TMTIKTMTTMT

Years ago, one of mylife-mentors, Rev. Dr. M. Steven Games (or Steve, as we called him), drilled into me the above acronym. It

stands for: The Main Thing Is Keep The Main Thing The Main Thing. In the last year, our Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) has transitioned from saying goodbye to four trusted and beloved staff members to hiring three and is in the process of hiring the fourth. This has been agrueling proposition as we have sometimes found just the right people and lost them because we cannot offer full-time pay.

Of course the top of the list of Main Things is to share the grace, love, and mercy of God through Jesus Christ to a hurting world. And one of the primary ways we do that is through worship and the care of our young ones. We have been deeply blessed by the long ministries of organist MelanieFlower and choir director Larry Daniel and the more recent Sandy Curlis leading our Handbell Choir. But we have had to change our Contemporary Worship leadership a couple of times as founder Chuck Garitson retired from his long and stellar leadership of the band and was replaced by interim leader Brittany Gould, who is now moving to Kentucky.

We believe that our Children's Ministry is now in supremely capable hands with Gina Craft as our

Director of Children's Ministries, and she is leading us toward our goal of an outreach ministry in the Amanda neighborhood. StephanieFleming is coming to us in August to serve as ourContemporary Worship Leader. She has tons of experience, an infectious spirit, and a deep faith. We cannot be happier to be working with both of these great leaders. We are still in process of deciding the route we will go with our Director ofYouth Ministries. Pray for us.

But, be clear. From this moment on, we know thatone of those Main Things is the care and nurture of our children and youth and their families. We will be checking and double-checking our staff and volunteers who work with our children and youth. We will be practicing our Safe Sanctuary Policies and will seek to provide stellar, world-class, life-changing ministries for our children and youth. There is nothing we do that is more important than this ministry. You have my word on that.

Grace & Peace,

August Worship Schedule

6 Big 10: Stealing Ex 20:1-21

13 Big 10: False Testimony Ex 20:1-219:30 -Graduation Sunday – 1st, 4th, 7th grades

20 Big 10: Coveting Ex 20:1-21

27 Big 10: God Comes Near Ex 20:1-21

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The Monroe Doctrine

August 2017

Where do we go from here?

There comes a time for an organization to pause and assess where we are, where we need to be, and how do we get there? To do this we’re organizing 12 Focus Groups at various times, dates, and locations to get your input. Please contact a host and sign up to attend one of thesegroups. We need your help.

Where the money comes from

Our church operating budget is based on your pledges made during the fall stewardship campaign plus estimates of other giving for the coming year. This giving goes to support ministerial and staff salaries and benefits; maintenance of church buildings and equipment; worship, education, and outreach programs; and district and conference apportionments.

Some people also contribute for specific purposes. It might be for a large item such as a new organ or sound system or a major project likepaving a parking lot or replacing the lights in the sanctuary. Or it might be for some general area of ministry such as youth or music.

Contributions dedicated to a specific purpose can only be used for that purpose. If the purpose is thesame as an item in the budget, it may be used to supplement the operating budget; otherwise, it can’t. It can become a problem when the dedicated funds are insufficient for the purpose intended but can’t be used for anything else.

Dedicated gifts may come as bequests, stocks, memorial gifts, checks, or cash. They are listed onquarterly giving reports but are not counted toward an individual’s pledge.

Chancel Choir resumes

New and returning members of the chancel choir are invited to our Wednesday night rehearsals at 7:00 PM, beginning the Wednesday after Labor Day.

Brittany farewell

There will be a good-by reception July 30 after the 9:30 service for Youth Director Brittany Gould, who’s also been serving as interim Worship Leader. That will be her last Sunday withus as she’s leaving both positions. If you normallyattend the 10:45 service , come a little early and join us.

Caregivers Support Group

The Caregivers Support Group will meet Monday,July 31, at noon. If you are a caregiver, please join us for lunch and a time of fellowship and idea-sharing as well as emotional and spiritual support. Our September meeting will not be held on the usual first Monday of the month, due to theLabor Day holiday. We will be having our meeting on Tuesday, September 5, at noon in Melvin's Room. For any questions, please see Ann Copeland.

Cardboard tubes needed

The Congregational Health Team needs several hundred cardboard tubes (toilet tissue, paper towel rolls, etc). Please save your cardboard tubesand place them in the designated boxes at church.

Emmaus Walks confirmed

The Northern Lights Emmaus board has confirmed their 2017 Walk schedule. A Men’s Walk will be held November 2 – 5 at Camp Lebanon and a Women’s Walk November 9 – 12 at First Baptist Church in Mason. If you’re interested in going on the Walk, see Anne or Jerry Lapham.

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Date Time Host PhoneSaturday 8/12 2.00 PM Lindsay Fields 513-571-3118Monday 8/14 1:00 PM Lynne Alleman 513-360-0158Wednesday 8/16 7:00 PM Sally Jonas 513-755-3795Thursday 8/17 7:00 PM Connie Wesner 513-360-0318Monday 8/21 7:00 PM Corrine Price 513-398-1009Wednesday 8/23 7:00 PM Carolyn Price 513-424-0080Thursday 8/24 7:00 PM Judith Losz 513-424-3420Wednesday 8/30 2.00 PM Shirley Hall 513-727-9901Thursday 9/7 7:00 PM Judy Halsey 513-539-8530Wednesday 9/13 7:00 PM Paula Barricklow 513-895-3927Wednesday 9/20 2.00 PM Ellen Osterman 513-539-8896Wednesday 9/20 7:00 PM Holly Stevens 513-967-3180

August Gathering here

The August Gathering of the Northern Lights Emmaus Community will be at our church on Friday,August 11, at 6:30 PM. It will feature good food, praise music, worship, and

fellowship. If you’ve been on a Walk but haven’t been to a Gathering recently, here’s your chance to renew relationships. If you’ve never been on a Walk but are curious, come on out and see what it’s all about. Meat will be furnished but bring a side dish to share.

Monrovers Next Adventure

There were 10 of us on the Whitewater Rafting Trip in July. We had a blast. It was great to spend time together, in nature, on the water, and with God. In the fall, we will go on a Rock-Climbing Trip in the Hocking Hills on Friday and

Saturday, October 13 and 14. We will meet at Monroe UMC at 5:00 PM, grab a quick bite at church and then head for the hills. (Hocking Hills,that is.) We'll spend the night in cabins at Camp Otterbein (one of our West Ohio UM Camps) and have a campfire, prayers, songs, stories and snacks. Then, the next morning, we'll have a hearty breakfast, pack trail lunches, and head for the rocks to spend the day climbing. When we’re all done, we'll head home straight from the cliffs.

Monroe UMC staffing needs

We are actively looking for a permanent part-timeDirector of Youth Ministries. If you or someone you know is interested, send a resume to us at monroeumc@cinci.rr.com.

A VBS Prayer of Thanks

Wow, God. This church family is amazing. Not only did they take projects home; they also gave their time for meetings and work days – before,

during and after VBS. The disciples of this churchwant to show the children of this community how much you love them. Thank you for giving us the energy and enthusiasm to do so. God bless all those who went above and beyond to make our VBS a great success. – Amen

At Maker Fun Factory VBS, you all did an excellent job getting the message out. The kids walked away feeling worthy of God's love and knowing that they were built for a purpose. Pleasecontinue praying for the children and youth in ourcommunity. Those without self-worth are at great risk. With every child you meet, please let them know about God's love – even if it's just a smile.

“Light the Way” at Amanda

Amanda UMC's children's ministry is a work in progress. Decorating for VBS, using the set and decorations from MUMC, is well underway. If you thought ours was great, come to Amanda to reach out even more. We have a station or a crew that needs your help during the week of August 7 – 11, from 6:30 to 8:45 PM.

Slinky Tutoring is another way for you to give back. On Wednesdays between 4:00 and 5:30, beginning September 13, children from Amanda Elementary, across the street from the church, willget the extra help they need. Please come serve anafter-school snack, motivate them to do their homework, or practice reading and math skills with them. The relationships/connections you make will be invaluable.

Back-to-School Bash

MUMC's Children's Ministry is teaming up with Hornet Haven on Sunday, August 13. Invite friends and family to come between the hours of 2:00 and 4:00 PM for the mini-carnival/open house. Your help is needed to work a game or food station. Volunteers will be coming at 1:00 to set things up and staying until 5:00 to put things away. It will be an excellent way to promote our children's programs. Please contact Gina Craft at937-514-3793 or gmatcraft@gmail.com if you want to serve at this event.

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Birthdays 1 – Benita Barrett 3 – Rick Gardner

Dan Tracy

10 – Bill Whitenack

12 – John MacDonald

13 – Ron Johnson

Jacob Maharg

16 – Marian Hattery

17 – Kyle Kilburn

18 – Helen Ihle

20 – Michael Majors

21 – Ruth McDiffett

23 – Josh Evans

Christina Fink

25 – Paul Moak

Tracy Yalich

26 – Jerry Lapham

Doug Schoffner

27 – Shirley Hall

29 – Jim Price

30 – Jason MacDonald

Anniversaries 1 – Robert & Mary Johnson

4 – Lynne & Don Alleman (61 years)

5 - Bob & Leanne Kniffen

11 – Elaine & Donald Garver ( 50 years)

12 – Barbara & Ron Conley (61 years)

Dan & Phyllis Mosier

16 - Joel & Wendy Harbarger

21 – Rita & Steve Tannreuther

23 – Margaret & Reed Musgrove (59 years)

Lyndi & Jeremy Uitto

26 – Jim & Vernita Clark (57 years)

Judy & Ron Johnson

31 – Angela & George Benken

Statistically Speaking…

Date Attendance Offering

6/18 196 $11,285

6/25 232 $5,226

7/2 178 $9,336

7/9 178 $4,376

7/16 164 $4,931

MONROE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 206 East Avenue, P.O. Box 310 Monroe, OH 45050-0310 REQUESTED RETURN SERVICE

@MonroeUMC

Mission Statement:

Shining the light on the hill by connecting with Jesus Christ,

connecting with each other, and connecting with the world.

MONROE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Phone: 513.539.7290

E-mail: monroeumc@cinci.rr.com Website: www.monroeumc.org

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Monroe UMC Staff

Rev. Joel Harbarger, Senior Pastor: pastorjoel@swohio.twcbc.com Edna Miller, Office Manager: monroeumc@cinci.rr.com Brittany Gould, Youth Ministry Director and Interim Praise & Worship Leader: mumcyouthdirector@yahoo.com Gina Craft, Children’s Ministries: gmatcraft@gmail.com Rev. Ann Copeland, Pastoral Care/Outreach Coordinator: annxhpm@yahoo.com Rachel Watkins, Hornet Haven Director: HornetHavenMumc@cinci.rr.com Larry Daniel, Director of Music Melanie Flower, Organist Linda Larkin, Nursery Attendant Steve Rizkallah, Custodian Jerry Lapham, Newsletter Editor Treasurer, Connie Wesner Jeremy Uitto, Website Developer Fin. Secretary, Lindsay Fields

MINISTERS: CONGREGATION