The Messenger - Mouzon Church

The Messenger
For the members and friends of Mouzon United Methodist Church
June 2011
"Mouzon UMC, a place where God is Transforming lives!”
A Word from Our Pastor
Dear Mouzon Church Family,
and was also king. Ruth literally ―moved‖ in
response to the nudging of God. She said to
Naomi, ―Where you go I will go, and where
you stay I will stay. Your people will be my
people and your God my God.‖ (Ruth 1:16)
John the Baptist was ―moved‖ by God to prepare the way for Jesus. Simon,
Andrew, James, and John were ―moved‖ by
God and invited to leave their nets, and ―go
and follow Jesus.‖ Saul was moved by God
and eventually became Paul and joined God in
God’s work and became a missionary for the
sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Last year this month, we were in the midst of
packing and loading a U-Haul truck and the
Wesley Community Development trailer provided
by Roy Helm as we transitioned here to Charlotte
to begin July 4th. It was close to 100 degree heat
and we were blessed by the members and friends
of Mouzon to help us in the transition to respond
to the Lord’s calling us here to this great church.
It’s hard to believe it’s almost been a year! And
Lord knows much has happened in that year.
Many thanks to retired District Superintendent
and Pastor Tom Sigmon, as he prepared us well
for redirection as a church prior to our arrival. I
give God praise that we’ve since doubled our
Sunday morning attendance and we continue to
grow as a church, reaching out to families of
multiple generations. But that growth hasn’t come
without us ―moving‖ and responding to what God
is inviting us to here in this place and during this
time.
This past month was seniors month. I find it
significant that we call our seniors, the
Mouzon ―movers.‖ For many years, faithful
men and women of ages past have prepared us
well to be ―Generations of Worshippers.‖
We’ve been blessed by their leadership and
their wisdom, and we are where we are today
because of those faithful men and women who
have gone before, many who are still with us
today. (Happy 99th Birthday Ms. Hazel
Flynn!)
Throughout the scriptures, God is at work in the
midst of the people inviting them to respond with
faithfulness and obedience to ―move‖ from where
they are in hopes that their lives and the lives of
others might be transformed for the glory of God.
Moses was invited to ―move‖ with the people of
Israel leading them out of slavery in Egypt. Noah
was ―moved‖ by God to build an arc. David was
―moved‖ by God and defeated Goliath and
eventually became a king. Solomon was ―moved‖
by God and prayed for wisdom and received it,
Over the years, this church has been invited to
―move.‖ And through the faithfulness of
many, we’ve ―moved‖ through varying
seasons in the life of this great church. Much
like water that sits still in a pond for too long,
it can develop algae and get pretty nasty. You
surely wouldn’t want to drink from it. But a
river, or well even, which has flowing,
―moving‖ ,
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The Messenger
A Word from Our Pastor
a season of restoration, healing, and rejuvenation. This church has such potential, and as we, the body of
Christ here at Mouzon, say ―yes, Lord, MOVE in me,‖ we are inviting the Spirit of God to work and
can’t begin to fathom what God has in store for us as individuals and as a church. The band F.F.H. wrote
a song entitled: ―Lord Move, or Move Me.‖ Last month, I was blessed to witness and be pastor of a
church where I witnessed the Lord move at the Hansen’s house blessing. I witnessed the Lord move as
we sold out of BBQ and paid off our church bus loan in full. I witnessed the Lord move in our youth as
they led a ―moving‖ youth Sunday worship service on May 15 th. I witnessed the Lord move as we heard
Rev. Anne Conover come and share about ways in which we might worship God through the arts. I’ve
witnessed the Lord move in the lives of those who are aging and their astounding faith, hope, and trust in
the Lord has proved ―unmovable‖. What a blessing and testimony that is to me as a young pastor.
Friends, the summer months are ahead of us. Many will be moving home from college, or moving to vacation spots for a few weeks, or moving for a time to be with family and friends. As you prepare to rest
and relax this summer, consider being intentional about being ―moved‖ by God. Pray about the ways you
might personally move closer to Christ in your relationship together. And pray about your involvement in
the movement here at Mouzon Church. Come August, we’ll be inviting you to consider ways in which
you might share your gifts and graces here as a part of the Spirit’s movement. I’m excited about what
God is up to here in this place!
Blessed to have ―moved‖ here,
Pastor Mark
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A Note from your
Church Trustees
A Message from Your Church Trustees on “How We Are Being Good Stewards of the Building
and Property We’ve Been Blessed with Here at Mouzon.”
1)
After some dead wood fell from the large tree in the playground area, we got estimates and
wound up having Heartwood come and trim some of the limbs and put in a stability rod. Preschool graciously paid for this to be done.
2) We're getting an estimate to have the door closer on the door going from the atrium to the education wing replaced as recommended by the fire marshal since it doesn't work.
3) We've replaced some of the faded Handicap signs, had lines painted in the parking lot, and
added Visitor parking signs in each parking lot.
4) During a regularly scheduled maintenance check on the HVAC system, Southern Comfort advised that the coils needed to be cleaned. This work has been done recently.
5) The Administrative Assistant's office has been moved to the office previously used as the
Christian Education Office. The old Administrative Assistant's office is now the Finance office.
6) Johnson's Roofing is working to determine where water is getting into the church at the choir
entrance to the sanctuary and in the prayer room.
7) We have gotten a new copier. Not only will our monthly rental be less expensive but the cost
per copy is lower as well. It is also password protected, so if you have copies to make, please see
our Administrative Assistant.
8) The computer and fax machine from the Finance Office has been relocated to the Volunteer
Office for easier access.
9) The floors in the kitchen, Flynn Hall (including the closets) and the bathrooms were cleaned
and/or waxed on Friday, May 20th.
10) Trustees have recently walked through The 3118 Selwyn Ave rental house and are in the process of prioritizing a myriad of projects, one which includes investigating water damage in the
upstairs bathroom and in the dining room window.
Future Plans and Improvements:
1) U.M.A.R. (A United Methodist agency supporting adults with intellectual and developmental
disabilities throughout western North Carolina) has inquired about using the 2nd floor of the
education wing for art classes M-F, 8:30am-3:30p.m to begin in the fall/winter. Logistics are
still being discussed as we seriously consider partnering with them. This would be a wonderful
mission opportunity as well as bringing in a small amount of income to help toward utilities, etc.
(cont’d on next page)
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Future Plans and Improvements cont’d:
2) Throughout the summer months, we will be relocating and updating our bulletin boards, pictures, and plaques throughout the church to create a unified purpose with regard to communications and first impressions to visitors. We will be addressing the continued need to communicate ministry/church wide events, re-organize and update our space, and celebrate our
church’s history in one centralized place in the library. We also hope to formalize a Mouzon
Welcome Center in the atrium as a centralized place for church wide information and communication.
3) The ―book nook‖ will also be moved and consolidated into the church library. It has been
the trustees recommendation to convert the space into a centralized missions/donation center
for items such as canned goods, food drive, clothes, blankets, etc.
4) The New Worship Arts Ministry Team has plans for a new mural in the hallway of our children’s ministry wing downstairs and hopes to begin work in the next few months. Details
will be communicated as they develop.
5) Other "visions" regarding the stewardship and utilization of our property and space are continuing and will be reported on as they develop.
From your Finance Committee
We are pleased to announce completion of the matching funds drive to pay off the church bus
loan. Thanks go to the anonymous donor who offered to match up to $3000 to pay off the loan.
Mouzonites, not known to walk away from a challenge to benefit the Church, answered the call with
a grand total for the bus payoff of $3208.83 – this number includes a $200 donation from the Mouzon United Methodist Men and the BBQ money of $740 that came in during the last week to put us
over. We will promptly pay off the balance of the loan to be approximately $6086.25. The remainder of the money will be budgeted to help cover maintenance and operating expenses on the bus for
2011.
We want you all to do a stretching exercise and reach behind you and pat yourselves on the back.
You deserve it! Now the next big and continuing challenge is to help the church meet its monthly
expenses through your pledges and weekly giving. We are still falling short almost every week.
When that number is made, the entire Finance Committee will personally come pat everyone on the
back.
We would also like to thank Jim Taft for his "above-and-beyond" giving to aid in the paying off of
the church bus. We thank you so much!
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The Messenger
We need your Help!!
We want to provide a
snack dinner for our
Youth on Sunday
evenings. Please
prayfully consider being
a part of this wonderful
ministry.
Let our youth know that
we care!!
Youth Dinner
Sign up
Sign up today to
provide a snack dinner
for the Youth Group.
Sign up is in the hallway near the volunteer
office.
Mouzon Youth
Weekday Preschool
Registration for Fall
Yard sale !
One of our youth, Hayley
Patterson, is having a yard
sale at the church on June
4th to help raise funds for
her Gold Award in Girl
Scouts she is building a
fire ring, and benches at
the new campground in
Statesville and will use the
funds to buy the lumber
for the benches. Anyone
who wants to donate
items to it can contact
Hayley at 704-5538468. She is most
appreciative of any donations offered.
Now is the time to start planning
for the fall! Mouzon Weekday
Preschool is accepting registrations
for the 2011-2012 school year.
Our school year runs on a September to May schedule. We generally
follow the same schedule as the
Charlotte Mecklenburg Public
School System.
Registration forms are available at
the church Weekday Preschool
Director’s Office between 9:00am
- 1:00pm Monday through Thursday.
For more information, please contact Susan Cone,
[email protected]
Children’s Sunday School
We are excited to announce that we will be having a special summer Sunday School Class for
ages 4 years old through 5th grade. All of the children will meet in the activities building for
Camp EDGE (Experience and Discover God Everywhere). We will need three adult volunteers each
Sunday.
One of the adults will be preparing and directing the lesson (all materials provided) and the other two
adults will be helpers. We ask that at least one parent with children participating in Sunday school
volunteer 3 Sunday’s during the summer. Other adults are especially welcome to volunteer.
Please contact Leah Nazworth ([email protected]) as to your availability for the following
dates: June 12, 19, 26; July 3, 10, 17, 24 &31; and August 7, 14 & 21.
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The Messenger
Missions
Rescue Mission
Loaves &Fishes Update
We have turned in 264.8 pounds of food
since the first of the year. It all adds up
very quickly and is very much appreciated.
Rescue Mission - The first Rescue Mission dinner is
Rescue
Mission
- The first
Mission
scheduled
for Monday,
JuneRescue
20. There
will dinner
be a is
scheduled
for
Monday,
June
20.
There
will
be a need
sign-up sheet on the Mission board. We always
sign-up
sheet
on theand
Mission
board.
extra help
to serve
visit with
overWe
100always
men. need
It is a
extra
help
to
serve
and
visit
with
over
100
men.
It is a
rewarding few hours. Let me know if you have any
rewarding
questions. few hours. Let me know if you have any
questions.
The next Mission Committee meeting will be held on
Monday,
June 6 atCommittee
7:00 pm inmeeting
the library.
wel-on
The next Mission
will We
be held
come
everyone;
Monday,
June 6 always
at 7:00 need
pm innew
the members.
library. We welcome everyone; always need new members.
Wendell Barbeque
We had a VERY successful BBQ sale on Saturday, selling all but 26 pounds. The remainder was sold before church on Sunday. Thanks to all who helped chop, weigh and
package, sell outside under a canopy, and those who washed the pans and dishes all day.
We cleared over $700 which went toward the bus pay-off. Special thanks to Wendell
and Theresa, without whom we could never have done it!
Urban Ministry Center
Thank You, Room in the Inn!
The Urban Ministry Center would like to thank the record 128 congregations, colleges and YMCA sites
that participated in Room in the Inn, our winter shelter program for homeless people. Because of you,
warm hospitality and a total of 18,184 beds were extended to 1,585 different men, women and children
here in Mecklenburg County. While the simple goal of the program is to keep folks from freezing to
death on cold nights, the greater goal is to provide a more personal relationship to homeless people, at
least for a night, and a deeper understanding of the depth and complexity of the issue. Thank you for
being our partners in this life-saving, life-changing ministry. For more information, visit
www.urbanministrycenter.org
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Mouzon Movers
May 2011
May is Seniors Month. We will recognize our seniors on Sunday, May 29th during the
church service. We hope all of you will be present. Please take time to view the bulletin
board and enjoy looking at the pictures and other information.
May is also Memorial Day weekend and a time to reflect on our troops and to remember all of those who have loved ones away from home.
As you were reminded at the Movers Dinner last Tuesday night, Hazel Flynn is our
only living Charter Member of Mouzon and she has a birthday coming up on the 6th of
June. She will be 99 years of age. Please take time to send her a birthday card. Her address is Atria Merrywood, B 304 3600 Park Road Charlotte, NC 28209.
At our dinner in May, we signed cards and sent them to our shut-ins. I have received
several phone calls telling me how much they enjoyed the cards. It is amazing what a
card can do for a person! Please remember our shut-ins and let them know you care
with a phone call or a card. A list of shut-ins is available in the Volunteer Office.
At The Longhorn Steak house this past week, we had 36 present and a big thanks to
Mark, Jill and their family for their continued support to the seniors.
During the months of June, July and August the seniors will support the Mission Committee with their meals for the Charlotte Rescue Mission.
The next monthly dinner will be on June 21st at Pier 51.
Until next time,
God Bless,
Jackie
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The Messenger
June
Birthdays
1 Jerry Cohen
4 Andy Mandura
8 Hazel Flynn
9 Terry Hammill
15 Vicki Neel
25 Rollin Raymond
26 Virginia Martin
27 Hollis Faulkner
Anniversaries
28 David Burkholder
28 Dawn Patterson
29 Margie McLendon
30 Hayley Patterson
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3 Kim & Browy Allman
14 David & Kelly Burkholder
30 Gene & Margie McLendon
The Messenger
Wednesday Morning Men’s
Coffee & Fellowship
Men of all ages! You are invited to join us Wednesday mornings at 7:30AM to 8:15AM for coffee and
Christian conversation at Caribou Coffee in Park Road
Greeters Schedule
June
June 5
Sanctuary—Vicki Neel
Donut Lobby —–——
June 12 Sanctuary– Joyce Anderson
Donut Lobby-Beth Hernandez
June 19 Sanctuary– Tenille Adkins
Donut Lobby– Elizabeth Bruce
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June 26– Sanctuary– Vicki Neel
Donut Lobby ———
July 3 – Sanctuary-Sally Auten
Donut Lobby– Pat May
Do you have something to celebrate or someone to honor?
Please consider placing flowers on our altar in honor or memory of someone special or to celebrate a
special event in your life.
Our flower arrangements are provided by Starclaire Florist and are 37.50.
You may place sign up on the flower calendar outside the secretary’s office and fill out an Altar Flower
Form to give us the dedication information.
You may also request certain colors and flowers. The choice of flower will be
honored if possible.
Have a few hours to donate to the church?
We would love to have you help at the volunteer desk a few hours during the day. If
you would like to help on a certain day, or be on the list to help out once and awhile
please contact Nancy Boal at 704-552-2069
It’s a great way to keep up with what’s going on at Mouzon and to help out the church
staff.
The Messenger
CHURCH CONTACT INFO:
General Information: 704-525-1326
[email protected]
Submit items for the
messenger to:
Administrative Assistant : Cindy Alvarez [email protected]
Pastor: Rev. Mark Muckler
[email protected]
Director of Music: Gary Chapin
[email protected]
Weekday School Director: Susan Cone [email protected]
Caretaker: Cynthia Harris
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Cindy Alvarez [email protected]
or
Turn in written copies to
the church office
Mouzon United Methodist Church
3100 Selwyn Avenue
Charlotte, North Carolina 28209
704 525-1326
The Messenger
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