MESSENGER

JULY 2018

Canyon Lake United Methodist Church

206 Flintstone Dr.

Canyon Lake, TX 78133 830-899-7104

clumc@gvtc.com http://www.canyonlakeumc.org

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JULY 2018

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PORTERFIELD’S PASTORAL PONDERINGS

I have been reading ‘Remember The Future’ by our Bishop Robert Schnase. I have always found his writing

relevant and thought provoking. Remembering the Future is about the church and change. Our church and

all churches are in the midst of cultural shifts requiring greater and greater change on our part if we are to

be about God’s business in the future. I asked our Bishop for permission to share from his book, with you,

in our newsletter; and he gladly said yes. Join me in a season (6 -12 months) of prayer and discernment as

we seek to clarify God’s guidance.

Blessings

Mark

PRUNING FOR GROWTH

While teaching in a congregation, I recounted Scriptures about fruitfulness: vines, branches,

seedtime, harvest, soils, vineyards, trees, fruits. The Bible is replete with stories that highlight how God

expects us to use what we have received to make a positive difference in the world around us. Fruitfulness

points us toward the result, the impact, and the outcome of our work for God’s purposes and saves us from

merely congratulating ourselves on our efforts, our hard work, or our inputs. Fruitfulness reminds us to ask

ourselves, “Do our ministries really change lives and transform the world?”

While I was listing agricultural metaphors, someone shouted, “Don’t forget pruning!”

She was absolutely correct. Biblical images of branches and fruit are incomplete without pruning.

What do we do with ministries that have served their time and are no longer fruitful?

Peter Drucker urges us to practice Planned abandonment. Planned abandonment involves

intentionally closing down work that no longer contributes to the mission. The purpose of any nonprofit

organization is the changed life. A strategy of planned abandonment means we allow ministries that no

longer shape lives in significant ways to fade from view and cease to continue, even though these ministries

served the mission of the church fruitfully at an earlier time and deserve our respect and appreciation.

One of the most difficult tasks of leadership is deciding what not to do. As we start new initiatives,

are there also ministries we need to reduce or close down? How do we redirect staff time, volunteer energy,

and financial resources toward the ministries that most help us in the current context?

A layperson told me that in his business they teach four keys for strategic planning: more, better,

different, less. Their goal is to do more of what works well, to do better at what serves acceptably but that

can be improved, to do different by welcoming new ideas, and to do less of what is not working. If its’ not

bearing fruit, stop doing it.

3 CLUMC MESSENGER Porterfield’s Pastoral Ponderings Continued

JULY 2018

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Before you accuse me of sounding harsh, listen to these words of Jesus: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit” (John 15: 1-2 NSSRV). AS leaders of congregations, we make decisions every day that express implicit value and direction. Practicing planned abandonment involves learning to say No to the things that demand our time but that are not critical to our purpose so that we can say Yes to the things that are essential.

Congregationally, practicing planned abandonment means ending ministries that no longer bear fruit, are no longer sustainable, or that do not serve the present context. This is difficult to do. Congregations find it easier to start new ministries than to end unfruitful ones. Streamlining to focus on our most fruitful ministries leads many congregations to rethink their governance systems, eliminate unnecessary committees, reduce the size of leadership teams, and refocus energies on ministries rather than meetings.

In our annual conferences, reducing the size and complexity of our operations is even more difficult. Most of those making decisions have been the beneficiaries of the way things are. Sometimes we feel disloyal to mentors and those who modeled ministry for us when we stop doing things that they poured themselves into. Or suggesting change feels like criticism or judgment against those who have done ministry in the form we propose to change. And sometimes we feel guilty about ending something that many people still value.

But every system, approach, and strategy that no longer serves the present context actually replaced a previous system, approach, and strategy. Endings are as essential as beginnings. Endings are just harder than beginnings.

The Call to Action recommends that we streamline, unify, and align our work at all levels of the denomination from congregations to general agencies. Some view this as a threat to connectiionalism, and yet connectionalism existed as a distinctive quality of Methodism nearly 200 years before any general board ever existed. Connectionalism in early American Methodism involved a nationwide network of class leaders, circuit stewards, book stewards, exhorters, local preachers, circuit riders, and presiding elders. All of these sustained a way of life, formed the conditions for life-changing maturation in Christ. Our organizational systems were a means of cooperating with the Holy Spirit in our growth in grace and service to the world in Christ’s name. Nearly all those innovations, which served their times so effectively, have long since ceased to be. They were replaced by other ministries that served for a different era, until they ceased to be. Does anyone really think our current systems ought to function the same way 50 years from now as they do today? Even such immutable structures as the Council of Bishops and the Judicial Council came into being as recently as the 1930s. Like all organizational innovations, they had a time when they began, and they may have a time when they no longer serve the mission. (Please, don’t tell anyone I actually said that!)

During periods of discernment and decision, such as at annual conference or in strategy retreats for congregations, our church is like a ship in the dock. We have the opportunity to carefully unload some cargo. We have time to balance the load and plan for what we need for the next part of our voyage together. We can decide strategically what to take with us and what to leave behind. If we do not take this opportunity, then when we set sail and face stormy seas, we may find ourselves tossing crates overboard willy-nilly, with no priority or sense of balance. If we don’t unload some things now, we will likely unload them later in less favorable conditions. Practice planned abandonment.

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Week July 2

1 Samuel 19

1 Samuel 20

1 Samuel 21

1 Samuel 22

1 Samuel 23

Week July 9

1 Samuel 24

1 Samuel 25

1 Samuel 26

1 Samuel 27

1 Samuel 28

Week July 16

1 Samuel 29

1 Samuel 30

1 Samuel 31

Week July 23 2 Samuel 1 2 Samuel 2

2 Samuel 2:12

2 Samuel 3

2 Samuel 3:22

Week July 30

2 Samuel 4

2 Samuel 5

2 Samuel 6

2 Samuel 7

2 Samuel 8

Daily Scripture WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US!

CONTEMPORARY SERVICE

9:30am

CLUMC Fellowship Hall

Please click below to view June 24th Sunday Service

https://youtu.be/KEuFmDbEm0Q

SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR ALL AGES

9:30AM

TRADITIONAL WORSHIP SERVICE

10:50am

CLUMC Sanctuary

Please click below to view June 24th Sunday Service

https://youtu.be/CsBTbRG-n6k

5th Sunday Potluck

Sunday July 29th

12:00pm

Fellowship Hall

Everyone please come

and bring a potluck dish!

Enjoy the fellowship!

Come join the United Methodist Men

for breakfast Saturday, July 7th

8:00am, Fellowship Hall

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Sit & Be Fit Free Exercise Class

Stay active, get fit and make friends.

These classes are for seniors, but all

ages and levels are welcome.

Mondays, Wednesday, Fridays

9am, Assembly Room

Courage 2 Change

…Is a fellowship of

Men and Women who share Their experience, Strength and hope With each other,

That we may solve Our common problem,

And help others To recover from

Alcoholism. WHO: Anyone WHEN: Daily at 6:30 p.m. WHERE: Canyon Lake United Methodist Church In Welcome Center Upstairs CLUMC also offers a FREE MEAL to anyone Monday nights, 5-7 p.m. in Fellowship Hall.

CANYON LAKE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Canyon Lake, Texas 78133

In Mobile Home Estates

830-899-7104 www.canyonlakeumc.org

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Youth & Children’s Ministry Youth Mission Trips

Youth mission trips happened this past month with groups going to Dallas June 10-15th and Gonzales, Texas June 24-28th. Each team that went had an amazing week of service, fun, fellowship, and worship. The group who went to Dallas served with Project

Transformation where they help kids with reading skills as well as served in the afternoons at the North Texas Food Bank. The youth who went to Gonzales worked with U.M. Army where they served those in need in the city of Gonzales helping with house painting, yardwork, and light home repair. Please look for our recap video on the trips coming soon to worship services and on our website!

Youth Summer Bible Study

Youth Summer Bible Study starts this month! Youth going into 6th grade through 12th grade are invited to join us from 2-4pm for Blizzards and Bible Study. We’ll meet at Dairy Queen (8536 Fm Rd 2673, Canyon Lake, TX 78133) from 2-4pm and talk about

what’s going on in our lives and where God is at work with us. Bring your Bible, a friend, and money for ice cream!

Schlitterbahn Family Day

Saturday July 21st all families are invited to join us for some fun in the sun at Schlitterbahn! Cost is $15 per person unless you have a season pass already. Meet

at Schlitterbahn at 10am and we’ll hang out until around 5:00. All kids 3rd grade or younger must be accompanied by an adult. To sign up for this event, email Katherine Reed who all is going at: katherine.reed15@gmail.com. RSVP by July 14th!

Kids Day Camp

Gruene United Methodist Church will be hosting Adventure for the City the second week of July, July 9th - 13th. We have been invited to join for an AWESOME week of

camp! CLUMC will be shuttling kids from Canyon Lake to camp each morning, so parents please don't let the distance hold you back! See details for camp below. Scholarships are still available, money should not be a reason not to go! Contact : Katherine Reed for more information about scholarship (940-435-8446, katherine.reed15@gmail.com)

Campers: Entering 1st - 6th Grade Price: $220 per camper Dates/Times: Monday-Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm Check Out: www.campeagle.org/city for more information

Family Movie Night

Starting Sunday evenings in July we will host Family Movie Night in the Sanctuary at CLUMC. We will be

Screening the new Star Wars movies, starting with Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Rouge One: A Star Wars Story, and Star Wars: The Last Jedi July 1st. Join us in the sanctuary at 7:30 with the whole family!

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Let’s Celebrate!

MESSENGER NEWSLETTER

DEADLINE

FOR ARTICLES

July 17, 2018 for the August 2018 issue

Don’t Miss

The Deadline!

Mike and Judy Russell

Jerry Jay and Betty Smith

Jim and Carol Bisset

Darrin and Sue Brown

Wes and Shae Wiens

Happy Anniversary Blessings

Did we miss you?

Or did you spot a mistake?

Please contact the office.

From The Office If you would like to

volunteer please let the office know.

We need plenty of help in different areas.

There is always something to do at CLUMC.

There is a place for everyone!

Thank you to all our volunteers at CLUMC.

We appreciate you!

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FOOD WITH FRIENDS CANYON LAKE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

206 Flintstone Dr. Canyon Lake, TX 78133 (830) 899-7104

IN MOBILE HOME ESTATES

It is our hope to be in ministry to

the community where we live and

worship. This is an invitation to join

us as we prepare and share a warm

and healthy meal on a weekly basis.

NOW SERVING ON

MONDAYS

5 to 7 P.M.

in the fellowship hall at

Canyon Lake UMC

A free meal is

served to all who

wish to come.

“Lord, when did we see you

hungry and not feed you?” and

he answered, “When you have

done it for the least of these

brothers and sisters of mine,

you have done it for me”

Matthew 25:40

It’s difficult to be available for God

if your stomach is growling. What a

joy it is to be part of this ministry

that helps care for our hunger. It is

my hope that our hunger for things

of God will grow as wonderfully as

“Food with Friends.”.

Mark Porterfield,

A safe place to eat and sit down with

others in food and fellowship.

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METHODIST PRE-SCHOOL NEWS

The 2017-18 school year ended the last week of May and our Methodist Pre-School (MPS) finished on a high note with 34 students as well as 26 students registered for the Fall. Director Kendra Murphy set a goal of starting the 2018 school year with 30 students which by current numbers sounds achievable. We are blessed to have a dedicated staff (director, teachers and aides) who love children and work hard every day not just to meet the needs of the preschoolers but to give them the best experience possible during the hours they are with them. Because of that fact, our MPS has a very good reputation in the community, which, in turn will cause their numbers to increase. And as you might guess, increased numbers means increased needs. (such as a changing table for the infants and a triple stroller for the toddlers in addition to funds available for scholarships).

In January of this year the MPS Board of Trustees discussed sponsoring fund raising events for the purpose of supporting the pre-school in their efforts to grow and continue to offer excellent child care and pre-school education to its students. As you may already know, we held our first fund raiser, a “Spring Goody Sale”, in April, in front of Ace Hardware. Thanks to the many generous “bakers” in our congregation, it was a great success and we hope to make it an annual event. We’ve just begun planning another fund raiser for the Fall. It will be a “Fall Market Day”, held the first Saturday in November (11-3-18), where crafters, artists, bakers and anyone who wishes to, can rent a table to sell their handmade wares. We already have a couple of items that have been donated to be sold for the cause.

We’ll be putting out more information in the coming months as we fine tune our plans. In the mean- time, if you are interested in participating in our first annual “Fall Market Day” (11-3-18), please talk with: Nancy Ellis, Kathy Sonnenberg, Kendra Murphy, or Betty Smith (Planning Committee)

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JULY 2018 S U N M O N T U E W E D T H U F R I S A T

1 2 3 4

Independence

Day

5

Worship

Committee

Meeting,

7pm, Rm 4

6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26

Finance

Meeting,

7pm, AR

Alzheimer’s

Support

Group,

10:30am,

WC

27 28

29

5th Sunday

Pot Luck,

12pm, FH

30 31

Every Sunday: Contemporary Worship Service, 9:30am, FH Youth Sunday School, 9:30am, FH Adult Sunday School, 9:30am: Good News, Rm 4 / Men & Women of Faith, AR Children’s Sunday School: 9:30am, Rm 7 Choir Rehearsal, 10:10am, CR Traditional Worship Service, 10:50am, S

Every Monday: Methodist Pre-school, 8:30am-2:15pm, D “Sit and Be Fit” Exercise Class, 9am, AR “Get Moving!!!” Exercise Class, 10am, AR Food with Friends, 5pm, FH Courage 2 Change, AA Group, 6:30pm, WC

Every Tuesday: Methodist Pre-school, 8:30am-2:15pm, D Courage 2 Change, AA Group, 6:30pm, WC

Every Wednesday: Methodist Pre-school, Every 8:30am-2:15pm, D “Sit and Be Fit” Exercise Class, 9am, AR Handbells Rehersal, 6pm, CR Choir Rehearsal, 7pm, CR Line Dancing, 2pm, FH Courage 2 Change, AA Group, 6:30pm, WC

Every Thursday: Methodist Pre-school, Every 8:30am-2:15pm, D Praise Band Re-hearsal, 5:30pm, S Courage 2 Change, AA Group, 6:30pm, WC

Every Friday Methodist Pre-school, 8:30am-2:15pm, D Sit and Be Fit” Exercise Class, 9am, AR Courage 2 Change, AA Group, 6:30pm, WC

Location Abbreviations: U - Upstairs: AR – Assembly Room CR – Choir Room S – Sanctuary WC – Welcome Center Rooms 2, 4 & 6 D – Downstairs: FH – Fellowship Hall YB – Youth Building Rooms 1, 3, 5 & 7