PUMC News Page

Equipping Christians to Care

That is Stephen Ministry in a nutshell. Throughout many years, this congregation has had the designation of being a Stephen Ministry church. We have sent people to be trained as Stephen Leaders. They, in turn trained others in the skills of caring for persons experiencing crises in their lives, in a way that was reliable, trustworthy, and confidential.

Several years ago, we had four leaders and a number of Stephen Ministers, caring for a dwindling number of Care Receivers. Over a short period of time, two of the leaders (Merce Olson and Jerry Burkey) moved away, and our precious Irma Phillips went to her Heavenly Home. It seemed to us that God was telling us that it was time for Stephen Ministry to have an intermission. For that reason, that ministry was temporarily disbanded.

A few months ago, Patti Stephens went to the Leadership Training Course in Ontario, California and came home enthusiastic, ready and willing to help re-start the ministry in our congregation. Former leaders, Marilynne Dumers and Char Mansfield, as well as Holly Kendall were willing to be involved in the training and supervision of a new group of Care Givers. Pastor Bob has also had Leadership Training.

Together, these leaders have been recruiting and training a new group of Stephen Ministers. Their course was 20 weeks long, meeting each week for a two and a half hour class. There was pre-class reading and each class was mandatory. There were two in the class of seven – Theresa Sorg and Tim Johnson, who were at every session! Each trainee is asked to make a two-year commitment. Going beyond that time period is, of course, optional.

On Sunday, May 11, we will be introducing and consecrating our new Stephen Ministers. They will be receiving their assigned Care Receivers as the needs occur, and they will typically meet with them for about an hour once a week. It cannot be emphasized enough that these relationships are strictly confidential.

The Care Givers will be involved in twice-a-month peer supervision meetings, required of all Stephen Ministers. In these meetings, leaders and peers hear updates on the relationships, and supervise one another, providing for quality care for both the giver and the receiver. Names and identifying details are NOT given, providing for confidentiality in all cases. At these meetings there is also ongoing training for all Stephen Ministers. Each Stephen Minister commits to much and gives a great deal. At the same time, the Stephen Minister is blessed beyond belief, in being able to serve.

We look forward to the commissioning of our newly trained Stephen Ministers on May 11, and to the welcoming back into service those who have already been commissioned.

Possibly the hardest part of our recent “Talent Challenge” is to decide what you are going to do and get started doing it.

Every one of us has Talents—things that we do well and enjoy doing. Some of us are artists, some love to cook or bake, some love the garden… can you paint, cook, clean, drive, run errands, pull weeds, sew, or maybe you make the worlds greatest strawberry jam?

Whatever it is that you do, take the seed money that you were given on Sunday April 20th and invest it in the supplies you need to get started making some money with your “Talent”.

This church fundraiser will help insure that the church budget goals are met which in turn helps Paradise UMC grow Christ’s Kingdom here in Paradise.

If you wish to “advertise” and or display your “wares” let the church office know—a bulletin board will be available in the narthex and tables will be available in the breezeway on Sundays as needed.

We will turn in our earnings and have a celebration of our “Talents” on Sunday July 13th!

The American Cancer Society’s “Relay for Life” in Paradise is getting closer— June 7-8, 2008 on the Paradise High School track. We invite all cancer survivors in our congregation to participate in the Opening Ceremony and Survivors’ Lap at 10:00am that Saturday. If you are unable to walk a lap, come anyway and watch (rocking chairs provided)!! Please sign up with Team Captain Mary Shallenberger now, so that you will have your survivors’ t-shirt to wear that morning. This opening is a very powerful and moving experience, as is the track at night when it is lined with the luminaries in memory and in honor of loved ones touched by cancer. See Mary or Co-Captain Jack Jennings of our “Marvelous Methodists” Relay Team to donate a luminaries, or make a sponsoring donation to any team member. (checks should be made out to the American Cancer Society).

United Methodist Women

UMW General Meeting—Meets Saturday, May 31st at 10:30 am in Fellowship Hall—Our speaker will be from the Northern Recycling and Waste Services with a presentation on our stewardship of the earth’s resources through curbside recycling—”Just What Do I Put in My Blue Bin?” For the luncheon which follows, those whose last name begins with A thru I, please bring sandwiches or a salad for six. Others please pay $2.50.

Hope Circle -Tuesday, May 6th at 1:30pm in the Fireside Room - Visitors Welcome!

Friday Circle - Friday May 23rd at 1:30pm in the Fireside Room—Visitors Welcome!

Executive Committee - Tuesday, May 20th at 10:00am

Prayer Group

Led by Lois Rochford, meets every Monday morning from 9:00a.m. to 9:30a.m. in the Fireside Room
Prayer requests may be left in the office at any time, or put in the offering plate. You are welcome to join the group in the Fireside Room any Monday morning.

Methodist Men’s Club welcomes Steve Culleton

The Methodist Men’s Club will have the opportunity to hear about the American Cancer Society’s “Relay for Life” from our own Steve Culleton. The meeting promises to be informative and interesting. As always, all men of the church are invited to join us for the 12:00noon meal and program.

May 8th at 12:00 noon, Fellowship Hall

Grace Group

Monday night group will be meeting on the 2nd and 4th Mondays at 2:30pm in the Fireside Room.

Dinner Out (Table of 8)
Call Selma Lippincott for this month’s location.

Travelers
Thurs. May 1st at 10a.m. at the Helledy’s home

Thurs. May 15th at 10a.m. at Martha Hoover’s

Crafters Group
Meets every Wednesday, 9:00am in Fellowship Hall.

Singles Lunch
11:30a.m., Tuesday, May 20, at The Black Bear

...If interested, please call Theresa

LOE Quilters

Meets on the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays at 6:45p.m. in Fellowship Hall.

I wait: I am present in the waiting- -

Waiting for God to reveal Himself.

I am not idle. I am not somnolent;

I am waiting, actively alive to the present moment and the movement of the will of God. Waiting— it is alive with the invisible energy of the Spirit; warm with the air of His caring love; sharp with the probing hand of His forgiving mercy (not sharp as in cutting—but sharp as in clear/crisp); gentle whisperings of His grace.

I am actively waiting, still, silent, open.

Thank-You everyone for your support of the April communion offering. This offering is going to help the flood victims in Fernley, Nevada. Your donations were a generous $699. Thank-you.

Have you remembered to ‘vote’ for chocolate queen?... Remember that the chocolate festival is on Saturday May 10th—and our own Char Mansfield would really like to win!… and of course it is the local Boys & Girls Club who really Wins!

On May 16th the second “Chronicles of Narnia” movie comes out This one is “Prince Caspian” If you saw and liked “The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe” you are sure to enjoy this as well. These stories are based on the famous Chronicles of Narnia Series of books written by Theologian C. S. Lewis

June 29th will be our next “Fellowship Sunday” where we have one combined service of worship. Also that day will be a Pancake Breakfast at 9:00am

Our Vacation Bible School this year will be ‘Space Mission Bible Camp’. Patty is looking for people with telescopes so the kids can do some star gazing. Please let her know if you can help.

Communion Offering
May 4, 2008

Golden Cross

We all feel the effects of high medical costs, and many people today do not have medical insurance or have high deductibles and co-pays through their insurance. The Golden Cross Fund helps those who have experienced medically-related financial crises for which they have little or no hope of financial assistance. Recommended by the local United Methodist pastor, a request for such help is forwarded to the local Golden Cross Committee (in each Annual Conference), who, upon review of specifics, makes an award of up to $1,000. It is tremendous help to know there is someone who cares when you or a family member needs medical care that you have no other way of covering.

Won’t you be generous in your response to those who need it the most?

ALL CHURCH CAMP

June 13-15

Hey! It’s Spring! And Summer is just around the corner. It’s time to make plans to get out into the beautiful outdoors. All Church Camp has been planned for June this year, a beautiful time of year to be at Mt. Shasta, the wildflowers should still be in bloom.

All Church Camp is a wonderful opportunity each year for ‘church family’ fellowship and to connect with God and his creation at our beautiful United Methodist Shasta Camp. The invitation to attend is for ALL of you. If you don’t camp then you can pull an RV, stay at a nice air conditioned motel in the nearby town of Mt. Shasta, or stay in the camp lodge (limited room here). The worship, the campfire time, the fellowship and food are all wonderful, please join us. If you have already decide to come, Yeah! please let Patty know so she can make plans.