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Souper Bowl Sunday
30-Hour FamineFebruary 24-25
Children's Council
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Fifty Plus
February and March UMM Meetings
United Methodist Women
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Dayspring Leadership Academy
Opportunities for Service
Other Hands Ministry
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February Koinonikos

Dayspring United Methodist Church
1365 E. Elliot Road, Tempe, Arizona 85284
(480) 838-1446

Worship Services at 9:00 and 10:30 am each Sunday


From Our Pastors

The Pastor's Letter

Does it seem to you that many people treat the word "compromise" as if it were a four letter word - they want nothing to do with it! Our government is so gridlocked that little/nothing seems to get accomplished. There is an alarming rise in fundamentalism in many religions, which manifests itself as extreme judgmentalism in how people should live their lives.

At its worst, extremists use their religion as justification for eradicating non-believers from the face of the earth. Even road rage is the result of people refusing to yield or cede the right of way to anyone else.

While of course we want our politicians, our religious leaders and, for that matter, everyone, to have principles which can't be compromised, nevertheless, too often we stake our claim to a belief or an opinion and then refuse to budge from it or to entertain any idea contrary to our own. We have lost the art of compromise.

Benjamin Franklin, in his address to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, closed with these words:

"I confess that there are several parts of this Constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure that I shall never approve them; for having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged by better information, or fuller consideration, to change opinions even on important subjects which I once thought right, but found to be otherwise. It is therefore that the older I grow, the more apt I am to doubt my own judgment, and to pay more respect to the judgment of others."

St. Paul, in his "Hymn to Love" in I Corinthians 13 said it this way: "Love is patient, love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. IT DOES NOT INSIST ON ITS OWN WAY."

If we truly want to change our world, perhaps it is time to adopt Franklin's advice and to "doubt our own infallibility" or even better, to follow what St Paul called "the more excellent way." The way of love.

Souper Bowl Sunday

Next Sunday, February 5th is Souper Bowl Sunday. The Sprouts will be at the doors of the sanctuary as you leave holding Soup Pots. We are asking you drop a $1 bill or more to help fight hunger here in our community. This year's donations benefit Paz de Cristo in Mesa.

Be part of the nationwide movement that is sharing God's love with those in need.

30-Hour FamineFebruary 24-25

Dayspring Youth Ministry is once again participating in World Vision's 30 Hour Famine, an event when the Jr. High and Sr. High youth fast for 30 straight hours. They raise donations for World Vision's programs and learn about worldwide hunger and poverty while working at local food banks and homeless shelters.

This is Dayspring's seventh year participating in the famine and we are, for the second year in a row, joining forces with the youth group at Chandler UMC. Teens from both churches will work, learn, and fast side by side to experience the feeling that too many kids around the world already know - the feeling of an empty stomach.

This year's focus will be on hunger and poverty throughout the world, particularly the current crisis in the Horn of Africa.

For more information about World Vision, please go to www.worldvision.org.

Children's Council

Dayspring's Children's Council mission is to support the children from birth to sixth grade in their spiritual growth with God.

Choir

The children will sing on the following dates in February:

  • Cherub Choir: February 26th 10:30am
  • Sunshine Singers: February 12th 10:30am
  • Genesis Choir: February 12th 9:00am

Sprouts

On February 5th the Sprouts will be participating in the nationwide movement, Souper Bowl Sunday. This year the Sprouts have chosen Paz de Cristo to receive their donations. All monies donated will stay in our community. Be sure to drop $1 or more in the soup pots the Sprouts will be holding at the door after each service.

Thank you in advance for your support.

Parable of the Talents

Our 2nd - 6th grade Sunday School children will be learning about and practicing the "Parable of the Talents" in February and March. Parents will be able to sign their children up at a table in the courtyard on February 5th and February 12th.

The children will each get $5. They will use this money to purchase supplies to make something (cookies, crafts, etc). The children will get a chance to see how their $5 can work and grow! They will sell their wares in the courtyard between services.

Please plan to purchase some of their hard work in the courtyard on February 26th and March 4th. All of the money raised will go to the UMOM New Day Center. Thank You!

Pillow Talk

Pillow Talk for 3rd through 6th graders is scheduled for March 2nd and March 3rd. This is a great opportunity for children to cultivate friendships with other young Christians and grow in their knowledge of the Bible. We will begin at 5:30 on Friday evening with pizza for dinner, and spend the evening doing a scavenger hunt, New Testament based activities, meeting with the Pastor, watching a movie, and then heading for bed in our sleeping bags for the night. After a wonderful breakfast on Saturday morning, we'll finish our projects and wrap up.

Registration forms will be available in the bulletin and in the church office. Please contact Ruth at ruth-boyle1@cox.net with questions or to volunteer. For Pillow Talk to be successful, we need volunteers to help with set-up, clean-up, spending the night, serving meals, and helping with activities. This is always a fun and rewarding activity for the children as well as the adults who help out, so mark your calendars!

Dayspring Preschool and Kindergarten

Registration runs January 26th through February 6th. You can pick up packets in the Preschool and the Church office beginning January 26th. Registered Church members have priority.

If you have questions or would like to schedule a tour, please call the Preschool office at 480) 838-9097.

We offer these classes:

  • Parent/Tot class for children who are 24-36 months as of September 30. This class meets Thursday mornings for 90 minutes with child and parent.
  • Pee Wee class for children who turn 3 between September 1 and December 31. This class meets Wednesday mornings.
  • Class for children who turn 3 before September 1, 2012.
  • Class for children who turn 4 before September 1, 2012.
  • Kindergarten for children who are 5 by September 1, 2012.

We look forward to meeting you and your children.

Fifty Plus

Treat yourself to a wonderful 50 PLUS program on Friday, February 17, at 12:00 noon in the Shalimar Country Club restaurant, 2032 Golf Avenue, Tempe AZ 85282. Our own Pastor, Rev. L. Michael Kelley, will present a program entitled, "Love Songs." Make your $12 per person lunch reservations for you and your Valentine friends with Erma Dean Yeager (ermadean@cox.net) or with a 50 PLUS caller. Everyone is welcome!

February and March UMM Meetings

Please put both Saturdays, February 4 and March 3, on your calendars as we have two great programs upcoming.

On February 4, along with breakfast and fellowship, we'll have Michael Monti of Tempe historic restaurant fame as our guest. Then on March 3, with United Methodist Women as our invited guests, Dr. M Zuhd Jasser, Chairman, American Islamic Forum for Democracy will join us for breakfast and to share his perspective.

Please plan to make both meetings for great food, fellowship and intriguing and challenging programs.

United Methodist Women

United Methodist Women unit meeting is Thursday, February 16, at 7pm in the Adult Room.\ Marilyn Miller and Nancy Jamison-Dawe will share experiences from their February 2011 encounter with God's amazing creatures and their habitat in a nine-day cruise in Antarctic waters. All women of the church are invited to join us for fellowship, education and service.

The Greeting Card Circle will meet on Thursday, February 2, at 9:30am in Room 112. The circle makes recycled, painted and wildflower cards to raise funds for missions.

The Connie Reading Circle will meet on Thursday, February 9, at 9:30am at the home of Pat Brandt. Bonny Sloane will review the book Rediscovering Values: On Wall Street, Main Street and Your Street, by Jim Wallis, from the Social Action category of the 2012 UMW Reading Program.

The Mary Martha Circle will meet Thursday, February 9, at 7pm at Jean Beal's home. Jean will give the program from the study book More Bad Girls of the Bible, by Barbara J. Essex, from the Leadership Development category of the UMW Reading Program.

ACTION OPPORTUNITY: The Desert Southwest Conference will present a social action education event: "Human Trafficking: What is it?" Saturday, March 3, 9:30am - 3pm at Cross in the Desert UMC, Phoenix. Cost is $15 for registration, materials and lunch. Watch the church bulletin for more information.

UMW Accomplishments in 2011:

  • Pledges to mission: We pledged $3,000 and gave $3,188.
  • World Thank Offering: Budgeted $150, gave $326.
  • Prayer and Self-Denial Offering: Budgeted $200, gave $250.
  • Ubuntu Day of Service at Wesley Community Center (and at Justa Center and WHEAT Clothes Silo).
  • Donated items to Justa Center.
  • Donated baby items to WCC.
  • Donated Christmas gifts to WCC children.
  • Held used book sale in April - donated $1,100 to local and international missions.
  • Donated hundreds of books to 8 local agencies.
  • Members coordinated meals for Family Promise guests, who are homeless families.
  • Several members attended the Immigration Forum held at Dayspring in October.

Scout News

Scout Sunday

On February 12, 2012, Dayspring will celebrate Scout Sunday. All Girl and Boy Scouts, youth and adults, please come in uniform to show support for the scouting programs. Troop 172 will coordinate the ushering at both services. All youth are welcome to help usher. Please arrive 30 minutes before the service at which you choose to volunteer.

Troop 172 Annual Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser

Troop 172 will host their Annual Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, February 12th from 8am to 11am. Please join us in the Fellowship Hall for pancakes, eggs, bacon, coffee and juice.

Donations are always accepted. We appreciate your continued support for Troop 172.

Dayspring Leadership Academy

The Dayspring Leadership Academy is open for enrollment for 2012!

Whether you are interested in acquiring new leadership skills for your career, your church life or your leisure activities, the Dayspring Leadership Academy can bring you insights into the leadership process.

Planned sessions are:

  1. Sunday, January 22nd, 3pm-5pm
    Assessing Ourselves for Leadership
  2. Sunday, February 26th, 3pm-5pm
    Leading Meetings
  3. Sunday, March 25th, 3pm-5pm
    Leading Groups
  4. Sunday, April 22nd, 3pm-5pm
    Shepherding and Mentoring
  5. May TBD
    Next Steps in Leadership

Classes will be led by members of our Dayspring clergy, staff and laypersons.

Registration is required (but free, of course) and attendance at all sessions is requested. The class size is limited to 20 persons, so please contact Nan Lawson to register by January 6th at nklawson21@gmail.com.

Opportunities for Service

Stephen Ministers Care

When was the last time someone really listened to you? We're talking about that undistracted, full-attention kind of listening. That's one of the ways Stephen Ministers care for others.

We need Stephen Ministers to care for those who are making that long journey through the valley of a life crisis. Will you consider serving in this way?

We will be holding Stephen Ministry informational meetings on Sunday, February 12, 2012, in room 112 after both first and second services. For more information, please contact Sally Butler, Elizabeth Winkler or Liz Alden.

Habitat For Humanity 2012

Build dates for Dayspring UMC are Saturday, February 4th, and Saturday, March 31st. There might be a need for volunteers for Saturday, February 18th, depending on participation by other churches in the Mighty United Methodist Coalition. We need only 5 volunteers for each build date.

The home is single story, Santa Fe style, which means no pitched roof or shaky knees! Contact Mark Boyle at Ruth-Boyle1@cox.net.

Sunday Coffee Volunteers

Steve and Lana Pearson, Sunday coffee coordinators, would like some volunteers to prepare coffee, etc. each Sunday. If you are able to help us, please sign up on the sign-up sheet on the coffee/cookie table.

Thanks! We would really appreciate the help.

Dayspring Blood Drive

Dayspring's semi-annual blood drive will be held on Sunday, March 11th from 8am to 1pm in the Dayspring parking lot.

Look for the sign-up table in the courtyard on February 26th and March 4th between services only.

Give the gift of life!

A volunteer is needed to coordinate future blood drives. Please contact Larry Haubrock if you are interested in performing this valuable service.

United Methodist Outreach Ministries

Quilts and Blankets for Domestic Violence Shelter

Elizabeth and I recently delivered 38 quilts and blankets to UMOM's Shelter. A group of women led by Susan Oliver has been hard at work to prepare these quilts and blankets for 56 women and children at the shelter. These are women and children whose lives should not be filled with such pain and fear that they seek out a shelter. But they are there, and I am grateful to all the Dayspring people who have shown you care about these victims.>/p>

The quilting group is continuing to make quilts and blankets. If you want to be a part of this new and important ministry, call Susan Oliver (see the Dayspring directory for phone number) for information about the next meeting.

Thanks to all who help!

What is UMOM?

UMOM meets the needs of homeless and hungry persons in our community, building a bridge to self sufficiency through unique programs. As a result, men, women and children are breaking the cycle of homelessness and poverty. Located at 3320 E. Van Buren Street in downtown Phoenix, the New Day Center is the largest shelter for homeless families in Arizona, providing a home for over 350 men, women and children each day of the year.

How can I help at Dayspring UMC?

One way to get involved is through the UMOM Sunday Night Meals program at Dayspring. Dayspring sponsors the evening meal for the UMOM residents for a minimum of 28 Sundays each year (every Sunday except the first and last Sunday of every month). Dayspring volunteers prepare and serve the meal for the UMOM residents in the fully equipped UMOM kitchen. The menu is prearranged and there is a kitchen manager to provide complete directions to volunteers.

We need help on the following Sundays:

  • February 12 and 19
  • March 18
  • April 8, 15 and 22
  • May 20
  • June 10 and 17
  • July 15 and 22

You would need to be at the center at 3:30 to help cook and would be done by shortly after six. You can sign up by contacting Carolyn Reid at csreid1@cox.net.

Other Hands Ministry

Thanks to those of you who stopped by our table on Ministry Sunday. I hope you all will now have a better understanding of what this ministry does!!

Due to an ongoing illness, we are short of "other" hands just now and would really like to add YOU to our team!!! We need people to help with crafts twice a month, and are always in need of folks to help the residents of Westchester play bingo on Saturday mornings. If you can join us please contact Suzanne Petticrew at suzycrew@cox.net.

Have You Signed Up?

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Adult Classes

Explorer's Class

Explorer's Class on "The Traditions and Beliefs of Christianity" ends today. A new series, "The History of God", based on the best selling book by biblical scholar, Karen Armstrong, will begin on Sunday, Feb. 5.

This class will examine the questions "Why does God exist", and "How have the three dominant monotheistic religions - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam shaped and altered the conception of God?"

Randy Hamilton will lead this three week study at 9:00am in the Adult Room. All adults are welcome. Coffee is served.

Adult Bible Study

The class is finishing up the Old Testament, discussing the return from the Exile. In February, we will be studying the New Testament beginning with Matthew. If you are interested or have any questions, contact Cathy Smoot at cssmoot@cox.net.

Contemporary Issues

This 10:30 Adult Class topic of discussion for the next 4 weeks will be "Jews and Christians, a Journey of Faith". We will examine the beliefs and rituals common to Judaism and Christianity and learn how Christianity and Judaism have defined themselves and developed in close sibling relationship.

Join us in this most interesting journey.

Dayspring Business Directory

The 2011 Dayspring Business Directory, a listing of businesses that are owned by or employ members of the Dayspring family, is available on-line (see below).

Clicking on the booklet below will bring up a fullscreen display, and you can flip backward and forward through the pages by clicking on the arrows to the left and the right of each page.


Do You Have News for This Web Site? Or Questions? Or Feedback?

If you are a member of a church team here at Dayspring, and you have some news you'd like to spread or an event you'd like to publicize or action you'd like to spur, how do you go about it?

A couple of well-worn paths do exist: you can send an article to the editor of Koinonikos, Dayspring's monthly newsletter, or you can submit an announcement to the church office for inclusion in the weekly church service bulletin. Those methods have existed for some time and they work well. And many items intended for the bulletin or newsletter appear on this web site as well, because we all work together.

However, both of these methods have a couple of drawbacks:

  • They require adherence to a regular schedule (weekly for the bulletin, monthly for the Koinonikos). Granted, for the great majority of information, this is not a huge drawback, because there is a natural weekly or monthly cycle of things happening at Dayspring. But there are occcasions when you may need something to go out immediately.
  • They are subject to space limitations. Both the bulletin and Koinonikos have available a certain number of pages, and that imposes a restriction on the length of items and the depth with which any given topic may be treated.

So we'd like to encourage you to send items directly to the Webmaster of this site, using the button below. Pressing that button will open your email program with the Webmaster's email address already entered, and allow you to send information in text form or as a Microsoft Word (or WordPerfect, or whatever...) document or as a PDF.

The article you send may be a fully-composed article (we promise to edit gently), or it may be skeletal, containing just the essentials (who, what, where, when, why). If the information includes contacts for people, those contacts should be in the form of email addresses rather than phone numbers - we don't like to include phone numbers in web articles.

You may include photos in your article, but just be aware that your Webmaster is a photographer, so he tends to be a bit finicky about quality - please send the sharpest-focused, highest resolution, truest-color photos you've got.

You may also use the button below if you have any questions about or are having problems using our website, or if you'd like to provide feedback on the format or content of the site.

Dayspring United Methodist Church is a welcoming congregation. We welcome all people regardless of age, gender, race, color, ethnicity, sexual orientation, economic status, or ability into the full life of this congregation.