September 2005
The Pastor’s Column
By Rodney Newman
Let Us Pray
Our recently completed August lecture series proved a true inspiration. Each week we marveled as mission speakers told how our United Methodist missions touch lives through camping, foster care support, employment training, the list goes on.
This same Spirit is at work right here on the corner of NW 37th and Western. We’re located in a dynamic part of the city. Increased investment in both commercial and residential properties and young people moving in indicate a vital neighborhood. We’re surrounded by ethnic and economic diversity and 14,000 school age children live within at two and a half mile radius of our door. God has gifted us with great opportunities for ministry.
In a recent sermon, I mentioned the time in Matthew’s gospel when Jesus lifted his eyes upon his surroundings and saw an abundant harvest ready to gather in. I believe we also are in such a time, that God is calling us to reach out even more effectively, that our doors be thrown open even wider.
I ask you to join with me in a time of prayer that we might discern what God is calling for us to do and to be in the neighborhood in which we serve. Let’s pray for compassion and wisdom and energy to sense the needs of those around us, the movement of God’s Spirit, and how we can respond.
We may indeed develop program initiatives in the coming months but, for now, let’s quiet ourselves, listen for where God is leading us, and open ourselves to whatever God has in store.
Welcome to our new
Youth Pastor
Mike Slack
We are pleased to introduce Mike Slack as our new Director of Youth Ministries. Mike is a student and Bishop’s Scholar at Oklahoma City University seeking a degree in religion and philosophy. His future plans include attending seminary and entering the ordained ministry.
He comes to us from Faith United Methodist Church in Tulsa where he served as a youth intern this summer. He has worked in camps for children and youth, Vacation Bible School, and led Bible studies. He has a real love for missions.
Mike has already met with our youth group and is now planning events for the rest of this semester and beyond.
We appreciate Evan and Hannah Chancellor guiding our youth in the interim between directors and their continued support of this vital ministry.
Round Up Sunday
September 11
We kick off our fall programming on this special Sunday.
- Our adult Sunday School classes welcome returning and new students.
- Children’s Choir begins rehearsal at 9:30 a.m.
- The children will have a special opening ceremony at 10:00 in the Children’s Library.
- Our Chancel Choir returns in the 11:00 service.
- We dedicate our church school leaders.
- Everyone is invited to stay for a lunch at noon in the Fellowship Hall.
September Birthdays
September 01 Katie Williams
September 02 John Gabe,
Dolph Grolock, Jr.
Sandy Sanbar
September 03 George Massey,
Lisa Crowell,
Heather Jordan
September 07 Alexandra Qualls
September 09 Jeanne Mager,
Debbie Epperson,
Russell Caston
September 11 Raychel Hall
September 12 Beverly Endicott
September 13 Sue Gabe
September 16 Don Kastens
September 17 Marjory Hall,
Suzanne Anthony,
Ann DeGraffenreid,
Charlotte Peavler
September 18 William Funk, Phillip Noble,
Marsha Funk, Ken Marose,
Marcia Hall
September 20 Carol Barrymore
September 21 Steven Elliott, Linda Woolwine
September 22 Carol Weaver
September 23 Lance McLearen
September 24 Ann Trudgeon
September 25 Susie Wallace, Lynn Cohenour,
E.W. Foster
September 26 Robert Marks, Coca Zahn,
William Dunn
September 27 Mitchel Williams
September 28 Kenny Jordan
September Anniversaries
September 11 Mike and Shelly Giese
September 17 Jim and Sally Hayes
September 22 Tom and Carol Weaver
September 25 Stanley and Edye Draper, Jr.
September 27 Robert and Kay Robinson
This Month in Worship
Sermon Series on Worship
On Labor Day weekend, we look at some practical advice Paul gives the Roman church on how to live as Christians. Then on Round-Up Sunday, we begin a five-week series on the nature and purpose of worship. What are the various components of a worship service? What should I expect to receive and how should I respond? We’ll explore this funda-mental activity of the people of God even as we practice it each week.
Sermon Titles & Texts
September 4 Good for What Ails You
Romans 12:9-21
Sixteenth Sunday of Pentecost
September 11 The Gathering
Hebrews 10:19-25
Seventeenth Sunday of Pentecost
September 18 Prayer
Luke 11:1-4
Eighteenth Sunday of Pentecost
September 25 Proclaiming the Word
Romans 10:5-15
Nineteenth Sunday of Pentecost
Wedding
Stephanie Hughes-Tremper and Jeremy Gameros were married July 23, 2005 at Epworth UMC in Oklahoma City.
Memorial Gifts
In memory of Marvin Bickett
William & Phyllis Henry
In memory of Milton Freeland
Jack and Ann Thompson
Barbara Steinberg
In Our Prayers
Charlotte Trobaugh, on the death of her father, James H. Robb, July 15 in Normal, Illinois.
Robert Bickerstaff recovering from hip surgery.
Children’s Ministry
Sunday Morning Schedule
Beginning September 11
9:30-10:00 a.m. Children’s Choir Practice
10:00-10:45 a.m. Sunday School
Children’s Choir
Parents – please note the change of our rehearsals from Wednesday evenings to Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. They will meet in the Children’s Library down the hall from the nursery. Alyssa has some fun music for the children this fall and they will be highlighted in the Christmas Cantata (with orchestra). If you have any questions, please contact Alyssa or George.
Sunday School Meeting Rooms
Pre-Kindergarten Creation Room
Kindergarten-1st grade Red Room
2nd-3rd grades Yellow Room
4th-5th grades Children’s Library
Music Ministry
by George Massey
Chancel Choir
We begin choir rehearsals again on WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, at 7:00 p.m. Please try to come right at 7:00 so we can get started (lots of new music) and a fabulous cantata, Agnus Dei, by David Hamilton! You should have received your Choir Calendar for the fall with all of our important dates; please let us know if you didn't receive it. Highlight World Communion, Gospel, and Cantata Sundays.
Wednesday Night Meals
After reviewing the response to our Wednesday night meals last spring, we have decided to put this program on hiatus for now. We will continue our evaluation to see whether this might be brought back at some time in the future. If you would like for this meal to be offered or if you would be able to cook, please notify the church office so we may include this in our planning.
Births
John Adam Curran, son of Dillon and Amy, and nephew of Devin Curran, was born July 31, 2005 in Oklahoma City.
Gavyn Kenlee Giese, son of Mike and Shelly, and brother of Greyson and Gheric, was born July 26, 2005 in Oklahoma City.
Missions
Whiz Kids Returns
Tutor a Child in Reading
The Whiz Kids program begins on September 8 with tutor training at 3:00 p.m.. The children and tutors will meet for the first time on the 15th. We hope to have enough tutors this year for each 2nd grader from Putnam Heights Elementary School who are below level in reading.
To be a tutor, you need to be willing to work with one child all year, be trained in how to help them, and be available from 3-5 p.m. each Thursday. We have substitutes for when you can't make it. The actual tutoring time is about 1 hour, from 3:30-4:30. The rest of the time is spent in transporting children from school, snacks, and club time (a Bible story activity for the children, planning time for the tutors).
Statistics show that children who read below grade level in the 4th grade are more likely to be involved in the criminal system as adults than those who are reading on or above level at 4th grade. The Children’s Defense Fund recently reported that 74% of Oklahoma's 4th graders are reading below level, up 4% from the previous year. The Whiz Kids Program is addressing this need across OKC.
Call Janet Kingsolver at 524-3895 or the church office for more information on this powerful ministry at Crown Heights.
Taste of Missions Lunch
Round Up Sunday, September 11
What do black beans & rice, fish & chips, enchiladas, meatloaf, and pineapple have to do with each other? They are all dishes from places where members of Crown Heights have been in mission. Cuba, Africa, England, Russia, Mexico, and Oklahoma will all be represented at the dinner on September 11 at noon. Come prepared to eat food from around the world, and enjoy a great time of fellowship. Donations for the meal will enable even more mission involvement.
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.
Two from Crown Heights
Leave for Mission in Ghana
On Labor Day, Evelyn Phyffer is leading another Volunteers In Mission team to the Budaburum refugee camp in Ghana, Africa. Crown Heights member Taffy Fellingham will be among the team members. The team will spend 11 days working in two refugee camps. In the 3rd year of teams working in this area, they are renewing friendships and doing even more than before. They will be working in a clinic, teaching classes, and helping wherever there is a need. They ask for our continued prayers.
Crown Heights Members Help
with Back-To-School Shopping
Eleven CHUMC members gathered at the McKee Center on August 11 to assist 47+ school-aged children select new school clothes. Each child received 2 new outfits, a package each of underwear and socks, a pair of shoes (or gift card for shoes), and school supplies. It was a joy to see the face of each child light up with the prospect of having new clothes to wear on their first day of school. Thanks to the following members for their hands-on support: Charlene & Hillary Jones, Henrietta Gordon, Evelyn Phyffer, Taffy Fellingham, Bruce Pitts, Anita Roesler, Sally Hayes, Sean & Merrick Milburn, and Charlotte Trobaugh. Thanks to all others who donated new clothing items and gave monetary gifts. A check for $230 was presented to the McKee Center to replenish the stock of clothing for the "Clothes for Kids" program.
London Mission Trip Report
In early August, a Volunteers In Mission team of nine persons traveled to London, England. Four members of the team were from Crown Heights. This is the report Glen Gean, Brigette Gean, Aaron Gean, and Janet Kingsolver brought back.
We had a great trip!!! The team worked and played together so well; it was amazing. The mission of infusing the Kenton church with a passion for mission was very successful from our standpoint. The Vacation Bible School and painting went extremely well and we enjoyed outstanding conversations with the members. Several there are ready to take on missions as their priority and others are ready to follow them. We discussed the possibility of a joint mission trip with them next year and got very positive responses. The Sri Lankan congregation near the church has committed to work with the Kenton church to make sure a VBS happens again next summer.
Each day, 20-24 children attended the VBS, and several adults from the congregation helped. One woman, a new member of the church, eagerly accepted the invitation to lead the children in singing. The pastor saw the 20 children as a miracle since only one child was at church the Sunday before VBS began. The kids came from the neighborhood and three other churches in the area.
We accomplished an amazing amount of painting in a short time. About ten congregation members came to help on several of the days. One volunteer, an 80-year-old man, had never come to church before, even though his wife was very active. He came to check us out first then brought in his painter's clothes (he was a professional painter), scaffolding, and worked to get into places we could not. A blind man came to help also, which proved to be a wonderful challenge to several members of the team. Even the men's bathroom, considered hopeless by some, was successfully redone.
To relax, we toured London and Oxford and were thrilled by productions of Mary Poppins on stage along with another play at Shakespeare's Globe Theater. We ate food prepared by a gourmet cook each day, rested and chatted in an English garden with our wonderful hosts, and did some barn dancing with several from the congregation at a barbeque in our honor. It was a great experience for everyone involved.