October/November/December 2010 Newsletter & Events Calendar
Many thanks to Linda Starliper for compiling our newsletter!
Missive from Pastor Craig:
Ephesians 3:20-21. Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever, Amen.
After nearly a year of praying, planning, discussing, working, and a little worrying and fretting thrown in for good measure, our second service is finally up and running.
The first Sunday we probably had around forty people at the new service with many people attending from the nine o’clock service. The second Sunday we had around twenty-five people in attendance, and last Sunday we had maybe twenty people present. For a moment I thought, “What are we doing? Is anyone going to come? Where are all the people? We’re getting smaller and smaller.”
Do you remember times in life when you stepped out and took a chance? A risk? Times when you tried something new? Maybe you got a new job, moved to a new town, or called someone on the phone and said, “I’m sorry.” Doing something new always seems to come with some anxiety as well as excitement that life can be better or improved.
I’ll have to admit that even though our church made a commitment to be patient and give the second service at least two years to grow and to mature, I naively thought it would be full or at least near full after three worship services. After all, isn’t everyone in Mancos dying to get into a church?
After spending some time with fear and doubt, which Jesus tells us over three hundred times not to do, I started remembering what God has done in our church to bring us to this point. We agreed to try a second service and fund it for at least two years. We have made many technological improvements in our sanctuary by grace through Philip. Often changes can divide the body (there have been some concerns and rightly so), but I think we have actually grown together as a church. Lastly, I truly believe God’s grace brought many wonderful people into our church to help support and develop our children’s ministry and music ministry. I trust that God’s hand has led us to this point in the story of one of God’s churches.
In our personal lives and the life of our church, we will probably battle fear and worry from time to time, but let’s remember to ask God’s Holy Spirit to lead us. For God’s “power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be the glory.” May we have the faith to trust God. Amen.
Pastor Craig
Note: The church has a new e-mail address - mancosumchurch@qwestoffice.net
News from Connie Goodell, Lay Leader
T
ravels Near and Far
In July we had a trip, made up of people in 4-wheel drives, to Kennebec Pass to view the wildflowers. The flowers were at their peak and Noma made a list for everyone, naming the many flowers we saw. It was a beautiful day and did not rain until we had eaten our lunches and were headed down from the top.
We also had a group attend a concert of the Music in the Mountain series held at the Durango Mountain Ski Resort. These are always wonderful concerts of classical music in a majestic mountain setting.
In August, we went to the Santa Fe Opera to see The Magic Flute. For some of us it was the first opera we had attended and it was a great experience. No only was the music outstanding but the venue in the Sange de Cristo Mountains was fabulous. Santa Fe is always an interesting place to visit with all its galleries and quaint eating establishments.
In August, in addition to going to the Santa Fe Opera, we took two vans of people to the Bar-D Wranglers. Everyone had a great time. The food was delicious and the show was fun and very entertaining.
In September we went to the El Morro National Monument and the Acoma Pueblo. A reliable water hole hidden at the base of a sandstone bluff, El Morro was a popular campsite. For hundreds of years, Ancestral Puebloans, and Spanish and American travelers carved over 2,000 signatures, dates, messages and petroglyphs on the bluff.
Acoma Pueblo, also known as Sky City, isa Native American Pueblo built on a 367- foot sandstone mesa. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the United States. Access to the pueblo was difficult, as the faces of the mesa are sheer, making it a good defensive position against raiders.
Louisiana Gumbo
Before they returned to their home in Louisiana, Keith and Marjorie Nelson invited the church to their mountain cabin for gumbo. Not only was the food delicious but the scenery of the mountains was awesome.
Cowboy Poetry
Coming up October first at 6pm, we will be attending the Cowboy Poetry in Durango. This is always a great time, listening to the cowboys recite their poetry and hearing the music, most of which is quite hilarious. The tickets are $20.00 and if you would like to go, sign up in Fellowship Hall.
Community Dinner
Don't forget the Community Dinner, Wednesday October 20th at 6:30pm. This dinner is a chili cook-off, with everyone’s bringing his or her favorite chili. Prizes will be given for the best decorated pot, the hottest chili, and more. Be sure to give your chili a name; and, come to taste even if you do not bring chili.
Spiritual Retreat
Creating Sabbath Space in our Lives
The Spiritual Retreat will be held from Monday, October 11th, until noon on Wednesday the 13th at the Circle K Guest Ranch between Dolores and Rico. We will have morning and evening sessions, leaving the rest of the day to do whatever you wish. This is a very beautiful area and should be especially lovely this time of the year. The cost of the retreat is $134.00 per person, which includes two nights of lodging and 6 meals. If you are interested in attending, there is a sign-up in the fellowship hall. For more information, talk to Connie Goodell.
Events in November and December
Monday, November 15th and Tuesday the 16th we will be going to the Bosque del Apache to see the return of the sandhill cranes. The Bosque is located south of Socorro, New Mexico, and is where many birds migrate for the winter. It is a beautiful sight to see all these birds landing in the marshes. We will be spending the night in Socorro.
On Sunday, November 21st our church will be hosting the Parish Thanksgiving Service at 5:00pm, followed by a soup and bread dinner. Our church always provides the soups with the other churches bringing the bread.
Saturday, November 27th will be the Hanging of the Greens starting at 9:00am, followed by lunch at the church.
Sunday, December 12th, at 2:00pm we will be attending The Nutcracker at Ft. Lewis Concert Hall. Watch for the sign-up in the Fellowship Hall.
Wednesday, December 15th, will be the Church Christmas Dinner held at the Community Center at 6:30pm. The town is invited and a very large number attend from the community. It is always a joy to see so many new faces.
History Corner—by Jean Bader and Amy Wise (revised from Lottie Reddert)
History of Byron Brown (Creator of the Christ Paintings, Formerly in Sanctuary)
Byron Brown came to Mancos with his parents, Hershel and Martha Brown, in 1902. He joined the Methodist church when he was in high school. As a high school youth, Byron was a member of the Mancos basketball team that beat the basketball team from Colorado University. Byron graduated from Mancos High School in 1913.
In his later years Byron was proud to be holding the oldest church membership in the congregation. His pastor said of him “He stands out as a Christian individual. His life and treatment of people is a witness to Christ.” After taking drawing lessons from George Carr when he was in 6th grade, Byron went on to be a self-made artist. Until recently, two of his paintings hung in our church sanctuary. In 1966, he held his own one-man show in the Methodist fellowship hall. His worked was admired and sought beyond the local market.
Young Byron was among the first 16 men called to service in WWI and went to France as an artist in advance of his Company and Division. When he returned to Montezuma County, work was scarce but he found employment in hay fields, in the Mayday mine, clerking in a store in Telluride, then serving as Montezuma County Treasurer for 6 years. There he met and married the Deputy County Assessor, Mary Belmear, on February 22, 1925.
With borrowed money, he bought two pair of silver foxes for $2500, bought the Soulen Place, and named it the Mesa Verde Fox Farm. This he operated until 1948. The following five years he was dam attendant for Western Colorado Power Company at Trout Lake.
While always active in church work, Byron’s influence was extended to the Masonic Lodge, the Town and Cemetery Boards, and many community affairs.
Byron’s paintings of Jesus Christ were presented to the church in 1960s and hung there until August of 2010--50 wonderful years.
Information and Pictures from Noma Macurda
Updated Church Directories are Available
The updated Mancos United Methodist Church Directories for 2010 are available in a labeled box in the narthex of the church. Please take one per family; however, if you need an additional copy, these are located in the back of the box labeled additional copies. If you have changes, additions, or new members to be added to the directory, please send a note to the church e-mail address and to Noma Macurda’s e-mail or home address in Texas. This will update Pastor Craig’s directory, Angels in the Wings directories, be posted in the newsletter, and keep the directory updated for next year. Thank you!
Noma Macurda – 214 Leaflet Ln; Spring TX 77388-5958, noma41@aol.com
The Hiking Group—Please Join Us
Our Hiking Group is enthusiastic about hiking and enjoys observing the natural beauty of the countryside. Hikes averaging 4-6 miles, and occasionally 8-9 miles, are led by Connie Anderson. Connie is very well prepared with a first-aid kit and lots of extra water, making sure no one is left behind. We hike at an easy pace, stop to rest, take a deep breath, “smell the roses,” as well as identifying wild flowers, listening to the birds, and observing animals and animal tracks--deer, cows and a few bear tracks. The beautiful scenery consists of mountains, colored fields of wildflowers, groves of aspens and pines, and trickling streams and rivers to cross on rock walkways. Trails hiked have taken us to Jackson Lake, Sand Canyon, Chicken Creek, Coyote Park, Burro Mountain Overlook, the base of Sharkstooth (11,400 ft), Owen Basin, Morrison Trail, Sharkstooth Trail through Horsefly Flats, and Road 566. Completion of a challenging hike makes one feel a sense of achievement. Hiking will be coordinated with the Monday and Thursday workout program and with hunting season. Please contact Connie Goodell at 533-7398.
Note: All the photographs in this newsletter and in the last one were submitted by Noma Macurda. Thank you, Noma! 
Mancos United Methodist Church Flower Gardens
The gardens surrounding the church grounds were designed by Connie Goodell and Gwen Hawkins. A big thank you to all the ladies in the congregation who help plant, furnish plants, and maintain these gardens. We have been extremely pleased to have people stop to admire our gardens as they rest on our small bench, to compliment our gardens when we are busily working in them, and to take the time to leave kind notes on the church or fellowship door regarding the gardens. What an outreach to the community! God’s blessings and the love within our congregation are clearly shown.
Birthdays and Anniversaries
October |
November |
December |
2 – Ronda Cox |
1 - Connie & Leonard Goodell |
2 – Noland Alexander |
5 – Sue & Bill Ryter |
5 – Martha Fidanque |
3 – Jack Ott |
6 – Linda & David Starliper |
7 – Leslie Feast |
6 – David Starliper |
8 – Ally Stevick |
9 – Beth Stevick |
7 – Jim Bristol |
9 - Angela Ott |
10 – Holly Cruser |
7 – Jen Paschal |
11 – Howard Thomas |
29 – Kent Russell |
10 – John Fleitz |
12 – Barb & Dick Cover |
30 – Woody Ott |
12 – Lois Danille |
12 - Julie Ott |
30 – Sue Paschal |
16 – Betty & Dean Wolcott |
14 – Ron Lance |
|
23 - Jean Bader |
15 – Nancy Saletzki |
|
24 – Mary Ann & Jack Ott |
19 – Mary Ann Ott |
|
27 – Phyllis Johnson |
20 – Ro Paschal |
|
27 – Marjorie Nelson |
30 – Jean & Clay Bader |
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31 – Barb Cover |
31 – Linda Walters |
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