The Mountain View June 2006

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven on Earth.

Biloxi Blues: God’s Love Goes Way Beyond the Blues
Our Mississippi Adventure–Part II

About fifty college students from Georgia left this morning after working on roofs in the area for the past week. We did all sorts of vacuuming and picking up to prepare for the next seventy-five people who will come in today. They are all UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) volunteers like us. They are coming from the Denver area, Durango, Colorado, and, of course, Utah! Terry and Perry Lee Holzworth arrived here around noon. They had traveled about 1,700 miles so far since leaving West Jordan.

There is a wedding in the sanctuary of the church where we are staying, so the seventy-five people coming in are being told to step lightly and speak quietly and not run down the aisle of the sanctuary between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m.

Yesterday, our biggest work project was to clean out the sanctuary for the wedding rehearsal. The church was going to leave all the stuff that the college group had set up for sleeping arrangements in the sanctuary during the wedding rehearsal, but the bride told them she did not want it in the sanctuary while they rehearsed. I can't blame her. It looked and smelled a little like a college dormitory. So we moved tons of sleeping bags, air mattresses, suitcases, clothes, books, notebooks, electronic equipment and trash into the entryway. I hope all the students were able to find all their stuff, but I doubt it. Then we moved all the pews back into place. Then we all ran and hid because we didn't want the college students to beat us up when they came back. I told Pastor Jon I hope the work we will be doing in the coming weeks to rebuild homes is not as dirty as moving a bunch of college kids' dirty clothes.

At 2:00 p.m. Tom from Castle Rock, Colorado arrived. Our team leader, Pastor Jon, is taking about six trips to the airport over the first two days we are here to pick up volunteers. Oh, by the way, we are staying at the Gateway United Methodist Church. I did not even think we would be indoors at all, so this is pretty luxurious. There are four showers and even a washer and dryer. Apparently, to make sure the men do their share of the work, the washer and dryer are in the men's restroom/shower room. And you would not believe the amount of food that has been donated. I guess they are going to work us pretty hard because they are obviously planning on feeding us very well.

It is amazing to see so many people wanting to help. It reminds me of what the world should be like all the time. Too bad it takes a disaster to remind us of what we should be doing all along—helping each other.

One of today's projects was repairing cots that the church has available for volunteers to sleep on. There have been 50-150 people housed constantly in the church since Katrina. We fixed the springs and the metal bars in the lining of the tarps. Shane cut and pieced together pieces of 2 x 4's to replace the casters that were gone from the cots. It makes me very thankful to have an air mattress.

Louise came in today from Chandler, Indiana. She told us an amazing story about being here two weeks after Katrina hit. Her first night she helped feed two thousand people who had lost everything. She, along with a huge group of volunteers, cooked in the kitchen, and there was another huge group outside that cooked "chuck wagon"-style in giant pots. Louse called the hurricane a "great leveler" because here in that line of two thousand people were many who hardly had anything before the hurricane; hundreds who had everything before the hurricane, and were dressed impeccably—women with extremely expensive purses that were the only things they got out of their homes—and everyone in between.

Louise said, "No one was in charge, and everyone was in charge." It was mass chaos as giant donations were being brought in from all over the world. Because she was helping, people started asking her where to store things. She had no idea, but just started saying, "Put that there! Put this here!"

When she got here this morning, she and her friend brought a spinet piano they had gotten a music store to donate. Her church donated hymn books early-on to a church that lost everything and is meeting in a Quonset tent. They figured if the church was going to have song books, they ought to have a piano to go with it. A man from their church, whom they barely knew, said, "Take my truck." They loaded the piano in the brand new truck and brought it down.

Shane has been giving me regular reports on the "March Madness" college basketball tournament. Scott is text messaging him constantly with scores and stats.

Louise also talked about how they are entering the "suicide stage" here—about six months after the disaster. People who lost everything—in many cases—expected to get back to something resembling a normal life by now. When they find that often hardly any progress has been made at this point, a strong feeling of hopelessness sets in.

By the end of the evening, 150 volunteers will be housed inside and outside this church. Part of our group from Castle rock, Colorado went to see a Baptist church near here that had been severely damaged by wind and a tornado. The entire front of the building was peeled away and the steeple was torn off and driven upside down into the roof like a giant nail. There was a sign outside that read, "Building Destroyed. Church SAVED!"

We went to church at 11 a.m. Pastor Paul Knight told us he had only been here two months when Katrina arrived. He had been hoping for a new challenge in his new church appointment, but this was not the challenge he had expected.

They have a 6:30 p.m. Sunday service as well as their morning service. A musical group from their church will be leading the worship. At the morning worship we sang "How Great Thou Art," "The Old Rugged Cross," and "Lord of the Dance." The musical combo sang, "On the Wings of a Dove."
I told the pastor after church that it was very nice to listen to a good sermon, because most the time I just have to listen to myself! He had a good message from Matthew 7:1-5 (plank/speck in the eye) called "The Blame Game," talking about how it all started with Adam blaming Eve and God and Eve blaming the snake.

I met a pastor from Pennsylvania who came with a youth group. His church is very mission-minded and takes three mission trips a year all over the world.

After the concert tonight, we had our team meeting with the 32 folks from Utah, Colorado and Wyoming. We are going to four separate work sites tomorrow to do electrical work, ceiling work, dry walling and roof work. Shane and I are going to be at Ethel's home in Gulfport working on shingling the roof. Jon told us no matter how much work there is to be done, if the owner of the home needs to talk, that is the first priority. They may have lost a brother or have a mother who is still missing. We need to be very sensitive to the people for whom we work by asking if it is okay to take pictures and being sure we know what the rules are if they have kids and pets.

We will have breakfast at 7 a.m. and be on the road by 8 a.m. Apparently, Monday is called "Chaos Day" because often the sites have not been "pre-screened"—as is the case with our sites. So no one knows exactly what is needed until we get there. Then we start calling Jon so he can purchase supplies for us.

Shane is so into this project that he took out his notebook and started writing down plans and costs for the next group from our church to come down for a work project. He would love to see a bunch of our youth make the trip. I love his enthusiasm and am so happy we get to share this experience. He is so much fun to have around.

We are now having Pastor Steve's sermons tape-recorded, so if you miss a Sunday and don't want to miss out on the message, contact the church office and you can check out the tape.

Have you ever had the experience of being around a person who casually mentions names of prominent people as if they were personal friends? It may not be as common as other traits we find problematic when talking to other people, but it does exist. I find it offensive when it occurs.

These are attempts to impress people, not because of our status, but because of our association with others who do have status. The individual does not feel he/she has enough credentials to stand on his or her own.

Another example of trying to impress others is seen in the use of titles as part of the person's name. In a professional setting it may be beneficial to use titles, but in social or casual settings, what purpose does the use of titles serve other than the seeking of status?

I am reminded of a professor in the graduate school I attended. One day as he was returning to work after lunch he was involved in an accident. Another driver struck his car. The driver of the other car jumped out and in an irritated voice said, "I am Major __________." The professor was somewhat amazed at the other driver’s attempt to impress him with his credentials. The professor replied, "I am Dr. _______." The discussion took on a much more amicable tone at that point.

Another one of the professors in the graduate school department told us as doctoral students that upon graduation the first thing we should do is to go home, find an empty barrel, stick our head in the barrel and shout our name and title repeatedly until we had satisfied the need to hear the title associated with our name. Then we could get on with the work we had been trained to do.

Yet as Christians we are asked to be name-droppers. We are asked to point to our association with Christ. We are asked to impress upon others that without Christ we have no status. It is only through our relationship with Christ we are able to claim any status in this world or the world to come.

The critical part of this is, we are not being name-droppers to point to our own importance. We are asked to be name-droppers to point out that it is through Christ we have status with God.

The Christian Life Center

Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 9:00 a.m.-Noon
1^st and 3^rd Saturday 9:00 a.m.-Noon (by appointment only)

The Christian Life Center is a ministry offered by this church. Its purpose is to help people deal with the troublesome issues of life. It is provided at no cost to you. Call the church office or Dr. Duane Haidle for an appointment.

Don't forget there are three opportunities to go to Pinecliff Camp this summer. Space is still available, but please register as soon as possible!!!

This is an incredible weekend retreat for Mid-High Youth (grades 7-9) Meet new friends, share your faith and have a week full of fun stuffed into this amazing weekend!! The theme is "God's Calling." The event director is Linda Hartney. The counselors are coming from Colorado. The cost is $65.

Fun, food and fellowship This is a weekend to relax and enjoy nature with your family. Hike to the cross, wade in the stream, play volleyball/softball/basketball, do arts and crafts or just sit and read a book. Each night there's a campfire with camp songs and s'mores. Sunday there is an outdoor service. It's really, really fun!

The cost is
5 and under: $0
6-12 years old: $30
13 and older: $40
Meals from Friday dinner through Sunday lunch are included. Registration forms are on the church bulletin board and you can turn them in to the church office.

Campers will come to know and understand the God of creation. Campers will join cross-age family groups and same-age cabin groups for activities. Explore God's presence in all aspects of life, meet old and new friends in singing, stories and sharing (5 days and 4 nights). Parents of kindergarten and first grade are welcome to attend as counselors. Cory Coward, Director. Cost $130

Registration forms and brochures are available on the bookshelf in the church hallway.

Vacation Bible School
July 17-21 from 9:00-noon
Ages 5 through 6^th grade

"Haven't I commanded you: Be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

Come along as we trek north to the Arctic Edge during Vacation Bible School 2006.

We’ll take daily excursions from Big Bear Lodge and hike across the tundra, explore the seascape by kayak, and skim the backcountry in a float plane. We will test our limits in the challenges of the vast Arctic wilderness. We will learn that God is always with us and we will find the courage required to follow Jesus in the everyday challenges of our lives!!

Join us for a week full of exciting Bible stories, fun games, great songs, and creative crafts. Also we will be having a lunch on Friday, July 21 at noon for parents and will be performing our songs at all three worship services on Sunday, July 23. Don’t miss out!!

Hilltop United Methodist Church invites all children to become Treasure Seekers at their summer Vacation Bible School, Adventure of the Treasure Seekers: Exploring God’s Promises. The action begins June 12, 2006 and ends June 16, 2006 from 4:15-7:30 p.m. There will be daily "Discovery Digs" for children to explore the Scriptures and find God's promises. This program offers fun, interactive activities that combine the world of archaeology with the discovery of treasures in the Bible for children 3 years old through 5th grade. Each day, children will take part in an actual dig and find treasures that remind them of the bible story and God's promise for that day. Children will also be involved in local mission projects, sing great Treasure Seekers tunes, create some memorable crafts, and make many new friends.

Meet us at Hilltop United Methodist Church, 985 East 10600 South, Sandy, on June 12, 2006 at 4:15 p.m. to be part of Adventure of the Treasure Seekers. For more information, call Barbara Hurley at 801-571-5777.

Tigers-Soda in cans
Wolf-Desserts
Bear-Chips and Dips
Webelos- Fruits and Veggies
Webelos II- Salads

Thanks to everyone who came to the Scout-a-rama. It was really fun and the booth turned out great.

We are looking for a Webelos Leader if anyone is interested contact Kristin Vanstaveren.

"Live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you," wrote the apostle Paul to the church in Corinth.

Your offering on Peace with Justice Sunday, June 11, helps the children of God everywhere to live lovingly and peacefully. Peace with Justice witnesses to God’s demand for a faithful, just, disarmed and secure world. Half of the offering supports Peace with Justice ministries globally and half assists annual conference-related work such as Faith Communities Uniting for Peace in West Ohio. Working together, members of Faith Communities Uniting for Peace have developed mutual respect and dignity, moving beyond stereotypes and prejudices; working with Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, Muslims and Sikhs to live from a vision of peace rooted in faith. Your Gift makes a World of Difference!!

Utahns Against Hunger encourages you to grow an extra row in your garden to donate to your local food pantry, food bank or prepared meal site. For more information or a list of pantries and prepared meal sites, contact Utahns Against Hunger at 328-2561. Contact person person: Steve Blackman.

A form for setting up regular automatic withdrawals for paying your pledge are available in the church office. Many of you may choose not to use it, which is fine. However, if you regularly write a check each week, month, quarter or whatever, you can set this up and not have to worry about it. More and more, people pay their bills this way or through the internet. With summer vacations approaching, it is also a good way to keep your pledge current while you are absent.

The form is fairly easy to fill out, just remember not to sign it before you take it to the bank, as this has to be done in a bank employee's presence. You do not need to bank with Zion's, where the church account is. You will need to take it to our branch, however. It is the Zion's Bank at 10400 South and Redwood Road, on the same corner as Smith's.

Check the "new" box at the top of the form. Our account information is filled in. You will need to fill in the information for your account, the amount you want transferred, the frequency, and when you want it to start. Then take it to Zion's Bank. If you have any questions, call Jerry Selbo.

The Missions Committee would like to thank everyone who participated in the first annual Running for Relief 5K Run. With over 175 people registered, we were able to donate approximately $1600 to UMCOR for disaster relief. Save the Date: Saturday, April 21, 2007, for the second annual Running for Relief.

Don't forget the Sandwich Mission. Every third week of the month we make and serve sandwiches as an outreach mission.

The dates for June are:
Sunday, June 18: make/or bring sandwiches, 2 p.m.
Monday, June 19: serve sandwiches, 5:15 p.m. at St. Vincent DePaul Center, 500 West 200 South. (Usually finished by 6:45 p.m.)

Due Dates for Sunday Bulletin and Newsletter
For the Sunday Bulletin: Information due Wednesday of each week.
For the Mountain View: Articles due the 20th of every month. Articles on disk or e-mailed (office@mtnvistaumc.org) preferred.