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 The Vision
October- November, 2014
Bound Together in Love
“..and over all these things, put on love, which binds all things
together in unity.” ~ Colossians 3:14
Hello, church family!
As we all returned from Summer playtime and travel, we entered into a time of
praising God for all that we are given to love and care for, including each other. In
the midst of all of that we received the most AMAZING birthday present from the
Bishop and our Conference:
Thanks to the hard work of your Finance Ministry Team, your Church Council, and
your pastors, together with YOUR prayers and support, Bishop Warner Brown and the
Conference are in the process of securing a MAJOR source of funding toward our
mortgage.
OUR PRAYERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED!
The details are being worked out, and we should be able to give you a dollar
amount very soon! The wonderful thing is not only the money, but also the support:
the Conference has come alongside us in a powerful way in affirmation of our
mission and ministry. This is the beauty of being part of a “connectional Church”
rather than a congregational one: we invest in each other. With this, we are
presented with a very promising future of fiscal health and an avenue to take this
church to new heights; in return, sometime in the future we will have the opportunity
to invest in other churches’ health and wholeness. Praise the Lord!
You are part of a growing, benevolent, Christ-centered congregation. We are an
integral part of our community and a cornerstone of our California-Nevada
Conference. SRUMC has ministered in Reno and around the world for 25 years; we
are here together now because members years ago counted themselves blessed,
and invested their gifts of gratitude and joy in us. Praise God for all of it, and may
God continue to bless us richly many, many years into the future.
Love and blessings,
Your Pastors ☺
Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.
South Reno United Methodist Church
www.southrenoumc.org
the Vision
ALL CHURCH CONFERENCE
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Join us for this VERY IMPORTANT year end meeting! We will celebrate
our ministries together, see a great slideshow, hear reports from our
administrative ministry teams, and vote on this year’s church officers.
It is very important for every member to attend, and we know that
you will find it inspiring and informative. See you there!
Claiming Our Purpose
As we celebrate our 25th birthday together, we have been spending
September considering who we are as a church, who we hope to
become, and what our vision is for the future. A group of us met in
August for an all-church retreat to dream and hope and talk about
all of that, and during worship all of September, we have been asking
you to participate with your thoughts and prayers. Below are the
beautiful things you have written and told us, verbatim. On October
28, as part of our year-end reporting and celebration, we will launch
our new year together with a new purpose statement, the core
values we are developing, and talk about powerful vision for the
future. This is a great time for SRUMC, thanks to all of you!
At SRUMC, we value:
Meaningful Worship that Inspires and Teaches
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Music, fellowship, opportunity for gratitude
Preach the Gospel; sing God’s praises
Love the focus on the stories of the Bible, some would like more old
hymns.
Meaningful worship the foundation. Amen!
Worship is a “must” in church life. We come to be renewed and to
affirm one another
Worship fills me with joy
In worship, banners, flowers every Sunday
Worship together: this means showing up, even when you are tired, the
house is dirty, you are behind at work, and the kids complain. Get
here.
Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.
South Reno United Methodist Church
www.southrenoumc.org
the Vision
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The music here in worship always moves me to a more humble, happy,
and grateful place. The sermons are inspirational. I love to be brought
more into God’s word!
Joys and concerns: pastors express brief words of comfort, love,
longing, healing too. Sermons leave me go with reflections, questions.
When two or more are gathered in his name – there is LOVE
Worship, family and friends, sense of belonging
Worship is so important to my life because it reconnects me to people
through our common connection to God.
Worship is a time to connect with God, and music helps me with this.
Praising God with beautiful music, encouraging us to be better people,
and not condemning us for being who we are: humans; praying
together.
Inspirational worship to provide reflection, hope, and renewal for the
days ahead.
Worship music
Sharing joys and concerns, talking with our elders/deacons, prayers
Praise, music, prayer and service
Read the bible and pray
Music and laughter
I like worship that focuses most on lessons from the Bible
Worship encourages service
Worship is a time for me to be closer to my God, time for me to
remember to pray for my loved ones current and past.
We honor the Lord of the universe, because He is worthy of our praise
Meaningful worship provides guidance for living my life, provides hope
for the future
Great sermons!
Music, inspiration, sanctuary
Ways to bring the Bible to life; Bible study
Biblical foundation and teaching, the required basis for everything.
I learn something new about Scripture and myself every time I come to
church.
It brings me closer to my God, and allows an opportunity to be with
the ones I love.
Encountering Christ in our midst, rehearsing God’s/our story and our
response, sharing God’s love in fellowship
An opportunity for fellowship, feel love, method of study and growth
If dull and repetitive, people lose interest and become complacent
Worship means replenishing our hearts and souls to bring that love to
others during the week
Worship is the starting point. We need to have our batteries recharged
to the worship outside.
Worship is to inspire how to be a better Christian in the community.
Makes one realize that there is something else, other than our
everyday concerns.
It’s all about Jesus.
Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.
South Reno United Methodist Church
www.southrenoumc.org
the Vision
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We value words that are spoken clearly and loudly during service so all
can hear.
Worship means positive happiness to me, the joy of being able to be a
part of the church.
We value meaningful worship that inspires and teaches us how to
apply lessons of Christianity to our everyday lives
Hospitality and Open Doors to the Community
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Welcoming, friendships
Make hope available to those that need a safe place, a home for
acceptance, no matter their past
Acceptance and welcome for all
Open doors. Pastors please greet me at the door, call me by name
and learn about me and my family
I’m glad this church is open to anyone in the community, and
welcomes people from all walks of life as Jesus does
Get to know people in small groups, learn about their talents and use
them
Open hearts: this is acceptance of all people, be they gay, straight,
single, divorced, young, old, white, black, brown or some combo of all
of the above! Open doors = open hearts.
Hospitality and open doors are critical to create a place where
people want to worship and feel welcomed to worship and grow their
faith
Showing others a caring community
This church is a beacon of hospitality, one of the reasons we attend
Opportunities for the community to join us
Friendship and gathering
All are welcome at our church, my house, my heart
SRUMC is open to everyone and provides a meeting place for a wide
variety of groups.
Look after one another, follow up on sick and bereaved members
The way we welcome others to or church community
illustrates/demonstrates our love and compassion
Being an open church means welcoming those who believe, and
those who don’t, teaching love through example
Makes people feel welcome, so they will return. Very important. You
sometimes have only one chance.
God loves people of all faiths. Not an exclusive club.
Encouraging newcomers and advertising our services and events to
the community, and giving a clear invitation
As a visitor, I am always amazed at the welcome I receive here. This
morning, Pastor Dawn even knew my LAST name! I feel Christ’s
presence because of the warmth extended to me through his people.
Open doors to all: children, community, all faiths, everyone is
welcome.
Greeting on Sundays and public relations – advertising and public
announcements
Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.
South Reno United Methodist Church
www.southrenoumc.org
the Vision
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Giving selflessly to families and community
It is good that SRUMC is welcoming to others, not a closed or exclusive
feeling to this church.
Spiritual Growth and Faith Development for All Ages
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Friendship, learning
Bible classes and Sunday school
The service educates me, I believe the various classes and Sunday
schools are great
Relate to world around us
To build and grow our faith, to bring boldness and strength and hope
by sharing with others
By growing in faith ourselves, we can be a vessel of God’s love to
others we meet daily
Education reinforces our belief and faith in God
Spiritual growth and faith development will inspire and motivate us to
attempt all the other core values. Spiritual growth is a personal
experience and it grows by faith and is revealed to everyone around
us by our words and actions
Praying with others is a very powerful and awe-inspiring act. I need
others to grow along my spiritual walk, and I thank God for all of you.
Love Thursday Friends for spiritual growth and friendship.
As we learn and grow in the Holy Spirit, faith grows. At a certain level of
maturity, true gratitude.
Opportunities for children and adults to grow in faith and learn about
the Bible, and discuss current and different issues.
Never feeling alone.
Study groups, Sunday school, youth groups, children’s programming,
VBS
I love that SRUMC brings the Bible alive to our neighbors, through our
fantastic VBS program. I love the way our church takes seriously the
message of being a servant to our fellow pilgrims.
To be challenged to understand what you believe; to programing that
exposes us to different thoughts.
Without growth, we become stagnant and irrelevant
Fellowship and learning
Personal evolution
It means group classes, or it means whatever else you can do to
“learn”. For me, right now I can use the Holy Bible ap to read a verse of
the day and to listen to the audio of the old and new testament in a
year. (On day 7 ☺ )
Celebration singers is a service to those living in assisted living centers,
or retirement homes, bringing an opportunity for their spiritual growth
and faith development
Yes! There are many great classes. Special gratefulness for miss shellie,
miss nora, miss pat, beautiful music.
Like physical growth, if we don’t grow then we wither and die
Grow in faith together, always growing
Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.
South Reno United Methodist Church
www.southrenoumc.org
the Vision
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Without it, we will die
Values: it is at this time that service and true worship takes place. And
this is here Joy resides! With service and joy, hospitality and worship
and mission follow. With spiritual growth we see the fruits of the spirit
develop in each individual.
Personal spiritual growth is key to heavenly success
Participating in a bible study inspires me to read the scriptures and
spend time to understand.
I love the emphasis on “study” because I get exposed to ideas that I
wouldn’t necessarily find on my own.
Helps me to live a more positive life.
Studies to learn more about God and how to interact with present day
problems.
Mission and Service to the Community
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Only by doing and giving can I really grow.
Mission and outreach allows me to give back for all the blessings in my
life. It is fun to connect with others.
Practicing compassion is so important, because it connects us all and
gives us great abundant joy.
Giving
Mission teams
Feed the hungry
Friends and family
Community program support
This church does a lot for the community, and that is good
Mission, service to community, action in support of faith
Mission trips; garden
To care is to receive
Action, not just words
This means doing for others for the benefit of them, not for your own
growth or ego boost or sense of pride.
So that others may know the heart of God toward them.
Opportunity to share our stories with others of who and how we got to
be in faith with God and Jesus.
Helping others make the world a better place, and me a better person
Christ’s commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves
Reaching out to serve the poor, the needy, and the shut-ins
The Methodist church is strong in its service to the community, thanks
be to God. Prayers and Squares a great blessing.
This speaks to me and is the most important of our core values. It is
rooted in our legacy and in our destiny. All the other core values follow
our mission and service.
Support church and time; mission projects, local, and international
Providing care and service of help to those in the community near and
far
Being open to the community IS an act of worship.
Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.
South Reno United Methodist Church
www.southrenoumc.org
the Vision
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I believe mission is key to all churches everywhere, be it mission at
home or abroad. Go forth and make disciples of all men.
More translation how to put lessons into action in daily lives
I am grateful for the opportunities that have been given to us to be of
service. Please continue church work days and other simple ways to
serve.
Mission and service are what Jesus calls us to do. We need to be the
hands and feet of Christ to others.
Scouting (Troop 15), ways to better serve them, ways they can help
others, food bank
Mission work is so important to this church. That makes me feel thankful
for meeting others’ needs.
How awesome is that?! ☺ The “most important words” that you sent in
a few weeks ago, along with all of these comments and conversations
we have shared, are being incorporated together into a new “purpose
statement.” For the past many years we have used “Open hearts, open
minds, and open doors” to help us describe who we are and who we
hope to become; now, it is time to claim who we are in a new way.
Though we still believe those words wholeheartedly, they are the words
of the United Methodist Church as a whole, and we need a statement
that belongs specifically and especially to us. See you on the 28th!
Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.
South Reno United Methodist Church
www.southrenoumc.org
the Vision
UMC Webcast Will Address Human Sexuality,
Church Unity
November 1, 8am – 10am Central Time;
6am – 8am Pacific Time
From United Methodist Communications:
“United Methodists will have an opportunity to ask questions and offer
comments regarding human sexuality and the church during a Nov. 1
webcast.
The webcast will be livestreamed from 8 to 10 a.m. Central time. It is the
second of three webcasts planned by the Human Sexuality Task Force of the
Connectional Table. The table coordinates the general church’s ministries,
mission and resources.
People will be able to ask questions on Facebook and Twitter using the
hashtag #cttalks during the livestream, or just watch via this link:
http://www.umc.org/who-we-are/connectional-table-webcast-finding-ourway-love-law-united-methodist-church
Questions will be answered by a panel of seven bishops who contributed to
“Finding Our Way: Love and Law in The United Methodist Church,” published
by the United Methodist Publishing House’s Abingdon Press. Panelists include
Bishops Hope Morgan Ward, Kenneth H. Carter, J. Michael Lowry, Gregory V.
Palmer, Melvin G. Talbert, Rosemarie Wenner and John K. Yambasu. Also
participating will be Neil Alexander, president and publisher of the Publishing
House, who helped edit the book.
Viewers are encouraged to read the book in advance. United Methodist
leaders may gather church members for viewing and joining the discussion on
Nov. 1. Resources can be found at www.umc.org/homosexuality.
View archived April 29, 2014, conversation on human sexuality, our mission
and United Methodist church law, and click on the archived #CTtalks Twitter
discussion. For more information, please contact Ashley Boggan
at [email protected] or 773-714-1517.
Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.
South Reno United Methodist Church
www.southrenoumc.org
the Vision
Welcome our New Pianist
Bryan Chuan
Bryan Chuan is the new pianist for South Reno United Methodist
Church. He is a longtime Reno resident and a graduate of Reno High
and Harvard University. Bryan
began studying piano at age six,
and the next year he began
studying with the late Ely
Haimowitz, whom he credits as his
greatest mentor. In high school,
Bryan won several first prizes for
both solo piano and chamber
ensemble performance at the
Nevada All State Music Festival,
attended the Boston University
Tanglewood Institute for two summers, and played violin for various
orchestras and ensembles. At Harvard, Bryan majored in music and
performed with the Harvard Pops Orchestra, Hasty Pudding
Theatricals, Lowell House Opera, Bach Society Orchestra, and various
chamber groups. Bryan is also an avid runner (completed the 2008
and 2011 Boston Marathons), cyclist, and trivia geek.
Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.
South Reno United Methodist Church
www.southrenoumc.org
the Vision
Harvest Festival
November 9, 9am – 1pm
Mark your calendars for the Harvest Festival, November 9th, 9am to
1pm! A wide variety of crafts, art work, quilted and knitted items,
jewelry, an antique corner, collectables,
raffle items, baked goods and a chili lunch
will be available.
Please consider donating any of the above
items to make the Festival a success! We
know there are a lot of talented people in
our congregation!
Bring your donations to the church on
Saturday, November 8th from 9am to12pm.
For more information, contact Nancy Kepple, 853-2982 or Bonnie
Hubert, 849-9544.
Canticles in Candlelight
Christmas Cantata, Sunday December 21
during 9:30 Worship
On Sunday, December 21st, our Sanctuary Choir will present
composer Joseph M. Martin’s new cantata, “Canticles in
Candlelight”, during the 9:30 a.m. worship service. This beautiful
work is an innovative presentation of the beloved Christmas story,
blending new Christmas anthems with favorite yuletide carols. As the
choir begins to prepare this message in song, we welcome singers
who would like to sing in the choir but who cannot make a year-long
commitment to choir rehearsals. If you are interested in joining us for
this special musical gift to the congregation, please contact Judy
Flamer, Music Director after church, or at 851-8566 for further details.
Come and join us for this joyous Christmas worship experience!
Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.
South Reno United Methodist Church
www.southrenoumc.org
the Vision
Children and Family Ministries
Parents: Don’t forget to fill out the Sunday School
Registration Forms! It is so helpful that these be filled out
each year, so that we have current information on your
family, as well as any allergies that our teachers need to
be aware of. You can receive registration forms from your child’s
Sunday school teacher, or you can find them in the hallway outside
the classrooms. Thanks so much for your support of our children’s
ministry program.
Nora Schmidt
CROP Walk 2014
Sunday, October 19th at 1:30pm
Come join me on Sunday, October 20th at 1:30 at the Snowflake
Pavilion in Idlewild Park for registration and a pre-walk rally. This 3 mile
walk is a community event organized by local faith groups and other
volunteer organizations. The walk has two purposes:
1- raise awareness about people around the world who must walk far
and wide to find food, water, firewood, freedom and other
necessities of life.
2- raise funds to help stop hunger around the neighborhood and
around the world.
25% of the funds from the Crop Hunger Walk will remain at work
locally through the Kids Café of the Food Bank of Northern NV, Ridge
House & the Community Food Pantry. The balance goes where it is
most needed in the world to respond to disasters, assist to resettle
refugees, and provide emergency funds. In the last 22 years our local
walks have raised $235,644.59!
To receive a donation envelope, or for more information, see Nora
Schmidt at the CROP WALK table in the gathering space starting
Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.
South Reno United Methodist Church
www.southrenoumc.org
the Vision
September 28th! I will have my sponsor form with me each Sunday,
and would LOVE for you to sponsor me on this 3 mile walk! Let’s see
how much SRUMC can raise for this most worthy cause.
~ Nora Schmidt
Celebration Singers
Please join us for an hour of favorite hymns, patriotic songs and
songs of yesteryear.
Sunday, October 12, 2014 at 2 p.m.
Wynwood of Sparks,
2000 E Prater Way, Sparks, NV.
Mission Possible
Mission possible is planning a trip to Camp Lodestar November 7-9 to
replace a couple of roofs. No experience necessary! We also need
ground crew if you don't care to be on the roof. We plan on arriving
Thursday evening and returning Sunday evening. All tools and
equipment will be provided. The accommodations are comfortable
and private (2 single beds to a room) and meals are terrific. We might
even be allowed to run the zip line. Please contact Annie Hodge at
849-0638 or Sue Boon at 853-2975 to sign up.
Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.
South Reno United Methodist Church
www.southrenoumc.org
the Vision
Diaper Drive for WACCS
Our Nurture Ministries Team is excited to begin an on-going “Diaper
Drive” for The Women and Children’s Center of the Sierra (WACCS),
501C3 nonprofit founded in 2008 in Reno. Some interesting facts:
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WACCS’ mission is to help women escape poverty in order to
provide a better life for themselves and their families.
Their services include high school equivalency prep, computer
and English as a Second Language classes, Gateway to Success
job search and readiness assistance and a “diaper bank.”
They serve approximately 300 people each month.
In the last year, 15 students passed their high school equivalency
tests.
Since March of this year, 23 women have been placed in jobs
making at least 20% more than minimum wage.
One of WACCS’ many services is their “Diaper Bank.” They
distribute 11,000 – 12,000 diapers yearly to families in need.
Diapers and toilet paper cannot be purchased with food
stamps.
Cloth diapers generally are not an option for women living in
poverty. Laundromats will not allow women to wash diapers in
their machines. Most women do not have washing machines in
their apartments. Daycares generally will only deal with
disposable diapers.
See www.WACCS.org.
Let’s all help out this wonderful organization. SRUMC is collecting
diapers to donate to WACCS. The greatest need is for Diaper Sizes 2 –
6, but they can use all sizes. They will accept open packages of
diapers. They also have a great need for toilet paper. Please
consider buying a supply of diapers and drop them off in the SRUMC
Narthex.
Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.
South Reno United Methodist Church
www.southrenoumc.org
the Vision
Close Knit Friends
Close Knit Friends clicked their knitting needles and crochet hooks for
babies in September to make 102 purple baby caps. The Sky Peaks
Retirement community invited local knitters, crocheters and crafters
to create purple baby caps as part of their participation in the public
education campaign organized by the National Center on Shaken
Baby Syndrome. (www.dontshake.org). These caps along with a
video, booklet, and bedside information will be distributed to new
parents in local hospitals and educate others about the stressful and
frustrating period of increased infant crying known as The Period of
Purple Crying. For more
information go to
purplecrying.info.
Our donation boxes are
overflowing with lap
blankets for the Veterans'
Hospital, baby and
children's blankets for the
Ronald McDonald House,
hats and scarves for
Ridge House, CAAW, and Hosanna Home. These items will
be distributed this month and into the early weeks of December. We
continue to collect donations of washable yarn or funding to
purchase yarn for this Creative Arts Ministry. Check the bulletin board
in the hallway outside the church office to see photos of our projects.
There is a yarn donation box too. Thank you for your support!
We gather on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month at 1 pm in
rooms 8 & 9 and welcome all skill levels! Patterns and supplies are
available from our Lending Cabinet. Join us on Mondays - October
13 & 27, November 10 & 24, and December 8. For more information,
please call Peggy at 622-0128.
Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.
South Reno United Methodist Church
www.southrenoumc.org
the Vision
Prayers and Squares
The Prayers and Squares group continues to meet at the church at
10AM on the second Thursday of the month to add the finishing
touches to the quilts. We continue to hear very positive comments
about the powerful effect that prayer quilts have made to the
recipients of the quilts as well as to those that make them. Come join
in fellowship as we make this important ministry happen – no
experience needed. Out next meeting will be October 9 and
November 13th at 10AM. For additional information, please contact
Cleve Bjur at 852-1626.
Pre School Fun!!!
Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.
South Reno United Methodist Church
www.southrenoumc.org
the Vision
Autumn and Christmas Worship
World Communion Sunday
Sunday November 2
A very special service of unity, with a pot luck “love feast” to follow!
Thanksgiving Eve
Wednesday November 26 at 7:00pm
An evening service of grace before Thanksgiving, with scripture,
prayer, and music from the choir. Pumpkin pie to follow.
Advent Begins on November 30!
Hanging of the Greens, Sunday November 30
Children’s Pageant, Sunday December 14
Longest Night, Sunday December 21 5:30pm
Candlelight Christmas Eve
6:00pm for children and families
8:00pm and 10:00pm Lessons and Carols
Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.
South Reno United Methodist Church
www.southrenoumc.org