INDEX

P. 1 Index P. 8 Badgers for Christ P. 2 From the Pastor P. 11 UMCOR @ 70 P. 3 Prayers – Presence – Gifts P. 12-13 Witness Ministries P. 4-7 Nurture Ministries P. 13 Advent Devotional

P. 4 Worship in September P. 14 Events in September

P. 8-11 Outreach Ministries P. 15 Thank You Notes

First United Methodist Church – McCamey

FIRST UMC – Iraan P.O. Box 816 (401 S. Harte St.)

Iraan, Texas 79744 iraanumc@gmail.com

www.fumc-iraan.blogspot.com (432) 639-2333

FIRST UMC – McCamey P.O. Box 915 (1601 S. Burleson)

McCamey, Texas 79752 mccameyumc@gmail.com

www.fumc-mccamey.blogspot.com (432) 652-8824

Pastor’s Cell: (432) 664-8832

First United Methodist Church – Iraan

The Pastor’s Page

Some of my earliest memories of church are of my Sunday School teacher, Mrs. Charlotte Lattimer. There is no doubt in my mind that I would not be a pastor had it not been for Mrs. Lattimer. What I remember most of all about Mrs. Lattimer’s was her smile. It was kind and gentle and welcomed everyone in. As a child of a working class home, who struggled to find where he belonged in the world, it was a smile that said, “Come in, you are welcome here.”

Parker Palmer, in his book, Change wrote of the quality of teaching and learning: “If you ask what holds community together, what makes this capacity for relatedness possible; the only honest answer I can give brings me to that dangerous realm called the spiritual. The only answer I can give is that what makes community possible is . . . two ancient and honorable kinds of love.”

“The first is love of learning itself. The sheer joy in having a new idea, reaffirming or discarding an old one, connecting two or more notions that had hitherto seemed alien to each other, sheer joy in building images of reality with mere words that now suddenly seem more like mirrors of truth: this is love of learning.”

“And the second kind of love on which this community depends is love of learners, of those we see every day, who stumble and crumble, who wax hot and cold, who sometimes want truth and sometimes evade it all costs, but who are in our care, and who – for their sake, ours, and the world’s – deserve all the love that the community of teaching and learning has to offer.” How will you participate in the teaching and the learning of the church this year?

“Continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it.” – II Timothy 3:14

Every blessing, Pastor Charles

(Adapted from the Sept. ‘09 newsletter of Hamline UMC- St. Paul, MN)

“As members of this congregation, will you faithfully participate in its ministries by your “prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service and your witness?” The United Methodist Book of Worship, p. 93

PRESENCE (August)

Average Weekly Worship Attendance

Iraan: 14 McCamey: 29 Convalescent Center: 20

Average Weekly Faith Formation Attendance Iraan: NA McCamey: 4

PRAYERS

PRAYER CONCERNS:

The family of Christian Bernard, Lewis Blackburn, Jonnie Dempsey, Elliott & Stella Dillon, Greg Haggard, Linda Harrison, Tom Hill, Giselle Holland, Evea Huffaker, Jordan Jernigan, Kade Kothman, Billie McKenzie, Lois Ann McKenzie, Shane McKenzie, Kathy Pearce, family of Walker Rainey, Geraldo Salazar, Philip Shankle, Doug Smith, Teresa Valenzuela, 1LT Bradley Ward and Henry White.

Recent Prayer Joys: For the pleasure of seeing so many McCamey “exes” last month. The new school year. Family visitors. Rain! Birthdays & anniversaries.

Please pray for those living on Underwood Street & Parkside Street in Iraan and for those living on Santa Fe Street & East Third Street in McCamey.

Please lift up the ministries of the Rev. George Allan Bradley and the congregation of the First UMC in Robert Lee (TX).

GIFTS – The large print hymnals

will be dedicated on November 7th

during the worship services at both

churches. There are a number of

hymnals available to dedicate in

memory of or in honor of someone.

The following letter (along with a plaque) was received by both congregations in recognition of becoming Welcoming Congregations!

UMC Quick Quiz (answers are on page eight)

1. The Book of Resolutions is divided into how many sections?

2. John Wesley attended which school for boys in London prior to entering Christ College, Oxford?

3. Who was Richard Allen?

WORSHIP: NOUN: 1a- The reverent love and devotion accorded a deity, an idol, or a sacred object. 1b- The ceremonies, prayers, or other religious forms by which this love is expressed.

Sunday after Pentecost

September

SCRIPTURE LESSON

SERMON

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

5

TBA

Guest Speaker

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

12

I Timothy 1:12-17

“If it could happen to Paul”

Seventeenth Sunday after

Pentecost

19

Luke 16:1-13

“Time to give an account”

Eighteenth Sunday after

Pentecost

26

Luke 16:19-31

“Called to be a witness”

Nurture – Outreach – Witness

The Ministries of the

United Methodist Churches

in Iraan and McCamey

The sound of hand bells is being heard once more in the sanctuary of the First UMC in McCamey! Come shake

yourself silly every Wednesday evening at 8:00 (following the choir practice). No experience required!

Our program in August featured information on the scourge of human

trafficking around the world. Members were shocked to learn that the

United States is the second largest market for what can only be described

as a sin against God and a crime against humanity – visit this link.

Southwest Texas United Methodist Women Link

The United Methodist Women of First UMC – McCamey

Next meeting: September 13 @ 7:00 pm

This is will be our annual “Salad Supper” and kicks off the fall program. All women of the church are invited to attend.

(bottom right)

Belinda,

Bobbie and

Cytha are

shown

holding the

welcome

baskets

given to the

new

teachers.

Calling all Braves!

Please make sure to invite any and all alumni of Iraan High School to worship on Sunday, September 12th at 9:30. We will ask for a blessing on all those who have shared the Iraan-Sheffield experience with us over the years. This is a great opportunity to share with the community the fellowship of the First UMC.

Adult Classes

Iraan’s Sunday morning adult class is led by James Jordan.

A new study will be starting in September and you’ll want to be a part of it!

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

McCamey’s Sunday morning adult class is led by Bobbie Lester.

The class is currently studying Exodus & Psalms.

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

If you are interested in a weekly study – on Sunday or another day, this just might be for you.

Pastor Charles is on the editorial team that prepares “The Wired Word” each week.

This study looks at headlines and examines the issues from a Christian perspective.

If you are interested, contact Pastor Charles and he’ll get you started on “The Wired Word.”

UMC QUIZ ANSWERS 1. The Book of Resolutions is divided

into seven groupings: The Natural World; The Nurturing Community; The Social Community; The Economic Community; The Political Community; The World Community; and Our Social Creed.

2. The Charterhouse School (formerly in London) was founded in 1611 by the Carthusian Order of monks.

3. Richard Allen, (1760 – 1831) was the founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Fellowship Night at Benoit’s You’re invited to join other United Methodist’s at Benoit’s in McCamey on Friday, September 17th at 6:00 pm for a “Dutch Treat” meal.

No muss, no fuss, just a bunch of neighbors sharing a meal and fellowship together.

New M em bers

New members will be received into the churches on October 3rd. If you, or someone you know, is interested in uniting with either of our two communities of faith please contact Pastor Charles.

United Methodists join with a local congregation by transfer of membership from another church (UMC or other) or by profession of vows. New members make vows to support the local church through their prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness.

The August Fellowship Breakfast in Iraan.

All persons who follow Jesus are called to grow spiritually through the practice of various Christian habits, or “means of grace,” such as prayer, Bible study, private and corporate worship, acts of service, etc. Jesus taught his disciples practices of spiritual growth and leadership.

As Disciples of Christ, we are to share with others as they look to us to be models and guides. The United Methodist Men (UMM) invites you to connect with us as we keep our eye on the central reason for this ministry – to help others grow to a mature faith in God that moves them to action on behalf of others, especially “the least.” (See Matthew 25:31-46) This aspect of “disciple making” is the ultimate goal of all that we do in the church.

Southwest Texas UM M Link

The M en of

FUM C–

M cCam ey

Have you invited someone to our monthly potluck?

Our next gathering is on September 26th.

August 6-7 were the dates of the 2010 McCamey High School all-class reunion. First UMC in McCamey served as the host site for the Class of 1965. Between 40-45 Badgers and their spouses gathered together to recall “the good-old days.”

13 Badger alumni

signed up for our

e-newsletter!

Badgers for Christ

The monthly (third Wednesday) lunch-time gathering of McCamey High School students and staff will resume on September 15th.

Please join us as we share this time of food, fun, and fellowship with the Badgers of McCamey High School!

On the menu in September is pizza! Won’t you come and share in this wonderful expression of hospitality and outreach?

The residents of the McCamey Convalescent Center enjoy the worship and fellowship shared with the members of the First UMC – McCamey each week. (Sun. @ 1pm – Thur. @ 10am)

The First UMC in McCamey will be hosting its annual welcome lunch for teachers/new residents following the worship service on September 12th.

Contact Mary Witcher to sign up to bring food.

The people of The United Methodist Church are helping change the world. We invite you to watch, read, talk and

find what we're about. And join us on the journey…

In 1940, Bishop Herbert Welch issued a challenge to establish a “voice of conscience among Methodists to act in the relief of human suffering without distinction of race, color, or creed.” For 70 years, United Methodists have responded to that challenge, spreading hope to God’s most vulnerable people, through UMCOR.

United Methodists continue to be the hands and feet of Christ by welcoming the stranger, promoting global health, rebuilding homes and lives affected by civil and natural disasters, and assembling school kits and other material resources for people around the world.

UMCOR’s mission, following Christ's mandate, is to alleviate human suffering with open hearts to all people. To make a gift in celebration of UMCOR’s 70th Anniversary and help meet the most urgent needs around the world support UMCOR Advance #999895.

UMCOR provides emergency relief in many areas of the world. To find out more about UMCOR's ministries, please visit umcor.org. You can donate to any project by placing a contribution in the offering plate at a local United Methodist church; by sending a check to UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068; or by calling 1-800-554-8583, where credit card donations are accepted. You can also give online by clicking on any of the "Give Now" links. UMCOR is exempt from tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States and qualifies for the maximum charitable contribution deduction by donors. And, please pray for those who are hungry, displaced, and sick or in poverty because of these and other natural and human-made disasters, and for the workers who minister to them.

McCamey Ministerial Alliance News

The McCamey Ministerial Alliance (MMA) meets on the second Wednesday of each month at member churches.

The First Baptist Church is offering a “Fit for Faith” aerobics class on Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10:00 – 11:00 am. For more information, contact the church @ 652-8674.

The First Assembly of God is offering a Wednesday afternoon aerobics class. Contact the church @ 652-8241.

EXCELL for Youth resumes meeting on September 15th at 7:00 pm in the Park Building. The program meets on the third Wednesday of each month.

MMA member churches include: Eastside Baptist Church, El Buen Pastor, First Assembly of God, First Baptist Church, First United Methodist Church, and Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

The BLOGS of FUMC - Iraan & FUMC - McCamey:

www.fumc-mccamey.blogspot.com or www.fumc-iraan.blogspot.com

(Be sure to sign up as a follower!)

Advent \Ad`vent\, n. [L. adventus, fr. advenire, adventum: cf. F. avent.]

1. (Eccl.) The period including the four Sundays before Christmas. 2. The first or the expected second coming of Christ.

3. Coming; any important arrival; approach. (Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, 1913)

Webster’s Dictionary gives a definition of Advent which is clinical and to the point. But does it really get the point of Advent for you? It may seem strange to be talking about Advent in September but we are leaning into our God-shaped future at the United Methodist Church’s in Iraan and McCamey!

Advent begins on Sunday, November 28th and Pastor Charles is inviting you to join him in creating an Advent Devotional that will be shared with the world!

Please send Pastor Charles an email or place a note in the offering plate that you would like to write for the devotional. Submissions may take the form of an essay, poem, prayer, thought, song, art, reflection (each about the size of the Upper Room devotionals) or …

We need twenty-seven people to share their faith during the season in which we observe the coming of the Messiah. Will you be one of that group? If you have a special day during this season that you’d like to write for/on, please indicate that and we will try to accommodate you. Pastor Charles will write a reflection for each day of the Twelve Days of Christmas (Dec. 25 – Jan. 5) as a means of carrying the spirit of the season into the New Year.

The devotional will be available in print and posted each day on each church’s blog. The deadline for signing up will be October 15th and all submissions are due to Pastor Charles by November 15th.

First UMC – Iraan

Each Sunday –

Fellowship Time @ 9:00

Worship @ 9:30 am

Church School @ 10:30 am

Other events:

Ad Council – Sept. 8 @

6:00 pm

The Iraan High School Reunion

(Sep. 10 & 11)

Pastor Charles in Iraan –

Sep. 8, 13, 22, 27

Fellowship Breakfast –

Sep. 26 @ 8:30 am

First UMC – McCamey

Each Sunday –

Fellowship Time @ 9:30 am

Church School @ 10:00 am

Worship @ 11:00 am

Convalescent Center @ 1:00 pm

Each Wednesday – Choir @

7:00 pm & Bells @ 8:00 pm

Each Thursday – Coffee @

Convalescent Center, 10:00 am

Other events:

Ministerial Alliance –

Sep. 8 @ 10:00 am @

The McCamey Bluegrass Festival

(Sep. 9-10-11)

Welcome Luncheon –

Sep. 12 (Following worship)

Badgers for Christ – Sep. 15

@ Noon

UMW Salad Supper –

Sep. 13, 7:00 pm

Ad Board –Sep. 19 @ 6:00 pm

The Iraan High School Reunion

(Sep. 10 & 11) and the McCamey

Bluegrass Festival (Sep. 9-10-11) are

wonderful events for our

communities. These are terrific

opportunities to invite guests and

residents alike to join us in worship.

Help spread the Word!

The date of the 2010 Church Conference has been set (for both churches) for Sunday,

November 7th during the worship service.

Iraan:

**Thanks to Ronnie Ward, Kirke McKenzie, James Jordan and Dr.

Edwin Franks for taking the initiative to begin the work of transforming the

flower bed (west side of the church) into something beautiful.

**Thanks to Deanna Jordan and Belinda Alkula for their loving gift of

summer flower boxes and bright-colored tablecloths in the church's fellowship

hall. The space has been transformed into such a cheery place for the church

family to visit with one another!

McCamey:

**Thanks to Bobbie & Bill Lester and Debbie White for sharing the gift of

hospitality with the Class of 1965 during the All-class reunion.

**Thanks to all who made our MHS Class of 65 welcomed. Enclosed is a

donation to the electric bill that was incurred to provide the very welcome air

conditioning. – Bill “Twoie” Darby

**Thanks to Mary Witcher for the energetic decorations in the fellowship

hall! We are ready for some football now!

**Thanks to the UMW members who contributed to the welcome baskets

for the new teachers.

**Thanks from Lou Dell Myrick: “… I got a neat gift in the mail this week.

Mother sent me the cross. It is very special to know that I am thought of while

I'm away. … Thank-you so much for the cross.”

- Your sister in Christ, Lou Dell

**Pastor Charles and Belinda want to thank the church for the very

generous gift of a year's membership at the new wellness center in McCamey.

We really appreciate your love and support for our wanting to get healthier

and more fit in the next year. We hope and pray that everyone in the

congregation will make the decision to join us "On our way to fitness."

Thank You Notes