the good news - smithfieldold.smithfieldumc.org/newsletter/february.pdf · hci process and moving...

Our 2015Mission: One Mile for Christ

Our 2015Motto: Faith Lived for Lives Changed

February 2015

The Good News

OFFICE HOURS:

Monday - Friday

8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

SUNDAY WORSHIP

8:30 a.m. Worship Service

9:45 a.m. Sunday School

10:50 a.m. Worship Service

12:00 p.m. Youth Fellowship

Discovery School

Director:

Janet Taylor

[email protected]

Asst. Director:

Kirsti Frausto

[email protected]

(817) 281-2669

[email protected]

6701 Smithfield Road

North Richland Hills, Texas 76182

(817) 281-0314

E-mail: [email protected]

www.smithfieldumc.org

Find us on Facebook

Smithfield United Methodist Church

What’s Inside:

Upcoming Events Pg. 2-4 SUMC Scholarships Pg. 5 Missions Pg, 6 Youth News Pg. 7 Sunday School News Pg. 8 Birthdays & Schedules Pg. 9 Bulletin Board Pg.10-12

Activites Pg. 13

STAFF

Pastor: Rev. Dr. Lisa Neslony Office Administrator/Finance: Roberta Ballester Janitorial/Maintenance: Al Jackson Music Director: Trena Burden Worship Leader: Ryan Jeffcoat Youth Director: Timothy Miler Assistant Youth Director: Katie Trantham Nursery Coordinator: Sara Barrett

HCI Consultation Quickly Approaching

As Uncle Sam says: WE NEED YOU!

If you are a member or someone who regularly attends Smithfield United Methodist Church, I look forward to seeing you on campus several times during the week-end of February 27 to March 1. That’s the weekend an outside consultation team will be on campus to meet us, interview us, get to know us and offer us prescrip-tions to become an even stronger congregation.

Our team is already beginning the process of getting to know us by read-ing the nearly 250-page report we developed and sent to them. The report includes our history, demographics, Readiness 300 survey results, past charge conference reports, newsletters and bulletins, and much more.

Colleyville UMC just had their consultation last weekend. The Holy Spirit showed up and great things are coming out of their experience.

I have no doubt that we also will reap the blessings of God as we go through this process.

So here’s the plan:

In a couple of weeks we will have a pre-consultation workshop to learn about what will happen during and after the consultation weekend. Everyone is invited. I will give you the details on this as soon as I learn them from our consultation coach.

On the weekend of February 20-22, we will have an intentional time of prayer led by Sandra Roberts, Lynn Glasscock and Cin-dy Staples. Stay tuned for more details on this.

On Friday, February 27, the consultants will interview the staff and lay leaders during the workday and interview a focus group in the evening. I will be contacting lay leaders and focus group members in the next few days.

On Saturday, February 28, the church council will meet with the interview team from 9 to 10 a.m. Then from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., everyone will take part in an all-church workshop. Lunch will be catered. Watch for reservation information.

Continued on Page 2

Rev. Dr. Lisa Neslony

THE GOOD NEWS FEBRUARY 2015

HCI Consultation Quickly Approaching Continued

After the workshop, the consultation team will spend whatever time is necessary to write up our prescriptions. They will share those with me before they leave Saturday night.

On Sunday, March 1, we will worship as usual. Then immediately after the second service ends, our consultants will read the report and prescriptions they have written for our con-gregation. Over the course of the next few weeks, we will host three town hall meetings to discuss the report and answer any questions.

On March 29, we will vote as a congregation about whether we would like to move forward with the prescriptions with the support of a Church Coach.

Like I said earlier: WE NEED YOU. Please plan to be part of this exciting and important weekend at Smithfield UMC. Grace & Peace, Pastor Lisa

Weekend Consultation{February 27 – March 1}

Saturday Workshop10 a.m. to 3 p.m.Learn more about the HCI process and moving into a missional future.

All are invited

Sunday Town Hall MeetingAfter last serviceHear the HCI report andrecommendations for ourchurch’s future.

All are invited

Friday Interviews& Focus GroupAll dayInterviews with staff andchurch leaders will befollowed by a focus groupof other church members.


Tickets on sale Sundays in the church foyer

February 14 Family Life Center

$10.00 per person

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.

Ephesians 3:16


5:30 p.m. March 7 in the Family Life Center $25 buy-in Pizza & drink provided

$$ goes for ministry

Men & Women Welcome

Winner getsbragging rights


Smithfield Scholarship Applications DUE MARCH 1st 1. Description: Smithfield United Methodist Church will budget funds each year to help qualified

graduating high school students with their continued educational expenses during their first year in college, university or an accredited technical or trade school.

2. Selection Process: The scholarship board will consist of the Pastor (acting as chair), Church Council Chair, Finance Chair, Trustee Chair, SPR Chair, UMM President, and UMW President. The board will be responsible for maintaining the scholarship program by:

A. Determining the amount of the scholarship at the beginning of each school year.

1. The standard amount for the scholarship is $500.00 per student.

2. This amount may be adjusted annually based on the number of eligible students, special needs, budget considerations, financial condition or other unforeseen circumstances.

B. Receiving and reviewing scholarship applications.

C. Determining eligibility of students being considered.

D. Approving or denying any exception to qualifications or

program changes.

3. Qualifications.

A. Graduate high school.

B. Accepted and enrolled in an accredited secondary education or trade school within one year of high school graduation.

C. Complete and submit the scholarship application on time.

D. Be an active member of Smithfield United Methodist Church. Active is defined as:

1. Attendance of greater than 75% of church services when there are no conflicts. Conflicts are defined by school obligations, work, community events or custodial arrangements that would make attending service impossible.

2. Active member of the Smithfield United Methodist Youth.

3. An active member of at least one other group, program or ministry.

E. Possess solid character, morals and uphold the qualities expected of a Christian and member of the United Methodist Church.

4. Payments.

A. The funds will be sent in two disbursements. 50% will be paid for the first semester/ term and 50% will be paid for the second semester/term.

B. Must be enrolled the entire year or two consecutive terms to receive the full amount of the scholarship.

C. Student must provide proof of admission and school address to the church prior to payment being submitted.

D. The funds will be paid directly to the college, university or trade school in the

recipient’s name.

Applications are available in the church office 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.


Would you like to volunteer your time to help those who are hungry in our area? N.E.E.D. has a partnership with Tarrant Area Food Bank in Fort Worth. Every 3 hours a volunteer serves at the Tarrant Area Food Bank for NEED, NEED re-ceives about 86 pounds of food to give out to those who are hungry in our area. Go to www.tafb.org to sign up your group. Time slots are available Monday – Satur-day, 9:00am – 9:00pm, but a minimum 3-hour shift is required. Ages 8 and up are welcome! (Ages 8-13 re-quire 1 adult-3 youth, and ages 14-15 require 1 adult-10 youth) Tarrant Area Food Bank is located at 2600 Cul-len St., Fort Worth, Texas 76107.

Happy New Year! We would like to express our deep gratitude for those who helped with this min-istry in 2014. You helped us keep our shelves stocked (and many children fed) through the dona-tion of your time, talents, and treasure. Thank you! Currently we are serving 43 children every Friday of the school year. As the program grows, we still need your help to keep backpacks full of food in the hands of these children. This year, we need $3,500.

In the coming weeks, stay tuned to learn how you

http://www.tafb.org


Youth Director: Timothy Miler Assistant Youth Director: Katie Trantham

If we walk in the light, we have fellowship one with another. 1 John 1:7

Applying Christianity—Meeting place: Administration Building Conference Room

Bible Class—Meeting place: Family Life Center Gym

Fellowship Class—Meeting place: Administration Building Northwest Classroom

Isaac—Meeting place: Family Life Center, 2nd floor Southeast Classroom

RLAB (Research Learn Apply Believe)—Meeting place: Family Life Center, 2nd floor Northeast Clsrm

2 & 3 year olds class:

Heather, Elizabeth, Kade and Jace are

exploring all of God’s beautiful

creations.

4, 5 & 6 year olds class:

Aurora, Nataly, and Jonathan

Koaster kids: Garrett and Morgan studying the book of Jacob with teachers, John and Karen

If you have questions regarding a Sunday School class, please contact the church office at (817) 281-

0314 to obtain a contact name and number.

PAGE 7 THE GOOD NEWS FEBRUARY 2015

Sunshine Class (Special Needs)—Meeting place: Administration Building Northeast Classroom. Pictured left to right are Jacob, Ryan and Jillian.

Wee Worship

02/01 Rene Bort

02/08 Lynn Glasscock

02/15 Heather Doyle

02/22 Sandy Bellamy

Good Place

02/01 Lynn Glasscock

02/08 Youth

02/15 Marilyn Schorr

02/22 Mike McCall

We apologize if we have left your birth date off. Please call (817) 281-0314 for additions & corrections.

PAGE 8 THE GOOD NEWS FEBRUARY 2015

TGIW

02/01 UMM

02/08 Bible Class

02/15 Youth Fellowship

02/22 Discovery School

01/01 Melvin Elrod 01/15 Lynn Glasscock

01/06 Khali Murphy 01/16 Orvella Wohl

01/08 Paul Koopman 01/20 Dorothy Brooks

01/10 Ally Neslony 01/22 Lisa Neslony

01/10 Richard Silletti 01/25 Butch Millsaps

01/26 Diane Hutchinson

Sunday School Helpers

February - Rene Bort

March - Cassie Sumner

February Birthday’s

Many stories about the origin of Valentine’s Day have come down through the centuries. There’s no definitive story, but most revolve around the imprisonment of Valentinus (St. Valentine) for his dis-regard of Roman laws.

Many legends are also associated with Valentine’s Day. For example, because birds seemed to arrive and mate in some countries in mid-February, human couples came to be called “love birds.”

In 1667, the first recorded Valentine card was printed. Today, people will give their sweethearts countless millions of cards and acres of heart-shaped boxes filled with candy. But why wait for Val-entine’s Day to share love with others? Remember Jesus’ words in John 13:34 (NRSV): “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.”


United Methodist Men

February 21, 2015 8:00 a.m FLC

Cooks: Eddie, Matthew and Sandy

Devotional: David Butcher

United Methodist Women

February 19, 2015 6:45 p.m.

Snack Sisters: Cassie Sumner and Lynn Glasscock

Devotional: Heather

Childcare provided FREE at the church.

Extravagant Generosity By: Chad Brown

We are off to another year of extravagant giving! The apportionment boards are updated and will be posted back in the Narthex beginning Sunday, February 1st. We encourage you and/or your small groups to adopt apportionments again this year. There are smaller amounts available to support anyone who wants to adopt. Our goal is to complete our apportionment giving by 11/1/15 so we can focus again on ministry throughout the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. We will also be giving out our first annual SUMC Scholarships for qualified graduating seniors. It is important that the applications are completed and returned no later than March 1st. The Extravagant Generosity team will also be starting an in-depth

stewardship campaign later this year. Stay tuned for details.


Energy Stewardship Can Have an Ideal Impact

At the end of 2014, SUMC retained an energy saving con-

sultant, Ideal Impact. This Christian-based Grapevine firm

specializes in helping churches and other institutions reduce spending on energy.

Their mission is to provide a billion dollars for Christian ministry by teaching

churches to use energy more efficiently in order to reallocate more money for min-

istry.

Over the next three years, Ideal Impact will work with our leadership, staff

and congregation to train us to be better stewards of our facilities. SUMC will not

pay any out of pocket expense for this service. Ideal Impact will be paid out of the

savings they help us create. Initially, Ideal Impact will be helping us upgrade and

optimize our facility by installing new programmable thermostats, mapping our

heater and air conditioning zones, replacing old lights with newer more energy effi-

cient bulbs, making sure our systems and lighting are as efficient as possible and

much more.

In the long run, Ideal Impact will help us make a much bigger impact by

training us how to coordinate facility use to make our savings even greater—

staggering our cooling and heating startup, scheduling coordinated use of the areas

of the church when possible, and becoming more aware of how our energy is used

and priced. Please be aware this is not about having to be uncomfortable or having

Sunday school in the dark. It is about learning to use our facilities in a smarter,

more efficient way.

Please help us with this program by learning how it works and helping us

make it happen at SUMC. It will be a win for us in our budget, a win for us in our

community, and a win for each of us personally as we become better stewards of

the blessings we have been given. For more information or details please see Ideal

Impact’s website at: http://www.idealimpactinc.com.

Providing proof If we are to accept the teaching of Jesus at all, then the only test of the reality of a man’s religion is his attitude to his fellow men. The only possible proof that a man loves God is the demonstrated fact that he loves his fellow men. —William Barclay

http://www.idealimpactinc.com


By Marilyn Schorr Breathe

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (CEB) 8 We are experiencing all kinds of trouble, but we aren’t

crushed. We are confused, but we aren’t depressed. 9 We are harassed, but we aren’t

abandoned. We are knocked down, but we aren’t knocked out.

Take a breath, you can slow down now. Since before Thanksgiving we have been planning and rushing and eating and rushing and planning and eating…stop....take a breath. So now you feel deflated, let down, out of energy, can’t possibly eat another bite! The winter blahs have caught up with you and so have those credit card bills! Christmas is over, the New Year’s celebrations have worn you out, and now the weather has turned frigid and you just want to crawl into your den and hibernate!

I have had several people tell me lately that they are so depressed, but why, why at this special time of the year would you be depressed? There are many reasons why people are depressed at this time of year and it doesn’t have anything to do with the things we think about first: loss of a job, money, broken relationships, poor health. Although there are many types of depression we seldom think about this one, it’s called SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder, it’s caused by the lack of natural light. It can be effectively treated with light therapy but in nearly half the cases, light therapy is not enough. It usually diminishes during spring and sum-mer only to return again in winter.

It may not be as serious as other types of depression but that’s not to say it is any less debilitating for those who suffer from it. I know from living in one of the northern states during my youth that the older I got the less I liked winter. My Dad always told me that depression was all in your head. And perhaps in some cases you can fight it off if you are strong willed and tell yourself that you aren’t going to let it get you down. But what some of those strong-willed people, myself included, forget to do while they are making that effort to fight it off is to include God in that battle. We so often think it’s such a small thing; I don’t want to bother God with something so trivial. I can handle this, until you can’t and then you think it’s too late to ask for God’s help. It is never too late to ask God for help. If you still don’t feel you can go to God, talk to your Pas-tor, talking to yourself is just counterproductive. If you need to, talk with a friend, a close relative, whoever you feel comfortable talking to but talk to someone. But remember, God is your best bet, He listens and He never leaves you.

Well February 2 is Ground Hog Day and whether or not Phil sees his shadow we all know there WILL be 6 more weeks of winter. Sorry all you Phil Fans! February is also Black History Month, National Bird Feeding Month and the first Friday is National Wear Red Day to bring awareness to heart disease.

February’s birth flower is the violet which signifies watchfulness, loyalty, and faithfulness. And second is the primrose which lets someone know you can’t live without them.

February’s birthstone is the amethyst, said to strengthen relationships and give the wearer courage. Ancient Greeks thought the amethyst guarded against in-toxication as the word in Greek means ―sober.‖ At one time only royalty were allowed to wear the gem.

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