The Church Year is organized around the major festivals of Easter and Christmas.  Other, smaller festivals, however, are becoming more important to the ebb and flow of the church year as we learn about the routines and markings of the way we live together as the church and as the body of Christ.

We have just celebrated one of the minor feasts of the church year: Pentecost.  Pentecost comes 50 days after Easter.  We often use it to celebrate to birthday of the Church.  With the coming of the Holy Spirit onto the disciples in Jerusalem and the promise of the Holy Spirit staying with us as an Advocate the church becomes the vehicle of encouraging Christians in their growth and creating new Christians.

The rest of the year following Pentecost is known as Ordinary Time.  This is not ordinary as in “common” or “mundane”.  This word comes from “ordinal” as in the ordinal numbers of first, second, third….  So, Ordinary Time is counted time.  The counted time after Pentecost always begins with Trinity Sunday and ends with Christ the King Sunday.

The Sundays of Ordinary Time are used to focus on the mission of the church to the world:  evangelism, peace, justice, and growth.  During this period of time we also celebrate world Communion Sunday (1^st Sunday of October), Reformation Sunday (last Sunday of October) and All Saint’s Day (1^st Sunday in November) to help us understand our history and heritage.

The color for Ordinary Time is green.  Green traditionally stands for growth and new life.  In Christian traditions, green came to symbolize the life of the church following Pentecost and the new life in the resurrection.

Welcome to the long green season of the church year!                                                 Rev. Pat

On July 10th, Presbyterians around the world will be celebrating John Calvin’s 500th birthday.  He was a principal figure in the Reformation Period, and his beliefs form the foundation of the Presbyterian Church.

He was born in Noyon, a small town in the northern part of France and was educated as a humanist lawyer.  Some of the most interesting events of the Reformation, happened during his preaching in Geneva, Switzerland. 

Spend some time this summer learning more about John Calvin—you will learn the true meaning of Presbyterian.   

We will gather at Longwood on July 10^th at 7:00 pm to celebrate John’s birthday and to revisit the DVD we used during the Lenten Bible study.  If you would like to be a part of this discussion, make sure to get a copy of the DVD to view beforehand.

Editors’ note:  As always, our summer fills up with much busy-ness of life.  With reunions, vacations, camps, the State Fair (in August), and on and on, we’d like to give our writers and contributors a breather, by having a combination newsletter for the months of July and August.  Thanks to everyone who contribute to make our newsletter possible.                    J. R. & Sharon Greer

Section L

School is out!!!  Congratulations to the graduates and to all who worked so hard to improve your grades before the end of the school year.  We will have to defer acknowledgements until next month, as your editor has only partial information and this is not the time of the year to leave anyone out.  We will, however, recognize the graduates from our church:  Lexi Wicker, Whitney Brown, and Jordan Fowler who graduated from High School, and Maggie Miller who graduated from grade school.

Again, congratulations to our youth for all of their accomplishments!

The latter part of this month, we studied about the Holy Spirit and Pentecost, and what this event means to Christians.  While Rev. Pat was on vacation, the Sunday School youth helped with the Pentecost Sunday worship service.  We sang Happy Birthday to the church (and also Judy Moore), talked about the symbols of the Holy Spirit, and then after worship, we had a basket dinner with a wiener roast (with Smores, even!). 

Thanks to everyone who helped make Pentecost Sunday a success. 

Longwood PW didn't have a regular meeting in May.  We had our annual PW Birthday Program, with Range Line and Otterville ladies joining in the celebration.  We had a good program, and after our worship service we enjoyed cake and ice cream in the Fellowship Hall. Thanks to Sharon and Betty for doing all of the work!  It is always good to share this program with the other churches.

There is a change in our June meeting; we will meet Tues. June 3rd with Edrie instead of the next week. I am having surgery on my left shoulder the 9th. Time to get it over with!

The day of the wedding at church turned out to be a nice sunny day, the church looked so nice. Thanks to all who worked so hard to get the inside and the outside looking so nice. I know all worked hard at getting the jobs done.

J R and Sharon have done a great job getting Sunday School going, and we pray for good things to happen.  Thanks guys. They also did a lot of work getting our Pentecost Sunday service with the help of the younger ones, good job kids. We had our 5th Sunday dinner after the service and the kids grilled hot dogs for all, so turned out to be a great picnic day. JR has a lot of exciting things planned for them.

Happy Father's Day to all, that would be June 23^rd, the first day of summer.

All from here. God's blessings to all.   Margaret

“When you ask God for a gift, be thankful if he sends not diamonds, pearls, or riches but the love of real true friends.”   Helen Steiner Rice

A good name is more desirable then great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

Proverbs 22:1

Please keep the following folks in your prayers: 

Marj Haley—it’s great to see her back in church! 

Pat Roller as she heals from a knee injury

Kenny Reid as he mends from triple by-pass surgery.

Irvin Robb, as he is in the hospital at Sweet Springs.

June

July

Section O

By M. Goode

Following, you will find a more complete list of graduates from our church in 2009.  I apologize for missing some of these, last month.

College Graduates

High School Graduates

Eighth Grade Graduates

Kindergarten Graduates

Pre-School

Congratulations to all of you for your achievement this year. We are proud of each and every one of you.  Thanks to those who helped me get a more complete list!  Mg

Brittney Castle received a 3^rd place ribbon on her painting at the CCAA Art Show in March.  Good job, Brittney.  Keep up the good work.

Amy Ehlers graduated from Drury University, Springfield, MO in May with a Bachelor of Architecture degree and a minor of Art History and of Global Studies.  She graduated with highest honors, SUMMA CUM LAUDE. 

She also received the AIA HENRY ADAMS School Medal and certificate which is given to the top rated graduating architecture student as judged by the faculty.  This student must demonstrate exemplary talent in all aspects of architecture curriculum and other course work. It is the most prestigious award that any school of architecture can confer.  Only one school medal per accredited school will be conferred this year in the United States.  The award is provided by the American Institute of Architects.

We are enjoying having Amy back in worship service with us.  We hope your job search is successful soon.

P. W. met on May 18th at Wear Hall with five members present – Martha Lu Young, Rev. Pat, Sue Sponcler, Sr., Rita Henson and Marilyn Meyer.

The meeting was opened with prayer by Rev. Pat. Sue served a delicious strawberry pie and nuts.

Rita led lesson number eight, “All Are Invited” Luke 14:7-24 and Luke 16:19-31. The key idea was that Jesus taught that the only ones who will not eat at his table are the ones who turn down his invitation.

We had several prayer concerns.  Johnnie Mae Kreisel is in the hospital with internal bleeding.  Sue Glenn is still in rehab at Marshall, but plans to be released this month to move into an apartment in Sedalia.  Sue Sponcler, Sr. asked for prayers for her son Johnnie and his wife, Carrie, who will be taking in Carrie’s elderly father soon.  Marilyn asked for prayers for her grandson, Joe Montez, age 6, who is suffering from migraine headaches. He says “My brain hurts”. 

Marilyn, treasurer, reported that graduate, mother’s day and father’s day gifts have been purchased, leaving a balance of $884.82. Of course $490 of that is earmarked for the Heifer Project and $45 for mother’s nets which leaves $349.82. She also reported that she has 665 Best Choice labels.

Johnnie Mae Kreisel reported before the meeting that she had sent cards to all of the graduates.

 Marilyn, Martha Lu and Rita attended Spring Gathering in Mexico. They took 84 Health Kits.  Over 200 hundred were collected in all at the Spring Gathering.  They reported that they saw a slide presentation on the Global Mission Trip and learned a great deal about the Prison Ministry.

They hope to continue to make more Health Kits for the Festival of Sharing.  Rita suggested they ask the congregation to help with paper products kits.  Rev. Pat advised that she has been passing out Festival of Sharing booklets to other churches in the area.

The Birthday Celebration was attended by Rev. Pat and Martha Lu.  They will continue to take donations for the birthday offering.  Rev. Pat read about what the offering was used for last year.

Martha Lu read from the Mission Book about the Eastern Korean Presbytery.

The next meeting will have the lesson by Martha Lu, Johnnie Mae is scheduled to be hostess and Marilyn will read from the Mission Book.

The Westminster Group met on May 21st with 10 members present.  Rev. Pat opened the meeting with a prayer. Jim and Martha Lu Young served as host and hostess.

It was decided to postpone going to the Stained Glass Theater in Jefferson City until September.  There was no treasurer’s report.

The program was led by Dianna Marcum.  It was a crossword puzzle on Ascension and was enjoyed by all.  The next meeting will be on June 18 at 6:30. Jim and Rita Henson will be in charge of the food and Rev. Pat will have the program.

Sue Glenn was dismissed from the rehab center in Marshall in late May, but after a short time in her apartment in Sedalia, she had to return to Bothwell Hospital in Sedalia for treatment.

Melva Green and her husband still need our prayers.

Johnnie Mae Kreisel isn’t feeling very well at this time

Keith Sanders, son of James and Barbara Sanders, is in the hospital in Columbia. 

Please remember all of these in your prayers.

June

July

Section R

Congratulations to Cole Alexander—he was selected by the American Legion Post in Hughesville to attend Boys State, where High School Juniors spend a week running their own government.  Who knows—he may become President !!!  What a great experience for Matthew Cole Alexander.

Tiffany Elling made the Elementary Honor roll at Concordia.  Way to go Tiffany!

Those on the Elementary Honor roll at Pettis Co R-5 were: Ali Chamberlin, Hanna Gregory, Trey Green, Tore Sheridan and Jessie Zimmerman.  Keep up the good work!!

Summer school is underway and many of the students are taking advantage of the extra study time.

Don’t forget VBS at Range Line Presbyterian Church June 29- July 3.  See you there!!!

Tosha Alexander made the Deans honor roll and will graduate with an AA in Business.  Congratulations for a task well done!!

Keep the following in your Prayers:

Bernadean Mitchell as she recovers from a broken hip.

Kenny and A.P. Reid as they do rehab therapy.

Irvin Robb as he recovers from surgery and spends time in the Med-center at Sweet Springs.

Cole Alexander as he attends Boys State.

Students and Teachers at Summer school.

Those looking for jobs or starting new jobs.

Shawna and Clay Brewer as they start their life together.

June

July

Section MUP

(as shared by the Presbytery office)

It was a cool, sunny day as over a hundred Presbyters assembled on the beautiful campus of Westminster College to worship and do the work of the Presbytery.  During registration, Commissioners had the opportunity to view displays featuring the Church Development Corp.; Theological Education; Presbyterian Children Services; Camp Covenant Point; and Criminal Justice Ministry of Missouri Union.

After Presbytery Moderator, Rev. Dick Ramsey, opened the meeting with the singing of the first stanza of “Holy, Holy, Holy,” Rev. Brad Sheppard, Chaplain, Westminster College, welcomed everyone to the campus and provided directions on going to St. Mary Chapel and the Mueller Leadership Hall. Brad introduced the College President, Dr. George “Barney” Forsythe, who stated that the college believes in the integration of faith with studies for the development of the whole person. He thanked Rev. Brad Sheppard and Rev. Bill Young for their service to Westminster College since 1999 and 1975, respectfully.

Interim General Presbyter, Elder David Meerse, challenged individuals, sessions, and congregations, to pray regularly for elders within their congregation to answer God’s Call to become Commissioned Lay Pastors and discussed upcoming educational events.

Rev. Kathie Jackson, Moderator of the Synod of Mid-America, is also chair of the Synod Task Force that is currently obtaining input on the future role of the Synod of Mid America.

Rev. Joe Trower, Missouri Union Presbytery’s representative on Theological Education, introduced the Education Event on Theological Education and the distinguished panel: Rev. Laura Mendenhall, President of Columbia Theological Seminary, Rev. Rose Niles, Associate for Theological School Support, General Assembly, and Candidate Elizabeth McCormack.  Dr. Mendenhall told us that Churches need Seminaries and Seminaries need Congregations and Presbyteries to see what new things God is doing in our midst. Candidate McCormack described how important field study was side by side with education when attending Louisville Seminary.  Rev. Niles stated that Theological Education Network among Presbyterian Seminaries is united and actively in partnership with churches and presbyteries.

Worship in the beautiful St. Mary Chapel with great music, thanks to organist Michael Bancroft and the singing was an exception highlight. The liturgy was very meaningful thanks to Rev. Nancy Kahaian, Rev. Richard Ramsey, and Rev. Brad Sheppard. The sermon “There Will Be A Storm” by Dr. Laura Mendenhall was very appropriate and challenging. The offering for our Candidates Loans and Scholarship Fund, was a record $847.

Rev. Kathryn Bell introduced Rev. Mike McCormack and Assistant Camp Director David Jones made an excellent presentation on the “creation” of Camp Covenant Point, roughly based on the first chapter of Genesis, plus humor. Rev. Cecil Culverhouse reported for the Hungarian Mission Team on the desperate need for assisting Ukrainian church schools. The Team is planning a trip to Hungary & Ukraine in late May/early June 2010. Rev. P.J. Southam, Family Enrichment Ministries Mission Team, shared the challenge mentors deal with working with abused children in the Presbyterian Children Services program. Bess Gamm, Criminal Justice Mission Team, reported that the PATCH program is considering a mileage reimbursement program to help make possible children’s visits to incarcerated mothers.  CLP Jim Cruickshank reported the Disaster Assistance Mission Team is planning a fall (September-October) trip to either Iowa or Texas, depending on need/arrangements.

Elder Julie Leverenz, Moderator of Council’s Planning and Evaluation Committee, presented the Missouri Union Presbytery Long Range Plan. Following one change that was adopted by the Presbytery, the plan was approved and is now available on the MUP website.

The Presbytery approved the Nominating Committee slate of 7 individuals to serve on a General Presbyter Search Committee, fulfilling the first step of implementing the Long Range Plan approved earlier.

A final highlight of the meeting was the approval to move inquirer Kris Schondelmeyer to be a Candidate under the care of Missouri Union Presbytery.

Seldom does any day in the church year stand alone.  This is especially true of Easter.  While we spent 40 days of penitence and prayer, preparing for Easter, none of those days were counted as Sundays.  Sundays are always joyous occasions—celebrations of the resurrections.

So, even after Easter Sunday is completed we continue to celebrate Resurrection Sunday.  Easter is, in fact, a festival season of 50 days and we are in the very middle of it now.  This season is called the Great Fifty Days and includes Resurrection Sunday, Ascension Day and Pentecost Sunday.

Ascension Day is actually the fortieth day after Easter Sunday which makes it fall on a Thursday.  But for those of us who don’t have daily worship, we celebrate the Ascension the following Sunday.  This day celebrates Christ’s return to heaven and his exaltation from servant to Ruler and Lord. 

Pentecost Sunday is when we celebrate the birthday of the Church.  The movement of reading from the Acts of the Apostles instead of the Old Testament emphasizes that the church as empowered by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost is the best witness to the resurrection and the work of God in the world in Jesus the Christ.  Jurgen Moltemann, a 20th century theologian, tells us that where Christ is in the world, there is the Church.  This reminds us that we, the church, are to be busy about Christ’s business in the world.

Several questions are appropriate for us to ponder during these Great Fifty Days:

1.         What does Christ’s resurrection mean to me personally?

2.         What difference does my baptism make?

3.         How does membership in Christ’s body –the Church—make a difference in my life?

4.         How do I make a difference in the life of the Church and the world?

5.         How would the Church be different if every day were Penetecost?

Posted by Vicki Schildmeyer, MUP, 12-4-08:  Eden Seminary in St. Louis has selected Kris Schondelmeyer to receive the Walter S. Going Scholarship. This scholarship, created by Rev. Dr. Barbara G. Willock and her husband Mike, honors Barbara’s late father Walter S. Going.

Congratulations, Kris!  Sorry we’re late.

The Tri-County Specialized Ministry continues to support the Birk Memorial Fund.  As you know, this fund is a scholarship program available to graduating high school seniors who are college-bound and have actively participated in the worship of one of our three churches (Range Line, Longwood and Otterville).  The amount of the scholarship is determined by the number of candidates each year and the amount of money available that year. 

We encourage all youth to be active in church worship.  They are the future of our churches, and this fund is one way that we can support their efforts to continue their education.

Providing financial assistance for these future leaders will continue to be an important goal of the TCSM Council.  If you agree and want to help, you may send your tax deductible contributions to:

The Leo Birk Memorial Scholarship Fund

% Jim Bales, Treasurer

2100 W. Main

Sedalia, MO 65301

Thank you for your help in making this a living memorial.                   From your TCSM Council

For update info on the newsletter, your church or TCSM, see these websites::

www.rangelinepresby.org

www.tricountyministries.org

www.ottervillepres.org

www.longwoodpres.org

Section L

Sunday School has begun.  This past Sunday, we studied about creation, with a fun-exercise of making a model “new animal” out of home-made clay. 

Next week we will continue with Creation, Part 2, when we’ll do some more reading and plant some seeds.   We also are planning to send out birthday cards from the Youth Sunday School, so if you’ve been hiding your birth date, you’re going to miss out!

And then on May 31^st, we’re planning to have a wiener roast.  We don’t have all the details yet, but the 31^st is the 5^th Sunday, so we think we can make it work.  Everyone is welcome and bring a friend!—more details later at church.

Thanks go to Colby, Allison, Aaron, and Caleb for their patience with their “dinosaur” teacher. 

Beuker Middle School in Marshall had a very nice Spring String & Vocal concert the last Thursday in April.  Maggie Miller performed by singing and playing the violin.  Maggie also graduates from 8^th grade in May. 

Caleb Reno received all “A’s” and Aaron Reno received all “B’s” on report cards.  At the athletic awards banquet, Caleb lettered in football, and received medals in basket ball, with an individual medal in most rebounds.  Colby Townlain received recognition for his “patience” (I’ll try to get more information on that one).

Congratulations to our youth for their rewards!

Repeat Notice:  On May 16^th, Ashley Bell and Sam Barnes will join together in holy matrimony.  Best wishes to the bride and groom.

Longwood PW met April 8th at Edrie’s, with five present.  The devotional was from Hebrews 12: 1-3 and Isaiah 50: 4-9, “The Road to Resurrection.”

Sharon gave our bible lesson, #6, from the study book, “The Oppressed are Set Free.”  Jesus healed the woman who was unable to straighten up and a man who had dropsy.  The leader of the synagogue was upset because this happened on the Sabbath.  Jesus had an answer to all who questioned him about things he did.

Reports were heard, and the annual PW birthday program was discussed.  We decided to ask PW’s from several churches, and hope we can get several to attend.  The goal is to collect $800,000 which this year will only go to two recipients.

La Mujer Obera in El Paso Texas who work with Mexican immigrant women who have lost jobs.  Also to, “His Kids, Too! Children's Home for Orphans,” in Dzerzhihsk, Ukraine.  This is for orphans who have special needs. “His Kids, Too!” works in 21 orphanages.  The Birthday Meeting is May 6^th at 1:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall at Longwood Church.

Also in our business meeting we voted out $75 for One Great Hour of Sharing to go in with the congregations offering taken on Easter Sunday.  We also sent part of our pledge money to Mo. Union Presbytery P.W.

As Easter has come and gone, and did turn out to be a slightly cool day, but all had a delicious breakfast and church service after, and of course the children enjoyed their egg hunt.

On April 23^rd, Sharon, Betty and I went to Spring Gathering of PW at Mexico Pres. Church.  A nice traveling day and good fellowship, good speakers, all in all a good day!  The afternoon speaker was from Kansas--she had been on a PW Global Exchange to Eastern Europe and visited Hungary.  Others were in the Ukraine and Russia, and the Czech Republic.

Thanks to Sharon for making the arrangements to get the carpet in the fellowship and part of sanctuary cleaned.  We will also give the church a good spring cleaning!

As the Birthday Program will be our May meeting, the next meeting will be in June.  More later in next newsletter.

School is winding down for our kids and next will be Summer School and Bible School. We pray that Rev. Pat keeps getting better each day from her knee surgery!!

Until next Month, God Bless all. Keep Pat, Edrie and our shut ins in your prayers.                   Margaret

No matter what comes your way, never forget; God's love for you can never be exhausted, for His love is beyond measure!          Billy Graham

Becky Barnes is Longwood’s newly appointed delegate to the Tri-County Specialized Ministry council.    Thanks to Becky for filling this position. 

Please keep the following folks in your prayers:  

Marj Haley as she mends from hospital stay.

Esther Brown, who has not been feeling well lately.

Pat Roller as she heals from a knee injury

Sue Glenn from Otterville as she mends from a heart attack

Kenny Reid as he mends from triple by-pass surgery.

May

June

Editor’s note:  We apologize to Kole Kenyon and his mom and dad for our omission of his birthday, May 8.  He could have been driving before we recognized him.  Sorry Kole!

Also note that Thelma Ficken’s birthday is May 18^th, not May 11^th as previously noted.

Section O

By M. Goode

Choir practice each Thur. at 7:00

Brian Blankenship and Kayla Griffin are graduating from high school this year.   Congratulations on this accomplishment to you both. Your church friends wish you the best in all your endeavors in the years to come!

Dee Dee Gilmore will receive her Master’s Degree this month.  Congratulations on this success!

The annual meeting of PW in the Presbytery was held at the Mexico Church on April 23rd with 42 registered.  The history of the Mexico church was interesting.  At one time both the Union and Confederate Armies had taken over the church and removed everything from the building.  They did not have a minister at that time but they kept worshiping in homes.  They learned that a Presbyterian minister was coming through Mexico on the train so some of the members met the train and pleaded with him to stay and help them, which he did.  He wrote a letter for them and soon President Abraham Lincoln notified the soldiers to evacuate the church and restore it, and the minister stayed for several years.

After the business meeting the Synod of Mid-America, PW coordinating committee presented a

The Mexico ladies had a wonderful salad and sandwich luncheon and a decorated birthday cake for the celebration.  There were several exhibits and a gently used book sale.  The monies from the book sale goes to the Theological Education Fund for seminary students.

After lunch, Muriel Stephens, PW Synod Secretary, gave a power point presentation on her Global Exchange Trip from last year.    Bess Gamm and Judy King gave information from the Criminal Justice Mission Team on ways we can help with the prison ministries.

Terry Kukuk, led our worship service.  She wore a robe and beautiful stole that had been Carolyn Pratt’s.   Probably the last time Carolyn was able to attend Presbytery she gave an inspiring talk on ways we can help cancer patients.  Then she had lunch with all of the women pastors in the Presbytery and gave them her robes and stoles.  A Hunger Offering was taken during worship and the service ended with communion.  It was a very good meeting and beautiful weather.

Bosnia received 6, 000 School Kits and 990 Baby Kits.

Cuba received 10,000 Hygiene Kits, 8,700 School Kits and 135 Baby Kits

Ethiopia received 2,250 Hygiene Kits, 750 School Kits and 200 Kids Kits

This information is to help us realize that making those kits really help a lot of people.

Westminster Group met on April 16 with 13 members present.  Dianna and Randy Marcum served a wonderful meal.  Minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.  New business: Rita Henson reported on the programs at the Stained Glass Theater.  Talked about going to the program showing May 28 - June 3.  Will decide at next meeting.  Dianna made a motion and Rita seconded that we take up a “No Bake Sale” offering at each meeting as a fund raiser.  The motion carried. Martha Lu Young had the program.  She had us reading church bulletin bloopers that got lots of laughs.  She also showed a DVD about the Festival of Sharing.  Randy reported that Joe Trower was in the hospital.  Next meeting will be May 21^st at 6:30.  Host will be Jim and Martha Lu Young.  Dianna will have the program.

Rev. Pat had surgery on her knee injury on April 23.  She is doing much better now. 

Sue Glenn is back in Marshall having rehab.  She came home on Good Friday, but was taken back to Bothwell Hospital on Easter Sunday.  From there she was sent to Marshall.  She has lots of intestinal trouble and that slows her progress in other areas.

Melva Green and her husband still need our prayers.

Johnnie Mae has been having some problems with her heart.  She recently had a stint and is feeling much better.

Our sympathy to Paul Lake who recently lost two of his cousins.  He traveled back east for the services.

May

June

Section R

The Easter Sunrise service was well attended on a beautiful spring morning with evidence of spring everywhere.  Rev. Pat Roller delivered the message with other ministers taking part and special music solos - from Jennifer Alexander, Jeanene Williams and Chris Higgins. 

Thanks to the Breakfast committee a great breakfast of biscuits, sausage, gravy, egg casserole, donuts, orange juice and coffee was enjoyed.  It is always nice to visit with our friends and neighbors.  God was surely in that place!!!

The Presbyterian Women’s Spring Gathering was held on April 24 at 1^st Presbyterian Church, Mexico, MO.  The theme for the day was “Celebration,” with this being the 20^th year of reunion for the UPW and the WOC Church-wide, but 38 years for Missouri Union Presbytery there was much to celebrate.  Range Line PW and the Tri- County Ministries were very proud to have Karen Chamberlin  (RL) as Moderator, Janet Jones (O) as Secretary; Martha Lou Young (O) as Treasurer; and Sharon Greer ( L) & Betty Romig, Cluster Leaders, taking part as elected officers.  This was Karen’s first meeting and she did a very fine job leading the day.  There were nine women from Tri-County ministries present.  Muriel Stephens, PW Synod of Mid-America from Hillsboro, MO told of her trip with the PW Global Exchange to Eastern Europe.  She along with 28 PW members (from other Synods) and several PW(USA) mission coworkers traveled to the Czech Republic, Hungary and Carpath-Ukraine to renew and build relationships with women and church partners.  Several of the group also went to Russia.  The exchange focused on ending all forms of violence and advocating for the rights of women and children, particularly among the Roma people.  She shared pictures that showed the conditions she was describing.  We each came away from the meeting with a greater appreciation of what we have and our freedom to worship our God.

Betty Lou Dotson is busy planning Vacation Bible School for June 29-July 3.  Watch for other plans, but put the date on your calendar.  IF you can help in any way please contact her at

660-568-3356.

Emily Reid was selected to attend the Sophomore Pilgrimage to Jefferson City sponsored by the Federated Women’s Clubs.  The students toured the Capital building and were guests at lunch.  Each year a sophomore boy or girl is selected to go on the Pilgrimage.

The students and teachers are counting the days until the end of the 2008-09 school year.  School will dismiss on May 21st for the summer.

Caitlin Alexander and Cameron Bales are looking forward to the 8th grade celebration as it marks the end of their Jr. High years, and they become High School students.

Kimberly Reid will be completing her college work as she graduates from the University of Missouri on May 15^th with a BS in Business.  Congratulations - Kimberly!!!

Keep the following in your prayers;

Kenny Reid, as he continues to have heart problems.

Rev. Pat Roller, as she recovers from knee surgery.

Plans for VBS ( Betty Lou Dotson – Supt.).

The farmers, as they deal with the rain.

Steve Coffelt, as he deals with health issues.

John Cornine, Jr. as he is home from the hospital.

Kimberly Reid, as she graduates from MU and searches for employment.

A “Thank You” note was received from the pediatric ward at Bothwell Regional Health Center for the toys the Deacons delivered to them.  They said the toys would bring a smile to the little one’s face and a parents’ hearts!  The Deacons want to thank everyone who helped.

The “gently used clothing” project continues to be very popular with John Robb delivering  several bags every month.

May

June

A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin, 5, Ryan, 3.  The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake.  Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson.  “If Jesus were sitting here, He would say ‘Let my brother have the first pancake, I can wait.’”

Kevin turned to his younger brother and said, “Okay Ryan, you be Jesus!”

And one particular four-year old prayed, “And forgive us our trash baskets as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets.”