PASTOR KATHY’S REFLECTIONS
We are Easter People! Each meeting of persons -- each new task attempted -- provides an opportunity for us to experience a blessing from God and an opportunity to demonstrate God’s love in the world.
Last week, while visiting my bank to complete some financial transactions, I saw something that immediately grabbed my attention. On the teller’s counter was a small brochure. It was an advertisement for a home loan that utilized a picture of an empty bird’s nest with the words: “Empty or Full? We Can Help!”
Having almost completed the “Journey Blessings” Lenten sermon and study series at church, I was struck by the power of those words: “Empty or Full? We Can Help!” I thought of Nicodemus, The Samaritan women at the well, the man born blind, Mary, Martha and Lazarus. In each encounter, Jesus met the person right where they were on their life journey and offered them the spiritual gifts - the blessings - of love and hope through His acts of grace. Jesus didn’t judge how “empty or full” each person might be: He walked beside them in the moment and His presence and His words of love changed their lives.
“Empty or Full? We Can Help!” What a great slogan for Easter People! As we gather to worship, study, pray, discern and serve, we represent all stages in the continuum of being “empty or full” on our journey. As Easter People, we are called to welcome, to embrace, and to channel the love of God to all persons we encounter. As Easter People, we are called to learn and grow and change along our journey by responding to the whispering voice of God. In doing so, we discover God’s grace again, and again, and again. In doing so, we are filled. By giving, we receive. We are Easter People.
Last Sunday morning during the worship service Bev McClellan, chair of the Staff Parish Relations Committee, announced that my assignment to Smithville United Methodist Church has been formally extended into the next year. With much excitement, anticipation and prayer, I will continue to serve with you in the ministries of this church. These are exciting and important days. In the next few weeks, we will be exploring some next steps for SUMC as we move forward as Easter People. Please pray for the church leadership and discern how the whispering voice of God might be calling you to serve through SUMC at this time.
“Empty or Full? We Can Help!” We are Easter People.
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Blessings this day,
Pastor Kathy
Words
from your Lay Leader- Sharon Fairlie
You will be surprised to learn that I am reading a book. What will surprise you is that it is a Christmas story. The title of the book is “Call Me Mrs. Miracle” written by Debbie Macomber. I believe it has been made into a Hallmark Original movie.
So why am I writing about this book…. the sayings that begin each chapter. For instance, begins Chapter One, “Need a new life? God takes trade ins”….Mrs. Miracle. Isn’t that simply describing God’s grace? Thank goodness for knowing God loves us anyway.
Chapter Two begins, “If God is your copilot, trade places”…..Mrs. Miracle. Or doesn’t this mean, put God first in your life?
Chapter Three, “Exercise daily-walk with the Lord”. Isn’t this saying to read the Bible, meditate and pray each day?
“Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous”-Mrs. Miracle. Sometimes life happens in unexpected ways, and instead of giving God the glory, we call it fate or coincidence.
Continuing, “People are like tea bags-you have to drop them into hot water before you know how strong they are.” This is just another way of saying what our pastor told is a few Sundays ago: how can we have a testimony unless we have a test.
“Aspire to inspire before you expire”-Mrs. Miracle. What are we doing to tell others about being a Christian? How are we showing them? Along with that is “Be ye fishers of men. You catch ‘em and God’ll clean ‘em”.
And my favorite: “The best vitamin for a Christian is B1”.
Amen
USHERS FOR MAY The ushers for the month of May are: Denny, Nancy and
Ryan Lowe and Roberta Sanderson.
Grand Avenue Temple Help feed the hungry on Saturday, May 7th.
Contact Kerry Winans (816-665-8261) if you are interested in being part of
the team!
Saturday, May 14th, 8 am
to 12 pm. We will be pick up trash, cutting downed
tree limbs, fix the front landscape and gluing snow pyramids onto the roof. Everyone is encouraged to participate.
SAFE SANCTUARY WORKSHOP
On Wednesday, May 11, 5:30 to 7:00 pm, Ramona Emery will be facilitating a Safe Sanctuary workshop to provide assistance as persons complete the on-line Safe Sanctuary training. This is a required training for all staff and volunteers working with children and youth in the United Methodist Church. Please notified Ramona or Ginger at the church office if you would like to participate in this facilitated workshop. There is a cost of $25 to complete the online training. If needed, the church will reimburse the training cost. In the very near future there will be a need for Safe Sanctuary trained persons to serve in the following church ministries:
· Provide child care for all worship, fellowship and study events
· Serve as a Substitute Teacher in the Small Steps Preschool (Paid $35 for ½ day)
· Children and Youth Sunday School teachers/substitute teachers
· Sunday evening Youth Sponsors
· Vacation Bible School
FINANCIAL REPORT FOR MARCH 2011
INCOME EXPENSES
Debt Reduction Funds 1,778 Conference & Benevolence 2,437
Flexible Contribution 63 Christian Education
General Fund 8,458 Adult Education 152
Vacation Bible School 64
Total Christian Education (216)
Misc Contributions
Altar Flowers 39 Total Missions 338
Apportionment Contributions 400 Non Pastoral Compensation 6,594
Sunday School Offering 85 Total Office Expense 758
Helping Families Fund 80 Total Outreach/Evangelism 158
Lilies 46 Total Pastoral Compensation 6,767
Total Misc Contributions (650)
Mission Contributions Preschool Expenses 112
Della C. Lamb 28
UMCOR 270 Total Trustees/Utilities/
Total Mission Contributions (298) Maintenance/Insurance/
Interest on loan - 6,095
Preschool Income 6,870
Transfer from Youth Pastor Acct. 5,064 Worship
Altar Flowers 48
Choir Music 41
Total Income 23,181 Total Expense 23,564
March Net Income: -383
Jan, Feb and March Net Income: 1,354
SUMC has a need of Sunday school teachers.
Curriculum is provided. Average time commitment every week is two hours,
one hour to prepare and one hour to teach. Need is immediate. Please
contact Ramona Emery if you can help.
SUNDAY, MAY 22nd Church potluck at
11:30 am
At the April 17 meeting of the Administrative Council it was decided by consensus to move ahead with the purchase of playground equipment for our church children’s ministries, including the Small Steps Preschool. The playground equipment is being purchased with the assistance from a matching funds grant obtained through the Missouri United Methodist Conference. If all goes well, the playground will be completed by mid-July, just in time for Vacation Church School! Thanks to all who have participated in the various fund-raising events.
Congratulations to all
the graduates from SUMC. Graduation Sunday will be May 15th. Please
let us know if you are graduating from high school, college, trade school,
etc. Call or leave your name in the church office.
Dinners for 8 coming soon! More information
and sign up on Celebration Sunday, May 22nd.
SUMC's Youth Group has been busy and continues to meet on Sunday evening. Our fellowship includes lively discussions and related activities as we explore how to walk more closely with God.
We have CELEBRATIONS from April.
A Youth Council meeting will be held on Sunday, May 1st at 4:00 pm. The members are Morgan Crider, William Fries, Matthew Gager, and Vince Shipp. Pastor Kathy will be leading a short workshop on planning activities.
May Youth Community Service activities -
It is time once again to form our team and participate in the Smithville Inter-Church Softball League. We play for 8 weeks, every Monday night in June and July. Times vary, some weeks games begin at 6:30 pm and some weeks at 8:15 pm. We will have one "buy" week and one week with a double-header.
Vacations and Vacation Bible School make staffing the outfield during these two months difficult. I need a minimum head count of 20 players so that we can rotate players and cover those who cannot play every week. Please call or send an email to join the team! We will provide child care at the church and have plenty of water in the dug-out. Look forward to hearing from you.
Ramona Emery - emeryr@smithville.k12.m0.us - 816-225-0787
Debbie Shoaf has submitted her resignation
as SUMC Youth Minister Coordinator, effective April 18th.
Debbie has served as a youth leader for several years and the church has
been blessed through her gifts of spirit-filled love, caring, and creativity.
Our prayers and love continue to be with Debbie as she focuses energy
and time on other areas within her life journey. The Staff Parish
Relations Committee is in the process of coordinating a celebration of
appreciation for Debbie. 
SUMC Music Notes
"Making a Joyful Noise unto the Lord!"
Music is an integral part of worship. Are you sharing your music talent with others? With the church? Why not share it by joining one of the music groups or providing special music?
The Chancel Choir is working very hard on several pieces! We continue to rehearse every Wednesday evening from 7 to 8 P.M. All voices are welcome! We hope to see you soon and invite everyone to come and sing with us! J
A big thank you to those who have shared their talents with us by providing special music on Sunday mornings. We appreciate all you do to enhance our worship at SUMC! If you are interested in providing special music please contact Angie Viebrock at 532-8294.
Hope to hear you all singing in church!
God’s Blessings!
Angela Viebrock
VACATION
BIBLE SCHOOL SAVE THE
DATE SUNDAY,
JULY 17th THRU FRIDAY, JULY 22nd
SUMMER CHURCH CAMPING OPPORTUNITIES
Missouri United Methodist Conference, Camping and Retreat Ministries theme for summer 2011 is "Got Spirit, Finding God in the "Every Day"!
At our camps, not only will children and adults of all ages enjoy canoeing, kayaking, swimming, fishing, archery, hiking, music, roasting marshmallows at a camp fire, crafts and much more, but the will also experience how God's Wonder, Gratitude, Hospitality, Generosity, Worship and Living in Christ's Love makes God Real Every Day!
Come experience the love and joy of God's great outdoors!
Information is posted throughout the church regarding summer camps available at the United Methodist Church camp closet to us, Wilderness Retreat and Development Center. There are many fun camps offered for children from P-K to seniors in high school. There is an event for families with pre-school and school age children who can attend summer church camp with a parent. Summer camps provide wonderful ways to learn about God. Please understand events listed as "camping", in fact, have the campers sleep inside and meals are eaten inside.
There are camps offered at other locations, please consider these:
· Rocket Camp for grades 5-7 - July 11-14
· Katy Trail Bike Camp for grades 9th-12th - July 25-30
· ABLE Camp, a camp for special needs people from 12 years old to adult - June 6-9
· Colorado Backpacking for grades 10- 13 (freshman in college) - July 10-17
· Sports Camp for grades 5-6, June 13-18
· Astronomy Camp for grades 7th-12th - June 27-July 2
· Golf, God, and Grace for grades 9th-12th - June 29-July 2
Please contact the church office, 532-3200, for information or help with the registration.
BIRTHDAYS ANNIVERSARIES
05/01 Andrew Fries, Shelia Neth, 05/01 Josh and Rachel Frankum
Thomas Mast, Jason King 05/04 Greg and Kayci Vincent
05/02 Neal Shanks, Abigail Smith 05/09 Bud and Kathy Dibben
05/05 Mike Neth 05/10 George and Martha Urquhart
Carolann Hansbrough 05/15 Mike and Carrie Land
05/06 Roxie Curtis 05/25 Glen and Kristy Pate
Roman and Marshall Pence 05/27 Ron and Becky Mast
05/08 Tony King, Todd Smith 05/30 David and Janet Anderson
05/09 Jackson and Henry Sharpe
05/13 Deana James
05/14 Carol White, Sylvia Lam
05/15 Kayla Clarkson
05/16 Chet Winans, Brian Butler
05/17 Zach Tuxhorn
05/18 Todd Pitman
05/20 Jonathan Land, Samantha Land
05/24 Barbara Kravec
05/26 Betty Bullock, Carol Mewmaw,
Bill Starnes, Ron Hill,
Annabelle Bissen
05/29 Rod Kelley, Annie Tipton
05/30 Scott Davis, Leland Calvert
