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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.
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THE UPCOMING 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, April 30
8:30 a.m. Worship
9:30 a.m. Fellowship time in the Fellowship Hall
9:45 a.m. Sunday School for all ages
9:45 a.m. Confirmation Brunch in Fellowship Hall
11:00 a.m. Worship
12:00 p.m. Fellowship Time in the Fellowship Hall
12:00 p.m. FREE College Lunch in Fellowship Hall
4:30 p.m. Faith Friends
5:30 p.m. Youth Dinner
6:00 p.m. Youth Group
SCRIPTURE FOR SUNDAY:
James 2:14-17
SERMON:
"Putting Your Faith to Work"
Rev. Dr. Jane Riecke
MUSIC FOR SUNDAY:
8:30 AM: Agape Ringers, Asbury & Wesley Choir, Scholarship Singers
11:00 AM:
Agape Ringers, Asbury & Wesley Choir, Chancel Choir
THIS SUNDAY WE CELEBRATE OUR 2017 CONFIRMATION CLASS. Please join us in worship as the 2017 Confirmation class takes such an important step in their faith journey and joins the church.
"DAVID AND THE FIVE SMOOTH STONES" PREVIEW IN WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY - Please join us in worship as the Asbury and Wesley Choir treats us to special music as a preview of their musical on Sunday, May 7th at 9:45 AM in the Fellowship Hall. For more information about their performance, please see the full article further down in this newsletter.
PUTTING OUR FAITH TO WORK - No Scripture better exemplifies Wesley's practicality than the Letter of James. In James, faith is a set of specific practices that make disciples walk in a different direction than the world's way. In the contemporary church, being a Christian is often presented as a technique for happiness and prosperity. In James, Christians suffer because they follow Christ. James exhorts his congregation to walk and talk like Jesus. When we put our faith to work we act with integrity, caring wisdom and humility. Over the next month, Dr. Jane and Rev. Colleen will be expanding on this theme each Sunday. Please join us in worship at 8:30 or 11 AM.
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Pastor's Pen
Although confirmation is not a sacrament in The United Methodist Church, it is an important marker along our spiritual journeys. At baptism, we are initiated into the new covenant in Jesus Christ and Christ's body in the world. It is only later, that an individual confirms that covenant for themselves by responding to the grace of God in confirming and reaffirmation of their faith.
"What God offers us must be accepted in repentance and faith," This Is Your Baptism states. "Confirmation and reaffirmation are our responses of commitment, profession of faith, and re-dedication." This Sunday we have six young people ready to make their profession of faith and re-dedicate their lives to Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. The past twelve weeks were spent working with the UUMC pastoral team and youth director on refining and understanding their faith and their commitment to the Christian faith.
I am proud to say that each of our youth took their work very seriously. They were attentive to their studies and asked wonderful questions. Sometimes, they even stumped the pastors! And, as always, it was a joy to get to know each one. I can attest to the fact that they are ready and willing to step into greater responsibility and leadership in the life of the church. I am honored to confirm the 2017 Confirmation Class.
I hope you will join me this Sunday in celebrating this momentous occasion when we will receive Maddilyn Geyer, Paul Landry, Reed Landry, Virginia Moore, Corbin Nguyen, and Ryan Roper as professing members of Wm. B. Reily University United Methodist Church.
Grace and peace,
Dr. Jane
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JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT FOR THE 2017 YOUTH MUSICAL: TAPESTRIES OF FAITH
A single thread in a tapestry though its color brightly shines can never see its purpose in the pattern of the grand design.
The UUMC Chapel Choir presents
Tapestries of Faith which tells the story of several faithful woman of the Bible and the men associated with them. Each woman played a major part in weaving the tapestries of our faith. God used them in many different ways to show faithfulness.
During this musical we will highlight several women of the Old Testament: Eve, Mama Noah, Jochebed, Miriam, Moses' Adoptive Egyptian Mother, Naomi, Ruth, and Esther. From the New Testament we will focus on the women of the Bible who supported Jesus' ministry: Mary, the Woman at the Well, the Woman who Touched the Hem of His Garment, Jairus' daughter, the Woman Who Was to be Stoned Mary Magdalene. Music from several favorite musicals has been used:
Children of Eden,
Prince of Egypt,
Celebrate Life, and
Jesus Christ Superstar. The narration is adapted from
The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People.
We hope you will join us on
Friday, April 28, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.
in the UUMC Sanctuary!
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Children's Choir Performance 
SUNDAY, MAY 7 @ 9:45 AM
in the Fellowship Hall
We all know the story of David and Goliath, but what happened after the giant was slain? Take a front row seat for the "trial of the century" as the Philistines take David to court for defeating their greatest champion. Will David's defense be enough to save him or will the Philistines send the little shepherd boy up the river? With a funky soundtrack and lots of laughs, this musical shows children the importance of following God no matter what. It also contains an important and timely message about bullying that will help kids face their own battles.
We hope you will join us at 9:45 on Sunday morning May 7, 2017 in Fellowship Hall. This is a show that you don't want to miss!
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It's time to register for VBS 2017!
Calling All Heroes!! It's time to make a "Leap Of Faith" (our theme song!) and Register for V.B.S. We're inviting all 4-yr olds thru 5th graders to join us on this quest to "Do good. Seek peace and go after it!" (Psalm 34:14b). At "Hero Central," we'll learn that this mission is possible because we have strength through God. We'll discover this truth through Bible stories, music, crafts, science, games and snacks.
Adult and Youth (exiting 6th-12th grade) Volunteers are invited to make the "Leap" with us! We'll also have a Nursery (Infants & Toddlers) and Young Heroes Class (Twos & Threes) for our volunteers' children. It's going to be an awesome adventure!
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The Chapel Choir will present Tapestries of Faith on Friday, April 28, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. We hope to see you there!
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On Sunday, April 30, 2017, we will travel to Broadmoor UMC. We are invited to a district-wide event called 5th Sunday Worship. We will have dinner, games, and a devotional with worship. We will leave UUMC at 4:45p.m. and return by 7:15 p.m. Please let Stew Craig know if you are
planning to attend so that he can arrange transportation to meet Safe Sanctuary guidelines.
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On Saturday, May 6, 2017, we will travel to Camp Istrouma for The Great Day of Service. We hope you plan to join us at this district-wide event where we give back to our local Methodist camp and help to get it ready for summer camp. Our own Vicki Frick will be a Spiritual Director there one week this summer. Email Stew Craig at [email protected] if you are interested. We need to plan for transportation to meet Safe Sanctuary guidelines.
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On Sunday, May 7, 2017, we will attend the Asbury & Wesley Choir musical "David and the 5 Smooth Stones."
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Calling All Youth Volunteers!!
To meet the UUMC Safe Sanctuary guidelines set forth by leadership at church and to continue our current programming, we need your help. We need to have more volunteers up in the youth area during Sunday School and during youth on Sunday nights. The times are Sunday mornings from 9:45AM to 10:45AM and Sunday evenings from 5:30PM to 7PM.We have a great group of kids. Come join us as we discuss our faith journey through fun, fellowship, and spiritual formation. If interested, please contact Stew Craig at [email protected].
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NEWS & UPDATES
Faith Friends - Sunday Afternoons - 4:30 - 6:00 pm
Our Sunday afternoon program for 3rd-5th graders meets upstairs in the Children's Building from 4:30-6:00pm. Here's where we're heading next:
- April 30 - 4:30-6:00pm - Go Out and Tell - Missions/Crafts
- May 7 - 4:30-6:00pm - Go Out and Tell - Missions/Games
- May 14 - Mother's Day - Faith Friends will not meet
- May 21 - 4:30-6:00pm - Missions Field Trip
- May 28 - 4:00-6:00pm - Special End of the Year Celebration
Come Gr
Ow with Us! For more information, please contact Vicki Frick at [email protected] or (225) 344-0343. Hope to see you soon!
Summer Sunday School Teachers NEEDED!
Our Summer Sunday School classes start June 4th and we are looking for Teachers and Assistants. We have had a wonderful school year and I am so grateful for our dedicated Sunday School Teachers. Some of them will need to take a break for the summer due to other commitments. We are looking for folks who can fill in, either for the entire summer (June 4th - August 6th) or on a rotating basis. Our awesome kids will be divided into two groups: Pre-Kindergarten (3's thru 5's) and Elementary (exiting K thru 5th grade). They will be ready to GrOw and just need someone to Lead them! Could YOU be their Leader?? Please contact our Children's Director, Vicki Frick at [email protected] or at the Church Office.
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Camp Istrouma - Our Overnight Church Camp!
Camp Istrouma, located in Greenwell Springs, is our United Methodist Church Camp for the Baton Rouge and New Orleans Districts. The Summer Camp schedule is posted and registration has already begun. Please check out www.campistrouma.com and Register Today. Camp is so much fun! The days are filled with lake activities (giant blob and water slide, zip-line, canoes and even fishing), swimming, crafts, large group games, low-ropes activities, and tons of laughter and fun. The evenings are filled with praise and worship, bonfires and s'mores! All children entering 2nd grade thru 12th, no matter their faith background, are encouraged to attend. It is an awesome week of growth in their relationship with God - and they'll make a lot of new friends, too!
FYI -- Your very own Mrs. Vicki will be the Spiritual Director for the first week of Camp, May 29-June 2, for children entering 3rd-6th grade. I sure hope some of my UUMC friends will join me for this Awesome opportunity!
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Don't miss the big article on registering for VBS
higher up in this newsletter!!!
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Kids Hope News & Updates
What a wonderful year this has been with our sweet kids! The relationships are stronger than ever thanks to the faithfulness of our volunteers.
Our Garden Team this year was comprised of 25 5th graders who take gardening very seriously. At our Garden Party on Tuesday morning, they stated that they learned: "how to pull carrots", "how to use garden tools", and "how to turn compost"... I think the most important thing they learned is that gardeners are good people and I'll think they will continue to seek out gardeners and gardening opportunities. Both of which will serve them well and offer wonderful, safe, nurturing opportunities for continued growth.
A special thanks goes out to our Fabulous Garden Team members - Robert Blackledge, Jane Blackledge, Jenny Sutcliffe, Sheri Lee, Doreen Maxcy, Stew Craig, and Louisiana Master Gardeners -Mimi Heinz, Mary Helen Borck, and Angie Wall. This was our best year in the garden with the children and without these special gardeners, this opportunity would not have been possible.
DAT
ES TO NOTE:
April 24th - 28th - Last Week of Volunteering for Spring Semester
*Due to many volunteers scheduled to be out of town on April 30th, the Volunteer Recognition will be moved to a later date in the summer...more info soon.
May 1st - 5th - Standardized Testing at UT, NO Volunteers Allowed
May 11th - We host Spring Teachers' Luncheon
May 18th - 5th Grade Recognition Ceremony- 10:00am UUMC Sanctuary (All mentors and Book Club Leaders of 5th graders are welcome to attend this special event)
Your faithfulness is changing the life-stories of some precious little children.
Shirley Flake, Kids Hope Director
[email protected]
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Social Justice Ministry Team Re-Established
As a new member of our congregation, I feel excited to witness and announce the reestablishment of the Social Justice Ministry Team at our church. This grassroots effort blossomed from written and in-person conversations brought about from an article that another member of our congregation had shared on Facebook during the Lenten Season. (Refer to the article at the link below.) Spoiler Alert: While the important work of the Mission Team provides relief as a response to social or environmental problems (e.g., food pantries, clothing drives, flood buckets, etc.), the Social Justice Ministry Team will advocate for the preclusion or amelioration of social problems in the first place (e.g., advocacy for fair wages to ameliorate poverty). To that end, United Methodist Churches should have Social Justice Ministry Teams to complement the work of their Mission Teams.
Fortunately, our Social Justice Ministry Team has been re-established. This team needs help, primarily in the form of your time and presence, to be a voice for the disenfranchised and demoralized. That's where you come in. If you would like to join me and others in our congregation to empower the vulnerable and effect positive social change in our community, then please email me at [email protected]. Note that the Social Justice Ministry Team's inaugural meeting has not been scheduled yet. Once more members express interest in this Ministry, however, we will then schedule the first meeting.
Thank you all for your support of this Ministry and for the boundless love that you espouse for God and our neighbors. I pray that God continues to bless us and our community-especially the vulnerable among us.
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Summer Schedule for Sundays 
Mark your calendars now! Beginning June 4, worship services will be combined into one service at 10:30 am for June and July. Throughout June and July we will also have Sunday School at 9:30 am each Sunday for children, youth and adults. The adult classes will combine in fellowship hall for a special series taught by the pastoral staff. We will continue this schedule through July 30. |
 Combined Adult Sunday School in June and July: Our Methodist Heritage
Sundays @ 9:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall
We would like to invite all of our adult Sunday School classes and everyone in the church to join us for our summer Sunday School series on our Wesleyan tradition each Sunday at 9:30AM in the Fellowship Hall followed by worship at 10:30AM. Our combined adult summer Sunday school will begin on June 4th and will end on July 30th. We will start and end our series with a hymn sing and will learn about the history, structure, and understanding of faith for Methodists on the weeks in between. All are welcome!
June 4 Hymn Sing
June 11 The Methodist Connection (Dr. Jane)
June 18 Annual Conference Update (Annual Conference Delegates)
June 25 History of Methodism (Dr. Jane)
July 2 Wesleyan Quadrilateral (Rev. Colleen)
July 9 Wesley's Sermons (Rev. Carol)
July 16 Wesley's Sermons Take Two (Rev. Carol)
July 23 United Methodist Social Principals (Rev. Colleen)
July 30 Hymn Sing
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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:
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Click the links below to read or watch one
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Calling all young adults
who want a day away!
Tunica Hills Hiking
Sunday, April 30th @ Noon
Do you like hiking, cross country, hillwalking, rambling, and just being out in nature! The University UMC Young Adults are going on a group hike to Tunica Hills (also known as Clark Creek Nature Area) on Sunday, April 30, after the 11 a.m. service. We will crash the free college lunch that day, so we don't have to worry about lunch. As soon as lunch is over (around 12:45 p.m.), we'll carpool to Clark Creek. The drive takes a little over an hour. Suggested items to wear/bring: athletic clothes that dry quickly, hiking sandals or athletic shoes that you don't mind getting wet and muddy, towel, sunscreen, bug spray, snacks , and water. Did I mention there are WATERFALLS? Hope to see you there! For more details contact Colleen Bookter at [email protected] or call 225-344-0343.
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The LSU Wesley Foundation is looking for YOUR help! We are trying to send some love throughout campus during finals week. One of the ways we are trying to do that is by "Operation: Final Cookie." This is where we pass out cookies (in bags of 3 or 4 with a Wesley sticker on them) and hand them out in Middleton Library in a blitz of sugary, buttered hospitality.
Last year, between UUMC and Wesley we baked over 1,000 cookies, enough for studious students on every floor of Middleton. If we serve everyone in the library, then we'll spill out into campus to give students a meaningful interruption in their day, a reminder that God (and The UMC) loves them.
The blitz in Middleton Library is happening this Monday afternoon, so we ask all cookies be into the church office by Monday by noon at the latest. If you have an oven, some time, and a desire to positively impact a bunch of college students please write Adam at [email protected] or give the office a call at (225) 344-7012.
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Attention Graduating High School Seniors and their Families!!! 
We will be recognizing graduating seniors on May 21st in worship. If you are able and willing to participate or would like to be recognized please contact Stew Craig, our youth director, with the student's name, high school, future plans (college, trade school, job etc.), and a picture that can be used in the bulletin. Stew can be reached through email at [email protected].
There will be a brunch in celebration of our seniors in the youth area at 12:15 PM at the home of Sue & Burton Weaver, 2629 East Lakeshore Drive. Family members are encouraged to attend. Please contact Stew soon if you plan on attending!
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We're starting a book club!
First Week of May
The group will meet once per month to discuss a book and enjoy each others company. There may even be food involved! Books chosen will be ones that we love but also ones that perhaps challenge our perceptions of the world and help us grow in our faith. The first meeting will be on Thursday, May 11th @ 6:30pm and we will discuss
The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne. The original or the updated anniversary edition are both fine and can be found on Amazon. Please contact Elizabeth Hilliard ( [email protected]) if you would like to be put on the mailing list! Also include your general availability.
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Support Our College Mission to Guatemala
 This summer, five college students from UUMC & Wesley, along with Revs. Colleen & Adam, will go on a mission to Guatemala to work with poor farmers who live in extreme poverty high up in the mountains. Due to deforestation, they face landslides and the erosion of their best soil, making the farms less productive and keeping them in poverty.
We are going to work with the Alliance for International Reforestation, (AIR) whose work reforests mountainsides and teaches agroforestry, which allows farmers to farm more productively, eliminate soil erosion, and even start small businesses and send their children to school. AIR is entirely Guatemalan-run, and our trip will be led by its founder and chair, Dr. Anne Hallum, who has been recognized as a CNN hero (and is one of Adam's mentors from college at Stetson University.)
We'd like to invite you to be a part of this exciting work by becoming a Forest Builder. Our students will be in the Fellowship Hall this Sunda asking you to partner with us in our work to plant trees, build fuel-efficient stoves, and work with local schools in their agroforestry initiatives. Here are some ways you can help:
- $5 plants ten pine trees, used to stabilize the soil
- $10 plants a fruit tree, which stabilizes soil and provides a harvest for a family
- $25 provides a gardening hose to reach the saplings on the mountainside during the dry season
- $50 plants 100 pine trees
- $200 provides material for a fuel-efficient stove, which uses 50% less firewood and eliminates indoor smoke inhalation
- $300 provides a water cistern for a whole village
A few weeks after we return, we will have a Forest Builders Luncheon, where our donors be able to hear stories and see pictures of your support in action. We hope you'll consider partnering with us in this great work, as we seek to care for God's people, restore God's Creation, and encounter God in fascinating new ways.
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An Invitation to Ireland
I've had the great honor (and fun!) of leading a women's retreat in Ireland for the past several years for a group of Irish women. The group changes a bit from year to year, and occasionally we have an American or two in our midst- Jane Riecke and Cindy Hall last year. Our theme this year will be on Spiritual Pilgrimage and the dates are set for October 27,28,29 of 2017 at Drumalis in Northern Ireland.
I know it's often hard to get away, but I promise you will find rest for your soul and have some fun, too.
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OTHER NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
You all are cordially invited to the Musical Theatre Club at LSU's end- of- the- year musical revue Singo 2017, Saturday, April 29@7:30 in the LSU Union Theater. Enjoy a variety of Musical Theater hits from classical to contemporary ! Free admission!! This group is lead by UUMC Member Terry Patrick-Harris.
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ADULT SUNDAY EDUCATION CLASSES FOR SUNDAY, April 30:
[ 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 ]
- Carpenter's Class - We will gather in our regular room, Room 208 in the Trice Building.
- College Class - Meets in upstairs Trice Room 214 for a study on the gospel of John called Unusual Gospel for Unusual People.
- Contemporary Christian Concerns (CCC) Class - Louisiana Fisheries. Fred Bryan, Presenter.
- Foundations Class - This class is largely made up of married couples with children and meets upstairs in the Trice Building. Join us as we continue the study by Bill Hybels, "Just Walk Across the Room."
- Genesis Class - Please join us on the first floor of the Children's Building in the Office (first door on your right when you enter). We will have a lively discussion on subjects relevant to our Faith.
- Intergenerational Class - Please join the Intergenerational Bible Study class on April 30 at 9:45 am in the UUMC library as we discuss the Gospel of Judas. We're scheduled to get through "Scene 2" of the text, which you can find :http://www.nationalgeographic.com/lostgospel/_pdf/GospelofJudas.pdf
- Open Door Class - We complete our study of the Apostles Creed.
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WITHIN THE CHURCH FAMILY...
CONCERNS:
- Condolences to the family of Dorothy "Dot" Eglin, who passed away at the end of March. Her services took place in Columbia, Louisiana on April 3rd.
- Condolences to the family of Constance "Connie" Ogden, who passed away in early April. Her services took place in Houston, Texas on April 13.
PLEASE REMEMBER IN PRAYER:
Janet Albright, Kathleen Arceneaux, Mildred Caldwell, Charlotte Carrier, Doris Dobson, the family of Dorothy "Dot" Eglin, Sandy Godail, Rosemarie Hall, Oleta Hathaway, Louise Hill, Greg Hillman, Nancy Johnson, Henrietta Jones, Barbara Kavanaugh, Dana Kinard, Catherine McManus, Sonni & Bob Muller, Anne Smith, Sheldon Strasner, Jerry Surace, Russell Todd, Paul and Karyn Ungar, Diane Zufall.
*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.*
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