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July 2010
FAMILY CAMP!
AUGUST 6-8
ENJOY
A
FUN
FILLED
WEEKEND
WITH
YOUR
CHURCH
FAMILY
!
LAKE MICHIGAN CAMP
IN
PENTWATER
CONTACT:
OFFICE
AT
897-
5936
FOR
MORE
INFORMATION
!
Energy Bee Update
Submitted by: Marsha Wilcox
The Energy Conservation Plan group has
been busy researching practices that will save
the most energy for the least cost. Our own
Energy Guru Extraordinaire, Jim White,
says that one of the best practices is your
finger flipping off the light switch (or fan
switch) when you leave a room. Jim has
helped the Lowell Area Schools save over
$3 million, and he says they did it one
penny at a time!
The cost of energy wasn’t a problem, or a
significant part of budgeting, in the mid-
1800’s when our Big Old Building was
first built. It is a big concern today
because current resources are finite, and
energy costs will not be going down.
Our Goal is to become good stewards
of the Earth’s resources. These are
God’s gifts to us, and, as Christians,
we must use them responsibly.
For the first time, our Lowell First
Administrative Council Team has
(Continued on page 3)
COSTA RICA! WHO KNEW.
S
Y
N
C
A publication of the Lowell First United Methodist Church
SYNC
YOURSELF
NEIGHBOR
CHRIST
JULY
2010
Who knew. Who
knew that the sun
rose before 5 a.m.
or that roosters
began wake up
calls at 2 a.m..
Who knew that
Costa Rican soil is
red clay and hard
to dig by hand.
Who knew that
there are active
volcanoes and
that volcanic ash
makes for some
b l a c k s a n d
beaches. We
didn’t, but do now.
Who knew that our Elena enjoys rock-star popularity in
Carillos or that Dan loves getting a machete in his hand.
Who knew that bending reinforcing bar and binding it
together with wire twists could be fun. Who knew that
20 adult manager-types and leaders could practice
“follower-ship" so well.
Our first adult international mission team learned much.
Above all we learned that the bond of Christ supersedes
the limits of language and boundaries of nations. We
were warmly welcomed and fully embraced as we spent
10 days helping a Methodist congregation in central
Costa Rica prepare the foundation for a building which
will enable them to feed 100 children a day and will
provide a parsonage on the second floor.
Our team was able to donate a new refrigerator and a
load of gravel, as well as use of a backhoe and many
gifts, toys, and candy for the children. We gifted the
(Continued on page 4)
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July 2010
How do you know you’re part of a great
church. Some people look at the
outward signs, but vitality is better
measured by heart signs.
Look at a church that sends 20 adults on
an international mission trip, followed
closely by 18 youth and chaperones on a mission trip across
country. Look at the heartbeat of a congregation that will send
upwards of 40 children and youth to church camp. Can you feel
the strong beat of dedicated community leaders and volunteers
working ecumenically through Flat River Outreach Ministries to
grow a ministry that serves the needs of thousands in our area.
How do you recognize a strong, vibrant church. Maybe you
look for worship that employs music styles to praise God as
varied as the tastes of its worshippers, (beat, beat)... worship
where scripture is central, sermons are relevant, and tradition’s
best intertwines with contemporary ideals. That’s Lowell 1st.
Beat, beat.
Does a person know a congregation is strong, when people are
known by name and cared for lovingly. Is it where a pre-school
trains our young, scouts assist children, and educational
ministries deepen faith across the age spans. Perhaps a great
church is most accurately a church that looks beyond itself,
rather than one turned in on itself. That is how you can truly size
up a congregation.
Jesus is our example. He sought to serve more than be served, to
give more than receive, to offer himself for the benefit of
others.
So what are you doing with this great truth about Lowell 1st
UMC. Are you inviting and bringing people to worship with
you. If you know of a great restaurant, you tell others and
encourage them to go. When you see a great movie, don’t you
let friends know and encourage them to see it. When there’s a
great concert in the area, do you pick up friends and take them.
So why not with church. A relationship with Jesus Christ is the
most enduring gift you could ever be part of offering someone.
We have a great congregation! You need to tell the story. Won’t
you bring someone to worship with you this summer. Aim for
one person or family in July or August. Tell them about us.
Bring them with you. Build God’s kingdom.
With love,
SHOUT OUT. . .
by Pastor Rick
RELAY FOR LIFE!
Lowell First was well represented by our
team at the June 11 Relay for Life event
at Red Arrow Stadium!
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July 2010
Lowell First United Methodist Church
Energy Guidelines - March, 2010
The guidelines below are designed to effectively implement a campus wide energy conservation program.
Administrative Council Team approved April 20, 2010.
GOAL: Become good stewards of the Earth’s resources
LIGHTING
•
Lights should only be turned on when needed and turned off whenever a room is vacant
•
Exterior lighting will be off by 10 P.M. each night. This includes the steeple, front sign, west and
east parking lots and the canopy
HEATING AND COOLING
•
Thermostats will only be controlled by the office manager or the church custodian. In an emergency
,
a staff member or a member of the trustees may override a thermostat setting.
•
Thermostats will be covered and locked at all times.
•
Heating comfort levels will be 68 degrees during the day (occupied) and 55 degrees at night
(unoccupied).
•
Cooling comfort levels will be 74 degrees during the day (occupied) and 85 degrees at night
(unoccupied).
GENERAL
•
Donations of electronics or appliances will only be accepted for church use when approved by the
trustee chairperson (these would include used computers, refrigerators or freezers, etc).
•
All computers, media equipment and office machines will be completely shutdown and powered off
at the end of each workday. The only exceptions to this guideline will be the designated computer
and the fax machine. UL approved power strips must be used at each workstation.
•
Any new equipment purchases must meet Energy Star guidelines and contain the Energy Star label.
All purchases that use energy must be approved by the trustee chairperson.
•
Temporary use of portable electric heaters may be used only when approved by the trustee
chairperson, and if approved, may not be used with an extension cord.
•
Exterior doors should not be propped open during heating or cooling seasons.
•
Exhaust fans should be turned off at the end of each day.
•
Blinds should be lowered at the end of each day.
•
Interior fire doors must remain closed.
approved a set of common-sense Energy Guidelines
(below) so that, together, we may be effective in our
efforts to conserve energy. Copies will also be
available on the Information Table, and will go to
all groups who use the Church facilities.
During July, August, and September, you will see
our little helper, Energy Bee, buzzing around church
reminding us to think about conserving energy and
saving money. Trustees will be working with the
great ideas and suggestions from the May ‘energy-
saving brainstorming session’ to implement helpful
changes and good practices wherever feasible.
Opportunities are ahead for each of us to put forth
his or her best effort at making our Big Old
Building more energy efficient, and making
ourselves better stewards of the Earth’s resources.
(Continued from page 1)
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July 2010
UMW News
UMW News
UMW News
UMW News
Submitted by: Susan Wagner
Upcoming Circle meetings and Events
July 31 UMW Executive Meeting at 9:30am
in the Dining Room
August 19 Annual Potluck at Clark Home
11:30am
Carpool from Church at 11:00. Please
contact Susan Wagner (897-8476) if you
plan to attend.
August 7
This meeting has been changed to July
31 due to Family Camp
August 28 UMW Executive Meeting at 9:30am
in the Dining Room
School of Christian Missions
at Albion MI
Tues-Fri July 20-23, Sat. July 24 (single day)
Contact Susan Wagner if interested and for more details
Kitchen Shower: The Kitchen is in need of many items! The
listed of items needed is below, we would like the whole
congregation to read the list and then sign up to provide an
item or two.
Metal Spatulas (4)*
Paring Knives (3)*
Peeler (1)*
Dish cloths (8-10)
Dish towels (8-10)
Tea Kettle (1)
Note: The UMW may purchase a serving cart.
* These are RADA cutlery items sold by UMW
RADA Cutlery Sale
:
Just a reminder that the UMW continues
to sell good quality cutlery made in the USA at a reasonable
price. Catalog available. Contact Phyllis Bieri for more details.
Special Thanks to
all who supported the Strawberry Fest
on June 13. $272.00 was raised for UMW Mission projects.
If you would like to join the UMW, or need additional
information about our activities, please contact
Susan Wagner.
congregation with new communion
service (cup, plate and pitcher) made by a
Lowell area artist and presented the
Costa Rican bishop with a new sport
jacket. This is in addition to the $3,000
given for building materials. Your
generous support of the team made all
this possible.
Who knew that our own faith would be
deepened. Our appreciation for the
numerous “luxuries" of American
lifestyle widened. We did some
wonderful work for the Carrillos
congregation, but they touched us, and
Christ grew within us. Thanks to all who
made it possible.
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July 2010
Garden & Grounds keeping
Opportunities
Opportunities are available for willing
volunteers to help maintain our gardens
and grounds. Help weed, plant, trim, and
care for our many landscaped areas.
Donation of plants, shrubs, trees, mulch
or funds would be greatly appreciated
(you can earmark donations on your
envelope). Contact Jan Stuart with
donations or to help.
REPORT:
We have carefully and responsibly spent
all the Memorial funds generously
donated in memory of Harold
Wittenbach, for the beautification of the
church and parsonage grounds, including:
Expanded and updated sprinkler
system
Removal of the old dead lawn
New soil and new lawn in back and
sides complete fertilization program
Water sprinkler meters installed to
save money on water
Landscaping & plumbing equipment
and needs
Plants, bushes, and mulch
Tree removal
Ongoing:
(Continued on page 6)
FINANCIAL REPORT FROM ACT
DOLLARS & SENSE
Submitted by: Gordon Gould, ACT Council Chair
It’s no secret that the economy here in Michigan is less than
what it could or should be, and where you decide to point
the finger of responsibility for that is entirely up to you, of
course. A result of that tumult is being felt in non-profit
organizations and many churches, including our own. If
you’ve paid any kind of attention to the figures published in
the weekly bulletin and recent SYNC articles you’ve
noticed that our “weekly needs" far out-pace our weekly
income.
If the current trend continues we could be looking at nearly
$36,000 in shortfall by the end of the year. Finance ministry
members have combed the budget for savings and have
found some, but the major reductions are yet to come and
they likely won’t be easy.
The reasons for the shortfall are myriad and in some cases
difficult to discover. The new accounting software in use
presents us with a new, very specific look at budgeting and
reporting. Some estimates of expenses we made were low
(utilities is one), and getting used to the new process and
procedures has delayed seeing the “big picture" of our
finances until very recently.
Another area of concern to the budget is the income flow
into the church. Lowell United Methodist Church members
generally pay what they pledge. We are a faithful pledging
community. But shortfalls in other anticipated income have
had an effect on our numbers and projections. So, bottom
line, we face major budget decisions in the near future.
In an organization like ours with a major portion of its
budget in staff, the natural conclusion is to reduce the
budget there. However, each of our staff represents a
“program" of the church and should staffing cuts come,
those programs will need to continue, and that will only
happen when willing volunteers step forward.
I understand that this may sound like “doom and gloom"
and the demise of our church. I don’t think it is. We have a
very caring congregation, one that is willing to pull together
when the going gets tough. Your finance ministry, led by
chair Tim Dimmick, is diligently looking at ways to trim
expenses without “gutting" the church or its programs. They
are seeking what the “will" of the church is and what the
priorities are for living within the income
they have been entrusted with. Having
said that, however, it is also fair to say
that budget adjustments such as ones we
may need to make are never easy and
never painless.
If there are ways that you can increase
your support for the church budget,
please do so! Contact Tim or any finance
ministry member.
And stay tuned for further updates and
conversations about the state of our
churches finances.
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July 2010
MEMBERSHIP CARE HONORS:
Media/Technology Team
Next in a series of articles by Membership Care as they continue
to identify and support our many ministries and groups.
Submitted by: Ann Mulder /Photos by: Cyndie Wierzbicki
In the area of communication our world has been forever
changed by the technological advances of the past few
years. Nearly every facet of communication in our church
demonstrates these advances.
Our WEB page to which Tom Pickel devotes many hours,
Mike Oligney's generous donation of his talent in keeping
our equipment top of the line, Bill, Heidi and Pastor Rick,
the office trio, in charge of designing and installing the
information that appears on our screen each Sunday
morning.
Of course, come Sunday, someone has to sit back there and
push all the right buttons so the screen reflects the proper
events in the proper sequence. Doug Halbeisen, Matt
VandenBerg, Martin Brubaker, Bonnie Anderson, Patti
Story, Gordon Gould, Allen Stephens, Mike Ray, and Ray
Wolfe are these "behind the scene" persons.
"Tech people" we thank you for the way in which your
talents have enhanced our worship experience.
Patti Story, Mike Ray, Bonnie Anderson
Doug Halbeisen, Tom Pickel, Matt VandenBerg
Sunday school year ends
Our Sunday school classes ended the
2009-2010 Sunday school year by
dedicating a dogwood tree. The dogwood
is a traditional symbol of Lent. The
Education Team purchased the tree as
part of our Lenten celebration. The tree
will be planted on church grounds.
Children’s Church
continues through July
Lost and Found is the summer theme for
Children’s Church. Join us as we learn
bible stories of things or people who
were lost and found.
Library Closed
during June and July
The library will be closed for June and
July so that the librarians and some
volunteers can do a complete inventory.
Please be sure to turn in all books that
you have borrowed from the library so
that they can be accounted for.
Due to the economic budget restraints we
asked all our service providers to lower
their rates, plus through competitive
bidding netted a savings of $1,450.00 per
year.
Thanks to the many people who help
with these and other special projects:
The Rich Bieri family (soil); Long time
gardening volunteers: Don Silvis, Doris
Roth, Patty Story, Jan Stuart, and the
Pierson family, Carol Briggs, Tina
Cadwallader, Ann Dimmick, Tim
Dimmick, Jean & Earl Esterline, Fred
Ray, Bunny Rice, Betsy & Walt Stevens,
Denny Stuart, and Jim White.
(Continued from page 5)