HOPE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 2506 Caton Farm Road Joliet, Illinois 60435 January 2008

Other members of the congregation remain involved in mission projects that serve children of need in Joliet, as well as sewing diapers and making bags for the Midwest Mission Distribution Center in Chatham, Illinois. Groups within the church continue to support the prayer chain, Angel Tree, Sat night youth ministry and supply local food pantries with food and clothing.

Hope UMC is blessed with committed lay speakers who offer their services by leading worship and sharing their talents with other congregations in need of hearing the Word. We have dedicated laity who tirelessly chair committees and serve the ministries of our local congregation.

Yet, there is much work to be done as programs and committees were placed on hold or eliminated during the period Hope church awaited the appointment of a full-time pastor. My first task was to restart the work the congregation began with Natural Church Development. The congregation completed a profile of quality characteristics in May 2006, and we have secured a NCD coach who will aid our movement forward. Holistic small groups, passionate spirituality, and need - oriented evangelism are ministry areas that will be focused upon in the coming year.

Through the dedicated work of individuals within the congregation, the education commission has been reestablished, and has operated since September. We hosted a Children’s Halloween party and look to supply an Advent workshop during the Hanging of the Greens. We added our first annual Pet Blessing in October that welcomed persons from the surrounding community.

A growing concern is the staffing of our Sunday school. Teachers have committed through December and January, but the remainder of the year is in doubt. Without a viable Sunday school families will depart, and seek other offerings. This area is Hope’s greatest challenge.

Still, I am encouraged by the increased participation in devotional studies that renew and strengthen our personal and spiritual growth as we develop our devotional life; and improve our understanding of scripture. Optimism remains as we witness the steady attendance of those who are not “professing” members, yet are active in worship, sing in the choir and have agreed to serve on committees for the coming year.

In closing, I remain committed to pastoral visitation and to serving the sacraments in homes, hospitals, and nursing facilities. I will be joining other clergy from our cluster as I offer my worship leadership to two area nursing homes beginning in the New Year.

I look forward to serving God faithfully and with energy as I continue my appointment to Hope church and call upon myself and the members of this congregation to “bloom where we are planted.” My prayer is for Hope UMC to continue to proclaim God’s love and to seek God’s guidance and direction as we serve Christ with all our heart, mind and strength.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Glenna

(2007 Pastor’s Report to Charge Conference)

 

 

Hope Notes

Aluminum Cans – Please save your aluminum cans for the church. See Linda Hess if you have questions.

Volunteers are needed to clean our church. Please continue to sign up on the Volunteer Schedule which is in the Housekeeping mailbox. The job description is also available in the mailbox. Call Linda Hess for more information. Volunteers are also needed to mow the lawn. The sign-up clipboard in located below the housekeeping board.

The church is always in need of used ink cartridges. The office supply stores have changed their policies and now accept only name-brand (Dell, HP, and Epson) cartridges. These cartridges can be redeemed at office supply stores for paper and other supplies we need to run our office. Please leave used cartridges in Roberta’s mailbox.

Mission - The month of January we are collecting for Cheryl Foster's church. They cook a meal for the homeless every Thursday. They also help out people that have lost their home by fire and are in need of practically everything. If you have any questions please see Cheryl.

New Church Directory Coming! Don’t worry; it’s not a photo directory – just a plain paper directory. Please contact the office if you have had a change of address or phone number, or if you would like to include a cell phone number or an e-mail address. We plan to publish this directory by the end of January, so be sure to let us know of your changes as soon as possible!

Haiti Medical Mission Trip - Ingalls Park United Methodist Church, one of our cluster churches will leave the U.S. January 21st for Haiti. Their team needs medical supplies including over-the-counter pain medications such as Tylenol, Motrin, Aleve, hydrocortisone cream, multivitamins for children and adults, band aids, and Imodium (anti-diarrhea). They also need donations to procure medical supplies in Haiti. Please give any donations to Florence White. Donations and goods need to be received by January 6!!

Don’t forget that on Sunday, January 6, we will have a pot-luck meal after church, followed by the “Taking Down the Greens.” Please bring a dish to share. Chicken will be provided. See Linda Hess if you have questions.

 

 

Hope Gets New Copy Machine

by Dennis Mattix

The old copier in the office gave out and we were unable to get parts for it (tells you something about its age). The Trustees were given the task of finding a replacement, which they did. It is a Savin digital color copier which if you have noticed the bulletins the last few weeks, does a great job of printing in black and white and color. There are many features on this machine which will serve us for some time to come.

The Trustees at their last meeting thought it would be a good idea to allow the congregation to have copies of items they needed duplicated done at church. This must be done by someone trained to operate the copier, like Roberta. There will be a small charge of $.05 for a black and white copy or $.10 for a color copy which is much less than you would pay at a printing facility. Enjoy.

On December 17 we had a party for Doris Douglas, who turned 84 on the 21st.

A fun time was had by all. She was surprised and looked great.

 

 

“Thank You” to Nursery and Sunday School Volunteers December Sunday School: Wanda Mattix, Harriet Luce January Sunday School: Lori Mattix Nursery Helpers: Florence White, Linda Hess, Lori Mattix, Sharon Becker, Sue Wietlispach, Barb Denk, Perri Larmon, and Trish Nash

 

Those Who Serve:	January 6	January 13	January 20	January 27
Liturgist	Vic Genge	Roger Hess	Arlene Hupach	David Wietlispach
Greeter	Sheryl Dyer	Linda Hess	Marty Olumstad	LaDessa Chapman
Host(s)	Wayne Knight	Jill Genge	Sharon Becker & Judy Sohr	Harriet Luce
Acolyte	Matt Kaspar or Dominic Larmon	Matt Kaspar or Dominic Larmon	Matt Kaspar or Dominic Larmon	Matt Kaspar or Dominic Larmon
Offering Counters	Harriet Luce and Carole Blackwell	Carol Becker and Carole Blackwell	Boomer Crotty and Carole Blackwell	Carole Blackwell and TBA
Communion Steward	Jill Genge

 

 

January 1 – Ed Owen

January 7 – Florence White

January 8 – Sherm Hill

January 9 – Annetta O’Bryant

January 17 – Tori Larmon

January 24 – Ron Clark

January 25 – Nancy Mitchell

January 27 – Marty Olumstad

January 29 – Christian Hunter

January 29 – John Wietlispach

 

 

Anniversaries

January 2 – Ron & Sue Clark

January 9 – Marge & Mike Dernulc

January 25 – Mickey & Michelle Orta

 

 

Church Committees

Church Council: John Wietlispach, Chair

Treasurer: Victor Genge; Financial Secretary: Trish Nash; Recording Secretary: Carole Blackwell; Membership Secretary: Harriet Luce; UMW Representative: Florence White and Harriet Luce; UMM Representatives: Vic Genge and Roger Hess; Co-Chairs of Trustees: Dennis Mattix and Sue Wietlispach; Chair of the Staff Parish Relations Committee: Dennis Mattix; Chair of the Finance Committee: John Wietlispach; Lay Leader: Pat Michalik; Pastor; Marge Dernulc; Wanda Mattix; Linda Hess; Earl Gilliam; Harriet Luce; Marlene Shain

Staff-Parish Relations Committee: Dennis Mattix, Chair

Class of 2007 Class of 2008 Class of 2009

Carol Blackwell Dennis Mattix Linda Hess

Pat Michalik Laura Wright Florence White

David Wietlispach Marty Kaspar

Committee on Stewardship and Finance: John Wietlispach, Chair

Vic Genge Linda Hess Pat Michalik

Trish Nash Wanda & Dennis Mattix Sue Wietlispach

Board of Trustees: Dennis Mattix and Sue Wietlispach, Co-Chairs

Class of 2007 Class of 2008 Class of 2009

Carol Becker Linda Hess Roger Hess

Sue Wietlispach Dennis Mattix Joal Ott

Earl Gilliam