The Observer F I R S T U N I T E D M E T H O D I S T C H U R C H

July/August 2013

Pastor Susan’s Corner 1

Annual Indiana Conference Report

2-3

Pre-Mission Indy Update

4

BackPack Program Golf Benefit

4

“Suds” a play 4

Country Rhoades Fish Fry Update

4

Shew “Thank You” 5

New Member: Richard Britton

5

Irene Howk’s birthday 5

Esther Circle 6

Barn Fests 6

July/August/Sept. Upcoming Events

7

Prayer Concerns Info 7

Web Page Access 7

Contact Info 8

Regular Events Calendar

8

Indiana Annual Conference met at the Convention Center in Indianapolis

on June 6-8. I want to thank Susie Pierce and Ken for representing the

Clinton First UMC at conference this year. It was an inspirational time of

teaching, worship, and some business meetings were held. It is a joy for me

to share that I have been appointed for the third year as your Pastor. I am

really excited about the potential for this coming year as we work with our

coach Mark Eutsler and follow his guidance in working toward our

prescriptions. I am pleased that at our Church Conference on June 2 we

voted to accept the three prescriptions 33-0.

Sunday, July 14: Service of Prayer and Repentance If my people, who

are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and

turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their

sin and will heal their land. - 2 Chronicles 7:14

Just as our new life in Christ begins with us recognizing who we are before

the Lord and trusting Him to give us new life, throughout scripture, we see

God's people coming together in repentance as they seek God's direction

and provision. We are anticipating a fruitful future for our church and our

community, and we first want to submit to God. We will have a special

morning worship service on July 14, focused on prayer and repentance.

Sunday, July 21: Visioning Workshop Mark will be leading a visioning

workshop on Sunday July 21 beginning at 11am and lasting for three hours.

We will have lunch brought in-- I hope you will all make an attempt to be

there to voice your ideas for the direction you believe God wants our

church be heading in the future. Everyone’s opinion is valuable and we will

work together to arrive at a unified Vision for the Clinton First UMC.

Coming up in October: At our October Administrative Council

Meeting Mark will lead us through an “Inspiring and Effective Meeting”

Workshop. In addition to the meetings with Mark and our leadership

team, as pastor, I am also required to meet with a Peer Mentoring Group

of pastors who are going through the Fruitful Congregation Journey

process too. I travel to Indianapolis one Thursday a month for a three-

hour meeting. Each session has a book assigned on the topic we will be

discussing.

There will also be other leadership seminars or continuing education

events that I need to attend that will enable me to lead you to be a vital

congregation.

PASTOR SUSAN'S CORNER

2

Transform the World:...Be a World Changer

Fifth Annual Indiana Conference, June 6-8, 2013

Pastor Susan, Ken, and I all arrived in Indianapolis

the evening of Wednesday, June 5th to register for

this year’s annual conference. Pastor Susan and I

each attended workshops Thursday morning. The

workshop I chose to attend was titled “Cost

Stewardship” and was very interesting.

Cost Stewardship is a cost containment

company that helps churches save money by

evaluating their expenses and providing solutions

through 25 different programs for faith-based or-

ganizations. They are a ministry partner and want

to see churches thrive financially. They believe

they can help put money back into ministry

programs.

Their guiding principles are as follows:

1. Do what is best for the ministry/program

involved,

2. Never sacrifice ministry/program dollars

over operational needs.

2. 3. If there are NO tax savings, the church

does not pay for the services. I have a

survey form and more information for the

finance committee.

The afternoon that day opened with a worship

and plenary session. Later in the afternoon, the

clergy were dismissed for an executive session and

we laity continued with another worship service.

We were able to get a sneak preview of the Africa

University Choir. The Choir arrived in the United States on May 25, and toured until June 17. The

choir’s tour schedule included performances at the

Oklahoma Annual Conference, local churches, as

well as our Indiana Annual Conference. They

were excellent! We also enjoyed the praise team

from Delphi United Methodist Church and a mes-

sage from Kim Arnott, Lay Leader at Fishers

UMC. She stressed that when Jesus charged us

to go and make disciples, he challenged us to be world changers. We were all given

mini flashlights, and the litany was done

in silence with the use of a slideshow.

As sentences appeared on the screen,

we raised our flashlights as the

sentences related to us individually.

David Owen Retiring:Thursday evening was

the service of remembrance and celebration of

life. Rev. Cindy Reynolds, Superintendent of the

North District based in Laporte (and the soon to

be new Executive Assistant to the Bishop,

replacing retiring David Owen) preached that

evening with her sermon titled, “The Stage of

Life”. She chose Philippians 2:13 and John 20: 19-

22 as her Scripture text for the sermon. New to

the service this year was the inclusion of the

churches officially closing, realizing that death

claims congregations just as it claims lives. There

were approximately 12 churches closing through-

out the state. The service also remembered cler-

gy and clergy spouses who have died during the

past 12 months with a ceremony of ringing of

bells and pouring of water. The service ended

with communion.

Friday morning started at 8:15 with a morning

praise and teaching moment. Rev, Rob Fuquay,

senior pastor of St. Luke UMC in Indianapolis and

his wife, Susan, titled their teaching moment

“Vision for a Life and World-Changing

Community.” Most of their study was based on the Fruitful Congregation Journey, which we are

familiar with. Later that morning we were

“Cost Stewardship is a cost

containment company that helps churches

save money by evaluating their expenses and

providing solutions...”

3

dismissed to workshops. The one I chose

was titled, “Being Transformed through

Personal Prayer” led by Paula Gast. She

stressed that prayer gives us authority from

heaven here on earth; and we need to take

time with God, spending unhurried time

praying. She suggested a four-step approach of taking time, usually early in the morning or

later at night:

1. Be alone with the Father.

2. 2. Ask or receive God’s will,

3. 3. Constantly listen to what The Father is

telling us.

4. 4. Very intentionally make prayer a

priority. She said that God delights in us

and loves to hear from us!

BackPack Program Recognized: Friday

afternoon was filled with a plenary session

and retiree recognition. Fifty-six retirees

were recognized, and there was a passing of

the light from the retirees to the new pastors

to be ordained on Saturday morning. There

were several reports and actions during the

plenary session. Our own BackPack Program

was one of the programs highlighted during

the United Methodist Foundation report.

Many grants were given, but only ten were

highlighted on the screen, and we were one

of them! Most of the time during this session

was taken up with discussion on a proposal

by the Board of Pension and Benefits to end

funding of Medicare supplements for retired

pastors retiring after July 1, 2014.

This proposal was defeated. We had voted

on the budget at the plenary session on

Thursday, so we then had to vote on a

revised budget again Friday compensating for an increase of almost $700,000 to cover the

cost of that funding.

Friday evening’s worship service featured

the African University U.S. Touring Choir.

The speaker for the evening was the

Associate Vice Chancellor of Advancement

for the University, Dr. James Salley. He used

Romans 12: 9-16 as his scripture for his

theme, “Let Love Be Genuine.” He said that,

as Christians, we give ourselves to Christ

and help those in need. He gave success

stories of students at the University. An

offering was taken up for the school with

$6,721 being received that evening. An

ATM-style kiosk was set up in the back of

the worship center throughout the

conference for worshippers to give during

the conference by debit or credit cards.

This was something they were trying as a

possibility in local churches.

Neither Pastor Susan nor I attended the

Saturday morning session. There was a cel-

ebration of ministry: commissioning and or-

dination. According to the report I

received, Bishop Coyner conducted the

service and titled his sermon “But God”

based on Ephesians 2: 1-10. Bishop Coyner

also baptized three children from parsonage

families during the service.

Personal Notes:On a personal note,

Ken attended the Thursday evening service,

Friday morning service, and Friday evening

service with me. He was also able to eat

meals with me. The rest of his time was

spent helping our

son-in-law tear out old and install new kitch-

en cabinets. We enjoyed eating lunch on

Thursday with Pastor Susan and her

husband. It was nice getting to know Pastor Andy. We were able to have dinner on

Thursday evening with our son, Matthew. I

again this year thank you, my church family,

for giving me the opportunity to represent

you at the annual conference. I always leave

energized and truly blessed!

Susie Pierce,

Lay member to annual conference

“Our own BackPack Program was one of

the programs highlighted during the Unit-

ed Methodist Foundation report.”

4

The Lamplighters and friends are

planning to attend the musical

"Suds" at ISU Crossroads

Repertory Theatre on Sunday,

July 21st, at 4:00 pm. The cost per tick-

et is $20. This musical comedy will take you

on a nostalgic and fantastical journey back to the early 60s, where you will find yourself

humming along with some of the best hits

from Motown and that good old

rock 'n roll music.

Reservations are due by July

7 and payment needs to be

made to Peggy Strobel by July

14. We will most likely carpool

from Walmart around 2:45 p.m. and go out to eat following the play.

Attend Musical, “Suds”!

BackPack Program Benefits from Benefit! On June 14th the Breakfast

Optimist Club of Clinton hosted a

golf outing at Matthews Park Golf

Course with proceeds going to the

Clinton BackPack Program.

Ken Pierce and Tom Frey helped

with the event. Ken reports, “The final numbers have not been calculated because

all the bills have not been received.

I can say that they made at least

$2,000 and possibly more after

everything has been paid.”

The Optimists plan on having Shelby Marsolf

come to a future meeting to present her with

a check.

Fish Fry Update! Orthanna Yager shared info about the June 8th Country Rhoades

Fish Fry, which was sponsored by the cluster with all proceeds going to

Community Youth Activities. Orthanna stated, “In case you missed

this one you missed out on a lot of fun and fellowship, and we

especially appreciated the great turnout from the Youth who worked

so hard helping. Great job, kids!”

Net income for the event totaled $507.44

Pre-MissionIndy Update Nine youth and adults will be heading east

once again for a week at MissionIndy starting

July 7. This year we have also been asked to

help with VBS in the Plainfield area. We will

spend four days helping with VBS in the

morning and then doing construction work on

a site yet to be announced in the afternoon. While some members of the group are very

excited to be helping with the VBS program,

this adult is somewhat out of his comfort zone.

This certainly proves once more that God not

only has a sense of humor, but that He puts us

in situations that require us to depend on Him

for direction and strength.

Those participating this year are: Nicole and

Kierstin Roberts; Jordan Wormsbacher;

Brooke Harvey; Allison Reardon; Arionna

Rennick; Alyson Chaney; and Ed and Elizabeth

Shew. We are looking forward to a great week of VBS, devotions, singing, inspiration, and fun.

Your prayers during the week will be greatly

appreciated.

For God's Glory,

Ed Shew

5

We would like to thank everyone who made our wedding day special. The

church and fellowship hall looked great before our ceremony. Then

someone quickly cleared the reception area while were taking pictures

upstairs. What a kind gesture! Everyone’s thoughts, prayers, cards, and gifts

were so appreciated. How wonderful to have such a loving and thoughtful

church family!

Ed and Elizabeth Shew

Ed Shew and Elizabeth Chaney

were married in our church on

June 15. Congratulations!

Ed and Elizabeth say, “Thanks!”

New Member!

Richard BrItton, joined our church on June

23rd. Richard is married to Molly. We are glad

to have you, Richard!

Card Shower! Irene Howk’s birthday

is August 6th. She

will be 90 years young.

We’d like to recognize

this special birthday

with a card shower.

Her address is

Cannon Inn

200 Francis Ave. Ct,. Apt. 102

Terre Haute, IN 47805

6

The Esther Circle met June 18 at the

home of Margie Lapworth, who opened

the meeting by sharing a devotion

entitled, The Best Season Yet.”

Members attending were Lou Ann Andis,

Martha Rutan, Mary Ten Have, Kathy Davis,

Ruth Hollingsworth, Karen Hartman, Phyllis Marsolf and Audrey Lientz.

During the business meeting the minutes

were read and approved, and the treasurer’s

report was given.

1.) It was announced that a check would

be sent to Compassion International to pay

support of the group’s Compassion child for

six months.

2.) It was decided to make a donation to

help purchase a hog at the Vermillion County

Fair. Each year the hogs purchased at the

livestock auction held during the fair are pro-

cessed and given to the Vermillion County

Food Pantry,

which benefits

both the pantry

and 4-H mem-

bers.

3.) A cleaning day in the kitchen and

nursery at the church will be held Thursday, July 18th.

As the circle does not hold regular

meetings in July and August, the next

meeting will be September 17th. Karen

Carlson will host the circle, and Karen

Hartman will give the lesson.

Lou Ann presented an interesting program

about two famous songs and explained how

they came to be written. The songs were “I

Know Who Holds Tomorrow” and “It Is No

Secret.”

The meeting closed with a prayer circle,

and the hostess served refreshments.

No meetings

in July and August

Esther Circle News

Sun., August 18-- Back to School Blessing and Children’s Sunday Sun. August 25--

Pet Blessing Repeating a popular event: Bring your pets again or for the first time to be blessed by Pastor Susan.

Sun. Sept. 1-- District Superintendent John Groves will be preaching.

THREE Barn Fests! All at 9:30am

7

CALENDAR

JULY UPCOMING EVENTS Day(s) Date Time Event

Weds. 7/03 1:30 pm Study Group, The Me I Want to Be at church with Pastor Susan

Thursday 7/04 Independence Day!

Sun..-Sat. 7/7-13 ----------- MissionIndy for youth and sponsors (p.4)

Weds. 7/10 1:30 pm Study Group, The Me I Want to Be at church with Pastor Susan

Thursday 7/11 7:15 pm Church Council meets

Sunday 7/14 9:30 am Service of Prayer and Repentance (p.1)

Sunday 7/14 ----- Payment for “Suds” due to Peggy Strobel (p.4)

Thursday 7/18 9:00 am Kitchen & nursery cleaning day sponsored by Esther Circle

Sunday 7/21 11:00a-2:00p Visioning Workshop during SS hour (p.1)

Sunday 7/21 4:00 pm “Suds” a play at ISU Crossroads Repertory Theatre All are invited! (p.4)

Weds. 7/24 7:00 pm Intentional Faith team meets

AUGUST UPCOMING EVENTS

Sat & Sun 8/3-4 Noon Go Cart Motors

Monday 8/5 7:00 pm Trustees Meeting

Weds. 8/14 7?00 pm Intentional Faith team meets

Sunday 8/18 9:30 am Barn Fest: “Back to School Blessing ” & Children’s Sunday

Sunday 8/25 9:30 am Barn Fest: Pet Blessing

Fri.-Mon. 8/30-9/2 ------------- Little Italy Festival

SEPTEMBER UPCOMING EVENTS

Sunday 9/1 9:30 Barn Fest: Dist. Supt. John Groves preaching

Prayer Concerns *Telecare Prayer Chain: Contact Pastor Susan at (765) 592-3445 if you have a prayer

request or concern. Or, email church at clintonfirst@gmail.com

From Rhonda Reed, our web master: This attached code will take folks to

our web page when it is scanned with a barcode reader on cell phones.

When asked, how do you get a barcode reader, she replied to download

one from the ap store on your smart phone. She didn’t know that one was

better than another. Free ones work fine.

Better Access to Our Web Page

THE OBSERVER

July/August, 2013

Contact Information A Publication of the Clinton First United Methodist Church PO Box 186 Clinton, IN 47842-0186 Phone (765) 832-3159 Rev. Susan Martin http://clintonfirst.org clintonfirst@gmail.com

Sun 9:30 am Worship service

Communion 1st Sunday

Food Pantry, Hillcrest, and CAMA

donations 1st Sunday

11:00 am Sunday school for all ages

6:30 pm Youth Group

Tues. 7:00 pm Worship at Chateau

Weds. 6:00 pm Praise Team Rehearsal

Regular Events Calendar