Enough - 2009 Stewardship Campaign
by Rev. Robin Roderick

Sometimes when we think of stewardship in the church, it’s negatively perceived as “begging” the congregation for money. Sometimes it is seen as a business matter — raising or pledging a budget. Sometimes we get it right.

We get it right when we teach on principles of the faith that lead to gratitude, extravagant generosity, faithfulness and freedom. One church is doing their 2009 Stewardship Campaign on "After the Fire." It is a cautionary tale that once we come through the fire of this current economic malaise that we will try to go back to life as it was-often a life of excess, a life of unfaithful stewardship.

As part of this, they interviewed two economic professors at a secular school of management. Each said what we need is the values and teachings the church used to give us--about greed, lust, gluttony, pride, jealousy, etc.

We have been lifting these principles up already. This fall our Enough Stewardship teaching is a whole life faithfulness journey--ways to live a godly life with our 'stuff'. It will work toward funding ministries etc. with the pledge drive, but more importantly it will remind us again of God's plan for our lives--not just our stuff.

Winter Clothing for Homeless

Winter is fast approaching and the need for warm clothing for those who come to FUMC’s Showers of Blessing is growing. Some of the items needed are winter jackets (M-LG-XL), bed rolls/sleeping blankets, backpacks, men’s work boot style shoes ( sizes 81/2 – 12), men’s jeans (waist 32-38 with lengths of 32 - 34), ladies socks and underwear (sizes M-L), men’s (M- L-XL) and women’s (M-L) sweatshirt/pant sets.

All used clothing donated should be clean and in good condition. If cash is donated, please indicate on the donation envelope that the proceeds are for Showers of Blessing. Clothing donated should also be designated for Showers of Blessing.

Every week this ministry is providing service to an average of sixteen people. FUMC is a place where these folks not only get the opportunity to shower, but to find a few hours of fellowship with those who donate their time and energy each week showing God’s love to those who most often feel unloved. Thank you all for your continued support this ministry.

Flu Shots

FUMC will be giving flu shots through the Visiting Nurses Assn., here at the church on Sunday, Oct. 25 from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. in the choir annex room. Peggy Booker will be the nurse directing the program. Other nurses will be available to help with signups. In order to more quickly accommodate those wishing to get a shot that day, and to help avoid lines, you will be able to sign up in the Atrium between services on Oct. 11, and 18th.

Because of the paperwork that is necessary, approximately 20 shots will be given per hour. You must have all of your insurance cards with you, or no shot can be given. Medicare Part B and Medicare HMO’s and PPO’s cover the cost of the shots. Other insurances, though not all, also are covered.

You may pay by cash or check if your insurance doesn’t cover shots. The cost is $30.00. You will receive a receipt that can be sent to your own insurance co. for payment if yours is not covered by VNA. Walk-ins are welcome, but will be accommodated so as to not interfere with appointment times of others.

Also, please understand that we CANNOT do everyone’s shots between services. We are here for three hours, and many have to be given during Sunday School and church services. There is an early service available when no shots will be given, if you wish to have your morning worship uninterrupted.

Cemetery Maintenance Volunteers

Many of our members may not realize that we have a cemetery on Boonslick Road a short distance from the traffic circle adjacent to First Capitol Drive. This cemetery was established by a German Methodist Episcopal Congregation in the 19th century and many of the old tombstones have German inscriptions.

Following dissolution of this congregation in the 1950’s, responsibility for management of the cemetery and a fund to help maintain it were transferred to our congregation. Several members of our congregation have since been interred in this cemetery including former Pastor Paul Metcalf and his wife Daleva. The current wooden signpost refers to it as United Methodist (Wesleyan) Cemetery.

The cost for maintenance of the cemetery has been supported largely by the income from the special cemetery portion of the endowment fund which has a balance of approximately $32,000, supplemented by the modest income from the sale of cemetery lots. For many years, Ray Carlson has provided administrative oversight and countless hours of labor for the operation of the cemetery. The Trustees are most appreciative of Ray’s long-standing efforts. If you are interested in purchasing cemetery lots, please contact Ray directly or call Mike Waller, Office Manager.

For the past two years a modest amount of money has been dedicated by Trustees in their annual capitol improvement budget to support efforts by a dedicated group of volunteers who have worked diligently to improve the appearance of the cemetery.

This enthusiastic group, led by Les Peters and including Bob Nygaard, Bob Koetter, Doug Kinslow, Larry Spencer, Jerry Jones, Gary Bickel and Bill Hagen has done an outstanding job of sprucing up the cemetery. The Trustees are grateful for these efforts and the crew could probably make very good use of additional help.

Spiritual Assessment

Thank you, everyone, for your willingness to participate in the Personal Spiritual Assessment which was distributed during the church services on September 27. We are busy tabulating the responses and will be sharing the results with you soon. While we are certainly interested in the collective response, our main hope is that the assessment will serve as a tool to help each person move forward in their own personal faith journey.