July 2, 2019
Kairos Vol. 4, Issue #27

SLUMC Building Front
Rev. Marvin Arnpriester
Friends,

When I said yes to being a two-year interim pastor at Sun Lakes UMC, I had no idea it would extend to my beginning my fifth year as your Senior Pastor. July 1 is the beginning of an appointment in the United Methodist Church. I am humbled by this most meaningful and rewarding experience of ministry together with you. Together we have been blessed by God in so many ways that continue to benefit our church and our ministry from these walls around the world. 
 
So today I thank you for your continuing support, kind words and faithfulness as we continue on this ministry path together. I simply ask you to continue praying for me and for our church that we might be found faithful in our life together.
 
In Christian love I remain your faithful servant,

Marvin
UNISON PRAYER - JUNE 29/30
Unison Prayer Logo
Lord Jesus, we are like those disciples you invited to follow you. Sometimes the demands of being your disciple is more than we are willing to pay. When the reality of your gospel truth really comes through, we, like those early disciples begin to find our own excuses. We are attracted to you Jesus. We feel a kinship with you. Your call and example of living are appealing to us. But when we are asked to step out of our comfort zones and risk something new in our life, we are not sure about walking in the same direction you walk. You continue to invite us to follow you. We want to, but we are not sure what that really means. Forgive us when we allow our doubts and fears to drown out your world of grace and courage. Grant us what we need to trust you more fully and follow you more closely. Amen.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
  • TNT - No TNT on July 2, enjoy your holiday!
  • Picnic and Popsicles - Wednesday, July 3, 4:30 pm, Lindsay Hall
  • Red Mountain Brass - Wednesday, July 3, 5:30 pm, Sanctuary
  • Church Office Closed - Thursday, July 4
  AIR CONDITIONING NEWS
snowflakes.jpg
Thank you so much for your response to the request for replacing our air conditioning/heating unit for the Sanctuary. As of today we have received $80,000.
 
We will continue to keep you updated regarding this project.
  TNT (TUESDAY NIGHTS TOGETHER) 
Blue Fingerprint
Mark your calendar for Tuesday, July 9 as Denny Steele presents how DNA fingerprinting works, why it's so effective, and its many uses in victim identification, paternity suits, and criminal investigations.

Don't miss this interesting, informative TNT!
  MEET YOUR OFFICE STAFF - JOAN LOOSE

Joan Loose
Joan (pronounced Jo-an) is our Stephen Ministry Coordinator!

She:
  • Encourages individuals to become Stephen Ministers.
  • Leads the Stephen Ministry program.
  • Coordinates Stephen Ministers with the care receivers. 
  • Coordinates continuing education and programs for active Stephen Ministers.
  • Schedules and coordinates liturgists for worship services.
You can reach Joan by calling the church office or emailing her at joan@sunlakesumc.org. 
  TOILET PAPER DRIVE

The Hope Women's Center in Coolidge is a Christian-based, non-profit group which provides food and supplies for women and families who are homeless or in need.

They have reached out to us to help restock their shelves with toilet paper, a much needed but costly commodity. Help by placing your donations in the gray Missions tubs around the campus or in the red wagon in the church office. Thank you!
  SHELBY? SHELBY NEXT! 
Shelby Next Mobile 1

Our SLUMC online Church directory is taking our old Church directory into the modern age!

Sitting safely in the cloud, our database software provides access to up-to-date member directory information from any computer or mobile device. 

You will love having the online Church directory!

Information will be upcoming!

  AIR CONDITIONING NITTY GRITTY
On May 26 I spoke to the congregation about the need to replace the Sanctuary air conditioning system. I take this opportunity to thank you for your generosity. As reported in the Kairos today, we have received $80,000. Just to refresh your memories, we would like to collect around $120,000 in order to be able to leave the Trustee's major maintenance fund untouched.

I have reproduced my talk from May 26 with the visuals and calculations for your further reflection.

Thank you again for your continued generosity.

Bill Wessels
AAON Unit with wall
How many of you know what is behind this wall?

It's the AC unit that keeps you cool in the summer and warm on the rare cool winter days.
AAON Unit front view
As you can see from the picture, it is massive. It's also 22 years old. Is anybody still using your AC after 22 years?

I didn't think so.
Now before I get on my knees and beg for money again, let me show you some facts.

Money raised over budget
2016
 
208463
2017
 
312530
2018
 
326964
2019
to date
127504

Look at how much money we have given the last three years, OVER AND ABOVE BUDGET. 2016 was a light year, but Pastor Marvin was just getting warmed up that year. Look at how much you gave in 2017 and 2018. WOW. Now admittedly this includes a lot of things, like Krafters and extra missions, but clearly when there is a need, YOU RESPOND.
Now let's look at where we are financially.

Cash in Savings
4/30/19 
100000
Reserve for contingencies
 
25000
Available
 
75000

Cash in Trustees Replacement Fund
40000
Reserve for Contingencies
20000
Available
20000

Total Available
   95000

Right now, because of YOUR generosity, we have managed to put $100,000 into savings. We call this good stewardship. In addition, we have funded the Trustees Replacement fund in the amount of approximately $40,000. Ideally it would be about $50,000. After the Council adopted the Trustees plan to go ahead with the AC replacement, the Finance committee and Trustees met to discuss raising the funds to pay for it. We need to keep some of the funds we have accumulated as a safety net.
Now, we could borrow this money. But do you really want to do that? After a very successful campaign to reduce our debt over the last couple of years, I think we all know the answer to that question.

So here we are, we need to raise another $95,000. Let's call it $100,000 since I like nice round numbers. We have over 800 members, affiliates and associates. Simple math tells us that if everybody gives $125 it's paid for. Now I know there are a lot of folks on fixed income that really can't give more, so here's the plea. This is a major item, remember the sign out front, how about the new covered parking in the back, the hearing loop or redoing the front of Lindsay Hall. All of those were paid for by your generous over and above donations. Any extra raised over the actual cost of the unit and all the related costs will first go to replenish the Trustees fund and then back into savings.

If you are giving a check today, please be sure it's marked AC fund.
I know you will want to help with this

Days of Cash on hand after spending 75000 Savings 28

And, finally, where does this leave us going into the summer months? In the Finance committee we look at days of cash on hand. It will leave us with 28 days of cash. Last year at the end of May we only had 20 days, so we are in a better position.

Please join me helping this great Church accomplish this.
  UMW INHERITED VISION & PURPOSE
UMW World Hands
This year the United Methodist Women (UMW) international organization is celebrating its 150th anniversary. What began so long ago has become today's largest women's denominational mission group in the world with over 800,000 members!

The UMW vision and purpose statements honor its inheritance while serving as an important touchstone in selecting mission projects:
  • Vision - Turning faith, hope and love into action on behalf of women, children and youth around the world.
  • Purpose - United Methodist Women shall be a community of women whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church.
  MISSION PROJECT
Room for Joy Landon
Pennies from Heaven - Because this is such a great cause, we are extending the dates for this mission. 

G ather your spare change and place it in the donation box in Lindsay Hall or the Church Office foyer to be given to Room For Joy .

Room for Joy enhances the healing process of chronically ill children by providing fun, positive, imaginative, medically appropriate bedroom environments. They give special attention to the medical, physical and emotional needs of each child by adding special touches that personalize the rooms and fulfill their dreams. 

For more information go to RoomForJoy.com.
  THANK YOU!
Pastor Jean Newell
As Bob Hope would say, "Thanks for the memories!" After the wonderful tribute and gifts I received at last Wednesday's delightful L.O.L. luncheon, the special UMW recognition, the prayer of blessing during worship, the awesome card shower reception, and all the flowers - as one who usually has something to say, I am speechless!

At this writing, Tuesday morning, July 2, I am still reading through the cards you shared with me. Thank you for your kind words, your generosity, and for cheering me on about the joys of retirement. My son, Glen, and I were humbled and deeply touched by your outpouring of love which I can only imagine is a reflection of how much God loves each one of us. Truly, God's love and grace are amazing!

Serving the congregation of Sun Lakes UMC as your Associate Pastor for the past four years has been a true honor.

A special "thank you" goes to Senior Pastor Marvin. Thank you for your words of encouragement, your wisdom and insight, and for nurturing the joy of ministry in me.

Sun Lakes UMC, may you keep your focus on Christ and to God be the glory!
                                                          
In the grip of His grace, I am!
Pastor Jean
  LOVE AND SYMPATHY
pink_meadows_flower.jpg

...to Terri Allen, family, and friends on the death of her husband Bill Allen, Sunday, June 2. Memorial information pending.

IMPORTANT LINKS
 

The vision of Sun Lakes United Methodist Church is to be
a Beacon of HOPE 
with Unconditional Love and Acceptance. 

Sun Lakes United Methodist Church
(480) 895-8766 | publications@sunlakesumc.org
Church Office Winter Hours: M - Th 9 am - 3 pm, Fri 9 am - 12 pm
Church Office Summer Hours: M - Th 9 am - 3 pm, Closed Fri 
Visit our website at sunlakesumc.org

Sunday Worship 9:00 am in Sanctuary
Saturday Worship 4:00 pm in Chapel
  
Rev. Marvin Arnpriester, Senior Pastor