VOLUME 1, ISSUE I

Rim Reflections

Payson United Methodist Church

Mission Statement : Love Like Jesus— to make Christ better

known in Payson through worship, miss ions, s tudy, and fel lowship act ivi t ies

on our campus and in the community.

Hospitality 2

Church Council 3

Lay Leader’s Corner 4

United Methodist Women

5

Missions & Outreach 7

Finance 9

Trustees 10

January Servants What We’re Going... Birthdays & Anniv.

11

What We Do 12

Parish Nurse 13

Financial Secretary 14

Music Ministry Prayer Focus Adult Bible Study

15

Scriptures 7 Reflections...

16

Worship & Praise 17

January Calendar 19

Inside This Issue:

Throughout his-tory, humankind has struggled to identify the meaning or pur-

pose of our human existence. Our faith gives us a purpose; we were created for God to love and for us to love God. There is difficulty with this proposition, though – it seems too simple for some people to accept. I am reminded of the general whom Jesus sent to wash in the River Jordan. It seemed to him that washing in the river back home would have sufficed, but he had been prepared to do some heroic task or pay a handsome price for the cure and accept-ing something as simple as washing in a nearby river seemed too lowly to hold the answer. At the center of this internal struggle is human pride and with that comes how we identify ourselves as per-sons.

Many people identify themselves by their professions or role in society; that is, homemaker, engineer, baker, line cook, custodian, lawyer, teacher, profes-sor, retiree, and so on. These people tend to find satisfaction in their line of work and see that through their work efforts they are somehow contributing to socie-ty and some usually-unspecified greater-good. Some people identify themselves by their aspirations; for example, an ac-tor currently employed as a waiter, a pol-itician currently working as an attorney, and so on. These people tend to have a self-image of waiting for their oppor-tunity to make a “meaningful” contribu-tion, but that in the meantime they are occupied doing something else with their lives so as to get by. Some people identi-

fy with a physical or mental attribute, such as, “I’m a fatty,” or “I’m gay,” or “I’m old.” Within this group, there may be some who identify themselves with an addiction or behavior, such as, “I’m a smoker,” or “I’m addicted to opioids,” or “I’m the loudmouth on the fringe at the party,” or “I’m gay.”

As Christians, we must take our identity first as beloved children of God, won-derfully made in God’s image. We can assume that identity because Jesus tells us that God chooses those who choose (to follow) God. We can further assume that identity because God informs us of our creation. We are told repeatedly of how God claims us and so assuming the identity of a beloved child or heir or cre-ation of God should be an easy step. The truth is, though, it is not easy. It is not easy because to assume that identity causes us to have to reconsider our ac-tions and our thoughts. If we identify ourselves by our occupations, we create an image and portray that outwardly. Try this – imagine what an attorney looks like, or a surgeon, or a concrete worker, or a teacher. We create stereotypes of clothing, demeanor, maybe even gender and age. Society creates images of occu-pations and acceptable behavior (e.g. we might think it odd to have a corporate executive on a bowling team or a roofer on a golf team because we associate those pass times with certain socio-economic norms). As we identify our-selves as beloved children of God, we must begin to represent ourselves to the outside world that way and most of us are uncomfortable with that.

Psychologists, sociologists, theologians, and philosophers have spent centuries discussing and pondering the idea of “I.” Renee Descartes famously posited

January 2019

Rev. Carl Peterson

(Continued on page 2)

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(Continued from page 1)

cognito ergo sum (I think, therefore I am), giving rise to the belief that because he was capable of thinking he existed. The fallacy in this, though, is that as far as we can discern a rock does not think, yet it appears to us to exist, so either everything exists because we col-lectively agree it exists or everything exists because God created everything and we interpret our senses to verify the existence of all things. Yet, there are intan-gible things that seem to exist – your feelings are real, thoughts and ideas exist, evil exists. Descartes’ axiom does not seem to apply to these except to the extent of our perception of them relative to ourselves. This brings us back to the concept of “I.” Again, if we begin with identifying ourselves as a beloved child of God, wonderfully created in God’s image, we can readily accept our existence and have purpose in one thought. We exist to love others because to love oth-ers is to demonstrate God’s love for all persons and all creation and so by loving others we demonstrate our love for God. To be able to see ourselves as beloved children of God also gives us the ability to care enough about ourselves to try to make good choices

about our health.

When we are able to answer the question “Who am I” our life takes on purpose. I know many people over the age of 85 who still know their purpose in life is to praise God for the gift of another day. We don’t have to accomplish anything on a given day, because God is accomplishing something simply by having created us. Our purpose is to glorify God by representing God’s love to all of humankind. Our demeanor, our attitudes, our willingness and cheerfulness to help oth-ers are the instruments of our profession as we go about professing our faith in God. We can thank God for our lives and the love we have in our lives. We can thank God for all of Creation and all that is in it. We can be comforted in knowledge and certainty of who we are and whose we are, which permits us then to be free of bonds of human hierarchies and reunites us with God. I hope you are satisfied with who you are. If not, God is waiting to help you become the person you were made to be.

Hello,

Well, it’s the most wonderful time of the year – Christmas. With the music, lights, and all the festivities, it is such a beautiful month to enjoy. What is sad to me is some people don’t really realize the meaning of Christmas. It’s not the gifts to give or how many parties you can go to, it’s about being kind and caring and loving to family, friends and even strangers. All you see on television are diamonds, new vehicles, liquor, and expensive gifts. Hey, what about giving your time to other people and expecting nothing in return? When I lived in Virginia Beach, VA for 31 years, I was the youngest adult in the neigh-

borhood and I was always called on for different things. Anytime neighbors were sick or dying they always wanted me to help them and I did, gladly. It wasn’t for money. It was just to help a neighbor in their time of need. I got a lot from it by just being nice and being there for them. People would ask me when that certain person died what did I get and I would say “a lot of wonderful memories.” We’ve had a lot of visitors lately and I handed out my last Welcome Bag. So now I’m busy making Christ-mas Bags. I’m decorating them with Christmas themes and I have some small Christmas stockings with a candy cane for any children who visit our church. I hope all the people who have visited lately will come back and enjoy our wonderful church again. Remember, there is good in everyone! Just greet people like you would like to be greeted. Sending Christmas greetings to all and may the new year be good to all. Remember the true meaning of Christmas. Be nice to each other and not just at Christmas time, but always. Make that your New Year’s resolution! Your Hospitality Lady, Barbara DeKeno

Barbara DeKeno

New Year’s Eve Watch Night

Dec 31 6pm — ?

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Church Council Chair Report This is my final article as your Church Council Chair. My articles have always been short but I believe that all the chairs and committee leaders did a fantastic job providing perti-nent information to the congregation. This month I have decided to write an article about what a Christian is. There are many definitions of a Christian and they depend a lot on your religious beliefs. Some people believe that a Christian is someone who believes in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. They trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord and strive to follow Him in every area of life. To conservative Protestants, a Christian is often defined according to their salvation status. Their definition is "true" to them, because it agrees with some of their foundational beliefs: that the Bible is inerrant, that salva-tion is by grace, and that one must be "born-again" to be saved and avoid eternal punishment in Hell after death. To Roman Catholics, a Christian is often defined according to their baptism status and the presence of any un-resolved mortal sin in their lives. Their definition is "true" to them, because it agrees with their fundamental beliefs about the nature of sacraments, their understanding of the Bible, the declarations of many Church Councils, the statements of many popes, and their church's tradition. To many in the very early Christian movement, a Christian was defined as a person who was baptized and proclaimed "Jesus is Lord." Their definition was "true" to them because it agreed with their understanding of their religious belief at a time when the Christian Scriptures (New Testament) had not yet been written and assembled. Sometimes it can be difficult to be a believer when passages in the Bible give us doubts. We have to remem-ber that the Bible was written centuries ago, in a time when human knowledge of our world was very limited. It has been translated from the Hebrew and Greek into other languages and sometimes the words used had more than one meaning. In addition, ancient Hebrew had no punctuation so where the periods and commas were placed could change the meanings. A lot of the dates in the Bible are approximations based on historical events mentioned and meteorological events. Do we have to believe everything in the Bible literally? If we did, then we would question why there are two creations stories and we would possibly wonder whether the stories are allegories, idioms, parables or pure fact. For example, the phrase ‘land of milk and honey’ is a idiomatic expression used today to refer to a place full of comfort and luxury. It is especially used to mean the expectation of such a place when reality does not actually deliver. To people of ancient biblical times it meant land that is rich, fertile and very desirable. It does not mean that you would be walking through milk and honey (that would be a sticky mess). In Genesis 1, man appears after the plants and animals. In Genesis 2, man appears before the plants and ani-mals. Can both stories be correct? In conclusion, the Bible is as correct as God wants it to be. Perhaps the questionable parts of the Bible are God’s way of making us study the Scriptures to help answer our questions. We can still be Christians even while questioning. Have a blessed month, Bill Cluck, Outgoing Council Chair

Bill Cluck

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Lay Leader’s Corner Hi Everyone, Well, here we are in another new year, 2019! Happy New Year! I am hoping this year is going to be much less eventful, health wise anyway, for me. It is going to be a very eventful year, at least the last part of this month and the first part of Feb-ruary for Bill, Pastor Carl, Cathy Boone, Milt Bott and Su-

sanne Hicks. They are going to the Holy Land! Please join me in holding them up in prayer for a safe and wonderful trip. As many of you know I did the same trip 20 years ago almost to the day. It is defi-nitely a trip of a lifetime! Bill wasn’t able to go at that time, so I am very thankful that he is going in just a few weeks from now. I decided I wanted to remem-ber it the way I saw it, not with the changes that have occurred during those 20 years and besides as I said, it is a trip of a lifetime and I have already had mine. This year and next year are eventful years, or at least could be, for the United Methodist Church. Please keep the church and the delegates to the 2019 Special General Conference, which is coming up February 23-26, and the regular 2020 General Conference in your continuing prayers as they discuss and try to make decisions concerning possible new future policies for the United Methodist Church. Please ask for the Lord’s guidance and help for them. (For more infor-mation on this, please visit the Desert Southwest Con-ference website at dscumc.org and click on “2019 General Conference and Holy Huddles.”) Of course, New Year’s resolutions is almost a must topic for January. Hope you are making some good ones that you will follow through with them. That is always the thing, the following through part. I must report to you that I am still working on the following through part for my last year’s resolution, reading the Bible again. My resolution did not have a time limit on it, specifically because I wanted to take my time and try to absorb more of God’s words for us, this time, so I am doing fine. I am a little over halfway through and still going strong. As I probably men-tioned last year, I have found the best way for me to read through the entire Bible is to do it in chronologi-cal order. I find it easier to follow and understand do-ing it that way. I also find that with my memory, I need to read through it again every so many years.

Even though, I read parts of the Bible most everyday for devotions or Bible study lessons, it helps me to stay more connected to God if I also read the entire Bible every so often. If you haven’t already started, I want to encourage you to start reading the weekly devotional, “We Make the Road by Walking” by Brian McLaren. We were asked to start reading it as a church during our Church Conference last November by our District Superinten-dent, Rev. Susan Brims. We were to start with Chap-ter 14 at the beginning of Advent on December 2nd. I hope everyone who did start it is enjoying it as much as I am. If you have not started it yet, it is not too late. It can be started anytime, since it is written to be a yearly devotional and has a chapter for each week of the year. Please ask Pastor Carl or me what chapter to start with when you are ready or if you need help with ordering a book. Or perhaps ask one of your church friends. Hopefully they are reading it and can tell you where to start for the coming week. Also, Pastor Carl is leading a Bible study or discus-sion on this book every Friday morning at 11:30 to 1pm at Culver’s on Highway 260 in town. Please come and join us, if you haven’t already. If you would like to meet the author Brian McLaren, there will be an opportunity to do so February 16 via live-streaming at First UMC Mesa. Please watch the an-nouncement screens before church or check your bul-letins for more information about this and for registra-tion deadlines. As I come to the end of this month’s writing, I see it is quite a hodgepodge of things loosely held together by the topic of the “New Year”. As I am sure you have come to realize over the last three years, I do like to ramble on. This must be a classic example! If you have stayed with me this far, thanks.

Blessings for a really good 2019 for us all,

Janine

Janine Cluck

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

NEWS

Sally Harvey

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2019 Happy New Year from United Methodist Women

Happy New Year Everyone!

2018 has come and gone so fast, and here we are in 2019. We, as a group of women, had a very busy 2018 and we have many things on our calendar for the coming year. As always, I try to encourage all women to join us; the more the merrier.

I must share details of our Christmas Brunch last month. What a great gather-ing, and a perfect way to end the year. Our Lay Leader, Janine Cluck, did the honors of installing our new officers for the coming year. Also, as every year, our Unit recognized four special persons who have made a difference in our church and our community. Each honoree received a certificate and a gold pin. We also honor them by contributing a $40 gift to mission in his/her name. This year our selected persons are Connie and Doug Jewell, Dar Harris, and Victoria Peterson. They really stepped up and went above and beyond for our church and our community. Please thank each of them for their service! Our food for the brunch was provided by Payson Senior Center “Heart to Heart” catering service. Everyone enjoyed the meal and the fellowship. Joyce Strizek and her committee did a great job hosting this event. It really put all of us in the Christmas spirit. I would like to invite every woman to our January 10th meeting. This is a very im-portant meeting, as we will be deciding what our monthly programs will be. We would love any and all inputs. Remember, MY DEFINITION: UMW means “United Means Wonderful.” We as United Methodist Women truly are wonderful! May this New Year bring each of you good health and happiness!

Sally Harvey,

UMW President

sallyharvey@earthlink.net, 480-213-8472, 3933 E AZ Highway 260 Spc 155, Star Valley AZ 85541-7418

VOLUME 1, ISSUE I RIM REFLECTIONS PAGE 6

HANDS ACROSS THE WORLD

Payson UMC Mission & Outreach News by Chris Spencer

Border Educational Mission Trip to Tucson and Nogales, Mexico Written by Kathy Almendarez

I had the opportunity to travel with members of our church on a border educational mission trip at the begin-ning of the month. The trip was very educational and at times emotional and frustrating.

Our first stop was the New Hope United Methodist Church, the site of our Arizona Justice For Our Neighbors (Arizona JFON), where we met with attorney Ella Rawls. (Photo at right.) She explained the U.S. requirements for asylum. Asylum is only granted to a small percentage of people applying. One cannot apply for reasons like poverty, lack of jobs in their country, or even spousal abuse. The people applying must have documented proof that if they returned to their country, they would face death.

I also learned that less than 40% of people applying receive asylum. Whether or not they can qualify, according to our current U.S. laws, they have the right to apply, no matter how they come into our country. Arizona JFON gives free legal advice and help with completing the necessary complicated forms needed to apply. This is such a necessary program, as the people applying for asylum do not speak the language, and have little money to hire an attorney.

Our next stop was Casa Mariposa Detention Visitation Center (see photo below) and we met with Rev. Eliza-beth Smith of St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church. She talked about the detention centers, which are actually me-dium to maximum security prisons. The prisons are privately owned by CCA-Correction Center of America, contracted by the government, and are paid $160.00 a day for every bed they fill. People are imprisoned there without any legal rights. They are not given a phone call, do not know the language and have no money to help themselves. This is a hopeless situation for many of them. They can work in the detention center for $1.00 a day, which at the end of the week gives them a two-minute phone card. Rev. Smith has negotiated with the warden at the Eloy Detention Center to visit detainees two days a week. As a result, she and her team have been able to speak and help many detainees who have had no contact with anyone outside the prison.

We spoke with a woman at St. Mark’s who was kept in the Eloy detention center for two years for working while on a visitor’s visa. Prior to being detained, she was abused and reported the abuse to the police. The police sent her to Eloy for violating her visa agreement, and the abuser was never prosecuted. Detainees have 30 days to file paperwork to gain release. This woman was not given paperwork until the 20th day and had no idea how to complete it. She spent two years there before she received help from Rev. Smith’s team, who posted the $30,000 bond to get her out. The money was refunded once her legal residence was approved. Now she works at Casa Mariposa helping other people in the same situation.

Next on our schedule, we visited the Pima County Medical Examiner. We were given a presentation by Dr. Hess on the number of immigrant remains found in the desert. They have documented over 7,000 remains in Pima County alone. They do not have any numbers from other coun-ties. They try to identify these remains to give families closure, a very difficult task at best.

Ella Rawls

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The second day we drove to Nogales, AZ and from there we walked across the border. We were accompanied by two bilingual speakers: Rev. Dulce Vargas, member of Arizona JFON board, and Maritza Velazquez, Lay Leader South District UMC. (Photo bottom left) We met with some of the immigrants waiting to ask for legal entry into the country. (Photo bottom right) It was cold the night before and they were given shelter in a small enclosed area. Mexican police guarded the entrance. We were able to go in to this very small crowded area and through interpreters were able to talk and pray with some of the people. I talked with two young mothers with very young children. One had been traveling for 11 days and the other for 13 days. They had just arrived and were waiting to be moved to a better shelter in Mexico. They told us that they were hungry. After our visit with them we went down the street to arrange for a restaurant to deliver meals to them. This restaurant has been supplying meals to refugees daily with or without the help of outside funds. The two moms I talked to are just about to start the very long process of applying for asylum. There is a real credible fear factor in the whole process.

After lunch we traveled back to Tucson and stopped at the INN. This is a shelter run by the United Methodist Church. When people have been processed and are released from ICE waiting their court date, they are dropped at non-profit shelters. They come to the shelters, exhausted, hungry, in need of showers and clean clothes. They are told they are safe. They are given help contacting their families and arranging for transpor-tation. The sponsoring families send money and bus tickets are purchased. Complete instructions are written out in their native language for their travel and they are given food to take along on their bus trips. The above is the best-case scenario. The policies can change daily. The week before our trip, the border patrol was told to drop the immigrants at the Greyhound bus stations. They were stranded. No money, no help and they could not speak the language. Greyhound employees called the shelters and the immigrants were picked up and tak-en care of. When the newspaper reported the news the people of Tucson pushed back and the immigrants were once again dropped off at the non-profit shelters. (Children watch movies at the shelter.)

The United States needs to fix our immigration policies. Persons seeking legal entry should not be denied the rights we consider unalienable. We all need to write our representatives often and tell them to work on passing meaningful legislation regarding immigration. Currently, this whole issue is a political football. We are treating people coming to our country for asylum miserably. In my opinion, it seems that every effort is made to deter and make life more difficult for people who are already in a very difficult and in some instances life threatening situations. What would Jesus do?

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How Can You Get Involved?

Your Mission and Outreach Team is busy preparing many opportunities for you to get involved. You will be hearing much more about each of the following:

• Another Border Educational Mission Trip will be scheduled in March. • We will coordinate penpals through Casa Mariposa Detention Visitation Center. • Four or five Information and Educational presentations on immigration issues and concerns are be-

ing planned for January or February at out church. • The INN has a wish list on Amazon Prime. The link is: https://www.amazon.com/registry/

wishlist/JLTPU1XKDHNO. Select the charity and order from the wish list. They always need socks and underwear.

• In addition, before logging into Amazon, use Amazon smile and have donations go to Arizona Jus-tice For Our Neighbors. Amazon gives a percentage of sales to charities before you make a pur-chase.

• Write your legislators and advocate for changes in immigration legislation. Senator Jeff Flake

413 Russell Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510

Senator Martha McSally

218 Russell Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510

Representative Paul Gosar 504 Cannon House Office Building Washington DC 20510

Thank You to all who Donated!

The gifts for Payson Community Kids and Time Out Shelter children and the Advent boxes of items for the Payson Community Food Bank and Time Out Shelter are spread all around our Christmas tree. Thank you for your generosity!

Upcoming Mission Trip Opportunities – Mark your calendars and get signed up

Rocky Point House Construction – March 1 - 4 – Our team will join another team from Phoenix to drive to Rocky Point to construct a house. Passport is required. Cost of trip is $265 plus shared transporta-tion. See more information on mission bulletin board in west hallway. Contact Connie Jewell 480-620-8407 before Feb 1.

UMCOR Trip – June 3-7 - Our 4th Volunteers in Mission Trip to UMCOR Depot in Salt Lake City. This is a great opportunity to make various kits needed when UMCOR responds to the worldwide disasters, such as the recent floods, hurricanes, earthquakes and fires. Contact Connie Jewell 480-260-8407 be-fore Feb 1.

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FaithWorks Trips – 2019 schedule is here!

Register early before trips fill up by contacting Annetta Follmer 928-476-5350.

• January 19 – Flagstaff Family Food Bank, Flagstaff. Repairs and fix-up.

• February 14-17 – Mexico Medical Mission. Need medical professionals and children’s workers for this 2-day clinic in Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico.

• March 9 – El Nathan Ministries, Flagstaff. Fix-up and repairs.

• April 13 – The Abide House, Camp Verde. Light construction and repairs.

• May 16 – 19 – 2nd Medical Mission to Agua Prieta, Mexico this year. Doctors, nurses, helpers needed for a two-day clinic.

• June 8 – Sunshine Rescue Mission, Flagstaff. Cleaning, organizing, painting.

• August 17-25 – Chugiak, Alaska – Camp fix-up – painting, cleaning, roofing, gardening.

• September 5-8 – Mexico Medical Equipment Supply Mission. We’ll take up to 6 volunteers to deliver, set up, and arrange medical equipment and supplies to Agua Prieta, Mexico

• October 12 – Navajo Fix-up Mission, Leupp. Building fix-up and repair on the Reservation.

• October 31 – Nov. 3 – Mexico Medical Mission. Providing a free clinic in Agua Prieta, Mexico to those in need.

• December 7 – Navajo Children’s Christmas Mission, Leupp. We will provide gifts, dinner and the love of Christ to our Navajo neighbors.

Saturday, January 26 Is Kids Game Day

For Kids of all ages!

Games, Hot Chocolate and Cookies

Watch for More Details

From the Finance Chair

Chris Spencer

Continuing as counters are Cathy Boone, Janine Cluck, Ted Corley, Tom Herbolsheimer, John Landino, and Jean Weible. Our Financial Secretary Ana Marie Mowrer recently trained our two new counters Susanne Hicks and Bernita Law. Our Finance committee is planning fundraisers for 2019 to supplement our tithes and offerings so that we can meet all of our planned ministries and missions for the year. The first fundraiser will be our traditional Valentine Event. Volunteers with creative ideas are needed. Watch for details coming out soon.

January is the time of year that our committee completes the year-end 2018 Fund Balance Report and Statistical Tables Report and arranges for our church’s financial audit for 2018. Take a moment to thank the Finance Committee for their commitment and hard work: Kris Mosier, Ana Marie Mower, Trish Hofer, Sue Zen, Ed Harvey, Bill Cluck, Janine Cluck, and Doug Jewell. Sue Zen and Bill Cluck will end their terms and new Finance Committee members are Cindy Harvey and Ray Law. This committee’s respon-sibility is to nurture the financial vitality of the congregation. And thank you to our money counters who faithfully follow our authorized procedures. We give special thanks to Ernie Boone, who is completing his term as head counter and to Pat Mumford, who is moving to the valley. Their time and commitment is greatly ap-preciated.

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Board of Trustees

Happy New Year, Church Family!

Here we are in a brand new year and I’m excited to get started. I want to share a few things that your Trustees have been busy behind the scenes working to get done for our church.

Just as a home gets cluttered, sometimes the church becomes so, as well, and we are fortunate to be a VERY busy organization. To remain a smoothly running organization, it is good to maintain the clutter. After an event such as the UMW Merry Mall or the annual Hanging of the Greens there are “left overs” that must either be discarded - meaning recycled, trashed or donated; or stored - meaning quick access or long term. Our church is beautiful and has storage in each area to accommodate many necessary things, so long as we stay organized and keep what is essential. The Trustees have been rearranging things to move, store, recycle and discard some of the clutter and we hope to make better use of those organized areas this year.

The Trustees are also researching the possibilities of solar power for the church and possibly refinancing the mortgage, as lower interest rates are available. Just as household budgets and income fluctuate, our church budget and income fluctuate. As I mentioned in last month’s article, our church family is also fluctuating in size as members move or pass and this in turn affects our budget. Trustees are doing our part to make chang-es. One thing I would like to bring to your attention is the back door and black water drainage path. It looks like a walkway and I’m sure many of you use it as a walkway. However, it is NOT a walkway and if you choose to walk on it, you do so at your own risk. It is especially dangerous when it is wet, icey or has snow on it. We will be installing warning signs soon. Some time ago we installed pavers from the back door straight out to the parking lot. They have since become uneven and they are now a safety issue. We will be removing them soon and in the spring we will install a better walkway.

Have a Great New Year! ~ Cindy

Cindy Harvey

TOGETHER, WE EXTEND A HELPING HAND TO THOSE IN CRISIS SO THEY CAN OVERCOME FORMIDABLE OBSTACLES.

Turn on the news or drive around the outskirts of your town and you will find what Jesus called “the least of these.” Those living in the margins of society, struggling to survive. People like:

• An immigrant teenager in Texas’ poorest county, being recruited by a local gang • A father struggling for sobriety in Little Rock, Arkansas • An Oklahoma woman recently released from incarceration looking for work

Over and over Jesus served people like this, embracing them. And that’s what we want to model as the people of The United Methodist Church. To continue the ministry of Jesus we established Human Relations Day as a Special Sunday that calls all of our churches to participate in helping all God’s children to realize their poten-tial.

Will You Support the Ministry of Christ Among Those on the Margins?

Will you continue to support Human Relations Day? Will you continue nurturing at-risk youth, strengthening communities’ self-improvement efforts and advocating for the oppressed?

Rev. I Maliik Safir, whose church works with those gripped by addiction in Little Rock, sums up the work of Human Relations Day by recalling Jesus’ story of the Good Samaritan: “to meet the poor, the disadvantaged and the underserved at the places where others have robbed them and help them to recover from the wounds of social inequality.”

Human Relations Day is Jan 20!

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January Servants Let the office know if there is a change to this schedule.

January 6 8:30 11:00 Bible Reader/Liturgist Renee Stock Bonnie Peterson Greeters Doyle & Edda Hefner Doug & Connie Jewell Communion Tom & Chris Spencer Bonnie Peterson, Barb Stratton Milt Bott Janine Cluck January 13 Bible Reader/Liturgist Renee Stock Barb Stratton Greeters Doyle & Edda Hefner Doug & Connie Jewell Communion Joe & Pat Blanchfield Spike Runnion January 20 Bible Reader/Liturgist Renee Stock Janine Cluck Greeters Doyle & Edda Hefner Bill & Janine Cluck Communion Doyle & Edda Hefner Gary Blanchette January 27 Bible Reader/Liturgist Renee Stock Ray Law Greeters Doyle & Edda Hefner Bill & Janine Cluck Communion Jim & Brenda Mouw Pat Skelpsa

January Birthdays

30 Bud Collette

January Anniversaries

Birthdays & Anniversaries

If we have your Birthday or Anniversary listed incorrectly or not at all, please contact the church office. We want to get it right. It’s your special day.

2 Cathy Boone 6 Geneva Holehan 9 Diane Peterson 10 Cypress Gorry 12 Nancy Hartley 12 Kori Phylow

16 Tom Spencer 19 Laverna Ernst 22 Jim Sargent 31 Marian Crevar

Dec 31 Watch Night, 6pm Jan 7 Removing the Greens, 9am Jan 19 Flagstaff Family Food Bank Feb 14-17 Mexico Medical Mission Mar 1-4 Rocky Point

March 9 El Nathan Ministries April 13 The Abide House May 16-19 2nd Medical Mission Jun 3-7 UMCOR Jun 8 Sunshine Rescue Mission

What We’re Going to Do

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What We Do Informal Worship Service Sunday, 8:30am Meets in Celebration Hall —————————————— Adult Bible Study Sunday, 9:30am Meets in Room 304 —————————————— Traditional Worship Service Sunday, 10:50am Meets in Celebration Hall —————————————— Coffee With Carl Bible Study. Every Thursday at 11am. Meets in Room 304 —————————————— Carl’s Book/Bible Study based on “We Make the Road By Walking” by Brian McLaren. Every Friday from 11:30am—1pm at Culver’s —————————————— Wed Night Bible Study meets at a member’s home from 6:30-8:30pm. For more info call Janine Cluck at 928-474-1280. —————————————— Color Time Every Tuesday at 1pm. Room 205. —————————————— Blood Pressure Sunday As needed. See Marilyn Malles-Simons. —————————————— Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study meets at the Crosswinds Restaurant at the airport Wed morning at 7:30. ——————————————

Our Music Ministry Gail Gorry is our Music Director Grace Notes Handbell Choir, directed by Susan Campbell is always looking for ringers. They rehearse every Tuesday at 5pm. Praise Band rehearsal is on Thurs at 5:00pm and 7:30 Sunday morning. Chancel Choir meets Wed at 5:30pm and Sunday morning at 10:15 ——————————————

Missions & Outreach Missions & Outreach Team meets the second Tues each month, 11:00am at Cul-ver’s. ————————————– Student Weekend Food Program packs bags every Wed in the workroom at 9:30am while school is in session ——————————————

Sport Shoe Ministry gives sport shoes, etc. to any child who otherwise might not be able to play. —————————————— Payson Community Kids (PCK) We feed the Kids on the third Wednesday of every month. Food Bank Sunday is the last Sunday of each month. We support three food banks. —————————————— Time Out Shelter Sunday is the first Sunday of each month. —————————————— Women’s Emmaus Grouping meets at 1pm every Wed in the church library. —————————————— Women’s Emmaus Grouping #2 meets at 1:30pm every Wed in Room 304. —————————————— Men’s Emmaus Grouping meets every Wed at 1pm in Room 200. —————————————— The Church Has Left the Building We go out into the community and pass out water bottles, serve ice cream sundaes or root beer floats, participate in parades, walks for Domestic Violence, Candlelight Walks and other activities. Also, Grace Notes Handbell Choir performs around the community. —————————————— Shepherd's Flock Helpers Help the older generation of our congrega-tion make decisions about problems with their homes, cars, etc., so they will not be taken advantage of. Call Doyle Hefner at 978-9204. ——————————————

Our Five Required Committees Church Council meets the third Thurs every month at 3pm. —————————————— Finance meets the second Wed of every month at 3pm. —————————————— The Board of Trustees meet every month on the second Thurs at 9am. —————————————— Staff Parish Relations meets the second Thurs every month at 5:30pm. —————————————— Nominations and Leadership Develop-ment usually meets in the fall. ——————————————

Other Groups with whom Our Congregation is involved:

Payson Choral Society rehearses in Cele-bration Hall every Mon evening at 6:30pm, Aug-May.

Amnesty International meets in the Fellowship Hall, 5pm, third Monday each month. Parkinson Support Group meets here the first Friday of each month at 2pm in the Fellowship Hall (Room 205) National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) meets here the first and third Fri-day each month at 5:00pm in Room 200. Teen Outreach Pregnancy Services (TOPS) has an office at the church. ——————————————

United Methodist Women Leadership Team Meetings are the sec-ond Thurs every month after the Pro-gram/Event at 10:30am.

Small Groups Craft Circle Third Thursday, 1:30pm—3pm Meets in Room 304 Dinah Knitting Circle Fourth Wed —9:30am—11:00am Meets at members’ homes Esther Reading Circle Read/Discuss books from the National UMW Reading Program Third Thursday—10am Meets in Church Library Lydia Circle Bible Study & Fellowship w/potluck Fourth Wednesday – 12pm lunch Meets in members’ homes Martha Circle Bible Study & Fellowship Third Friday – 1:30pm Meets in members’ homes Ruth Circle Bible Study and Fellowship First Thurs, 6:30pm, Meets in members’ homes. Alice Whitman Weaving Circle First & Third Fridays from 11-12am Room 202. ——————————————

PAGE 13 RIM REFLECTIONS VOLUME 1 , I SSUE I

Depression Depression is a medical disor-der that influ-ences your thoughts, moods, feel-ings, behavior and physical

health. It affects an estimated 1 in 10 adults at any given time. The Basics Depression is an illness with a bio-logical basis that’s often influenced by psychological and social stress. A complex interplay of factors in-volving genetics, stress and chang-es in brain and body function is thought to play a role in its devel-opment. Depression can take many forms. The most common is major depres-sion. Its hallmark symptoms are:

• Sleep disturbances, such as ear-ly awakening, sleeping too much or having trouble falling asleep

• Decreased concentration, atten-tion and memory

• Increased or decreased appetite and unexplained weight gain or loss

• Restlessness, agitation, irritabil-ity, annoyance or ambivalence

• Fatigue and loss of energy • Feelings of helplessness, hope-

lessness, worthlessness or guilt • Continuous pessimism • Neglect of personal responsibil-

ities or personal care • Decreased interest in sex • Thoughts of death or suicide

Depression can also cause a wide variety of physical complaints, such as headache, digestive problems and chronic pain.

There’s no single cause for depres-sion. But Experts believe a genetic vulnerability to the disease com-bined with environmental factors, such as stress or physical illness, may trigger an imbalance in brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, resulting in depression. Imbalances in three neurotransmitters—serotonin, norepinephrine and do-pamine—seem to be linked to de-pression. If you have signs and symptoms of depression, see your doctor. With proper treatment, most people im-prove—often within weeks—and return to normal activities. Risk Factors Scientists have identified a number of risk factors—events and condi-tions that appear to increase your likelihood of becoming depressed. They include:

• Family history. If your parent, sibling or child is depressed, you’re at increased risk. The increase in risk may be due to genetics, family environment or both. However, not everyone with a family history of depres-sion develops the disorder.

• Stressful situations. Major life events, particularly a loss or threatened loss of a loved one through death or divorce, can trigger depression. Other losses, such as a job layoff, also can lead to the illness.

• Past experiences. People who’ve survived deeply upset-ting events in the past, such as childhood abuse, wartime com-bat, or witnessing a serious crime, are at increased risk of developing depression.

• Dependence on alcohol or drugs. About 30 percent of people who abuse alcohol meet

the medical criteria for depres-sion. Of those who abuse drugs, approximately 20 percent are depressed or have experienced depression in the past.

• Psychological issues. Certain personality traits, such as hav-ing low self-esteem and being overly self-critical, pessimistic, or easily overwhelmed by stress, can make a person more vulnerable to depression.

• Other mental illnesses. Up to half the people with an anxiety disorder also experience depres-sion. Depression is also com-mon among people with eating disorders.

• Medical conditions. Having a chronic illness, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer or chronic pain, puts you at higher risk of developing de-pression. Having an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) also can cause depression.

In many cases, depression results from not just one risk factor but a combination of them. Treatment Antidepressant medications, which affect the levels of or availability of neurotransmitters in your brain, are often the first line of treatment for depression. They can relieve symp-toms and generally have few side effects. Many types of antidepres-sants are available. Your doctor will determine what type may best for you based on your symptoms, family history and match between your symptoms and medication’s effects. Once your signs and symptoms have eased, your doctor may rec-ommend continuing the medication for up to 12 months to prevent re-

DISORDERS THAT BECOME MORE COMMON WITH AGE

Marilyn Malles

(Continue on page 13

Ana Marie Mower

PAGE 14 RIM REFLECTIONS VOLUME 1 , I SSUE I

lapse. If you’ve had recurrent de-pression, your doctor may recom-mend that you continue taking medication longer—perhaps for years. Another common treatment for de-pression is psychotherapy, also called talk therapy or counseling. Psychotherapy involves meeting with a mental health professional who can help you understand the source of your feelings and find better ways of coping with prob-lems and conflicts that may be trig-gering them. The most effective treatment for depression is often the combination of antidepressant med-ication and psychotherapy. In case of severe depression that doesn’t respond to medication or psychotherapy. Electroconclusive therapy (ECT) may be used. This form of treatment involves passing an electrical current through your brain for one to three seconds while you’re under light general anesthe-sia. The stimulus causes a con-trolled seizure, which typically lasts for 20 to 90 seconds. Experts aren’t sure how this therapy helps treat depression, but they theorize that when administered on a regular ba-sis over several weeks, it produces chemical changes in the brain that

build upon one another, somehow reducing depression. The most common side effect to electrocon-clusive is confusion that may last a few minutes to several hours. ECT may also affect short term memory, at least temporarily. An alternative treatment similar to ECT under study is called transcra-nial magnetic stimulation. Instead of an electrical current, it relies on a strong magnetic pulse to produce chemical changes in the brain. What You Can Do There are several things you can do meet life’s challenges while man-aging depression and to experience greater joy and pleasure in life.

• Don’t isolate yourself. Instead, participate in activities that make you feel good or feel like you’ve achieved something.

• Eat well, exercise and get ade-quate sleep. This helps you maintain your strength and en-ergy. Exercise can also help treat some forms of depression, ease stress, and help you relax and sleep better.

• Avoid alcohol and recreation-al drugs. Abuse of alcohol and drugs will slow or prevent your recovery.

• Learn healthy ways to man-

age anger or sadness. This can help preserve your emotional well-being.

• If someone has wronged you, try to forgive. Holding on to anger may harm your emotional health.

• If you suffered a loss, let yourself fill it. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends and family as you cope with your grief.

• Keep a journal. Writing down your thoughts and feelings can help relieve stress.

• Slow it down. If your busy life-style seems to be a source of stress, perhaps you need to cut out some activities or delegate some tasks to others.

• Take your medications as prescribed and see your doc-tor regularly. Your doctor can monitor your progress, provide support and encouragement, and adjust your medication if necessary.

Marilyn Malles-Simons

RN, Parish Nurse Mayo Clinic on Healthy Aging,

1st. Edition 2013 How to Find Happiness and

Vitality for a Lifetime By the Healthy-Aging Experts at

Mayo Clinic Edward T. Creagan, M.D. FAAHPM Medical Editor

(Continued from page 12)

From the Financial Secretary

If you want your gifts to be credited for 2018, they must be received by Dec 31. It's that time again. Be sure to write the correct date on your checks in January. It will be 2019. Ana Marie Mowrer Financial Secretary

PAGE 15 RIM REFLECTIONS VOLUME 1 , I SSUE I

Here is a sneak peak “up close and personal” with one of our singers who does double duty –

singing in the Chancel Choir and is also a member of our Praise Team. Bernita Law hails from

Fort Worth, Texas. She is one of five kids and she has a twin brother!

Bernita loves to sing because it is fun and is something she can do together with her husband,

Ray. It is really a special experience to be able to praise God through song with your spouse!

Although Bernita does not play any instruments (except the radio on occasion) she has sung in

many choirs throughout her years growing up in Flagstaff, Arizona. After her marriage to Ray,

they have both sung in church choirs wherever they have lived. Bernita also sings in the Pay-

son Choral Society.

She is recently retired from her HR supervisory position at the Payson Home Depot and is en-

joying being able to travel and spend time with her grandchild.

Music is a large part of why the Laws worship at Payson United Methodist Church. When

asked why she chose to be a part of our music ministry and congregation, Bernita said, “not on-

ly are there great people here, there is a choir with whom we can sing.” In searching for a Pay-

son church home, it was important to find a church where she could praise God through song

and participate in the music ministry. I am so glad Bernita kept looking until she found us!

Gail Gorry

Music Ministry

Moments

“Notes to Live By”

Adult Bible Study Led by Trish Hofer and held in Room 304 Sunday mornings from 9:30 -10:20.

Theme: Our Love for God Unit 2: Loving God by Trusting Christ January 6 Hold Fast to God’s Love, 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5; 2 John 4-11 January 13 Submit to God in Love, James 4:1-10 January 20 Submit to God in Christ, Philippians 1:12-21 January 27 Devote All to Christ, Philippians 2:1-11 February 3 Renounce Everything for Christ, Philippians 3:7-14

Trish & Ted

Gold Canyon UMC First UMC, Tempe First UMC, Mesa First UMC, Gilbert

East District January Prayer Focus

You are encouraged to pray for the churches and pastors of the East District of the Desert Southwest Conference. Each month, several churches and/or UMC organizations will be listed. This month we will be praying for:

If you would like, you may even send a card or note to the church(es) for whom we are praying.

PAGE 16 RIM REFLECTIONS VOLUME 1 , I SSUE I

1/6/2019 Old Testament: Isaiah 60:1-6 Epistle: Ephesians 3:1-12 Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12 Opening Prayer: O God, you made of one blood all nations, and, by a star in the East, revealed to all peo-ples him whose name is Emmanuel. Enable us who know your presence with us so to proclaim his un-searchable riches that all may come to his light and bow before the brightness of his rising, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ev-er. Amen. Sermon Title: Christ in the World 1/13/2019 Old Testament: Isaiah 43:1-7 Epistle: Acts 8:14-17 Gospel: Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 Opening Prayer: Father in heaven, at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan you proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit. Grant that all who are baptized into his name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly con-fess him as Lord and Savior, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, One God, in glory ever-lasting. Amen. Sermon Title: Christ in You These are subject to change.

1/20/2019 Old Testament: Isaiah 62:1-5 Epistle: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 Gospel: John 2:1-11 Opening Prayer: Govern all by thy wisdom, O Lord, so that my soul may always be serving thee as thou dost will, and not as I may choose. Do not pun-ish me, I beseech thee, by granting that which I wish or ask, if it offend thy love, which would always live in me. Let me die to myself, that I may serve thee; let me live to thee, who in thyself art the true life. Amen. Sermon Title: It's a Miracle 1/27/2019 Old Testament: Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 Epistle: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a Gospel: Luke 4:14-21 Opening Prayer: Teach us, Ruler of the universe, to see people by the light of the faith we profess, that we may check in ourselves all ungenerous judg-ments, all presumptuous claims, that, recognizing the needs and rightful claims of others, we may remove old hatreds and rivalries and hasten new understand-ings, that we may bring our tributes of excellence to the treasury of our common humanity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Sermon Title: One Day in Nazareth

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7 REFLECTIONS ON A MIXED ECONOMY OF CHURCH

By Kenneth H. Carter, Jr.

1. A mixed economy is a willingness to see a form of church that may not be most comfortable or comprehensible for us as an instrument that God chooses to use and bless in this world for the sake of the mission — to make disciples, to transform communities.

2. A mixed economy is our capacity to embrace law and love — law when to do so will help our brother or sister not to stumble, law as a disciplined life, love when law becomes an end in itself and is used as a tool to oppress or exclude.

3. A mixed economy is gratitude for the inherited church — we sit under the shade of trees we did not plant, and hope for the fresh expression of church — we desire fruitfulness and not famine among generations to come.

4. A mixed economy is the creative work of a God who prefers the catholic to the parochial, the diverse to the standard-ized, who endows us with many languages and cultures and dialects, who places us in many contexts, who delights in the chorus when everything that breathes offers praise to the Lord.

5. A mixed economy is the apostolic journey into the unknown and unexplored, and correspondingly the refusal to stay in the well-defined places where we have been. It is more like new creation and less like nostalgia. It is a more like holy curiosity and less like dogmatic equations.

6. A mixed economy is contemplation and action, the inner work we would most often prefer to avoid and the external engagement that is just as messy and chaotic. While our personal preference may be for one or the other, a life of integri-ty includes both.

7. A mixed economy serves a greater purpose — more mission, more healing, more conversions, more justice, not among the few but among the many, not only in our tribe but among all the nations. It is a movement from death to life, from a closed tomb to the promise of resurrection.

Kenneth H. Carter, Jr. is president of the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church ~ Ministry Matters

PAGE 17 RIM REFLECTIONS VOLUME 1 , I SSUE I

Hanging and Unhanging of the Greens

You did it! All 32 of you! And what fun we had decorating our Celebration Hall. You made our worship experience inspirational and beautiful.

Removing the Greens will be Monday, January 7 at 9:00 a.m. We will be sorting and boxing everything. See you all then! No chili and cornbread and cookies. Just diet food!

PAGE 18 RIM REFLECTIONS VOLUME 1 , I SSUE I

Sermon Series for January

Singing a New Song/ Reality for All Time

Christmas is a time of celebration that Christ is born into the world and God becomes real for us. We sing praises to God for the humility of coming to Earth not to demonstrate divine power, but to demonstrate what it is to be truly human. Jesus lives as a human, submits to baptism, and is worshipped by shepherds and wisemen alike. We lift up our voices in celebration of the coming of the Lord. The season after the epiphany is a time to let the busy-ness of the holidays settle in and the reality of what has taken place to take root. We are reminded that God came before us and created all that exists. We remember that God comes to us as Je-sus Christ, and that Christ redeems us, taking on the debt of our sins and offering forgiveness. Let us take time to be made holy in this season of growth.

January 6 – Epiphany Sunday “Christ in the World”

January 13 – “Christ Is You”

January 20 – “It’s a Miracle”

January 27 – Pastor on Holy Lands Tour – Guest preacher Rev. Jim O’Neal

PAGE 19 RIM REFLECTIONS VOLUME 1 , I SSUE I

If you see an error on this calendar, please let the office know.

As soon as your group makes a schedule change, let the office know to update the calendar. Thank you!

Jan 1 Happy New Year OFFICE CLOSED Jan 2 7:30am Men’s Bible Study & Breakfast 1:00pm Men's Emmaus Grouping 1:00pm Women’s Emmaus Group, Library 1:30pm Women’s Emmaus Group #2, R304 5:00pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal Jan 3 11:00am Coffee with Carl: A Bible Study 6:30pm Ruth Circle Jan 4 11:00am Weaving Circle 11:30am Carl’s Study on We Make the Road by Walking. 2:00pm Parkinson Support Group 5:00pm NAMI Connection Support Jan 5 Jan 6 Epiphany Sunday Time Out Shelter Sunday 8:30am Informal Service 9:30am Adult Bible Study 10:15am Choir Rehearsal 10:50am Hymn Sing & Traditional Service Jan 7 9:00am Removing the Greens Jan 8 11:00am Missions & Outreach Mtg 1:00pm Color Time 5:00pm Grace Notes Handbells Rehearsal 5:30pm Mary Kay Mtg Jan 9 7:30am Men’s Bible Study & Breakfast 9:30am SWFP Packing 1:00pm Men's Emmaus Grouping 1:00pm Women’s Emmaus Group, Library 1:30pm Women’s Emmaus Group #2, R304 3:00pm Finance Mtg 5:15pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal Jan 10 9:00am Trustees Mtg 10:30am UMW Program 11:00am Coffee with Carl: A Bible Study 4:00pm Praise Band Rehearsal, If needed 5:00pm SPRC Mtg Jan 11 11:30am Carl’s Study on We Make the Road by Walking. Jan 12 4:00pm Praise Band Rehearsal Jan 13 8:30am Informal Service 9:30am Adult Bible Study 10:15am Choir Rehearsal 10:50am Hymn Sing & Traditional Service Jan 14 Jan 15 NEWSLETTER DEADLINE 1:00pm Color Time 5:00pm Grace Notes Handbells Rehearsal 5:30pm Mary Kay Mtg Jan 16 7:30am Men’s Bible Study & Breakfast 9:30am SWFP Packing 1:00pm Men's Emmaus Grouping 1:00pm Women’s Emmaus Group, Library 1:30pm Women’s Emmaus Group #2, R304 5:15pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal

Jan 17 10:00am Reading Circle 11:00am Coffee with Carl: A Bible Study 1:30pm Crafty Ladies 3:00pm Church Council Mtg 4:30pm Praise Band Rehearsal Jan 18 11:00am Weaving Circle 11:30am Carl’s Study on We Make the Road by Walking. 1:30pm Martha Circle 5:00pm NAMI Connection Support Jan 19 UMW Leadership Enrichment Event, Scottsdale 4:00pm Praise Band Rehearsal Jan 20 Human Relations Sunday 8:30am Informal Service 9:30am Adult Bible Study 10:15am Choir Rehearsal 10:50am Hymn Sing & Traditional Service Jan 21 OFFICE CLOSED 5:30pm Amnesty International Mtg 6:30pm Payson Choral Society Auditions/Rehearsal Jan 22 1:00pm Color Time 5:00pm Grace Notes Handbells Rehearsal 5:30pm Mary Kay Mtg Jan 23 7:30am Men’s Bible Study & Breakfast 12:00pm Lydia Circle 1:00pm Men's Emmaus Grouping 1:00pm Women’s Emmaus Group, Library 1:30am Dinah Circle 1:30pm Women’s Emmaus Group #2, R304 5:15pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal Jan 24 4:30pm Praise Band Rehearsal Jan 25 11:30am Carl’s Study on We Make the Road by Walking. 4:00pm Good Grief Support, Messinger’s

Jan 26 1:00pm The Church Has Left the Building 4:00pm Praise Band Rehearsal Jan 27 Food Bank Sunday 8:30am Informal Service 9:30am Adult Bible Study 10:15am Choir Rehearsal 10:50am Hymn Sing & Traditional Service Jan 28 6:30pm Payson Choral Society Rehearsal Jan 29 1:00pm Color Time 5:00pm Grace Notes Handbells Rehearsal 5:30pm Mary Kay Mtg Jan 30 7:30am Men’s Bible Study & Breakfast 9:30am SWFP Packing 1:00pm Men's Emmaus Grouping 1:00pm Women’s Emmaus Group, Library 1:30pm Women’s Emmaus Group #2, R304 5:15pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal Jan 31 4:30pm Praise Band Rehearsal, If needed

Phone: 928-474-0485

Editorial Policies

The mission of Rim Reflections is to be one communication resource for Payson United Methodist Church. Other communication resources include our website, periodic e-mails, the Sunday church bulletins and verbal announcements made at services or other official meetings. Chairpersons of Boards and Committees, members and friends may submit announcements, information or items of interest that relate to the mission of the church. The Editor shall reserve the right to either accept or reject articles, to edit for space, grammar and accura-cy. Deadlines for submission of articles are published in weekly bulletins and this newsletter. Rim Reflections Newsletter Team

Editor Bobby Phylow Proof Reader Chris Spencer JoAnn Marlin

Newsletter Deadline: 15th of each Month

Weekly Bulletin Deadline: Noon on Tuesday

Each and every member is a minister of Payson UMC and is encouraged to be engaged in ministry. Those who

assist them are:

Office Staff

Pastor Rev. Carl Peterson

Office Manager Bobby Phylow

Parish Nurse Marilyn Malles-Simons

Treasurer Kristin Mosier

Music Director Gail Gorry

Handbells Director Susan Campbell

Custodian Lupe Thompson

Office Hours

Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 12 Noon

Phone: (928) 474-0485

email: church.office@paysonumc.org

Website: paysonumc.org

Facebook.com/paysonAZUMC

Sunday Worship

Informal Service 8:30am

Adult Sunday School 9:30am

Welcome & Hymn Sing 10:50am

Traditional Service 11:00am

Address Service Requested

Mission of Payson UMC…

Love Like Jesus — to make Christ better known in Payson through worship, missions, study, and fellowship activities on our cam-pus and in the community. Provide spiritual guidance, support, fellow-ship, and enrichment for all who come in contact with the church. Create an environ-ment that deepens one’s personal relation-ship with God and leads to active social ho-liness missions and ministries.

Other Team Members:

Audio/Visual/Lighting Tech

Bobby Phylow

A/V/L Operators Mark Wilner, Cindy Harvey,

Ray Law and Ed Harvey

Head Usher Bill Cluck

Hospitality Barbara DeKeno

Kitchen Volunteer???

E-mail: church.office@paysonumc.org Website: www.paysonumc.org Facebook.com/paysonAZUMC

PAYSON UNITED M ETHODIST

CHURCH

414 N. Easy Street Payson, AZ 85541