RAISING THE ROOF: No more leaks! The Trustees have completed their project of putting a new roof over our entire church building. The roof was installed by Williamson Roofing in early spring. Now, it is our responsibility to make sure this gets paid for. At this time, 17,733.77 has been raised. A balance of 5,667.23 is needed to finish the job.  Members are reminded that special projects such as this require extra giving above and beyond the usual monthly offering. Please, do what you can to help.

 

NEVA FARNSWORTH has sold her house in Fruitland, and will be moving to Boise this summer. She is an active worker in our church, having held several offices over the years, and taken on a number of other projects, which include the food pantry, “Adopt-a-Family” at Christmas, cookie-baking for Kairos, and the birthday card ministry. Of course, we’re going to miss her energy and willingness to contribute, but most of all, we’ll miss her beautiful smile and friendly conversation. We hope she’ll miss us, too, and visit often.  

 

MOTHER’S DAY SUNDAY:   In an especially thoughtful gesture, the Sunday School Children presented the ladies of our congregation with colorful bouquets of handmade flowers, which were very well-received.

OVER 80’S CELEBRATION: The annual Over 80’s Party, sponsored by Fruitland United Methodist Women, was held on May 16^th. This year, the guest list was expanded to include many guests who are not regular members of our congregation, and the F.M.T.C. Community Room was filled nearly to capacity. The honorees enjoyed a variety program by “The Housekeepers” (Leslie Ward, Ramona Lee, Jeanne Jennings, Leona Whitcomb, and Holly Hutchinson, and Iran Trenkel, accompanied by Jim Trenkel) and amazing refreshments provided by Freda and Ramona Lee and Friends. This year’s party was a memorable event for both Over- and Under-80’s!

 

YEAR-END CHOIR PERFORMANCE: The worship service on Pentecost Sunday was enhanced by our Fruitland U.M.C. Choir presenting a program of their favorite anthems. The choir will be off-duty for the summer, with rehearsals beginning again in September. Many thanks to choir director, Jim Essinger, and accompanist. J. Wilson, for their commitment to the choir and the wonderful job they do!  

 

FAREWELL TO EUN DAE SUK, T.V.C.C. STUDENT FROM KOREA: Our Church Family has become so accustomed to having EunDae with us each Sunday that it will feel strange without him! His warmth and willingness to help out will be greatly missed. EunDae graduated from T.V.C.C. in June, and is now on his way to Iowa state, where he will study to become a chiropractor. He was honored with a special ceremony of blessing during the worship service on June 6, and he will remain in our thoughts and prayers.

 

FATHER’S DAY/BAPTISMS: On Father’s Day, Rev. John Go and Rev. Letha Essinger presided over the baptism of four little people. We were fortunate to have Rev. Jorge Rodriguez assisting with the ceremony as a translator, and many supportive family members present. The platform was crowded! Welcomed into the family of God were:

            Nicholas David Juica, son of Gregorio and Colleen Juica

            Hayden Jeffery Cornett, son of Jeffery and Tamera Cornett

            Hunter Wade Cornett, son of Jeffery and Tamera Cornett

            Gloria Eun-Suh Go, daughter of Rev. John and Mia Go

 

FAMILY CAMP AT WALLOWA LAKE: Looking for a chance to relax and enjoy God’s creation? The Fruitland United Methodists will be at Wallowa Lake again this year, from Friday, August 13-Sunday, August 15. This is an all-age family camp. Everybody is welcome. Please contact Mr. George Strange for more information and for registration form needed to return by the end of July.

            For those of us not attending camp, the regular worship service at Fruitland United Methodist will be held on Sunday the 15^th, with guest pastor.

 

MISSIONARY GUESTS: On June 3, several of our church members were fortunate to meet two missionaries from the Oregon-Idaho Conference of the United Methodist Church: Kevin and Carol Seckel have recently returned from Germany, where they have served since 2007, coordinating the Language and Migrant Ministries for the United Methodist Church. 

            “Because of political changes over the last decade,” the Seckels informed their listeners, “Germany is now colorful.” The European union has made Europe a “melting pot.” Migrants come to Germany from all over the world, in search of a better life. Some are escaping oppression (poverty, political oppression, war). Some are seeking education. Some are there participating in the Guest Worker Program. Some come to join other family members or friends. 1 in 5 people in Germany have a migrant heritage.  

            The Seckels assist with outreach ministries of the German United Methodist Church, which is interested in opening its doors to Christians from a variety of cultural and language groups. The Methodist Church is also involved in helping members of those groups start new churches, offering services in migrant languages, and providing training for lay speakers and Sunday school teachers. The assortment of languages the Seckels come in contact with in Germany is surprising.  Services are currently being conducted in English, German, Russian, Ghanian, Farsi (Iranian), Vietnamese, Portuguese, French, and Figian. And language is not the only challenge. The couple described a question of culture they were recently asked to resolve in the Ghanian Christian Church: “Is a man with two wives allowed to take communion?”

            Carol and Kevin are celebrating their 40^th anniversary with children and grandchildren in the U.S. this summer, then will return to Germany for at least three years to continue their work. United Methodists are invited to support this work both with prayer and financial support. The advanced special offering for this program could be designated with their names or ‘German Mission’ in our worship time.

            Appreciation to Leona Whitcomb, who made contact with the Seckels and arranged the Thursday evening potluck and very informative program.