OCTOBER 2025

THE CROWS NEST

SPRINGDALE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

INSIDE THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Rebecca's Reflections

SUMC Spending Plan 2025

Birthdays and Anniversaries

October Worship

Upcoming Events

West Branch Food Pantry

Wednesday Night Discipleship

Contemplative Coloring

World Communion Day

In Gathering

Conference & Circuit News

Year-End is a Time for Giving

Ministry Reports

REBECCA'S REFLECTIONS

This summer, as the sanctuary went through its transformation to become the north woods, Josh S. re-discovered the time capsule inside the altar. This time capsule was assembled in 1975, during the 100th anniversary year of Springdale UMC. This year, we are celebrating the 150th anniversary and it seems an appropriate time to open the time capsule and see what the congregation thought would be important to share with future congregants. After worship on Sunday, October 26, we will be opening the time capsule and discovering what is inside. Come and join us for this special time—who knows what we will find?!

It also brings up the question—if we were to create a time capsule for our future, what would we put in it? Our world is so different from that of 150 or even 50 years ago. Much of our world is digital and electronic, yet the basics are still here. Faith based on the scriptures, love shared through caring, community based on commitment to one another. How would we tangibly show this in a time capsule for the future?

This will be our last time of celebrating the 150th this year. The 1975-time capsule will be a nice ending to a full and fun year. Join us on the 26th to see what is inside the capsule!

Have a great month and enjoy the beginning of fall.

Rebecca

SPRINGDALE UMC MINISTRY SPENDING PLAN 2025

October, 2025 Update:

2025 Budget:                          $48,531

2025 Expenses thru March:    $27,570

2024 Giving thru March:        $21,360

Difference:                              ($6,210)

We ask that you continue to prayerfully consider how you can continue being a strong steward through Springdale UMC with your time, talents and treasures. As our membership vows state, we are to serve with our prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness.  Our Stewardship campaign is coming up in November. Continue to ask God how Springdale UMC is working in our community, and how each of us can participate as God’s hands and feet.

For more details about the financial situation, please contact a member of the ad-board or treasurer Jessica Grace.

CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO TO SEE A GLIMPSE OF SOME OF THE THINGS WE'VE BEEN UP TO

BIRTHDAYS                                                                ANNIVERSARIES

1 - Grayson Carver                                                    4 - Dylan & Molly Haub (11)

2 - Larry Grace                                                           9 - Wes & Jodi Clemens (21)

      Shane McElderry                                              13 - Michael & Sarah Grace (24)

      Taylor Westpheling                                          15 - Troy & Amy Budreau (31)

3 - May Fulton                                                          19 - Bill & Angie McConnaha (20)

4 - Lauren Grace                                                     20 - Mike & Stacey Schropp (29)

      Dylan Haub                                                        26 - Eric & Kara Heick (1)

      Ellyn Paulus

5 - Dana Gafeller

9 - Emma Grace

      Chris Bergmann

      Jarrett Holbert

15 - Miles McConnaha

      Danielle Wolf

16 - Connor Fulton

17 - Tim Miller

18 - Cole Tisinger

19 - Cassie Phillip

20 - Rodney Reid

        Gayle Van Est

22 - Jerry Irey

23 - Pat Reid

24 - Dan McElderry

25 - Josh Sabourin

28 - Russell Heick

        Shannon Martin

        Matthew Mayhew

29 - Jason Laing

OCTOBER WORSHIP

Theme for the Month: Blessings

October 5

Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost, Communion, World Communion Sunday

Scripture: Luke 17:5-10

Sermon: “Giving Faith”

October 12
Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Scripture:  Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7; Luke 17:11-19

Sermon: "Thanksgiving"

October 19
Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost; Birthday Sunday

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:27-34; Luke 18:1-8

Sermon: "Heart Writing"

October 26
Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18; Luke 18:9-14

Sermon: "Time Capsule"

SONG OF THE MONTH

UPCOMING EVENTS

October 5          World Communion Sunday

October 8          UMW Meeting 6 p.m.  - SUMC

October 9          WBARC at SUMC, 9:30 a.m.

October 10        Pulled Pork Dinner Fundraiser - WBUMC 5-7 p.m.

October 12         UMW Drive Up Soup Supper - SUMC 4-6 p.m.

October 15         VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO SERVE @ WND  AND PROVIDE                                         DESSERTS

October 16-19    Walk to Emmaus (Women)

October 26         Pack College Cookie Buckets (8) and Open Time Capsule

November 2       All Saints Sunday  | Charge Conference @ St. Marks 3 P.M. | Fall                                        Harvest Auction @ WBUMC 11-Noon

November 9       Veteran's Sunday

November 12      UMW Meeting 6 p.m. - SUMC

November 23     United Methodist Student Day Special Offering

November 30     First Sunday of Advent

December 13      Bake Sale at Cedar County Lions Expo

Adult Sunday School at 9 a.m.

Wednesday Night Discipleship 5:30 p.m. - WBUMC

WEST BRANCH FOOD PANTRY

This year, the COME committee will be collecting non-food items for the West Branch Food Pantry.  Collections will continue through the entire month and you can find the collection bin in the foyer of the church.  Any items collected will be distributed to the pantry after the 4th Sunday of the month.

September - Baking Items

Flour, Sugar, Baking Soda, Baking Powder, etc.

October - Back to School Snacks

Goldfish crackers, fruit snacks, juice boxes, granola bars, etc.

November - Simple Meals

Manwich, All-in-One Pizza Mix, Hamburger Helper, Canned Spaghetti, All-in-One Mexican Meals, etc.

December - Soups

Chili kits (beans, tomato juice, hamburger, ground turkey, etc.), Beef Stew, Canned Soups, etc.

Total donated through August $1,307.14*

*Price determined by a Google search of average costs

WEDNESDAY NIGHT DISCIPLESHIP

Beginning September 4, WND will meet every Wednesday during the school year.  The schedule has changed a bit this year as they are adding in a Family Worship time!  Classes are held for PK-12th Grade- please encourage your children and grandchildren to participate.

5:30 p.m. - PK-6th grade classes meet in classrooms

6:10 p.m. - Family Worship

6:30 p.m. - Family Supper in Fellowship Hall
(Parent/Guardian required for students in 5th grade and under)
7-8 p.m. 7-12 grade Youth Group

SUMC is looking for volunteers to help prepare, serve, and clean up for the Family Supper the Third Wednesday of every month.  We also need volunteers to provide baked goods (6 dozen).  Please contact Rebecca or Paula for more information and to sign up.

Looking for other ways to support this ministry?  Visit the following supply wish list links:  Walmart    Amazon

CONTEMPLATIVE COLORING

Have you ever thought of coloring as a way to pray? Pick up your colored pencils or crayons and discover a creative way to slow down and focus on God. Sharon Seyfarth Garner, author of Praying with Mandalas, offers this advice for finding rest and renewal in prayerful coloring.

1. Everyone is an artist. You are wonderfully made in the image of God, your Creator. Therefore, you have creative gifts embedded within you.

2. Set aside time. Designate time in your day to be with God on purpose. You may choose to mark your prayer time as an appointment with God on your calendar. Allow yourself to let go of your distractions and sit at the feet of Jesus to color and pray on a regular basis.

3. Set aside sacred space. You may find setting aside time for God easier if you set aside a space dedicated solely to prayer. Set aside a special space and gather items you will need for prayer—a Bible, mandalas, colored pencils, a candle, a journal, and so on.

4. Lines are optional. In contemplative coloring, the lines are merely suggestions. Color within them, color on them, draw new lines, or draw beyond the lines. Anything goes!

5. No color is off-limits. Pick the colors that attract you or hold meaning for you. Don’t overthink color selection so that it becomes a distraction of its own.

6. Leave blank space. There is no need to “finish” coloring a mandala. You can leave blank space that you return to at a later time. The blank spaces may even become integral parts of your prayerful creation.

Download a free mandala and try contemplative coloring today.

SUPPORT FUTURE CHURCH LEADERS THROUGH WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY

Each World Communion Sunday, we remember our oneness in Christ and invest in leaders for tomorrow. Your offering helps fund scholarships for racial-ethnic minority students and international scholars, as well as inclusion training across the church. Give through your church or online and be part of this global impact.

We invite you to give generously and be part of this vital mission. Together, we can make a real difference! Donate.gcfa.org/wcs

November 1, 2025 Mt. Pleasant, First UMC- 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

STUDENT KIT SHOPPING LIST
(Please items in the foyer to be donated)

3 Notebooks - 1 Subject spiral 8" x 10 1/2"

1 Ruler - 12" long with metric

6 Pencils - unsharpened

1 Pencil Sharpener

1 Pencil Eraser - 2" or larger

1 Box of 12 Colored Pencils

1 Box of 24 Crayons

1 Pair of Student Scissors

1 Handmade One-Handled Bag

(pattern at midwestmission.org/patterns)

CONFERENCE, DISTRICT AND CIRCUIT NEWS

SE District Monthly Prayer List

5 - Tiffin, Grace UM Church

12 - West Branch, UM Church

19 - Amish Circuit: Champion Hill UM Church - Pleasant Hill UM Church

       Brooklyn, Grace UM Church - New Covenant Parish: Victor UM Church - Heritage (Ladora/Ohio) UM Church

26 - Keota United Church of Faith

For More Visit:

Iowa Conference

Southeast District

United Women in Faith

District Superintendent

Rev. Brian Oliver

Email: brian.oliver@iaumc.org

Phone: (319) 382-0436

MINISTRY REPORTS

Springdale UMC Leadership Board meeting—9/30/2025

Full Leadership Board: 7 p.m.

Attendance: Manda, Julie M., Rebecca, Lynda, Paula, Steven, and Jessica

1. Opening Devotion and Prayer

2. August 26, 2025 Minutes

   1. Manda moved to approve.  Julie seconded.  Motion carried.

3. Trustees

   1. Farm Ground sale–termination agreement?

      1. Paula provided a draft termination agreement for Jim Petersen and draft Cash Rent Lease for Rob Herring. 

      2. Board decided on $300/ac/ year for new cash rent agreement starting January 1.

      3. Paula will draft documents for review by the board at the next meeting.

   2. Gutters-still need to silicone

   3. Time Capsule–add anything to it? Create new?

      1. Add new: picture of 150th celebration, announce during worship if someone has anything they would like to add.

   4. Accessibility

      1. October 27, Paula meeting with contractor at 5:30.

      2. Manda spoke with Chancy - him and his crew are not available right now.

      3. Steven spoke with Travis Dimmer was going to come out but hasn’t been here yet.

   5. Deep Cleaning List

      1. Jessica has prepared a list and will be sending that out for review and for people to sign up.

      2. It was asked if there were any certain cleaning supplies that were needed.  Jessica said she was in the process of making a list of things she uses so that if people would like to donate items, they would know what to purchase.

      3. Amanda suggested an oil diffuser for the entryway that may be less offensive.  She would provide the oils but the church would buy the diffuser.  Conversation ensued.  Steven moved to purchase one diffuser.  Lynda seconded.  Motion carried.

4. SPRC

   1. Upcoming Dates

   2. Nominations (Lay Leadership Development)

      1. Technically–Pastor and Lay Leader co-chair

         1. Rebecca Carver

      2. Need to find 3-5 additional members

         1. Lynda Ambrose

      3. Work to engage/invite/involve people onto mission and ministry work

   3. Charge Conference

      1. Form I/Salary

      2. Mission/Ministry first glance

         1. We will work on getting the forms finalized at October’s meeting.

      3. Membership/statistics–any first readings?

      4. Various others Steven working through—will have finalized at Oct. meeting for Nov. 2nd charge conference

5. Stewardship

   1. Treasurer’s Report–trends from past few years

   2. Stewardship Campaign–Steven and Rebecca working on ideas

6. COME

   1. Blessing of Animals

      1. Went well.

   2. Cookie Buckets- 7 buckets to be packed on Oct 26

      1. Shea

      2. Hunter

      3. Elian

      4. Dawn

      5. Jeremy

      6. Zeb

      7. Shane

   3. Discussion regarding pen pals for Dawson, Teagyn, or Calvin?

   4. Cedar Co. Winter Expo

      1. Paula will again follow up with them to confirm our involvement

   5. WBARC update (Rebecca)

      1. Jan Cretin is stepping back from what she was doing at the Food Pantry

      2. Kathy Stein, resource officer, reported that 2 of the new officers have been trained in armed intruder training and are open to doing training for churches.  

   6. Food Pantry updates/ideas

      1. October - Back to School Snacks

      2. November - Quick and Easy Meals

      3. December - Soups

7. Other

   1. Wed. Night Discipleship

   2. Christmas Tree

      1. Lynda moved to spend up to $200 on an artificial christmas tree.  Jo seconded.  Motion carried.

      2. Paula will ask Jessica Nelson if she would be interested in shopping.  If not, Manda volunteered.

   3. Rebecca completed the Clery Ethics and Congregational Boundaries course.  Rebecca needs to be reimbursed $29.00.

8. Next Meeting:

   1. October 28, 7 p.m.

9. Closing Prayer