The Thread Volume 5

THE

thread

Vol. 5 August 2015

willingness A Tim e of Tra i tio nwill fornsHIS

God’s Story at FUMC this month

IN THIS ISSUE Mission and Vision

p. 1

From The Pastor’s Desk

p. 3-4

Sid’s Butterfly Flutterings

p. 5-6

Music Ministries

p. 7-8

Health and Wellness

p. 9-10

Children’s Ministries

p. 11-13

A Story of Mission

p. 14

Church Columbarium

p. 15

Annual Conference

p. 16

Blanco Disaster Relief

p. 17-18

Foundation Update

p. 19-20

United Methodist Women

p. 21-22

Letter From the Editor

p. 23-24

What’s Coming Up

p. 25-30

Celebrations and Concerns

p. 31-32

FROM THE

pastor’s

desk

H

ow to be a “do nothing”

Dear Friends,

“

teacher and you didn’t have time to prepare, then just pull out the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20: 1- 17) and ask everyone how their Sabbath keeping is going. As a teacher, you won’t have to say another word.

Do nothing, take it You will get an untold easy, chill out, amount of justification relax...This isn’t just me of how we just can’t keep Sabbath in our yapping; it’s in the 24/7 world. The really interesting thing Bible. is that rest is not

Here is something you don’t hear the pastor say very often: do nothing. Do nothing, take it easy, chill out, relax. Not an inappropriate message for the middle of summer, if I do say so myself. But this isn’t just me yapping; it’s in the Bible. The Fourth Commandment. Honor the Sabbath and keep it Holy (different from all the rest). I have always said that if you are the Sunday school 3

Vol. 5 August 2015

”

optional for God’s people. After all, it is the Ten Commandments, not the Ten Suggestions or the Ten Excellent Ideas to Discuss Again Next Week. God’s command is for us to rest. God’s will for our lives is not to burn the candle at both ends until we are exhausted and nothing left but a

little pile of smoldering ashes. The Scripture or all of the above on you mind these days, let me know. very design of the universe is not work, work, work, go, go, go, rush, rush, rush, but instead a rhythm of See you in church, fruitful productivity and joyful rest.

(See Genesis 1) One of my favorite Scriptures is Psalm 34:8 “O taste and see that the Lord is good!” I’m thinking that maybe this can be understood both figuratively and literally. Pour yourself some lemonade over ice and sit in the shade. Eat some chips and guacamole with extra plicate. Sit down to some slow smoked pork ribs. Let the grease run down your chin, and know that everything is a miracle and gift from God. Taste and see!

Pastor George

Speaking of barbeque, it has been on my heart to start some sort of men’s ministry. The old saying is that to get women in church, all you have to do is unlock the door, but for men you need bacon. So, guys, if you have bacon or ribs or

Rev. George Lumpkin is the newly appointed Senior Pastor of Fredericksburg United Methodist Church. He has been serving as an ordained minister in Texas for more than 25 years. fredumc.org

4

S

5

Vol. 5 August 2015

T

he one thing that I have heard more than once since Pastor George has moved into the senior pastor’s office is “work it out” or “we can work this out” or “give me your thoughts on how this can be worked out.”

That seems to be a good mantra so I am appealing to you as the reader of this epistle to help me “work it out.” The “it” that I need your help with is programing for the fall activities and on into the spring.

“

ministry offering, but I have taken on the task to get organization, communication, and action/accountability happening. Alice Hahn (aka: the wonderful Liturgical Dance Lady) is coming on board as the new Chairperson. She will be needing your help.

Give us your name (again…in writing because of “senior moments” in my brain activity) if you would be willing to visit, take communion to homebound, and a whole host of other needs in the area of congregation care.

I have an ambitious goal. Please pray for me.

Two areas to think about: 1) Suggestions for a follow-up to April’s Senior Adult “Prime Time Seniors” event, both short term events and long term ideas!

Leave nothing unsaid… but please offer your suggestions in writing by email to sid@fredumc.org or drop me a note at the church address (1800 N Llano, 78624) or hand me a note when you are leaving a Sunday worship hour. Please dream big and pray tenderly with ideas that include both fellowship activities and hands-on mission/outreach opportunities. Now is the time to express yourself. Come by the office and meet me eyeball to eyeball if putting things in writing is not what you want to do!

2) I also need your feedback in the area of Congregational Care (include ideas from when a Guest arrives in the parking lot to that person/family becoming a full member of this church family and beyond.) We have a lot of things now happening in this

I have an ambitious goal.

Please pray for me. My vision is that for every member who has a need, another member will be stepping up to become the heart, hands, and feet of Christ in giving unconditional love and service in the name of Jesus Christ.

”

WORK IT OUT! WE CAN WORK THIS OUT! GIVE ME YOUR THOUGHTS ON HOW THIS CAN BE WORKED OUT! Be Blessed, Pastor Sid

Rev. Sid Spiller has been our associate Pastor at FUMC since July of 2014.

He served as a pastor for over 35 years, and focuses primarily on pastoral care and senior adult ministry here in his retirement.

fredumc.org

6

W

e’re in the middle of the summer and our church music ministry is just beginning to warm up! It seems like we’ve just finished a great year and now it is merely WEEKS before things start getting busy again. But during this time of summer relaxation there are some pretty incredible things coming into focus for the next ‘year’ of our church music ministry!

Beginning with our children, there are some gradual but significant changes happening with the Kid’s Music Academy. With the addition of more students joining the music classes last year, some expansion is necessary and more teachers are needed to handle the change from a ‘church children’s choir’ program to a community music

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Vol. 3 June 2015

school. Eventually there may be a move to become its own 501c3 organization with support apart from the church’s music budget - but before that time we need to find more community music teachers to come and join in the effort, and beginning this fall we continue that process with the addition of Theresa Britt to teach violin and Donna Vaughan to direct the children’s choirs.

These two ladies already have lots of time and experience in building music programs especially in Fredericksburg community and are a huge addition for KMA! I am currently considering beginning a church orchestra that would play for worship possibly once a month on an ongoing basis. This is another huge

undertaking of time and money but would move our church to yet another level of joy and praise through music all to the glory of our God! To do this, we need instrumentalists! If you are reading this and can play an instrument (and hopefully still have it) - please let me know so I can include you in an email as we organize it. You might be interested to know that I had a trumpet player in a previous church orchestra that hadn’t played his horn since High School, and he was RETIRED!! (that’s about 40 years we decided) But with steady practice and desire, he worked up to playing pretty difficult high trumpet parts when necessary and did a great job! So, it’s not too late for some of you who played many years ago - pray about it!

Our Chancel Choir continues to grow - and it’s a good thing that we just increased the size of the choir loft so we can hold more!

We currently have 50 choir members - a few of them are on temporary ‘leave’ either for health reasons or geographical family concerns. But if our choir members would stop hurting themselves and all show up at the same time, we still wouldn’t have enough seats for

everyone to sit! But, even at that, we would love to continue to add new singers and have to completely rebuild the loft and add a whole row - God will provide the space!

Come and join this group of joyful musicians who want to serve the Lord using the gifts he has given to them.

August is the month that we begin to make decisions regarding Christmas, if you can believe it!

Last year was ground -breaking in yet another ‘new’ thing for Christmas by singing a more contemporary presentation AWAY from our church over at the Fredericksburg Theater Company.

We won’t be doing that this year due to their show schedule, but something will be new and different and a gift to our community.

Want to be a part of it? Come on and join us or email me for more information. All of our groups - Chancel Choir, Wesleyan Bells, and KMA will start up full blast the first of September!

Don Doss joined the FUMC staff in April of 2007 having served in several other Boerne and Kerrville churches. Don is FUMC’s Director of Music Ministries, and he oversees all of the musical groups and music ministry work that happens here. He personally directs the Chancel Choir and the Praise Team as well as the Kid’s Music Academy. fredumc.org 8

From

our wesley

nurse D ear Church Family,

I thought I would share information about heat and your health, with the hot weather we are currently experiencing.

Heat Exhaustion Heat exhaustion is a result of exposure to high temperatures, which we have no shortage of here in the Hill Country.

Here’s some things to know about recognizing, treating and preventing heat exhaustion: 9

Vol. 5 August 2015

Signs of Heat Exhaustion: • Heavy sweating • Weakness • Cold, pale, and clammy skin • Fast, weak pulse • Nausea or vomiting • Fainting What You Should Do: • Move to a cooler location.

• Lie down and loosen your clothing.

• Apply cool, wet cloths to as much of your body as possible.

• Sip water.

• If you have vomited and it continues, seek medical attention immediately.

Signs of Heat Stroke: • High body temperature (above 103°F) • Hot, red, dry or moist skin • Rapid and strong pulse • Possible unconsciousness What You Should Do: • Call 911 immediately — this is a medical emergency.

• Move the person to a cooler environment.

• Reduce the person's body temperature with cool cloths or even a bath.

• Do NOT give fluids.

As always, Blessings of Health, Tammy 997-9849

Tammy joined the FUMC family in 2005 after working as a hospice case manager for HCM for 1.5 years and at Children’s Medical Center for 17 years before that.

Friend to Friend

importance of mammograms and Pap tests followed by a question-and-answer session.

Community health event

Information on how to access financial resources and other services for these screenings will be available. Attendees may also schedule a mammogram at the event.

Individuals interested in obtaining a free or reduced cost mammogram and Pap test are invited to a free presentation and dinner hosted by Friend to Friend at For more information and to RSVP, call Fredericksburg United Methodist Church 866-421-4264. Sponsors include Texas on Tuesday, Aug. 4.

A&M AgriLife Extension, Methodist A complimentary dinner will be provided Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, at 6 p.m., and the presentation begins at Inc., The Golden Hub and the Hill Country Memorial Breast Center.

6:30 p.m. Kristi Stafford, MD, will speak about women’s health issues and the fredumc.org

10

A isNEW YEAR fast approaching A

n exciting new school year is approaching rapidly. School supplies are appearing on the shelves of our local stores.

Advertisements for children’s clothing are arriving in our mailboxes at regular intervals. The school parking lots have more cars in them each day as the teachers begin 11

Vol. 5 August 2015

their preparations for the 2015—16 school year. Likewise, my thoughts are shifting toward plans for the children that will enter the church’s doors.

Plans are underway for KMA and the Pioneer Club, Sunday School classes, special events, outreach to

g

the CDC and for an expanded Children’s Ministry Team. Which means you will have many opportunities to be disciples to the children and their families. Listed are specific ones that are available during the fall semester: • Teaching and assisting age 5 years— 2nd grade and 3rd—5th grades on Sunday mornings.

• Teaching 4th-5th graders during Pioneer Club.

• Serving snacks for Pioneer Club and KMA on Wednesdays.

• Assisting Pioneer club teachers once or twice during the semester.

• Serving on the Children’s Ministry Teams to plan and carry out activities that will bring the children and their parents into closer relationship with God and His Son. • Helping with special events such as a 4th-6th grade girls retreat in September; a special Sunday School Class about how God perfectly created every creature for its environment combined with a trip to San Antonio Zoo. • Helping the special Children’s Cooking Team prepare outreach meals for the children and their Families.

There are so many things that we can do to help bring our children to Christ, but it takes a total

commitment from the church family.

At times I feel overwhelmed and wonder how everything will get done.

Then I think of the past year and how every time there was a need someone in the congregation met it. Many times I was brought to my knees in thanksgiving, because of the great outpouring of service.

If you have never served in the children’s ministry don’t be afraid to try it. For years I resisted it telling myself that I was too old, didn’t have enough energy and had taught in schools for 28 years and that was enough. Little did I know the very thing I was resisting was that which would reenergize me and bring me much joy.

Let me know if you are willing to dive into creating the best year ever for the children that God places in our care. I know that you will be blessed through your service.

Sharon Massey, Director of Children’s Ministries 830-456-3697 sharon@fredumc.org

Sharon serves as Children’s Director for FUMC. She is also deeply involved in Wounded Warriors at Nebo and Cards for Christ. She feels called to share Christ’s great love for humanity through her service. fredumc.org

12

SPECIAL

thank you

What an amazing congregation you are!

Thanks to many volunteers our vacation Bible School was a great success. If you see any of the following people please tell them thanks for their hard work and/or donations: Leona Owen, Larissa and Danny Hallford, Andrea and Roy Gentry, Sandy Hamilton, Zala and Charlie Koym, Kristi Stafford, Amber Nanni, Lisa and Christopher Davis, Tricia Small, Danielle Hallford, Cathy Ball, Lois Rampacek, Jenny Weaver, Ashley Weaver, Don Doss, Ronnie and Jan Williams, Paul Straker, Alice Hahn, Kim Houy, Janet Krentz, Dottie Pieper, Monica White, Sherry Hudson, Brenda Miller, Caroline Knopp Rangnow, Linda Turner, Adrienne Jaramillo. Beverly Harrell, Deborah Agnew, John Benson, Cathy and Terry Collier, Pam Hilburn, Jane Shoemaker, Beth and Linn Brady, Jim Graham, Susie Thompson, Kathy Lux, Becky and Hugh Reeves, Joel GrifďŹ n, Lizzie Straker, Bethany Kendrick, and Will Cooke.

Please forgive me if you served and I left you off the list.

FROM

I

wanted to let you know how grateful the Child Development Center (CDC) outreach church ministry is to the family of believers called FUMC. The CDC is getting close to celebrating it's 4th anniversary!

the CDC

paper goods the CDC will provide include all paper towels, toilet paper, trash bags, hand washing soap.)

We hope this helps show how much we appreciate all the church does for our outreach childcare ministry.

God Be With You All in our service to Him,

In addition to being thankful for being able Amy O'Neil, Director of the CDC of FUMC to use the Children's Wing, we'd like to show P.S. Our outreach childcare ministry is serving our appreciation by letting you know that the ~76 children and their families.

Child Development Center will cover the costs of all paper goods for the entire Amy has been a member of FUMC since Children's Wing, including the Family Life 1985, and joined the staff as director of Center, Youth Kitchen Area, and large the Child Development Center in 2011.

She has 27 years of experience in restrooms by outside parking lot. (The 13

Vol. 5 August 2015

special education.

A STORY OF MISSION M

y name is Jessica Doss, and I am a 16-yearold who traveled to Romania on a mission trip two weeks ago. In case you haven't seen me around FUMC but my last name seems somewhat familiar, I am the daughter of Don Doss ,the church’s music minister. As I mentioned before, I recently took a mission trip to Romania, a country in Eastern Europe, to visit the Jordan family who is working there as full-time missionaries. My best friend Zoe is the oldest daughter of the family and we met in middle school.

We've stayed friends since 2014 when their family was called to serve God in Romania.

The Jordans' primary focus while living in the country is to bring Christianity to and aid the growing orphan population. There are over 50,000 orphans living in state-run children's homes and institutions, and to offer some comparison this country is about one third the size of Texas.

During this week of camp, we had a group of around 45 children whose ages ranged from about nine to 13. We had many activities planned for the kids throughout the week such as water relays, slip n' slide, soccer, worship services, movies nights and arts and crafts. As the week progressed, I started realizing how important this camp was to many of the children. Many of them had come in past years and it dawned on me that this camp was for many of the children an annual week out of the orphanage.

The children don't get to leave their orphanage to explore outside, ride in a car ,see the forests ,cities, or rivers, except for this week of camp. I even heard many of the children speaking about coming back on their next trip the following year.

My favorite part of my trip was seeing how kids who don't have parents or a family could return home to the orphanages feeling like they have never truly been alone in their lives because the camp gave them the I stayed in Romania for 17 days, and during that best gift anyone could give: a life aware of the time I realized how differently people live in presence of their savior. As they left the camp, you Romania versus the U.S. Even upon arriving in could see how the little tasks like playing soccer Romanian airport I could tell that "I wasn't in Kansas with them or helping them paint during craft time anymore.� The country has a large gap in between added up, because we weren't just showing them the rich upper class and the poor, who make up kindness we were showing them Christ. most of the population. Three days after I arrived, I I'm so thankful that I had the amazing opportunity traveled to the Romanian countryside with the of going to Romania. It has impacted my life and Jordan family to work in a summer camp for children from the orphanages. This experience was what I see myself doing in the future. A piece of my heart stays with the children and the leaders of the unforgettable as were the children I met and their camp , and I hope some day I can return. ability to be happy despite their circumstances. fredumc.org

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SOME THOUGHTS ON OUR S

ome of you may not realize that our church has a columbarium located on our church grounds. The columbarium is located near the stained glass windows in the beautiful garden as you enter the church. This area has been created to give members and their families a special place for their loved one’s cremains to be placed if they so desire.

church members and/or their immediate family members, whether they are members of our church or not, to purchase a niche.

This is especially helpful if a family member belongs to another church or at the time is not a member of any church.

The Memory Garden Committee believes that the columbarium and Memory Wall are both wonderful ways to preserve the Having one’s cremains located at the church, memory of people who have meant so much to others. We would be happy to visit with often where many special occasions have you about the columbarium or Memory Wall taken place, makes the location mean so regulations at any time. There is also a much more to them. It also provides a beautiful detailed explanation brochure in convenient place where family and friends the narthex, behind the Welcome Desk that can stop by often to take a moment to you may pick up at any time. remember special times and memories that they have shared in the past. The location is

By Peggy Benson well maintained and pleasant with the sound Chairperson of the Memory Garden of water from the fountain and with the Committee surrounding, attractive plantings.

If family members wish to spread a loved one’s ashes at a ranch or other special place, but would like an identified location for the remainder of their loved one’s cremains, the funeral directors at our local funeral homes are willing to divide the ashes to make that possible.

Our regulations allow any 15

Vol. 5 August 2015

ANNUAL CONFERENCE SUMMARY

T

he Rio Texas Annual Conference was held in Corpus Christi from June 1114, 2015. This was the first Annual Conference of the two combined conferences, however, it ran as smoothly as any conference in the recent past due to the leadership of Bishop Dorff. The only new twist is that many of the prayers, songs, and sermons were in a combination of English/Spanish to reflect the diversity of the new conference.

“

stated that “The purpose of the church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” In another speech, it was stated that Discipleship is about transformation, not information. I take this to mean that it is still good to learn about the Bible, but that is not discipleship. Discipleship occurs outside of the church, and our attention has to be focused there.

I take this to mean that it is still good to learn about the Bible, but that is not discipleship. Discipleship occurs outside of the church, and our attention has to be focused there.

The problem that we will face is how to change the mindset of our congregation so that Much of the Friday they not only accept this idea activities of the but champion it. I personally conference involved believe there may be relatively boring significant resistance to this procedural items of an new mission-oriented, get organizational nature outside of the church and many reports from approach especially among committees, some of which required a vote and our senior members who see nothing wrong some that were strictly for information. The with the way church has been done for the last focus of both Saturday and Sunday morning 20 plus years. This “stick your head in the was on “The Missional Work of the sand” kind of thinking may be difficult to Conference.” Several committees presented overcome and will be a challenge for us going information on topics such as “Transforming forward.

Communities” and “Developing Leaders.”

On a sad note, Bishop Dorff is serving his last If you thought that the Healthy Church year of an eight year rotation with our Initiative presented new ideas that would go conference. The new Bishop will be announced away when the reports were finished, you are in July 2016. mistaken. The tone of the whole conference This report is submitted by Jim Ryan indicated otherwise. It was most emphatically

”

fredumc.org

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BLANCO COUNTY he Floods that struck Blanco County on that unforgettable Memorial Day weekend left in its tracks devastation and despair. Yet our small town and its local neighbors engaged the storm as a community, full of hope and with a commitment to serve.

T

will focus on securing funding and supplies to repair and rebuild some of the severely damaged homes in our area. As we transition from the sprint of crisis response to the marathon of rebuilding, the need for funding, supplies, equipment and volunteers continues.

Since that weekend, hundreds of Volunteers and civic/religious organizations have responded to assist flood victims with support and recovery.

To date the Blanco Flood Relief Center, the Blanco Good Samaritan Center and the Blanco County Disaster Relief Fund, along with other partners, have led effective efforts in responding to immediate and long term needs.

It has been truly awesome to see the generosity and outpouring of support from our local and neighboring communities, including those who also suffered damage form the storms, bringing help and hope to those in need.

The flooding affected over 50 homes and over 100 families in this county. Over the last few weeks, the Blanco flood relief effort focused on the immediate needs of those affected in to include food, clothing, medicine and shelter. Now that most of the emergency needs have been met, efforts over the coming weeks/months 17

Vol. 5 August 2015

The ongoing end results are truly impressive. Here’s a brief summary of ongoing acts of mercy: •

•

57 homes and over 100 families have been affected and impacted. Ten (10) homes require minor repairs; five (5) homes need complete re-building; forty two (42) require extensive repairs -----ASSESSMENTS, COSTS ANALYSIS AND ORGANIZING OF LABOR GROUPS ARE UNDERWAY 114 requests for assistance with toxic

•

debris removal, large tree removal, RV removal, fence repair, private road repair to restore emergency vehicle access, several culverts needed on roads, and restoring fencing for agricultural producers loss of livestock---- PRIORITIES FOR WORK NEEDED IS IN PROCESS AND BEING TASKED To date over 60 interviews with application for financial assistance have been completed. 109 people are on list to receive various types of help---RELIEF FUND INTERVIEW TEAM IS COORDINATING FOLLOW-UP PENDING ACTIONS NEEDED

Let’s highlight, in a brief fashion, some of our most crucial needs: • •

• • •

•

• •

•

Repairing and restoring fencing Extensive removal of Debris around homes, property, along the Blanco River at the Blanco State Park Road repair and clearing Repair of roof damage Repair of homes, especially those not covered by insurance, under insured and/or covered by FEMA Temporary volunteers for the Flood Relief Center 1-2 Work Days for volunteer groups Construction workers, “handymen” and general manual laborers Equipment and tools: chainsaws, BobCats, Fork lift loaders, brush chippers

•

Organizing and coordination warehousing of building materials

•

It should be obvious that all the above requires resources; i.e., equipment, materials, personnel , labor, funding and more willing participants to be instruments of hope and rays of sunshine.

INFORMATION FOR INQUIRIES AND/ OR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE BLANCO COUNTY DISASTER RELIEF FUND: •

•

•

•

Contributions can be taken or mailed directly to : Blanco County Disaster Relief Fund, at The Blanco National Bank, P.O. Box 38, 416 4th Street, Blanco, TX 78606-----phone= 830-438-8340 The Blanco Good Samaritan Center, a 501(c3), non-profit, is the Fiscal Agent for these funds and thus offers Tax Exempt status for donors Joe Garcia, Chairman, Blanco County Disaster Relief Fund and Chaplain, USAF --Retired—210-834-2836 & joegarcia1947@gmail.com Blanco’s Flood Assistance Center, is located at Trinity Lutheran Church, 703 Main Street, Blanco---phones= 830-8333244/3245

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YOUR FUMC foundation update W

e are officially eight months into 2015 already, friends!

Which means the deadline for grant foundation requests is fast approaching. The grant application has been redone and will be available on October

1st, with a deadline of October 30th. Note that this is a different deadline than past foundation grant requests. If you would like to donate to the foundation, you can choose one of the options listed to the right.

Your gift is tax deductible, and more importantly it goes a long way in funding some special projects that promote ministry and growth here at FUMC!

HOW TO GIVE

• •

•

• • • • •

Write a check or give cash Make the Foundation the beneficiary of your life insurance policy Memorial gifts or tribute gifts Real Estate Personal property Stocks or bonds Planned gifts Qualified charitable gift annuity

The FUMC Foundation is established to provide a means through which enduring charitable gifts will become a living memorial and a perpetual source of financial support to benefit the church and its programs. It is the vehicle for receiving and managing gifts that look to the future and enhance the ability of the church to promote its ministries and care for its property.

PURPOSE: 17 19

Vol. 55 August August 2015 2015 Vol.

2015 Foundation Grant Request Approvals

Granted

Funded

Balance to be funded

Prayer Shawl Ministry

$200

$103.25

$96.75

Projector & Audio– Youth Room

$2500

$1480.22

$519.78

Mission Committee Scholarships $2363.36

$2363.36

$0

Memory Garden Lighting

$1,337

$0

$1,337

Chancel Choir Scholarship

$2,000

$0

$2,000

Computer & Camera– Com Dir.

$4,000

$4,000

$0

TOTAL TO BE FUNDED:

$3,953.53

*For more information on the FUMC foundation, visit fredumc.org/ new3/?page_id=85724 fredumc.org 20

F

redericksburg United Methodist Women provides a way for women to meet regularly (usually once a month) in small groups (called Circles) to worship, study, and be in fellowship with each other. Our circles have similar tasks and goals, but are each unique in the way they fellowship and in the way they fulfill the UMW PURPOSE. 21

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And we try as a Unit to experience at least one of United Methodist Women’s Division three study topics, including a Bible study, a geography study, and/or a cultural issue study.

We have two major fundraisers annually: a combined Plant/Bake Sale in the Spring and the fall Annual Bazaar.

During Circle meetings, time is devoted to prayers, devotions and sharing joys and concerns. And some months there are specific programs such as a Pledge Service; a time of reflection and renewal through the Prayer and Self Denial program; the special World Thank Offering program; or perhaps a special community missionoutreach project, i.e., Valentine Cookie Plates to all residents of retirement, local assisted living, and nursing homes within Fredericksburg city limits.

starting a Teen UMW Group as well.

Our groups can meet any time, anywhere; all you need to do is bring your interest!

God has a plan for our lives; we do not have to be foreign missionaries.

We can respond to God’s call to be His ambassadors right here at home.

Everyone is invited to a ‘semi-Circle’ information session, Thursday, August 13, 6:30 p.m. The semi-Circle (meaning to be completed) is a great way to hear more about the mission programs of United Methodist While many of our Women and consider members are long becoming a part of this standing, experienced UMW members, perhaps safety net for yourself and for others. a less traditional approach to the UMW is doable. We remain open For information and to register, contact Billie to new ideas about Rowell, email: programs, service and mission and would like browellsf_2000@yahoo.c om (underscore between to expand our membership to women sf and 2000) or by phone: 997-3787. who work, recently retired women, new-inIn His Service, town women, young mothers, AND our young women in college.

We are very open to

Billie Rowell

SEMI-CIRCLE INFORMATION SESSION To learn more about the mission and purpose of United Methodist Women, stop by an informational semicircle meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 13th in Room 2.

They are ready to welcome new members and explore new opportunities for service and outreach.

UMW BAZAAR This year’s major UMW fundraiser will be held on SATURDAY, October 17th. Lizzie Bispo will be accepting donations of 4-6 oz decorative jars, shoes, purses, wallets and backpacks in excellent condition, and attic treasure items.

Contact Lizzie at 830990-9381 to arrange pick up for bigger items, or if you have any questions.

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The Not So Fun Stuff

Tricia Small is one of the newest member to the FUMC family.

She graduated from UT Austin with a journalism degree last year, and joined the staff in November. She is passionate about transforming lives by sharing the love of Christ.

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H

am I right? I taught myself how to tap out. ello Church! Your friendly neighborhood communications director here about to Hey, Trish, do you want to get through finals and miss my own submission deadline. maintain that 4.0 GPA? You stop crying over your BLOCKED BLOCKED BLOCKED BLOCKED. Any broken heart. Get it together. Suck it up. Study. Be creative-minded people out there? You might be efficient. Be a strong woman because the world is asking able to relate to that. That’s how I’ve felt recently. that of you right now.

Sometimes I’m overflowing with inspiration and I mean I got through finals… I can’t make myself ideas, and it’s all I can do to get them all out of me, just completely stop feeling. I know people who and sometimes I can sit and stare at my computer can do that. They can flip a switch. Poof. No more screen or my journal and grow increasingly emotions. I can’t do that. I can’t completely change frustrated by the lack of creative energy flowing my nature. I still feel things. I just got really, really through me. Which is where I am right now. good at suppressing. I can just check out of my head for a little bit and operate on auto-pilot. Until Some people describe writer/designer’s block as feeling blank. I rarely, if ever, feel blank. When I’m I can’t. Like right now. Hence the chaos I described to you in that earlier paragraph. I can’t just decide blocked, it’s because I have way too many things which emotions I do and don’t want to deal with. going on inside my head that make absolutely no It’s an all or nothing deal. To tap into one thing is linear or logical sense at all. There’s no focus. No to tap into everything and open a Pandora’s Box of extractable expression. No motivating purpose. suppressed stuff I didn’t even know was going on Just maddening, contradictory chaos. inside of me. So I’m just left paralyzed and unable What am I doing? Why am I to act with purpose or decisiveness. How doing it? How should I be doing do you create without a point of view?

I am a product of this? Wait what am I doing probably wondering what this has again? What is the point here? my generation....I You’re to do with God. I think I’m still wondering Am I doing anything meaningful? What is meaning? have conformed to what this has to do with God. Honestly, I What am I feeling about this? Do have anything profound to say to the ways of the don’t I feel anything? Am I a terrible you about it. I’m truthfully just confessing person because I can’t tell how I a sin to you that I struggle with feel? Am I afraid of how I feel? world. consistently. It is inhibiting. It is Do I care how I feel? Does frustrating. It is a little bit tragic. It keeps anyone care how I feel? Does this matter? Do I need to me from experiencing the fullness of God. be emotionally invested in this to create things around it? Do I have a point here? Do I need a point here? Can I may not know much, but I certainly know that God did not create us to live in indifference. We I work on something else? What story am I telling? Is there even a story at all? If there’s no story should I just are meant to feel broken-hearted. We are meant to have our hearts shattered for the things that shatter get rid of it? Will that make people mad? Do I care if people are mad? Is their anger going to be so distracting God’s heart. We are meant to experience reckless that what I’m trying to do is lost? What am I trying to love, because that is how God loves us. For real do? Can I even do that? Is there something wrong with though, you want to talk about opening yourself up to rejection, God does that with every single me? Wait. What am I doing?? person on the planet always. God is the most Seriously. Not exactly an ideal environment for creative being to ever exist. Imagine how deeply fostering creativity. Okay, so I’m about to get really He feels that. real with you here, Church, because I think it’s I am a product of my generation. It is a system that important if I want to keep giving you my best. rewards productivity and efficiency, and frowns You may have heard people say that artists feel upon “weakness.” Come talk to me sometime things deeper than your average left-brained person. It’s why they create art. They have all that about the horrors of modern dating. Girls who are emotion and they have to get it out, out, out. They vulnerable are “needy.” Men who are in touch with their emotions, forget about it. I have have to share it. Sometimes, I don’t want to feel conformed to the ways of the world. So Church, I’m things deeper. Emotions are messy. Positive emotions can often get twisted and turn easily into extending a challenge to you. Be vulnerable with one another. Reward that vulnerability. Confess nasty emotions like anger, jealousy and hate. weaknesses to one another. Allow the strength of Loving can result in loss. Opening your heart can Christ to shine in the cracks of our imperfections. be painful. Giving of yourself means you are Do not look down on genuine emotion. Pray for inviting in the possibility of rejection. openness. Pray for healing. Pray for our hearts to I feel those things deeply. Sometimes it makes me a be broken over and over for the heartaches in the great artist. Sometimes it even makes me a more world. Pray for a rejection of indifference. Pray for empathetic and loving person. And sometimes it healing. Pray for transformations in the image of makes me really, really miserable. Who wants that, Christ. Pray for me.

“

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fredumc.org 24

THIS month

at fumc

Special Events Elementary School Teacher Appreciation Luncheon August 20th at 12 p.m. *Contact Donna White or Beverly Harrell if you would like to volunteer

Coffee for Camp Sales August 23rd during Agape Time FUMC Fellowship Hall

Mission Sunday August 23rd at 9 & 11:10 a.m.

FUMC Sanctuary *Learn more about the youth mission trips earlier this summer

Young Adult Float Trip to Gruene August 29th at 8:30 a.m.

Meet in FUMC parking lot

Promotion Sunday August 30th at 9 & 11:10 a.m.

FUMC Sanctuary *Children are invited to bring backpacks for a special blessing

Youth Pool Party August 3rd from 10 a.m.—2 p.m. *Cost is $5

25

Vol. 5 August 2015

Round Rock Express Game August 14th at 4 p.m.

Meet in FUMC parking lot *Cost is $10

Local Service Day August 15th at 8 a.m.

Meet in FUMC parking lot

Slime Olympics August 16th at 7 p.m.

FUMC

Fall Kick-Off August 23rd from 5-6:30 p.m.

FUMC *Parents are invited

Children Children’s Sunday School Sundays 10-11 a.m. *Contact Sharon Massey at

sharon@fredumc.org

Child Development Center Weekdays from 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. *Contact Amy O’Neil at 990-2320

Back to School Ice Cream and Movie Night

August 15th at 6:30 p.m.

FUMC *Time subject to change. Volunteers are still needed for this event. If you are interested in helping, contact Sharon Massey at sharon@fredumc.org

Women “The REAL Proverbs 31 Woman” Bible Study Mondays from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

July 13th-August 17th Family Room *Sign up with Selena at selena@fredumc.org

Semi-Circle Informational Meeting August 13th at 6:30 p.m.

FUMC– Room 2

Friend to Friend Community Health Event August 4th from 6-8 p.m.

FUMC Fellowship Hall *Free dinner and presentation on women’s health resources.

Music Chancel Choir Rehearsal Wednesdays at 6 p.m.

FUMC Sanctuary

Praise Team Rehearsal Thursdays at 6 p.m.

FUMC Sanctuary

Opportunities To Serve Elementary School Luncheon There are several ways to get involved with our Elementary School Luncheon. Contact Donna White at 997-8814, or Beverly Harrell at 990-8184 for more information. Sign up sheets will be available in the Fellowship Hall from August 2nd-August 16th.

Live Stream Operator We are looking for some help with our live streaming for both services on Sunday morning. The job is easy (and fun!) For more information contact Don Doss at don@fredumc.org

FUMC Pictorial Directory Plans are underway for a new church pictorial directory, hopefully to be completed by Christmas. We are looking for a team of 3-4 volunteers to help coordinate that process. If you're interested in jumping on board for that project, contact Linda at linda@fredumc.org, or Tricia at tricia@fredumc.org

Sunday Morning Greeters Looking for an easy way to serve? We need greeters to welcome people as they come in for worship on Sunday mornings and also to man to the Welcome Desk and answer questions for guests (or members!). Sign up in the Fellowship Hall.

UMW Bazaar The UMW Bazaar less than three months away, and our UMW Bazaar committee is in full-force planning this event. The Bazaar will be held on Saturday, October 17th, and Lizzie Bispo will be accepting donations of 4-6 oz decorative jars, shoes, purses, wallets and backpacks in excellent condition, and attic treasure items.

Contact Lizzie at 830-990-9381 to arrange pick up for bigger items, or if you have any questions.

In The Community Zion Benefit Barbeque Zion Lutheran Church invites you to their annual Benefit BBQ Dinner on Sunday, August 16 beginning at 11:00am until sold out. The tickets are $10.00 per plate. (Advanced tickets can be purchased from Zion Church Office, 415 W Austin St or Dutchman's Market for $9). The meal consists of BBQ pork, potato salad, beans, bread and dessert.

The to-go line begins at 426 W Main St and turns right (north) onto N Edison St. All proceeds will benefit the Little Lambs Early Head start program and other local ministries. The Thrivent Financial is providing supporting funds. fredumc.org 26

THE month

Sun

2

9:00am Contemporary Worship 9:30am Agape Hour 10:00am Sunday School 11:10am Traditional Worship Service

9

9:00am Contemporary Worship 9:30am Agape Hour 10:00am Sunday School 11:10am Traditional Worship Service

16 9:00am Contemporary Worship 9:30am Agape Hour 10:00am Sunday School 11:10am Traditional Worship Service 7:00pm Youth Slime Olympics

Mon

at a g

Tue

Wed

3 6:30am Bacon & Eggs Group-FH 7:30am Child Development Center 10:00am Youth Pool Party 12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous 12:00pm Lunch Bunch-Rm 2 6:30pm Real Women Bible Study

4 7:00am Men's Breakfast-City Cafe 7:30am Child Development Center 8:00am Wonder Workers 9:00am Living Well College 9:00am Prayer Shawl Ministry-Library 12:00pm Al Anon - Rm 11 12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous 5:15pm Women's Emmaus Reunion Group 5:30pm Girls Basketball 5:30 UMW/CDC 5:30 Living Well College Board 6:00 Friend to Friend Women’s Health Event

5

10 6:30am Bacon & Eggs Group-FH 7:30am Child Development Center 10:00am Cards for Christ 12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous 12:00pm Lunch Bunch-Rm 2 4:30 CDC Board 6:00 Stephen Ministry 6:30 Real Women Bible Study

11 7:00am Men's Breakfast-City Cafe 7:30am Child Development Center 8:00am Wonder Workers 9:00am Living Well College 9:00am Prayer Shawl Ministry-Library 12:00pm Al Anon - Rm 11 12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous 5:15pm Women's Emmaus Reunion Group 5:30pm Girls Basketball 5:30pm Mission Committee Meeting

12

17 6:30am Bacon & Eggs Group-FH 12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous 12:00pm Lunch Bunch-Rm 2 2:00pm Hannah Circle 5:00pm Trustees 5:00pm Memory Garden Committee

18 7:00am Men's Breakfast-City Cafe 7:30am Child Development Center 8:00am Wonder Workers 9:00am Living Well College 9:00am Prayer Shawl Ministry-Library 12:00pm Al Anon - Rm 11 12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous 5:15pm Women's Emmaus Reunion Group 5:30pm Girls Basketball 6:00 Finance Meeting 7:00 Church Council 25 7:00am Men's Breakfast-City Cafe 7:30am Child Development Center 8:00am Wonder Workers 9:00am Living Well College 9:30am Prayer Shawl Ministry-Library 12:00pm Al Anon - Rm 11 12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous 5:15pm Women's Emmaus Reunion Group 5:30pm Girls Basketball

19

6:30pm Real Women Bible Study

23 YOUTH MISSION SUNDAY 9:00am Contemporary Worship 9:30am Agape Hour 10:00am Sunday School 11:10am Traditional Worship Service 5:00pm Youth Fall Kick-off

24 HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

30 PROMOTION SUNDAY 9:00am Contemporary Worship 9:30am Agape Hour 10:00am Sunday School 11:10am Traditional Worship Service

6:30am Bacon & Eggs Group-FH 7:30am Child Development Center 10:00am Cards for Christ 12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous 6:30pm Boy Scouts

6:30am Bacon & Eggs Group-FH 7:30am Child Development Center 10:00am Cards for Christ 12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous 6:00pm Stephen Ministry 6:30pm Boy Scouts 31

7:30am Child Developm 9:30am Knopp Retirem 10:00am Fredericksburg 12:00pm Alcoholics An 6:00pm Chancel Choir

7:30am Child Developm 9:00am Quilters 10:00am Fredericksburg 12:00pm Alcoholics An 6:00pm Chancel Choir

7:30am Child Developm 9:00pm Quilters 10:00am Knopp Retirem 10:30am Knopp Nursin 10:00am Fredericksburg 12:00pm Alcoholics An 12:00pm Diabetic Supp 6:00pm Chancel Choir 26

7:30am Child Developm 9:00pm Quilters 9:30am Windcrest Reti 10:00am Fredericksburg 12:00pm Alcoholics An 6:00pm Chancel Choir

glance August 2015

ment Center ment Social g Nursing Home Sing nonymous r Practice

ment Center

g Nursing Home Sing nonymous r Practice

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ment Center Communion ng Home #1 Communion g Nursing Home Sing nonymous port Group r Practice

ment Center

irement Communion g Nursing Home Sing nonymous r Practice

Thu

Fri

Sat

1

12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous

6 7:30am Child Development Center 9:00am Living Well College 12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous 5:30pm Girls Basketball 6:00pm Praise Team Rehearsal

7 7:30am Child Development Center 12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous

8

13 7:30am Child Development Center 8:30am Biblical Garden Workday 9:00am Living Well College 9:30am Chapel Child Development Center 12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous 1:00pm UMW Executive Committee 5:30pm Girls Basketball 6:00pm Praise Team Rehearsal 6:00pm Boy Scout Leaders 6:30 UMW Semi-Circle Meeting

14 7:30am Child Development Center 12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous 4:00 Youth Round Rock Express Game

15 12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous 10:00am Youth Service Day 6:30 p.m. Kids Back-to-School Event

20

21

22

7:30am Child Development Center OFFICE CLOSED 9:00am Living Well College 7:30am Child Development Center 9:00 Helen Tainter Circle 9:30am Chapel Child Development Center 12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous 12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous 12:00pm FES Luncheon 2:00pm Friendship Circle 5:30pm Girls Basketball 6:00pm Praise Team Rehearsal 27

28

7:30am Child Development Center OFFICE CLOSED 9:00am Living Well College 7:30am Child Development Center 9:00am UMW Crafts 9:30am Heritage Communion 12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous 9:30am Chapel Child Development Center 12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous 5:30pm Girls Basketball 6:00pm Praise Team Rehearsal

12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous

12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous

29 8:30am Young Adult Float Trip 12:00pm Alcoholics Anonymous

what’s ahead

at fumc

29

Vol. 5 August 2015

fredumc.org

32 30

1 Julie Herbort 1 Beth Smith 1 Steve & Connie Wehmeyer 2 Frank McGill 2 Stanley Rabke 2 Michael & Chelsea Campbell 2 Steve & Randye McAnally 3 Elizabeth Banning 3 Emily Hallford 3 John McCallum 3 John & Sandy Doudna 3 Mark & Janice Langerhans 4 Joyce Trautman 4 Pat & Amy O’Neil 4 Neil & Nina Pruit 5 Hannah Wilson 5 Frances Heimann 5 Donna Jacoby 5 Robert & Barbara Heinen 6 Harold Couch 6 Billie Rowell 6 Susie Thompson 6 Daryl & Stephanie Whitworth 6 Dean & Lorrie Stewart 7 Herbert Ahrens 7 Charles Sands 7 Bruce & Donna Itz 9 Sharon McMahon 9 Rich Shoemaker 9 John & Julie Davies 31

Vol. 5 August 2015

10 Delbort Irons 11 Elizabeth Wunderlich 11 Tim & Ann Barsch 12 Sandra Houy 12 Charles & Carole Gillespie 12 Charles & Lois Rampacek 14 Herbert Schmidt 15 Jane Shoemaker 16 Tammy Amerson-Wilson 16 Sherry Cleckler 16 Gwen Fullbrook 16 Julie Ramos 16 Christopher White 17 Gregg Hagelstein 17 Austin Stewart 18 Joy Edwards 18 Meredith Itz 18 Wanda James 19 Laura Lundeen 19 Amber McMahon 19 John Richards 19 Bill R. White 19 Rich & Jane Shoemaker 20 Ross Hardin 20 Eleanor O’Neil 20 Neil Pruitt 20 Dennis & Kim Houy 21 Jim Graham 21 Jacob Hartmann 21 Ricky Moellering 21 Don Urbanec

22 Bonnie Bremer 22 Leta Ann Metzger 22 Mary Stegner 22 William Strelke 22 Glenda Swink 22 Tom Telle 22 Deborah Wiginton 23 Harlie Gallaspy 23 Gary Eunice 23 Rachel King 23 Carl & Carrie Langerhans 23 Ron & Nellie Frisbee 23 Garet & Mardi Von Netzer 24 Brittany Henke 24 Nick Longley 4 Sid & Marge Spiller 27 Ruth Basse 28 Patricia White 28 Terry & Debra Hadsall 28 Ross & Deborah Hardin 29 Garrett Gentry 29 Archie & Linda Klein 29 Gary & Barbara Wilcox 30 Norma Peterson 31 Carol Barnhouse 31 Robert Heinen 31 Bill & Betty Treude 31 David & Marcia Lyngaas · Dates and names in bold are anniversaries.

CONTINUING CONCERNS Nursing Home & OUR Military Retirement Center

Carolyn Allen Ruth Braeutigam Clarence Durst Carol Dwyer Imogene Friedrich Mable Glasgow Edwina Hall Anne Houy Fred Mesch Desmond Sagebiel Pat Scott

Mabel Teschner Romilda Jaimson Audrey Kothmann Norma Peterson Marvin Prochnow Marvel Pospisil Auralia Schmid Melrose Sultemeier Jimmie Tree Olivia Wissemann

OUR Missionaries

Bosnia: Brian & Cynthia Eastern Asia: Misti Ecuador: Tim & Daina Madagascar: Adam & Suzie, Phoebe, Emma, Baylee & River Nicaragua: Sara & Joey, Risa, Micah & Jace Philippines: Marsha Connect Online! www.fredumc.org

Scott Benfield Khristy Brazell Roland Cleveland Adam Duecker Gary L. Goin Dylan Guess Houston Haley Chance Harling Wacey Holladay Mark Klaerner Bryce Klein Jason Loving Alec Maples Kari McAnally Quentin Moellering

James Muncy Dennis Ray Phillips Chris Pieper Steven Ramsey Tyler Remini Jeffrey Schmidt Cody Segner Jason Smith Bruce Stafford Perry Waters Charlie Watson Ash Westerfield Weston Williams Dara Wydler Steve York Joshua Weaver

Here I am.

Send me.

-Isaiah 6:8

We also want to acknowledge Jana and Leigh, who are serving the Japanese in Detroit .We support them when possible, and hope to ad them to our regular support list in the future. www.twitter.com/fbgumc

http://vimeo.com/groups/187577

www.facebook.com/pages/Fredericksburg-United-Methodist-Church/217593975003835

fredumc.org

32

Fredericksburg United Methodist Church 1800 North Llano Fredericksburg TX 78624-2917 **************************************

OUR STAFF Ministers-The Congregation

Rev. George Lumpkin—Senior Pastor Amy O’Neil-Director of Child Development Center Judy Hickerson—Organist Rev. J. Sid Spiller—Associate Pastor Linda Klein—Office Manager Don Doss—Director of Music Ministries Selena Hendrix-Financial Secretary Joel Griffin-Director of Youth Ministries Florie Hernandez-Custodian Sharon Massey-Director of Children’s Ministries Kenneth Vaughan-Director of Media Ministries Tammy Amerson-Wilson RN- Wesley Nurse Tricia Small- Director of Communications