May E-newsletter is available

The May edition of the Iraan/McCamey UMC's e-newsletter is available. Please email the FUMC in Iraan if you would like to be placed on the e-mailing list.

Wednesday in Iraan

It was a beautiful day in Iraan, with lots of friendly folks at the Senior Center making the day even brighter! A number of our church members were present for lunch today, making this THE place to be for all United Methodists in Iraan!

April 25th @ FUMC - Iraan

This morning was a great example of west Texas hospitality and UMC-style worship as we gathered at the First UMC in Iraan. The monthly breakfast potluck is now a much-anticipated event and the tables were laden with a wonderful assortment of treats and the fellowship was just as rich.

We are growing in faith each time we gather together to worship - share the good news and grow with us!

The Funeral Service for Hady Blackburn

On a beautiful spring afternoon in Iraan, family and friends of Hazel "Hady" Blackburn gathered at the First UMC in Iraan to say their goodbyes.


Thanks to everyone who contributed to the wonderful luncheon that was served prior to the 2:00pm service.

Lay Speaking Courses Today

Two lay-speaking courses were held at the Rankin First United Methodist Church (FUMC) today.

In the morning session, Charles taught the portion about Methodist history. In the afternoon session, Pastor Jennifer Kelley guided folks in their preparation of sermon material. At the same time, Gini Christian from the San Angelo District was teaching the Advanced Lay Speaking course in the sanctuary.

We enjoyed lively conversations, faith-filled testimonies and delicious refreshments! We so appreciated the generous hospitality of the folks at the Rankin FUMC! Praise be to God for a lovely, Spirit-led day!!!

Attending from Iraan was James Jordan. From McCamey Donny Wiley, and Bobbie & Bill Lester were joined by Belinda Alkula.

Arbor Day Prayer

Creator God,

Out of chaos you brought order.

Out of nothingness you brought life.

In the middle of all life stands the tree.

Trees provide the air that nurtures all your creation.

Birds make them their homes.Cats climb them for protection.

Trees recycle life that has come before.

Bless the trees of this word, loving God.

Remind us to serve as their caregivers and protectors.

Give them long limbs and long life.

The gift of their breath is as special to us as the breath of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

-The Rev. Chuck Currie (Portland, Oregon)

Passing of Hady Blackburn

HAZEL “HADY” BLACKBURN:

Hazel (Hady) Blackburn of Iraan died Wednesday, April 21, in Austin. She was born in Caddo, Okla., on May 10, 1924 to Jesse and Maude Heath. A graduate of Colorado City High School, she married Lewis Blackburn on June 1, 1947. The couple lived in Colorado City before moving to Houston in 1951, where they remained until 1982 when they retired to Iraan, her husband’s hometown.

Mrs. Blackburn was an active participant in her children’s lives, as a school room mother, as a Cub Scout den mother and as a regular attendee at all ball games, church events and school plays. She enjoyed square dancing, crafts of all kinds and “camping” with trailer friends and on cross-country trips.

Mrs. Blackburn is survived by her devoted husband of almost 63 years, Lewis; two sons and their wives, Brent and Janet Blackburn of Conroe, and Jess and Debby Blackburn of Austin; three grandchildren, Cody Blackburn, Elliott Blackburn and Kyle Blackburn; and one great-grandchild, Travis Blackburn.

Services will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Iraan at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 24, 2010. Arrangements are under the direction of Shaffer-Nichols Funeral Home. The family requests in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the First United Methodist Church in Iraan.

Sunday in Iraan, April 18th

There was a lot of energy and excitement at the First UMC in Iraan this morning! It is such ajoy being with people who enjoy coming together in the house of God like this!!!

Ad Board Meeting Tonight

The Ad Board met tonight with seven in attendance. James reported some excellent news, our church's apportionments have been paid in full for 2010! This is a real accomplishment for any church and to be able to do so this early in the year doubly-so.

Other news to note:
**The next monthly breakfast potluck will be April 25 and the May breakfast will be on May 23.

**The annual senior's lunch will take place in the FUMC fellowship hall on May 5th, noon - 1:00 pm.

Today in Iraan

At the Iraan Senior Center today it felt like a United Methodist meeting with eight of our members present for lunch. Everyone is enjoying the bluebonnets alongside the road by the Iraan Hospital that were planted by our very own Kirke McKenzie!

There is a lot to celebrate at the First UMC in Iraan, come and see for yourself!

April 11th @ FUMC - Iraan

The second Sunday of Easter at the First UMC in Iraan was a joy-filled experience for one and all! It is wonderful the way that our fellowship time before the service has become such a welcoming experience for us.

In our worship service, prayers were asked for Lois Ann and for Lewis & Hady B. (in addition to those prayer concerns listed in the bulletin). Ronnie also asked for prayers for his son, Brad, a US Army Specialist who will be deploying to Iraq this year.

Revelation Sermon Series

During the Season of Easter Pastor Charles will be preaching from the lectionary passages from the Book of Revelation. Each week we'll be looking at how the book spoke to the churches of Asia in St. John's day and to the church in Iraan today.

Crane UMC Craft Fair

Monday in Iraan

Easter Monday arrived in Iraan with breezy winds and warm temperatures. The Senior Center was the place to be late morning for good food and fellowship.

Pastor Charles took the first picture from in front of the Iraan hospital. It shows the beautiful bluebonnets that Kirke McKenzie has been nurturing. What a blessing this gift is to everyone.

Easter Sunday in Iraan

The faithful gathered at the First United Methodist Church in Iraan this morning to share in fellowship and worship. We were able to share time in the kitchen before the service, with everyone enjoying Deanna's fruit-floral arrangement and various goodies! Belinda could be seen posting the April e-newsletter, so those without computer access can read it. Our worship included Pastor Charles reading "How the Grinch stole Easter." While the Grinch tried to take away the joy of Easter, he couldn't overcome its true meaning. What a blessing it was to share this day with the members of our faith community!

Community Breakfast in Iraan

Following the hillside Easter sunrise service, an appreciative group gathered in the fellowship hall of the First Baptist Church for a tasty display of west Texas hospitality. Along with breakfast casseroles and home-made rolls and bread was an "edible fruit-flower arrangement" created by Deanna Jordan. What a blessing this time of sharing was to one and all!

Easter Sunrise Service in Iraan

It was dark and warm this morning, as twenty-five souls gathered on a hill overlooking Iraan for an Easter sunrise service. While many in the town of Iraan slept, we celebrated the resurrection of Christ! It was an ecumenical event with the pastors of the Iraan Community Church, First Baptist and First United Methodist churches taking part. (Pastor Charles gave the message.)

Easter Prayer

(All Saints Church in the village of Wootton Courtenay, near Minehead in Somerset, England)

O Risen Lord,the way, the truth and the life,make us faithful followersof the spirit of your resurrection. Grant that we may be inwardly renewed; dying to ourselves in order that you may live in us. May our lives serve as signsof the transforming power of your love. Use us as your instrumentsfor the renewal of society, bring your life and love to alland leading them to your Church. This we ask of you, Lord Jesus, living and reigning with the Father,in the unity of the Holy Spirit,God forever. Amen.