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MAY 2020 NEWSLETTER

Pastor’s Corner

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I pray this newsletter finds you and yours well. This has certainly been a different season,

and I look forward to the time when we are able to resume meeting in person! I want to offer

a word of thanks for the tremendous team that has participated in our online worship

services. There are too many to list, but they have done such an incredible job. We have

worked to ensure you can have a connection with God in worship as well as a connection

with your church.

Many have inquired when we will be resuming worship and events in person. Since the start

of this pandemic, information has changed by the day and sometimes by the hour. I have

committed from the onset to make the best decisions based on the best information to

ensure the safety of the church family that I dearly love and the community in which we

serve. With this in mind, I foresee us continuing to worship online at least through the month

of May and likely through the month of June. I will continue to monitor and update you on

this as I can.

I am excited to begin a new Sermon series on May 10 in our Online Worship. We will be

taking a closer look at different encounters with Jesus in a series I’m titling Close Proximity.

We will journey through the experiences of people who had the blessing of being in close

proximity with Jesus, and remember along the way that we also get to live in close proximity

with Him.

Church, I love you all. I am honored to be your pastor. If you need anything, please don’t

hesitate to call on me!

Blessings,

Pastor Matt

We are thankful for a praying church!

If you aren’t already on the prayer chain email list,

please email Felicia to be added, fumc@gvec.net.

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Thank you!

Dear Pastor Matt, We so appreciate you grocery shopping for us yesterday. Everything you bought was exactly what we needed. Thank you for your unselfish use of your time.

Sincerely, Lynn & Pat Wilburn

I want to thank the shawl ministry for the very special shawl I received. What a wonderful and comforting gift. I will be mindful of the thought that goes with it each time I use it.

Sincerely, Deanie Ploeger

Dear First United Methodist Church, Gonzales ISD thanks you for your generosity & assistance with our community and families during this pandemic. We appreciate your kindness and thoughtfulness. Please know it does not go unnoticed.

Gonzales ISD

Book Club News

Not much news from the Book Club since

we are stymied like everyone else, but we are

hoping to meet on our regularly scheduled date,

Thursday, May 28 at 9:30. We may meet in a

larger room to social distance.

We will discuss our March selection The

Silver Star by Jeanette Walls and look forward

to discussing We Were the Lucky Ones by

Georgia Hunter , our April selection, in June but

are not guaranteeing anything.

If you have questions, please call 672-9307.

Until then, happy reading and stay safe, please!

Martha Jo Whitt

Staff

Rev. Dr. Matt Pennington, Lead Pastor

Brian Sherman, Director of Youth & Family Ministries

Katrina Sherman, Director of Youth & Family Ministries

Allison Davis, Director of Children & Family Ministries

Felicia Cantu, Office Manager

Rosemary Hindman, Business Manager

Janelle Lester, Wesley Nurse

Christina Menking, Organist

Bill Meadows, Pianist

Sandra Jandt, Happy House Director

Earth Angels

Who can imagine when the world-wide pandemic will subside? It can't come soon enough since we value contacts with others, but I don't want a recurrence of the number of virus cases. One good thing is that , I believe, we are making more phone calls. sending more cards and letters, and doing more sewing. The Earth Angels have made many masks which were donated to the hospital and to friends who need them. During our mask-making break, we have been sewing quilts. It's a great way to clean out our fabric collections. Can't wait until we can meet again! Just a reminder to everyone to stay safe, to practice social distancing, to wash your hands, but most of all, to continue to pray for an end to the virus and all the personal and economic damage that it has done. Our God is an awesome God and He will get us through this.

Kiley Allen

Quinn Atkinson

Rebekah Baker

Bailey Bennett

Kristalynn Buesing

Tristan Cernosek

Sydney Clack

Diego DeLeon

Heath Henke

Travis Malaer

Michaela Malatek

Brady Oakes

Madison Stamport

Dominic Vega

Lion Williamson

Bre Wolff

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Altar Flowers for May are given by:

May 3-Kenneth and Sue Gottwald

May 10-Dewey and Amanda Smith ~ In Honor of Gene and Teresa Reed

May 17-Ellen Johnson ~ In Memory of Pat Kelly Logan

May 24-Sandra Atkinson ~ In Memory of Frank Atkinson Bernice Heldarsen ~ In Memory of Bob Heldarsen In Honor of Their Military Service to Our Country

May 31-The Bobby Morgan Family ~ In Honor of Tom E. & Pam Lester

These are the flowers that were previously scheduled. We will follow this schedule once we resume in-person worship. We will work to reschedule any flower orders that are missed.

Please contact Felicia at the church office, 672-8521, if your information is missing or incorrect.

May Birthdays 5/1 Zilpha Dolezal Billie Spohler 5/2 Ashley Daniel Kristen Pearson 5/3 Nan Berkley 5/4 Laverne Brzozowski Christine Weaver 5/6 Sue Penney John Lucas 5/7 Jackie Kridler Teri Johnson 5/8 Pat Wilburn Darvin Dieringer 5/9 Jeff Massie John Boothe Sawyer Boothe 5/11 Bobby Atkinson

Jo Ann Mercer Tammy Lester

Austin Brown Emily Gottwald Evan Jahns

5/12 Frank Lee Atkinson 5/13 Jack Ehrig Coltin Russell Stacy Zella 5/14 Brittany Avant 5/15 Ceason Barnick Emily Fogle 5/16 Brian Pirkle 5/17 Bill Oliver Kelly Lester 5/18 Kalli Davis 5/19 Billie Bruns Kylee Watson Brent Hardcastle 5/20 Tinsley Gray Rebecca Hardcastle 5/21 Clifford Bryant 5/22 Bill Walker Leslie Bird Ancel Atkinson 5/23 Garrick Davis Kyson Kusak

5/24 Ray Neitsch Emily Currie 5/25 Greg Griffin Tiffany Lester Barbara Brandon 5/26 Lauren Boothe Judy Schauer 5/27 Roy Staton Kenna Lucas 5/28 Dwayne Petras Christopher Cerda 5/29 Belle Witt Brendon Mercer David Eppright Erik Ramsey Shane Ramsey 5/30 Mark Strozier Keith Borrer Tanner Davis 5/31 Stacy Fogle Manda Leal

5/1 Jason & Stephanie Carter 5/2 Brian & Leigh Pirkle Tim & Crystal Gray 5/3 Bill & Bonnie Hyman 5/4 Jack & Brandy Ehrig 5/8 Gene & Teresa Reed 5/10 Lee & Dana Williams 5/15 Mark & Kimberly Strozier 5/17 Travis & Megan Keck

5/18 Bill & Barbara DeBerry Billy & Kathy Ploetz 5/19 Landon & Bailey Bozka 5/21 Kenneth & Sue Gottwald 5/22 Ray & Judy Neitsch Ryan & Heather McMahon 5/25 Kevin & Angela DuBose 5/28 Dick & Shirley Goss 5/29 Monty & Kelly McGuffin 5/30 Byron & Julie Lester

ANNIVERSARIES IN MAY

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Wesley Nurse News

Dear Church Family, Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing serious complications from COVID-19 illness.

Know how it spreads

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.

The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.

Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).

Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.

These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.

Everyone should… Wash your hands often. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Avoid close contact. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Stay home as much as possible. Put distance between yourself and other people. Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread virus. Keeping distance from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick. Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others. You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick. Everyone should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities. Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance. The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected. Do NOT use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker. Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing. Cover coughs and sneezes. If you are in a private setting and do not have on your cloth face covering, remember to always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in the trash. Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Clean and disinfect. Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks. If surfaces are dirty, clean them. Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection. Then, use a household disinfectant.

In His Service, Your Wesley Nurse,

Janelle Lester, BSN, RN References Centers for Disease Control (CDC). (2020). How to Protect Yourselves & Others. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html

Announcements – Through working with the South Texas Blood and Tissue Centers, we were able to get a Community Blood Drive scheduled in Gonzales. thrive Healthplex was gracious enough to open their facility and host the drive for our community. On April 23, 2020, 66 units of blood were collected. That is up to 198 lives that were positively impacted by the donations received that day! If you donated and/or tried to donate blood, thank you very much for your generosity and servant heart. As of now, we are still scheduled to have the bloodmobile back in Gonzales for our next drive on Sunday, June 21st here at our church. Mark you calendar if you are able!

Due to increased concerns with COVID 19, and in an effort to promote social distancing, I am not available for any in-person visits, including group classes. All Wesley Nurse activities and groups are canceled until further notice. Please call or email me, and we can arrange for a phone visit. If you need diabetes testing supplies, I will make arrangements for a quick hand-off of supplies. You can reach me by phone at 830.888.9780, or by email at jlester@mhm.org.

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STATISTICAL REPORT MARCH 2020

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Finance Jan - Mar

Ordinary Income/Expense

Income

43000 · Donations 162,125.11

45000 · Facilities Rental 550.00

49900 · Credits, Refunds, Rebates 702.00

Total Income 163,377.11

Gross Profit 163,377.11

Expense

40000 · Facility Operations 25,261.67

60000 · Ministry Work Areas 5,616.67

65200 · Lawn Care 775.00

66000 · Payroll 88,949.84

66100 · Staff Benefits 5,633.16

67000 · Church Clergy Expenses 11,824.38

76000 · Apportionments/Conf. Treas. 16,381.18

Total Expense 154,441.90

Net Ordinary Income 8,935.21

Net Income 8,935.21

Capital Renovation Campaign Giving Toward Pledges

through 4/27/2020

Children’s Corner

We have taken on an entirely new approach to Children’s Ministry during this time. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time meeting with our kids on Sunday mornings and Wednesday afternoons. If you are not on our email address please email me at firstumckids@gvec.net and I will be more than happy to add you to all of our communications. For the first time in 52

years, our Annual Spaghetti Supper did not take place. At this time, we will

have to postpone it indefinitely. I hope that there will be the possibility of planning it later this year. Vacation Bible School has been posted until later this summer. Originally, VBS had been scheduled to take place in the month of June. We are currently working on finding a new week later in the summer. Basic Training Camp is scheduled for July 19-22. This camp is for kids exiting 3

rd – 5

th Grade.

Registration is open for both Campers and Youth Counselors. If you register your child now and later the camp is cancelled all funds will be refunded. Lego Day Camp is scheduled to take place August 3 – 7. Registration forms will be available in early June. We will be offering both morning and afternoon classes. Of course, all plans are subject to change at this point. Current Kids Virtual Gatherings Sunday Mornings at 9:45 am – Sunday School Wednesday Afternoons at 3:00 pm – Kids Midweek

We’re Hiring

Open Position Church custodian (full-time) First United Methodist Church is seeking the right person to join our team as church custodian. To inquire about the position or to receive an application email fumc@gvec.net.

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"Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.'" -Proverbs 31: 28–29

Happy Mother’s Day!

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Youth News

WHAT’S BEEN GOING ON? Sunday on Instagram Live @10am for Sunday School Devo

Monday Devo w/ Jordan: One of our Servant Team members shares what God

puts on her heart each week on Instagram.

Wednesday Zoom & Small groups @6pm: Links sent out via texting service. See information about

Sendhub below.

Thursday 3 Mins Videos on FB & Instagram:

Enjoy as we eat weird food and share God’s Word.

Jeremiah 29 Challenges We have been challenging our youth to get outside and go on an egg hunt. Find our challenges on our youth Instagram/Brian Sherman’s Facebook for a chance to win any lunch of your choice delivered to your home! This months winners: Sam Alaniz, and Nick Casares.

WHAT’S COMING UP? May 3 Virtual Senior Sunday Join us on Facebook or Youtube for a special recorded service honoring our Graduating Seniors

SUMMER CAMPS Camps will be reassessed on June 1. For now, this is our plan.

July 5-9 Revive Summer Camp at Mt. Wesley

(All Youth including incoming 7th graders)

July 19-23 Revive Mission Camp in Waco, TX (High School Only) Visit revivetexas.org for more information.

CONTACT: Brian Sherman Katrina Sherman Director of Youth and Family Ministries Director of Youth and Family Ministries (830)377-2279 (956)202-9992 bdsherman7213@gmail.com ksherm0331@gmail.com

Sendhub To get weekly updates of youth events…. Parents, text the word “parents” to (956)752-3909 and follow instructions. Youth, text the word “gonzales” to (956)752-3909 and follow instructions.

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Gonzales, Texas 78629 PERMIT NO. 4