July 11, 2009 Lott Revitalization Team Meeting

Lott Revitalization Team Meeting

July 11, 2009 9:00 a.m. Caldwell UMC

Team members in attendance: Pat Baker, Eric Dehmer, Judy Draper, Kathy Kothmann, Rev. Larry Roberman, Rev. Thomas Robbins, Betty Willi, Jack and Liz Williams,and Sandi Dehaven (a new member who attended from Cedar Springs UMC and requested to be added to the team). Absent Team members: Calvin Woods

Following wonderful morning snacks provided by Pat Baker and the Caldwell Church, Eric Dehmer, chairperson, called the meeting to order with a devotional reminding us that we are called to be faithful to the task and God will provide the fruit. Eric then called on members of the team to share thoughts about why they responded yes when asked to serve on this team. Eric showed the team the Lott Church Blogg and how to access it and encouraged members to use it as a valuable tool to communicate.

Rev. Thomas Robbins presented an idea for the Mooreville Church (Rev. Joel Robbins pastor) and the Marlin church to meet at the Lott church on the first Sunday evenings of each month and provide a joint worship experience in hope it might encourage people from the Lott community, especially those who have relatives in Mooreville Church, to attend and get involved in the revitalization experience. After much discussion, it was agreed that evening services will start on Sept 13th –the first Sunday evening following Labor Day.

Pat Baker presented a wonderful idea concerning a Lott Community Prayer Walk to be held on a Saturday afternoon to take prayer requests from the community as a way to introduce the revitalization effort to the community. These events have been very successful in Caldwell. After much discussion, it was decided to hold the prayer walk, Saturday afternoon August 29th.

Additional discussion concerning a canvas of the Lott community for the purpose of announcing and inviting people to come and participate in the worship services and other renewal activities was presented. Rev. Robbins said his son Joel, pastor of the Mooreville Church could help us with detailed plans for this event since he has used canvassing of the Morreville community with much success. August 16th was the date selected for the community canvas.

Rev. Robbins said he would work with the editor of the Marlin and Rose Bud Weekly paper to design and publish a large ad announcing the revitalization efforts starting the week prior to August 16th so that the people of the Lott Community will have had some information about our work inthe community before the canvas Sunday afternoon the 16th.

The following is the timeline through Sept. for our revitalization activities:

Mon. July 13th 12:30 Rev. Roberman, Betty Willi, Wayne Wolz and Ray Macune from Caldwell Church meeting at Lott church to survey renovations to the facility and prioritize the needs.

Sat. August 1 9:30 Team Meeting at Lott Church

Sun. August 9—Rev. Roberman preaching service

Aug. 12 th and following few weeks—Ad in Marlin and Rose Bud Weekly Papers

Sun. August 16th –CLM (TBA) leading worship—followed by Community Canvas in the afternoon

Sun. Aug. 23—Rev. Roberman preaching with special music TBA

Sat. Aug. 29—Prayer walk

Sun. Aug. 30—Rev. Roberman Preaching with special music TBA

Sun. Sept. 6—(Labor Day Weekend) CLM Preaching and special music TBA

Sun. Sept 13–Rev. Roberman preaching with special music TBA and Kick-off of joint Evening Worship

Service by Mooreville and Marlin Churches.

Sun. Sept 20—CLM preaching with special music TBA

Sun. Sept 27—Rev. Roberman Preaching with special music TBA

Other Details:

Task Force will be calling upon District Churches for Special Music

Want to add a task force member from the Cameron church since it is so close to Lott. Judy Draper will consult with Joe Fort for a nomination for this position.

Rev. Robbins will contact the Traveling Methodist Work Team from Tyler to see what renovations they might be willing to help us with. The other tasks will be covered by other church groups such as Wesley Foundation, A&M College Ministry, Caldwell Methodist Men and Faith & Deeds Sunday School Class at Christ Church. Plans were made to rent water slide or attractive play equipment for the kids of the community to play on during the times that groups are working at the church. It was suggested that watermelon, ice cream, or hotdogs and chips –etc. be served to those who drop by the church to help or to inquire. We want to present a very inviting image.

Eventual child care was discussed including: Safe Sanctuary, facility safety, staffing and instructional materials. This will need to be worked out as the need arises. It was agreed that this task may be the most difficult of all.

The following people volunteered for the following leadership roles:

Out-reach coordinator ---Pat Baker

Worship coordinator---Kathy Kothmann

Children/youth coordinator—TBS

Adult ministry coordinator –Rev. Judy Draper

Physical Plant repair, landscaping coordinator—Rev. Thomas Robbins

Next meeting of the Task Force will be Saturday, August 1 at 9:30 at the Lott Church.

It is certainly understood that this is a work in progress and that after much prayer for guidance and wisdom, other ideas will come forth to serve the needs of the church as this effort progresses.


Judy Draper, recording secretary---corrections: jdraper@suddenlink.net