Houston UMC Newsletters

                             MISSION MOMENT

The Mission Committee is working on our medical boxes. If you remember back during the Lenten season, some of us kept track of the days of Lent by keeping the Lenten quarter cards, and then we turned those cards in on Easter morning. The money raised by that offering was added to the money received when you made donations to the medical box we had in the Narthex, and all together we came up with enough money to put together six medical boxes. CAN I SAY THAT AGAIN, SIX MEDICAL BOXES! We will have those medical boxes ready for the Festival of Sharing in October. What a blessing our generosity will be to people who are struggling with some form of disaster. The Mission Committee thanks all of you who helped make this project a great success. We are also continuing to collect box tops and best choice/campbells labels, and we appreciate your support of that ministry.
      We invite any of you who have a heart for Mission work to join us in our meetings. The meetings are listed in the Newsletter and the Bulletin and you are welcome and needed by our group.

Watch for information concerning the Walk For Hunger coming to this community soon!
Thank you for being a generous church family.         -Mission Committee

CHURCH FAMILY NEWS

THANK YOU’S

Dear Friends in Mission,
   Thank you for your gift. Because of your support, UMCOR is able to address not only immediate needs, but also the long-term recovery of those whose lives have been shattered by disaster. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers during this time and for you generous support.
-Roland Fernandes, Global Ministries
Shawn Bakker, The Advance

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Dear Friends,
   On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, thank you for your organization’s contribution. This gift has been added to the Houston Hunger Challenge Fund. Thank you for your charitable donation.
-Brian Fogle, President

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Heifer International gratefully recognizes Houston UMC. Your contribution of Healthy Animals and Training is a gift of love and life.

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Dear Faithful Supporter,
   Thank you for your recent support of Red Bird Mission. We truly count you as a vital partner in this ministry that cares for the physical and spiritual needs of God’s children.
-O. Taylor Collins, Executive Director

To the Coffee Shop Sunday School Class,
     I appreciate you thoughts and prayers.
-Roxanne McGowen

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Thank you to all who submitted Volunteer In Ministry Forms. Those forms were a great help to the Nominations Committee. As always we had to “recruit” where we had no volunteer, and I thank those who were willing to serve.
                                              -- Pastor Tom

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Thank you for the prayers, cards, and visits during my recent illness.
                                      --Glenda Van Note

Congratulations!!!
     It is indeed an honor to be able to add our church congratulations to those of the Scouting world.   On August 14, 2010 Scoutings highest honor was presented to a very special young man, when Christopher Driesel was made an Eagle Scout.
     Chris is a remarkable young man and a great credit to his family. While they lived in our area, we were privileged to have Chris and his family as members of this church.
     We extend our congratulations to Chris and to his parents, Rob and Debbie Driesel, and to his grandparents Billy Joe and Bev Driesel.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Military Personnel

Rick Johnson; Rowdy Carson; Mariah (Amelon) Rule; Richard Bratton III; George Ellsworth; Matthew Finley; Dan Gardner; Jimmy Myers; Darian Rice; David Rice; Sean Robinson; Peter Stein; Jared Stowe; Matthew Voyles; The POW’s; All of our Military Personnel and Families; Community Leaders and Government Leaders.
Church Family

Dewayne Kruse; Ed Bluebaum; Judy Rouse; Jodi (James) Arthur, mission trip to Africa; Glenda Van Note; Don Hadley; Rev. Bill Rice; Ginger Walker, dialysis; Lives Impacted by the Economy; Those Looking for Work; All Government and Community Leaders;

HIGHLIGHTS FROM CHURCH COUNCIL - Aug 19, 2010

Present: Pastor Tom & Judi; Bev & Terry Flowers; Janie Fraser-Giddens; Bob Joens; Cindy Haley; Alice Wells; Barb Hughes; Ed Bluebaum; Lucy Kruse; and Rose Dickard.

Janie Fraser-Giddens called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. Alice started by having those present read the 10^th Commandment, and she read a devotional based on coveting what is not ours and opened in prayer.

Secretary’s Report   Cindy moved/ Terry seconded/ minutes approved.
Treasurer’s Report   Pastor Tom said Finance committee met on Tuesday; check register balance was $14,000.
Old Business   The request for a donation to the Houston Imagination Library tabled last month was brought forward; Bob made a motion not to participate this year; Lucy seconded; motion passed.
New Business   Pastor Tom had forms required for the Charge Conference passed out for Council to vote on: 1) 2011 Pastoral Support - salary package presented by PPR as recommended by the Finance Committee. Pastor’s salary will remain within $8.00 of last year’s salary. Barb made the motion to approve; Bob seconded; motion passed. 2) Church Officials for 2011 Required Committees: PPR Class of 2013; Cindy made the motion to approve Kathy Hutcheson, Jimmilee Prouty, and Butch Burch and for Janie Fraser-Giddens to replace Matt Messick in the class of 2012; Terry seconded; motion passed. Board of Trustees class of 2013; Bob made the motion to approve Bob Horbyk, Steve Hutcheson, and Barbara Hughes; Barb seconded; motion passed. Nominations and Leadership Development class of 2013; Pastor Tom made the motion to approve Paul Smeltzer, Rev. Bill Rice and Lucy Kruse; Terry seconded; motion passed. 3) Housing and Furnishing Allowance Resolution: Pastor Tom made a motion to allow $3,600 for utility payments; Terry seconded; motion passed. 4) Travel & Professional Allowance Resolution: Pastor Tom made a motion to allow $4,263 for reimbursement; Bev seconded; motion passed.
As one of the church ministries, Bev requested the use of the church van for the “Holy Tearers” quilting group to make a trip to purchase fabric. The group will have an approved driver and pay for the gas. Bob made a motion to allow this trip; Alice seconded; motion passed.
Education/Nurture   Lori Krizan took over the education committee and has been working hard to come up with the plan for the rest of the year; we all need to help and support her in this position.
Finance   Bob Joens reported that the committee met and budget was the big topic. He said it is a little early (after sending our the support request) to tell where the finances are. He said there had been an increase in the collection plate, some one-time donations, etc. The committee voted to pay the complete bill for the district apportionments and $2,000 towards the conference apportionments.
Missions   Lucy reported there was enough money to purchase 6 medical kits. These will be taken to Festival of Sharing.
Staff/Parish   Pastor Tom reported the committee met to prepare the salary package. They discussed some on-going things looking ahead to get ready for a new pastor. They will meet with staff about salaries.
Trustees   Met at parsonage; did a complete walk-through; made a list of things that need to be done for a new pastor. Drapery lining is threadbare, carpets, rust spots in sinks, painting, etc. What gets done depends on finances.
Worship   Wednesday night services are finished; bell and chancel choir will start on Aug 25^th; Camp Meeting Days will finish at the end of August.
Others Present   Terry said the Coffee Shop Sunday School Class is accepting aluminum cans again. Only bring clean soda cans. No JOY group meeting in August. Will start again in September.
Pastor’s Report   Pastor Tom reported that the Parsonage refrigerator quit working last Sunday. When Ron Stowe came on Monday to work on it for 30-45 minutes, he pronounced it dead, and would not send a bill. He said we should tithe our time as well as our money. Trustees approved the purchase of a new refrigerator.

Cindy moved to adjourn at 7:46 pm. Bob seconded; Pastor Tom dismissed in prayer.
-Respectfully submitted by Rose Dickard, Council Secretary

Dear Church Family,
     Greetings to each of you as we begin a new month in ministry together. As I write this letter, we are enjoying a very mild weather day. I hope that is a trend that will continue as most of us are tired of the heat. It is always a wonder to watch how varied our weather is from one locale to another. Just an hours drive away from Houston, they have had an over abundance of rain this summer. I think it mirrors life in that every human life is different from another, and each life must deal with its own issues of tribulation and joy. People who walk in faith must trust in the Lord to carry them through the good and bad times with equal grace. I pray that each of us might know and appreciate God’s presence in our lives.
     When I look back over the month of August, the first thing I would comment on is our churches financial situation. By now most of you are aware that our first six months offerings were considerably below what our budgeted expenses required. Our Finance Committee is working to keep our membership informed, and at the same time they are doing all they can to bring our expenses and income back into line. We can be thankful that some of our most gifted leaders serve on the Finance Committee, and with their leadership and your support I am sure we will be able to balance our budget. The church is one place that depends totally on the generosity of our membership, and our record of generosity at the Houston United Methodist Church is second to none. May I encourage each of you to consider our needs and then give as generously as you can. All during Camp Meeting days we have been holding Wednesday night worship services. Those services were lightly attended, but I hope those who did attend found some good in them. Camp Meeting days is always a special time of worship for me and I hope each of you have enjoyed “Happy Trails” this summer season.
     Looking ahead to September, we will be having our Charge Conference on September 12^th at the Salem United Methodist Church, in Salem, Missouri. I plan to take the church van and hope we will have more people wanting to make the trip than we can take in one van. We will car pool the excess and hope to have a large contingent at Salem UMC. Our Church Sunday School and Children’s Church programs are beginning a new season with new leadership and I am hoping our parents will do all they can to get their children to Sunday School and Children’s Church. Lori Krizan is leading our Education Committee, with Shannon Nunnery acting as her assistant. Please do all you can to help Lori and Shannon. The Hunger Walk is featured on the front page, and we will need your support to make this event a big success.
     I want to use some of this space to say thank you to those who agreed to serve as committee leaders and committee members for 2011. We have a great group assembled, and I am confident they will provide excellent leadership in the next year. I also want to say a special thank you to those of you who have increased your giving. Our church leaders appreciate your gifts to us, and we are committed to using them wisely. Our Church Council seeks God’s leadership in all that we do and by God’s grace we will remain strong.

Grace To You All,

      Six men were present on August 8^th for our Methodist Men meeting. The weather was hot and sticky. Some of us are getting tired of this heat and humidity, and we are ready for some FOOTBALL! It appeared that several of our regular members were out scouting the best seat locations in anticipation of the fall sports season. Since the deep thinkers were all absent, our table talk tended to hover around the weather. Our Meteorology Committee reported it had been very hot and humid and there was a 50% chance we would have more of the same. These folks are known for their accurate forecasts, and they are currently counting the number of foggy days in August so we will know how many days of snow we will have later this winter. Our men are nothing if they are not on the cutting edge of everything scientific.
     This reporter made mention of the dozen doughnuts he had recently rescued from the St. George’s Bakery. It was a tricky situation, but the rescue came off without a hitch. Our Fashion and Design team is working on a banner that will properly display our concern for doughnuts everywhere. Remember to do your part and save a doughnut today.
     Our President, (yes he was back from his world tour) opened our meeting with a devotion based on Revelation 3:17 and entitled “Lost In Exhaustion”. I don’t know where they come up with these devotion titles, but they sure fit our Methodist Men. Mark’s lesson told about a bear that had a bucket stuck on his head and no one could get it off. The bear just walked in circles until it was too exhausted to go on. Only then could the bucket be removed safely. Mark suggested that there are times when we behave like that bear and stop listening to God until we have worn ourselves out going in circles.
    The business part of the meeting was short and to the point. We still have money in the bank and a new work project to do. We will tackle the work project later in the fall. We plan to go to the Cave restaurant for a Methodist Men’s outing on October 16^th, with October 23^rd as the backup date. Spouses are invited to this outing, as most of our men are leery of going into a dark cave alone.
       Looks like we will circle the wagons next on September 12^th. We invite all of our men to our next gathering.

A Word From Our Lay Leader

   You knew it as the CROP Walk. This year, think Texas Co. Stomp Out Hunger Walk! We decided to do a local walk to support the county’s two food pantries in Houston (Texas Co. Food Pantry) and Licking
(United Community Help Center). This way, all the money donated will stay in the county.

When:Sunday, September 26
Registration of walkers-1:30 PM
Walk begins-2 PM
Where:Houston Sr. Citizens Center on Grand Ave.

   The routes will still be one- and three-miles. We need as many walkers as possible! Please see Reese Bucher or me about getting a donor envelope. If you are unable to walk, please consider supporting a walker.
   We will use the Houston Community Foundation as a place to deposit funds, so your gift would be considered a charitable donation, and you will receive a receipt if you wish. The funds will then be distributed to the pantries by the Foundation.
   You will be helping more than 400 families who depend on the pantries for food they could not otherwise afford.
   Reese usually wins the prize for the most money collected. Any challengers?
   Help us stomp out hunger in Texas County!
-Alice Wells

Attendance Statistics

                           Worship     Sunday School

08/01/10       85      45
08/08/10       70      31
08/15/10       70      35
08/22/10       85      46

Weekly Average 78      39

Finance Report

General Budget Income:

08/01/10                              $3,945.26
08/08/10                              $3,902.95
08/15/10                              $1,893.42
08/22/10                              $3,882.47

Weekly Average               $3,406.03

We need $2,856.92 each week in General Budget Income to meet the 2010 Budget.

( A note should be added to point out that we are usually running the monthly average giving figure without the last Sunday of the month’s giving because we do not know what that figure will be when we are doing the Newsletter. We try to include the last week of the month offering from the previous month as most last Sunday offerings are similar, and I think we get a fairly accurate idea of where our offerings are in relation to need.)

TEXAS COUNTY STOMP OUT HUNGER WALK
    Two of our church members are co-chairing an important mission event in September. Reese Bucher and Alice Wells are providing leadership to an event they hope will be supported throughout the county. Reese and Alice will join many others who hope to raise money to purchase food items for those in need.

      On Sunday, September 26^th, walkers from around the county will gather at the Houston Senior Citizens Center to participate in the first annual “Texas County Stomp Out Hunger Walk”. Each walker is asked to collect donations from friends and family and bring those the day of the walk. All funds collected will be divided between the Texas County Food Pantry, which serves Houston, Cabool, Summersville, Raymondville and other area communities, and the United Community Help Center in Licking.
      Previously called the CROP Walk, this year’s goal is to raise money for these local food pantries, which serve over 400 families a month with commodities and senior food boxes. All funds collected will be used to support local food pantries, and those donations will be tax deductible.
     Registration for the walk will begin at 1:30 pm on September 26^th, with the walk to follow at 2 pm. There will be a one-mile and a three-mile course marked off within the area surrounding the Senior Center.
PLEASE MAKE PLANS TO ATTEND THIS IMPORTANT MISSION EVENT

Calling All
Women!

We will be starting a new 7 week Bible Study entitled “The Secrets Jesus Shared”. It is written by Jennifer Dean and is a similar format as the Beth Moore studies. Jennifer describes her study saying: “The parables are some of Jesus’ most revealing words. More than stories they are a description of the kingdom he rules. He reveals so many aspects of his personality through the parables. His wit is on display as is his wisdom.” Jennifer describes her ministry as: “Calling God’s people to discover the difference between a prayer live and a praying life.”

Peggy Holder will be starting a class on Sunday evening, October 3, at 6:00 PM, and Carol Vander Veen will be starting a morning class on October 4 at 11:00 AM. The cost will be approximately $15.00 per person depending on the number of people who sign up. Please call the church office (967-2372) or sign up in the Narthex by September 19 so we will know how many books to order

United Methodist Women News

     UMW met August 10 with 13 members present. President Cindy Haley opened the meeting at 6:30 pm with a devotional from Our Daily Bread.
     Alice encouraged us to walk in the Sept 26^th “Stomp Out Hunger Walk”, claiming we will have fun, snacks & bottled water! We will host a refreshment booth at the Oct 10^th “Festival of Sharing Ingathering” to help offset the cost of the Murfin building rental. Donations of homemade cookies and brownies for the booth are needed and will be appreciated. We raised $95 for Medical Boxes from our Make It/ Bake It/ Grow It offerings. Janet won this month’s drawing. We will host the Houston House Christmas Shoppe again this year. Date and details will be decided at a later date.
     Judi presented a program on the Lydia Patterson Institute. Our prayer focus is for those who have been instrumental in our own Christian walk and for persons for whom we might be mentors. Pastor Tom closed our meeting with prayer, and we enjoyed fellowship while partaking of Lucy’s cool, strawberry cake!
     Please come and join us for the next meeting Sept 14^th at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall, when Lucy will have the program, Rose will be the Hostess and Lana will present the prayer calendar.