Farewell to Jan

Today marks the last day of one of our secretaries, Jan Heili, who is moving with her husband to the Quad Cities area of Iowa. Jan has been with First UMC for several years and has been a big part of the feeling of welcome that is here.

Jan was presented a Prayer Shawl (made by Pam Samuelson) and other tokens of our appreciation and affection for her service to this church family.

We wish Jan all the best and look forward to her visits to Sidney in the years to come.

Clyde and Arlene Christensen's 50th Anniversary

The Christensen's held their 50th anniversary gathering at the Shelter House in the Legion Park. It was such a treat to be able to share this time with friends and family on such a beautiful summer afternoon.

John and Barbara Gipfert's 50th Anniversary

The Gipfert's held a gathering at the Lodgepole Valley Youth Camp with friends and family in attendance. The event was made special with daughter Candy Christensen arranging for Pastor Charles to assist her parents in the renewal of the wedding vows. It was a real surprise for Barabara and John!

Today at First UMC

A beautiful weekend came to a close at First UMC with two 50th Anniversaries being celebrated on the heels of yesterday's wedding. Clyde and Arlene Christensen and John and Barbara Gipfert marked the end of June by sharing with the community their special day.

The youth continued to raise funds for their upcoming mission trip to St. Louis. What a terrific group of young people we have at FUMC!

The last Sunday brunch was a great time of food and fellowship and the assortment of goodies was amazing. Each month our fellowship time is better than the month before and we look forward to see what happens in July!!!!

Tobler - Amen Wedding

Kelsi Tobler and Sean Amen were married in the First UMC sanctuary this afternoon and the happy couple were excited to be able to share the moment with hundreds of friends and family.

John Sittner Funeral Service

We said goodbye to John Sittner, 63, with a service in the chapel this morning. It was a special time of remembrance and celebration of a life lived in our midst and in our hearts.

Annual Conference Report - Saturday

Annual Conference for 2008 ended on Saturday with a fantastic worship service led by the members of the Youth Annual Conference (including our own Abby Rosenbaum and Cody Armbruster).

Belinda led the members of the Parsonage Connection at their annual brunch which was a hit with all who attended.

We look forward to hearing more reports from Rilla Draper (Lay Member), Cody, Abby and Belinda!

Annual Conference - Ordination Service

A highlight of Annual Conference each year is the ordination service on Friday evening. This year, four pastors completed the long journey toward becoming elders in full connection.

With beautiful music, including an appearance by the Children's Annual Conference choir, an inspiring sermon by Bishop King (from the Kentucky Annual Conference), and the serving of communion, the service offered something for everyone to take away.

Annual Conference Report - Friday

Pastor Charles and Belinda got an early start this morning with a visit to the Health Flex room where we got some lab work started which is a good thing for us and will save money too!

The Conference session saw the energy take another turn as the Nebraska camping report really got the Conference members moving to the beat!

The retirement ceremony was again a source of more than a few tears and a few luaghs as over 400 years of service was recalled by the class of 2008. Pastor Charles' first D.S., the Rev. Dr. Marvin Koeliing retired after over 40 years of service. Pastor Charles also said good-bye to fellow Wesley Theological Seminary grad, the Rev. Dr. Joe Scahill.

The Ordination Service will take place tonight and a continued report will follow later.

Annual Conference Report - Thursday

What a full day this was! There was action aplenty on the floor of Annual Conference and throughout the day the energy being felt was tremendous!!!

Highlights included the Commissioning of the Rev. Craig Collins (along with four others) as a Probationary Member of the Annual Conference, a walk on the St. Paul UMC chapel labrynth and meeting up with former Sidney First UMC pastors, Rev. Alan Davis and Rev. Carl Lent.

Annual Conference Report - Wednesday

The forty-first session of the Nebraska Annual Conference got under way today in Lincoln with inspired preaching, dynamic music and much, much more! We are blessed to have the opportunity to be together in this setting!

Governor Heineman gave a special greeting as did the mayor of Lincoln and the president of Nebraska Wesleyan University.

Tonight the Memorial Worship service, honoring clergy who have died in the past year, was held in the basement of St. Paul's UMC. The service got moved downstairs after the tornado warnings were heard in the streets of Lincoln.

Hopefully tomorrow will be just as exciting, without the bad weather!!!

God's Big Back Yard - Day 5

Well, this was the last day in God's Big Back Yard, at least here at Vacation Bible School! What a busy week this was!!! With lessons about service, crafts, a water day and a trip around the world, there was something for everyone!!!

Thanks to all the wonderful children who came and the dedicated leaders everyone came to Friday afternoon tired, but excited to have had the chance to be together.

See everyone next year!

God's Big Back Yard - Day 4

It was day four in God's Big Back Yard and though the rain came down outside, the the children had a great time learning all about service to the neighbors.