The MessengerChange and Growth

May 2013Wesley United Methodist Church

It’s hard to believe a quarter of the year is now gone but May is here and spring is in full swing. It is a reminder that nothing stands still and we are all in the midst of change and growth. I recently had the chance to help chaperone the Rotary club’s after prom event at the bowling alley. It was a very enjoyable evening watching the students and getting to spend time with the adults. On more than one occasion, as we adults talked, the conversation would turn to how they had watched several of these students grow and change over the years. You could hear the joy in their voices, as they would reminisce. It brings to mind how necessary change is for us. After all, would our parents have wanted us to remain five or six years old? No, they taught us, encouraged us, and prayed for us so we would grow up to experiences all that God and life have to offer us. For any of us who have been around awhile we know with certainty that some of those experiences would be hard and at times even painful. Yet those experiences proved to be

very valuable for us as God used them as a way to help us grow in maturity and faith. It would be in the difficult transitions and changes in our lives that our faith and character would be shaped. The Apostle Paul knew all too well the difficulties as well as the blessings that come with change. His letters are filled words of encouragement and blessings as these earlier believers struggled with their transition to be faithful followers of Jesus in a mix of cultures and belief systems. Because we are talking about them today is a testament of their endurance and success in growing

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April Attendance

Donec sit amet arcu.

Date

04-07-

04-14-

04-21-

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Jan-Mar Offering & Tithes

Parsonage Maintenance/UtilitiesChurch Building Maintenance/Janitorial SupplyChurch Building UtilitiesChurch Property Expenses/InsuranceWesley Staff SalariesPastor SalaryOutreach MinistriesFellowship/Communion/LeadershipTithe to INUMCOffice Operations

January-March Financial Report

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May ServersWesley KIDS

Miss RhondaLove, someone's life?neighbor, or friend?  Are you willing to make a difference in

This past Wednesday we had a new mentor help us downstairs with the W.O.W. kids.  Thank you Mr. Phil DeHaven.  You made such a HUGE difference.  These kids need good examples and people to teach and love them unconditionally.  Do you remember the people that influenced your life this way; a teacher, a Sunday School teacher, a

 

In Sunday School class we have started a study about the Fruit of the Spirit.  We want to make sure we are producing good fruit and living our lives for Jesus!  Thank you to all of you for supporting us and helping us to do this everyday!

 

The children have already set a new giving goal!  (I am so proud of them.  I gave them the task of coming up with their own idea.)  They have decided to donate their offerings to P.A.W.S.  This is the pet rescue organization here in Union City, Pets Are Worth Saving!  P.A.W.S. is a no-kill shelter that takes strays and animals that have been abused and works endlessly to find them fur-ever homes.  The children have decided that their offering goal to give to P.A.W.S. is $150.  We already have a new graph posted on our wall. 

 

I am so proud of these children for being an example of the above verse!  Thank you for anyone who helped us reach this goal and helped the kids know they have this ability, you are making a difference too.... in so many lives! 

 "Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12

The children reached their giving goal!  They decided in October to designate their offering to buy medicine and two chickens and a goat for an underprivileged country.  The medicine cost $100 and the two chickens and a goat cost $100.  Each week the children decided whether they would apply that week's offering toward the medicine or the animals; generally they would decide to split the offering between the two!  We are so excited to say that we have reached our goal!!!!  Who says that kids can't make a difference?  These kids are learning that they have the ability to make a difference in the WORLD! 

Traditional GreetersJohn & Evelyn Ford

Flip & Penny Hoover

Traditional UshersHarry & Diane Prescott

Francis Hoggatt

W.O.W. CooksMay 1: Team Kerns

May 8: Team Husmann/PrattMay 15: Team Hoggatt/Ford

May 22: Team Spence/Fields/Webster

Traditional Children’s Sunday School Volunteer

May 5: Scott RushMay 12: Angie CrossMay 19: Darla OriansMay 26: Kathy Moore

Donut FellowshipMay 5: Jack & Ilene Cummings

May 12: Butch & Stachler Families

May 19: Chad & Gina SpenceMay 26: Troy & Michele Stewart

Children’s WorshipMay 5: Donna WebsterMay 12: Alyssa Kerns

May 19: Joyce HusmannMay 26: Kathy Moore

Altar FlowersMay 5: Chuck & Judy Smith

May 12: John & Colleen ButchMay 19: Gene & Barbara

HuddlestonMay 26: Marvin & Diane

Do you find yourself searching your purse every Sunday morning looking for your checkbook only to remember it’s laying on the kitchen table? Maybe you have to work on Sunday mornings, but would still like to give your weekly tithe to the church. Old National wants to help you. They have a product that allows the church office to draw the designated amount out of your checking account. You don’t even have to be an Old National customer! No more worrying about where your checkbook is, or missing a week of giving…leave it to us, and you won’t have to lift a finger! For more information about this great

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of his power for all who believe. In the name of Jesus, Amen!

we may know the riches of his glory, and experience the immeasurable greatness

know the hope to which he has called us,

borrowing from Paul’s prayer in Ephesians chapter one, I offer up the following prayer. I pray that as God’s Spirit opens our eyes and enlightens our hearts we may

this new journey together. Now,

you and you learning more about me. And in the process I expect I’ll learn a few new things about myself. Processing change and transitions doesn’t happen overnight. But by God’s grace and Spirit I believe we will experience many blessings as we share

words ring in my heart for you, who are a part of our congregation as well as all who are part of our communities. We are only now scratching the surface of getting to know one another. I look forward to getting to know more about

Ephesians1:15-16

Even now, four months into my appointment here at Wesley UMC, these

to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers.

Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease

I have heard of your faith in the wrote the following. To the believers in Ephesus Paul

Wesley was the scene of a Random Act of Kindness caught in the act. Four very kind library mice with the names of Dick, Mary, Francis, and Sharon spent an April morning cleaning the very dusty, cluttered, Wesley Library. It is now more organized and free of dust mites. A BIG thank you to our friendly library mice!

cont.

Donec varius, felis eget lobortis vehicula, magna sapien elementum tellus, ut iaculis dui orci sed arcu.

Nullam semper leo.

thank you very much.

volunteers the kitchen needed, and much They were kitchen. the Wesley

Thank you to everyone who purchased and donated towels, washcloths and hot pads for use in

We have helped many people through Manna.  It has been very beneficial to have people receiving Manna assistance attend a church service or Wednesday small group before receiving help.  With summer upon us and W.O.W. coming to an end we will need to know the groups and classes that still plan on meeting so we can give this information to people needing assistance.  If the leaders of the groups and classes could get this information to Gina or Rhonda it would be very helpful.  At this time Manna needs are:  canned soup, canned pasta, canned fruit, cereal, macaroni and cheese, raman noodles, boxed meals, canned meat such as tuna or chicken, chicken broth, noodles. Thank you to everyone for your help and support!

Jay & Shirley LinnIf you see Jay and Shirley thank them for keeping

the Donut Fellowship juice, coffee, plates, napkins & cups stocked up for our Sunday mornings. Not many people know that they do this every week. A BIG thank you from all of us!

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Donec varius, felis eget lobortis vehicula, magna sapien elementum tellus, ut iaculis dui orci sed arcu.

Nullam semper leo.

Wesley M.A.D.

Transcend = to be, or go beyond your limits, to surpass, to overcome or become an OVERCOMER!

TRANSCEND!Date: July 22-26

Summer Youth Retreat was formally Youth Camp, however there is NOTHING that resembles camping at this retreat. Air conditioned cabins, air conditioned gyms, all you can eat buffet meals, private lake, water slide, rock climbing wall, every sport known to man, and lots of other activities.

Youth Scholarships available…. see Pastor Geoff!

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Church Challenge

ResultsTeam VolleyballAdults-Dean & Kristie Coats, Ron Holt, Jamie & Kora Kerns, Lucas & Luke Suerdieck

Team VolleyballYouth-Justin Fields, Reagan Hoggatt, Ellie Kerns, Sophia Spence, Nicholas Suerdieck

Biscuit BakingTom FieldsRhonda FieldsJustin FieldsRyan FieldsBraydon Hoggatt

Cookie BakingSophia SpenceReagan HoggattRhonda FieldsBrennan HoggattDonna Webster

Justin Fields

Amanda SuerdieckMuffin BakingJustin FieldsTom FieldsNancy DickGina SpenceRhonda FieldsAmanda Suerdieck

Team Bible BowlAdvanced-Elizabeth, Evan, Ken & Teri SowinskiAdvanced-Rhonda Fields, Amy & Brad Hoggatt, Debi WymerAdvanced-Ethan Kerns, Reagan Hoggatt, Jalisa Rush, Sophia SpenceTeam Bible BowlBeginner-Braydon & Brennan Hoggatt, Christina Sowinski, Mallory Wymer

Table TennisFemale-Kristie CoatsMale-Dean Coats

EuchreMost Lones-Dick WebsterRhonda Fields & Richard FunkDick & Donna Webster

Melissa & Tony HarterTalent ContestChristina SowinskiSylaris Denney

Braydon HoggattKalam DenneyElizabeth SowinskiReagan HoggattAllie ConklinJalisa Rush

Pastor Darren WilliamsDebi WymerTeri SowinskiKen Sowinski

Corn HoleCameron & Leanna Vaughn

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CheckersBraydon Hoggatt

Christina SowinskiAlec SpenceElizabeth Sowinski

Ken SowinskiChad SpenceBrad Hoggatt

Evan Sowinski

Team BowlingMelissa & Tony Harter, Cameron & Leanna VaughnDean & Kristie Coats, Ken & Teri Sowinski

Team WalkingUC Wesley

Free ThrowsChristina SowinskiEllie KernsAlison ConklinElizabeth Sowinski

Evan SowinskiLeanna VaughnJamie KernsGina SpenceDebi WymerCameron VaughnRon Holt

Donna WebsterMelissa HarterMary WiseTony Harter

Dick WebsterDick WiseBryan Conklin

FINAL RESULTSUC Wesley (142 pts.)

New Lisbon (135 pts.)

Union Street Wesleyan (128 pts.)Pleasant Hill (108 pts.)

Jericho Friends (102 pts.)

WC Congregational (90 pts.)

Praise Chapel (69 pts.)

First Presbyterian (55 pts.)

New Liberty Church (8 pts.)

cont.Church Challenge Results

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"Pastors Are Human, Too”The sad news arrived of the death by apparent suicide of the son of famous pastor Rick Warren (author of the book and series "Purpose-Driven Life"). It is always sad to hear about the death of a young adult, especially by suicide, and I was sad to hear this news.Even more sad has been the fact that, while many people have reached out in sympathy to the Warren family, many others have used this opportunity to blame and condemn Rev. Warren. Some of those laying blame have been blatantly anti-Christian, and many have used this sad occasion to blast both the Warrens and their Christian faith.

This sad situation is a good reminder that pastors and their families are human, too. Some people seem surprised, angry, and blaming when they hear about a clergy person or members of their family having problems, illness, depression, or death. Many clergy can share stories of insensitive remarks made by persons who lay guilt or shame on them about their perceived failures or inadequacies. In the midst of many supportive parishioners, even a few unkind remarks can be painful.

Perhaps this sad situation with the Warren family can remind all of us that clergy and their families are human, too. Being in the public view (as all clergy are) means one is vulnerable and exposed at just the moments when they need support, sensitivity, and care. Being persons who talk about God and about faith means clergy are vulnerable to anyone who is angry at God or who has lost faith. Being persons who try to provide care and support for others means clergy feel the absence of such care and support when they or their own families need that kind of care and support.

Studies show that most pastors would not advise their own children to go into ministry, perhaps because they have found the ministry to be so painful. Studies also show that many of our clergy suffer from depression, perhaps because they struggle to deal with the double-standard that comes with being in the role of a visible faith leader.

Pastors and their families are human, too. Although the month of October is technically "Pastor Appreciation Month" when some churches offer appreciation to their clergy, perhaps this month of April is another good time to offer such support and encouragement. Our pastors have just finished the demanding time of leading their churches through Holy Week and Easter Sunday, and other clergy in extension ministry have also had demanding schedules. So now, April, would be a great time to offer prayers, cards, kindnesses, and affirmations to our clergy – they are human, too, and they need such gestures.Allow me to begin with this prayer for our UM clergy here in Indiana:

O Lord, we thank You for those who have heard Your call into ministry in various settings. We pray that You will uplift them with a sense of the importance of their work, and we pray that those to whom they minister will bless them and thank them for their ministry. Strengthen our clergy, O Lord, and give them Your peace which passes all understanding and which sustains us even when others do not offer such peace. This prayer is offered in the name and spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ who is the source of our ministry. Amen.

Bishop Mike Indiana Conference

of The United Methodist Church

Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. Postage Paid

Union City, IN 47390Permit #63

Wesley ScheduleSundays

Sunday school for all ages 9:00 am

Traditional Worship 9:00am

Contemporary Worship10:30am

WednesdaysMeal 5:30

6:05 Worship6:30 Small Groups

Memorial DayMay 27