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Monthly Newsletter of Faith UMC, a member of UM4GI
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Volume 19 No. 5 “Loving into the Kingdom all God’s Children” May 2012
MAY EVENTS UM4GI Young Adult & Family Fun Day
Saturday, May 12th at Sherman Reservoir
Details to follow in bulletins.
Contact: Pastor Matt and/or Kristen Bishop through Trinity
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Called Charge Conference—Monday, May 14th Our District Superintendent, Harold Backus, has called a special Charge Conference for Monday evening, May 14, for the purpose of voting on one recommendation from
the Parish Staff Parish Relations Committee:
The UM4GI Staff Parish Relations Committee is recommending that the pastoral compensation for Bob Rhodes be increased to meet the conference minimum for commissioned elders as of July 1. This is necessary because Bob will be commissioned as probationary elder at the California Pacific Annual Conference
session in June.
This is cause for celebration. It is a privilege for UM4GI to be supportive to Bob as he
progresses toward ordination as an Elder in Full Connection.
Charge Conference is made up all members of the Administrative Council and all ordained ministers related to the local church. For UM4GI that would include all three
congregations.
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Graduation Brunch Sunday, May 20th between worship — Fellowship Hall
Please join in honoring Faith’s graduates.
Please bring to the office pictures of graduates you’d like to hon-
or.
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UM4GI Sunday School Family Picnic:
Sunday, May 20th —
Who: UM4GI Sunday School Families What: Potluck Picnic
Where: Grace Abbott Park (Miller Hall if it rains)
Why: To celebrate our Sunday School year!
Please join us!
Please bring your favorite picnic foods to share! The Trinity Education Committee will provide hot dogs, condiments, and buns. Sunday School Families may bring sides
and desserts.
Please bring your own table service!
308-382-3219 [email protected] www.um4gi.org www.gifaith.org 724 W 12th St.
Faith Works Monthly
Faith—a UM4GI Church
On December 11, 2011, the churches of Faith, First, and Trinity each chose to officially enter into a covenantal relation-
ship as a collaborative parish.
The United Methodist people and pastors of Grand Island have many hopes and questions as we develop in this relation-ship. Foremost among our hopes is that together we can be three churches with one mission: making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, specifically, in Grand Island.
We hope that each church will grow in the grace, knowledge, and love of God through
our parish relationship.
We hope that when many of us are dead or gone, that Grand Island will be a better community for the ongoing ministry and
witness of United Methodists.
UM4GI Parish Vision Statement:
We as UM4GI, are to grow and strengthen our United Methodist witness and service to Grand Island by building intentionally diverse and inclusive relationships that focus on a mission of hope, transformation,
and new life. To realize this dream we will:
Draw others into a variety of prayer and worship experiences
Enrich people of all ages and locations through Christian education and activities
Develop committed followers of Christ by nurturing and using their gifts and talents
Identify and respond to the physical and spiritual needs of our local and global communities
Be welcoming and engaging congregations to the diversity of our community
“Missional Focus at Faith” by Pastor Matt Fowler
In December of 2010, Faith adopted a newly-developed Discipleship Plan. While the Annual Conference instructed every church to have such a plan for ministry, I believe making plans and goals is a good and healthy thing—for us as individuals and as churches. But, as sometimes happens with goals, we’ve had a little bit of trouble focusing on the plan we approved. We’ve made some strides, but we
recognize we can be an even healthier, welcoming, worshipping, serving, and outreaching church.
Faith’s Administrative Board recently reviewed the Discipleship Plan with one goal: GREATER MISSIONAL FOCUS. We’re keeping the Discipleship Plan, but we’ve chosen three areas to focus for
the next few years:
1. Community Blitz Events twice per year (Ad Board administered with missions and other leaders to be brought in) 2. Growth in Groups a. Grow Groups b. Grow # of Groups c. Growing People 3. Celebrate & Invite Service a. Acts of Random Kindness Wall b. Testimonies c. All Recruit, Mentor, and Train others
d. Emphasize recruitment for new and repeat events.
By focusing on these three areas, we hope to be more fruitful in our mission of loving into the kingdom all God’s children. If you have ideas about any of these areas, please let Pastor Matt or Susan Albers
know. May God give us creativity, boldness, and grace as we seek to be live into our mission.
“Surprises” by Pastor Bob Rhodes I’ve been thinking about surprises lately. A friend of mine back in California will be having a big birth-day in June and someone is planning a surprise party for her. And at a recent UM4GI Parish Council meeting, Pastor Chad brought a devotion inviting us to consider the ways Jesus appears (often very suddenly) in our midst. I love surprises, and the way that Jesus lived out his ministry reminds me just how surprising and radical he really was. If we aren’t surprised at the way the Divine appears in our
life from time to time, I don’t think we’re paying attention.
I’ve been pleasantly surprised getting together with people for Draughts of Faith. You may remember that Draughts of Faith is an informal gathering the third Thursday evening of each month at Nathan Detroits, a downtown bar. The conversation has been amazing, and we seem to be exploring the real intersection of faith and the “real world.” To me, it’s an exciting conversation, and it’s an ongoing
conversation.
I hope you’ll consider joining in and being open to surprise. Our next Draughts of Faith is on Thursday,
May 17th at 8pm. Nathan Detroit's is on Pine Street near 3rd. See you there!
“Responding to God’s Grace” by Pastor Jay Vetter
Maureen and I are spending a few days in Tampa, FL helping care for our grandson while his mother participates in our United Methodist General Conference. This will be the first time I have observed General Conference in action. This year they are considering some significant structural changes that are not unlike what were doing on the local level with UM4GI. Please join me in praying that the organizational work at all levels proves fruitful. I am pretty sure that that will only happen if what we do
is a response to God’s grace, gifts, and call.
“Supporting Kathryn Cunningham” by Pastor Jay Vetter
Our last Wednesday Meal for the season will be on May 16. It will be a fund raiser for Kathryn Cunningham in her mission work in Northern Ireland. Trinity will provide drink, French fries, hamburg-ers, hot dogs, and all the trimmings. I am hoping that some of you will bring salads, beans and des-serts. Sign up on Wednesday nights or call the Trinity office. That way all the proceeds of the freewill offering will go toward the young adult mission Kathryn describes in her letter published on page 3 of
Faith Works.
UM4GI Pastors Matt Fowler
Office at Faith—308-646-0603
Bob Rhodes
Office at Trinity—382-1952
Chad Boling
Office at First—384-5620
Jay Vetter
Office at Trinity-382-1952
Faith UMC Staff
Ministerio de Fe
Julio Venegas
Custodian
Dale Beckman
Musicians Jodi Trosper Linda Bogus
Johnny Venegas
Faith Lay Leadership
Administrative Board Chair Susan Albers
382-9042
Lay Leader Joyce McKinny
382-4709
Staff Parish Relations Chair Floyd Sorensen
382-7543
Trustees Chair Bruce Kleint
384-9056
Finance Committee Sharon Sorensen
382-7543
Education Committee Dustin Butler
384-4833
Mission Committee Gale Enevoldsen
390-3535
Prayer Chain Melanie Sheen (308) 381-7157
Parish Council Members Dee Johnson
Dustin Butler
Parish SPRC Members Larry Coates
Ken Ross
Floyd Sorensen
FAITH-FIRST VBS is COMING!
Faith and First churches are joining together to invite all children to SonRise National Park VBS this year.
We will have a fun adventure by singing songs, watching skits, creating crafts, playing games, and eating food! And of course, we'll learn what is es-sential in Jesus' teachings: true peace, true riches,
true power, true love, and true hope. Mark your calendars for July 15 through 20 from
5:30 PM to 8:30 PM at FAITH. We'll also need volunteers, helpers and donations. If
interested, contact (Dustin Butler for Faith) (Randi Pennell or Glenda Vetter for First).
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TRINITY VBS is COMING TOO! (week of July 8)
—————————————————————— The Wesley brothers had it right, I think. They went to where people were, to where life and all of its challenges seemed most present. They went outside the church and met the people and their circumstances. John preached outside and
Charles wrote song lyrics to popular pub songs. And they reached people!
In an effort to meet people where they are, Pastor Bob Rhodes will be starting a once-monthly faith-talk in the community on Thursday, May 17th at 8 p.m. at Nathan Detroit’s on Pine Street downtown. Draughts of Faith is an opportunity to talk about faith and theology in an informal setting in the community. Please
come as you are, invite friends, and be spiritually fed! —Pastor Bob—
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Meeting & Supporting UM4GI Intern, Kathryn Cunningham (Kathryn is participating in the internship for a second year & is a 2012 graduate of Hastings College)
I gladly like to announce that I am going to Northern Ireland in August for one year through the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. Young Adult Volunteer program
(YAV).
For one year I will be in Belfast working with a church or organization helping to reconcile between the sides that have been in conflict for decades. We have not been told our exact placements but I am hoping to work with children and youth for the year. Also I will work with adults through Bible studies and will be able to hear their personal stories of what it’s like for them to live through the conflicts and violence. I will live in an intentional community of 7 YAV’s and together we will get through the ups and downs of the year. We will also take time every week to do Bible studies and talk about our discernment process. Not only will it be a year of volunteering but a year of growing in faith. The intentional community and discern-
ment process is the reason why I picked the YAV program over others.
To do this program I have been asked to raise $8,000. To start off the fund-raising I will be hosting the meal on Wednesday evening May 16. Please come. If you feel the call to help I will, with a happy heart, take any food donations such as side dishes or desserts for the evening. If all you can offer is support and prayers that will not be overlooked by me. Thank you so much for bringing me and my
family into your community with open arms and hearts. I hope to see you soon!
May 16th is the Spring’s Last AWAKEN
UM4GI’s Wednesday night ministry will be taking a summer break. Come join us at Trinity
for the last AWAKEN gatherings for the spring.
EAT at AWAKEN—5:30-6:30 (Miller Hall)
Free-will offering is received BUT NOT
REQUIRED
WORSHIP at AWAKEN—6-6:30 (Gollaher)
LEARN & GROW at AWAKEN—6:30-7:30
LIFE High School Youth Group, Trinity’s
House (ends at 8)
Middle School Youth, Rm A (ends at 8)
Grades 1—5, Rooms 7 & 8
Moms’ Group, Room B
Childcare for infants through Kindergarten
AWAKEN to worship. AWAKEN to learning.
AWAKEN to life.
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“Resting in Him” Study Monday nights at 5:30 pm at Sharon
Sorensen’s house (522 Johnson Place)
Contact Sharon S. with questions about this Women of Faith study (382-7543). —————————————
UM4GI Mom’s Group: Wednesdays at 6:30pm in Trinity’s Rm B
(upstairs) Finishing Embracing the Benefits of a
Simpler Life
Next Study: Five Love Languages of Children
Childcare provided is available.
Contact: Sarah Fowler—402-650-9493;
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Pastor’s Study with Pastor Matt Tuesdays 6:30-7:30 in Trinity’s Rm C
(upstairs, Elm St. door)
Join any time! We’ve been reading the Upper Room daily devotional and then hashing out
how we’ve experienced God and truth in the
past week.
Worship & Learning
UM4GI Friendship Callers Know someone who would like a casual visit
from the church?
Call the friendship callers!
Marge Terman at 384-1353, Trinity at 382-1952
We love to visit!
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Save the Date! Volunteers in Mission
October trip to Joplin, MO
Tentative plan is for October 13 – 20
(will double check calendar for CCC first)
Cost will stay at $150 – we still have around $4,500 in account and need to use the money
for the purpose it was given.
————————————
Volunteer Opportunity at Bickford Cottage
Contact: Terri Perkins
(384-3800; 3285 Woodridge Blvd)
Bickford is a great place to come and interact with our residents. Whether it is a group activi-ty or a one-on-one interaction with a resident,
we have a special place for you to spend some quality time. There is a volunteering
opportunity here that’s sure to work around
your schedule.
————————————
Habitat for Humanity ReStore It opens May 12th at Webb & College Streets in
the Main Street Station Mall.
It’s like Goodwill for building supplies: take your used but useable leftovers there, buy stuff you
need, support local people and ministry.
Accepted Donations: Doors (w/ frames)
Double pane windows Cabinets, Countertops
Sinks/Faucets Light fixtures
Unopened/new paint & caulk Architectural items (columns, mantels…)
Hardware NOT Accepted:
Hazardous/toxic materials Opened/old paint, caulk, etc.
Unframed windows/doors Soft side items (mattresses, etc.) Wall paper, Broken items, or Tires
mission & service Mission Marketplace (at Trinity)
“SIMPLY SEWN GIFTS for LADIES”—Saturday, May 12th, 9:30-11:30 AM
Bring your Mom, Mother-in-Law, or friend. ($5 fee for materials)
Please join us in creating cell phone cases, aprons, hot packs, bath items, wine coasters, and purses. There will be a
few no-sewing-required projects as well!
We need cutters, iron operators, and sew-ers—and anyone aspiring to learn! We will need a few "experienced" sew-ers willing to share their expertise, their sewing machines, and
fabric-cutting scissors.
Childcare is available. No special skills are needed. Please sign up by calling the Trinity church office (308-382-1952), by e-mailing Mandy Smidt
([email protected]), or by posting on the MISSION MARKETPLACE Facebook page so that the organizers can have adequate supplies available. If
you’d like to help provide childcare, please talk to Pastors Matt or Jay.
Last month’s “Trash to Treasure: Recycled & Up-Cycled” goods are available for purchase: t-shirt bags, dog chew toys, denim roads, and braided headbands still
available. All items $3 or less!
See Gale Enevoldsen or contact the Trinity office.
———————————
Blessing Others with Our Purchases
See Marise Hopkins to purchase Equal-Exchange Fair Trade products like coffee, tea, almonds, and cocoa. Call her at 381-7700 to make your purchase. She also brings items for sale every other week. This is a non-profit equal exchange project giving all the money for the
products back to the coffee growers and farmers.
Investing in Local—the Nebraska Food CO-OP It is easy to buy our food and not know where it came from--or what is in it. It can be even easier to buy our food and not realize the great potential that is around us. Just recently, Trinity UMC has be-come a distribution site for the Nebraska Food Co-op. This small organization is promoting ways for us to get to know local farmers and producers by offering local foods and products all made by Nebraskans: from meats, to vegetables, to jams and jellies, to breads, and beyond. It is a way of mission for our church to engage in supporting our local farmers so that they can survive into the future. If you're interested to see the list of items you can order, check out www.nebraskafood.org
or call Susan Stopkotte at the Trinity office (382-1952).
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Mission Bowl of Sharing Update & Thanks Because of you, the UM4GI Missions Committee raised $155.25 to go to Faith’s mission: Red Bird Mission School. This goes toward our $1200 annual commit-
ment to Red Bird—a United Methodist mission.
Many thanks to all who helped make this event so fun:
All who purchased tickets, Dale & Karleen Beckman, Pastor Chad Boling, Ellen Goshorn, Alan & Gena Hess, Leola Harlow, Rich & Joyce McKinny, Carolyn
Janssen, Jim & Judy Bliss, Floyd Sharon Sorensen, and Gale Enevoldsen.
PRAIRIE RIVERS DISTRICT OFFICE LOCATION CHANGE
2418 N Webb Road, Suite i. PO Box 5048 Grand Island, NE 68802-5048
308-384-0603. FAX 308-384-1391 [email protected]
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UM4GI State Fair Volunteers Weather has been a real reminder that summer is just around the corner and so is the State Fair. This year UM4GI will be supplying volun-teers for the first weekend of the State Fair. We are still working out the details with the State Fair volunteer coordinator but it is not too early to mark your calendar to help. We will wear our Methodists at the Fair buttons like we did the first year the fair was in Grand Island. It is a great opportunity to support our state and our community along with sharing our new par-ish, UM4GI. Watch for more info in the Tidings and at church. By the way, if you feel the call to jump right in, I could use a person or two to help put this all together. Call the church office or me if you want to help coordinate this effort.
Thanks, Linda Sanders 308 391-1319
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St. Francis Volunteer Training Adult Volunteer Orientation:
Tuesday, May 10th, 9-noon, Rm 7
Teen Volunteer Orientation:
Saturday, May 14th, 9-noon, Rm2
Call Chris Sullivan with questions – 398-5564
Or check the website: www.saintfrancisgi.org
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Church Women United May Friendship Salad Supper
May 4 at 6:30 in Miller Hall (TRINITY UMC)
Marise Hopkins has tickets: $5 each.
Please bring paper products to donate to Hope Harbor.
church & community Send a Young Person to Camp this Summer
Summer calendars will soon start to fill up quickly. Make plans to send the young people in your lives to camp—or go with them. This year’s theme is “Secrets of the Kingdom—The Parables of Jesus.” Invest in youth and help them grow in faith and fellowship this summer by
signing them up for a session of camp.
Here’s an exciting offer: we can send one first-time camper from our church to
the camp of their choice at half the price!
Contact a camp director for more information
Comeca (near Cozad)—Ron Gans at 308-784-2808 or [email protected]
Fontanelle (near Fremont)—Trent Meyer at 402-459-0686
Norwesca (near Chadron)—Valerie Rahrs at 308-432-3872 or [email protected]
Or go to www.umcneb.org and click on “UMcamps.”
Faith’s United Methodist Men also have camp scholarships available. See Gaylord
Jensen, Bob Trosper, Doug Ferguson, or Pastor Matt.
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ALL YOUTH ARE INVITED TO… Middle School & Youth Annual Conference Join friends from across the state for heart-pounding wor-
ship, heart-thumping laughter, and heartwarming conversa-tions at this year's Youth Annual Conference: OWN IT.
What you'll experience is what you'll OWN. June 5-9 will change your entire summer and potentially your life! Middle school
and high schoolers are welcome. Register now: www.umcneb.org/register. ——————————————————
Food Pantry Sunday: The Last Sunday of Each Month Please bring your canned & boxed food items for the pantry. Please
place your items in the container in Fellowship Hall.
We ask also that you pray for the people needing the Food Pantry.
Thank you for your continued support of this effort. ——————————————————
Trinity PrimeTimers Senior Dinner in May Join the PrimeTimers on Tuesday, May 15. Cards and conversation begin at 10:00 a.m. Dinner begins at noon with Chicken Parmesan, Cheesy Rice, Tossed Salad, Rolls and Rhubarb Cobbler. Cost is $4 per person. Please make your reservation
by calling 382-1952 by Friday, May 11 before 5 p.m.
——————————————————
Updates Regarding Faith’s Secretarial Vacancy The Parish SPRC is developing Parish Staffing. Please keep these things in mind concerning communication:
Faith’s phone number is being answered by Trinity’s staff. For announcements and calendar items, please call or email Pastor Matt
([email protected], locally 308-646-0603). Pastor Matt’s schedule: he works all of Mondays, spends Tuesday-Thursday
mornings with the kids, works those afternoons and evenings, and takes Fri-days off. Please contact Pastor Matt for a meeting (no regular office hours).
Birthdays May 3 ...................................... Sharon Sorensen May 5 ............................................... Virginia Link May 6 ........................................... Todd Goshorn May 8 ............................................. Peggy Helms May 9 ................................................ Jake Albers May 9 ............................................... Bode Albers May 10 ................................... Daniela Contreras May 12 ................................... June Christiansen May 12 .......................................... Arnold Jelinek May 12 .......................................... Donna Parker May 14 ............................................ Mildred Beck May 16 ......................................... Tammi Garrels May 20 .......................................... Tami Johnson May 21 ........................................ Joyce McKinny May 22 ........................................... Clyde Church May 22 .............................................. Rita Kestler May 22 ............................................. Melissa Poe May 26 ............................................... Trish Ross May 26 .......................................... Jorge Estrada May 28 ....................................... Rafael De Leon May 29 ................................................. Dan Snell May 30 ........................................ Gilbert Bermel May 30 ..................................... Estephan Ramos May 30 ............................................... Elijah Ford May 31 ...................................... Roni Lamberson May 31 ........................................ Nolan Johnson
Anniversaries May 1 ............................... Gary & Cindy Lofquist May 13 .............................. Scott & Amy Johnson May 15 ............................ Terry & Melanie Sheen May 26 ............................... Duane & Kim Coates May 26 .................. Clayton & Tammy Schwieger May 28 ........................................... Jane Mitchell May 28 ................. Rafael & Guillermina De Leon
Births Addison Elizabeth Glos .......................... March 4
Daughter of Daryl and Annette Glos
Samuel Gene Ross ................................... April 4 Son of Ryan & Amber Ross,
Grandson of Ken & Trish Ross
If your birthday or anniversary is not on this list, we’re sorry. Please, call or email the office to help us
correct this.
The People of Faith Membership Conversations
If you’d like to learn about membership at Faith, please contact Pastor Matt.
We’ll get to know each other, and hopefully some other people of
Faith. The conversation is painless and even a little fun.
Please call, text, or e-mail Pastor Matt: (308-646-0603,
**Inquiring does not mean you have to become a member**
—————————————————————————-
You’re Invited to Celebrate Heath Maurer’s Graduation Graduation: Saturday, May 5th at 1 PM – Doniphan-Trumbull High School Gym
Reception: following commencement at 306 N 1st, Doniphan, NE
—————————————————————————-
~from Marise Hopkins~ Thank you for the cards and prayers at the
death of my brother, Clarence. —————————————————————————-
Mowing and Fertilizing Please sign up to sponsor a week or more of lawn mowing in worship or by calling the office ($25 per week).
Moses and Nikki Campos have agreed again this year to donate their time, energy, and supplies to fertilize the church and parsonage lawns this summer. When you
see them after the lawn greens up, please thank them for their gift.
Moses and Nikki own and operate Campos Fertilizing, which offers lawn fertilizing, mowing, aeration, power raking, and spot weed control to commercial and residential properties. If you’d like your lawn to look great this summer, call
Moses (308-383-7526) for a free estimate.
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Celebrating UM4GI Confirmation On Sunday, April 22, the following nine middle schoolers confirmed the vows and promises
made at their baptisms.
Jamie Bish (Trinity) Nick Chada (Trinity) Alex Gewecki (Trinity) Jack Lewis (First) Sam Melsen (Trinity) David Reynolds (Trinity) Katelyn Richardson (Trinity) Sarah Ruzicka (Trinity)
Luke Sutherland (Trinity)
The covenant made at baptism is not only remembered in the confirmation celebration. It is remade and it is renewed. All members renew their baptismal and membership covenants together, a sign that we are together the living body of Christ in the world. This is what we celebrate.
—————————————————————————-
Graduation Brunch Sunday, May 20th after 9:30 worship
If you know of a graduate we should honor, please alert Dustin Butler
and/or Pastor Matt .
Please also get a picture of your graduate to the Faith office for the bulletin board.
Get Fit at First UMC
Aerobics: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays
at 5:15 p.m.
Strong Women:
Mondays & Wednesdays at
3:30 p.m.
Faith United Methodist Church 724 West Twelfth Street Grand Island, Nebraska 68801 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE PAID
PERMIT #527 GRAND ISLAND NE 68801
Sunday English speaking worship at 9:30 a.m.
Sunday Spanish speaking worship 12:00 p.m.
Coffee and fellowship following each service.
English and Spanish language Sunday school for all ages at 10:45 a.m. ____________________
The Faith UMC Sunday school would like to encourage everyone to recycle. The Sunday school has re-useable ChicoBags for sale for $5.00 each. To purchase a bag, see anyone on the Christian Education Commit-tee. All proceeds benefit the Faith Church Sunday school.
_____________________
Contacting Pastor Matt
by email: [email protected]
by local phone: 308-646-0603 Please leave a message and I’ll get back to you if I’m not available. through my blog: http://matthewefowler.blogspot.com
I would love to meet or talk with you in whatever way works for you. You should be able to reach me at one of these locations. I am also trying to do regular “office” hours at one of my fa-vorite GI spots—The Choco-late Bar (downtown).
