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NORTH FERRISBURGH UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

No doubt you’ve heard there are “lies, outrageous lies, and statistics”. At the end of every January, pastors report required United Methodist stats. It is not my favorite part of ministry. However, I do want to let you see that we have a lot to celebrate in 2014 in many areas of faithfulness. The number in parentheses is the 2013 statistic. Higher average Sunday worship attendance 77 ( 75) More baptisms 5 ( 3) More children in our church ministries 45 ( 34) More youth in small groups/fellowship 19 ( 16) More adults in small groups/studies 102 ( 65) More people pledging to our ministry 46 ( 32) More persons engaged in mission 236 (105) More people served by outreach ministries 607 (522)

Though numbers can seem cold, each of these numbers does represent a person who we care about and who Jesus loves.

No one person can make all this happen. It only can occur when we faithfully, prayerfully work together. How wonderful to see our ministry looking so healthy. Thanks for all you do!

Grace and Peace,Kim

Sharing Christ’s warm transforming love with our community, our state, our nation, and our world

A Message from Pastor Kim

Mission Team that went to Bahamas Methodist Habitat in front of St Michael’s UMC in Nassau, our host on Sat night

Events LinkWed PM Lenten Evening Study 7-8:30pm: Feb 25 – April 1. Upper RoomNext Free Community Meal: Feb 27th 5:30-6:30pm Vergennes UCC Church, speak to Chris Steadman.Mission Trip Report: Sun, March 1st during worshipWildberries Soup Lunch: Sun, March 1st during coffee hour. Accepting donations towards their mission work.Next Teen Girl Class: During worship March 8th and 22nd. Talk to Nancy McIntyreUM Girl Scout Sunday: Sun, March 8th We invite all Girl Scouts to greet, and wear their uniforms.Intergenerational Winter Carnival: Sun, March 15th after church 11am – 1pmWed AM Bible study: 10-11:30am. The prayers of Jesus.AA Women only group: Meets every Sunday 6-7pm. Upper Room.

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NEW: Ferrisburgh Town Meeting Day Service: On Sat, Feb 28th in partnership with Vergennes UMC, we have a good team of folks offering snack food and hot drinks before and after the Ferrisburgh Town Meeting at Ferrisburgh Central School. We will offer coffee and tea, bagels and cream cheese, and homemade baked goods before and after the meeting. Any profits will benefit the youth that work or bake for going to Covenant Hills or on a Mission trip.NEW: Foundations Program: We are one of twelve churches in the New England Conference invited to participate in a special program called Foundations. Pastor Kim and four lay persons chosen from our church will be attending five training sessions that look at strengthening local churches. Talk to Pastor Kim if curious about this program.NEW: Update on UMARMY: This will be at St. Albans, VT. We now have 12 youth 8th-12th grade, 1 college sophomore, and one youth ministry seminarian – Ali Elwell (daughter of Bill Elwell pastor at Bristol and Monkton) going along with 5 adults. We go July 5-11.Intergenerational Winter Carnival: Sunday March 15th, after worship:11am---1pm Sign up to help on the list on side table Fellowship Hall, or speak to Mary Lou Payne, Jen Stoneking or Diane Shortsleeve. We will have Chili for Charity Contest. Vote for your Favorite Chili with a canned good for Vergennes Food Shelf; Snowman building contest (or woman or creature); Indoor Bingo (free) and bean bag toss. Invite a Friend! 2015 Youth Events

1. Sunday March 15 participate in the Intergenerational Winter Carnival.2. April Bowling event after worship. Cost $5 per person. Stay tuned for the actual date. Pizza at the bowling alley. Friends welcome. Register with Pastor Kim. All youth need to have a current year long permission slip on file at church to go.

Summer Youth Worker: Our 2015 budget has money for a part-time summer youth worker to work with our adult team that plans and implements events for youth. If you know someone with an interest in this ministry please let Pastor Kim know.Dave Ramsey Financial Peace Class: Chris Steadman and Laurie Curler will again be presenting this class, starting on March 5th and going for 9 weeks. Previous NFUMC participants have retired $80,000 worth of debt. This is an awesome class for anyone who wants to be more on top of their finances. Speak to Chris or Laurie for more info.

Lenten Evening Study: Pastor Kim will lead an 6 week evening study on “Growing as a Christian.” We will look at basic Christian practices like prayer, Bible Study etc. No matter where you are in your walk as a disciple (not sure, beginner, trying for years) you will find this study meaningful! Starting Wed, Feb. 25th 7-8:30pm running through Wed, April 1st. Lent has traditionally been a time for study and growth in our faith. Speak to Pastor Kim if interested. We have 15 people signed up already.Many Thanks to: Peter Curler who put rollers on the new coffee stand in Fellowship Hall and made it safe for use. Bobby Curler who checked on the parsonage during the recent Mission trip. Ray Vincent for preaching, and all who helped lead worship while Pastor Kim gone. Clare Conner for leading mid-week Bible study. Margaret Roddy for helping Middlebury Foods.

NEWS ITEMS

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On March 1st during worship service, hear from Peter Curler, Darcy and Karina Tarte, Pastor Kim and Ted about their service with Methodist Habitat Bahamas. Tom and Sharon Rees (Matt Becker’s grandparents) also went, but are in Ohio. We had a fantastic time. One owner will no longer live in his car (as he has for the past seven years) when the roof we started gets completed! Another home will house a large extended family whose mother and 13 year old son have serious health issues. The island people have far less material things than we do, but they are rich in joy, enthusiasm, faith, and community.

Darcy and Karina painting fascia board. See additional photos on next page.

Lift up: Ann Griswold starting cancer treatment in March. Sharon Nolas, Genevieve Potter’s mom, also starting cancer treatment this month. Cheryl DeVos post surgery for her thyroid.Sue and Robie Stoner’s friend in serious ski accident—in rehab and has a great attitude. Jeff Siewert’s friend fighting cancer. Nancy Gomez’s cousin. Our shut ins. Carolyn Bever, violin teacher, awaiting decisions on surgery and radiation. She will not need chemo.Peace in Ukraine and Middle East. Rejoice: Janet Harvey is home and recovering really well. They thank everyone for the cards and prayers and feel her recovery is a miracle. Ken Theobald is recovering well after gall bladder surgery last week.

Congrats to: Clare Conner who successfully completed her PHD in nursing end of Feb.Daniel Emmell, Megan McIntyre and Sofie Wolak on the Mt Abe HS honor roll. Katie Curler who raised $325 in the Penguin plunge for Special Olympics. Local Service: Youth and adults serving refreshments for Ferrisburgh Town Meeting. They were so thrilled to have us.Christmas Shop Thank-you: Our church was mentioned in an article on the HOPE Christmas shop. HOPE (Helping Overcome Poverty’s Effects) is host of the Christmas shop to which we traditionally donate towels decorated by our Wildberries. They report: “Thank you for your donations. The 2014 shop was a success. The shop ran Nov. 17—Dec. 24th. It served 679 children from 313 Addison County households.” We were one of three churches contributing gifts to HOPE’s Christmas shop. Most of the other contributors were service clubs, and businesses.

PRAYER REQUESTS AND OTHER ITEMS TO LIFT UP

MISSION TRIP REPORT ON MARCH 1ST DURING WORSHIP

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BAHAMAS METHODIST HABITAT MISSION TRIP – ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Karina playing with a 2 yr old boy at a work site.

The roofing site on Monday. The owner has lived in derelict cars (current one at left) for seven years.

The roof was framed by Wednesday, and a temporary tarp placed just before the rain that day. The owner –3rd from left – with the work team (including Peter, Ted and Tom) said things were a “100 % better” after placing the tarp. He was there helping out all the time we were there.

Pastor Kim with a nail gun at the second work site.

The work team at this site, including Kim, Sharon, Darcy and Karina did all the framing of walls that you can see, as well as some roof work. This is a house for a family of 13+ who have health challenges.

Celebrating Peter’s birthday in the community room at BMH with our new friends from Georgia and the Bahamas.

NFUMC NEWSLETTER! FEBRUARY 24, 2015

Important Information“Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.”

John WesleyOn the entrance sign to Camp Symonette, Eleuthera, Bahamas where the mission team stayed.

North Ferrisburgh United Methodist Church

P.O. Box 7

North Ferrisburgh, VT 05473

This SundayMarch 1st

Next Sunday March 8th

Coffee Hour:

Liturgist

Greeters:

Nursery: Chris Steadman Chris Steadman

If you can volunteer for an open spot email Christine Steadman cas_5476@yahoo.com or call the church office at 425 2770. Contact her if you would like to be placed on the email prayer list where we send out prayer requests as they occur.