PARISH POS T
Januray, 2012
Pastor Hroneks Message for January:
AN INVITATION ~
A friend of mine has been a pastor at a large downtown church for some years now. The previous pastor was forced from her/his position. The church endured the usual number of defections and division that generally go along with this type of thing. So, when my friend arrived things were not so rosy. Now, however, the church is back on solid ground. I asked my friend what the key to the turnaround was. He said, Three things: relationships, relationships, relationships.
Now our situation at United Church of Wayland is nothing like the one my friend faced when he took this call. We already have some good relationships developed within our church. However, my friend did not just wait in his office for people to come see him. He realized that he needed to make the first step. That he needed to seek out relationships if he was going to help the church to recover and grow. He realized that to provide good pastoral care he had to know the people he served. Im the new kid on the block.
I, too, realize the importance of relationships in growing our church. I also realize that I cant do this by staying in my office. Besides, in my short time here, Ive met a lot of people Id like to get to know better! So, what I would like to do is to schedule time to visit with each family/person in the church who would like to meet with me. I envision these visits lasting for about an hour. The purpose of the visit is simply to get to know one another better. However, if you do have any questions, Id be glad to answer them. We can meet in your home, at the church or a neutral site like a restaurant or coffee house - whatever you prefer. If you are more comfortable in small group setting that can be arranged as well. Once again, the idea is simply to get to know one another better.
If you are interested please send me an e-mail at hronrj3_yahoo.com or call me at 616.240-2477. Please leave your contact information so I can call you back. I will also post a sign-up sheet in the Fellowship Hall, if you are more comfortable contacting me in that way.
I look forward to talking with you.
Peace,
RJ
P.S. One other related item: I would like to meet people who are not members of the church (particularly those who might be interested in coming to church). Let me know if you know someone that might fit this description. The three of us will meet for lunch, my treat.
Sunday Services:
You Are Welcome ~ And, Wanted
All services 11:00 a.m.
January 1, 2012
First Sunday After Christmas
RJ Hronek
The Peace of a Prophet
Isaiah 61:10-62:3; Luke 2: 22-40
January 8, 2012
Epiphany
Christyl Burnett
Presentation of Gifts
Isaiah 60:1-6; Matthew 2:1-12
January 15, 2012
2nd Sunday after Epiphany
RJ Hronek
Seeing Greater Things
I Samuel 3: 1-10; John 1: 43-51
January 22, 2012
3rd Sunday after Epiphany
RJ Hronek
God's Calling and Calling and Calling
Jonah 3:1-5, 10; Mark 1:14-20
January 29, 2012
4th Sunday after Epiphany
What's That Noise?
RJ Hronek
Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Mark 1:21-28
Thank you Sue Skiba and Theresa Piaz
Thank you both and to everyone else who pitched in for a very successful Christmas Project. We helped 97 families (377 people) have a Christmas dinner and gifts. Also, thanks to everyone who donated food, presents, or other items to make this such a successful project. Sue is currently evaluating how to make this project even better for next year. Your suggestions are always welcome.
From Interim Pastor Baak
I want to thank you for the privilege of being part of your life this last year. As I have said before, it has been very satisfying for me, very much because of your friendship; the transition you have made; and, the excitement you have as you look to the future. Thanks so much for the gifts to GRACE and to me, and for the cards and well wishes. Blessings to you--Be well my friends.
Dave Baak
Mens Fellowship
Mens Fellowship will have a breakfast meeting on January 15 at 8:30 am. We will be discussing plans for the year. A sign up sheet is available in the fellowship hall.
January Ministry Leaders
Liturgist Lay Leader
Jan 01 Wayne Goodwin Peg Barghahn
Jan 08 Joyce McAllister Lee Swainston
Jan 15 Gary Marsh Michael Evans
Jan 22 Lynn Mandaville Dave Mandaville
Jan 29 Rene Pitcher Gary Marsh
Greeters/Ushers
Jan 01 Mary Navis, Gary Marsh, Lee & Mary Swainston,
Jan 08 Linda Rough, Ben & Peg Barghahn, Harvey Hoke,
Jan 15 Dave & Rita Yeakey, Coleen Young, Frank Lavender
Jan 22 Dave Kerley, Roger Pitcher, Mary Lou Hooker
Jan 29 Dave & Lynn Mandaville,
Sound & Lights
Jan 01 Roger Pitcher
Jan 09 Ian Kerley
Jan 16 Kyle Pitcher
Jan 23 Dave Yeakey
Jan 30 Roger Pitcher
Communion Prep & Fellowship Hour
Jan 01
Jan 08 Larry & Ann Mesbergen & Miss Christyl 3 kings cakes
Jan 15 3rd Sunday Luncheon
Jan 22 Frank Lavender
Jan 29
Money Counters
Gail Hollinger & Dave Kerley
Directory Changes:
In preparation for a new church directory for 2012 in January we are asking for your help. A copy of the 2011 directory will be in the narthex. Please make any changes necessary for your family. If there are additions or deletions that you know about, please make a note in the back. Your cooperation in getting an accurate new directory will be appreciated.
Thank you!
Mission Opportunities For January
Ongoing Outreach projects include Wayland Area Christian Neighbors Food Pantry. Bring non-perishable foods and place them in the shopping cart at any time during the month. The needs are greater than ever.
The First Sunday of each month is designated as Pantry and Joyful Noise Sunday. The loose change goes to support local needs such as prescriptions, gas, utilities assistance,etc.
Project Baby Dry supports those who need diapers. Place them in the basinet.
Sylvias Place receives personal care products. There is abox in Fellowship Hall.
Re-Member, our mission with the Lakota on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, receive unopened toys from fast food restaurants to share with the children during community dinners.
Pine Ridge Shoe Box and 4Fires Ministry needs hats and mittens.
We have received a total of $230. for our Heifer International fundraiser!
Care Call
If you are living alone and would like a daily call, please contact Mary Lou Hooker at 792-9854
A special thank you goes out to David Baak, our interim pastor. He did an absolute superb job as our interim and will be greatly missed. Dave has moved on to become interim at Westminster Presbyterian in Grand Rapids. From your contributions, we were able to give a substantial donation to GRACE in his name along with a nice thank-you gift to Dave as well.
From the Trustees
The Trustees were able to obtain a $30,000 Line of Credit at 6.5% interest rate for five years from the United Bank of Michigan. We only plan on using this when absolutely necessary. If we do need to use it, Rochelle has been instructed to pay it back as quickly as possible. Each month in the Post, we will keep you informed of how much, if any, of this loan we currently owe. Please be aware that some of our larger bills come due the first of each month. To help prevent the church needing to use the line of credit, it would be helpful to receive monthly contributions a few days before the beginning of the new month. For example: Instead of receiving Februarys monthly contribution the first Sunday in February, give Februarys contribution the last Sunday in January so we have the money to make payroll and pay bills on February 1.
Our Parsonage Tenants, the Willifords, for the past year plus, have moved out and the trustees will be evaluating what needs to be done to the parsonage to make it ready for RJ and Jan Hronek to move in. Unfortunately, there has been some major damage done to the carpeting. The trustees will be making decisions on how to handle this soon. We also will be scheduling parsonagecleaning days in the near future as well. Watch the bulletin for times and dates.
A Few Reminders: Whenever you are the last to leave the church, please double check that all lights are turned off (check bathrooms) and that ALL doors are closed fully and locked. We have had several instances where doors were left open and lights left on. Also, please double check that toilets and/or urinals are not continuously running as you leave the bathroom. If you run into trouble with any of these things, please contact Coleen Young (269-792-2189) or another trustee.
DEADLINE FOR PARISH POST ARTICLES
February IssueJanuary 25th
You may submit your Parish Post items in writing and drop them off at the office, mail them, or e-mail them to ucofw_sbcglobal.net. You may also fax items to 269-792-1652.
