• General Service in the church
• Hati Orphanage Support
• Care Team
• The church in Mission - see news below from Kevin Nalty and Mike Murray

Hati Orphange

HAITI MERCY MISSION NEWS Things are getting very serious in Pig-non. Dr. Acene has had a threat to his life and he is now in the U.S. in hopes his wife and family and the children will be safe. He is needed over there as he runs the medical clinic besides the orphanage. Also the cholera is spreading inland. Jeanette recently received a check for $6800 from a grant she applied for about 8 months ago. Just in time for her to get sup-plies delivered to the clinic and cus-toms let the plane land in Pignon so they are prepared for the chol-era. This was answered prayer. The McLaughlins will leave on Nov. 29 to take about 4,000# or more of supplies to Fort Pierce, Florida. (food, clothing, medical and school supplies, Christmas gifts for the orphans and the vacation bible school supplies) It will then go by Mercy Flight International to Pig-non but it costs $1.50 a pound to get it there. Our January trip is on hold at this time. There is concern about the election besides the cholera.
Thank you for your prayers and sup-port of the Haiti Mercy Mission.
Pat Freebury

Hello to the members of my Epworth family,
I am writing this to you from a bus traveling to Glacier National Park with 40 International Students representing 19 nations.  I am currently helping the Foreign Student Office with an International Student trip, it has proved a great opportunity to build deeper friendships with Internationals and also deepen trust with the Foreign Student Office.  I wanted to write to share with you the joy of what God did last night!  We had our first International prayer group last night and the Spirit fell upon our time in an amazing way.
We had 6 Internationals (from Kenya, Korea, Chad, Myanmar, and Mainland
China) and 8 Americans (both students and community volunteers).  It was an amazing hour of prayer as students prayed in Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Samburu (a Kenyan language) and in English, praying about life on campus, praying for their home countries and just giving God glory!  It was also a time of Americans praying for the nations both in the world and those on our campus.

In talking with one of the Chinese woman who came, I discover that she is not a follower of Jesus and had wandered upon our prayer group simply by chance (by the world's perspective), because she had seen one of her Chinese friends in the group.  During the open time of prayer, she chose to pray in her native language of Mandarin, but broke down half way through with emotion.  In talking with her afterwards, she requested, in very broken English, if I might have a Chinese Bible for her to look at, so she can explore God and Jesus.  I would not have believed it, if I had not been the one she spoke to!  It was such an encouragement to me, because the whole time was a glimpse of the vision of the group, to explore, celebrate, and worship Jesus in every culture and language. 

And I feel that the LORD is not done moving, this is just the start of what the Spirit is doing among the nations here on campus.  On October 1-3rd, InterVarsity will be having a Fall retreat called InStep for Americans and, for the first time, Internationals as well.  Our guest speaker will be Alex Chai, a Korean-American pastor who was the former pastor at New Hope in Missoula.  Every year, God have never failed to show up during InStep in students lives as they are invited not into a religion, but into a relationship with God and the abundant life Jesus promised to anyone who believed. 

My prayer is that God will call 20 International Students to go to this InStepretreat, and will feel a calling not only into a deeper faith, but also to be International witnesses on campus.  I do not know how the LORD does it, but the students who attend this retreat become missional believers.  The retreat will be in Bozeman and will cost $70 dollars per students.  To ensure that money is not a barrier, I am trying to raise $500 dollars in scholarships for students, so that they only have to pay $20-30 dollars to go.  I wish to invite your congregation to consider supporting
2-3 students to go to this retreat with a special gift of $100.  I have seen Americans go for luke-warm believers or even non-believers to becoming witnesses, and this retreat was a catalytic point to start that transformation.  I believe that God want to do the same with Internationals, would you believe that with me?

L'HaShem asher hayah ve hoveh ve yavo va'ed! / To the Name of He who is, and He who was, and He who is to be forever!

Kevin Nalty

Mission's Committee News

From the Murrays

Dear Friends of Epworth,

Jessica and I hope this letter finds you well in whatever season of life you are. Epworth, as you have been such a supportive church family to us, we want to take this opportunity to share with you about a new season in our own lives.

Our Future…
Over the last six months, Jessica and I have been seriously and prayerfully considering our future.  It has become clear that there are two things in our lives upon which we need to focus the sum of our vocational energy. The first focus is for me to develop my communication platform within the context of a professional music career. The second focus is for us to continue to strategically engage in the fight against, poverty, human trafficking and modern day slavery—with Jessica taking a more hands-on role in that. Together, as a couple, we want to continue to work with, and advocate for, the poor, the vulnerable and the oppressed.

In light of these two focuses, we have decided to transition out of YWAM and move back to the USA and set up our “home base” there. Whilst all the details are not finalized, once back in the States, I will pursue some music opportunities that I’ve been given. And, in addition to helping me, Jessica will explore meaningful and strategic partnerships with organizations like, The Not For Sale Campaign, Night Light Bangkok and even YWAM.  We estimate our final transition out of YWAM and move to the USA will happen sometime between this November and January of next year.

Words are truly inadequate to express the range of emotions that fill our hearts at the moment. As we reflect on our time here in Australia, we do so with extreme gratitude and a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment for the past 10 years of (collective) service we’ve given through YWAM. We are also filled with great joy and anticipation for the future.

Our time in YWAM has been a wonderful season in which we’ve had powerful opportunities to express love and compassion to thousands of people all over the world. We’ve held the hands of the sick and dying, visited remote villages with a message of hope, and have helped young Aussies find their way through tumultuous teenage years. Throughout our years here, we have ministered to many, many people and have ourselves, been immeasurably blessed.

Epworth, you have been so inexplicably important to our journey. You have been faithfully generous and supportive to us every step of our way.  Through your support, financially, morally, and prayerfully, you’ve empowered us to be full-time volunteers and to give ourselves wholly to the ministry work we’ve done in this region of the world. For that, we, from the bottom of our hearts, say “Thank You.”

The Next Few Months...
Over the next several months, we will continue in our full-time commitment to our YWAM base, all the while training others to assume our roles and responsibilities when we leave. We are also working to attain a USA permanent residency visa for Jessica. In light of our decision to move on, and the increased financial need that will come with this transition, we have decided not to go to Papua New Guinea next month. Although we ache to see our medical ship in action, we just didn’t feel that this trip was wise for us to undertake in this unique time. Please forgive us for any disappointment this cancellation may cause you.

When we do make our final transition out of YWAM, we do not expect, nor request that you would continue to financially support us.  Though we’ve yet to completely finalize our income strategy, we know that just as God has been faithful to provide for us through relationship-based support, He will continue to meet our needs into the future. 

The next few months will be busy ones as we plan for our future and prepare to say goodbye to this place that has become home. We will continue to keep you posted on our plans. Meanwhile, we ask for your prayers as we make this transition. We would also welcome any encouragement you have for us in this time!

Again, thank you so much for playing such an integral role in our journey thus far.
With Love,
Mike & Jessica Murray

Stephen Ministry

Epworth UMC became a Stephen Ministry Congregation in the summer of 1994 when 4 members of the church attended Stephen Ministry Leadership training in Seattle, WA.  In January of 1995, 14 members of Epworth began the training program to become Stephen Ministers and were commissioned as Stephen Ministers in June 1995.  In the summer of 1997, 3 more members of Epworth attended leadership training in Seattle and In January of 1998 started the 2nd training program with 8 trainees who were then commissioned in June of 1998.  In the summer of 2001, 4 other members of Epworth attended leadership training in Seattle.  Epworth was not able to organize another training class after this leadership training effort.  In the summer of 2004, 2 members of Epworth attended leadership training in Orlando, CA.  In January of 2005, 3 persons began training in Stephen Ministry and were commissioned in April of 2005.  Another class of 4 members of Epworth began the Stephen Ministry training program in January of 2006 and was commissioned in April of 2006. In January of 2007, 3 more members of Epworth began the training program and were commissioned in April of 2007.  In January of 2010, a class of 4 individuals began another training program to become Stephen Ministers.  Commissioning is expected in late April or early May of 2010.

Epworth UMC has provided leadership training for 12 individuals at Epworth and in turn 36 individuals will have been commissioned by May of 2010.  Our Stephen Ministers have provided Christian care giving to more than 70 individuals in our Church and Community to date.  Stephen Ministry has been a viable ministry at Epworth since 1994 and interest in Stephen Ministry grows as more care receivers share the joy of having had a Stephen Minister to help them through a particular concern in their lives. 

Computer Technicians needed

We'll train you to point and click your way through the powerpoint presentations during worship. Especially needed are people willing to work the booth during the 11 am service. Even if you regularly attend the 9am service consider working as a tech as a part of your servant leadership.

Hot List Created for Volunteers

The Retired Senior and Volunteer Program, best known as RSVP, has created a hot list of opportunities to serve the community for people of all ages.  The new hot list prompted formation of Friends of RSVP to go build a network to include people under 55 since many times volunteer positions go unfilled when restricted to seniors.  To sign up for the hot list, simply send an e-email to Hotlist@flatheadRSVP.org with the subject “Add me” with no other details necessary.  Members of the network will receive alerts about volunteers needed.  There is no requirement to respond to any alerts.  Some recent requests include:

• Flathead Food Bank- Next four weeks
• The food bank will soon be moving to the Gateway West Mall.  Contractors have donated their time to help remodel the space.  If you have an able body and some extra time, they need your help getting things done for a day, or the whole period. 
• Cribbage Coordinator needed-Now through March
• This person serves as the central communication point between the schools and RSVP volunteers (mostly concerning scheduling).  Time commitments vary.  Experience with the game of cribbage is a plus but not a necessity.
• Kitchen Band- Needs new members
• The “Kitchen Band” name is a bit of a misnomer as this outfit is more choir than anything else.  The person requesting this notice said you don’t need to know anything about music to join.  This group uses old-time standard songs as their repertoire and tours assisted-living homes in the area bringing more than just a little music as they sometimes use props to entertain and socialize with the audience between numbers.

If you’d be interested or have any questions, please call Tina at the RSVP Office, 758-5712.

Don't wait for someone to ask.

You can be in service today!

Be in Service this week!

• Take food to the Flathead Food Bank at 105 6th Ave. West in Kalispell. While you’re at it, stop by Epworth and pick up items awaiting Food Bank delivery in the grocery cart outside the office.  Info: www.flatheadfoodbank.com
• Bake cookies and deliver them to shut-ins. While you’re there, chat a while, play a game or read to them. Info: Max & Nila Lauder 755-3962
• Bring travel size personal care items to the narthex for distribution by Neighbors in Need, a multi-church ministry of last resort that often serves transient or homeless people. Bar soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, shaving cream, disposable razors, band aids, wash cloth, hair brush, comb, nail clipper, file, laundry soap – all in small containers such as those provided at hotels. Info: Stacia Moore 253-6752
• Line Pat up to speak to other church groups: Pat Freebury has a program to share with church groups from her recent Haiti trip. Info: Pat Freebury 752-1153
• Going to a friend’s house? Bring coffee as your “hostess gift.” The same delicious fair trade coffee served at our weekly fellowship hour is for sale along with cocoa, tea and chocolate. Proceeds support missions, small farmers and the environment. Info: Jean Davis 257-2267
• Read a story or teach a lesson (you pick the subject!) some afternoon at Smith Memorial Day Care. Call Tammy Braseth 755-9224 to schedule.

Care Team

There are a number of packages of hamburger in the Care Team freezer which you are welcome to take and make meat loaf, casseroles or soups for those in need during illness or recovering from surgery.  Thank you to those of you who continue to put items in the freezer.  Please call the office if you could use some help with meals.