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BUCK CREEK

UMC NEWSLETTER

LEADING John Maxwell, a well-known Christian leader and motivational writer has written, “During a Q&A session at a conference, someone asked, “What has been your greatest challenge as a leader?” “Leading me!” I answered. “That has always been my greatest challenge as a leader.” Some in the audience were surprised by my response. The more experienced leaders were not. Like me, they could trace many of their failures to their own personal leadership mismanagement. Isn’t that also true for you? If I could kick the person responsible for my problems, I wouldn’t be able to sit down for a week!” How does that fit in with our own leadership at Buck Creek UMC? I know I can identify with those sentiments. If you can relate to them also then here are some ideas about how to grow as a leader.

+ 1. LOOK IN THE MIRROR: People rarely see themselves realistically. It is easy to look at someone else and size them up but when we look at ourselves we too often give ourselves a pass. When we look at others we often judge them solely by their actions but we judge ourselves by our intentions. This allows us to make the same mistake(s) over and over again without starting the process of change.

+ 2. PRACTICE THE ART OF FOLLOWING: The best leaders have learned the important truth that in order to truly lead we also have to be willing to be led. Without this balance we tend to become proud and forget the value that others bring to the table. Instead we are to “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21)

+ 3. PRACTICE THE ART OF SELF-DISCIPLINE: It’s said that one day, Frederick the Great of Prussia was walking on the outskirts of Berlin when he encountered a very old man walking ramrod-straight in the opposite direction. “Who are you?” Frederick asked his subject. “I am a king,” replied the old man. “A king!” laughed Frederick. “Over what kingdom do you reign?” “Over myself,” was the proud old man’s reply. Without the willingness to work on ourselves, first, we will never be the kind of leader that God wants us to be. We need to change the world, one person at a time. But the first person we must change is our self.

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UMC NEWSLETTER BUCK CREEK

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BUCK CREEK UMC NEWSLETTER - MAY 2010

THE STAFF Tim Schnepp, editor. e-mail: timothys81@yahoo.com Nancy Schnepp, primary reporter Additional reporters for May: Ruth Davidson, Bob Shepard Carol Shepard, church secretary, duplicator. People providing pictures this month: Nancy Schnepp, Suzann Brouwer, Ruth Davidson, Nancy Balser, Peg Eckhart

Thanks be to God forever.

BCUMC on the web: http://www.gbgm-umc.org/bcumcin/

SANCTUARY FLOWERS MAY 02 > In honor of Spring grad Alli Germain (from IU) MAY 09 > Tim Schnepp's 29th birthday (5/10) from mom Nancy S. MAY 16 > In memory of Jesse B. Payne's birthday from Donna Payne MAY 23 > PENTECOST GERANIUMS (from members of the congregation) MAY 30 > Diane White for Caleb's 7th birthday on 5-28-09

MOTHERS & DAUGHTERS BANQUET: MAY 11th The annual Mothers & Daughters Banquet will be held on Tuesday, May 11th, at 6:30pm, in the Fellowship Hall at BCUMC. There will be entertainment after the meal, provided by the Youth Group, who will do a skit for us. All women are invited, as we are ALL daughters! Come and bring your mother, your sister, your aunt, your daughter, your best friend, your cousin, your co-worker, your neighbor… the list goes on with possibilities! Please let Jane Arnold know if you plan to attend, and how many guests you will bring. There will be a sign-up sheet available starting April 25th. Hope to see you at the Banquet!

LEADING (continued from page 1) + 4. Start now: The process of change never starts tomorrow. If we put it off, for whatever reason, we will never start. One of the best ways to overcome this is to allow a trusted friend evaluate us. Scary, yes, but that person will point out areas in our lives which we may have been trying to hide from others and ourselves for way too long. The goal of good leadership is not recognition but results. Results come from leading ourselves well first.

Let us all press on in our pursuit of godly leadership so that when we finally stand before the presence of Jesus we will hear those powerful words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” God’s richest blessings on all of you from one leader in process to another,

Pastor Dwight

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WISHES OVERHEARD + We wish to thank Trustees chair Nancy Balser for all of her overseeing and perseverance during the church’s septic system repair, cleaning & upgrade! Thanks also to John Metro, and everyone that helped during this emergency----you know who you are! What a wonderful church family we have! + We wish to thank everyone that helped put on the Lenten Breakfast this year at Buck Creek UMC. + We wish to say thanks to the “elf” or “elves” that fixed the lights inside the back door of the church. Thank you! + We wish to say thank you to Fred & Faye Merkel for providing the lovely pots of pansies in front of the church!

THANK YOU + Thank you so much for my beautiful flowers for my 70th birthday. They look beautiful on my table. Love and prayers,

- Judy Skees

PENTECOST GERANIUMS ADOPT-A-POT Last year for Pentecost, several red ceramic flower pots were passed out, and filled with red geraniums by members of the congregation for Pentecost Sunday. Pentecost is May 23rd this year. We have a few new red ceramic flower pots waiting to be filled. If you’d like to fill one, please contact Nancy Schnepp. If you take a pot to fill, you’ll get to keep it after Pentecost Sunday! And, if you still have your red pot from 2009, please fill it and bring on May 23rd to help decorate the sanctuary! Thank you!

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MAY 4 PRIMARY VOTING STATIONS Again this year there are designated polling places in Tippecanoe County. On Primary day, May 4th, (6am to 6pm) the closest locations to Buck Creek to vote are:

+ The Lafayette Shrine Club on State Road 25 North, (across from the Family Express gas station). + The fire station at Battle Ground will be open from 6am to 6pm for voting on May 4th. + Lafayette Fire Station No. 5 (on corner of North Creasy Lane and Union St. Take "the back road" to town from Buck Creek, about a 15 minute trip) +Faith Baptist Community Center on St. Rd. 26 Churches open for voting on May 4 Primary:

+Brady Lane Church of Christ +Calvary Baptist Church +Clarks Hill Christian Church +Covenant Presbyterian Church +Dayton United Methodist Church +Evangelical Covenant Church +Federated Church +St. Lawrence Catholic Church Social Hall Other locations in Lafayette that will be open on May 4 for the Primary:

+Jenks Rest Senior Ctr. (at Columbian Park) +Lafayette City Hall +Morton Community Center +Purdue Memorial Union (handy for those that work at Purdue if you’re on the right part of campus) +The Outpost Catering +Tippecanoe 4-H Fairgrounds +Tippecanoe Co. Library (Klondike Branch) +Tippecanoe Co. Office Building on Third Street Choose wisely!

Many of us remember voting right in Buck Creek or out North 750 East at East Tipp Middle School in years past. Voting was also held at the old Buck Creek School, the Community Center and the Firehouse. Colburn also had voting right in their town, with church ladies serving the workers their meals for the day.

“Choose some wise, understanding and respected men from each of your tribes, and I will set them over you.” -Deuteronomy 1:13

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FIVE QUESTIONS The month of May brings Mother's Day. To help recognize this holiday for mothers, we interview these two wonderful moms:

AUDREY CHAPPELL

+ 1. Tell us about your family. >> I grew up in a family of 4 girls, 1 boy. We were a very close family and still are today. I married George in 1959. We have two girls Georgeann (Nan) who lives with Rick her husband, in St. Louis and have three children: Ben 20, Andrew, 18, and Kristen who is 15. Kelli, who is married to Kent Smith, has two little girls, Madison & Maci. + 2. Were you known to your children as Mother, Mom, Mommy, or did they have another affectionate name for you? >> I was called Mommy when the girls were small, but as they grew older it turned into Mom. + 3. Did your children ever serve you breakfast in bed (& what did they serve you)? >> I was served breakfast in bed mainly on Mother’s Day, of Toast & Coffee. + 4. What was your favorite bedtime story to read to your children? >> There was a book called “I’m My Mommy & I’m My Daddy” and I read that one to Kelli. I can’t remember the favorite one of Nan’s. I read a lot of the Little Golden Books to her. + 5. What's been one of your biggest challenges of being a mother/grandmother? >> I guess one of the biggest challenges for me as a mother was to let go, let them grow up to be their own person and try to lead them to know how to live a good life. Being a grandmother is finding myself trying to keep up with all of them. They think Grandma is still young enough to play a good game of Ping Pong, Leapfrog, tag, or do a Disco.

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RITA DARNELL

+ 1. Tell us about your family. >> I have four great kids. They are all married to wonderful spouses. Chrisi is married to Dirk who is in the Coast Guard as a Lieutenant. His co is civil engineer. They have two beautiful daughters. Emily is almost 7 and Natalie is 11. Chrisi works for the city of Key West. She got her degree in accounting and graduated two years ago right before they left Coos Bay, Oregon. Cory is married to Jeff—a teacher at Battle Ground Middle School. She graduated from IU and works at Purdue in the student testing center. They have two children. Drew will be 10 in May and Hallie is 8. Joel is a project engineer for Perini Builders in Las Vegas, NV. He graduated from Purdue five years ago. He is married to Lina Ibarra. They have two adorable children. Gabriel is four and Lily is almost two. Sara is married to Ritchey Moore and works for the courts in Tippecanoe County. They have a beautiful daughter, Madelyn that just turned three. She is currently acting as a single mom, Ritchey is in the Air Force Reserve and was deployed about a month ago. He works for Turner Construction company in his “regular” job as a project engineer. We are all looking forward to his return in September.

+ 2. What is one of the best memories you have of being a mother? >> I have so many, but I loved summers when the kids were all home. It was great fun during the Ice Storm---I cooked on our Buck stove in the family room---Joel loved it.

+ 3. How old were your children when they first started helping with the chores and what were those chores? >> I have a picture of Sara when she was 2 just going to town with the vacuum sweeper! I think they all started helping out around the time they started school.

+ 4. What "Grandmother" name do you want your grandchildren to call you? >> Memaw. Emily came up with that when she was little and so did Madelyn.

+ 5. What advice do you have for new moms out there? >> Enjoy your children, they grow up way too fast. Spoil them, hug them, love them.

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GIDEON SPEAKER VISITS “Distributing God's Word,” by Rick Schmalzreid (Gideons) [Lay Leader Ralph Rohrer introduced Rick, who is from the local Gideons.] "Mom, I don't think I'm saved..." these are the words heard by the Mom when she was with her family at a gas station. Her Mom had asked the attendant, are you saved? The daughter in turn told her mom "I don't think I'm saved." If you are like me, that is a shock. You want your child to be saved. Susan's family was on vacation and the Bible was packed but not accessible. They headed back to their hotel, and used that Bible in the room to read to their little daughter the Plan of Salvation. The Gideons is an international organization made up of business & professional men. There are 139,000 members world wide. The wives (Women's Auxiliary) has103,000 members. Their one and only goal is to distribute God's written word to as many as possible, and through that, to bring as many possible to Jesus Christ. You have probably seen a Gideon Bible in a hotel room. They also go to other avenues of life including military, hospitals, prisons and jails. The Gideons were founded in 1899 by three traveling businessmen. They would meet and study God's word together. Some years later they decided they should start placing Bibles in hotels (1908) . It took 20 years for the first million Bibles to be placed. Last year, just 50,000 short of a total of 78 million Bibles. That's 2 1/2 seconds of every day a Bible was placed. 11 million of those were in the USA. 8000 were in Lafayette, Indiana. The distribution goes to 191 countries, and is printed in 93 languages. Add up all the years, that's 1 1/2 billion copies. [read Isaiah 55:11]

Jim Davidson Jr., Gideon Rick Schmalzreid, and Ralph Rohrer

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Rick shared with us many others stories of people saved by a Bible placed by the Gideons. A man in prison who started using a New Testament for cigarette paper. Then he started reading it. A man at the end of his rope who almost killed himself, but spotted the bible and started to read it and was saved. A prisoner in solitary confinement with a life sentence who had a Gideon Bible given to him, and was saved and turned his life around, and was eventually released. In some countries, the Bible is the only book some families have. In one small village a Bible was given to a teacher. She told them she would use it to teach the children to read & write, as it was the only book they had. If Jesus Christ is the best gift, how can I keep it to myself? It's not enough to believe, I have to show God's Word. We hand out Bibles locally at Jeff High School, Ivy Tech, Purdue, and we have placed Bibles in all the rooms of the new hospitals (in Lafayette). We're very happy when people "steal" our products! :) I hope I have peaked your interest in the Gideons. [A video was shown on the Gideons new greeting cards: change a life, send a card. 100% of your donations goes to purchase Bibles. All other expenses are paid by dues paid by the Gideon members. $130 buys a case of 100 New Testaments. A hotel Bible cost $5 each. http://www.gideons.org for more information.] A side note: With the Gideon speaker today, it's a good time to remind folks that BCUMC gives donations to the Gideons on the occasion of the passing of a loved one, in lieu of funeral flowers. We have been doing this since mid-2005, and it has been very successful and pleasing to family members. In that time period we have given donations for over 60 bibles, 7 of those being in 2010.

QUOTES February 7, 2010 + “Don't let troubles trouble you.” -Pam Church (Children's sermon) + “I don't need to worry, I just need to pray.” -Pam Church (Children's Sermon prayer) + Pam: What does it mean not to let your heart be troubled? Anna Fleming: Not to worry about anything. + “You can pray. There is always One who listens. You can pray about anything.” -Ralph Rohrer + “You are great and powerful. You are the Creator of all things that have been and will be. We are very small in sight of all that, but we can still bring to You our concerns...” -Ralph Rohrer (on prayers) + “Bless us we ask. Help us as we go out into Your world to be examples of Your love, to be shining lights of faith so when people see us, they know we

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are of you, that You are within us...” -Ralph Rohrer (prayer after Joys/prayer concerns) + “Just know that Christ is there, to walk with us and take your burdens.” -Bob Shepard (message)

QUOTES February 14, 2010 + “We know You are with us---there is no place we can go to be apart from you. You are close at hand no matter our circumstances, and we can cry out to You...” -Pastor Dwight (prayer) + “Make sure when you communicate it's not about ‘me’ (you) but ‘we.’” -Pastor Dwight (message on communication) + “We must pay more careful attention to what we've heard so we do not drift away...” -Pastor Dwight (message on communication) + “Sin has been broken, and Jesus is alive!” -Pastor Dwight (prayer)

QUOTES February 21, 2010 + “If we do something good, we can know God's cheering for us!” -Pam Church (Children's sermon) + “Through the reading of Your Word, life is brought to light... and as we take in Your Word, we are changed...” -Pastor Dwight (pre-sermon prayer) + “Don't go into the world unless you have Jesus with you.” -Pastor Dwight (sermon)

QUOTES February 28, 2010 + “We don't want to take that grace for granted. This implies how great that grace is...” -Pastor Dwight on "Amazing Grace" + “In the stillness of this moment, we're just amazed at how awesome Your grace is. For all that You've done for us, we come and worship and give our lives to You...” -Pastor Dwight (prayer) + “Our hearts are atuned to hear You, and in this quiet time of prayer we ask that You meet with us. Draw us close---show us more of who You are and who we are...” -Pastor Dwight (prayer) + “For those touched by death---death has lost its sting because of what You did on the cross...” -Pastor Dwight (prayer)

QUOTES March 7, 2010 + “God takes us just as we are. He calls us to be holy, not perfect. We can be, because God's presence lives within us.” -Pastor Dwight (message) + “We're NOT to worry. What we're to do is PRAY about our circumstances.” - Pastor Dwight (message) + “Everyone in here, there is no exception. God has an awesome plan for each person and we need to use that for His glory.” -Pastor Dwight (message)

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+ “We're invited by God to a banquet today. God has made out an invitation with my name and your names on it. Come and enjoy!” -Pastor Dwight (on communion) + “It centers around Jesus. Jesus came into this world in order to set us free and if the Son sets us free, we are free...” -Pastor Dwight (communion)

MORE QUOTES + “You make my heart happy (for being here) and we're all making our hearts healthier!” -Donna Payne (at Faith & Fitness for Food exercise class)

REMINDER: VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL THIS JUNE Get ready for HERO HEADQUARTERS! VBS zaps into action June 21-25, 2010 from 8:30 A.M. to noon each day, with a program on Sunday, June 27. Even if you can’t make it to VBS, you can still help! We need volunteers to get the word out about VBS: signs, posters, word-of-mouth. If you want to help with VBS this year, contact the official VBS e-mail: bcvbs9@gmail.com.

CALL YOUR MOTHER Ma, Mom, Mommy, Momma, are all English names for "Mother". What do children call their mothers in other countries? Here's a few:

Moeder (Afrikaans) Meme (Albanian) Omm (Arabic) Mayr (Armenian) Mother Dearest, Mum (Australian) Amma (Bangladesh) Mum, Mummy (Britain) Maire (Chile) ma, ma (China) mami (Columbian) Majka, Mama (Croatian) Majka, Matka, mama (Czech) Mor (Danish) Moeder, mama (Dutch) Moeder (Flemish) La mere, maman (French) Mutter (German) Mitera, mana, mama' (Greek) Ima (Hebrew) Mata, Mataji, Maa (Hindi) anya, mama (Hungarian) Maa, amma, mata (India) Ibut, Emak, Bunda (Indonesian) Mathair (Irish)

Mami (Irish Gaelic) madre, mama (Italian) okaasan, haha (Japanese) omoni, omma, eomma (Korean) motina (Lithuanian) omm (Maltese) 'eh (Mongolian) mor, mamma (Norwegian) Matka, mama, matula (Polish) mae (Portugese) mama, maica (Romanian) Mat (Russian) Matri (Sicilian) Madre, mami (Spanish) Mama, mzazi, mzaa (Swahili) mamma, mor, morsa (Swedish) Mueter (Swiss German) inay, nanay (Tagalog [Philippines]) mae, mama, marda (Thai) anna (Turkish) Mam (Welsh) muter (Yiddish) Umamma (Zulu)

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MISSION MEMOS Green Jars for Food Pantry - Thanks to everyone who digs for their change on Sunday mornings to donate to the food pantry. Through April 4th we have collected $226.16. Blood Drive - As of this writing we are still a week away from our Blood drive, however, I would like to thank everyone who donated in any way, from blood donations to snacks and to time helping. Also, thanks to Rita for organizing this for us. Firefighter Cookies - Thanks to everyone who participates in the baking and delivering of the cookies for the Firefighters each month. This local mission means so much to them, if you haven't signed up yet please do and feel the blessings you will receive also. Mission Questions of the Month - Do you know what gifts or talents God has blessed you with? Are you using them for God's purpose?

-Bob Shepard

READ THE BIBLE IN A YEAR: MAY READINGS + Week 18, (4/30-5/6) Judges 11:1-Ruth 4:22, John 1:1-4:54, Psalms 101:1-105:36, Proverbs 14:13-27 + Week 19, (5/7-5/13) I Samuel 1:1-14:52, John 5:1-7:53, Psalms 105:37-109:31, Proverbs 14:28-15:7 + Week 20, (5/14-5/20) I Samuel 15:1-28:25, John 8:1-11:54, Psalms 110:1-117:2, Proverbs 15:8-23 + Week 21, (5/21-5/27) I Samuel 29:1-II Samuel 12:31, John 11:55-16:33, Psalms 118:1-119:80, Proverbs 15:24-16:5 + Week 22, (5/28-6/3) II Samuel 13:1-22:20, John 17:1-Acts 1:26, Psalms 119:81-121:8, Proverbs 16:6-18

SERVANTS - MAY 2010

USHERS > Robert Mueller / Bev Poore / Pat Sense / Ken Mueller GREETERS > Mary Strong / Jim Davidson Sr. ACOLYTE > Haleigh Taylor LITURGIST > Gini Tull CHILDREN’S MESSAGE > Pam Church (9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th) BELL RINGER > Rylee Metro COMMUNION STEWARD > The Stratton Family SCRIPTURE READERS > Ralph Rohrer (2nd), Coley Sharp (9th), Carol Shepard (16th), Sam Stratton (23rd), Mindy Jester (30th)

NURSERY HELP >

Kay Miller / Lydia Mueller (2nd), Jim Davidson / Anita Davidson (9th), Ali Davidson / Abigail Thompson (16th), Jamie Davidson / Ryan Davidson (23rd), Lydia Mueller / Teia Louthen (30th)

If you will not be able to serve as assigned, please contact Ken Mueller.

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SIGNS OF EASTER AT BCUMC

Palm Sunday Hosannah Wreath

Palm Sunday Effects

Pastor Dwight at the Easter Sunrise Service

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Palms in waiting

Easter Sunday choir

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12 KIDS VERSUS 400 EGGS! An Easter Egg hunt was held after the Easter breakfast on April 4th. Sponsored by the Youth Group, it was a lot of fun to watch! Thanks to Suzann Brouwer for the pictures.

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OBIT “As a church family, and members of the Buck Creek community, we strive to stay connected to one another. As the Bible says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and mourn with those who mourn.” –Romans 12:15.

WILLIAM "BILL" DELBERT PLESS, 85

William D. Pless, 85 , of Buck Creek, died at 3:15 p.m. on Thursday, April 4, 2010 at Heritage Healthcare in Lafayette, Indiana. Bill was born in Bedford,

Indiana on Monday, March 9, 1925. He was the son of the late Francis Herbert and Emily Ellen (Stancombe) Pless. On Sunday, August 10, 1947 he married Evelyn Marie Swan in Lafayette and she survives. They were always very proud of each anniversary they reached together. They were married 62 years, 7 months. Mr. Pless was a pipe fitter and plant operator for Indiana Gas for over 34 years. He had previously worked for Alton Box Board. He was a member of the Indiana State Guard. He was also a member of Buck Creek United Methodist Church, joining on

October 13, 1985, and baptized the same day. He belonged to the Men's Club, and had been on the nominating committee. One of the brightest moments for Buck Creek UMC was when they had a fundraiser to "Send Bill to Brazil", to help build a church. He was there for two weeks, and said the most memorable thing for him was going up the mountainside to the statue of Christ Redeemer---to look down and see the coastline of Rio, Brazil. Bill also belonged to the AARP chapter #4372 (and was president twice), and American Legion Post #11. He also enjoyed woodworking and belonged to the Independent Order of Foresters. Surviving with his wife are two daughters, Deborah Pless and Barbara J. Tarver both of Lafayette; a sister, Carr ie Kiser of Ellettsville, IN; one grandchild, Bryan Roberts (wife, Lisa) of Lafayette and three great grandchildren, Shelby, Brittney, and Brady Roberts all of Lafayette. Also many nieces and nephews. He was known as “Uncle Bud” by some of them. One niece, Charmaine, sang Bill’s favorite hymn “Amazing Grace” at the funeral for her “Uncle Delbert”. He was preceded in death by four sisters (Dorothy Gilson, Sarah Catherine Robertson,

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Dora May, Eula Campbell, Eva Marie Pless) and two brothers (John Herbert Pless, George Vernon Pless). Visitation was one hour prior to the 2 p.m. funeral service at Hippensteel Funeral Home on Tuesday, April 6, 2010. Former Buck Creek UMC pastor, Rev. Clayton Kendall put in a few words about Bill, and Buck Creek UMC’s Pastor Dwight Monical officiated. Burial followed at Tippecanoe Memory Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to Buck Creek United Methodist Church, Box 157, Buck Creek, IN 47924. Share memories and condolences online at: www.hippensteelfuneralservice.com. Our deepest and sincerest sympathies to Bill's wife Marie, their daughters Deborah and Barbara, Bill's family and friends. We will all miss Bill very, very much. He was a loving man full of humor and love for his fellow man. Coming to church won't be the same without him there. Pastor Dwight said about Bill, “His smile looks like he had a joke ready to tell you”, and he wore his white hair “like a crown”. Pastor Dwight read the poem “The Bridge Builder”, which he had read at his own grandfather’s funeral. Bill was like a grandfather to all of us. We take comfort in knowing that Bill is with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As Pastor Dwight said, now Bill is holding Jesus’ hand and running through the fields, something he couldn’t do in this life. A donation to the Gideons will be made from BCUMC in Bill's name. His name will grace the in-memory-of list for the socks donation to the Lebanon Children's Home this December.

MY ANCHOR There is a song that you may know called "The Anchor Holds". I think it fits my Dad's life. The words are:

"The anchor holds, though the ships been battered. The anchor holds, though the sails are torn.

I have fallen on my knees, to face the raging seas. The anchor holds, in spite of the storm."

This fits Dad because from birth, he has weathered a lifetime of storms. From losing his parents at a very young age and all but one of his brothers and sisters, to lots of surgeries and hard times. Through it all he still kept his faith in God. In his life, he faced a lot of storms. He was in pain for most of his adult life but he didn't let it stop him from providing for his family and doing things that helped his family and others.

God gave me some very different words to this song when someone else very dear to my heart went home to be with the Lord several years ago. These words go like this:

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"The anchor held, the ships no longer battered. The anchor held, the sails no longer torn.

I have bowed down on my knees; the Father's face I see. The anchor held, He got me through the storm."

This, I feel, fits Dad as he has also gone home to be with the Father. I figure that if he got through his life with all the challenges he had, I can get through anything life hands me with my faith in tact. That's a great legacy to leave behind.

-Barbara (Pless) Tarver, for her Dad, William Delbert Pless

LOIS M. POWER, 88 Lois M. Power, 88, beloved ‘Aunt Mid’ of BCUMCer Retta Whiteaker, died at 11:20 a.m. Sunday, April 11, 2010, at Clinton House Health and Rehabilitation Center, in Frankfort, Indiana. Born on Tuesday,November 29, 1921, in Tippecanoe County, she was the daughter of the late Harry M. and Lois E. Peter Henderson. She graduated from Monitor High School in 1940 and served in the Navy during World War II as a communication specialist. On Saturday, January 27, 1945, she married Robert L. Power in Frankfort, and he survives. Mrs. Power worked at Sears, Roebuck & Co. in Frankfort from 1963 to 1983. She lived most of her life in Frankfort. She was a member of First Christian Church, Fireman's Auxiliary, Home Study Club and American Legion Auxiliary. She played in several Euchre clubs in Frankfort. Surviving with her husband are her children, Dennis Power (wife: Gerri) of Normal, Ill., Sandra Anderson and Cindi Danner (husband: Herb), both of Frankfort; and a brother, Calvin Henderson (wife: Jan) of Frankfort. Also surviving are 6 grandchildren, Joe Barker, Damon Gerald, Steve Anderson, Lyddia Cerny, Wendy Budde and Molly Burgin; and 10 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by 2 sisters, Eleanor Dexter and BCUMC member Lola Jean Harner. Services were at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 16, 2010, at the Genda Funeral Home in Frankfort. Greg Miller officiated. Interment with military rites at Bunnell Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church Building Fund. Online condolences may be directed to www.gendafuneralhome.com Our deepest and sincerest sympathies to Lois’s husband, her family and friends. She was a remarkable woman, and will be missed very much. Her name will grace the in-memory-of list with the socks given to the children at the Lebanon Children’s Home this December from BCUMC. A donation will be made to the Gideons in her name from Buck Creek UMC.

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"THE NECESSARY" REPORT This true story has a happy ending, so read on! The first indication of any problem with the church's plumbing, was on Saturday, March 13th, during a wedding. After a few uses, the water in one of the restrooms backed up, bulging up under the rug and making a mess. A phone tree was estab-lished, and an e-mail sent out to inform folks there would be no restroom available at church the next morning. A plum-ber was called and would be out on Monday, March 16th. The plumber came out but could not find the prob-lem inside the church, after snaking the toilet and the sinks. A plea was sent out to help find the lines and septic tank outside the church, and for prayers. The old metal drain cap at the back door was opened, and a camera put down the old cast iron pipe. It was full of mud, waste, and rust, and the camera could go no farther. We found out old cast iron pipes are notorious for rusting and collapsing.

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An emergency meeting was called by Trustees Chair Nancy Balser for Ad Council and Trustees to meet together on Wednesday, March 17th. A large group of concerned folks gathered that evening to discuss the

problem and find a solution. It was decided to break up the cement and part of the blacktop at the back door to get access to the lines. Something we could do ourselves. Vol-unteers stepped forward to do jobs such as call Holey Moley and get the utility lines marked, borrow a truck to haul away cement / blacktop, loan of a back-hoe, and volunteers to

break up the cement. A decision was also made that the Lenten breakfast and church services would still be held the coming weekend. It was decided that the rental of a porta-potty ("The Necessary"---thanks to Ralph for that phrase) would be necessary, which would be placed in the front parking lot. On March 18th, Fred, Bill, John, Bob W., Patrick, worked on breaking up cement, and digging a hole to reach the pipes. It was discovered that there were not one but two septic tanks under the blacktop, along the sidewalk in the back of the church. Pipes were to be power-washed, and a camera would be run to see if the tanks were solid. More prayers were asked that things would work out, the tank could be pumped, pipes replaced, and things will be flowing again. It was discovered that one tank only took water from the kitchen. Another meeting was held on Sunday morning after church, March 21st, to grant permission to Ike's Plumbing to go ahead and fix everything.

03.17.2010: Emergency Meeting

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This included cutting the blacktop to get to the tanks, cleaning out the tanks, putting in new access, and clean-outs. It was a unanimous "in favor" vote. It was also decided that when the cement is replaced at the back door, to put in a handicap incline. On Sunday, March 28, Trustee Chair Nancy Balser let us know that the church restrooms are working!! It has been a struggle, as no one knew where anything was. They tried to locate people that would know. They went through pic-tures too, with no luck. They found the original round tank that was put in for the original restrooms (which are now the closets when you come in the back door). Then they found the bigger tank (parallel to the back sidewalk). The kitchen sink water has been going into the smaller round tank. Please do not put ANYthing down the kitchen sink

Digging outside the

main downstairs entrance

Going East from the grease trap

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except dishwater. The larger tank had three feet of sludge in it. The tank was not full/solid as previously thought. The pipes were plugged with paper products such as diapers, paper towels, etc. which should NOT have been flushed. Even if something says "Flushable" please DO NOT flush anything except toilet paper in the future. The good news is, there are now 4 clean outs for the septic system, both tanks have been cleaned out as well. AND, we now know where everything is and it has been documented for future generations.

Septic

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The first full week of April, the cement was replaced at the back door, and the new handicap incline was part of that. Cement was also used to fill in that part of the blacktop that was affected. Some cement “stoppers” were placed at 3 of the parking spots nearest the incline. Everything works and everything is back to normal, only better! A big thank you to everyone that helped and prayed!

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04.16.2010:

All finished!

04.11.2010:

Cement Drying

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BCUMC’s NOMADS ON A MISSION…. Winter 2009/2010

Our first project this year was for 3 weeks at Blue Lake Methodist Camp, south of Andalusia, AL. This was the first time for Blue Lake to host a NOMADS team, and it was a rewarding project, both for the Camp and for the NOMADS. The camp is 300+ acres, including ¾ of the shoreline of Blue Lake with Conecuh National Forest owning the remaining shoreline. There are a number of RV sites with water, electric and six sites had sewer hookups. There are three separate areas for groups---each with a program center, dining hall and housing. There’s also a chapel included in the area we worked. In addition, a disaster recovery building, an old restore d chapel, retreat cottages for pastors, housing for the camp executive director, program director and maintenance director are located on the grounds. Deer wandered about every day, and the peacefulness of the campground was very inviting. Our team consisted of four couples (including our leaders) from Wisconsin, Texas, North Carolina & Indiana. The main task was to install new vinyl soffits and fascia on the large block dining hall and to cover the

cedar siding under & above all of the windows in that building with cement fiberboard (also called Hardie board). We were finished with the dining hall at the end of two weeks and moved on to the ground level of the one of the attached dormitories, replacing the cedar siding. On a couple of rainy, cold days, the women painted accent walls in 6 of the bedrooms. The men went to

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the Dogwood cabins and repaired some doors and painted the bathrooms. We attended First UMC in Andalusia on two Sundays. On the third Sunday, one of the Camp Board members invited us to his church in Niceville,

FL (about an hour’s drive), and afterwards, we all went to Destin for lunch, walked the boardwalk and went to one of the beautiful beaches in the area. The sand is actually white! Several of us waded in the Gulf and found a few shells. One of our ‘field trips’ was to Enterprise, AL, to see the statue of the Boll Weevil. A brochu re had described it so we all went to see this monument. It turned out to be a statue of a lady, holding an approximately 8 inch boll weevil. The statue was in the center of the intersection with a fence around the base. We had a good laugh and then found Larry’s Barbeque and had a delicious meal! Some other activities included a potluck, a wiener roast and

games…Mexican train dominoes and Farkle…fun times. After finishing at Blue Lake, Jim & I (and Sassy, our newly-adopted Sheltie) headed to Caswell Springs UMC, near Moss Point, MS to do a Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief project for 3 weeks. Disaster Relief projects are different from regular projects. DR projects are commitments of 1 week increments…can be as short as 1 week or as long as the project lasts (Moss Point was 8 weeks long). Other differences are that team members change weekly, devotions begin earlier (7:30 am vs 8:00 am on regular projects) and driving to worksites can be up to 35 miles one way so workdays are longer.

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Caswell Springs UMC has 8 RV sites for NOMADS, with water & electric and a dump station. We don’t actually work ‘for’ the congregation but for UMCOR which has a disaster recovery warehouse in nearby Vancleave. The CS congregation furnishes the hookups and welcomes NOMADS into their church family as a mission outreach…what a loving commitment to helping those affected by Hurricane Katrina! We worked on three homes during the two weeks in Mississippi. The first was doing finish work / priming & painting / cleaning hard-wood floors / glazing windows / installing trim / sanding & varnishing repaired flooring. Rosa, the owner, was in poor health but so grateful for finally having ceilings in her home. UMCOR sent a team to reroof her home in January. Then the home was ready for finishing the repairs to the living/dining room, bedroom and kitchen. The NOMADS had purchased a new range for her and for the next 2 weeks, she ate egg sandwiches…she was so thrilled to be able to cook again. The second home was Debra’s. She also had a new roof put on by UMCOR and a Volunteer In Mission team earlier in the year. The NOMADS installed new ceilings in the kitchen, dining room and bathroom and repaired the damage to the living room ceiling. She and her daughter had been living with plastic covering where the ceiling should have been...for 4 years. We mudded the drywall, sanded, primed and painted. Then we cleaned all of the dust and mess. A neighbor came over to thank us for helping her friend. She said “I told Debra to trust God and He would bless her, and then you all came to help!” This friend who lived in a duplex next door, gave each team member (4 of us) a chocolate Easter cross and sent one to Marley, our leader, as a thanks for helping her friend…touching to all of us. The third home was a ‘new build.’ The owner lived in a mobile home behind the new home constructed by UMCOR, VIM teams and the NOMADS. Her mobile home had been twisted by Katrina’s winds and she’d been living in it ever since. Her home was finally declared a loss, and a new home was authorized by UMCOR. NOMADS did the finishing work and it was ready to turn over as ‘finished’ on the last work day of the second week. Jim & I were the only ones signed up for the last (or our 3rd) week at Moss Point besides our leaders, and UMCOR closes down one week per quarter to keep their employees from burning out. Marley checked out several possibilities for more work, but said they weren’t safe. We cleaned up around

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the church on Monday of our last week, and then headed home to surprise our family for Easter. We had told them we would not be home for Easter, but the good Lord opened up the opportunity to celebrate Easter at home…thank you, Lord! You all are a part of the NOMADS work through the yearly Mission donation to NOMADS. Through donations from NOMADS, churches and fundraising, funds are budgeted for projects which could not take place due to lack of money for materials & supplies. The Blue Lake project received $1,000 to use for materials. (Pine Creek has also received NOMADS funds to purchase materials / supplies.) Disaster relief projects are handled differently. Funds are budgeted for ‘distribution as necessary’ for disaster relief needs. This is how the range was purchased for Rosa. In the past, sometimes as a project finished, the owners had no funds to purchase a refrigerator or range, and no funds were available from other sources. NOMADS took that into consideration and now have the DR funds available upon approval of the DR committee members, and that is a blessing! Thanks again, BCUMCers for your generosity with this worthwhile mission!!!

- Ruth & Jim Davidson, NOMADS

RECIPE CORNER Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. –Exodus 20:12

Why not make this quick & easy omelet for your mother (or your wife) for breakfast on Mother’s Day (May 9th)? No skillets to scrub afterwards!

ZIPLOC OMELET

THIS WORKS GOOD WHEN ALL OF YOUR FAMILY IS TOGETHER. THE BEST PART IS THAT NO ONE HAS TO WAIT FOR THEIR SPECIAL OMELET!!

+ Have each person write their name on a quart-size Ziploc freezer bag with permanent marker. (You can write on your mother’s name, or simply “Mom”.) + Crack two eggs (large or extra-large) into the bag (not more than 2). Then shake to combine them. + Put out a variety of ingredients such as: cheeses, ham, onion, green pepper,

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mushrooms, tomato, hash browns, salsa, etc. + Each person adds prepared ingredients of choice to their bag. (Make sure you know what your Mom likes.) Then shake and knead the bag to combine ingredients with the eggs. Make sure to get the air out of the bag and zip it up first! We don’t want any messes for Mom to clean up later! Put those egg shells in your garden. + Place the bags into rolling, boiling water for exactly 13 minutes. You can usually cook 6-8 omelets in a large pot. For more, make another pot of boiling water. + Open the bags and the omelet will roll out easily. Be prepared for everyone to be amazed, especially Mom when she finds out you made breakfast! Don’t forget to serve Mom hers first, along with some orange juice to rinse it down.

THANKS TO LINDA AUSTIN WHO FORWARDED THIS RECIPE TO US SOME TIME AGO. WE’VE BEEN SAVING IT FOR JUST THE RIGHT OCCASION!

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