Circuit Writer

JULY 2009

Our Journey Together

There was much discussion at our recent Annual Conference in Kenner about how we
relate to the global church, particularly the global United Methodist Church. A series of
constitutional amendments addressing this were rejected (2/3 vote from all the annual
conferences is needed to pass). Primarily this was because some thought they were
premature and not well thought out and others believed they would further separate
the church in the U.S. from the world church rather than bring us closer together.
The reality is that the church in Africa, Asia, and Latin America is growing rapidly while
in Europe and the U.S. it is declining. As was said by some, we would do well to learn
from them. One way we can do that is to increase our interaction with and knowledge
of them and their ministries. Accordingly, the Missions Ministry Team has planned an
exciting July for us.
Larry Norman, Director of LA Volunteers in Missions, will be with us on the 5th. Marsha
Alexander will tell us of what God is doing in Mexico on the 12th. On the 19th Doug Hall
will update us on the Sulphur Children’s Home. On the 22nd Nicholas Gitobu will return
to share the story of the church in Cambodia. Finally, after several years, Nina Smir-
nova comes to University UMC to enrich our relationship with her and the Good News
Church in Moscow, Russia. Events will be held July 26th, 28th, and 29th with her.
Be looking for further information and make your plans to allow these persons help
you catch the excitement about God is doing in the world and how you and I might
partake in it!

In Christ,

Charlie

Camp E.D.G.E. (VBS)

July 13-17
8:30 a.m. in Safe Harbor
Bring your children ages 3 years through completed 5th grade
2

A Request...
It’s time to renew
Dear Friends,
your Faith Promise missions
pledge. As Mike & I have moved about the Louisiana Conference, we
have collected a commemorative plate from each church he has
served, but we couldn't find one at University UMC, Lake
Charles. Has anyone "inherited" such a plate, seen one at a flea
Cards will be available in the market, or otherwise know the whereabouts of one we could
buy? If you have any information that could help us, please con-
Church Office in July. You may tact us at 337-463-8915 or luanmc51@hotmail.com. Even with-
turn these in to Randy when out the commemorative plate, know that we continue to remem-
ber our time at University UMC and the people who made it so
completed. special! Hope everyone is having a wonderful summer.

Keep us in your prayers as we keep you in ours,

LuAn & Mike McLaurin

July is Missions Month at UUMC!

July 5 Rev. Larry Norman, director of LAVIM (volunteers in Mission of the Louisiana Conference)
will be here to speak about mission opportunities in both services and Sunday School.
July 12 Rev. Marsha Alexander, a missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries of the
United Methodist Church will speak at both morning services. She formerly served as
Director of Christian Education at UUMC, and is currently serving as director with Oklahoma
Volunteers in Mission/Manos Juntas Mexico in Rio Bravo, Mexico.
July 19 Doug Hall, Assistant Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving of the Louisiana United
Methodist Children and Family Services, Inc. will be here to update us on the Sulphur
Children’s Home. During Sunday School, he will speak in the choir room.
July 22 Church-Wide Supper at 5:30 p.m. in Safe Harbor with Nicholas Gitobu as guest
speaker. He is a missionary of the General Board of Global Ministries of the United
Methodist Church, serving as GBGM Area Financial Executive (AFE) in Southeast Asia,
and is based in Cambodia.
July 26 Rev. Nina Smirnova, a professional singer and pastor of the Good News UMC in Moscow,
Russia will preach in both services. Good News UMC is a sister church of UUMC.
July 28 Concert featuring Rev. Nina Smirnova in the Sanctuary at 7:00 p.m. at UUMC. A reception will
follow in Safe Harbor.
July 29 District Pastors’ Luncheon in Safe Harbor at 12 noon with Rev. Nina Smirnova.
July 29 Church-Wide Supper at 5:30 p.m. in Safe Harbor. Rev. Nina Smirnova will be the guest
speaker.
Get involved this month with missions!
3

July Birthdays (Birthdays continued)

July 30 Barbara Hebert, Paul McKee, Connie
McDonald, Pandy Nunez, Blanche Natali
July 31 Kenneth Nunez, Pamela Bertrand, Tanner
Grooms
July 1 Natalie Roach
July 2 Alberta Miller, Pam Powers, Dillon SOCIAL LIGHTS
Fuselier
July 3 Milton Stewart, Diane Mason, Bruce
Boales, Gabby Weemes Social Lights will meet for lunch at Pat’s of Henderson,
July 4 Kathryn Williams, Betty Golemon 1500 Siebarth Drive , at 11:30 a.m., July 13. Join this
group of fun loving ladies for a delightful time! There are
July 5 Jerry Stephens, Sara Lindsey
no dues, no programs, no membership list, and arrange-
July 6 Regina Couvillon ments are made at each monthly as to the date, time,
July 7 Liz Perello, Gene Nelson, Frances and place of the next meeting. The names says it all—it
Ferguson, Marsha Montgomery, is strictly social.
Jeremy Richard
July 8 Dominic Bruno
July 9 Tessie Hall, Eva Rauser, Rachel Kane
July 10 Libbi Hermann
July 11 Valerie Hakey, Brandi Sonnier
July 12 Nicole Butler, Macie McGee
July 13 Janice Parkerson, Bradley Ragusa,
Rachael Chambers, Dustin Brock
July 14 Beth McGee OLDEST AND YOUNGEST
July 15 Craig Bush, Gwen Spalding, Lisa
Sanders STONEROLLERS - 100 and 21!
July 16 Peggy Neal, Mike Elliott Myrtle Golemon just turned 100 and is the oldest mem-
July 18 Jamie Holt ber of the Stonerollers Sunday School Class. She is the
middle child of 9 kids and grew up on a farm. Eight of
July 19 Susan Castleman, Marla Chatagnier
the nine children in her family ended up being educa-
July 20 Norma Anderson, Weldon Hoffpauir tors and she was one of them. She began her teaching
July 21 Robert Morgan, Judy Bogle, Carolyn career in Grant, LA at Fairview High School. Myrtle
Sigler, John Morris, Paul Duhon married in 1937. She joined the Stonerollers Class over
July 22 Bennett Lewis, Jessie Austin, Louella 40 years ago. She served as class librarian for a long
Kirkum, David Christ, Tina Woodard
time. Her daughter, Barbara Hebert, took over teach-
July 23 Megan Cassingham, Bruce Allured ing upon the death of a prior teacher and remains to-
July 24 Gayla Abshire, Catelin Robinson day.
July 25 Bill Lyford, Sr., Andria McCann, Rachael Chambers is the youngest member of Stone-
Connor House
rollers joining the class as a teen. Rachael is 21 and just
July 26 Doug Gothreaux, Taylor Spence received her bachelor’s degree from McNeese. She is
July 27 Jimmy Allen moving to Galveston to attend school for occupational
July 29 Clint Mouser, Linda Houston, William therapy. Both of these women are great examples of
Turton, Rebecca Chafin, Kristin Christian women and an inspiration to us all.
Chestnutt
Anyone who desires to join this special class is always
welcome. It meets on Sunday at 9:40 a.m.
4

University United Methodist Church NON PROFIT

3501 Patrick Street U.S. Postage
Lake Charles, LA 70605
PAID
(337) 477-2003
(337) 478-8106 fax Lake Charles, LA
www.universitymethodist.com Permit #356

CHURCH STAFF Address Correction Requested

Pastor Rev. Charlie Langford
Program Director Marj Robinson
Dir. of Youth & Out. Min. Mike Brignac
Chancel Choir Director Dr. Darryl Jones
Safe Harbor Music Leader Jahn Saucier
Organist Steven Branch
Office Manager Randy Morgan
Staff Assistant Kathy Harmon
Day School Director Julie Hebert
Church Sexton J.C. Picard
Weekend Sexton Robert Price

YOUTHACTIVITIESFORJULY
Don’t
July
5
4:30
p.m.
Independence
Day
Party—watch
bulletin
for



info
Forget
July
11
(Saturday)
-
Work
Day
at
Pat
and
Fred
McKee’s
house— Manna

this
is
inside
work
so
come
help
from
9:30
a.m.—12


noon.
Ministries
July
12
Break
Away—look
for
more
info
in
bulletin
this Summer.
July
13—17
Youth
will
help
in
Vacation
Bible
School
Collection boxes
July
19
Come
to
the
VBS
Celebration
at
the
church
beginning
are in the narthex and

with
supper
at
5:30
p.m.

July
26


Youth
will
be
meeting
in
the
Youth
Room
at
4:30
p.m.!
Safe Harbor.
*
There
will
be
a
swim
date
at
Country
Club
Acres
during
the

month.
Date
to
be
announced.