Grand Valley United Methodist Church
June 2026 Newsletter
In this newsletter:
1. From the Pastor
2. Mission Minute
3. Fun Father’s Day Facts
4. Birthdays
5. Calendar
6. Group Details
7. Church Reports
8. Just for Fun
From the Pastor….
Now that we are entering the summer months and the rush of the school year is over, slow down and enjoy summertime. 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. It’s not too late to plan a vacation or an outing. It doesn’t have to be weeklong; a few days will do wonders for you and your relationship with your family. Do what it takes to recharge your 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.
Shalom,
Michael
Mission Minute
It’s that time of the year! On a beautiful morning, Thursday May 21st, we had a group of green thumbs getting the garden planted! Thank you to all who helped with this task. Now, we await the bounty!
Fun Father’s Day Facts
from the Saturday Evening Post
* European Catholics celebrated a version of Father’s Day as early as the 1500’s
* Sonora Smart Dodd, who, alongside five brothers, was raised by a single dad, realized during a Mother’s Day church service that fathers should have a day too. She approached the Spokane Ministerial Association to launch a recognition of fathers across the country.
* Dodd worked to promote Father’s Day around the country. She found a powerful ally in an appropriate group: the New York Associated Men’s Wear Retailers. What, you think the ties came out of nowhere?
* Father’s Day wasn’t officially fixed as the third Sunday in June until 1966.
Bert Botkin has invited everyone to a picnic on July 12th at her home. If you would like to go, please contact Bert directly for more information.
June Birthdays
7 – Brenda Braspenninx
20 – Susan Stoakes
21 – Tom Meader & Carol Morton
26 – Penelope Olson
28 – Beanie Branaman & June Zacharias
Our Seekers Class(Adult Sunday School) meets every Sunday morning at 8:30. We invite all to attend.
Our Tuesday Bible Study is taking a summer break. They will start up again in September. Enjoy your summer!
Choir and bells are on summer hiatus – they will start up again in September. 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 brought to order at 2:02 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12th by President Ron Olson. Rev. Michael Ingersoll led us in prayer. Those in attendance were Michael Ingersoll, Michelle Foster, Ron Olson, Dan Temple, John Chapman and Penelope Olson
The minutes of the previous meeting were accepted as corrected.
Treasurer – April was basically a break-even month. The Church regained the fair market value on its long-term investments.
Finance – Audit is done. The Alpine CD was allowed to roll over for another five months.
Music – Bells are playing on the 24th and the choir is singing on the 31st.
Mission and Outreach – Garden is going well. Compost will be added. There will be a BBQ after the service on Father’s Day.
Trustees – Lawn care is the only thing going on right now. Watering is restricted to Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday for the Faith House and Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday for the Church.
Worship – Bert Botkin has invited us to join her for worship outside on July 12th. Worship will provide ice cream for Father’s Day.
Pastor’s Report – We are on our regular schedule through July.
Old Business – The Council decided that all members will be included in the directory even if we do not have a picture.
New Business – none
The meeting was adjourned at 2:23.
Respectfully Submitted,
Penelope Olson, Acting Secretary
Treasurer
April was a Good Month
April was a good month for the Church. Because of your support, expenses only exceeded income by $620. This makes it a basically a break-even month. For the first four months, the Church has had excess income of $9,400. Part of this has to do to the additional royalty income received due to a lawsuit, but the majority of it comes from your generosity.
After losing more than $7,000 in value last month, the Church’s long-term investment increased in value by $10,400. You probably noted this type of gain in your own investments. Through April 30th, the return on this investment has been 4.29%. Historically, this fund earned 14.65% last year and over the three-year horizon, it has earned 13.99%. This does, of course, include the change in market value, not just the income earned.
Thank you for your continuing support of GVUMC. It is much appreciated.
Lexophila – Although not in the dictionary, it is reported that “Lexophile” describes a person who loves sentences such as, “You can tune a piano but you can’t tuna fish,” and, “To write with a broken pencil is pointless.” An annual competition is held by the New York Times to see who can create the best original lexophile. Here are some of those submissions:
> Police were summoned to a day care center where a three-year-old was resisting a rest.
> A bicycle can’t stand alone; it’s just two tired.
> The guy who fell onto an upholstery machine last week is now fully recovered.
> He had a photographic memory but it was never fully developed.
> When she saw her first strands of gray hair she thought she’d dye.
> Acupuncture is a jab well done. That’s the point of it.
> I didn’t like my beard at first. Then it grew on me.
> Did you hear about the crossed-eyed teacher who lost her job because she couldn’t control her pupils?
> When you get a bladder infection, urine trouble.
> When chemists die, they barium.
> I stayed up all night to see where the sun went, then it dawned on me.
> I’m reading a book about anti-gravity. I just can’t put it down.
I hope these put a smile on your face!
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