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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
October 2001 |
Laity Sunday
is October 21
As Christians we are, all of us, ministers. When we join the church we promise to support it with "our prayers, our presence, our gifts and our service." This month we celebrate the ministry of lay members as they keep that promise.
Each year the Hoosier United Methodist News recognizes certain lay members from churches around Indiana who have given in service through unique or extraordinary ways. Their names have been lifted up in special gratitude by others of the faith community.
Meet this year's lay members who have been "Giving Something Extra." They represent thousands of others who, each in his and her own way, continues to answer the call of the One we all serve. Lynne DeMichele
Donna Brownfield: driving the 'welcome wagon,' and loaded with gifts for others
Donna exemplifies the "giving something extra" theme so well! As chair of the Newcomer Committee, she has been giving something extra for at least seven years. Her work is more than just noticing newcomers, sending out welcoming lay visitors to each newcomer who leaves a name and address, and tracking whether or not they return.
If the person didn't leave an address or phone number, she organizes a search party! She calls whomever sat in the same pew, or behind, or in front of the honored guest to see if they can help us find the way to properly welcome them and acknowledge their visit. She also is quick to find out if added services or information is needed, and she will send out the call. Who can answer this question? Who might be able to help? Is pastoral or other visitation required? Let's be there!
Her something extra for newcomers extends even further. She maintains a data base and is able to track second, third and multiple visits. She keeps track of the added information her team brings to her, such as job or housing issues, needs and connections to Sunday School classes, other groups, and their interest in becoming a member of the church. She has an outstanding ability to gather and organize and present information on a weekly basis. Without her efforts, the team of welcomers and visitors couldn't treat every guest as the valued and precious person he or she is! I appreciate Donna first and foremost for her service to newcomers. It is a sincere expression of the love of Christ that gives her such heartfelt concern for others.
Donna also is ready to rise to the occasion when almost any help is needed. She has, on more than one occasion, stepped in to stay overnight at our Overflow Shelter in the church. She is willing to serve others in many different ways. Working with maps to the building, brochures for the church, serving the homeless, reaching out to those who might need a bit of help or encouragement, and thanking and appreciating others who work with her are just a few of the ways she makes ministry here a wonderful experience.
I am a new associate pastor at this church, and she has been a helpful witness, cheerful helper and gracious guide for me. She was the one who jumped on the bandwagon with me, to launch our church's involvement in Igniting Ministries! Since I was brand new to the church, she was the one who recruited appropriately gifted individuals to join with us in the workshop and to carry on the exciting ministry tasks that grow out of the Igniting Ministries campaign! She has guided, helped and recruited help for such related tasks as the banner, a new brochure, Welcoming 101 educational activities and other efforts.
I could go on and on about how the way she lives, the way she participates in the ministries of the church and the way she works on tasks. But there is still something more that is somewhat difficult to describe. It's the way she came along side of me, as a person supportive of my ministry, respectful of my call and my talents, helping in those subtle ways that are spiritually affirming and uplifting, instrumentally useful and socially supportive.
I thank God for her thoughtfulness to my family, her helpfulness in my ministry, and the enthusiasm for the ministries she has given.
Submitted by
Karen Altergott, Associate Pastor
Grace UMC, Kokomo
Crews Perkey
Our church family nominates Crews Perkey because of his faithful dedication to the United Methodist Church.
For the past fifteen years Crews has focused on long range planning for our church. He has been the chairman of several campaigns to raise money for capital improvement projects for our church building and is a member of the Finance Committee. He is currently the chairman of the latest project "Operation Upgrade" and is a past chairman of the Trustees. Crews has used his engineering skills to help with many projects in the church building and parsonage.
He is currently helping the Christian Education Director to implement the Workshop Rotation Model for children's Sunday School, requiring the renovation of all the Sunday School rooms.
Crews has served on the board of UM-related Hamilton Communities more than twenty-five years. He enjoys being a member of the United Methodist Men and the Potpourri Sunday School Class.
Submitted by
Helen Banas, Lay Leader
South Bend First UMC
Gloria Wilson
The mission and ministry of Faith UMC is lived daily by each member and constituent. All have a vital role in helping reach out beyond church doors to face an often cruel and divided world.
Each has unique gifts and graces, but Gloria Wilson, a relatively new member (two years) has stood out as a self-starter who works diligently at writing her daily faith journey by the way she lives her life. Many times she spends four out of seven days in the church in choir rehersal, leading a small group, greeting visitors, talking with children at "children's chat" and a host of other things.
Gloria is a blessing to everyone she meets because she exemplifies the love, compassion, hope and honesty that were attributes of our Savior. Thank you, Gloria, for your love of Christ and for your work and witness here at Faith UMC.
Submitted by
Jack Scott, pastor
Faith UMC, Fort Wayne
Alex Hiquet
Alex has been a member of our congregation for 15 years and is a retired electrical engineer. He is a hard worker around the church. If something needs to be done, Alex will do the work himself or see that it gets done.
He has been undergoing radiation treatment which affects your body in different ways and leaves you without much energy. After the treatments Alex would stop by the church building to oversee a project in which we are now rerouting our electrical wires, water lines and telephone lines in order to demolish our education building because of constructional problems. To me this is going the extra mile.
He is a man with Christianity in his heart and does the job as though doing it for the Lord.
Submitted by
Dorothy Ann Ashton
Maple Ave. UMC, Terre Haute
John Habegger
As Lay Leader of our church, John has served in many capacities: as Sunday School superintendent, as financial secretary; and he has taught a class for 40 years. He selects recorded music to be played each Sunday prior to our worship service. He very ably fills the pulpit on occasion.
He regularly attends our weekly Bible Study and is coordinator of our monthly Men's Prayer Group. And he has been instrumental in honoring the ladies of the church in May with breakfast and worship.
This past year he organized a work day at the home of a former pastor, now bed-ridden. The group cleaned the lawn, trimmed shrubs and performed various chores around the house.
The last 10 years, John and his class members have implemented the "Care and Share, Family Adoption Program" at Christmas time. They adopted three needy families this year, including an Amish family. The class has literally furnished a house, supplying beds for the children, cooking utensils and many other necessities. John has expressed the great joy and blessings they have experienced with this ministry of helping others.
Submitted by
Joyce Grandlienard
Old Salem UMC, Linn Grove Circuit
Mary Brandt
Mary Brandt, at age 88, continues to inspire everyone at Calvary UMC in Fort Wayne. If being a servant is a quality, which describes leadership, Mary qualifies. Her many involvements in ministry through her church inspire young and old. Her most recent achievements have been the Celebration Chair of Church Women United, and the completion of 505 "YES" kits and 48 "ET" kits for Operation Classroom (1992-2001). She helped spearhead the raising of $3,000 for dormitories at Africa University, and has been known to reply - with a twinkle in her eye - when asked how she is doing, "Not bad for an old lady!"
Submitted by
Carole Moore
Calvary UMC, Fort Wayne
Roger and Lois Ketterer
"Reliability under pressure" describes Roger & Lois Ketterer in the last year. Their lay ministry activities in a normal year are impressive, but this year has been anything but normal. Through the loss of Roger's brother, the loss of Lois's brother and the extended illness of Lois's mother, they have remained steadfast in their ministry. Roger and Lois have been an example to their church family in their devotion even in the face of such adversity.
Submitted by
Kim Sandlin
Centenary UMC, New Albany
Tessy Bowers
Teresa Bowers, known to family and friends as Tessy, is a vital part of Chesterton First. She sings and plays guitar with the Guitar Choir. She's been President of UMW, Co-Chair of the UMW Rummage Sale and currently is Chairperson of the Genesis Circle as well as the Youth Director. This summer, she took several youth to East Bay Camp in Hudson, Ill. where they led Sunday devotions and participated in a service project. Her zest for living and having fun is an inspiration to everyone, young and old.
Hats off to you, 'Tessy Boo', you are very special to us!
Submitted by
Sue Keiser
First UMC, Chesterton
Kim Stevens
The main concern of our church has been the lack of children in the congregation. Kim had attended the Child Evangelism Fellowship training, but had not previously had the opportunity to put the training to work in her ministry.
Kim devoted herself to the ministry of creating an "Adventure Kid's Club" that would be an outreach to the community of Jefferson. We now have anywhere from 24 to 32 children attending "Adventure Kid's Club" on Wednesday nights, and from eight to 12 at Sunday morning and Sunday evening services.
Although words could not express just what Kim has given of herself to this ministry, Jefferson UMC has a brighter future in ministry because of her. To God be the glory!
Submitted by
Tim Grayless, pastor
Jefferson UMC, Jefferson
Mickey Lawson
Mickey is co-lay leader of New Horizons UMC in Anderson. He is a down-to-earth type person willing to help in any way, from leading mission trips, building rustic furniture for the church plant sale, to helping in Vacation Bible School.
"Marketplace 29 AD" was the title of our Vacation Bible School this year. Mickey helped set up the tents, built a "Jacob's Well" out of flagstone, brought in dirt and straw for making bricks, played the part of a shepherd for the kids and portrayed the part of Jesus in a skit. Mickey always gives something extra for the Lord.
Submitted by
W. Gene McMahan
New Horizons UMC, Anderson