BUCK CREEK UMC NEWSLETTER

JULY 1999 How free are those of us who fear giving God total control?

This month we observe Independence Day. Have you ever checked to see what Mr. Webster has to say on the subject? “…not subject to control by oth-ers…” Also consider the definition of freedom…”liberation from slavery or re-

straint or from the power of another…the quality or state of being ex-empt or released…from something onerous…a release from former re-straint or compulsion”, like a prisoner with new liberty.

Now there are a great many things to fear, to flee from. And we could list those at great length. But, dear family-in-Christ, God is not one of those things from which we need to flee!

Have you ever experienced the sweet joy that comes from being liberated from sin that binds and binds and binds? From terrible loneliness? Doubts, confusion, anger, worry?

Yes we need to celebrate the fact that we live in a free nation. But as Christians—children of God—we have an even greater celebra-tion to observe. That is the freedom as servants of a great and mighty God. “Live as free men (and women)…live as servants.” (I Pe-ter 2:16)

Peace, Judy VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL REPORT

Over 100 people (68 children and 35 staff gathered at Son Castle Faire to learn about their talents and how to use them to serve the Lord. Each day the children learned about the special abilities God gives each person as they watched Stewart the Steward, Cornelius the Jester, and Rosemary the Cook prepare for the King's royal feast, sang songs, listened to storytime, participated in class activities,

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created works of art, and played fair games. The lessons taught were:

1. The Parable of the Tal-ents (Matthew 25: 14-30);

2. Miriam Cares for Baby Moses (Exodus 1-2: 10);

3. David Plays for Saul (l Samuel 16: 14-23);

4. The Building of the Temple (l Kings 5-8; Chronicles 28);

5. Philip Tells the Good News about Jesus (Acts 8: 26-40).

Sunday morning, June 27th, brought the closing program to BCUMC! The keyword of the day was enthusiasm! After 5 days of learning, recreation, crafts and singing, the boys and girls were

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ready to share with parents, relatives and friends. They marched into church to the song "Lay Your Gifts Before the King." Pastor Judy gave the welcome and opening prayer. Clarence and Linda LaMaster, and Carol Shepard performed an entertaining opening skit, inviting us to Son Castle Faire. After an introduction by Ti-tus and Tegan Hanna, the Nursery Group [Christine McCreedy, Deb Davidson teachers] presented a prayer they had learned. High attendance for the week was 8!. This group consisted of the children of volunteers. Tia, Anna, Houston and Erin were pre-

r, Austin, Mattie, Micah, Taylor, Emily, No-

nd Paige Davidson were recognized

, Ali, Allen, Travis, Amanda, Tiffany, Kathy, Josh and Tory.

sent.

4-5's class [taught by Jamie Stratton, Judy Skees and sub Renee Skees] sang "This Little Light of Mine", "Jesus Loves Me" "Birdie Song" and "God Loved Us." Top attendance for the week was 13. Present were Parkeland and Caitland.

6-7's were taught by Linda Austin and Melissa Shepard. Top at-tendance was 11. They sang "Moses in a Basket", "1-2-3", and "Come Take My Hand". Present were Marissa, Annie, Bob, Jake, Megan, and Kayla. Megan Mitchell afor memorizing Bible verses.

8-9's were taught by Tammy Louthen and Jeanne Benjamin. They averaged 17 attending. They performed the songs "I Believe God will Use Me", "I Will Sing", and "God's Gotta Dream for You". Present were Kiersten

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10-11's were taught by Pastor Judy Link and Tegan Hanna. Their class average attendance was 11. They sang "We Bow Down", "Brick by Brick", and "King Jesus is All". Attend-ing were Blake, Ali, Titus, Carl, Megan, Trent, Lindsay, Tif-fany, Angela and

Matt. During the week they created a mural.

All classes performed "Lay Your Gifts Before the King" at the conclu-sion of the program. Award certificates were presented to the children, and to all teachers and helpers:

MUSIC: Michele Mitchell, Anita Da-vidson, Casi David-son, Courtney Van-derbush; CRAFTS: Pam Church, Willie Metro, Brian Benja-min, Adrian David-son, Scott Platt, Freda Rohrer; STORYTIME: Linda LaMaster, Mary Peak, Bobby Dowell; RECREATION: Tim Schnepp, Kyle Schnepp, Clarence LaMaster, Wesley Austin, Jimmy Stratton, John Metro; REFRESHMENTS/BUTTON MAK-ERS: Jill Schultz, Ann Warren, Gerrie Smith; SPECIAL HELPER: Bob Shepard. Also a special thank you to the Youth Group for painting the castle backdrop canvas. To Mark Peek for painting the story box. To Mike and Kathy Baxter (of Buck Creek Pizza) for

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the delicious pizzas for Fri-day's pizza party! Thanks also to the par-ents for bringing the children. Thanks were also given to Carol Shepard and Linda LaMaster for

their leadership and guidance as the co-directors for this year's

week for the t's

do this again next year!

BILLY GRAHAM CRUSADE

VBS.

Closing was given by Judy Link. A reception with a variety of cookies and Kool-aid was heldin the basement after the pro-gram.

Many Thanks to all who helped make this a successful

children and the Lord! Le

Evangelist Billy Graham made his third visit in 50 years to Indian-apolis June 5-7. Attending on Saturday night, June 5th were Fred and Faye Merkel, who were joined by Doug and Elaine Latia. Faye shares the experience of attending the Billy Graham Crusade with us:

What a wonderful feeling to be part of that giant crusade of 42,000 people that night! (There were that many every night for 4 nights.) To see Billy Graham in person was more than a thrill. I wanted to cry when he walked out in front of the crowd. In 1959, I saw him

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at the Indianapolis Fairgrounds with my parents. It was more touching this time because I'm older and he is not a well man at 80

s one that touched my life, and an experience that I won't forget.

ane Arnold led the search for the fathers who fit these

e between Don Delp

ple, who has

their child the night

a ball point pen was presented to each father after church.

dads and granddads. It was good to see atten-

years old.

The night we attended was young people's night. Billy talked to them very strongly on their morals. There were three music groups that performed. One was Michael W. Smith, and he was so good! All the groups were good, but a little loud for ears older than 19 years old! It was touching to see so many young people attending. The whole evening wa

Faye Merkel RECOGNITION OF FATHERS

Fathers were recognized during worship services on Father's Day, June 20th. Jcategories:

Who has been a father the longest? It was a tiand Bill Pless. Both with a child of 47 years.

Which father was an Eagle Scout? It was Mike Hanna.

Who has attended BCUMC the longest? Dick Tembeen coming here his whole life, 62 years in August.

Which dad had read a book or sang a song to before? Mark Louthen and Clark McCreedy.

A gift of

FATHER/CHILD BREAKFAST The Father's Day breakfast was a great success! Yummy pancakes, sausage and scrambled eggs, juice and coffee were served, pre-pared by the talented hands of Jane Arnold and Faye Merkel. Young children as well as those older ones who have left the nest, attended with their dance up this year!

A quiz of TV Dads was played. A list containing names of 25 tele-vision shows was given out. The object was to name the father on the show, and their occupation. For example, the father on "I Love Lucy" was Ricky Ricardo, and his occupation was nightclub owner/bandleader. Out of 50 possible answers, someone (no one

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seemed to remember who) answered 41 correctly. After breakfast "mints" were on the table (dishes of hard candies)! Hope to see all of you a

ffee maker and carafes, in "memory of these two fine peo-

nd Milo Coy, son Arvie Graves, and grandson

'll think about

ely needed. Thanks to the

ona in 1987. Biddy passed away in 1994, A

ust because they want to

Tom and Deb Davidson the best for their new son

rk and dedication in making this year's program a success.

gain next year.

MEMORIAL GIFT DEDICATION On Sunday, June 13th, a dedication was held at the beginning of worship services for a new coffee maker and several carafes. The family of Arliss and Biddy Graves generously donated these in their memory. Pastor Judy Link led the service and consecrated the cople."

Family members attending the service were Arliss and Biddy's daughters Arlene with her husband Russell Lohrman, Annabelle with her husbaSonny Graves.

Someone in the congregation was heard to say, "IArliss every time I drink a cup of coffee here now."

This is a wonderful gift that was sorGraves family for being so perceptive. [Arliss and Biddy were both active members of BCUMC, becoming full members in 1949, until their move to Ariz

rliss this year in February.]

WISHES OVERHEARD I wish we could have fresh flowers on the altar on Sundays.

They could be provided by members of the congregation to honor a person or an event. Or, jshare. It would be a lovely gesture.

I wish Drew!

I wish to thank all those involved in this year's Vacation Bible School for their hard wo

If your faith isn't tested, how do you know it works?

[from Pastor Judy's sermon June 20]

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COMMUNION STEWARDS JULY—Sam & Jamie Stratton

AUG—Clark & Christine McCreedy

SEPT—Doug & Elaine Latia

OCT—Bob & Carol Shepard

NOV—Don & Janet Connelly

DEC—Clarence & Linda La-Master

Bring 1 loaf of unsliced bread, 2 quarts of grape juice; Fill at least 3 trays of plastic cups. I hope all of you will be able to help the months I have assigned. If not, try and find someone to fill in for you. If anyone has any questions or I can be of any help, let me know. A big THANKS to all of you.

In Christ, Diane White, Chairperson of Communion

UNITED METHODIST CONFERENCE Clarence and I were asked to be delegates for our all-church Methodist Conference held at Purdue June 2-5. Packets came in the mail explaining the legislative groups and assignments—it all looked like Greek to us! The Statement of Purpose said: “As a Committee on Spiritual Life for the North Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church, our purpose is to provide opportunities for individuals to discover awareness of God in their lives.”

Debates, presenting petitions, votes…You could hear a voice say, “Bishop I want to address this issue...” then, “Is this petition supported or not?”…then a vote.

How can we help and support our pastor? The lay people need to join together around the pastor and pray before service!

Some small churches might have to go less than full time as they could no longer afford it. How to distinguish full time from part time?

Men's Clubs were discussed. Six men attended a class in Illinois to learn more about how to make a men's club grow. All men should be fishers of men. Caps were presented to Bishop White and two associates.

The CCYM Epsworth Forest Youth spoke about a youth conven-tion. One member of CCYM spoke about living every day as though it could be your last day on Earth. (Someday it will be!)

Another told of a time when altar call was given. She said it was as if a hand pushed her to the altar. It was surely God's hand.

About every aspect of being a Methodist was discussed. These are just a few. It was a very busy time from early morning till late at night. We were quite exhausted but it had been a great experience! Every Methodist should try it once!

Linda LaMaster

"EVERYTHING I NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED FROM NOAH'S ARK"-

1. Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark. 2. Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big! 3. Instead of listening to the critics, listen to God. 4. Do what has to be done. 5. Build on the high ground. 6. Two heads are better than one. 7. Speed isn't always an advantage. The cheetahs were on board, but so were the snails. 8. If you can't fight, flee, or freeze—float! 9. Take care of your animals as if they were the last ones on earth. 10. Don't forget that we're all in the same boat. 11. When the doo-doo gets really deep, don't sit there and complain—shovel! 12. Stay below deck during the storm. 13. Remember that amateurs built the ark and professionals built the Titanic. 14. If you have to start over, have a friend by your side. 15. Remember that the woodpeckers inside are often a bigger threat than the storm outside. 16. No matter how bleak it looks, remember: God has a rainbow on the other side. 17. Don't miss the boat!!! (Reprinted from the Metropolitan Community Church of Topeka May-June 1999 newsletter)

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WORLD NEWS FROM JULY 1909 [Continuing the news from the year the present church was built]

In July 1909 Tom Mix (America's greatest silent-film cowboy star) began his career.

Earl Douglass, a paleontologist from Carnegie, went to Utah and made one of the greatest discoveries of dinosaur bones ever found in N. America.

Australia suffers some of its worst flooding in its history this year. Enos Mills proposes Estes Park (in the Rocky Mts.) should become

the nation's 10th national park. In 1909 Harley Davidson introduced its first V-Twin motorcycle.

Top speed—60 mph. Cost—$300; 1,149 made. In 1909 Irving Berlin (composer) shows included Ziegfield Follies. In 1909 Lafayette was involved in minor league baseball. One

team that played was The Lafayette Maroons. July: The Tour de France (bicycle) race had its first winner [Fran-

cois Faber] who was not a Frenchman. July 3: Earl Butz, former US secretary of agriculture born. July 8: First pro baseball game (minor league) played under lights. July 12: Amendment regarding income taxes was proposed by the

61st congress. July 25: First airplane flight across the English Channel. July 26: Vivian Vance (Ethel Mertz on I Love Lucy) born. July 27: Orville Wright set a new world record for staying airborne

(1 hour, 12 minutes, 40 seconds). Wilbur demonstrated his in-vention before the King of Italy; U.S. Congress gave a gold medal to Wright Bros., presented by President Taft.

July 30: First military plane delivered to US Army by the Wright Brothers.

IT'S A BOY! Tom and Deb Davidson are the proud parents of a new baby boy, Drew Thomas Davidson born at 5:28 p.m. May 26. He weighed 8 pounds 11 ounces and was 20 1/4 inches long. Older siblings are big sister Paige and big brother Spencer. Congratulations!

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LETTER FROM SONNY (6/13/99) Well, it has been a while since some of you have heard or talked to me. The people at the scholarship committee have asked me to write a little letter describing my progress at Indiana Wesleyan and just a little about how I am doing and also what my plans for the future are. Well, I will take these all into considera-tion along with the aimless and meandering thoughts of my mind.

I am out here at Pine Creek Camp, which has basically been my home for the past three summers, and we are preparing the camp for the summer. Things are looking good. We are starting con-struction of our new Multi-purpose building, and just other things that need to be done. Most of the staff is here now.

Well, back to the whole school thing. As most of you know, I am a Indiana Wesleyan University student, entering my junior year there. The past few years have just really flown by. I remember when I was a junior at Harrison and it just seems like yesterday. Back then my GPA was good at 3.6, but my grades have gotten better at IWU and I am now at a 3.8, and yes that is out of a 4. I have switched my major. I went to IWU as a Christian Ministries major, but that changed. I felt my ministry wasn't in leading a congregation; rather, I believe God has given me the ministry of art. That is why I have changed my major to Art with a minor in Art History. My professors have really helped me and encouraged me in my decision making process, through prayer and guidance. The head of the art department, Professor Ardilia Williams, and our newest and youngest professor, Alan Kwok, have taken me under their wings and are grooming me for graduate school and hopefully a teaching career in college. I have been looking into graduate school because it is creeping up faster than some might think.

Well, what else has happened since I have gone to IWU? I am still single, surprise, surprise. But I have managed to make several close friends at IWU along with the people at Pine Creek. As far as church life, I have kind of a problem. I have been church hopping for the past year. Most of the churches in Marion are huge, and they tend to do upbeat revival-type services. Call me a conserva-tive, but I enjoy hymns. Don't get me wrong; I enjoy the praise choruses, but at school we have them at chapel 3 times a week,

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and on Sunday I look for a more traditional service. I think I have found a church though, it is a small U.M.C. in Marion called Grace U.M.C. Also, I have been asked by an acquaintance of mine who is going to be a minister at another UMC to help in a college minis-try at our school. But, as I mentioned, we have chapel 3 times a week and this has also helped me in my walk.

In closing, I would like to thank every one for supporting me. Also, if there is anything I can do for all of you just ask, and I'll see what I can do. I would ask for prayers for the camp, the staff and all of the kids coming this summer. Also, if anyone is looking to help us out in any way, shape or form, just contact me and I'll try to direct you through the correct channels. Thanks for reading the rambles of my mind.

Sincerely, Sonny Graves [Sonny Allen Graves has received recognition on the national dean's list

for the spring semester of the 1998-99 academic year.]

WHAT'S IN YOUR PICNIC BASKET? If we opened YOUR picnic basket of life, what would be found?

Would there be food to share with those who hunger?

Is there bread to break with your friends and family?

Is there a tablecloth to spread to protect God's table?

Are there plates to hold the fruits of life?

Are there goblets for cold drink to quench the thirst of those who are parched from life?

Would there be a cake to represent the sweetness of life?

We need to keep our spiritual picnic baskets filled year round. Do you know what's in yours?

BUCK CREEK FISH FRY CHANGES LOCATION

For the first time in decades, the Buck Creek Fish Fry will be changing locations! Due to lack of space and parking area, this annual event will be moved to the East Tipp Middle School ath-letic fields. It hasn’t always been at the ballfield in Buck Creek—it

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was originally started in a woods about 1/2-mile northwest of Buck Creek. Fish caught in the Wabash River were cleaned, cooked and eaten the same day! A big black kettle fired by wood and corncobs was used for the deep-frying of the fish. Species of fish served then were sucker, spearback, carp, and buffalo. No re-ports indicate if slaw and French fries were served!

The 53rd annual Fish Fry begins at 4:30pm, August 28th. See you at East Tipp!

HOME EXTENSION CHORUS An organization for 65 years, the Indiana State Extension Home-maker Chorus performed at the Hall of Music on the evening of June 8. This is a merging of 32 Indiana counties' individual Exten-sion Homemakers choruses. Imagine about 500 beautiful voices! Two ladies on stage were from BCUMC: Sandra Harrison and Co-ley Sharp! The choir was directed by Brian Breed, the director of Purdue Musical Organizations. Piano was provided by Jae Israel-Kellogg, Assistant Director, who also served as emcee. A variety of songs were shared by the choir, including "Back Home Again in Indiana", "Oh Dear What Can the Matter Be?", "Blessed Is the Name of the Lord" (which gave goosebumps!), and "Swing Low, Sweet Char-iot." Of all those ladies on stage, our own Coley Sharp had the only solo of the evening, "God Bless America!" A standing ovation after this song! This chorus performs each year in June, so make plans to attend in 2000. You don't want to miss it!

BOOKMOBILE STOPS The Tippecanoe County Library Bookmobile is scheduled to make stops in Buck Creek at the Community Center, the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays in July and August. That would be July 13th and 27th; August 10th and 24th. Times are 6:15-7:00pm. It also stops in Col-burn at the Community Park the same day, different time: 5:15-6pm. East Tipp Heights is the same day, 7:15-7:45pm. School is out, but don't let your kids stop reading!!

MOWING SCHEDULE July 3—Jim Davidson Jr. July 10—Doug Latia July 18 – Merkel July 24—Ed Istwan

July 31—Dave Harrison Aug. 7—Ron Austin Jr. Aug. 14—Mark Louthen Aug. 21—Don Connelly

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POSTAGE DUE Did you receive your newsletter by mail? Then it was thanks to someone's generosity. The newsletter receives no cash funds or reimbursement for postage, but depends on a faithful few who mail about 70 newsletters between them each month. These in-clude copies to those who are in nursing homes, shut-ins, folks who have moved away but still like to keep in touch, and those letters which just didn't get picked up at church. Thanks to these generous folks.

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