THE BEACON OCTOBER 2016

The Beacon Volume 5 No. 10 October 2016

With the cooling of the weather, inevitably our church begins to enter into that time of the year when our visitor count is lower and many of our members have left for warmer climates. Still there is much we have planned through these Fall and Winter months. We are continuing our work in fulfilling the recommendations given to us by the Vital Church Initiative; as well as completing improvements that were not mentioned within the VCI work. We have completed repainting areas of our church. (Thanks to the hard work of several of our members) We have had a new sign installed at the front of our church. Our sound system was serviced and is working more proficiently. We have subscribed to RightNow Media, which is like a Christian version of Netflix, but it

focuses largely on information, education, and content for children. If you attend our church, we are able to send you a free subscription to this streaming service. It will never cost you a dollar. We should also soon be starting our stewardship emphasis for this year and a little further ahead, for Advent. We will be revisiting the Advent Conspiracy with the hope of providing our church and community with an alternative Christmas Gift Bazaar. The idea is to find ways of sharing gifts that have more meaning than cost. The idea is to return back to the real meaning of Christmas and lessen the commercial aspect of the holiday.

To help our seasonal guest keep in touch with us throughout the year, I am also beginning what I call our “Connections Ministry.” This is an offer mostly to those individuals who are recurring guests at our church. I always like to hear about those who have made the Empire United Methodist Church their vacation church. Our Connections Ministry is for you. More information about this ministry can be found on our webpage. The idea is simply to provide guests to our church a way to stay a bit more connected with the Empire church and community throughout the year.

As we look toward the events and opportunities that are before us in the latter months of this year, may we live with the certainty of God’s presence and reassurance within all things.

Blessings and peace, Pastor Russell

Fall Clean-Up! October 8 After the men’s breakfast on Saturday, October 8, the annual fall grounds clean-up will begin. Dirt and mulch have been ordered to fill in the needed areas, and flower beds will be cleaned up. So fill up at the breakfast (at 8:30 AM) - Pete Mallory is cooking! Ladies are welcome, too!

Our Vision Statement: Be a Companion in Faith to All, That Jesus Christ May Live in All.

THE BEACON OCTOBER 2016

United Methodist Women of the Detroit and West Michigan Conferences present Mission u of the North October 17-18 First United Methodist Church - Gaylord, MI. Three studies are offered: 1) The Bible and Human Sexuality with Rev. Ellen Brubaker; 2) Latin America: People and Faith with Sonya Luna; 3) Climate Justice: A Call to Hope and Action with Nichea Ver Veer Guy Registration begins 9:00 AM on Monday and the event adjourns at 3:30 PM Tuesday. Registration cost is $65 (includes 3 meals). Lodging is arranged by participants in local motels. Limited scholarships are available for first time attenders.

Check with Sandy Mallory and Gwen Denny for more information.

Men’s Breakfast Saturday, Oct. 8

EUMC Ladies Invited

Fall Clean-up Follows Breakfast

2nd Saturday of each month

8:30 AM Fellowship Hall

Monday Morning Men’s Group @ 9:00 AM Study of the Lectionary Readings for Worship

with Pastor Russell

Tuesday Morning Study Group @ 9:30 AM

with Pastor Russell “Your Devine Design

(How to Discover, Develop and Deploy Your Spiritual Gifts) If you miss a session, catch up on “RightNow” media

Thursday Group Study @ 3:00 PM Rev. Tom Petersen, facilitator

8 week study on the Book of Romans "Invitation to Romans:

A Short Term Disciple Bible Study by Pamela Eisenbaum.

THE BEACON OCTOBER 2016

OCTOBER 2, 2016 Since 1933 Christian churches around the globe have been celebrating Holy Communion on the first Sunday of October. In The United Methodist Church World Communion Sunday is an opportunity to support national and international graduate students. For ethnic students who will be the first generation in their families to attend college or for those people of color who haven’t historically had access to resources that make higher education possible, the road toward education has often been unwieldy.

What would it look like if the church today imitated Jesus’ affirmation of the full dignity and God-given potential of all

women and men—especially those who’ve historically been assigned to the world’s margins? On World Communion Sunday your giving helps to provide scholarships for national and international graduate students whom God has gifted to learn and to serve.

SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 11, 2016 PRESENT: Jan Lyon – chairperson, Pastor Russell Logston, JoAnne Beare, Sandy Mallory, Roy Pentilla, Bill Lyon, Meredith Goodrick, Laurie Taghon, Gerri Sorbie Pastor Russell opened with prayer.

ANNUAL SWISS STEAK DINNER – Friday, Oct. 21 – 5-7 PM A suggestion has been made to make it a free will offering versus a set price for the dinner. JoAnne Beare made a motion to make the 2016 Swiss steak dinner a freewill offering; second by Roy Pentilla. Passed.

ANNUAL YARD SALE – 3RD

SAT IN MAY (Asparagus Festival weekend) A suggestion has been made to replace it with an arts and craft show where space is rented to vendors. Consensus. The UMW would continue with their bake sale and crafts. JoAnne will check with the Empire Chamber of Commerce. JoAnne Beare and Laurie Taghon will co-chair.

Set day and time for monthly Administrative Council meeting Administrative Council meetings will be held on the 4

th Monday of each month; all committees meet at 6:30 PM and full

administrative council at 7:00 PM – effective September 26. Consensus. NEXT MEETING: September 26 at 6:30 PM Meeting adjourned at 12:30 PM. Respectfully submitted,

Sandy Mallory - Recording Secretary

He will raise you up on eagle’s wings, Bear you on the breath of dawn, Make you to shine like the sun,

And hold you in the Palm of his hand

~ Michael Joncas, ON EAGLE’S WINGS

THE BEACON OCTOBER 2016

ALL CHURCH & ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL MEETING September 26, 2016 PRESENT: Pastor Russell, JoAnne Beare, Bill and Jan Lyon, Sandy Mallory, Roy Pentilla, Gerri Sorbie, Sue Palmer, Barb Foged

Hospitality, Missions, Finance and VCI met to update and discuss status of goals and future planning.

Pastor Russell opened with prayer. Concerns: Updates given on Bob Manning and family of drowning victim.

REPORTS: Minutes of August 29 meeting and September 11 meeting. Motion by JoAnne Beare to approve minutes; second by Bill

Lyon. Approved Pastor’s Report:

Reviewed VCI prescriptions status; we’re slowing completing tasks, more work to be done.

Custodian has resigned. Employment applications (with attached job description) for the custodian position are available in the church office; application must be returned to the church office by 10/5; position will be filled by 10/12.

Team is working on 2016 annual charge conference forms. EUMC charge conference will be held on October 29, 10:00 AM at Leland Community UMC.

Pastor Jane and Pastor Russell will be holding a prayer retreat at the Meade compound October 14-15. Please see pastor for more information.

Finance – Roy Pentilla, Gerri Sorbie:

Roy is working on the audit.

Received the bill for 2015-2016 snowplowing. This bill needs to be submitted monthly, not annually.

Working on completing application form for equitable compensation, deadline for submission is 10/10/16. Motion to approve 2017 equitable compensation form made by Roy Pentilla; second by Bill Lyon. Approved.

Trustees – Sue Palmer:

We are updating job descriptions for groundskeeper and snow plowing services.

Getting an estimate to do all tile floors (stripping & waxing).

Checking out the possibility of repairing floor/tile crack in fellowship hall.

LED bulbs have been installed in the Chancel area.

Fall grounds clean up on 10/8. $230 has been allocated for dirt and mulch. The men’s group will be fixing breakfast before the work.

Will be replacing handicapped parking signs (3-4). Education: Candie and JoAnne are doing a great job! Missions:

Some Health kits have been collected – deadline end of September. If you wish to donate money, cleaning kits are $65 and health kits $12. Please make check payable to EUMC with memo: UMCOR Advance #901440.

Worship:

A worship survey has been conducted and in the process of analyzing results. Hospitality – Pastor, Jan Lyon: Will be holding a meeting tomorrow at 11:00 AM for further planning. NEW BUSINESS

Swiss Steak Dinner scheduled for Friday, October21, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM, freewill offering. Signup sheet to be on table in fellowship hall. Major project to support our church ministries.

Leelanau Enterprise ad to support firefighter, 4H – Motion to support community page made by Bill Lyon; second by Roy Pentilla – Approved.

Meeting adjourned at 8:20 PM. Next meeting: October 24, 2016 Respectfully submitted, Sandy Mallory - Recording Secretary

ALL- CHURCH TEAMS MEETING – 6:30 PM

ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL – 7:00 pm

THE BEACON OCTOBER 2016

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

SHOE BOX TIME COMING SOON!

Now is the time to start collecting items for our annual Shoebox packing after worship on Sunday, November 13!

SEE Operation Christmas Child Display

on table in Fellowship Hall.

1) Buy items from list.

2) Bring them to church.

3) Help pack the boxes on Sunday, Nov. 13.

4) Donate toward shipping costs

($7/box suggested).

CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you;

He will never leave you nor forsake you.

~Deuteronomy 3:18 NIV

CAREGIVER SUPPORT ….

A new ministry at Empire United

Methodist Church!

If you are a caregiver or are interested

in being a part of this ministry, please

join us on Thursdays at 10:00 AM, in

Fellowship Hall. We hope to provide a

time of sharing, encouragement and

emotional support for care givers living

in the Empire area. Group leaders are

Barb Foged and Kay Coombs.

If you have questions, please

contact Rev. Kay Coombs at 326-5852.

THE BEACON OCTOBER 2016

Jubilee House Homeless Shelter Collection (“SOX BOX”)

The need for seasonal clothing exists! Fall jackets, sweaters, coats, long-sleeved shirts, sweatpants, sweatshirts, etc. will keep the clients warm, as well as hats and gloves. Backpacks or sturdy big bags in which to carry belongings when the shelter is not open are blessings. Items can be placed in the SOX BOX (in Fellowship Hall) at any time. Monetary donations are also welcome for shelter staples.

Thank You for sharing!!!

COFFEE HOUR: Prepare and serve light refreshments for fellowship after worship service, COMPASSIONATE CARE-GIVERS: Serve those who are home-bound or ill, visit and/or prepare a meal.

READERS, COMMUNION SERVERS, USHERS & GREETERS

NURSERY CARE JOIN IN THE CHOIR SUNDAY SCHOOL

Use your gifts & talents!

THE BEACON OCTOBER 2016

Annual Fall Festival Swiss Steak Dinner

Friday, Oct 21

5:00-7:00 PM Freewill Offering

Swiss Steak, Mashed Potatoes

Coleslaw, Vegetable, Roll

Dessert & Beverage

We need your help!

Preparing food, setting up tables in fellowship hall, serving food

and clean up!

Many hands make light work! Proceeds to support church ministries.

THE BEACON OCTOBER 2016

EUMC Annual Charge Conference Oct 29 The fall West Bay HUB Connection and church charge conference is scheduled to be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, October 29 at Leland Community United Methodist Church. EUMC members are encouraged to attend and take part. We will be electing church leaders and conducting other business as well. Workshops will be led by District Superintendent Anita Hahn and Grand Traverse District teams. Lunch will be provided. Registration forms will be available soon.

Reformation Sunday October 30

United Methodist Women

Meeting Tuesday, October 11

11:00 AM

Empire UM Women Remembered Vi Bates, Jean Bogart, Jean Plowman and Jenny Grooters were remembered in a memorial service during the Grand Traverse District United Methodist Women annual meeting. About 75 women gathered at Lake Ann UMC on September 24..

A BLESSING

We, like the anointing woman, bless Jesus for all He has done.

We bless our loved ones who are now truly home.

We remember these women and all women

who have served well.

We remember that we are the women who carry on.

In the name of Jesus, our savior, friend, and brother. AMEN

From: CEREMONIES IV, MEMORIAL SERVICE – IN MEMORY OF HER, PGS. 18-20

The red fabric heart on the UMW bulletin board was received in their honor.

“We have heard of your faith in Christ

and of your love for all of God’s people,

because what you hope for

is kept safe for you in heaven.”

Colossians 1:4-5a (Contemporary English Version)

THE BEACON OCTOBER 2016

MONTHLY CALENDAR 1ST Sunday of every month:

Holy Communion served

Empire Area Food Pantry Collection Donations of canned goods and packaged food are collected

for the Empire Area Food Pantry. The pantry is always in need of volunteers. Please contact Pastor Russell, Barbara Foged or Sue Palmer

for more information.

ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL MEETS MONTHLY – 4th

Monday at 6:30 PM

all committees; 7:00 PM Administrative Council. Your participation and service is appreciated!

Last Sunday of every Month: Loud Offering – to help a wide variety of charities and the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund (for people in need).

octoBER USHERS: 10.02 Jack Gardner Jim Sorbie 10.09 Mary Horney JoAnne Beare 10.16 Pete Mallory Jim Fowler 10.23 Bill Lyon Jan Lyon 10.30 Dan Davis Jack Gardner

octobER Counters: 10.02 Bill Lyon Sandy Mallory 10.09 Barb Foged Sue Palmer 10.16 Marilyn Johnson Gerri Sorbie 10.23 Kay Coombs Roger Merillat 10.30 Rod Meade Kay Wilcox

octoBER Nursery Care: We are in need of volunteers to staff the Nursery.

OCTOBER READERS 1O.02 Tom Petersen 10.09 Meredith Goodrick 10.16 Sandi Flack 10.23 Jean Petersen 10.30 Jan Lyon

“Adopt – A – Pew”

Any amount donated will be appreciated!

Thank you

“YOU

will be enriched in every way

to be

GENEROUS in every way,

which … will produce

THANKSGIVING

To GOD.”.

2 Corinthians 9:11, ESV

THE BEACON OCTOBER 2016

EUMC Mission Statement “To live out a faith in Jesus Christ through our efforts to hear others, share in God’s truths, join in worship, and celebrate in the Joy of God’s grace.” 10:00 AM Donuts & Dialog (adults) 10:30 AM Worship Service Sunday School & Nursery during worship service 8:00 PM AA Group

MONDAYS 9:00-1:00 C Church Office open 9:00 AM Men’s Bible Study - Pastor Russell 10:00 AM Worship Team

TUESDAYS 9:30 AM Tuesday Bible Study - Pastor Russell

WEDNESDAYS 9:00-1:00 Church Office open 8:00 PM NA Group

THURSDAYS 9:00-1:00 Church Office open 10:00 AM Worship Team 3:00 PM Bible Study – Rev. Kay Coombs 4:00 PM Choir rehearsal

The Hands & Feet of Christ 132 Years in Empire

1884 – 2016 The Beacon is published monthly by The EMPIRE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. Our mailing address is: PO Box 261 – 10050 Michigan Street, Empire, MI 49630. We can be reached at 231.326.5510 or www.empireumc@centurytel.net. Information and items for publication must be received at the church office by the 3rd Wednesday of the month.

EMPIRE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 10050 Michigan Street PO Box 261 Empire MI 49630 Rev.Russell K. Logston, Pastor (231) 326-5510 empireumc@centurytel.net pastor_empireumc@centurytel.net Facebook.Com/Empire United Methodist Church TO: Website: empiremiumc.org