.
We also wanted to let you know that within the last year,
thanks to your generous financial support of our Parsonage,
we have been able to pay an additional $115,000 on the
parsonage mortgage, bringing the remaining balance down
to $76,745.71. Thank you to those who have pledged to
pay an additional mortgage payment in full. Our monthly
mortgage payment is $1470.91.
Also, since April of this year, through generous personal
gifts or memorial gifts, we have already received
contributions of $13,180 to our Window Restoration Fund.
You will receive more detailed information about the status
of this project in very near future.
It has been amazing to see what this church has
accomplished in the last few years. Thank you again, for
your faithful financial support. If you have any questions
about the church finances and/or the status of your 2016
pledges, please speak with our Finance Secretary, Paul
Wilson. You may contact Paul at: (630) 730-8590 or
Thank you to everyone who helped to make the August 21st Worship Service and Picnic in the Park a huge success! It was a beautiful experience of community shared, in faith, with our friends from The First Presbyterian Church.
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Our Children’s Program will start up again on September 4th after taking the month of August off. Each Sunday, during the worship
service, children in attendance have the opportunity to come up to the front of the
sanctuary to spend time with Pastor Calob, during the Message for Young People.
Following the Message for Young Children, all
children are invited to leave the sanctuary with our Sunday School teachers to go to the
classroom. Parents may pick them up there after worship. On Communion Sundays, children will return to the sanctuary to
participate in Communion with their families.
We welcome new and returning volunteers who would like to help with the Children’s
Program. It is our policy to always have two volunteers with the children at all times. Age
appropriate activities are provided each week. Children benefit from the small group and large group activities which include: exploring
life lessons and virtues through Bible Stories, creative art projects, playing with
manipulatives (floor or table games), and experiencing the joy of music!
If you would like to help with the Children’s
Program or have any questions, please speak with any one of the Sunday School Volunteers: Licia Iverson, Sherry Welton,
Susan Little or Ginny Biglow. Thank You!!
Raft Guide Dinners 2016 An Overview
This last summer we hosted 8 weeks of dinners; served over 630 meals to an average of 60-70 guides and 20 volunteers each week. We welcomed many new and returning volunteers from the community.
Thanks to the support of your generous donations, a $2000 grant received from the Pueblo-St. Paul Memorial Endowment Fund and $735 from Salida Soup and High Country Bank, we were able to reimburse more food expenses and keep the hygiene table well stocked throughout the summer as well as implement a weekly recycling program and provide compostable take-away food containers for the guides to take any leftovers with them. The remaining funds will allow us to jump start next year’s dinners. We will let you know when planning meetings are scheduled for next year’s program, so please write down your suggestions and comments. We want to hear from you!
We are so very grateful for all the ways this church and many community members have embraced this outreach program with such love and dedication. It takes many hands to provide dinner each week for these young folks. We want each volunteer to participate in the way that best suits them, supports them and yes, maybe even stretches them to grow. We trust that God is working within and through all those involved in the Raft Guide Dinners.
We know that in addition to those volunteers that stay for dinner each night, there are about 20-25 other volunteers who have provided food, contributed funds or helped in countless other ways. Thank You!
Here are a few quotes from the guides ….
First off, thank you so, so much on behalf of everyone here, who is missing the comfort of home-cooked meals, a nice shower, all around hygiene products but most importantly a loving /nurturing environment. No words can express how much so many of us appreciate you guys putting your time & energy to provide such beautiful
Raft Guide Dinner 2016 continues on pg. 7…
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Raft Guide Dinner 2016 continues from pg. 6…
Wednesday nights that is probably the absolute highlight of the week. We will definitely be thinking of you guys
and will always remember you guys here.
It’s incredible what everybody does to create such an awesome gathering of people. The love that goes into each meal and the time spent each week does not go unnoticed. I’ve been coming here for five years and have met some spectacular people / had wonderful conversations / learned a ton. So thank you, for everything. It’s been a pleasure spending yet another summer with you all! I will never forget these dinners. .
Thanks for your prayers; you all continue to be in mine.
Thank you guys so much for your incredible cooking and hospitality! The food was always excellent and everyone was always so welcoming and friendly. I looked forward to every Wednesday and I’m already looking forward to Wednesdays next summer. You are all amazing and
wonderful human beings.
Our Men’s Bible Study will resume on Monday, September 12th at 10:00AM
in Century Hall.
Our Women’s Bible Study meets on Wednesdays at 9:30AM in Century Hall
For many of us in the congregation, cutting out box tops or saving Campbell soup labels is something we have done for years. In recent years, our congregation has been sending our coupons to the
McCurdy School in New Mexico. Now, we are giving our cache of coupons to our local schools. You will find the collection basket in the area between Century Hall and the Sanctuary.
If this is something new to the reader, various companies offer a coupon on their box or in the case of Campbell Soup, on their label. They are worth a dime and some companies will give you a bonus of more if you buy a certain product.
The schools use these coupons and labels to provide funds for extra projects, and it has been helpful to Longfellow Elementary, Salida Middle School, Crest Academy, and the Montessori School. We encourage you to begin purchasing those products of your choice and save the coupons, bring to the school or if you would prefer to church. We have a basket to collect the coupons in the hallway between Century Hall and the Sanctuary, along with other information that may be of interest to you. It doesn't take much time and you will be surprised when you start looking for the coupons what you might have not seen before.
Go to this site to find specific products in a variety of categories.
http://www.boxtops4education.com/earn/participating-products
Lori Isenberger
(Mark your calendars NOW!)
Ongoing Weekly Scheduled Items Include:
Sundays: Choir Practice 9:15am, Worship 10:30am Mondays: Men’s Bible Study, 10:00am, Century Hall (Starting on Sept. 12th) Wednesdays: Women’s Bible Study, 9:30am, Century Hall Heaven at Eleven! Contemplative Prayer Gp. 11:00am 20 min. Silence, Parlor Thursdays: Church is closed for cleaning, 12:00-2:00pm Fridays: Church Office is Closed
Sun, Sept 4 First Choir Practice, 9:15am, Choir Room Sun, Sept 4 Worship Service Time Changes to 10:30am Sun, Sept 4 Communion Sunday Mon, Sept 12 League of Women Voters Mtg, 11:30am-
1:30pm, Century Hall Tues, Sept 13 Faith Book Club, 10:00am, Century Hall Tues, Sept 13 Finance Meeting, 10:00am, Basement Thurs, Sept 15 Trustees Meeting, 10:00am, Century Hall Thurs, Sept 15 NAMI Monthly Support Gp, 6:30-8:30pm Sun, Sept 18 Troop Donations Due Mon, Sept 19 Monitor Articles Due! Mon, Sept 19 Care Team, 9:30am, Century Hall Tues, Sept 20 Pack Troop Boxes, 9:00am, Lutheran
Church Basement Tues, Sept 20 Church Council Meeting, 10:00am, Century Hall Sun, Sept 25 Second Worship Service, 6:30-7:15pm, Century Hall