Grand Valley United Methodist Church
October 2024 Newsletter
In this newsletter:
1. From the Pastor
2. Church Conference Coming
3. Joe Cason Memorial Service
4. Birthdays
5. Calendar
6. Group Details
7. Church Reports
8. Just for Fun
From the Pastor….
With today’s political election in full swing it is easy to begin putting people into one camp or another. We want to know which candidate you are going to vote for or which proposal you are for or against. We seek this information so we can be around like-minded people and feel comfortable. Our society is fixed on being comfortable and in agreement. That is not going to happen, especially in the United Methodist Church we agree to disagree. Luther wrote, “Every ‘man’ must do ‘his’ own believing and ‘his’ own dying.” Within our own tradition John Wesley was in wholehearted agreement with Luther’s statement. So if we do not all agree on an issue then what holds us together? What holds us together is our love and like values.
A good example is a marriage. A married couple does not always agree on how to discipline their children, which TV shows to watch, politics, and the list is endless. Needless to say a couple can have some intense discussions over some of these issues. What keeps them together is the fact that they respect one another and listen to each other. Couples, also, carry certain dreams like: they want their children to succeed in life, they want to stay healthy and enjoy life, they want deep and lasting friendships, etc. What makes the relationship challenging is when one’s spouse is brutally honest with them especially when they don’t want to hear what he or she is saying. In those moments the relationship is challenged. Will they listen and respond with respect or will they run? One choice will strengthen the marriage, the other will not.
The same is true in the church. People of the church share common values; “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27. The Church also shares common dreams: to have a strong Sunday school, to fill the sanctuary with people who are seeking God, to have a strong church family who cares about each other and will help each other when they’re in need, etc. However, we don’t always agree on how to get there. This is where the challenge comes in; will we stay and discuss or will we run? Spiritual growth comes when we are willing to wrestle with disagreement. There is no spiritual growth when everyone agrees. Hence, whether you are in the political arena, with family, friends, or with church members stay with the process.
Remember, when a disaster strikes you don’t ask are you a Republican, a Democrat, a Catholic, or Methodist? You ask how can I help? At that moment you are concerned for the person, not who’s right or wrong. Jesus didn’t’ say, “Agree with one another as I have agreed with you,” rather, he said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34
Mark Your Calendars!
Our Annual Church Conference is coming!! Mark your calendars for Thursday, November 7 at 3:00. We hope to have a good turnout.
Forms will be coming soon to those who need to fill them out. As soon as Karen gets them she will get them to the appropriate people. They will need to be turned in to Karen no later than Thursday, October 31 (Trick or Treat!).
There is now a date set for a Memorial Service for Joe Cason.
It will be here, at GVUMC, on Saturday, October 19th at 10:00.
Please come and join in remembering a loved man!
October Birthdays:
3 – Dennis Caputo
10 – Mary Jane Wahlman
12 – Allison Kohn
13 – Jane Chapman
16 – Lee Wegner
19 – Michelle Foster & Howie Orona
21 – Gwenevive Fowler & Nancy Slocum
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 one of our Bible studies. We will finish the study on the Beatitudes on October 1st, and then take a hiatus until the new year when we will start a new study – The Lord’s Prayer. All are welcome.
Join us for Bible Study every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. or at 5:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We hope you can join us.
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 September 10. Those is attendance were: Ron Olson, Penelope Olson, Mary Jane Wahlman, Michelle Foster, John Chapman, Michael Ingersoll, Bert Botkin, Dan Temple and Lee Allen. Pastor Michael led us in prayer.
Michelle moved the minutes of the last meeting be approved, John seconded. The motion carried.
Treasurer: THE BUDGET ITEMS NEED TO BE TURNED IN THIS MONTH TO PENELOPE. Otherwise, she will determine your budget.
Mission: No report.
Music: Ron reported the Bells are beginning practice.
Trustees: John reported a plumber was called to work on the urinal in the men’s bathroom. A valve was repaired. The water pump was also fixed while the plumber was working. (Approximately 3 hrs.).
Worship: Michelle reported the schedule for the end of the year and into the coming year has been fixed. The Charge Conference will be November 7th at 3 P.M.
SPRC: Dan has a form to get in by November 13th regarding the continuance of Michael’s contract. Michael says we are a “great church”.
Christian Education: Bert reported Sunday School has begun.
Pastor’s Report: Michael will be gone January 8th through February 14th of next year. He is also hoping to go to Ireland and Scotland in May 2025. He will be gone for Thanksgiving but will preach the 5th Sunday to make up for being away at that time.
Old Business: Penelope is going to speak to the congregation about the proposed directory. We need to get more people involved.
New Business: During the Worship Committee meeting Steve Shaw asked about a memorial stone to be purchased for Joe Cason. Penelope said the problem with the stones at this time is finding stones. The company we were getting them from doesn’t have them any longer. We want to ask the Pentecostal Church to do something about the empty plastic water bottles left in the front hall.
There being no further business to come before the council, Dan moved and John seconded we be adjourned. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Lee Allen, Secretary
Treasurer
WE’RE STILL GOOD
Although the revenues for August weren’t as high as anticipated, and did not cover all the expenses for the month, the Church is still in a good position eight months into the year. For the eight months, revenues are in excess of expenses by almost $4,900. In addition, our investments have increased by $11,000, which is considered revenue for us, though we are not realizing it because Council does not plan on selling the investments at this time.
The shoes have been paid for and there is seed money left for next year for shoes. There is also seed money for Grand Valley Givers since the $1,558 made at the Grand Valley Day is designated for Grand Valley Givers. This money was transferred into the Grand Valley Givers account during August.
Nothing really exciting, financially at least, happened during August. So not a lot to say.
As always, you all have my grateful thanks for continuing to support, not only the operations of GVUMC, but the special projects. The statements are available on the bulletin board outside the fellowship hall. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Penelope Olson
Treasurer
A couple is at a costume shop trying to decide what to wear to a Halloween party. The husband is very frugal and every time the wife picks one out, it’s too expensive.
Frustrated, the wife says, “Maybe I’ll just go as Lady Godiva.”
The husband replies, “Don’t be silly. Do you know what it costs to rent a horse these days?”
Church Contact Information
PO Box 125
Parachute CO 81635
(970)285-9892
[email protected]
www.GrandValleyUMC.com
OFFICE HOURS:
Wednesday – Friday
9:00 – noon