Epworth UMC `The Voice` - Epworth United Methodist Church

Epworth UMC `The Voice` - Epworth United Methodist Church

Volume 3, Issue 7
July, 2015
Epworth UMC
Inside This Issue
1. Lay Member’s Report
2.Lay Report Continued;
Missions/Evangelism;
Planning Your Estate?;
125th Anniversary Planning Committee.
3. Circles of Support;
Christmas in July; Prayers;
Financial Notes
4 Kidz Haven
5.Kidz Haven Continued;
YWLDNTU; Kidz haven
Mission Plea; Imagine No
Malaria
6. Michael’s Celebrate 70
Years of Marriage
7. The First Official United States Flag
8. Calendar
‘The Voice’
LAY MEMBER’S REPORT FROM
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
At the 2015 Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church (IAUMC)
we were led by many lay and clergy in passionate and spirit filled worship services.
Racelder Grandberry-Trimble, First Lady of IAUMC, spoke at the laity session
on Saturday. She encouraged us to be BIG- Bold, Inspirational and God Shaped in
the way that we conduct ourselves in the world.
Margret Borgen, Lay Leader for the Conference, led us in a reverent and inspirational service featuring the music of Phil Carver.
Then we broke off into 4 study groups. I attended “Ministry with the Marginalized " led by Carmen Lampe Zeitler from Children and Families Urban Mission.
We were told of the many reasons the children of Iowa are being left in poverty.
Most due to work schedules of their parents and the upswing in single parent
homes. There is no time to teach them to read and that statistic is a direct relationship to the rate that those young people will be jailed when they turn into adults.
On Saturday afternoon Reverend Doctor Karen Nelson led the service for the
clergy and spouses who have passed on in the last year.
There were votes taken on the representatives to Jurisdictional Conference and
General Conference.
Terry Montgomery, Conference Treasurer, explained how and where there had
been reductions in the Conference Budget. A reduction of 8% or $1,201,480. There
has been a drop in membership of 2% but not a corresponding drop in giving.
SUNDAY WORSHIP
SCHEDULE
9:15—
9:15—Sunday School
10:1510:15-Fellowship
10:45–
10:45– Worship
Adam Hamilton from the Church of The Resurrection in Kansas City was a
guest speaker on 3 occasions and was most informative and often humorous. Did
you know that he and his wife started that church in the chapel of a funeral home?
Resurrection seemed to be an apt name.
At two points in this year's doings we were entertained by young people. On
Saturday morning there was the Roosevelt Gospel Choir, “Bridges 2 Harmony”.
How wonderful it was to hear the youth of today singing the praises of God. And to
once again realize that most young people of our state are good and caring people.
Annual Conference continued page 2…..
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…...Annual Conference continued from page 2
Monday morning brought a worship experience that I had been waiting for. The Burundi congregation that
meets at Simpson UMC had a drumming group of young men, some barely big enough to lift the drums.
They played and danced for 15-20 minutes to start the Monday session. A very upbeat way to start the day.
Among the celebrations were 25 years of the Iowa-Nigeria Partnership and the 75th Anniversary of
UMCOR. Both organizations provide ways that we in Iowa have and do work to make the world more humane for all.
Because of my job I was not able to attend the Tuesday session. But I have been told that the Conference
dismissed at or almost on time, which is a good sign of our willingness to achieve that goal. (Oh! If only the
rest of our work could be accomplished in such harmony!)
Thank you for giving me the distinct privilege of being your representative to Annual Conference. I hope
that I'm able do the job as well as past Lay Members.
Respectfully submitted, Bob Carl
Planning Your Estate?
While you are doing your estate planning,
please consider including a planned gift to Epworth.
MISSIONS/EVANGELISM
The Missions Committee is pleased to be sponsoring a Bake Sale during the Highland Park Corn
Feed, on Saturday July 18th.
As usual, we are asking for help from the congregation. If you are able to help us, you may drop
baked goods at Epworth on Friday, July 17th from
9:00 a.m. to noon. You may also drop it off at our
table (set up in front of MetaBank). We will be
there by 11:00 a.m.
We appreciate any support you can give us. All
profits from this endeavor will go to Epworth’s
General Budget.
Submitted by Linda Toth
Please submit your articles for the
August Voice by July 24nd
Thank you, Opal
Your legacy will help Epworth continue all its
good and helpful works in our local community
and church life as a whole. Thanks for considering this.
Epworth Administrative Council
The 125th
Anniversary
Planning Committee ….
….. Continues to look for
old photographs. If you
have any, please contact one of the committee
members. All pictures will be copied and returned to you.
A scrap book is missing. It was compiled during the years of Reverend Steel and Reverend
Collins. If you have any idea where this scrap
book may be, please contact any member of the
committee.
The Committee members are Jan Meek , Marilyn Moberg, Virginia Crouse and Nettie Brown.
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We lift in prayer those in
care centers, the home-bound
and those who provide care
for our dear ones who can
not get out:
Circles Of Support
Circles of Support
We continue to pray for Yvette who is still incarcerated, awaiting the outcome of the slow process.
Ginger is doing very well. She has a job at a
Christian based employer. She is working to pay the
bills she has incurred along the way.
I would ask that you continue to pray for both of
these women and the group members as we work
together.
By Bob Carl
Doris Bohrofen is at Heritage Park; Joann
Walters is at Luther Park Trinity; Annalue
Ceretti and Evelyn Albaugh are at The Reserve on Walnut Creek; Wade Steele is at
Vintage Hills at Prairie Trail in Ankeny; Mildred Harmon is at Home;
We lift in prayer those who are in jail
or prison:
James Edwards at Oakdale Correctional Facility; Adam Fankhauser at Mt. Pleasant Prison;
LeQuan Clark is in Polk County ail..
FINANCIAL NOTES
At Annual Conference we heard
from Terry Montgomery; Conference Treasurer. He told us that the
annual working budget was proposed at
$14,810,617 ($1,203,480 less than last year.) This
money is where our apportionments goes and is an
8% reduction.
Join us on Sunday, July 26th, for a mid-year
celebration of the birth of our Lord. Join in
singing your favorite Christmas songs in our
traditional hymn sing.
The sanctuary will be thoroughly decorated for
Christmas in honor of this special occasion.
EPWORTH UMC
This figure is significant because there was a 2%
reduction in membership, however the amount of
giving has remained steady for several years.
The treasurer's report also stated that the conference received 79% of the apportionment request.
Terry also said that 62% of churches paid all of
their apportionments; this includes Epworth. Terry
then said that 79 churches paid less than 10% of
their apportionments.
Thank you so much for being faithful givers to
Epworth. You are keeping us afloat... if only just.
Bob Carl, Chair of the Finance Committee
epworthumc-desmoines.org
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VOLUNTEERS EXTRAORDINAIRE!
By Jan Meek
Over the span of four and one-half years
(January 2011--May 13, 2015), Epworth’s early
-out mission program was richly blessed with
two dedicated volunteers who showed up every
week, regardless of the weather, ready for anything the afternoon sent their way. Their allegiance is exemplary!
A second uniform is needed so the first can be
laundered. This is where Epworth’s new clothing closet will be a valuable resource. Ms. Long
will winnow the list of everyone seeking clothing
assistance and direct only the most deserving
students to our mission program for black Polo
shirts and khakis (new or used).
In alpha order Jill Coons and Linda Toth were
our remarkable “angel volunteers,” who used
their talents and expertise toward making every
Wednesday afternoon welcoming and enjoyable for our Harding students. Some days, the
curriculum was filled and we rushed from one
activity to another. Other days, due to some
change in advance planning, we met together
before a session started and devised fun activities, games and projects on the fly.
Underwear and socks are critically needed, too,
so we will see how far we can stretch our $250
monthly Matthew 25 Grant allotment for the balance of 2015. Enter the Epworth congregation
here. During your summer travels, please
save your complementary, individual sizes
of shampoo, conditioner and body wash or
bar soap provided by hotels and motels—
also your gently used khaki slacks (all sizes).
Please let them know of your appreciation the
next time you cross their paths. This article
cannot express all your personal appreciation.
MISSION CHANGE GETS STARTED
Jan Meek, Kidz Haven President/Secretary/
Treasurer, met with Harding Success Leader,
Ms. Cari Long in May. First item on the agenda
was to remove the internet link (to Kidz Haven’s
Wednesday early-out student program) that
had been provided on Harding’s web site.
Then, putting our heads together, we devised
an initial Harding uniform order form.
Kidz Haven learned that every student is issued one Polo shirt (black with collar) and students are expected to purchase a pair of khaki’s. Obviously, one uniform is not enough for a
week’s use, let alone for two whole semesters.
STUDENT GIFT BAGS WILL BE FILLED
If you ever have an extra dollar or two, please
shop sales and dollar stores for personal hygiene items. Gift bags to be assembled before
school starts in August will include: body wash
or bar soap, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner and, hopefully, mouthwash. (Bags for female students will include regular absorbency sanitary napkins, too). Please note: We
are in contact with Delta Dental of Iowa in Johnston, going through the process to have them
provide numerous pro bono packages, each
containing a toothbrush (soft), small toothpaste
and small package of floss.
Please remember: As cold weather approaches, seasonal clothing will be needed, i.e. gray,
Kidz Haven continued page 5
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Kidz Haven continued from page 4
long-sleeved sweatshirts (no hoods), boots and gently used winter coats.
HARDING IS ENTHUSED ABOUT OUR MISSION CHANGE
Harding Principal, Maureen Taylor, welcomes the new mission. “So many worthy students will welcome uniform assistance. You have our sincere thanks for Epworth’s valued support!”
YWLDNTU
Know what that says?
[I misappropriated that from a workshop at
Annual Conference ... from someone, who
took it from a co-workers license plate.]
“Why wouldn't you?” That’s it.
WHY WOULDN’T YOU...…..
Bake for the Corn Feed Table?
Reach out to a homeless person?
Help the children of this neighbor
hood, that would be our children,
get a better education?
Listen to someone in mental
torment?
Teach someone a skill?
C'mon! — YWLDNTU?
Submitted by Bob Carl
YOU CAN HELP THE NEW
KIDZ HAVEN MISSION
During your travels this summer, please save
those complimentary bottles of shampoo, body
wash and other such items. They will be distributed to the Harding students as a part of the
new direction Kidz Haven is taking in missions.
If you have questions, please contact Jan Meek,
Kidz Haven President.
For the first 2 days of Annual Conference, Bishop Trimble ask us to contribute $10 to this cause, if
our phones made noise. And mine did go off, even
though it was on silent!
On the 21st of June I put a roll of quarters into
the Noisy Collection Jar. Then for the last 2 days
Bishop Trimble ask us to make the “Love Offering” to the next mission of the Iowa Annual Conference: “From Poverty to Opportunity”. This mission will see us reach out to educate Iowa's youth,
so that they will be equipped to succeed in their
future.
We will continue to collect for Imagine No Malaria and we will add From Poverty to Opportunity
to our list of causes to eradicate.
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CONGRATULATIONS TO FERNE & LLOYD MICHAEL
ON SEVENTY YEARS OF MARRIAGE
Poster with service and wedding pictures of the Michaels
Ferne & Lloyd Michael celebration 70 years of marriage
Epworth UMC was privileged to have the opportunity to be a part of celebrating the 70th wedding
anniversary of Lloyd and Ferne Michael. On June 21st, 2015 Lloyd and Ferne brought a beautifully
decorated cake at Fellowship time to enjoy for the special occasion.
Lloyd and Ferne met while working at the old Ordinance Plant (located in Ankeny at the current site
of the John Deere plant) - thanks to Lloyd’s father playing “Cupid”. During World War II Lloyd
served in the US Maries Corps in Guan; and Ferne became a WAVE, serving in New York and New
Jersey.
After the war, Lloyd and Ferne were united in marriage, on June 21st, 1945, at Epworth by the Reverend R.T. White.
Over the years, except for a brief time in Oregon, and a short time attending Grace UMC, which was
closer to their residence, Lloyd and Ferne have been a cherished and dedicated part of the Epworth
UMC family.
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The First Official United States Flag:
This 13-Star Flag became the Official United States Flag on June 14th, 1777 and is the result of the
congressional action that took place on that date. Much evidence exists pointing to Congressman
Francis Hopkinson as the person responsible for its design. The only President to serve under this
flag was George Washington (178901797). This Flag was to last for a period of 18 years.
Each star and stripe represented a Colony of which there were thirteen, united nearly one year
earlier by the Declaration of Independence.
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July, 2015
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
1
THURSDAY
2
FRIDAY
3
OFFICE
CLOSED
SATURDAY
4
11:00-12:30
Free Lunch
5
COMMUNION
6
7
9:00 Quilters
5:30-6:30
Community
Dinner
8
9
10
11
11:00-12:30
Free Lunch
12
13
14
9:00 Quilters
5:30-6:30
Community
Dinner
15
16
17
18
11:00-12:30
Free Lunch
21
9:00 Quilters
5:30-6:30
Community
Dinner
22
23
5:00 Downtown
Feeding
5:00 Downtown
Feeding
28
9:00 Quilters
5:30-6:30
Community
Dinner
29
30
Joint SPRC
at Simpson
UMC
19
DMARC
COLLECTION
20
26
CHRISTMAS
IN
JULY
27
5:00 Downtown
Feeding
PARKS
SWEET CORN
DAY
24
25
11:00-12:30
Free Lunch
31
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