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Volume 2, Issue 8 Marge and Dale Hubert Van Drivers UMW Happenings REFLECTIONS AND PRAYER FOR AUGUST Helping Hands Meal Ministry Joys and Concerns from Past Weeks FROM HEAVEN TO EARTH AND BACK August Birthdays and Anniversaries Our church IS Noah’s Ark! Thank you! Reflections on the Whirlwind: Getting to Know Our Church Family… Karen Knight
Marge and Dale Hubert have had a busy life. They have raised five children (Patty, Dale Jr., George, Bob, and Peggy), both worked, were active in the community, and still managed to make time for their church. Marge’s mother, Mrs. Moore, was an early leader at Grace and worked to keep the church going during hard times. Marge grew up in Grace. She followed her mother’s example and has been very active over the years as a Sunday School superintendent and teacher, UMW officer, and has both led singing and been a choir member. She also helped with church history for our centennial. Dale was born and raised in North Dakota, however his family roots were in central Illinois. In January of 1939, he moved here, met Marge and started attending Grace. They were married on November 4, 1940. At Grace, Dale has taught Sunday School, been a lay leader, trustee, is a part of the Wednesday Men’s Breakfast group, and headed the sweet corn project. Dale organized and was chief of the Edge Scott Fire Department and was responsible for training many of today’s fireman. He is also a Mason. Marge is retired from the U of I and Dale retired from the city of Urbana where he was an electric inspector. In 1957, Dale was chosen "Man of the Year" by the American Business Women’s Association. Marge, a member of the ABWA, was chosen "Woman of the Year" in 1958. Besides their children and spouses, the family now includes 12 grandchildren, 5 step-grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren. Dale says, "We raised our family here and we are proud of what they are." When their children were young, the Huberts liked to camp. Over the years, they have progressed from tents to campers. They still enjoy camping. Both are active in Grace’s XYZ group. Marge also likes to read and enjoys crafts. The Huberts have seen many changes at Grace. They appreciated the work of the people of Grace, such as the Stinebrings, as their children were growing up. Marge and Dale have been and are still an important part of Grace. Marge says that Grace has been through a lot over the years and she feels very positive about the future. Small Group Spotlight – Van Drivers
Have you ever been in a position where you are dependent on someone else to get you from one place to another? If so, you know firsthand the importance of the ministry provided by our van drivers. Each week, a volunteer drives the church van to pick up persons wishing to attend church services. These people would be unable to attend if it were not for these dedicated individuals. Currently, there are four regularly scheduled drivers: Blair Hammond, Jim Roush, Jay Hoeflinger and Wally Crackel. We could use more van drivers or people willing to pick up someone on their way to church. We have a woman, living in Champaign, who would like to come to church, but it is hard for the van driver to manage the regular pick-ups and get to Champaign, also. These people are important to our church family and it is vital that they are a part of our Sunday morning activities. If you think you would be interested in being a van driver or able to pick up someone on your way to church, please contact Blair Hammond or the church office. We are grateful for this ministry, led by Blair Hammond, and the dedicated group of volunteers who provide this service. UMW Happenings with the Grace Church Family
Fall Festival – Saturday, October 18 –Please keep this date in mind as you are working on craft projects, making jams, jellies, breads, noodles and other tasty treats this summer. Anything you can contribute is greatly appreciated. We need everyone’s help – thank you! Pledge to Mission Below is a copy of a UMW pledge card. Please consider prayerfully about pledge giving, which is the foundation for mission work through United Methodist Women. Through our connectional system, our mission pledge is sent through district and conference channels to the Women’s Division, General Board of Global Ministries. From there, it is distributed to both national and international missions with focus on missions for women and children.
Please send your pledge to the church office or give to Barb Wood, UMW treasurer. Thank you. UMW District News School of Christian Mission, Mt. Vernon Holiday Inn, Mt. Vernon, Il. Weekend School – Aug. 1-3, 2003 Weekday School and Young Woman’s Mission Event – Aug. 4-7, 2003 Below is a link to an article on the web page of the General Board of Global Ministries: United Methodist Women Asking, 'If not me, then who?' REFLECTIONS AND
PRAYER FOR AUGUST Gary Ricketts Summer is rapidly drawing to a close and school will soon begin. One season of the year is nearly over and Fall will soon be making its presence known. I hope that during this summer you have taken time to enjoy family and friends and the beauty that each season holds. Wonders and miracles never cease in God’s ever-changing world. We are all God’s children and we have a heavenly father that loves us, strengthens us if we are weak, guides us when we are lost and reaches out to us in times of need. We, too, need to reach out to those around us that are in need. Perhaps they need someone to show some concern, to listen, to care, to provide a shoulder for them to cry on, to bring in a meal, or to pray for them and with them. Remember we are all God’s children, regardless of age. Prayer has a powerful impact on both the one being prayed for and the one praying. We must never forget that God still answers prayers. They are answered in his way and in his timing. Please lift up in prayer the joys and concerns of our congregation and others. OUR PRAYER Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, we are richly blessed to be children of yours. Help us to always reach out the hand of love, caring and service to those in need. We love you Lord and want to be of service to you. Help us Lord to realize our uniqueness and the talents that you have given each of us. We sometimes dwell on the negative things in our lives rather than the many positive things that are present. Help us Lord to walk with you daily. Let our lives show our dedication to you and our belief in you. Through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
The Helping Hands Meal Ministry is up and running again. In the past month, 10 meals were provided for members of our congregation who have been recuperating from illness, injury, or surgery. Each has been a blessing to both the provider and recipient. As more people become aware of this ministry, opportunities to serve will surely increase. We currently have a team of 15 women involved and we would be glad to have more join us. Please call the church office (328-1414) to volunteer your services, or to refer the name of a friend or loved one (or yourself!) who may be in need of or appreciate a "Helping Hand" during a trying time. Joys and Concerns from Past Weeks
In bulletin June 29 In bulletin July 6 In bulletin July 13 In bulletin July 20 In bulletin July 27 (God’s Tremendous Power, Love and Grace) February 21, 2003 Inspired by God Penned by Gary Ricketts
A young man in his mid 20’s was walking down a winding farm lane, moving very slowly. He was headed to spot in the woods that over the years had become his sanctuary during troubled times. His father and former partner had passed away suddenly and the funeral had been just two days ago. His heart was heavily burdened as he walked along and he felt so alone. No dad to talk to, hunt with and farm with. When he entered the woods he moved quickly to his sanctuary with the log and the gently flowing stream. He sat down on the old oak log and tried to pray, but the words wouldn’t come because his grief was too heavy on his heart. The warmth and quietness of the place made him suddenly drowsy and he fell asleep. Suddenly he awoke with a start, for there was a bright light
shining down on him as though it came from Heaven, and he felt strangely at
peace. He heard a rustle in a nearby tree and a large squirrel slowly made his Suddenly the bright light began to fade and the young man realized it was time for him to head home. He decided to go back by a different route so he crawled over a fence and traveled on. Suddenly the cattle in the field came to him and walked with him and they had tears in their eyes. He then crossed over to the sheep pasture and continued his walk homeward. The sheep acted the same as the cattle for they came to him and walked with him. They too had tears in their eyes. The young man pondered over all these unusual things that had happened to him this day. He wondered if he could have dreamed all these things but he knew all had been real. As he neared the barn he heard his mother call and he answered and told her what he had seen. They hugged each other and provided strength, comfort, and understanding for each other. She told him that today she had found a letter addressed to him that his father had written. It was on the old desk in plain sight, but she had never noticed it before. He walked slowly to the house and entered his father’s office and there on the desk was the letter addressed to him. However, it was not an ordinary letter because it glowed with a special radiance like the light in the woods. He opened the letter very slowly and began to read: "Dear Son, I had hoped that we could farm and hunt together for many more years. However, the Lord called me home earlier than I had hoped for. You know son, I remember the three happiest moments in my life. The first was when I married your mother. The second was when you were born. The third was when I opened my heart and let Jesus Christ enter in. I looked down from Heaven today and saw you walking alone. I knew where you were going and that your heart was broken. I prayed for you and asked the Lord to ease your burden by sending a message to you that I was home with Him. The message was to provide assurance that you and your Mom would receive plenty of love and support, and everything would work out all right. The Lord answered my prayers and request in a very unusual way. His bright light showed that he was near to you and knew of your burdens and your broken heart. God’s compassion was shown to you by his creatures and they had a tear in their eyes. The cattle and sheep moved with you to help with your load and provide comfort and compassion. And yes they shed tears as well. God works in miraculous ways son. He will always be there to love, comfort, guide and strengthen you and Mom. Signed, Your Loving Father" And as the son looked more closely at the signature of his Dad there appeared a giant teardrop. August Birthdays and Anniversaries
August Birthdays 2 – Gary Ricketts 3 – Nathan and Daniel Wright 7 – Neal Wiedenmann 11 – Alena Johnson 20 – Marilyn Wright, Betty Johnson 26 – June Michelson 28 – Karen Henderson, Judi Sawyer 29 – Shirley Jenkins, Lois Mickey August Anniversaries 7 – Jim and Susan Ferguson 11– Steve and Joan O’Connell Answers to quiz below: 1,D. 2,C. 3,B. 4, A. 5, D. 6, C. 7,B. 8,A. 9, C. 10,B.
Have you noticed the framed Noah’s Ark puzzle in the education wing? A big "Thank you!" goes to Terry Morgan for adding this to our church walls! Stop by the nursery to see what’s new! Norma Ripkey has made new matching Noah’s Ark mattress and bumper covers for the cribs. They are fabulous! Thanks, Norma! Thank you for the get well cards and the visit from Bob deJong. Marilyn Gladson Go to August Activity Calendar Note from the Finance Committee chair Over the past several months we have been talking about the future of Grace and have adopted a plan we call the "Grace Vision". The two main parts of this vision are "Grace Street" (reaching out to young people in the community) and "Grace Years" (reaching out to retired people). Our most important step (so far) toward fulfilling these visions was the hiring of Marcia Burns as the Director of Developing Ministries. She began working full time on July 1, 2003. Along with investing in new staff, we are also making some critical repairs and improvements to our building. The heating system (over 40 years old) needs about $10,000 worth of emergency repairs before cold weather arrives this fall. Furthermore, repairs need to be made to the front of the building due to the front door coming off the hinges. Our concrete is settling and shifting north. The steps and concrete work around the front of the church need replaced. And while that work is being done, the church council has decided that it is time to level the dangerous hill in front of the church. Our handicapped parking will also be relocated. As you know, "Grace Vision" and the building repairs are costing us money. We feel strongly that both the vision and the repairs to the building are important in the Lord’s work. It is therefore, time to ask the congregation to help us support these efforts. Funding for "Grace Vision" will come partly from the congregation and partly from assistance from our Annual Conference. Funding for our building improvements will come from a bank loan, to be paid back by the congregation. "Grace Vision" is going to cost us about $15,000 this year and the building improvements will cost us about $30,000. One of the things I have always liked about Grace is that we are not always harping on money issues, but on the other hand every time there was a need, the people of Grace have responded. In the next few weeks we will be asking everyone to do what they can to pledge some additional money to fund our Grace Vision and cover this building debt. The pledge forms we will be distributing will give us a sense of where we stand. Thank you for being so faithful and committed to growing the Christian family at Grace United Methodist Church. Richard King J. Michael Smith, Directing Pastor Gordon Wilson, Director of Music and Communication — Forum Newsletter Compositor Janice Roy, Office Manager Marcia Burns, Director of Developing Ministries Beth Morgan, Nursery Director Bill Valentine and Bob deJong, Pastoral Visitors Unlikely if not impossible. Paul Kunkel
That’s like Grace United Methodist Church. It’s a busy place and always changing. Try identifying the wrong item in these "snapshots in the Grace photo album:" 1. Gifts, personal and memorial, that have enhanced our church: a. Education, nursery and choir wing (Condit), b. Sanctuary stained glass (Green), c. English handbells (Massey), d. Central air conditioning (Wesley) 2. Historic Sunday School class names: a. Wide Awake Bereans, b. The Seekers, c. Depression Class, d. Otherwise 3. Items moved from the original church location: a. Steeple bell now in entry drive, b. sanctuary pews, c. Original church organ, d. Offering plates 4. Church van’s regular use: a. Relocation of changing pastors, b. Red Bird Mission work trips, c. Youth Group winter ski trip, d. Sunday transport to church for elderly folks 5. World Travels of pastors during their tenure: a. Sellers (Haiti), b. Watkins (Israel), c. Smith (Italy), Lancaster (Samoa) 6. Local church congregations with cooperating Vacation Bible School: a. Wesley United Methodist, b. Urbana First Methodist, c. Urbana Assembly, d. St. Matthew Lutheran 7. Church building and construction issues tackled by the elected Trustees: a. Termites in the church office, b. Tornado damage to the spire on the roof, c. Sound system operation, d. Malfunctioning heating equipment 8. "Kind-of" traditions: a. Easter bonnet parade, b. Candlelight Christmas Eve service, c. Gordon Wilson at the organ: Russian Easter, Sweet and popcorn sales for missions 9. Lay leaders using their special gifts: a. Doug Bauling (building design), b. Gary Ricketts (writing poetry), c. Rich King (advocate for stay-at home evenings) d. Virginia Sadler (flowers, gardening, banners) 10. Activities connecting Grace UMC in service to meet local needs: a. Habitat for Humanity, b. Door-to-door canvas, c. Church food pantry, d. Cunningham Children’s Home (Answers found above. Amen!) |
way down the trunk and then along the log until he was only a few feet away. The
squirrel slowly approached the young man and then jumped upon his shoulder and
there was a tear in his eye. A Raccoon was the next traveler and he too climbed
upon the log and sat next to the young man, and there was a tear in his eye. Two
wild turkeys flew into this sanctuary and one sat on each end of the log as
though to provide comfort and protection, and there were tears in their eyes.
Then without a sound a giant buck deer approached him and bowed his head with
its mighty antlers and was gone as quickly as it appeared. The young man
realized this was the deer that he and his dad hunted for years with no success.
The big buck too had a tear in his eye.
