JUNE 2025

THE CROWS NEST

SPRINGDALE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

We are looking for a few volunteers to help with this event. 

If you are interested, please speak with Rebecca or Paula.

REGISTER AS A PARTICIPANT OR VOLUNTEER HERE

Aging Faithfully: 10 Ways to Find Purpose and Offer Support

by Laura Buchanan

“Growing older is easy, all you have to do is breathe. Aging faithfully is different, because it requires intentionality. It’s saying, ‘I’m going to continue to grow and live with purpose until my last breath,’” observes Missy Buchanan, an author, speaker, advocate for older adults and lifelong United Methodist.

Whether you find yourself wondering how to live a more purposeful life, you are caring for someone who is yearning for direction, or your church is seeking new ways to connect with older congregants, find guidance in these practical tips

Don't Get Stuck
“I look at aging as being a journey. … We can prepare ourselves to pivot instead of getting stuck,” encourages Buchanan. She offers these ideas to older adults:

• Do something new every day. If you watch a lot of cable news, watch a documentary. If you usually read romance novels, read a biography. She advises, “Be intentional about opening your mind to the things of the world.”
• Make the best of where you are. She asks, “What can you do where you are now? How can you influence people?” She mentions a 99-year-old man with limited mobility who was questioning his purpose in a senior living facility. He was known as the “high five guy” and he consistently changed the trajectory of the day for those around him through joy and a shared smile, often from across the room. He felt that his influence wasn’t significant, but Buchanan told him, “In God’s economy, that is everything.”

“Embrace your purpose. What you are able to do may not look the same as it did once upon a time, but it’s still so important,” says Buchanan.

The Church Can Fill the Gaps
When visiting her mother in a senior living facility, Buchanan learned that it had been six months since anyone from her local church had contacted her. Buchanan had grown up in the congregation and her parents were pillars in many ministries.

Buchanan would also frequently hear a heartbreaking exchange at the facility. People would ask each other, “What are you doing today?” or “How are you doing today?,” and the answer would often be, “I’m just here.”

“I assumed the Church was there. … I thought, ‘Okay, Church, we have got to step up.’ Not just Methodist churches, but all churches,” remembers Buchanan. “What breaks my heart is when I see people who have lost that sense of purpose. And so to me, that's the biggest role of the church: Helping them find purpose. That's going to mean stepping out and thinking of things differently. … I know it is hard work, but I think we could do a better job.”

Ideas for Local Churches

Buchanan encourages congregations to invest in spiritual formation initiatives for people through the end of life. She explains, “I don't believe coddling older adults is helpful. I believe in both encouraging and challenging them. If spiritual formation is to continue through late life, we must keep growing and learning!”

Here are some practical ways to stay engaged with older adults:

• Meet people where they are and find out what they need. Do they miss attending a Sunday School class? Are they able to access Holy Communion? Is someone calling them every week to chat?
• Have an awareness of older adult church members, including their health, living situation and life changes, such as a move. Establish communication with family members by asking them to send text message updates to a member of the church.
• Continue to connect with older adult members individually and find out what communication tools they prefer. Some will be comfortable with text messaging, while others will prefer mail.
• Nurture relationships. Buchanan challenges volunteers to learn 100 things about each person they visit as a way to truly get to know them as they connect on a deeper level.
• Be creative with ministry formats. For example, host a Bible study class on a weekday morning and offer to provide transportation. The calmer environment and familiar surroundings will be a comforting place for a small group to gather.
• If older adult members cannot attend church in person, make sure they have access to spiritual growth opportunities. Ensure a chaplain visits their place of residence, that they have access to your online worship services, or that small teams of lay people or pastors visit regularly to lead worship and offer fellowship.
• Host a seminar for adult children who are searching for ways they can support their aging parents.
• Offer caregiver support groups so that you can better understand the needs of families.

CONFERENCE, DISTRICT AND CIRCUIT NEWS

GV District Monthly Prayer List

1 - Burlington, Asbury UM Church - New London UM Church

8 - Cottonwood UM Church and Finley Chapel UM Church

15 - Kalona UM Church - Wellman, Asbury UM Church

22 - Mount Pleasant, First UM Church

29 - Trenton UM Church - Wesley Chapel

For More News Visit:

Iowa Conference

Golden Valley District

United Women in Faith

What is the Iowa Annual Conference Session?

The Iowa Annual Conference Session is a time for United Methodists from across Iowa to come together for worship, holy conferencing, and decision-making that shapes the mission and ministry of the church. This annual gathering is when clergy and lay members discuss important church matters, vote on resolutions, approve the budget, and celebrate United Methodist ministries across the state. It is also a sacred time of reflection, remembering those who have passed, commissioning new leaders, and renewing our shared commitment to making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Why is the Conference Held?

The Annual Conference is part of the structure of The United Methodist Church, ensuring accountability, connectionalism, and shared mission across congregations. It provides a space for clergy and lay representatives to discern God’s direction for the church, equip leaders for ministry, and send them forth to serve their communities.

Conference Location: RecPlex, West Des Moines

For the third year, the Iowa Annual Conference Session will be held at the RecPlex in West Des Moines, a modern, spacious facility designed to accommodate large gatherings. This venue offers ample space for worship, business sessions, and breakout discussions, providing a welcoming environment for fellowship and collaboration.

Former District Superintendent Dies Unexpectedly

5 Ways to Overcome Anxiety

Take a 1-minute break for self-care: Learn five ways you can overcome anxiety when you feel fearful or stressed. This video from The United Methodist Church offers a guided space to pause so that you can find the road back to peace.

Need support?
Find a local community of faith: Find-A-Church.org
For those in crisis, call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988
Find resources from the National Alliance on Mental Illness: NAMI.org

This video was produced by United Methodist Communications in Nashville, Tennessee. The contact is Joe Iovino.

MINISTRY REPORTS

Springdale UMC Leadership Board meeting—5/27/2025

Full Leadership Board: 5:30 p.m.

Attendance: Amanda Brown, Rebecca Carver, Jo Leighty, Lynda Ambrose, Paula Rogers (secretary), Julie Mather, Steven Grace (Chair), Jessica Grace (Treasurer)

1. Opening Devotion and Prayer

2. April 28, 2025 minutes

   1. Jo moved to approve the minutes.  Julie seconded.  Motion carried.

3. Trustees

   1. Farm Ground sale

      1. Contact Bob Herring about the lease - we need to reach out to discuss the coming years.

      2. Jim Pedersen will be farming the ground again this year - through September

      3. Gruwell/other contractors

         1. Jo has not yet spoken with Randy but was told that he didn’t have any insurance.  Steven thought we could likely purchase a temporary policy to cover repairs. 

   2. Women’s Toilet

      1. Larry G. replaced most of the parts. Seems to be working but may be running a little slow?

   3. Siding on Bell Tower–$300

      1. Travis Dimmer - 5 Star Construction

      2. Only charged for labor and not materials

         1. Jessica G. will send a thank you note with our payment

   4. Electrical Panel/Insurance inspection

      1. Next couple of months, Larry and Ben hope to have all the electrical up to code.  

   5. Accessibility

      1. Theresa dropped off more building plans that she had from prior discussions.

   6. Water Spigot

      1. Paula contacted Lynch’s but she has not heard back yet.

   7. Dumpster for VBS

      1. Discussion was had about the need for a dumpster

      2. Lynda will reach out to a few local companies to check on availability and price

4. SPRC

   1. Upcoming Dates

      1. June 15 - Annual Conference-Manda

      2. August 15-31 (3 Sundays)

         1. August 17 - Steven

         2. 24 - Manda

         3. 31 - Steven

      3. Charge Conference is November 2

5. Stewardship

   1. Treasurer’s Report (Through 4/30/25)

      1. Paula moved to approve the report.  Manda seconded.  Motion Carried.

6. Events/COME

   1. Homecoming Sunday Needs - June 22

      1. Sound System

      2. Folding Chairs from Downstairs

      3. Music Stands

      4. Greeters out front

      5. Potluck - inside

         1. Coordinator for food dropoff - Amanda

         2. Beverages

         3. Setup and Cleanup

      6. Paula will make a signup sheet to be passed around church for volunteers

   2. Cedar County Fair Church

      1. Paula to follow up with Katie

   3. Sleep In Heavenly Peace Build

      1. September or October for Cedar/Jones County Chapter

      2. Paula will check with Johnson County Chapter to see what they have for needs

7. Other

   1. Disciple photos - Rebecca would like to relocate them.

   2. Jessica will contact Arlen Ottmar about taking a look at the piano in the upper room to see if it is tuneable and, if so, have it tuned.

   3. COME - “monthly meetings” will now take place during Ad Board while utilizing breakouts to carry out specific tasks

   4. Food Pantry Ideas

      1. July - Cereal (both big box and individual boxes)

      2. August -

      3. September - 

8. Goal Setting continuation

   1. Mission: To make disciples of Christ for the transformation of the world

   2. Vision: “Springdale UMC is a welcoming church family that worships passionately, nurtures each other holistically, and engages in ministries beyond our walls”

   3. Board: 1-year/3-year

   4. Church 1-year/3-year

9. Next Meeting:

   1. June 24 @ 5:30 p.m.

10. Closing Prayer