Grand Valley United Methodist Church
May 2024 Newsletter
In this newsletter:
1. From the Pastor
2. VBS
3. Birthdays
4. Calendar
5. Group Details
6. Church Reports
7. Just for Fun
From the Pastor….
May is such a crazy month with the end of the school parties and going to graduations we often find ourselves going 90 miles an hour. Before we know it summer is here and we have not taken the time to plan for any get away time or even a vacation. How are you going to slow down and enjoy the summer months?
So with May upon us take time to plan your summer activities. Mark your calendars and set aside time to go fishing, camping, visiting your family, whatever will let you relax. All work and no play can make for a very long summer. It can also make fertile ground for arguments and fights. You have to be as intentional in your play as you are in your work. The time is right to plan a vacation or an outing. It doesn’t have to be a weeklong; a few days will do wonders for you and your relationship with your spouse and kids. Do what it takes to recharge you batteries. Please don’t start next fall all worn out.
Remember that church is an excellent way to get your batteries renewed. Then after church go out for a picnic at the park. Whatever you do just make sure you do something fun and relaxing. If you are on vacation take time out on your Sunday and visit a church, it is always fun to experience other churches’ worship service. May God bless your summer and I pray you start this fall renewed.
Your pastor
Michael
Hello everyone! Vacation Bible School will be here in just a few weeks – June 10-14. We still have several positions open and we need your help. So please, check the “job openings” list on the bulletin board to see if there is any position listed that tickles your fancy. If not, just ask either Dave Penrose (303-887-5432) or Bonnie Gana (720-917-4355) what else you can do to help. We need someone to be Eunice, who is Mary’s nosy next-door neighbor. (That sounds like a fun position!) Also, we need a tax collector, who wanders around reminding the folks of Nazareth that they need to pay their taxes. Lol! Another un position one of your guys might enjoy doing. Also needed is someone to be the shopkeeper for the Olive Oil Shop in the marketplace, and more.
We also need to borrow the following:
– Blankets (5) to use on the floors of the tribes’ camps. These will be returned to you.
– Old sheets to use as marketplace shop “walls”
– Wicker baskets (5) for each tribe to hold their supplies. Laundry baskets would be fine. Of course, these will be returned to you.
– Mortar & pestle for the Olive Oil Shop. Also, several old washcloths you want to get rid of.
– Baskets and/or vases to borrow for decorative purposes that fit in with that time.
There are many, many more items needed. Monetary donations would be greatly appreciated as there is a lot that we will need to purchase.
Thank you so much for your help, your contributions, and your prayers to make this year’s VBS another success!
Spring has sprung!!
(Photos taken April 18th)
May Birthdays:
4 – Judy Beasley
10 – Shawn McElroy
16 – Bob Cutting
28 – Colt Smith
Our Seekers Class(Adult Sunday School) meets every Sunday morning at 8:30. We invite all to attend.
Please join us on Tuesdays at 10:30 for our Parables of the Bible study. All are welcome.
Join us for Bible Study every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We hope you can join us.
Choir and bell practices are back! Choir meets at 4:00 on Wednesday and bells meet when needed. We are always looking for participants, so if you would like to join either of these wonderful musical groups, please contact the office at (970)285-9892 or by email: [email protected]
Prayer Partners meet the 1st and 3rd Thursdays at 10:30. If you have anyone that you would like to add to the Prayer Partner list, please contact Bert Botkin at (970)216-8682.
Our Ambassadors (Care Team) meet on the 2nd Friday at 11:00 in the Fellowship Hall.
Church Council Report
The meeting was called to order by Ron Olson on Tuesday, April 9th. Ron Olson, Penelope Olson, Shawn McElroy, John Chapman, Dan Temple, Bert Botkin, Michelle Foster, Dave Penrose and Lee Allen were present. Bert Botkin led us in prayer.
Dan Temple moved and John Chapman seconded the minutes of the last meeting be approved. Motion carried.
Treasurer: Penelope reported the transfer from the checking account to the Alpine money market account The Alpine CD matured in March and was renewed on April 2nd. $4,493 was transferred to the Alpine money market and $20K was renewed for thirteen months. The long-term investments continue to grow. All-in-all we are in good shape. The Finance Committee needs to meet to discuss 2 CD’s that are coming due in July.
Finance: The committee will meet soon.
Mission: No report.
Music: The Bells and Choir performed together Easter Sunday.
Trustees: The committee is looking into purchasing new blinds for the Fellowship Hall. Michelle reported some of the people are having trouble with reading the hymnals during church. The committee will look into putting brighter lighting in the sanctuary. Dan reminded us that it’s time for work on the lawn.
Worship: We will purchase flowers to be given to mothers on Mother’s Day.
SPRC: They will call a meeting soon.
Christian Education: Dave reported that the plans for VBS are on target. Bert reminded us Pam Haskell is teaching Sunday School.
Old Business: Penelope reported the Restoration Church webpage is down. She has updated our information on the Battlement Mesa page.
Dan motioned and John seconded the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried.
Respectively Submitted,
Lee Allen, Secretary
On Sunday, April 14th, there was a special meeting held immediately following worship. The special meeting was called to order by Ron Olson.
Dan Temple received an estimate for a sprinkler system at the Faith House. The system would be $3000. It was moved and seconded to accept the estimate. Motion passed.
The meeting was adjourned.
Respectively Submitted,
Lee Allen, Secretary
Treasurer
MONEY WISE
March was a good month for Grand Valley. Total giving exceeded budget and total income even more exceeded budget. Expenses were under budget and the Church was left with an excess of $1,000. That added to the year-to-date excess and through the first quarter, there is an excess of almost $4,600. Add on top of that the increase in our long-term investments of $6,000, we have a net income of $10,600 through the first quarter.
The Alpine CD came due March 30th, which was a Saturday. So, on April 2nd, $20,000 of the CD was rolled into a thirteen-month, 4.65% CD at Alpine Bank. The balance of the matured CD, $4,500, was transferred to the Alpine money market to have to use for operating funds. The Alpine money market also grew by $5,000 as excess funds from the checking account were transferred there during March.
The Church is financially healthy. It has $166,500 in Unrestricted Funds. In addition, the Mitzi Burkhart Fund, that the Council placed in Temporarily Restricted Assets, and has a balance of $25,700, was not restricted to its use. So, it could be used for operations if the Council deemed it necessary.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 231-383-0488, by email at [email protected], or anytime after Church. The statements will be posted on the bulletin board.
Penelope Olson
More of Why We Love Children
– While taking a routine vandalism report at a primary school, I was interrupted by a little girl about 6 years old. Looking up and down at my uniform, she asked, “Are you a cop?” “Yes” I answered and continued writing the report. “My mother said if I ever needed help, I should ask the police. Is that right?” “Yes,, that’s right,” I told her. “Well then,” she said as she extended her foot toward me, “would you please tie my shoe?”
– It was the end of the day when I parked my police van in front of the station. As I gathered my equipment, my K-9 partner, Jake, was barking, and I saw a little boy staring at me. “Is that a dog you got back there?” he asked. “It sure is” I replied. Puzzled, the boy looked at me and then towards the back of the van. Finally he said, “What’d he do?”
– While working for an organization that delivers lunches to the elderly, I used to take my 4-year-old daughter on my afternoon rounds. She was unfailingly intrigued by the various appliances of old age, particularly the canes, walkers, and wheelchairs. One day I found her staring at a pair of false teeth soaking in a glass. As I braced myself for the inevitable barrage of questions, she merely turned and whispered, “The tooth fairy will never believe this!”
We will finish these up next month
Church Contact Information
PO Box 125
Parachute CO 81635
(970)285-9892
[email protected]
www.GrandValleyUMC.com
OFFICE HOURS:
Wednesday – Friday
9:00 – noon