Rose Walker Funeral Service

First UMC welcomed the family and friends of Rose Marie Walker to offer goodbyes and to share in the life of this unique person.

Rose was the wife of Pete Walker and the daughter of Mabel Thompson (a FUMC member).

Come one. Come all. Come hungry!

This afternoon, we are raising money this afternoon to help the family of Drew Styles with her recent and anticipated medical expenses.

We had delicious spaghetti... and watermelon... and loads of different kinds of desserts (pies, cakes, etc.)!

Thanks be to God for living in a community whose members look out for one another!!!

Sunday - July 27, 2008

With a terrific spirit, the congregation assembled for worship this morning, and what a morning it was!

Susan Roth brought special music for the worship of God, and it was greatly appreciated by one and all.

Prayers were asked for many in our community including: Miriam Munson; the family of Rose Walker (whose funeral is tomorrow); the youth and their leaders from our church on the mission trip to St. Louis; Kenneth Nurse (brother of Doris Kella); a three-month old baby in need of healing (and the mother).

Prayer was also asked for Drew Stiles, continuing in her recovery from her accident. There will be a benefit bowling event at our local bowling alley and a spahgetti dinner at the church this afternoon.

Afterwards, over a dozen people stayed for a viewing of Clay Ride: A claymation ride through United Methodist History. It was fun to learn more about our heritage together!!!

The UMYF are on the road!!!

The UMYF and their intrepid adult volunteers left early Saturday morning, bound for St. Louis, Missouri, and a week-long mission trip. Lots of energy was on hand this morning and the vans were loaded, hugs exchanged, and then it was on the road for the long drive to St. Louis.

Drew Stiles Benefit being planned

On July 27, 2008, the Sidney Jaycees will be hosting a Bowl-A-Thon, and there will also be a spaghetti dinner hosted by her friends and family at the First United Methodist Church, 2622 11th Avenue in Sidney.

Please join us to help raise money to offset some of the medical costs from the farm accident that Drew was in on June 28, 2008. Drew is the 9-year-old daughter of Donna Bell.

Bowling times will be at 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm.

The cost is $20, and this includes 3 games and the dinner at the church.

Not bowling? No problem!

The dinner is from 4-7 p.m., and the cost: $4.00 for adults, $2.00 for kids. Children 2 and under are free.

Just thought you would like to see Pastor Charles as he left the parsonage this morning.

He is sporting his new clergy shirt which Barb Winter in Gordon, Nebraska, just finished sewing for him. He selected the fabric himself. What a fun look!

The Cross the UMYF Created

Wow: What a wonderful cross is the one that the youth group made to take on their mission trip!!!

They leave this coming Saturday morning at 7:00 a.m. All are invited to come and see them off!

UMYF Mission Trip - the Preview

Members of the UMYF and their parents gathered at the church in the late afternoon Sunday to talk about the upcoming mission trip and to share some fellowship around pizza.

The group leaves on Saturday morning so come back to this site for the latest updates starting Saturday night.

Sunday - July 20, 2008

While the heat was gathering this morning in Cheyenne County, we enjoyed a warm worship service and fellowship as we gathered in the house of God.

The Wesley Four offered two musical selections which were enjoyed very much. Their second selection, "I Love You, Lord," was so moving that Pastor Charles asked the group to lead the congregation in singing it as the closing hymn. There were numerous moist eyes when we were finished singing.

Courtney Shabram-Beach also added to the service by signing "When sorrow and joy meet" by Avalon. We are so blessed to have such talented people who are willing to share it with the community of faith.

There is much to be thankful for and much to look forward to in the coming weeks. Where will God lead us? Let's find out together!!!

Pine Ridge Riders - Friday, Juy 18, 2008

It was the end of the trail for the Pine Ridge Riders at Camp Norwesca this morning as crafts were collected, worship was shared and goodbyes said to one and all.

This was a great week full of fun and fellowship!

Thanks to the staff, Mollie, Hannah, Dustin, Katie, Angie, Belinda, Elizabeth, Kim and Kathy, for the terrific effort and passion they shared with the campers from all across Nebraska.

Thanks to the campers as well; it was wonderful to share the gift of our faith with one another!

To view all the pictures taken by Pastor Charles this week, please visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/23030462@N03/sets/. There is a slide show available for each day (click on the first picture of each set to learn more)

To learn more about upcoming Camp Norwesca events, please visit www.norwesca.org.

See you next year!!!

Pine Ridge Riders - Thursday, July 17, 2008

With the Discovery Point, "Its a matter of trust," the campers raced into the day with the energy needed to do it all!

We began the day with a trip to the volleyball court and the making of sand candles! It was so cool to see the creative efforts underway and the buzz that swirled around the sand court!

After lunch, it was off to the stables at Chadron State Park and more horseback riding. Of course, it rained which made the riding a bit interesting, but our intrepid campers and their leaders didn't bat an eye and kept on going.

When we got back in the afternoon, Mollie put on a homemade ice cream demonstration which was a real hit. The ice cream really made for a special celebration at suppertime.

The evening meal was a hit with a "hobo dinner" on the menu. Hamburger, potatoes, onion and spices were placed in aluminum foil and placed over the fire at Vesper Point. While that was cooking, the ice cream was enjoyed!!! The dinner was wonderful, and the setting was a bonus.

The evening activity was a game called "Get to know your counselor." The campers had time to ask questions of their respective counselor and then the competition began. The Ropers won the game with the most points, but everyone was a winner with lots of laughter as the bonus.

A treat was in store after worship with s'mores being made over the embers in the fire pit. What a great way to end the evening!

However, the evening wasn't complete until we all enjoyed the moonlit night by star gazing from the lawn just below the lodge.

What a terrific day at camp today was!

Pine Ridge Riders - Wednesday, July 16, 2008

A busy, busy day here at Camp Norwesca - the Discovery point was "It's a matter of choice."

The highlight of the morning was the "Super Slide," a water slide created by the staff. It was fantastic!!! Everyone enjoyed the many trips down the chute!!!

The afternoon was back over to Chadron State Park for more horseback riding and time to reflect on the discovery points. Then back to Camp Norwesca for a visit to the craft house for some fun with painting tiles and making tin lanterns.

The highlight of the evening was the "Wacky Olympics" which featured some really crazy games and "Queen Ponderosa" as the M.C.

Pine Ridge Riders - Tuesday, July 15, 2008

The discovery point today was "It's all good!" And believe it: the day was good from start to finish!

The morning worship was neat up in the outdoor classroom and introduced the discovery point for the day.

The next item on the agenda was "Horse 101" offered by Del Hussy & his friend, Jenny, to show the campers the "nuts and bolts" of horses and the equipment needed to work with them.

The first group to ride the trail at Chadron State Park was the Outlaws, while the Ropers and Rodeo Queens took turns looking at the discovery point and a visit to the archery range.

After a heavy thunderstorm passed through the area, the campers took part in a great game called Jedi Knight! What a great time!!!

The worship service ended the day with looking at the good things that are present in God's creation.

Looking forward to more on Tuesday with the Pine Ridge Riders!!

Pine Ridge Riders - Monday, July 14, 2008, Part 2

The Discovery Point for today was: It's about Relationship

A wonderful day at camp it was! After checking in, everyone learned one another's names by playing "name games." The camping staff was awesome in the way they lead and taught the campers.

Dinner was wonderful: We had spaghetti, garlic toast, green beans and BROWNIES!

God is so good: ALL THE TIME!

We celebrated a great interactive worship service complete with a "singing bowl," rain stick, and we ended worship by "signing" a covenant with God and one another with finger paint, and SINGING!

Stay tuned...

Pine Ridge Riders - Monday, July 14, 2008

Howdy from Pine Ridge Riders Camp here at Camp Norwesca!

Pastor Charles has been busy today preparing for the arrival of our 15 campers at 3:00 p.m. today.

To see more pictures, visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/23030462@N03/sets/ and click on each day's pictures. They can be viewed by looking at the slideshow, too.