February Newsletter
Choir
Choir is back in full swing on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. All are welcomed. I would like to thank the choir again for a fantastic job during our Advent season. We are working on new music as we prepare for the season of Lent, which will be here soon.
Second Sunday Luncheon
The Second Sunday Supper will be Sunday, February 12th. Bring a dish and stay after worship for food and fellowship.
Treasurer’s Report
For the month ending December 31, 2011:
December 2011 is 100.0 percent of the way through the budget year. We have received 99.9% of our anticipated income for the year (the previous 5 year average by this date is 89.5%). We have expended 97.7% of our anticipated expenses for the year. We have received $4,351 in excess of income as of December 2011.
Youth
Youth is also back in full swing. Erefaka recently attended the Awakening and Nick recently attended Happening. Both Erefaka and Nick participated in the CCYM Winter meeting in Zachary, LA where the coming year's theme and scripture focus were selected. Youth Sunday School will be beginning an in-depth Bible study at 9:30 AM Sunday mornings. YUM has begun a series of experiential activities as we focus on being disciples of Christ. If any senior high student is interested in attending Senior High Retreat February 24-26, 2012, please contact Ms. Debbie or the church office as soon as possible. The youth are also looking for businesses to put their candy machines. If you have contacts or are willing to put one in your place of business, please contact Ms. Debbie or the church office. The money from these machines will go to our mission projects which are Bopha (our Cambodian child we adopted 4 years ago, our traveler bags, Kidshope, Weekend of the Cross, and other mission activities).
Children’s Choir
We are starting up a Children’s Choirs and they will begin meeting on Sunday, February 5th at 4:00 in the afternoon. Please bring your children to the church for an afternoon of learning and fun.
Children’s Lenten Program
We will be doing an Lenten program for children based on the book by Adam Hamilton 24 Hours That Changed the World. Just as the children learned about the characters in The Journey, they will also learn more about the crucifixion and resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. The program will being on February 25th at 4:00pm at the church. Please contact Sharon Murphy for additional details and to sign up to help. Cynthia McMullen will offer the same study for adults
On Sunday February 19th Church Service will be held at 9:00 a.m. because of the LaPlace Mardi Gras Parade. Please join us for the services and then at the Parsonage to enjoy the parade.
First United Methodist Church of LaPlace
Administrative Council
15th January 2012
PRESENT: Harry Glidden, Debria Upton, Sharon Rose, Michael Ringuette, Sharon Murphy, Mary Bailey, Colin Bailey, Byron Breard, Sharon Black, Regina Hickman
The meeting opened with the lighting of the Christ Candle by Chair, Harry Glidden. Rev. Hickman gave a devotional about the Body of Christ and we sang “Bind Us Together”.
Minutes from the last meeting were approved per motion from Debbie – second by Sharon Rose.
The Treasurers’ report was presented and approved per motion by Byron, second by Sharon Rose. The Entergy bill for the front property had jumped from $25 to over $100. Trustees chair, Mike Ringuette, will call Entergy and challenge the bill.
The Trustees report was given by Mike Ringuette, who mentioned the following items:
The roof screws have been replaced, but there are some other roof issues that need to be addressed. The lights on the outdoor crosses need to be repaired, as well as some other things.
Dr. Colin Bailey reported that the SPR Committee had met and completed the Pastor Evaluation for 2011, and had recommended that the pastor be continued at the Laplace Church.
Sharon Black gave the report for Missions. In light of the fact that we had families in our church that needed help, money that was already on hand for the Children’s Home was used to purchase pajamas for the children. The Missions co-chairs, Bob and Carol McMullen delivered the gifts before Christmas.
Debbie Upton gave the report for choir and UMYF. Choir practice begins again on Wed, Jan. 18. UMYF will begin again on Sunday, Jan. 22, at 4:00 p.m. Nick Ringuette was on his way home from “Happening” as we were meeting. The winter planning meeting for CCYM will take place on Jan. 20, 21. Debbie had just returned from Certification Training at Perkins.
One special idea that she embraced while there was that we should re-read the scriptures as though we were reading a novel for the first time.
Byron Breard gave the Finance Committee Report, which included the budget for 2012.
The budget was accepted per motion by Debbie, seconded by Sharon Black. Also, Byron presented a letter he wants to send to those who normally pledge, but didn’t for 2012. It was the consensus of the board that the letter should be sent. Also, it was recommended by the board that the budget be included with the February Newsletter.
Sharon Black gave the Kids’ Hope report. The kids had a wonderful Christmas party, where they received Saints sweatshirts from the church. On a much sadder note, one child’s father had been murdered, and this child will be moving to New Orleans, so we had to bid her farewell.
We have picked up another child to take her place. Also, the mother of one of our children was summoned to court with her children to address the issue of medication. Our own director was instrumental in making this happen. It’s hoped that the child will get his medication from now on. Kids’ Hope begins the year 2012 with a $1500 shortfall. Sharon is applying for a YSF Grant. Sharon had spoken at a United Methodist Children’s Ministry workshop the previous Saturday.
Education Chair, Sharon Murphy, gave the education report. She, Denise Borne, and Cynthia McMullen had attended the Children’s Ministry Workshop. She is proposing that we implement a program one Sat. afternoon/month for any children who will come, and hold it outdoors if possible. She will offer the children’s version of 24 Hours That Changed the World
on Saturday evenings during Lent. This will begin February 24. Cynthia McMullen will be leading the adult version. We will begin Children’s Choir in February.
Rev. Regina gave the Pastor’s Report – giving a run-down of the service topics for January and February. Also, she asked all officers to be in attendance on January 29 to participate in a service of installation. She reported also that there would be a wonderful workshop of idea sharing at the Riverfront Center in Alexandria in March, to which we can send five people. Bishop Lovett Weems will be the key-note speaker.
Rev. Hickman had approached the Finance Committee for permission to purchase a new computer for the pastor’s office. The one that would be sufficient is a Toshiba laptop that will run right at $1000 with virus protection, etc. She asked for a vote from the Ad. Council. The board approved the purchase. Also, it was decided that on Feb. 19, the worship service would be held at 9:00 a.m. after which everyone is invited to go to the Parsonage to watch the Laplace parade and have lunch.
Subsequent to a really corny joke presented by Dr. Bailey, it was decided that he (Dr. Bailey) would give the devotional for the Feb. meeting – which will be held on February 26. We adjourned. Quickly.
Respectfully Submitted by
Rev. Regina B. Hickman,
substituting for Mrs. Kay McKey.
