When taking our vows of membership, we each promised to support the church through our prayer, presence, gifts, service and witness.   Each year we gather for our Church Conference (Oct. 21—6:30 p.m.) and take some time to ask ourselves how well we have kept our promise.

There are currently openings on each of our ministry teams.  Please speak with members serving on these groups, take time to prayerfully discern how to best use your gifts, then step up and become an active participant in the ministries of Peoples UMC.

If we do not do the work of the church, the work of the church does not get done.

As we enter the fall, it is time to examine where we may be called us to serve in God’s church.  Here is a listing of the different groups that oversee and maintain the ministries of Peoples UMC and a brief description about where their focus lies.  At our Annual Church Conference on Oct. 21 we as a community welcome those who step forward to serve.    It is often said that many hands make light work and we know that we best serve when all are involved and participating as best they can.   Please take some time over the coming days and prayerfully consider where your gifts lie.

CHURCH COUNCIL:  This is the overseeing body of the work of the church.  A representative from each of the other committees is asked to serve as we keep each other informed as to what each group is undertaking.  There are also ad-hoc members of this committee who serve not as representatives of other groups, but to supply other ideas and considerations.   This team is also where visioning is taking place.  Where will we be in five years?  What are the gifts and graces of our community?  Where should we be focusing our energy and resources?  The committee meets the second Tuesday of each month at 7 pm.   If you’d like to be part of this looking toward tomorrow, please see Pastor Tom about joining this committee.

STAFF-PARISH RELATIONS (SPRC):  This is a group that works with the pastor to better serve the community.  They do an annual review of the pastor’s work, as well as all paid employees of the church.  They work with the conference in matters of pastoral change and other related issues.  To belong to this committee you must be a full member of Peoples.  There is a limit of nine that can serve.  The committee meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 2 pm.  (The day/time is flexible if it does not meet your availability.) If you would like more information, please speak with Pastor Tom or Keith Snoddy.

FINANCE:  While this group reviews budget numbers, it is not just about accounting.  Most of the focus of this group is visioning how to best teach and/or demonstrate stewardship as a foundation of our faith.  Meetings are the Thursday before the Church Council meeting at 6 pm.  If you’d like to know more, please see Pastor Tom, Kathy Brann or Sue Angell.

CHURCH LIFE:  This committee is really a large umbrella that covers many areas of interest.  Church Social Events, Christian Education,  Outreach Ministries, all fall under the heading of Church Life.  You need not be involved in each of these areas.  If your passion is for a specific area or event, you are welcome to join and participate in the creation, planning and development of your area of interest.  If curious, please see Pastor Tom, Carol Bruneau or Rosemary Herd for more information.

TRUSTEES:  This group maintains the church and parsonage buildings and properties.  They meet the first Tuesday of each month at 7 pm.  There is a limit of nine members on this board. If interested, please see Walter Greer, Brad Morrison or Pastor Tom.

SUNDAY SCHOOL/NURSERY: Spend some time with our children.  You’ll be surprised how much you’ll learn.  See Rosemary Herd (Sunday School) or Betsy Morrison (Nursery)

BUT I CAN’T MAKE IT TO MEETINGS VOLUNTEERS:  There are ways to serve that do not require monthly meetings and can even be done at home. If you’d like to learn how to help, please see Pastor Tom or any of the listed names in your area of interest.

AND LET’S NOT FORGET:  We have so many other groups that provide vital ministries to the community—The Worship Team, Choir, Bell Choir, The Prayer Shawl/Craft Ministry, The Men’s Group, United Methodist Women, The Garden Club, Church Archives, to name a few.  We can always use extra hands and hearts.