Author: maconumc

Pastry with the Pastor bible study begins Tuesday, November 26 at 9:30 and runs for four weeks. Nothing to bring but yourself and maybe a friend or two.

A service will be held on Monday, December 16 at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Decatur. Doors open at 6:30 and the service will start at 7 pm. The service is promised to be a very low-key time of reflection and contemplation. This is an ecumenical service welcoming people of all faiths. If the hubbub of the season is just too much; if you are grieving; if worry has its grip on you; this service is meant for you. Pastor Terry and Pastor Rita Augsburger will be leading the service. There will be pastoral care folks available afterwards should you feel the need. The Decatur Police Department is graciously planning to have a patrol vehicle stationed in the church parking lot during the service.

During worship, October 27, 2924, we will take time out to thank all the laity that serve our church. Scripture readers, musicians, ushers and so many others that make our services complete.

BISHOP FRANK BEARD
Bishop Beard, who spoke at our 165th anniversary worship, has retired on disability. As a result, for the next four years the Illinois Great Rivers Conference will be sharing bishops with the Michigan and Iowa Annual Conferences.
Bishops David Alan Bard and Kennetha J. Bigham-Tsai will be installed as presiding bishops of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference on Saturday, September 28, 2:30 p.m. at Normal Calvary UMC.
Both bishops will begin serving the Illinois Area on September 1. Bishops Bard and Bigham-Tsai will also have additional oversight responsibilities. Bishop Bard also serves as bishop of the Michigan Area and Bishop Bigham-Tsai serves as bishop of the Iowa Area.
The Installation Service is a worship experience and the public is invited to attend.

CAROL CONOVER RETIREMENT
Carol Conover, recently retired (this month) from the Episcopal Secretary position in IGRC. Carol has been married for 36 years to her wonderful husband, Bill. They have two adult daughters who both live in Chicagoland. They are the grandparents of two Great Pyrenees dogs and one mix breed cat. Carol became a certified lay servant in 2005 and became a certified lay speaker in 2016. Carol has been the Director of the Sangamon River District (now Central District) Lay Servant Ministries since 2019.

Sunday, October 6, immediately following worship, we shall gather outside the church to bless the animals. All of God creatures are invited. You are requested to have them either on a leash or in a cage for their safety.

Mark your calendars for September 15. This is our annual event where we celebrate the return of folks from summer destinations and activities and invite former members, friends, family, neighbors and strangers to join with us in the celebration. Worship starts at 10:00 AM with an old-fashioned potluck luncheon afterwards in Fellowship Hall. Please bring a dish or two to share!

For the next two months the church will be holding a male vs female contest to collect canned vegetables for the food pantry. Let’s have GREAT PARTICIPATION!!

Mentoring the youth is an opportunity to be a direct influence upon the life of the young people of our community. Weekly mentoring, listening and encouraging a youth at the elementary school in Blue Mound. Takes just one hour per week to be a positive influence in a life without many. It all takes place at the school and you will need to undergo a background check as school children are involved. To sign up, contact Christine Cutler or Pastor Terry.