Monthly Newsletter

St. Andrew United Methodist Church

815 Kanawha Terrace

St. Albans, WV 25177

Phone: 304-727-7114

Website: www.sasaumc.org Email: standumch@aol.com

February 2012

Church Council met on Monday, November 21. After a light supper, devotion, and worship led by Julie Janisch we began our business portion of the meeting in the library. We opened our meeting in an effort to continue our desire to search for spiritual discernment utilizing the “Guidelines for Spiritual Discernment” contained in the “Grounded in God’ resource of the same author as “Listening Hearts.” These guidelines include:

· Take time to become settled in God’s presence.

· Listen to others with your entire self.

· Do not interrupt.

· Do not formulate what you want to say while someone else is speaking.

· Speak for yourself only, expressing your own thoughts and feelings, referring to your own experiences. Avoid being hypothetical. Steer away from broad generalizations.

· Do not challenge what others say.

· Listen to the group as a whole to those who have not spoken aloud as well as to those who have.

· Generally, leave space for those who may want to speak for the first time before speaking a second time yourself.

· Hold your desires and opinions – even your conviction – lightly.

We each took a turn reading a guideline along with a short explanation of the guideline. We allowed space for contemplation after each reading. This process seemed to set the tone for a very thoughtful and productive meeting. The Council plans to continue this process in future meetings.

Several of the work areas shared a brief highlight of their previous meetings. Work area chairpersons have committed to provide periodic summaries in the newsletter shortly after their teams meet in an effort to keep the congregation informed. Joe Janisch reported the youth will lead VBS in 2012.

As always adult volunteers will be much needed. Julie reported on a task force for worship design that is meeting regularly and also reported on the development of a new visual projection system team. Dave Brucker gave a brief update of the success of our Consecration Sunday event. We were very close to meeting our goal but by his and Woody’s estimation there may be a few pledges outstanding due to some folks being away for a few weeks. Finance Team was meeting in the next couple of weeks and would make a recommendation. We would ask the congregation to use the newsletter and our website, sasaumc.org, as a communication tool.

Loretta gave a brief summary of the Ezekiel Team’s progress. The Ezekiel Team was initiated in April of last year to study the questions, “why are we here” and “what do we do now” that were introduced in the Anthony Robinson book, “Changing the Conversation.” Loretta has presented periodic updates to Church Council at previous meetings. The Ezekiel Team has been meeting monthly since May. After much group study and reflections as well as reviewing responses from the congregation this fall regarding the purpose of SAUMC, Loretta presented the purpose, “Love God and Live Like Jesus.” The purpose was well received and more to come in 2012.

Next Church Council meeting will be Monday, February 20^th , 6:00 p.m. beginning with a light supper in room 103. Council representatives are encouraged to attend.

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Jericho House has a new addition, a mom and newborn boy. She could use baby clothes, blankets, newborn and size 1 diapers, gift cards to Kroger, Wendy’s etc. She has a full-time job to return to after her maternity leave.

Jericho House always accepts furniture. A crib would be a good addition right now as would a changing table, small chest, etc. A small rocking chair for the mom’s room would be nice.

Clothes of all sizes are needed as there are two families with men and a boy who wears size XL men’s clothes. In addition, there are 4 women, 3 who wear XL and one who wears size medium. Two elementary school age girls wear size 12-14 girls clothes. Towels, twin and double bed sheets, pillows, blankets, laundry soap and fabric softener are also needed. When persons leave we try to send them a few linens, pots and utensils to get started. Any colors are fine and they can be gently used. For donations, contact Mrs. Cutlip at the Jericho House (304-727-0179) so someone can be home for drop off. The furniture can be delivered to the church annex during regular office hours.

Many thanks to all who contributed to new flooring this past year. All the lower level has either new carpet or tile and it looks great and is so easy to keep clean!

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BOY SCOUT SUNDAY
February 12

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SPRING HEIGHTS SUMMER CAMP

Here are a few of the camps available this year at Spring Heights:

Classic Spring Heights

These weeks are slammed full of all the great activities that make camp exciting! Swimming, hiking, boating, artrageous crafts, wagon rides, campfires, Bible exploration, etc.!

June 17-22 – Campers ages 7-14 $275

June 24-29 – Campers ages 7-18 $275

July 15-20 – Campers ages 7-14 $275

Fourth Fest

Choose your activities based on what you love most about camp! You pick your own menu or fun and get a custom schedule of all your favorites. Get a chance to spend time with all the different staff and get to know the whole camp through your tailor made week at camp.

July 1-6 – Campers ages 7-18 $275

Camp Outrageous

Second chance to choose your own adventure! Like Fourth Fest, this week is full of custom schedules, your own choices and outrageous surprises! You pick your activities and we set the fun meter to awesome!

July 29-Aug. 3 – Campers ages 7-18 $275

Hold Your Horses (Novice)

Saddle up your horses for a great riding adventure. Spend a portion of each day with the horses where you will walk, trot, and gallop your way through a week of learning to ride and care for your horse. This program is for new riders who want to begin their horse journey.

June 17-22 – Campers ages 8-14 $325

June 24-29 – Campers ages 8-18 $325

July 8-13 – Campers ages 12-18 $325

July 15-20 – Campers ages 8-14 $325

Jockeys (Intermediate)

Grab the reins for a great riding adventure. Spend a portion of each day with the horses where you will trot, canter, and trail ride your way through an exciting week of enhancing your riding skills. Campers will be guided through this adventure by our highly trained and experienced equestrian instructors. This program is for the more experienced rider.

June 17-22 – Campers ages 8-14 $325

June 24-29 – Campers ages 8-18 $325

July 8-13 – Campers ages 12-18 $325

July 15-20 – Campers ages 8-14 $325

Beginners

This half week adventure is just what your new camper is looking for. Three days packed full of great activities! Swimming, hiking, boating, artrageous crafts, wagon rides, campfires, Bible exploration, games, horse rides, pony painting, and much more.

Campers reside in our two lodges within their own small groups.

July 8-10 – Campers ages 5-7 $138

These are only a few of the camps they have available. You can find more information and a registration form in the church office or you can go to their website at www.springheights.org.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS

1 – Jane McCallister

2 – Larry Quillen, Imogene Clark

5 – Debbie Barthlow

6 – Christine Tucker, Aileen Phares,

Bailey Gilbert

7 – Ruth Miller, Jo Ann Keefer, Bud Thomas

8 – Betty Barna, Rhodanna Hall

9 – Dot Call

12 – Julie Janisch

13 – David Peters, Zack Roberts

14 – Graham Young

15 – Loretta Isaiah

18 – Susan Danford

19 – Jim Winter, Joe Janisch

21 – Nathan Hall

24 – Dick Stowers, Norma King

26 – Joseph Clarkson, Jessica Franklin

27 – Bev Hart

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A WEDNESDAY EVENING BIBLE STUDY

GOD’S STORY….Your Story”

God’s story, the story above all other stories, begins in a garden paradise and ends in the glory of heaven. What happens in between is captured in the pages of the Bible. As we listen and hear the story of God’s work in human history, we discover that our story is woven into the pages of Scripture.

The same God who walked with Adam and Eve wants to walk with us. The God who called the people of Israel to holiness and intimacy with Him is speaking to you and me. The Jesus who came to earth to live, die, and rise again is present right where you are present. The story of God is still being written, and we are players in the drama that is unfolding today.

God’s story is glorious, surprising, victorious, and beautiful. His story, when we really listen closely, is our story.

A SIX WEEK STUDY ON

WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY

BEGINNING FEBRUARY 8^TH – ROOM 100

LEADER: PEPPER HARRISON

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WHO WAS HE?

He failed in business - age 22

Ran for the state legislature and was

defeated – age 23

Again failed in business – age 24

Elected to legislature – age 25

Sweetheart died – age 26

Had a nervous breakdown, and his friends

feared for his sanity – age 27

Defeated for Speaker of the legislature –

age 29

Defeated for U.S. Congress – age 34

Elected to Congress – age 39

Defeated for U.S. Senate – age 46

Defeated for Vice President – age 47

Defeated for U.S. Senate – age 49

Elected President of the United States –

age 51

Who was he?

Abraham Lincoln

CHRISTMAS BASKET PROGRAM –

A HUGE SUCCESS BECAUSE OF YOU

As we begin the New Year, the Mission Outreach Team would like to extend a huge heartfelt expression of gratitude and thanks to the various Sunday School classes, men’s and women’s groups, fellowships and individuals for their contributions of food, money, and time in making 2011 Christmas Basket program a huge success.

Packing of the 55 boxes was done on Thursday, December 15^th with a huge turnout of people making it an enjoyable evening. On Saturday, December 17^th the congregation rose to the challenge and individuals with trucks went to the St. Albans Kroger and picked up turkeys, hams, eggs, milk, potatoes, onions, bread, oleo and other last minute items. Others from our congregation stayed behind to prepare coffee, tea, hot chocolate and other refreshments for the families coming to pick up their baskets. Individuals began arriving to pick up baskets about 11:30 a.m. and for over two hours a steady stream of red wagons carrying Christmas food baskets flowed from the church and filled up waiting cars. A few baskets were delivered to those without transportation and the remaining two baskets were picked up the following Wednesday.

Your participation in this annual event along with your donations of time, money, and food has made this outreach ministry a huge success.

Through this program our congregation continues to witness to the community, displaying our commitment to support our brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank you again and we look forward to making the 2012 Christmas Basket program an even bigger success.

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PATHFINDERS

The Pathfinders will meet Tuesday, February 7, 2012, 12:00 noon in Friendship Hall for their valentine lunch. Please bring a dish of meat, vegetable, salad or dessert. You are also asked to bring an unsigned valentine card that can be sent to our shut-ins.

For your entertainment, the Golden Lakettes will be dancing. Please mark your calendar and invite your friends for a fun time of good food and wonderful fellowship.

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SPAGHETTI DINNER

The women’s annual spaghetti dinner will be held Saturday, February 25^th, 6:00 p.m. in Friendship Hall. The cost is $8 for adults and $4 children 12 & under. You may purchase tickets beginning Sunday, February 5 in the overflow following the 11:00 a.m. worship service or during the week in the church office. LAST DAY TO PURCHASE TICKETS WILL BE WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22.