August Newsletter
From the Pastor
Greetings and Salutations, etc. This has been a summer of changes for the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church and for our district.
We recently got the news that our new Bishop is the Rev. Cynthia Harvey, a fairly young woman (compared to most bishops) of Hispanic descent. I am excited about her appointment to our conference, and I look forward to meeting her and working with her.
Our new District Superintendent is the Rev. Hadley Edwards. Rev. Edwards has been pastor of Bethany UMC in New Orleans for 15 years, and has done a wonderful job there, and will do a great job as our D.S. Your pastor is on the Superintendency Committee, which is the district version of the Church Staff/Parish Relations Committee. We met with Rev. Edwards on July 24 for about 2 1/2 hours, getting to know one another and to hear his hopes and his plan for ministry in the District. There will be an installation service on September 14th at Lawless Chapel at Dillard University. More on that later, but mark your calendars!
This will be a year of major work for your pastor. I'm on this district committee, and I (along with some of the members of the church) will be participating in a visioning lab workshop. You may need to give me some real latitude about being in the office during the week this year, but I think the work will greatly benefit our church, and, ultimately, the Kingdom of God.
My goal for us this year is to be more visible in Community Outreach, to be more invitational to others whom we meet, and to get some Church outside of the walls of our Sanctuary. Be watching for those opportunities. In order for any of this to happen, WE NEED YOU! It is the responsibility of all of us to carry the Gospel to this community - not just me and not just the Ad. Council, etc. All of us!
So, put on your walking shoes, sailing hats, seat belt, parachutes, WHATEVER YOU PUT ON FOR WORK! Let's get busy and be light and salt to a lost world!
By the way, in case you didn't notice, I'm back for another year.
Deep Peace of the Running Waves to you.
Rev. Regina
Treasurer’s Report
For the month ending June 30, 2012: June 2012 is 50.0 percent of the way through the budget year. We have received 42.0% of our anticipated income for the year (the previous 5 year average by this date is 44.1%). We have expended 48.3.6% of our anticipated expenses for the year. We have spent $12,263 in excess of income as of June 2012.
First United Methodist Church of LaPlace
Administrative Council Minutes
22nd July 2012
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Harry Glidden. Rev. Regina Hickman opened with prayer. The Christ Candle was lit by Chairman Glidden to remind us of God’s presence in all that we do. Mrs. Debbie Upton gave a devotion based on Deuteronomy 33:27, Leaning on the Everlasting Arms. The hymn of the same title was sung. Members present included Colin Bailey, Brenda Brauner, Byron Breard, Kay McKey, Michael Ringuette and Debbie Upton.
With the spelling correction of LYMO instead of LIMO, Mrs. Upton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Byron Breard, to approve the minutes of the last meeting. The motion passed.
Mr. Breard gave the Financial Report which included the Finance Committee report as well. He reported that the insurance company is requiring us to carry $30,000 of flood insurance on the shed. Long-time members of the group explained to Mr. Breard that the shed was not built as part of the church loan and was built at a later date as well. Mr. Breard is planning on contacting the mortgage company to discuss this issue and the possibility of refinancing our loan. Mrs. Upton made a motion to accept the Financial Report, seconded by Mrs. Brenda Brauner. The motion passed.
Mr. Michael Ringuette, Trustee Chairman, reported that there were things that he would like to do for building improvement, but his main goal is to keep up with maintenance issues. August 7th was set as a Trustee meeting date.
Dr. Colin Bailey reported that these had been no SPR activity, but there would be something later in the year.
Rev. Hickman reported that the Missions Committee is gathering school supplies for both Kid’s Hope and the Methodist Children’s Home. One specific need is for scientific calculators which can be quite expensive. Several people mentioned ads that they had seen as sources of inexpensive versions of these calculators.
Mrs. Brauner reported that the Worship Committee had had a banner workshop the week before and had completed one more of the “Names of God” banner series.
Mrs. Upton reported that she will be taking Youth members to both LYMO and Weekend of the Cross in the upcoming weeks. The Youth have also prepared a Youth Service to be presented.
Rev. Hickman brought up the fact that our church needs to do some kind of project to be a force within the community, whether it is a Pumpkin Patch, working with the Lutheran Church on their Trunk or Treat, or some other type of project. Because of her strong commitment to this, she is going to personally head a Christmas Living Nativity. She already has a commitment from the Rising Star Baptist Church for their choir to participate. The tentative date is the weekend of December 14th. Mr. Breard made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Upton, for the church to sponsor this event. The motion passed.
Rev. Hickman also explained that the church has been invited to participate in the New Orleans District co::Lab Vision Incubator Workshop. Rev. Hickman knows the pastor that is heading this workshop and feels that is different from previous attempts because there are actual measurement parameters and someone to guide the group through the process. The purpose is to help our church make a greater impact for God and a greater presence in our community. Former DS Rev. Dr. R.L. Bethley had committed $300 to each church that wanted to participate to help defray the cost. Mr. Breard made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Upton, to participate in the workshop series. The motion passed. Mr. Breard, Mr. Glidden, Dr. Bailey, and Mrs. Upton all volunteered to be part of the committee.
Rev. Hickman reported that there will be a District-wide service to welcome the new DS Rev. Hadley Edwards. Rev. Hickman is on the planning committee for that service. There should be an announcement as to in the next few days of who the new Bishop will be.
Rev. Hickman thanked the members of the Council for their service to the church.
Ways to help invite people in the community to our church were discussed. The idea of a generic business card that church members could give out was discussed and Rev. Hickman will look into getting some made.
The idea of holding community wide Parenting Workshops at the beginning of the upcoming school year was brought up. It may be done in conjunction with Second Sunday Supper, but will be open to the public. Something similar to the soup/sandwich meals we do at Advent and Christmas would be served.
Mrs. Sharon Black has volunteered to do the devotional for the next meeting.
Mrs. Upton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Breard, to adjourn. The motion passed.
Mr. Ringuette closed with prayer.
Kay D. McKey
Recording Secretary
