Allen - Anna Kresge United Methodist Church

even the wolf and the lamb will be able to live
together and participate in a common meal in which
the lamb is not the main course. That truly will be a
great and wonderful time! But, what does the season
of Advent have to do with all of those wonderful
moments in time we might wonder?
Rev. Allen Carmichael
Office: 770-748-4308
Parsonage: 678-901-0374
Email: kresge@bellsouth.net
Website: kresgeumc.org
“We know that the whole creation has been
groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the
present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who
have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as
we wait eagerly for our adoption to son ship, the
redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were
saved.” (Romans 8:22-24)
Whew! Where has the year gone? In a
few short days we will begin the season of
Advent, which marks the starting point of our
new Christian year. It sort-of confounds our
senses a bit that as the world we live in is
looking toward the end of its year, we Christians
are beginning a new one. But, that is the way
that it is. I think the season of Advent actually
gives us a leg up on the rest of the world,
though. In that Advent again challenges us to
prepare inwardly – our hearts, our minds, and
our spirits for the coming of Christ anew. The
Apostle Paul, in the passage printed above,
talks about an inward groaning and a longing
known to all creation for something different
than we know today. A time when we eagerly
await the coming redemption of the world. A
time when the world will return to the state in
which it was originally created. A time when
wrongs will be made right. A time when sin will
lose its grip on this world and its people. A time
marked by peace in all of creation. A time when
Advent has to do with the idea of intentionally
looking at the part of the world that we can effect, and
work to make room for Christ. Again, Advent has to
do with the idea of intentionally looking at the part of
the world that we affect and making room for Christ.
In the Christmas story recorded for us in Luke’s
gospel, we are told that Jesus was born in a barn
used for sheltering animals and laid in a manger,
because there was not room for He, Mary, and
Joseph in any of the local inns. When I read that
story and reflect on it, sometimes I like to daydream
and think that had I been there I would have been the
innkeeper in Bethlehem that would have realized the
situation and would have welcomed Mary and Joseph
with open arms. That I would have been able to see
in the lives of Joseph and Mary something special,
something that would have made me tender to their
situation and something that would have prompted
me to give not only a room. But the best room, so
that Jesus could have been born into this world in
style. Unfortunately, I did not have that chance. All
that I have is today and the situation in which God
has placed me now. This Advent season is my
chance to be the innkeeper. To look into my life and
prepare my heart, my mind, and my spirit, and make
a place that is fit for the King. A place that is inviting
to Jesus because it is inviting to all. A place where
love and acceptance can be found. A place where
that love can grow.
The Bible tells us that Jesus came because,
“God so loved the world.” Our job in this Advent
season is to prepare ourselves and our world, so that
Jesus might be welcomed and so that the world might
see the love of Jesus in us.
Peace and Blessings,
Allen
Prayers for Our Members
Dot Langley, Harold Morgan, Debbie Blanton,
Sandra Simpson, Shirley & Charles Shiflett,
Helen Cheatwood, James Couey, John Teat,
Brenda Cobb, Mac Pletcher
Prayers for Our Families and Friends
Allen Myers, Paige Robinson, Sheryl Sloman,
Alex Tejeda, The Minshew Family in Kenya, Joyce Shifflett,
Anna Thompson, Susan Hunter, John Cashers, Sheryl Sloman,
Caitlyn Hulsey & baby, Olivia McFadden, Shenna Stroup,
Larry Atkins, Larry Barnett, Tammy Wells, Jim Masi,
In Memory of:
Beth Hunt
By:
Bob & Joyce Peppers
In Honor of:
Carol & Ken Upton
By:
Jodie & Kelly Ruehl & Family
December 1
Diane Minshew
Kendra Cooper
Peggy McClure
December 5
Alma Jackson
Linda Moody
December 7
John Teat
December 8
Randy Cook
December 11
Joe Cantrell
December 12
Allison Hicks
December 13
Blanche Kulp
PAGE 2
December 15
Megan White
December 17
Trent Lumpkin
Charles Himes
December 18
Jesse Rimano
December 20
Lou Pletcher
December 21
Haley Ridgeway
John Swafford
December 24
Lamar Owens
December 30
Bobi Moler
December 1
Ken & Peggy McClure
December 18
Ronnie & Ruth Worthington
December 19
Ken & Blanche Kulp
December 21
Charlie & Lynn Self
December 31
Jeff & Maria Masi
DECEMBER 2013
Dec. 2 Virginia Pope
Dec. 3 Clara Jean David
Dec. 5 Deborah Edge
Dec. 6 Diane Minshew
PAGE 3
DECEMBER 2013
NICARAGUA MISSION TRIP 2013 * Ellen and Bill Dickert * October 23 – November 4, 2013
Ellen and I left home on October 23, 2013 heading to Nicaragua for our annual Mission Team Trip working with
Ronnie and Angi Hopkins and the MEFEL and Acts 1:8 ministries.
Our trip to Nicaragua was uneventful, thankfully. We cleared Immigration and Customs in record time. Ronnie and
Yasmine Bleth met us in front of the aeropuerto and we headed to Ronnie and Angi’s casa in Ticjuantepe, near
Managua, where we unpacked a mountain of goods from our luggage. We finally quit talking about 12:45 AM
Cedartown time (10:45 PM Local time).
Thursday morning, Bill diagnosed a power problem at the house which was traced to the local power supply. The
Electrical Utility folks found and fixed the problem quickly once notified. We then relocated to MEFEL Campamento,
where we settled in for a couple of days. We were joined by George Flores, our
interpreter/carpenter/electrician/jack-of-all-trades and his daughter, Natalia. After working on some lighting and
wiring issues at the Campamento, we headed to our first project site, Mira Luz. Our goal at Mira Luz was to install a
very simple electrical system in each house, consisting of two lights and a duplex receptacle for power. We planned
to install about 25 systems while training Javier and several others in the community to install the remaining 30 or so
systems. A couple of days before we arrived, the Municipal Electrical Authority told Javier Madrigal, a MEFEL
Member and Mira Luz resident and other community leaders that the Authority would install a similar system in
each house as they ran a new power line into the community beginning early in November. We were able to confirm
the promise so we spent our time there rewiring the community Church and making some needed repairs in Javier’s
house. While working on the church we found an unnerving and unusual wiring layout. The power drop to the
church consisted of a single strand of barbed wire! Not quite what one expects to see!
Friday we wrapped up the work on the Mira Luz Church and returned to Campamento. After lunch, Ellen worked on
a slip-cover project to design and make slip-covers for foam mattresses for children’s beds. She successfully
designed and fabricated the prototype covers. Bill and George worked on additional items needing attention in the
Campamento. An afternoon thunderstorm prevented us from making the anticipated repairs to Javier’s house
wiring. Later Friday we drove to Managua to see Pastor Carlos Garcia’s new church which is still under construction.
We agreed to install lighting in the Managua church similar to what we installed in his Tipitapa church in 2012. Later,
after dinner, we re-revised our ever changing schedule to meet the latest events. Ezekiel, who has driven our team
bus every year we have needed a bus, came by the camp Friday night. It was great to see Ezekiel this year.
Saturday we went to Javier’s home and several wiring changes were made. Javier, under Bill’s tutelage made all the
repairs as he learned how to do his own wiring. It was a team effort. Bill gave instructions, George interpreted and
Javier worked. All went well. We then went to the nearby Ferreteria (hardware store) where we bought materials
and tools for Javier to use building a new bano (toilet) for his house. After lunch at Campamento we worked on a
few more repair projects, and then took the rest of the afternoon off (for siesta). We ate out Saturday night at Mi
Viejo Ranchito. Angi, her friend Pat, Peanut and Yasmine joined Ronnie, Ellen and Bill for a night of Mexican food
with a Nicaraguan slant. Interesting but good.
Sunday morning dawned bright and clear. We left Campamento at 9:00 AM and drove to Pastor Carlos’ church in
Tipitapa to see how it had progressed since 2012. The building is almost complete. It was beginning to fill with
worshipers as we left. We drove to Managua to the Oriental market, a massive marketplace where anything, and I
mean ANYTHING, can be bought. It is a warren of corridors and passageways that extend seemingly forever. In
fact, it is a downright creepy place for an Americano to visit. After much negotiation, we were able to purchase
everything we needed to work on the Church in Managua from a well-stocked but crowded Ferreteria. This
Ferreteria had about four times as much inventory as Cedartown Hardware packed into half the space. We loaded
the truck and struck out for the church. We unloaded the supplies and met with Pastor Carlos and several of his
church members who proved to be very good workers. While the men began the wiring project, Ellen and Ronnie
bought drinks, ice and sandwich supplies at Maxi Pali, which is Nicaragua’s version of Super WalMart. The work here
progressed very smoothly. As night fell, we mounted a new breaker panel and connected the mains to the
terminals. We flipped the breakers on and all the lights in the neighborhood went out. Thankfully, it was a problem
with the municipal power, not something we did wrong. In a few minutes the power was restored and we marveled
at the light in the church. Let there be light!
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DECEMBER 2013
We headed back to Campamento feeling good about our progress, thanks to Carlos’ church member’s assistance.
After a brief rest, we took Javier and his family out for dinner at Pollo Frit in Tipitapa. It was a real treat for him and
his family, and we enjoyed their company.
Monday morning began early. Two ladies from Mira Luz arrived at Campamento to cook breakfast for us. We had
the typical Nicaraguan breakfast of scrambled eggs, fried sausages, fresh pineapple, fresh squeezed orange juice
and coffee. Ellen cooked pancakes and fried eggs to round out the meal.
About 10:15 Ronnie, George, Grant Nichols (a new Intern working with Ronnie and Angi) and Bill left for Somoto.
Ronnie’s little truck looked like a bunch of gypsies were traveling. We ate lunch in at Rosti Pollo in Esteli, hen
continued on to Somoto. We took up residence in the uptown Hotel Panamericano. Ellen stayed back at
Campamento so she could ride with Angi and Sigard Monroe to Jalapa. Meanwhile Angi went with Pastor Migdonio
Orozio and his sister Azucena to apply for American Visas so Azucena could be evaluated at Emory Hospital for
delicate surgery to remove a tumor. The American Embassy declined to issue toe required Visas. So, the travel plans
to Jalapa dashed. Angi, Peanut, Pat, Sigard and Ellen came on to Somoto where they rejoined the group. A word of
caution: Never, never go to Somoto on Monday and expect to eat out. There are only two places open. One closes
at 7 PM, the other, Don Chu, closes later but has a VERY limited menu and the service and atmosphere is lousy.
Tuesday we ate a wonderful breakfast at the Hotel Panamericano consisting of scrambled eggs, fried plantain, gallo
pinto, juice and coffee. All for the equivalent of $2. Angi, Pat, Peanut, Ellen and Sigard went to Jalapa where Pat
will stay for a month with a local family. Ellen taught crocheting to several ladies in Jalapa. While there they were
treated to a wonderful home cooked meal at Momma Lea’s house. The ladies cooked homemade donuts and
shared with our folks. The donuts were delicious. While the ladies were in Jalapa, the men went to Jicarita Church
outside of Somoto. Jicarita has no electrical power or water so they rely on a generator for electricity and gather
rainfall for water for sanitation and showers. Their generator had broken down and had been supposedly repaired.
It started and ran well but produced no electricity. The repairman had fixed the engine but disconnected every wire
in the generator. We had sufficient funds to purchase a new generator for this church. The water system was
clogged with trash as it has nothing but a screen of hardware cloth to strain out the large debris draining from the
roof. We could not repair the system with what we had. It must be opened up and flushed out, then a suitable
strainer installed on the storage tank outlet to prevent future stoppages.
Leaving Jicarita we drove to Santa Isabel Church also near Somoto. Santa Isabel is a church we have assisted on
every visit since 2008. They are growing rapidly and have expanded their building to meet the growing
congregation. This year, they have built a new, separate two-room house adjacent to the church for a Pastor’s
residence. A light had been installed in one room. We added a light in the other room as well as lights over both
doors. We also checked some wiring issues in the main building. We then went to Oneilly Church, another church
new to us, outside of Somoto. Oneilly’s members had built a new adobe kitchen on the hillside by the church. We
checked some wiring issues in the church then ran lines to the new kitchen and installed a light inside the building.
Wednesday evening we met with our Missionary friends Jim and Lynn and had a wonderful dinner at Gallopinto
restaurant near Somoto.
Wednesday morning, after another wonderful breakfast at Hotel Panamericano, we again split up. Angi, Sigard and
Peanut went to a meeting with a local Doctor regarding a project in Somoto. Ronnie, Bill, Ellen and George went to
Nelson Quintanilla’s house in Somoto. Nelson is also a valuable MEFEL worker. We had agreed to rewire Nelson’s
new house. While the guys started on the wiring, Ronnie and Ellen made several deliveries of goods in the Somoto
area, stopping on the way back to purchase more wire at the local Ferreteria. While out they also bought some
“rosquillas”, a local corn cookie, from the baker. Ellen also took time to visit with Harry Pena, another good friend
who is in the Mission School in Somoto. They also gathered all our luggage in our Sitting Room at the Hotel. We
finished at Nelson’s home around 1:30, returned to the Hotel to gather our luggage and departed for Rio Coco
around 2:30.
Along the Pan American Highway, we missed the turnoff to Rio Coco and lost about 45 minutes. We were a bit late
meeting with the Pastor at Monte des Olivos Church in the mountains outside of Rio Coco. Last year, we had
provided this church with cement to make stucco for their adobe church.
This year we funded purchase and
installation of an all-metal roof structure and metal window and door grilles to complete the structure. After dark
PAGE 5
DECEMBER 2013
we drove on to Rio Coco and checked in to the Hotel El Amanecer. The hotel had a restaurant of sorts. They cooked
superb meals for us for the next two days. We ate our meals at a table on the covered patio.
Thursday morning, after another delicious breakfast, we met with the Pastor from Monte des Olivos and his builder
to discuss the roof and doors in more detail. We agreed to fund the project. We loaded up and moved out to
Gethsemani Church outside of Rio Coco. The road was long and winding up, down and around the mountains. The
scenery is beautiful. Gethsemani’s Pastor met us where the “road” to the church left the main dirt road. The pastor
told us the Church was just a little way up the trail. His “little way” turned out to be about ¾ mile. This Church is
surrounded by orange trees, banana trees and coffee bushes. The church is about 16 feet by 32 feet in size. It was lit
by one 60 watt lamp. We began installing four 15 watt fluorescent fixtures, two smaller lampas over the doors and
several power outlets. At dark we left the job incomplete and left the mountain, returning to Rio Coco, supper and
the hotel.
Friday morning, after breakfast, we checked out of the Hotel El Amanecer and loaded the truck with our luggage
and supplies. Then we went to the local Ferreteria for more supplies. This was a most interesting store. They were
more organized than the Ferreteria at the Oriental market. The owner had hundreds of wooden cigar boxes neatly
labeled and stacked on shelves with his smaller goods. He had several parrots in a cage. Ellen held a parrot for a
while. We bought some goods to bring home also. Again we drove to the trail leading to Gethsemani. George,
Grant and Ronnie went up the trail again to the church to wrap up the loose ends. Bill did not make the climb today,
but drew wiring diagrams showing the needed connections. Bill and Ellen remained with the truck at the foot of the
hill. The crew came back down the mountain about 1:45 PM. We reloaded the truck and set out for Tipitapa. We
stopped for a late lunch at RostiPollo again in Esteli. Following lunch we drove on to Tipitapa. We dropped George
off at his home south of Tipitapa and took a tour of the new home that is still under construction. Leaving George’s
home we got Ronnie’s little Toyota truck stuck in the mud. With the help of four-wheel drive and some neighbors,
we got out and headed on. We then dropped Grant off at his host’s home south of the Campamento. Tonight,
after cropping some gear at Campamento, we headed back to Ronnie and Angi’s home near Managua. It was a long
day.
Saturday dawned bright. We had planned to drive to the Pacific Coast today and spend a day or so dipping our toes
in the ocean but found the place we had picked was fully booked up, so, we did the next best thing: Nothing. Well,
that is a mis-statement. Ellen and Angi cooked a great breakfast. Ellen washed our dirty clothes and hung them out
to dry. Ronnie, Peanut and Bill went shopping for a drill press, generator and other supplies. On the way back we
stopped and bought ice cream for everyone. Saturday night we ate Angi’s Spaghetti Casserole. Everyone enjoyed it
greatly.
Sunday morning Ellen and Angi went to church. There was an attempted armed robbery and car break-in during the
church service. No one was injured. Sunday afternoon Angi, Ellen and Bill went to the Masaya market to buy some
gifts to bring back. Ronnie and Bill went to Campamento to get some supplies and goods for us to bring back.
Sunday night Ellen and Angi made Jalapeno Chicken from Nelson’s recipe. It was understandably delicious.
Sunday morning we awoke at 5:00 AM, left for the aeropuerto at 5:45. We were met along the way by Javier and his
wife who had small gifts for us. We arrived at the aeropuerto at 6:35. We ate breakfast at TipTop Restaurant,
passed through Immigration and Customs and were at our departure gate by 7:15. The plane left Managua on time
and arrived in Atlanta on time. Amazingly, after touching down, we passed through Immigration, retrieved our
luggage and then passed Customs quickly. We were on the shuttle bus to the car by 1:30 PM. On the way home, we
stopped for a greasy hamburger and drove on, arriving home at 3:30 PM.
Our trip was wonderfully rewarding. We accomplished almost everything we had planned to do and left many new
friends in Nicaragua. We thank God for giving us the health and funds to undertake this Mission to Nicaragua.
Now the planning begins for the 2014 trip.
Blessings to all.
Bill and Ellen Dickert
November 20, 2013
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DECEMBER 2013
The Church at Mira Luz
Javier and his family at PolloFrit
Crochet instructions at Mama Lea’s house in Jalapa
The Pastor at Oneilly Church near Somoto
Cooking donuts in a wood fired “beehive oven”
Oneilly Church’s new kitchen building
Monte des Olivos Church, under construction, near Rio Coco
Nelson and his wife
PAGE 7
DECEMBER 2013
The “Road” to Gethsemani Church.
It’s only a little way!
Gethsemani Church, in the mountains near Rio Coco
Rio Coco Ferreteria
Pre-wiring lampas for Gethsemani Church
Mountain scenery near Gethsemani Church, Rio Coco
Ellen holds the Ferreteria parrot
Roadside waterfall
Peanut enjoys her ice cream.
PAGE 8
DECEMBER 2013
The Bible.
What does the word “Bible” evoke in your heart and mind? Keep alert to your mixed reactions. Your feelings,
attitudes, and beliefs about the Bible will influence how much (or little) you read the Bible and how you
respond to it. In some parts of your being you yearn to read God’s Word to find words of comfort,
encouragement, and yes, challenge. But you may also be scared to read it – afraid that God will prick your
conscience and make you feel more deficient than you really are. Or you have sometimes been so puzzled when
you read the Bible that you’re afraid that it will mystify you more than enlighten you.
Let me suggest that you try a variety of approaches to the Bible, depending where you are in your spiritual
journey and in your experience in reading the Bible. For those who need a fresh start, why not read daily one or
two of the psalms or a chapter of Proverbs (pithy wisdom for life). As you read a psalm, catch the cadences of
the poetry, and give vent to your frustrations or express your joy as though you were writing or singing the
words. Many psalms will give voice to your deepest fears, angers, and aspirations (spiritual and otherwise).
Or read a chapter or more a day in one of the four Gospels (Mark, Matthew, Luke, or John); your personality
type will likely correspond best to one of those four books. Read the book of Acts (volume 2 of Luke-Acts), to
catch the excitement of what God did and does in the lives of followers of Jesus. You might also meditate over
a daily devotional reading, as in the Upper Room (available at the church); the stories/reflections are by people
who are very much like you and me.
It’s OK to struggle with some Bible texts. God would rather have you vigorously interact with a text rather than
simply to unthinkingly peruse a passage. There’s ample biblical precedent for questioning or even arguing with
God; for example, some of the Psalm-writers, Abraham, Moses, Jeremiah, and Mary
interacted spiritedly with God.
If you are further along on your spiritual journey and Bible-reading experience, you might read more
extensively each day or week. My Your Guide to the Bible is available for you to get in either printed form or
on your computer as a PDF attachment to an e-mail. Contact me, or contact Debbi Zuker in the church office,
for a paper copy; or have one of us send you a PDF with the same Bible reading plan. Within a year’s time you
can read the entire Bible by investing about two hours a week in the weekly readings, where the Bible stories
and talks are put in more-or-less chronological order -- the order in which things happened.
God will show you his love, forgiveness, strength, challenge, and hope through a prayerful reading of the Bible.
As God says in the book of Jeremiah 29:11-13: “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD,
plans for your welfare [well-being, from the Hebrew word shalom] and not for harm, to give you a future with
hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will
find me; if you seek me with all your heart.”
Frank Norris
PAGE 9
DECEMBER 2013
Cedartown First UMC is planning a mission team trip
to St. Petersburg the end of June 2014 to work with
Lyle Thomas in his ministry. Anyone interested in
this opportunity is asked to attend a planning
meeting Monday – Dec. 2, 2013 @ 7 pm in the
church parlor or contact Cindi Hicks.
Please pick a card from the tree in the
Narthex and return your gift unwrapped for
the children of Murphy Harpst Home by
Dec. 15. Please help bring Christmas joy to
these children
KRESGE KIDS Christmas Program
will be Sunday – Dec. 15 2 6:30 pm
Practice will be at 5:00 pm that same
day
Please bring refreshments for the
gathering afterward with a special
visitor!
PAGE 10
DECEMBER 2013
1
2
3
4
Breakfast
9:30 am
Sunday School
10:00 am
Worship Service
10:55 am
Youth Program
Boy Scouts
Christmas @
7:00 pm
Cub Scouts
6:00 pm
Kresge Kids
6:00 pm
8
9
10
11
Breakfast
9:30 am
Sunday School
10:00 am
Worship Service
10:55 am
Youth Program
Boy Scouts
7:00 pm
Cub Scouts
6:00 pm
Kresge Kids
6:00 pm
15
16
17
18
Breakfast
9:30 am
Sunday School
10:00 am
Worship Service
10:55 am
Youth Program
Kresge Kids
Christmas @6:30
Boy Scouts
7:00 pm
Cub Scouts
6:00 pm
Kresge Kids
6:00 pm
22
23
24
Choir Cantata
Boy Scouts
7:00 pm
Christmas Eve
30
31
During Worship
Breakfast
9:30 am
Sunday School
10:00 am
Worship Service
10:55 am
Youth Program
29
Breakfast
9:30 am
Sunday School
10:00 am
Worship Service
10:55 am
Youth Program
5
6
7
Friendship
Class Christmas
Party@ 6:30
At the Home of
CE & Clara
Jean David
12
13
14
Praise SS
Christmas Party
@ 6:30 at the
Home of
David & Glenda
Johnson
19
20
21
26
27
28
Flower:
Birthstone:
Zircon
PATHFINDERS
Christmas
Party
@ 6:00 at the
Home of
Lynda Rutland
25
Service @ 5pm
Paperwhite
Narcissus
Rev. Allen Carmichael