September-October - Oxford United Methodist Church

The Grapevine
“I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them, bear much fruit….” John 15:5
Our Mission
Uniting in Jesus Christ
we spread God’s love
Our Focus
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The five practices of
Fruitful Congregations:
Radical Hospitality
Passionate Worship
Intentional Faith Development
Risk-taking Mission & Service
Extravagant Generosity
Inside This Issue :
2. From The Pastor
September Sermon Series
Church Conference
3. UM Church World Missions
VBS Special Offering
Shirley Cook Remembrances
4. Christian Education & Faith
5. Local Missions & Outreach
6. 2015 Church Council
Ice Cream Social Update
Dear Friends
Finance / Stewardship Update
Trustees / SPRC
7. Sunday Servants
8 / 9. Fellowship & Service
Lay Leader Message
10. Memorial Gifts
Thank You
In Our Prayers
11. Birthdays & Anniversaries
12 / 13. Monthly Calendars
insert - VBS / Memorial Bricks
Join Us For Worship!
Bells & Brunch Sunday
September 20 - 10am
Enjoy beautiful bell choir music and a
brunch reception afterwards. Invite your
family and friends to church.
Bible Sunday
September 27 - 10am
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."
Psalm 119:105
Focus on the importance of Bible reading for all ages and
stages of our Christian faith and life.
World Communion Sunday
October 4 - 10am
"Bless be the tie that binds, our hearts in Christian love."
(John Fawcett, 1782).
Join Christians around the world in celebrating World
Communion and praising God together. A special UMC
offering will help support UMC seminary students.
Children’s Sabbath
October 11 - 10am
We raise up children in our community and the world.
2pm- Annual Church Conference with DS Rev. Elizabeth Hill.
Everyone is invited.
The Grapevine
"Living for Jesus a life that is true,
striving to please him in all that I do,
yielding allegiance, glad hearted and free,
this is the pathway of blessing for me....
My life I give, hence forth to live,
O Christ, for thee alone."
(T.Chisolm)
Dear Friends,
The summer has flown by and the fall
season is coming in the cool air and changing leaves. Our
church is alive and changing too. Each fall we head "back
to school" and "back to church." Sunday worship and
church groups are an important part of our Christian lives
and weekly schedules. On September 20th we look
forward to our first Bells and Brunch Sunday this fall.
The Bell Choir music will be in remembrance of Shirley
Cook who passed recently (on August 14). On September
27th we will celebrate Bible Sunday, focusing on God's
Word for our lives. We will present Bibles to our third
grade children and pray for all our Sunday School
children. In September we are also reviewing our past
church year of ministry and missions, and updating our
leadership and committees roster. We will be setting
ministry goals for 2016, to be voted on at our annual
Church Conference on Sunday, October 11th. We hope
that you will join us in "Living for Jesus." Let us
focus on our Living Faith in word and action so that our
Christian lives will be a shining light of God's love and
hope for others in our families, communities, and in the
world.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Jennifer
September Worship Theme Living our Faith:
The Book of James
“So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.”
James 2:17
September 6 - Labor Day Sunday
15th Sunday after Pentecost / Holy Communion
James 2:1-10,14-17
God’s Love at Work and Play
September 13
16th Sunday after Pentecost
James 3:1-12, 2:17
God’s Love in our Words and Witness
Oxford UMC
Church Conference
September 20 - Bells & Brunch Sunday
17th Sunday after Pentecost
James 3:13-4:3-8, 2:17
God’s Wisdom and Grace for our Lives
October 11 - 2pm
Remembrance Time for Shirley Cook
Please Note: Church Conference Forms are due TODAY
September 27 - Bible Sunday
18th Sunday after Pentecost
James 5:13-20, Psalms 119:105
God’s Word and Prayers for the Sick, Lonely, and Lost
Sunday School Begins
2
[SPRC meets with DS Rev. Hill at 1:30pm]
Please join us for our annual Church Conference. We will
review the highlights and challenges of the past year
2015 and vote on leadership positions for 2016, along
with membership gains and losses, pastoral compensation
figures, and other important matters of the church. Please
come and be a part of this important annual meeting.
ATTENTION COMMITTEE LEADERS - all information
for the packet is due into the church office
before September 20th!
www.oxfordunitedmc.org
September /October 2015
United Methodist Church World Missions
We often hear that the United Methodist Church is a
"connectional" church, but may not know what that
means. When we say we are part of the "connection" in
United Methodism it means "that all leaders and
congregations are connected in a network of loyalties and
commitments that support, yet supersede, local concerns."
That is the literal definition from the United Methodist
website for the "connection." More simply it means that
we can do more together than we can do apart. The
United Methodist Church has discovered that the whole is
greater than the sum of its parts.
One way that manifests itself is with our covenant partner
conferences. Detroit Annual Conference of the United
Methodist Church has a special relationship with the
Liberia Conference and the Haiti Conference. Annually
VBS Special Offering: Haiti
Hot Lunch Missions
This year our Vacation Bible School children and church
members made the connection to feed children in Haiti.
They donated $183.00.
The Haiti Hot Lunch program provides over 22,000
children in EMH (Eglise Methodiste d’Haiti) schools with
hot, nutritional meals three times per week, that many
children otherwise would not receive. Before the program,
children would attend school relying only on the breakfast
eaten at home or snack foods purchased in the street. This
program ensures access to nutritional meals, cooked
on-site, to provide energy to learn throughout the day. This
project has been very successful in lowering absenteeism,
increasing the general health of the students, and raising
Shirley Cook Remembrance
(As part of the Sunday service on September 20 at 10am)
every church in the Conference is asked to take a special
offering to support the food program at the Judith Craig
Children's Village in Liberia, and the Hot Lunch program
in Haiti. We submit that offering at the opening worship at
Annual Conference, which begins May 14. As a
conference we raise on an average $33,000. It is not an
understatement to say that we have saved hundreds of
children's lives with these programs.
Our individual offerings on their own could never
accomplish this, but together the Detroit Annual
Conference is in the business of saving lives in Haiti and
Liberia, our sisters and brothers and neighbors.
Thank you for being a church whose hearts and hand reach
around the world.
[Reprint of portions of an article by Rev Doug Paterson,
Pastor of First United Methodist Church, Ann Arbor, MI]
the average test scores on
national exams. The Haiti
School Hot Lunch program has
also provided summer programs
of Bible study, recreation, and
community activities for
children. The average cost of a
single meal for a student is $1,
but it can be as much as $2
depending on the area, cost and
availability of food.
If you would like to donate,
please place your check in the
offering plate on Sunday made
out to “OUMC” with “Haiti Hot
Lunch - Advance #418790” on the envelope and check.
Shirley served as the Detroit Conference Lay Leader and
was delegate to seven UM General Conferences (over 28
years). You are invited to attend a special event in her
honor -
Michigan UMC Conference
Remembrance Time for Shirley Cook
September 27, 2015 from 2-4pm
at Waterford Central UMC
Join us in remembering our dear friend and church leader
Shirley [Margaret] Cook. We will sing "I'll Fly Away"
(her most requested hymn) for her and the Bell Choir will
ring special music in her honor. A brunch reception will
follow the service.
(3882 Highland Rd, Waterford, MI).
Rev. Jack Mannschreck will host a Conference-wide
Remembrance Time for Shirley Cook.
Conference pastors/leaders will share stories of Shirley.
A special reception will follow.
[email protected]
3
The Grapevine
Christian Education and Faith Development
Sunday School
Starts
September 27!
This year our Sunday School teachers
will be using the “Deep Blue”
curriculum which incorporates Bible
stories, science
activities, arts and crafts, animated
video storytelling, and active
ga mes into a lived -faith
experience that will help children
discover what it means to be a
disciple of Jesus Christ today! To
volunteer - call the church office.
Children’s Church
Vacation Bible
School
Thank you so much for a
wonderful VBS this summer!
We had 61 children and youth attend, and
30 adults volunteered their time and talents.
They donated $183.00 to the United Methodist Missions
Haiti Hot Lunch Program and 290 items for the
Oxford / Orion FISH School Supplies Drive.
See the insert for photos and details of this fun filled week!
UMC Summer Camps
Children's Church (ages 3-7 years old) is our summer
program to "experience God while learning about God."
The children experienced the Bible stories using wooden
figures and buildings and props.
Thank you to all the great teachers (Michelle Wood,
Sandy McIntyre, Cindy Vincentini, Lucinda Bellairs), and
helpers (Bruce Conrad, Myra Myers, Gail Enekes) who
faithfully taught our youngsters each Sunday. It was a
wonderful summer!
Scouts
What a great summer! We had nine kids head off to camp
and we trust they had a wonderful time and made new
friends!
Thank you so much to Lucinda Bellairs for her work in
coordinating the kids and scholarships and helping to
make sure that most kids are able to attend UMC Camps.
Camp may seem like just a summer thing but there are
needs all year long. If you are interested in supporting
UMC Camps and getting more involved, or if you would
like to help kids get to camp through a scholarship, please
contact Lucinda at 248-417-0214.
Fall Bible Study
We have many Scouting groups who meet at our church.
We currently charter Boy Scout Troop #366, Pack #366
and Cub Scour Pack #4. We also sponsor Girl Scout Troop
#13168.
There is always a need for responsible adults to help out,
whether or not you have children. If you, or your child are
interested in scouting please contact the following groups.
Boy Scouts - Great Lakes Council
1-248-338-0035
www.michiganscouting.org/GreatLakes
Girl Scouts - Fairwinds Council
1-800-482-6734
www.girlscouts.org
4
www.oxfordunitedmc.org
“Bad Girls of the Bible, and What We Can
Learn from Them” by Liz Curtis Higgs
Wednesdays - 10:30am to 12noon
In "Bad Girls of the Bible" Higgs
offers a unique and clear-sighted
approach to understanding those
"other women" in Scripture,
combining a contemporary
retelling of their stories with a
solid, verse-by-verse study of
their lives and what lessons
women today can learn from
them.
For questions, see Sue
Rizzo (248-628-1787) or Mary
Garrard (810-797-5840).
September /October 2015
Local Missions & Outreach: Serving Others
Oxford / Orion FISH Food Pantry
Thanks to all of you for the very generous donations of food items, cleaning products, and school
supplies during July and August. 75 cleaning items and 89 food items were collected and delivered to the
Food Pantry, totaling over 250 pounds. The number of school supplies was fantastic! The congregation
donated 300 items and VBS added another 270 items. These included 3-ring binders, folders, notebooks,
packs of paper, crayons, markers, highlighters, pencils. Scissors, glue sticks, rulers, backpacks and a number of
miscellaneous items. For September and October, we will once again be concentrating on food items and cleaning
supplies. Also, check your Sunday bulletin for updated needs as they arise.
Remember – someone will be greeting you the FIRST Sunday of each month with a red FISH bag ready for you to fill.
Thank you again for all your enthusiasm and generosity in showing God’s Love to our local community.
FISH Monthly Needs:
⃞ Canned Gravy
⃞ Rice
⃞ Canned Meat
⃞ Canned Pineapple
⃞ Hamburger Helper
⃞ Boxed Potatoes
⃞ Canned Chili
⃞ Canned Mandarin
Oranges
⃞ Any Household
Cleaning Product
⃞ $ Donations
All are welcome to put food in the FISH basket whenever you want. Please check food expiration dates before donating.
Remember, also, that FISH can always use monetary donations and volunteers. The Pantry provides meat, fresh
produce, and dairy products (which can’t easily be put into the collection bags).
Any questions, contact Mary Garrard (810-797-5840) or Julie Langley (248-628-9619.
(Cut this out and take with you to the grocery store!)
(All donations are tax deductible!)
Baldwin Center (Pontiac)
Community Free Meals
Baldwin Center is a UMC Ministry that was created as an
outreach program in response to addressing poverty in the
Baldwin UMC Pontiac neighborhood. Their mission is to
feed, clothe, educate and empower the people.
We will be serving meals at Baldwin Center on Sunday,
September 27. Please join us
as we act as Christ’s hands
and feet and feed the poor. If
you have any questions
please contact Charlie
Garrard (810-797-5840).
Members of OUMC and neighboring
churches provide a free meal to
members of the community here on
Wednesday evenings from 5:30 to
6:30pm.
One of the reasons that the OUMC
Free Meals program was so
“effortlessly” (at least that’s the way it
looked) started and has been a success, is due to the efforts
of our own Colleen Richter. She has provided
six years of service as Coordinator for our
Free Meals program and we greatly
appreciate her service to us and the Oxford
community. Thank You Colleen!
If you would like to volunteer to serve, cook or clean-up,
please contact the church office at 248-628-1289.
Donations of used children’s books are also needed to
encourage reading.
Love I.N.C.
Love in the Name of Christ (LOVE I.N.C.)
of North Oakland County is a network of
churches in the area, including Oxford
UMC. The mission of LOVE I.N.C. is to
mobilize local churches to help others and transform lives
and communities in the name of Christ. Visit their website
at www.loveincofnoc.org or call 248-693-4357.
Community Rewards
Kroger - #91856
[email protected]
Meijer - #331469
5
The Grapevine
"Do all the good you can,
in all the places you can,
to all the people you can."
2015 Church Council
Chairperson: Sue Rizzo
(248)628-1787
Lay Leader: Mary Garrard
(810)797-5840
Finance Co-Chairs: Jay & Jan Smith
(248)628-6218
[email protected]
[email protected]
General Fund Treasurer: Gail Enekes
[email protected]
(248)628-4902
Designated Fund Treasurer: Kevin Kater (248)628-7804
[email protected]
Financial Secretary: Larry Bradford
(248)628-5759
Board of Trustees Chair: Tony Rizzo
(248)628-1787
SPRC Chair: Bruce Conrad
(248)922-0008
Worship Co-Chairs: Pastor Jennifer Jue (248)628-1289
& Rosemary Rumbold (248)391-0973
Missions & Outreach: Charlie Garrard
(810)797-5840
Witness/Evangelism (VCI): Bruce Conrad & Jan Smith
(248)922-0008
[email protected]
(248)628-6218
[email protected]
Adult Bible Study: Sue Rizzo
(248)628-1787
Christian Education: Jennifer Moore
(248)890-3765
Camp Ed. Coordinator - Lucinda Bellairs (248)417-0214
[email protected]
UMM President: Fred Nelson
(248)628-9826
Lay Member to Annual Conference: Bruce Conrad
(248) 922-0008 [email protected]
Alternate Lay Member to Annual Conf.: Lucinda Bellairs
(248)417-0214 [email protected]
Historian: Jan Smith
[email protected]
(248)628-6218
Recording Secretary: Cindy Vincentini
[email protected]
(248)252-2157
Members at Large - Church Council
Ed Solon(2016) Bernie Rumbold (2017)
Members at Large - Finance:
Class of 2015 - Bernie Rumbold
Class of 2016 - Mike Bellairs & Chris Barclay
Class of 2017 - Jay Smith & Jan Smith
Other Officers, not members of Church Council
Kitchen Coordinator: Richard Nelson
Stephen Ministry Coordinator: Jako van Blerk
Prayer Chain: Marcella Frost
(248)628-1170
Nominations for 2016 positions will soon be held,
Contact the pastor if you would like to be considered
Rev. John Wesley (founder of Methodism)
Ice Cream Social Update
The Ice Cream Social was a tremendous success! We had a
net profit of $4879.87 that will go toward the Community
Free Meals Program and our various children and youth
ministries. Many thanks to all who volunteered. Our church
was well represented at the Lone Ranger Day event and the
placement of many other activities around us added to our
success. It was a beautiful day with lots of great fellowship.
This was a wonderful way to get our name out to
community members who might not have been familiar with
our church. Thanks also to Bob Willobee who did presales
to the business community and to the many members who
sold tickets or donated them to friends and neighbors. You
all contributed to the wonderful success of this year’s event!
Jan Smith
Dear Friends
Fall is fast approaching with new adventures and challenges
for Oxford United Methodist Church. As Pastor spoke of in
her sermon, we must be soldiers of Christ, putting on our
armor, and going into the world with readiness to face all
obstacles. Be a part of the "army" as we start anew with a
Bible study or book group, praise singer or Free meals
helper. Let's embrace the world with all of the tools we need
to face the "battle." So are we up for the challenge? Be the
"leader" that leads others home! Soldiers of Christ unite!
Blessings,
Sue Rizzo
Finance/Stewardship Update
Thank you for your faithful giving through the summer
months when members often travel out of town. It's Fall and
time to return to our regular Sunday worship every week and
sharing of our gifts of time, talents, and financial resources.
We hope you will give generously to our church's General
Fund that supports year-around ministry and missions locally
and globally (through our United Methodist Church
apportionments giving).
Trustees / Staff Parish (SPRC)
Trustees and Staff Parish are working on a job description
for a custodian who can handle the heavy cleaning of the
church building (vacuuming and mopping, etc.). We are
thankful for the C4 volunteers who have done the light and
heavy cleaning for many, many years. Please see Bruce
Conrad, Staff Parish chairperson, if you have possible names
for this new part-time custodian position (6 hours a week,
$13/hour).
6
www.oxfordunitedmc.org
September /October 2015
**
ACOLYTES
USHERS & Greeters
Coffee Hour/Brunch
Tech
Flowers
Liturgists
Our Sunday Servants
The Liturgists perform an important service on Sunday morning by assisting the Pastor with the
reading of the scripture, offering prayer and other necessary sections of the service. If you are
interested in helping with this valuable service please contact Gail Enekes (248-390-2210) to
volunteer. No experience is necessary. Training is provided.
Flowers beautify the Sanctuary and allow us to commemorate special personal days.
(birthdays, anniversaries, etc…) The cost is $32 and must be ordered in advance. We ask that
you sign up and pay for them at least two week’s before. The 2015 sign-up sheet is located by
the Kiosk. Please remember to take your flowers with you after the service. [Note: In order to
preserve the brass vases, we request that you take them out carefully by the stems, not
touching the brass.]
Our Tech Team is a talented group of people who enjoy working with the music team and
making sure that it all sounds wonderful and that the graphics are clear and readable on Sunday
morning and during other church services. If you are interested in working on the soundboard or
computer PowerPoint please contact Fred Nelson (248-628-9826).
Coffee Hour is an important fellowship time after the service. Coffee and various goodies are
provided by wonderful volunteers. It need not be elaborate or time consuming - all treat
donations are welcome! If you would like to help provide treats, please sign up on the board in
the Fellowship Hall or contact Carol Hauxwell (248-628-4569) if you have any questions.
Sunday Bells & Brunch is on the third Sunday during the school year. September 20th
will be the first event for the fall. If you would like to volunteer please contact Jon
Gross (248-391-5983). Please note that a donation is collected and this covers the cost
of the food. Everyone is welcome.
Greeting our visitors and members is key to warm hospitality and welcome, it lets them know
that we care and are glad that they are worshipping with us. If you would like to be a greeter,
please contact Ginny Conrad [248-922-0008].
Ushers help welcome people on Sunday mornings and during special events (such as
funerals and special holidays). They greet everyone coming into the service, pass out bulletins, ring the steeple bell, take attendance, and collect the offering, along with other tasks
as needed. If you would like to help out please contact John Leitch (248-628-5815). Both
men and women are invited to help!
Our acolytes are young people who serve the church by bringing in the light of Christ, light the
candles on the altar, and take that light back out into the world after worship. If you are a 3rd - 8th
grader and interested in serving as an acolyte please contact Lynda Bertich (248-274-6500). Current
acolytes can sign up on the kiosk board.
Please Volunteer and Sign Up TODAY!
[email protected]
7
The Grapevine
Fellowship & Service Groups
The Knit Knack Group
Rachel Circle
The Knit Knack group finished off their summer knitting with
the completion of 30-40 preemie and full-size baby hats, some
even with preemie booties. These will be donated to the Royal
Oak Beaumont Neo-natal/Infant Unit.
The group is now working on scarves and hats for the
Christmas Giving Tree. The items from this tree will go to
FISH and Love, I.N.C. clients. This year the Knit Knack group
is focusing on completing items
based on specific ages and gender of
the recipients.
Please join us every Friday afternoon
at 2:00pm in the Upper Room for
fun and fellowship. If you have any
questions, contact Mary Garrard
(810-797-5840).
All ladies are invited to attend and participate in the
Rachel Circle! It is a fellowship/social group that meets
monthly during the school year, usually at a local
restaurant on the second Monday of the month at 10am.
The first meeting of autumn will take place on Monday,
September 14th at 10am. They will be meeting at Lili’s
Restaurant in downtown Oxford.
If you have any questions, please contact
Shirley Conner (248-628-1822).
Piece Makers Quilt Group
& Prayers
You are invited to attend the Piece
Makers group and learn what
quilting is all about. It doesn’t matter
if you know how to sew or quilt.
They meet on Monday evenings (2nd
and 4th weeks) starting at 6pm.
If you or someone you know would like the comfort of
the prayers woven into a quilt during its creation, please
see Linda McIntyre. Please note that quilts are intended
for anyone who could use a hug and a prayer during
challenging times. If you have any questions, please
contact Linda McIntyre (248-245-7898).
The Excelsior Bell
Choir will begin
practicing again on
Wednesday,
September 2nd
At 6:30pm
If you are interested in joining the Bell Choir or
if you have questions please contact
Rosemary Rumbold (248-391-0973)
8
C4’s
What does C4 stand for? Clean, Communication, Coffee
and Cookies! It is made up of a wonderful group of
people who work here on Thursday mornings. They
graciously make sure that the church is clean during the
week. If you can push a broom or wield a dust rag, you
are gratefully welcomed! This group saves the church
from paying for a professional cleaning service by
cleaning for about an hour starting at 8:30am. They enjoy
getting together for
fellowship over coffee and
cookies afterwards. If you
would like to be a part of this
needed ministry please show
up on Thursday morning.
Questions? Contact Frank
Enekes (248-628-4902).
Praise Singers
Join us to practice
Sunday’s songs
and hymns.
Rehearsal days and
times are currently
being revised.
If you have questions or
if you would like
to be a part of the Praise Singers
please contact Lucinda Bellairs (248-417-0214)
www.oxfordunitedmc.org
September /October 2015
Reading for Fun
Yukon River region of northeast Alaska, this is the tragic
and shocking story of two elderly women who are
abandoned by a migrating band facing starvation because
Do you enjoy reading? We do!!!
Our Book Group is always looking for more readers who of unusually harsh Arctic weather and a shortage of fish
like to have FUN!! We enjoy our gatherings and share our and game. In this wise and simple story, the two women
reactions to the monthly title but also spend time sharing must survive on their own or die trying.
our love of reading. Please consider joining us; reading the
November 10: The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James
monthly selection is optional.
Brown. This non-fiction book tells the dramatic story of
We meet the second Tuesday of each month
the University of Washington's 1936 eight-oar crew and
at 3:30pm in the Memorial Room. Please join us!
their epic quest for a gold medal at the Olympic Games in
Berlin. The team, composed of sons of loggers, shipyard
September 8: Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier. This
workers, and farmers, transformed the sport and grabbed
“back-to-school classic” is a famous tale of suspense,
mystery and love. After a brief courtship, a shy young the attention of millions of Americans. They remind the
woman becomes the wife of Maxim de Winter, an country of what can be done when everyone quite literally
English aristocrat. Although the two are deeply in love, pulls together--a perfect melding of commitment,
the isolated country mansion she is to inhabit still determination, and optimism.
reverberates to the haunting presence of his previous
wife's influence. For in every corner of every room are
phantoms of a time dead but not forgotten—a past
If you have any
devotedly preserved by the sinister housekeeper, Mrs.
questions,
Danvers.
please contact
Mary Garrard
October 13: Two Old Women: An Alaska Legend of
(810-797-5840)
Betrayal, Courage and Survival by Velma Wallis (who
is an outstanding Native American writer). Based on a
legend told and retold for many generations in the remote
Lay Leader Mary’s Message
Fall is upon us. The air has a crispness to it. Autumn
tasks, such as raking leaves and cleaning up flower beds,
fill our days. Fall also is back-to-school time. Therefore,
I thought I would give your minds an opportunity to
focus on a bit of learning regarding Christian Living and
Faith.
I believe that all of us can benefit from the following
thoughts which I partly “borrowed” from The United
Methodist Member’s Handbook:
The foundation of Christian Living is faith in Christ.
Faith gives purpose and direction to our lives. Faith does
not happen overnight but rather is a journey. From birth
to death we are continually growing in our faith. We
cannot say that some people are “ahead” in the journey of
faith and others “behind.” The journey is complex,
different for each traveler and involving at least four
intertwined pathways:
 Trusting. First and foremost, faith is trusting. To
be a person of faith is to rely on God, to know
that “the Lord is my shepherd.” It is to rest
confidently in the power and care of the living,
loving Lord who is revealed in the Bible and in
our own experience. Faith is to give ourselves to
the movement of God’s Spirit in our lives and in
our times, not knowing where it will lead.
Believing. Faith is also believing in someone. In
the Apostle’s Creed, for example, we say, “I
believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of
heaven and earth.” This is not the same as
saying, “I believe that God the Father Almighty
exists.” Rather, we are confessing our confidence
in God, expressing our devoted loyalty.
 Following. There’s more to faith than trusting
and believing. Faith is more active, a matter of
doing as well as being. To be faithful is to follow
Jesus. It is to be one of his disciples, seeking to
understand his will and his way — and to do it.
Such discipleship is not an easy matter. Often it
means that we have to step out of our comfort
zone in order to turn our beliefs into actions.
 Hoping. Christian faith is also a matter of
hoping, of leaning into the future that God has
promised. To abide in hope is to watch and pray
for God’s future and to join in the ministries
through which it will be realized.
Surrounded by the love and encouragement of the
community of believers, we persevere on the journey of
faith, ever trusting, believing, following and hoping.

[email protected]
Mary Garrard
9
The Grapevine
Memorial Gifts
Thank You
[this was sent in response to a prayer quilt that was delivered to the
Blaylock family. Lake Orion native US Marine Trevor Blaylock died
in a helicopter crash earlier this year]
Our church has been blessed with memorial gifts
and beneficiary gift donations this year. We want to thank
our church members and families and friends for
remembering Oxford United
Methodist Church in their giving,
including their will and trust and
estate planning. Faithful
members have encouraged giving
generously in their lifetime,
and even after they have passed
from the earth.
Thank you for the beautiful quilt you made for our family.
It is an act of love, and it honors and celebrates Trevor’s
life. The stars, and the red and blue colors are perfect to
remember Trevor. One of the walls in his bedroom is
completely filled with military mementos!
I am humbled by this gift. Especially since you never knew
Trevor.
Blessings,
Jon & Kathie Blaylock
Pray for our Congregation
Vera Shagena
George Carson
Elsa Lopez
John Lychuk
Pat Stoll
Jean Kessler
In Nursing Care/Assisted Living
Horst Prawdzik
Etta Moon
Donald Tyler
OUMC Friends and Relatives
Prayers for the World
- Tornado, Flood, Fire, Hurricane & Earthquake Areas disaster relief efforts (Detroit, Hawaii, Washington)
- Violence & injustice in the US (Ferguson, MO; Detroit, MI;
Charleston, SC, New York)
- War and violence in Africa (Egypt, Libya, Kenya)
- War and violence in the Middle East (Syria, Iraq, Iran,
Afghanistan, Israel, Palestine)
- Missionaries (doctors, nurses, teachers) and aid workers who
work in countries affected by ebola, malaria, war and extreme
poverty.
- Haiti Mission Teams, Detroit Annual Conference
Jean Snyder - former OUMC Pastor
Lucille Warner - Mother of a Friend of Cindy Vincentini
Gerald Siptroth - Brother of Flo Carson
Jessica Feltz - Granddaughter of Jim & Lynne Feltz
Chan Powell - Father of Joanne Bogus
Pat Matthews - Mother of Lynda Bertich
Shirley Guest - Sister of Marcella Frost
Al Woodley - Nephew of Marcella Frost
Bishop Deborah Kiesey - Michigan Area UM Church
Rev. Elizabeth Hill - Blue Water Dist. Superintendent
In College
Katrina Bergel
Kymber Nelson
Heather Jue-Wong
In Service of our Country
Kevin Friesmuth - USN - Kings Bay, GA
US President and all of our Elected Officials
The Justices on the Supreme Court
Troy Clancy
Johan van Blerk
Jonathan Jue-Wong
On August 22, 2015
Mr. Pete & Mrs. Katy (Bellairs) Daniels
To Friends and Family of
[Cards: 537 Pat Haven Dr. Pittsburg, PA 15243]
Mr. Robert & Mrs. Nadia (van Blerk) Sampson
[Cards: 8110 Woodside Drive, Clarkston, MI 48348]
10
Zora McIntyre - Mother of Keith McIntyre (8/6/15)
Margaret “Shirley” Cook (8/14/15)
Jerry Shagena - Cousin of Renee Shagena (9/1/15)
www.oxfordunitedmc.org
September /October 2015
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday!
1 - Mike Bellairs
21 - Bennett Covert
1 - Chris Barclay
13 - Bruce Conrad
4 - Daniel Mumbrue
21 - Mary Dempsey
1 - Lynne Feltz
14 - Kevin Smith
7 - Michael Carver
22 - Siddhant Ranbhise
1 - John Pearson
16 - Brooke Shefferly
7 - Sydney Richter
24 - Zachary Alexander
2 - Gail Enekes (70th!)
18 - Dustin Wiethoff
13 - Todd Davidson
26 - Troy Clancy
2 - Louise Schwartz
21 - Lizzy Bellairs
18 - Teddi Bradford
26 - Bernie Rumbold
5 - Lisa Dalmia
21 - Katy Bellairs
18 - Janice Smith
27 - David Lawrie
6 - Etta Moon
29 - Brian Covert
19 - Jason Dudewicz
30 - Laura Clancy
6 - Robert Willobee (60th!)
30 - Steve Laidlaw
7 - Charlie Garrard
30 - Susan Smith
7 - John Leitch
31 - Mary Adekitan
8 - Kacy Wiethoff
31 - Tracy Alexander
Happy Anniversary!
1 - Earl & Jan Hopper
1 - Jako & Martha van Blerk
Happy Anniversary!
3 - Bill & Shirley Conner
10 - Steve & Kathy Laidlaw
13 - Tom & Martha Riley
10 - Dave & Jennifer Moore
15 - Horst & Lil Prawdzik
13 - Dustin & Kacy Wiethoff
18 - Tim & Jean Davidson
22 - George & Flo Carson
22 - Kevin & Casey Smith
23 - Mark & Amy Fleischer
24 - Tracy & MaryAnn Alexander
26 - Brian & Carla Covert
Note: Please contact the office if you do not
wish us to publish this information or if you
would not like us to recognize a *specific
milestone* birthday or anniversary.
Thank you.
27 - Bob & Colleen Richter
28 - Kevin & Keri Kater
[email protected]
11
2015
September
Oxford United Methodist Church
21 E. Burdick St. Oxford, MI 48371
[This calendar is online at: www.oxfordunitedmc.org]
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
2
3
4
5
9
10
11
12
6p (U)
Nominations
7p (U)
SPRC
Patriot Day
7p (FK) BS
Troop #366
Committee
6
7
8
15th Sunday
After Pentecost /
Holy
Communion
3:30p (M)
Reading for Fun
2:30p Independence
Village Worship
13
16th Sunday
after Pentecost /
Sunday School Starts
11:15a (S)
Special Church Council
20
17th Sunday
After Pentecost
6:30p (F/FK) BS
Cub Pack #4
“Join Scouting”
14
15
10a
(Lili’s Restaurant)
Rachel Circle
7p (Y) Trustees
21
22
16
17
18
19
25
26
7p (FK)
BS Troop #366
Committee
7p (U) Finance
23
24
7p (F) BS Cub
Pack #4
Committee
7p (U)
Church Council
Bells & Brunch
Church Conference
Forms due to Office!
27
28
18th Sunday
After Pentecost /
Bible Sunday
Weekly Events :
Sunday
Monday
10a (S) Worship
10:20a (C)
10:30a (SK)
11a (F/A)
Fellowship
30
6:30p (W)
BS Troop #366
Court of Honor
11:15a (S. Lot)
Baldwin Avenue Meal
Sunday School
29
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
8:30a (W) C4’s
10:30a (SK)
Meals on
Wheels
6p (CD/F/FK)
Quilting Projects
10:30a (SK)
10:30a (SK)
Meals on Wheels
12p Bulletin
Deadline
(2nd and 4th
weeks only)
BS Troop #366
Meals on Wheels
10:30a (F) Bible Study
5:30p (F/FK)
Community Free Meals
6:30p (S) Bell Choir
Rehearsal
7p (F/FK/CA/CD)
10:30a (SK)
Meals on
Wheels
1p (U)
Mah Jongg
7p (F/CD)
BS Cub Pack #4
Meals on
Wheels
2p (U)
Knit Knack
Saturday
2015
October
Oxford United Methodist Church
21 E. Burdick St. Oxford, MI 48371
[This calendar is online at: www.oxfordunitedmc.org]
Sunday
4
Monday
5
Tuesday
6
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
2
3
7
8
19th Sunday
After Pentecost /
World
Communion
Sunday
12
20th Sunday
after Pentecost /
Children’s Sabbath
13
14
15
16
17
Sweetest Day
3:30p (M)
Reading for Fun
2pm
Church
Conference
[For Nov. &
Dec. 2015]
7p (U) BS
Troop #366
Committee
[1:30p SPRC]
18
10
4p (W)
Doctor / Wencel
Wedding
5p (S) Doctor /
Wencel
Wedding
Rehearsal
2:30p Independence
Village Worship
11
9
4p (F/FK) GS
Troop #13168
19
20
21
22
23
26
27
28
29
30
24
21st Sunday
After Pentecost
Bells & Brunch
25
Weekly Events :
22nd Sunday
After Pentecost
7p (F) BS
Cub Pack #4
Committee
Sunday
Monday
10a (S) Worship
10:20a (C) Sunday
10:30a (SK)
School
11a (F/A)
Fellowship
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
8:30a (W) C4’s
10:30a (SK)
Meals on
Wheels
6p (CD/F/FK)
Quilting Projects
10:30a (SK)
10:30a (SK)
Meals on Wheels
12p Bulletin
Deadline
(2nd and 4th
weeks only)
BS Troop #366
Meals on Wheels
10:30a (F) Bible Study
5:30p (F/FK)
Community Free Meals
6:30p (S) Bell Choir
Rehearsal
7p (F/FK/CA/CD)
31
Reformation Day
10:30a (SK)
Meals on
Wheels
1p (U)
Mah Jongg
7p (F/CD)
BS Cub Pack #4
Meals on
Wheels
2p (U)
Knit Knack
Saturday
Oxford United Methodist Church
21 E Burdick Street
Oxford, MI 48371
First Class
Stamp
Required
FORWARDING SERVICE REQUESTED
The Grapevine
is published bi-monthly by
Oxford United Methodist Church
a Stephen Ministry Congregation
21 E Burdick Street, Oxford , MI 48371
Church office: 248-628-1289 Fax: 248-628-9411
Website: www.oxfordunitedmc.org
The Reverend Dr. Jennifer Jue, Pastor
[email protected]
Becky Sallans, Administrative Assistant/Editor
[email protected]
Regular Sunday Worship:
Alexander Wolf, Pianist
10:00 a.m. Worship
Lindsay Halliday, Nursery Attendant
10:20a.m. Sunday School to classes
(during Worship Service)
Article Deadline:
The 15th of the Even Months
[Children’s Church (ages 3-7)
during the summer]
The editor reserves the right to edit for content and space
Nursery care available
LARGE PRINT EDITION available upon request
Coffee & Refreshments after service
We thank all who create, fold, mail and read The Grapevine!
Vacation Bible School 2015
EVEREST: God’s Mighty Power
Lunch program. They donated coins and bills,
for a total of $183.00 mission dollars!
They also collected and donated many school
supplies for local children in the community
(distributed through FISH Food Pantry in
Oxford). We collected 290 school supply items.
Praise God!
EVEREST VBS was an amazing experience
where children and youth (about 60 kids and 30
adults) discovered God’s amazing power in their
lives and the world. Kids embarked on cool
adventures and learned about conquering
challenges with God’s amazing power!
Each day at VBS was filled with Bible-learning
experiences that kids could see, hear, touch,
move, and even taste!
The kids
and adults
loved all of
the team
building
games,
cool Bible
story plays,
fun songs
and videos,
cool crafts,
nifty science experiments, and tasty treats!
GOD HAS THE POWER themes:
Day 1. God has the
power to provide.
Day 2. God has the
power to comfort.
Day 3. God has the
power to heal.
Day 4. God has the
power to forgive.
Day 5. God has the
power to love us forever.
VBS MISSION PROJECTS:
The kids and adults generously supported our VBS
mission projects. They learned about kids at the
Haiti Methodist schools and the Hot
VBS kids and
families also
enjoyed food and
fellowship together.
We had a pizza
and ice cream night
on Wednesday August 5 and Community Meals
guests joined in too. On Friday August 7 we had
a VBS Picnic/All Church Potluck and a Hymn
Sing. Everyone had a great time of food and
Christian fellowship.
A BIG “THANK YOU” to our VBS volunteers:
Base Camp assemblies: Pastor Jennifer, Mary
Garrard
Bible Expeditions: Jennifer Moore, Charlie & Mary
Garrard, DJ Moore
Science: Cindy Vincentini, Lucinda Bellairs, Carol
Hauxwell
Kid/Vid Cinema & Songs: Keri Kater, Sid Ranbhise
Glacier Games: Carla & Evan & Ben Covert, Lynda
& Adam Bertich
Treats/Snacks: Fred & Richard Nelson, Sue Rizzo
Missions: Rev. Jennifer, Carolyn Lawrie.
Registration: Gail Enekes, Carolyn Lawrie
Safety/Building: Bob Willobee, Charlie Bierwirth
Small groups: Pauline East, Renae Shagena,
McKenna Kater, Joanne Bogus, Dorothy Murmyluk,
Heather Jue-Wong, David Moore.
Media/Photos: Jonathan Jue-Wong
Decorations: Michelle Wood, Jim & Lynn Feltz, Tony
Rizzo, Peg Moulder, Carolyn Foss, Myra Meyers,
Jennifer Moore
Please specify the message and/or name you’d like us to inscribe on your brick below
[18 characters per line, including spaces and special characters unless clipart is used – then only 12 characters per line]
Brick #2 – Clipart #_____________ (Please choose from attached clipart and use corresponding number)
[18 characters per line, including spaces and special characters unless clipart is used – then only 12 characters per line]
Brick #1 – Clipart #_____________ (Please choose from attached clipart and use corresponding number)
‘OUMC’]
Number of bricks_________ x $25 = (A)$__________ Total number of cliparts ________ x $6 =(B)$__________
TOTAL brick cost (A)$___________ + clipart cost (B)$____________ = $______________ [please make check out to
Phone: ___________________________________Email address: _______________________________________
Address:____________________________________ City:________________________ State: ____ Zip:________
Purchaser’s name:_____________________________________________________________________________
Mail: OUMC c/o Gail Enekes, 21 E Burdick Street, Oxford, MI 48371
Email [payment must be mailed separately]: [email protected] (please put “BRICK ORDER” in the subject line)
Website [payment must be mailed separately]: www.oumc.us
To order a 4” x 8” brick, complete the form below and return with your payment to the OUMC office.
Memorial Walkway Brick Order Form
Memorial Garden