May  2013:  Coming Capital Campaign:
An energy audit was done using thermal technology enabling the trustees plan solutions for heating that end of the building that will also save energy costs. They have proposed and are beginning a multi-stage plan starting with altering the old heating system and upgrading to One boiler, and saving up to 30 % in heating costs,  Next we will be insulating the old sanctuary, library and office end of the building, which will provide additional savings.   $$$  will be needed.    We will need everyone’s help to finish this project before fall arrives.

Food pantry open at Soldotna Methodist ChurchThe Soldotna United Methodist Church, at 158 South Binkley Street, offers a Food Pantry for residents in the community who are experiencing food shortages. The Food Pantry is open every Wednesday from 11a.m.-2 p.m. for anyone in the area who may need extra help.To support these efforts, the church is accepting non-perishable food donations, which may be dropped off at the church any Tuesday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Wednesday from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. or Sunday from 9 a.m.-noon. To make monetary donations, mail a check to the address above designating it for the SUMC Food Pantry or drop it by. For more information, contact the church office at 262-4657 or by email at sumc@alaska.net.

April 7, 2013 COMING EVENTS: Mondays at 10 at Kaladi Bros Table Talk w/ Karen Tuesday at noon 4/9 : United Methodist Women meet @SUMC (all women invited) Tuesday, 4/9  5:30 p.m. Staff/ Parish Meeting Tuesday 4/9  6:30 p.m. Administrative Council Meeting

Wednesday 4/10 5:30 p.m. Wednesday night dinner. Come one. Come all. Sunday 4/14 Return of the Pigs Support for Native American Ministries (see below) Tuesday, April 25, 5:30 p.m. First UMW book club “Permission to Speak Freely” at SUMC   Prayers for Debbie Griffin who is having foot surgery on Thursday. Prayers for Mike Gebhard as his broken ankle mends and he heads North to Alaska.

Easter Sunday we welcomed new members Helen & Mark Holston & Dennis Tichenor. We are grateful for their commitment to SUMC and look forward to getting to know them better.

Welcome back to Karen & Gene Sands, Lori & Walt Olney, Betty & Dave Lowery, Troy & Jack Castimore, Debbie & Gordon Griffin.

Sally Curry sent us an April Fool’s note that said she wasn’t coming this year. An audible groan went through the congregation before it was revealed as a joke. Sally is coming!!  J

Congratulations to Courtney Stroh. Courtney Stroh has been selected by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as recipient of the President’s Environmental Youth Award for 2012. A junior at Kenai Central High School, Courtney serves as the founder and current president of the R.O.C. the Kenai 4-H Club. The name stands for Respect Our Community, and the club focuses its activities around raising public awareness about environmental damage and challenges created by the state’s personal use dip-net fishery at the mouth of the Kenai River.

Belated thank you to those who moved Helen and Mark Holston and Larry Bircham.

Faithful Food Pantry Volunteers. March was a very busy month at the Food Pantry.  If you think YOU might like to volunteer, stop by on Wednesdays and check it out. OJT (on the job training) available. Always needed items are: peanut butter, canned fruit, toilet paper, ready to eat canned food. Contact Cosette to volunteer, donate, or for more information 262-7610.

Note from Pastor Karen:

NEW EASTER BANNER,    March 20, 2013

I want to lift a special thank you to Carla Carlyle who made the banner that now hangs in our sanctuary.  You have done a beautiful job Carla.  What a joy to see our Savior’s resurrection remembered in such a way as this.  God bless you.

STABILITY

Many of you have been asking over these months whether I will be staying or leaving come this summer.  As changes have happened over the last couple of years regarding the pastors, there seems to be some uncertainty about the future.  Well please let me put your fears to rest.  Dennis and I are planning on staying a long time.

When Richard left, who had been here six years, Kay came as an interim.  It was intended that she would be short term (one year) while a new pastor was found and to give the congregation time to adjust from Richard to the new pastor.  Kay did a wonderful job, and I know many of you wanted her to stay.  But as a retired, and now interim pastor, her work is for short term stays.

When I was appointed here, it was as a long term pastor.  So as we work together, it is our hope to make this a good and prosperous long term union in Christ at Soldotna United Methodist Church.

Thank you for bringing your questions to me and as they come up continue to bring them to me as we learn to move to a deeper relationship through talking to one another, worshipping and living as servants of Christ here and now.

Prayers for Mary Deen who is having eye  surgery.

Prayers for others  who are in life transitions or facing health, financial challenges or  relationship challenges.

Welcome back to Gale Robison and Donna Franzmann. We look  forward to more snowbirds flying our way soon. The family is coming home.  Spring must be on the way.

Thank you:

Christ Lutheran  Church in Soldotna who made a very generous donation to the Food  Pantry. Christ Lutheran also donated money for yarn for the Wildwood  Crocheting Program.

Bob Littel for getting a  larger screen TV put up in the multi-purpose room and donating a DVD player  to go with it. It’s been a great upgrade for the video portion of our Lenten  Study. Thanks also for building a case for the sound system.

Faithful Food  Pantry Volunteers. This week alone we served 21 families/42 individuals.  Thanks to Dee Benner for her leadership the last couple of weeks. If you  think YOU might like to volunteer, stop by on Wednesdays and check it out. OJT  (on the job training) available.

WALK to Emmaus Thanks to those  who worked the event last week-end

Mary and Lance Roberts, Cherie (Charlie)  Schrader, Nelma & Eric  Treider, and Pastor Karen.  Participants from SUMC were Josh and  Christina Land, JT Roberts and Helen Holston. Superhelpers  for the event were John & Joseph Land.

Thanks to those who continue to donate yarn for the women at Wildwood Correctional. This week  they finished more than 80 crocheted Easter baskets for Head Start and a  local preschool program, donated hats to the Underground Program for Homeless  Teens and to Love Inc.

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Coming events:

Mondays at 10 at Kaladi Bros Table Talk w/ Karen

Wanted: Prayer concerns, big and smallIf you have prayer concerns that you would like to share, please contact Mary Deen by e-mail (maryldeen@hotmail.com) or phone 260-7828. You are welcome to ask her to add your name to the prayer circle as well. This group of dedicated prayers honors confidentiality and upholds your special concerns and our entire church. You can start with Pastor Karen (262-4958 parsonage 394-4849 cell or hope4glory@acsalaska.net) or with Mary Deen and know that you will be surrounded with prayers.