Your leadership team and I propose the following: We will meet on Sunday mornings between services in one big Sunday School class in the youth room over a five-week period of time, beginning on July 31^st. The purpose of those meetings would be to discuss the topics of “how we got here,” “what the alternatives are,” “what the possible outcomes could mean to Leo United Methodist Church,” and finally, a straw poll vote on where the church family stands in terms of what our future should be – do we stay with the denomination or not. 

Those dates are July 31^st, August 7^th, August 14^th, August 21^st and August 28^th for the preliminary straw vote just to see where our congregation stands. So please, mark your calendars and plan to attend. You need to be informed so you can make an informed decision.

In closing, I would offer this for your consideration: As Christians, we believe that we are created in the image of God and because of that, we are, each of us, no matter what our baggage may be, individuals of sacred worth. Embracing that truth though, means that we are the product of a divine Creator. The real question for us to consider as we decide what our future is to be is whether or not we believe that Creator has the right to impose limits and boundaries on us, even if we don’t completely understand them. 

The Leo UMC family has been busy serving Jesus in various ways over the summer and this fall will be bringing us even more ways to be the hands and feet of Jesus. I hope you have had a chance to see the pictures of the folks who had so much fun working with Habitat partner families to help them attain affordable and safe housing. It has been requested that we do this again, so be watching for the next opportunity for your chance to serve.

Here are some upcoming events you will want to mark on your calendars so that you won't miss opportunities to be doing the good works that God has prepared in advance for you to do (Ephesians 2:10).

Thursdays from 3-6pm Gateway Woods Market is open along Grabill Road between Leo-Cedarville and Grabill. Stop by for fresh and delicious produce grown by the residents.

August 6 - Gateway Woods Auction - volunteer or participate in the auction or other fun activities on campus that day.

September 11 - Project 216 meal packaging. One church service, lunch provided for a free will offering, and then packaging over 20,000 meals. Sign-up sheets will be available at the Hospitality Desk or in the office.

October 14 - Drive-thru Dan's Fish Fry to benefit Gateway Woods and Habitat for Humanity. You can help with set-up and/or filling orders.

Any of these opportunities are fun ways to be of service to others.

Please contact Debbie Smith to help serve or have your questions answered at [email protected] or (260)466-0310.

---Debbie Smith

Bid online... come bid in person!

(Some items not offered online!)

Volunteer to help!

Food and plenty of action on auction day as multiple rings will be offering great items at the same time! Bring the whole family!

For more information or see how you can be part of the action, go to https://gatewaywoods.org/get-involved/auction

We are so blessed to help support Gateway Woods!

--- Your Missions Committee

On Friday evening August 12th, Joseph Martin and Joel Raney will perform a dueling piano concert at Sweetwater. This will take place in their performance theatre beginning at 7:00 PM. Come and enjoy the styles and sparkling musical expertise that only these two artists can bring to the stage. A meet and greet with the award-winning musicians will follow. Cost is $30 per ticket.

We have been enjoying breakfast and fellowship together in the church gym the second Thursday of the month at 7 am. We would love to have you join us. It’s a simple breakfast, no study or heavy lifting, just food and fellowship. As the old hymn says, "Come as you are."

On July 17, we were blessed to have eight youth commit their lives to Christ and join Leo United Methodist Church in membership. We are so grateful to Ethan Schlechty, J.J. Okeson, Eli Okeson, Andrew Okeson, Claire Martin, Cicely Harding, Addie Harding and Kristen Beaubien for sharing their favorite scripture passages at both worship services, and to Kristie Okeson for hosting a lovely reception for the confirmands in Fellowship Hall.

Members of the Leo UMC family helped Habitat for Humanity with two house builds in Fort Wayne the week of July 3, happy to be blessed with great weather and delicious meals supplied by Karen Westerhausen (chauffeured by Mark)! On Thursday, Cheryl Arnold, Bob Fruchey, Greg & Jackie Myers, Pam Roy, Greg Schlosser and Denny Wright donned the hard hats, while on Saturday Lisa Schlichty, Debbie & Eric Smith, Dale McPherson and Diana Kuebler took their turns with power tools! All agreed it was a great experience and cannot wait to help again! Watch for the opportunity to join them in the future!

Fall Fundraiser Cinnamon Rolls Pre-Orders By Sept. 28

Customers pick up on Oct. 1

Coffee, Cider and Chatter - 9:30 am

I would like to thank everyone for all the cards, notes and especially the prayers upon the loss of my son, Nicholas, who passed away in July. Having a caring church family means so much in times such as this, and I feel truly blessed to have all of you in my life. God bless you all.

---Janice Stoy

Dear Leo UMC,

8/05 Deloris Martin

8/08 Richard Rhoades

8/09 Fenton Gerardot

8/09 Wilma Leichty

8/10 Debbie Smith

8/12 Jill Wright

8/13 David Schroer

8/14 Dearle Cox

8/14 Delores Fisher

8/17 Vicki Clay

8/19 Brad Lichtenberger

8/19 Shirley Rigor

8/20 Bev Fiedler

8/24 Cheryl Arnold

8/24 Kristal Grush

8/27 Diana Kuebler

8/28 Steve Bahls

8/28 Mark Warsco

8/29 Janice Stoy

8/30 Dave Beatty

8/01 Bonnie & Mark Adams

8/07 Rhonda & Jeff Smith

8/11 Terry Rick Lightfoot

8/15 Becky & Eric Beaubien

8/21 Karen & Bob Richter

8/24 Sandi & Al Brothers

8/27 Wendy & Paul Wierzbowski

8/28 Soutsada & Elmer Denman

John Coxon

Richard Fiedler

Michael Fransen

Greg Fruchey

Loring McCay

Merton Deventer

Pat Henderson

Helen Hobson (Michigan)

Sue Roberts

Maureen Strauss

Dennis Delegrange

Norm Hoeppner

Nicholas Stoy

Carey Waltz

Jesse Adams, U.S. Air Force

Benjamin Eager, U.S. Army

Julie Gorney, U.S. Navy

Gene Harding, U.S. Army National Guard

Greg Myers, Jr., U.S. Marines

Stephen Wierzbowski, U.S. Navy

Jacob Wolfe, U.S. Army National Guard

David Wright, U.S. Air Force

Meetings, activities and special events are posted in real time on the Leo UMC website. Simply go to leoumc.org and click on "Calendar" to see a calendar updated with the most current information as it is obtained.