Monthly Newsletter

Well, friends, it is officially fall, my very favorite season. I love the cooler mornings, bonfires, and the return of familiar rhythms as a new school year gets underway. But what I love most is what this season reminds me of - God's faithfulness.

No matter how hard our farmers work, and they work hard, they cannot make the rain fall or the sun shine. They plant, tend, and trust. And somehow, God brings forth the harvest. Every year, that harvest reminds me that everything we have is ultimately a gift from God. The food on our tables, the people we love, the ministries we share, and the hope we carry all come from God's generous hand.

Perhaps that's why the church has traditionally focused on stewardship during the harvest season. Fall gives us an opportunity to pause, look back on God's faithfulness over the past year, and look ahead to where God may be leading us next. It is a season for gratitude, reflection, and renewed trust.

Beginning October 11, we will spend three weeks exploring God's invitation to be "all in" with all we have and all we are. When people hear the word stewardship, they often think of money. Certainly, our financial gifts matter. But I believe stewardship is about so much more.

Everything we have is a gift from God: our time, talents, passions, energy, relationships, skills, and presence. Stewardship is learning to hold all of those gifts with open hands, continually asking, "God, how do you want me to use what you have entrusted to me?"

That can feel risky. Open hands can feel vulnerable. Yet I've found that when we entrust ourselves more fully to God, we often get a front-row seat to see God's grace moving in our community, in our church, and in our own lives in ways we might otherwise miss.

As fall arrives, so do opportunities to celebrate God's goodness and take part in what God is doing among us. Here are a few ways you can join in:

Attend our State of the Church gathering after worship on October 18 as we celebrate God's faithfulness over the past year and discern together how we will carry God's mission forward into 2027.

Prayerfully consider your commitment to support CCUMC's ministries through your gifts, talents, time, service, and prayers. Watch your mailbox for more information, and make plans to participate in our Ministry Fair on Commitment Sunday, October 25, with opportunities to serve, connect, grow, and take new steps of faith together. I can't wait to see what God will do in and through us in the season ahead.

May God bless you richly,

Pastor Christi

Ready to go ALL IN? Join us Sunday, October 25, before and after worship for the CCUMC All-Church Ministry Fair.

Did you know the Holy Spirit has uniquely gifted you to bless the world God loves? The Ministry Fair is your chance to explore 24 unique ministry opportunities to connect your gifts/passions with service in our church and the wider community. Prayerfully consider what being ALL IN looks like for you — come find a new place to learn, connect, and serve!

What a wonderful start to the year at CityKids Preschool! Our little learners have been settling into their routines, making new friends, and getting to know their classrooms.

We’ve also been busy exploring the playground, discovering new things, and enjoying time together.

We’re excited to see all the learning, growing, and fun that’s ahead!

With cooler weather greeting us outside each day, it is time to think about ways you can be All In! Here is one way! We need someone to lead a team for this year's Angel Tree Christmas Project, as we partner with Mission 25 again this year.

If you would like to volunteer to be All In for either of these positions, call the church office at (260) 244-7671.

If you’re facing the holidays without a loved one this year, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to walk through this season unprepared.

GriefShare Surviving the Holidays, is a community of people who know what it’s like to walk through the holidays in grief. You will find connection and comfort in knowing you’re not alone this season. During the session, you will receive tips on how to navigate the season, including coping with painful emotions, handling social events and traditions, and more.  CCUMC will host Surviving the Holidays, November 8, 3:30-5:30.

Contact the church office to register or for more information.

Oak Pointe Assisted Living: Dee Green, Harrison & Natalie Harker, Barb Gillman

The Oaks Skilled Care: Francis Bundy, Joanna Sims

Byron Health Center: April Snyder

Ossian Health & Rehabilitation: Jill Chapman

Autumn Trace: Evelyn Stemen, Karen Bucher

Homebound: Florence Linn, Louise Walter, Chick Harker, Marilyn Fry, Joyce Butler, Julia Hayes

Cards only: Barb Bilger and Betty Mosher

* If you know anyone that is homebound or in a care facility, PLEASE let the office know.  We want to be sure we are reaching out to all.

BIRTHDAYS

3 – Carl Siler

5 – Christina Buchanan

John Snyder

6 – Barbara Bilger

7 – Barbara Siler

Reisa Snyder

9 – Carol Ellsworth

13 – Charles Roberts

14 – Brenda Shearer

17 – Natalie Harker

18 – Louise Walter

19 – Sharon Richey

26 – Naomi Hovenen-Simmons

27 – Chris Jones

Sandra Fisher

30 – Leah Myer

Teresa Wright
 

ANNIVERSARIES

3 - Bret & Tammy Taylor

10 - Bill & Sue Lewis

14 - Charles & Maxine Roberts

- Jeremy & Carrie Meyer

19 - Evan and Brianna Fudge

28 - Donald & Sharon Pequignot

30 - Debby & Mike Minier

Flood Buckets, officially called Cleaning Kits, are essential supply buckets used to help families clean up and rebuild after natural disasters like floods and hurricanes.

Let’s help keep the relief inventory stocked and ready to go when a disaster strikes.

Supply lists and an Amazon link are available at the Information Center. We will pack buckets on Sunday, November 15, after church.

UMCOR Cleaning Kit Needed Donations

• One five-gallon round bucket with lid (14.35” h x 12.19” w x 12.19” d) [No screw lids. May be used, but must be free from all residual product. Advertisement on the outside acceptable.]
• One 32–64 oz. bottle liquid laundry detergent
• One 16–40 oz. bottle liquid concentrate household cleaner [No spray cleaners]
• One 16–34 oz. bottle liquid dish soap
• 24-roll of heavy-duty trash bags (33–45-gallon sizes) [Remove from packaging.]

Approval of August Minutes

12 Month Goal Updates:

Sunday morning goal of being more engaging:

• 16 visitors since new format began
• 3 return visitors

Creating at least one new ministry opportunity per quarter:

• Breakfast Club has met twice with 8 participants at first, then 13 participants the second time; ages range from 16-87
• “Closer Than You Think” training will be held after church on October 4.
• Examples of new ministry opportunities will be shared.
• Pastor Christi will continue meeting at Brew-Ha on Wednesdays at 3:45.
• We will need to track micro-grants.

Preschool Board:

• Approval of City Kids Preschool Board members: Cindy Kumfer, Tam Parker, Brenda Shearer, Greg Lawson, and Brenda Marty. City Kids Preschool Director, Amanda Webber and a parent representative will also be board members.
• Approval of the Safe Sanctuary Policy after annual review.

Pastor’s Report:

• Bowen Center would like for CCUMC to be a secondary space when needed for visits when church staff is in the building.
• Blessing Box: Conversation about the best way to serve the community that ensures equity, dignity, and fairness. Discussion focused on a faithful way forward that included when and how the Blessing Box is filled and the possibility to engage with those needing this ministry.
• CCUMC Website: Discussion of proposal to seek external management of our website to ensure security, professionalism, and ongoing economy. We have noted a sharp increase in cloned, spoofing, malicious emails.
  • Nominations:
    • Carl Siler, Jamie Peppler, and Jeremy Meyer (endowment team) will conclude their terms at the end of 2026.
    • John Kleiman has been nominated for and accepted as the Trustee Chairperson beginning January 2027.
    • Noel Phegley has been nominated for and accepted as an at-large member of the council beginning January 2027.
    • Linda Sevier has been nominated for and accepted as an at-large member of the endowment committee beginning January 2027.
      • This new slate will bring the number of council members back down to nine from ten when Carl Siler’s term was extended as an ex-officio member in 2024.

Missions and Ministry Team:

• Council discussed forming a missions and ministry team to organize mission projects for Christmas and as needs arise.

Pastor Christi will attend the National Fellowship of Associate Ministers and Local Pastors Conference in Ocala, FL. the week of September 14.

Pastor Christi will be on vacation the week of October 5. John Snyder will preach on October 11.

Upcoming Events

Stewardship Campaign:

• All Church meeting on October 18 following worship
• Ministry Fair and Commitment Sunday on October 25
• Planned giving seminar on November 1

Finance Report:

• August 2026
• Total Revenue: $45,113.44
• Total Expenses: $46,729.64 (Property Insurance payment was made in August.)
• Net Operating Revenue: -$1,616.20
• YTD Operating Revenue: $26,512.97 vs. $6,938.16 budget
  • Balance Sheet:
    • STAR checking account $76,896.76
    • Endowment funds $897,890.70
    • Estate Gift to Capital Fund $135,315.83
      • Church Mortgage $ 583,537.87

Trustees Report:

• Nathan Lundy moved and Ron Richey seconded that John Kleiman be empowered as Trustee Chair for the duration of this meeting to sign lease contract with Carl Siler.
  • The motion was approved unanimously.
• The GaGa Game Pit (no longer being used) be donated to the Boy Scouts.
  • The motion was approved unanimously.

John Snyder — Council Chair

Megan Devito — Staff Parish Chair

Jamie Peppler — Lay Person

Brenda Marty – Secretary

Carl Siler – Trustee Chair

Wendy Meyer – Finance Chair

Ron Richey – Treasurer

Nathan Lundy – Endowment Committee Chair

Chris Jones and John Kleiman – Members at Large

(260) 244-7671 • www.columbiacityumc.org
605 Forest Parkway Columbia City, IN 46725

Christi Murray, Pastor — christi.murray@columbiacityumc.org

Tammy Taylor, Director of Administration and Discipleship — tammy.taylor@columbiacityumc.org

Ashley Bailey, Communications Specialist — ashley.bailey@columbiacityumc.org

Gary Shanklin, Bookkeeper – Shanklin.gary@gmail.com