Post on 14-Jul-2020
transcript
One of the comments that came to our ears at the end of 2019 regarding the Single Board was that with fewer people serving, we would need to make a more concerted effort to inform the congregation as to what decisions and actions the board makes on the congregation’s behalf. With two meetings under our belt for 2020, I’m happy to inform you that things are running smoothly as we continue to refine our new structure. Before I reflect too much on how our meetings have gone, let me share a few notable decisions and actions from the Administrative Side of your Single Board.
Using emails and technology, the group will submit reports ahead of meetings to expedite discussion.
The Finance Function Group carried over a decision from last year to develop a plan to pay off the Parsonage Mortgage to avoid the higher interest payments coming in April. For accountability and transparency, we will take bids for an outside CPA to conduct a financial review.
With the merger of Landmark Bank and Simmons Bank, we will observe how the shift happens and if it affects our finances. No decisions have been made about changing banks at this time.
The Trustee Function Group will be identifying facility projects that we will address with volunteers as well as taking bids from professionals. A workday was scheduled for March 28 to complete interior and exterior projects.
The SPRC Function Group will be working to review and revise the job description for our Youth Director.
Without sharing all the conversation that went around these topics, all the topics we discussed and decisions we made only took an hour and a half. We met with efficiency and trust that each group around the table would take their commitments to serve seriously. It was a refreshing moment to see the model we spent six months creating finally in action.
While we have identified ways we can improve the model for our Single Board, like having a nominated Vice Chair for example, everyone I have spoken with who was at our first administrative meeting felt we are off to a great start. As your pastor, I have been honored to lead the congregation to this new model. The trust you place in me each week is greatly appreciated and I feel privileged to serve as your shepherd. Keep up the good work, the prayers, and all we are called to do for God’s Kingdom.
We had a Single Board Admin meeting on February 26th and both Admin and Ministry will meet on March 26th.
March 2020
newsletter
Life of the Church:
Weekly Meeting Schedule
Boy Scouts - Tuesdays @ 7:00 pm Cub Scouts - Mondays @ 6:30 pm
True Grit - Wednesdays @ 6:00 am Worship Planning & Staff - Tuesdays @
9:00 am
Church Calendar Items
Adult Choir - rehearsals Wednesdays at 6:45 to 8:00 pm. See Sharon Acker if you are interested in joining the choir
Faith & Family Wednesdays with Family Meal @ 5:30. Children & Youth
Activities. See church calendar for specific times.
Handbells - Joyful Sounds practice on Wednesdays @ 4:30, Beginner
Handbells on Sundays @ 2:00 pm
Let’s Get Moving - Balance & Mobility. Light chair/floor exercise - Tuesdays &
Thursdays @ 10:00 am
Games Day - Cards/Dominoes Mondays @ 9:30 am. Covered dish lunch @
Noon
The Piecemakers Quilting Group - Fridays @ 9:30 with lunch. Contact: Jo Stow or Sarah Stock for details.
Combined Meeting of UMM and UMW March 1st, Covered Dish Lunch
following 10:30 service. Each group will separate after lunch to hold their
meeting. UMM Contact: Bob Hargesheimer, UMW Contact: Carolyn
Maynard
Upper Room Prayer Group - 1st & 3rd Mondays @ 9:30. Come pray with us!
Special Events in March - Lent Begins:
March 1st - First Sunday in Lent, 1st Lenten Breakfast Potluck - 9:30
Cub Scouts Pinewood Derby - March 7
Daylight Savings Time begins - March 8
Whitesboro ISD Spring Break begins March 9
No Family Meal March 11
Ladies Walk to Emmaus begins Mar 12
Wesley Hall Reserved March 15
History Club - March 16
Nominations for Nominations & Leadership - March 22nd @ 9:30 am
Masonic Lodge Chili Supper @ Lodge, March 28th
Wesley Hall Reserved March 29
Contact the church office if you have questions regarding any church related
activity. Did you know our sanctuary is equipped with The Loop Hearing Aid System. If you
have any questions or need help, see Dusty Luton, Ricky Acker, or Mike McLendon.
Nominations for the 2020 Nominations & Leadership Committee will be taken from the floor March 22nd at 9:30 in between services. Please be thinking about who you would like to serve in this role.
Let’s Gather this March
March 28th - 9:00 am to Finish
Volunteers Needed for a number of small tasks around the church inside and outside.
No experience needed - just a
“can do” willful spirit. Join us as we do some spring
cleaning and get or church and grounds ready for Easter.
A list of duties will be posted in Wesley Hall.
Call the church office for any questions, or to sign-up!
Coffee and Donuts will be served.
Lenten Brunches
March 1st & April 5th
Lent is a season of penance, a time of reflection and fasting which helps us
remember that Jesus died on the cross for us. This 40 days of Lent is our time to prepare
our hearts and minds for Christ’s resurrection.
In the past, we gathered every Sunday for a Lenten
Brunch in between services. This year we will begin Lent with a brunch on March 1st -
the 1st Sunday in Lent. Marking this sacred time for all Christians, and again on the last Sunday in Lent on April 5th. Which is Palm
Sunday. The beginning of the Holy Week.
Bring a potluck breakfast item and join us in Wesley
Hall at 9:30.
Be mindful of your table, and please tidy up after yourself. Remember to take your dish
home.
Cub Scouts
Pinewood Derby
March 7th - Wesley Hall
Masonic Lodge Chili Supper Fundraiser
March 28th
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Drawings @
7:00
“Let’s Get Moving!” Chair and/or Standing Exercises
Targets Balance, Strength and Flexibility Meets Tuesdays and Thursdays at
10:00 in Wesley Hall Please dress comfortably!
Absolutely FREE and EVERYONE is Invited! For more information contact
Lenora Garrison, Susan Cox or call the church office.
Attention High School Seniors
and College Students
The following Scholarships are available:
FUMC Youth Oakey Hagood Memorial Youth
Mona Sullivan Grandma Shirley
Church Women United of Grayson County
Scholarship Forms are located in the church office or on the website:
www.whitesborofumc.org
Application Deadline is: April 1st
Sarah Stock
Betty Watson
Gene Paul Williams
Roylene Winchester
Sondra Visser
Dolly R. Yeargan
Homebound
*military
Lucy Hill
Cheryl & Larry Jones
Jane Killam
Inez Leach
Penni Luton
Bernice Maloney
Billy Mangrum
Bob Bollinger
Beverly Brown
The family of Chandler Burnett
Betty Chilcutt
Carl & Mary Francis Garrison
Becky Hagood
Mary Harris
Tyler Morgan *
Zach Morgan *
Michael Nealon
Christopher Palmer *
Reagan Faith Parker
Marlyn Penrose
William Ramsey *
Terry Rouk
When all else fails, when there are no words, there’s always prayer. Fulfilling our role and spiritual practices, as Christians we believe in prayer and gladly lift up our loved ones.
If you would like to meet with us, join us the 1st & 3rd Monday of each month.
Jim & Charlotte Strahan
Ray, Debbie, Blake, Tyler and Zach Morgan
Allen & Judy Snider
We are glad you made FUMC Whitesboro your new church home!
Memorials & Honorariums
Memorials & Honorariums unless noted otherwise, go to the Memorial Fund. The Memorial Fund is used for items for our worship & sanctuary.
The following is a list of other giving opportunities:
* Adult Choir Fund * Benevolent Fund * Building Fund * General Budget
* Memorial Garden * Oakey Hagood Memorial Youth Scholarship * Special Children’s Fund for Camp * Youth Scholarship
If you have any questions, please contact the church office or a member or the Finance Committee
In Memory Of: Given By: In Memory Of: Given By:
Shirley Strong Sondra Visser Jared Taylor Suzanne & Johnny Greear
Shirley Strong Deanna & Gary Wyrick Shirley Strong Charles & Roylene Winchester
Chandler Burnett Kim & Gregg Hickman Chandler Burnett Suzette & Clint Strong
Chandler Burnett Ricky & Sharon Acker Chandler Burnett Kiwanis Club
Chandler Burnett Danny Ferguson Oakey Hagood Kenneth & Delores Lockmiller
Chandler Burnett Mr. & Mrs. John Burnett Chandler Burnett Jim & Kay Thomas
Congratulations Anna Kate Goedecke & Preston Johnson On your engagement and upcoming wedding.
God bless you and your new life together.
Things to celebrate...
WE LIKE TO HEAR
FROM YOU!
If you have an article, picture or item of interest to share in the Newsletter, please email your
information to: bridgethoenig@whitesborofumc.org
by the 3rd Wednesday of the
month.
05-Mar David McCorkle 19-Mar Carson Hickman 26-Mar James Chisum 28-Mar Frank Winchester
05-Mar Reagan Downs 20-Mar Angela Allen 26-Mar David Stelter 31-Mar Rickie Fielder
08-Mar Mary McCann 21-Mar Becky Hagood 27-Mar Austin Ward 31-Mar Dawna Anderson
10-Mar Don Smith 24-Mar Karen Walker 27-Mar Keely Hartless 31-Mar Jacob Lang
12-Mar Sharion Acker 24-Mar Brittany Gibson 28-Mar Pam Simmons 31-Mar Rickie Fielder
19-Mar Bob Stegall 25-Mar Colby Shaw 28-Mar Roger Unger
Ladies Appreciation
Dinner
Safety Team Update:
We had a great start in preparing our operating procedures. The team accomplished a great deal with more to do. Our Safety Team is looking at how we react to emergencies such as: medical, weather, and church security. Even something as simple as a power outage needs to have a resolution. During our first meeting we developed basic SOP (standard operating procedures) for several areas, we made an extensive list of things to consider: radios, flashlights, one board ministry seat, cameras, medical kits, and training for a number of things. Most of all we began the process of attaining a focus on a new ministry of loving our people and a new way to be in ministry to the community. We will give updates to the congregation as we meet and put things in place. Be Vigilant, Rick Simmons If you’d like to join our efforts, please contact Rick Simmons or Jackie Bollinger. Members of the team are: Danny Anderson; Kevin Brannan; John Morgan; Kyle Maynard; Jacqueline Bollinger; Rick Simmons; John; Dusty Luton; Mike McLendon; Johnny Greear; David; Jim Hoenig; Adam Spore; Ken Kniss
WORDS
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A message from SPRC – Staff/Pastor Parish Relations Committee On Sunday, January 26, several Single Board Administrative members attended the Northwest District Local Church Leadership Training at Whaley UMC in Gainesville. As a representative of the Staff/Pastor Parish Relations Committee on the Single Board, I attended the breakout session related to SPRC. During this session, the topics of Ministry Safe, Sexual Ethics and Feedback to Staff/Pastor were discussed and the highlights of those discussions follow. Ministry Safe is an online Sexual Abuse Awareness Training program designed to reduce the risk of sexual abuse of children. Anyone working with children or youth must first pass both a background check and the one hour Ministry Safe online training and quiz. Ministry Safe certification is valid for 2 years. With the increased national awareness of unreported sexual harassment and abuse, the North Texas Conference is reemphasizing the fact that the United Methodist Church “has a zero-tolerance policy regarding any sexual misconduct either by clergy or lay people”. In the near future, you will find a brochure in the church office on “Clergy Sexual Misconduct: What You Should Know”, which defines sexual misconduct with examples and describes options for reporting the misconduct. Our District Superintendent, Todd Harris, recommended that this information be made available to the congregation. Although the brochure is specific to Clergy Misconduct, the same criteria for identifying and reporting sexual misconduct applies to lay people. Lastly, any positive feedback to our pastor, paid staff and unpaid volunteers would be much appreciated throughout the year. It should go without saying, but sometimes we need a friendly reminder to show our appreciation for all of the extra time and effort freely given by the staff and volunteers on a weekly basis. A word of thanks or thank you card would be a simple gesture of appreciation welcomed by all. If you have any questions about the SPRC, please contact me. Sue Abernathy, SPRC Chair
The Staff &
Worship Team is looking for a few
volunteers to help us setup for our
Maundy Thursday (April 9th)
meal and service.
Please call or email the office if you’d like to help.
FAT TUESDAY
PANCAKE SUPPER
SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER
Thank you for supporting the
Youth Scholarship Fund
Faith & Family
Wednesday
02/19/2020
Children’s Mid-week Message -
learning where the ashes come from that we use
for Ash Wednesday.
MARY LOUISE TURNER HENSEYMARY LOUISE TURNER HENSEYMARY LOUISE TURNER HENSEY By: Barbara Bailey, Church Historian
In the summer of 2019, Mary Lou (as her friends called her), contacted me to ask me if I was related to Bill Bailey. When I answered “yes” and said “He was my Dad”, Mary Lou went on to tell me she knew my Dad and was “Best Friends” with my aunt. We talked for a while and ended the conversation with ‘we would sit down and talk very soon’. I never got that opportunity. Mary Lou passed away on 17 January 2020, just shy of her 95th birthday. Born on 30 January 1925 to Marcus and Gladys Turner, she grew up on a farm just outside of Whitesboro. After graduating from High School, her first job was at Cole’s Department Store on Main Street in Whitesboro. At 17, Mary Lou would leave Whitesboro and moved to Dallas along with her “Best Friend”. She would find two more places of employment there. It is now 1941 and the USA is at war. A famous recruiting poster would read “UNCLE SAM WANTS YOU.” She would accept her first government secretarial position which began her career that would stretch well over a decade and take her to faraway places. From Fort Sam Houston, where she worked at the Headquarters of the 4th Army headed up by a three-star general, she would work various positions always taking on more responsibilities. Mary Lou was invited to transfer to Germany as WWII
was now over and the Marshall Plan needed to be implemented to re-build Europe. She was then offered a position in Tokyo to work for General Douglas MacArthur, Commander of the Supreme Allied Command of the Far East. When the Korean War ramped up, her position on the general’s staff would have her transcribing “Top Secret” messages. Shortly after Pearl Harbor, a young Major would be assigned in Japan, close to Tokyo. In 1952, after a whirl-wind romance, Mary Louise Turner would become Mrs. Bob Hensey, a title she would revere for the next 48 years. After Bob retired from the Air Force, now a full Colonel, they would move back to Texas to be close to her beloved hometown of Whitesboro. Bob preceded her in death in 2000.
A member of the First United Methodist Church in Whitesboro, Mary Lou will always be remembered for her positive, upbeat and joyful attitude. Her love for Whitesboro, the State of Texas, the USA, and her faith in God were evident to everyone she met.
A quote from her Life Celebration Service written and delivered by Gil A. Stricklin, CH(COL) USA, Retired is as follows –
“Mary Lou passed her days so that when her death came, there was abundant proof she had walked by faith and not by sight, and now is numbered with God’s chosen people in glory of Heaven everlasting.”
Note: A special Thank You to Chaplain Stricklin for sharing his story of such a very special lady.
Contact Barbara if you have a suggestion or idea for a Church History article.
We invite you to stop by the History Room and look through our archives, photo albums, and church memorabilia.
John Wesley rode far enough on horseback to circle the earth 10 times. Wesley rode 250,000 miles! He was convinced that it was important for him personally to spread the gospel through relationships and continue to grow closer to God in those relationships. Asked if he would consider walking instead of riding, he replied, “Nay."
PO Box 370 * 122 S. Union Whitesboro, TX 76273
Tel: 903.564.3156
Website: www.whitesborofumc.org
Facebook Page: fumcwhitesboro Putting our FAITH * HOPE * LOVE * into ACTION
Stop by and see the new crosses added to the Honorarium & Memorial
Cross Wall
The Cross Wall supports our Benevolent Fund. If you would like to hang a Cross in Memory or
Honor of a loved one, the cost is $20, forms are located in the church office. Crosses can be no
larger than an 8.5” x 11” sheet of paper. *
Your Neighbors House
Will gladly accept
donations of
Personal Care Items:
Volunteers are always
needed
and appreciated!
Call Connie:
903.564.4400
2020 Communion
Rail Offerings &
Mission Work
January Benefit: General
Missions Received: $ 122
February Benefit: General Mis-sions: $335
Project Focus:
Snacks for Hayes Primary:
Fat Tuesday Youth
Scholarship Fundraiser:
March Benefit:
Benevolent Fund
April Benefit: General
Missions—
May Benefit: Summer Lunch-
Children’s Camp Fundraiser—
June Benefit: General Missions
July Benefit: Open-
August Benefit: Back to School
Supplies-
September Benefit: Snacks
October Benefit: General Missions
November Benefit:
December Benefit:
Ministerial Alliance Food
Baskets -
Enchanted Tree
Sunday Mornings 8:15 & 10:30
Facebook Page: FUMCWhitesboro
March Communion Rail offering will benefit our Benevolent Fund.
When we get a request for assistance, my first thought is “how can I help this person today, God has them here for a reason”. Many times a stranger is passing through town, our number one request is for help with utilities. We can’t pay the entire bill, but we can help keep the lights on until other arrangements can be made. The Utility Office is so good to work with us and our community. I never know who God is going to put in my path from day to day but I am so grateful that we can help, even just a small way. By giving to the Benevolent Fund, you help us provide hope for someone who has no other place to call. This is what Adam mentions at the end of the offering, we can be a means of grace for others.
SNACKS FOR HAYES PRIMARY
Thank you church for the continued
support of our local children and
schools.
We will be delivering the snacks the
week of March 2nd.
Use the Church Calendar to setup
text reminders and never miss
another meeting or church event.
Contact the church office if you
have any questions.
SINGLE BOARD
BOTH ADMIN & MINISTRY AREAS
@ 6:30 TAKING NAMES FROM THE FLOOR
FOR 2020 NOMINATIONS
COMMITTEE, 9:30 BETWEEN SERVICES