GRACE NOTES

July 2018

Grace United Methodist Church

2950 Spruce Drive, Cheyenne, WY

www.cheyennegraceumc.com

Church Office: gumc@outlook.com

(307)634-7472

Rev. Laura Rainwater: gumcpastor@outlook.com

July Calendar

July 4 - 4th of July - office closed

July 16 - Grace Notes Due!

July 17 - Christine Circle 9:30 am

July 22 - Discipleship Team 11:30 am

July 29 - 5th Sunday Potluck

Weekly Activities

Sundays

Worship 10:15 am

Monday - Thursday

Office Hours 8:30 am - 12:30 pm

Reverend Laura’s Hours

Rev. Laura is on Study Leave in

July. Contact Kathy in the

church office for any questions.

307-634-7472

Grace’s Vision: Grace Sharing Grace Unconditionally

Grace’s Mission: Grace Strives to be a Church that Gathers,

Responds, Accepts, Cares, and Engages.

From the Pastor….

Summertime!

A chance to enjoy the beautiful weather. This means many of you will travel or have

family & friends travel to visit you.

The Rainwater family will be traveling this July. We will be out of the country for 2 1/2

weeks. Part of our journey will include visiting Methodist historical sites in England. I

plan to take lots of pictures and bring back stories.

Additionally, I will be out all of July for my 4 week study leave. Each pastor is allowed a 4

week leave every quadrennium. I look forward to getting away and spending time with

family. Jeff will be enjoying his 8 week renewal leave offered for district superintendents.

Our hope is that in August we will be recharged and ready to join with the Spirit already

at work in and around our church.

In this spirit of renewal and even fun, I hope you enjoy our summer sermon series,

Stories You Thought You Knew. Listen to a familiar story but maybe something new will

capture your imagination. God’s Word is ever alive and igniting our spirits in ways we

never thought possible.

God’s peace,

Rev. Laura

“Stories You Thought You Knew” Worship Series

July 8 Adam & Eve (Genesis 2:21 - 3:13) Speaker: Missie Martin

July 15 Noah’s Ark (Genesis 6:5- 8, 13-14a, 17-22; 7:1-5;8:20-22)

Speaker: Wanda Denton

July 22 David & Goliath (1 Samuel 17:4-11, 23-50) Speaker: LuAnne Cook-Ludwick

July 29 Jonah & the Whale (Jonah 1) Speaker: LuAnne Cook-Ludwick

August 5 Joshua & the Battle of Jericho (Joshua 6:1-21)

Speaker: Rev. Laura Rainwater

Dr. Michelle Aldrich

July begins each year with a bang! Fireworks, bar-b-ques, camping and yard work fill our

weekends. The end of July, Cheyenne plays host to visitors from around the world, who visit

our community and the largest outdoor rodeo in the world. Parades, pancake breakfasts,

and the carnival fill a week when many of us have friends and relatives visit to partake in the

Frontier Day frenzy. With all of the activity going on around us, one constant is our faith

community. You can be sure that each Sunday, we will have church, which will include hymns

of praise, prayers for our church family and concerns in our community, as well as lots of

great fellowship.

As we move forward in our church year, I am reminded how blessed we are and have been

with a church family that is constant and faithful. Regardless of vacations, holidays, births

and even deaths, we serve a God who never wavers and who is just a prayer away. As your

summer fun and opportunities take you in and out of our community this summer,

remember that we will be here whenever you return or have a chance to be with us for

Sunday service. Just as with any family member, we will rejoice when you are once again

able to be with us. Enjoy!

Basket Ministry

Glenda Haley

Summertime, a great time to just kick back, right? Wrong, as summer brings a whole new

challenge for the basket ministry. When Jesus said, “Feed My

Lambs” it stuck with me. I know he meant all of those hungry.

But kids are the reason we will be collecting protein for Needs,

Inc. Why protein? Kids that relied on School Lunches for

nutrition, often times are in real need of food during the

summer months. So bring in that peanut butter, canned tuna,

and trail mixes and anything that goes with those items. The

coins we collect for July will be going to Needs, Inc. as well. So

just like the name implies, there is a need. Thank you so much

for your generosity, it always is truly amazing.

United Methodist Women

Pam Pallak

The organized unit of United Methodist Women shall be a community of women whose

purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ;

to develop a creative, supportive fellowship, and to expand concepts of missions through

participation in the global ministries of the church.

Christine Circle: The Christine Circle Coffee Klatch Chat was attended by 7 members the

afternoon of June 19 in Grace Hall. Light refreshments were served by Bunny Wray. Several

things were discussed and decisions made before the meeting ended to the sounds of a

thunderstorm passing through the area.

*Mary Aughe and Ruth Cussins helped with the clean-up of the Yard Sale items and

collected boxes of kitchen items and then took them to Safe House. Great idea girls! Let’s

remember to get started sooner next year.

*Gale Graves and Mary Lou Marcum from Christine Circle along with Pam Pallak and

LuAnne Cook-Ludwick from Martha Circle attended the Wyoming District +1 UMW meeting

the first weekend of June. There were about 25 women representing Methodist churches

around the state. The speaker on Friday was from Climb Wyoming and gave an information

presentation on that program. Gale led a workshop on Saturday on ideas - what they are

and what we should/could do with them. Greta Morrow, who came up with the idea of

sharing which over the years has developed into the Day of Giving project, was the guest

speaker on Saturday. One of the ladies from Torrington told us about the “Paper Closet”

which is held once a month in their church. Paper products are made available to anyone

who needs them. The group discussion focused on the possibility of doing something

similar here at GUMC.

*The layette project was discussed and many ideas were thrown around about where

to find the needed items and how to pay for them in order to get the most from Kohl’s Cash

and grocery coupons.

*The circle will host the CLIMB Graduation on June 26 at 4:00 pm at the community

house in Lions Park.

*The idea that we need to be more caring of each other and those members who are

no longer able to attend was discussed. A Soup Kitchen Ministry was also discussed.

Next meeting will be July 17th at 9:30 am in Grace Hall. All ladies of the church are welcome.

Martha Circle:

The meeting was attended by Michelle Aldrich, Glenda Haley, Wanda Denton, Barbara Dobie

and Pam Pallak.

Toiletries were sorted and put into sandwich bags to be given to the hospital rape victim kits.

The group decided to make editable holiday treats for the AMEND Craft sale to be held on

November 17. Some suggestions were: cake in a mug, candy dipped pretzels and handmade

candy packaged in individual serving sized. We would make no more that 2 dozen of any one

kind so there would be a variety to choose from. Linda will ask the Christine Circle members

to contribute edibles also. The October 20 Martha Circle meeting will be devoted to making

these to sell.

We will need a couple volunteers to help in the kitchen on the day of the sale.

Members present agreed to invite some members we have not seen for awhile. Member will

contact Bunny Wray, Sherrie Thresher, Katheryn Herbaugh, Karen Esquibel, Martie Curl, Janice

Fisher, Betty Bean, Holly Fleck, Wendy Horton and LuAnne Ludwick.

It was decided to plan a Thanksgiving dinner for the Family Promise participants and church

members at our August 18 Martha Circle meeting.

Michelle went over upcoming Mission “U” studies on September 15. Michelle also shared

topics for a UMW bible study from the Upper Room Women of God catalog.

We will be helping again this year to take vegetables from the Millers Farm booth at the Sat-

urday Farmer’s Market staring August 18. The vegetables will be taken to the VA for distribu-

tion to veterans in need. This will take place after our regular meeting at noon.

Collecting Layette Items for Amend

UMW will be collecting items for the baby layettes on the Pine

Ridge Reservation throughout the spring and summer for the fall

delivery. Items needed are:

clothing and diapers size newborn

baby wash, shampoo, lotion, and wipes

receiving and crib blankets

sock, hats, bibs, small toys, or new stuffed toys

II you have any questions regarding something you would like to

give, call Pammy at 637-5193.

Fellowship

LuAnne Cook-Ludwick

Every Sunday after worship, there many who gather to share in relationships of love in

Grace Hall. We call it “fellowship” but it’s much more than that. Support of one another

in Christ through holy listening, prayers, hugs, smiles, laughter and much more is

provided during this time. Refreshments always seem to be available including coffee,

tea, lemonade and other cold beverages along with a mixture of treats. Please consider

joining in this time of loving friendships to grow as disciples. You are a blessing!

Update on Grocery Cards

Mary Lou Marcum

Right now GUMC has $2,625.00 invested in the grocery cards for Albertson/Safeway and King

Soopers. That’s a lot of money just sitting in a metal box. While these cards stay in the box,

there isn’t any benefit being earned by the church or by you, the congregation. BUT, if one of

you would buy a card to give as a gift, and another would buy a card to use for gas for your

car and lawnmower, and someone else would use the card to stock up on groceries for visitors

coming during Frontier Days, three people would benefit and so would the church and that

could go on for as long as we have cards to sell.

Also, after using the money on the card, the card can be reloaded at the store as many times

as you want and for as much money as you wish to spend, up to $500.00. If you do reload

your card, the church will earn a return based on the amount you put on the card.

I know there were problems with the A/S cards after their system was compromised but that is

over! A/S is standing behind the new cards so watch for volunteers seling cards the 1st and

3rd Sundays of the month after church in Grace Hall. Remember, when you buy a card, you

are supporting GUMC!

Communion Service

LuAnne Cook-Ludwick

A special “thank you” goes out to Glenda Haley, who provided gluten free bread for

communion for many weeks. She also has set it up for me when I haven’t been there to

do so. Preparing for, setting up and cleaning up after communion is an area of service

which I have served for about 10 years. I forget which year I started but I know I’ve

provided service under 4 different clergy. It’s an area which could easily use some others

to do the weekly communion love tasks. If you are interested, please speak with me and

I’ll be happy to train and share in this service area.

YOUR LAY MEMBERS TO CONFERENCE

Annual Conference is always an interesting experience because of the variety of issues that come

up, and how laity and clergy come together in mutual respect to share the work done there. But

this year’s conference felt different. It was the culmination of years of work, deliberation and

planning by many for the possibility of merging our Rocky Mountain Conference with our

neighbors, the Yellowstone Conference.

The anxiety from those who had worked hard to prepare for this was palpable at times inside the

convention center in Ogden. It felt like each set of presenters was courting us in the audience as if

we were on a first date: “Here’s what we have put into this effort. I sure hope you like it.”

After a day-long process of tinkering with the language in the document, the time came to vote.

The tension felt by Bishop Oliveto, as she waited for the results to be brought to her on paper, was

almost too hard to watch. But the tears of relief and joy that flowed when she saw that the vote was

overwhelmingly in favor was a privilege to witness.

I will always remember the day the Mountain Sky Conference was born. And while the work to fully

combine our two conferences is, in many ways, still just beginning, it will be fun to grow with this

new endeavor, making lots of new friends along the way.

* Brian Martin, Board of Ordained Ministry Registrar for Elders and Deacons and a Lay

Equalization Member from Wyoming

The annual conference was a celebratory gathering that allowed us to do the business of the con-

ference while letting us reconnect with fellow Methodists and meet new ones from areas of our

new joint conference in MT. One of my favorite experiences happened at the laity luncheon where

the Blackfoot Indian tribe shared their story of UMCOR coming to their rescue with the blizzard

they experienced last winter.

*Michelle Aldrich, Wyoming Lay Leader to Conference.

Annual Conference is always a very busy time. Worship, fellowship, business, and learning. For me,

there were two moments of enlightenment. The first was on Friday, learning about a mission

started by UMC working with the forgotten and thrown away children 150 years ago. It is now

known as Intermountain Ministry: they work with the kids with behavioral and mental health

challenges. The second was at the final vote to unite RMUMC and YELLOWSTONE together to

serve with love more efficiently. It was the ending and a new beginning for all of us! Now we are

the Mountain Sky Conference.

The company traveling to and from was also enlightening and much love was shared during all of

it!

*LuAnne Ludwick, Lay Equalization Member

I am lucky that my first Conference was also historic, ending the Yellowstone and Rocky

Mountain conferences and giving birth to the Mountain Sky Conference. We had great key

note speakers Thursday and Friday.

Friday, we had a tent revival worship where Emma provided the benediction. We ate Tongan

food or food from Food Trucks. We Listened to the Wesley bell choir and watched Tongan

dancers.

My mission project was Children’s Mental Health from the Intermountain in Montana. Very

informative and thought provoking.

I learned more about the process in which ‘A Way Forward’ commission put together 3 options

for addressing LGBTQ in the United Methodist Church.

Sunday, after the work was done, we had a big family worship. I thought 100 people was a

large worship and now I have changed that number to between 800 and 1000. It is large but

wonderful.

Now I am looking forward to June 2019 in Billings, MT for my 2nd annual conference.

*Wanda Denton, Lay Equalization Member

This was my second year at conference and quite different from last year, in that it was an

historical event marrying the two conferences into the Mountain Sky, bringing goosebumps and

tears to many. What a joy to be there for that occasion.

I have nothing more to add to my fellows’ words above, except maybe ‘ditto’. And one more

thing, I answered ‘the call’ and will be working for the next couple of years to become a

Certified Lay Minister of the United Methodist Church.

It is my pleasure to serve you.

*Pam Pallak, Lay Member to Conference

Facilities

LuAnne Cook-Ludwick

Well, we went from needing our roof repaired to having it closer to being completed. The roofing

company is a month out yet. Sometime in July, it should be fixed. Patience is a virtue!

Thank you to those involved in the endless summer task of caring for the lawn! Some of you are

known and others are anonymous. Thanks to Levon, who comes weekly with the support of his

mother, Glenda, to mow a portion. Andy, Dan and Todd have all been by to do different portions

along with watering and weeding. And I’m very thankful for the person who weed wacked the

parking area. I still don’t know who did it. Thank you to all of you!

Grace continues to thrive because members come forward to do what they can. You’re all

appreciated!!

Someone has been a little too helpful which is what brings this request to the forefront. If you see

anything about or around the property which needs fixed, mended, refreshed, etc., please let us

know by putting a note in the facilities box or contact me via phone or email. Help is appreciated

but sometimes it can create conflicting actions. Recently, the sprinklers had been set, adjusted and

even ran a few times. We have found a problem leading to our not so pretty lawn in that the

sprinkler system keeps getting messed with. In the past 2 weeks, we have found the timings

changed and the system turned off (meaning it wasn’t getting watered or wasn’t watered long

enough or too long). We ask NO ONE EXCEPT THE FACILITIES MEMBERS MAKE

ADJUSTMENTS! If you see an issue with the system (and anything else), please let the facilities

team know. We’ll fix the problem within the time it takes.

The facilities team lead members are Holly, John G., Andy, Dan, Wanda and LuAnne.. All church

members are assistants and support to the team. Grace is counting on us all to keep her vibrant

and alive! Our neighbors appreciate our efforts. I believe we appreciate a nice looking, well func-

tioning church facility too! Let’s all work together to get it done!

An All Church Work Day is set for every 5th Saturday , June 30, beginning at 9:00 am, is the next

work day. We’ll be doing some mending and upkeep on the church. Everyone is welcome to help!

Birthdays

July 4 - Justin Earnshaw

July 7 - Julie Fitzgerald

July 9 - Jilleen Roadifer

July 11 - David Orr

July 26 - Nova Fitzgerald

July 29 - Wendy Horton

July 31 - Glada Roe

July 31 - Leo Scherr

Anniversaries

July 3 - Bill & Gale Graves - 58 years!

July 8 - Ralph & Glenda Owen - 66 years!

July 10 - David & Kathy Orr - 42 years!

July 13 - Richard & Janet Laidlaw - 27 years!

July 14 - Bob & Dorthy Bengston - 73 years!

July 31 - Brian & Missie Martin - 25 years!

Recycle Battery Project

GUMC members collected 24 pounds of Batteries and two Fire Extinguisher that were taken to the

transfer station for proper disposal. Feel free to collect used batteries at your place of work and bring

them to the church. You can drop your used batteries in the drawers that are in the Narthex. Don’t

forget to tape the tops of the 9Volt batteries as they can be a fire hazard

when stored with other batteries. They also take fire extinguishers that

have expired. We do not have a drop off place for these but if you will let

me know that you are bringing them, I can take them directly to my car.

Questions call, Linda Bogart 214-3045 or email me at

50echolane@gmail.com.

Jobs Wanted!!

Syd Martin is home from college and is looking for

work opportunities to help save up for her term

abroad in Winchester, England, this fall. If you are

interested, contact Syd about available dates. Thank

you!! Martins@sou.edu

(Please contact the office if a

celebration date is missing.)