From the Pastor’s Heart                                                          From the Heart

August 2008

“Observations of a Traveler”

            Since 1992 I’ve made over 300 trips up and down I-35 toward Kansas City in order to transport Renee and Alan to be with their dad who lives in Oklahoma.  During the years, I have observed that just over the border and into Missouri, there is a town called Eagleville.   I could always tell Eagleville was coming because of a bright, multi-bulb sign that could be seen for miles, advertising FIREWORKS.   This sign became a landmark to me, and also a signal to my kids to beg to stop and buy fireworks (since they are legal in Oklahoma).    It would flash messages to the highway travelers:  STOP NOW!   BARGAIN PRICES!   FIREWORKS!  

            On one trip south, I drove past Eagleville and noticed that the sign had lost its message.   Instead of words flashing up on the sign, there was an indiscriminant pattern of lights that would blink in odd patterns.   From a distance it was puzzling, but as I drew closer I could see what had happened.    There were so many bulbs burned out that the message was garbled.   Instead of flashing a message to passersby, it projected an odd, and somewhat pathetic, assemblage of light spots.

            I wonder if, just like that sign, we lose our message as a church when a lot of lights are missing.   What is it like on Sunday, for a traveler, who sees only a few in worship?   Is the message of Christ’s pre-eminence lost?   Is the sign of Christ’s mission garbled by the absence of so many?

            You are the message.   You are the light, Jesus said.   The message from the pulpit is not the only message preached on Sunday morning.  In fact, the one from the pew is probably of greater importance.

Let’s make sure the light is shining bright.   Let’s make sure the message is clear.

God bless you!

 

Pastor Linda 

Henderson Settlement

We had intended the June Mission Moment to be used for Henderson Settlement, but then the rains came, and the Midwest flooding seemed to be a more immediate need.  This does not diminish the need at Henderson Settlement, so this plea has only been delayed, not cancelled.  You can therefore consider this T&T article to be a “summer rerun” of a carryover urgent need.

So now our Mission Moment for August will be going to support Henderson Settlement, which, as you may recall, is part of the Red Bird Missionary Conference in the Kentucky hills of Appalachia.  This area has some of the loveliest scenery in Eastern United States.  Tree covered hillsides of the Appalachian foothills look so serene and peaceful, but beneath that surface beauty is a deep ugliness, the ugliness of poverty and desperation, of a willingness to work, but no jobs to work at, of land that is worn out but must still provide a living to these hard scrabble farmers.  The people in these hills of Kentucky have been here for generations.  Henderson Settlement was founded in 1925 by a Rev. Hiram Frakes for whom the town of Frakes, KY was named.  The people of this area were proud, but lacked the education and skills needed to make a living.  Since the nearest High School was 30 miles of bad roads and several mountains away, Rev. Frakes went to his Bishop, Theodore Henderson and got permission to establish a school as a way to lift these people out of their poverty.  Several of the area residents rose to the occasion and donated the land that became the basis for the Henderson Settlement project.  Later land was added to allow a farm operation, eventually expanding to today's 1,600 acres.  In the 1970's as roads and transportation improved, Henderson Settlement turned education over to public schools and expanded its other programs, especially agricultural programs, to better serve the people of this area of Appalachia.  A food pantry was started with much of the food raised on the Henderson Settlement farms.  Since many of the adults had little education, adult education programs were started and are still flourishing.  Henderson Settlement is the only United Methodist Mission in the US that has an Agricultural Ministry.  On the Settlement acres are greenhouses, an apple orchard, Christmas tree plantation, and a firewood project to supply wood to the area for winter heating.  In addition, demonstration plots are planted in conjunction with the University of Kentucky to demonstrate to the local farmers better and more efficient ways to produce their crops.  They also have a beef demonstration program to improve local animal husbandry.  Additionally, working with Vanderbilt University, teams of people are trained to provide improved prenatal and child health care with a program called Maternal Infant Health Outreach Worker or MIHOW.  This has greatly reduced prenatal health problems and improved the survival rate of area infants.  These programs are only the tip of the iceberg of all the programs that are part of Henderson Settlement.    When the black bags come around on the 4th Sunday, August 24th, please be generous.  It is hard to realize that there are pockets of deep poverty in the middle of this prosperous United States, but there are, and Appalachia is one of the worst.  It is an area that time seems to have passed by, but our Church, the United Methodist Church is there to provide the support so desperately needed and we in Stewartville can be part of that blessing.  The Eternal Faith Fund will be matching our gifts up to $300.00 so our dollars will be stretched even further.

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Summer Produce Table

Even with the strange weather we have had this year, the gardens seem to have really taken off.  The Produce Table in the Narthex is set up, and each Sunday people can be seen checking that table to see what wonderful fresh vegetables and fruits might be there, but so far, their checking has been in vain since no produce has been coming in.  So this is a call to all you gardeners.  As you are harvesting your gardens, if you have more than you can use remember the Produce Table at Church.  Those beans, cucumbers, lettuce, spinach, yes even the zucchini will be welcome additions to the tables of those in our congregation who have no gardens.  As in the past, the free will offerings donated for that produce will go to UMCOR World Hunger Relief, so the produce brought in is a double blessing, first to those of us here in Stewartville who enjoy it, and second to those of God’s children throughout the world who would be starving if not for our free will offering going to UMCOR.  Lets try to get the Produce Table piled high each Sunday.  Any produce not picked up will be taken to Channel One so nothing will be wasted.

                            NEED A RIDE?

  Would you like to attend Sunday morning worship, but do not have transportation? If so, please call the church office (533-4625) and someone will return your call to make arrangements to provide transportation to church.

Children's Time ~

                          August

                 If you are unable to serve as scheduled, please find a substitute and call the church office                                                                                                                           

                              by Wednesday at 533-4625 or call Barb Warren at (507) 867-3006.

Lay Readers ~

                                                     August

If you are unable to serve as scheduled, please find a substitute and call the church office by Wednesday at 533-4625 or call Wilma Menshik at 533-9591.

OPPORTUNITES!!

 TEACH- PLANT A SEED IN A CHILD, & GROW YOUR OWN FAITH, TOO!!

Although we’re in the middle of summer, it is time to take a look ahead to fall.  (The back-to-school ads are out already!) There are countless opportunities to make a difference in the life of the kids in our church family.  Please consider these positions very important service projects right in our own church and community.  Please pray for people to step forward and serve our youngest brothers and sisters in Christ.  Sign up on the poster in the Narthex.  See Becky Kidd if you have any questions.

Rally Sunday---September 14, 2008

*Will need several volunteers to plan and help on that day

Preschool Teachers- 2 teachers to team teach 3-5 yr olds and a sub

Preschool Music 1-2 persons to lead the little ones in music time before SS

Shepherds for Workshop Rotation- 2 for each level:

K/1             2/3              4/5

Workshop Leaders for W/R Sunday school (K-5)

Creation---September 21, 28, October 5, 12

Workshops: Art, Computer, Game, Video

The Lost is Found (Lost coin, sheep, son) --- October 19, 26, November 2, 9

Workshops: Art, Computer, Game, Video

Christmas (Good News) ---November 16, 23, 30                          

                                Workshops: Cooking, Drama, Video

Children’s Choir 1-2 people to lead the K-5^th grades in music before SS classes (music is provided for most rotations)

Middle School teacher 2 teachers to rotate &/or team teach 6-8^th grades.

Christmas Program Coordinator—1-2 people to organize and direct the Christmas program.  These dates are tentative-

Christmas Program Practice – December 7, 14, 21

             Christmas Program—December 21

                                      PRAYER PAGE/ANNOUNCEMENTS

LYDIA CIRCLE:

     Lydia circle will meet on Monday, August 4^th at 7:00 p.m. at the home of Dorothy Womeldorff.

ANNOUNCEMENT:

     There will be a Minnesota UMC Early Disaster Response Team training at Kingswood on September 6^th and 7^th.  Contact Tanya Oberg at 288-7152 for more information/details.

ANNOUNCEMENT:

 Volunteers are needed for the next Feed My Starving Children on September 27^th in Eagan from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.  Children and adults welcome.  Please sign up at the missions table.

ANNOUNCEMENT:

     Basic school supplies, such as 70 count notebooks, rulers, 24-count crayons, pencils, pens and erasers are needed for the annual OC Ministry drive.  The supplies are then donated to children and schools in Jamaica, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. There is a collection box in the narthex by the missions table along with school bag patterns and list of other items needed.

THANK YOU ICE CREAM SOCIAL WORKERS:

 A great big thank you, to all who helped us make this year’s ice cream social a success. From John and Helen Swain, Jean Schendel and Ronda Miner who were invaluable in getting everything set up; to our station workers, Dorothy Womeldorff, Clair and Carol Mrotek, Marion Bateman and George and Wilma Menshik who were all run ragged; to our brownie makers, Mary Carlson, Jean Schendel and Wilma Menshik.  And thank you as well to all who stayed to help us clean up, in addition to Len and Kathy Griffith, Ronda Miner and Cindy Bushman, who had actually signed up for the task.  Without your help and sound advice we never would have been able to pull it off.  We made a profit of over $400, which even though less than in years past, was none the less accomplished with a smaller crowd and without our largest selling point, the popcorn.  Jerry has repaired the machine so perhaps, next year will be better for those who decide to undertake the challenge of chairing this wonderful and surprisingly fun event.  Jerry & Sherry Lecy. 

PIZZA  with  PASTOR

Who?                 Middle School and High School Youth  

When?                Wednesday,  August 6  from 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. 

Where?               Youth Room at church

Why?                     I would like to have some time to get to know you a bit … very informal … not scary or boring I promise.   If you can’t come right at 5, come when you can.

                                Bring your ideas for the upcoming year!

SEE YOU THERE!      Pastor Linda

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August Sermon Theme:      “Storm Stories”

August 3                                               “When the Weather Man is Wrong”

                                                                Matthew 8:23-27

August 10                                             “Hearing God’s Voice in the Storm”

                                                                Matthew 14:22-32

August 17                                             “Storm Warnings”

                                                                Matthew 16:1-4    

August 24                                             “When Somebody Else Drags You into the Storm”

                                                                Acts 27:9-26

August 31                                             For Labor Day Weekend  

                                                                “Work Through God’s Eyes”

       CONFIRMATION STUDENTS & PARENTS

I hope one of the following dates will work for parents and students who are planning to participate in Confirmation this coming year.    I am excited to visit with you and talk about the Confirmation schedule and plan.

Primary meeting:                        Thursday, August 14,  6:30 p.m.

Back-up meeting:                       Wednesday, August 27, 6:30 p.m.

Confirmation is a major step toward Christian maturity and can be a great preparation for navigating the variety of challenges that meet young adults as they leave home for the first time.      It provides time for young people to meet with the pastor and other mature Christians to discuss the basics of the Christian faith, raise questions, and to choose to follow the Lord Jesus Christ.   The program here at Stewartville UMC is designed to begin in the 8^th grade but we remain flexible to accommodate individual needs.     God bless you and please don’t hesitate to call me for more information!    Pastor Linda

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Happy Birthday to the following church members and friends who celebrate August birthdays! Do YOU have an August birthday?  Is YOUR name on the list?  If not, please call or drop a note to the church office to let us know. We don't want to miss the opportunity to wish you a very Happy Birthday! 

                                   A GLIMPSE INTO GOD’S WORK

Thursday, August 7     7 p.m.  in the Fireside Room

Sponsored by the SUMC Missions Ministry Team & Pastor Linda        

Meet a man who will change the way you think about your church.   

Mark Bruner has been a missionary in the Czech Republic and Slovakia for 15 years.   He partners with Methodist pastors who have endured 40 years of persecution for their faith …and have prevailed.    Learn what it takes to reach people that have been insulated from the Bible and the gospel for a whole generation.    Experience the hope that comes from seeing how these countries are being reached through television.  

Don’t miss this opportunity to have your heart touched by God’s love for the world.

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 Vacation Bible School 2008

Saturday, August 23^rd

9:00 am – 5:00 pm Sessions

Backyard Bash / Family Picnic 5:30 pm

Calling all little adventurers from ages 3 – 6^th grade!

Come and join us for a fun filled Saturday where we learn all about God’s Big Backyard and how to serve Jesus, Our Families, Our Community, Our Friends and Our Neighbors.  This wonderful day will end with a Backyard Bash/Family Picnic where we can share our experience with our families and friends. 

Be sure to invite your friends!

Registration Options:

·       Registration form is attached

·       On-line at: http://www.stewartvilleumc.com/VBS.htm

·       Stop at the registration table in the narthex

Grades 7 – Age 107 – we need your help! 

We have many opportunities for all those willing volunteers to help make this wonderful experience possible.  We need Adventure Guides (group leaders), Tree House Leaders (session leaders), help with set up, clean up, snacks etc.  Please see Gretchen Thomason, Ronda Miner or Laura Renken if you would like to learn more about how you can help.