The Maple Leaf

The Maple Leaf -- December 2002

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(Click on Pictures to Make Them Larger)

	*They're Back* Maple Street’s "Joyful Voices," under the direction of Molly Hinkle, are back for another season of exciting singing,. The Christmas Program will be held at 6:30 p.m. on December 15, with a Birthday Party for Jesus following the program. You will want to make certain you don’t miss this wonderful program.
Christmas Offers Special Chances To Praise, Worship It’s a unique spirit that makes Christmas a time for special opportunities of praise and worship. It will be a wonderful — though busy — time at Maple Street. Of course, we will observe the Advent Season each week with the Lighting of the Advent Candle, but mixed among the many class parties, there is a long shopping list of ways to worship Jesus. ON WEDNESDAY a special Christmas study is planned for Adult Bible Study at 7 p.m. Dec. 4 — The Angels of Christmas, Dec. 11 — The Shepherds of Christmas and Dec. 18 — The Wisemen of Christmas. DECEMBER 15 the "Joyful Voices’ Annual Christmas Program" will be presented. It is directed by Molly Hinkle, who is assisted by Danielle McBroom and Hillary Hopkins. The program will be at 6:30 and a Birthday Party for Jesus follows. CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP — a favorite service of many people — will be held at 7 p.m. on Dec. 24th. NEW YEAR’S EVE a special gathering will be from 8 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. Among activities is a service of Prayer and Holy Communion at midnight.
	Something to Flip About Bill McBroom is head flipper of the flap-jacks, while Mike Williams guards the sausage at the November 16 Pancake & Sausage Breakfast. Early-bird Dick Gunder (can you believe he had people working at 5 a.m.) headed up the project and did a fantabulous job. After all bills were paid, $915.97 was left, earmarked for the carpet part of our three-phase remodeling project. Thanks, Dick, and all those who helped make it a tremendous project. When’s the next one? And, don’t forget , we have a fish fry on January 4th.
Two Events December 7: Leader Training, Bazaar Leadership for 2003 was elected at the Nov. 4 Church Conference, and on December 7 a "Year-Ahead Planning Retreat" will be held at the church beginning at 8 a.m. It is important that all chairpersons attend, and as many of their ministry team members as possible. We will discuss the differences and areas where ministry tasks overlap, and work to develop common ministry goals for the coming year. Team leadership is listed elsewhere in this newsletter. Also, the Mission Team will hold a Holiday Bazaar 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. See Page 3.
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‘Joy to the World’ and We’ve Helped
I was thinking the other day about the various things we do at this time of the year. And that old Christmas carol "Joy to the World" kept going through my mind.

Because Jesus was born and was our savior, there is a joy that would not have been possible otherwise. Then I realized something that was kinda neat.

The people at Maple Street have had a hand in bringing about this "Joy to the World."

We have done it in many ways, through our services, programs, ministries and missions. Another way is through what we have given financially.

Treasurer Carolyn Starner told me that we begin December owing only $5,815 on our Apportionments — you know, those dollars we send to West Ohio Conference to help share the church’s work in the denomination. I say we "only owe" $5,815 because at this time last year we owed about three times that much — and we made it then, and I am confident we will make it now.

We have talked a lot about paying our Apportionments 100 per cent. Let’s face it — the conference is counting on us to underwrite their programs. But, as I thought about this "Joy to the World" I realized that paying 100 per cent isn’t the real objective at all. Oh, it helps us feel good about ourselves, but that’s not it — really.

The reason I want to pay our fair share is that it means we will be a source of joy to others — hungry people will be fed, naked people clothed, sick people get medicine, lonely people visited and things like that.

I rejoice in the fact that we are much better off than we were last year and feel gratified that we, as a giving congregation, have made progress. Together, we have reviewed our life’s priorities and made choices that have resulted in coming closer to meeting the financial needs of our church. But the reality is that we still are not there yet.

We have made substantial spiritual commitments in our ministry. We have committed to promote youth programs, provide meals to people in need, we reach out to help missionaries and children in foreign countries, and we minister to our neighbors in the community. Unfortunately, all that we want to do comes at a cost. As we open our hearts and, in the name of Christ, work towards the goals we have set, we also need to share what God has given us. We are God’s church, and we all need to support our ministry by giving of our time, our talents, and our resources.

Thank you for your support. We do need your help to finish this year, and answer the call in 2003.

— Mitch Nusser, chair Finance Ministry Team

Apportionments

Conference

Owed $23,455

Paid $13,440

Balance $10,015

District

Owed $ 3,617

Paid $ 3,617

Balance $ 0

Pierce Street

Owed $ 561

Paid $ 561

Balance $ 0

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Operating	Begin 2002	$ 1,082.97
Budget	Receipts	$133,342.90
	Expenses	$138,232.28
	End October	$ - 3,806.41

Capital	Begin 2002	$ 571.64
Improvement	Receipts	$ 4,065.17
Budget	Expenses	$ 3,488.48
	End October	$ 1,148.33

General Fund	Begin 2002	$10,844.47
Endowment	Receipts	$ 20.00
	Operating borrowed	$ 5,560.00
	Interest on savings	$ 95.50
	Interest from Operating	$ 11.54
	Principle Pd.	$ 1,000.00
	End October	$ 6,411.51

Attendance (am service only) October
2001	Worship	2002
164	1	158
174	2	157
158	3	172
155	4	145
	5
651	Total	632
163	Average	158

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	Church Sees, Tastes Missions
Jim Hofstetter (above) tells youngsters of ICC; at top right part of 70 people who experienced Haitian meal On November 17 Jim Hofstetter of International Child Care spoke at the worship Service. He told about Grace Children’s Hospital in Haiti. He expressed his appreciation for all the help Maple Street has given to International Child Care over the last 3 years. Following the service an Haitian meal was served by the Missions Team to approximately 70 people. Donations received at the meal were $398.85. These funds will go toward funding a Mission trip to Haiti next year.
	On November 20 Dr. Lester Dornan, United Methodist Missionary to Nepal, gave a slide presentation and spoke about his work in the city of Tansen. He expressed his appreciation for the support given to him by Maple Street over the last year and presented the church a cross stitched map of Nepal that was made by women in Tansen. Around 35 people attended the service and the carry-in meal that preceded it. Dr. Dornan with children (left); talks to group (above right)
United Methodist Children’s Home At its meeting in November the Missions Team voted to send $100 to The United Methodist Children’s Home in Worthington. This money is to be used to help purchase Christmas gifts for the children staying there. The Team also voted to sponsor the Pumpkin Picking Project again next year. International Holiday Craft Bazaar The Mission Team will have an International Holiday Craft Bazaar on December 7 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Tables are available @ $20. Anyone interested in reserving a table can contact Ariana Whaley at 687-1041. The Missions Team is also requesting Craft items and Baked Goods for the Sale. Anyone with items to donate, please contact Janet Meadows at 215-8225. All proceeds from the Bazaar will go towards the mission trip to Haiti planned for next year. 2 Cents a Meal The next 2 Cents a Meal Offering will be received on December 22. One-half of this offering goes to our Wednesday Community Kitchen and the other half goes to our Conference Hunger Projects. Thank You The Missions Team extends a special "Thanks" to Bruce and Ramona Frank, Ellen Hart and Marion Sherwood for helping with the carry-in dinner on November 20. — Janet Meadows, Missions Team Chairperson Top of Page

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2003 Budgets OK’d; Fund-Raisers Must Get Council Approval

Maple Street UM Church Administrative Council

November 19, 2002

Present: Bill Baughman, Bob Boyer, Sr., Betty Buckalew, Erston Buckalew, Duane Bussart, Chuck Haley, Judy Haley, Marianne Jackson, Norma Lytle, Bill McBroom, Janet Meadows, Pastor Meadows, Sue Mendell, Mitch Nusser, Helen Parcels, and Carolyn Starner.

Pastor opened the meeting with prayer and devotions. The minutes of the previous month’s meeting and the Treasure’s Report were approved.

Finance - Mitch Nusser made a motion to approve the 2003 Operating ($190,545) and Capital Improvement ($3,700) Budgets as presented to the Ad Council. Chuck Haley seconded. Carried.

Missions - Janet Meadows reported the following: 1) Four people from Maple Street participated in this year’s Crop Walk. More than $200 was raised. 2) We had a successful Missions Sunday with Jim Hofstetter of International Child Care. We collected $398.85 at the Haitian meal. This will apply toward the Haiti mission trip. 3) This year, instead of collecting stocking stuffers from the congregation for the United Methodist Home in Worthington, we have sent $100 to the home for this project. 4) Missions will not be having a shirt sale. 5) The Craft Bazaar will be on December 7^th from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. The Missions team will have a craft table, baked goods table and will be serving food throughout the day. 6) The Missions team will be sponsoring the pumpkin picking again next year for Dave Ward. He has promised $2,000 next year. 7) Dr. Lester Dornan, Missionary to Nepal, is our special guest speaker this Wednesday. We will have a carry-in dinner at 6:00 pm and Dr. Dornan will speak at 7:00 pm. 8) Janet Meadows made a motion to allow the Missions team to sponsor a Soup-er Bowl during the Fellowship Hour on Super Bowl Sunday in January. Judy Haley seconded. Carried.

Worship - Erston and Betty Buckalew will co-chair Worship in 2003. They are planning a special service every other month.

Bill McBroom reported the Decorating Committee will be handling a Shirt Sale..

Norma Lytle made a motion that in future, all fund-raisers are to be approved by Ad Council. Mitch Nusser seconded. Carried.

Membership - Bill Baughman reported: 1) Committee is working on a crisis program (call church office, Pastor and Ad Council chair), 2) 35 to 40% of our people are signed up for the new pictorial directory. Members not signed up by mid-December will be contacted by phone. Bill is to let the scouts know about pictures. Bill suggested that the process of removal of memberships be started for some of the members already contacted. On-going stewardship of the membership roll was discussed. The pastor will place a short article in the January Maple Leaf outlining the proper procedures for addressing problems and meeting needs.

Trustees - Sue Mendell reported the following: 1) Trustees wish to form a Clean-Up Committee to clean and straighten after major functions. 2) Boiler System - Mike Vawter of Stellar Industries reported to Trustees that our boiler system has a lifespan of 40-50 years, and it is already 50+ years. We may be needing a new boiler system in the near future. Mike emphasized that while a new boiler plus upgrading the system is costly, it could be done over a period of years in phases. Trustees asked Mike to give the church a quote on doing Phase 1". Phase 1, which focuses primarily on safety and comfort issues, includes cleaning-up the wiring in the boiler room, testing and evaluating the water, purchasing an annual chemical treatment plan, purchasing a used chemical feed pump, and looking at the radiators and steam traps to see if they need cleaned or replaced. Other quotes will also be obtained.

Parade Banner - Helen Parcels requested she be permitted to include within the Maple Street Clown Ministry parade unit a banner referring to "temperance". After lengthy discussion, the motion was rejected.

Meeting adjourned. — Carolyn Starner, secretary pro tem

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Maple Street

Begin February 9th, 2003

Nine Class Sessions, Field Trips Are Planned

A Confirmation Class will begin February 9 at 5 p.m. at the church, Pastor Don has announced. Participants should be 12 years old as of January 1, or in the Sixth Grade or above in school, but under 17 years old.

An orientation meeting, including parents and students, will be held on Feb. 9 at 5 p.m. At this time study material will be distributed and explained.

All sessions at the church will begin promptly at 5 p.m. and conclude at 6:15. It is expected that every student will attend all sessions, except when there is a sickness or family emergency. Confirmation Class MUST BE GIVEN PRIORITY, or it is a very strong sign that the participant isn’t ready for examining this commitment that is eternal in its implications.

There will be at least one field trip — to a Jewish synagogue. This will be held on a Friday or a Saturday, date to be announced. Families are welcome to participate in this event.

Registrations forms are available in the Narthex, or see Pastor Don.

Course

Schedule

I. February 9 -- 5 pm

God—Who is He?

II. February 16 -- 5 pm

Why the Good News?

III. February 23 — 5 pm

The Sacraments

IV. April 2 — 5 pm

My Witness

V. April 9 — 5 pm

United Methodists I

Our Heritage

VI. April 16 — 5 pm

United Methodists II

Our Beliefs

VII. April 23 — 5 pm

Others About Us

VIII. April 30 — 5 pm

Membership Matters

IX. April 6 — 5 pm

Decisions, Decisions!

X. April 20 — Easter

Confirmation Sunday

Click to Make Bigger

Holiday Parade and Wednesday Meal Day Before Thanksgiving at Maple Street

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Calendar for December 2002

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
1 Heavenly Chimes 11:30 UMYF 11:30 Praise Ser.6:30 Communion	2	3 Finance 7:00	4 CK 12:00 noon SpiritWed. Meal 6:00 CK Crew - meal Renovation Team 6:30 Spirit Sprouts & Voyagers 6:30 Explorers & Adult Bible Studies 6:45 - "The Angels of Christmas" Joyful Voices 7:30 Stanbery Gym 9:00 - 10:30 pm	5 Karate Class 6:00 - 7:30 Bells of Praise 6:30 pm Chancel Choir 7:30 pm	6 Foundation Dinner 3:30 pm	7 Leadership Training Day 8 -- 11 International Craft Show 9:00 - 3:00 New Beginnings Class Christmas Party 5:00
8 Men’s Prayer Breakfast 8:00 Heavenly Chimes 11:30 UMYF to Lanfair 1:30 Praise Ser.6:30	9 Esther Circle 1:00 pm	10 Education 6:30 Membership 7:00 Missions at parsonage 7:00 Boy Scouts 7:00	11 CK 12:00 noon SpiritWed. Meal 6:00 New Beginnings-meal Spirit Sprouts & Voyagers 6:30 Explorers & Adult Bible Studies 6:45 - "The Shepherds of Christmas" Joyful Voices 7:30 Stanbery Gym 9:00 - 10:30 pm	12 Karate Class 6:00 - 7:30 Bells of Praise 6:30 pm Chancel Choir 7:30 pm BSA Committee Meeting 7:30pm	13 Christian Home-builders Class Christmas Party 5:30	14
15 Heavenly Chimes 11:30 UMYF 11:30 Joyful Voices Christmas Program 6:30 — Birthday Party for Jesus after program	16 Trustees at parsonage 6:00 pm	17 Administrative Council 7:00 Boy Scouts 7:00	18 CK 12:00 noon SpiritWed. Meal 6:00 Maple Leaf Class-meal Spirit Sprouts & Voyagers 6:30 Explorers & Adult Bible Studies 6:45 - "The Wisemen of Christmas" Joyful Voices 7:30 Stanbery Gym 9:00 - 10:30 pm	19 Karate Class 6:00 - 7:30 Bells of Praise 6:30 pm Chancel Choir 7:30 pm	20 Maple Leaf Material Due	21
22 2 Cents-a-Meal Heavenly Chimes 11:30 UMYF 11:30 Carriage Court 2:00 Praise Ser.6:30	23	24 Christmas Eve Service 7:00 pm	25 CHRISTMAS	26 Karate Class 6:00 - 7:30	27	28
29 Heavenly Chimes 11:30 UMYF 11:30 Praise Ser.6:30	30	31 New Year’s Eve Watch Night 8:00 -12:30 am *Communion at 11:30 pm*	Altar Flowers 1 - Bussart 8 - Snider (R & H) 15 - Poling 22 - Strawn, Hinkle 29 - Seifert (Dave) Top of Page		Fellowship Time 1 - CK Crew 8 - UM Men 15 - SOS Class 22 - New Beginnings 29 - Janet & Judy Spirit Wed. Meal 4 - CK Crew 11 - New Beginnings 18 - Maple Leaf 25 - Christmas

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It Was A Happy Morning!

If you weren’t at the Pancake & Sausage breakfast November 16, we want to rub it in. You missed a lot . . . the Zaker Twins (at left), daughters of Chris and Patricia and granddaughters of Chuck and Judy Haley; and you missed the daughter and granddaughters of Jerry Grimm (at top right). Oh, yes! The pancakes were delicious, as seems obvious by the picture of Ruth Boyer (at right). Really, it was a grand morning and thanks to all who helped. See additional picture on Page 1)

Maple Street

Shirt Sale

Blue shirts, with an embroidery emblem of a Maple Leaf, the Cross and Flame and the church’s name, are being sold to help pay for new carpeting.

Prices are:

T-Shirts:

children $14.95

adults $16.95

Polo short sleeve: $21.95

Sweat Shirt: $31.95

Orders placed before Dec. 9 will be here for Christmas. Call Robin McBroom at 654-3365

THANK YOU

Many thanks to Janet Meadows for helping assemble the November Maple Leaf. - Carolyn

FRIENDS AT MAPLE STREET, Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers. They were very comforting and much appreciated Thank you also to Pastor Don for your words of encouragement and visits. I truly appreciate everything you do. God Bless, - Kathi Boyer

DEAR FRIENDS OF MAPLE STREET, We want to say thank you for all the cards, phone calls, visit, prayers, pastor visits, food donations, monitory gifts and support during this past year to our family. We have had a birth (set of twins), and operations on Donald and Virginia several times. We appreciate all who have given so much time to help in different areas. Some have given unselfish love and concerns to us. We are so thankful to all. God Bless you each one. - Donald & Virginia Johnson and Quinette Householder and family

Who is He?

Look closely, and you’ll see Tell-tale signs plain as can be. The smile is still there, But the curls long gone. . . And, often we hear him in song.

Think you know, maybe guess Who he is? Or just confess You haven’t any idea? But if by chance you really do Call him up and say

"I KNOW YOU!"

Hey, Buddy! Can You Spare an Hour?

They aren’t asking much . . . just an hour. . .Do you have one to spare in our schools to help first graders be better readers, spellers, mathematicians?

Some students need one-to-one help in these areas. If you can give some time (one hour a week, a whole morning a week, or several times a week) please call Dalelene Stafford at (740) 569-0154.

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Page 8

December 2002 Birthdays

*80 or older

December 2002 Anniversaries

* 50 years or more

2 Parry Norris

3 Emma Schneider

3 Tami Lee

3 Amber Newman

4 Kathi Boyer

4 Kathi Fosnaugh

4 Judy Norris

4 Dalton Reid

7 Roy Bankes

7 Iva Snider

9 Duane Bussart

12 Jean Blosser

12 Harold Miller

12 Stacy Sherwood

13 Robert Wing

14 Bob Ankrom

14 Judy McGath

16 Bill Baughman

16 Tim Sedlock

17 Jesse Lewis

18 Leigh Hinkle

19 Alvin Keller *

19 Gladys Jones

19 Nicholas Smith

20 Lawrence Lax

20 Ryan Snider

21 Bob A. Boyer

21 Lauren Craiglow

21 Mamie Harvey *

21 Alice Herndon *

21 Chazz Miller

25 Jeff Huston

27 Devin Johnson

29 Freeman Poling *

30 Carl Seifert

1 Bill & Charla Green

7 Jim & Jeanne Draper

7 Duane & Joyce Bussart

14 Todd & Melinda Noland

18 Kenn & Arlene Ramsey

21 Jason & Terra Ruff

28 Frank & Joyce Melick

29 Shawn & Molly Hinkle

31 Carl & Gay Seifert

31 Joe & Julie Mathias

1950 *

1968

1974

1991

1974

1996

1962

1990

1944 *

1991

Estella Flowers	Brian & B.J. Schmelzer
5596 Babbitt Rd.	3857 Winter Berry Rd. E.
New Albany OH 43054	Jacksonville, FL 32210
(614) 939-4803
	Adelaide Hale
Debbie Robinson	Rickmill Rehab Center
1711 Graylock	Room 104
Lancaster OH 43130	Carroll, OH 43112

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