www.awsumchurches.org June 2016

THE AWSUM CHURCHES

Make plans to attend these events during Annual Conference

Beginning June 5th:

8:30 a.m. - White UMC worship 10:00 a.m. - Aurora UMC worship 11:15 a.m. - Sterling UMC worship

For those of you who have internet access, please subscribe to Mondays@Dakotas to receive timely important information from the Dakotas Conference about a number of events and future planning. Click here to subscribe to Mondays @ Dakotas

The Rev. Dr. James A. (Jim) Harnish retired recently after 43 years of pastoral ministry in the Florida Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. After serving churches in DeLand and Crescent City, he became the founding pastor of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Orlando which he led for 13 years followed by 22 years as the Senior Pastor of Hyde Park United Methodist Church in Tampa. He served in leadership across the denomination including membership on the General Board of Discipleship, as a delegate to General and Jurisdictional Conferences and as a delegate to the World Methodist Conferences in England, Brazil, Kenya and South Africa. He currently serves on the Board of Visitors at Duke Divinity School and on the Board for Africa Upper Room Ministries. Widely recognized as preacher and writer, Jim is a facilitator for the Institute of Preaching at Duke Divinity School and the author of more than 15 books including “A Disciple’s Path” “A Disciple’s Heart,” and “Earn. Save. Give. Wesley’s Simple Rules for Money.” He was a Consulting Editor for “The New Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible” and a contributor to "The Wesley Study Bible." He is a graduate of Asbury College and Asbury Theological Seminary with honorary degrees from Asbury Seminary and Bethune-Cookman University. He blogs at www.jimharnish.org. He and his wife, Martha, have two daughters and five grandchildren in Florida and South Carolina. Author and consultant Stephanie Caro will present the "Youth Ministry Architects Training Cohort Plan” on Wednesday evening. She has been involved in ministry to youth and youth workers in the local church since…well, a long time – 30+ years. Her humorous, straightforward style keeps her busy presenting and coaching at conferences, training events, camps, mission trips, retreats, churches, etc. Stephanie’s latest books are, Thriving Youth Ministry in Smaller Churches and 99 Thoughts for the Smaller Church Youth Worker, published by Group/Simply Youth Ministry. Stephanie is a contributing author to several youth ministry resources in addition to her regular column “Smaller Church Youth Ministry” in Group Magazine. Stephanie is a Senior Consultant for Ministry Architects. She is one of the 6 bloggers at http://morethandodgeball.com, youth ministry’s most-read blog. Stephanie and her hubby, Steve, live in Houston, TX. All 7 kids are grown and out – praise God!

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Wednesday, June 8 Each workshop will be offered twice at 1:30 p.m. and at 3:15 p.m. at the Ramkota Inn. Four workshops will be offered: Hope for the Creation: Earthkeeping as Discipleship led by Rev. Tim Eberhart. What happened to the Offering? led by Rev. Ken Sloane. Wesley’s Way of Making Disciples led by Rev. Jim Harnish. And Church Financial Myths led by Jeff Pospisil and Sheri Meister.

Youth Ministry Architects Training Cohort Plan from 6:30 to 7:30pm in the Roosevelt/Lincoln Room. The "Youth Ministry Architects Training Cohort Plan" has been designed by Ministry Architects and Dakotas Conference Leadership Development and Youth Ministry. The plan will help parishes produce healthy, sustainable youth ministries by strengthening the lay leaders and staff within their congregation, designing a ministry plan, and growing congregational support of the targeted ministry.

Dear AWSUM Churches, I hope that you can make plans to attend some or all of Annual Conference this year. It is so close, being on the north end of Sioux Falls. It’s an exciting time in the life of the larger church. I would be honored to have you join me and your Lay Member to Annual Conference, Gwen Taylor, in everything … worship, workshops, teaching sessions, meals, and legislative sessions. If you stay during the legislative sessions of the Annual Conference, you may find yourself engrossed in what happens at the larger church level. During legislative sessions, there will be two seating areas – one for those with vote (Gwen and myself) and one for those who do not vote. That just makes it easier for counting purposes; it’s not meant to separate us in any other way. All are invited to attend and participate in learning workshops on Wednesday, June 8 and in Worship Services during Annual Conference June 9-11, as well as the ‘Celebration of Life in Ministry’ service at Sioux Falls First UMC on Friday, June 10 at 7:00 p.m. I would ENCOURAGE everyone to attend the ‘Celebration of Life in Ministry’ service as this is an exciting and passionate worship service no one should miss! We recognize those who have died in service, we recognize those who have retired from service, we recognize our newly ordained clergy and deacons, we are empowered through both word and song. If nothing else, make plans to attend this impressive and ceremonial service; plan to come early to get seats. Again, Gwen and I would be honored to worship and work with all of you, Blessings, and we’d love to eat with you! Pastor Martha

Thursday, June 9 8:30 a.m. Opening Worship with Bishop Ough giving Episcopal Address. We participate in Communion together. Friday, June 10 8:00 to 9:00a Worship including Miracle Offering 9:15-10:30. Teaching Session I with Rev. James Harnish 1:30-3:00p Teaching Session II 7:00p ‘Celebration of Life in Ministry’ service at Sioux Falls First United Methodist Church Saturday, June 11 8:00a Worship including Baptismal Remembrance and Setting of Appointments

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Throughout the summer months, we will begin collecting items for The Dakotas Marketplace which is set for September 17 at First UMC in Sioux Falls. The bulletins will include a sheet of needed supplies for a variety of mission kits. The Dakotas Conference has been a long time supporter of many mission events and activities. Each fall several events are held throughout the conference to collect UMCOR kits and to focus on local, regional and global missions. Needed for Bakken Oil Rush Ministries In Watford City and Williston Please bring to any of the Fall Mission Events or Pack the Van Sites: Men's winter coats, coveralls, winter boots, and Walmart gift cards (any amount). Pack the new or slightly used clothing in garbage bags and label each bag.

---- Cleaning Buckets are needed. In April, several rounds of heavy rain and surging waters deluged parts of Houston, Texas, killing seven people and leaving thousands of homes and businesses flooded and without power. One of the ways you can help is by donating cleaning buckets with supplies and bring them to the Dakotas Marketplace. The cleaning buckets will then be brought to the Midwest Mission Distribution Center in Illinois.

---- Christmas Shoebox Gifts will also be taken to the Dakotas Marketplace in September. These gifts are distri- buted by Mike and Libby Flowers to the Native American reservations throughout the Dakotas.

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The 2016 Miracle Offering calls for giving 10,000 Hours of service to Dakotas Conference ministries. Each church is asked to identify 10 or more people who will each give 10 hours of their time to one of these ministries in our conference: Bakken Oil Rush Ministry—Watford City, ND Join Jim and Kathie Konsor (605-268-0058) in serving the people of the Watford City area. Help is needed with sorting donations and also with some of their feeding events such as spaghetti feeds and picnics. There are also several major clothing giveaways throughout the year. Jim and Kathie do need some time to coordinate dates and places for these events, but should be able to make adjustments to fit schedules. Out in Faith – Bakken – Williston Katie Peterson (906-630-1519, 701-572-7694) has been serving as our Church and Community worker in Williston for almost three years. Volunteers are invited to come for a Saturday to be a part of the GIFT (God In Faith Tonight) worship service and meal. This includes handing out invitational brochures, preparing and serving the meal, and handing out donated goods. **Joint projects between Watford City and Williston can be coordinated.** Spirit Lake Ministry Center - Sheyenne ND Join Mike and Libby Flowers (701-799-1174) in being the hands and feet of Christ to the people of the Spirit Lake Nation through Service Projects including community meal preparations and worship experience and/or Service Projects geared for Ministry Center needs. As a part of the experience, Mike and Libby can also include Mission/Ministry

FAIRVIEW CEMETERY The following information is in the church newsletter because there are some who do not subscribe to the TriCity Star. The Fairview Cemetery Association wishes to inform that beginning July 1, 2016, a cemetery lot for two graves will cost $400. Due to rising costs, we felt it was necessary to raise the rate.-Chairperson Viola Robbins

Fairview Cemetery Association

MISSION (opportunities)

10,000 Hours Miracle Offering

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Orientation and Cultural Awareness Education with the Service Project (at least a two day event). Summer 5-day mission trip opportunities available. All projects will be geared toward the size of the group and teams must be prepared to provide funding for food and project materials. On-site housing is available.

**The AWSUM churches are considering a trip in the fall, please contact Bob Oda for

more information. ** Solar Oven Partners Led by Rick Jost (605-695-0783) Help is needed from individuals or small to mid-sized groups at work-shop sites in North and South Dakota to assemble and package oven components as well as general maintenance. Volunteers can also serve at the main Volga, SD, office by helping out with mailings and other administrative duties. For a joy-filled, faith-strengthening, mind-expanding experience, join a SOP Volunteer in Mission team to build ovens in the Dominican Republic. Tree of Life – Mission, SD Linda Garriot — 605-828-5078 Located in Mission, SD, on the Rosebud Reservation, Tree of Life serves the Lakota and Dakota people. Serving opportunities can include construction/painting projects, food preparation and distribution, sorting of donated goods, and interacting with the people of the community and surrounding area to bring the love and light of Christ. On-site housing is available.

www.awsumchurches.org June 2016

P O Box 827 White, SD 57276

SUNDAY SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHOOL WHITE 8:30 no SS AURORA 10:00 during STERLING 11:15 summer

Website www.awsumchurches.org

Facebook

Facebook.com/AuroraWhiteSterlingUMC

Phone: 605-629-3581 Parsonage: 605-629-2991

The AWSUM Churches of Aurora-White-Sterling United Methodist

City of White

Farmer’s Market

June 7 – Oct 4, 2016

Every Tuesday from 3:00 to 7:00 pm

• Bring Hy-Vee receipts (from groceries, gas, pharmacy) to the churches. This is such an easy fundraiser for the church; we all shop for groceries, and Hy-Vee gives us $1,000 for every $150,000 purchased.

• Sterling UMC plans its annual Ice Cream Social with entertainment for a Thursday evening in July. Details coming!

• Sterling UMC is planning a “Fall Festival” fundraiser to raise money for several projects, including painting the exterior of the church. Please consider donating your talents, hand crafted items, baked goods, services. More information to come.

• Aurora UMC plans its annual Chicken Supper / Country Store for September. More info to come.

• The AWSUM Churches will serve the Harvest Table on Monday, October 3.

• White UMC Christmas Fair is scheduled for Saturday, October 15. Hand crafted items, baked goods, garden items all welcome.