THE CIRCUIT RIDER
October 2005 - Page 3

EDUCATION

WEDNESDAY NIGHTS
Bedtime Bible Stories meets Wednesdays from 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm and invites all children ages 3 through Kindergarten to come for a snack and story.

Elementary MYF meets Wednesdays from 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm and is open to 1st - 5th graders.

Jr. High MYF meets Wednesdays from 6:30 - 8:00 pm for a meal and activity.

Confirmation meets every other Wednesday from 6:30 - 8:00 pm for a meal and lesson.

Sr. High MYF meets Wednesdays from 6:30 - 8:00 pm fpr a meal and activity.

MEALS NEEDED
Again this year, the youth fellowship groups have supper before their lesson on Wednesday evenings. This has proven to be a great fellowship time for the kids and has increased our attendance! This year BOTH the Jr. and Sr. High groups are looking for volunteers to provide meals on a weekly basis. We need your help! If anyone, individual or group, is interested in signing up for a Wednesday meal, please call Suzy Larson Christensen or Mary Lemon in the church office.

HELP WANTED
Help Wanted: Energetic person who loves children to teach the Pre-K/Kindergarten Sunday School class during half of the Winter Quarter: January 22 through February 26.

Help Wanted: Jr. High Sunday School teachers for the Winter Quarter: December - February.

Help Wanted: Leader needed for a willing group of volunteers to plan and organize the Children's Christmas Program using familiar Christmas carols and Bible stories.

If YOU can help out in any of the above areas, please contact Mary in the church office, 755-5172 or email her at fumch@harlannet.com.

FRIENDSHIP FIRST
This month we're beginning the 13 week Friendship First experience for adults on Sunday mornings at 9:15 am.  Don't miss your chance to gain a deeper understanding of others, create new friendships, and grow in your friendship with Jesus! Call the office to sign up or email us at fumch@harlannet.com.

A WORD FROM THE BISHOP...
August 29th was a difficult day for the saints in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, as they were hit by Hurricane Katrina's destructive path. For now we all can't be physically present with those in the greatest need, but we can be united with them in spirit in our prayers...for those who have lost so much, as well as those who have been on duty providing emergency services and support.

Your contribution to help those affected by Hurricane Katrina will be utilized through UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief. In September, $2,645 was received to be sent to UMCOR. UMCOR also reports that so far: UM congregations throughout Iowa have filled 17 tractor trailers with Health Kits, Flood Buckets, and other emergency items to be distributed!

INGATHERING
Thanksgiving Ingathering is Saturday, November 5, in Greenfield. Begun in 1980, Thanksgiving Ingathering is a statewide United Methodist project to help alleviate world hunger. It is a vital, growing expression of God's love for his people. Ingathering supports five organizations fighting world hunger: The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), Church World Service, Iowa-Nigeria Partnership, Self-Help International, and Heifer International.

Our congregation assembles UMCOR kits for Ingathering, but other items may be donated, such as Iowa-Nigeria Partnership kits, bazaar items (baked goods, crafts, woodcrafts), quilts, or cash. Call the office for information on the various kits.

PHONE VOLUNTEERS
Call the church office if you could be a phone volunteer mid-November to mid-December when our secretary will be on maternity leave. Shifts will be from 9:30 am - noon, and 1:00 - 3:00 pm. Volunteers will answer the telephone and greet any person that may stop in the office. Please consider this and give Anne a call in the office if you can volunteer your time.