Sullivan UMC—J. Michael Smith

Prayer Concern

Bonnie Stewart, our organist, was in Sarah Bush hospital overnight.  She is hoping to go home soon.

Church Council meeting Postponed

The regular monthly meeting of the Church Council (scheduled for next week) has been cancelled due to having no pressing agenda items.  Various committees and groups are busy working on issue, but none have any need at this time for Church Council action.  The next meeting date will be announced as needs arise.

First Quarter Financial Report

Data for the first quarter (Jan-Mar) shows the following:  Income for the first quarter of 2026 for the General Fund was $107,077, up from the first quarter of 2025, which was $92,455.  Bob Lane, chairperson of the finance committee, will be talking to people in the congregation over the next 2-3 weeks about what this means for our church.

New Music and Worship Assistant

I sent a proposal to the Staff Parish Relations Committee to create a new position of Music and Worship Assistant.  The increased giving in the first quarter of this year will more than cover the cost of this position.  Furthermore, I recommended that the committee hire Becky Wiggs, the incoming pastor’s wife, who has held this position in several other churches where they have been appointed.  A similar position in our church fell by the wayside after the 2 previous music directors left.  The position would include the following responsibilities, based on needs of our church that I have observed during my time as your pastor.  I also believe that if a pastor’s spouse is hired, it is better that I arrange that rather than ask her husband to.  The needs I proposed for a music and worship assistant:

1. Recruit ten new instrumentalists for music
2. Organize and lead a choir at the 10:30 worship
3. Supplement the children’s program with music as part of children’s spiritual formation
   1. Children’s choir for church and community
4. Arrange two children’s musicals each year, including children from church and community
5. Develop a library of music for singers, instrumentalists, and congregation
6. Work with a team to improve congregational singing at both worship services
7. Assist the pastor in enhancing and planning Sunday morning worship, seasonal worship services, weddings, and funerals
8. Develop metrics for measuring success and growth in numbers 3-7 to be approved by the Staff Parish Relations Committee
9. Work in preparing videos for worship service, including a short announcement video each Sunday with announcements made by children of our church
10. Evaluate music ministries in each of Sullivan’s nursing homes/retirement homes and develop and supervise a project to meet musical needs
11. Form and develop an altar guild, with leadership, that will invite people to be involved in decorations and arts for the liturgical year for all worship spaces
12. In the Bridging Table, serve as a host for all proposals for arts and worship
13. Find a way to walk alongside the Praise team in supporting and creative roles

If you have comments or concerns about this proposal, feel free to speak to any member of the Staff Parish Relations Committee:  Kendall Brettschneider, Dennis Ozier, Kathy Booker, Bob Lane, Erica Lehman, and Susan Connor.  It will not be finalized until taken up by the Church Council.

Worship Information for this Coming Sunday

Scripture:  I Timothy 2: 8-15; I Peter 3: 1-7; Galatians 3: 23-29

Sermon Title:  The Weaker Sex

Special Events:  Mother’s Day recognition

Praise Team Music:  Lord I Lift Your Name on High, Lord I Need You, Amazing Grace My Chains Are Gone, The Way

Hymns (pending Bonnie’s return):  For the Beauty of the Earth, O Love that Will Not Let Me Go, I Sing a Song of the Saints of God

Mother’s Day Light Lunch Served at Noon

Most of the ongoing groups in the church have collaborated under the leadership of Teresa Lane and Mackinzee Hoss to provide a complimentary light lunch at noon on Mother’s Day.  Just show up—no reservations, no cost to participants.

Pastor’s Schedule this Coming Week

I will be at Wesley Seminary in Washington D.C. Monday through Wednesday.  My days in Sullivan this coming week will be Thursday and Friday.  I can still be reached at 217-898-3148, even though I am on the road.  But if I am in the air, you will have to wait until the captain lets ur turn on our cell phones.  

Church Office Hours this Week:

The church office hours this week will be the normal Monday-Thursday, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.  Esther is on vacation, and volunteers Ann Wheeler and Teresa Lane will be filling in for her.

Events this Coming Week

Monday, May 11 

Wings Group                          6:30 p.m. 

AA Group                               7:00 p.m. 

Tuesday, May 12

Walking with Jesus (men)      9:00 a.m. 

Women’s Life Group              9:00 a.m.

Next Tuesday Bible Study is June 2 

Tuesday Informal Eat Out      5:30 p.m. 

Wednesday, May 13 

Praise Team Practice               5:00 p.m. 

Evening Bible Study               6:15 p.m. 

AA Group                               7:00 p.m. 

Thursday, May 14 

Mary’s Food Bags                  noon

Mobile Food Pantry                4:00 p.m.