July 2016

The Circuit Rider

United Methodist Church of Mount Vernon 304 1st Street SW, Mount Vernon, IA 52314

Our mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Telephone: 319.895.6286

wp.umcmv.com email: umcmv@mchsi.com

WORSHIP SCHEDULE

8:30 am Praise

Service 9:45 am

Fellowship Time Common Ground

10:15 am

Traditional Worship

Welcome Reception for

New Pastors

Sunday, July 3, 2016

9:35 to 10:10 am (between Worship Services)

in the Common Ground Meeting Room

We will be welcoming Pastor Joy & Pastor Mark as

they begin their service to our community.

Check out our new website-- www.umcmv.com

Your time & donations are

still needed for Mount

Vernon Heritage Days Food

Booth - sign up here! http://bit.ly/29c7U4S

Donations drop off by July 7

Volunteers July 8th and 9th

Happy Independence Day!

Church offices closed in

observance of the holiday!

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Letter from Pastor Joy Dear Church,

How blessed I've been by the welcome I've already received. Thank you.

I'm sure you all have many questions as to who these new pastors are. Who are they?

What will they bring? Are they too young? Do they have enough experience? Let me

encourage you that we are ready. We also come in ready to learn. Isn't that what life

is about, learning? I look forward to learning from you, and sharing, teaching, and

leading in the ways I am best gifted.

Here's a little about myself. I grew up in Ames, Iowa. A lovely college town. I attended Kirkwood Community

College where I received my Associates in Horse Science, before transferring to William Woods University in

Fulton, MO where I received my Bachelors degree in Equestrian Science. Although I love horses, and I come to

life when I have an opportunity to be with them, I learned fairly quickly, that my livelihood would likely not

come from them.

I moved back to Story City, Iowa for some time where I worked at Riverside Lutheran Bible Camp. This

is where I had spent my summers during my college years, being filled by the Lord, as I read and studied the

Word and taught kids the value of relationship with Jesus Christ, and led them in teachings about horses and rid-

ing.

After this I moved to Colorado Springs, I took some classes in Christian Counseling, but I discovered my call

into ministry after joining a United Methodist Church, being discipled by the pastor there, and working at Com-

passion International. I was encouraged by the way Compassion works through the local church to make a dif-

ference in the community. Church is not just about being inside the walls of the congregation, but spreading our

wings outward. Although difficult to do, it's what we are called to. I love how missional Mount Vernon is, and I

congratulate you on the Matthew 25 award. What a beautiful recognition this is of the vision to get outside the

walls. I received my MDiv at Asbury Theological Seminary, and moved to Indinola, IA where I served as the

associate pastor there for a year. I now come to you as a second appointment, and as a newlywed. Weston and I

were married on May 14 of this year.

I'm passionate about prayer, and how it connects us to the Lord and to one another. Prayer lays at the center of

my being. Prayer is a vital movement in our connection with the Lord and with one-another. I come with a heart

for relationship. I enjoy learning who people are, and hearing their stories. Where have you been, how did you

come to be who you are today? What are your passion areas? What brings you to life? How can we come togeth-

er as one body, as one community? These are the questions I ask as I walk in. What do you love about the

church? What struggles do you have with the church? Where would you like to see it go? What draws you to the

church? The church is not a building, but a people. I come asking questions such as what is church now, and

where are we headed? How will we get there? How can I care for you, and how will we work together?

I look forward to worshipping with you on Sunday, July 3rd, and bringing the message. I look forward to vision-

ing alongside of one another. I look forward to meeting you, and hearing your stories. Who is God to you? How

do you see the Lord? What has shaped your perspective of who God is. These questions are for you individually

as well as for us corporately.

Weston and I are enjoying putting our first home together, right here in the parsonage. It is a beautiful home, and

it's clear you have all put much heart and hard work into it. We are so grateful. We look forward to settling

down in Mount Vernon for as long as possible and fitting, and we look forward to getting connected in the com-

munity. We are here to serve, and we are blessed to be here with you. Thank you for the opportunity.

Grateful, Joy Mitchell

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Cave Quest

Vacation Bible

School "Following Jesus the Light of the World"

REGISTER SOON for Cave Quest VBS!

Sunday, July 10th - Thursday, July 14th

6:00 PM - 8:35 PM

Cost is $15/youth and includes a t-shirt, Bible

buddies, snacks + MORE. Scholarships available by contacting the church office.

NEW for Summer 2016 -

IMAGINATION STATION! Imagination

uses sciency-fun experiments that

connect to the Bible story &

Point. For example, the first night

we'll experience an exciting Geode

Gem gizmo demonstration. Ge-

odes contains a special gem inside -

just like our hope in Jesus is a special

treasure we can keep inside of us!

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Scholarship Winners Announced

Alex White and Calvin Kragenbrink have each been awarded a Julian E. Johnston Scholarship of $1000 for the academic year 2016-17. Such awards are made annually by the Mount Vernon United Methodist Church Memorials Committee to college students entering their junior or senior year of col-lege and who are members of the local church. Alex White, son of Todd and Lisa White, will be a junior at Cornell College starting this fall. Alex is planning on a major in Engineering Sciences looking toward a career in mechanical engineering. At Cornell he is also quite involved in the performing arts with participation in instrumental and choral music. Calvin, son of Mike and Suzette Kragenbrink, will be entering his senior year at Coe College in Cedar Rapids. He is majoring in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Mathematics and plans to teach in elementary or middle school following graduation. Longer term goals are to get a masters degree and become a school administrator. The scholarship was established by Julian E. Johnston, a well-known Mount Vernon businessman. Mr. Johnston was very appreciative of the financial support he received as a Cornell College student during the 1930’s from the local Methodist Church and set up this scholarship to help others. Cot Graber, Chair, Julian E. Johnston Scholarship Fund

Update on Amy and Gaby

Word from Amy and Gaby Guardado is that everything is

stable right now. Gaby will still have his interview at the

American Embassy in San Salvador on June 30 and the physi-

cal will be given August 1. Amy will be coming home after

the interview, and Gaby will remain, of course, for the physi-

cal and then for the papers to be completed for his VISA and

permanent residency card, provided all goes well. David Dix,

Amy’s father, will be flying there in time for the interview and

will accompany Amy on her flight home.

In the meantime, Amy reports that it does not appear to be

as dangerous there as they had been led to believe, but they

are still accompanied by Gaby’s brother who is a policeman.

They are enjoying spending time with Gaby’s family, whom

she is meeting for the first time.

Please be in prayer for them on the day of the interview,

this week, Thursday, June 30. This is indeed a holy time for

our church to bring to a climax more than three years of sup-

porting this young family. Please send all your prayers, “holy

energy” and hope their way!

Keep up to Date! Check out our online

calendar! Here is the LINK! Thanks!

http://bit.ly/1LRPzWl

VBS Decorating Committee -

We need your help!!

(Check out list of items needed!)

Here are the things we need:

2 liter plastic bottles --- Glitter glue

Cardboard tubes/wrapping paper and carpet sizes

Cardboard --- Brown paper bags

Cellophane colored plastic- Moss/greenery

Toy bats/salamanders/frogs/lightning bugs/moths

or butterflies

Green evergreen Christmas trees

(put in box labeled vbs items in the collection corner)

We are also are looking for more volunteers to help decorate. Contact Pam Hunter if you are

interested at kphunter@netins.net

*Deadline for the August 2016 Circuit

Rider will be July 26, 2016. Contact the Church office with any questions

or email Alison at adix@mediacombb.net

5

Need for “Senders” for the “Journey to Crossroads”

The “Goers” for the all-inclusive family MVUMC Mission Trip, “Journey to Crossroads,” in August have

been meeting to plan their itinerary, housing, food preparation, tools to take and tasks ahead. They also are

putting out a plea for some support from the congregation.

Dan and Lynda Hakken need a foster home/dog sitter for their chocolate Lab and Pomeranian, as well as

someone to water plants.

Kristi Keast needs a foster home/dog sitter for her little dachshund, Maggie, and also someone to watch the

garden for produce, pick it and keep it!

Kraig and Pam Hunter need two air mattresses for their family.

Kim Ott needs someone to water her garden and pick any harvest (keep it too!)

Persons to participate in a videotaped daily devotional for those on the trip…script provided. (Contact Jim

Baty).

Prayers for a safe journey, for helpful ministry, and for loving relationships to be formed through and for all

our “Goers”!

The financial support for the trip is still short about $2,000. If you would like to support this first-ever family

mission trip with a donation for food, housing, gas money, rental of vans, and the lumber, etc. for the projects

they will complete, there will be a special “Last Chance” offering on Sunday, July 3.

Watch for more information, and please be generous with both your prayers and financial support! These

dear families who are going in the name of Christ and of our church will appreciate it!

Ecumenical “Circles of Hope” Begin in Mount Vernon

Members of the United Methodist Church of Mount Vernon and Mount Vernon First Presbyterian Church begun a new ecumenical

ministry. Seven volunteers have been vetted, trained and participated in simulations to be prepared.

Called a “Circle of Hope”, the volunteers will meet weekly with an ex-prisoner who has just been released for parole to offer him/

her support, inspiration, confidence, ideas for resources, and hope in living a new life without returning to old ways and prison again.

Members actually sit in a circle with a lighted candle in the center and begin with some inspirational thoughts. Through a question and

answer period, the ex-offender is encouraged and mentored to personally set goals and work out the steps toward a new life. The Circle

might last a year or more but usually less and less often.

This group’s first real Circle met for the first time Monday morning, June 27, in the Presbyterian Church community room because

the current ex-offender works an evening shift. Most of the time, however, Circles will meet in the evening.

The Circle of Hope process was begun in Mount Vernon through a phone call from a Cedar Rapids lawyer to Pastor Heecheon. Sev-

eral Circles have been operating in Cedar Rapids with some success, but the leaders have come to realize that there are also prisoners

who live in the small towns around Cedar Rapids. Thus, the request to form a Circle in Mount Vernon was suggested. The ex-

prisoners served by this Circle will be from surrounding towns such as Anamosa, Springville, Mechanicsville, Stanwood, Solon, and of

course, Mount Vernon and Lisbon.

Circle volunteers at this time include Bob Meeker, Ro Foege, Kay Graber, Jen Hoffman, Kevin Woods, Bill Bowden, and Pastor

Lori Wunder. Since people’s schedules are so busy, more volunteers are needed to assure that there is always a healthy number of per-

sons present. It is best to have 5-7 persons in the Circle, including the ex-prisoner.

If this kind of ministry speaks to you, please contact one of the persons listed above. They can provide more information

about this opportunity to reach out with compassion, justice and Christian love.

NEW!!!

Mission Trip Tool COLLECTION & SIGN UP

UNDERWAY (click on Mission Trip)

http://bit.ly/294XAyy

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Summer Bells!

We will get together and ring a couple times this summer. This is a perfect chance to

try ringing if you've been interested. The plan is practice some simple and fun music

a few times and ring that weekend. What fun! Please email Kristi or let the office

know if you would be interested. Kristi needs your phone (text capable?) and

email.

Kristi kkkeast@aol.com

IT TAKES ALL OF US!

We’ve all heard the phrase “It takes a village…..” Well, many of you are probably unaware of how many folks it

takes to have welcoming and smooth worship services each Sunday morning. The pastors plan the services, the

office staff type and produce the bulletins each week, prepare the slides and find a reader for the scr ipture.

Our custodian makes sure the church building, especially the sanctuary, not to mention the bathrooms, are clean

and tidy. ‘Volunteers’ are needed to prepare coffee and treats for our coffee hour between services. Members are

needed to act as Greeters as people enter the church. Two/four ushers are needed for each service to hand out bul-

letins, greet worshipers, light the altar candles and pass the offering baskets.

We haven’t even mentioned the numbers of dear members who prepare the music for each service every week.

So you see, church services on Sunday don’t ‘just happen!’ It takes all of us to keep things running smoothly and

make Sunday mornings a restful and inspiring time, hopefully to last us all week until the next Sunday.

As you may have guessed (!) all this is leading up to the point that we need more volunteers – for ushering, greet-

ing, even preparing treats. The same good people have been doing these jobs for a long time. They wouldn’t have

to serve as often if our list of volunteers were longer. How about you? Can you help us? Call Babs Moore – 319-

895-8512 – and let her know how you would be willing to help? Training is available for all ‘fir st-timers’ in

any of these positions every Sunday. All of these volunteer positions require only that you arrive 15-20 minutes

before a scheduled service. With a longer list of volunteers, each would need to serve only once every couple

months.

Are you a ‘taker’ who comes each week expecting to sit and enjoy a service without any effort on your part? Or

are you a ‘giver’ who steps up and offers to help in some way once in a while? Don’t get me wrong – God blesses

EVERY ONE of us, regardless of our efforts. You just might find you enjoy it even more if you’ve had an active

part in making it happen once in a while.

Thanks for listening!!! In Christ’s love and service, Babs Moore – 895-8512

WORSHIP

Wednesday

Morning

Bible Study June 8th - July 27

9:30 - 11:00 am

Balcony Classroom

This is a DVD-based study featuring a variety of

best-selling Bible teachers such as Beth Moore,

Priscilla Shirer, Vicki Courtney, Jennifer Roth-

schild, and Kay Arthur. There will be a different

lesson each week and there is no home work.

Please join us whenev-

er you are able. SPIRITUAL GROWTH

Scrip UpdateScrip Update Thanks to all those who have participated in the Scrip Program! So far in 2016 we have

raised over $974 for the general operating expenses of the church! Please put your order

form/check in the collection plate or drop them off in the church office.

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Generosity Team “Thank You Campaign” Wraps Up

This past month, you have found Thank You notes in the Sunday bulletins. These notes highlight how this church, funded

by your generosity and love of God, help us achieve our MISSION~ To become Disciples of Jesus Christ for the transfor-

mation of the world and our VISION ~To lead all people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

This October, we will celebrate 175 years of the United Methodist Church of Mount Vernon serving God in this community

and in the world. Just imagine how many lives this church has led to Jesus Christ. The saints before us believed in this

church and its mission by funding this church as you are doing now.

Because you cared enough to fund this church…

This whole church family served the community and shared their love of Christ through our ALL SERVANTS DAY.

Families have wonderful opportunities to teach their children how to love Christ by serving others.

We are accomplishing our vision of leading all persons into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ through Bible

Studies and Sunday School classes.

Church family members and others have experienced Christ’s love and comfort through our Stephen Ministry

program.

Your generous support of this church family helped lead 19 new confirmands on their journey to become Disciple of

Jesus Christ.

By hosting VBS, our church introduces the love of Jesus Christ to over 100 children every summer.

Non-churched youth, along with our own youth, are invited to get to know Christ through our amazing Youth Group in

this church home.

Thirty+ members of this church family are deepening their faith by going on a Mission Trip to serve others this

summer.

Our gifts, joined with many others, reach the WORLD through the connectional giving of the United Methodist

Church.

(See the bulletin board in the hallway for examples how that givingchanges lives for Christ!)

THANK YOU!

UMCMV Generosity Ministry Team, Ruth Miller, Truman Jordan, Karen Stewart, Monica Miller, Andrew Morf

“As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s grace.” I Peter 4:10

Happy Fifth Anniversary Scrip!

What Is Scrip?

Scrip is a term that means “substitute money”. When you purchase scrip, you’re purchasing negotiable gift certificates and pre-paid cards that are used just like cash. You can use scrip to purchase everyday expenses like food, clothing, and other essentials, and with every purchase, you earn revenue for our organization.

How scrip generates revenue for you The Great Lakes Scrip Center acts on behalf of churches, schools and other non‑profit organizations to purchase large amounts of scrip from grocery stores, depart-ment stores, and other retailers. Because the scrip is purchased with cash up front, the participating retailers offer a substantial discount. Our church buys the scrip from Great Lakes Scrip Center at a discount (and also from local participating businesses), and re-sells the certificates to families like yours for full face value. The discount ‑ from two to fifteen percent or more – is our organization’s revenue.

Scrip is "shopping cart fundraising” Scrip is a popular fundraiser because families don’t have to sell anything. Organization members produce revenue by making regular household purchases they would make anyway. Groceries, clothing, toys, gifts, even gasoline can be purchased with scrip.

Find Out More The order form to the right is a sample of retailers that participate in the Scrip program. There is a complete list of all retailers (over 500) in an envelope outside the church office. Please feel free to write in other participating retailers not on the form. There are also blank order forms in the envelope. Return completed orders to the envelope, church office, or drop them in the collection plate. Checks should be made out to UMC of MV-Scrip. Orders will be placed on the 1st and 15th of each month. Gift Cards should be received in the church office 5-7 days from the order date. Those who order will be notified when the Gift Cards are received.

Informational Meeting? If you are interested in attending an informational meeting regarding the scrip program, please let me know a day/time that works for you! Just give me a call or send

an email! Jackie Morrical, Scrip Coordinator, 895-6135 morrical@mchsi.com

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Celebrating July

birthdays!

July 2016 Anniversaries Love is patient, love is kind, it isn’t jealous, it doesn’t

brag, it isn’t arrogant, it isn’t rude, it doesn’t seek its

own advantage, it isn’t irritable, it doesn’t keep a rec-

ord of complaints, it isn’t happy with injustice, but it

is happy with the truth. Love puts up with all things,

trusts in all things, hopes for all things, endures all

things. 1 Corinthians 13:4-13

The following family and friends are in need of prayer:

Family of Betty Mohn Family of Jackie Kerr John Wasson Ruth Miller Linda Peters Mel Steen Guardado family

Currie’s & Shepley’s friend, Chris Decker Schmatt family Karen Stoll’s mother, & sister Midge Kaye Sider’s friend, Elaine Terry Sill Pat Sorgenfrey

Pam Becker-Moine Kristi Keast’s mother, Phyllis Natalie Weber’s sister-in-law Mission of Hope Cedar Rapid Victims & families of Orlando Jodie Pettinger’s nephew, Christian

Our departing pastors, Pastor Heecheon Jeon and Pastor Becky High Our new arriving pastors, Pastor Joy Mitchell and Pastor Mark Johnson Our sister congregation, Women at the Well Brooklyn & Wattleworth/Myers/Whitley Family

Joys:

Praise, joy and thanks be to God for blessing us with Pastor Heecheon and Pastor Becky, and for the love and fellowship we have shared!

Praise, joy and thanks be to God for UMCMV, all of the hard working committees and volunteers!

Melissa & Kerry Kahl 07/01

Jason & Brittany Booth 07/02

Alison Dix & Mel Steen 07/02

Tim & Diane Legore 07/14

Tyler & Taya Roos 07/14

Dan & Cathy Stoner 07/14

Robert & Helen Schneider 07/18

Abe Tubbs & Nicole Claussen-Tubbs 07/20

Brian & Teresa Bothell 07/24

Marty St. Clair & Cindy Strong 07/26

Kyle & Jena Jaspers 07/28

Dorothy Rilett 07/01

Jacob Stewart

Zeb Zaruba

Jim Wallace 07/02

Addison Ault 07/03

Graham Bradbury

Nicole Claussen

Sabrina Jones

Matt Stewart

Katelyn Holets 07/04

Jody Stewart 07/05

Richard Jacob 07/06

Andrea Hallier 07/08

Cathy Stoner 07/09

Amy Anderson 07/12

Joe Stewart 07/13

Chad Conrad 07/14

Henry Steine

Marilyn Schnittjer 07/15

Danielle Smith

Mackenzie Voigt 07/16

Loghan Anderson 07/19

Cot Graber

John Norton

Gary Schonhorst

Paige Zaruba

LaVonne M. Meyer 07/21

Robert Schneider

Randy Cooper 07/22

Luke Rushford

Seth Rushford

Marj Whitley

Joyce Zenor

Kay Graber 07/23

Preston Johnson 07/24

Leroy Clark 07/29

Jay Currie

Jeff Walters 07/31

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July 2016 Worship Assistants

July 3rd at 8:30am (Praise Service) July 3rd at 10:15am (Traditional Service) Parking Lot Door Greeters: Matt Stewart Parking Lot Door Greeters: Al Shepley

West Door Greeters: Nancy Reasland West Door Greeters: Babs Moore

Worship Assistants: Matt & Kaye Siders Worship Assistants: Barb Shepley, John & MJ McWilliams

Coffee Host: Ann Booth Lector: Janet Ault

Nursery: Marissa Cranston Nursery: Cindy Strong

Slide Presenter: Diane Legore Slide Presenter: Jackie Morrical

July 10th at 8:30am (Praise Service) July 10th at 10:15am (Traditional Service) Parking Lot Door Greeters: Todd Norton Parking Lot Door Greeters: John McWilliams

West Door Greeters: Jen Back West Door Greeters: Barb Shepley

Worship Assistants: Kenzie Kraus & Ruth Reck-ling, Allison & Matt Traynor Worship Assistants:

LaFollette Family, Terry & Sue Pisarik

Communion: TBD

Communion: TBD Lector: Nancy Thomas

Nursery: Emily Davis Nursery: Brittany Booth

Slide Presenter: Jackie Wallace

Slide Presenter: Diane Legore Coffee Host: Vernon & Arlene Sand

July 17th at 8:30am (Praise Service) July 17th at 10:15am (Traditional Service) Parking Lot Door Greeters: Teresa Stewart Parking Lot Door Greeters: Jan White West Door Greeters: Kathy Norton West Door Greeters: Bonnie Keith

Worship Assistants: Melissa & Kerry Kahl, Dee Pata (if needed) Worship Assistants: Nydegger Family

Lector: Ruth Miller

Nursery: Kim Schwiebert Nursery: Brittany Booth

Slide Presenter: Cot Graber

Slide Presenter: Bonnie Moore Coffee Host: Mike & Karen Stewart

July 24th at 8:30am (Praise Service) July 24th at 10:15am (Traditional Service) Parking Lot Door Greeters: Brian Bothell Parking Lot Door Greeters: Mike Stewart

West Door Greeters: Mackenzie Glenn Kraus West Door Greeters: Karen Stewart

Worship Assistants: Karmin & Shawn Voigt, Allison & Matt Traynor Worship Assistants: Morrical Family

Lector: Babs Moore

Nursery: Marissa Cranston Nursery: Brittany Booth

Slide Presenter: Dick Jacob

Slide Presenter: Diane Legore Coffee Host: Kay & Cot Graber

July 31st at 8:30am (Praise Service) July 31st at 10:15am (Traditional Service) Parking Lot Door Greeters: Todd Norton Parking Lot Door Greeters: Cot Graber

West Door Greeters: Teresa Bothell West Door Greeters: Kay Graber

Worship Assistants: Steph Hotz Family, Donna & Darrell Jordan Worship Assistants:

Cooper Family, Steve & Ruth Miller

Nursery: Emily Davis Lector: Karen Stewart

Nursery: Cindy Strong

Slide Presenter: Jackie Wallace

Slide Presenter: Diane Legore Coffee Host: Marty St. Clair & Cindy Strong

10

United Methodist Church of Mount Vernon

304 First Street SW

Mount Vernon, IA 52314 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

United Methodist Church of Mount Vernon

Staff

Senior Pastor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rev. Heecheon Jeon

Associate Pastor/………... . Rev. Becky High

Office Manager/Newsletter . . . . . .Alison Dix

Admin. Asst./ Membership……… Jo Harman

Christian Education Director . . . Julie Baty

Youth Ministry Director………. Mackenzie Glenn

Nursery Care. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Melissa Oxley

Praise Team Director . . . . ……….. Ben Klaus

Director, Children's Vocal Choirs &

Director, Adult Handbell Choir &

Director, Youth Handbell Choirs ...Kristi Keast

Organist/Pianist……………… …Dr. Lynda Hakken

Chancel Choir Director Joleen Woods

Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rosa Moss

Maintenance & Repair Director . . . Trustees

Web Master . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dan Hakken

Wedding Coordinator……………..Barb Shepley

Financial Secretaries . . . . . . . . . . . Richard Jacob,

& Jackie Morrical

Treasurers . . . . . . . .Mike Kragenbrink/ Alison Dix

Heritage Days Food Booth

Saturday July 9th 11 am to 3 pm

Great food, have lunch,

support our church and join

in the fun of Mount Vernon

Heritage Days!