Category Archives: Announcements and Stuff

UMW News

By the time this is being read, the UMW and hopefully other church attendees will have decorated the church for Christmas and enjoyed pizza together. This has always been a joyous time as we laugh, joke, and try to remember where to put everything! However, there is part of this nostalgia that reminds us we will not share our UMW fellowship until our March meeting. But, after the short, dark days of winter, we once again will gather to discuss Easter plans and our next Strawberry Social preparations!

Shalom, Edie

Adult Sunday School
Adult Sunday School will resume on Sunday, January 9^th following our holiday break. We are looking for your suggestions for a book (s) of the Bible to study as we continue to grow spiritually. Please speak to Pastor Gary with your suggestions.

Winter Weather
Weather for the winter months can make travel at time dangerous while attempting to be present at worship and other church activities. Please use your best judgement for safety reasons. Should worship or other activities be cancelled, we will do our best to notify you by phone and email.

THANK YOU
Bob and I appreciate the kindness and concern our Church Family has shown towards Karen and us. Last Thursday, Karen was transferred from Bronson to a dementia facility in Fremont. Receiving a ”Thinking of You” or a Christmas card might brighten her day.

Poinsettias are used to beautify the altar of our church during the Christmas season. The cost is $10.00 each and orders and payment are due to Patsy Schneider by Sunday, December 12. Forms will be included as an insert with the Nov, 28 and Dec. 5 bulletins.

Our schedule will be:

Sunday December 19^th
Christmas Craft and Coffee – A time to gather and make a simple Christmas Craft and enjoy each other’s fellowship during the Holiday Season.

Sunday January 9th – February 20^th
We will return as a group to study a book from the New Testament. The book is yet to be determined. Please speak to Pastor Gary about a book that you would like to suggest for study.

Sunday March 6^th – April 10^th
Lenten Study

UMW News
It is with such joy that our UMW gathered to do business and to fellowship.  The next meeting will not be on the usual third Thursday for two reasons: one, it is Thanksgiving and two, we gather to decorate for the Advent season,  Yes, it really is the start of an important time in our church as well as our personal life

First, let us wish each other a Happy Thanksgiving.  I personally love this holiday because there is no anxiety over gift giving. It is a time for family and friends to gather in love and appreciation for all God is giving us.

During the first week of November, the warm hats, mittens and socks will be taken to the Montague schools for any student, child or youth that might need them.

The church decorating and pizza party will take place on November 26, and we will gather at the church at 12 o’clock.  Please, ladies of the church and friends, you are all welcome to join the UMW.  We are adding an extra pizza for all to enjoy so don’t think you need to be shy about showing up!

May our Lord smile on us for He knows we Methodists love to gather for food and fellowship!

Missions News

Food Basket Trinity Food Bank
Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner. We are blessed to once again to have a “Gathering In” of food stuffs to help Trinity Food Bank in our shared mission ensuring that all are fed. Please bring nonperishable items and place them on the “Sharing Table” in our fellowship hall. The items donated will be given to the Trinity Food Bank, the second week of November, in time to be included in the Thanksgiving sharing. If you prefer to make a monetary donation to help purchase turkeys or hams that would be great too! Mark your check for “Food Bank” payable to Claybanks UMC and place it in the Sunday Worship offering plate. God bless you as you bless others. Your Mission Group.

Adult Sunday School
We will return to Adult Sunday School Class following a short break on Sunday November 7^th at 9:30 am.

The Gathering – Free Meal and Good Company
The Claybanks UMC will be serving lunch for the “Gathering” the first Saturday of each month. All foods must be prepared on sight to meet health requirements so we will be using the certified kitchen at the Praise Center (Former Whitehall UMC building). We will meet there at 10:30 am on Saturday November 6^th to prepare the meal, set tables and serve the meal from 12 noon until 1:00 pm. Following the meal, we will then clean up. As you can see this is going to need many hands. If you are interested in being a part of this missional opportunity to serve our community, please let Patsy Schneider or Reba Peterson know your willingness to serve. You do not need to be there the entire time, nor do we expect everyone to commit to every first Saturday. ‘Our first meal will be Sloppy Joes, chips, carrots, celery, brownies and beverages.

Opportunities to serve:

10:30 am -Fry beef, prepare Sloppy Joes, bake brownies, clean and prepare celery and carrots

11:00 am – Set tables and prepare drinks (put out cups, glasses and make coffee)

11:30 am – Set dessert table

12:00 pm – Serve our prepared meal and eat with our guests

1:00 pm – Clean tables, wash dishes (We have a dishwasher to use) and remove trash.

We have a number of jobs to fill but with many hands and an excitement to serve  we will enjoy the “Gathering”.  Come and help! Your Mission Group

UPCOMING EVENTS

Our schedule will be:

Sunday November 7^th
All Church Gathering – Update on what is currently happening, in regards to the pending separation of the United Methodist Church and the establishment of a new denomination: the Global Methodist Church

Sunday November 14^th
Coffee and Bagels with the Pastor – An opportunity to ask questions of the pastor around subjects that we have not addressed in some time, or at all, concerning church, beliefs, organization theology or other questions seeking answers that would be good for the church family to know about. If you have questions that you could share with Pastor Gary prior to the gathering, please pass them on to him. They will be used as good starters. Should you have personal questions, please contact Pastor Gary so that we can make some time together.

Sunday November 21^st – December 12^th Advent Study
All The Good: A Wesleyan Way Of Christmas

Sunday December 19^th
Christmas Craft and Coffee – A time to gather and make a simple Christmas Craft and enjoy each other’s fellowship during the Holiday Season.

Sunday January 9th – February 20^th
We will return as a group to study a book from the New Testament. The book is yet to be determined. Please speak to Pastor Gary about a book that you would like to suggest for study.

Sunday March 6^th – April 10^th
Lenten Study

UMW News
September Meeting 2021

It is Autumn, time for pumpkins, apple cider, and donuts….and strawberry shortcake! That sounds like a step back into summer doesn’t it? That is just what the UMW is proposing to do on October 31^st. We want to use the strawberries and ice cream in the church freezer and Cinda has offered up biscuits as well. So set your taste buds on one more summer treat!

At our September meeting, the ladies discussed adding a few new missions to donate to in addition to our usual ones. We will send to the Step Up program, Every Women’s Place, and Moka.

Soon there will be a Charlie Brown tree in the fellowship hall! We are going to encourage the congregation to hang warm socks, gloves, mittens, or scarves of all sizes on the tree which will be donated to the children and youth within the Montague Public School district. The “Hanging of cold weather apparel” will continue throughout October and then be donated after the first of November.

The church will be decorated for the advent season on Friday, November 26 starting at noon with pizza. All ladies or friends of the church are welcome to participate in this joyous annual custom. 

One more item to note is that Cinda will continue to take orders from the Rada catalog until October 15^th. These orders will arrive in plenty of time in case people want to order for Christmas gifts.

The Gathering: Free Meals

We have received word that the Gathering Free Meals Program will begin in October now that all health department requirements have been met and the “need volunteers” groups have been recruited. Claybanks UMC will prepare meals on the first Saturday of each month. Menus have been set and training will begin in October, and we are currently looking for volunteers to help prepare, serve, and clean up after the meal. The meal will be served from 12:00 noon until 1:00 p.m. during the open hours of the Free Store. If you would like to be placed on our list for volunteers, please contact Patsy Schneider, Lisa Butler or Reba Peterson. Our first meal will be served on Saturday November 6^th  so come and join us for the meal or be a volunteer!

­­­­­­­­­­Time Away

The Petersons will be away during the weeks of October 25th through November 1st. Pastors Anne and Mike Riegler will be available for Pastoral Care. When possible, please coordinate needs through Edie Bogart, our Lay Representative. Pastor Ray Field will be leading worship on Sunday October 31st.

All Saints Sunday

We will be honoring All Saints Sunday on October 24^th. If you have a family member, friend, or community member that you would like to be remembered during our worship time, please fill out an information sheet located on the information table in the Fellowship Hall by Sunday October 17^th.

UMW News
Wow! Friday the 13^th (August) was one of great, good fortune! So much for it being a supposedly bad luck day! Bad luck it was not! The day was sunny, warm, and perfect.

I am of course referring to a positively wonderful Strawberry  Social.  The turnout by the community, near and far, was incredible and shows how ready folks were to gather and enjoy good company and good strawberry dessert! People were more than generous in funding our only money venture of the UMW so we, in turn, can be generous to the missions we support.  Between the social and bake sale, the UMW collected $2,005.50.  Wow!

Claybanks Annual Conference
Our Church Annual Meeting with our District Superintendent, Marjorie Crawford, will be held at White Lake United Methodist Church on Saturday September 11^th at 5:45 pm with the SPRC Committee starting the Annual Meeting process through a Zoom meeting at 5:00 pm with Marjorie. Because of Covid – 19 last year, our meeting was kept to a limited number of attendees. This year, all our church is invited to gather to celebrate our commitment as a congregation in sharing God’s love with each other and our community. Please gather with us as we praise God and recognize the many blessings that God has given to Claybanks United Methodist Church.

The Gathering: Free Meals and Good Company
In September, a community wide meals program will begin at the White Lake Praise Center (The former Whitehall UMC building) on Thursday nights and for Saturday Lunches. Our Mission Committee has committed Claybanks UMC to preparing and serving a lunch meal on one Saturday each month. Menus are being developed, food and supplies are being purchased in anticipation of many who will take part in the gift of a meal and company. Food preparers and servers are needed. Please talk to Lisa Butler, Patsy Schneider, and Reba Peterson to learn how you can become involved!

Adult Sunday School Bible Study – Reading the Old Testament Through Jewish Eyes
We are excited to start a new Adult Bible Study on Sunday, September 12^th.  In our class we will look at the first five book of the Bible (Torah) studying the same scriptures Jesus studied. This six-week study, developed by Rabbi Evan Moffic, with study readings, CD presentations, and class discussion will bring to us new interpretations of the way Jewish leaders look at scripture in the time of Jesus. Please contact Pastor Gary and let him know your plans to attend so that enough study materials can be obtained.

Love In The Name Of Christ Annual Banquet
On Monday, October 4^th, Love INC will gather the community together to celebrate the past year of being a part of the Oceana Community. Dinner, with a special chalk art program, will be presented by Rod Snow (Reba and Gary have seen Rob’s chalk art ministry several times, it is very special, and we encourage you to attend). Let Pastor Gary know if you are planning to attend so that he can make a reservation for you. It would be great if Claybanks UMC can have enough for a table!

Our Shut-Ins
New to our newsletter each month will be a list of those who are not able to attend worship or be at other church activities frequently, our shut-ins and those in senior care facilities. If you have someone we could place on our list please let us know. We are doing this to encourage you to send cards or place phone calls, pray for, or if possible a visit to them occasionally. Your time, care and love will bring joy into their lives.

Elaine B
Olive F.
Paul M.

New Members
Recently Claybanks United Methodist Church welcomed Bob and Karen Pleasant as members of our church. Should anyone else like to become a member and/or be baptized please contact Pastor Gary or Edythe Brown our Membership Chairperson.

UMW News – Strawberry Social
Mark your calendars, here it comes! The date for the renewal of our Strawberry Social is rapidly approaching – Friday the Thirteenth – August! Nothing but good luck! Some of you may have already seen the sign out front announcing the happy event.

Congregants hone your baking skills if you are willing or so inclined. We happily accept baked goods of all types for the bake sale held that day. Also there have been donations of garden produce in the past to sell for the UMW. What a “yummy” time we will have!

Also, if you can help on the day of the social as a waitress or in any capacity, please remember to sign up. The sheet for signing is on the back table of the fellowship hall nearest the sanctuary.

Spread the word far and wide that the Claybanks United Methodist Church will once more fellowship with one and all over strawberries with your choice of biscuits, ice cream or “the works”!

Church Family Meal – On Sunday August 8^th we will have Teen Challenge join our worship with testimonies and a message. Following worship, we will join together for a church family meal. It has been a long time since we have been able to eat and be together in this kind of event. Hamburgers and hotdogs cooked on our grill will be provided. We ask that those who are able bring a dish to share. Please plan to be with us as we eat and fellowship together.

Worship – During the last of the summer and into the fall we are asking those who have would like to provide some fresh cut flowers from their yard to bring them on Sunday mornings to add a little color to our sanctuary. No reservations are needed just bring them when you come. We will place them around our worship area and on stands.

Nominations
In anticipation of an early Fall Church Conference our Nominations Committee has started their work to fill the 2022 Slate of Committee and Administrative Council representatives.

We are looking, at present, to fill an opening on Administrative Council (Outreach and Mission Chair and Director of Christian Education). Openings on committees includes Trustees, Staff Parish Relations Committee, Nominations and Worship Design Team.

Should you be willing to serve in one or more of these positions or you know someone who would like to serve please contact one of the Nominations Committee members: Kathy Ohman, David Grossman Edythe Brown, Konnie Grant or Pastor Gary.

Special Remembering
Because of Covid-19 we were not able to gather to honor those from our church who passed away during the Pandemic in ways that we traditionally would like to do. We need to celebrate the lives of Helen Cox, Inge Dalbke and Richard Nienhouse and will do so as we gather for worship on Sunday June13th. We will be sharing special moments of their lives and participate in a special liturgy as we speak Words of Grace for lives well lived. Please plan to be with us on this special Sunday of sharing.

Book Mission
Love in The Name of Christ will be collecting Christian books and Bibles on June 29^th.  All of the books that can be distributed through the Thrift Store will be available on their store shelves. The extra books will be sent to Mission Cry in Fowlerville, Michigan who will send the donated books around the world. If you have Christian books that you would want to donate; bring them to Claybanks UMC on or before June 27^th and place them in containers provided in the Fellowship Hall and we will see that they are taken to Love INC on June 29^th. They are really in need of any books written in Spanish.

UMW meeting
How sweet it was for the UMW to gather at the church on a warm sunny May afternoon to plan the 2021 Strawberry Social!  Last month we gathered and discussed if we would need to do things differently due to the Covid virus, but now we are planning to offer the same warm, friendly service to all at our indoor tables. Some traditions are so difficult to give up and this Strawberry Social, held the second Friday in August, is one tradition we want to keep.  How hard it was to not gather last year over this dessert so I know how grateful we will feel to once more share this time together with the larger community.

UMC Facebook Group
As our church moves closer to being more like “normal”, it has been decided to keep our private Facebook group  This helps many of us keep up with goings-on at church in between Sunday worship.  If you’re not a member of this Facebook group but would like to be, contact Pastor Gary or Cinda Moulds.

We Need Your Help
Liturgists are needed for the summer months and volunteers are needed to clean the church from June through the end of the year. Please sign up on the sheets located on the table in the Fellowship Hall.

Adult Sunday School – will return from May 2^nd to June 6^th for five Sundays.  We will be meeting in the Fellowship Hall using safe distancing beginning at 9:30 a.m. and conclude at 10:15 a.m. to be able to move into worship time.  Our study will consist of a few of the shorter books of the New Testament.  We will begin with Titus on May 2^nd.  Other books we will look at are Philemon on the 9^th, Books of John on May 16 and 23, Jude on the 30^th and a book to be determined by the class on June 6^th.  All are welcome for any of the Sundays.  You All Come!

UMW meeting
Our UMW ladies started out meeting as usual with a devotional reading and prayer.  The reading came from “Help Lord, I’m Having a Senior Moment” by Karen O’Connor.  We all know God has a sense of humor, so we do enjoy a bit of humor before our meetings and this book certainly gives that to us!

Then it was on to more serious business.  We will be keeping close watch on our financial situation and by Fall we will decide on the missions we support and if we need to make any adjustments.

We discussed how we might help Elaine by supplying Sunday morning sanctuary flowers.  This is too much for Elaine alone to worry about and she might even need help with her flower gardens.  We recognize in gratitude, her flower contributions through the years, following the years of flowers from Alma Martin’s garden.  For now, we will rely on volunteer presentations rather than putting out another sign-up sheet.

We discussed how the strawberry social will be held this year.  We most likely will serve from a table by the kitchen like when we have luncheons and let people seat themselves.  Hopefully, the weather will be lovely, and we can commune out-of-doors.  Men, be prepared to figure out a way to set up tables for us! People are already asking if we will have the social this year and the answer is “God willing” yes!

We Need Your Help
Liturgists are needed for June through August and volunteers are needed to clean the church from June through the end of the year. Please sign up on the sheets located on the table in the Fellowship Hall.

Peru Medical Mission 2021
Our April 25^th Worship Service was led by Denise Schuitema who presented on the Peru Medical Mission trip that she plans to attend sometime in 2021.  Denise introduced herself and showed photos of a previous mission trip. She said that donations of multi-vitamins for both adults and children, new bras, and toothbrushes would be appreciated and would greatly benefit the people they will be serving.  A donation box was left in the Fellowship Hall.  Carol Royalty presented Denise with a check for $500 from our church.