In this edition of the Messenger:
* One conversation group date left.
* Build-A-Gift scheduled
* Youth mission trip planning lunch
* Meet Bob the turkey
* Build A Gift is coming.....learn more
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Dear Friends,
Most of you have heard either during worship or by way of last week’s newsletter that our Children’s Ministry Leader, Kyle Kranes-Rutz, has accepted a full-time ministry position as the Director of Family Ministries at Webster Hills UMC. Kyle’s first Sunday at Webster Hills will be Sunday, November 17. While Kyle intends to help us with the Children’s Christmas Pageant on the first two Sundays in December, and will sing in the Christmas musical on December 15, his last official Sunday with us in Sunday school and worship will be this coming Sunday, November 10.
During worship this Sunday we will ask God’s blessing on Kyle, as he once again enters into full-time ministry. Immediately after worship everyone is welcome to take part in a cupcake reception for Kyle, Richard, and Elijah in the gathering space behind the sanctuary.
We are grateful for this opportunity for Kyle to fulfill his calling to serve in full-time ministry. We have certainly been blessed as Kyle has shared his multiple gifts for ministry with us, most especially his gifts for ministry with children. No doubt he will be a blessing as he serves in ministry with the children and families of Webster Hills UMC.
There is also no doubt that we will miss Kyle. But as someone reminded me recently, there is that old saying about hope: When God closes a door, God also opens a window.
I want to point you toward the
window of opportunity
that
has been opened
for more MUMC adults to become actively involved with Children’s Ministry in our congregation. We Maplewood UMC folks often say how much we love and take delight in OUR children (for indeed they are a gift to ALL of us.) But as much as we say these things and seem to truly mean them, some of our Sunday school teachers have been teaching for years without a break or backup. Even with these dedicated teachers, our Sunday school staffing on most Sundays shows vacancies. With Kyle’s departure, the vacant spaces on the teacher schedule will increase.
So, with a heart full of love for the adults and children of Maplewood UMC, I share this message with you:
It’s time to walk the talk
.
All you need to do to let me know how you are willing to serve in ministry with children or youth ranging in age from pre-school through 12
th
grade is reply to this email.
There are opportunities for service in a variety of roles:
--Sunday school
teacher;
--Sunday school
helper;
--large group leader for the opening of pre-school through 4
th
grade Sunday school;
--Sunday school
greeter/hall monitor;
--Schedule
coordinator
for Sunday school teachers;
--leader for
special projects
on Sunday morning—art, music, drama, service or other --types of project-based learning;
--coordinator for family ministry activities outside of Sunday mornings;
--Children and Youth Ministry area
leadership team
member or team leader.
Once I hear from you, I will arrange a meeting so that we can work together to be in ministry with the children and youth of Maplewood UMC—those who are with us now and those who God will bring through the doors in the future.
I give God thanks for the people of Maplewood UMC—for your strength, your faith, and your willingness to allow God to work in and through your lives in astounding ways. God’s grace, peace, and joy be with you,
Pastor Kim
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During worship this Sunday we will ask God's blessing on Kyle ...
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...and his ministry, serving at Webster Hills UMC. And, yes, we ARE Methodist
and particularly MAPLEWOOD UMC,..everyone is invited to take part in a cupcake reception for Kyle, Richard and Elijah in the Narthex following worship
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Youth Mission Trip Planning Lunch
Sunday, November 10, 1 PM at Webster UM 600 N. Bompart, Webster Groves, MO
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Lunch will be served by Webster UM. Three possible destinations for the 2020 Summer Mission Trip will be presented. the youth will determine the destination and the dates for the trip at this meeting. Be sure to bring your calendars with you to this meeting. Questions? Ask Mark Watkins,
markawatkins@yahoo.com
or (314) 712-4965
.
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"Witnessing Whiteness" to meet at
Maplewood UMC
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Maplewood UMC will serve as a site for a “Witnessing Whiteness” group to meet in 2020 on Mondays from 630-830pm on 1/20, 1/27, 2/10, 2/24, 3/9, 3/23, 3/30, 4/13, 4/27, 5/11. “Witnessing Whiteness,” is a program sponsored by the YWCA Metro St. Louis, designed to bring people who identify as white together to learn about need to talk about race and how to have the conversations. There is no cost for the program other than the cost of the book. It is understood that some participants will miss one or more sessions, but it is important to commit to the group process and be able to attend 8 of the 10 sessions.
The deadline to sign up for this group is November 14.
If you want to sign up, please email Pastor Kim who sill share your name with the group coordinators.
You can learn more about the “Witness Whiteness” program here:
and why a white space here:
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'Building for the future'..just one conversation group to go
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Saturday:
November 9
th
, 10:30am
Led by Tony Kunce (
will meet at church
)
.
Share
YOUR
MUMC STORIES
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The group led by Julia Schaffner met last Sunday, sharing stories and memories
.
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Come Celebrate the Service of Installation for Rev. Robin Bell
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The service will be held at Webster Hills UMC on
Sunday, November 10th at 3:00 PM.
Rev. Bell is our new District Superintendent. The service will be led by Bishop Robert Farr. There will be a reception after the service. Everyone is welcome to attend.
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MRH Elementary School needs help with their November BOOK FAIR
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The Maplewood Richmond Heights Elementary School (
1800 Princeton Pl, St. Louis, MO 63117)
has invited MUMC folks to help with the School Book Fair on Thursday through Saturday, November 7, 8, and 9 and on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday November 11, 12, and 13. Ways to help (including setting up on Nov. 7 and tearing down on Nov. 13) and specific times are described in the sign-up sheet that can be found at this link:
https://signup.com/go/AsbeDpC
For more information contact to Laura Watkins at
(503)990-0908 or
laura.watkins@cru.org
. If you are not Safe Sanctuary certified you will definitely need to complete a form giving permission for a background check. Please email Pastor Kim (
pastor@maplewoodumc.org
) for the form.
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Come Sunday and meet Bob the turkey
and take part in this opportunity to share Thanksgiving dinner with people you might never meet
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Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
There has been a generous outpouring toward sponsoring Thanksgiving Food Baskets to be shared in the local community. This Sunday “Bob the Turkey”
(a turkey named Bob?)
will be on display with sticky notes on his tail feathers listing additional items needed to complete the Thanksgiving baskets. Everyone is invited to pluck a sticky note or two to place on their shopping list. All food items are to be brought to the church
no later than noon on Sunday, November 24.
Steve Shirar will be coordinating box packing and delivery. If you are wiling to shop for items to fill sponsored boxes before November 24;
pack boxes on Sunday afternoon, November 24; or deliver boxes on Monday, November 25 between 1 and 3 p.m.,
please make a note on the Communication Card when you are in worship this Sunday or email
s
ally@maplewoodumc.org
.
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WORDS OF THANKS ...
Your Ministry is Appreciated…
This week one of my colleagues in ministry spoke about events in their life story which have led them to experience the power of the Gospel to give us hope, that when we are in the middle of deep trouble and difficult circumstances, we can trust that there truly is “life on the other side.” One of the ministries of Maplewood UMC that speaks to that truth of the Gospel is the offering of multiple Anger Management courses every year. Thank you to
Beth Abeln
and
Mary Davis
for leading another 6-week Anger Management class at Maplewood UMC this fall. The final session was completed on October 22. In addition to Mary and Beth’s leadership, a number of people who were organized by
Shay Blackwell
provided food and mealtime hospitality to the Anger Management students. Shay is also currently leading an Anger Management class on Thursday afternoons for students who cannot attend evening classes. Shay, Beth, Mary, and all of you who are Hospitality Angels, your ministry of hope and wholeness is greatly appreciated. You are among the unsung heroes of Maplewood UMC. Thank you for your ministry. You are indeed a blessing! Pastor Kim
Thank you to
Amy Cordeal, Tony Kunce, Jan Harsh, Lis and Steve Wall-Smith, and Steve Shirar
for serving at the memorial service for Beverly Ford. And thank you also to
Donna Reynolds
, with assistance from
Colette Cummings
, and all who donated desserts, for putting together a beautiful reception to follow the service. Your ministry was a true gift! Beverly’s friend who was responsible for the funeral arrangements shared with me that she found the service to be beautiful and inspiring and described the reception as like a “royal affair.”
Thank you to
Julia Schaffner
for organizing yet another great Middle School Dance in the Maplewood UMC Fellowship Hall. One hundred twenty-two middle school students attended the dance and brought food for the Weekend on Wheels food pantry. Julia’s Maplewood UMC crew included grocery shopper,
Barb Riney;
Fellowship Hall decorator,
Carolyn Green;
and dance chaperones/clean up helpers:
Kelly Stallman, Mary Davis, Geri Redden, Tim Dunn, Courtney Stotler, Jan Harsh, Dave Kunce, Ben and Cassandra Frederickson, and Colette Cummings
; along with MRH parents,
Nicole Magers and Brandi Miller
and MRH Middle School Principal,
Dr. Michael Dittrich.
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Build-A-Gift
approacheth & YOU can
helpeth
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The date for Build-A-Gift is set -
Saturday, December 7th, at 10:00 AM til Noon
and the plans have been made. There are many ways you can help this annual event happen:
** Sign up
to help at a craft table
** Donate items needed t
o make the Christmas craft.
** Bring Breakfast food
for all to share the day of the event.
Sign up sheets that are displayed on the easel in the Narthex.
Children (ages 3-12)
from our community and congregation
are invited
to come to the church to hand craft gifts for family members and friends. This event is free for all children.
Registration
is required and limited
to the first 70 children who sign up.
If you are unable to register online, please call the church office at 314-781-5902. . While the children are busy making gifts, accompanying adults are welcome to enjoy a cup of coffee and breakfast snack while they wait.
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It's happenin'
this coming week at MUMC
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** Thursday, November 7 - 9:00AM to 2:00 PM -
Second Time Around Shoppe -
DOLLAR A BAG OF CLOTHING DAY
11:30 AM - 3:30 PM -
Church Office Open
** Sunday, November 10 - 9:00 AM -
Prayer in Pastor Kim's Office
9:45 AM
- Sunday School for all ages
11:00 AM
- Worship - Farewell to Kranes-Rutz Family -
1:00 PM
- 2020 Youth Mission Trip Lunch Meeting - Webster UMC
3:00 PM
- Service of Installation for Rev. Robin Bell (our new Dist. Superintendent) - Webster Hills UMC
,
** Monday, November 11 -
Veteran's Day
1:00 PM
- English as a Second Language Classes
7:00 PM
- GriefShare Class
7:00 PM
- Small Group Study -
**
Tuesday, November 12 - 9:30 AM -
Quilter Group meets
11:30 AM-3:30PM -
Church Office Open
1:00 PM
- English as a Second Language Classes
**
Wednesday November 13- 1:00 PM
- English as a Second Language Classes
6:30 PM -
Cub Scout Meeting - Fellowship Hall
7:00 PM
- Choir Practice - in choir room
** Thursday, November 14 - 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Second Time Around Shoppe -
11:30 AM - 3:30 PM -
Church Office Open
1:00-3:00 PM -
Anger Management class
Upcoming events:
Sunday, Nov. 24 - Consecration Sunday - Greg Weeks speaking, followed by an ALL CHURCH luncheon.
Friday, Dec. 6 - Annual Maplewood Christmas Tree Walk - 6 PM
Saturday, Dec. 7 - Build A Gift 10:00 AM - 12 Noon
Sunday, Dec. 15 - Annual Christmas Pageant during worship 11 AM
Sunday, Dec. 15 - Choir Christmas Musical at Maplewood UMC 5:00 PM
Sunday, Dec. 22 - Choir Christmas Musical at Centenary UMC 6:00 PM
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Maplewood United Methodist Church
7409 Flora Ave. (corner of Flora and Sutton)
St. Louis, MO 63143
Pastor's Cell: 314-651-9999
Church Phone Number - 314-781-5902
Website: maplewoodumc.org
(Church Office Open Tuesday + Thursdays - 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM)
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Every Sunday
9:45 AM Sunday School for all ages
11:00 AM Worship
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