Grand Valley United Methodist Church
September 2026 Newsletter
Monday, September 7 Tuesday, September 22
In this newsletter:
1. From the Pastor
2. Mission Minute
3. Annual Conference
4. Birthdays
5. Calendar
6. Group Details
7. Church Reports
8. Just for Fun
From the Pastor….
In 2011 I received some unwanted and unwelcome news.
“You have cancer and you need surgery to remove it,” were words I never thought I would hear. I was coming out from the unconscious state of the colonoscopy when I first heard those words. My thought was, “who is this guy? And did he say what I thought he said?” My world became filled with two feelings. The first was a surreal feeling. Is this really happening to me? Am I in a dream? Would somebody please wake me up? The second feeling came from finding that my world was out of control. I felt like I was in free fall there was nothing for me to grab onto. When I told Roxann and then called my kids, it was as if I was talking about someone else.
After the cancer was discovered, the doctor set up two appointments. The first was for a CT scan the following day on Wednesday. The second, was with a surgeon two days later on Friday. The time between hearing I had cancer, the CT scan, and the doctor’s appointment felt like everything was in slow motion. The Valley of the Shadows from the twenty-third Psalm took on a new meaning for me.
During the time between getting the CT scan and waiting to see the doctor I was able to find peace. The peace I experienced was not one that made everything disappear, but a peace that reassured me that no matter what, I would not be alone through whatever lay ahead.
Through the talent of the surgeon and the power of prayer, the surgery was a complete success. I felt the power of prayer embracing me before and after the surgery. I am so grateful that my family was with me. I would not have wanted to face the uncertainty of surgery and recovery without my family. Also, I am so grateful for all the people praying for me before, during and after surgery. It would have been much harder to go through everything without that kind of spiritual support.
Everyone needs help and support as they face overwhelming news. Family and friends are always need in those moments. We never know when we will be called to be a friend or when we might need a friend. God’s grace will always be present in those moments and that is the assurance that has been promised to us by Christ. That is the assurance that I took into my unwanted news.
Shalom,
Michael
Mission Minute
On August 7th, we held our annual shoe, sock and backpack distribution for school children. This year we gave out 85 pairs of shoes, socks and backpacks. It was a beautiful morning, and everyone was very happy with their new things! A big thank you to all who helped out – either monitarily, organizing, and/or distribution. This never could happen without you all.
Sunday, August 30th is a 5th Sunday so there will be a potluck following the worship service. Plan on staying and enjoying good food and good fellowship!
Our next Special Giving Sunday is October 4th – World Communion Day. On this Sunday, United Methodists join Christians around the world in celebrating Holy Communion, remembering that we are one in Christ, no matter our background, language, or culture.
But it’s more than just worship. It’s also a time to support scholarships and leadership training for students from underrepresented communities—helping the Church become more inclusive and better equipped to serve. Please consider a special giving on that day.
ANNUAL CHARGE CONFERENCE
Our Annual Charge Conference date has been set. We will hold it at 1:00, Wednesday, September 30th here at the church. If you submit something for the packet, please be sure that it is in Karen’s hands by Wednesday, September 16th.
We hope to see you there.
September Birthdays
3 – Rich Stoakes
4 – Carol Thulson
5 – Len Allen
17 – Karen Hamick
18 – Dennis Alvord
22 – Fred Inman
25 – Laurel Koning
28 – Lee Allen
Our Seekers Class(Adult Sunday School) meets every Sunday morning at 8:30. We invite all to attend.
Tuesday Bible study will reconvene on September 1st at 10:30. We will be covering the last two lessons on 2 Peter on the 1st and 8th. We will not meet on the 15th or 22nd , but will start a study on Faith on the 29th. If you have not been attending, but would like to come (and we would love to have you), please let Penelope know, 231-383-0488, so she may order you a book.
Choir is starting up again on Wednesday, September 9th and meets at 4:00 Wednesday afternoons – 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
The meeting was called to order on Tuesday, August 11th by the president, Ron Olson. Those present were: Ron Olson, Penelope Olson, Michael Ingersoll, Michelle Foster, Dan Temple, John Chapman, Len Allen and Lee Allen. Michael led us in prayer.
Penelope moved the minutes of the last meeting be approved. John seconded. The motion carried.
Treasurer: It was a good month.
Mission: The garden is growing. The annual shoe donation was August 7th. We will have a potluck dinner on August 30th.
Music: The bells are back from being refurbished.
Trustees: Everything is going smoothly. The dish washer in the parsonage needs replaced. John will take care of that.
Worship: There is nothing coming up.
Pastor: Everything is going well.
Old Business: The directories are out.
New Business: We have gotten a letter from the Renew America’s Non-profits with an offer to repair or replace something in our building. John is going to investigate getting some of our windows replaced with a grant from them.
There being no further business to come before the council at this time, Dan moved and John seconded the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Lee Allen, Secretary
Treasurer
Not a Lean Month
July was not one of those lean months that I keep saying is coming. Contributions totaled $10,550 for the month and, along with the interest income and parsonage rent, covered the Church’s expense with $4,100 left over! Year-to-date, contributions have been $54,650 which, along with the Church’s other income, have covered expenses plus an additional $13,900. Thank you so much for your faithfulness and watching expenses.
Your generosity does not end there. Year-to-date, you have contributed $4,680 for shoes, $980 for the capital improvement fund, $10 to the garden, and $420 to missions and outreach for a total of $6,090. Added to the contributions, that totals $60,740 towards running our Church and the missions that we have. You are a generous congregation. Thank you.
As always, the statements are available on the Fellowship Hall bulletin board and I am always glad to answer any questions you might have.
Please join me in remembering a great icon of the entertainment community. The Pillsbury Doughboy died yesterday of a yeast infection and trauma complications from repeated pokes in the belly. He was 71.
Doughboy was buried in a lightly greased coffin. Dozens of celebrities turned out to pay their respects, including Mrs. Butterworth, Hungry Jack, the California Raisins, Betty Crocker, the Hostess Twinkies and Captain Crunch. The gravesite was piled high with flours.
Aunt Jemima delivered the eulogy and lovingly described Doughboy as a man who never knew how much he was kneaded. Born and bread in Minnesota, Doughboy rose quickly in show business, but his later life was filled with turnovers. He was not considered a very smart cookie, wasting much of his dough on half-baked schemes.
Despite being a little flaky at times, he still was a crusty old man, and was considered a positive roll model for millions.
Doughboy is survived by his wife Play Dough, three children: John Dough, Jane Dough and Dosey Dough, plus they had one in the oven. He is also survived by his elderly father, Pop Tart.
The funeral was held at 3:50 for about 20 minutes.
If you smiled while reading this, please rise to the occasion and pass it on to someone having a crumby day or kneading a lift!
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