Welcome to First United Methodist Church
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors

June Newsletter

 
 
 
The Faith Journal 
 
June 2010
 
From the Desk of Pastor Ted
 
   My plan was to have this newsletter in your hands by June 01 but, the plans of both mice and men often go astray.
   I received a couple of request to wait so that some information could be added. I also waited until my return from the Ok Annual Conference in the event some important events would come up that I believe you would be like to learning about. Some of the information is in the newsletter.
    The decision has been made, by me, that this will be the last newsletter until the end of September. That is the reason you will find enclosed  calendars for June, July, August, and September. They include all the important information concerning the church and members for these months.
   I made the decision for two (2) reasons. One, during the Summer except for the Men’s Breakfast, none of the three (3) Women’s group meet, the Ecumenical Youth Group does not meet and many of the other activities in the church slow down. Second, with so little going on it makes it vey difficult to fill a newsletter. So why spend $120.00 to send out three letters that only included a calendar and a bunch of unimportant fill. That is not being a good steward of the money you tithe.
   There are also additional ways that we keep in touch. I put out a Monday Memo every week that includes the week’s events. I send out emails for prayer request and meeting when requested. If you have an email address and want on my list send me an email to revpawumc@sbcglobal.net
The web site at pawhuskafumc.com is up dated almost daily. There are over 500 visit to it each month, so someone is visiting. Also every week the bulletin has at least a month in advance of events.
 
The Day of Pentecost 2010
 
As Peter added 3,000 people to the church about 2,000 years ago First United Methodist Church added five members to Christ’s Church and to PFUMC roles on this year’s day Pentecost       
 
   These new members were from the 2010 Confirmation Class. These students started their journey toward membership on February 04 with a set up meeting with Pastor Ted the students, parents, and a grandparent. Pastor Ted went thought the process he was going to follow and handed out copies of Claim the Name Talking Points for Parents & Youth. He ask that the parents and grandparent use these book to help the students learn about their religious history and faith journey.
     On Sunday, February 14, copies of The Wesley Study Bible NRSV, were presented to each of the students. Pastor Ted had requested that instead of waiting until Confirmation Sunday to present the students with a Bible from the church, they be given before, so everyone was using the same Bible. Each of the Bibles had the students name in gold printed on the cover. These are not children’s Bibles, they are adult Bibles which include commentaries and core beliefs of John Wesley. 
    The thirteen week school began on Wednesday, February 18 at 3:45 p.m. and class lasted one hour. During the first class each of the students was instructed to chose someone they would like to have as a mentor, ask that person if they would be their mentor and report back the next week. Pastor Ted provided each of the mentors the Claim the name TalkPoints for Mentors and Youth. They were asked to spend as much time together, as they felt comfortable, discussing  the subjects in the book.
    The following are the students and their mentors:
Tucker Helmer – Terry Thorne,  
Matthew McBride – Justin McBride,                        
Kyle Sisco – Ron Reed,
Haley Mouser – Dana Thorne,
Emily Wahpekeche -Debbie Reed                                                                      
     Terry & Dana Thorne taught their Sunday School class and coordinated their teaching with what they were learning in class. Some of the studies included: The history of religion, history of the Methodist Movement, and history of PFUMC. The students finished with a binder with over an inch of papers, filled-in study book, and five small books.
   May 23 was a special day for the students, their families, and the church. The service began with the mentors introducing the students to the congregation. Then after the reaffirmation of their Baptism vows, each student knelt at the alter and Pastor Ted, family members, friends and mentor laid their hands on them and they were confirmed and brought into membership. A reception honoring the new members was hosted by Pastor Ted, Jane and Tara following the worship service
 
Bartlesville District Superintendent Change              
By: The Committee on Superintendency
  
  A little over three weeks ago we celebrated Rev. Maurice Major's ministry to the Bartlesville District for the past six years. We now welcome our new Superintendent.
  At annual conference, the Bishop appointed the Reverend Dr. George T Warren as the District Superintendent of the Bartlesville District. While those at Annual Conference heard his name read among the appointments, the Superintendency Committee would request that the pastor of each church announce the news to the members of his or her congregation next Sunday
    As Dr. Warren's schedule permits, the Superintendency Committee and the District Lay Leader will be arranging a series of receptions around the District to welcome Dr. Warren in person.   
    For your assistance and the information of your congregation the following facts:  
     Dr. Warren is married to Rosilyn, and they are the parents of two sons, Allen, who lives in Dallas , and Gary who lives in Oklahoma City 
    Dr. Warren has been a member in full connection with the Conference since 1979, having served churches across the Conference, and most recently has been serving FUMC of Ada the past seven years. 
     Seeing VIM experiences as a means of energizing disciples, he has made numerous international VIM trips and has a strong commitment to mission ventures.
   His passion for campus ministry prompts his service and work with the Conference Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry, and he is ready to assist churches that wish to reach out to college students, whether they are church members or on a nearby campus.  
  Your assistance is appreciated, and your prayers are solicited for Dr. Warren and Rosilyn during this time of transition.
 
Vacation Bible School
 
    VBS is scheduled for Monday – July 26 through Friday – July 30. from 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m..
    This year the theme will be High Sea Expedition. With the emphasis on; God’s word is true, God’s word is comforting, God’s word is surprising, God’s word is life-changing, and God’s word is for everyone. Sara Pitts has been hard at work getting things organized. As has been the case in the past we will host VBS in the new Family Life Center, but the Presbyterian, First Christian, and Episcopalian churches will all be participating. Sara will be asking for help in the next months to make this year's VBS run smoothly. Please do what you can to make this happen.
 
MOTHER’S APRON
This is the UMW news. However, Clara Smith brought us such a heart touching program at our May 6th meeting that I wanted to dedicate this article to Clara and all of our mothers. She donned one of her mother’s aprons and shared a special message through scripture and a poem reminding all of us of the unbridled depth of a mother’s love. Thank you, Clara. 
On May 16th we celebrated UMW Sunday and honored our high school and college graduating seniors. Each high school senior was presented with a spiritual guidance book titled God’s Wisdom for Your Every Need and a key chain engraved with Class of 2010 on one side and with a scripture engraved on the other. I do believe we truly surprised L.C. Smith when we honored L.C. with a lapel pin for being “a friend in Christ” to so many people in Pawhuska. After the church service, UMW hosted a delicious dinner in our Velma B. Oakes Family Life Center.
    Leave space on your Christmas shopping list this year for a special “item” that will be available in the near future. UMW is in the process of ordering some extra nice Christmas tree ornaments that will feature the main church building and the Velma B. Oakes Family Life Center. Plans are to initially order 100 and sell them for $10 each. If the ornaments sell as well as we anticipate, we will need to place additional orders. Jane Hoffman is chairing this project.
    UMW has two “coveted” wood storage boxes in the church kitchen. We have used these boxes for years (no one seems to know just how many years) to store our UMW aprons, coffee urns, serving trays, and other assorted items. We approved Christy Moody’s request that we “bequeath” one of our boxes to the youth for storage of their games in the new youth recreation area located in the churches fellowship hall. We truly hope the youth rec center gets lots of use!
    During our monthly meeting in May we approved a $100 donation to the Special Olympics and we approved a monetary gift in memory of long time church member Delpha Williams. Shirley Roberts recruited several members to serve on the DHS Osage County Foster Child Fund Committee. President Viola Harris presented the Volunteer Service Award that UMW received from the DHS for our support in providing Christmas gifts for area children.
    UMW will take a summer break from our regular monthly meetings. However, we will still be around to provide assistance whenever needed. We encourage all of our women to join us when we convene on September 2nd.
High School & College Seniors
Honored by the UMW
 
2010 Pawhuska High School Graduates
    Ethan Bruce              Matthew Laake
    Ebony McBride        Briar Swan
 
Our Church Family
2010 High School Graduates
    Laramie Balzer– Cardell,
     Jesse Weyl- Dewey
    Zac Dillard-Ada    Austin Gross–Jenks
    Katie Bryan – Weatherford
    Cameron Meyer- Bartlesville
 
2010 College Graduates
Ryan Dillard – East Central College
Courtney Corley Hendren–Tri County
Spencer Harrison Reed- Oklahoma State
Jessica Swan – Bartlesville Wesleyan
 
 
 
Church Finances & Attendance
 
April 2010
Average Sunday School – 40
Average Worship – 92
Current giving - $ 9,392.62
 
May 2010
Average Sunday School – 38
Average Worship –  86
Current giving - $ 12,533.36
 
Total current giving through May 2010
$52,359.48. compared to the 2010 budget we are + $ 2,896.88
 
Family Night Dinners
 
The May family night dinner was hosted by the Oasis Women’s group. It was a pot luck dinner and was enjoyed by about 35 members and guest. There was no set program for the evening. However, no one was in a hurry to go home and great fellowship was enjoyed by all.
    The June Family night dinner was hosted by the Mission Committee and was also a fund raiser for our mission outreach to Cookson Hills which is part of our 5 Star Award. As an aside – Pastor Ted picked up our 5 Start Award for 2009 while at the Annual Conference. There are 529 churches in the Ok Conference and less that 50 churches we award the 5 Star designation. Give yourself a hand.
    Back to the dinner, Gilson & Sherry William provided the meat and buns,   Vi Harris brought the snack foods,  Linda Boone made the potato salad, and Justin and Amanda McBride made the bake beans.  Every family that attended was to bring a dessert.
     Some of the desserts were put on a table and people could buy them with a donation. The best were auctioned off by Ron Reed. Jo Johnson’s chocolate pie brought $90.00 and both of Patsy Simmons’ strawberry pies brought $100.00 each.  A total of $984.00 was raised towards the $1,608.00 needed. About 39 people attended the dinner. Next dinner is July14, host is the SPRC.
 
Mary Martha Circle
 
 The last meeting before the summer break was a extra special meeting for the Mary Martha Circle. There were 26 members and guest present in the church parlor. The hostess for the evening was Patsy Simmons and the co-hostess was Shirley Roberts.
 President Barbara McVey asked Jane Hoffman to open the meeting with a word of prayer. Christy Moody read the minutes of the April meeting and Barbara Cheves gave the Treasure's report. It was announced that the next meeting would be September 09 in the parlor. Business meeting was ended.
   The first highlight of the evening was the introduction of Ellen Weigant who present a very enlighten program on her resent trip to Africa. After her presentation she answered a number of questions from the group.
   The second highlight of the evening followed the program. Everyone was treated to a piece of Pasty Simmons world famous strawberry pie. President Mcvey asked Jane to close the meeting in prayer with special prayers for those named earlier in the evening.
 
Memorial Gifts
 
 There were no memorial gifts reported by the Memorial Committee since the last newsletter in April.
   There have been no reported deaths of members since the last newsletter
 
Ecumenical Youth Group
 
    The Ecumenical Youth Group like so many other groups in the church are now in their summer break. The last meeting of the group was in Mid-May and on that evening they celebrated their year together and the high school graduation of several of their members.
   The group made a trip to Bartlesville and enjoyed bowling, eating pizza and fellowship with other Christians youth.  
   The next meetings will start in September. The five members of our Confirmation Class will be invited to join the group. When the September meetings begin, our church will be the host church for the semester.
 
Men's Breakfast
 
   Unlike the other groups in the church the men do not take a summer vacation from their breakfast meetings. They need the early morning nourishment to be able to complete their honey-do- lists.
 The menu for the June meeting was pork steaks cooked by Dick McVey, scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy prepared by Bob Davis, Gilson Williams supervised and got everything ready.
   There were 22 men and young men present, including Howard Davis and    Gene Sells. Gilson had a short business meeting and Jim Nyhof from the Gideon's provided the devotion. The next meeting will be Saturday, July 03  at 8:30 a.m. in Oakes FLC. They will be celebrating Independence Day
 
Youth Sunday School Group
 
 In addition to preparing special Sunday School lessons for the summer months. Youth Council chairperson Gerry Craun and the other Committee members have three additional summer outings planned
   The first will take place on Sunday, June 27. Jr. and Sr. High Sunday School youth will be going to Sun-N-Fun in Ponca City. They will leave the church at 3:00 p.m. and return at 8:30 p.m.
   Second outing will be to the Reed's dock on Sunday, July 25 in the afternoon for a cookout and swimming. This will also be a kick-off party for our Sunday school youth volunteering at VBS.
    The Last outing will be Saturday, August 14, St. Yootz Day. This is a special day for Methodist youth at Frontier City, In addition to enjoying the park and rides, there is a concert in the evening with the Christian Band Leeland and others Christian entertainers.
 
Velma B. Oakes Family Life Center
 
   Since the last newsletter work to put the finishing touches on this beautiful facility continues. A sliding wood petition door has been installed in the north fellowship room to divide it in half. Exhaust hoods have been placed over the stoves. Lloyd Smith and Gilson Williams enclosed and painted this new area. Shelves have been installed in the large storage room by Dick McVey and Bob Davis. All the outside awnings are installed over the doors and windows.    
  Gilson put up two outside security lights on both the east and west outside walls. An 8' Cross and Flame has been ordered for the outside wall facing Leahy Ave. Ben West has been busy getting quotes for the projector system and video components for the stage area. These will be installed in time to be use for this year's VBS. Lettering for the outside wall saying, "Velma B. Oakes Family Life Center" have been ordered.
 
Youth Recreation Room
 
   In the last newsletter it mentioned Christy Moody request to the Trustees to turn the old fellowship hall into a youth and family recreation room. She also shared a wish list with the congregation.
 This project is well under way. The Trustees voted at their May meeting to do needed work to the old fellowship hall. As of this writing the ceiling in the large room has been removed, a new dry wall ceiling will be installed.
 
WE MADE A COMMITMENT!
Opinion by Gilson Williams
 
At the beginning of each church year many of our church members are asked to serve on the various committees in our church. We have ten standing committees that meet, plan, and conduct the business of our church. In addition, at various times other temporary committees are formed for various reasons. Our church is much like a business. In order to function properly and to be effective, the ten committees must meet and make decisions that promote the business of the church. If we as a church are to be successful, all committee volunteers must take an active part in the business of the committees and the business of the church. When we agreed to serve it should not have been a decision taken lightly or agreeing to serve just to make a committee chairman happy and become a committee member in name only.  This is too important! We continue to suffer from declining attendance and our church membership is declining because of deaths and other reasons. Only by everyone in the church membership taking an active part in the committees, making weekly attendance a priority in our lives and asking others to come to our church, can we expect to be a growing and viable church. We are poised on the brink of success. Our church is financially sound and we have leadership that is the best in Pawhuska. Let’s all make the commitment to make Pawhuska First United Methodist a place where everyone in the community wants to attend!
 
   Gilson Williams
 
   Finance Committee                            Staff Parish Relations Committee           Trustee Committee      
   Sue Swan, Chairperson                       Carl Clapp, Chairman                           Gilson Williams, Chair.   
   Nine Members                                       Nine Members                                      Nine Members
 
   Lay Leadership                                  Church Council                         Council on Children’s
   Ron Reed, Lay Leader                      Sherry Williams, Chairperson                Ministries
   Nine Members                                  Fourteen Members                               Sara Pitts, Chairperson
                                                                                                                        Six Members
 
   Council on Youth Ministries                 Worship                                               Missions
   Gerry Craun, Chairperson                  Nine Members                                     Sherry Williams, Chairperson
   Nine Members                                                                                              Eight Members
        
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    lled. The carpet will be removed and a new tile floor will be laid in the fellowship hall, kitchen and entryway.
   As for the wish list. The following items have been donated, couch, ping pong table, pool table, air hockey table, and table games. From the money donated and the educational fund the following have been purchased; Wii console, Wii games and accessories, popcorn machine, and hot dog steamer. Great work Christy!!  Donations are still being accepted.