MID-WEEK LETTER FROM THE PASTOR

Grace United Methodist Church

October 18, 2007

 

We are preparing for our annual church conference, to be held November 7, 2007 at our church (at 7 p.m.).  This is an annual meeting that is required of all United Methodist congregations.  It is conducted by the district superintendent (or another pastor to whom the superintendent has delegated that responsibility).  In recent years, it has been the custom for several United Methodist churches in the area to meet together for the church conference.  We will be the host of the event this year.

 

            One thing that the church conference does is finalize the election of officers and the pastor’s compensation.  So we have been busy at work preparing those decisions—which will be brought to the church council on October 28.  The recommendation coming from the pastor parish relations committee is that there should be no increases in salaries for any staff.  The nominating committee has selected people to serve in church offices and on church committees.  Most of those people have been notified (and most have said ‘yes.’)  As soon as all the positions have been filled, we will publish the list—and those people will be approved by both the church council and the church conference.

 

           We have now spent three weeks of Bible study for WellSpring—wrestling with the healing stories in Matthew, Mark, and Luke.  There will be two more weeks of study (November 14 and December 5).  At those times, we will be making decisions on what kind of healing ministry we want to support in our congregation.

 

            There are plans next week to begin work on a new group:  leading us in Adult Spiritual Formation.  June Schwartz is the group leader.  Let her know if you are interested in the groundwork studies that we will be doing in order to get that work started.

 

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FOOD PANTRY NEEDS: beans, jelly, snacks   

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FINANCIAL UPDATE:  to date, we have had:

 

Income of $163,158                               Expenses of $174,865

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THE CALENDAR:  (Please note especially items marked with an asterisk.)

 

 

Saturday, Oct. 20:          Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF, grades K-5, 10:00 to noon.

                                       Come in costume; meet in the fellowship hall.

 

 

Sunday, Oct. 21:            Grace Years worship service at Parkview at 2:00.

Monday, Oct. 22:           Grace Years small group at Prairie Winds at 6:30.

 

                                   

Tuesday, Oct. 23:          Quilters will meet at 6:30.

 

                                    Angelus hand bells will hold rehearsal at 6:30 in the music room.

 

                                    Chancel choir will rehearse at 7:30 in the sanctuary.

 

 

Wednesday, Oct. 24:     Men’s Breakfast Group meets at 6:30 a.m. in the fellowship hall.

 

                                    The Cherub choir will practice at 5:30 in the sanctuary.

 

                                    Life Song rehearsal will be at 6:30 at the Aters’ home.

 

The mission ministry team will meet at 7:00.

 

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If you know of someone who is in need of pastoral care, please contact the church office (328-1414) or respond to the e-mail above.

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