News & Notes 9/28/07
Dear Friends,
I was out of my office all day yesterday, and unable to write “News & Notes.” I’m hoping you’ll feel that “late is better than never!”
I know many of you have been concerned about Mike R., who suffered a brain bleed yesterday. He has given me permission to share some of the details. Apparently he has had either a brain aneurism or a bleed around a malformation related to the blood vessels in his brain. When I left him yesterday, he was deciding whether to proceed with a cerebral angiogram, which would be able to determine more accurately what had occurred, and how to treat it. I haven’t spoken with Mike or Dawne today, so don’t know what his decision was. He had lost a great deal of use of the left side of his body, but through the day yesterday, some of that was returning - particularly in his arm. He had no cognitive difficulty, nor difficulty with his speech. I thought, considering what he had experienced, that he was in great spirits. Please hold Mike, Dawne, their three children and extended family in your prayers.
Tonight we’ll have an informational meeting for all those who may have interest in the Mission Trip to Slidell, Louisiana. Mike W. and Patrick M. will be leading the discussion. And many of this year’s participants will be there to talk, too. It all begins at 6:30 PM. I encourage you to come if you have ANY level of interest - to hear the discussion. The weeks that St. John’s folks will be going are February 23 through March 2 (The Youth [with a few adults] Week) and March 1 through March 9th (The Adult Week). The dates include traveling time. The teams are limited (by UMCOR guidelines) to fifteen people each.
Are you hungry? Well have we got a plan for you!! Tomorrow evening we’ll be having our monthly Public Supper - with Mike W’s wonderful meatloaf, and all the fixin’s!! There’s still room for some more workers, and some more desserts would be good (spoken by a true lover of desserts)!! And of course, we’d love to have a full house of diners!! Dinner is served from 4:30 till 6:30PM! See you there!
Brenda B. has reminded us to sign up for the trip to the “corn maze” on Friday, October 19 from 6:30-8:00 PM. After going through the maze, we’ll enjoy a bonfire at the farm. Cost is $10.00. Families are welcome!!! See Brenda at church to make your reservation - the fees are due when you sign up.
And Natalie H. has asked me to remind all the Sunday School parents that each Sunday School class is doing a basket with a theme - for the November 3 Silent Auction. We have asked each child to bring one item for the basket for their classroom. (Note: They are due in by October 14th, I think.)
I want to lift up a reminder to those who have received an invitation, that I will be holding an orientation meeting for potential members of this year’s Confirmation Class and their parents on Sunday, at 3 PM. The class is open to all youth in the seventh grade and above - who have not already joined the church - though I imagine it would be great to have some of the older youth who are members participate if they wanted. We have such great kids!! I really look forward to working with them on this important step in their journey with Christ!!
The books for this fall’s stewardship emphasis were due in over a week ago. Sandy called the supplier this morning, and found out that they won’t arrive till next week! Ugh!! What we’ve done is to copy the first week’s worth of reading, and we’ll distribute those this Sunday - along with the Participant’s Workbooks (which HAVE arrived). I’m sorry for the delay - we had done so well, making sure our order was in early. This just gives us a new challenge. Please pick up a set of photocopies as well as the Participants’ Workbook this Sunday!!
That’s the news for this week. To end on a lighter side, I’ve pasted something that Barbara MacK. sent me. Enjoy! See you in church on Sunday. Peace, Mark
(From the Lighter Side of Theology)
CHANGING A LIGHT BULB THE CHRISTIAN WAY
How many Christians does it take to change a light bulb?
Charismatic: Only 1
Hands are already in the air.
Pentecostal: 10
One to change the bulb, and nine to pray against the spirit of darkness.
Presbyterians: None
Lights will go on and off at predestined times.
Roman Catholic: None
Candles only.
Baptists: At least 15.
One to change the light bulb, and three committees to approve the change and decide who brings the potato salad and fried chicken.
Episcopalians: 3
One to call the electrician, one to mix the drinks and one to talk about how much better the old one was.
Mormons: 5
One man to change the bulb, and four wives to tell him how to do it.
Unitarians:
We choose not to make a statement either in favor of or against the need for a light bulb. However, if in your own journey you have found that light bulbs work for you, you are invited to write a poem or compose a modern dance about your light bulb for the next Sunday service, in which we will explore a number of light bulb traditions, including incandescent, fluorescent, 3-way, long-life and tinted, all of which are equally valid paths to luminescence.
Methodists: Undetermined
Whether your light is bright, dull, or completely out, you are loved. You can be a light bulb, turnip bulb, or tulip bulb. Bring a bulb of your choice to the Sunday lighting service and a covered dish to pass.
Nazarene: 6
One woman to replace the bulb while five men review church lighting policy.
Lutherans: None
Lutherans don’t believe in change.
Amish:
What’s a light bulb?