THE MESSENGER - SEPTEMBER 2007

THE MESSENGER

Volume 9, Issue 9                                                 September, 2007

Message from Judith Reedy

Dear Church Family,

For over a year, the evangelism committee has dreamed of having a tent celebration!!  That time has arrived!  The focus of that celebration is "Sharing Your Story."  Everybody has at least one!  When we truly listen to another's story, we are saying, "You count.  Your life and feelings and thoughts matter to me.  And I want to know who you really are."

In 1979, listening saved the life of psychologist Daniel Gottlieb.  That year the family therapist's cervical spine was severed in a near-fatal automobile accident, leaving him paralyzed from the chest down.  "One night I was lying in intensive care, wishing I could go to sleep and never wake up, when a nurse approached me,"  Gottlieb says.  "She asked if I were a psychologist.  I nodded yes.  She then asked me, 'Does everybody feel suicidal at some point in their lives?'  I told her it was not unusual and asked if she wanted to talk about it."

The nurse pulled a chair over to Gottlieb's bed and spoke for a few hours about her life and struggles.  "I realized I could live as a quadriplegic," he says.  "The knowledge that I could still help another person saved my life."  His practice changed dramatically because he was able to hear people's hearts, and as the Bruce Springsteen song says, "Everybody's got a hungry heart."

The most generous question you can ever ask someone is simply, "What is it like to live inside your skin?"  Then listen.

September 21st and 22nd are your opportunities to listen to faith stories which you have never heard.  Come, listen, and share in the food and fellowship.  I am looking forward to being with you.

Grace and Peace,

Judith

judithreedy@fumcthecolony.org

YOU ARE INVITED!

What:  Healing and Wholeness Service

When:  Sunday night, September 9, 7:30pm

Where:  Sanctuary

This service will focus on the many different forms of healing and wholeness.  It will include:  Healing from the tragedy of 09/11; prayers for those in harm's way; recognition of losses in our lives; a special musical presentation; and a personal testimony from our member  Judy Guy.

 NOTES FROM THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT

 Boy Scout Troop 226 is hosting a pancake breakfast here at FUMC, dine-in or carry-out, for $5.00.  Walk-ins are welcome; however, if you would like to purchase tickets in advance, it will help with planning for enough food for all.  Tickets may be purchased Monday evenings, 7:00pm, at the church or by contacting Holly Kantak.  Proceeds will pay for youth and adult training, camping equipment, and supplies.

The Lay Leadership Committee has been meeting at least monthly during all of 2007.  Much of that time has been dedicated to reviewing how FUMC, The Colony, nominates persons for leadership positions.  Each church is governed by the Book of Discipline in nominating standing committees - Finance, Trustees and Staff-Parish Relations Committee  Each church is unique in the way all other committees, teams, and task forces are organized.  Our hope is that when we come to Charge Conference on December 10, you recognize the process as well as the care with which our leaders have been selected.  If you would like to serve on one of our committees, team or task forces for 2008, please contact Bill Smith or Pastor Reedy.

Rev. Judith Reedy, Lay Leadership Chairperson

Bill Smith, Lay Leadership Vice-chair

 The United Methodist Women are hosting a Women's Retreat "in memory of Cathy Yaw, an exceptional woman of God."  Guest speaker is Rev. Dr. Sheron Patterson, Senior Minister at Highland Hills UMC, columnist for The Dallas Morning News and radio talk show host.  Her emphasis will be on wellness and wholeness in women.  Plan to join us for a time of fellowship, prayer and worship and time to share.  There will be 15 minutes massages, facials and reflexology available at $12 each, and a gift shop offering unique handcrafted items from local artisans.  Cost is $55 (October 24 deadline).

COMMUNICATIONS

September Committee of the Month

 Evangelism will be spreading the word during the fall season at various events that are in the planning stages. "Sharing Your Story" is a two day, spirit-filled event in September (see enclosed flyer).  Craft Days is coming in October, not only at FUMC, The Colony at the Women's bazaar, but also in the Carrollton area.  We want to tell others about our church church family and our awesome God!  Look and listen for details as they become available .  As always, if you would like to e a part of the "E Team" contact Becky Aduddell, chairperson. 

Don't forget to Share Jesus Christ with others daily, if not with words, by actions!!

Becky Aduddell, Evangelism Chair

 If you consider yourself a "young adult," come join us!  We are starting our Bible study up again after the summer break beginning September 4th! We meet every Tuesday 7:30pm, at the church.  Grounded is a time where young adults of the community come together for Christian fellowship and discussion.  Please mark your calendars to join us September 4th!  Don't forget to run through Java Haus and bring yourself some coffee!  See you there!

What do you want more than anything else in the world?  Most people would answer this question with a response that indicates they want to live in a world filled with love, faith, security, and meaning because people desire a positive future.

By it's very nature the Church is devoted to the creation of a better future.  As people see their own desires linked to the congregational  vision and a deeper understanding of God's future they deepen their commitment and involvement.

Individuals learn to be good stewards when they realize that stewardship is a way of life, involving all that they are and all they do in all facets of their lives. 

The foundation of stewardship is in the teachings of Jesus.  When Jess taught that we should love the Lord our God, who always expresses compassion, mercy, love and forgiveness.  Jesus also taught that we should love our neighbors as ourselves.  Love for all of lfe  begins with our own lives, because self-acceptance is the basic to acceptance of others.  Within ourselves is where we first experience love.  Then we continue by loving others.  The familiar story of the good Samaritan in the Bible clarifies the dimensions of neighbor.  Involvement with people is the result of caring deeply.

Jesus became God alive in the world by becoming the Word and dwelling in the world.  We become the living Word when we demonstrate the love of God in our lives.  Stewardship is God revealed in our lives every day by the way we live, whether alone or with other persons. 

We are each a steward of some kind.  None can escape being a steward of God's possessions.  This includes our handling of money and other resources, our treatment of other people and our worship of God.

Whether you give your time, your talent, or your resources, all giving should be done in love and with a thankful heart, recognizing that God is the owner of everything in your life.

Blessings from the Stewardship Committee,

Russell van Holsbeke, Chair

YOUTH CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Sunday, Sep. 2          5:00pm Meeting

Sunday, Sep. 9          5:00pm Meeting

Sunday, Sep. 16       5:00am Meeting

Tuesday, Sep. 18      4:20pm Union Gospel Mission

Sunday, Sep. 23        5:00pm Meeting

Sunday, Sep. 30        5:00pm Meeting

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Student Ministry Nooz

Shew!  School's finally started... you've had at least a few days to get over the transition from summer to school.  So, how'd it go?  Is it better than you thought or worse?

One thing we can always count on being better is God's love for us.  It's like sunshine.  We like it but we never really notice it; unless it's gone, then we notice.  God loves us and is ready to be in our lives, if we notice.  A guy called John Wesley once said that God is always waiting for us to say "Yes."  But we have to decide.  Remember, no choice is a choice.

SUNDAY EVENING

Come join us some Sunday, any Sunday, how about this Sunday????  We will eat, well play a game or two, we will do a lot of laughing we will talk with each other and it will be worthwhile and we will praise and worship God.  All of it will be done so that you can participate at your level.... What you will really get is God's love...ha!  Got you.

God Bless,

Rebecca

Preschool and Parent's Day out

We will be starting back on Tuesday, September 4

There are currently openings in the Toddler class (18-24 months) and the 4 year old classes on Tuesday/Thursday or Wednesday/Friday.  For more information please call the PDO office 972-625-2891 or email pdo@fumcthecolony.org

We KICK off the school year with our 8th Annual Grandparents' Day Dinner on September 9.  Dinner is hosted by KICK and ALL grandparents and senior adults are cordially invited to come celebrate Grandparents' Day with an evening filled with dessert for our dessert table or a side dish.  Dinner is from 5:30 - 7:00pm.  Kids should be here by 4:30pm to help setup and Grandparents are asked to arrive at 5:30pm.

The Lock-in will be September 28-29, from 7:00pm - 10:00am.  Join us for an overnight of fun and adventure as we prepare for Children's Sabbath Sunday.  Friends are always welcome!  For more info contact Ryan Toornburg or the church office at 972-625-1281.