THE SPIREFirst United Methodist Church

130th Year of Ministry

Every Member in Ministry

Newsletter for the First United Methodist Church in Pratt, KSAugust 2016

photo by Louis Keeling

August 2016THE SPIREPastor’s Thoughts

It’s all about us“It’s not all about you.” We don’t like to hear that, but it is so true. When I am

dealing with an issue or a problem, there are always other people, other viewpoints,

other situations, involved. When I am celebrating something in life, there are

always other people, other viewpoints, other situations, involved. When my prob-

lems seem overwhelming, or when life seems too good to be true, I can lessen the

hurt or bring myself back down to earth by reminding myself, it’s not all about me.

None of us lives in a vacuum.

What is true for us as individuals is also true for us as a church. It is not all about us. Those of us

in the United Methodist Church are part of a connection like no other. There are many things I love about

the United Methodist Church, but that connection is what I love the most. I love being part of the impact

that Imagine No Malaria has made in Africa, cutting in half the number of people who die from malaria. I

love being part of the rebuilding and aid that the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) pro-

vides in places affected by natural disasters. I love being connected to a church that feeds and shelters the

homeless in large urban settings and is the last church standing in small rural settings.

Each United Methodist church does minister in its own setting. We have a lot of wonderful minis-

tries happening in our local church. But it’s never all about us, as a congregation. Our mission is to make

disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Not for the transformation of only our local

church or community, but for the transformation of the world. The local church and community are all

important. But they are only a part of the transformation of the world. Each United Methodist is a mem-

ber of a worldwide Church connection. And as Paul told the Corinthian church, “If one member suffers,

all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.” (I Corinthians 12:26,

NRSV) We are in this together.

With the current climate of both the United Methodist Church and of our country, divided over so-

cial and political issues, I pray that we can remember that we are in this together. When people take sides

and focus intently on winning, no one wins. It’s not all about me, or you, or him, or her. It’s all about us.

Let’s not contribute to the problem, and instead be part of the solution. Let’s be in this together.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Marvin

August 2016THE SPIREChildren’s Ministries

Children’s Ministries—Liz Krehbiel

Promotion Sunday is August 14Children will enjoy ice cream sundaes with Pastor Marvin, Robby, and Liz

THE SPIRESnack Supper

August 2016

To the Pratt United Methodist Church:

You are cordially invited to the 100th Anniversary celebration

for the Trousdale United Methodist Church on August 14th.

There will be a praise and worship service at 2 p.m.

and a reception from 3 to 5 p.m.

August 2016THE SPIRESnack Supper Schedule

August 2016THE SPIREUMW News

United Methodist Women encourages you to vote in the Kansas Primary Election. It

is very important to vote in the primary election. In this country we have the privi-

lege of voting. Use this privilege and be a part of the decision instead of letting oth-

ers decide for you.

Last day for Early Voting in Person August 1

Last day for Absentee voting ballots to be received (12 noon) August 2

Vote Kansas Primary Election August 2, 2016

“With renewed urgency, United Methodist Women repeats it call for an end to the crimi-

nalization of communities of color in the United States in the wake of the most recent

shooting deaths of two African American men during police encounters in two different

U.S. cities and the killing of five police officers by a vigilante sniper in a third city dur-

ing what started as peaceful protests against those shootings.” Go to http://www.unit-

edmethodistwomen.org to read the entire article, United Methodist Women Speaks Out

Against Extrajudicial Killings of People of Color and Vigilante Killing of Police.

Local members of United Methodist Women are encouraged to give a ride to friends and

neighbors who may not be able to drive themselves to vote.

Some upcoming dates for UMW members to remember are:

Kitchen Clean-up – August 9 – 9am – bring supplies

Wichita West Annual Meeting – September 24th – Pratt

UMCOR mission project of gathering Health Kit supplies will be gathered

during the month of October

Kim Claycamp

United Methodist Women News

College Scholarships Available

August 2016THE SPIREGreeters/Mission

Thanks to our 10:40 a.m. Meet Loaf Greeters for August & September. Feel free to trade during these months to cover vacation times! Your ministry to new people is greatly needed and appreciated!

Meet Loaf Greeters for August & September

Sunday, August 7—Marvin & Eunice Proctor, Mary GordonSunday, August 14—Mark & Earlene Ploger, Howard & Lois Gray, Renee WilsonSunday, August 21 —Chris & Michelle Pfannenstiel, Dean FitzsimmonsSunday, August 28—Marvin & Eunice Proctor, Mary GordonSunday, September 4—Mark & Earlene Ploger, Howard & Lois Gray, Renee WilsonSunday, September 11—Chris & Michelle Pfannenstiel, Dean FitzsimmonsSunday, September 18—Marvin & Eunice Proctor, Mary GordonSunday, September 25—Mark & Earlene Ploger, Howard & Lois Gray, Renee Wilson

If you are not a MEET LOAF GREETER but would enjoy greeting and meeting visitors in our church following the morning services, please give the church office a call and we’ll get you on the list.

GREAT PLAINS CONFERENCEVIM PROJECT LIST – 2016

KANSAS, Scott City (Camp Lakeside UM Center) RV/non-RVDates: Sept. 18 – 23, 2016 RV Maximum: 14 Cost: $150/solo, $300/ couple*Team Leaders: Chuck & Linda Buchmueller, 620.770.0410 Chuck Cell, 620.770.0411 Linda Cell clbuch@sbcglobal.net Annual event. Very popular! Sign up early!!! All skill levels welcome. Cost includes all meals from Sunday night & throughout the week. Another chance to improve a church camp we use in our own Kansas West area of the Great Plains Annual Conference. Great facilities for non-Rvers, as well. Our 16th year and we are still needed.

KANSAS, Perry (Alpha Christian Children’s Home) RV/nonRV Dates: Oct. 9 – 20, 2016 RV Max: 8 Cost: $150/ solo, $300/ couple*Team Leaders: Chuck & Linda Buchmueller, 620.770.0410 Chuck Cell, 620.770.0411 Linda Cell clbuch@sbcglobal.net This camp is creating precious childhood memories in the lives of needy children. The kind of work we’ll be doing is similar, yet a bit dif-ferent from most camps. RV’s will have electricity and water. A sewer clean-out is available, and fairly convenient. Non-Rvers will have sleeping space and a Kitchen. You will need to bring either COTS / SLEEPING BAGS/ AIR MATTRESSES, BEDDING (of course) and toilet supplies. Notice that we are doing 2 weeks again this time. If you can’t stay the whole time we will understand, and you will miss out on a lot of fun. J Perry, KS is located about 24 miles east of Topeka on hwy 24, so that should give you some clue as to the surroundings. The weather doesn’t get any better than it was in 2015. Great jobs, great weather, great people to work for, great love of GOD all around us!!!* The Cost numbers could change depending on donations.

August Anniversaries

August 1 Jessica GatzAugust 1 Pam HowellAugust 2 Hilary SamuelsAugust 3 David PeterAugust 4 Dorothy FurgasonAugust 4 Linda BuchmuellerAugust 4 Dedra RathgeberAugust 4 Sean HoenerAugust 5 Marje BarkerAugust 5 Spencer ParsonsAugust 6 Jean BaileyAugust 8 Wilma FisherAugust 9 Ashley AustinAugust 10 Cathy HergenrederAugust 10 Micha KesslerAugust 11 David PraterAugust 14 Erin HayterAugust 14 Landon DemuthAugust 14 Quinton HumbleAugust 15 Bryce Barker

August 15 Jenna FinchamAugust 16 Jannette SwaffordAugust 16 Jake RennerAugust 16 Conner VanslykeAugust 17 Mike HarveyAugust 17 Kristi NicholsonAugust 18 Mary Ann Van BlaricumAugust 18 Ruby HowellAugust 18 Brooklyn HumbleAugust 19 Mildred RileyAugust 20 Kim KendallAugust 21 Jessie ByersAugust 21 Verna HuffAugust 21 Mary WellsAugust 22 Janell MeadAugust 22 Melanie BlackAugust 23 Peggy EllisonAugust 23 Jane MaphetAugust 23 Jenny McAteeAugust 23 Chase Galle

August 26 Derek StevensAugust 26 Brandon SmithAugust 26 Dawson MaloneAugust 26 Kyrian KeelingAugust 27 Helen LakeAugust 27 Ivan PhillipsAugust 27 Ed BootsAugust 27 David KramerAugust 27 Chad VanslykeAugust 27 Jesssica HanveyAugust 27 Christopher NicholsonAugust 27 Krystal EckAugust 29 Harold VeatchAugust 29 Nancy Brown-McClainAugust 29 Jana MathesAugust 29 Brenda FowlerAugust 29 Emma FreemanAugust 30 Don BuhlerAugust 31 Becky McFallAugust 31 Amy Jo Maphet

August 1 Andrea & Clay WilsonAugust 2 Annette & Ken Van Blaricum August 2 Kim & Kenny DeClueAugust 3 Deb & Tom JonesAugust 3 Gina & Lee BatesAugust 4 Jan & Doug MeyerAugust 5 Chelsi & Javan KoehnAugust 6 Sarah & Jesse BlasiAugust 7 Juanita & Larry BelcherAugust 7 Prudence & Kenneth LewtonAugust 7 Belinda & Jack GalleAugust 8 Lu & George ShererAugust 9 Pat & Paul KlassenAugust 10 Ruth Ann & Gary BarkerAugust 10 Renee & Lee WilsonAugust 12 Betty Jean & Elmer Baus

August Birthdays

August 2016THE SPIREBithdays/Anniversaries

August 12 Janis & Bob MooreAugust 12 Carla & Gene StottsAugust 12 Lynette & Chris FreemanAugust 14 Katie & Dean HooverAugust 14 Janell & Steve MeadAugust 14 Ani & Brent UphoffAugust 17 Denise & Rich SandersAugust 17 Jerree & Dean FitzsimmonsAugust 18 Edie & Jim NixonAugust 20 Jane & Gale BolenAugust 26 Eunice & Marvin ProctorAugust 29 Cathy & Bob MillenAugust 29 Nancy & Charles KizzireAugust 30 Lois & Howard GrayAugust 30 Deb & Kent GoyenAugust 30 Delories & Kent Moore

Regular Happenings

Sunday: 8:15 a.m. Informal Service 9:05 a.m. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. 50/50-Kum Double Class, Parlor 10:00 a.m. Contemporary Service 10:40 a.m. Meet Loaf, FH 11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship

If you have something that you would like to put in The Spire, please email Jane Bolen jane.bolen@yahoo.com or call her at 672-3198

by the 20th of the month before the next Spire.

Monday: 9:30 a.m. Quilters 10:00 a.m. Moms’ Group

Wednesday Activities begin again in the Fall

7:00 a.m. Ladies Prayer Group, CR 4:15 p.m. Puppets 5:00 p.m. Snack Supper 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. M & M Club, Basement

6:00 p.m. Men’s Bible Study 6:00 p.m. Middle School 7:00 p.m. Senior High

Thursday: 7:00 p.m. Contemporary Worship PracticeFriday: 10:00 a.m. Mom’s Day Out

August Calendar

August 2016THE SPIRENews/Staff

StaffSenior Pastor ...................................Marvin EwerttYouth Director ............................Robby HernandezChildren’s Ministries ...........................Liz KrehbielBusiness Manager .................... Jacqueline JohnsonFacilities Coordinator ....................... Louis KeelingOrganist/Pianist .......................................Jane BilesAudio/Video Coordinator .................... Stan ReimerNursery ...........................................Georgie Fowler

Phone: (620) 672-6473FAX: (620) 672-3101Pastor Marvin’s cell (316) 655-1716email: jjohnson@prattumc.orgWeb site: www.prattumc.org

First United Methodist ChurchThe Spire

P. O. Box 316100 N. JacksonPratt, KS 67124

Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Friday 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

You may pick up your copy of the Spire at the church. If you wish to have your name added to the email list, please advise Jacqueline jjohnson@prattumc.org or Jane Bolen jane.bolen@yahoo.com of your address.

Recycle at FUMCAt the United Methodist Mission U event at Kansas Wesleyan cam-pus, one main focus was taking care of God’s creation. We were invited to bring a reusable coffee cup and water bottle to cut down on Styrofoam and paper cups. As children gather for VBS, there will be opportunities to explore, play and learn in God’s backyard at our church. Youth going to Camp Horizon will get a look at God’s beau-tiful land. Remember to reduce, reuse, and recycle..Love, the UMW recycling team of Helen Bailey, Kim Claycamp, and Annette Van Blaricum.

REDUCE, REUSE,

RECYCLE, REJOICE!

Please notice the new cloths on the altar, pulpit and lecturn. The fabric was purchased from the Memorial Fund, and they were cut and sewn by June

Daughetee of the Quilters