VISION, MISSION AND QUESTIONS

"...God says, I will pour out my Holy Spirit on all people. Your sons and your daughters will prophe-cy. Your young men will see visions and your elders will dream dreams." Acts 2:17

"Without vision, the people perish" Proverbs 29:18 KJV

Several of you have asked me questions about our fall focus on a Vision for our congrega-tion, so I will do my best to answer some of them.

1. Why do we need a Vision for our congregation?

-Scripture guides us to seek a vision. The Apostle Peter quotes Joel 2 and says that the new church is a result of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the prophecy, visions and dreams of God's people. God gives the vision; our task is to discern it.

-Vision tells us where we are going and enlivens us with anticipation. Think of the children racing to the front of the sanctuary for Children's time during the second service. Excited, full of energy and anticipation, they look forward to a special time of worship for them and of learning about God's love. Vision puts words to what God will do in and through us.

-Vision connects us with God. In the book, Outflow, Sjogren and Ping suggest "Big visions drive us to our knees and compel us to recognize that we can't possibly fulfill them on our own. In other words, if God doesn't show up, we're in a heap of trouble. But we anticipate and have faith that God will show up and in even bigger and more powerful ways than we could think of ourselves." (p.186)

2. How is Vision different from Mission? It seems like we did this last year when we worked on our Mission.

-In 2011, we did adopt our Mission Statement: God's Spirit and God's Word lead us to welcome all people, to nurture disciples of Jesus Christ and to transform the world with love.

Our Mission is the statement of what we are called to do here and now. Our Vision will be a vivid image of what the future will look like when we accomplish the Mission. The vision will point toward results and help us take measure of our progress. For example, what is the re-sult of welcoming all? We might envision that our congregation will be known across the community for its openness, kindness and generosity. (cont. on page 7)

Worship Times and Topics for October Sunday Morning 8:30 and 10:45

Pastor Lynn Pier-Fitzgerald, preaching

SERIES: God’s Big Picture

October 7 “A Life Lived Into God’s Future” Matthew 5: 1-12a CEB

-World Communion Sunday

October 14 “God Gives the Growth” Mark 4: 30-32

October 21 Laity Sunday

“Disciples Transforming the World Through Witness and Service”

October 28 “Grace Resounding”- Our Vision John 3:16; John 10:10

Church Events, Caring

Ministry, Birthdays

2 & 3

Nurture Ministry 4 & 5

Outreach Ministry, UMW,

Witness Ministry, JFON

6 & 7

Bazaar 8

Youth Ministry, calendar 9

Inside this issue:

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October 2012

Come join the Lunch Bunch on Sundays following the 10:45 a.m. service. We will gather at the Good Shepherd window to get a head count and head out to a local

restaurant. All ages are welcome to join including singles, couples, and families. Check the bulletin for the days’ location or contact David Newton.

Epsilon will meet Wednesday, October 17th, at 11:30 a.m. at Beechwood Inn. Please call Dave or Dorothea John at 392-3493 by October 15th for reservations.

will be taking the LST393 Ship Tour in Muskegon on October 4. Please meet at the church at 1:30 pm to ride the bus. The event costs $6.00 Call Sharon Rock-er at 392-1966 for more info and to make

your reservation, which is required.

The Kids N Tow October event will be held at the Piesko's house Sat. Oct 27 at 4pm. Kids are encouraged to wear Hallow-een costumes and adult costumes will be op-

tional. Please bring your favorite crock-pot of chili or something to go with chili and the Piesko's will

The deadline for article submissions for the November Focus is October 15. Please email articles to mhaney@fumcholland.org by that date or earlier. If a hard copy must be used, please bring to main office by that date also. If you would prefer not receiving the Focus in the mail, please let Marj Haney know at mhaney@fumcholland.org.

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Happening this Month

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have cider, dessert, and table-wear. Activities may in-clude a wagon ride in the woods, harnessed zip-line, and a bonfire. Watch for the e-vite if you are on the list oth-erwise call Bobbie Piesko 283-1730.

For our October Book Club, we will be discuss-ing Color of Water, by James McBride. This non-fiction book is a black man's tribute to his white mother. We will meet in the Conference Room at 6:30, Monday, October 8.

We are updating our list of college students who would like to receive complimentary copies of the magazine Alive Now this school year. Please

contact Marla Coombes (786-3249 or 218-6805) if you or someone you know would like to be included.

The Meet ‘N Eat Singles Group will go to El Rancho at the northwest corner of Riley and U.S. 31 Thursday, October 11 at 6 p.m. All singles are invited. Contact David Newton at 396-5205 or

dnewton@fumcholland.org by Wednesday, October 10 for reservations.

What Is a Stephen Minister?

“Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

A Stephen Minister is

A child of God who walks beside a hurting person

A caring Christian friend who really listens and doesn't move on to other things , leaving you be-hind

A lay person who has received 50 hours of training on how to provide distinctly Christian care for someone who is experiencing a crisis or challenge such as divorce, grief, loneliness, or family problems

If you have questions about the Ministry, or feel God may be calling you to be a Stephen Minister, please con-tact Anne Nieuwkoop (399-7203, nieuwkoo@gmail.com) or Marsha Burnham (395-0054, marcib70@yahoo.com). If you know someone who might benefit from the support of a Stephen Minister, call Sharon Rocker (392-1966).

Happy Birthday Wishes!

Please be in prayer for these congregation members and friends...

Jessie George; Marcia Riemersma; Navyne Kline; Vern Schumacher; Al Wiegerink; Joyce Buis; Joyce Bennett; Neila Hook; Dora Neola; Jim Bosman; Larry Barrett; Kathy Leshner; David John; Courtney Dooley; Joel Beals; Marge Walcott; Bill Slezak

Note of appreciation received since the last Focus:

Joyce Bennett wrote: Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:-Please accept my sincere thanks for your love gifts of smiles, hugs, and the many, many prayers and of course the cards with the encouraging notes. You are truly amaz-ing! God is surely using each of you to be wonderful am-bassadors for our needy world. I am so grateful to be one of the many who have received your love. I pray that I might be used by God as you have been for me. Keep up the good work in Christ.

Jim and Barb Bosman wrote: Thank you all so much for your concerns and prayers while Jim was in the hospital. Special thanks to Sharon Rocker for coming to visit at the hospital. Michael Faber wrote: I wish to thank you all for your cards, prayers, and concerns during my past two hospitaliza-tions. The support of the church has made recovery easier. It will be a few weeks before I can attend church (which I really miss!) Again, you have all been a blessing to my life.

OCT OBER 20 1 2 Page 3

Caring Ministry

Sharon Rocker, Director of Visitation Ministry (ext. 13)

These friends are celebrating at least their 85th birthday this month.

Please extend your well wishes!

The Memorial Committee announces the following continuing and new Memorial Projects given to our church in memory of loved ones by family and friends.

Trees John and Maxine Manchester

Trees Ernest Johnson

Chair for the Women’s Restroom Helen Taylor

Stained Glass, Trees, Music Fund Dorothy Karsten

October 5 Joe Peters 145 Columbia Ave. #664 Holland MI 49423 6 Helen Moomey 333 E. Lakewood Blvd. #37 Holland MI 49424 15 Dorothea John 623 W. 29th St. Holland MI 49423

19 Don Bocks 144 River Hills Dr. Holland MI 49424 27 Clara Zeh 854 Lincoln Ave. #12 Holland MI 49423

There are singing choirs for children and youth of all ages 3 through high school that meet at vari-ous times through the week.

Angelics for 3 year olds-K meets on Sunday morning at 10:10 in Room 201. Marilyn Kelly leads.

Cherubs for 1-4 graders meets on Wednesday night at 6:30 in room 304. Marj Haney leads.

Juniors for 5-8 graders meets on Wednesday night at 7:15 in room 304. Marj Haney leads.

Youth Praise choir for high school kids meets on Sunday evenings be-fore youth group in the Sanctuary. Dave Newton leads.

week they are divided into their age groups with the younger cen-ter having Video the second week and Creative Drama the third week and the older center having the opposite. The 4th week is Bible Skills and Games again all together. The next theme of this year begins October 7 and there is room for you to lead! Come to the first floor on Sunday morning and check out the sign up sheet or see Marj Haney for more infor-mation. You can have a big impact on the faith life of the children in our church!!

Our Elementary Aged Rotation Centers need leaders!

Leaders are needed each Sunday to teach the theme lesson in rota-tion. It is easy to get involved! All you need to have is a love for kids, the ability to lead them through a lesson and make it interesting for them, a little free time during the week to prepare and a smiling face on Sunday morning! The lessons are all writ-ten out and supplies are provided. Here is how a theme generally works: we work on a 4 week ro-tation where one theme is ex-plored over the 4 weeks. The kids are divided into 2 groups by age. The first week of the rotation both groups meet together for an art project. The second and third

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Nurture Ministry Marj Haney, Director (ext. 15) Heidi De Moss, Director of Adult Ministry

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Small Groups

Coffee Klatz & Conversation Monday Morning in the lounge Led by David Newton Monday Night (every other) contact Bill & Sharon Rocker Young Adult’s Bible Study Tuesdays at 5:30 in the Conf. Room Led by Pastor Lynn Young Mom’s Bible Study Wednesday Evening in the lounge Led by Pastor Lynn “Almost Amish” simplify your life Ladies Only Thursday Morning (every other ) contact Lucy Larsen

All groups are open to new people at any time. Please contact the leader or Heidi DeMoss for more information on times and places. If you would like to begin another group, see Heidi as well. Coming later in October...a small group hosted by the Haney’s at their home. Will meet on Monday evenings. If you are interested, see them or watch the bulletin announcements for more info.

Coming this Advent... A Different Kind of Christmas Based on Mike Slaughter’s popu-lar book Christmas Is Not Your Birthday, this five-week study will empower you, your family, and FUMCH to reclaim the mis-sional meaning of Jesus’ birth and experience a Christmas sea-son with more peace and joy than any toy or gadget could ever bring. Come experience the call of God to live generously to ful-fill God’s mission in the world.

Adult Nurture Opportunities

What are you going to do this Fall? Here are some possibilities for you: Come join in -- we would love to have you!

Ongoing Classes Open Minds Class Where : Conference Room led by Heidi DeMoss Outflow by Steve Sjogren and Dave Ping Let God's love fill you with joy that flows from you to your family, friends, neighbors, ... world. Written for every-day people, this study inspires joyful, outward-focused lives, powerfully con-nected with family and friends...to natu-rally share God's love. It's a simple, or-ganic strategy -- and Biblical. Outflow inspires a vision for living an outward focused life and provides practical tools to make that vision a reality: readings that support a five-week Outflow focus, and practical activities readers can do...with their family, community, friends, and the world at large. (Books available in class.) Oct. 7 & 14 ~ family and friends Oct. 21 & 28 ~ your community Nov. 4 & 11 ~ your world Faithlinks Class Where : Filling Station contact Kathy Herrick Claiming the Promise by Mary Jo Osterman The Faith Links Class has started the Fall with a different focus. New partici-pants are urged to attend. “Claiming the Promise” Bible study will be pursued. This course was created by UMC mem-bers in collaboration with members of several other denominations. The course recognizes that people interpret the Bible in a variety of ways. Many texts will be discussed. Some of the ses-sions will deal with the diversity of ways that passages dealing with homosexual behavior have been and are interpreted.

The material has a “tilt” toward inclu-sion of gay and lesbian people, but all perspectives will be respected during the sessions. Oct. 7 ~ Gracious Hospitality, Genesis 19:1-29 Oct. 14 ~ Inclusive Holiness, Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Luke 10:25-37 Oct. 21 ~ Reconciling Discipleship, 2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Matthew 5:43-48 Immigration and the Bible by United Methodist Women This will be an opportunity to explore various Biblical passages which provide a background for the various ways in which the issue of immigration is pre-sent in many texts. The material is from a book and is one of the topics for the School of Christian Mission for United Methodist Women this year. Leadership will be shared. Oct. 28, Nov. 4, 11, & 18 Pastor Lynn’s Class Where : Heritage Room Sermon based Discussions Pastor Lynn will lead group discussion on the lectionary text for the day. This will correspond with the worship for the day. Oct. 7 ~ Matthew 5: 1-12a CEB Oct. 14 ~ Mark 4: 30-32 Oct. 21 ~ TBA Oct. 28 ~ John 3:16; John 10:10 Lecture/Presentation Classes Short - Term Classes Where : Lounge What : Offerings lasting two or more weeks on a topic. Oct. 7 ~ Oct. 14 ~ Oct. 21 ~ Oct. 28 ~ Vision rollout presentation Fellowship Space Coffee and Conversation Where : East end of Fellowship Hall What : A time to gather and visit with each other, or just relax and refresh. Copies of the newspaper are present, as

well as coffee, tea, and often some light refreshments. A Place for College Students hosted by Abby Searls and others A set aside space within our coffee and conversation space just for college stu-dents to visit with each other, and those who have an interest in getting to know them better. Other offerings... Jesus as Carpenter -- Woodworking Class Interested in a beginning woodworking class with a twist? Dave Diehl will be offering a two hour class. It will start with 20 minutes of study and discussion about Jesus as a carpenter, and move into his woodworking shop. The inten-tion is to begin in early September on Monday evenings for six to eight weeks. The cost would be for project supplies to build a small project of your choos-ing. Dave has room for six to eight peo-ple (two mothers and their daughters are already interested) Call Dave at 335-5339 or 836-0054 if you are interested. ———————————————-

Big Screen Movie Night Join us on for the showing of a bi-weekly movie. A Summer hold over program! Just too much fun to let go of... Open to all, there will be popcorn, and comfortable seating in the Lounge. Movies will show on Thursday evening, but double check dates. Soul Surfer Sat., October 6 PG Soul Surfer is the inspiring true story of teen surfer Bethany Hamilton, who lost her arm in a shark attack. In the wake of this life-changing event that took her arm and nearly her life, Bethany’s feisty determination and steadfast beliefs spur her toward an adventurous comeback that gives her the grit to turn her loss into a gift for others. Ama-zon.com

OCT OBER 20 1 2 Page 5

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Outreach Ministry Tracy Garrett, Director (ext. 11)

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Check out all of the opportunities for service and giving during the month of October!

Please prayerfully consider your ability to reach out to oth-ers through these great opportunities for service and giving.

Bread Pan Offering on Sunday, October 21, will support Senior Meal.

Senior Meal is a ministry of our local church, providing hot, hand-made meals to senior citi-zens in our community for a very low cost of

$3.00 per meal. Senior Meal is served each Tuesday at noon in our Fellowship Hall. All persons aged 55 and older are invited to join us. We are hoping to supplement this pro-gram to cover the rising cost of food without having to raise the cost to those who dine with us - many of whom are on very limited incomes. We hope to expand this pro-gram in the future and invite you to come along with us as financial sponsors, volunteers to cook, serve, and clean up. Contact Tracy Garrett at the church office to volunteer.

Please prayerfully consider sharing your financial blessings on October 21.

Donate food and household products to Community Action House.

We always collect non-perishable food, household cleaning, and personal hygiene items for the emergency services pantries at Community Action House.

Donations can be placed in the baskets at both main en-trances any time.

Protect our planet - bring your recycling to church!

You may bring your clean Styrofoam, ink cartridges, batteries, and cell phones to church on the first and

third Sundays of each month. These items will be collected the east end of the 9th Street for recycling.

Please be sure all recycling items are CLEAN.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You have generously supported our special offerings in September.

Communion Offering (September 2) in support of Peace With Justice Sunday (a Special Sunday of the Global UMC), your gifts totaled $417.95.

Bread Pan Offering (September 16) in support of Africa University - Ubuntu Gathering Center, your gifts totaled $1,036.00.

All willing workers are invited to come

and prepare the Community Garden for

winter on Sunday afternoon, October 7.

The Senior High youth group will be

working with Tim Haney on the project and would

love some other help! They will begin at 6:00.

This JFON (Justice for our Neighbors) in-

formation is in response to your questions.

Please direct other questions to Mary De

Ridder or Doug Dinkins. The immigration

laws are complicated, but we will try to get

answers and publish them in future Focus editions.

What is the nationality of our clients and do they

include men, women and children?

Here is the information for 2011 for the Holland

JFON clinic:

Mexico 30

Haiti 3

Honduras 2

Philippines 1

Latvia 1

England 1

Bosnia 1

Costa Rica 1

Canada 1

Dom. Republic 1

United Methodist Women

OCT OBER 20 1 2 Page 7

The member class continues with the second session on Sunday, October 7 with “mission and ministry of the U.M. church”, and ends on November 4 with “spiritual gifts, expectations, and belonging to our church”. We will welcome those choosing to join the church on Sunday, November 18.

Please contact Liz Travis or Pastor Lynn if you are interested in attending this class.

Witness and Invitational Ministry Liz Travis, Director (ext. 12)

Service Group is Joy Circle Oct. 4 @ 6:30, Executive Board Meeting Oct. 10 @ noon, Hope Circle OCT. 11 @9:30 Shalom Circle Oct. 12 @ 1pm, Joy Circle Oct 18 @ 10:15 - 10:30 for General Meeting. Service Project for United Methodist Women in October On October 18th the general meeting for United Methodist Women will be a service project! Gather

at the church at 10:15 a.m. to car pool OR meet at 10:30 at the General Store sponsored by Community Action House at 694 Michigan Ave. Our group will be assigned some tasks that are needed at the store for an hour or so. Those that want to can go out to lunch afterwards. Feel free to invite a friend along. Let's have a good turnout! Oct 25 @ 6:30, Executive Board Meeting Oct. 31, @ noon Hope Circle Check the Bazaar Article on page 8 for workshops for cookies, candy and pig in Blankets.

Vision, Mission and Questions (cont. from page 1)

Whether long time members or strangers, the love of Christ will be felt by those who encounter us at worship or at work in service.

Vision differs from Mission in that it is looking forward, an-ticipating, and working toward the future.

3. When will we stop talking and finally DO something?

We are a congregation of doers! We are people of action and actively engaged in service and for that I thank God. At the same time, all action and no direction is a way to get lost. Our congregation has been in decline for 30 years or more. We have not, to date, taken the actions that would substantially change that trend. We must be hearers of the Word as well as doers of the Word. Hearing takes time and prayer and reflection and careful listening. Discerning and naming a vision for ourselves will empower us to act in a purposeful way. Casting the vision is vital to our vitality as a congregation.

As I write this, plans are forming for a safe family event for Halloween night for the children of our congregation and

neighborhood. Others are praying about an outreach to shoppers on the day after Thanksgiving and a Christmas Eve service offered somewhere in downtown Holland to our friends from the Rescue Mission and others. The Holy Spirit is prompting some visionaries in our midst. Since the Vision is still forming, let this be part of our discernment process. Let us venture into these new ministries, do some-thing, and then reflect together. Is this a direction God is pointing us?

The Vision Leadership Team will be convening opportuni-ties for conversation, there is a survey online and at the back of the sanctuary for your input. Let us hear from you.

Praying for God's vision for the people called Methodist in Holland,

Pastor Lynn

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Bake, Make, Sort, Collect, Donate: Lots of Preparation Under Way for

51st Annual Bazaar November 8

Not many weeks are left before United Methodist Women open the doors for their

51st annual Holiday Bazaar. The date is Thursday, Novem-ber 8; the time is 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; the theme is “Angels Around the World”; and all proceeds go to missions.

Cookie-baking, candy-crafting, and pig-making workshops are listed below, along with a request for Attic Specials do-nations. The Handicraft Room needs handmade items—baby bibs, scarves, toys, decorations, gifts, and more. The Country Store wants homemade jams, jellies, canned pro-duce, and breads. Table and tree decorations are needed for display, and then sale, in Fellowship Hall. And don’t forget to invite your family and friends to a delicious morning snack, lunch, or dinner; UMW-made pigs-in-the-blanket will be there for sale, too.

COOKIES

Cookie Workshops at church: Bake cookies with Nancy (Storey) Haggarty on Thursday, Oct. 4; Wednesday, Oct. 10, or Thursday, Oct. 25, any time between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the church. Come for the day or just a few hours. The dough has been made and people are needed to (1) roll dough into balls; (2) watch the oven so the cookies don’t burn; (3) decorate; (4) pack up the cookies (between 2 and 3 p.m.). No special skills required; easy, sit-down jobs guaran-teed; fun and fellowship are a bonus.

Cookies at home: Bake up your special cookie recipes, freeze them, and bring to church on Wednesday, Nov. 7, or early on Nov. 8. Include a 3 x 5 card with the name of each kind of cookie and if there are special ingredients like nuts or berries that some folks might be allergic to.

Contributing to the cookies: The cookie workshops need chocolate, cocoa, flour, and lots of sugar (white, brown, or powdered). Mark items for the Cookie Workshops and leave them in the kitchen in October.

Contributing to the Cookie Room: The Cookie Room needs cookie tins and boxes (shoebox size) to pack up all the cookies sold at the Bazaar. Leave them in the kitchen, clearly marked, between now and Nov. 8 or call Sheryl Crosby, 399-3145, and she will pick them up.

CANDY

Candy Workshop: On Thursday, Oct. 11, 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., come make “stained-glass” candy for the Bazaar. Eve-ryone is welcome, for any length of time. Call Joan Fein at 738-5207 if you can help. Contributing to the candy: The candy-makers need donations of sugar and corn syrup. Mark them for Candy Workshop and leave in the kitchen

on Sunday, Oct. 7.

PIGS PIGS PIGS

Pig Workshop: FUMC is known all over town for its deli-cious pigs-in-the-blanket. This fall’s workshop will be Wednesday, Oct 17, from 8 a.m. to 3 or 4 p.m. Come for the day or an hour or four. Whether you are a veteran pig-maker or you want to learn how to make dough, scoop, squish, roll, or tray, you will be appreciated and have fun, too. Pigs are available for purchase after 10 a.m.—and, of course, they have to be tested on the spot! Sign-up sheets to volunteer and/or to order pigs are on the church bulletin boards or call Mary Jo Wiswedel at 335-9522.

ATTIC SPECIALS

Attic Specials: Remember the spring cleaning you didn’t get to? How about cleaning out clutter this fall instead? Attic Specials will happily accept housewares, dishes, linens, mate-rial and sewing notions, yarn and knitting supplies, toys in good condition, puzzles with all the pieces, luggage, small tables, lamps, Christmas and holiday items, and books. They will take purses and jewelry, but NO CLOTHES, please. Leave items by the elevator at the end of the main corridor on Monday, Nov 5.

HANDICRAFT ROOM LOOKING FOR PET PRESENTS

This year's Handicraft Room at the UMW Bazaar wants to include both people and pets in its offerings. If you sew, knit, crochet, or otherwise make gift items, please contact Phila White at whiteg01@charter.net

Baby clothes, bibs, scarfs, toys, and house decorations are always popular. But new this year will be a Pet Corner, if there are enough donated homemade dog/cat toys, sweater vests, treats, and Christmas ornaments with pet themes. So, be an angel for the 2012 Angels Around the World Bazaar on November 8 and include pets in your planning!

For times and locations of events and meetings each week, refer to the calendar available at our website, www.fumcholland.org on the right hand side of the page. Staff can be reached via the website by clicking on Contact Us at the top. Check out our new website!

Youth Ministry LuAnne Stanley Hook, Director (ext. 19)

OCT OBER 20 1 2 Page 9

Schedule of Events

October 2 Outreach Team 7:00 PM

October 2 FUN School board 7:00 PM

October 9 Staff Parish 7:30 PM

October 15 Trustees 7:00 PM

October 16 Finance 7:00 PM

October 18 SM Supervision 7:00 PM

October 23 Church Council 7:00 PM

Each week:

Tuesday noon: Senior Meal

Thursday 7:00: Volleyball

Men’s Walk to Emmaus Oct. 11-14

Women’s Walk to Emmaus

Oct. 18-21

Fall is here and youth group is in full swing! All youth are invited to join our activities this month, even if you have never been before! We love to see new faces! I hope that you will find a place to "plug in" this month!

October Schedule:

Sunday, October 7, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Senior highs, dress to be outside and bring a pair of garden or work gloves. We’ll be “taking down” the community garden! Middle Schoolers will be inside tonight.

Sunday, October 14, 12:30-4:00 p.m. Both groups meet right after church. Bring a sack lunch, or run out quickly and get a lunch to eat at church before we head out. We’ll be carpooling to Crane’s Orchard for the corn maze. Dress for the weather, and bring $10 for the maze and a small treat afterward. We will return to the church by 4:00 p.m. for bells.

October 21, 5:30-8:15 p.m. Get ready to rock out to the music of FiveLight at First Presbyterian Church!

We’ll carpool/bus over to FPC from FUMC and then we’ll be back for a late pickup at FUMC. Food, fun and great music!

October 28, 5:30-7:30 p.m. for both groups.

Upcoming Retreats at Wesley Woods Camp:

November 2-4, Middle School Retreat

November 16-18, Senior High Retreat

Cost is $80 for the weekend, including 4 meals. Retreats run Friday evening (after dinner) through Sunday morning, with pickup at FUMC after 2nd ser-vice. Reserve your place with a $25 deposit. Scholarships available.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

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October 2012

Pastor Rev. J. Lynn Pier-Fitzgerald

Phone: 616-393-6242

Nonprofit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID

Holland, MI

Permit No. 445

57 W. 10th St.

Holland MI 49423

Return Service Requested

FI RST UNIT ED MET HODI ST CHURCH

Highlights for the Month

Phone: 616-396-5205

October 2012

We’re On the Web

www.fumcholland.org

Please join us in celebrating Dorothea John’s 90th birthday on Sunday, Oct. 7 from 2-4 pm here in the church Fellow-ship Hall. No gifts please.

The Beal Memorial Lecture: "Peacemaking in a Violent World: A Christian Perspective" held here on September 27 was videotaped and is available for viewing on our website at www.fumcholland.org

In our ongoing effort to reach out to the community, we will hold our first annual Trunk or Treat event on Wednesday, Oct. 31. All congregation members are invited to decorate their car trunks or hatches and join us here in the 10th St. parking lot for fun and games! Please supply your own candy, we estimate you will need at least 300 pieces. We will begin at 5:30 and go until 7:00. Feel free to come in costume too. We would like to know how many cars to expect so please sign up at the back of the Welcome Center Oct. 6-28. Popcorn and drinks will be pro-vided. Bring you kids and grandkids with you too! If it is raining, we will can-cel. See Marj Haney or Tracy Garrett for more information.

The Church Office will be closed on Thursday, October 4 for a staff retreat day in Saugatuck. If you have an emergency, you can call the church and go into Pastor Lynn’s voicemail, ext. 14. Her cell phone number is recorded there. Please feel to call it for emergencies. There will be someone back in the office later in the day to listen to messages left on the voicemail system. Thank you!