From the Corner Study - a Monthly Letter by the Rev. Jonathan D. Hutchison
Dear Members and Friends,
One of several concerns that arose when a group of forty three church members spent two days with our consultant, Steve McSwain, from Cargill Associates, was the issue of lay and clergy leadership. It is apparent that many believe decisions in the church are all made by a small group of folks who never seem to change.
Just a reminder that each year at church conference, all church members have the right and privilege of voting for a slate of lay leadership folks that is developed by the Lay Leadership Committee. That committee is currently in the process of gathering names for consideration for this year's meeting. The members of that committee are: Terry Dunning, Richard Long, Mark Johnson, Glenn Lambert, Kathy McGinley, Jane Duffy, Sue Broxham, and Carol Phillips. By the Book of Discipline, I am the chair of that committee.
I am certain that any member of that committee would be happy to hear the names of folks who would be willing to serve in a leadership role in the church. Criteria for selection to a leadership committee would be someone who attends Sunday worship on a regular basis and is an example to the church of supporting the ministries of this church with their prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness.
Committee members are needed for both the required and recommended ministry groups. Once again the required committees are Lay Leadership and Development Committee, SPRC, Trustees and Finance. The recommended committees are the ministry committees of the Nurture, Outreach, and Witness programs that were outlined at the all church meeting held after worship in September.
Further, and in response to many comments I have heard, I will be recommending to the Church Council a change in the general lay leadership structure at First UMC. As a UMC, we have to have an "administrative council" of some sort. Ours is currently the Church Council. They have been seen by many as the "decision-making" group in this church. Many folks who want to be involved in ministry do not want to sit in meetings discussing the use of the resources our church makes available for the work of the church. Many want "to do stuff' rather than to hear reports concerning meetings that have already been held.
In response to those folks who want to "do stuff", I am taking the following proposal to the Church Council for their approval. Based on what many of the Church Council members heard in October while attending the Cargill Workshop, I can't imagine that they would not agree to this simple proposal.
My proposal is this: the Church Council, as required by the Book of Discipline, "shall provide for planning and implementing a program of nurture, outreach, witness and resources in the local church." (para 252.1). What has been lacking in the leadership loop is direction and context for the Church Council from those who are active, passionate, and called to specific ministries. To that end, I am proposing a "Council on Ministries" to operate in partnership with the Church Council. The Council on Ministries will be comprised of the folks who want to "do stuff' with Nurture, Outreach, and Witness ministries. As they develop a ministry and find they have needs of the church's resources, they will take their requests for resources to the Church Council, who will make resources available to those ministries as required by the Book of Discipline.
To facilitate an orderly period of planning and implementing, the Church Council will convene a yearly meeting each Fall, well before budget time, to meet with representatives of all the church's ministries to understand what each ministry needs to do its work in the new year. At that time, ministries can also be evaluated to make sure that the church's resources are being used to transform the world or to make disciples of Jesus Christ, our church's mission.
The Council on Ministries will elect a chairperson to serve up to a three year term as the chair of the Council on Ministries but also as Vice-chair of the Church Council. That way, the chairperson can represent and advocate for the ministries of First UMC.
Briefly, the Council on Ministries "does stuff." As new ministries develop, the Council on Ministries coordinates and facilitates the work of those ministry activities. Through the chair of the Council on Ministries, who sits on the Church Council, all ministries will be represented and have an advocate for the use of church resources in doing ministry. The Council on Ministries will coordinate all program ministry while the Church Council will administer the resources of the church.
The benefit of this reorganization is that folks who want to "do stuff" are free to do so under the coordination of their own council. They don't have to sit through "administrative" meetings but are free to meet on their own schedule to plan and execute their passionate service. The ministry folks will have an active and accountable advocate sitting as the vice chairperson of the Church Council to ensure that church resources are used efficiently for ministries of Nurture, Outreach, and Witness.
Some folks want to do ministry, some want to administer the church. Now, under this structure, both can do what they desire to do and the church is well served by folks responding and leading from the strength of their God-given gifts. More folks can do ministry and lead the way to serve our risen Savior.
By the way, all meetings of the present Church Council are open to all members. All church members have "voice" at those meetings. All members vote yearly for their lay leaders at the Church Conference. This year the Church Conference will be December 17, 2009, 6:45 p.m. for SPRC and 7:30 p.m. for the entire church.
I am listening.
Rev. Jon Hutchison
NEWS FROM THE YOUTH
The "Holy Grounds" November 13th from 7 to 9. Oh what if I'm late? Late?! It's a coffee house; you can come for the whole time or just stop by for a cuppa and a piece and be on your way. But I'm sooo tired after a long work week! What better way to relax than in the nice coffee house setting sippin' a hot cider. Do ya have any thing to eat there besides sweets? We have our now famous Holy Grounds hot dogs. So now you can have dinner and desert!
The November Holy Grounds on November 13th from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. will feature the music of OMG. If you can't get enough of their music, come to the PPC service on the 22nd. If you can't get enough of the coffee and tea, we are selling bags of it on Sunday mornings in the Narthex. Just look for our display or ask one of the youth.
Lock-in is set for November 20th at 7 p.m. We will go laser taggin' it, then back to the church for more fun and excitement. There will be a curfew and pick up time is at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday.
Childcare is back On November 27th the youth will provide childcare so parents can go out and start their Christmas shopping without the little ones hanging around. Not that that's not a beautiful experience but let's be real: how much can you really get done? 10 a.m. till 3 p.m. We will serve lunch and if you want to just go out and see a movie it's all the same.
Everyone who seeks to know Jesus, or perhaps to know him on a different level, will find common cause in this group of friends in the faith. We will attempt to show through our actions and deeds to others what it's like to call one's self a Christian. Why is life so hard sometimes? We don't know. But together we will build each other up and with Gods
guidance and direction we will succeed.
| Our November Schedule | ||
| Date | Event | Comment |
| November 1st | No regular youth group meeting | |
| November 8th | Regular youth group meeting | Lunch: Hicks |
| November 13th | Holy Grounds Coffee House | 7 to 9 p.m. |
| November 15th | No regular youth group meeting | |
| November 20th | Lock - in | |
| November 22nd | OMG practice and PPC | |
| November 27th | Child Care | 10 to 3 |
| November 29th | No regular youth group meeting | |
TREASURER'S CORNER
The summer months always bring slower cash flow and our 3rdd quarter financials. We are facing our third annual deficit year in a row so we need to find a way to grow our pledges to continue to provide the ministries of this Church.
Rob Kramer, Church Treasurer
THANKSGIVING APPEAL
Starting November 1 and continuing through November 22 there will be a Thanksgiving envelope inserted in your bulletin. This will replace our usual First Sunday Appeal envelope and also the envelope that comes with your Thanksgiving letter. This year we will not be sending out that letter. Would you consider supporting the ministries of your church with a special "Giving of Thanks?"
UMW MEETING
The United Methodist Women will meet November 7th from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Rogers Hall. There will be a devotional reading in addition to the luncheon.
Guy's, Join Us for "Fight Club"
The "Guy's Stuff" group is inviting all the men in the Church to view and discuss the cult movie classic "Fight Club" with us, this coming Saturday, Nov. 14 starting at 7:00 pm. Please bring a snack to share. This will be a fun and insightful evening. Please join us!
HANGING OF THE GREENS POTLUCK AND WORSHIP
The Family Ministries Team of First United Methodist Church of Elgin is sponsoring a Hanging of the Greens Potluck and Worship Service on Sunday, November 22, during both worship services. Following the 11:30 a.m. Prayer and Praise Celebration worship service, we will share together in a potluck followed by further decorating of the church. Those attending the potluck are please asked to bring either a main entree, salad, vegetable, or dessert to share, as well as their own table service. Beverages will be provided. All the necessary decorations will be provided for decorating. Plan now to attend the November 22 Hanging of the Greens event!
FOOD BAGS FOR THOSE IN NEED
Food bags will be handed out on November 1 and November 8 to be filled and returned to church on November 15. A list of items of food, hygiene items and paper goods that are needed is listed on the bag - along with other instructions. Thank you for helping those in need.
| Christian Education Schedule November 2009 |
|---|
INFANT NURSERY 8:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Care Provider: Heather Reinheimer CHILDREN'S FAITH ACTIVITIES 9:00 a.m. * TODDLERS THROUGH FOUR-YEAR-OLDS- Two-Year-Old Room, Main Floor, West Wing Themes: "It Is Good to Give Thanks: Noah Gives Thanks, Miriam Gives Thanks, One Leper Gives Thanks, A Dance of Thanks, Zechariah and Elizabeth Give Thanks" * KINDERGARTNERS THROUGH SECOND GRADERS- Kindergarten Room, Main Floor, West Wing Themes: "It Is Good to Give Thanks: Noah Gives Thanks, Miriam Gives Thanks, One Leper Gives Thanks, A Dance of Thanks, Zechariah and Elizabeth Give Thanks" CHILDREN'S CLASSES 10:30 a.m. * TODDLERS, TWO-, AND THREE-YEAR-OLDS- Two-Year-Old Room, Main Floor, West Wing Themes: "David Praises God" Teachers: Cindy Blazier and Kathy McGinley * FOUR-YEAR-OLDS THROUGH KINDERGARTNERS- Kindergarten Room, Main Floor, West Wing Themes: "God Forms a People: In the Wilderness, The Ten Commandments, Building the Tabernacle, The Battle of Jericho, A Child Will Be Born" Teachers: Aimee Gerschefski * FIRST THROUGH THIRD GRADERS- Third-Fourth Grade Room, Upstairs, West Wing Themes: "Out of Egypt" Shepherd: Rebecca Robery Workshop/Leader: Art/Ken Walker, Science/David Brown, Cookery/Emily Wood * FOURTH THROUGH SIXTH GRADERS Fifth-Sixth Grade Room, Upstairs, West Wing Themes: "Out of Egypt" Workshop/Leader: Art/Ken Walker, Science/David Brown, Cookery/Emily Wood YOUTH CLASSES 10:30 a.m. * JUNIOR HIGH- Junior High Room, Upstairs, West Wing Theme: "Claim the Life: Faith: Body of Christ, Sacraments, Saints, Kingdom, Neighbor" Teachers: Jill Johnston and Cathy Jostes * SENIOR HIGH- Senior High Room, Upstairs, East Wing Theme: "Claim the Life: Call: Perfection, Tithe, Trust, Integrity, Countercultural" Teacher: Keith Duncan ADULT CLASSES 10:30 a.m. * ADULT CONFIRMATION- The Chapel, Main Floor, East Wing Never had a Confirmation class? Need a refresher course? Come to this nine-session class and move through a faster-paced Confirmation program for adults. Facilitated by Mona Walker. * BIBLE STUDY- The Conference Room, Main Floor, East Wing This class studies each book of the Bible in-depth. The current study is the Book of Psalms. Facilitated by Jeff Small. * SECOND SUNDAY BOOK CLUB- The Youth/Adult Library, Upstairs, West Wing The November 8th discussion book is Starburst, by Robin Pilcher. Participants are please asked to secure their own copy of the book. Facilitated by Jean Stowell. |