FORETHOUGHTS

NOTES AND INFORMATION
There will be only one newsletter printed each of the summer months. Please keep your monthly copy for reference throughout the month.

The church office is closed during worship services. Please join us in the sanctuary.
The office will be open before and after the services.

Throughout the summer months, please leave classroom window shades closed and the thermostats set on COOL – if a room is too warm when you are using it, push the ▼(down) button to 72 degrees. Do not turn it off when you leave. The thermostat will automatically return to the standby temperature setting.

If you need ice, you may use from the church’s ice machine. It actually works better if it is emptied occasionally.

Need a place to cool off? Need some exercise? The church building is open 8-12 and 1-4 each day. You are welcome to come and walk the halls or just find a cool place to sit and read or relax.
The back door is usually locked during the summer, the front (west) door is open during office hours.

WANTED-CHOIR MEMBERS
No experience necessary
Rehearsals will begin Sept. 8
Chancel choir-6:00 p.m. in the sanctuary
Bell choir- 7:00 p.m. in the choir room
Please join us!!

WORSHIP ARTS ON WEDNESDAYS
WAOW
Begins Sept. 8 from 3:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m. at the PRESBYTERIAN church. Enrollment forms will be mailed. Extra forms are available in the church office.

SUNBEAMS PRESCHOOL

SOMETHING NEW! – The Preschool has a display set up in the narthex. Please take time to check it out. Watch for monthly updates on what we are doing.
With the start of a new school year, it is time to add a few new faces to the Preschool Board. If you are interested in serving, please call Jean Reeves at 778-3795.
We are saving labels from Campbell’s products. There is a product list included in this newsletter. Please save these labels/lids and bring them to the church. Place them in the large cloth “soup can” – we can redeem them for many classroom items
Also please note that 2 new brand names have been added – BIC writing instruments and Pop Secret products.

If you would like to have a “collection sheet,” to attach your labels to, please contact the church office. Each page includes some added “free points

TIME,Talents &Treasure

What is Stewardship?
It is a lifestyle, a life of total accountability and responsibility. It is the acknowledging of God as the Creator and Owner of all. Christian Stewards see themselves as the caretakers of all Gods’ gifts. Gratitude for these many gifts is expressed in prayer, worship, offering and action. Stewardship is a way of life. It is a way of thanking God for all our blessings by returning to God a portion of the many gifts (everything we have, for instance: our time, talent, and treasure) that we have been give. It involves the intentional, planned and proportionate giving of all we have.

LEARNING ABOUT
MISSION
Those who attended Vacation
Bible School had a bit of mission
study as it was “Journey to India’ –
a study of India’s culture and some of the Christian
mission stations there. Three children’s services –
Family Village Farm, Deep Griha (Lighthouse) Society,
and Mungeli Hospital were talked about and received our
offering, through Church World Service. Mungeli
Hospital, of course, serves all ages in a poor farming area
with mostly small villages. Did you know Mungeli
Hospital was started over a hundred years ago with the
help of Disciples Missionary Doctors?

We will serve the Community Free
Dinner on Thursday, September 9,
at the Baptist Church

RECONCILIATION OFFERING
will be received September 26 and October 3.
Hearts of Fire: The Holy Spirit transforms our Hearts and
Makes us Whole.” Read Acts 2:1-21
This offering is used to fund our Church’s priority to
become a pro-reconciling/anti-racist church through
education, inclusive worship, and intentional dialogue
across differences. Funds provide grants for youth and
young adult camps, training programs for leadership
development, and resources for small group study and
community building. All this works for a more peaceful
world.

TELL IT!

The 2011 General Assembly of the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ) will be held in Nashville TN. At every
assembly the Pension Fund gathers the 13th Check
Offering, which is used to assist retired servants of the
church who have ministered in smaller congregations and
the mission field.
As we prepare for the 2011 General Assembly, the
Pension Fund wants to offer you a unique opportunity to
share in a giving and nurturing way. “From him the whole
body, joined and held together by every supporting
ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part
does its work.” (Ephesians 4:16) Your gift will help the
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), through the
Pension Fund, bring God’s healing and grace to those
who have served faithfully. You will be giving the gift of
God’s love to someone and you will bless their lives.
While we count down to this next great gathering, we
hope you will pray for those who prepare and attend this
event as well as prayerfully consider your gift to the 13th
Check Offering. May your life continue to be a healing
presence for those you encounter along the way and may
you continue to build up in love!
Ruth Chavez Wallace, Vice President for Development,
Pension Fund of the Christian Church

ENDING HUNGER ONE STEP AT A TIME-----CROP HUNGER WALK

Hunger and poverty are rampant in our world, and escalating in the current economic conditions. Something can and must be done about them. Our local CROP Hunger Walk is a great place to start. For a few hours and a few miles, friends and neighbors will be coming together to, in the words of I John 3:18, "...love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action."
On Sunday afternoon September 26th at 2:00 p.m. the Parsons CROP Hunger Walk will be held to show our love and active concern for neighbors in need near and far. The participants will be raising awareness and funds to change the world in real and measurable ways -- digging wells that will bring clean water to villages; providing seeds and tools so that people can grow their own food; helping communities and families rebuild after disaster. Whether it's responding to flood and tornado damage in parts of the U.S., or helping to rebuild earthquake-damaged homes in Haiti, CROP Hunger Walks are making a difference.
CROP Hunger Walk funds will benefit the overall work and ministry of Church World Service -- working around the world to help those in need help themselves through refugee assistance, self-help development programs, advocacy, and disaster relief. And, it’s important to note that 25 percent of what we raise will help Labette Assistance Center and St. Vincent DePaul in their important work here in Parsons and Labette County.
If you can’t walk, you can still be involved by collecting donations, in person or on the web. All donations should be turned in the day of the walk at the starting point; the north side of the Municipal Building. The regular walk is 5.5 miles, and the short walk is 1 mile, one and a half times around Forest Park. We can change the world by ENDING HUNGER ONE STEP AT A TIME.

The Parsons Ministerial Association supports the Parsons CROP Hunger Walk.
For more information and materials contact the local coordinator.
The Rev. Sharon L. Billman, Vicar
St. John’s Episcopal Church

620-421-5558 or 620-778-5561 or vicar@stjohnsparsons.org

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS to:

● water the small trees (fill drip buckets with water)
The small trees that were planted last year need to be watered each week. You could choose one week per month or more often
● weed the church’s planting beds
● pick up trash and straighten hymnals after worship
● prepare and present a Children’s Message during Worship
● greet and welcome visitors to worship services
● take photos of events and activities (using church camera)
● save labels from food products (listed in June newsletter)
● prayerfully consider serving on a Church Board, Ministry Team, or committee if approached
● join the elders in weekly prayer commitment:

REGIONAL ASSEMBLY
October 22-23
Ramada Inn - Salina
Workshops begin on Friday morning
Eight workshops will be offered; three sessions on Friday
and one session on Saturday morning. Some workshops
will be offered during each session, but not all at the
same time.
Workshop titles include:
*VIDA (Hispanic Ministries), Jay Gideon, Topeka
*Wrestling With God, Danny Gin, Oxford
*Transformation & Growth, Terry Hatfield, Independence
*Global Mission Church, Paxton Jones, Topeka
*Discovering Congregational Core Values, Jim
McCollough, Topeka
*Defusing Congregational Time-Bombs, Kris Tenny-
Brittain, Columbia MO
*New Approaches and Understanding in Church Unity,
Robert Welsh, Indianapolis
*Naming the Call to Ministry, Newell Williams,
Ft. Worth TX

DIACONATE MEETING
Over the past two months we have done things a bit differently during worship as we have come forward to partake of communion and to give our offerings. The worship team felt like these summer months would be a good opportunity for us to take a good, hard look at the diaconate and how we might help this group better serve the church while lessening some frustration levels.
That process is nearly complete and proposed recommendations will be mailed to all diaconate members this week for their thoughtful consideration and prayer. We will gather as a group immediately following worship on Sunday, August 29th. Any one is welcome to attend this gathering to share input and insights as we continue to seek ways that we may better serve and glorify God from our doorstep to the world.

The Light a Candle for Children - Forty Day Prayer Vigil
On Sunday, September 5th we will join with other faith communities from around the nation to light a candle for children. This forty day vigil that culminates with the observance of Children’s Sabbath on October 17th is an opportunity for all of us to focus on the needs of children and their families.
Each week during worship we will light a candle and focus specifically on a particular issue that confronts young families. During the Sunday School hour, an intergenerational class will be offered in the Fellowship Hall that will be facilitated by Pastor John.
In the Narthex, there will be a sign up list for people to sign up for a particular day to take some time that day and pray for children. Resource material will be available to help facilitate your prayer time.
Please join us in this forty days as we pray for the children of the church, the community, the nation and the world. For more information, please contact Pastor John

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(from a brochure prepared by Disciples Home Missions:)
The Light a Candle for Children – Forty Day Prayer Vigil is designed to help congregations focus on the needs of children and spiritually prepare for the annual observance of Children's Sabbaths.
The needs of the world’s children should be a priority for all of us as individuals, groups and communities of faith. Not all of us have been afforded the gift of working directly with children, but none of our lives has escaped the touch of a child in some special way.
The National Council of Christian Churches’ Committee on Justice for Children and Their Families invites you to join in praying for a brighter future for all of God’s children. Take the time to become involved in the lives of children.
Let the candle of their lives inspire you and light your pathway as you advocate on their behalf.
The needs of the world’s children should
...and a little child shall lead them.
Isaiah 11:6

From SAFE HAVEN OUTREACH MISSION:
We are having several residents transition out of the shelter in the next few weeks and need everything:
Sofa, tables, lamps, beds, dishes, pots & pans, sheets, blankets, pillows, etc.
If anyone has any of these items and would like to donate them, please give me a call 421-4417 or 717-1444. Thank you all so much!
Melissa Brown, Safe Haven Outreach Mission Inc.

AN UPDATE ON HAITI
I You'll find interesting and
disturbing information on Global Ministries work on the
web at www.globalministries.org. You may sign up to get
their weekly updates e-mailed to you and keep up with
some of the work worldwide

RECYCLING
One of the currently-unused classrooms has been designated as our recycling center. There are containers labeled for recyclable plastics (#1 and #2, such as milk, juice, and pop bottles, but not coffee cans), paper (Newspaper and magazines), and tin cans (no lids please). We encourage everyone to recycle as much as possible. The one request we make is that all bottles, jars or cans you bring are rinsed before placing in the collection containers to reduce the chances of pest problems and smells developing.
While it is not necessary to remove labels from the jars, bottles, or cans, please remember, many labels and bar codes may be redeemed for points and/or cash for use by church and school groups. We are collecting these labels and codes also.
If you would be able to help us transport materials to CLASS LTD here in Parsons, or take a load to the recycling center in Pittsburg, please call the church office. Monetary donations will also be accepted to help with the expenses incurred by CLASS LTD in transporting materials.

PHOTOGRAHERS NEEDED: The church has a digital camera and needs someone who will take pictures of various events and activities

DISCIPLES WOMEN’S RETREAT
Theme: “The Servant’s Hands”
The dates of the Kansas Disciple Women’s 2010 Retreat are: Midweek – Oct. 6-8 and Weekend – Oct. 8-10. It will be at the Disciples Center at Tawakoni. Registration fee is $80 until Sept.10. After that date it will be $90. This includes 5 meals and 2 nights lodging,
Joyce Ferguson will be the Keynote/Bible study leader. She is a native Nebraskan, born and raised in rural western NE. After college she was an elementary school teacher and later on owned and operated a preschool.
She is a member of the First Christian Church in Scottsbluff NE and is a member of the Nebraska Disciple Women’s Cabinet. She has been keynote speaker and director of Nebraska Retreats, as well as being extremely involved in her local church.
Joyce asks that each person attending bring a faith-based article of clothing, piece of jewelry, plaque, etc. that has personal significance for a time of sharing.
Interest groups will include sessions and workshops on “Healing Hands,” “Helping Hands,” “Loving Hands,” “Sharing Hands,” plus free time to do several things.
Registration forms are available online at www.kansasdisciples.org/women , in the church office, from your group leader, or from Jean Daetwiler

KDW RETREAT – SERVICE PROJECT
Oct. 6-8 or Oct. 8-10
In keeping with the theme for this year’s retreat, “The Servant’s Hands,” the service project that the retreat committee has proposed is to make up Hygiene Kits for Church World Service. Items needed for the kits are:
1 hand towel (16”x28”) no fingertip or bath towels
1 wash cloth
Q wide tooth comb
1 nail clipper
1 bar soap (bath size in wrapper
1 toothbrush (in original package)
6 standard size Band aids
These items will be placed in one-gallon zip bags which they already have. Bring whole kits or several of the same item. Retreaters will use their “hands” to get the kits ready to send to CWS.
This is our Disciple Women’s project for September. Anyone in the congregation is invited to help. Put items in the box in the narthex labeled “Hygiene Kits.”

DW MEETING AT REGIONAL ASSEMBLY
The Regional Assembly for Kansas Christian Churches will be in Salina October 22-23. The DW have a luncheon at noon Sat., Oct. 23rd. This is when a new slate of officers is elected and installed for a 2-year period. Those nominated and to be voted upon are: Pres.-Linda Kemp, Topeka; 1st Vice Pres.-Ruth Kenton, Leavenworth; 2nd Vice Pres.-Karen Kiedaisch, Pittsburg; and Recorder-Rebecca Burton, Great Bend. Barb Runge remains as staff coordinator for DW.
Women, you might consider attending this assembly and get acquainted with DW from around the state of KS.