I have had the fun task today of creating a poster of an upcoming event at our church, and it has rekindled old feelings, and allowed me the rare form of grace found in the joy of anticipation. So often we are filled with dread, anxiety, or nervousness as we look to the unknown that lays ahead, and sometimes all it takes is the right event, homecoming or reunion to fill us with excitement.

In a little over a month our church will be hosting the Watoto Children’s Choir from Uganda, Africa. If I ever find myself in the future with extra funding I would put all of my dear friends and relatives on a plane set for Africa, and specifically that of Uganda. Because my money bags are sitting empty I will soon have the joy of bringing Africa to my friends and family here in Indiana. On Wednesday night, November 17th we will be hosting an incredible concert by the Watoto Children’s Choir at 7 PM in our sanctuary. This concert is free to the public, and everyone both young and old will enjoy the singing, dancing, and testimony of these beautiful little children.

For nine lucky families, there will also be an opportunity to host the children in your home the evening of the concert. You will get to spend some extra time with two or three children and one of many adult chaperones, as you learn their stories and have the privilege of giving a face and a name to what hope in the flesh looks like.

Here is a little extra information on Watoto and their incredible mission:

WATOTO CHILDREN’S CHOIR FROM UGANDA

Watoto means “The Children”, and these children are on a mission. Through their inspirational songs and compelling stories, the Watoto Children’s Choir is spreading a message of hope for Africa’s children.

The goal of Watoto is to raise the next generation of Ugandan leaders by pursuing excellence in academic and practical skills, integrity in conduct and moral values, so that each child becomes a responsible and productive citizen. Watoto is currently caring for over 1600 parentless children by providing physical, emotional, educational and spiritual care.

Since 1994, the Watoto Children’s Choirs have toured internationally as ambassadors for the orphan children of Uganda bringing a message of hope to countries such as Australia, Canada, Europe, USA, South Africa, Brazil, and Israel. “Concerts of Hope” inform people of Watoto’s vital work and afford audiences the opportunity to participate in restoring hope and dignity to some of Africa’s most needy children.

Each child in the choir has experienced tremendous personal tragedy, having lost one or both parents in the African AIDS crisis or other calamities. Now through their music and dance, they share Watoto’s vision:

“Rescue a Child, Raise a Leader and Rebuild a Nation”

The choir’s music and multimedia presentation is a soulful fusion of gospel and contemporary African style. Dressed in colorful costume, the children’s enthusiastic song and energetic dance has moved audiences world-wide.

Michael P. Warneke <> October 13, 2010

Please mark your calendar for a very special evening on Wednesday, November 17. At 7 p.m. our church will be hosting the Watoto Children’s Choir from Kampala, Uganda. This beautiful choir is composed of orphaned children ranging from 6 to 14 years in age. The children will share with you their beautiful voices as well as their stories of hope that will surely inspire all that will be in attendance. Aside from the concert we will also have the privilege of hosting the children and their chaperones the evening of the performance. If you would like to have the opportunity to host two or three kids and their adult chaperone during the night of November 17 please get in touch with Mike Warneke. Please don’t miss out on what is sure to be an incredible evening of worship.

Fair Trade Fair Flyer – 2010

Please come and support your mission team as well as a number of wonderful vendors from the area, and allow your purchases
to bless various corners of the world. The second annual Fair Trade Fair will take place in the Family Life Center
from 9:30 until 1:30 on Sunday, November 7. There will be appetizers and ethnic refreshments served throughout this
event, and we invite you to stop in to shop from our Fair Trade Market throughout the morning. There will be coffee,
cocoa and tea available from Equal Exchange in partnership with UMCOR, gifts and items from Patchwork Central, crafts
and toys from Red Bird Mission, Ugandan jewelry and stitched items from Ekisa Designs, Fair Trade items from the
Old North Fair Trade Market and Design Bank 505 out of New Harmony. Invite your family or grab your Sunday
School class and make your Christmas shopping mean a little something extra this year!

Bring your family and friends to support WeekdayChristian Education, which brings the messageof Christ to children in Vanderburgh County schools.

To Benefit
Weekday Christian Education Program
Saturday – October 30
11:00 – 3:00
Central United Methodist Church
Fried Chicken Dinner – $8.00 per person
Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Green Beans,
Baked Apple Slices, Roll,
Beverage and Dessert
Carry Out Available
Delicious baked goods, apple butter
and quality items from
Apple Annie’s Gifts.

A BIG THANKS to those who participated in this year’s 13th annual Komen Evansville Race for the Cure, Saturday, September 25. Team Central can be proud of the part each member played in making the race such a success. Seventy-five percent of proceeds remains in the greater Evansville area, funding breast cancer education as well as treatment services to many who cannot afford exams and/or treatment services.

As always, our Child Care is busy making a positive and lasting impact on the many children it serves. Here are just a few of the upcoming events for October. Fall pictures of children will be held on October 4-6. The center will be closed on October 11 for staff development. During this time the teachers are provided with new ideas and strategies to implement in the classrooms. They are also re-certified and informed on updated health practices such as CPR and general first aid.

Please join Child Care for the Fall Family Fun Night on October 22 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. This is a fun-filled evening of food and games for families. October 29 each class will be holding their Halloween parties.  It will be frightfully fun for all involved!
**If you have a Central Child Care sign, we would ask that you return it to the Church Office or Parlor to be saved for next
year. Thanks for helping us advertise and we will look forward to your help next year.

The Senior Citizen’s Halloween Party
will be on Thursday, October 21 at 12
noon in the Trinity Room. Come for a
wonderful time of games, prizes and
food. Everyone is to bring a covered
dish. Please call Velma Berry, 477-
5871, if you have any questions.

The Church Council endorsed the proposal of the Worship
Study Task Force, after several modifications were made in
its recommendations. Our District Superintendant has arranged
for one of his assistants to hold a Church Conference,
so every member of the church may vote on the recommendations.
This will be held at 11:45 a.m on Sunday, October
10 after a combined worship service at 10:30. There will be
no 8:30 service that day, but Sunday School will meet as usual
at 9:30 a.m.

Please mark your calendars for July 7. Jerry Wise, a recording artist out of Austin, TX will be performing at Central from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. Jerry is a University of Evansville graduate and native of Nashville, TN. We will simply be taking a love offering for Jerry during
the concert, so please tell your friends and invite your neighbors. It will just be Jerry and his acoustic guitar, and you will be blessed by his lyrics and his heart.

Starting in June, we will be hosting a Volleyball night each Wednesday at 6 p.m. Our Volleyball nights are open to all age groups and skill levels, and it will be an opportunity for exercise and fellowship for our congregation. Join us on June 2 at 6:00 p.m. to get the ball rolling as we look forward to a summer of fun together in the Family Life Center.