Extravagant Generosity

A United Methodist Community of Faith

Building for the future in 2011

e.g.

Wellspring

Reaching People, Touching Lives, Caring for Others

e xtravagant generosity THE ANNUAL CAMPAIGN

e.g.

MEANINGFUL WORSHIP † RELEVANT TEACHING † SERVING OTHERS

From the Stewardship Chair

Life Changing Generosity Greetings, As I began preparing for the stewardship emphasis for 2010, God’s message of generosity kept appearing over and over before me. So, I devoted my meditation time to searching for God’s display of extravagant generosity, not only during Biblical times but even now, as we face today’s challenging economic conditions. How abundantly the acts of extravagant generosity appeared! The parable of the good Samaritan tells a story of compassion and generosity as a complete stranger tends to the wounds of another and covers the expense of lodging during the injured man’s recuperation. During a weekly knitting gathering, I found myself sitting next to the principal of Carver Elementary. When she discovered I was a member of Wellspring UMC, her face lit up, and she expressed great joy for the school supplies that were donated by the

extravagant generosity

church at the beginning of the school year. She even mentioned receiving a legacy gift from the family of Barbara Madden following her death. Generosity—it is life changing for both the giver and receiver. Hearts are filled with joy, and that joy is a gift that continues to be passed from one to another. The following pages outline the many ministries that are taking place within the hearts of Wellspring. These ministries would not be possible without the love and generous financial gifts of those attending this community of faith.

Once she discovered I was a member of Wellspring her face lit up and she expressed great joy... As you continue on your walk with Christ, my prayer is that each of you will ask yourself, “What will be my mighty act of extravagant generosity?” Patty Glanzer, Stewardship Chair

“and through us your generosity will

SERVING OTHERS † RELEVANT TEACHING † MEANINGFUL WORSHIP

e.g.

A Note from Our Pastor Churches throughout the world are facing challenges never seen by previous generations. Wellspring is no different, yet challenges present opportunities to evaluate, clarify, and define or redefine our purpose. Challenges give us the opportunity to ReThink the mission and purpose of church. The current Nightline series on “The Ten Commandments” is a vivid witness of how desperately the world needs the church. The growth of Christianity around the globe is a testimony to the spiritual hunger and the receptiveness to the gospel. “Church,” however, does not necessarily mean telling the world about our own experiences and what we hold sacred. Nor does it mean one sacred gathering place. Instead, the church must rise to meet today’s new challenges, and it must do so using whatever means necessary. If it means using technology, we will do it; if it means harnessing the connectivity of the Internet, we will do it; if it means learning and using excellent music from various venues to reach this new generation, we will do it; if it means starting a satellite location, we will do it; if it means focused and targeted marketing to reach the people who do not have a church home, we will do it. To meet these challenges, Wellspring needs your support. Wellspring needs strong, committed leaders who are willing to answer their call and walk into uncharted water to fish for souls. We need leaders who will choose to make a difference in the lives of the people in Georgetown and around the world.

The document you are holding is Wellspring’s plan of action to engage today’s challenges. It not only details where we are as a church, but where we feel God is calling us to go. The difference between the two-where we are, and where we hope to be-is your support. Know that at Wellspring, your support can make a difference, a significant difference as together we seek to reach the unchurched from all walks of life. We seek to be a welcoming and accepting community that models the love of the one who died on the cross, Jesus our Lord, for the whole world. As your pastor, I am excited about the opportunity to serve Christ’s church at such challenging times and proud to be a part of this community of Methodists. I look forward to all that we can do together through our extravagant generosity.

result in thanksgiving to God” (2nd Corinthians 9:11b, NIV)

Shalom, Debra

e.g.

MEANINGFUL WORSHIP † RELEVANT TEACHING † SERVING OTHERS

Worship Matters

The Hope of Meaningful Worship If we at Wellspring believe that the local church is the Body of Christ, then Worship is certainly its heart. Worship is the one thing that distinguishes the church from every other organization. It is the one thing that makes us the church. Other organizations may do good work, and they do make a difference in their community, but if there is no worship of God, then they are not a church; they are not the body of Christ. Therefore, we at Wellspring seek to become a radically hospitable congregation where all are accepted and all are welcome in the house that God has created. Our goal for 2010 is to touch and transform lives through meaningful worship, through relevant teaching, and by being a witness to our faith through serving others. In 2010, we hope to reach out to the unchurched,

profess their faith through baptism, and continue their journey as an active member of one of our

Our goal for 2010 is to touch and transform lives through meaningful worship, through relevant teaching and by being a witness to our faith through serving others. small groups, where people come together to study the word, pray for each other, hold each other accountable, and support each other. It is through efforts and others that we seek an average worship attendance of 325. In 2010, we hope to build on our quarterly Celebration of the Arts, expanding it to showcase not only local artists, but also regional artists as they express their faith in art, music, drama, and dance. In 2010, we hope to develop a youth praise band and a children’s choir, seeking to raise up and train the next generation of musicians. In 2010, we hope to invite regional and national speakers like Bishop Violet Fisher, who spoke in the spring, and Dr. John Hobert, Lois Craddock Perkins Professor of Homiletics at Perkins School of Theology in Dallas who will speak November 8th. We plan to develop this into an annual lecture series featuring national and international leaders.

welcoming single people, young families, and college students by presenting Christ in a meaningful and relevant way in all of our worship services. We hope that people who are seeking a new way of life might find faith in Jesus, and that we at Wellspring might model what that faith looks like. We hope to help seekers grow in their understanding of God and the peace one has living a God-honoring life. We hope that one day believers might want to

extravagant generosity

In 2010 we hope the Worship at Wellspring will touch and transform lives, as we reach out to the unchurched, build on our existing program, develop new worship ministries and invite national speakers into our midst. Without your financial support, these hopes will be just a daydream, but with your support they will become a reality that can change the world.

“those who worship God must be led by

e.g.

Southwestern Students sing Siyahamba

SERVING OTHERS † RELEVANT TEACHING † MEANINGFUL WORSHIP

Reaching People Increase weekly worship attendance by 20%. Reach young families and the unchurched through worship. Develop a children’s choir and youth praise team. Recruit five experienced vocalists for contemporary services. Provide four special musical events. Expand the Celebration of the Arts by inviting artists from around the state. Develop a lecture series featuring renowned preachers and profound leaders. These goals reflect an investment in our commitment to touch and transform lives and are attainable through an increase in our current spending for musically accomplished personnel.

the Spirit to worship him according to the truth” (John 4:24b, CEV).

e.g.

MEANINGFUL WORSHIP † RELEVANT TEACHING † SERVING OTHERS

Christian Education Matters

Relevant Teaching - touching minds and hearts Children’s Ministry This year more than forty young minds got to travel through ancient Rome and explore Paul’s life and ministry. They traveled through the Roman marketplace to touch, feel and taste things from ordinary life in Paul’s day. Through this experience and the magic of terrific adults assisting in all areas of their Roman journey, the children beheld new sights and gained understanding of biblical stories.

We will expand our efforts to reach more families with children by providing more events where family can come and bring their young children We will continue creating new places and spaces so that children can travel to sacred, ancient territories and experience their sights and sounds. To

We will expand our efforts to reach more families with children by providing more events in which families can bring their young children, such as our annual Easter Festival. And we will train volunteers who are young at heart in ways to offer their treasured gifts to children. Youth Ministry This year nine children learned about the Christian Faith and what it means to live out their expression of faith as a United Methodist. They were confirmed into the church and have been entrusted to your nurturing care. Our confirmation class for 2010 has begun, and we are excited to have members from Adult Sunday School classes be a part of teaching our youth. Both our senior high and junior high youth had transformative experiences on Mission Trips to Southaven, MS and Waxahachie, TX. Their lives were touched as they offered help to others by cleaning horse stables, painting houses, clearing away debris, building wheelchair ramps and steps, and performing other labors of loves on behalf of those who could not do those things for themselves.

accomplish this goal, we will continue our Godly Play model of teaching for younger children, while older children will have a separate classroom and learn stories from the New Testament about Jesus and his journey, allowing children to explore what it means to be a friend of Jesus (sojourner).

extravagant generosity

Our youths have shown the same generosity here at home as they visited residences of The Wesleyan Nursing Home on Scenic Drive. Your generosity has been tremendous as you supported their fund-raisers and hosted them in your homes for a Progressive Dinner. Next year we will continue our efforts to reach other youths in Georgetown by increasing our

“keep your father's commands and

SERVING OTHERS † RELEVANT TEACHING † MEANINGFUL WORSHIP

e.g.

s small group studies, developing more learning and fellowship events, and expanding our mission involvement locally and nationally. Adult Education “What does this mean…I still do not understand why it happened?” It was her story as she searched for answers to her son’s death, asking why did this happen? Her story is one of many which challenge us with questions we cannot answer alone and so believers and seekers gather together to search and study the Sscriptures. It is a custom handed down to us throughout the centuries. Acts 2:42 tells us that early Christians “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” Today, we still develop and nurture our faith by gathering to study God’s word. This year we have gathered to study through Wednesday Night Bible Study, Sun City Bible Study, Lay Academy, Sunday School and other special studies. Through our short-term and special studies, more than 160 hearts and minds have been touched and challenged.

In 2010, we are planning to continue developing studies which can cultivate fruitful lives by providing seminars and lecture series. This goal can be accomplished through an increase in our current spending.

Touching Lives “Religious education is at the core of our Methodist heritage and our Christian life. It is through the teaching ministry that we assist children, youth and adults in shaping their own spiritual journey. It is our charge as Christians, to nurture others and to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. This includes asking the challenging questions about the ultimate meaning and purpose of life, deepening our relationships with family and friends and growing in our relationship with God. These questions arise in childhood, in those years of teenage angst, and throughout the many challenges of adulthood. The scriptures are there to guide us, to comfort us, and to provoke us to a deeper level of human experience. But what do they all mean? How do they pertain to our modern

day lives, or to the tremendous loss or hardship so many of us encounter? How are children to be taught to value a faith that society sometimes seems to have forgotten? In the last part of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) Jesus commissions us to a ministry of “teaching them to observe all that I commanded you.” It is not enough to just be taught what Jesus said, his words were clear, “teaching to observe all that I commanded you.” It is this teaching ministry that Wellspring strives to honor as it provides a safe place for all who seek the sacredness of their own individual journies towards wholeness as together we can learn to better understand God’s purpose in our lives.

do not forsake your mother's teaching.” (Proverbs 6:20, NIV)

e.g.

MEANINGFUL WORSHIP † RELEVANT TEACHING † SERVING OTHERS

Mission Matters

Serving the Community, World and Church This year volunteers from Wellspring took up paintbrushes, hammers, glue guns, nails and climbed ladders to help build a Habitat house in Georgetown and make home repairs in Texas and Mississippi. The work of their hands renewed hope and restored lives. We also responded to lives that were shattered in the wake of natural disasters by delivering flood buckets to Sager Brown and sending monies to devastated areas of our world. As the economy in the US slowed, so have economies around the world, leaving more people without food and shelter and other basic necessities of life. Through your support, Wellspring has helped others meet their basic needs. Next year we are planning to enhance our impact on the lives of others through sharing in mission work in Georgetown and around the globe. Serving the Community – Birthday parties bring smiles and laughter, and in March sixty people from Wellspring attended a party at Wesleyan Nursing Home where guests and residents enjoyed bright balloons, the joy of laughter, and great cookies. People in nursing homes often feel alone and forgotten, but through this mission we give Wesleyan residents warm memories of a loving touch from people who have shown they care. In May we also went into the community to

extravagant generosity

participate in a Habitat Build, and through your generosity we provided lunch for more than forty people. In addition, our support of the Caring Place has provided food to replenish their pantry as they share with those who are hungry in our city.

Our baskets overflowed with notebook paper, notebooks, pencils, pens, folders, and after school snacks. We were saddened by the death of Marty Rose, who led us in our mission work with Carver Elementary School and the Willie Hall Center After School Program. However, the back-to-school drive for school supplies that she began was still fulfilled. Our baskets overflowed with notebook paper, notebooks, pencils, pens, folders, and afterschool snacks. Through your support, our ministry to these children is making a difference in their lives. Serving the World – Through our connections and our support, we have touched lives throughout Texas and around the world. We are sustaining ministries in small towns and villages by providing assistance for leadership so that others may hear the gospel proclaimed. Our world has become more globally focused, and so must the church. This year leaders from our church family went to other parts of the world to share in mission work. Rev. Don Goodwin participated in a Habitat Build in South America , and Stan and Jennifer Mauldin traveled with friends to Africa for mission work. Wellspring must seek ways to connect its ministry and mission to particular places and spaces around the globe. Serving our Church – Freshly brewed coffee and buttery popcorn are just some of inviting smells greeting us in Munch and Mingle on Sunday

“Never be lacking in zeal,

SERVING OTHERS † RELEVANT TEACHING † MEANINGFUL WORSHIP

e.g.

mornings. This hospitality is made possible by members offering themselves in service to others within the church. Our church provides many opportunities to serve within the walls through ministries such as Congregational Care, Stephen Ministers, Close Friends, and the Prayer Shawl Ministry. These ministries—as well as church leaders and committee members, folders, money counters, front desk receptionists, Fall Festival committees, and many other volunteers--ensure the church’s ability to be effective in its ministry and witness.

Caring for People much to be done at home? Mission work can be thought of as acts of Kindness and acts of Mercy. Acts of Kindness involves things we do for ourselves and are generally done without a faith component for fellow believers. Acts of Mercy are what we do for non-believers to relieve their suffering. We do these things in the name of Jesus. When acts of mercy go deeper and address the root cause of the suffering, it is called a Justice ministry.

Some may wonder why does the church, when there is so much need locally, go beyond itself? Why does the church go beyond the community it exists in, and out into the world when there is so

In 2010, Wellspring seeks to go wherever it is needed to serve in acts of Kindness, Mercy and Justice, and do so in the name of Jesus.

Santa visits “Close Friends”

Believer's are called to do Mission work. The author of James writes "faith, if it has no works, is dead," (James 2:17, NASB). Putting its faith into action, Wellspring will, in 2010, reach out into the Georgetown community to find unmet needs. But we will go beyond our community and into the world, supporting ministries in small towns and villages by providing assistance for leadership so that others may hear the gospel proclaimed.

keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” (Romans 12:11)

e.g.

MEANINGFUL WORSHIP † RELEVANT TEACHING † SERVING OTHERS

Our Ministry needs for 2010

Reaching People through Meaningful Worship This budget item reflects the goal of becoming a radically hospitable congregation where all are welcome in the house that God has created. Our goal is to touch and transform lives through meaningful worship, relevant teaching and witnessing to our faith through service to others.

Total Worship Budget: $376,800 (% of pastor’s salary, pastor’s utilities, pastor’s expenses, pastor’s insurance, office administrator, Worship music director, continuing education, janitor, worship supplies, music, janitorial supplies, telephone, copier, insurance, facility maintenance, debt service, utilities)

Education

Mission

Administration

Touching Lives through Relevant Teaching Christian Education is an essential part of developing and nurturing our faith. We come together for Wednesday Night Bible Study, Sun City Bible Study, the Lay Academy, Sunday School and other special studies to grow in our faith. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. (Acts 2:42)

Children Ministry

Budget Total: $46,700

(nursery workers, children minister, VBS, teaching materials, family events)

Youth Ministry

Budget Total: $45,300

(youth minister, events, teaching and training materials)

Adult Education

Budget Total: $7,000

(materials and special guest lecturers)

Total Teaching Budget: $99,000 (children’s, youth and adult ministry)

extravagant generosity

“through us your generosity will result

SERVING OTHERS † RELEVANT TEACHING † MEANINGFUL WORSHIP

e.g.

Caring for Others through Mission Touching and impacting lives in Georgetown and throughout the world. Serving the Community Carver Elementary School, Willie Hall Center after School Program, Habitat for Humanity, the Caring Place; Wesleyan Nursing Home

Serving the World Through our connection support we have touched lives throughout Texas and around the world. We are sustaining ministry in small towns and villages by providing assistance for leadership so that others may hear the gospel proclaim.

Serving our Church Wellspring provides many opportunities to serve within the walls through ministries such as Congregational Care, Stephen Ministers, Close Friends, and the Prayer Shawl Ministry. These ministries along with the committed folders, church leaders and committee members, money counters, front desk receptionists, Fall Festival committees, and many other volunteers insure the church’s ability to be effective in ministry and witness.

Total Mission Budget: $88,650

Administration Support Services Administrative and Support Staff Custodial Services Facilities

Budget Total: $78,493 Budget Total: $77,560 Budget Total: $8,000 Budget Total: $11,497

Total Administration Budget: $175,550

Proposed 2010 Budget: $740,000 It is reachable with your support.

$200+ $150-$200 $100-$150 $75-100

$50-$75 $30-$50 $20-$30 $10-$20

All dollar amounts represent weekly giving.

in thanksgiving to God.” (2 Corinthians 9:11b, NIV)

Senior High CTCYM Mission Trip

“Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be.” (Job 8:7, NIV) Wellspring United Methodist Church 6200 Williams Drive Georgetown, Texas 78633 930-5959 www.wellumc.org Rev. Debra Crumpton, Senior Pastor Patty Glanzer, Stewardship Chair

e xtravagant generosity THE ANNUAL CAMPAIGN