Hi Friends! As we start this year together I want to share an article with you that my family and I talked about be-tween Christmas and New Years. It was written by Michael Cheshire and is titled, Cancer of the Attitude. I hope you enjoy it. Here it is: If my wife tells you she likes to run 5K races, don't believe her. Oh, she has run her fair share of them, although rarely with any train-ing, and often after signing up the day before. However, it isn't the run she loves; it's what goes with it. It's the free T-shirts and worthy causes that get her into the race. Her closet is a museum on hangers; a rainbow of colored t-shirts spanning nearly every disease known to humanity. The vast majority, though, are for battling cancer. Breast cancer. Co-lon cancer. Cancer research for chil-dren. You name it; odds are she has the T-shirt. And I get it. Cancer is a brutal invader in our lives. It has taken some of our closest friends and family members. The importance of self-exams I'm not a runner. But I still go to these 5ks and hang out at the finish line with the kids. I usually spend my time reading pamphlets on cancer as I try to score snacks from the

NEW LIFE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

January & February 2013

NEW LIFE NEWS

Special points of interest:

Food for Thought

Blood Drive

Women’s Valentine Tea

Inside this issue:

Leone Whittum’s Poem & Miscellaneous News 2

For the Women / January Sermon Series 3

Church Happenings 4

Birthdays and Anniversaries 4

Church Calendar 5 & 6

Trustees Minutes 7

Admin. Council Minutes 8

Finance Report 9

Pastor’s Page

interesting, there would be a show about it on A&E. But without it, our bad attitudes grow stronger, turning from feelings into ways of thinking that can shape our speech, thoughts, and actions. Good or bad, attitudes are the driv-ing forces in our lives. They can bring us to the peaks of success, or to the valleys of failure. And just like cancer of the body, they can destroy us if we do not detect them early.

"Self exams" are vital. I know that I am predisposed to several per-sistent wrong attitudes. And I'm not alone. Most people I ask can name two or three attitudes they have to examine for and guard against. And since our attitude often affects (or infects) those around us, I would like to share three that we need to examine.

The tumor of self pity Few things profit us less than self-pity. You know how it feels. It's that strange desire to retreat and focus on how unfair our situation is. Life is rarely fair. Self-pity slips easily into our lives because it usually doesn't look like

Volume 2 Issue 1

Pastor’s Page continued on page 2

race coordinators. At a recent run, I struck up a conversation with a doc-tor. Prompted by the cause the run-ners were supporting, our conversa-tion turned to cancer. I liked him because he used small words that helped me grasp what the disease does to the body. Towards the end of our conversation, I asked him what I could do to avoid this particu-lar form of cancer. He smiled and said, "Find it first." For most cancers, the sooner it is found, the higher one's rate of sur-vival. "The first tool is early detec-tion" he stated. This may be simple, but it's wise. Identifying an enemy in your body quickly will boost your odds of defeating it. But isn't this principle true for more than just physical disease? So many times I am a carrier of things (that if they grow) can harm my relationships, my walk with God, not to mention my dreams and calling. Since that con-versation with the doctor, I've thought about attitudes in a different way. Looking back, I can see points where my harmful attitudes were left unchecked, and limited my growth or compromised my character. Now let's be honest. Examining our atti-tudes is not something most of us find appealing. If introspection was

Scrip Fundraisers: Christmas Gift Card Fund-raiser netted $485.45 into the Blacktop project. Throughout the past year $1800.00 profit from Leppink Scrip was sent in to New Life Capital Improvement/Blacktop. $300 of this came within the ’double the amount’. Thus $2100.00 Leppinks Scrip profit went into the Blacktop project. The Leppink Scrip fund-raiser is an on-going project. If you are not a Leppink Scrip user, why not give it a try. There are some very faithful users of this easy ’no money out of your pocket’ project, and thanks to Ran-som and Kelly, it makes ap-proximately $150.00 a month toward the Blacktop debt.

So Easy: Shirley Frandsen carries Scrip Gift Cards for your convenience, make check payable to New Life Scrip. You purchase the Leppink Scrip Card and use it as a cash for your pur-chases at any Leppink Food Store and 5% is gifted back to New Life UMC. Cards are available in various denomi-nations…$10.00 amounts up to $200.00 cards. Your benefit is for the full amount of your card. Treasurers take note: Even

purchases made by any New Life activity are payable by us-ing Scrip and we receive the 5%, compliments of Ranny Lep-pink. See Shirley Frandsen for your Scrip when making a pay-ment. Thanks, Shirley

Food For Thought

Page 2 NEW LIFE NEWS

Fear Not

~

Let not your heart be troubled

neither let if be afraid.

I am the Living Word . . .

upon that Word, be staid.

Keep it in your heart

and ever before your eyes.

Depart not from My Word . . .

your miracle, materialize.

When your spirit’s troubled

and feeling tossed about . . .

let not your heart be given

to fearsomeness and doubt.

Come walk upon the water

My Word will make the way . . .

for I have heard your prayers

the many you have prayed.

He speaks unto my troubled soul

Peace be still, and it be so.

© Leone Whittum May 6, 2012

Let not your heart be troubled,

Neither let it be afraid John 14:27

Peace be still . . . Mark 4:39

"pity" at all. It's disguised as self-preservation. Self-pity tells us that no one really understands what we are going through, that if we don't care for ourselves, no one else will. Self-pity convinces us to focus for just a little while on me. If self pity is entertained too long, it will invite its friends over: depression, exhaustion and isolation. Self-pity is the kindest killer on earth. It will subtly sap strength, passion, drive, and purpose. It is to your life what cancer is to your health. Injecting responsibility The cure for self-pity is responsibility. That's a great word when you break it down: Able to respond. When a setback occurs or adversity arises, we can influence whether we will progress or regress. Great people understand the need to take responsibility for a problem in their life, even if it was not their fault. If I get a flat tire because I ran over a nail in the road, it may not have been my fault, but it is my problem now. When things go awry, high capacity people will work to fix it, whether or not they caused the problem in the first place. It is when all hell breaks loose that you spot true potential in people. True leaders summon strength in adversity. They own their thoughts in a crisis and inspire others to do the same.

We all rise and fall together. No where does this play out Playing the blame game here only strokes my ego and possibly feeds another's self-pity. Feeling sorry for myself, or blaming others, in tough situations is immature. I'm learning that it's better to return a hit with a hug, that humility and responsibility are garments that look good on anybody. Caregivers know that hurting people hurt others. When people refuse to give in to self-pity, they grow. You will win many battles in life by taking responsibility when others run and place blame. By taking responsibility and being willing to help rectify a given situation, we demonstrate more than a simple desire to be responsible. We demon-strate our maturity and our love for one another. Words to live by.

Pastor’s Page continued from page 1

For the Women

Page 3 VOLUME 2 ISSUE 1

December offered so many opportunities for Holiday fellowship that our UMW business meeting was postponed until De-cember 11 when your offi-cers met to take care of year-end business. Each December we look at our treasurer report and find ways to share what we can. This year we divided $1100 in this way:

Young Partners Christian Preschool $200.00

G.R. Community House $200.00

New Life Emergency Fund $200.00

Blacktop Project $200.00

Six Lakes Food Pantry $200.00

Lakeview Food Pantry $200.00

U.M.W. Pledge $100.00

Blessing to all who receive these funds and thank you to all who helped us to have a very successful year.

Please join us at our Circle meetings the sec-ond Tuesday at 1:30pm or the last Monday of the month, at 7:00pm.

Happy New Year,

Your UMW Pres. Mary Lou Botma

Women’s Events Schedule

Jan Tue 8 Women’s Fellowship 1:30pm Jan Tue 15 Kelsey Recreation 2—3pm Jan Mon 28 Circle of Friends 7:00pm Feb Mon 4 Unit Business Meeting 7:00pm Feb Sat 9 District Valentine Tea Feb Tue 12 Women’s Fellowship Feb Tue 19 Kelsey Recreation Feb Mon 25 Circle of Friends

Thank You

Thanks to all who helped with or came to the Christ-mas by Candlelight. Stillwa-ters Counselling Ministry profited over $500.00 from this event. If you want to know more about Stillwaters please call them at 231.937.6193. Thanks again, Circle of Friends

Thank You

I was blessed at Christmas when I received so many Christmas cards, and well wishes from my New Life family. God Bless You and Thank You, Dorita Johnson

How to make New Life as the United Methodist Church

states…”Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.”

Page 4 NEW LIFE NEWS

Mike Riley 01/01 Marjorie Larsen 01/02 Agnes Schnick 01/02 Verna Buskirk 01/07 Andy Ray 01/07 Cody Poulson 01/10 Jim Vanderwall 01/11 Rob Anderson 01/12 Ellen Bowser 01/13 Larry Beach 01/14 Eva Main 01/20 Barb Ray 01/20 John Cornell 01/22 D’Ann Fountain 01/22 Katheryn Nielsen 01/24 Kathy Matthews 01/25 Kim Carr 01/26 Holly DeRuiter 01/26 Donna Kinsey 01/28 Carrol Watts 01/28 Kim Molitor 01/29 Kevin Outman 01/30 Helen Tooker 01/30 Nancy Nielsen 01/31 Tracy Riley 01/31

Elmer & Debbie Ashbaugh 01/07 Bill & Char Besemer 01/15 George & Vivian Huntington 01/20 Don & Gail Shurlow 01/22

Jan. Birthdays

January Anniversaries

We have dedicated people that have been working on making New Life more visitor friendly by asking for volunteers to act as greeters and ushers and Communion Stewards. Several different ways have been used from passing sign-up sheets around during worship service, to putting sign-up sheets on the Con-nection Board inside entrance doors, to just approaching someone and asking them to serve. The last ap-proach seems to work the best but that means someone has to be in charge of that and know who to ask. In mulling this over I thought of how businesses make their customers feel welcomed as you enter their place of business. At Meijer's and Walmart, they have greeters. (Sorry, Ransom, I know your store is too small and we practically know every-one anyway, although you offer something the big stores don't…people to bag our groceries, take them to our vehicles, wish us a good day and ask if there is anything else they can do!! These small pleasant-ries are much appreciated). The bigger stores will direct you to the

department you are looking for and see that you have a cart and help with instructions if you need a motor-ized one. I also like the fact that they use people in wheelchairs, or with other disabilities as greeters. I look forward to seeing these folks..and that customers are referred to as "guests". Doesn't that have a much warmer feeling than "customer"? Carl and I like to eat at Big Boy in Greenville, but had stopped going there (as others we talked to have done) because the service was not like it used to be and the atmos-phere and food just were not as good. The restaurant was closed for a while and completely redone and what a change! We love it! New decor, new serving dishes, new buf-fet, new staff..and I noticed the last time we were there the podium sign which used to say, "Please wait to be seated" now says "Please wait to be Greeted", Underneath it even says, "Pretty Please"! I know that our church (and we the people are the church) are friendly and welcoming…but sometimes we don't show it. We get involved in a

Julie Nielsen 02/03 Cutler Cordray 02/04 Leonne Whittum 02/04 Diana Jones 02/06 Jeramee Gilman 02/08 Phyllis Smith 02/09 Suzanne Ammann 02/11 Sarah Minkel 02/11 C. Torres 02/12 Gail Shurlow 02/13 Darren Bannen 02/16 Linda Seiter 02/16 Kris Outman 02/17 Myla Harvey 02/18 Mary Main 02/18 Judy Robinson 02/18 Linda Sadler 02/20 Dawn Armock 02/21 Mason Selesky 02/23 Brandon Andersen 02/24 Jane Nielsen 02/24 Kristi Cordray 02/25 Cade Andersen 02/26 Kay Shell 02/26 Trevor Rentschler 02/28

Pat & Verna Buskirk 02/06 Allan & Bobbie Bacon 02/17 Randy & Jane Nielsen 02/25

conversation with someone we've wanted to talk to all week and the time slips away. We have been blessed to have Shirley Frandsen at the Welcome table for 1st service, and Beth Moore for 2nd, but we really need folks to step forward for these other jobs. Myrna has put together some brief instructions and you can talk with her, Dianna Jones, or me, if you are willing to help. Sometimes people can't commit to a full month so if you could take 2 Sundays, or 3 when we have a month with 5, it would be much appreciated. I hadn't been able to do these things when I was playing the organ, but have on occasion since I no longer do that..and do enjoy meeting folks, shaking their hands, even giv-ing hugs to those I know will appreci-ate it..and maybe need it! Thank you and hope to be hearing from you!! Jane Large

If you don't see me..a note in my mailbox will do.

Feb. Birthdays

February Anniversaries

NEW LIFE NEWS Page 5

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Page 7 VOLUME 2 ISSUE 1

New Life UMC Trustees Minutes November 27, 2012

Present – Mary Main, Ann Larsen, Ron Harvey, Andy Ray, Arv Selesky, Bill Besemer, Nick Armock,

Janet Johnson and Arlene Oberlin

*Meeting called to order by Andy Ray.

*Devotion by Andy Ray.

*Minutes of last meeting read. Ron Harvey made a motion to accept after following correction:

All SCRIP offerings and Building offerings for Capital Improvement to be transferred to the

Parking Lot

Fund until the Parking Lot loan is paid off. Seconded by Mary Main. Motion carried.

Old Business

*Discussion on where the funds to pay for the cost of leasing the copy machine $315 / month, the

[garbage pick up] $780 / year and salt for the water softener at $600 / year.

Mary Main made a motion that a new item number and line to be added to the budget to cover the leasing

of the copy machine, of $3778 / year. Seconded by Ann Larsen. Motion carried. It was decided the cost

of the [garbage disposal] and water softener salt to come from maintenance fund budget.

*Trustees received a letter from Forrest Herzog, treasurer of the [Young Partners Christian] preschool

board, stating that they are enclosing a check for ½ of the inspection cost of the furnaces in August 2011.

They said in the letter that the inspection wasn’t done just because of the preschool. It had to be done pe-

riodically for the church any way. Ron Harvey is to check further.

*Andy Ray to check with Todd Horrocks about what he found out about the sign in front of the church.

New Business

*Janet Johnson and Arlene Oberlin, of the [Membership Care] committee and Welcome Team, ran a pro-

posal by the trustees. They want to have an opening cut out in the west wall of the coat room. This would

be part of a welcoming center, instead of the present stand, which would be eliminated. They figure this

would eliminate the congestion in the entrance area. Ron Harvey made a motion to follow up on the pro-

posal. Seconded by Arv Selesky. Motion carried.

Mary Main stated that a cost of this proposal would be covered by the money in the budget for the Mem-

bership Care Team and if needed, money from the Memorial Fund.

*Andy Ray stated that [the] pastor said that we need more room for children’s Sunday School classes.

Andy suggested that for a temporary fix, that the adult class would exchange rooms.

*Nick Armock is having surgery December 19th, and won’t be back until January 3, 2013. He will need

replacement. Andy to pass this information on to Pastor Parrish committee.

*Ron Harvey stated that the insurance package is due in February and prices will be compared at that

time.

*Ron Harvey stated the preschool is doing well financially; they are going to cover the cost of scheduling

for two needy children.

*Rick Marshall to plow snow at church and parsonage. Rick also did it last year.

*Andy Ray to get with Linda [Houck] for cost and carrier of phones, TV, and internet at church and par-

sonage.

*Mary Main stated no action on Endowment Policy.

No trustee meeting in December, unless something comes up.

Meeting adjourned 9:00pm.

Andy Ray closed in prayer.

Page 8 NEW LIFE NEWS

Administrative Council Meeting New Life UMC Dec. 11, 2012

Chairman Mel Houck called the December meeting of the Ad Council to order and opened with devotions and prayer. Mem-bers present were: Mel and Linda Houck, Paul and Janet Johnson, Phil Seiter, Linda Andersen, Meredith VanderHill, Sue Brockschmidt, Bill Besemer, Mary Main, and Ransom Leppink

Secretary’s report was reviewed and Bill Besemer moved that the secretary’s report be accepted. Motion was seconded by Paul Johnson. Motion carried. Treasurer’s report for October with revision, was given. Meredith moved with Sue Brockschmidt seconding that we accept the revised report. Motion carried. November’s treasurer’s report was presented with many questions concerning the amounts for the black top funds. We will wait for a more complete report next month. Informational Items: *We are working on a grant with Tri County Electric for and AED. We are also looking into trying to get a grant through our insurance carrier. *The Trunk or Treat at Halloween was a great success and it is suggested that maybe we could work with other churches next year. *We were informed that the fire extinguisher [previously in question] is just behind the altar area. Discussion: *We are working towards having 4 community invited events each year. Many Ideas were discussed. Risk management policy that were given from the conference level were passed to each in attendance and we were asked to review and be ready to vote on these for our church with the changes that would make them adaptable to our needs. *[2013] Budget is not ready at this time, but the financial committee is working on it at this time. We are short on pledges that would cover the present budget and there will have to be some adjustments in the budget. Action: We hosted a Red Cross Blood Drive here last month and it was very successful Trustees: The trustees recommended that we move the savings account that is in the Isabella Bank; transferring it to the general ac-count and that money be used to pay Ministry Shares. Bill Besemer moved that we move the saving account to the general account and that money be used to help catch up our Ministry Share. Motion was seconded by Linda Houck and motion car-ried. Lay Leader: Bill Besemer asked that those that will make up the new governing body be posted as soon as possible. Bill also reported that the Men’s Fellowship met 12/8/12 and they decided to give $200 each to 2 needy families. They have also installed 2 ramps with maybe 2 more to be done soon. Worship: Meredith VanderHill reported that they are well underway with the plans for Advent, the Christmas Program and the Christ-mas Eve Services. Youth and Children’s Director: Meredith VanderHill reported that we have Youth Sunday School every other Sunday being led by Shelly Gilman. She also said that at the present time the numbers for the younger children are small on Sundays but are seeing a large number in Wednesday nights. Small Groups: Linda Andersen reported that the United Methodist Women‘s unit had met and has decided where the funds that are avail-able will go. Also she reported that the adult Sunday classes are so big that they are having trouble finding spaces large enough to meet. The problem is being studied at this time. What a wonderful problem to have. Shepherding: Paul Johnson reported that there seems to be not enough room for the Sunday School Classes to meet. Pastor: Pastor John is planning on meeting with the youth in our church to see what they would like to see for our youth programs. This will take place in January. He then passed out the reply to the survey that was in the bulletin for 3 weeks. Only 22 were returned . We took turns reading the responses to this survey and then we had a short discussion about where we need to be in the future. Sunday, following the potluck dinner he will discuss this with the congregation that attend. We need a goal as a congregation as to where we need to be in 5 years and what we need to do to achieve this goal. Pastor John closed in prayer Meeting adjourned Linda Andersen Acting Secretary

Page 9 VOLUME 2 ISSUE 1

NEW LIFE UM CHURCH FINANCIAL REPORT

for DECEMBER 2012

Only is enough.

God is not looking for the best qualifications, best ability, best charisma, best prospects type of people—not that he would turn down these sorts automatically, because it’s also true that some of the most gifted people in our society have also been some of God’s best servants. But that is coincidence and not a require-ment. I think that is because God knows that the vast majority of men and women fall into the “I am only” category. But only is enough with God’s help, and it would amaze you what God can make of them.

— Alastair Symington

GENERAL

Income for Dec.

Balance Primary Chk Bk Nov. -$2,718.74

Total General Offering $27,715.92

Total Offering $24,991.18

Expenses for Dec.

Programs $916.80

Staff Ministry $11,605.81

Bldg & Properties $2,909.42

Non-budget Expenses $16.98

Operating Ministry $262.86

Apportionments $7,223.90

Extended Ministry & Missions $3,094.25

$26,030.02

December Income - General $27,751.92

December Expenses - General $26,030.02

December Savings Acct. $0.00

General Chk Book December $3,116.16

$3,116.00

General Designated Money $6,435.86

General Available Balance -$4,332.68

All Income - December $43,070.73

All Expenses - December $29,030.02

Check Book Balances $14,040.71

Budgeted Income YTD $220,046.34

Budgeted Expenses YTD $218,820.14

BUILDING December 31,

2012 Bldg. Fund Acct.

Prev. Bal Chk. Bk. 16784.09

Total Income 1253.46

Total Expenses 7113.00

Bal. Chk. Book 10924.55

Less Designated 10924.55

Cash Avail. Dec. 2012 $0.00

Designated - Building

Elevator $1,370.82

Upper Classroom $9,157.40

Checkbook balance $396.33

Toward Note Pymnt $10,924.55

American Red Cross Blood Drive

Friday, January 25th

At New Life UMC

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Www.newlifeunitedmethodist.com

Something For Everyone

6584 W. Howard City-Edmore Rd. Six Lakes, MI 48886 Phone: 989.352.7788 Fax: 989.352.1101 E-mail: newlifeumc@cmsinter.net

The New Life United Meth-odist Church was formed from three local churches. Realizing their need to come together and meet as one entity, brought this con-gregation to where they are today. This church was built in 2001, and has grown from that time on. There are

services and activities for all ages and conditions of your life. Come and wor-ship on Sunday mornings, at 9am, or at 11:00am. We also have Sunday School for all ages at 10:00am.. You may be interested in coming to the Gathering on Wednesday evenings, at 6:00pm, for dinner, fellowship, and fun. Check our calendar and web site for other op-portunities.

Come as you are!

Sundays

9:00am Worship

10:00am Sunday School

11:00am Worship

7:30pm AA & Al-Anon

Wednesdays

6:00pm The Gathering

Family, Learning, Fun, Physical and Spiritual Nourishment, and Games

(September through April)

New Life United Methodist Church