The blog has returned to First UMC in Sidney after a long hiatus. Please return on a regular basis as news and notes will be added regularly!!! Since the last entry in November a lot has happened here.
Among the highlights in late November:
24th - Pastor Charles & Belinda celebrated their 10th anniversary!
29th - The annual Church Conference was held with 45 members in
attendance. The 2008 Discipleship Plan was approved and a healthy
discussion was held concerning the budget, membership report and the
lay leadership for the coming year.
A special presentation was made by our District Superintendent of a plaque recognizing FUMC as a "Welcoming Congregation." FUMC is one of five UMC's in the conference and the only one in the Great West District with this identity.
30th - A dynamic group assembled for the decoration of the church for the
Advent & Christmas seasons. The effort really was impressive and the
result was over the moon!
Among the highlights in December:
1st - The Christmas Craft Bazaar was a great success with "Cookies by the
pound" and the UMYF selling out of everything they had!
9th - The "Ringing in the Season" concert by the Gloribells was another
amazing effort by our music ministry.
This was also the day for the 11th Annual Nativity Display with over 200
nativities on display. The UMYF held a soup supper after the concert.
12th - The last meeting of the 2007 Ad Board approved the budget for the
coming year and the slate of lay leadership.
16th - The children offered a terrific Christmas pageant which was followed by
an awesome turkey dinner and a visit by St. Nicholas.
24th - Nearly 300 attended the Christmas Eve service.
*An Advent study using Charles Wesley hymns was held each Sunday evening.
*The Prayer Shawl Ministry reported over 80 shawls were given away in less than nine months.
Highlights in January included:
6th - A Wesley Covenant service was held on Epiphany Sunday.
6th - The 2008 Ad Board made the commitment to pay 100% of the Mission
Shares due from 2007.
6th - An exciting new study using Handel's Oratorio, "Messiah," started
meeting with two sessions each week being offered.
20th - Shatzie Gillming (from Calvary UMC in Bushnell) brought the morning
message while Pastor Charles was on vacation.
22nd - The Tuesday evening study group began to read "Really Bad Girls of the
Bible" with Marilyn Wiles and Belinda Alkula serving as leaders of the
study.
25-26th - The School of Christian Mission was attended by two of our UMW
members.
27th - The chapel services at the Golden Living Center and the Memorial
Health Center were attended by a total of 24 residents.
28th - Photo albums of church activities were added to the web site, www.sidney-firstumc.org.
These are just the highlights! There is a passion growing in the church for the Gospel and for the world that will continue to grow in 2008. Come and be a part of FUMC, you'll be glad you did!!!
