Lakeview United Methodist Church January, 2024 Newsletter
Sharing, Praying, Caring, Staying in touch
Brian Plum, pastor
Lakeview UMC is planning to host a Spring Yard Sale again. Sometime after Easter, date to be determined, we'll host this fundraiser as a church family. We're putting together a committee of people to serve as organizers of this project. If you are interested in being on the committee, please contact Linda Ancion or Karen Kersey. We need your help! Start cleaning out and gathering together your saleable items. More details to come!
Start going through your recipes and get ready! The kitchen is close to being finished and we're about ready for our first covered dish dinner in 2024.
While visiting Nepal, prayer flags were everywhere in Kathmandu. The prayer flags there have to do with ancient Buddhist traditions. Vivika Hansen DeNegre used this as inspiration for creating the Prayer Flag Project. It is believed that the prayers on the flags are lifted to God and spread throughout the universe as they flutter in the wind. Everyone who is touched by that wind, is touched by the prayers. The wind spreads the prayers through the world, extending happiness, good will, and peace.
We are going to have a Prayer Flag workshop during the first part of Lent. Stay tuned!
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
We have had several over-the-top dedicated volunteers helping finish up the details of our new flooring project. We know you don't want to be named, but please know we see the work you are doing and appreciate so much your dedication to our church.
Be on the lookout for a Spring Cleaning Job Jar from the Trustees Committee. Sign up for a specific job and sign off on the list when it is completed. Thanks for your help!
Lakeview Administrative Council Minutes: Jan. 9, 2024 (planning session)
Opening:
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. after dinner with a prayer by Karen Kersey.
Present: Karen and Wayne Kersey, Don and Marilyn Morton, Don Griffith, Bob Carpenter, Kathi McCormick, John Humphreys, Dick and Linda Thompson, Becky Child, Pastor Brian Plum
December minutes: Motion was made to accept the minutes from the last meeting and was unanimously approved. (Kathi/Marilyn)
Finance: Don Griffith
Pledge cards + budget report: Don said 9 pledge cards have been returned (down from 14 in 2023) and passed out the budget report. Reminder to congregation during announcements forthcoming. Discussion on ways to cut back (adjustments to Upper Room, bulletins, apportionment). Finance committee to meet with Ekstroms about finance details to bridge the gap of fewer pledges.
Trustees: Dick Thompson, Don Morton, John Humphreys
Water damage update: Cleaning up loose ends after floor installation. Transition pieces in doorways being replaced on our own. Surplus remains after expenses and some supplies returned.
John fixed sink in kitchen.
Sorting and moving stuff out of the multipurpose room is ongoing.
Dick suggested a spring cleanup with a job jar and a bulletin board to show completed tasks.
Also recommended a regular walk-through of the building to avoid another disaster.
Checking on who has keys to the church and if they have the right ones.
Family ministries: Kathi McCormick
Ideas were shared for reimagined uses of the Sunday School room, choir room and nursery. Will need new signs made for the rooms. Heating is an issue if using the choir room for general meetings (time to heat vs. Sunday School room). Nancy Smith plans to return for children's church when her situation allows.
Possible events for 2024 for fellowship and to increase visibility: Sunday evenings outside on the lawn when the weather warms up (May to July) with a fire, smores, songs, activities, volleyball, fellowship, fun); craft meetings with longer term projects (eg., macrame); step-in VBS-like activities for kids who go to the bus stop (craft, story, music); prayer flags for women's group (planned for February with Karen Kersey); hiking group with Becky at City Park; make connections with families using the multipurpose room for practices; Christmas program similar to last year.
Nurture: Linda Thompson
Returning kitchen items – dishes must be washed and cabinets wiped down inside.
Covered dish dinner and pancake breakfast discussed.
Pastor/parish: Bob Carpenter
Has job descriptions drafted for children's church, janitor, music. Offered ideas for square dancing, yard sale, bingo night. Noted that a vacuum with a brush should not be used on the new floors. Guidance will be shared with the janitor and posted.
Outreach: Wayne Kersey
10 Christmas baskets were distributed this year. Plan to start earlier this year to stockpile supplies. Kid snack bags are being delivered to Lakewood on Fridays. Taking donations of food and money, and volunteers are assembling bags and delivering to the school.
Possible ideas for 2024: Join up with St. Andrew for their monthly fellowship event called The Table; collect cans of soup on Super Bowl Sunday; regularly update the church sign for visibility (Wayne has ideas); laundromat quarters ministry at newly opened facility in the Loop.
Coffee & conversation: Marilyn Morton
Fellowship to possibly resume Tuesdays at 8 a.m. Need volunteers to help.
Pastor Brian Plum:
Working on annual statistical reporting paperwork.
Pastor Brian closed the meeting with a prayer.
Minutes submitted by Becky Child.
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Feb. 11 is Super Bowl Sunday (bring cans of soup to church).
Feb. 14 is Ash Wednesday.
March 28, 29, 31: Easter services with St. Andrew UMC: Thursday, Friday, sunrise service on Sunday with covered dish breakfast (details to come).