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The Grace Church Visitor

Grace United Methodist Church SEPTEMBER 2017

P.O. Box 67, 624 Elm Ave. Vol. 69 No. 3 Story City, IA 50248-0067

515-733-4712 www.grace-umc.com

Pastor Fred Darbonne Cathy Hermanson, Secretary fdarbonne@gmail.com office@grace-umc.com

Office Hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Fellowship at Grace!

Picture shared by Loretta Parker

First Sunday Brunch of the new academic year!

The Visitor is a monthly publication of

Grace UMC, Story City. If you would like to

* add, change or remove your name from our mailing or e-mailing list

*correct your address *submit news to be published in

The Visitor… Mail us the information

Grace UMC; 624 Elm Ave. P.O. Box 67 OR

call us (515) 733-4712 OR

email us: office@grace-umc.com

What’s Inside

Page 2 – Oct. Birthdays, Oct. Lectionary Readings, From Our Pastor Page 3 – Oct. Volunteers, Baptism and New Member, New Addresses Thank You Page 4 – Prayers, Presence, Gifts, Service, Witness, Charge Conference I, Health Kits, Crop Walk, Weather Policy Page 5 – UMW News, Brunch, Meals on Wheels, Jingles for Julie Page 6 – Education News, Help Request, Thank you, G.R.A.C.E. Teams Page 7 – Pictures of Grace Page 8 – Church Council Page 9 – Endowment Article Page 10 – October Calendar of Events Page 11 – G.R.A.C.E. Teams Roster

= od’s iches t hrist’s xpense

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October Birthdays

Jason Hofsommer 10-2 LeRoy Johnson 10-3 Sara Dappen 10-3 Kenny Miskell 10-5 Denny Michel 10-9 Gene Schaeffer 10-10 Shirley Frandson 10-11 Kevin Holm 10-11 Riker Warwick 10-12 Chuck Semler 10-13 Cheryl Semler 10-13 Mark Barrett 10-16 Jori Witthuhn 10-20 Susan Mardock 10-21 Zach Tryon 10-22 Carroll Brekke 10-24 Max Hermanson 10-26 Addison Witthuhn 10-26 Norm Spurlock 10-27 Al Rau 10-29 Ross Barclay 10-29 Kevin Larson 10-31

If we’re missing a birthday please accept our apologies and let us know so we can update our records!

October Lectionary

October 1 Exodus 17:17; Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16; Philippians 2:1-13; Matthew 21:23-32

October 8 Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20; Psalm 19; Philippians 3:4b-14; Matthew 21:33-46

October 15 Exodus 32:1-14; Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23;

Philippians 4:1-19; Matthew 22:1-14

October 22 Exodus 33:12-23; Psalm 99;

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; Matthew 22:15-22

October 29 Deuteronomy 34:1-12; Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8; Matthew 22:34-46

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Deadline for submitting Visitor information is the 20th of each month. Information for the weekly bulletin and This Week at Grace is due in the office by noon on Wednesdays.

From Our Pastor

Fred Darbonne

October 2017

So, it wasn’t my imagination to think that the leaves in Iowa seemed to be changing color earlier than usual. As I write, the first day of autumn is still two days away, but the color change has been accelerating over the past couple of weeks. Kandyce Weigel of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources explained last week in the Des Moines Register that the early color change is due to our extremely dry conditions. “When they (trees) don't have enough moisture, they'll start to go into dormancy," she said. "They need moisture and they need cool nights. And usually, the light change — when we have less light as the days get shorter — that cues them to change, too. But that dryness is cuing them to push into dormancy earlier."

I certainly appreciate the natural beauty of autumn each year, but I noticed that Ms. Weigel was making the point that this beauty is coming early at the price of stress on the trees. Many devotional writers have made this same observation. Beauty often comes as the result of a process, challenge, or difficulty. An artist labors over her medium to create something, and through the process something beautiful emerges that sometimes isn’t what she expected when she started. The best poetry or other writing frequently emerges out of the writer’s experience of personal pain or loss. Congregations that successfully engage and work through conflict and setbacks can emerge much healthier on the other side if they stick with it. The strongest, most compassionate, or most resilient people are often those who have persevered through the deepest personal hardships.

Perhaps this is why autumn can be the most beautiful and productive time of the year, both in nature and in human lives. The most beautiful things cost something. As we enter the season of giving thanks, we can rejoice that God has a long history of making all things work together for our good, even though we can’t yet see the other side of our present.

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G.R.A.C.E. Team “C”

Cathy & Mark Hermanson - chair David & Becky Barclay, David & Marlene Doolittle, Doug Doolittle, Shirley Frandson, Cathy Gerjets, Ken & Marjorie Gookin, Terry Gustason, Ray & Rhonda Hampton, Jim & Shelley Hassebrock, Matt & Amber Hoskins, George Janvrin, Chuck & Ginny Jewell, Brian & Casey Kahl, David & Mary Loupee, Sharene Lykins, Chuck & Ruby Matheason, Tim & Kim Tryon, Rick & Grace Welke

Baptisms & New Member

Reagan Lee, daughter of Alex and Claire Flaspohler was baptized on Sunday, September 24th. Her

grandparents are Mark and Rose Flaspohler and Haroldean Gorman is great-grandma!

Claire Flaspohler was also baptized on September 24th. We welcomed her as a member of our

Grace Church family.

New Addresses

They moved last year, but I just learned about it…here is the

new address for:

Brett & Laila Tesdall 1430 Parkview Drive Story City, IA 50248

Judy Miller has also moved! Here is her new address:

Judy Miller 1429 Prairie Drive Story City, IA 50248

Thank You!

Prayer Shawl Friends, We want you to know our prayer shawls are used every day. I wrap my broken arm in the beautiful

turquoise one and Ron folds his over an ice pack for his back. We feel the comfort and prayers from your efforts every hour. Ron and Darlys

October Volunteers

Sunday, October 1

Liturgist – Claudia Pauk Greeters – Chuck & Ruby Matheason Mark and Cora Hermanson Ushers – Jim and Shelley Hassebrock, Terry Gustason, Cathy Hermanson

Sunday, October 8

Liturgist – Dylan Kahl Greeters – Tim and Kim Tryon

Amber, Jenna, Isabel Hoskins Ushers – Dave and Becky Barclay

Casey, Dylan & Emmerson Kahl Sunday, October 15

Liturgist – Terry Gustason Greeters – Shirley Frandson, Ginny Jewell Ushers – Terry Gustason, Mark Hermanson Rick and Grace Welke

Sunday, October 22

Liturgist – Claudia Pauk Greeters – Shirley Frandson Chuck & Ruby Matheason Ushers – Jim & Shelley Hassebrock George Janvrin

Sunday Brunch – Juice – Terry Gustason Milk – Cathy Hermanson

Clean Up – Terry Gustason, Mark Hermanson

Sunday, October 29

Liturgist – Gloria Sampson Greeters – Amber, Jenna, Isabel Hoskins

Ushers – Dave & Mary Loupee Dave & Marlene Doolittle

Bulletin folder – Cathy Hermanson Newsletter folders – Ginny Jewell, Chuck & Ruby Matheason

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Our Prayers

Gloria Sampson; Sharene Lykins; Ron & Darlys Orth; Julie Jacobson; Sharon Matson; Denny Michel; Helen Gates; Norman Patti; Marjorie Gookin; Pam Hillis; Jeanne Hohneke; Ray Hults; George Sellers; Lois Johnson; Al Rau; Cooper Leeman; Taylor family in Africa

Our Presence

Attendance Sept 3 – Sept 24: Worship: 377 Total – 94 avg S. School: 88 Total – 29 avg

Our Gifts

Offering – Sept 3 – Sept 24: $12,946.50

Our Service

Thank you to Grace Welke who, over the summer, has been doing some landscaping and mulching work around the church and parsonage.

Thank you to Mark and Cathy Hermanson and Dave Doolittle for

moving furniture around to accommodate recent carpet cleaning in the narthex, choir room and office areas.

Our Witness

We appreciate our September liturgists: Tori Fournier, George

Janvrin, Terry Gustason, Claudia Pauk. Also, thanks to Eric Dowe for running sound when Mark is away.

Thank you to Dwain Watts for sharing his music with us September

3, our last summer Sunday for the year. Thanks also to all those who provided special music and blessed us through the summer at Grace! Those we heard from include: Josiah Soderstrum, George Janvrin, Jori Witthuhn and Isabel Hoskins, Kent Meier, Chase Blagg, Milianna Carlson, Paul Olson, Claudia Pauk and Fred Darbonne, Alan & Paula Sampson and Brad & Suzi Stellmaker, Judy Andrew, Tanner Blue, The Brethren, Ray Hults and Dwain Watts.

Charge Conference 1

On Thursday, October 12th you are invited to a special Charge Conference held for the purpose of voting on the ministerial candidacy of one of our own members (someone from our

congregation would like to begin formal ministry training to become a pastor!) Following the vote, D.S. Harlan Gillespie will be on hand to answer and questions about the Pastoral Appointment process. Prior to the congregational meeting, the Congregational Development Team will meet with the D.S.

Your Help is Needed!

100 Health/Hygiene Kits is the goal and will be assembled for the Ingathering this fall. Here’s how you can help: pick up a slip from the poster in the narthex,

purchase and bring the items to the church by October 15. Containers are available in the back of the church. The brunch proceeds in September will provide $2 postage and $1 for toothpaste for each kit. Our goal is 100 kits which will require $300. Look for the date when the kits will be assembled in late October. Your help is needed and appreciated!

CROP Walk for Hunger

The Ames Area CROP Walk for Hunger is on Sunday, October 11, beginning at 1:30 p.m. It will begin at Brookside Park and is an easy walk. The goal is to help people struggling to feed their families both around the world and here locally. The

Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry will be one of the local organizations receiving a portion of the funds raised. If anyone would wish to go on the walk or to form a team to walk, please contact Sharla Mander.

To donate, visit www.crophungerwalk.org/amesia

Thank you for your support.

For Your Information

When there is a weather-related early out at Roland-Story schools, all church activities for that day will also be

cancelled. Worship services will NOT be cancelled in the case of inclement weather. You are urged to

use your own good judgment as to whether or not you are able to attend the service when the weather is nasty, but there will be a service.

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UMW News

At the October 11th meeting of United Methodist Women, the book “Dreamers” will provide

information for discussion of DACA. This is the issue of undocumented immigrants who were brought here as children. We will attempt to provide a solution to the highly controversial problem. Join us with your ideas. Erma will conduct the meeting which will include a mission minute. District Program Resource Secretary has been invited to the meeting. Plans will be made to pack the health kits. Velda Frette serves lunch.

Sunday Brunch

Our 1st Sunday Brunch was a success! 64

people were served by Sharla Mander, Cheryl Semler and G.R.A.C.E. Team A members Just over $177 was raised for the Thanksgiving Ingathering project! Please join us next month on October 22nd when Sharla’s team and members of Team C will serve baked French toast and proceeds will benefit Angel Tree.

Meals on Wheels

Grace Church is again responsible for delivering Meals on Wheels in Story City during the month of

November. We are asking if you can please volunteer your time to help deliver these meals to those in our community who need them. The month of October is the time to sign up for the route and day you choose to help. Please be generous with your time to help us. As in the past, there will be no meals delivered on Thanksgiving or the Friday after. A sign-up sheet is located on the table in the Narthex. As you sign up for your volunteer days, don’t forget to pick up a “Volunteer Tips and Reminders” sheet also. This sheet should answer any questions you might have. If you still have questions, ask or call Claudia Pauk.

Jingles for Julie

During the month of October, you are invited to save your pocket change for our friend, Julie Jacobson. Please pick up a small kit including a

calendar and small paper sack on a table in the narthex. The calendar is self-explanatory and takes just a bit of time each day. Simply follow the plan day-by-day, depositing your pocket change in the attached paper bag. When the calendar is completed, please bring your bag of change to the church and place it in the large brown bag also located on the table in the narthex. Our goal is to have all our smaller bags back before Harvest Home Sunday, November 12th so we may present your gifts to Julie at that worship service.

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Education News by Gini Michel

Six students participated in church camps this summer: Jori Witthuhn and Isabel Hoskins enjoyed their adventure at Camp Wesley Woods in Indianola, Savannah Jensen and her dad, Craig, had a great time at Lake Okoboji Camp at Spirit Lake. And Emmerson Kahl and Riley Larson had fun at Hidden Acres Camp in Dayton. All six had help paying for registration fees from our church family. The Methodist Campers received 50% off their tuition, the other two campers received 25% off their tuition at their non-UMC church camp. We’re so pleased to have families taking advantage of the opportunity for their children to expand and share their faith through a church camp experience. We’re thankful for the Beckman Camping Fund to help with this opportunity.

One student participated at the St. Petri+Generation VBS this summer.

We blessed our 2017-18 Teaching Staff on Rally Sunday. Our Classroom and Music Teachers include: Beckey Witthuhn, Christine Semler-Blue, Andrea Jensen, Pastor Fred Darbonne, Sharla Mander, Erma Schaeffer, Jody Larson and Rhonda Hampton. Volunteer monthly assistants include: Denise Carlson, Eric Dowe, Tori Fournier, Shelley Hart, Amber Hoskins, Valerie Hubert, Casey Kahl, Annie Larson, Jody Larson, Alyssa Loots, Ashley Miller, Erma Schaeffer, Malinda Warwick. Thanks to each one of them for their service to our church family and especially our children!

Help Requested

Diane Charlan is looking for someone to provide attending care for her for free room with Wifi. No pay beyond a place to live and a credit check would be required. If interested, please contact her at 733-5067.

Thank You!

Members of Grace,

Thank you for your donations for the Roland-Story Back to School Supply Drive! The kids do appreciate the new supplies.

Thank you, Alyssa

G.R.A.C.E. Teams Update

Leadership for the G.R.A.C.E. Teams has voted to eliminate one team and to re-assign members of that team to the four remaining teams. There has been difficulty in finding someone to chair a fifth team and it is

becoming increasingly more of a struggle to fill all of the ushering and greeting responsibilities each month. It is hoped that by boosting each of the four remaining teams that it will become less of a burden for everyone volunteering to serve each month. Now, since we have an even number of teams and there are an even number of months in a year, December will become our flex month. Each December, each team will take responsibility providing volunteers for one Sunday. This will allow our teams to continue to rotate through the year and not get “stuck” on serving the same months year after year. Leadership believes this is the most equitable of plans for all. G.R.A.C.E. Teams are led by Gini Michel, Erma Schaeffer, Cathy Hermanson and Lynn Henricks. (see roster of G.R.A.C.E. Teams on page 11 – effective Dec. 1)

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September Pictures of Grace Pictures shared by Loretta Parker, Amber Hoskins

Dwain – Special Music Riker receives a Bible Riker with Pastor Fred Isabel & Jori 1st time Candlelighters

Sunday school teaching staff for 2017-18

Touch of Grace Bells in September 2017 Claire & Reagan baptisms

Children’s Choir

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Church Council Notes Unofficial Minutes September 25, 2017 meeting

Present: Loretta Parker (Chair), Tim Tryon (Finance), Pastor Fred, Shelley Hassebrock (SPRC), Jim Hassebrock (Trustees), Cheryl Semler (Worship), Marilyn Webster (UMW)

Loretta offered a prayer and opened the meeting.

Cheryl moved and Tim seconded that the August minutes be accepted as printed. Motion passed.

Finance: Tim reported that all budget items are paid, the roof bill has been paid, and apportionments for 2017 are paid to date. Jim moved and Marilyn seconded to approve the September finance report. Motion passed. The total budget for 2017 was $206,513 and the proposed budget for 2018 is $208,278. There may be minor adjustments before the budget is finalized, but it will be presented to the Council for approval at the October meeting.

Pastor’s Report: Fred reminded the group of scheduled charge conference dates of 10/12 at Grace UMC and 11/5 at Boone. The format for the October meeting includes the CDT meeting with the District Superintendent at 6:30 followed at 7:30 by members meeting to vote on a pastoral candidate from our congregation (person wishing to begin the process for entering the ministry) and a Q & A with the DS on the appointment process for a new pastor. The November meeting will be a multi-church format where the rest of the business of the charge conference will be conducted. Oct. 3 & 4 Fred will attend a workshop on the Listening Circle process in Ames. On 10/5, Fred will attend a Conflict Training workshop in St. Paul with a group of SPRC committee members. Fred is on vacation 10/6 – 10/11. Oct. 22-27 Fred will be in Boston facilitating an Interim Ministry Network training session. Fred is enjoying the confirmation class of four students and will lead them on a field trip to a Greek Orthodox Church in Des Moines on 10/15. Fred will begin preparing a stewardship letter this week.

Committee Reports: Ministry Areas

Worship: Cheryl reports that we have two electric pianos and would like to sell one, if anyone is interested they should contact her. Pastor Brian will present a program about his Alaska excursion on 10/15 at 5 p.m. which will include a supper coordinated by the Worship Committee. Cheryl clarified that the Sunday School program on 12/17 will be the same format as last year with our normal worship hour at 9:15 and the kids’ program afterward during the Sunday School hour. World Communion Sunday is 10/1. All Saints Sunday will be observed 11/5 with five individuals being remembered. Confirmation date will be 4/22 in order to accommodate all confirmands.

UMW: Marilyn reported on the September program from Women at the Well, the United Methodist ministry at Mitchellville prison. Gloria Sampson was elected President of the group for 2018. Health kits have a good start with supplies coming in, a group will be needed to help assemble the kits, and the UMW may reach out to students for this on an early out day. The October program will be a district officer from Algona who will lead a discussion on the immigration dilemma and a study of issues surrounding DACA.

Committee Reports: Administrative Areas

SPRC: Shelley reported that employees were recognized for years of service at church 9/17, five committee members will attend a workshop on conflict management on 10/5, and the committee interviewed a pastoral candidate as part of the defined application process for a person wishing to join the ministry.

Leadership Development: Fred reports that the group is nearing completion of work on filling vacant committee and leadership slots. In 2018, Becky Barclay will co-chair this group along with Fred.

Trustees: Jim reports that projects have been completed: roof, back stairs resurfacing, and lettering on the north entrance.

Communications: Fred reports that the committee is working on the website and investigating the possibility of online giving and what the scope will be (perhaps for gifts in honor or memory of a person or persons).

Meeting adjourned.

Next meeting is October 23, 2017, at 7:00 p.m.

Recorded by: Shelley Hassebrock

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PART GIFT AND PART SALE – CASE STUDY

Susan and Kevin bought a vacant lot along Lake Michigan many years ago. They had planned to build a second home so that their children could spend their summers along the lake. However, as time went on, Kevin's job kept him in town and the children grew up before Susan and Kevin had the financial resources to build on the land. Kevin: Over the years, that lot increased in value. It now is worth much more than what we paid for it. We paid about $40,000 for the lakeside property and it is now worth almost $200,000. Susan: The lot has gone up greatly in value, and with the children out of the house we were thinking of selling the property. We wanted to sell, but we also wanted to avoid paying so much in tax on the sale. We were thinking of making a gift of 25% of the property to our favorite charity. Kevin: I happened to be talking to a CPA at a community luncheon. He mentioned that we could probably give about twice as much with almost the same cost if we gave 25% of the property (prior to the sale) rather than writing a check after the sale. After talking to our tax advisor, we discovered that if we gave a 25% interest in the property to charity, we would receive two benefits. We would get an income tax deduction for the value of our gift plus save on capital gains tax on the 25% interest given away. Susan: That is what we decided to do. By giving charity a 25% interest in the property prior to the sale we saved the capital gains tax on that part. The deduction on that part offset a large portion of the tax on the $150,000 we received when the property actually sold. We are very pleased with the "double benefit" from giving the property, and our favorite charity received $50,000, a very nice gift.

Grace’s Endowment Committee encourages you to consider the various ways your giving can help to Endow Grace, preserving the future of our Church.

Please contact the church office at 515-733-4712 or office@grace-umc.com or visit our website at http://www.grace-umc.com/endowgrace.aspx

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October 2017

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Claudia

8:00 Communications 9:15 Worship - choir,

Communion

10:15 Coffee Fellowship

10:30 Sunday school

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6:30 Education

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6:00 Youth

7:00 Choir

8:00 Bells

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SPRC Workshop in St. Paul

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Pastor Fred on vacation >

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8 Dylan 8:00 Trustees

9:15 Worship - bells

10:15 Coffee Fellowship

10:30 Sunday school

1:30 CROP Walk

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5:30 SPRC

7:00 Worship

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1:30 UMW

7:00 Choir

8:00 Bells

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6:30 – CDT

7:30 Special Charge Conf. &

Meeting with DS Gillespie

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15 Terry 9:15 Worship - choir

10:15 Coffee Fellowship

10:30 Sunday school

Confirmation “field trip”

5:00 Brian McNamara’s

Alaska Trip – Soup Supper

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7:00 Choir

8:00 Bells

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22 George

9:15 Worship

10:15 Brunch!

10:30 Sunday school

Pastor Fred to

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5:30 Finance

7:00 Council

Interim Ministry Conf >

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25

7:00 Choir

8:00 Bells

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27

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29 Gloria

9:15 Worship - children

10:15 Coffee Fellowship

10:30 Sunday school

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Looking Ahead: November 4: Thanksgiving Ingathering – reset clocks – fall back!

November 5: Charge Conference at First UMC in Boone

November 12: Harvest Home Sunday

November 23: Thanksgiving

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