The Observer F I R S T U N I T E D M E T H O D I S T C H U R C H

June 2013

Pastor Susan’s Corner 1-2

Wizard of Oz 2

Mission Opportunities

3

“Suds” a play 3

Carry-in at Frey Cabin 4

Golf Benefit for BackPack Program

4

Country Rhoades Fish Fry

5

Food Pantry 6

Baptisms & New Members

6

Graduates/Scholarships

7

Henryville Mission Trip

7

Esther Circle 8

Moore, Oklahoma Tornado Relief

8

Shew/Chaney Wedding

8

Campers 8

Tech News 8

June/July Upcoming Events

9

Prayer Concerns Info 9

Ladies Unity Event 9

Contact Info 10

Regular Events Calendar

10

It’s hard to believe it is June already. I blinked and May is history.

Even though May seemed to go by quickly, it was chock full of

excitement-- We honored our Mothers on Mother’s Day; the children

also blessed us by singing this day. The next Sunday we celebrated

Pentecost, by honoring our graduates: Christian, Damon, and Bryce;

AND we had six baptisms and received four new members. We have

also had the opportunity to attend Town Hall Meetings to become

more informed about the Consultation Team’s findings. They identified

Three Strengths, Three Concerns, and gave us Three Prescriptions to

enable us to Be The Fruitful Congregation that God wants us to be.

My family celebrated the wedding of

my nephew, Jered, and his new bride,

Melissa; the next day we celebrated

Mother’s Day. My family also had the

privilege of celebrating my mother-in-law’s 80th birthday. We are still trying

to dry out from all the rain; farmers are

still trying to get their seeds in the

ground; school is out for the summer and children and youth are EVE-

RYWHERE! Be careful and watch for them as you are out and about—

they don’t always seem to be aware of everything around them.

As I continue to ponder and dream about the vision God has for the

Clinton First United Methodist Church--I am continually brought back

to the phrase, “If God brings you to it, he will see you through it.”

What is he bringing our church to? I believe that God has been calling

us to become abundantly fruitful--that he sees great potential for the

body of Christ that meets at the corner of 4th and Blackman in Clinton,

IN. I also believe that God is doing a new thing, right here in our

midst.

Through the Fruitful Congregation Journey or, as other conferences

across the United States are calling it, the “Healthy Church Initiative,”

we have the opportunity to work with a coach, Mark Eutsler, and

change our weaknesses into strengths--as we work together to form a

PASTOR SUSAN'S CORNER

...“If God brings you to

it, he will see you

through it.”

2

clear vision—A vision is the plan, the way, the map we are going to use to be faithful to the

mission of “Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World.” Once we

have a clear vision-- we will use it to evaluate all our ministries and make sure they are

compatible with that vision. Are we getting the results we want to get? What can we do to

help us achieve our intended results? How can we tweak it?

Our second prescription—develop a Leadership and Faith Development process-- As a

church who reaches out into the world with the intentions of making “New Disciples,” we will

be touching lives who have no church or faith background--and it is important for us to have a

“Spiritual Growth” path in place to meet each person where they are in their faith journey and

help them grow and become more mature in their faith. We all start out as infants in faith and

throughout life, we grow and mature—and we will continue to grow in our faith until the day

we die (if the opportunity is provided).

The second part of this is to develop leaders who lead well. Too often leaders are recruited

and expected to carry on what has been done in the past—assuming they know what is

expected of them. Two or three years of carrying on without training can get us off track and we lose our focus. Training our leaders will help those in these roles feel much more

confident and view their role as a transformational force within our church and community.

We know that what we have been doing in the past is not getting the results we would like to

see. Building confidently trained leaders can only make our team stronger.

The third prescription is to connect with the community and build relationships with those

who live around us— The key to reaching and making new disciples for Jesus Christ-- learning

about our neighbors, their needs, their desires, and finding ways to meet them where they are.

It is focusing on what is going on outside our walls and in the lives of our community. Do we

need to add another worship service? How can we improve our children and youth ministry?

How can we reach the 18-40 generation?

Another part of this prescription is to look at our facility and spruce it up by removing

unused clutter, making it more attractive, safe and guest friendly. We have a building with a

lot of character and beauty—yet there are some simple things we can do to make it even

more beautiful and usable in 2013- and beyond. A face lift—a fresh coat of paint, repairing

cracked plaster, removing unused furniture and equipment, etc.

In the two years I have been your pastor, I am more convinced that we have great potential

to be a vital presence in our community. I believe that this is where God is calling us--and I

feel that this is why God has been preparing us for this journey. God has called us to be fruit-

ful—and he is providing this tool to see us through it. What a blessing this will be for our

congregation and our community.

Blessings,

Pastor Susan

The Wizard of Oz Coming to the Ritz Theater Talent runs deep in the Hogan family and it’s showing up again! Janna reports

that her daughter, Sabrina, and two of her boys, Marshal and Cooper are

going to be in the play, The Wizard of Oz on June 28 & 29 at 7:00 pm . There

is also a matinee on the 30th at 2:00 pm. Sabrina is a crow and a poppy.

Cooper and Marshal are munchkins. They may even have speaking parts!

3

Beginning on June 9th Pastor Susan will be leading the Study—“The

Me I Want to Be--Becoming God’s Best Version of You” during the

Sunday School hour. This will also be the Sermon Series beginning

June 9th. Study guides are $8 (I will have those available for you).

We will meet in the Cookie Fellowship Area. Books are available from CBD (Christian Book

Distributors) or Amazon in paperback, hardback or Kindle.

New Study: “The Me I Want to Be”

Communion Stewards

Prepare communion on the first

Sunday of each month—

purchase bread and grape

juice—contact Pastor Susan if

interested in serving in this capacity.

Outdoor sign

Keep outdoor sign current with special

events or changed weekly with words of

wisdom and inspiration for our community.

Contact Pastor Susan if interested.

Ministry of Music

Joni Weeks is looking for

people to sign up to provide

Special Music for the summer.

Please contact her to arrange

for available dates.

Mission Opportunities! Would You Like to Help?

Mark Your Calendars!

The Lamplighters and

friends are planning to

attend the musical "Suds"

at ISU Crossroads Repertory Theatre

(formerly ISU Summer Theatre) on

Sunday, July 21st, at 4:00 p.m. The

cost per ticket is $20. This musical

comedy will take you on a nostalgic and

fantastical journey back to the early 60s,

where you will find yourself humming

along with some of the best hits from

Motown and that good old rock 'n roll

music. The musical is set in a laundromat

where two archangels

have descended to advise

the heart-broken heroine

Cindy in her quest for

Mr. Right. Be sure to wear your

toe-tapping shoes!

Reservations are due by July 7 and

payment needs to be made to Peg-

gy Strobel by July 14. We will most

likely carpool from Walmart around 2:45

p.m. and go out to eat

following the play.

Attend Musical, Suds!

4

Come to the Carry-in at the Cabin!

Don’t miss it! Tom and Sandee Frey have

once again invited our congregation and the

Covington UMC congregation to their cabin in

Covington.

What’s provided: Fried chicken and other

meat dishes, drinks and table service will be

provided. What you can provide: Everyone is asked

to bring their favorite dish and lawn chairs.

And, if you haven’t had a chance to attend, this

is a fun event to enjoy hangin’ out, playing

games, and eating some GREAT food.

Directions to the cabin:

Take Indiana 63 North to the intersection of

US 136. Take the ramp to US 136 Covington

(East) into Covington. After crossing the river

bridge, take the Second Street (first left) --

Portland Arch Road (north) for approximately

five miles. Look for the green "2018" sign along the left side of the road. This driveway

looks like it belongs to the little white house,

but it goes on beyond the house for a 1/4 of

mile. There you will find the cabin.

Sun. June 30, 1:00 pm

Tee Up to Benefit BackPack Program! Golfers, Mark June 14 on your calendar!

On June 14th the Breakfast Optimist Club of

Clinton will host a golf outing at Matthews Park

Golf Course with proceeds going to the

Clinton BackPack program. For more than

three years, BackPack has been helping children

in our community get nutritious and easy-to-prepare food they need over the course of the

weekend. At the end of the school year,

BackPack was serving approximately 200

children enrolled in the three elementary

schools at South Vermillion. During the school

year, approximately 20 plus

volunteers from our commu-

nity assemble bags of food at

a cost of approximately $3

for each bag. Each school

year is approximately 36

weeks long and BackPack

makes deliveries 34 weeks

during the school year.

If you are a golfer, mark your

calendar and plan on playing in this

golf outing. Tell your friends or

form your own team and plan on participating

in this special fundraiser to benefit our

BackPack program. It will cost each golfer $45

to play and includes green fees, cart and lunch.

Lunch will be provided by Union Hospital

Clinton, and it’s all you can eat and drink.

Other Ways to Participate: If you are not

a golfer, you can still participate by sponsoring

a hole for $25. When you sponsor a hole, a

sign will be made recognizing you or a group,

such as your Sunday school class or other

group you belong to, as a sponsor. You can

enter by calling Lou Bonomo at 812-249-8379

or Laury Burris at 812-230-2030. If you would

like to sponsor a hole you may do so by calling

Ken Pierce at 832-9721.

5

Note: If you can help, please sign up in the lounge area. Also, our church is responsible for selling 100

tickets. Please help support our youth and their projects. Sandee Frey is the contact person.

6

Food Pantry News Mail Carriers Deliver --For the Food Pantry! Audrey Lientz reported that the Food Pantry received 6,388 lbs of

food from the mail carriers’ drive on May 1. Food was everywhere!

She also shared the good news that vouchers are no longer needed,

past the initial sign up for food.

4-H Livestock Auction to Help the Food Pantry The Mission Committee has appropriated funds to purchase a pig at the 4-H auction on June

28 at the Vermillion County Fair. Ed Shew will also be taking donations from those who

would like to contribute. The donation is tax deductible. This has become an annual event and

really helps increase the amount of meat the Food Pantry can provide.

New Member

Elizabeth Chaney

Baptisms and

On May 19, the congregation was very pleased to

welcome new members through holy baptism and

transfer of membership.

Baptized: Chris Downs and his children, Landon, and

Leah; Brent Hoover and his daughters, Allison and Brynn.

New Members: Elizabeth Chaney, Brent Hoover and

Chris and Ashley Downs

Hannah Hoover, who is a member,

and her husband Brent, a new

member

New members

Chris and Ashley Downs

New Members!

7

Progress Made in Henryville!

Congratulations to Our Graduates!

Christian Rennick

Graduate of South Vermillion H.S.

Christian is the son of Mike and

Theresa Rennick. He plans to

obtain an apprenticeship in

carpentry.

Bryce Weeks

Graduate of South Vigo H.S.

Bryce is the son of Eric and

Joni Weeks and the

He plans to attend the

University of Evansville and

major in electrical

engineering.

Damon Reiber

Graduate of Southwest Parke H.S.

Damon is the son of David &

Deanna James. He plans to

attend Trine University with a

major in criminal justice or

sports administration.

Scholarships Awarded! On May 19, Ed Shew, as Youth Group leader,

awarded each graduate a scholarship sponsored by

the UMYF to help them in their future plans. They

have all been active and participated in fundraising,

mostaccioli dinners, mission trips and many other

youth activities. Best wishes to all!

During the week of May 19th

Gary and Lou Ann Andis

traveled down to Henryville,

Indiana, with a group from

Indianapolis. They were there to continue with

clean-up after the devastating tornado in March,

2012. Lou Ann’s understanding is that Henryville is now 85% rebuilt.

According to Lou Ann, this is a very talented

team of thirty people who have worked together

on several earlier trips. Four members of the

team are from the Henryville area. One of the

ladies is the Emergency Management Director

from the area.

While they were there, two or three teams

went out each day. Some of the work

accomplished was building ramps, building decks,

putting in a new kitchen ceiling, installing a new

kitchen floor, putting OSB board around a house and lots of general cleaning and picking up. Gary

said lots of “hit list items” were taken care of.

Lou Ann said she spent her time in the kitchen

preparing and serving LOTS of food. She stated

that “it was a good week, and we were blessed as

much as the people receiving.”

8

Phyllis Marsolf was hostess on May

21 for the circle. She shared a devo-

tion taken from a book, Plum Jelly &

Stained Glass & Other Prayers. Mem-

bers attending were Margie Lapworth, Karen

Hartman, Ruth Hollingsworth, Karen Carlson and

Audrey Lientz. Lou Ann Andis and her husband, Gary, are on a mission trip in Henryville.

On May 13, a luncheon was served to 45 mem-

bers of the Parke-Vermillion Retired Teachers

Assn..* Plans were made to purchase towels

that will be inscribed with a scripture verse and

given to visitors who attend worship services.

Margie will be hostess on June 18, and Lou Ann

will give the program. Margie gave the lesson us-

ing articles from the book, Committed to Christ.

The two subjects

were “Being a

Witness” and

“Thoughtful z

Response.”

During the prayer circle, the people in

Oklahoma were remembered; two special offerings are being taken during worship services

to help with the needs.

(*Note: I know from personal experience that

the turkey dinner and all the “trimmin’s” were

delicious! Many teachers commented on the

quality AND quantity of the food. Thanks!

K. Carlson)

Next meeting:

Tues., June 18, 7:00 pm @

Margie Lapworth’s

Esther Circle News

Elizabeth Chaney and Edward Shew invite you to join them on

Saturday, June 15, 2013 at 3:00 pm as they begin their new life

together as husband and wife. A cake and punch reception will

follow. If you need a gift idea, gift cards from Menard’s, Sears,

Hobby Lobby, Penney’s, Macy’s or almost any restaurant would be

appreciated..

They’re Getting Married--June 15!

UMC Market Online Shopping to Benefit Our Church!

Information in the document at http://www.gcfa.org/sites/default/files/u3/Press%

20Release%20-%20UMC%20Market%20FINAL%202.pdf tells how you can sign up for a free program that provides a percentage of the sale to the church you select when you shop online at

popular retailers….Rhonda has requested info to link from our church website, but you can go

ahead and sign up on your own if you want to by going to http://www.umcmarket.org/. This is

approved by the UM General Council on Finance and Administration.

Reminder: Clinton First is on Facebook!------http://www.facebook.com/clintonfirst

Technology News from Rhonda Reed

Ed Shew and Elizabeth Chaney

Remember the People in Moore, Oklahoma! Please continue to pray for them. If you wish to donate, UMCOR, (United Methodist

Committee on Relief) is an excellent way because 100% of your donation will be used

for the specified project. Go to www.umcor.org and follow the links. Or, call 1-800-554-8583.

Calling All Campers! If you are interested in summer church camp, Hurry! Go to the link

www.beacamper.com to discover the multitude of camping opportunities.

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CALENDAR

JUNE UPCOMING EVENTS Day(s) Date Time Event

Monday 6/3 7:00 pm Trustees Meeting

Thurs.-Sun 6/6-8 ------------- Fifth Indiana Annual Conference at Indianapolis Convention Center

Saturday 6/8 4:00-7:30 pm Country Rhoades Fish Fry at Central Elementary (p.5)

Sunday 6/9 10:40 am New study “The Me I Want to Be” led by Pastor Su-san in coffee time area during SS ( p.3)

Friday 6/14 ---------- Golf Outing to Benefit BackPack Program (p.4)

Sunday 6/16 9:30 am Father’s Day

Tuesday 6/18 7?00 pm Esther Circle @ Margie Lapworth’s

Friday 6/28 7:30 pm 4-H Livestock Auction (p.6 )

Fri.-Sat. Sunday

6/28-29 6/30

7:00pm& 2:00pm

“Wizard of Oz” at Ritz Theater at Rockville (p.2)

Sunday 6/30 1:00 pm Carry-in dinner at the Frey cabin with the Covington UMC (p.4)

JULY UPCOMING EVENTS

Sun-Sat. 7/7-13 ------------ Mission Indy--Nine persons attending

Sunday 7/14 ----- Payment due for “Suds” to Peggy Strobel (p.3)

Sunday 7/21 4:00 pm “Suds” a play at ISU Crossroads Repertory Theatre (p.3) All are invited!

Prayer Concerns *Telecare Prayer Chain: Contact Pastor Susan at (765) 592-3445 if you have a prayer

request or concern. Or, email church at clintonfirst@gmail.com

L to R 1st Row: Jewellyn Andis, Pastor Susan Martin, Sally Harris, Lou Ann

Andis, Freida Rutan, Sara Nield. 2nd Row: Peggy Strobel, Karen Carlson,

Juanita Crouch, Robin Rutan, Shelby Marsolf, Sue Wormsbecher, and Phyllis

Marsolf

Ladies Unity On May

4, Wabash Valley Ladies Uni-

ty Night celebrated ten years

of success! This year wom-

en from all over the Valley

gathered to hear Lisa Harper

inspire and move them. Our

church was well represent-

ed, and the women benefited

greatly from the event and

great fellowship

afterwards1

THE OBSERVER

June, 2013

Contact Information A Publication of the Clinton First United Methodist Church PO Box 186 Clinton, IN 47842-0186 Phone (765) 832-3159 Rev. Susan Martin http://clintonfirst.org clintonfirst@gmail.com

Sun 9:30 am Worship service

Communion 1st Sunday

Food Pantry, Hillcrest, and CAMA

donations 1st Sunday

11:00 am Sunday school for all ages

6:30 pm Youth Group

Tues. 7:00 pm Worship at Chateau

Weds. 6:00 pm Praise Team Rehearsal

Regular Events Calendar