Five Rivers District Newsletter/Calendar ~ Thursday, 31 October 2013 ~ Volume 10, Issue 11 ~ November 2013
Friends: Attached is the newsletter for November. Dennis is enjoying spending time with you as he travels to church conferences and shares the good work of your churches that has happened this year. It’s a busy time for him. Please keep him in your prayers for traveling mercies as he is at several different locations around the district each week. Please also keep his family in your prayers as they adjust to him being gone more during this time.
Please begin getting the word out about our “Leadership Summit” event sponsored by Overbrook UMC, on January 26th from 3-5 p.m. Details are in the newsletter, we can send out a flyer if that would help generate attendance (I’ll try to get one out next week). If there is specific training you need help with, let us know and we will try to find good trainers.
Thank you for the timely Church Conference paperwork this year. As I file it away, or place it in files for Dennis and Cabinet to go over, I cannot help but smile. Good things are happening in 5R. May God continue to bless us with His presence. Thank you for all you do!
Please call or e-mail if I can help you with the support worksheets and don’t forget to get your insurance paperwork in by Nov. 15th.
Celebrate with me the ability to Fall Back on Sunday morning.
Blessings,
Marvé
Marvé Ralston
Administrative Assistant for
Five Rivers District Superintendent
Rev. Dr. Dennis Ackerman
3300 Clinton Parkway Ct, Suite 110
Lawrence, KS 66047-2629
785-841-4804
~~~
From Your DS
Deo gratias
The Latin words above simply mean “Thanks be to God.” Or, perhaps more literally, “To God, thanks.” Throughout scripture we are encouraged, cajoled, advised, and even com- manded, to give thanks to God.
Thankfulness, I believe, is something that we learn. It seems that humans are hard wired to- ward selfishness, or at least self preservation. When we are born all we are interested in is getting our needs met. Feed me, hold me, rock me, make me feel better. All of this without a word of thanks. As we grow we come to realize the role that others play in our lives. Yet, we still maintain a very healthy self interest that does not easily include thanks. Here is a cute little bit about the Rules of Toddlers. This one is contributed to Kevin McHugh, but I have seen several variations:
1. If I like it, it's mine. 2. If it's in my hand, it's mine. 3. If I can take it from you, it's mine. 4. If I had it a little while ago, it's mine. 5. If it's mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way. 6. If I'm doing or building something, all the pieces are mine. 7. If it looks just like mine, it's mine. 8. If I saw it first, It's mine. 9. If you are playing with something and you put it down, automatically it becomes mine. 10. If it's broken, it's yours. 11. If it is broken, but you are having fun playing with the pieces, it's mine again. 12. If there is ANY doubt, it's mine.
Coming to an understanding that it is not mine, but it is a gift from God takes time. Just like our parents reminding us over and over and over again to say “Thank you!”, we must be re- minded again and again to give thanks to God. Like the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Ro- mans (ch.7), we have within ourselves an inward struggle of conflicting values – the carnal vs. the spiritual. It is a mighty wrestling match! But as we learn to be thankful, we learn to be led by the Spirit of God. This is part of my understanding of abundant living.
Our nation’s holiday of Thanksgiving comes again this month. Be thankful for the goodness of God in providing for our needs. Also give thanks with your actions of sharing God’s love with those around you. Practice thankfulness in this season of thanksgiving and always!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Rev. Dr. Dennis Ackerman Deo gratias
~~~
Clergy Birthdays in November:
Kathy Symes Nov. 1st
Tom Brady Nov. 6th
Ira DeSpain Nov. 12th
Paul Babcock Nov. 17th
Dennis Ackerman 1 Nov. 23rd
Gene McIntosh Nov. 25th
~~~
Schedule of Events
• Nov. 3rd Standard Time again ~ Fall Back!
• Nov. 9th District Committee on Ordained- Ministry ~ Wellsville UMC 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
• Nov. 9th Cat/Hawk Challenge at Valley View UMC www.cathawkchallenge.com
• Nov. 15-16 Bishop’s Round-up for Hunger Youth Lock-in
• Nov. 16th Bishop’s Round-Up http:// www.kansaseast.org/pages/detail/967
• Nov. 18-19th Great Plains Appointive Cabi- net and Shelby training in Wichita
• Nov. 25th District Leadership Team meeting
• Nov. 28th Thanksgiving Day
- Nov. 29th Conference and District Offices closed for Thanksgiving
~~~
It’s Church Conference Season
Sunday Nov. 3rd at Williamsburg UMC, 3-5 p.m. Williamsburg UMC, Melvern UMC and Quenemo UMC
Sunday, Nov. 3rd at Pomona UMC, 6-8 p.m. Pomona UMC and Vassar UMC
Tuesday, Nov. 5th at Welda UMC, 7-9 p.m. Welda UMC and Kincaid Selma UMC
Thursday, Nov. 7th at Mapleton UMC, 7-9 p.m. Mapleton UMC, Mound City UMC, and Blue Mound UMC
Sunday, Nov. 10th at Ives Chapel UMC, 3-5 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 10th at Richter UMC, 6-8 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 14th at Michigan Valley UMC, 7-9 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 17th at Waverly UMC, 3-5 p.m. Waverly and Prairie View UMC
Sunday, Nov. 17th at Lyndon UMC, 6-8 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 19th at Burlington UMC, 7-9 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 21st at Fort Scott 1st UMC, 7-9 p.m. Fort Scott 1st UMC, St. John’s UMC, Hammond UMC and West Liberty UMC Sunday, Nov. 24th at Parker UMC, Parker UMC, Beagle UMC and Hammond UMC
Sunday, Nov. 24th at Lane UMC, 6-8 p.m., Osawatomie UMC and Lane UMC
~~~
Of Possible Interest to You
Clergy Retreat at Camp Chippewa
Do you need a chance to regroup, and renew your own soul, without your daily schedule of interruptions?
Whether for a personal retreat or for a group of up to six people, Camp Chippewa can offer you a place to get away from it all.
A donation of $20 per night would be appreciated to help cover the facility and maintenance costs of our camp. Reservations do need to be made a minimum of two weeks in advance; contact our office at 785-242-6797 or email office@campchippewa.org to schedule your re- treat today!
~~~
Start think now about Camp Chippewa opportunities in 2014
Consider “gifting” a camp experience.
~~~
BEHOLD! Cultivating Attentiveness in the Season of Advent -- Friday, Nov 29 to Thurs, December 26 -- $40
Enter Advent this year with curious expectancy and trustful anticipation. Linger for a while and pay close at- tention to the meaning of the season as you focus on a single word each week, pray the beautiful prayers and hymn text, and explore various forms of prayer. For this eRetreat, we will use Pamela C. Hawkins' Advent book, BEHOLD! Whether you opt to join our online discussion groups to interact with others around Pam's writing, or reflect on the material on your own, you will gain new insights as you pray your way into behold- ing the coming of the Christ child.
This eRetreat starts the first day of Advent and goes through Christmas day. Each week, we'll focus on a dif- ferent theme. Each day, we'll participate in spiritual practices. Video how to's for Praying with Images, Silent Prayer, Using Prayer Beads, and Compline Prayer are a part of our eRetreat as are audio readings to guide us in daily prayer. Group discussion offers a place to share your questions and insights with others. Plan for about 30 minutes per day.
Check out other online learning opportunities at the Upper Room Multimedia website (link is above)
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Save the Date: Leadership Summit, Sunday, January 26th from 3-5 p.m. for 5R at Overbrook UMC
Training for your local church leadership is being offered; SPRC, Lay Leaders, Finance Secretary and Treasurers. No registration required but please let our office know how many are coming and what posi- tions so we have the space and materials available. Please respond by Friday, January 10th if you plan to attend.
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District Prayer Calendar
Be present at our table, Lord! Be here and everywhere adored. Your mercies bless, and grant that we May feast in Paradise with Thee (or: May strengthened for thy service be.)
For food and health and happy days receive our gratitude and praise In serving others Lord may we Repay our dept of love to thee.
~~~
Nov.3 Michigan Valley UMC Rev. Duane Kessler
Nov.10 Iola Wesley UMC Rev. Trudy Kenyon Anderson
Nov.17 Lyndon UMC Rev. Loren Drummond
Nov.24 Paola UMC Rev. Jim Hopwood
Please remember to keep Rev. Shirley Edgerton in your prayers as she travels to Haiti in November. More info. at link below.
~~~~~~~
Great Plains Episcopacy Area Bishop: Scott Jones
District Superintendent: Rev. Dr. Dennis Ackerman
Administrative Assistant, Newsletter Editor: Marvé Ralston
Marvé Ralston
Administrative Assistant for
Five Rivers District Superintendent
Reverend Dr. Dennis Ackerman
3300 Clinton Parkway Ct, Suite 110
Lawrence, KS 66047-2629
785-841-4804
5riversds.com ~ website
Greatplainsumc.org
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