by John Collins on August 31, 2010
The official policy of the Kansas East Conference and First United Methodist Church is to require “Safe and Sacred Spaces” training and a series of background checks of anyone who desires to work with children and youth. There are two trainings coming up close by at Independence First United Methodist Church. The first will be Monday, September 13, 2010 at 5:30 pm and Saturday, September 18, 2010 at 9:00 am.
Rev. Dee Williamston will be leading the training. Those who wish to attend should contact 620-331-3840. There is a $30 fee for the training to cover the cost of background checks, but the Church Council voted to cover the cost for all volunteers, so please let us know if you’re planning to attend. Anyone participating should bring a completed application (available in the church office or on the downloads page of the church website).
by John Collins on August 30, 2010
Via Sojourners:
Perhaps God is strong enough to exult in monotony. It is possible that God says every morning, “Do it again” to the sun; and every evening “Do it again” to the moon. It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike; it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never gotten tired of making them. It may be that God has the eternal appetite of infancy.
— G.K. Chesterton, from his book Orthodoxy.
by John Collins on August 30, 2010
The PPR Committee will meet this evening (Monday, August 30, 2010) at 5:15 in Room 102. The Church Council will meet on Tuesday at the same time and in the same place. The Board of Trustees will meet on Wednesday, again at the same time and in the same place.
by John Collins on August 29, 2010
Linda Beever, church administrative assistant, is taking vacation days on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this coming week. For that reason, the church office hours will be chaotic at best. You’re encouraged to call 251-3240 to make sure someone’s here before making the trip down.
by John Collins on August 28, 2010
A reminder that the UMW (United Methodist Women) are sponsoring a Salad and Sandwich Spectacular (including cake) tomorrow after the 10:50 service. Donations for missions will be accepted, but are not required.
by John Collins on August 28, 2010
Via Sojourners:
Each of us, famous or infamous, is a role model for somebody, and if we aren’t, we should behave as though we are — cheerful, kind, loving, courteous. Because you can be sure someone is watching and taking deliberate and diligent notes.
— Maya Angelou
Parents of small children are already well aware of this fact, but it applies to everyone.
by John Collins on August 27, 2010
Just a reminder that we have Equal Exchange (fairly traded) coffee available in the church office. We have regular and decaf, organic and non-organic, drip grind and whole bean in 12oz bags for $6.50.
From the UMCOR Coffee Project:
Coffee is big business – it’s one of the most heavily traded commodities in the world. But for the majority of small coffee farmers, the benefits are small. The chain of events that leads from the coffee farm to your cup is long, often leaving the farmer with very little to live on.
Most small coffee farmers live in isolated communities in some of the poorest countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia. Cut off from markets, they usually sell their coffee through middlemen, known to Central American farmers as “coyotes.” With world prices in constant flux and coyotes offering the lowest price possible, farmers never know how much they’ll get for their crops.
Some 20 million people living near the equator depend on coffee for their livelihood. In their struggle just to make a simple living, the producers of a rich crop are often trapped in poverty. In recent years, a crisis in the world coffee market has meant that many farmers typically receive less than the cost of production for their beans.
But there is an alternative: FAIR TRADE. Fair trade shares the bounty of the coffee trade with those who grow the crop, helping them build a better future for themselves and their communities.
and
The UMCOR Coffee Project is an innovative way to reach out to small-scale farmers in the developing world while enjoying fellowship and an excellent cup of coffee. As Christians we can address a consumer dilemma by buying coffee that is fairly traded. United Methodist congregations that participate are helping small scale farmers in Latin America, Africa and Asia earn a fairer share of income, obtain access to credit and technical support, and gain a trading partner they can trust, a fair trade organization called Equal Exchange.
The mission committee spearheaded our participation in this project several years ago. In addition to the coffee for sale in the church office, Equal Exchange coffee is served during the “coffee time” before Sunday School.
by John Collins on August 26, 2010
With the scheduling of an additional meeting time for the Bible Study on Philippians, we now have 24-27 people signed up to participate. I’m really excited about such a large number and I look forward to starting this evening (Thursday, August 26, 2010) at 5:15 pm.
by John Collins on August 26, 2010
Years ago we started sending out the Parish Visitor and other notices by e-mail to members and friends who have an e-mail address. We quickly large e-mail lists are hard to manage without a dedicated service. For that reason, we signed up with Constant Contact. The cost was $15 a month, but it was still less expensive than buying stamps. Now there is another option, MailChimp with provides roughly the same service (slightly enhanced overall) for free ($0 a month). So we’ve switched. All the email addresses we had at Constant Contact have been transferred, there’s nothing you need to do unless you need to update your email address. In that event, go here.
by John Collins on August 26, 2010
Moa Yang, a Coffeyville Community College student who worships with us in the 10:50 service, will be sharing the Lord’s Prayer in Korean with us this Sunday.
This is the professional blog of John and Jennifer Collins. We are ordained clergy members of the Kansas East Conference of the United Methodist Church and are currently appointed as pastors of Coffeyville First.
The views and opinions expressed here are our own.
