January  2004

The Pastor's Column
by Rodney Newman

As we make the turn into a new year, we pause to give thanks to God for the blessings our church enjoyed in 2003. At our recent Charge Conference, Dennis Moore, lay leader of our congregation, reported on some of the highlights of the year.

Ministry and Mission

• Saw major initiatives in our mission work:

• Started a Whiz Kids afterschool reading program in conjunction with Mayflower Congregational Church. Several of our members are serving as tutors, administrators, and Bible study leaders. This works with children from a neighborhood school, Putnam Heights Elementary.

•  Six members of an eleven-person team to Ghana were from Crown Heights. This included the team leader, Evelyn Phyffer.

• Sponsored a day mission trip to the Kiowa UMC at Mt. Scott.

• Had a dozen people participate in Project Transformation at Wesley UMC.

• Doubled the amount of cans received, to over 1300, in the October Food for Skyline drive.

• Continued support of the Angel Tree at Christmas.

• Started the Crown Heights Café on Wednesday nights in September. We serve between 30-50 people each week.

• Began Disciple Bible Study with 13 participants.

• Began a music program for young teens and a Bible study for young adults on Wednesday nights.

• Continued our fine music program with cantatas during Lent and Advent and other special musicians throughout the year. This included July revival, a celebration of John Wesley’s 300th birthday, and a gospel music Sunday.

• Encouraged fellowship through sports teams and meals such as Souper Sunday and an ice cream social in honor of our musicians.

• Dr. Phil Fenn presented the Holland Lectures on the faith of Abraham Lincoln.

• ·     Continued our August lecture series with the theme of Crossing Borders.

• ·     Continued our van ministry and Mobile Meals.

• ·     Began planning for our 75th anniversary in June 2004.

• The United Methodist Women continued their ministry through such means as hosting Tom Campbell, Director of the Circle of Care, a Spring Luncheon, the Pumpkin Patch, and supporting a variety of mission causes and scholarships.

Children and Youth

• The youth participated in a ski trip to New Mexico and Youth 2003 in Knoxville.

• The children and youth continue to be involved in our worship, serving as liturgists, acolytes, and singing and playing musical instruments.

• Continued the summer programs of a music camp and Vacation Bible School.

• Continued coordinating the children’s program through the Children’s Council and programs such as the Advent Festival and Egg Hunt.

• Bought new tables and chairs for the children’s area with money from the Dinstbir Endowment.

Numerical Growth

• Worship attendance continued to increase, up 5% over last year.

• We received 24 new members, 7 by profession of faith and baptized 10 persons.

• Financial contributions to the budget rose almost 9% and our pledge campaign for 2004 saw an increase of 10% over 2003.

Administration

• Welcomed five new persons on staff: Stacy Gilbert, Administrative Assistant; Mary Altizer, Director of Children’s ministries; Coy Remer, Director of Youth ministries; Alyssa Lane, Children’s Choir Director; and Fa’Trina Fields, Nursery Assistant.

• Welcomed Veronica Chavez, OCU student and intern with the Lydia Patterson Institute lay ministry program.

• Upgraded our audio system in the sanctuary through gifts from the Dinstbir Endowment and memorial funds.

• The Trustees oversaw major work removing trees endangering the church property and replacing some outside doors.

Seeing the last year of ministry at one time can be rather breathtaking. It points to the commitment of many people to sharing their faith and the love of God with others. And these items only document the ministry we can measure; we also celebrate the acts of kindness and mercy and care shown by all of you each day. I pray that God’s blessings will continue with this congregation as we go into the new year.

Chairperson Admin. Council           Dennis Moore

Lay Leader                                   Evelyn Phyffer

Lay Member Annual Conf.              Bob Anthony

Alternate Member                         John Amick

Council Secretary                          Michael Qualls

Staff-Parish Relations                    Bruce Pitts

Finance Committee                       Colleen Bicket

Church Treasurer                         Jack Thompson

Education Committee                    Ann Newman

Fellowship Committee                   Sally Hayes

Worship Committee                      Elizabeth Anthony

Care Committee                           Melissa Milburn

Mission Committee                       Janet Kingsolver

Welcoming Committee                  Andy Noble

UMW President                             Charlene Jones

Historical Committee                     Willis Wheat

Youth Fellowship President            Jack Funk

MEMORIAL FUND

In memory of Bill Peavler

Ronnie & Dorothy Hammond

In memory of Marjory Saied

Leenda Farha

Ronnie & Dorothy Hammond

This Month In Worship

In January we will explore events in the early life of Jesus. We begin by watching Jesus turn water into wine at a wedding party then go back to consider his baptism as told by Luke and look at the meaning of this sacrament today. We then hear him define what he came here to do and see the icy reception in his hometown that follows this announcement.                                                                            Reverend Newman

 Sermon Titles & Texts

Jan 4      The Life of the Party   

                 John 2:1-11

                 Epiphany of our Lord

Jan 11    The High Cost of Baptism     

                 Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

                 Baptism of Jesus

Jan 18    An Ambitious Agenda

                 Luke 4:14-21

                 Second Sunday After the Epiphany

Jan 25    God on a Bus

                 Luke 4:21-30

                 Third Sunday After the Epiphany

Music Ministry

by George Massey

Christmas Musical Celebrations  A very special thanks to the Chancel Choir, Orchestra, Handbells and combined Children's Choirs for your inspirational contributions to our Christmas Musical presentations last month. We do appreciate the many hours you all contribute to the Music Ministry of Crown Heights and look forward to 2004!!

Rehearsal Weather Alerts:   If any rehearsals are cancelled due to inclement whether, please call the church during business hours at 524-8428 or George at home 524-9318, there will be a message on his home answering system.

Transitions

Deaths

Jewell Biggs passed away on November 28, 2003.

Births

Ryan Michael, 8 lbs 8 oz, 22”, born December 4 to Michela & Michael Pojezny.

Mission News

Thanks For Your Gifts

Thanks to our Crown Heights UMC family, about 150 gifts were bought, wrapped, and delivered to Skyline for families to have at Christmas. Each child received at least 3 gifts of toys and clothes. 

The Whiz Kids, their families and tutors, were treated to a wonderful dinner for Christmas on December 18. About 100 people ate, sang, opened gifts, and generally had a great time. Edna Niles, Dorothy Hammond, and Jennette Posey prepared the meal and Fellowship Hall for the dinner with help from Holly Qualls and the Genesis class providing some of the food. The Whiz Kids give a great big THANK YOU to all who helped. 

Mission Trip to Africa Being Planned

 Plans are underway for another trip to the refugee camp in Ghana, Africa for next August. Evelyn Phyffer will be the team leader again for the trip. If you have ever thought about being a part of a mission trip this may be your time. Contact Evelyn for the details.

Saturday Nite Life Dinner In January

The Discovery Class will prepare the meal for 150 people at the Saturday Nite Live service at Skyline 8th Street Church on January 31. If you would like to be a part of this venture thru a donation or your presence, contact Delene Moore.

Need a Lift to Church?

Want to Help in the Van Ministry?

If you need transportation to our 11:00 worship service, call Greg Jorgensen, director of our van ministry. Also, if you could help drive the van on Sundays or on Saturdays for the ministry with the Mentally Challenged adults give Greg a call as well.

Crown Heights Café

Calling All Cooks

The Café is going strong after our first four months. We've had an average of 40 people each Wednesday night. A special thanks goes to all those volunteers who have cooked and helped out with set-up and clean-up! Without your help we couldn't keep going.

We are setting the schedule for the next four months and still need cooks and helpers. If you are interested in helping please contact the church at 524-8428 or Ann Newman. Thanks to everyone for your support.

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