Plainfield UMC’s Last Saturday Lunch committee is excited to continue offering in-house lunches at the church on October 30, 2021. We will be following new safety guidelines for serving. The LSL committee will evaluate each month moving forward to see if it is safe to continue serving in-house.

Join us on Saturday, October 30, between 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. in Clayton Hall (Door 14) for an excellent lunch and fellowship. If you know someone who might need a meal or would like to volunteer, visit ‘Next Steps’ at pumc.org or the pumc.org kiosk in the main lobby by the blue wall.

I pray that you and yours are well, and I’m glad to have seen many of you in church recently to hear this message. If you didn’t get a chance to listen, I’d like to offer a note of appreciation, provide a quick update on our finances year to date, and share the finance committee’s forecast as we look forward to next year.

The generosity of this congregation is genuinely inspiring. Consider all of the targeted major giving we’ve seen this year to include:

• HVAC and the Roof, which were must-do projects,
• The door security system providing much-needed threat protection for those attending services on the weekend and the children and staff here throughout the week,
• The beautiful carpet offers a much more warm and inviting atmosphere, especially for visitors looking for a church home.

All of these beautiful and essential improvements were made possible because of your generosity. Thanks be to you, and thanks be to God.

Relative to this year’s budget, we’re in a relatively strong position. We have a $40k surplus which, of course, is excellent. That surplus is driven primarily by fewer expenses than planned for staff salaries & utilities, coupled with surplus carried over from last year. However, we’re also about $25k under projected giving, which is a cause for concern, and it is shaping our planning as we look forward into 2022.

With contributions falling steadily since 2018 due to key donors passing away or relocating, there has been increasing pressure on the operational budget. Brian Larcom has put a lot of rigor into analyzing our actual historical contributions and spending (many thanks to Brian for his time and his expertise) and the initial look into next year’s forecasts about an $80k budget deficit.

With the committee’s intent to submit a balanced budget, we could face making some difficult decisions in the coming weeks.

As you prepare for Consecration Sunday and prayerfully consider what God is calling you to give, we thought it appropriate, so share a candid view of where we are for your consideration.

The generosity of this congregation is incredible. The hand of God has consistently provided for us year over year. I pray those trends to continue into next year as well.
Thank you and God Bless.

Mike Simek,
Chairperson, Finance

The PUMC Saturday Morning Men’s Group meets again on October 16 at 8:30 a.m. for their every-third-Saturday monthly breakfast (use Door #14). All men are invited for Christian conversation, fellowship and a hearty meal. No long-term commitment is required; come when you can! To learn more, go to pumc.org or visit the pumc.org kiosk located in the Main Lobby by the big blue wall.

We invite you to come in and pick up a carry-out meal between 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on October 9, 2021. Please come in through door 14 and go to the kitchen, and someone will be there to get your meal. If you know of someone who might need a meal, visit “Ministries” on pumc.org or on the pumc.org kiosk located in the Main Lobby by the big blue wall.

Our new door security system is now fully functional as of October 1. The new system will preclude the need for physical keys and give the church unprecedented access and security. Any existing physical outer door (1UN) keys will not function after September 30 and may be returned to the church office when it is convenient for you. Inside the building, we will continue to use the interior door (600) keys.

With regularly scheduled meetings at the church, all group leaders have Group PIN codes (4 digits) to share with group members to access the building before, during, and after their meeting times. Staff members already have their access fobs and codes with full access to the church doors.

Adult church members needing access to the building at other times should apply for an Individual PIN Code. Application forms are available in the church office and on the church website, pumc.org/door-security. Please submit completed forms to the church office as soon as possible since these applications will take some time.

The security system will unlock the doors as usual for worship on Sunday mornings and other special events as needed. During business hours, you can still come to Door 2 to be admitted by office personnel, if available. Call ahead if possible.

Our new door security system will be fully functional as of October 1. The new system will preclude the need for physical keys and give the church unprecedented access and security. Any existing physical outer door (1UN) keys will not function after September 30 and may be returned to the church office when it is convenient for you. Inside the building, we will continue to use the interior door (600) keys.

With regularly scheduled meetings at the church, all group leaders have Group PIN codes (4 digits) to share with group members to access the building before, during, and after their meeting times. Staff members already have their access fobs and codes with full access to the church doors.

Adult church members needing access to the building at other times should apply for an Individual PIN Code. Application forms are available in the church office and on the church website. (insert link) Please submit completed forms to the church office as soon as possible since these applications will take some time.

The security system will unlock the doors as usual for worship on Sunday mornings and other special events as needed. During business hours, you can still come to Door 2 to be admitted by office personnel, if available. Call ahead if possible.

The complete church policy regarding this new system is on the backside (page 2) of the PIN Code Application forms for your convenience. Thank you for your cooperation and patience as we take this critical step forward in making our church a safer place for everyone.

2021 has indeed been a year of change, but one thing that has not changed is the need to help those less fortunate. That is why Plainfield UMC will continue its tradition of participating in the CROP Walk.

The CROP walk offers a chance to raise money to help end hunger in our community and worldwide. This year, PUMC will hold its 3-mile walk on Sunday, October 3, at 2:00 p.m. We will meet in the Richard A. Carlucci Recreation & Aquatic Center parking lot near the entrance to Splash Island.

For more details or to signup, check out “Next Steps” at pumc.org or the pumc.org kiosk in the Main Lobby by the big blue wall.

If you cannot walk or have a schedule conflict, you can donate by sending a check to Plainfield UMC or online with SecureGive. Please put CROP in the memo line of your check or the other box on SecureGive? Thank you, and God bless you for your continued support.

Plainfield UMC’s Last Saturday Lunch committee is excited to continue offering in-house lunches at the church on September 25, 2021. We will be following new safety guidelines for serving. The LSL committee will evaluate each month moving forward to see if it is safe to continue serving in-house. Join us on Saturday, September 25, between 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. in Clayton Hall (Door 14) for an excellent lunch and fellowship. If you know someone who might need a meal or would like to volunteer, visit ‘Next Steps’ at pumc.org or the pumc.org kiosk in the main lobby by the blue wall.

September 14, 2021

Carolyn Marshall, Executive Director of the Lucille Raines Residence in Indianapolis, will be the guest speaker at the Plainfield UMW Meeting, Tuesday, September 14 at 7:00 p.m. in Clayton Hall. Accompanying Carolyn, a resident of the Raines Residence will share their testimony.

Owned and operated by the United Methodist Women of Indiana, the Raines Residence actively engages in the rebuilding of residents’ lives after substance abuse, assisting residents to achieve a life of independence.

The Raines Residence has been around since 1977, and Carolyn Marshall has been there since the beginning.

She is an inspiring mentor to the men and women of Raines Residence.

We hope you will join us as we welcome Carolyn, September 14 at 7:00 p.m.