334 SE Tecumseh Road  P.O. Box 5  Tecumseh, Kansas 66542  (785) 379-5005                                                                                                              Reverend Sarah Marsh                                                                                               Contact Us: | E-mail | Map & Directions

THE TECUMSEH UNITED METHODIST CHURCH CHURCH COUNCIL   November 20, 2010                Church Conference was held at Highland Park United Methodist Church.  District Superintendent Evelyn Fisher welcomed all attendees to the clustered church conference. The five churches represented were First UMC, Highland Park UMC, Kansas Avenue UMC, Shawnee Heights UMC, and Tecumseh UMC. She introduced the church groups attending and thanked Highland Park for graciously hosting. We were led in hymn singing and Rev. Lynn Lamberty closed the opening session with prayer.             - Celebrating Our Ministry -             Superintendent Fisher shared district ministries taking place during the past year. There was a successful fund raising and completion of the sand volleyball court at Washburn University campus ministry. The campus ministry home was featured as a Designer Showhouse. On April 11, 2010, Methodist churches participated in Hands On Topeka in the cleaning of area parks to promote the Open Minds, Open Hearts, Open Doors statement visible in the community.             At this time each church represented also shared their successes taking place during the past year expressing how God has blessed each congregation. At the completion we joined in singing “Give Thanks.” Evelyn read scripture from Matthew 21.             -Church Membership-             Superintendent Fisher shared some thoughts on membership. The United Methodist Church needs more disciples not more members. We were encouraged to remember our membership vows – to give freely of our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service and our witness.             -Responding To God’s Call-             Evelyn led the group in a unison prayer and told of several district plans for the coming year. Each church group also shared a specific plan they will be implementing.             An opportunity to make a monetary offering took place at this time, funds to go to Faith and Fellowship Ministry in East Topeka.             At this time we were dismissed to separate meeting rooms to conduct the conference business of each church.             Rev. Mark Norman, pastor at Rossville UMC presided over the Tecumseh UMC’s church conference. He opened our session with prayer.             In looking at page 1 of our report, the Pastor’s Report, he was happy to note the commitment to the focus on the future, to plans for the coming year and the exploration of the best use our spiritual gifts. Nancy Rush was unanimously voted to be recording secretary for church conference. Each committee report was reviewed and chairpersons or committee representatives were given an opportunity to comment on their ministry for the past year. All committee reports were accepted at this time.                Virginia Martinson referred to the printed report regarding the pastor’s compensation package. It was unanimously voted to accept the package.                The finance reports were reviewed and accepted by unanimous vote.                The membership report was reviewed and in honor of lost members the group observed a moment of silence and prayer.                Attention was given to the Committee on Nomination and Leadership Development printed report listing those lay members willing to serve on committees in the work of Tecumseh UMC for the 2011 year. The report was accepted by unanimous vote.                The Lay Speaker’s Annual Report was noted. Neva Martin does not wish to be recertified at this time. She was recognized and thanked for her service.                Tecumseh UMC was commended for diligence in fulfilling its apportionment obligations.                Rev. Norman closed the Tecumseh UMC Annual Church Conference session with prayer.                -Call To Witness-                At the conclusion of the individual conference sessions, representatives from all churches joined back together. We sang the hymn, “Bind Us Together” and joined in a responsive reading. District Superintendent Fisher thanked all for attending and we joined in the hymn, “Together We Serve.” Evelyn dismissed the 2010 Annual Church Conference with a blessing. Respectfully submitted, Nancy Rush, Recording Secretary