The United Methodist Church at White River & Mission
PO Box 197, White River, SD 57579 259-3682 or
1-877-707-8613 email: tmparish@gwtc.net
on the web: http://gwtc.net/~tmparish/
God’s Roads
May 2012
From the Pastor’s Keyboard
The May, 2012 Guideposts magazine was lying on the desk. In the
hopes of finding inspiration for this article, I came upon this quote in
The Up Side column: “The first principle to making life matter is to
value the beautiful people and places in your life. God has given those
places to us as gifts and with the understanding that how we treat these
things in our journey determines, ultimately, what we value in God.”
From Making Life Matter: Embracing the Joy in Everyday by Shellee
Hendricks and Russell Reich.
To make our lives truly matter, we must value the people and places that
are in our life, for if we don’t, it doesn’t say much for how we value
God. Keeping that in mind let me share with you a couple of things
happened this morning (Wednesday). I received a call from a woman
whose daughter’s baby died after living a few hours, having been born
nearly two months premature. We have been praying for this little
fellow to survive, but he didn’t and now I must prepare to talk at the
wake for him. His life was brief, but it had value. In that value, we see
God’s love as the family gathers around this family in their grief and
questioning. We find value in those who come, those who offer
sympathy, a hug, food and care.
That tiny baby is so valued and then after the conversation with
the grandma, I went up town to get the mail. I met a fellow who said to
me, “Look at my face!” It was full of cuts and scrapes, some healing
and some still pretty raw. He said someone had beaten him up. The
man was beaten, either because he was not valued by the beater or the
beater sees no value in his brothers and sisters.
In God’s eyes all 3 of these males hold high value; the baby who
has already gone home to his creator, the man who was beaten and the
man who did the hurting. Both of those men are God’s children, even
though they may not claim so, both are forgiven and loved. What could
I offer the man as we walked into the liquor store for pain relief? Not
much, other than to ask God to watch over him.
The second part of that quote deals with places in our lives. On
that walk to the post office, I always walk by the vacant lot behind the
UM Church. The lot is full of bottles and other litter. With Earth Day
just behind us, I can’t help but think, why not go in there and clean up
the lot. No, it doesn’t belong to us, but it sure would make that corner
of town more attractive, after all God has given us this earth to enjoy
and care for, even the vacant lots.
There you have it, what do I value in God and what makes life
matter to me: life itself, but also the assurance that there is more than
what we have on earth. I can comfort that baby’s family with that
assurance. I value God’s love and forgiveness as I see what we do to
one another. And, I value the beauty of what God has created and want
to do my part to clean up our part of the world. The yards of both of our
churches can use some help, will you join me?
See you in church on Sunday.
Blessings,
Pastor Linda
UMC of Mission Changes
Thanks to Randy Klein’s inclination and gifts a couple of
changes have happened at the Mission church. Cupboards
now line the upper part of the kitchen walls, so everything is
off the countertops and stowed away properly. At last check,
there was even an empty shelf or two. Sh-h-h, or that won’t
last long! The youth room is in the process of renovation,
also.
Tree of Life
At the April Tree of Life Board meeting,
Russell Masartis, Director, shared some
interesting stats with the board. During the past year, TOL
has distributed just under 1.5 million pounds in grocery items
(food stuffs) and just over 1.5 million pounds of non-food
items, i.e. diapers, paper products, soap, etc. The new thrift
store building is in place, just behind and to the left of the
Boys and Girls Club. The plan is for it to open on April 30.
The Warm Welcome and Thrift store can use help most of
this month. If you haven’t met them, some of the new staff
include Kim (a.k.a. a’Q) in the kitchen and Rachel in the
Thrift Store. Pastor Linda continues to take donations to
Mission for TOL and also brings things back, like chocolate
cakes, depending on what is being given away. Thank you all
for your support for Tree of Life, whether it be donations of
items or money and for your time. This is one big way we
can be in service to our sisters and brothers by giving a handup and not a push down.
In-Gathering Is Coming
Just a reminder, health kits consist of a hand-towel, wash
cloth, bath size bar of soap, comb (not pocket), nail file or
clipper, tooth brush and 6 bandage strips (Band-aid brand for
example), all placed in a gallon sized bag.
School kits placed in a cloth bag that is 14 x 16 inches with
cloth handles are: 3 notebooks (8 ½ x 11), 6 unsharpened
pencils, one 2 ½ inch eraser, a box of 24 crayons, foot long
(30 centimeter ruler), hand held pencil sharpener, blunt end
scissors. Thank you for your help.
After School Program Winding Up
Mothers
The mother's heart is the child's schoolroom. - Henry Ward Beecher
A mother is she who can take the place of all others, but whose place no
one else can take. - Cardinal Mermillod
God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers. - Jewish
proverb
Education commences at the mother's knee, and every word spoken
within hearsay of little children tends toward the formation of character.
- Hosea Ballou
The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will
always find forgiveness. - Honore' de Balzac
A little girl, asked where her home was, replied, "Where mother is." Keith L. Brooks
Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children. William Makepeace Thackeray
Who ran to help me when I fell, and would some pretty story tell, or kiss
the place to make it well? My mother - Ann Taylor
I thought my mom's whole purpose was to be my mom. That's how she
made me feel. - Natasha Gregson Wagner.
All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my Mother. - Abraham
Lincoln
Nine months is long enough for a baby to be born, nine
is long enough to have 25 excited young people under one roof
for an hour after school every day!! It’s been a fun and
exciting year for the children and adult leaders. The units
covered have varied from studying South Dakota and several
other states to doing a Christmas pageant to celebrating our
birthdays with cheeseburgers and French fries (cupcakes
with brownie patties, pound cake cut into crinkle cut strips,
and red, green and yellow frosting condiments). It’s been a
great year with so many more children. We were grateful for
the grants received from the Conference, contributions from
Tree of Life, individuals and the church. Food items and
prizes are purchased from Feeding South Dakota, a program
that allows us to purchase things for 18 cents per pound. We
are grateful for the banana breads, bars, and other goodies
that individuals have donated.
One may ask, what’s the outcome? So what if some
parents have an hour of not worrying about their kids! The
children have learned table prayers. The children talk about
God, what God has created and they know Bible stories, which
many weren’t even aware of before. Some children take food
home to help them through the week-end and so forth. The
church has gained; too, families are participating in other
activities like worship, because they were exposed to the
church through their children at the After School Program.
We have one more family night, May 14, with the final
day being May 15. Stop in and see what’s going, it can be a bit
noisy, it can be a bit crowded, it can be a bit messy, but, hey,
when God created it wasn’t in a sterile, sound proof
environment!! Thank you all for your support, especially to the
parents and volunteers.
Gifts Needed
The After School Program children have been learning
a lot about God, learning to pray, and learning to respect God’s
creation. We would like to present each child with an age
appropriate Bible during the last Family Night, but we need
your help. The Hands On Bible costs about $10 each, as do
the teen Bibles. We have 5 older students who help with the
program. We need 26 Bibles in all. If you are willing to make
a contribution toward the Bibles, we would ask that you write
a note to the child and sign it, so that they know someone
special is keeping them in prayer. This would make a
wonderful gift to honor a mother or in memory of a mom.
Thank you for your help
What’s Next?
Did you know that the Dakotas Conference has grown in membership
this past year? Did you know that all of you are a part of that? Did you
know that our Charge is lifted up at Conference meetings as an example
of what is happening in the Dakotas? Jodi Cataldo, Director of
Leadership Development, was at the White River Church on April 22,
as a follow-up from her visit last fall. We had accomplished 4 of our six
goals which included being on Facebook and having a men’s breakfast
group. So, are we done? No, we have another set of goals, two of
which are carry-overs. Here they are:
1. Corn bag toss league starting with middle school kids/parents in the
fall. Cathy and Ila
2. Stewardship campaign in the fall, Pastor Linda, Blake, Jenny D.
3. Resolve playground issues, summer project, Barry/Ardeth/Linda
4. Explore Expansion of building by October, Barry and Jerry
5. Dinner Theatre in the fall, Jeannine and Jerry
You’ll notice names beside each goal. Those are the lead folks for that
goal and if you’d like to be a part of accomplishing the goal, let those
folks know. They’d love to have your input and help. Jodi will return
on October 28 to see how we are doing.
A Prayer for Mother’s Day
Loving God,
we thank you for the love of the mothers you have given us,
whose love is so precious that it can never be measured,
whose patience seems to have no end.
May we see your loving hand behind them and guiding them.
We pray for those mothers who fear they will run out of love
or time, or patience.
We ask you to bless them with your own special love.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, our brother.
Amen.
Welcome Table at WR
An addition has been made to the foyer area of the WR church. An old
book shelf has been re-vamped as a refreshment area offering coffee,
hot water, lemonade and cookies for worshipers. We encourage folks to
bring their own travel mugs or extras to leave at the church to alleviate
spillage. We are looking for someone or two to take charge of it.
The Picnic
A Jewish Rabbi and a Catholic Priest met at the town's annual 4th of
July picnic. Old friends, they began their usual banter.
"This baked ham is really delicious," the priest teased the rabbi. "You
really ought to try it. I know it's against your religion, but I can't
understand why such a wonderful food should be forbidden! You don't
know what you're missing. You just haven't lived until
you've tried Mrs. Hall's prized Virginia Baked Ham.
Tell me, Rabbi, when are you going to break down and try
it?"
The rabbi looked at the priest with a big grin, and said, "At your
wedding."
We Honor Our Graduates
The further we get from our high school
graduations, the quicker they seem to come around for our
people, and with graduation from high school means finally
answering, at least seriously for the first time, “What do you
want to be when you grow up?” It is a well known fact that
most adults change careers at least 7 times in their lifetimes,
which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as it keeps life interesting
and exciting.
Elizabeth Klein is graduating on May 12 from Todd
County High School. Liz has been accepted at Dakota
Wesleyan and plans to major in Psychology. She will be
putting her musical talents to good use in the DWU choir.
The White River youth group has five of its members
graduating:
Patrick Lehman is planning on something with Natural
Resources at Chadron, it may be fish and game or range
management or something else dealing with nature. Patrick
has been active in 4-H, many areas at school and part of the
youth group since being old enough to attend.
Michael Grass is going to Western Dakota for diesel
technology. Michael has stayed with the Tuckers part of this
past year and has attended youth group this year as well being
in WR Tiger sports.
Logan Tucker is going into Elementary Education and
Special Education, probably at Black Hills State. One of
Logan’s goals was to letter in everything the school offers, he
did participate in most things. He, too, has been a part of
youth group since he was old enough to attend.
Maci Gillen is going into pharmacy at University of South
Dakota. Maci is a gifted young lady and we appreciated her
time as part of the high school group.
Britton Astelford plans on going to Western Dakota for
diesel technology. Britton has been active in many areas in
school and broke out his comedy routine at the MGM F talent
show in April!! He too has been part of the youth group since
he was old enough to attend. We are very proud of the talent
represented by this group. They will all be missed and have
been real assets to the school, community, and church in their
leadership. We will keep you in our prayers as you go into
the future, starting by furthering your education.
What is Our Pastor Up TO?
Pastor Linda spent an overnight at Lake Poinsette’s Living Water
Retreat Center April 18 and 19th for two meetings. First, she has been
invited to be part of the Conference Care Team, a group of 20 people
from the whole conference, chosen by Bishop Deb, to be called should
the need arise of an alleged impropriety within the Conference, i.e. a
church, camp, mission, etc. An impropriety is anything from
embezzlement by a church treasurer to “sexting” by a camp counselor to
a camper to a pastor having an affair to a board chair being accused of
child pornography. By the way, all of these have happened within the
conference at one time or another, some quite recently. Care team
members would be sent to walk beside the accused, the victims, and the
church, as many people are hurting when sacred trust is broken.
Hopefully Linda will never have to be called, but it is good to know
there are folks who are trained to help. She will have further training in
the weeks ahead.
Her second meeting was nominations for the Conference. It is our task
to nominate a slate of folks for the various committees and links. If you
are called, please say yes!
In Christian Sympathy
The funeral for Paul Gregg, Sr. was held at Rooks
Funeral Home in Mission, with Pastor Linda
officiating. Paul had been Todd County School
District’s Custodial staff head for several years.
He was Jo Klein’s uncle. Paul is survived by his
wife Veretta and 10 children.
Churches to Honor Grads
The UMC of Mission will honor Elizabeth Klein during
worship on May 6, as she prepares for her graduation
from high school and heading off to college.
You are all invited to come to the White River church as we honor
not only the high school graduates, but those moving from Middle
School to High school in school and in youth group. Those
graduating from 8th grade include Casey Rounsley, Olathe Schmidt,
Julia Cady-LeBeouf, Sage Mednansky and Lizzy Cameron,
This event will be held at WR church on May 2nd at 6:30 pm. The
dinner will be pot luck - desserts will be provided.
Keep the DATES
White River will be hosting a Volunteer in Mission team of 65 folks
from Warrensburg, Missouri the week of June 17. The group arrives on
the 16th and has invited us to join them for supper, about 7 p.m. They
will worship with us on Sunday and we are invited to join them for
lunch. Let us bring salad and desserts. Most of the group will work
with Vacation Bible School Monday –Thursday. A group of men will
work with our Trustees on some projects. There will be a couple of
community evening events that we’d love to have lots of participation
in. The youth are invited to work along side the Missouri youth on VBS
and a night out. We’ll give you a more detailed schedule in the June
newsletter. It will be fun and exciting!! They will be staying at the
Middle School gym, church and Masonic Hall at night.
Gals and Girls: Save the date of June 20 for
a special gathering for the females of the
church, more details coming.
White River Church Financial Report
Church Expenses:
April -- $7,132.94
YTD -- $27,293.28
Monthly Average -- $6,823.32
Church Income:
April -- $5,616.31
YTD -- $22,045.12
Monthly Average -- $5,511.28
Monthly Shortage of Income to cover Monthly Expenses -- $1,312.04
Liturgy for May
May 6 – Fifth Sunday of Easter
Acts 8: 26-40
1 John 4:7-21
Psalm 22:25-31
John 15:1-8
May 13 - Sixth Sunday of Easter
Acts 10:44-48
1 John 5:1-6
Psalm 98
John 15:9-17
May 20 – Seventh Sunday of Easter
Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
1 John 5:9-13
Psalm 1
John 17:6-19
May 27- The Day of Pentecost
Acts 2:1-21
Romans 8:22-27
Psalm 104:24-34,35b
John 15:26-27;
16:4b-15
May
SUNDAY
2012
MONDAY
TUESDAY
1
Bible Study
parsonage 4:30
WEDNESDAY
2 Rosebud
Ministerial
WR Honoring
Graduates
THURSDAY
3
FRIDAY
4
SATURDAY
5
6
M: Worship 9 am Honoring Sr. Graduate
WR: Worship 11:00 am
Sunday School 9:30
7
8
Bible Study
parsonage 4:30
6
10
11
Desperate
Scrappers
12
13
M: Worship 9 am WR: Worship 11:00 am
Sunday School 9:30
14
Family Night
for After School
Program
18
WR: Baccalaureate
19
WR: Men’s
breakfast
WR; HS graduation
20
M: Worship 9 am WR: Worship 11:00 am
Sunday School 9:30
21
Pastor Linda
Meeting at
Mitchell
27
M: Worship 9 am WR: Worship 11:00 am
Sunday School 9:30
28
Memorial Day
MISSION – WR
CHURCH SERVICES
AND EVENTS
WR:
After School Program
meets Monday –
Thursday. Program will
end May 15th
Todd County
Graduation
WR: Lions 6:30
15 Bible Study
parsonage 4:30
Last day of
After School
Program
22
Bible Study
parsonage 4:30
16
Youth Group
Painting Project
17
Ministry Team
Pierre
Oahe
23
WR: Ad Council
24
29
Bible Study
parsonage 4:30
30
31
WR; Greeters
WR:
Church
Cleaning
WR: Bridal Shower
Jw, Rose
2
Desperate
Scrappers 5
26
WR;
Yard maintenance
WR: Fellowship
Cathy Chapman,
Katie Jo Sykora,
Deb Knispel,
Lorna McGowan,
Marvin
Starkjohann