October 2005
The Pastor’s Column
By Rodney Newman
Coming Home
A couple of weeks ago, I conducted a three-night preaching revival at the United Methodist Church in my hometown of Coweta, southeast of Tulsa. The pastor, Allen Carson, is a friend of mine and served as my associate for a while in Purcell. He’s doing a good job leading his congregation into new areas of ministry and responding to the needs of the community.
This was also a homecoming of sorts. My high school typing teacher came one night as did some folks from the pentecostal church of my childhood on the opposite corner. Allen arranged a different musical theme for each service. On Sunday night we sang gospel favorites, Monday we worked at some contemporary selections, and the place came alive Tuesday with the local CME black choir. In fact, when they finished singing Allen stood up and said with a smile that the church across the street had called asking us to keep it down. The first time in its 102 year history that the Methodists in Coweta were louder than the pentecostals!
Signs of the kingdom of God were everywhere. I visited with a high school senior hearing the call to ministry about his plans to attend OCU next fall. Allen announced that FEMA was placing a woman dislodged by Katrina in HUD housing in Coweta and asked their church to sponsor her. The call went out to furnish basic material necessities while this woman dealt with the trauma of searching for six missing family members. The church extended incredible hospitality to me and all the visitors as we enjoyed the presence and power of God among us.
While my visit was brief, I came away with my spirit lifted, having been in the company of those who nurtured me all those years ago and who remain faithful. By our example, witness, and love we also are making similar memories for those in our care, perhaps even someone now among us who will return to praise our faithfulness as well.
Welcome to our new
Director of
Children’s Ministries
Jenifer Thompson
Beginning October 1, Jenifer Thompson joins our staff as our new Director of Children’s Ministries. Jenifer has extensive experience working with children and administering children’s programs. She has operated a daycare center in her home and is currently the Music Director at John Carroll Catholic School.
Jenifer has strong connections to the United Methodist Church including her mother-in-law, P.J. Stewart, the pastor of Disciple UMC in Catoosa. You may have already met Jenifer and her family in our worship services. We welcome Jenifer, Danny, and their boys, Trisdan (8) and Christian (5).
We appreciate the Children’s Council filling in during the interim between Children’s Directors and their continued support in this new chapter of our ministry.
Hurricane Katrina Relief
United Methodists around the world are among those responding generously to the relief efforts for those affected by Hurricane Katrina. Many are giving through the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and others are collecting supplies to distribute through this agency and Volunteers in Mission.
To date, we have received $2,977.31 at our church for this effort. Thanks to all who contributed. Should you wish to make a donation, send your checks made out to Crown Heights UMC with Katrina on the memo line.
October Birthdays
October 01 Jan Zisman
October 03 Diane Featherly, Edith Thompson
October 05 Arthemise Jackson
October 07 Scott Pitts
October 08 Ronnie Hammond
October 09 Mike Slack
October 11 Shane Jones
October 16 Cynthia Chapline
October 17 Sally Thurman
October 18 Sean Hamlin, Thomas Krone, Theresa Reiss, John Roush
October 20 Mark Bicket, Ann Newman
October 21 Zack Armstrong, Michael Brown, Donovan Cook
October 22 George McDonald
October 27 Eileen Dunn
October 29 C. Wausceile Van Hooser
October 30 Jeannie Maycumber
October Anniversaries
October 02 Glendon and Jayne Hudson
October 05 William & Carole Higgins
October 05 Scott and Amy Douglas
October 11 Willis & Libby Wheat
October 14 John and Marsha Funk
October 15 Ed and Julie Armstrong
October 18 Glen and Brigette Gean
October 22 John and Imogene Roush
October 26 Dennis and DeLene Moore
October 29 Shane and Charlene Jones
New Sunday School Class Opportunity
Our Pastor is leading a study entitled ReConnecting: A Wesleyan Guide for the Renewal of Our Congregation. We will explore our cultural context, Methodist roots, and authentic spirituality. You are invited to join this discussion at 9:45 on Sunday mornings. The group meets in the Pyramid Sunday School Class room in the Youth Activities Building.
This Month in Worship
We have been exploring the meaning of different aspects of our worship services by looking at the gathering, prayer, and proclaiming the Word. We conclude with a look at our response to the Word and the place of music. The pastor then turns to the Gospel of Matthew for sermon texts that will take us to the beginning of Advent. A highlight this month comes on October 23 when our Lay Leader, Evelyn Phyffer, leads the congregation in a celebration of the ministry of our laity.
Sermon Titles & Texts
October 2 Response to the Word
Psalm 100
Twentieth Sunday of Pentecost
October 9 Music
Ephesians 5:15-20
Twenty First Sunday of Pentecost
October 16 Those Pesky Weeds
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
Twenty Second Sunday of Pentecost
October 23 Laity Sunday
Twenty Third Sunday of Pentecost
October 30 Upon This Rock
Matthew 16:13-20
Twenty Fourth Sunday of Pentecost
Wedding
Tracy Taloff and Tice Morgan were married September 16, 2005 at Crown Heights UMC with Reverend Newman officiating. Tracy is the daughter of Carolyn Bowman and granddaughter of Billye and Del Bowman.
Children’s Ministry
Our staff in the Children’s area is now in place. We welcome Jenifer Thompson who jumps right in with our fall programming already underway. Alyssa Lane continues as our Children’s Choir Director and Nursery Coordinator. Kelly Nash is our new Nursery Assistant. Be sure to say hello and offer your support to these leaders among us.
We welcome our acolytes, new and returning, who bring in the light every Sunday. Thanks to Niki Puffinbarger for coordinating this ministry and to all the parents for their help.
Youth
by Mike Slack
Messy Games Night and Halloween Party
This Sunday night, October 2, at 4:00 p.m., the youth will be having a messy games night. Please bring a towel and an extra set of clothes. Parents or youth who want to help set up on Sunday can send and e-mail to mike@crownheightsumc.org.
This year the youth are excited to bring back to life the annual Halloween party at the Moore’s home. There will be a costume contest, games, food, and more. The party will be on Sunday, October 30, from 6-9 p.m. Please tell your friends!
Music Ministry
by George Massey
Taste of Choir
We were happy to have some interest in our Taste of Choir rehearsal in mid-September. We would be very happy to have interested singers join up for any special music Sunday such as Gospel Sunday, or especially, our Christmas Cantata. You could come for a few Wednesday evening rehearsals and feel very comfortable with the Gospel Sunday music. Even the Christmas Cantata music, Angus Dei by David Hamilton, could easily be learned in 3-4 Wednesday evenings, plus the Dress Rehearsal scheduled for December 10 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. If you would be interested, please contact George at gmassey4@cox.net or 524-9318. We will make every provision to work around your particular timing on Wednesdays (at 7:00 or 8:00 p.m.) to work on those specific selections.
Children’s Choir
Parents, your children will be singing a short selection with the Chancel Choir and Orchestra for our Christmas Cantata on Sunday, December 11. They will probably be singing two additional selections from their Christmas Pageant that will be presented the next Sunday. We will let you know of any special scheduling for this yearly presentation, but there will be no need for Saturday Dress Rehearsal.
Missions
Pumpkins Arriving Saturday
The United Methodist Women’s 8th Annual Pumpkin Patch Fundraiser will begin this Saturday, October 1 with the arrival of pumpkins, gourds and fall decor at 9:00 a.m. Please plan to help to join in the fun of unloading hundreds of pumpkins with the Crown Heights’ congregational pumpkin chain. Brunch will be provided.
Please help by volunteering to work a 4 hour shift in the patch. Look for the sign-up poster in the garden room or call Charlotte Trobaugh at 948-4061.
Skyline Cans Coming in October!
It’s almost time for our annual can food drive for Skyline. Skyline provides a daily pantry to those in need and we can help. Contributions for this effort have gone from about 600 cans in 2002, to 1260 in 2003, and 1557 in 2004. Let’s go for even more this year! What we need are cans of food items such as fruit, vegetables, meat (like spaghetti and meatballs, or tuna), pasta, whatever would satisfy you or your family if you were hungry. Peanut butter is always good. Watch for sales, combo packs, discount stores, etc. and let’s reach out in love to others.
Van Ministry
An Opportunity to Reach Out
On the second Saturday of each month from October through April, Crown Heights UMC participates in a program to pick up 5 or 6 mentally-challenged folks to take them to Westminster Presbyterian Church for a Sunday School-type class. We start at 9:00 a.m. at the church, pick up the people from their homes around the city, and drop them off at the church around 10:00 a.m. We return to pick them up at 11:15 a.m. and take each individual home. The entire trip is completed between noon and 12:30.
Two volunteers, one van driver and one person to assist getting the participants into and out of the van as required. They're friendly people that appreciate the support enabling them to experience fellowship and the Lord's word.
Pick your month, pick driver or assistant. I'd love to have your support for this wonderful cause. Call Greg Jorgensen at 840-1218 or chat with me at the church to volunteer. Thanks. In Christ, Greg
Ghana Mission Trip Report
By Taffy Fellingham
Having never been to Africa I had no expectations. There were two events that particularly touched me.
The first was a mother with a starving eight-month-old child. She was unable to nurse her baby and had very little money. I believe we were able to give her hope and let her see God's grace. She attended church for the first time on Sunday. The other was our visit to the Slave Castle.
God does work in mysterious ways so I'm not sure of the future impact on my life, but at the time it was very overwhelming.
The people I met in Africa have God in their life and rejoice in it. They continue to have hope and want their children to have an education and a better way of life.
I feel I was blessed to have had the opportunity to be a part of this mission.
Whiz Kids Update
Our Whiz Kids this year are twenty-five students from Putnam Heights Elementary. They meet with their respective tutors on Thursdays from 3 to 5 p.m. in our church. Tutors from Crown Heights are: Edie Albright, Mike Brown, Jeanene Carver, Taffy Fellingham, Greg Jorgensen, Mary Kathryn Munson, Bruce Pitts, and Paige Selby. Julie Armstrong makes snacks each week, Greg Jorgensen doubles as the Bible Club time person, and Janet Kingsolver is one of the coordinators. If you'd like to be a tutor, call Janet at 524-3895. If you can't be a tutor you can be a part of this ministry with your prayers for the children, their families, the tutors, and the time they share each week.
Taste of Missions Luncheon
The Taste of Missions luncheon on Round Up Sunday, September 11, was a success! The Missions Committee prepared food from the places we have been involved in mission for the congregation to sample. Mimi’s Café donated meat loaf and Cuban salad. Countries represented were USA, Cuba, Mexico, England, and Russia. We estimate over 100 people attended and donated almost $500 to our designated fund for mission work. Thanks to all who provided food and who made donations!
Several people signed up for the mission trip to Rio Bravo December 27-31. Contact Bruce Pitts for more information or to join the list.
Mission Trip to
Rio Bravo, Mexico
December 27, 2005 - January 1, 2006
Those who participated in the mission to Rio Bravo last Christmas break had a profound experience. For some it was reaching out to those less fortunate than ourselves, learning about and experiencing a new culture, working, playing, laughing, and worshiping with wonderful people, or just that blessing of gathering with the family at the dedication of the home we helped build and knowing that we really did make a Christian difference in the life of that family.
You’re invited to return or to come along for the first time this year. We anticipate a cost of $250 per person. For more information or to register your interest, please call the church office or the team leader, Bruce Pitts, at 843-7684.
The cost is probably going to be around the same as it was last year, $250.00, and we hope to have scholarships available. It’s time to start making plans, recruiting team members, prayer partners, financial backers, and making lists of family items we need to take with us.
The paperwork can be found under Team Forms at http://www.okumc.org/vim/Team/Team.asp so start filling them out. I’ll have hard copies with me in church.
Peace and grace, your team leader, Bruce Pitts
Don’t Miss These Special Sundays
World Communion Sunday
October 2
Laity Sunday
October 23