Grand Valley United Methodist Church
November 2024 Newsletter
Be sure to turn back your clocks before bedtime on Saturday, November 2nd!
In this newsletter:
1. From the Pastor
2. Church Conference is here!
3. Thanksgiving Dinner
4. Birthdays
5. Calendar
6. Group Details
7. Church Reports
8. Just for Fun
From the Pastor….
As I was thinking and making plans for the remainder of the year my attention was drawn to one of my favorite holidays, Thanksgiving. I thought that I would find out what was on the internet about “Turkey Day”. I didn’t visit the 197,000,000 sites, a couple was all I needed. From the Wikipedia web site I copied what is below:
“In the United States, Thanksgiving or Thanksgiving Day is an annual one-day legal holiday to express graditude for the things one has at the end of the harvest season. It is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. The period from Thanksgiving Day to New Years Day is often collectively referred to as the “Holiday Season.” Thanksgiving is generally considered a secular holiday, and is not directly based in religious canon or dogma. The holiday’s origins trace to Harvest Festivals that have been celebrated in many cultures since ancient times, and most people celebrate by gathering at home with family or friends for a holiday feast. A tradition also exists to share the fruits of the harvest with those who are less fortunate.”
I would like for us to take the month of November and give thanks for the many blessings we have received. On “Turkey Day” hopefully we will be around family. Therefore, giving thanks for family only comes naturally when we are together. However, there are 29 other days of the month that we need to be mindful of all our gifts we have received. Being thankful is a spiritual discipline that helps us to become conscious of God in our lives.
I was looking through the book Gratefulness, the Heart of Prayer and came across this quote: “The receiver of the gift depends on the giver. Obviously so. But the circle of gratefulness is incomplete until the giver of the gift becomes the receiver: a receiver of thanks. When we give thanks we give something greater than the gift we received, whatever it was. The greatest gift one can give is thanksgiving. In giving gifts, we give what we can spare, but in giving thanks we give ourselves. One who says “Thank you” to another really says, “We belong together.” Giver and thanksgiver belong together. The bond that unites them frees them from alienation. Does our society suffer from so much alienation because we fail to cultivate gratefulness?”
As we walk through the month of November with a grateful heart we will become aware of the fullness of joy and fully appreciate the gifts that God has given to us.
Church Conference is Here!
Thursday, November 7 at 3:00 we will be holding our Annual Church Conference here at the church. We invite you to attend!!
JOIN US!
Please join us for our Thanksgiving Dinner here at Grand Valley United Methodist at 1:00. Bring family and friends! Turkey, gravy and mashed potatoes will be provided – we ask that you bring a side or dessert to share. We welcome all to enjoy good food and fellowship!
The week of November 25th, the office will be open 9-noon Monday-Wednesday, November 25-27 and closed on Thursday-Friday, November 28-29 in observance of Thanksgiving. The office will resume normal hours the week of December 1.
Our Annual Hanging of the Greens will take place on Saturday, November 30th. Come help make the church festive!
November Birthdays:
1 – Cathy Carlson
2 – Pam Haskell
4 – Cricket Goodsell
9 – Adelia Inman
11 – Ted Birdsill
16 – Deb Meader
21 – Jennifer Chapman-Gisner
22 – Dennis Braspenninx & Dave Penrose
27 – John Chapman
Our Seekers Class(Adult Sunday School) meets every Sunday morning at 8:30. We invite all to attend.
Tuesday Bible Study
Our Tuesday Bible Study is on hiatus until the beginning of the year. Join us then for a new study – The Lord’s Prayer.
Join us for Bible Study every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. and Wednesday at 5:30 pm 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. Those present were: Ron Olson, Penelope Olson, Bert Botkin, Michelle Foster, John Chapman, Laurel Koning, Lee Allen, and Michael Ingersoll. Michael led us in prayer.
Michelle moved the minutes of the last meeting be approved, John seconded. Motion carried.
Treasurer: Penelope reported we are doing very well. Although giving is behind, we have a surplus of $5,200.00.
Finance: Penelope reported the committee will meet before November to go over the budget.
Mission: Our garden has been a huge success and is still producing. Our irrigation system is old. We may replace some of it next year. We will begin preparations for Christmas soon. We also plan Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners at the church. The council has approved sending. $1,500.00 to our missionaries, the Mefors.
Music: The bells are practicing and the choir will begin Wednesday. The choir will sing for Joe Cason’s service on the 19th.
Trustees: John met with the insurance company people. We need to make a change in the electrical box. The elm tree at the Faith House needs to be trimmed. Penelope moved and Laurel seconded that we spend $1,200.00 to have the tree trimmed and shaped up. Motion carried. The parking stops need to be replaced. John can get rubber stops for about $50.00 each and can install them himself.
Worship: Michelle reported that Kim Whelan has asked to have her piano recital in our church again this year. A date was set for December 12, 2024. The date for the Longest Night service was set for Saturday, December 21, 2024 from 5:30 to 6:30.
SPRC: Penelope projected a 2 1/2 percent raise in salary next year.
Christian Education: Bert reported it is moving along.
Pastor: Michael will be going to Nicaragua from 1/8/2025 to 2/1/2025. He will only miss two Sundays and has arranged for the pulpit to be filled on those days. He plans to go to Ireland and Scotland next spring.
Old Business: The Resource Center is badly in need of food, especially meat and milk. The fire department will train us on the use of the AED. November 7th at 10.00 A.M. has been set, providing the fire department can do it at that time.
New Business: We need to establish rules for the use of the building. The trustees will look into this. Penelope raised the idea of installing a handicap door in the building. This will be considered.
There being no further business to come before the council at this time, Michelle moved, and John seconded the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Lee Allen, Secretary
Mission & Outreach
The Mission and Outreach committee is gearing up for the holiday season….
November
We will be collecting money for the Grand Valley Givers as we have assured them that we will cover 100 children. With that said, our financial goal for this effort is $4,000 – this would give us funds to buy two items of clothing and a toy/accessory for each child. We can do it! We always do…….
Thanksgiving is November 28th. It will be celebrated at the church at 1:00. Turkey and potatoes and gravy always are provided. Please bring a salad, side dish or desert if possible. And make sure to invite any of your neighborhood friends that have no place to go to share the holiday with.
Don’t forget to drop off any food for the Resource Center in the red basket in the hallway. We especially tag the fourth Sunday as Food for the Fourth.
December
The Longest Night Service will be held on Saturday, December 21.
The Christmas Eve service will be held on the 24th. More information will be in the December newsletter.
The Christmas Day Dinner will be held on the 25th at 1 p.m.
Wishing you a great beginning to the Holiday Season!!!
Treasurer
THE CHURCH IS STILL CRUISING ALONG WELL, FINANCIALLY
The month of September was a good month, financially. Basically, the Church broke even. That does not include the increase in market value of $2,700 on our long-term investments. For the nine months ending September 30th, there is a surplus of $5,200. This is good news as it was budgeted that the Church would have a deficit of ($6,400), a swing of $11,600. The income is $1,900 over the budgeted amount due to underbudgeting in the non-contribution income categories. Expenses are also under budget by $9,700 dollars. I thank those who need to spend money to run our programs for being so conscientious about their expenses.
Pledged giving in only behind the budgeted amount by $425. Unpledged giving is under the budgeted amount by $2,250 but loose plate is over the budgeted amount by $670. This is a total of contributions being under budget by $1,980. Of course, budgets are simply an estimated amount, targets for the Church to reach for.
The long-term investment market value has increased this year by $13,700 and stand at $146,800. This, added to the certificates of participation and CD that total $71,300, and money market balances of $13,800, shows that the Church is on solid financial grounds.
As always, if you wish see the financial statements, they are posted on the bulletin board outside the fellowship hall. And I am happy to answer any questions that you may have.
Penelope Olson
Treasurer
Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don’t know something,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.
Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge,
because it will build your strength and character.
Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you’re tired and weary,
because it means you’ve made a difference.
It’s easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who
are also thankful for the setbacks.
Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,
and they can become your blessings.
Author unknown.
Church Contact Information
PO Box 125
Parachute CO 81635
(970)285-9892
[email protected]
www.GrandValleyUMC.com
OFFICE HOURS:
Wednesday – Friday
9:00 – noon