Peace United Church of Christ, Hartsburg, Missouri

Agenda for the 2011 Annual Meeting of the Congregation

Peace United Church of Christ

January 15, 2012

• Call to order and establishing a quorum
• Constituting Prayer
• Adoption of the Agenda
• Approving the Minutes of the 2011 Annual Meeting
• Receiving the reports of the Pastor, Organizations, Committees and Ministries of the church
• Receiving the reports of the Financial Officers of the church
• Consideration of the 2012 proposed budget
• Hesse Projects
• Endowment Fund Committee
• Other business as may properly come before the meeting
• Installation of the Council Members for 2012

See page 22 of Find Peace in Prayer and Song

• Adjournment
• Benediction

PEACE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Annual Meeting

Minutes: January 16, 2011

Approved

President Melanie Madore determined that a quorum was present and called the meeting to order at 10:59am.  

Agenda: The proposed agenda in the Annual Report packet was reviewed.  No current business regarding the Hesse Project, item will be skipped.  Brenda Reeder made a motion to adopt the agenda.  Cindy Glascock seconded.  The agenda was adopted.

Minutes: The congregation reviewed the minutes.  Klif Bullard made a motion to accept the minutes from the 2010 Annual Meeting as written.  Cindy Glascock seconded the motion.  The minutes were accepted.

Review of Special Reports: The special reports were reviewed.  Shari Bullard made a motion to accept the Special Reports.  Kathy Belew seconded.  The Special Reports were accepted.

Financial Report: Treasurer Steve Diederich briefly reviewed the figures provided in the year-end report.  

• Special Accounts: The Foods Resource fund looks to have had a really good year, but some of 2009 money was received in 2010.  Brenda Reeder questioned the amount in the cemetery fund.  Steve Diederich explained that the cemetery mowing and upkeep is paid by the Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund.  Orion Beckmeyer commented that the Missouri River didn’t allow them to plant 30 plus acres, which affected the Foods Resource donation.
• OCWM/CUE: Clairnel Nervik voiced her concern that we were unable to donate our committed amount to OCWM and CUE.  Steve Diederich responded by saying that we received some donations early in 2011 to be marked for 2010, so the remaining amount donation was available to send.

Proposed 2011 Budget: The congregation reviewed the proposed budget.  Steve Diederich briefly reviewed the budget.  He noted that he made some of the items $0 in the budget because we have other funds that are available to pay for those items.  He noted that he trimmed OCWM to $8,000 from $8,500.  He tried to get the budget as close to 2010 budget as possible.

Cindy Glascock voiced her opinion regarding Pastor Clairnel Nervik’s salary.  She stated that she did not feel like we could let Clairnel go another year without a salary increase.  She feels that when Clairnel gets close to retirement, we will have to pay a new pastor more money.  She suggested a 2% increase, which would be $1,200 a year.  Steve Diederich noted that we did give Clairnel a salary increase in 2010.  Cindy Glascock made a motion to amend the 2011 Proposed Budget to include a 2% salary increase for Pastor Clairnel Nervik, Secretary Donna Meyer and Organist Vera Jean Nichols.  Jeanne McDonald seconded.  Amendment passed.

Orion Beckmeyer made a motion to adopt the 2011 Proposed Budget as amended.  Rose Walker seconded.  The 2011 Proposed Budget was adopted as the official 2011 Budget.

Endowment Fund Committee: Committee member, Jim Henley reported that he and the other committee members - Laura Kays and Jim Kesterson are in the process of moving the money we currently have for the endowment fund into a Mutual Fund.  They can not do anything official until we reach $100,000.  Once we receive $100,000, we must spend the income each year.

Jim Henley noted that Jeff Kays is offering his services free-of-charge to amend any church member’s will to leave money to the endowment fund.

Other Business:

• Steve Diederich commented that the handicap spots will be paved this spring using the money designated in the Hesse Fund for parking lot paving.  
• Rose Walker asked about making the cemetery more accessible and level.  Member-at-large, Benny Jestis commented that a load of dirt has been spread around and a roller has been pulled, in an attempt to level the ground.  It didn’t work great, so when the weather gets nicer dirt will need to be placed by hand.  There will be an announcement for volunteers.
• Member-at-large, Benny Jestis reported that the roof is complete.  We spent less than what we planned.
• Jim Henley announced that he and his wife, Mary have experience in stained glass.  They would like to do stained glass above the door on the west side.  They would like suggestions for designs.

Installation of 2011 Council Members: Council members for 2011 were invited to participate in an installment service.

2010 Peace UCC Council          2011 Peace UCC Council
President, Melanie Madore         President, Klif Bullard
President-Elect, Klif Bullard        President-Elect, Wendy Gustafson
Secretary, Sarah Garrett             Secretary, Jeri Mertensmeyer
Treasurer, Steve Diederich         Treasurer, Steve Diederich
Member, Bev Elflein                   Member, Bev Elflein
Member, Mindy Collins               Member, Keith Baylous
Member, Lee Ann Jestis             Member, Lee Ann Jestis
Member, Benny Jestis               Member, Benny Jestis

Klif Bullard assumed the leadership of the meeting as acting President.  Fred Klippel moved to adjourn the meeting.  Pastor Clairnel Nervik led the congregation in a benediction and The Lord’s Prayer.  The meeting ended at 11:37am.

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah Garrett
Secretary

Schedule for Special Worship Services 2012

January 15 - Annual Congregational Meeting

March 25 - Camp Sunday

April 5 - Maundy Thursday Communion/Tennabrae

April 6 - Good Friday

April 8 - 7:00 am Easter Early Service & Breakfast

May 13 - Mother’s Day

May 27 - Memorial Sunday

May 28- Memorial Day Observance at Frieden’s Cemetery, Rev Don Snyder speaking

June 17 - Father’s Day

August 19 - Rally Day

October 14 - Pumpkin Festival Service (Rev. Don Snyder)

October 21 - Election of New Council members

October 28 - Higher Education Sunday

November 4 - All Saints Day Memorial/Daylight Savings Ends

November 21 - Thanksgiving Eve Service (Hartsburg Baptist Church, Clairnel to give message)

December 16 - Festival of Lessons and Carols

December 24 - Children’s Pageant 7:00 pm and Candlelight Communion 11:00 pm

Schedule for Food Pantry 2012                         Name Tag Sundays 2012

January 17                                                                                       January 1

February 21                                                                                     February 5

March 20                                                                                          March 4

April 17                                                                                             April 1

May 15                                                                                               May 6

June 19                                                                                              June 3

July 17                                                                                               July 1

August 21                                                                                        August 5

September 18                                                                              September 2

October 16                                                                                     October 7

November 20                                                                              November 4

December 18                                                                                 December 2

Council Meetings 2012

January 8

February 12

March 11

April 15

May 6

June 10

July 8

August 12

September 9

October 21

November 11 – Council Retreat

December 9

Peace UCC Work Days 2012                                                        Mission Trips 2012

Spring - April 21, Saturday

Kitchen Shower -  April 15                                                                                 Youth Mission trip to Orlando June 2-9

Fall (TBA)

The Caring and Connection Ministry has the primary responsibility for the ministry of the church to, with, and for adult members, friends, and prospective members of Peace UCC.

The following groups (listed with their officers or contacts) help carry out this Ministry:

The Women’s Circle (Sharon Bullard, President;  Janine Lacy, Vice President, Rose Walker, Secretary/Treasurer.

The Council Leader for this Ministry is Lee Ann Jestis.  She can be reached at 573-893-4395 or benleejestis@yahoo.com.

The Children and Youth Ministry has the primary responsibility for our ministry to, with, and for the children and youth (through high school) of Peace UCC.

 The following groups (listed with their officers or contacts) help carry out this Ministry.

The Board of Christian Education (Robyn Baylous, Superintendent;  Cesca Oleski, Superintendent Elect; Cricket Hackmann, Secretary;  and Treasurer, Jim Batye)

 In addition, the Council has appointed the following committees to assist in this Ministry:

The Children’s Coordinator (preschool-6^th grade) -  Barb Hilgedick

Youth Coordinator (7^th-12^th grades) - Joan Seidel.

Senior High Youth Fellowship - Kathy Belew

Adult Coordinator, Michele Batye

Music Coordinator, Brenda Reeder

Christmas Eve Program Coordinator, Angie Begemann

Special Events Coordinators, Cindy Glascock and Erin Hargis

Camp Events Organizer, Lorie Klippel.

 The Council Leader for this Ministry is Beverly Elflein.  She can be reached at 573-442-0750 or blelflein@gmail.com.

The Local Church Basic Ministry has the primary responsibility for seeing that the building, grounds, cemetery, and property of the church are available as the setting in which all other ministries are carried out.

 The council has appointed the following committees to carry out this Ministry:

The Memorials Committee, Daisey Diederich.

The Cemetery Operations Committee, Ganelle Cunningham and Rick Hilgedick.

 The Council Leader for this Ministry is Benny Jestis.  He can be reached at 573-893-4395 or benleejestis@yahoo.com.

The Worship Ministry is primarily responsible for the plans and arrangements, which enable the congregation to give glory to God through public worship services.

The Choir, under the direction of Vera Jean Nichols, is a group that contributes greatly to this Ministry.

In addition, the Council has appointed the following committees to assist in carrying out this ministry:

The Altar Guild, Kathie Sheridan, Holly Hackman, Carmen Hughes.

The Acolyte Committee, Lorie Klippel.

The Lay Worship Leaders Committee, Sharon Bullard.

The Sanctuary Flowers, Brenda Reeder, Jeanne McDonald.

The Council Leader for this Ministry is Keith Baylous.  He may be reached at 808-0577 or kab@delongsinc.com.

The Wider Church Ministry is primarily responsible for those ministries, which are carried out in cooperation with denomination and/or ecumenical partners.

The Council has appointed the following committees to carry out this ministry:

The Disaster Recovery Mission Trip Committee, position open.

The Foods Resource Bank Committee, Orion Beckmeyer and Ann Mericle.

Historical Committee, Cricket Hackmann and Debra Griffin.

The Every Child’s Hope (ECH)  Green Breakfast, Nancy Lenger.

Christmas Store gift collection, Shari Bullard and Jeanne McDonald.  The Pastor is responsible for announcing the offering at the Christmas Eve program, which is designated to ECH.

The Tools of Hope and Blanket Program and the Festival of Sharing in support of Church World Service are in the charge of Peace Circle.

The Council Leader for this Ministry is Jim Kesterson. He may be reached at 573-657-9036 or jim.kesterson.g5qe@statefarm.com.

Pastor's Report 2011

A few weeks ago, I was at a meeting of a Missouri Mid-South Conference committee. We began with introductions, and when I said that I was the pastor of Peace UCC in Hartsburg, a pastor from one of the largest churches in the conference said, “You’re from that church! That is the church that does so much…disaster relief mission trips, working at Camp MoVal, and all that.” Yes, I said, we are that church.

It feels good to be known as the pastor of “that church”…that church that is so well respected and loved by those in the conference, and by those who know of our ministry.

This year we have continued to be “that church”, as we have supported mission in Boone County and around the world; through our giving and through our living.

In 2011, some of our accomplishments were:

We grew by 6 members, to 301 members

We sent 12 youth and chaperons to Denver on a Mission Trip

We have many young families. One week in December we had 21 children during the children’s time in worship.

We have 14 youth and 3 chaperons going on the mission trip to Kid’s Village in Florida next summer.

We have 8 youth in Confirmation Class

Half of our teen-agers are new to the church: their families did not grow up here. This is a sign of a very healthy church.

We have purchased A/V equipment for the fellowship hall, which is used for Confirmation and You(th) meetings, as well as for all church activities.

We have regular Wednesday evening youth meetings, with an average of 11 youth present.

Our Men’s Disaster Relief Mission Trips completed work on the house in Crane. Several new volunteers joined in this outreach mission.

We increased our mission giving with a one-time gift of $2000 to OCWM.

We gave approximately 25% of our income to ministry beyond the local church.

We are working on several projects to improve our facilities, such as paving the handicapped parking spaces and building a picnic pavilion.

We gave have gotten our Endowment Fund up and running, and people are reporting that they are designating a gift to the endowment fund in their wills.

We have continued to care for one another, especially through our caring committee and our prayer e-mails.

We continue to provide quality Christian Education designed to help nurture the faith in our children, youth, and adults.

Our choir and music program continues to bless us with joyous music for worship.

We have active volunteers who work with Christian Education, quilting, building maintenance, the Pumpkin Festival booths, and the Food Bank.

We are a church family, in the best sense of the word, as we reach out to one another, as we share our burdens and our joys, as we welcome new people, as we pray for one another.

We are “that church,” the small town church with the big mission.  

We have some challenges ahead. We need new volunteers to lead the men’s disaster relief mission trips. Some of our older members are having to step back from long-held responsibilities, or are no longer with us. We will surely face unforeseen challenges…life is like that. But through it all, I am proud to be called the minister of “that church.”

“Oh, you are from that church.” I thank God every day that I am from “that church”. Thank you, all of you, for making us, “That church.” Amen!

 Blessings,

 Clairnel

2011 BOARD OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION (BCE) ANNUAL REPORT

 The Board of Christian Education oversees Peace Church’s educational programs.  Sunday School classes are available for all age groups.  The BCE also manages special events involving the children and youth of the church, such as the Easter egg hunt and the Graduation Banquet.

 2011 Board of Christian Education members are:

 Peace Church’s Children’s Sunday School (for children in kindergarten through 5^th grade) follows the “rotational” model.  Each rotation has a theme or topic, and for six – eight weeks we rotate through different lessons covering that topic, using various methods, such as cooking, crafts, games, storytelling, music and science.  Curriculum topics for 2011 included:  “People Who Make A Difference,” “David, The Boy,” “Lost and Found,” “How the Bible Came to Be.”  The Board would like to thank all of the many volunteers who gave their time to teach a session or more during the past year.  Without your help this program would not be possible!

For the first half of 2011, Robyn Baylous and Barbara Hilgedick taught the preschool class, as they have for several years.  When the fall semester began, Kassie Hargis and Kristie Hilgedick assumed the responsibility with great success. Whenever possible, their curriculum topics coordinate with the elementary children's curriculum.

The "Tween Class" for middle school students (grades sixth through eighth) was taught by Danielle Skouby until May of 2011. In September, Michele Batye, Orion Beckmeyer and Sharon Bullard began teaching this discussion-based class on a monthly rotation. The middle school students really seem to appreciate having a class of their own. The feedback from the students has been overwhelmingly positive.

The Adult Sunday School Class (the Coffee & Conversation group) follows a relaxed, discussion-based format.  Units range in length from single sessions to six weeks and cover a variety of topics, from current events, to Bible study, to the ways in which we live our lives.  Units in 2011 included “Pentecost,” “Mothers in the Bible,” “Fathers in the Bible,” “Where is God When Disaster Strikes?,” “The Ten Commandments,” “Integrity,” and our Advent series, “Advent of the Savior.” The class is open to anyone who would like to enjoy some fellowship and thoughtful discussion.

 Programs and activities organized by the Board of Christian Education:

• Sponsored the Fifth Sunday Carry-In Meal in January 2011.
• Organized in-home viewings of the movie, "Eat, Pray, Love" in coordination with the all-church One Read.
• Children's choir performed songs they learned in Sunday School during the worship service several times throughout the year.
• Organized Easter Egg Hunt
• Provided appreciation gifts for teachers, Mothers and Fathers Day, and organized special recognition during the worship service
• Supplied meat, assisted with and purchased gifts for the Graduation Banquet.
• Held a bake sale to raise funds for a youth media center (which was installed in the Fellowship Hall).
• Sponsored and organized a monthly Summer Coffee Hour.
• Organized Vacation Bible School. This year's VBS was called "Kickin' It Old School" and followed a similar rotation model as is used in Sunday School.
• Provided age appropriate Bibles on Rally Day to the three children who were beginning third grade.
• Organized a "sock hop"-themed Rally Day, and supplied the meat for the meal. The cake walk rose over $300 to benefit the children's programs.
• Collected and filled 23 backpacks for the "Backpacks of Love"  project (through Fellowship of Sharing).
• Sponsored a "Glove and Mitten Drive" for the benefit of the local schools and the Boys and Girls Clubs.
• "Adopted" a local family to help at Christmas, and organized the gift drive for that family.
• Organized the Children's Eve Christmas Program, and provided treat bags for all children attending the program. The offerings from this service was designated for Every Child's Hope (formerly known as the Evangelical Children's Home).
  

 The 2012 Board of Christian Education members will be:

Respectfully submitted by:

Cricket Hackmann – Secretary

Peace United Church of Christ    BCE Treasurer’s Report 12/19/2011

 Balance as of 12/01/2010                                                                            507.75

Deposits    for year 2011   (from offerings)                                         +1032.47

*Total                                                                                                                    1540.22

 Debits  as follows

Ck# 1637-4-3-2011   All Night Party (SBC)                                                                    -100.00

Ck# 1638 – 5-16-2011  Cindy Glascock (mothers day)                                                 -32.94

Ck# 1639-5-20-2011  Robyn Baylous  (Blue Ray & Wii for Dining Hall             -463.93

                                                    cabinet donated by Chester Hilgedick)         

Ck# 1640-5-16-2011  Edwin Nichols   ( Ham/Sr Recognition Dinner)                -44.39

Ck#  1641-9-7-2011   Dollar General Store (/Festival of Sharing)                        -148.44

Ck# 1642-11-15-2011 – Cindy Glascock (Christmas Bags)                                        -19.77

Ck# 1643-11-17-2011- Clairnel Nervik   (Hand Bells)                                               - 117.45

Total expenses for Year 2011                                                                                              -926.92

              Ending Balance 2011                                                                   $613.30

2011 PEACE CHURCH CIRCLE REPORT

Peace Church Circle meets the second Thursday of each month for their regular meeting and we quilt each Thursday throughout the year.  We have twelve active members.  Our purpose is to support the church by sponsoring many activities, serving Peace Church and the United Church of Christ family, and financially giving where needed throughout Peace Church and the community, through our quilting.

We have quilted nine quilts, including one for the raffle at our Annual Ham Supper.  We keep the kitchen and coffee makers supplied, including all paper products for meals and activities.  We sponsor Blanket Sunday, the Thanksgiving Food Drive for the Food Bank, the Festival of Sharing kit drive which brought in a non cash value of $2445.00 plus $35.00 in cash, we served a 5th Sunday meal and served funeral luncheons for Anna Sanderson, Vernetta Guier and Wanda Hilgedick.  We paid a utility bill for Peace Church.  We donated funds to Neighborhood Houses and Every Childs Hope.

 Our Circle lost two very special people, Anna Sanderson and Vernetta Guier.  Each time we are together, they are always in our thoughts and memories and we are very thankful for having spent time with each of them.

Respectfully submitted,

Rose Walker, secretary/treasurer

Sharon Bullard, president

Janine Lacy, vice president

Caring and connecting ministry continues as a part of a very caring congregation.  We make visits to members and friends at homes, hospitals, and care centers.
We send cards, make phone calls, and coordinate and take food to families when needed.
 
There were requests for l2 prayer quilts, both for members and non-members.  The quilts were presented to the congregation for prayers as they were tied.  Vernetta Guier, a faithful member of the group who died this year, pulled the threads for many of the quilts and helped organize food when needed.  She is sadly missed.
 
Seventeen small bouquets of flowers were given to recently bereaved families.  Five baskets of things were delivered to families during long hospital stays.
 
Respectfully submitted
 
Janine Lacy

2011 HISTORICAL COMMITTEE REPORT

  The Historical Committee acquires, restores and preserves the permanent records of the church, and maintains the Church Archives.   The Peace Church Archives’ electronic database currently has 358 entries, cataloging and describing records found in 24 boxes and four file drawers, dating back to the late 1800s and the organization of the church. These entries include records of baptisms, marriages, funerals and confirmations. Examples of other items include meeting minutes, photographs, annual reports, financial records, women’s circle records, newspaper clippings and worship bulletins.

           During 2011, the Historical Committee compiled and organized what is believed to be a complete collection of the Peace Tidings publications, dating from 1972 through 1993. We’ve also continued the process of cataloguing and filing material as it has been donated to the Archives.

           Our goals for 2012 include transferring the physical records into archival quality folders, boxes and document cases, and organizing the many loose photographs in the Archives into albums.

           The Historical Committee welcomes any documents or photos that you would like to donate to the Peace Church Archives. We also welcome anyone who would like to be a part of this ongoing project.

Respectfully submitted,

Cricket Hackmann

Debra Griffin

The men’s group had unique experience this past year. We were invited to Crane, Mo., to build a new home for Mr. & Mrs. Joe Carney. Both individuals are dealing with health issues and needed an improvement in living quarters. The group started the week of March 20 with framing the house. This included two support beams, floor joist, sub floor, interior and exterior falls. When the week was over, the home had a shingled roof and 90% of the siding was installed. The uniqueness of this project was we could continue working on this home throughout the summer. The group made several trips back to Crane, Mo. to work on various projects. Ron & Carry Sherman spent a week hanging doors and trimming the interior of the home. Other groups completed the two porches, siding was completed, and painting, installed counter tops and installed lighting fixtures. The cost for the year was $3,271.00. We had 1662 hours of labor on this project @ $1.97/ hour. The individuals that were involved in this project are as follows:

Klif Bullard                                            Steve Diederich

Zach Diederich                                    Luke Barnett

Benny Jestis                                         Dave Reeder

Ron Sherman                                       Carry Sherman

Biff Barner                                            Keith Baylous

Jay Wortman (Neosho, Mo)          Dale Lenger

Don Wilson                                           Erin Barner (Columbia UCC)

John Sell                                               James Cobb (Columbia UCC)

Transportation provided: Ron Sherman (truck & trailer), Dale Lenger (van & trailer), Benny Jestis (truck) and Biff Barner (van).

Respectfully Submitted

Dale Lenger

Disaster Recovery Committee Chair

2011 PEACE YOUTH FELLOWSHIP REPORT

We began the year with a smaller group of only youth from our local church as the larger group of youth from all of the surrounding UCC churches had grown so much that we felt less effective in our meetings. But as a result of our growing, we had a group of youth that had come together here close to home.

In April, we led the Good Friday service with a dramatic reading depicting Christ’s last days on earth.

We continued our monthly meetings including devotions and planning for our mission trip to Denver, CO.

The first week in June, we took 9 youth and 4 chaperons to Denver where we experienced many layers of homelessness. Some of the areas and centers we volunteered at included the Metro CareRing (a food bank), Sunshine Academy (a daycare), The Bridge Project (a summer program for disadvantaged kids), and The Gathering Place (a women’s drop in center providing a multitude of services from counseling to medical care to a free meal). One evening we had a homeless simulation where we went out into the city in small groups with only $1.00 for each person and were charged with finding a way to feed ourselves. Several experienced what it felt like to have to beg and were surprised to find that the people who tended to offer the most help were people that were in very similar situations. Our final evening devotion was at the Red Rocks Amphitheater and was very inspiring as it also included a traveling trio of Christian singers that happened to be passing thru Denver at that time. At the end of the week, our recreation included a hike up to a plateau to over look the city and then on Saturday morning a ride up Pikes Peak on the narrow gauge railroad.

In August, during worship, the youth read their reflections about their experiences in Denver. It was very rewarding to hear each of their perspectives and know that the trip had made a significant impact on many of them.

In August and September, we began having mid-week meetings alternating with confirmation, mission trip planning and just youth group meetings. These meetings have been well attended and we anticipate having 13-14 youth going on our next mission trip in June 2012. Some activities during these meetings include devotions, playing games that teach group cooperation and making goodie trays for special friends and shut-ins.

In November and December, 10 youth volunteered at the Central MO Food Bank distribution point in Ashland after school.

Our group voted to go to Orlando and volunteer at “Give Kids the World Village” in 2012. This is a place where kids with serious or life threatening illnesses and their families can stay while fulfilling a wish thru the Make a Wish Foundation or similar organization. Kids Village relies heavily on volunteers (over 90%) to operate the village on a daily basis.

In order for our group to enjoy our week of volunteering, we participated in some fundraising activities that included a potato bar and basket auction in February that netted $2234.00; and the Pepsi piggy bank--$10.30 (unfortunately most of the larger coins were taken from the Pepsi bank so this amount was lower than in the past).

In October and November we sold Party Lite candles to get a jump start on our fundraising for next year’s mission trip. This brought in $645.00.

As the Sunday before Halloween was a 5th Sunday, we collected for UNICEF during the service and afterwards during the 5^th Sunday carry-in meal. Additional trick or treating for UNICEF the next night netted a total of $478.00 to be sent in as a donation to support children around the world. This was almost double the amount from last year. What an amazing and caring congregation and community we have.

In November, four of our middle school youth attended CMSE (Conference Middle School Event), a weekend event at Camp MoVal. The theme was “Cheeky Monkey”. “Turn the other cheek?” Really, Jesus?! Is that your answer to bullying? And if so, how does that apply to my situation? Or my friends? The keynote speaker/leader was a young lady that had lived at the Evangelical Children’s Home (now called Every Child’s Hope) and she did an amazing job of keeping the kids engaged in the discussions and activities.

On the Saturday before the first Sunday in Advent, the Christmas tree was put up and decorated by the youth and confirmation class.

Our checkbook ending balance for the year is $3550.45.

Thank you to all for supporting our youth.

 Respectfully submitted,

Kathy Belew

During the summer of 2011, Peace UCC sent 12 campers to Camp Mo-Val camps. With the theme “Got Spirit? – Finding God in the Everyday”, campers were able to enjoy seeing God in their everyday lives while enjoying camp foods, grounds, cabins, and, of course, making new friends and renewing friendships from previous camp seasons.

In “drumming up” interest in camp, we made our own Peace UCC “Got Spirit” commercial complete with milk (cool whip) mustaches! Clairnel snapped a photo and sent it off to the Missouri Mid-South conference office and our photo ended up online in the camp website as well as in the conference newsletter “ECourier”.

Attending camp this 2011 season were:

1. Primary Camp: Dustin Begemann, Dalton Begemann, Ethan Hilgedick, and Tyler Hilgedick
2. Lower Junior Camp: Amanda Belew, Jasmine Neal, Alayna Ralston, and Gracyn Merriott
3. Outback for 5^th/6^th grade: Justin Belew and Lindsey Beckmeyer
4. Middle School Camp: Bailey Lenger and Peter Oleski
5. Tyler Ingebritson signed up for camp – Junior High Outback - but due to a lack of counselors & campers this camp was cancelled. With Tyler’s schedule, the other age-appropriate dates didn’t work out this time.
6. Amy Ogden enjoyed a week as a counselor in Peace UCC’s name!

Jasmine (Jaz) took her news of camp back to her home church in Wisconsin. She had spent the summer with the Sheridans and went to camp with cousin Alayna and new friends Amanda & Gracyn. After telling her church how much fun she had and what she learned about God, she asked if they would help support her in the Camp Mo-Val walkathon. They did so enthusiastically and we thank her so much on behalf of Camp Mo-Val! And we look forward to seeing her this next summer!

All agree camp is a worthwhile and fun experience. Please think about joining during the 2012 season either as a camper (there is a camp for every age!) or as a counselor or other staff person (nurse/cook). Think of what happened to Tyler – a willing participate but not enough male counselors! Don’t let that happen again to any child – sign up to be a counselor!

 Lorie Klippel

Camp Coordinator

2011 ENDOWMENT FUND COMMITTEE REPORT

The Endowment Fund Committee met several times this year. In these tough economic times, the committee decided to choose a low risk investment. On August 3, 2011, we opened an endowment fund account with the United Church Funds. We continue to monitor the fund and are making plans to encourage Peace UCC members and friends to remember this fund in their wills. Jim Kesterson has had to resign from the committee because his job does not allow him to advise others about financial matters so we are seeking a third member for the committee.

Respectfully submitted,