Grand Valley United Methodist Church
April 2026 Newsletter
Sunday, April 5
In this newsletter:
1. From the Pastor
2. Maundy Thursday Service
3. Mission Minute
4. Birthdays
5. Calendar
6. Group Details
7. Church Reports
8. Just for Fun
From the Pastor….
During Lent I like to reread Hope for The Flowers a story by Trina Paulus. In the story, Stripe discovers a pillar of caterpillars. Thus, to figure out what this caterpillar pillar is all about he starts climbing, hoping to find the answer at the top. On the way to the top of the caterpillar pillar Stripe and Yellow meet. They decide to quit the caterpillar race to the top, because they feel there is more to life then climbing a caterpillar pillar. However, Stripe is eventually drawn back to the climb to the top. Stripe makes it to the top and finds nothing. All he can see are other caterpillar pillars, but there is something else there. It is a beautiful yellow flying creature that seems to know him. After finding nothing at the top and feeling there is more to life than climbing, he starts down. On the way down he begins to tell other caterpillars that there is nothing at the top and there is more to life than climbing. This news makes a lot of the other caterpillars angry. Some are even scared, saying even if it’s true don’t say it, but most don’t believe. After reaching the bottom the beautiful yellow flying creature leads Stripe to a cocoon and he begins to understand.
In the end Stripe and Yellow give into the powerful desire to become more then they are. A powerful metamorphosis takes place and they become beautiful creatures with special gifts.
Most of us can make the symbolic jump of the caterpillars representing our lives. Life, school, work and family are very important but there lies deep within all of us a desire for something more. Easter is about finding that something more. The something more is God’s gift of forgiveness and hope through Jesus Christ. This is the good news, the message of the Christian community that we are a forgiven people. Our hope is in God who can do all things, even raising someone from the dead. Through the power of God and our faith a metamorphosis or transformation takes place. We are changed into new beings called the Children of God.
Maundy Thursday/Holy Thursday Worship Service
We will be holding a Maundy Thursday Worship Service at 5:00 on Thursday, April 2nd. Please join us.
Holy Thursday is the commemoration of the Last Supper of Jesus Christ, when he established the sacrament of Holy Communion prior to his arrest and crucifixion. It also commemorates His institution of the priesthood. The holy day falls on the Thursday before Easter and is part of Holy Week.
Mission Minute
Please join us for an Easter meal immediately following the Easter Sunday Service. Turkey and potatoes will be provided – please bring a side or dessert to share! All are welcome.
April 19 is our next Special GIving Sunday – Native American Ministries.
Native American Ministries Sunday is one of six churchwide Special Sundays designated to support ministries and causes important to the entire United Methodist Church. On this day, we come together to honor and support Indigenous peoples and communities. It’s a day to recognize the rich gifts, cultures, and contributions of Native Americans to both society and the Church.
Special Sundays give us a chance to focus our prayers and support on important ministries all year long—uniting our gifts to multiply our impact. Your generosity strengthens Native leadership and sustains ministry across the connection. Funds are distributed in three key ways:
• Annual Conference Ministries (50%)
Half of the funds collected remain in your annual conference to support local Native American ministries through the work of the Committee on Native American Ministries (CONAM).
• Scholarships (25%)
A quarter of the money funds scholarships for Native American students pursuing ordained or licensed ministry at approved theological schools.
• Programs (25%)
The remaining funds support programs that develop new Native ministries, including mentoring, economic empowerment, and leadership development initiatives.
Please consider supporting this mission. There will be a special giving envelope in the bulletin on that morning. Please be sure to write “Native American Ministries” on the memo line of your check.
April Birthdays
9 – Cindi Smith
12 – Cindy Day
30 – Ken Carlson
Our Seekers Class(Adult Sunday School) meets every Sunday morning at 8:30. We invite all to attend.
Our Tuesday Bible Study group meets at 10:30 a.m. every Tuesday and are studying 1, 2, & 3 John and Job.
Choir meets at 4:00 Wednesday afternoons and bells meet when necessary. 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: office@grandvalleyumc.com
Prayer Partners meet the 1st and 3rd Thursdays at 10:30 at Mesa Vista. If you have anyone that you would like to add to the Prayer Partner list, please contact the office.
Church Council Report
Ron Olson called the meeting together. Those present were: Ron Olson, Penelope Olson, John Chapman, Michelle Foster, Al Reuter, Len Allen and Lee Allen. Penelope led a prayer.
John moved the minutes of the last meeting be approved. Al seconded. The motion carried.
Treasurer: Penelope reported that we had a good month. $1,500 will to out in April for the Mefors’ personal expenses.
Finance: Michelle reported that Dennis Means will be a member of the committee. Brenda Locker will help with the audit.
Mission: The committee hopes to raise $3,000 for the Heifer program. $750 has been sent to the Mefors to help with the repair of the chicken coops.
Music: The Bells will be sent out in June to be refurbished. Penelope has sent the 50% down payment. The total cost is $4,040.
Trustees: John has an application for the tax exemption to be filled out. We purchased a new washer and dryer for the parsonage. We need to clean out the garden and yard supplies.
Memorials: Al and John installed two memorial stones for Bonnie Gana and Phil Gibson.
Worship: Michelle will talk to Michael to finalize the Easter plans, and about doing something special on Palm Sunday or Maundy Thursday.
Old Business: The directories will come out later this spring.
As there was no further business to come before the council, John moved the meeting be adjourned. Al seconded. The motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Lee Allen
Treasurer
So Far, So Good
February ended up being a good month with a surplus of income of approximately $2,250. I say approximately, because the investment income was not available when I did the financial statements. This number includes a calculated estimate for that investment income. Although income was below budget, expenses were kept low. For the first two months, the Church has excess income of about $6,800. For the first two months, we had anticipated excess income of $4,150, so it is looking good for the start of the year.
As always, the financial statements are available on the bulletin board outside the fellowship hall. If you have any questions about them, please free to contact me by catching me at Church, calling 231-383-0488, or by email at olsonpr75@gmail.com.
Penelope Olson
The Easter Bunny predates Christianity and comes from Germany
The Easter Bunny’s story dates back to pre-Christian Germany, where rabbits and eggs were symbols of fertility and new life, reflecting the themes of spring and resurrection.
The Easter Bunny represents fertility and renewal, symbolizing the rebirth associated with both spring and the Easter celebration.
When Christianity spread across Europe, these pagan traditions were adapted into the Easter celebration. The bunny, embodying fertility and renewal, enhances the Christian observance of Jesus’s resurrection. This fusion of traditions led to the legend of the Easter Bunny hiding brightly colored eggs for well-behaved children in woven treat containers.
Today, just like Santa Claus at Christmas, the Easter Bunny is central to Easter in countries like the United States, Germany and the UK. However, various cultures honor different animals during this festive time:
• In Switzerland, Easter eggs are delivered by an Easter cuckoo.
• In Australia, the Easter Bilby replaces the Easter Bunny to help raise awareness about endangered species.
• Even in Germany, where the Easter Bunny is common, certain parts of Germany have traditions involving the Easter Fox or Rooster.
Church Contact Information
PO Box 125
Parachute CO 81635
(970)285-9892
office@grandvalleyumc.com
www.GrandValleyUMC.com
OFFICE HOURS:
Wednesday – Friday
9:00 – noon