GREENTOWN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH… APRIL 2016

GREENTOWN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH… APRIL 2016
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
April/May “Highlights”
Ladies Bible Study
Wednesday, April 6: There will be a UMW
meeting at noon in fellowship hall with Shirley
Kent and Lois Nibert as luncheon hostesses.
Please bring a sack lunch with dessert and beverage to be provided. Devotions will be offered by
Donna Boldt. The meeting’s agenda will be finalizing plans for UMW Sunday (April 10) and
for the “All Daughters’ Banquet” (May 21).
All ladies of the church and community are
invited to meet on Tuesday, April 5th, at
1:30 in the church parlor.
We will continue our study
of the Gospels of our Lord
on that day, but then will
take a 5-week “Spring
Break” while Carol is on
vacation. Bible Study will
resume on Tuesday, May 17th, at 1:30 in
the church parlor.
UMW Sunday Service, April 10: Please come
and join the ladies of the church in celebrating
UMW Sunday with guest speaker, Ruth Varian,
from Mt. Tabor UMC in East Canton. We are
looking forward to what promises to be an uplifting morning of message, song and fellowship.
Migrant Ministry
Saturday, May 21: The UMW will present their
annual covered-dish “All Daughters’ Banquet” at
5:30 p.m. in fellowship hall, followed by entertainment at 7:00 p.m. Our evening’s guest will
be Shirley Griffin from Salem, Ohio. She is a
locally known talent who has demonstrated excellence in Christian education, having been selected as the 1997 recipient of the prestigious
National Christian Educator of the Year “Billie
Davis” Award. Further information will follow
in future bulletins/May Tower. Mark your calendars now and plan on attending this timehonored tradition. It promises to be a fun-filled
evening!
For more information, contact UMW Vice Presidents, Wendy Byers (330-877-7970 ) or Shirley
Ruch (330– 499-2296).
We would like you all to know that Out
Reach is once again par ticipating in the
Migrant Ministry Welcome Bags. We
are asking for monies again so that they
may fill the bags with bedding, a pillow,
and personal items. We are not setting a
specific amount. This will again be strictly
up to the individual if you would like to
participate. Please put your envelope in the
offering plate marked Migrant Ministry.
Deadline is Sunday, April 10th. Thank you
so much.
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Heads up for May - we will be doing another brown bag drive for FISH and also
the health kits.
MEMORIAL GIFTS & ENDOWMENT COMMITTEE
The committee oversees monies given in memorials. There are three funds this committee is responsible for: The regular Memorial Gifts; Education Fund; and the Endowment Fund.
The Memorial Gifts oversees money given in gifts for those who have passed, or in honor of the living. The monies are used to pay for altar cloths, large print hymnals, etc. and can be designated by
family, or purchase at the direction of the committee.
The Educational Assistance Fund originated from Memorial Gifts designated for this purpose in
memory of Donald R. Ruch in 1992. It was hoped that many others would want to participate in making this fund grow, and this has happened. This can be a living memorial, honoring loves ones or given at the time of death. The committee reserves the right to use the interest from the original
$10,000.00 principal to provide scholarship(s) to honor students or others who qualify.
The Rankin Fund was given by Pearl Rankin and is used to cover Capital Improvements. It cannot
be used to cover ordinary day-to-day operations of the church. IRS Guidelines are used to disburse
monies from this fund. For example, we are in need of replacing the ORIGNAL dishwasher (1965?)
in order to continue the sanitary conditions that need to be maintained for our church dinners. Qualified expenditures under IRS Guidelines:
Enhances the value of the property in the nature of betterment.
Replacing a major component or structural part of the property.
Improvements that “put” property in a better operating condition.
We need the dinners in order to bring in more money, and we have to have a dishwasher in order to
have the dinners. Should we reach the point where we would have to merge with another church. Our
money would follow us. If we would have to close, the Conference would get the money.
I have heard comments such as “Why are we always using the Rankin Fund?” Since we are so
short on funds for our daily operations, it only makes sense to use a Fund that has been provided and
can be used for this purpose.
If you have additional question, please feel to ask. We will work to provided answers you may
have. All monies are invested in The East Ohio United Methodist Foundation.
Shirley Ruch, Chairman
Memorial Gifts/Endowment/Rankin Fund
The Tower
A publication reaching out to the families and friends of Greentown
United Methodist Church...
3088 State Street N.W., PO Box 1
Greentown, Ohio 44630-0001
(330) 499-3985—church phone
(330) 499-3262—kitchen phone
E Mail - greentownumc@sbcglobal.net
Web Site - greentownumc.org
Sunday School 9:00 a.m.
Worship Service 10:15 a.m.
The Church Staff
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Pastor: The Rev. David Ross
Secretary: Mrs. Cathy Moore
Organist: Twila Lampe
Treasurer: Mrs. Cathy Moore
Custodian: Mr. Richard Davidson
Thank you to Boy Scout Troop 124
On Saturday March 19th several scouts from Troop 124 attended a work party at the church.
They cleaned up around the church by picking up sticks, trash, raking leaves, cleaning out window wells and weeding all the flower beds, about 4 hrs. worth. They removed (31) 50 gal. trash
bags full.
As part of the service project they also made some get well cards for shut-ins, nursing home
and hospitalized church members for their evening activity.
This again shows the church members how BSA troops support their sponsor organizations and
our community. (Photo- Mark Douglass)
SPRING District C
ONFERENCE/LEADERSHIP TRAINING
The Tuscarawas District Spring Conference and Leader-ship Training will be held on Saturday,
April 23, from 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM at Mt. Tabor UMC, 108 East Walnut Street in East Canton.
The event will begin with the district’s spring conference followed by Leadership Training featuring
Rev. Dr. Valerie Bridgeman, Associate Professor of Homiletics and Hebrew Bible at Methodist Theological School of Ohio. She will speak on Preaching for Transformation. How can hearing the
preached word help us to increase vitality as we do evangelism, small groups, administration, etc.?
A panel consisting of Rev. Dr. Gary George, Rev. Steve Court, Pastor Seth Filburn, Pastor Jonathan
George, Pastor Carolyn Nichols and Kathy Schmucher will discuss various topics relevant to
churches today and will be followed by a question and answer session. The cost this year is $5.00
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Shirley Workinger’s “Estate Sale”
In Our Prayers…
Shirley’s four daughters will be holding a sale
at the Greentown Park Building on Friday,
April 8th, from 9am – 6pm and on Saturday,
April 9th, from 9am to 2pm.
Those to keep in prayer for health and other
concerns… Bill and Nancy Brown, Sherry
Smith, Bill Graber, Tim Longbrake, Gerry Bittle, Ardith Grimes, Cindy Booth, Sherryl
Kostolich, Bob Nibert, Juanita Woods, Bruce
Smith, Jeff Trump, Don Hinerman Family,
Bev Bowers, Virginia Beitler …
We are emptying Mom’s house of “stuff” that
has accumulated over the past 60 years and
taking it to the Park to be sold and / or given
away. . . come and see us and see if there are
any “treasures” you might enjoy!!
Those among our shut-ins… Beverly Bowers,
Arlene Dawson, Jean Wolf…
Those in area nursing homes… Gloria Calvo
(Altercare of Hartville), Virginia Beitler
(Bethany Nursing Home), Jeneva Wise
(Hanover House), Michael Wise (Maxine
House), Jean Shelly (St Joseph)...
APRIL BIRTHDAYS
FEBRUARY
BIRTHDAYS
The Education Assistance Scholarship
forms are available for pickup on the table
in the narthex. The deadline is April 30th.
April 1
Nancy Andrews
February 5
Gail Riley
April 2
Vera Wise
February 6
Kathy Kinney
April 3
Karen Joseph
Lois Holsopple
April 8
Loyal Andrews
February 9
Paul Applegate
April 11
Martha Mertz
February 21 Laura Francis
April 19
Susan Clark
February 25 Nic Miesmer
April 20
Gary Stine
Noel Meszaros
April 21
Cherie Miesmer
February 29 Dawn Douglass
April 22
Chris Coon
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April 26
John Sherwood
April 28
Don Myers
FINANCE UPDATE
As co-chairpersons of the finance committee we would like to give the congregation an overview of
our current church financial situation. We started February with a negative (-$237.92) in the general
fund. Major bills due on a monthly basis are $5,194.84 payroll and $1,685.67 health and pension.
We also had an insurance bill for $1,182.50 due in February. After this, other bills which would incur
late charges or have been waiting for payment for some time were paid. Total income for February
general fund was $8,607.89 with total expenses being paid of $9,915.37, leaving an ending balance in
the negative (-$1,545.40). Total income for March general fund was $7,781.16 with total expenses of
$8,992.71. leaving an ending balance in the negative of (-$2,756.97) In short, it is necessary to borrow from other funds in order to sustain payment of major bills each month. Those funds will be paid
back as we are able. This information is being shared not to scare you, but to let the congregation
know how it is that we are able to keep our doors open and to share the honest truth about our current
financial status.
That being said – not all bills are paid at months end. Some bills will remain unpaid until next month.
A list of unpaid bills are posted here and will also be posted on the bulletin board at the South entrance on an ongoing basis each month. If anyone wishes to contribute to a specific “left-over” bill
above and beyond your r egular contr ibutions it would definitely be an added blessing. Please
note this on your check and if able cross off the bill on the posted listing. We certainly realize the
monetary stress being placed on the congregation and do not wish to add to that. Therefore, this list is
primarily to keep you informed as to the situation at month end and offer an opportunity for anyone
who feels called and able to assist in addition to your regular contributions.
Unpaid bills at end of March:
Cokesbury: $329.97
Snow plowing: $412.50 - this has just been paid by an anonymous donor
Creative Communications-Lenten booklets: $107.66
CCLI (Christian Copyright Licensing International): $136.46 (yearly fee for 2015). We will be billed
again soon for 2016.
Housing is paid out of parsonage fund which we hope to keep as a self-sustaining fund using some
money from the sale of the parsonage along with income from the established annuity (see trustee letter for further explanation).
Also, please see letter from Gifts and Memorials for explanation on how that money can and is being
used.
As you can see the year has gotten off to a rough start. March final figures are not available at this
time, but we estimate a negative figure once again. As summer approaches we do not have dinner
money to include in general fund, so again not a good scenario. This situation is not new and we have
faith that GUMC will once again pull through! You are an AWESOME congregation! Please feel free
to make suggestions or ask questions.
Keep the faith,
Co-chairs Kathy Kinney and Peggy Dyar
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APRIL 2016
Sun
3
Mon
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
8
9
5
6
7
9:00 a.m. Sunday School
1:30 p.m. Ladies
Bible Study
12:00 p.m. UMW
10:15 a.m.
Worship
7:00 p.m. Boy
Scouts
7:00 p.m.
Finance Meeting
13
14
15
16
20
21
22
23
29
30
10 UMW
Sunday
9:00 a.m. Sunday School
10:15 a.m.
Worship
17
4
Tue
11
12
5:00 p.m.
Swiss Steak
Dinner
7:00 p.m. Boy
7:00 p.m.
Administrative Scouts
Council Meeting
18
9:00 a.m. Sunday School
19
7:00 p.m. Civil
War
7:00 p.m. Boy
Scouts
10:15 a.m.
Worship
24
9:00 a.m. Sunday School
10:15 a.m.
Worship
25
26
27
28
7:00 p.m. Boy
Scouts
4:00 p.m.
Worship Committee Meeting
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Trustee Update for the Investment of the Parsonage Sale Money
Dear Church Members,
This report contains the final decision on how the Parsonage sale money has been invested by the Trustees on behalf of the church. Everyone needs to understand that the UMC Conference and District levels have very specific guidelines for parsonage sale investments. The UMC Conference mandates that
we the church cannot use the parsonage principle money for anything else other than the pastors living
allowance for a period of five years. Basically the principle has to be re-invested in some sort of fund
and if invested, the fund interest can be used to supplement the pastors living allowance. After the five
year period the church’s situation can be re-evaluated by Conference and the funds released to the
church if the church can prove the need, or at anytime if a new parsonage is required. This is set up by
UMC Conference to insure that there are sufficient funds available in case the church’s situation
changes and a new parsonage is needed the funds would then be available. The Trustees feel that this
investment strategy was the best compromise we can make at this time based on UMC Conference
rules and our church’s immediate needs.
The final amount after all Parsonage sale expenses was $142,152.01. With much discussion, thought
and prayer it was decided by unanimous Trustee vote to invest all the money with a fund broker The
Nichols Group LLC (Michael Nichols) Uniontown Ohio. It was also decided to split the investment
into two individual investments, one a Variable Annuity and one a Mutual/Bond fund. This decision
was made as the best compromise to retaining the original parsonage principle amount mandated by
Conference by using the Annuity Fund interest to supplement the Pastors living allowance and providing some funds, the Mutual/Bond fund, that are relatively liquid and if necessary can be pulled out and
used by the church for emergency needs without incurring substantial penalties for early withdrawal.
When invested, we can also pull the interest out of the Mutual/Bond fund from time to time if the
church needs it to cover the rest of the Pastors living expenses as in the case of general fund shortfalls.
For the time being this Mutual/Bond fund interest will be rolled back into the Mutual/Bond fund to try
to build up the principle to be used as a contingency fund for future use.
The Annuity Fund investment is with Jackson National Life at $100,000.00 with the fund paying
4.5% per year back to the church at $375.00 every month to be specifically used to supplement
the Pastor’s monthly living allowance. Any accrued interest above the fund maintenance cost is
rolled into the principle and at the end of the 7 year fund investment term the remaining principle can be withdrawn without penalty or continued on. The fund also has a death benefit rider
that pays the principle back 100% in the event of the passing of the annuitant.
The Mutual Fund/Bond investment is with Prudential Investments with the remaining funds of
$42,152.01. This fund will be a mix of mutual funds and bonds. Because of the current market
volatility it was decided to temporarily place the $42,152.01 in a Prudential money market account till the stock market stabilizes, otherwise the fund would automatically start losing money
at this time. Mr. Nichols will inform us when the time is right to start the actual investment. We
believe this should be happening shortly as the stock market has shown signs of improving recently.
The Trustees hope this report explains how the Parsonage money has been invested so far and why we
chose this particular investment strategy.
Yours in Faith,
The GUMC Trustees
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Dear Church Friends,
Thank you, thank you so much for all of your prayers, thoughts,
things, love and cards that helped me through this challenging
time.
Just like God. I will hold you in my heart … Philippians 1:7
Sincerely,
Karen Mottice
You’re all so wonderful! The world will always need people like you who give so generously,
help so willingly, care so deeply. Thank you all for the prayers and cookies and your support.
Carol Lavy and Joyce Stine
This is a big KUDOS to Rick McMasters for all he does behind the scenes with the audio and
video system for our church.
The sound/video engine wouldn't run as good as it does without the work he does....both the
many things people are not aware of and the things he does that you do see on Sunday mornings... Rick is the one that makes sure the proper slides come up with the video presentation
during the Sunday service...and at the right time...and is very good at creating some variations
of his own with the slides... He needs a round of applause! Gary Stine
Greentown UMC
PO Box 1
Greentown, OH 44630
330-499-958-3985
www.greentownumc.org
Email: greentownumc@sbcglobal.net