February 2017 Vol. 5 Issue 2

Connecting Generations to Grow Relationships with God, Others, and Creation Effective Leadership and Effective Churches Matt Jones, Associate Pastor This past Tuesday night I had the privilege of talking to our newest church leaders (and some great “veteran” leaders). I shared that I am passionate about both Effective Leadership and Effective Churches - and as you may have guessed….they overlap a good bit! Churches are unique in that they function more as an extended family system than they do as formal organization. We have a great many “unwritten” expectations and rules in the church. We react to changes more often from an emotional center than a logical center. We “feel” things about the church - and like a family - we don’t always agree, and we always seem to have someone asking “how much longer??”.

In early March, the Latham Leaders will gather for a day of charting our path forward. It will all fall under the goal of “Renewing our commitment to be God’s people: Right here, Right now.” Please be in prayer as we meet and discern God’s leading. Pa ge 2 Farmers Market Kim McFadden, Market Director

We had a very successful year as we carried on our mission to bring fresh locally grown produce to our community. We charge the Farmer a small amount for their booth space and use these funds to buy tents, advertise & help purchase children’s activities, etc. This year we had a surplus in funds again so the Farmers Market Board decided to donate $400 to the Latham Backpack Ministries & $1200 to the Double-up Bucks Fund at the Food Bank. The Double-up Bucks allow those getting SNAP (food assistance) to come to our market and “double their dollars” (up to $20 each week) to purchase fresh produce. This fund is very important to those in need for it puts healthy food in their homes that might otherwise be too ex- pensive for them to purchase. Last year, our Latham Farmers Market was second in the North Alabama Farmers Market in giving these funds to those in need. We gave out over $2200 in Double- Up Bucks. The money we gave back to the Food Bank will be used again this year to help those with food assistance. 2017 will be the 5TH year of this community wide event. We are in need of more help. If you are interested in giving any time please, email the McFadden’s at [email protected]. There will be a Farmers Market Board meeting February 16 in Room 10 at 5:00 PM. Elderberries Sherri Ryan Are you 50 years young or even moving more toward that great time of senior life? Do you enjoy food, fun, entertainment, outings and maybe even some travel? Could you make a meeting ONE Thursday a month to enjoy fellowship, food, and entertainment? If you answered yes to any of these, Elderberries Group may be perfect for you. On Thursday, February 17th, we will host Camilla Pruitt, director of Worship and Fine Arts from Trinity United Methodist Church. Camilla is an amazing musician and inspirational speaker. She is planning to do some storytelling, share old hymns and folk songs with us and accompany us on her Auto Harp and Piano. This is an opportunity to experience a great musical talent so don't miss it ! Come at 12:30 if you just want to hear the program, or join us for a lunch and fellowship at 11:30. Reservations are needed so please email me, [email protected], with your reservation information or if you have any questions about our group. We are working on our Calendar for 2017 and our March program is already in place. Rocket City Sweethearts are coming to perform 50's and 60's hits in fabulous harmony reminiscent of the Andrews Sisters. Mark your calendar for March 16th. Hope you can come and be a part of our amazing group. Pa ge 3

Bible Study Scriptures for the Month of February

Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12) Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18 Psalm 112:1-10 Psalm 119:33-40 I Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16) I Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23 Matthew 5:13-20 Matthew 5:38-48 Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Exodus 24: 12-18 Psalm 119:1-8 Psalm 99 I Corinthians 3:1-9 2 Peter 1:16-21 Matthew 5:21-37 Matthew 17:1-9

Lent We continue our journey through the season of Epiphany, a celebration of God’s presence with the Gentiles. There are four Sundays left in this season including Sunday, February 5. The Epiphany Season will conclude with Transfiguration Sunday. The beginning verses of Matthew 17 tell the story. Wednesday, March 1, we will have a Service of Ashes. Lent takes place 40 days before Easter, not counting Sundays. This season encourages us to examine our lives and reflect on the journey of Jesus as he makes his way to Jerusalem and to the Cross. Traditionally we have been encouraged to “give something up” for Lent. Many of us may go through the exercise of doing just that. I have heard of those who give up things like their least favorite foods; Brussel sprouts and the like. The point is we don’t like giving up things that are special to us for any reason but we feel like we need to do some- thing. It is easy to live into the mindset of “what is the least I can do and still get by.” I’ve done that in my life. I’m sure you may have as well. This year as we continue through the days that lead beyond the season of Epiphany and into Lent, I invite you to do something a little different. This year, instead of giving something up for Lent, do this. Give something to God during this Lenten season. It can make a positive difference in the way we live our faith and share our lives through the Body of Christ, the Church.

Scout Sunday: February 12 will be a special day in the life of the church. We will celebrate the Scouting ministry that has been a part of Latham for many years. Throughout its history may scouts have achieved the rank of Eagle, a high, prestigious rank in scouting. It takes dedication, purpose and focus to achieve the rank of Eagle. We express our gratitude to each of our scouts and to their leaders for their devoted service and dedication. Pa ge 4

ADMINISTRATIVE LEADERSHIP

TRUSTEES STAFF PARISH FINANCE Jeff Langhout - Chair Gina Smith - Chair Rob Terry - Chair

Laura Emerson Don Lambert Richard Peters Ernie Young Johnnie Hanson Neal Porter Sherri Ryan Ken Stephens Wes Smith Chris Hazelrig Laura Bracey Mike Gris Justin Styles Richard Hutzler Candy Trowbridge Ex-Officio Members: Ex-Officio Members Sandy Ekstrom Mike Ratliff - Senior Pastor Mike Ratliff - Senior Pastor Matt Jones - Assoc. Pastor NOMINATIONS Matt Jones - Assoc. Pastor Grace Langhout - Lay Leader Mike Ratliff - Chair John Clausen - BOS Chair Alice Vosahlik - Lay Member Jim Williams Gina Smith - SPR John Clausen - BOS Chair Marty Bryan Grace Langhout - Lay Leader Donna Whitacre - Treasurer Tracy Manush BUCHANAN MEMORIAL Lay Member - Alice Vosahlik Jim Gillespie SCHOLARSHIP COMM. Anita Banks - Business Admin Jessica Martin Made up of: Jane Smith Senior Pastor Jackie Langhout Trustee Representative CHILD DEVEL. CENTER Dir. Youth Ministries Jo Hanson/ Sylvia Mitchell - LIBRARY COMMITTEE Senior High Leader Chairs Rosemarie Bishop, Youth Coordinator Elaine McClure - Chairs Buchanan Family Representative Lori Gray Freddia Scott 5 Church Members Selected by Paul Stutts Damon Nolin the Committee Mary Cope Catherine Beck LILLIE LATHAM SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE Ronda Springer Paula Stutts - Chair Jana Seikel Bernice Sutton Betty Langston Janet Watson Jannie Crouse Jill Queeney Kathleen Myles Sally Gore Freddia Scott Edith Pickens Ex-Officio Members Matt Jones - Assoc. Pastor, Director, Youth Ministries, High School Leader Pa ge 5

OFFICERS OF THE BOARD OF STEWARDS (BOS) MEMBERS AT John Clausen Chair, BOS LARGE FOR THE OPEN Vice Chair, BOS BOARD OF Grace Langhout Lay Leader STEWARDS: Alice & Eric Vosahlik Lay Members to Annual Conference Richard & Dale Peters Alternate Lay Members to Annual Conf. Buddy Bishop Amma Barnes Secretary of the BOS Michele Gray Donna Whitacre Treasurer Roy Willis Richard Peters Assistant Treasurer Elizabeth Cantley Rob Terry Chair, Finance Jane Childress Gina Smith Chair, Staff Parish Relations Melissa Boyett Jeff Langhout Chair, Trustees Amma Barnes Elaine McClure/ Rosemarie Bishop, Chair, Library Dean Stone Jo Hanson/ Sylvia Mitchell Chair, Child Development Center Roger Gray Paula Stutts Chair, Lillie Latham Scholarship Comm. Ann Askew TBD Chair, Buchanan Scholarship Comm. Jennifer Marcos Frank Barger Coordinator, Communications Martha Moore OPEN Coordinator, Connect Eleanor Hollobaugh Jennifer Barger, Mary Cope Children’s Coordinators Grace Langhout Joe Martin Coordinator, Discipleship Ken Stephens Debbie Rose/ Candy Trowbridge Coordinator, In-Reach Nikki Bailes Doug Seay Coordinator, Outreach Midge Gatherer Judy Gillespie/ Gina Smith Coordinator, Worship Lauren Stiles Todd Sutherland/ Grace Langhout, Youth Coordinators Jim Williams Kim McFadden Director, Farmer’s Market Ryan Hovik Anita Banks Membership Secretary Cal Blevins James Campbell President, United Methodist Men Cairenn Martin President, United Methodist Women Sherri Ryan Elderberries OPEN Youth Representative to the BOS

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Jo Walton Literary Club Memorial Contributions Amma Barnes Gifts were given in memory of… The JO WALTON LITER- Betty Snow, to the Lillie Latham Scholarship ARY CLUB will welcome Fund from Philip & Rhonda Ryan Robert Bailey to its meet- Tom Stanford, from Erla Stanford ing on Monday, February Em Wills, from Don & Ramona Bowden, 13, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. in Dot Coombe, To the Lillie Latham Room 151. Mr. Bailey Scholarship Fund from Ann Livingston will discuss his new book, BETWEEN BLACK AND Gifts were given in honor of… WHITE. This is an excit- Ralph & Ginny Green, from Mary Green ing mystery taking place "close to home" - Hazel

Green, Alabama and Pu- laski, Tennessee in the turbulent 1960's. Please join us for an interesting afternoon. For more informa- tion contact Amma Barnes (256-881-4537) or Helen Mazur (256-513-8137.)

UMW Lenten Prayer General Meeting Cairenn Martin, UMW President Our first general meeting of 2017 will be held on March 1 at 9:30 in Farley Hall. Our speaker will be our very own Jane Smith. Everyone is invited to come and be inspired by Jane! Refreshments will be served after the meeting. So come, be inspired and enjoy some delicious treats! I would also like to take this opportunity to brag on our Latham United Methodist Women. We are a busy and giving group of ladies! During 2016 we: Donated $5,200 to the District UMW Donated 33 Honduras Boxes Provided lunches to the Aquarius Club Worked at Manna House Sent cards to Mission personnel Sent gift cards to college students Provided gifts for Operation Santa Claus Donated toys to Manna House Provided meals for sick members and for funerals Recycled pop tabs and lids Provided 20 dozen cookies and brownies for the Unity Festival Donated $5,200 to local missions Provided 25 dozen cookies for the Veteran’s Day Celebration Donated $120 to UMCOR Hosted a Mother/Daughter dinner for 155 people Donated $315 to Henderson Settlement Donated to Stocking Fund Collected 254 books for the Bishop’s Bazillion Book Collection Collected and donated 280 school supplies for the Upper Sand Mountain Parish Donated $956.01 to Prayer and Self-Denial and $890.78 to World Thank Offerings Donated over 300 pounds of Christian literature to Edwin Hodges Ministries I will stop now, but I could mention so many more things! Thank you for being such a great group of women!

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Operation Santa Claus Susan J. Smith, OSC Coordinator

Dear Friends at Latham United Methodist Church, I hope you can tell from the smiles on the faces in the photo how much the clients of Wellstone Behavioral Health (formerly The Mental Health Center of Madison County) appreciate all of the gifts you provided through Operation Santa Claus. You made more than sixty individuals very happy to have their Christmas wishes fulfilled. How generous you have been, with both your time and your treasure. I know that filling some of the wishes required quite a bit of research, but I can assure you that your efforts were greatly appreciated. Thank you for helping Santa show these folks that their community cares about them. On their behalf, I thank you for helping to brighten their Christmas. Huntsville Assistance Program

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109 Weatherly Road Huntsville, AL 35803 Phone: 256-881-4069 Fax: 256-880-0305

On the web: lathamumc.org Connect with the Staff

Rev. Mike Ratliff, Senior Pastor [email protected] Matt Jones, Associate Pastor [email protected] Sam Cox, Minister of Music [email protected] Susan Terry, Minister of Connect & Children’s Ministries [email protected] Youth Ministry [email protected] Jim Geisinger, Associate Music Director [email protected] Marvene Borntrager, Staff Coordinator for Inreach [email protected] Anita Banks, Business Administrator [email protected] Traci Harris, Director of Child Development Center [email protected] Cherry Keeton, Organist Eleanor Hollobaugh, Pianist Michael Bryant, Custodian

Farmers Market Ministry