Teachers are heading back to school and toward the end of the month kids will be getting on yellow buses and heading back for another year of reading, writing, and arithmetic. The summer has certainly flown by as it always does. I think this coming month is going to be a really hot summer.
The old African folk tale that explains that it takes a whole village to raise its children can also apply to the church—especially the small church. And I want to take this time to thanks those who have really helped out around the church. Bill Skinner has kept our church yard looking great. The past summers I was able to help out some but Bill has done almost all the mowing this year. Bill has seen to it that the lawnmower is in working order. I think our church is a very pretty place and a great place to worship and be with friends and family. And the nice yard and garden add to the wonderful appeal of our church. Mike Wood has bushhogged the vacant lots across the street from the church and I really appreciate that. It really takes everyone in a small church pitching in to be a great church.
As we get closer to the fall we will be preparing for our Charge Conference. Rev. Joel McMahon from FUMC Center will conduct the Joaquin/Paxton Conference. As soon as I find out the day of the conference I will let everyone know. The various committees of the church will be meeting in the next month or so to set a budget, to review the year, and to ask people to serve in various capacities and committees. I will be meeting with the PPR Committee to look toward the future and what we want to accomplish and how best to go about doing that.
It has been a great joy to have become the pastor at Paxton United Methodist Church. I have felt very welcome since that first Sunday in June. I hope that there will be times during the year that our churches can worship and celebrate God’s love together.
Gayle spent the first part of the summer organizing lunches for school kids at the park. Now her attention has shifted to helping get kids ready for the school year. Christian Services is once again providing extra school supplies to both Joaquin campuses. And during the month of August, Christian Services will be collecting new children’s underwear and socks. What a joy it is to help a youngster get ready to face a new school year.
Take care and God’s speed! Randy
