Mission u Training - part 4

Adding prayers to the prayer board

The final morning of Mission u training in Portland began with LOTS of energetic music and a thought-provoking plenary session.
The lessons learned over the past three days were explored:

Learning styles that assist transformative learning 
Visual/spatial - drawing/timeline
verbal/linguistic - spoken/written word
mathematics/logical - reasoning/problem-solving
bodily/kinesthetic - interact w/ environment/change positions
musical/rhythmic - patterns/rhythms/auditory
intrapersonal - feelings/values/attitudes
interpersonal - interact with others/team projects
naturalist - classifications/sorting/assign values/priority
existential - learn by examining the big picture/defining role in world.

Three passages that show challenges addressed and the "shift" that occurred:
Matthew 15:21-28
Mark 5:24-34
2 Kings 5:1-16

Mission u training - part 3

The music had 'em up on their feet!!!

"The pearl of justice is found in heart of mercy." 

- St. Catherine of Sienna

The second full day at Mission u training in Portland was a whirl of activity with  worship, sharing from the mission program areas, two more sessions for leaders (of the two topics), and a get-together with the Yellowstone Conference team putting together this year's program!  Whew!

The event winds up tomorrow and then its putting the finishing touches on the presentations for Mission Valley in August!!!

Mission u Training - part 2

Worship space @ Mission u

A sunny day on the Colombia River

The first full day of Mission u training was filled with learning, fellowship and of course, worship and people from Alaska to New Jersey came together to prepare for the coming Mission u experience!

From Pastor's group this morning: 
"I was created to see God, and I have not yet accomplished that for which I was made." - St. Anselm of Canterbury

There are five from the Yellowstone Conference taking part and the excitement for this year's topics is fantastic!!!  Attending from YAC are Pastor Charles, Su DeBree, Stephanie Kraai, Diane Martin, and Bertha Roylance.

Mission u Training - part 1

Pastor Charles is in Portland, Oregon this week (Wednesday - Saturday), taking part in training for study leaders for this year's Mission u.  He will be one of the two presenters for the Yellowstone Conference with the topic, "How is it with your soul?"

This morning, the focus was on Transformative Learning, one great idea that was shared was based on "The World Peace Game and Other 4th-grade Achievements."  There is a wonderful YouTube video which shows how 4th-graders are learning and growing in a creative fashion.

Ascension Day

Blessed are you, Lord of heaven and earth,
to you be glory and praise for ever.
From the darkness of death you have raised your Christ
to the right hand of your majesty on high.
The pioneer of our faith, his passion accomplished,
has opened for us the way to heaven
and sends on us the promised Spirit.
May we be ready to follow the Way
and so be brought to the glory of his presence
where songs of triumph for ever sound:
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. All Blessed be God for ever.

- Church of England

Memorial Day weekend @ SUMC

A reflection by Judge Ed Sperry may be found at this link and Pastor Charles' sermon may be seen at this link.

JOYS

It is a good day to worship God!!!

Visitors.

Reunion visits with family and friends.

Teachers and school administrators.

Many, many children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews who are about to graduate and move to the next chapter in their lives.

Sharon W. is in church.

All enjoying better health.

All who garden and grow lovely flowers and delicious food.

The second week there are freshly grown vegetables on the mission-fund-donations’ table in the fellowship hall:  Rhubarb!

Learning new things.

Indy 500 today.

All who helped with the hospitality ministry yesterday – preparing and serving food at the meal provided in the fellowship hall – after Harry Dozier’ funeral.

Hazel playing music for us today.

Janice and Dave serving as both greeters and acolytes today.

Lisa M. and Linda K.’s hospitality ministry this morning.

Dean D.’s faithful service taking care of the church landscaping this past week.

All who serve the church.

All volunteering at Flathead Lake this weekend, getting the camp ready for summer activities.

Carol G’s lovely flowers from her garden – on the communion table today.

Safe travels.

CONCERNS

Prayers for the families and friends who are honoring and remembering the war dead.  It was noted that since 2003, there have been more than 6,650 killed in the two conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Thirty-eight of them were from Montana, and two of them were from Ravalli County.

Prayers for all our military Veterans and their families, especially those who are dealing with “the loss of body, mind and/or spirit.”

Prayers for healing mercies for son-in-law Alex, Ed S.’s sisters, Anne H., Ms. Hattie, Friend Karen and a college friend.

Prayers for those dealing with the aftermath of spring storms.

Prayers for all those involved with the mission and ministry of our local Genesis House.

Prayers for all involved with school systems’ cut-backs which affect individuals’ quality of life.

Prayers for travelling mercies and for those not with us today.

Funeral of Harry Dozier, Jr.

Kathy and Lisa help serve the refreshments 

The funeral service for Stevensville resident, Harry Dozier, Jr. took place this afternoon at the Whitesitt Funeral Home with Pastor Charles officiating.

Following the service family and friends came to the church for a wonderful meal provided by the UMW. 

Special thanks to Bonita Ziegler for leading the team that put on the meal: Belinda Alkula, Trudy Freeman, Kathy Haarman, Lisa Hayden, and Lisa Menery.

Happy Aldersgate Day!!!

UMW Assembly 2014: Sunday Morning and Closing Worship (4/27/14)

Deaconesses were consecrated by Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey, Bishop Violet Fisher. They were then joined by Harriett Jane Olson, Rev. Dr. Susan Henry-Crowe, Erin Hawkins for worship and communion. Mahina Movement, Friends of the Groom, Assembly Choir performed.

Visit this link to watch!

Here is a link for the opening worship.

Here is a link for the speech by Hillary Rodham Clinton.

"Fairest Lord Jesus"

Click on this sentence to hear the lovely hymn that the church choir sang this past Sunday.

“Fairest Lord Jesus”

Fairest Lord Jesus,
Ruler of all nature:
O Thou art God
And man, the son.
Thee, will I cherish;
Thee, will I honor.
Thou, my soul's glory, joy and crown.

Fair are the meadows.
Fairer still the woodlands.
Robed in the blooming God of spring
Jesus is fairer.
Jesus is purer
Who makes the wounded heart to sing.

Fair is the sunshine.
Fairer still the moonlight.
And all the twinkling starry host.
Oh, Jesus shines brighter.
Jesus shines purer
Than all the angels Heaven can boast.

Beautiful Savior,
Lord of the nations:
Son of God and Son of Man.
Glory and honor
Praise, adoration
Now and forevermore be thine.

Glory and honor, praise, adoration
Now and forevermore be thine.

Amen.  Amen.  Amen.

Bring Back Our Girls

Below are the names of the schoolgirls known to be kidnapped in the school raid by Boko Haram. Suggest that you pick a few girls from this list each day and pray for them until they are returned home.

Please bear in mind this is not the first such attack by Boko Haram nor is that group the only one hurting the innocent in Nigeria or elsewhere in the world.  This is just the latest attack and serves as a reminder that we must keep informed about the world and how to respond or better yet, to prevent the harm to the most vulnerable among us.

Deborah Abge Christian Awa Abge Hauwa Yirma Asabe Manu Mwa Malam Pogu Patiant Dzakwa Saraya Mal. Stover Mary Dauda Gloria Mainta Hanatu Ishaku Gloria Dama Tabitha Pogu Maifa Dama Ruth Kollo Esther Usman Awa James Anthonia Yahonna Kume Mutah Aisha Ezekial Nguba Buba Kwanta Simon Kummai Aboku Esther Markus Hana Stephen Rifkatu Amos Rebecca Mallum Blessing Abana Ladi Wadai Tabitha Hyelampa Ruth Ngladar Safiya Abdu Na'omi Yahonna Salomi Titus Rhoda John Rebecca Kabu

Christy Yahi Rebecca Luka Laraba John Saratu Markus Mary Usman Debora Yahonna Naomi Zakaria HanatuMusa Hauwa Tella Juliana Yakubu Suzana Yakubu Saraya Paul Jummai Paul Mary Sule Jummai John Yanke Shittima Muli Waligam Fatima Tabji Eli Joseph Saratu Emmanuel Deborah Peter Rahila Bitrus Luggwa Sanda Kauna Lalai Lydia Emmar Laraba Maman Hauwa Isuwa Confort Habila HauwaAbdu Hauwa Balti Yana Joshua Laraba Paul Saraya Amos Glory Yaga Na'omi Bitrus Godiya Bitrus

Awa Bitrus Na'omi Luka Maryamu Lawan Tabitha Silas Mary Yahona Ladi Joel Rejoice Sanki Luggwa Samuel Comfort Amos Saraya Samuel Sicker Abdul Talata Daniel Rejoice Musa Deborah Abari Salomi Pogu Mary Amor Ruth Joshua Esther John Esther Ayuba Maryamu Yakubu Zara Ishaku Maryamu Wavi Lydia Habila Laraba Yahonna Na'omi Bitrus Rahila Yahanna Ruth Lawan Ladi Paul Mary Paul Esther Joshua Helen Musa Margret Watsai Deborah Jafaru Filo Dauda Febi Haruna Ruth Ishaku

Racheal Nkeki Rifkatu Soloman Mairarna Yahaya Saratu Dauda Jinkai Yama Margret Shettima Yana Yidau Grace Paul AminaAli Palmata Musa Awagana Musa Pindar Nuhu Yana Pogu Saraya Musa Hauwa Joseph Hauwa Kwakwi Hauwa Musa Maryarnu Musa Maimuna Usman Rebeca Joseph Liyatu Habitu Rifkatu Yakubu Naomi Philimon Deborah Abbas Ladi Ibrahim Asabe Ali Maryamu Bularna Ruth Amos Mary Ali Abigail Bukar Deborah Amos Saraya Yanga Kauna Luka Christiana Bitrus Yana Bukar Hauwa Peter

Hadiza Yakubu Lydia Simon Ruth Bitrus Mary Yakubu Lugwa Mutah Muwa Daniel Hanatu Nuhu Monica Enoch Margret Yama Doeas Yakubu Rhoda Peter Rifkatu Galang Saratu Ayuba Naomi Adamu Hauwa lshaya Rahap Ibrahim Deborah Soloman Hauwa Mutah Hauwa Takai Serah Samuel Aishatu Musa Aishatu Grema Hauwa Nkeki Hamsatu Abubakar Mairama Abubakar Hauwa Wule Ihyi Abdu Hasana Adamu Rakiya Kwamtah Halima Gamba Aisha Lawan Kabu Malla Yayi Abana Falta Lawan Kwadugu Manu

We pray, O Lord, for the safe return home of each of those held captive by Boko Haram. And we ask that in some way, there might be a maturing of understanding and true righteousness in the captors, so that they might abandon violence as a way of promoting their goals. In Jesus' name. Amen.