As Jesus’ followers, it is important that we, too, know where we are going, that we know our purpose and goals. As a smaller church, we have limited resources of time, energy and money. This makes planning even more important, so that our resources are focused on the missions and activities dearest to our hearts and not scattered ineffectively over too wide a target.

Toward that end, our church is about to embark on an adventure of discernment and goal-setting. The Church Council has authorized me to assemble a Visioning Group, which will set one-year, three-year and five-year goals for worship, mission, fellowship, buildings and grounds, evangelism, pastoral care, finances and growth. We will seek input from the entire congregation and present a final recommendation at a congregational meeting near the end of the summer.

Interested in being a part of the Visioning Group? Let me know, or add your name in the Sign-up Book. We will work hard, have a lot of fun and set our church’s direction for the foreseeable future.

Whatever path we take, let us walk in Jesus’ footsteps.

— Blessings, Pastor Gage 

Bring your gently used items to sell. Drop them off at the Cottage any time. We need help setting up on Friday evening and Saturday morning, and during the sale itself.

Thanks to Amy Hiller-White for organizing this annual fund-raiser, which helps our budget immensely!

Also that day:

• Youth Bake Sale!
• Free-Trade Coffee and Power Bars!
• Voter Registration Booth!

• The youth volunteered to assist the rest of the church in our cleanup of Beus Pond Park on Saturday, May 12.
• The kids decided to hold a bake sale during our annual yard sale, 8-2 on Saturday, May 19.
• Marion Horna and Marty Mayo have graciously offered the use of their home and association’s swimming pool/clubhouse in Eden for an overnighter on Tuesday, June 19.
• The youth volunteered to help the next time our church serves dinner at the Ogden Rescue Mission.
• The kids want to do another fundraiser in July: serving a lunch to the congregation after church one Sunday, with either a fee or free-will donation. They haven’t chosen a date yet.

• Welcome them with a handshake and a smile before the service, if possible. Let them know that we have fellowship time after the service and that we would love to have them join us.
• See that they have a bulletin, and then point out the hymnals that we use. If you see them fumbling for the right hymnal or look confused in any other way during the service, quietly offer assistance.
• If it is a communion Sunday and you are the one passing the bread and wine to them, make sure they know they are welcome to participate. All are welcome at Christ’s table!
• Guide them to the Friendship Circle at the end of the service, quietly explaining that we sing our final hymn in this manner.
• Before or after the service, point out the yellow visitor cards in the pews and encourage them to fill one out.
• Before or after the service, walk them over to the guest book and have them sign in. Encourage them to leave contact information of some sort (phone number, address and/or email). This makes it easier for Pastor Gage to phone them or send a note in the mail thanking them for worshiping with us. Studies have shown that immediate follow-up after a worship service can make all the difference in whether a visitor returns.
• Again, invite them to fellowship time and escort them downstairs. Don’t leave them alone, but guide them through the line and introduce them to as many people as possible.

Visitors who have a good experience are much more likely to join us in worship again. We all play a part in that good experience!

Whether you knit or crochet shawls, baby items, sweaters, or other charity items, they would love to have you join them. Dessert and beverages will be served.

Call Linda Garner at 801-399-0428 with questions. Call 801-392-8168 to register.

Paul Harbath and Beth Dion from the UU church have built up a roster of very talented musicians over the winter, and we hope to now build up bigger audiences. We will offer face painting, balloons and goodies as additional attractions that evening.

Please consider attending. There’s not much better than sitting in our pretty yard and listening to good music. Bring a lawn chair or blanket.

And what, you might ask, is an “open mic”? It’s merely an opportunity for performers of all kinds – musicians, storytellers, poets and more – to share their talents. Anyone can perform, and everyone can listen!