FROM THE PASTOR…

“CONNECT WITH OTHERS AND GROW IN JESUS CHRIST”

Words from your Lay Leader - Sharon Fairlie

I am writing this the day after returning home from San Francisco. My grandson and I were there for four days, staying busy the entire time doing most of the things tourists do. (I have promised all my grandchildren a trip after they graduate from high school and David wanted to go to San Francisco.)

An extremely interesting place we did visit was the Contemporary Jewish Museum. The exhibits included Maira Kalman: Various Illuminations of a Crazy World, “Being Jewish” A Bay Area Portrait” and “Jews on Vinyl”. However, the most interesting exhibit to me is called “As It is Written: Project 304,805.”

Soferet Julie Seltzer is hand writing a copy of the Torah. We visited the museum on Saturday, her day off, but every other day she is available for the public to watch as she copies the Torah in Hebrew. The exhibit includes explanations on what materials are prepared and used, and what is done to dispose of the materials once the project is completed. For example, as the quills (yes, she uses quills) become unusable, they are collected in a glass box, and once the project is complete, all materials used are given a proper burial.

Soferet Seltzer must say each word as she writes it on the specially marked cowhide using kosher ink on the tip of a turkey feather quill. If she comes to the word “God” in any form, she must say a special sentence indicating reverence before writing it. I urge you to visit her blog website, http//cjmvoices.blogspot.com for more information and frequently asked questions, such as “What happens when you make a mistake?” Yes, there is a very interesting procedure for correcting a mistake.

Along with this project were exhibits of some ancient Torah mantels dating back to the early 1800’s with explanations of the care and use. Various reading tools were exhibited carved from many different materials. The entire exhibit gave the viewer the feeling of complete reverence for the Torah.

I wonder if we take our Christian Bible just as seriously. Do we hold and read it with reverence? I wonder by making copies so readily available, has its intent been diminished. I know we do not worship a book, but the living God. However, this exhibit has given me a different perspective on how I treat my own copy of God’s word.

Vacation starting Monday, Aug. 23^rd and returning to work on Tuesday, Sept. 7^th

To all my dear friends at SUMC: Thank you for the beautiful cards and telephone calls to help me celebrate my 90^th birthday. Your friendship and kindness to me means so much.

George Urquhart

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I take this opportunity to thank my church family for helping me celebrate my ninetieth birthday. Cards, flowers, visits and phone calls brightened each day. Sunday was a fabulous time with family and friends! Junior, Scottie (our son & his wife, Barbara) joins me in saying “Thank you and God’s richest blessings to one and all.

Marjorie Atkins

New office hours starting Sept. 1^st

8:00 am to 1:00 pm

SEPTEMBER 12, 2010 at 10:00 am

2^nd Annual Foursomes for the Future Golf Tournament

The rain has delayed our tournament but it hasn’t dampened our spirit! The tournament will now be played on Saturday, 9/11/10 at Paradise Pointe Golf Club. Everything will be as previously planned. Shotgun start at 8:00 am with tons of prizes and lunch to follow. Don’t forget to bring your yellow tickets you received when buying your mulligan’s for the prize drawings. If you didn’t sign up to play before because of prior commitments that is not a problem give Ken Birlingmair a call at 816-532-8830 and we can still get you on the course! We’re also looking for volunteers to help out. If you have any questions, give Ken a call. Hope to see you there!

JULY FINANCIAL REPORT

A significant expenditure in July was the purchase of an automatic ice maker for nearly $2000. Contributions from the Memorial Committee, United Methodist Men and United Methodist Women, all which were classified as income, fully covered the purchase price. We continue to pay 10% of our Conference apportionments and 1/12 of our District apportionments each month.

Income $15,517.06

Expenses $16,137.17

Balance -$566.11

6^th ANNUAL CAR SHOW

Men, Women, Youth!!

We are getting ready for the 6^th annual car show on September 25^th. Some of the jobs and things we need are:

People that are willing to work the day of the show, it is fun, but lots to do even before opening time. Please let Tony King, Denny Lowe or Fred Darr know if you can help with setup.

The children’s play area can use help too I am sure, contact Angie Viebrock if you can work all day or just for a little while.

We need help right now getting some flyers put out around Smithville and other outlying areas. Let me or Ginger know if you can take some to put in businesses. If you or someone you know can donate things for the silent auction or giveaway’s please bring to the Genesis room at the church.

If you can make a pie, cake or cookies to sell contact me at 532-0106 or any of the women in UMW. We can always use help there.

The men will be cooking outside, if you can help them with that let Denny Lowe or Lee Hunold know.

This is an ALL CHURCH activity WE NEED EVERYONE TO HELP!!!

Thanks, Lu Darr

Yoga classes resume September 7^th at 11:30 am. These classes are for every level, every body type. All you need is a yoga mat, some bare feet, $5 for the collection plate, and a really great sense of humor. We do laugh in our yoga class! If you have questions, please call Susan Cook at 716-0330.

COOKIES NEEDED

We need cookies for the hospitality cart on Sunday mornings. Call Sarah Cline at 866-4382 for donations.

DONATIONS REQUEST

The Scouts have established a closet to help outfit those less fortunate. Donations of new or gently used Cub Scout, Boy Scout or Girl Scout uniforms, sleeping bags, ground pads, mess kits, etc. are requested. Donations can be left in the scout room. Thank you for supporting this youth mission.

Smithville United Methodist Church will host health screenings that could save your life. SUMC is pleased to offer preventive health screening in collaboration with Life Line Screening. The screenings are offered on Wednesday, September 15, 2010 and test for stoke risk, vascular disease, and bone density. Call 1-888-653-6441, or visit www.lifelinescreening.com for more information and to pre-register.

MS BIKE RIDE

The MS Bike Ride will be September 25^th and 26^th. Lee Hunold will be participating in the ride. If you did not get to pledge for the NUMB ride and would like to pledge for the MS bike ride please see or call (521-0895) Lee Hunold.