|
|
Below is the current edition of the Gathering & Scattering newsletter. If you have any questions about anything found in this newsletter,
please visit our website or contact the church office by calling (225) 344-0343. We hope to see you in worship this Sunday!
Not all events happening at the church are able to be highlighted in our newsletter.
|
|
THIS SUNDAY @ UUMC:
Please read the entire newsletter for more details on the items listed below, as well as for other details of events and news from the church. Not all events happening at the church are listed below.
SUNDAY, March 22 - 5th Sunday in Lent
8:30 a.m. Worship Service
9:00 a.m. Children's Choir Rehearsal
9:30 a.m. Fellowship time in the Fellowship Hall
9:45 a.m. Sunday School for all ages
11:00 a.m. Worship Service
12:00 p.m. Youth Fund Raising Lunch in Fellowship Hall
4:00 p.m. Chapel (Youth) Choir Rehearsal
4:30 p.m. Disciple 4 Bible Study
5:00 p.m. Youth Dinner
5:30 p.m. Youth Group
This week's scriptures:
This Sunday's Sermon:
Rev. Larry Miller - "Reality Reversals"
This Sunday's Choral & Special Music:
8:30 AM - Special Music by Carter Smith
11:00 AM - The Chancel Choir, Special Music by Carter Smith
JOIN US FOR A YOUTH FUND RAISING LUNCH THIS SUNDAY IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL! Join us for a lunch fundraiser for our Youth's CSM Mission Trip, which will take place this summer. We hope to see you in the fellowship hall for some pastalya made by our very own Stew Craig after the 11 o'clock service! For more details please see the full article below in the newsletter.
THIS SUNDAY IS THE LAST SUNDAY TO SIGN UP YOUR CHILD FOR OUR EASTER EGG HUNT AND TO DROP OFF YOUR CANDY FILLED EGGS! We do hope that you and your family will join us for this wonderful annual event. For more details and a link to download the sign-up form, please see the article below in the newsletter.
THIS IS THE LAST SUNDAY TO GIVE TO THE LOVE OFFERING BEING RECEIVED FOR MR. GEORGE LAPHAND, OUR CHURCH CUSTODIAN FOR THE LAST 43 YEARS. If you would like to give a love offering to thank Mr. George for his lifetime of service to our church, please make your check to UUMC and in the memo section of your check please note: "love offering for Mr. George". We will present him with one "love offering" check, as well as his final paycheck, on March 27. Also, if you would like to write a thank you card or note to him, you can put that in an envelope marked "Mr. George", and get it to the office before March 27. We will present these letters and cards at the same time we present him with his love offering.
UUMC LENTEN CHALLENGE: #FEEDJUSTONE CAMPAIGN - Don't forget to drop off your shelf stable food donation in the fellowship hall this Sunday! To learn more about this Lenten Challenge please read the full article below.
REMEMBER TO DROP OFF SHOES FOR THE "SOLES FOR SOULS" CAMPAIGN - Boy Scout Troop 50 is assisting the Kiwanis clubs of Greater Baton Rouge collecting gently used shoes for the Kiwanis One Day project. The Kiwanis collect 0.40 per pound for the used shoes and the money goes to vaccinate mothers in third world countries for Maternal Neo-natal Tetanus. The shoes go to entrepreneurs with "micro-businesses" in the third world countries that clean and repair the shoes if need, and then sold at prices that are affordable in those countries. The shoes help the entrepreneurs, who would be begging otherwise, and they help their communities who need cheap shoes. Please bring shoes for this project and drop them off in the box in the fellowship hall. The final day for dropping off shoes will be Easter Sunday.
|
|
Please join us THIS SUNDAY for a Youth Lunch Fund Raiser after the late worship service!
 This Sunday, March 22, 2014, directly after the 11 o'clock service the youth will hold our youth mission fundraiser! We are raising money to send 10 of our youth to Nashville this summer to work with the Center of Student Ministry, otherwise known as CSM. During this trip the youth will learn about Urban Ministry and different areas of service that can be provided to people, especially in a city. Living in a growing city ourselves, we can understand the life and busyness of our streets. CSM Nashville will open our youth's perspective on not only Nashville but Baton Rouge as well; we will begin to recognize a need that we may not have before.
Many of our kids may not have ever been on a mission trip like this, serving a people who have no place to lay their head. We will have the opportunity to listen and hear the stories of people and learn what is helpful and what is not.
We hope that you consider joining us for lunch on March 22. We will be serving pastalaya as the main dish (cooked by the wonderful Stew Craig) along with salad, green beans, rolls, and brownies. We ask for a donation for the meal. Your donation will go directly to help our youth experience CSM Nashville. Come have a great meal and support our youth group!
If you have any questions on how a CSM experience effects a youth, talk to Sammy or email her at [email protected]. She experienced CSM as a youth and would love to share stories and experiences she has learned and that our kids might learn. Or check out the website: https://www.csm.org/nashville.php or view the video below.
|
JOIN US FOR OUR ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT AND PICNIC!
SIGN UP ENDS THIS SUNDAY!
Join our church family as we host our annual Easter Egg Hunt and Church Wide Picnic on Sunday, March 29 after the 11:00 AM service. Bring a friend, too!
Once again, Dr. Ruth Patrick has so graciously agreed to host this event on her beautiful lawn at 888 Dubois Drive. Please bring a picnic lunch, a blanket for your family, and a dessert to share!
Lemonade will be provided.
Children's egg hunt will start at 1:30 pm. Don't forget your Easter basket!
We are looking forward to a visit from the Easter Bunny, too!
Please return a registration form,
click here to download or pick one up at the church office, along with one dozen plastic eggs pre-filled with individually wrapped non melting candy per child by Sunday, March 22. You can drop your pre-filled plastic eggs off to the church office or in the Easter Basket found in the narthex on Sundays.
Donations of chocolate Easter bunnies to be used for prizes would be greatly appreciated!!
If you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help with this event, please contact Kellie Schumacher at 225.268.1000 or email her at [email protected].
You may also call the church office at 225.344.0343.
|
DON'T MISS OUT! Order your Easter Lilies today!
Every year University United Methodist Church offers its congregation the ability to purchase beautiful Easter Lilies as Memorials or Honorariums to decorate the sanctuary on Easter Sunday.
The cost of the lilies this year is $15.00 per plant. Please be sure to designate if the gift is "in memory of " (person has passed away) or "in honor of" (person is still living) and write clearly. You may mail this form to the church office (3350 Dalrymple Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70802).
Alternatively, you may fill out the form during worship, which will be inserted into your worship bulletin, and return it to the ushers. Your check should accompany your order and be written out to UUMC with "Easter Lily" in the memo field. Persons buying Easter Lilies may take their plant(s) home following the 11:00 a.m. worship service on Easter Sunday.
|
LAST CHANGE TO GIVE:
Love Offering Being Received for Mr. George Laphand
Our church custodian for the last 43 years,
Mr. George Laphand, will have his last day of work at our church on March 27.
If you would like to give a love offering to thank Mr. George for his lifetime of service to our church, please make your check to UUMC and in the memo section of your check please note: "love offering for Mr. George". We will present him with one "love offering" check, as well as his final paycheck, on March 27.
Also, if you would like to write a thank you card or note to him, you can put that in an envelope marked "Mr. George", and get it to the office before March 27. We will present these letters and cards at the same time we present him with his love offering.
Mr. George started at UUMC in 1972 during the Rev. Dr. Lamar Smith's tenure, and he has outlasted numerous pastors and office staff during those 43 years. After March 27 the church will utilize a cleaning service to handle the duties Mr. George took care of on a daily basis.
|
LENT WORSHIP SERVICES: Wednesdays - 12:15 - 12:45 PM
Please mark you calendar for 12:15 - 12:45 p.m. each of the 7 Wednesdays of Lent for a special time of worship in the sanctuary of UUMC. We began with Ash Wednesday and we'll conclude with The Stations of the Cross worship service on April 1 of Holy Week. Each week promises to be a brief but powerful worship service to draw us closer to God during this season of Lent. We've scheduled the services from 12:15 - 12:45 p.m. so you can hopefully have time to drive from and back to work each Wednesday during Lent. Some may even choose to fast at noon each Wednesday of Lent as another spiritual means of grace.
|
UUMC Lenten Challenge: #feedjustone Campaign
Every day, 125,000 people in our community* do not know where they will find their next meal. Mike Manning, CEO of the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, told our Church it will take our Food Bank 12,000,000 more meals each year to ensure every adult and child in our community goes to bed without hunger.
Hunger can feel like an insurmountable challenge. Millions of meals can seem out of reach and discouraging. But- we are calling our church community to action this Lent and asking you: if you can't feed millions, then #feedjustone.
During Lent, every time you go to the grocery store, buy ONE food item to be donated to the hungry in our community.. Whether you are shopping for the week for your family or running into the store for milk for yourself, each time include one food item for your community.
Take up this challenge during this Lenten Season. Join us in the #feedjustone campaign by picking up a reusable shopping bag, filling it- one item at a time- and bringing it to UUMC each Sunday during Lent. All donations will be given to Hope Ministries.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS GIVING! Since this last Sunday,
UUMC has donated over 392lbs of food to HOPE Ministries during Lent!
Your donations are a blessing to our community.
Please remember to drop off your donation in the fellowship hall this Sunday!
*the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank's 11-parish service area
|
Kids Hope News
All volunteers: mentors, book club leaders, music instructors, and garden team are back in action next week (March 20th-24th)! There are only 4 more weeks of volunteering at UT left in this school year. Now is the time to start mentioning your plans for next year to you child. The more prepared they are, the better they will handle the transition. If you're coming back, make sure they know that you both will be taking a break in the summer and you'll see them again in September. If you are not planning to volunteer next school year, please let your child know and explain it to them in a way they can understand. Please let me know as well so I can have a good head count going into summer recruiting.
Important Upcoming Dates:
March 16th - 20th - PARCC testing and LEAP Phase I testing - No Volunteering
April 2nd - 10th - Spring Break at UT - No Volunteering
April 13th-17th - Leap Testing at UT - No Volunteering
April 27th- May 1st - Last Week of Volunteering at UT
Tuesday, May 19th -10:00am - 5th Grade Recognition Ceremony UUMC Sanctuary
Thanks for all you do for this life-changing program!
Director, Kids Hope of UUMC
|
LSU STUDENTS: A new small group gathering on Mondays at 8pm during Lent
@ The Wesley
We will gather as a small group for the season of Lent to talk about and experience different practices that can be seen as "windows of grace" or spiritual disciplines. We'll lean on Marjorie Thompson's classic book, Soul Feast, and our own experiences of what we do to draw near to God. This small group will be facilitated by Lisa Frost and Jason Grubbs and meet in the library at the LSU Wesley Foundation on 333 East Chimes Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 - (225) 344-7012.
March 23: Prayer (in quiet): How do we pray without words? Meditation and Centering Prayer will be some of the ways we will explore.
March 30: Rest and margins: How might we take care of ourselves as a spiritual discipline? What makes us tired? How can we avoid "hurry sickness"? What's the balance with rest and serving others
|
|
The Mission Committee presents ideas for ministry through UUMC - Polling Congregation for Interest and Feedback
On Feb. 15, a group of church members met in the Fellowship Hall to assess information
gathered
during University UMC's recent "teach-in" series on the topics of hunger, sexual assault and AIDS.
This meeting, called "Vision for Mission: a Response to the Teach-In Series," produced a broad number of ideas for possible ministry, focusing specifically on "how" UUMC can be "a part of the solution" for these significant social issues. These projects fell into the general categories of "Works of Mercy" and "Works of Justice."
All of the ministry ideas proposed have merit; they can help toward alleviating need in our community in these three areas. But which project(s) can we effectively support with our time, our money and our talents?
The Mission and Outreach Ministry Team is reaching out to you, the congregation, to see what ministries and missions you are interested in taking on and supporting. Your response will decide in what ways our church responds to the needs in our community.
This last Sunday in worship you were given the chance to share your thoughts through an insert in the worship bulletin.
If you were not in worship last week, we would still love to have your input! You may do so by picking up a form in the church office or narthex and dropping it office in the office. Or, to give your input online,
please click on this link to go to our form where you will be able to indicate if you can (1) volunteer for that project, (2) give money to support that project, and/or (3) lead that project.
Thank you for your consideration of these exciting projects that will be a blessing to those in need in our community!
List of proposed ministries/projects:
- Manna Bags - provide small bags filled with healthy snacks to distribute to the homeless, or give to "drop-ins" at the church office
- Backpack Food Ministry - assemble individual backpacks filled with nutritious food to send home, weekly, with University Terrace students identified as "food insecure" (partner with Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank)
- Educational Program focusing on HIV/AIDS - design and implement talks, brochures, etc. targeting the topic of HIV/AIDS that will be used to inform church members, our youth, and possibly other groups on the realities of AIDS and how the church can be of help
- Volunteer for Family Mentoring Program through HOPE Ministries - serve as counselors to families who are seeking hands-on guidance and help in getting their financial lives back on track
- Organize a community/LSU campus HIV testing event - can be planned with assistance of a manual and instructional DVD developed by the Louisiana Annual Conference (partner with LSU's Wesley Foundation)
- Participate in Take Back the Night - volunteer to assist with or walk in this established evening community event during which walkers travel a mile through campus and the surrounding neighborhoods (Note: Past events have taken participants through areas neighboring University Terrace Elementary, our Kids Hope partner. There is a police escort for walkers for the duration of the event.)
- Political advocacy in support of alleviation of hunger and HIV/AIDS - volunteer to participate in letter-writing campaign targeting Louisiana legislators
Thank you for your interest, and for being the "hands and feet" of Christ!
|
|
PLEASE JOIN US!
Join us in the Parlor on Sunday, April 12th from 3:00-4:00 p.m. to learn more about the church, its mission, its ministry and what it means to be a member. There will be a brief service for those wishing to become members at the conclusion of the event. If you have any questions about this event or becoming a member of UUMC, please contact Rev. Larry Miller by calling the church office at 225-344-0343 or emailing him at [email protected].
|
Attention Graduating Seniors and Their Families! 
We will be recognizing graduating seniors on May 17th at the 8:30 AM service. If you are able and willing to participate (in the service but also just recognized as graduating) please send Sammy the student's name, high school, future plans (college, trade school, job etc.), and a picture that can be used in the bulletin. There will be a brunch in celebration of our seniors in the youth area after the 8:30 AM service during Sunday School time. Family members are encouraged to attend. Please contact Sammy soon if you plan on attending! |
|
|
|
UNIVERSITY UNITED
METHODIST CHURCH
3350 Dalrymple Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
PHONE: 225.344.0343
FAX: 225.344.0530
Senior Pastor:
Associate Minister:
Minister of Congregational Care:
If you received this email from a friend, please consider signing up to receive it directly through constant contact:
|
|
UUMC MEETING SCHEDULE for 2015
APRIL
Executive Committee: 13th @ Noon
Finance Committee: 27th @ 6PM
MAY
Trustees: 11th @ 6PM
Church Council: 11th @ 7PM
JUNE
Executive Committee: 15th @ Noon
Finance Committee: 29th @ 6PM
AUGUST
Executive Committee: 10th @ Noon
Trustees: 17th @ 6PM
Finance Committee: 24th @ 6PM
Church Council: 24th @ 7PM
SEPTEMBER
Nominations Committee: 14th @ 6PM
Preschool / After School Board: 21st @ 6PM
Nominations Committee: 28th @ 6PM
OCTOBER
Staff Parish Relations: 5th @ 6PM
Executive Committee: 12th @ Noon
Finance Committee: 12th @ 6PM
Church Council: 26th @ 7PM
NOVEMBER
Trustees: 16th @ 6PM
DECEMBER
Finance Committee: 7th @ 6PM
Executive Committee: 14th @ Noon
|
YOUR HELP IS NEEDED!
Fellowship time on the first and fourth Sundays each month lack volunteers to provide and fix snacks. Could you or your group take on this challenge? Pick the Sunday that works for you and once a month your group would be responsible for making snacks and the congregation would be delighted; even if it's just cookies!
Also needed are those of you who can provide us with a centerpiece for the table. Creative people are needed and appreciated.
If either of these jobs appeal to you, please call the church office and let Kyle know to put your name on the calendar. Thank you for help!
|
JOIN US FOR A LENT PRAYER GROUP
We will meet in the UUMC Chapel weekly beginning on Ash Wednesday, February 18th and continue through the season until Easter. Gather from 11:15 AM until 11:30 AM when we will promptly begin with some scripture readings, instruction, and approximately twenty minutes of silence. We will conclude by Noon. You are invited to stay for the Lenten Worship Service from 12:15 PM until 12:45 PM each Wednesday. Please come as you are!
In her book, Paths to Prayer, Patricia Brown writes this about the practice of Centering Prayer:
"To listen for God, we become quiet and still. Centering prayer brings the distracted mind to stillness, silence, and concentration. In this quiet, selfless concentration, we follow the words of the psalmist, 'Be still and know that I am God'."
The sanctuary at University UMC will be open each Wednesday during Lent for prayer, quiet and worship from 7am until 5pm. Come and be!
|
"I would love a weekend retreat!"
Women, have you said this? You have a wonderful opportunity to do just that the weekend of March 20th at the Jesuit Retreat Center in Grand Couteau. This retreat for women will offer times of fellowship, rest and renewal asking the question, "How do I see God in the everyday?" We will use the Kathleen Norris book, "The Quotidian Mysteries".
The cost of the retreat is $185 which includes a private room and bath and all of your meals and snacks. The retreat begins Friday evening and end at lunch on Sunday. There will be time for worship, reading, walking, and resting. I will be helping to lead the retreat and invite you to join us.
If you have questions, or want to register, you may do that at 1st UMC or by emailing me, [email protected].
|
We are collecting new and gently
used children's books to give
to our Kids Hope Kids to read
over their summer break!
The majority of the kids are in kindergarten and first grade.
so please make sure that books are appropriate
to that age or a little older.
Please drop off books in the church office. If you have any questions, please contact Shirley Flake, our Kids Hope Director, by emailing her at
[email protected] .
|
|
|
| [click image to view larger] |
|
@ UUMC 2015
PALM SUNDAY - MARCH 29:
- 8:30 AM - Worship with Palms
- 9:30 AM - Fellowship in Fellowship Hall
- 9:45 AM - Sunday School for all ages
- 11:00 AM - Worship with Palms
- 12:00 PM - Fellowship time in Fellowship Hall
- 12:15 PM - Picnic and EasterEgg Hunt at the home of Ruth Patrick, 888 Dubois Drive
WEDNESDAY - APRIL 1:
- 11:30 AM - Centering Praying Group in Chapel
- 12:15 PM - Lent Service- Stations of the Cross
MAUNDY THURSDAY - APRIL 2:
- 7:00 PM - Worship with Communion, with special music by the Chancel Choir
GOOD FRIDAY - APRIL 3:
- The Church Office will be closed
EASTER SUNDAY - APRIL 5:
- 6:30 AM - Youth led Sunrise Service with Communion, Outside in front of Sanctuary (or in Sanctuary if in-climate weather)
- 8:30 AM - Easter Worship Service with special music, Chancel Choir & Brass Ensemble
- 9:30 AM - Fellowship & Reception in the Fellowship Hall
- 9:45 AM - Sunday School for all ages
- 11:00 AM - Easter Worship Service with special music, Chancel Choir & Brass Ensemble
- 12:00 PM - Fellowship in Fellowship Hall
MONDAY - APRIL 6:
- The Church Office will be closed.
|
UUMC Seeks Full Time
Youth Director
|
|
ANNOUNCEMENTS, NEEDS & OPPORTUNITIES:
LSU Wesley Foundation invites Alumni, Supporters, and Parents to the Spring Crawfish Boil!
When: Saturday, April 18, 2015 @ 1 PM
Where: Wesley Foundation
Cost: $5 per person
RSVP:
support.lsuwesley.com/#crawfish
Susanna Wesley Circle will meet on Thursday, March 26, at 7pm at Mary McGehee's home, 643 Woodgate Blvd. Doreen Maxcy will present our program on the process/progress of the accessibility project at the church. I hope many of you will be able to attend.
THE NEXT DAYTIMERS TRIP:
Save the date of Thursday, April 23, for the next Daytimers trip to New Orleans. More information to follow.
St. John's United Methodist Church (www.stjohnsbr.org) located in the southeast corner of Baton Rouge, Louisiana is searching for a full-time Director of Ministries with Youth and Children. For more detailed information and to submit a resume, please contact: Reverend Sarah Williams Shoup at [email protected].
|
|
ADULT SUNDAY EDUCATION CLASSES FOR SUNDAY, March 22nd:
[ If your Sunday School Class would like their weekly study listed below, please email Kelly Surace at
[email protected] or call 344-0343 each Monday to be included in that weeks G&S listing ] To find out more information about the Sunday School classes below, please visit our website.
- Contemporary Christian Concerns (CCC) - Theological Book Review - Pastrix by Nadia Bolz-Weber. Colleen Bookter will review the book.
- Foundations Class - We continue discussing The Best Yes: Making Wise Decisions in the Midst of Endless Demands by Lysa TerKeurst. This class is largely made up of married couples and meets upstairs in the Trice Building. Visitors are always welcome!
- Genesis Class - Please join us in the Senior Pastor's Office for discussion!
- JOY Class - Please join us this week as John and Nathalie Henderson discuss their most recent trip to China with our class.
- Inter-Generational Class - All are invited to a special Lenten Study in the library on Sunday mornings with the Intergenerational Bible Study group. We will read and discuss "Final Words from the Cross" with a book by Adam Hamilton. There are books available for $10 or you can order your own or download on an electronic reader.
- New Parent's Class - This class is newly formed of parents, single or couples, with young children and are meeting in room 208 in upstairs Trice. Rev. Larry Miller is facilitating and the current topic is "Favorite Bible Passages" Volume 1 from Cokesbury.
- Open Door Class - We begin our Lenten study, "The Path to the Cross", By Ray Vander Laan. We discover how passionate faith communities prepared the way for Jesus and are challenged to live as they did. Filmed on location in The Holy Land. Guests are always welcome! This Sunday - "The Fifth Cup: Our Way of Hope at Gethsemane."
|
WITHIN THE CHURCH FAMILY...
CONCERNS:
- Condolences to Cynthia Fisher and family on the passing of her brother-in-law, Mike Batten.
PLEASE REMEMBER IN PRAYER: Kathleen Arceneaux, John Baker, the family of Mike Batten, Jerry Burtner, Mildred Caldwell, Charlotte Carrier, Irma Cassel, Fred Churchman, Doris Dobson, Sue Ducote, Peyton Feigley, Sandy Godail, Mary Elizabeth Goings, Martha Jane Grammer, Rosemarie Hall, Cathy Hoffman, Jack & Henrietta Jones, Carol Kelly, Penny LeSage, Cindy Mann, Lynda Perry, Louise Prescott, Pat Rives, Debbie Roux, Bob and Alta Sanders, Tom Stogner, Marvin Stuckey, Art Swanson, Inez Townsend, Nick Trichel, Karen and Paul Unger, Phil Woodland.
*If you have a Joy, Concern, or a name for the prayer list that you would like mentioned here, please email [email protected] or call her in the church office at 225-344-0343. Deadline for submitting information to the newsletter is every Monday at noon for information to be included in that weeks newsletter. We also celebrate birthdays of our members who have reached the age of 80+, if you fit this category but we missed your birthday, please call us so we can add your birthday to our database.*
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shirley Flake,
