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JUNE 2026 |
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THE CROWS NEST |
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SPRINGDALE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH MONTHLY NEWSLETTER |
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INSIDE THIS MONTH'S ISSUE |
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Rebecca's Reflections Upcoming Events June Worship June Brings a Season of Movement Wednesday Night Discipleship West Branch Food Pantry & Clothes Closet Simpson Youth Academy Family Faith Night VBS Faith Night @ the Ballpark Conference & Circuit News Ad Board Minutes SUMC 2026 and Beyond Ministry Planning |
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BIRTHDAYS |
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2 - Brycen Vikel 2 - Alyvia Vikel 4 - Matthew Bowels 4 - Preston Mayhew 6 - Alden Siddell 7 - Christian Laing 8 - Matthew Blayer 9 - Chelle Mayhew 9 - Laressa Stout 10 - Evelyn Buol 12 - John Fletcher 13 - Jodi Barnhart 16 - Becca Fulton 16 - Peggy McElderry 16 - Anna Whitlatch 22 - Madelyn Hartz 22 - Tanner Irey 23 - Savannah Nelson 24 - Kaleb Martin 25 - Bobby Knoop 26 - Elleana Irey 28 - Matt Tisinger 29 - Luke Mayhew 30 - Kara Heick 30 - Quin McConnaha |
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ANNIVERSARIES |
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5 - Ronnie & Jessica Nelson (16) 11 - Chauncy & Amanda Farmer (21) 11 - Todd & Paula Rogers (10) 14 - Cole & Shelby Lacina (7) 20 - Pete & Natalie Miller (28) 21 - Luke & Chelle Mayhew (23) 23 - Alden & Jordan Siddell (8) |
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SUMC'S MISSION, VISION & VALUES |
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Mission We exist as a church to make disciples, bringing persons to Jesus Christ and to Christ's community.
Vision *The Church bulges with attendance; Babies cry in the back pew; and Cheerios can be found on the floor. *Many people get their hands dirty serving God's church and God's children. *Persons of all ages regularly meet together in every nook and cranny for spiritual support and nurturing. *Congregations gives joyfully.
Values *Everything we do is based on our worth as God's children and seeing that in others. *We use all we have and are to serve God and God's people. *We believe in joy, content to give thanks to the Lord in all things even through tough times of darkness.
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Our June Family Faith Night will focus on serving others by creating 40 First Responder Blessing Bags for the people in our community who serve and protect us every day. We would love help collecting a few simple items to include in the bags, such as: Bottled water Individually wrapped snacks Granola bars Gum or mints Small packs of crackers or trail mix Card making supplies Donations can be dropped off at the church anytime before June 5. This is a wonderful way for kids and families to learn that even small acts of kindness can make a big difference. Thank you for helping us show appreciation to our local first responders and remind them they are seen, valued, and prayed for. Monetary donations are welcome as well and will be used to purchase remaining supplies. Venmo @pamperpaula |
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REBECCA'S REFLECTIONS |
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I don’t know about you, but the end of May has really confused me. Memorial Day has already happened, yet there is one more weekend in the month. Pentecost Sunday has come and gone which means the season between Pentecost and Advent will be exceptionally long this year. School is ending this week in West Branch, while in Iowa City, we have one more week. It all gets mixed up and I know I can’t seem to keep track of what week it is.
But that is how it often is in our ordinary lives. One week flows into the next with many of the same activities, the same schedules, the same day to day tasks. In the church, we are also entering Ordinary Time, that season between Pentecost and Advent that can seem monotonous and long, but also can be a time to experience Biblical stories that aren’t read at other times of the year. In our ordinary times, we can also find the extraordinary.
Diana Butler Bass, one of my favorite authors, in her book, “A Beautiful Year” states that, “The months after Pentecost invite both believers and seekers to follow God through the everyday landscapes of life. But it isn’t a call to the spiritually humdrum. Instead, following in the midst of the ordinary awakens journeyers to the extraordinariness that surrounds us.”
May you discover the extraordinariness of God’s creation this summer.
Rebecca
Diana Butler Bass, A Beautiful Year: 52 Meditations on Faith, Wisdom and Perseverance, copyright 2025, St. Martin’s Press, page 224. |
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UPCOMING EVENTS |
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JUNE WORSHIP |
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Theme for the Month: Abraham
June 7 2nd Sunday of Pentecost, Communion Sunday, Blessing of Rylee Scripture: Genesis 12:1-9 Sermon: “Journey”
June 14
June 21 Sermon: A Father's Grief
June 28 Scripture: Genesis 22:1-14 Sermon: Dilemma |
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SONG OF THE MONTH |
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JUNE BRINGS A SEASON OF MOVEMENT |
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School years end, vacations begin, schedules shift, and summer activities fill our calendars. Life feels a little less structured — and often a little busier in different ways. Yet even in changing routines, the call of the church remains the same: to stay connected to God and to one another.
As United Methodists, we believe faith is not confined to a building or a season. Faith travels with us into everyday life — into camps and cookouts, road trips and community events, conversations and acts of service.
Summer is not a pause from discipleship. It is another opportunity to live it out.
Faith Beyond the Walls June reminds us that ministry often happens outside the sanctuary walls. Some of the most meaningful moments of outreach and evangelism happen in ordinary places:
This month, we are invited to ask:
Outreach is not limited to organized programs. Sometimes it begins with simple presence, kindness, and genuine connection.
Staying Connected During Summer As a congregation committed to Outreach, Mission, and Evangelism, summer offers meaningful ways to continue building relationships:
Small moments matter. A conversation at a ballgame or an invitation to a church event may become the beginning of a deeper faith journey for someone else.
Growing Through Service Summer also creates opportunities for hands-on mission and service.
John Wesley reminded us that faith and action belong together. When we serve others, we participate in God’s work of grace in the world.
Whether through church projects, helping neighbors, supporting local families, or simply noticing someone in need, every act of compassion reflects Christ’s love.
The church shines brightest when faith becomes visible through service.
Family Focus: Faith in the Midst of Summer Summer routines may look different, but faith can remain woven into everyday family life.
Try these simple practices:
Children learn that faith is not just something we practice at church — it is something we carry with us wherever we go.
Carrying Christ Into the Community June invites us to live our faith openly and joyfully in the world around us.
As schedules shift and summer begins, may we continue to be people who welcome, invite, serve, and connect. The relationships we nurture now may become the foundation for lasting community and growing faith.
Wherever this summer takes us, we carry the love of Christ with us.
Paula Rogers |
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WEDNESDAY NIGHT DISCIPLESHIP |
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West Branch UMC's Wednesday Night Discipleship will be starting back up before we know it and they need our help to share God's love to our youngest members. They are looking for teachers, second adults, substitutes, kitchen volunteers, worship helpers, and welcome table greets. Please prayerfully consider how YOU might be willing to help on Wednesdays this Fall. Please contact Katie Sabourin if you are being called to volunteer in some fashion. Registration opens August 26th with the first evening of WND on September 2. |
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WB FOOD PANTRY AND CLOTHES CLOSET DONATIONS |
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June Swim Diapers, Sun Screen, Aloe New or Gently Used Swim Goggles and Swimsuits (infants to adult)
July Freeze Pops (the liquid ones) August School Home Lunch Items (Peanut Butter, Jelly, Chips, Juice, Etc.) New or Gently Used Shoes and Socks (infants to adult) |
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*SUMC hasdonated 77.8 pounds of food to the pantry through the end of March. |
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For I was hungry and you gave me food, Matthew 25:35 |
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SIMPSON YOUTH ACADEMY |
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Rylee Grace has been selected to attend the 2026 Simpson Youth Leadership Academy, June 20-28. She is one of 25 students from congregations throughout the Midwest who will be attending this Academy. Please keep Rylee, her parents Steven and Jessica, and all the instructors and attendees in your prayers. We will have a special sending off blessing during worship on June 7th. Congratulations, Rylee, for being selected for this honor- we know you will represent Springdale UMC well and bring back lots of great skills to share with the congregation! |
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Support Rylee and Other Young Leaders by attending the Youth Academy Worship. When: 7 p.m. any night June 22-26 Where: Simpson College How: RSVP to eric.rucker@simpson.edu |
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"For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them" Matthew 18:20 |
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CONFERENCE, DISTRICT AND CIRCUIT NEWS |
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Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church will be held June 11-14 in West Des Moines. Steven Grace and Rev. Rebecca will be attending from our congregation. Worship on the 14th will be a joint service with West Branch United Methodist Church at 10:00 a.m. |
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AD BOARD MINUTES |
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Springdale UMC Leadership Board meeting—May 26, 2026 No Meeting Next Meeting: June 22, 2026 @ 6 p.m. |
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SUMC 2026 AND BEYOND MINISTRY GOALS AND PLANNING |
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Goal |
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Key Action Steps |
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Timeline |
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Resources Needed |
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Increase outreach |
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Identify at least 3 community events for presence or sponsorship; develop simple materials; set up volunteer sign-ups |
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Ongoing |
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Flyers; social media posts; volunteer schedule |
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Increase family attendance |
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Host family-friendly worship & outreach events quarterly (e.g. picnic, mini-VBS, outdoor service) |
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Ongoing |
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Family-friendly activities; food budget |
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Show appreciation for current attendees |
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Create quarterly recognition Sundays (e.g. "Birthday Sunday"); thank-you notes |
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Ongoing |
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Cards, refreshments |
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Organize and store church photos |
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Gather photos; assign a small group to organize photos and develop a storing system (digital and/or physical) |
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Q2 2026 |
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Photo boxes and/or scanner |
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ADA Building |
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Finalize accessibility plan; obtain bids; research grant opportunities |
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Q1 2026 |
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Contractor bids and grant research |
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Grow worship attendance by 5% each year |
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Track attendance; launch invite campaign; feature personal testimonials on social media |
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Ongoing |
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Data tracking sheet; social media posts |
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Separate praise/worship time |
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Pilot an alternative or contemporary service once per month |
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Q2 2026 |
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Committee |
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Outdoor worship/picnic |
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Schedule at park or church lawn; plan lunch & music |
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Summer/Fall 2026 |
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Committee |
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Bi-Annual Bible/Book Study |
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Identify a study |
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Q1 & Q3 2026 |
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Curriculum/book; identify a study leader |
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Lenten Devotional Book |
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Collect devotions from members; publish by Lent. |
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Q1 2026 |
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Printing or digital platform |
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Bless the Animals Sunday |
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Select date; promote |
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Fall 2026 |
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Marketing, supplies |
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Christmas Caroling |
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Organize routes and songbooks |
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December 2026 |
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Committee |
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Weekly blog devotions |
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Create schedule of authors; make weekly posts |
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Q1-Q4 2026 |
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Website access |
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Update Church Directory |
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Collect info/photos; publish printed & digital copy |
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Q4 2026 |
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Camera; printing; design |
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Worship at Little Bear |
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Contact campground; schedule annual summer service |
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Annually through 2027 |
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Volunteer; bulletins; sound system |
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Mission day to Matthew 25 (CR) |
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Coordinate service team |
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Annually through 2027 |
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Volunteers |
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Engage with local celebrations |
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Participate in at least 2 community festivals each year |
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Ongoing |
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Volunteers; identify celebrations |
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Better utilize west wing & closet |
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Inventory space; create multipurpose plan (storage ministry use) |
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Q2 2026 |
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Volunteer |
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Church-wide clean-up/purge |
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Annual spring cleaning day |
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Q2 each year |
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Create cleaning list and recruit volunteers |
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Grow connections within circuit |
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Host or join shared worship/mission events |
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Ongoing |
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Identify opportunities |
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Weekend Retreat (Youth and/or adult) |
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Plan small retreat at local camp |
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2026-2027 |
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Identify programming; location; date; promote |
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Rebuild youth programming |
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Recruit 2 volunteers; plan quarterly youth events and/or Sunday programming |
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Q2 2026 |
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Volunteers; curriculum |
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155th Anniversary Celebration |
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Form committee at least 1 year in advance; plan worship; meal; and community event |
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2029 |
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Committee formed by 2028 |
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Revised Yule Buffet |
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Refresh menu & decor; invite community |
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Annually beginning 2028-2030 |
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Committee |
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ADA Building (completion) |
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Finish all accessibility upgrades |
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2028-2030 |
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Committee |
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Increase pastoral support (1/2 to full-time) |
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Stewardship campaign; reassess budget & needs |
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2027-2029 |
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Assessments |
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Long-term stewardship study |
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Implement multi-week giving & vision series |
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2026-2028 |
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Committee |
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Upgrade/update Kitchen |
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Assess needs, fundraise, and complete renovation |
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2027-2029 |
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Committee |
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Seal Time Capsule |
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Identify items to include |
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Q1 2026 |
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Announcement as to date |
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Sew personal dignity kits for Midwest Mission |
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Recruit sewers or those willing to learn |
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Q2 2026 |
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Machines, sewing materials |