Parish Nurse News:  
by Andrea Romeiser

Well, we had our bags packed and were well on our way, but I believe we are stuck somewhere in Missouri.  In case you have forgotten, we are traveling to the Holy Land, which is 6779 miles away.  This will takes us to Jerusalem, the birth town of Jesus.  Remember anyone who exercises, keep track of your miles.  Even if you only walk 1/4 mile a day, it still adds up by the end of the month.  So gather your friends, go walking, running or jogging, and let us see if we can make it close to the east coast.  Maybe even you Sunday school class could go for a walk.  We are all invited to go for a walk with our youth on April 27.  They will be meeting Sunday, April 27 at 4:30pm at LaCrosse UMC and will be walking to Bison.  Please come and join us!!!  The total miles for February are 323.6, for a grand total of 857 miles.  

Remember, the Wellness Center is open Wed. evenings from 6-7pm.  All kinds of exercise equipment and weights are available.  There is no charge to parish members.  The use of the equipment was granted by our local hospital.  Please feel welcome to come and check us out.  I will be attending the second annual Health Ministry Renewal Conference for Kansas United Methodist on April 11-12 in Rock Springs.  Anyone who wishes to help initiate new health and wellness ministries in our parish is invited to attend.  The cost is a $25.00 and there are CEU's available for nurses.  If interested, please contact me at home, 785-356-2203. 

Are you ready for the summer sun?  you can see if our skin is staying healthy by attending a FREE Skin Cancer Screening on Saturday, April 26 from 9:00am to 12:00 noon.  This will be held at the LaCrosse UMC and no appointment is necessary.  Stacy Stramel, RAMP, will be doing the examinations.  Remember the weather is getting nicer, wear the necessary protective clothing and sunscreen when outside in the sun and even when it's cloudy.  Be sure to come and take advantage of this free service.  The program is sponsored by the Rush County UMC Health Ministries Parish Nursing Program.

The Rush County UM Health Ministries Parish Nursing Program has received some grant funds that are available through the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund.  Here is some information to help explain where these funds come from.  The UMHMF is a statewide grant maker dedicated to health, healing, and wholeness.   The KS. West Conference endowed the fund in 1986 with a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Wesley Medical Center in Wichita to continue the health care mission of the Church.  With assets of approximately $50 million, the UMHMF awards grants totaling $2-3 million each year to advance the mission of health in Kansas through the commitment and dedication of a variety of non-profit organizations.  Congregational health ministry has been a focus area of the fund since 1998 and continues to be a special interest.  this is how our Parish Nursing Program has gotten started.

I will let you know more about our grant and what we have received, and still need in the next couple of months.  God Bless and keep up the exercising!

(April 2003)

Parish Invited to Myers Chapel

Reverend Loyse Clay and the congregation of the Myers Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Great Bend invited the Parish to worship at their church on Sunday afternoon, October 6, 2002. Food was served at 3:00pm and worship was at 4:00pm.  Pastor Kathy Bannister was the preacher and the Otis United Methodist Church Women's Choir prepared some special music.  Myers Chapel is in Great Bend, Kansas.

Seeking Something Better

Stewardship and the Quest for Spiritual Renewal

  On Sunday, February 17, 2002 we began the journey together.  For four weeks all members and those attending the LaCrosse UMC were invited to take part in a special at-home study for spiritual renewal.  The daily study materials lifted up scripture passages and devotions to helped us to consider our relationship with God and the church and the calling to be good stewards of all that God has entrusted to us.  Each week or worship services reflected on some of the themes found in the study materials.  We will also had opportunities for small group discussion on Sunday for those wishing to participate.  The study ended with a special Covenant Sunday on March 17 and the making of renewed stewardship commitments.

Children in Mission

Children across the Parish responded to the call to contribute $1 each to the special Red Cross fund for children in Afghanistan, as proposed by President George Bush.  they will be collecting fund from now until Sunday, November 18 (the Sunday before Thanksgiving).

The Sunday School in McCracken challenged everyone in the Parish (not just the children) to contribute $1 for each child they have.  Donations were given to a Sunday School teacher or a child in Sunday School.  Each church in the Parish will sent their own donation.

The situation in Afghanistan and in refugee camps in Pakistan is abysmal and calls for us to share the compassion of Christ.

Thanksgiving "Giving"

Each year the Rush County Ministerial Alliance and the Rush County Food Bank provides Food Baskets for families in need at Thanksgiving.  monetary donations for this project are welcome (and accepted by your pastors) as are donations of "pumpkin pie kits."  To make a kit, place the following items in a bag:

1 box pie shell mix
1 15 oz. can of pumpkin
1 12 oz. can of evaporated milk
1 plastic bag containing "sugar and spice":
     3/4 cup sugar
     1/2 teaspoon salt
     1 teaspoon cinnamon
     1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
     1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Bring your completed "kit" to church for collection by November 14.  Thank you for bringing a smile and a special treat to a family in need.

the pledge of allegiance
                                                                                              As told by Red Skelton, Jan 14, 1969

I...Me, an individual, a committee of one
pledge...dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self-pity
allegiance...my love and my devotion
to the flag...our standard, Old Glory, symbol of freedom, wherever she waves,
There is respect because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts freedom is everybody's job.
of the united...that means that we have all come together.
states...individual communities that have united into *48 great states.
48 individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose, all divided with
imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that's love for country.
of america
and to the republic...a state in which sovereign power is invested in a representative chosen by
the people to govern.  And government is the people and it's from the people to the leaders.
Not from the leaders to the people.
for which it stands
one nation...meaning, so blessed by God**
Indivisible...incapable of being divided.
with liberty...which is freedom and the right of power to live one's own life without threats
or fear of some sort of retaliation.
and justice...the principle of quality of dealing fairly with others.
for all...which means, "it's as much your country as it is mine."

*************************************
*As told to Mr. Skelton by his teacher when he was a small boy.  At that time there were only 48 states, 
since, two states have been added and two words added, Under God.**

"Wouldn't it be a pity of someone said, "that's a prayer" and that would be eliminated from schools too?"
                                                                                                                                                     ....Red Skelton

Disaster Relief in Hoisington

TO: Parishioners wanting to volunteer
FROM:  Pastor Kathy

April 29, 2001

Many persons have already been working hard in Hoisington trying to help the community in the face of the devastating tornado.  The Kansas West Conference Disaster Relief fund is accepting donations for Hoisington.  If you would like to make a donation, write a check to your church and give it to your church treasurer who will forward it to the Fund.  The Conference also has relief personnel coordinating workers.  I have been in contact with the director and offered our services as a Parish.  We may be contacted later in the week (or down the road) as more workers are needed and the next round of needs are assessed.  If  you would be available to work on a Parish team, please let me know, or if you would like to volunteer as an individual, call 620-653-4029 for information.  The UMC is also collecting toiletry and baby items for distribution.

I know we are all keeping the residents and in many cases family members in our prayers.  May we all hold fast to our resurrection faith in this difficult time.

Food Pantry Needs

Needed Items: Canned Fruit, Jell-O, Cereals, Tomato Soup, Canned Peas and Green Beans, Pastas, and Peanut Butter, Rice, Crackers, and Dry Cereals.

Other Items that can be used: Toilet Paper, Kleenex, and other similar household items, and toiletries such as Toothpaste, Lotion, and Soap.

When donating food items, please make sure they are not outdated, opened, or partially used. If they are - those items must be destroyed.

The Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

To be understood as to understand;

To be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive; 

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

It is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.  Amen.

What if God used Voice Mail?

"I'm sorry, all of our angels are busy helping other saints right now.  However your prayer is important to us and will be answered in order it was received, so please stay on the line."

If you would like to speak to:

* Gabriel - Press 1

* Michael - Press 2

* For a directory of other angels - Press 3

* If you'd like to hear King David sing a psalm while you are holding - Please Press 4

* To find out if a loved one has been assigned to Heaven - Press 5, enter his or her social security number, then press the pound key  (IF you get a negative response, try area code 666.)

* For reservations at "My Father's House," please enter J-O-H-N, followed by 3-1-6

* For answers to nagging questions about dinosaurs, the age of the earth and where Noah's Ark is, please wait until you arrive here.

* Our computers show that you have already prayed once today.  Please hang up and try again tomorrow so that others may have a chance to get through

* This office is closed for the weekend to observe a religious holiday.

* Please pray again Monday after 9:30 am.  If you need emergency assistance when this office is closed contact your local pastor.

Thank God (today) that He doesn't have voice mail and that He listens whenever we pray and that will never change!

Several years ago we took pictures for a new directory that includes all the churches of the Parish.  Each Church has its own section - activity pages, family pictures, and roster - but all four will be in the book.  Now you will be able to look up that person you saw at a Parish even whose name you just can't remember.  Many of us aren't real crazy about having our picture made, but picture directories are a great way to capture the history of a congregation as well as help new parishioners and pastors to get acquainted.  So get ready to sign up and smile!

Olan Mills took pictures in all four churches - dates are included in each individual church page.  You will be able to view and choose your picture the same time you have it taken.  Each family/ single photographed receives a free 8x10, and, of course, you can purchase additional photographs if you wish.