Chicken and Noodle Donation

The 21st Time Class received a very generous check in the amount of $500 at the chicken noodle dinner they served on February 21. This donation arrived at the same time as a need in our community has arisen. Because of the heavy budget cuts our school has suffered, there is some question as to whether the incentives that have been offered to students who make or exceed state standards in reading and math in grades 3-12 will be given this year.

The question is whether or not we'd like to divide this $500 check between the two buildings in our district and direct building administrators to utilize these funds to reward our students for their academic successes. Leanne and Karen (one from each building) could (will?) inquire with Mrs. Tschanz and Mr. Levan about their willingness to accept these funds should call members agree that this would be a good use of these funds.

On a related note, the class also discussed the need for new beginner-level AR books for the grade school. Much of the collection for first-grade readers is old and worn. Rita Shogren, USD 507 librarian, is compiling a list of titles that would benefit our youngest readers. More details on this potential project later.

Finally, it was discussed on Sunday that there is a need at the public library in Satanta for materials such as puzzles, games, and coloring books for use by young children who visit the library after school with older siblings who come to use the library's computers. Mendy suggested that many of these types of materials could be donated from the homes of class members without expending funds for new items. Start digging to see what you find. We can't miss and opportunity to educate the children in our community!

Ryan has also written a script for the UMW skit that we're planning as part of Sunday Night Live. Plus, he has the beginnings of a PowerPoint for the show. He will print them for class next Sunday.

Chicken and Noodle Thank You a Big Success

We lost count somewhere between the take-out meals we delivered to those who couldn't make it because of the snow and the steady stream of friends coming to enjoy our homemade chicken and noodle meal, but we served somewhere between 100-125 people.

Again, we wish to thank you all those in our community who donated time and/or money to help us make our community a better place. So what's next?

SUNDAY NIGHT LIVE! is coming your way this April. With skits, live music, and lots of laugh, this will be something you want to miss. More details later . . .

An Invitation

For all of those who have helped make us a success, we invite you to attend a chicken-noodle appreciation luncheon this Sunday, February 21st at noon at the Satanta Community Building.

Chicken and Noodle Notes

Stephanie has taken care of much of the out-of-town shopping for us. She will, however, need Leanne to pick up the noodles (I think we discussed 10, 24-oz. packages) at Wal-mart in Liberal. Rachel will need to write a check to Stephanie to reimburse her for her Sam's purchases in the amount of $69.84.

Leanne will also be in charge of ordering the food from Satanta Grocery. This will include seven chickens and three hens as well as six gallons of green beans, rolls, cake ingredients, etc.

Remember, the plan to cook the chickens (or hens) nearly covered in water and well salted in crockpots (overnight on low.) When the bird is done in the morning, the meat will virtually fall off the bone. Place this meat (white and dark) in a large baggie. Put the broth from your crockpot in a pitcher or another container and bring it (along with the meat) to the Community Building by 9:00 a.m. on Sunday morning. We will then boil all the broth so that we make the noodles. Leanne will direct this project (and make bakes the rolls and make the cakes.)

The following people will supply chickens/hens:

Mary -- 1
Mendy -- 2
Leanne -- 2
Rachel -- 1
Karen (ok, Ryan) -- 1
Nicole -- 1
Stacey --1
Stephanie -- 1

Please plan on getting your chicken/hen from Leanne. Give her a call or send her an email to make arrangements.

We'll have other details to work out later this week, but they can be taken care of via email.

Chicken Noodle Appreciation

It's about time we say thank you to all those who have supported us in our efforts to make Satanta a better place to live, work, and worship. So here's the plan:

Thank You Luncheon (Feb. 21) following church services (noonish)

Location: Satanta Community Building

Menu: Chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, green beans, Texas sheet cake, tea and water.

We will invite our entire congregation as well as a few others who have aided our cause or worked in our church through one of our many programs. We'll send personal invitations to each of these people as the date approaches, and Ryan will send Trena the information for use on a PowerPoint slide.

We've already gathered the information on what we'll need for the meal as well:

7 large chickens
3 baking hens
10 (24 oz.) bags of Reames frozen noodles
6 gallons of green beans
150+ Rhodes frozen rolls, which Leanne will bake at the shop
Enough instant potatoes to serve 150 (We'll need to do some math there!)
Enough Texas sheetcake to serve 150 (Again, Leanne will cover this.)

We'll also need table paper and disposable plates, cups, napkins, flatware, etc.

Much of this will be ordered through our local store, but a few items will likely have to come from Sam's. Stephanie has agreed to do any Sam's shopping we need.

We'll iron out the rest of the details on Sunday.

Hope to see you there!

How to Help in Haiti

UMCOR Responds to the Earthquake in Haiti

Wed Jan 13, 6:53 pm ET

NEW YORK, Jan. 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A major earthquake hit Port-au-Prince, Haiti yesterday, causing widespread destruction. Millions of people are affected and thousands are feared dead. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), the humanitarian relief agency for The United Methodist Church, has close ties with the Methodist Church in Haiti and is responding to the devastating earthquake with funding, material resources and prayers.

UMCOR executive, Melissa Crutchfield says, "We are working with our partners on the ground to provide immediate relief to the people in Haiti. UMCOR has worked in Haiti for many years. We anticipate that there will be years of rebuilding needed and are prepared to work with the people to help them through that process."

Working with partners, Action by Churches Together, Church World Service, Global Medic and the Methodist Church, UMCOR is channeling its resources to respond effectively to the people most in need.

In a statement to Global Ministries' staff, the General Secretary said, "Events such as these can challenge both our faith and sense of security. As a church we know that the heart of our ministry is continuing and extending Jesus Christ's ministry of outreaching love."

How to Help

There will be a great need for volunteers to help rebuild once the initial crisis has settled. At this time, it is not safe or possible for volunteers to go to Haiti. In order to frame a response that is consistent with the churches' needs, people wishing to volunteer should contact their jurisdictional United Methodist Volunteers in Mission coordinator to determine when and how to appropriately respond.

Gifts to support UMCOR's Haiti relief efforts can be made online at Haiti Emergency, UMCOR Advance #418325. Checks can be placed in the offering plate at a local United Methodist church or mailed to UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087 with "Advance #418325" in the memo line. 100% of gifts will go to help the people of Haiti.

UMCOR Sager Brown is coordinating a shipment of health kits to provide individuals with basic necessities. Instructions for assembling and shipping health kits are available at http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/getconnected/supplies/health-kit/.

SOURCE United Methodist Communications

So We've Finished The Shack

Having finished The Shack, it's time to choose another book to study. One possibility is So You Don't Want to Go to Church Anymore. Here's a bit of information on it from Amazon:

Product Description

What would you do if you met someone you thought just might be one of Jesus original disciples still living in the 21st Century? That's Jake's dilemma as he meets a man who talks of Jesus as if he had known him, and whose way of living challenges everything Jake had previously known. So You Don t Want to Go To Church Anymore is Jake s compelling journal that chronicles thirteen conversations with his newfound friend over a four-year period and how those exchanges turn Jake's world upside-down. With his help, Jake faces his darkest fears, struggles through brutal circumstances and comes out on the other side in the joy and freedom he always dreamed was possible. If you're tired of just going through the motions of Christianity and want to mine the depths of what it really means to live deeply in Christ, you ll find Jake s story will give you hope for your own. This book probes the difficult questions and offers some far-reaching answers. It just might turn your world upside-down as well!

Any thoughts?