FROM THE PASTOR…

PASTOR KATHY’S REFLECTIONS

The Season of Fall in well upon us: cooler temperatures have arrived, there are shorter hours of sunlight each day, and outdoor activities have become more limited. Leaves are falling, lawns have been over-seeded, talk of football is in the air, and almost everyone I know is getting a flu shot.

In the church, the Season of Fall brings a buzz of conversation about a wide variety of activities: completing forms for our district Charge Conference, implementing a stewardship program for the church, and preparing for the celebration of Advent. Staff, committees, and work teams are currently in the midst of preparation for all these activities that affect the life of the congregation. Here are some updates:

Ø The initial paperwork from the Trustees, the Finance Committee, and the Staff Parish Relations Committee has been submitted to the district office for review, meeting the deadline requirements for the Charge Conference process.

Ø The sermon themes for Sunday, October 23 through Sunday, November 13 will address envisioning the preferred future of Smithville United Methodist Church and developing next steps.

Ø Four “visioning” meetings have been scheduled during early November, to provide opportunities for small group dialogues, reflections, and prayer as we plan for 2012 and beyond. Members of the congregation are being invited to attend one of these “visioning” meetings. MORE INFORMATION TO COME … but please mark your calendars and plan to attend one of the following “visioning” meetings:

o Wednesday, November 9th from 6:30 - 8:00 pm

o Sunday, November 13th from 2:00 - 3:30 pm

o Tuesday, November 15th from 6:30 - 8:00 pm

o Wednesday, November 16th from 1:00 - 11:30 am

Ø Sunday, November 20 is Stewardship Sunday, which will include another wonderful potluck dinner. This will also serve as our church family shared Thanksgiving Dinner. Please plan to participate on this festive day!

Ø The first Sunday of Advent is November 27.

Ø The traditional Hanging of the Green with a soup supper is Monday, November 28.

As we approach these days of reflection, sharing, decisions, and celebration, let us remain in prayer for one another.

The Season of Fall is upon us: God is with us. Thanks be to God.

Blessings,

Pastor Kathy

Words from your Lay Leader- Sharon Fairlie

I am not sure if you are aware the United Methodist Women have an annual suggested reading list to help them with spiritual growth and injustice awareness to name just two areas of enlightenment. I have finished reading “The Noticer” by Andy Andrews. I highly recommend it. I am now reading “If You Know Who You Are, You’ll Know What to Do”, by Ronald J. Greer, a Methodist minister. It defines living with integrity. The UMW has this year’s books as well as years past, available to check out, in the bookcase located in the Genesis Room.

One paragraph in Rev. Greer’s book really grabbed my attention. Let me quote it for you. “I have always loved how the church I attend encouraged each of us to stay alive spiritually and theologically. We are challenged to think for ourselves. This church does not slam a theological stance down our throats. It encouraged us to think, to discern, and to discover who God is in each of our lives. I suppose it might be easier if someone were to tell me who God is in my life, but it would have so much less meaning—and, without the struggle of discernment, less integrity.”

When I read that paragraph, my heart sang because he put into words exactly how I feel about the church I attend, Smithville United Methodist Church. We, as members, are encouraged to study, pray and serve in order to discover the life God gave us to live. Yes, it does take work and yes, it would be so much easier for someone to tell me what I should think and believe, but then that would not be me. I would be living the life someone else defines for me.

Each of us has the ability to learn and grow by serving no matter what our circumstances are. In a recent meditation I read, the author used illustrations of everyday life, commuting, hauling water in a village, stroke victims, refugees, all with a realization they each can be lifted from their circumstances to experience being a child of God, worthy of His love, and through that love, be an example to others.

I ask you make time in the next few months to read, study and meditate through a church study group or on your own. How else will you have the tools needed to help others in their journey? This is what we are called to do.

The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

THANK YOU to all my dear friends at SUMC for the cards, calls and e-mails during my illness this month. They were all appreciated so much and brought a lot of sunshine to dreary days. Your friendship means so much and I thank God each day for all of you. Martha Urquhart

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Daylight Savings Time Ends

Please remember to set your clocks back one hour!

And

Country Store

November 8, 2011

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.

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 7th. We will be cooking and setting up Monday. Please come if you can help for even a short time on both days.

STEWARDSHIP/THANKSGIVING

POTLUCK

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20TH

First Sunday of Advent

November 27th

Advent Study

Wednesday's at 6:00 pm

Nov. 30th thru Dec. 21st

PIE AUCTION UPDATE

Everyone had a great time: eating spaghetti, bidding on pie and fellowship. There was a grand total of $1,659.60 raised for the church. Thank You!!!!!!

HANGING OF THE GREEN

Monday, November 28th

5:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Soup supper at 6:00 pm

Everyone is welcomed to come and help decorate the church for Christmas

FINANCIAL REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER 2011

INCOME EXPENSES

Debt Reduction Funds 1,370.00 Conference & Benevolence 2,436.80

Flexible Contribution 50.00 Christian Education

General Fund 12,589.05 Total Christian Education (208.99)

Misc Contributions

Altar Flowers 124

Apportionment Contributions 250 Non Pastoral Compensation 3,596.03

Sunday School Offering 74 Total Office Expense 287

Total Misc Contributions (489.05) Total Outreach/Evangelism 9.65

Mission: Car Show, etc. 2,117.00 Total Pastoral Compensation (5,966.90)

Preschool 1865.00 Total Trustees/Utilities/

Maintenance/Insurance/ 2,823.32

Interest on loan - 1,374.08

Worship

Altar Flowers 48

Total Income 18,480.10 Total Expense 14,377.93

September Net Income: 1,213.96

(We would have had a negative income of -858.04 if we had disbursed the car show proceeds)

FESTIVAL OF SHARING UPDATE

Thank you to Greg and Jan Robinson for taking our Festival of Sharing Packs to Sedalia, MO. We collected:

16- eyeglasses 2 -Personal Hygiene Packs 2- Student Dental Packs 4- Family Food Packs

3 -Baby Bundles 4 -Paper Products Packs 18- Readin' & Writin' Packs 911- Best Choice labels

SUMC Music Notes

The children will be presenting their Christmas Program on December 4, 2011 during worship. Rehearsal will be held on Sunday mornings after church from 11:15 to 11:45. Children of all ages are invited to attend. We will begin practicing on Sunday, November 6^th. Please contact Angie Viebrock if you have any questions.

We rehearse on Wednesday nights from 7 to 8 p.m. We have a wonderful time each Wednesday and invite new members to join us at anytime during the year. We have begun working on our pieces for our Christmas Celebration. 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.

The Christmas Celebration will be held on Sunday, December 18^th at 6:00 p.m. It will include a potluck meal as part of this special musical presentation. Turkey will be provided and all those planning to attend will be asked to bring a side dish or dessert. If you have any questions, please contact Angie Viebrock, Andrea Knutter, or any of the choir members.

Hope to hear you all singing in church!

God’s Blessings!

Angela Viebrock

NEWS FROM TROOP 412

During October the Boy Scouts of Troop 412 collected donations of school supplies and put together 18 Readin' and Writin' Packs for the Festival of Sharing.

The next big public service project is Scouting for Food. During the last week of October, Cub

Scouts will post notices on doors of homes in Smithville requesting donations of non-perishable food for the needy. On November 5, the Boy Scouts will pick up all donations and take them
to our church for sorting. Then the food will be given to two Smithville food pantries. If you do not receive such a notice on your door, and want to participate, place your donations in a bag at the end
of your driveway or by your front door, and call 694-6688 to request that Boy Scouts pick up your donation.