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Canby United Methodist Church
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The Shimer Family - Pastor Karen in the center, surrounded by, clockwise from lower left, Pastor Brian Shimer, husband, Collin Howder, Susanna Shimer Howder, Gabrielle Shimer, Grace Shimer, Zack Armstrong and Anna Shimer Armstrong. This picture was taken in December, 2011. From the Pastor's Desk.... Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world. (Sarah Ban Breathnach quoted in one thousand gifts) Earlier this month seven people began the adventure of creating a Gratitude Journal, setting a goal to list 1000 gifts in life. The book one thousand gifts by Ann Voskamp prompted this small group experience. Voskamp frames many of her own reflections around the Greek word, eucharisteo, which combines the meaning of grace, gratitude, and joy. It is the word from which we get Eucharist, a name for the communion meal we share together in worship. I have been blessed to create this list. It has been interesting to see some patterns of my life emerge in my list of living from Eucharisteo. I am learning what is important to me as I see it appear over and over in my list of thanksgivings. I find that relationships are very important to me - I value moments of meaning that come into my life because of the people that God brings everyday. I also value words, another way of making meaning. Someone in the group mentioned the word "intentionality" last week in our time together and I see that I am not content to let my life slide from one day into the next without some drive for meaning and purpose. Living Eucharisteo daily is perhaps the deepest form of meaning. Funny, I didn't think when I began this journey that I would be writing about keeping the list. I thought the task would be simply to keep the list. My prayer during this experience has been, "Holy God, bring the meaning of Eucharisteo deep into the pores of my life and soul." As we continue this season of Epiphany, a time for intentional God-sightings, let us look for reasons to live eucharisteo - a life of grace, thanksgiving, and joy!Joining with Him to look for joy!
Pastor Karen
Scriptures and Sermons for February Sundays in Epiphany
Epiphany is a word that names this season of the church year and it is a
time when we celebrate the divinity of Jesus. An epiphany is also a
"God-sighting" and can refer to a time when someone has a sudden
realization of God in everyday life. During the six weeks of Epiphany
leading up to Transfiguration Sunday on February 19th, I will
be preaching about Looking for Jesus. The gospel for Year B of the
lectionary is Mark, so we will be spending a great deal of time in
Mark's account of Jesus' life in the coming weeks.
February 5 -
"God
Sighting: Solitude" February 12, 2012, "God-Sighting:
Testimony" February 19, 2012,
"God-Sighting: On A Mountain Top" February 26, 2012
,"Cultivating Our Faith: Baptism" Looking for Jesus with you, Pastor Karen Focus on Hospitality: Worship as Hospitality...
This
year we will be focusing on our practice of hospitality to each other
and to those who visit and worship with us. Throughout the year we will
look at thought-provoking words about this crucial aspect of the
Christian life.
In
today's society, the concept of hospitality is often reduced to the
concept of private entertainment, almost always extended to people who
are like ourselves. Sometimes the hospitality we experience is public,
like on a cruise ship or in a nice hotel, but it is most always
contrived and on someone’s time card, not usually genuine and
self-giving.
The
market term of hospitality cannot be interchangeably used with the
Christian version of hospitality. Christian hospitality relies upon an
understanding of time and space as given and redeemed by God. Rightly
understood, worship itself is
hospitality. We do not gather ourselves; God gathers us; God invites us
in. More fully, we are brought by the power of the Holy Spirit into a
worship already taking place in the life of God.
In
worship, then, God is our host. As Divine Host, God through Christ in
the Spirit draws us into communion with himself and others, giving us
desires we had not previously even imagined. Jesus, the perfect host,
knows the true needs of the guests and offers gifts to meet our needs.
Worship is the most important thing there is because it is what
gathers, forms, and feeds the people of God. We know ourselves in and
through this gathering, this living water, and the sacrificial meal of
communion. Apart from
worship, we would not know what Christian hospitality looks like.
If we
worship faithfully, we will extend the hospitality that is worship
through all the other days of the week to our neighbors, to strangers,
and even to enemies.
Do
you sense God's hospitality toward you when you worship in this
community of faith? How could you become more aware of His welcome for
you as you worship each Sunday?
Excerpted from the article "Untamed Hospitality" by Elizabeth Newman,
copyright 2007 by Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University. Trustees ... At their January meeting, the Trustees held an election of officers. The new chairman is Gordon Huiras, and Joe Baker will serve as the Secretary. During the week of February 7, 2012, the new kitchen countertops will installed. A lockable mailbox has been installed by the Trustees just inside the driveway on the Holly Street side. This will save the office staff from the daily trip to the Post Office to access a postal box.
The next Trustees meeting will
be February 14th at 10:00 am. Del Hildreth, Chair of Trustees Finance Reporting... Apportionments: We met 74% of our Unified Conference Budget apportionment; 100% of our apportionment for Youth & Young Adult Ministries; 100% of our Western District church Extension apportionment; and 100% of our apportionment for Western District Hispanic Ministries. Overall, we met 67% of our total apportionments. Contingency Fund: We only had to use $203.80 of our $5,000 contingency fund. Kitchen maintenance: We have gathered contributions totaling $775 towards our new kitchen countertops. This does not include any contributions given in memory of someone. The next Finance Committee meeting is February 20th at 7pm. Mark Oldenkamp, Finance Chair SPRC for 2012... There is no report for January. Jill Kahle, SPRC Chair
Membership Report.... If you have changed a home address, E-mail address or phone number, please let the church office know. I have posted a list on the bulletin board under Membership and you can make a change to the list. Also, if you do not see a name tag for you at the church please let me know. Paul Ashton, Membership Secretary UMW Makes A Change...
The United
Methodist Women Board of officers has decided to hold their monthly
Board meeting on the Thursday before the monthly General Meeting.
This gives them more time to plan and discuss business without
being rushed. Change is
good!
February 5 - Take-Home chili sale, $7 per quart
Please note that circle members will no longer be in charge of altar
flowers each month. Mission Trip to Mexico... We have five people that have committed to participate in the mission trip to Mexicali, Mexico this year: Robin Kirkwood, Heidi Oldenkamp, Julene Koenig, Becky Gutierrez and Lois McCleod. For the sixth year CUMC will join in on a Volunteer in Mission team, traveling Friday March 23, 2012 and returning on Saturday March 31, 2012. The team needs your prayers, small notes of inspiration and love (AGAPE) as well as your financial support. The team has announced the 3rd annual all Church Silent auction to support this mission project. Starting February 5th, silent auction items will be posted in the social hall ready for bidding. On Sunday March 18th, during the coffee fellowship time, bids will close and payments can be made. Everyone in the church can participate in some way. YOU could donate an item or service. Food items, yard or house services, computer services or art items have been donated in the past. EVERYONE can bid. Don't worry if someone has already bid on the item you are watching. You can raise the bid! The cause is worthy and this can be lots of FUN!There are other ways to support the mission trip throughout the year. Recycling of ink cartridges, cell phones and recyclable Oregon redemption value beverage containers (aluminum, plastic and glass) are collected throughout the year. There are boxes for the phones and ink cartridges in the youth room and a receptacle near the dishwasher in the kitchen for the cans and bottles. Most Sundays, the youth have the coffee bar open during coffee time where they will make to order a hot coffee or chocolate drink for a donation. All these proceeds are used toward the mission trip effort. Soon a list of needed supplies to send with the group will be posted. This will include things such as cereal, fruit or nut breads, bagels and cream cheese, toilet paper and some repair supplies such as blue tape for painting. Watch for the coming list and see if there is something you can offer.
The scheduled meetings are all from 3:00 to 5:00 pm at KCLUMC:
Feb 12
Feb 26
Mar 4
Mar 18
Depart on Friday, Mar. 23 and return Saturday, Mar. 31
Mark and Laura Oldenkamp, Coordinators United Methodist Men... The UMM has suspended their monthly breakfast at Denny's Restaurant in Canby on the second Thursday of every month until further notice. Youth Scrip Program...
There is a
new
2012 order form
for scrip purchases.
Even though the holidays are over, please continue your faithful
efforts to this easy fundraising cause. It is especially important to
our youth as they work to raise money for their many activities.
Also, this money will help to subsidize the salary for our
(hoped for) Children's Ministry position when that position is filled.
If
everyone used this program for the purchases they planned to make
anyway, we would be able to help with more of our financial needs.
You can even encourage other family members to use the scrip program on
a regular basis.
You
can order from the youth each Sunday at Coffee Hour, and they APPRECIATE
your doing so. Laura Oldenkamp, Scrip Coordinator Mission
Moment... The number of Americans living in poverty is the highest it has been in 52 years. One in seven households in our nation are food insecure which affects more than 16 million children nationwide. That statistic is according to the United States Dept. of Agriculture. Here in Canby we have over 160 children in the Backpack Buddies program for the Canby School District. It takes approximately $2.50 - $3.00 to fill ONE backpack. We support the 91 School children, which included 40 individual children this last week, and that amounts to $100 - $120 per week. Our Food Barrel is empty. Could you please help our neighbors in need by bringing in nonperishable food items. The barrel is located in the narthex and as soon as it is full the items will be taken over to St. Patrick's Food Pantry. Thank you to all who support these important mission projects.
Thank you to all who donate throughout the year.
Thank you for blessing the lives
of the children of 91 School.
Ways to Help
Our Youth Program... Even while we are in the process of redeveloping our youth program, you still can help out the youth of the church in the following ways: •Sunday morning coffee bar
There are gift
cards in very small denominations and from many, many stores,
restaurants and service providers. If everyone used this program
for the purchases they planned to make anyway, we would be able to help
with more of our financial needs. You can even encourage other
family members to use the scrip program on a regular basis.
You
can order from the youth each Sunday at Coffee Hour, and they APPRECIATE
your doing so.
Scrip
Available Every Sunday...
Scrip profits go to the youth fund. You pay face value for the card and the card is worth that same amount when you go to the store. None of the gift cards expire and Cutsforth Thriftway certificates are good until March 2012. Thank you for your support! There is a brand new scrip order form that you can pick up at the church. Check it out! This
money will also help to subsidize the salary for our Children’s Ministry
position when that position is filled.
There are gift cards in very small denominations from many, many stores,
restaurants and service providers. If everyone used this program
for the purchases they planned to make anyway, we would be able to help
with more of our financial needs. You can even encourage other
family members to use the scrip program on a regular basis. Laura Oldenkamp, Scrip Chair
The
Coffee Hour and Greeter Schedules for the first six months of 2012 will
be posted in the Fellowship Hall soon.
We want to thank everyone who has participated in the past year.
And a reminder that if you are unable to do the assigned
date--please trade with someone else.
If
supplies for coffee hour run low, please notify the church office.
Janet will notify the committee to purchase them.
We
have a request that any food or beverage leftover from coffee hour or
other church functions be taken home.
Do not place in the refrigerator, assuming someone will use it.
We often find punch and food leftover - uncovered /not dated.
Do not assume someone else will use it.
Please take it home.
If
food is placed in the freezers, they must be properly sealed and dated.
If you use foil, please cover with plastic wrap first to ensure
it is sealed. The Evangelism, Membership, & Fellowship Committee Sheila Brown, E-M-F Chair A Love
Letter
Thank you
very much for your support of God's great love at work in our
communities.
Once again
the Harvest of Hearts has drawn the body of Christ close to recognize
the many, many hundreds of individuals and businesses that work together
to fulfill the mission "to
mobilize local churches to transform lives and communities n the
Name of Christ." It is these selfless gifts of
time, talent, prayer, money, goods and services that have served
thousands of families since we first opened.
This year alone, we have assisted over 600 families,
demonstrating the power of the church serving together.
We believe
the time is ripe to expand the ministry of Love In the Name of Christ by
launching a Mentorship Ministry.
Having laid a strong foundation of providing for physical needs,
our partner churches are posed to provide one-to-one care in budget
counseling, life skills and personal assistance to address the personal
issues surrounding chronic dependency.
We know that God loves the people in our neighborhoods, and we
are privileged to serve them with you in the wonderful calling of
sacrifice and transformation in His name and for His glory.
Our work
begins again; we believe this coming phase of ministry will be the most
effective yet, as we come along side those who are hurting and in need
with a hopeful message of transformation.
This can be accomplished by the faithful service and witness of
the Church. We will continue
to inform you of developments as we move forward into the New Year with
exciting opportunities for shoulder-to-shoulder ministry.
In Christ's
love, "Dinner & Conversation" with Pastor Karen... "Dinner & Conversation" with Pastor Karen will be at Nuevo Vallarta on February 20th at 5:00pm prior to the Finance Committee meeting at 7:00pm, and at Fultano's on Monday, February 27th at 5:00pm prior to the Church Council meeting. E-mail Prayer Chain...
Pastor Karen with others is currently working on the possibility of
having an email prayer chain.
The basic idea is to be able to submit a prayer request through
your email that would automatically be sent to a list of undisclosed
recipients who could then pray for you based on your request.
You could participate as the one requesting prayer or you could
be one of the recipients of the prayer request ... or both.
Prayer is a very powerful means of putting God's healing grace to
work in our lives, and this is just one more way to facilitate that
power.
While the technical details are being worked out, a list of email prayer
request recipients will be generated so that when the time comes, the
program can be implemented.
If you do not have email in your home, prayer requests can still be
honored.
You can submit
requests with our current phone chain, complete a prayer request form
found in the Sunday bulletin, or by personally asking the pastor, or
someone you know with a computer to send your request to the email
prayer chain. Please consider whether this a mission for you personally
and what it can mean for those in need.
Be looking for a signup sheet at church soon. BITS AND PIECES Notes from Canby Community Preschool... February is a wonderful month for preschoolers! They are able to send and receive Valentines for the very first time. They love this and we really make a big deal about making cards and saying thank you. It is inspiring to see how genuine children are when they give gifts. They really do think of others and they are very proud of what they are giving. The gift can be a very small, slightly crumpled bit of paper and the children still love to give the gift. As adults we could really learn something from this. It truly is the thought that counts. Our dramatic playroom will be a post office for the month and the four year old class will have a field trip to the Canby Post Office. This is a great way for us to promote early literacy and practice writing skills. The children love to write letters and then put them in the mail. Happy Valentine's Day.Teachers Andy and Anne Camp Magruder...
Camp Magruder is proud to announce that we have created a blog and
joined Facebook this fall.
Each week we'll post pictures to let you know what's happening here at
camp and about the events that are coming up.
We'll introduce you to the Camp Magruder staff, share the history
of Camp Magruder, talk about why camp experiences are so important to
people of all ages, and discuss how lessons learned at camp can be
applied at home. We'll take
a look at current issues in camping and play a fun game called "Where in
camp is this photo?" Feel
free to let us know what you want to hear about and spread the word to
friends, family, and churches that we've joined Facebook and have a
weekly blog.
There are several Camp Magruder Facebook pages, but you'll find the one
hosted by our site staff by clicking on the Church/Religious
Organization page.
Our Facebook page has a link to our blog, but you can also find the blog
by going to
www.campmagruder1945.blogspot.com
We look forward to seeing you at camp, but until then, "like" us on
Facebook and become a blog "follower."
Thanks-
Amy Wood
Program Service Director, Camp Magruder
17450 Old Pacific Hwy
Rockaway Beach OR 97136
503.355.2310
Calling All Needle Crafters... Dish towels are available for people to take and
embroider. Please contact Barbara Brown if you'd like to be a part
of this project. Canby Adult Center Needs Your Help... The Canby Adult Center is also looking for drivers to transport clients to medical appointments (TRP) and drivers to deliver hot meals for our Meals on Wheels program (MOW). If you enjoy helping others and you are 55+ years, we have an outstanding opportunity for you as a Senior Companion. Please contact us if you're interested. Camping Opportunities
There are an enormous number of camping opportunities in our Conference for
campers of all ages and all all times of the year. Check out the
schedules and registration information at
www.gocamping.org.
Cell Phone and Inkjet Cartridge Collection The youth wish to remind everyone that they are still requesting old cell phones and empty printer ink jet cartridges to be brought to the church office for collection. They receive money from recycling these items for their various projects. We have now switched cell phone programs from Eco Phones to CashMyPhone, because they pay more money for the same phones. The only difference is that we now need the chargers for the phones. This program requires phones to be fully charged and able to make a test 611 call. Please include the charger for each phone so that we can charge them before we send them in. The last batch of phones that was sent in totaled $103.00 for 16 phones. This is quite a lot more money than the other program. Inkjet cartridges will still be sent to Eco Phones. Thank you for your continued support of the Canby United Methodist Church Youth Group in our effort to raise money for mission projects and events. The collection box is located in the church office. Deadline Change In order to publish "The Messenger" in a more timely manner so that is of more value to you for scheduling your month's activities, the deadline for submissions will be changed to an earlier monthly date. For the March newsletter, the deadline is Thursday, February 23rd. Greeters for February February 5 - Tim & Kristie VandeKamp Coffee Hour Hosts for February February 5 - Mark & Laura Oldenkamp,
McCormick family, and Ken & Phyllis Thompson To see the calendar, please click on the "Calendar" tab on the top left of the Newsletter page.
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Canby United Methodist Church
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