FROM THE PASTOR…

PASTOR KATHY’S REFLECTIONS

Throughout the year the seasons of nature repeat their cycle, with accents of changing colors and broad variance in temperatures: fall, winter, spring and summer. The ongoing wonder of God’s creation surrounds us!

The seasons of the church year repeat in like manner. Some have said that the season of Lent is like preparing soil for a garden: just as soil must be weeded and turned and raked in preparation for planting, so must our lives be examined and worked and re-focused in preparation for Easter. Easter, then, is like the flower bursting forth with vibrant blooms: during the season of Easter we, the Easter People, shout with joy, “Christ is risen!” In our overflow of excitement and re-birth, Easter is also a time for waiting – keeping joy afloat for 50 days for the coming of the Spirit on Pentecost.

This year Sunday, June 12 is the Day of Pentecost. It is a time to remember the birthday of the church and the phenomenal gift of the Holy Spirit. It is a time to remember that the church, from its birth, was meant to have visions of love and dreams of peace. It is a time to remember that we are called to support each other as we learn and grow and serve together. It is time to remember that we are never alone, for the Great Comforter is with us.

As we enter the season of Pentecost, let us remember that Smithville United Methodist Church is called to be a place of visions and dreams. Let us humbly identify and prayerfully utilize our God-given talents and gifts to address the needs in our community and the world. Let us study with renewed thirst, serve with renewed passion, and pray with renewed expectancy. Let us live God’s big dream of peace and love. Let us be God’s hope through service in His name.

The season of Pentecost is here again! Happy Birthday church!

PRAY FOR SMITHVILLE, MISSISSIPPI and all the other communities affected by natural disasters.

Thanks for all of you for the calls and prayers during my recent infirmity. I appreciate the food deliveries and all the prayers for healing. I am healing fine and vow to never do another jumping jack!

Beth Lyman

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The Small Steps Preschool would like to thank everyone that helped make the graduation a success. We could not have done it without you, especially the parents. A special thank you to Roberta Sanderson, Sharon Fairlie, Ron Mast, Bev McClellan, Lu Darr and Pastor Kathy, for all of their help and support. Everyone had a wonderful time.

Words from your Lay Leader- Sharon Fairlie

Celebration Sunday will have passed by the time this goes to print. If you did not attend, you missed a wonderful time because it was an opportunity for us to boast. Yes, boast. Most of us have been taught to not brag about things we have accomplished. The accomplishment will speak for itself. But when some do things in the name of many, boasting allows all to celebrate.

Our pastor has asked us to look at the past in order to take the next steps for our future. SUMC has been a part of this community for many years. The past congregations have helped to start a recycling program. Did you know that? I only recently learned that tidbit of information about our church. Since I am a “newcomer”, I want to know more. Fortunately, Ryan Lowe has taken on the task of pulling it all together. Thank you Ryan!!

Did you know at every Annual United Methodist Conference, an inquiry is sent to each church for historical data in the form of a scrapbook? I know the past few years nothing from Smithville UMC has been submitted. SUMC is involved in many ways in the community. We need to boast!

This is an exciting time, a time of many transitions, for our church, our community and our country. I give thanks to God we as a church are helping in every way we can. Ephesians 2:8-10 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

USHERS FOR JUNE

The ushers for the month of June are: Mike and Laura Bissen and Chet and Kerry Winans.

The Smithville Art Group will be the featured exhibit at the Smithville Public Library during the month of June, 2011. Please come and check out the groups latest watercolors. They are available for sale.

Don't forget, new members are always welcome. Call Martha Urquhart at 532-3772 for information.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

The Methodist Annual Conference will be held June 3rd thru June 6th. Pastor Kathy and Sharon Fairlie will be attending from SUMC.

Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce

The Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce will start having their meets here at SUMC starting on Wednesday, July 13th from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. This will be a monthly meeting held on the second Wednesday of each month.

Youth Group Summer Schedule Starting Sunday, June 5th:

5:30 – 6:00 PM Light Supper and Fellowship

6:00 – 7:00 PM The Gathering

ü Share celebrations and concerns

ü Focus on study activity

ü Share upcoming events and opportunities to serve

Volunteers are needed to prepare and serve a Light Supper (for about 12-15 people) for the following six Sunday evenings in June and July:

June 5 June 12 June 26 July 10 July 24 July 31

Please sign up on Sunday morning at the “Sign-Up Table” in the Great Room or call the church office. Thank you for supporting SUMC youth ministries!

The next Youth Council meeting will be Sunday, June 12th at 4:00 pm.

Come help Florence Holmes celebrate her 80th birthday on Sunday, June 12th at the American Legion here in Smithville. The time of the party will be 2-4 pm. Please RSVP by June 4th (532-4244). NO GIFTS PLEASE!!!

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Sunday, July 17th thru

Friday, July 22nd

6:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Contact Ramona Emery or Becky Mast for more information or to register.

WORSHIP COMMITTEE MEETINGS

There will be NO worship committee meetings for the months of June and July. We will resume meetings on the 1st Sunday in August.

FINANCIAL REPORT FOR APRIL 2011

INCOME EXPENSES

Debt Reduction Funds 1,415 Conference & Benevolence 2,436.80

Flexible Contribution 110 Christian Education

General Fund 16,981.50 Youth Education 105.44

Education - other 28.68

Total Christian Education (134.12)

Misc Contributions

Altar Flowers 48 Total Missions 90

Apportionment Contributions 270 Non Pastoral Compensation 6,949.38

Sunday School Offering 45.21 Total Office Expense 566.53

Total Outreach/Evangelism 85.67

Lilies 190 Total Pastoral Compensation 5,966.90

Total Misc Contributions (553.21)

Mission Contributions Preschool Expenses 232.75

Della C. Lamb 40

UMCOR 50

Easter 110 Total Trustees/Utilities/

Total Mission Contributions (200) Maintenance/Insurance/

Interest on loan - 4,494.71

Preschool Income 6,575.65

Transfer from Youth Pastor Acct. 310.74 Worship

Altar Flowers 48

Easter Lilies 236.50

Upper Room 36.54

Total Income 26,146.10 Total Expense 21,958.90

April Net Income: $4,187.20

($7,500 in General Fund is a one-time contribution)

JUNE 17TH IS PASTOR KATHY'S BIRTHDAY.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PASTOR KATHY!!!!!!!!!!!!

CAR SHOW 2011

Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 17th for SUMC annual car show. The proceeds this year will go into the Smithville, Mississippi fund.