This month we will be celebrating Father's Day and last month we lifted up Mothers, so I thought that I would relate to you a story about parenting and relationships.  This story is entitled:

WE ALL NEED A TREE!
I hired a plumber to help me restore an old farmhouse, and after he had just finished a rough first day on the job a flat tire made him lose an hour of work, his electric drill quit and his ancient one ton truck refused to start. While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence.  On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family.  As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands. When opening the door he underwent an amazing transformation.  His face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss. Afterward he walked me to the car.  We passed the tree and my curiosity got the better of me.  I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier.

"Oh, that's my trouble tree," he replied.  "I know I can't help having troubles on the job, but one thing's for sure, those troubles don't belong in the house with my wife and the children.  So I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home and ask God to take care of them.  Then in the morning I pick them up again."  "Funny thing is," he smiled," when I come out in the morning to pick ‘em up, there aren't nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before."

We all need to rely more on God.  Do you need a trouble tree?  Ask God for one and I'm sure he will fix you right up.
God Bless,
Pastor Bruce

May was a busy month.  We are busy getting ready for our annual Vacation Bible School, which will be at Brown Street this year.  It will be June 18th through the 22nd.  I know all you young ones will want to take the plunge and dive right into our VBS this year.  The teachers and other workers are working hard at getting everything ready for an enjoyable and worthwhile week. 

We also had a Mother/Daughter Banquet at Heritage and the men all worked hard to give the women a much needed night of appreciation.  The tables were decorated so nice and the program was very exotic.   Did you see how big that turtle was?  I stayed out of his way.  I was afraid he might mistake me for some food.  We had a great day for a yard sale and pancake breakfast.  Thanks to Barry Flemming and all his crew for putting this all together.

We ended the month with our annual Memorial Day Service, where we remember past members and constituents who have gone on to their Heavenly Home.  We also lift up our service men and women, who give of their time and energy to help protect our country.  Jim Henderson supplied Brown Street with another of his fantastic wooden masterpieces.  He made a four tiered candle holder that looked great and helped us with this special service.  We also memorialized the new outdoor sign that was given in memory of Marge Butz.  It is a great way to reach out to others in the neighborhood with special messages as well as info on what is happening at church. 

Well, it is time for this Churchmouse to be scooting along.  So until I see you in church, God Bless!
CUN Churchmouse

Our love and sympathy to Jean Marvin and her family on the loss of her brother, Joe Timmons, who passed away in late April.  Our prayers are with all of you.

NEEDED: PRAYER WARRIORS PRAYER MINISTRY FOR BOTH CHURCHES
"In that day you will not ask me for anything.  I tell you the truth, my Father will give you anything you ask in my name.  Until now you have not asked for anything in my name.  Ask and you will receive, so that your joy will be the fullest possible joy."  (John 16:23-24)

Anyone who knows me knows how important prayer is to me.  It has been thru trial and error (mostly error) that I've learned how essential going to God FIRST is a priority.  If you look at Jesus' life - He did NOTHING without first going to His Father in prayer.

God has laid on my heart to start a prayer ministry in our churches. Being part of the prayer ministry does not have any special requirements - just a sincere desire to have a conversation with God about our church.  An added bonus of being a prayer warrior is that you will grow spiritually and have a close relationship with God.

Those of you who have gone thru the Alpha classes or the John Wesley Experiment may have experienced a wonderful "Mountain top" high.  Now what? Prayer is already a big part of our churches thru our prayer chains, worship services, women's groups, Bible studies, Sunday Schools as well as individuals.  The goal of this prayer ministry is to expand this ministry to an effective organized corporate ministry for our churches.

We will pray for and be supportive of the pastor, the music ministry (directors, choirs, and organists/pianists), Sunday school ministry, the secretary, Bible studies, and lay leaders.  We will also "bathe" our projects and ideas in prayer. How many of us are guilty of making a decision concerning a church activity and THEN asking God to bless it!?!

I know so many people who are shut ins or too busy to do extra activities, but would really like o do something for the church.  Here is your chance to change your ordinary life or ordinary church to something extra ordinary.  Prayer at home is a way you can become involved in a church ministry. I would like to meet once a month to discuss needed prayers or any concerns.

Please pray about this ministry and if God is leading you in this direction, please sign up or call me.  This will be an amazing journey!
Melody Mowery
The B.P.W.

NEW BIBLE STUDY
We have decided to do something a little different for Bible Study at Heritage this summer, starting June 7th.  First thing that will be changing is the day and time of our Bible Study.  It will now be on THURSDAY from 7:00 to 8:00pm for the summer months.  We are also going to be using the "Andy of Mayberry Bible Study".  We will watch a video and then it will be followed by discussion.  This will take about eight weeks which should get us through the summer months.  Everyone is welcome, even those in Jr. High and High School.  Remember "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."


OUR GRADUATES
Congratulations to our graduates:
Katie Albertson who graduated from Ivy Tech with an Associate Degree in Business Administration with a speciality in Human Resources.  She is employed at Sun Chemical in Frankfort.

Quinn Reece who graduated from Ivy Tech with a degree in HVAC.  He is presently looking for a job to use his degree.

Steve Simms graduated from Oakland City University with a degree in Organizational Management.  He is presently looking for job to use his degree.


THANK YOU!
Thank you to Pastor Bruce, Suzie, and my sister, Lois, for being at the hospital during my surgery.  A big thank you also to my Brown Street Church Family for the prayers, cards, calls and kind deeds.  I appreciated all of them.
Harriett Lowe


BABY SHOWER
We will have a Silent Shower following worship at Heritage on June 10th for Bob and Kelly Gregory's new babies, Ashley, Catherine, and Kiersten.  Gift suggestions would be small size diapers or gift cards.


BROWN STREET U.M.W.
The Brown Street Daytime U.MW. will meet on Wednesday, June 6th, at 12:00m at the shelter at Murdock Park.  Bring your lunch and enjoy the outdoors! There will be no meeting in July. Also this month we will be collecting household items in our YWCA box for the Woman's Shelter.
HOUSEHOLD ITEMS
Clothes Iron
Can Openers (hand crank)
Kitchen Utensils
Cutlery
Fabric Softener Sheets
Laundry Detergent
Dish Soap
Bleach
Window Cleaner
Mops and Brooms


BREAKFAST
Sunday, June 3rd, at Heritage we will be serving breakfast following worship.  All proceeds will go toward our mission trip to Henderson Settlement in July.  Be sure to come and enjoy the good food and support the mission trip.


IT'S A BOY!
Congratulations to Brandon and Tausha Richard on the birth of Kaleb Matthew, born May 25th.  Verlin and Debbie Bohnert are the proud grandparents.


INSTALLATION SERVICE
There will be a worship service and reception to welcome District Superintendent, Kate Walker, on Sunday, June 10th, at 3:00pm at Christ UM Church, 3610 S. 18th St.

Welcoming a new District Superintendent into the life of a district is a major event.  You are urged to take advantage of this opportunity to meet our new District Superintendent. It is especially helpful for members of the Pastor Parish Relations Committee and Lay Leaders.  If you have questions about this service, please contact Pastor Bruce.


INFORMATION
For those at Brown Street who remember Levi Rudisail, he has been moved from Ohio back to Indiana.  His address is: North Woods Commons, 2501 Friendship Blvd., Kokomo, IN 46901.  His phone #765-236-1002.  His niece says he greatly appreciates hearing from his friends at Brown Street.

FROM OUR BISHOP
"Conferencing Together" - May 21, 2007
Our two Annual Conference Sessions in Indiana are coming in the next two weeks.  North Conference meets at Purdue University May 30 - June 2, and South Conference meets at Indiana University on June 5 - 9.  Both conference gatherings will be electing delegates to the General Conference of 2008 and the North Central Jurisdictional Conference of 2008, as well as voting upon petitions to the General Conference.  Both conferences will be approving clergy to be commissioned, ordained, or retired.  Both conferences will be approving budgets for 2008, and both conferences will be voting on the proposals about Imagine Indiana.  And at both Conferences we will be announcing and "fixing" the appointments of all clergy for the coming year.

Two years ago, I wrote the following comments about the upcoming Annual Conference gatherings: "Annual Conference is a unique Methodist animal.  Other denominations have annual meetings, but Annual Conference is really a distinctively Methodist phenomenon.  It is partly a family reunion as we get a chance to see old friends and to memorialize those who have passed during this last year; it is partly a political convention or business meeting as we deal with budgets and reports; it is certainly a worship time almost like the old camp meetings of early Methodism...

"The term Conference really means two things: it is a time of conferring with one another, but it is also a time of inviting God to confer upon us a renewed sense of purpose for the ministry and mission of our church.  In the best sense of the word, Conference is always more than just a meeting - it is a gathering which is potentially transformative and empowering in nature.  Certainly we can make Conference into just another boring church meeting, but that is not the purpose of Conference.  At its best, Conference is a time when the collective church gathers to receive from God our direction for the coming year."

All of the above explains why proxy votes are not allowed at Annual Conference - because unless a person is present for the conferencing about an issue, one cannot truly sense God's will and direction.  "Conferencing" is the way we open ourselves to God through our time spent with one another.  I look forward to the two Annual Conference gatherings, and I pray for God's guidance as we confer together and as we receive God's power conferred upon us.  Come, let us conference together.
Bishop Michael J. Coyner

HERITAGE U.M. CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING
 

May 16, 2007
Bruce chaired the meeting and opened with a prayer.

The minutes were approved as corrected.

Combining the two Indiana Conferences is being studied this year to decide whether or not it is feasible.  There will not be a vote to make a change until next year.

The Conference has provided the forms required for a non-profit organization so the Payless/Kroger cards can be ordered.  The cards can be paid for when they are picked up.

A date will be set for the defibulator training and a sign-up sheet will be posted.

Seven people from Heritage helped with the Pine Creek cleanup.  There is still a lot of work that needs to be completed and can be done at any time that camp is not in session.  Barry suggested that Heritage make plans to help with more projects at Pine Creek.

Plans are still being made for the mission trip to Henderson Settlement.  There will be another breakfast to help raise funds needed for the project.

Anyone who is going to work with children should take the Child Protection Guidelines training.  This will be included with the Sunday School and VBS Teachers' Training to be held at Brown Street on May 29th.

Dick gave the financial report.  The opening balance was $8,063.14 with a closing balance of $8,094.70, which was a net gain of $31.56.  Check 3936 in the amount of $545.74 to the IRS was for the first quarter withholding tax. Check 3946 in the amount of $3,000.00 was for the purchase of a one-year CD.  The deposit on April 22nd was for the chicken supper.  The automatic deduction on April 28th in the amount of $768.02 was for property insurance.  Don R. made a motion to approve the financial report as presented.  Margaret seconded, and the report was approved.

The people on the Research Committee are Shirley Butram, Dan Fleming, Jeff Grau, Jeri Bosworth Parker, George Lumley, and Margaret Beckner.  The first year the committee will gather information and evaluate the ministry reasons why we should build a new fellowship hall.  A building committee will be formed the second year.

There is still a need for more Sunday School teachers.  Ideas for more teachers and training were discussed.

Barry gave the Projects Committee report.  Peggy has the contract for a booth at the Steam and Power Show.  After discussion of the requirements it was decided to gather more information from current vendors then decide whether or not to participate next year.  There is a possibility of working the Purdue Concessions and/or parking as a fund raiser. Everything is ready for the garage sale.  The chicken supper was a success, and it has been decided that it would be best to hold the supper at the same time each year.  Barry also explained Angel Food Ministries which could also be a fund raiser.

Don R. made a motion to adjourn.  Chuck seconded, and Bruce closed with a prayer.

Present:  Pastor Bruce Mowery, Barry Flemming, Don Reece, Ed Gross, Chuck Beckner, George Lumley, Jeri Bosworth Parker, Margaret Beckner, Dick Butram, Shirley Butram, Peggy Grau, Jeff Grau, and Terri Simms.

BROWN STREET
Sandy Buckles - cancer - (Sandy Leill's friend)
Ruth Ann Kopf - recovering from surgery
Bud Butz - health problems
Sandy Bilyeu - health problems - (Don Baumis' sister)
Connie Whitlock - health problems -(Ralph Nicholson's sister)
Danielle Evans - cancer - (Evans' daughter-in-law)
Brooke Johnson - cancer - (friend of Sandy Leill)
Hank Morgan - heart problems - (Leslie Smyser's cousin)
Amy Baumis - recovering from an automobile accident at Don & Carolyn's
Nannie Tackett - health problems - (Kay Hardesty's friend)
Adam Scheide – cancer
Heather Justice - eye problems - (Sharlene Jacobs' daughter)
Tiffany Hardesty - health problems
Brown Street AA Groups
Latino Coalition
Terry VanLeare - health problems - (Vickie Hardesty's sister)
Angel Caplan - heart problems - (Leill's friend)
Jim & Charlene Eberle - health problems
Neva & Ron Wheeling - health problems - (Sharlene Jacobs' mother & brother)
Marilyn Hardesty - recovering from a stroke - (Kay's sister-in-law)
Melvin & Phyllis Davis - health problems - (Kay Hardesty's brother-in-law & sister-in-law)
Wendy Northrup - health problems - (Baumis' niece & Leap's granddaughter)
Ray & Helen DeHaai - health problems
Lynford & Carolyn Chaffee - health problems
Zach Gunneson - deployed to Iraq - (Harriett Lowe's grandson)
Art Conkright - health problems
Joyce Maddox - health problems
Pete Baumis - deployed to Iraq
Virginia Bishopp - health problems - (Mary Hardesty's mother)
Ralph & Barb Nicholson - health problems
Walter & Jane Schwartz - health problems
Floyd & Doris Timmons - health problems
Phyllis Phelps - health problems - (Kay Hardesty's friend)
Alene Kennedy - health problems - (Kay Hardesty's friend)
Nathan VanLeare - deployed overseas - (Tiffany Hardesty's cousin)
Les Kimbrell - health problems
D'Tarius Hale - health problems - (Farrell's friend)


HERITAGE
Chuck Beckner - recovering from hand surgery
Todd Gross - heart problems - (Gross' nephew)
Joan Gross - recovering from surgery- (Gross' sister-in-law)
Richard Stewart - recovering from heart surgery - (John & Charlotte Whiteman's friend)
Trickey - health problems - (Brooke Butram's friend)
Wilma Williams - health problems - Julie Lane's sister)
Terri Simms - health problems
Bonnie Smith - chemo treatments - (Charlotte Whiteman's friend)
Joe Parr - health problems - (Bill Parr's brother)
Vera Skinner - recovering from hip surgery & other health problems
Jean Marvin - chemo treatments
Vic Bolyard - health problems
Jim Gibson - health problems - (Marqueti Gross' brother)
John Etter - cancer - (Diann Hazelgrove's dad)
Chris Krueger - recovering from back surgery - (Monie's son)
Tom & Millie Delaney - health problems
Bruce Harmon - cancer - (Gross' friend)
Lyda Hilt - health problems

HERITAGE JUNE SERVICE COMMITTEE
Margaret Beckner       742-7411
Marge Kauffman        447-3725
Julia Lane                     474-2312

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!
Only God can make a Dad.  He does it each and every time He puts into the heart of a father a special warmth and gentleness.  Only God can make a Dad who shares his children's laughter, dries their tears, and always keeps on loving."