MEMORIAL STAFF

Ron Branson Senior Pastor

Tim Voll Associate Pastor

Kevin Sell Admin. Assistant & Custodian

Linda Lutz Financial Secretary

Pat Friday Assistant Financial Secretary

Christy Cresgy Education Director

Logan Williams Music Director

Joe Cresgy Media Director

Lydia Bridgewater Youth Director

Christy Cresgy & Missy Wilcox Preschool Co-Directors

Paula Metheny &

Lydia Bridgewater Kids Hope USA, Director

Ministers:

All the People of Memorial

Sunday Worship

Times: 8:45 / 11:00 AM

Sunday School:

10:00 AM

Memorial United Methodist Church

August 2020

2701 Poplar Street

Terre Haute, IN 47803 (812) 234-0776

OFFICE HOURS

Monday - Friday

9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

email -mumcoffice@umcmemorial.com www.umcmemorial.com

Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.

Winston Churchill

August 2020

Reflections on Our Journey

Janette and I are Honda people. I’m sure there are hundreds of things you are wondering about us,

and that this little tidbit isn’t even on the list, but it is something that defines us. However, we haven’t always been Honda people.

When Janette was growing up, her Dad loved the old Buick Electra 225s. For those of you who

don’t remember, these were huge; it was like riding around town in your living room. Now it is also true that her family didn’t always have these cars. Knowing how much her Daddy loved them, the

first car she bought was a Buick. A Skyhawk, not an Electra, but a Buick, nonetheless. In fact, her second car was a Skyhawk, and once when I had the opportunity to pick up a Buick Regal as a sec-

ond car for me, she quickly took it for herself.

I grew up in a home where we had mostly Chevrolets, but it wasn’t because we were particularly fond of the brand; it was just what we could afford. What we really wanted was a Chrysler, and not

because of any need for a status symbol, but because my Grandfather was the Skilled Trades Su-

pervisor for the Chrysler Electronics Plant in Indianapolis. We were all certain that these were “the best” car to have. I remember how pleased my Mom and Dad were when they bought a Chrysler

LeBaron, and when I began working fulltime, I too bought a LeBaron, and then an Omni, and then … well … I’m sure you get the picture.

Janette loved the Regal … until … she was coming home from work one evening driving around

Indianapolis on I-465 and it quit running. The engine just quit, leaving her stranded alongside the road. Of course, the tow truck came, and a repair was made, but it wasn’t but just a few weeks

later that the exact thing happened again, so we headed over to the Chrysler place to by a brand-

new Eagle Vision (Eagle was a Division of Chrysler). It was the most beautiful car we ever owned. And just like the Regal, we really loved it the first few years until the AC unit went out, and then

there were problems with the transmission, followed by issues with the struts, all while we were still making payments.

It was at this point that dependability became our biggest concern, and that’s when we bought our

first Honda. It ran and ran. Things didn’t break. When it got to 200,000 miles, Janette got a new one, and I drove it until we gave it to my daughter who drove it another 50,000 miles. We had the

same experience with the second one, and then the third, and so that’s why we are Honda people.

If churches were like car dealerships, it wouldn’t be hard to understand how people sometimes bounce from one church to another looking for a community of faith that is “dependable,” one that

doesn’t “break” or leave them “stranded by the side of the road.” But when people have a bad ex-perience at these individual churches, far too often they decide that all church is bad. They get

frustrated and decide to never go back to any church. If churches were like dealerships in our story

about Buicks and Chryslers, Janette and I would have had to give up on cars and start walking or riding the bus.

But we didn’t give up on cars … so doesn’t it make you wonder? Last month I shared my story

about doing just this very thing. On July 12th I told the story about how a bad experience with one church, one denomination, one group of people led me to believe that all churches were bad. But

the truth is, that’s what Satan wants us to believe. Jesus says “I am the Truth and the Light” … “the Way” … not just one of the ways, but the way … so my friends … I wonder … how can you

and I reach out to those who have been lured into a sense of righteous indignation against being in a relationship with Jesus because of a bad experience? How can Memorial be the Truth and the

Light and the Way for those who are lost? Let us endeavor to be not Honda people but Jesus peo-

ple who spread His love to all we meet. Grace and Peace my friends! Pastor Ron

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

Sugar Grove School

Fish Fry at Memorial

(Drive thru only)

4:30 - 8:00 pm

2

8:45 am - Traditional

Service

11 am - PrayZ Service

3

8 am - Library

Noon - Staff Meeting

4 5

9:30 am - Bible Study

7 pm - PrayZ band

6

1:00 pm - Yarn

6:30 pm - Youth Council

7 8

8 am - UM Men

Breakfast

@ Cackleberries

9

8:45 am - Traditional

Service

11 am - PrayZ Service

10

5:30 pm - Outreach &

Marketing

11

6:30 pm - Quilter Guild

12

9:30 am - Bible Study

7 pm - PrayZ band

13

5:00 pm - Yarn

14 15

Annual Conference

Remote site @ Memorial

16

8:45 am - Traditional

Service

11 am - PrayZ Service

17

6:30 pm - Worship

7:15 pm - Trustees

18

5:45 pm - Missions

19

9:30 am - Bible Study

7 pm - PrayZ band

20

1:00 pm - Yarn

6:30 pm - NAMI

Poplar Leaves Info Due

21

11:45 am - Triple F

22

23

8:45 am - Traditional

Service

11 am - PrayZ Service

24

6 pm - Finance

25 26

9:30 am - Bible Study

7 pm - PrayZ band

27

5:00 pm - Yarn

Fold Poplar Leaves

28 29

30

8:45 am - Traditional

Service

11 am - PrayZ Service

31

Ramblings of the Associate Pastor

“Socks”

Last month I shared our story about changing an old exterior window. That was an all-day job. While we were attaching the new window to the rough frame, we made several trips inside then back outside to verify the fit and appearance from both points of view. During one of our last trips back outside, we were greeted by a surprise visitor on the steps. It was a cat. A stray tiger stripped cat was sitting there. It howled a couple of times but did not run off. I knelt and reached out my hand. The cat’s motor started with an even steady purr. We had a new friend. While there are a few neighborhood cats that visit our garden and fishpond occasionally, we had not specifically noticed this cat before that day. We had some cat treats from a previous resident, and this one seemed to relish an opportunity to eat. Donna and I gathered up our tools from the window project and closed the garage for the night. The cat hung around while darkness settled. After all the work was finished, we went inside and expected the cat would disappear into the night. It did not have a collar, but it looked like it was healthy. We guessed it belonged to one of our neighbors. Like magic, it disappeared then reappeared the next day.

About a week later we were sitting on the patio with the same cat when a neighbor girl hol-lered over the fence, “may I pet the cat”? Our neighbor Ella is about eight years old, and she was walking her dog along the fence row. She told us the cat’s name is Socks and he lives at the farm at the other end of the fence. The tiger stripped cat had white feet, so the name Socks made sense. Even though Socks has a gentle demeaner, he had no interest in approaching the dog or crossing over the fence. So, Socks has remained in our yard more or less continuously for about a month. Over the years, we have had a few stray cats visit our home. The last one was a tiny gray kitten hardly a few months old. Unlike Socks who was friendly from the beginning, the gray kitten was a little wild. It required several progressive attempts before we could hold it. He appeared late one autumn as the weather was turning colder. So, he was adopted by a friend and given a new home. Meanwhile, Socks continues to roam our yard and garden daily. So far, he has “captured” at least four moles which has been a welcomed bonus feature.

In my story, the stranger at our home was a cat. Throughout the biblical narrative, human

strangers appear in foreign places. Sometimes they fit in and become welcomed in the new setting

like the story of Naomi and Ruth. At other times, the result was mixed like the story of Apostle Paul.

In Matthew 25:35-36, Jesus shared some insight into dealing with strangers. “For I was hungry and

you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger

and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I

was in prison and you came to visit me.”(NIV) Apostle Paul added, “Do not forget to show hospital-

ity to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing

it.”(Heb 13:2, NIV) Socks continues to dwell among us. He eats, drinks, naps, and explores our

home as the opportunity presents. Can you think of a stranger story?

~Tim

Praying Together - Judy Hoover, Prayer Line Co-Coordinator

I’m a lover of words, how they sound and what they mean, and one my favorites is the word “together”. In recent months, however, “togetherness” has suffered a blow, out of fears surrounding the coronavirus. Our Faithbuilders Sunday school class has found ways to study and pray together most weeks, through Zoom and conference calls, but somehow it’s not the same as joining together across a table at church. I’m thankful for our church prayer line, which has expanded over the years to include more than 130 people (!), but, again, email prayer requests lack the personal touch of praying together in person. I’m trying to pray with fervency when I receive and send out those requests, but sometimes, I confess, it’s a struggle. Still, I believe the words of Jesus, who declares, “If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you” (Matt. 18:19b). Even more, our large group of prayer warriors can expect to see amazing answers to prayer as we take the charge seriously and agree together, even though we are apart.

I’m so grateful to our church for allowing a group of my friends, from various other churches, to pray together on a weekly basis, even during the pandemic. We are faithful to pray for Memorial, especially during this time of transition, but also for wide-ranging needs in our community, our nation, and our world. It has long been my dream that another group, focused on Memorial, be created to pray specifically for our church and the needs of the congregation. As the virus abates, Pastor Ronald has expressed his support for forming such a group. Prayer changes things, and I believe that we will see increase in numbers and in Spirit as we become more intentional about praying together. “For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them” (Matt. 18:20), and where Jesus abides, miracles happen!

Life Line Screening

Life Line Screening, the nation’s leading provider of preventive health

screenings, will offer affordable, non-invasive and painless health screen-

ings at Memorial United Methodist Church of Terre Haute on 9/25/2020.

A package of five screenings to identify risk for stroke, heart disease and other chronic conditions will

be offered: Carotid artery ultrasound to identify plaque buildup in the carotid arteries, a major risk factor for

stroke Abdominal aortic aneurysm ultrasound to identify presence of an enlargement in the largest blood

vessel in the body

An EKG to identify the presence of atrial fibrillation, which increases the risk for stroke

Ultrasound of the lower legs to look for plaque buildup known as peripheral artery disease

Ultrasound of the shin bone to identify risk for osteoporosis

These 5 vital screenings are offered for only $149 and take 60-90 minutes to complete. If you register today, you will receive a $10 discount. Register by calling toll free 1-888-653-6441 or text the word "circle" to 797979

Education Office Cleaning

It’s time to do some purging in the education office. There are many books and other items that are no longer being used by the church but might be of interest to others. Please stop by the office and take a look and see if there is anything that might catch your eye. If you would like to make a donation so new books may be purchase please feel free to do so. If you have any questions please see Christy Cresgy.

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Thank You!

A huge thanks to all who assisted with our Farewell Celebration for Rev. Scott and Paula Johnson on the weekend of June 27 and 28th. In spite of current obstacles we were able to have a nice lunch, al-low Scott a spin in that "shiny red Corvette", and shower them with love, cards and gifts. We are for-tunate that the Johnson's will be in the area.....just keep an eye out!

We now push forward as we welcome Rev. Ron and Janette Branson into our Memorial family!

Blessings to all, Linda McNichols

Updates from our Christian Ed Director Christy Cresgy

What’s happening this month in Children’s Sunday School?

What’s happening this month in Children’s Sunday School?

During the month of August the unit is titled - “Communities Worship”

August 2nd - A Tent for God Exodus 25: 1-31:15;35:4-40:38 August 9th - Dancing for God 2 Samuel 6: 1-19 August 16th - Temple for God 1 Kings 6: 1-38; 8: 1-66 August 23rd - Singing for God Acts 16: 16-40 August 30th - A Call to Worship Psalm 100: 1-5

Due to the Covid-19 requirement the church Nursery will not be open and all Sunday

School classes have been cancelled for the month of August.

Youth Group News

We had some fun last month with our annual pool party and getting to know Pastor Ron and Janette. We also Painted some large canvases for our classroom instead of our paint war this year. The canvases will be dis-played in the Narthex before we hang then in our Youth Room.

During August and September, you have the chance to win in a gift card of your choice (from M-Cards)! Every time you bring a friend and for every friend you bring your name will be entered once into the drawing. We will draw the winner during youth group on September 27th!

August Schedule (at Memorial, outside when possible)

8/2 Regular Youth Group 3:30-5pm (Kacie Benell will Lead) ……. 8/9 Movie Day 4pm

8/16 Regular Youth Group 3:30-5pm ….. 8/23 Regular Youth Group 3:30-5pm ….. 8/30 Regular Youth Group 3:30-5pm

Memorial Family and Friends,

I have tried several times to find the words to express my deep appreciation for the outpouring of love to Paula and me. You would think someone who made a living with words would be able to find elo-quent ways to share feelings and emotions, but I failed over and over again. Then, it hit me that the most eloquent and personal words to share would also be the simplest. Thank you.

Thank you…for sharing 14 ½ years of my life and enriching it immensely. Thank you…for helping make my last Sunday special even in the midst of a pandemic. Thank you…for the generous “love gift”, kind words, and cards. Thank you…for the red Corvette (even if it was “mine” for only 10 minutes). Thank you…for the meal, the tent, and the program following. Thank you…for all the people who worked through all the details to even make the day happen. Thank you…to those attended and to those who could not attend but watched. Thank you…to Kevin, Rev. Tim and the committee who went the extra mile to grant me a send off.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. “Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3).

Scott and Paula

Finding a New Normal for Now

As I write this note I’ve heard that the Covid-19 number are rising in Indiana and all about the coun-try. Now while I would like to think that we are just about ready to start getting back to normal, I am afraid that it may not happen.

So … what’s our new normal for now going to be? What I mean is, if this is going to go on for a time, how are we going to stay connected, how are we going to stay in relationship, how are we going to get to know each other in the meantime?

I have some ideas, and I would really appreciate it if you look these over and contact Kevin in the Me-morial office to let us know what you might be interested in so we can work on doing something to keep us connected and even build new connections.

We have an electronic meeting tool called Zoom that gives us an opportunity to gather from the safety of our homes. I would like to try some Zoom Discussion Groups. These could be in the morning, after-noon or even evening and I would lead them. Does that sound interesting? Would you like something that meets for six weeks or something that is more long-term? Please contact Kevin and tell us what you think.

Another set of options would be meeting in person in very small groups. People would have to make reservations for these so that we had no more than 8 in attendance. We would gather in the Fellow-ship Hall where we would require masks and set up tables to ensure safe social distancing. These could also be in the morning, afternoon or evening and I would lead these as well. Does this sound interesting? Would you like something that meets for six weeks or something that is more long-term? Please contact Kevin and tell us what you think.

Looking forward to hearing from you, Pastor Ron

BLESSING OF THE BACKPACKS

All students are invited to bring their school backpacks (new or old) with them to church on Sunday, August 9 and have it blessed to start off the new school year! We will bless the backpacks, the stu-dents, and the learning process as we send our students out into our community. So load up those backpacks early and bring them with you to worship on August 9th! The Blessing will be held in both the 8:45 and 11:00 worship services, please come to whichever service you feel most at home. Don’t miss this unique opportunity.

EDUCATORS/EDUCATION DEDICATION SUNDAY

On Sunday, August 9, we will have a special Dedication for Educators/Education. On this day, we in-vite all persons who work in the schools teaching, bus driving, administrators, secretaries, janitors, aides, or anyone else associated with the wellbeing and education of our children and youth to come and receive God’s blessing on your work for this upcoming school year. The Dedication will be held in both the 8:45 and 11:00 worship services, please come to whichever service you feel most at home. We hope you will plan to be here and pray for our Educators and the 2020-2021 school year. The Education of our Children/Youth is so very important and we want to seek God’s blessing on those who lead by example. Do you know some folks who work in the school system who don’t regularly attend Memorial? Then please invite them to come on this special day.

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Third Grade Bibles

The education committee is in the process of selecting and purchasing Bibles for the children who will be in the third grade next year. It is a tradition at Memorial to present all third graders with a Bible. This will be done on Sunday, August 16th. If you know of a child that will be in the third grade for the 2020-2021 school year, please contact Christy Cresgy with their name.

RETURN TO TWO SERVICES

We will resume our normal service times (8:45 Traditional and 11:00 Prayz) beginning August 2nd.

The sanctuary will be properly disinfected between the 2 services. Sunday Schools will NOT meet (yet).

Both services will be live streamed on Facebook and available later on our YouTube channel.

Morning Lectionary Study

One of the regular events at Memorial for a long time has been the Lectionary Study group that met with Pastor Scott on Wednesday mornings at 9:30. But just like so many other things, this has been suspended because of concerns revolving around Covid-19.

But there’s good news! David Peter has agreed to facilitate the group again using Zoom so folks can connect from the safety of their homes.

If you are not familiar with Zoom, this is a technology that allows you to connect electronically. You can call in from your phone. You can also connect with audio and video using a smart phone or your computer connected to the Internet.

If you are interested in participating again, or if you’ve never been part of this group both John and I would like to invite you to check it out. For more information, please contact Kevin in the church office and he will get you connected.

Pastor Ron

Sugar Grove Elementary School Fish Fry

Memorial UMC will be the host for the Sugar Grove - Fish Fry.

This will be a “Drive-Thru” event in the Oak Street parking lot.

On Saturday, August 1st, 4:30 - 8:00 pm.

Adults - $10.00, Children (11 and under) - $5.00

Adult meal includes: 3 pieces of fish, coleslaw, applesauce and chips

Please come out and support Sugar Grove. They are our Kids Hope School.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ FYI - Memorial’s Mission Committee, has decided to cancel their Fish fry for 2020

News from Missions Committee - August 2020

We welcomed Rev Ron Branson and Janette into our flock. What a joyous time looking forward to the future. Rev Teressa Higus presented the 2nd mile giving subject for July…” Love Wash”. This is a much-needed local ministry. On the fourth Tuesday of each month a representative is at a lo-cal laundromat from 2:00 to 4:00 pm to supply those in need with quarters, soap, and dryer sheets. Their biggest need is money and you can still donate throughout the month of July. As one of those in need said, “If I had clean clothes, I think people would treat me like a human being.” ~ T-Bone

Megan Frost is enjoying her service as an “intern” with the church and will be in the office throughout most of the summer. Our August 2nd mile giving will be for our preschool.

Due to a lack of workers and a reduced need (all due to the Corona Virus) we have decided to cancel the Fish Fry that had been moved to 28 August.

I would like to remind you that there are still ways to donate without attending church. The first is to drop by the church office and drop off a second mile donation. The second is electronically. Open to the Church website (umcmemorial.com) and tap on the menu button in the upper right corner. Then select GIVING from the menu. If you haven’t donated this way before, create a profile. If you have simply login. Then you can select where you want to give (2nd Mile Giving is the second selection) and the amount. After you complete the first page the second page allows you to enter all your donation information, including a NOTE to be more specific about this donation. If you run VPN, you must turn it off as it thinks you are donating from outside the United States which is not allowed.

We are in God’s hands. Be Safe, do good, do no harm, and stay in love with GOD.

M-CARDS

August = Back to school! It's hard to believe it is that time again! We have gift cards from many dif-ferent stores and restaurants to help get you and your student on the right track to school.

We have Walmart, Meijers, Kohl's, JC Penney and TJ Maxx at the Grab n Go table and in the of-fice. We can order cards for Staples, Books A Million and more. These are just a few of over 700 ven-dors that we can order from or have at our Grab n Go table.

If you have questions about the program, please ask one of the coordinators - Vicki & Jim Bailey, Kevin & Sandy Sell or Bruce & Missy Wilcox. The cards are always in the office during the week, if you would like to purchase them. We will also have them available on Sundays at the Grab n Go Table. We only take cash or checks. Sorry no debit or credit cards.

Thank you for your continued support with this Outreach Program.

Kids Hope

Mentoring a child is more than just helping him with academics. It’s developing a relationship with that child, being at the school every week with him, to help with school work, yes, but so much more. A mentor is also a game partner, a cheer-leader, an advocate, and a listener, all attributes of a good friend. Teachers and principals agree, what these children need most is a friend who will be there for him and only him, week after week, to celebrate all that is happy in his life and to listen when the going gets tough.

Sadly, it is looking like volunteers will not be allowed in the schools this fall, and honestly, it may not be safe for our mentors to be there. This will make an already challenging year even more so for teachers and children alike, but most especially for those at-risk kids who benefit so much from having a person who is there just for them, a mentor, a friend.

Please be praying for school mentoring programs of all kinds, including Kids Hope. We are working to think of new ways that, even if we can’t be present in the schools, we can still be relevant to these little ones who need us so much. We know that there is no situation that is impossible when we pray, and we feel confident we’ll come up with a way to stay in touch with our young friends in this next school year!

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us con-sider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.” Hebrews 10: 23-24

Memorial’s Kids Hope ministry welcomes Lydia Bridgewater as the new co-director with Paula Metheny. Lydia is currently Memorial’s youth director and will continue in that position.

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Garden Table

The Garden Table has returned and can be found in the Narthex. If you have flowers/plants, fruits or vegetables to share with our church family, please bring to the table. If you want to take these garden items home, please help yourself and place a donation in the box. All money goes to the preschool to help with expenses and scholarships.

Staff Pastor Parish Committee

The SPPR is looking for someone to step in to be the chairperson of for the remainder of the year. Linda McNichols, who has been the chairperson is stepping away from the position.

We would like to thank Linda for her many years of dedicated service to the SPPR.

Memorial Preschool News August 2020

WOW, what a crazy year this has been! As of this writing, we have been busy working on plans to safely reopen for the new school year on September 8, 2020. We have a lot of fun things planned and are looking forward to welcoming students back into the building. During these uncertain, ever chang-ing times, would like to ask for prayers for the preschool staff and students as we return to school.

We are sad to announce that Wanetta Morge, who has been an assistant with the preschool for 17 years, has decided it was time for her preschool graduation. We wish her well in her retirement.

We will soon begin the process of building our butterfly garden for our outdoor learning center. The garden will be located in the grassy area between the church building and the playground. Megan Hinze will be heading up this project as her final steps towards her Girl Scout Silver Award. The chil-dren will have so much fun watching the garden grow and the butterflies and creepy crawlies.

Registration for the 2020/2021 school year is going great. We currently have three of the five classes almost full with hopes of opening a 6th class.

As of right now our Chick-Fil-A fundraiser will be held on Tuesday, September 29th. More information will come next month.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

In Ministry Together, Christy and Missy

14th & Chestnut Community Center

They are starting to plan their “Back to School Blast”. Below is the list of school supplies they are asking for.

Look for a container in the Narthex to put your donations in.

LAY OF THE LAND

“Hello From the Other Side”

As this pandemic has us behind masks and carefully distanced, it feels a bit like we have to shout hello across a chasm to everyone in our lives. It reminds me of Adele’s 2015 megahit “Hello,” which I’ve adapted a bit to fit these times:

Hello, can you hear me? I'm in my home dreaming about how we used to be When we were pre-COVID and free. I've forgotten how it felt before the world fell at our feet. There's social distance between us And a million miles. Hello from the other side….

This Adele song is haunting in the longing it conveys. It’s a hello that echoes across a great distance – not just physically (she’s sending the hello by phone), but also emotionally (she’s mustering the courage to do it). It differs from the hellos she effortlessly conveyed countless times in the past. But rather than being a pale imitation of those prior hellos, the hello in this song somehow means more and has a greater impact (of course it helps that one of our best vocalists is singing it).

We can’t all be Adele, but our hellos from the other side can resonate and have an impact for those who receive them. It takes more effort these days to stay connected to those we care about. We can’t say goodbye to the connections that matter most to us. We can’t stop making new connections that matter. We must keep saying hello.

In June, we had some wonderful goodbye parties for Pastor Scott Johnson (and his wife Paula), who re-tired after over fourteen years at Memorial. (Kudos go to so many at Memorial who made these events special.) And now we have the chance to say hello to our new Pastor Ron Branson and his wife Janette. But how do we say hello in a meaningful way in a time of social distancing? Memorial’s Youth Director Lydia Bridgewater did so by baking cookies and dropping them off at Pastor Ron’s apartment. That is just one of many ways we could say hello to Pastor Ron and Janette:

Mail a note: Memorial United Methodist Church, 2701 Poplar Street, Terre Haute, IN 47803

Call Pastor Ron at the church office: 812-234-0776

Drop by the office to say hello (Pastor Ron loves face-to-face, or mask-to-mask, visits)

Introduce yourself after the service on Sunday

Text him on his cellphone: 317-650-0872

Send an email: rbranson@rbcreations

Connect on Facebook, where Pastor Ron likes to share positive thoughts and photos of beloved cats and grandkids: www.facebook.com/ron.branson

While we’re saying hello to Pastor Ron, let’s find ways to say hello to everyone in our life: the family mem-bers we pass in the hallway, the neighbors we see as we go to the mailbox, the fellow human beings in masks we encounter as we’re taking a walk, and so on. We all long for acknowledgement and connection, and we need to know that we are seen and that we matter…especially now when it can feel as if we’re a million miles apart. Making the effort to say hello is more important than ever. Your hello could make someone’s day … and yours. It’s such a powerful word, especially when it’s a hello from the other side. _______________________________________

Lay of the Land is a new column (by Lay Leader Ruth Hill Bro) designed to spotlight Memorial’s commitment to Ministry, Mission,

and Music, the people who make that happen, and opportunities to get involved. Do you have questions or ideas for a future column?

Contact Ruth at ruth.hill.bro@gmail.com or 812-877-4488.

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Triple F Monthly Luncheon

Triple F will be meeting on Friday, August 21 at 11:45 a.m. Our menu is undecided at this point but everything will be furnished, you will not need to bring anything.

Our program will be our new Pastor, Ron Branson.

Tables will be socially distant. As always, if you are not feeling well, do not plan to come or if you are still uncomfortable in groups of more than 10 please feel free to stay at home.

Reservations should be turned in by Wednesday, August 19th, by noon. We look forward to seeing you there.

The Food Pantry has remained

open during its normal hours even in the midst of this pandemic.

FOOD PANTRY NEEDS:

Please help us keep our

emergency pantry stocked to help

people in our community in an ex-treme time of need. Our biggest need for the food pantry is meat

like hot dogs, spam, tuna to make a complete meal. We are also in major need of Mac and Cheese!

We are also accepting donations of canned and boxed goods as well as supplies for babies such as diapers,

wipes, and jars of baby food.

Prayer is an important ministry of our church! You are welcome to be a part of our internet prayer ministry at Memorial. Maybe having a loved one on the prayer chain has comforted you. You are wel-come to join in this service to another in need of prayer. Judy Hoover and the church office are facili-tating this prayer ministry and you may send your email address to be added to this group.

Just send a message to Judy Hoover at hoover@rose-hulman.edu or to the church office at mumcoffice@umcmemorial.com

Please Pray for those listed below and for the struggle/s they are dealing with...

Requests made in July:

Sharon Holmes, (Mary Ann Boyer’s sister) cancer

Frank Collins, (Tracey Richardson’s brother) cancer & chemo

Doris Williams, Hip replacement surgery & recovery

Dixie Brown, shoulder replacement surgery & recovery

Josh Briggs, (Phil & Carol Briggs son) automobile accident

Nolan Amos, (Ken & Susan Amos grandson) birth defects

Cory Baggett, (Gene & Shanda Johnson grandson) health issues

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MILITARY:

Sgt Curtis Korby, Ft. Campbell, Clarksville, TN;

John Peters, U.S. Air Force,

Dakota Sponsler, U.S. Navy , Oklahoma

Page 6

United Methodist Women News

The next UMW Executive meeting is Wednesday, September 9th at 11:00 am. Remember that all women are welcome to attend. If there is something you want to be discussed in the meeting please

contact Joanie Kendall - joaniekendall@yahoo.com or 812-298-4276 so that it can be put on the agenda!

We apologize if we’ve left off your birthday or anniversary. Please contact the church office and we will be

happy to include it in the future.

Yarn Ministry

Has resumed meeting. (in Fellowship Hall)

Meeting dates for August

6th: 1-3 pm 13th: 5-7 pm 20th: 1-3 pm 27th: 5-7 pm

Sewing Stitches

Will not meet until

further notice

See Freda Hocking or call the church for information.

Here is a little fun to help you pass the time of day.

We hope you are safe and well and look forward to the day when we can all gather again at church.

May God bless you and keep you safe.

August Anniversaries

4 - Keith & Carolyn Diss

5 - Tim & Amy Demchak

7 - Larry & Shirley Martin

9 - Brian & Teresa Hewitt

9 - Maurice & Naomi Miller

10 - Eric & Sanae Glendening

12 - Chris and Phyllis Koszewski

15 - Bret & Karrin Frost

16 - Ken & Carol Walker

19 - John & Karen Perry

22 - Matt & Dona Graham

27 - Jim & Vicki Bailey

Yoga at Memorial UMC

with Devaki

Will not meet until

further notice

Everyone is

welcome

Fellowship Coffee Hour: Will be hosted by the following.

January - Worship Committee July - Open Door Class

February - Education Committee August - UM Men

March - UM Women September - Children’s and Youth Sunday Schools

April - Trustees October - Finder Seekers Class

May - Koinonia Class and the Thoughtful Studies Class November - Mission Committee

June - Kids Hope December - Member Care and Faithbuilders

from Doris Williams: Dear Memorial Family, Thank you for remembering me with your cards, prayers & phone calls during my deal-ing with sciatica and hip replacement. from Tom Blackford (former Associate Pastor) A letter was received thanking Memorial and the Endowment Committee for helping him re-cord his CD “God’s Time” (with a monetary gift). Tom sent a check to repay what the En-dowment Committee had given him back in 2007. We have Tom’s mailing address if anyone wants to reach out to him.

Tai Chi with Rebecca

Will not meet until

further notice

Everyone is welcome

Rev. John Davis has decided to retire. John has been the Assistant District Superintendent for the

West District for the last 10 years.

September Poplar Leaves

Please submit your articles and request for the September Poplar Leaves to the church office by Thursday August 20th. This will allow the church to compile the newsletter and get it ready to mail.

Page 7

Condolences to:

Don Brown and family upon the passing of his wife, Carolyn Brown

Janna & Dan Klug and family upon the passing of Janna’s mother, Nina Lorey

United Methodist Men News

The United Methodist Men’s breakfast will be on Saturday, August 8th at 8:00 a.m. We will meet at Cackleberries (7th and Poplar). Come out and enjoy a wonderful breakfast and great Christian fellowship. Rev. Ron will be our guest speaker. Please be mindful of social distancing and other safety concerns for yourself and others.

1 Stan Shimer

Sharon DeVault George Richardson

2 Kevin Sell 3 Kevin Ward

5 Jordon Cresgy

8 Joan Voltmer Matt Nickel

10 Janie Szabo 12 Sam Ray

13 Pat Clayton 14 Lynn McCool

14 Kelley Smallwood

Alfred VanGilder 19 Cary Sparks

Tate Metheny 21 Janna Klug

Shirley Shively

27 Carol Walker Gene Johnson

29 Tim Douglas Preston Tofaute

Katelyn Jena Lydia Bridgewater

30 Carolyn Thomas

Youth Council

Youth council meeting Thursday August 6th at 6:30, any one is welcome here to join, we will be discussing future youth events. We recommend wearing a mask during this meeting, thank you for supporting our youth