FROM THE PASTOR…

“CONNECT WITH OTHERS AND GROW IN JESUS CHRIST”

PASTOR KATHY’S REFLECTIONS

This week while I was walking through a hilly North Kansas City residential neighborhood with a dear friend, we came upon a large group of wild turkeys taking an early evening walk. How delightful! The wonders of Fall are all around us: the vibrant colors, the crisp air, the shorter days. We are entering a new season in the cycle of nature.

As a church family, we are also entering a new season:

The Nomination Committee met for almost three hours on Tuesday, October 5 to create a proposed roster of members for each of the 2011 church committees. Assigned persons are in the process of contacting individuals to verify their willingness to serve on the respective committee. When the committee lists are finalized, the information will be submitted to the District office in preparation for the cluster charge conference.
The Worship Committee met on Sunday, October 3 and began reviewing the elements of worship utilized within the United Methodist Church: entrance, proclamation and response, thanksgiving and communion, and sending forth. In an effort to facilitate a focus on these elements of worship during 10:00 – 11:00 AM on Sunday mornings, the committee is requesting the development of an expanded welcoming center that will include a display of sign-up sheets for church events and tasks, rather than passing sign-up sheets through the congregation during the worship service. On Sunday, October 10, the Trustees approved the recommendation to create the expanded welcoming and volunteer “gift sharing” center.
Exciting mission projects, including the Numana Project, are being planned by members of the Mission Committee. (See this issue of the Greeter for more information)
Our junior high and senior Youth will be participating in “One Homeless Night” next month on November 12 – 13 and WOW in January 2011, in addition to their weekly Sunday evening gatherings. (See this issue of the Greeter for more information)
The Education Committee is discussing ways to provide Safe Sanctuary training to more members of the congregation and grow our programs for children.
Small Steps preschool is growing!

If you would like to “visualize” a more inclusive outline of the planning that is taking place within our church committees, I invite you to stop by my office and take a glimpse of the “planning whiteboard.” If you see something on the board that is intriguing to you, let’s talk!

Created and gifted by God ….. Connected to Grow ….. Called to BE

Blessings,

Pastor Kathy

Words from your Lay Leader

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Last April I attended an Interfaith Clergy Conference on Family Violence co-sponsored by Metropolitan Family Violence Coalition Greater Kansas City Interfaith Council. A statistic on the front of the handout said, “Only 1% of shelter residents are referred by clergy. Let’s change that statistic.”

This conference drove the point home of what Safe Sanctuaries should be. Safe Sanctuaries are faith communities that have made a commitment to the safety of their members. This conference provided wonderful references and dialogue all with the encouraging undertone to inform clergy so they are better able to provide the correct help to any of their congregants seeking advice.

Some statistics in the provided literature are hard to believe but it is the awful truth: Domestic Violence may be the single major precursor to child abuse across the country. 1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. 40 to 60% of men who abuse women also abuse children. There are between 3.3 and 10 million American children who witness domestic violence annually. Children who witness domestic violence are more likely to continue the cycle of violence in their own relationships.

We as a congregation should be informed as well. We should know who to call if we suspect abuse as well as how to help a friend in need. The better we stay informed and proactive, the safer our own community will be.

We know that God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him. They are the ones God has chosen for his purpose, and he has always known who his chosen ones would be. Romans 8:1825, 28, 29

If you need more information about agencies, books, or training, please contact me at

sfairlie@kc.rr.com.

Volunteers are needed for the Hospitality Committee. Committee members will be responsible for providing cookies prior to and after worship, as well as cleaning up the coffee at the end of fellowship time following morning services. If interested, please contact Sarah Cline at dcline2@kc.rr.com or 816-866-4382.

Don’t forget to turn your clocks back on Sunday, November 7^th.

And

Country Store

November 2, 2010

11:00 am to 7:00 pm

Adults – $6.00

Children under 10 - $3.00

Chili, Chili Dogs, Soup, Dessert and Beverage will be served. Country Store will include crafts, baked goods, candies, jams, jellies, woodwork, quilts, floral arrangements, stadium blankets, plus much more. We invite everyone to come enjoy great food and fellowship. Profits from this project go to

Donations of craft items, baked goods, etc. for the country store as well as food donations for the supper should be at the church on Monday, November 1^st. We will be cooking and setting up for Tuesday. Please come if you can help for even a short time on both days.

ADVENT BOOKLET

You've been given one more week to submit your original stories, poetry, or artwork for inclusion in the Advent Booklet. The new deadline is November 14. To make a complete booklet we need 40 entries, so see to it that your story is included, because it is needed. Submissions should be about 1/2 to 1 page in length, but all submissions are welcome regardless of length. Just think of some Christmas memory, or hope, or a story about your relationship with God, write it down to share with members of the congregation. You can leave your submission in the Church office or e-mail it

to smithvilleumc@smithvilleumc.com.

The entire congregation is invited to the Hanging of the Green on Monday, November 29^th from 5 to 9 p.m. Drop in any time during those 4 hours, and if you want to eat with us, be there at 7 p.m. for sure. This is our day to decorate the church in preparation for Christmas. Please come! Children are welcome. They can make decorations for the children's tree such as links, popcorn strings and ornaments. The other trees, garland and banner are going up as well. Join in the fun as we "deck the hall".

One Homeless Night

When: Early evening on Friday, November 12 through 7:00 AM Saturday, November 13.

What: Across the Kansas City metro, hundreds of youth will participate in “sleep-outs” to simulate homelessness, learn about the issue, inform others, and raise funds.

Where: The site for our participation is Synergy Services at 2001 NE Parvin Road. Synergy is coordinating the site event schedule.

For more information please contact Debbie Shoaf or Sarah Crutcher ASAP! Debbie has attended the metro planning meetings.

WOW

When: January 21-23, 2011 in Springfield, Missouri!

Theme: JESUS TURNS YOUR WORLD; INSIDE, OUTSIDE, UPSIDE, DOWN. Romans 12:2-3

The cost is $20.00 and will serve as your Registration Fee. The Registration Deadline is November 15 so we can get our rooms and transportation reserved. The cost includes the conference fee and two meals on Saturday. Activities include workshops, broom hockey (something new!!), a Praise Band Concert, Sunday worship and much more! Lots of fun and Fellowship!

For more information, contact Debbie Shoaf or Sarah Crutcher.

SAVE A DATE FOR NUMANA

The Smithville UMC has signed up to work with NUMANA and several area churches to package meals. We will need several volunteers to work 2 hour shifts thru out the day. Volunteers can be young (5-6) to the very mature. This would be a great project to do as a family, a group of friends or any organization that you may be a part of i.e. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Chamber of Commerce, you get the idea. NUMANA provides meals to countries that are in need of help. We will be packaging meals for Haiti. This is a great community service project. It is super simply to do and a lot of fun as well. We will be providing more information next month. So please mark your calendar for January 8, 2011. The location will at the Northview Elementary School 9201 N. Indiana Ave. Kansas City, MO 64156. We will have a sign-up located at the church bulletin board. This is really a great project and a great way to start your New Year.

SUMC Music Notes

“Making a Joyful Noise unto the Lord!”

Blessed are those who dwell in Your house & Your presence; they will be singing Your praises all the day long! Psalm 84:4

Christmas Program

The children of the will be presenting their Christmas Program on December 12, 2010 during worship. Rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 6:45 pm. All school age kids are invited to attend. Younger children will be invited to be in the program as well. They can begin coming to rehearsals in November. If you have any questions, please contact Angie Viebrock.

ADULT CHOIR

We will begin working on our Christmas Cantata soon. All voices are encouraged to come and make a joyful noise with us! If you have any questions, please contact Angie Viebrock or Andrea Knutter.

THANK YOU

We would like to thank those who have helped with music at SUMC the last few weeks! Lee Hunold, Debbie Shoaf, Michelle Gager, Ron Bullock, & the Chancel Choir have all done a beautiful job sharing their talents with us! Thank you so much! A salute goes out in praise and thanksgiving for Charlene Gager! She played the piano for us while Andrea was away for the weekend recharging. Thank you! Thank you! We appreciate all of your talents!

We are always looking for people to provide special music for us. If you would like to share your talent with us or know of someone who would enjoy performing for us, please contact Angie Viebrock or Andrea Knutter.

Hope to hear you all singing in church! God’s Blessings! Angela Viebrock

FESTIVAL OF SHARING UPDATE

Debbie Shoaf and the youth group took our contributions to Sedalia on Saturday, Oct. 16^th. SUMC donated these kits:

6 Family food kits

5 Student dental kits

1 Paper products kit

3 Baby bundle kits

And the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts donated:

11 Readin’ and Writin’ kits.

All of these kits will be distributed for use in Missouri. Well done, SUMC and Scouts!

Nursery attendant, Bonnie Holland’s son, Marine Corps Corporal Ian Holland and his unit shipped out to war in Afghanistan on Friday, October 15^th. He will be there for 7 months.

Please pray for all of our service men and women!