Tri-County Specialized Ministry
Newsletter
Volume 13 Issue 2 February 2010
Pat’s Pen
February is the month of love even more so than June when lots of people get married. This February has Valentine’s Day, President’s Day and Ash Wednesday. All of these are a celebration of love.
Valentine’s Day gives us a picture of love as an emotion, a feeling, a romantic idea. This is how love is portrayed in books, movies and songs. It is a popular idea of love. We have puppy love and love at first sight.
President’s Day also shows us an aspect of love. This might seem a little strange at first, but these men who have given their lives for their country certainly did so out of a love of freedom and of democracy and of self expression. Both Washington and Lincoln altered our country in dramatic ways. They served, not because of the great wealth they could amass in politics, but because of their great love of their country.
Finally, Ash Wednesday shows us the greatest picture of love. There was no romantic concept involved in this act of love. There was no desire to adhere to a political position in this act of love. Jesus Christ gave up his life because of pure, overwhelming love of each of us. This is truly the greatest sacrifice of love.
One of the things these acts of love tells us is that love is not just something you feel or think. It is also something you do. Love is making sure your spouse and family knows you care about them in real and tangible ways. Love is serving others even if it is inconvenient. Love is laying down your life for your brother or sister.
Love is concrete!
- Creating health and baby kits to replace those that have gone to Haiti
- Giving money to PDA to help with the long term renewal of life in Haiti.
- Looking for the good in people instead of the negative
- Encouraging others instead of tearing them down
- Being present at worship and other activities of the church
- Helping those in need instead of criticizing them
All of these and countless other ways show our love for God, the church, and all of God’s children. Make February a month of love.
Lenten Bible Study:
Lenten Bible Study: “A Look at World Religions”
Study begins Feb 17th at Otterville, and ends March 31st at Otterville. Other dates are to be determined.
We will look at the beliefs of different world religions taking one each week. We will look at our commonalities and our dividing points.
Be sure to attend the first one, and we’ll have information on the remaining undesignated locations. These will also be updated on the web.
Sympathy
This past month, our congregations lost a great leader, the Rev. Joe Trower, who will be remembered by many as an integral part of many facets of our Missouri Union Presbytery. We will miss him. Long live his missions.
Section L
Longwood Presbyterian News
Sunday School report
Thanks again to everyone who has been contributing to our Sunday School’s mission project, Goats for Uganda.” This past month, we sold sodas at the church Chili Supper, and collected $62.50. We apologize to anyone who might have gotten a “bad” soda. Some of our products were out of date. Hopefully you let us know, so we could replace it with a good one.
Thanks to everyone who helped, and a special thanks to Aaron Reno and Allison Barnes for attending the table. And, OH YES, thanks also to Kole Kenyon for helping too. He just may have been our “ringer”. J. R.
Always Give God the Honor and Glory!
Chili Supper
This year our annual chili and soup supper was held on January 31st, and again our friends and neighbors made it another success for us. January weather is always questionable, and earlier in the week this year we worried about a soggy parking lot. Not to worry, though--good Lord took care of us with a hard freeze and no one got stuck!
Our sincerely thanks go to everyone who came to enjoy good food and friendship, and to financially supported our event. Our total income was in over $1600.00. We hope everyone enjoyed the evening.
Presbyterian Women
Longwood P.W. met Wednesday Jan. 20th with Edrie Walk. There were five of us there. Our devotional was from Luke 4:14-21.
Sharon led us in our Bible study from Joshua, chapters 3 and 4, “Entry into the Land.” At this time the Israelites crossed the Jordan River. Joshua consecrated the people to the Lord, and they celebrate Passover. Now they have the Promised Land!
Our collection was $30, plus $13 for missions. Sharon took notes and she passed out year-end financial reports to all.
We are a small group, but our giving is so great. We voted out $50 for the Haitian Relief Fund, and will go with the church giving. We will also continue to put Health Kits together, and it seems the Dollar Tree store is the best place to find items needed. Betty will also give Rev. Pat a check for our shut-ins.
Now that the Chili-Soup Supper is over, we want to thank everyone who helped in any way, with donations, kitchen help or anything else—it takes all of us to get the job done. We had such a nice sunny day, despite snow in other places—what little bit Longwood had all was gone by afternoon. God is good!
Next meeting, Wed. Feb. 10th, with Edrie Walk, 1:30 pm. and we will have lesson #4.
Remember World Day of Prayer this year at Range Line Church, March 5th. More later on this.
God Bless All Margaret Schlomer
“The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer someone else up.” Mark Twain
Illnesses & concerns
Please continue to keep the following folks in your prayers (cards and letters help, too):
Eddie Walk, Edna Lea, Karen Chamberlin, as she recovers from surgery, Jim Reid, as he recovers from surgery, Mida Robb, as she recovers from falls, John and Kay Tevis, as they are home-bound, and all the victims of the earth quake in Haiti.
Birthdays, Anniversaries, & Church Events
February
Feb. 8 | Renee Moore’s Birthday |
Feb. 14 | St. Valentine’s Day |
Feb. 20 | Sydney Greer’s Birthday |
Feb. 26 | Debbie Brown’s Birthday |
Feb. 28 | John & Kay Miller’s Anniversary |
March
Mar. 4 | Amanda Kenyon’s Birthday |
Mar. 5 | Ken Romig’s Birthday |
Mar. 7 | Chris Townlain’s Birthday |
Mar. 6 | Tiffany Romig’s Birthday |
Mar. 9 | Daylight Savings Time begins |
Mar. 10 | Margaret Schlomer’s Birthday |
Mar. 14 | Caleb Reno’s Birthday |
Mar. 25 | Maria (Schlomer’s) Birthday |
Section O
Otterville Presbyterian News
By M. Goode
Dates & Events:
Feb. 3 | Session Meeting, Wear Hall, 7 p.m. |
Feb. 15 | Presby. Women, W. Hall, 1 p.m. |
Feb. 17 | Lenten Bible Study, W. Hall, 7 p.m. |
Feb. 18 | Westminster Group, W. Hall, 6:30 |
Mar. 5 | Session Meeting, Wear Hall, 7 p.m. |
Mar. 31 | Lenten Bible Study, W. Hall, 7 p.m. |
News
The regular meetings of the session will be held the first Wed. of each month.
There is a great need to have the “Health Kits” given to the Haiti victims replenished. Church World Service gave out all that they have. The Otterville Presbyterian Women have more than a dozen ready to take in a few days. More will be accepted at any time. Money can be given to the Presbyterian Women and they will purchase the items for you. The amount needed to purchase each bag is $12. Checks can be mailed to Otterville Presbyterian Church/Presbyterian Women, P. O. Box 66, Otterville 65348. No gift is too small.
The yearly Congregational meeting was held on Jan. 24. Mary Goode and Gary Jones were elected for the Elders class of 2012. Janet Jones and David Griffin were elected for the Deacons class of 2012.
Tri-County representatives were elected. Mary Goode will serve a one year term and Virgil Meyer will serve a two year term.
Those chosen from the floor to serve on the nominating committee for next year were Rita Henson, Marsha Dowdy, Connie Ehlers and Jim Young. They were all elected by the group.
Presbyterian Women
Presbyterian Women met on Jan. 18th at 1:00 p.m. at Wear Hall with Martha Lu Young, Rita Henson, Rev. Pat and Marilyn Meyer present. Rita served as hostess. Martha Lu led the group in Lesson #3, Entry into the Land, Joshua 3 – 5. Rev. Pat opened in prayer and the P W Purpose was read in unison.
Marilyn, who is the treasurer, reported balance of $637.58 in the PW account. $259 of that amount is for the Heifer Project which actually leaves the PW with a balance of $378.58.
Jonnie Mae Kreisel advised Martha Lu that she had sent 13 cards this month. She had sent some Christmas cards to shut-ins. She did not know how many cards Sue Glenn had sent.
It was reported that the church fed 13 or 14 families for Christmas with the help of FBLA’s collection of food and the food our church members donated. One poinsettia was given.
The Festival of Sharing is asking for Health Care Kits due to their whole supply being sent to Haiti. Rita made a motion that the group take $100 from the treasury to buy items for the Health Care Kits and announce to the congregation that we will accept supplies/kits/or money to buy the supplies so they can put together as many as possible to help. Marilyn seconded the motion and the motion carried.
It was decided that each member would furnish 3 dozen cookies on February 16th and again on Feb. 23rd that will be given to the Prison Ministry in Sedalia. Marilyn will get the cookies to them.
Rev. Pat read information about “One Great Hour of Sharing” and where the money is sent. She advised the group she will be gone to Nashville on study leave on Sunday, Jan 31, and Rev. Alex Wales will be taking her place in the pulpit.
Marilyn read from the Mission book about Washington Presbyterian Church in Pennsylvania taking God’s Word to two recovery houses and giving hope to alcoholics and people addicted to drugs that are trying to recover.
Westminster Group
The Westminster Group met on Thursday, Jan. 21, at Wear Hall. Jim and Martha Lu Young were hosts for the meal. Rev. Pat opened with a prayer. Minutes of the last meeting were read and corrected. The treasure reported a balance of $268.31. Ava and Otis Henson were guests.
In old business Jim and Rita Henson reported they took the gift cards from the group, 6 Bibles from Jim and Martha Lu, and some other things to the Stubbins Youth Home at Moberly before Christmas.
In new business, Martha Lu reported on the plays at Branson. “Noah” plays from March to October and in November and December. “The Miracle” is playing. Tickets are approximately $50 each.
Janet Jones gave information to the group about a play at the Liberty Center and Rita said the Community Café in Sedalia needs volunteers. She will get more information about that for the group.
It was decided to leave the officers the same as they were last year. For the program, Jim Henson showed a video called “Apostle Comedy.”
The next meeting will be Feb. 18th at 6:30 with Connie Ehlers as hostess. Martha Lu will have the program.
Sick
Albert Kreisel remains in the nursing home Versailles and is doing about the same.
Sue Sponcler, Sr. was moved Bothwell Hospital to the University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia on Jan. 18th and one of her kidneys was removed two days later. She is doing better and is at Tipton Manor Nursing Home doing re-hab at the present time.
After some time in the hospital at Warrensburg, Lula Mae Aldrich moved to Tipton Manor Nursing home toward the end of January.
Walter Dowdy recently received a good report from his doctor and doesn’t have to deal with chemo treatments for a while. Way to go Walter!
Please keep those mentioned above in your prayers!
Birthdays & Anniversaries
February
Feb. 10 | Connor Jaco-Townsend’s Birthday |
Feb. 11 | Carrie Sponcler’s Birthday |
Feb. 12 | Valarie Sponcler’s Birthday |
Feb. 13 | Zetta Dowdy’s Birthday |
Feb. 14 | John S. Sponcler’s Birthday |
Feb. 17 | Marsha Dowdy’s Birthday |
Feb. 22 | Brooke (Dowdy’s) Birthday |
Feb. 23 | James Sanders’ Birthday |
March
Mar. 9 | Bronwen Langton |
Mar. 11 | Medena Draffen |
Mar. 16 | Kayla Griffin |
Mar. 17 | Sheena Langton |
Mar. 18 | |
Mar. 23 | Brittany Helmig |
Mar. 23 | Lula Mae Aldrich |
Mar. 30 | Kyla Jaco |
Section R
Range Line Presbyterian News
News from RLC
The congregation welcomed Rev. Alex Wales as guest pastor on Jan. 31st as Rev. Roller was attending a Christian Education Conference in Nashville, Tennessee. Rev. Wales recently retired from 1st Presbyterian Church in Warrensburg and will be interim pastor at Broadway Presbyterian Church in Sedalia. Rev. Roller reported a very good meeting, BUT the weather was worse than what she has been experiencing here in Central Missouri.
Range Line has three members serving on Presbytery committees- Ted Coffelt is serving on the Budget and Finance committee, Karen Chamberlin is serving as Moderator of the Presbyterian Women and is their representative on the Presbytery Council and Georgia Reid is a member at large on the Council assigned to the Mission Team committee and liaison on the Christian Education Mission team. Rev. Roller is moderator of the Christian Education Mission Team and Tri- County Specialized Ministry is represented by several members on various committees. We may be small churches, but we are making our presence known. Karen, as Moderator of the P W, is also a member of the Synod P W Council.
World Day of Prayer will be held at Range Line on March 5th with women from the area invited to join us in the program planned by Christian women living in Cameroon, which is a small country in Africa. There will be coffee and fellowship beginning at 10:00 and the Bible study starting at 10:30 followed by lunch (bring a salad, veggie, or desert) and the afternoon program. Everyone is welcome to join us for the day.
Some words to live by shared with me recently included : “A good time to keep your mouth shut is when you are in deep water”, and “wisdom is to speak your mind and to mind your speech”!
The one that fits me at this time is, “even if you are on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there”- so J R, here is the news from RLC.
OUR KIDS
Congratulations to all the students who made the High School and Jr. High honor roll for their class work at Pettis Co. R-5 over the past few months. Those from our area on the “A” roll for the quarter were: Britney Bales, Quentin Johnson, Shaina Chamberlin, Caitlin Alexander and Cameron Bales.
Those on the “B” roll were: Rachel Blackburn, Emily Reid, Elijah Johnson and Trey Green.
Those listed on the semester rolls were: “A” roll: Britney Bales, Quentin Johnson, Emily Reid, Shaina Chamberlin, Caitlin Alexander, Cameron Bales, Trey Green, and Tori Shireman.
The “B” list included: Cole Alexander, Rachel Blackburn, Taylor Slaughter and Elijah Johnson.
It was great to see several graduates for Pettis Co RV listed on the Central Missouri University Dean’s List—among them was Andrea Reid.
Congratulations again to each of you.
Remember the “JAM” meetings will resume on every other Sunday afternoon, the first being on Feb. 14th at 3:00 pm. Each session includes, study, something to take home and refreshments. SO encourage your young people to join in the fun and learning about Jesus; as the name of the group implies, “Jesus and Me”.
Check the RV school newsletter for activities that are being held at the high school and elementary buildings. The Student Council is sponsoring a “Blood Drive” on Feb. 24th at the High School Cafeteria – you might consider giving a pint of blood to save lives!
MISSIONS
The Presbyterian Women are collecting items for Hygiene kits. If you would like to contribute a kit or items for a kit, bring them to the church or let Betty Lou Dotson that you are interested. The “Jam’s” will be putting them together.
Also Betty Lou has the coffee and tea for missions for sale.
As you begin spring-cleaning, remember to save your gently worn clothing for the area “Clothes Closets”, bring them to the church and they will be delivered.
CARES AND CONCERNS
The following need our PRAYERS;
Sharon Dial Gaddy- cancer
A P Reid as he starts dialysis
Norma Bales--back surgery
Mida Robb--falling
Jimmy Reid--recovering nicely from knee replacement
Marilyn Reid Harris--cancer
Karen Chamberlin--cancer
Troops everywhere
All affected by the weather conditions
Remember to be thankful for all we have.
Birthdays & Anniversaries
February
Feb. 3 | Lisa Dow Britson’s Birthday |
Feb. 4 | Don Reid’s Birthday |
Feb. 4 | Tony & Jennifer Alexander’s Anniversary |
Feb. 8 | Karen Chamberlin’s Birthday |
Feb. 10 | Megan Reid’s Birthday |
Feb. 10 | Hayleigh Marlin’s Birthday |
Feb. 12 | Troy Saylor’s Birthday |
Feb. 12 | Ed Ballenger’s Birthday |
Feb. 12 | Danny & Lisa Britson’s Anniversary |
Feb. 14 | Janice Klenke’s Birthday |
Feb. 15 | Krystal Dotson’s Birthday |
Feb. 16 | Frank Dow’s Birthday |
Feb. 18 | Barbie Reid’s Birthday |
Feb. 18 | Jim Meyer’s Birthday |
Feb. 21 | Don & Sherry Reid’s Anniversary |
Feb. 21 | Ray & Darlene Dotson’s Anniversary |
Feb. 22 | Hayden Lee Presinger’s Birthday |
Feb. 25 | Andrea Reid’s Birthday |
Feb. 26 | Catherine Meyer’s Birthday |
Feb. 26 | Terry Coffelt’s Birthday |
Feb. 27 | Cara Smith’s Birthday |
Feb. 29 | Lori Reid Price’s Birthday |
March
Mar. 3 | J.W. Bales |
Mar. 3 | Terry Saylor |
Mar. 4 | Kenny Reid |
Mar. 8 | Aaron Smith |
Mar. 13 | Kyle Baker |
Mar. 15 | Ted Burkhardt |
Mar. 16 | Karen Reid |
Mar. 16 | Brad & Dana Clemons’ Anniversary |
Mar. 18 | Stacy Saylor Marlin |
Mar. 21 | |
Mar. 23 | Teddie Coffelt |
Mar. 25 | Leland (Ted) & Helen Coffelt’s A’versary |
Mar. 31 | Mason Kyle Baker |
Mar. 31 | Becky Young’s Birthday |
Mar. 31 | Ted & Phyllis Thorp’s Anniversary |
DATES AHEAD
Feb. 3 | Presbyterian Women, Betty Lou Dotson, hostess |
Feb. 7 | Communion |
Feb. 7 | Installation of new Elders & Deacons |
Feb. 10 | Senior Supper at 6:30, Georgia Reid, hostess |
Feb. 17 | Lenten Study at Otterville, 7:00-9:00 pm |
Mar. 3 | PW, 1:30, Karen Chamberlin, hostess |
Mar. 5 | World Day of Prayer, 10:00, Range Line, hostess |
Mar. 10 | Senior Supper, 6:30, Betty Lou Dotson – hostess |
Mar. 14 | JAM, 3:00 p.m. |
Mar. 31 | Lenten Study at Otterville, 7:00-9:00 pm |
Section MUP
Missouri Union Presbytery News
Haiti Earthquake Victims
(as they say on TV, this information is an encore presentation…)
In a recent posting on the Missouri Union Presbytery website (www.mupresbytery.org), Vicki Schildmeyer has a new posting, asking for prayers the Haiti earthquake victims, plus any financial contributions:
“Help people in Haiti devastated by the earthquake on Jan 12, by taking a moment to pray that God show us how to help.
Click on this site for a prayer that God will bring wholeness from this terrible tragedy, along with a link to a Presbyterian Disaster Assistance fund (DR000064) designated for Haiti Earthquake Recovery are available. Put your faith into action!”