W

A Monthly Newsletter

2013 M Street, Belleville KS

January 2012 issue

Pastor, Lennie Maxwell

Cell Number: 785-955-0322

Church Ofce Hours:

Monday thru Thursday 8:00 am to 1:00 pm Closed Friday

Adult Sunday School

9:30 am

Worship Service & JAM

Sundays at 10:45 am

Church Phone Number: 785-527-5608 Church email address:

belleumc@nckcn.com

Food Bank Hours:

Monday thru Thursday 9:00 am to 11:30 am Closed Friday

Ages 2 years thru 6th Grade Outside the Box Worship Sundays at 6:30 pm Sunday School
10:00 to 10:40 am Beginning January 8

Church web page:

www.belleumc.org

Youvehearditsaid,TheFirstUnitedMethodistChurch,Belleville,isamissionalchurch. SoIthoughtIwouldhighlightthetopmissionsoftheyearasameanstocelebrateourfuture. 1. ThroughtheEveryoneServeSundays(ESS),undertheenthusiasticleadershipofKelliandAnnette,wedesignatedfive Sundaysin2011asdayswhenthewholechurchstepsoutinmissionwiththecommunity.WorkingwiththeGoldenBelle Havenwasahighlightofthislocalmission. 2. BirthingkitswereassembledduringthefirsteverESS.Thesekits,whichprovideameasureofcomfortduringbirthin developingnations,werecombinedwithotherkitsassembledintheSalinaDistrictandshippedtoUMCOR(United MethodistCommitteeonRelief)forshipmentaroundtheworld.Onthesamedayweassembled 3. FlukitstobedistributedthroughtheFoodBank.Thesekitswerewellreceivedbylocalpeople,whoarestrugglingto makeendsmeetandbeingsickwiththeflucomplicatestheiranxiety. 4. CarolynRauchwashiredasthenewFoodBankcoordinator.AsamemberofourfaithcommunityandtheMissionTeam, ourchurchcontinuestoleadthewayinprovidingthisvitalservicetoRepublicCounty. 5. ANursingandChangingStationformomswasabighitattheCountyFair.Aswell,ourcongregationsponsored... 6. FoodvouchersforyouthandchildrentobeusedforfoodattheFairStand,whichweredistributedthroughtheFoodBank asneeded. 7. ProbablythebiggestmissioneventthatRepublicCountyhaseverseenwastheHeartlandAgainstHunger,Numanafood packagingeventheldatthe4HbuildinginOctober.Ourcongregationwasinstrumentalinbothleadershipandresources forthisevent,whichfedover100,000peopleinthehornofAfrica. 8. AChabadzacovenantwasapprovedandsignedthisyear,whichwillleadtoalongtermrelationshipwiththehighly impoverishedcountryofZimbabwe.Thisrelationshipbeganin2011asthreemembersofFirstparticipatedina conferencewide 9. ZimbabweVolunteersinMissiontrip.JerryRichecky,JanetHeykaandCarolynMaxwellspenttwentydaysworkingbeside andlivingwithlocalZimbabweanshelpingtoprovidehopefortheirfuture. 10. Janet&Carolyn,throughtheirexperience,havebeennamedDistrictChabadzaCoordinatorsandhaveanintegralrolein helpingestablishtherelationshipbetweenourConferenceandtheZimbabweConferenceoftheUnitedMethodist Church.AlongwiththeZimbabweVIM,wealsosentagrouptoparticipateina 11. DenverVIM.EightyouthandfouradultsworkedwithandlearnedabouthomelessnessinDenverthroughtheCenterfor StudentMissions.Andanotheryouth 12. KaraJeardoe,traveledwithagroupofyoungwomenontheMeTour.AUMWsponsoredmissionexperience. 13. SnowBootsforchildrenattheelementaryschool,whodonotownapairandthereforecannotgooutsideforrecess duringsnowydays,wasouringatheringforAdventin2011. 14. PayingourMissionandMinistryfundsinfullearlyagainthisyearwastheexclamationpointonwhothisfaithcommunity hasbecomeandwhatisreallyimportanttousaswemoveinto2012. SoaGREATBIGTHANKYOU toallwhohelpedtoproclaimtheGoodNewsthroughMISSION andIhopeitwillcontinuelongintothefuture.PastorLennie

Page 1

December 2011 An Open Letter to the Members and Friends of the First United Methodist Church, Thank you to so many who were present on Wednesday, December 7th, for the Church Conference. District Superintendent, Lew Van Der Wege, congratulated the First United Methodist Church for many things: Being fully faithful in our connection to the Kansas West Conference of the United Methodist Church by paying our Mission and Ministry apportionments in full again for the fifth year in a row; being an example to the district and conference of extravagant generosity in our stewardship; and being that church in the Salina District which he thinks of whenever asked, as a Risk-Taking Mission congregation. All of these were some of the goals I set out to accomplish soon after I arrived, you have embraced this course and it has glorified Gods Kingdom. Unfortunately, the time of celebrations may have been forgotten due to the last topic of the evening building a new Fair Stand. Individual tempers rose as some are very passionate about this topic and felt that it is not being handled properly by the leadership. I have, as the Pastor, the spiritual guide, and the Chief Administrative Officer of this church, tried to remain neutral on this subject. However, I can no longer, in good conscience, do so as I see it dividing this community of faith, which has made great strides in becoming a place where lives are transformed. Therefore, I wish to present the facts and express my pastoral view of this project. First the facts: The subject of the Fair Stand was first broached at the 2010 Church Conference. A proposal was presented by the Fair Stand Committee to build a new stand for thirty thousand dollars ($30,000), and a Task Force was approved to work out the details. Unfortunately, without the District Superintendent (D.S.) present at this conference no official action could be taken and the estimated cost was increased to eighty five thousand ($85,000). Therefore, a special conference was called at the request of the Task Force in August 2011. It was explained by the D.S. at this conference that at least three (3) items would have to be settled before a principled vote could be taken: some form of perpetual lease of the land; details regarding the funding of the project; and details regarding the construction of the project. The D.S. also spelled out at this conference, that by Discipline, the church would need ten (10) days notification (two Sunday announcements) if any motion to spend money on a capital campaign were to be presented at any conference. This requirement was not met and so a vote on the newest proposal of $66, 395.31 could not be taken on December 7. At their September meeting, the new Fair Stand was discussed in depth by the Leadership Team (which is the elected leadership responsible for the broad oversight of the ministry and mission of the church). They voiced their concerns and offered some options (see the October 2011 newsletter at belleumc.org/newsletter/archive). The Fair Stand Task Force has not yet responded to the Leadership Team regarding these concerns and suggestions. As your Pastor, I want to publicly offer my position on this project as I feel the Task Force has campaigned in favor of building a new Fair Stand and opposing views have not been put forth. I stand firmly opposed to spending any funds to build a new version of what already exists. To invest any amount of money on a permanent structure that will be used only one week a year is a drain on the resources of the First United Methodist Church at this time - and will hinder any plans of ministry growth in future years. (For example, the formal discussion of improvements needed in the Fellowship Hall and kitchen - including the possibility of constructing a new Family Life Center - has been discontinued to focus on the Fair Stand.) Furthermore, part of the funding for the new stand involves borrowing from the newly established Permanent Endowment, which was developed to provide funding for mission and ministry from its earnings. Yet, taking money from this principal reduces the funds available from earnings in the future. (Everyone involved please note: The details of this loan have never been disclosed and by the P.E. charter must be approved by conference.) Most of my objections relate to the mission and vision which this church has discerned God has called us to; this subject pulls us off course for the purpose of fundraising. The Fair Stand is a fundraiser. I have pointed out in the past that ten dollars ($10) per month per giving household in the church would generate the amount of money raised for the Trustees through the fair and a similar argument could be made for the UMWs budget; raising the funds within their own ranks would be just as unimposing. These are some, but not all, of my concerns. Finally, I ask you to consider in light of the sacrifice of Christ for the salvation of the world and our mandate to spread this good news, receive new lives through baptism, and to nurture and then send into the world mature disciples called and gifted by the Holy Spirit... How does the Fair Stand unambiguously accomplish this Great Commission? (In other words, how many people have joined our church because of the Fair Stand?) Does selling hamburgers and pie justify the rift forming in our community? Ultimately you, as the church united must make this decision on your own. I ask that you go to God in prayer and place the future of this congregation in Gods hands. Let go of your emotions and ties to the past and seek Gods vision for the future. Then have a conversation with the members of the Leadership Team (Stacia Piroutek, Jerry Richecky, Kevin Johnson, Kurt Childs (Lay Leader), Mikel Hadachek, Susan Childs, Jay Kallman, Tandy Rundus, Janis Houdek, Susie Arbuthnot, Kim VanNortwick, Pam Scofield) and let them know your thoughts because there will be more conversation with the Fair Stand Task Force before any vote will be taken. Through all of this commotion, I want to thank you again for your conscientious and Spirit-filled ministry to follow the mission of First United Methodist Church, Belleville, to prayerfully seek God, grow in faith, love and serve others for the transformation of lives. In the faithful service of Christ, Lennie Maxwell, Pastor
Page 2

Please continue to donate to our Fish Program. The Fish Bank is located at the back of the Sanctuary and you are invited to leave a donation on your way into worship or as you leave. Our giving is down (2010 = $2,211 vs 2011 = $1,433) so please make it a habit in the new year to drop your coins or quiet money into the bank. Check out the list below to see what your contributions support. January - March: Republic County Resource Council April - June: Republic County Food Bank July - September: Golden Belle Haven October - December: Belleville After School Program

20 pair of Snow Boots were presented to the East Elementary School this Christmas from our church. Kids can't play outside in the snow if they don't have boots on. So now they can!!! The Teachers and Principal, Don Westphal, will issue out the boots to children who need them Presenting the boots were: Mercedes VanNortwick, Jada Zollinger, and Carolyn Maxwell. Our Mission Team wants to Thank all who donated the boots, hats and gloves! PLEASE CALENDAR! Missions Team meeting in the Parlor for Monday, January 9th at 7:00 pm.

Sunday, January 8 Following Worship, please come pitch-in as we pack and store away our Holiday decorations for another year!

POINSETTIAS
Given in MEMORY or in HONOR of LOVED ONES
Frank Berggren Charley & Bertha Novak By Emma Berggren

We are excited to kick off the New Year with an Everyone Serve Sunday in January. January 29th, we will have another mission project lined up after worship service. We look forward to serving God through the gifts he has given each of us. As we line up projects for this year, please let us know if you see a need in the community that we may be able to help fulfill. Let us continue to Rethink Church and our Community! Annette Bredthauer & Kelli Childs
1 Peter 4:10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of Gods grace in its various forms.

Joe & Amelia Proft Glenn & Edna Snapp Helen McCarville Parents and Sister of William & Wilma Snapp Betty & Cliff Makalous By Nancy Simms & Family Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Kelley Sharon Dolezal & Family Bob & Dixie Kelley & Family By Clarence & Alice Kelley Charles Stafford Susan Stafford By Pecky Stafford

Impact

Page 3

2012
Elected Leadership Lay Leader Lay Delegate/Annual Conf. Alt. Lay Delegate/ Annual Conf. Treasurer Financial Secretary Recording Secretary Historian SPRC Chair Trustees Chair Susan Childs Jay Kallman 2012 Kurt Childs Mikel Hadachek Janet Heyka Jay Kallman Jennifer Zenger Joan Molzahn

reect biblically and theologically on the role and work of the pastor and staff... assist the pastor and staff in assessing their gifts and setting priorities for leadership and service (BOD 258.2) Spiritual Gifts: administration, leadership, exhortation, wisdom SPRC Lanie Engle Rex Bird Emma Berggren Phyllis Sherwood Susan Childs, Chair Kelli Childs Kurt Childs BOD 2524, 2525, wisdom, leadership Trustees Jerry Richecky 2529-2532 Class of 2012 2012 2013 2013 2014 2014 Lay Leader Spiritual Gifts:

Class of 2012 2012 2012 2013 2013 2013 2014 2014 2014

Organization - The Leadership Team shall be composed of 12 professing members nominated in three, three year classes, not to serve consecutively. They shall have completed an L3 class and are elected by vote of the Church Conference. Members shall included the Lay Leader who will convene and preside at meetings, the Lay Delegate to Annual Conference, a member of Trustees, a member of SPRC, a leader from each of the four ministry categories (Seek, Grow, Love, Serve). Leadership Team Kurt Childs, Lay Leader Jerry Richecky, Trustee Kevin Johnson Stacia Piroutek Mikel Hadachek, Lay Delegate Susan Childs Jay Kallman, Trustee/ Treasurer Tandy Rundus Janis Houdek Susie Arbuthnot Kim VanNortwick Pam Scoeld Class of 2012 2012 2012 2012 2013 2013 2013 2013

Jerry Melton Sid Scoeld Janet Heyka Annette Bredthauer Jay Kallman, Chair Russ Piroutek Don Westphal Molly Williams

Permanent Endowment Mikel Hadachek Gina Aurand Steve Scoeld, Chair Barry Childs, Treasurer

class of 2012 2012 2013 2013 2014

2014 John Surber 2014 2014 2014 Memorials Lela Knedlik, Leader - Betty Mohr, Vickie Walker Page 4

Spirit Cluster Stewardship: nurturing Christian Education: nurturing Loan and Scholarship: outreaching Mission: outreaching Fellowship: nurturing We Care: outreaching Food Stand: witnessing

2012 Mikel Hadachek Tandy Rundus Deb Krotz

Ministry Coordinators Head Usher Greeters Communion Stewards Counting Coordinator Don Westphal Betty Mohr Janis Houdek & Joan Molzahn Steve Scoeld Betty Mohr Mission Team

Carolyn Maxwell Carol Monsanto Lennie Maxwell & Marty Westphal

Acolytes Disaster-Relief Camping Coordinator Meals on Wheels Healthy Congregation RCMA Steering Committee Rep. District Prayer Team Rep. Food Stand At-Large Member Food Stand Treasurer

Carol Nicholson Lanie Engle Carolyn Rauch Janis Houdek Kevin Johnson Kim VanNortwick

The Trustees would like to thank all of those who have helped complete our projects and repairs this past year. The Church Trustees for 2012 are: Jay Kallman, chairman - Jerry Richecky, Jerry Melton, Sid Scofield, Janet Heyka, Annette Bredthauer, Russ Piroutek, Molly Williams and Don Westphal. For 2012, the Trustees first project is to replace the Kiosk in the front lawn of the church. The current Kiosk is very weathered and has loose bricks; the cross and some of the bricks will be reused along with new materials. The overall shape will remain the same with a digital sign replacing the letter board. We have researched several options and decided to go with an updated version of the familiar design. The picture is a rendition of how the project will look once finished. As the Trustees have many repairs & improvements to the church, Parsonage & grounds already, the Kiosk project will be funded only by donations and pledges. To date, half of the funds have been obtained. We are asking for your support to reach Our Goal and once 100% of the funds are raised and the warm weather returns, we will start the project. Any donation to the project is tax deductible and will be reported on your individual giving report at the end of 2012. For more information please contact Jay Kallman, Trustee Chair @ (785) 527-5951 or (785) 527-3585.
Page 5

GENERAL MEETING RUTH

Thursday, January 5 at 1:30 pm Hostesses & Program: Naomi Circle

Saturday, January 7 10:00 am Coffee Hostess: Jewelda Scofield (at her home, 1802 I Street) Program: Amanda Westphal will tell of her mission trip to Liberia, Africa and show pictures of the experience. If We Make It Through December by Merle Haggard

NOAMI
Wednesday, January 25 7:30 pm Program: Joan Grover Hostess: Carolyn Maxwell Co-Hostess: Grace Keller

SUSANNAH
No Meeting in January

If We Make It Through December every thing's gonna be alright I know. It's the coldest time of winter and I shiver when I see the falling snow. If We Make It Through December, got plans to be a warmer town come summer time; maybe even California. If we make it through December, we'll be fine. Now why did that come to my mind when I sat down to write this. I don't know. I do know December can be a cold time for several, and not just weather-wise. But we made it through December and now I pray that the New Year brings lots of blessings and new hope to all of you. I also hope that Nov. and Dec. were full of blessings, and have created great memories. What a precious time of the year and we have been so spoiled by the weather this year. I thank the Lord for safe travel, for all that I'm aware of, and for His healing power. So Happy Blessed New Year to everyone. A year for which we can look forward. A year in which we can accomplish so much with our Lord's help, for the furthering of His kingdom. A time to remember daily the great gift from God that we celebrated in December. Please remember UMW on January 5th. We have Kara Jeardoe scheduled to tell us more about her METour experiences. She is so uplifting in her telling of her experiences. I have two of the new program books in my possession in case any of you want to look at, read and use, any of the programs for your circle or UMW meetings. I gave each circle a list and short description of each program in this book for reference. This first week we celebrate the beginning of Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lord (Sunday, the 8th). We have National Human Trafficking Awareness Day (11th) and Human Relations Day (15), plus the Chinese New Year (23) all to think about and pray about this month. Here is a note from our Prayer Calendar: "As a deaconess, I often share stories of my work in inner-city schools with others. One of the United Methodist Women units I visited meets the needs of many students by donating belts. The students come to school with hand-me-down pants from older brother or parent, and they are often embarrassed! It takes only a belt to make students become ones who can keep their headsand their pantsup! Who could imagine the myriad ways United Methodist Women reach out to eradicate the ravages of poverty!" Deaconess Mary Melvin, Counselor, School District of Hillsborough County, Florida. It so happens that Mary Melvin has a January 1, birthday. I had already decided to use her message above before I realized this. Her address is 7302 St. Vincent Street, Tampa, FL 33614. marymelvin_1@yahoo.com is her email address. Let us remember her and her birthday this month in our prayers and correspondences. God does work in mysterious ways!!! In Christian Love, Janis Houdek, President Belleville 1st UMW
Page 6

Sunday, January 1 Epiphany Sunday New Years Day 9:30 am - Questers Class (No Seekers Class) 10:00 am - Childrens Sunday School 10:45 am - Worship Service Monday, January 2 Church Office Closed! 6:00 pm - 4-H 6:30 pm - Cub Scouts Tuesday, January 3 10:00 am - BHC Bible Study Wednesday, January 4 9:00 am - Job Bible Study 10:30 am - LTC Bible Study 11:00 am - Faithfully Fit Forever Thursday, January 5 1:30 pm - UMW General Meeting 6:00 pm - Girl Scouts Friday, January 6 Epiphany of the Lord Saturday, January 7 10:00 am - Ruth Circle Sunday, January 8 1st Sunday after the Epiphany Baptism of the Lord 9:30 am - Adult Sunday School 10:00 am - Childrens Sunday School 10:45 am - Worship Service & JAM After Worship - Store Christmas Decor 2:00 pm - UMYF 6:30 pm - Outside the Box Worship 7:00 pm - YATT Monday, January 9 3:00 pm - Hospice 6:30 pm - Cub Scouts 7:00 pm - Mission Team Wednesday, January 11 9:00 am - Job Bible Study 11:00 am - Faithfully Fit Forever 6:30 pm - Trustees 7:15 pm - Praise Team Thursday, January 12 6:00 pm - Girl Scouts Friday, January 13 8:45 am - MOPS Sunday, January 15 Human Relations Day (offering) 9:30 am - Adult Sunday School 10:00 am - Childrens Sunday School 10:45 am - Worship Service & JAM 6:30 pm - Outside the Box Worship 7:00 pm - UMYF 7:00 pm - MATT Monday, January 16 Martin Luther King Jr.s Birthday Observance Wednesday, January 18 9:00 am - Job Bible Study 11:00 am - Faithfully Fit Forever 7:15 pm - Praise Team Thursday, January 19 6:00 pm - Girl Scouts Sunday, January 22 Ecumenical Sunday 9:30 am - Adult Sunday School 10:00 am - Childrens Sunday School 10:45 am - Worship Service & JAM 6:30 pm - Outside the Box Worship 7:00 pm - UMYF 7:00 pm - YATT Monday, January 23 5:30 pm - Girl Scout Service Team 6:30 pm - Cub Scouts Tuesday, January 24 10:00 am - Parents as Teachers 5:30 pm - Parents as Teachers Wednesday, January 25 9:00 am - Job Bible Study 11:00 am - Faithfully Fit Forever 7:00 pm - Leadership Team 7:15 pm - Praise Team 7:30 pm - Naomi Circle Thursday, January 26 6:00 pm - Girl Scouts Friday, January 27 8:45 am - MOPS 7:00 pm - Girl Scout Lock-In Sunday, January 29 Everyone Serve Sunday 9:30 am - Adult Sunday School 10:00 am - Childrens Sunday School 10:45 am - Worship Service & JAM After Worship - Everyone Serve Project 6:30 pm - Outside the Box Worship 7:00 pm - UMYF 7:00 pm - MATT

Birthdays & Anniversaries

January 1 - Keith & Barbara Cook January 2 - Jacob Rice January 7 - Pam Scofield, Crystal Young January 8 - Verna Willis January 9 - John & Dawn Surber January 11 - Denise Dove, Lynn VanNortwick January 12 - Shirley Goodwin January 14 - Levi Sporing January 15 - Janell Hadachek January 16 - Wilma Snapp January 17 - Tim Hiatt, Mikel Hadachek January 19 - Larry Frydendall January 20 - Neva Hermes January 22 - Kevin Johnson, Jay Surber January 24 - Betty Mohr January 25 - Paul Rundus January 27 - Lorene Nickerson, Sid Scofield January 29 - Mary Kasl, Bessie Krob

As you read the calendar you may wonder... What in the world is YATT & MATT? Well...heres the answer to that burning question! They are both acronyms for small groups that are a part of our church. YATT = Young Adult Think Tank MATT = Middle Adult Think Tank Join a small group gathering where discussion and reection get you involved.

EVER BUILD AN IGLOO?

Erin (Kallman) Cossaart needs your help in collecting clean 1 gallon milk jugs that will be used to construct an igloo at her Pre-School. Bring your milk jugs by the church or give to Jay. Thanks in advance for your help!
Page 7

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

2013 M STREET

BELLEVILLE, KS 66935

Our mission is to prayerfully:

Seek God Grow in faith Love and Serve others For the transformation of lives!

WORSHIP LEADERS JANUARY 1 - Kerry Johnson 8, 15, 22, 29 - TBA GREETERS JANUARY 1 - Arlene Baloun, Joan Grover 8 - Allen & Marcy Johnson 15 - Kevin & Kerry Johnson Family 22 - Harold & Carol Monsanto 29 - Marvin & Janis Houdek ACCOMPANISTS JANUARY 1 - Marge Waring 8 - TBA 15 - Pam Scofield 22 - Tana Trost 29 - Pam Scofield PRAISE TEAM Sid and Pam Scofield, Amanda Keilers Jillian Couture, Stacia Piroutek Waylon Sheetz, John Surber Kevin & Kelby Johnson Pastor Lennie & Carolyn Maxwell

USHERS Tom Williams, Brian Young Mike & Liz Skocny WORSHIP BABYSITTERS Joni Sheets, Tad Hiatt PRAISE TEAM BABYSITTERS TBA ACOLYTES Alexus Skocny Nathan Rice AUDIO/VIDEO TECHNICIANS Tom Williams, Kurt Childs Justin Maxwell Mikel & Gary Hadachek Rich Schintler Annette Bredthauer MULTI-MEDIA ASSISTANT Janet Heyka CAF DEL SOUL HOSTESSES JANUARY 1 - Molly Williams 8 - Liz Skocny 15 - Carol Monsanto 22 - Stacia Piroutek 29 - Gina Aurand BUS DRIVER JANUARY - Jay Kallman

Page 8