Blog & Trail Talk-June 13, 2025

jei614
Jun 13
5 min read

Father’s Day

Dr. Linda Settles

06/13/25

This weekend we honor fathers, dads, pops, grandpas, papas, uncles, brothers, and father figures all over the country! Happy Father’s Day! Father's Day was inaugurated in the United States in the early 20th century to complement Mother's Day in celebrating fathers, fathering, and fatherhood. Father's Day was founded in Spokane, Washington at the YMCA in 1910 by Sonora Smart Dodd, and the first celebration was in the Spokane YMCA on June 19, 1910.

Dodd’s father, the Civil War veteran William Jackson Smart, was a single parent who raised his six children there. After hearing a sermon about Anna Jarvis's Mother's Day at Central Methodist Episcopal Church in 1909, she told her pastor that fathers should have a similar holiday honoring them. Although she initially suggested June 5, her father's birthday, the pastors of the Spokane Ministerial Alliance did not have enough time to prepare their sermons, and the celebration was deferred to the third Sunday of June (source: Wikipedia.com).

So, let’s hear it for fathers! I was blessed to have both a father and a stepfather. Combine that with two older brothers who loved to boss me around, and needless to say there were lots of male voices in my life! I have fond memories of my dad spoiling me (and later my children) every holiday with huge boxes of Valentine candies, Easter baskets, and Christmas gifts galore! I’ve been told that I have my father’s eyes.

I also have fond memories of my stepdad teaching me how to drive and letting me borrow the station wagon on occasion to go to the mall. He came into my life when I was 15 years old. The funny thing is, people used to tell me that I look like my stepfather, too! It seems that the more time you spend with a person, you begin to resemble each other. Some people have mistaken me and my husband for siblings!

Well, both my dad and stepdad are celebrating Father’s Day in glory now. And along the way there have also been men in church and school who have poured into my life in profound ways. But what brings me joy now is seeing my brothers as fathers. They may not admit it, but I can see traits and habits in them that remind me of our father. And I love seeing my son as a father, leading his boys to become strong young men. Encouraging their curiosity as well as wisdom. He takes time to be with them.

And it’s the same way with God, our heavenly Father. The more time we spend with God, the more we begin to act like Him, talk like Him, and yes, look like Him. Don’t believe me? Look in the mirror and you’ll see that you have your Father’s eyes! Eyes of love, compassion, and hope. Yeah, you’re a chip off the old block!

Join us for a special message this Sunday: Jesus the Healer, from Pastor Rocky Marlowe, a dad and a grandad!

WOW on Break Our Bible study is taking a break for the summer, but don’t be surprised is we do a pop-up study here and there!

Let’s Celebrate Men! Invite all of the men, and young men, you know to worship with us on Sunday. There will be special gifts, special treats, and the ever-popular photo opps! Let’s show them our love!

Missouri Annual Conference was one for the books! Over 20 interns were commissioned, elders and deacons were ordained, and Bishop Farr delivered a stirring address on racial and immigration justice. If you want to catch videos of conference go to: https://missouri-email.brtapp.com/!wkAhVYhd4eHovwdLL+5lGvY-N-NDND8zTsBEBytfPtp4PLlmmz2dn7NJvdjaPp4hM

Vision for 2025:

Deeply Rooted:

Growing Through Discipleship!

Happy Father’s Day!

Blessings,

Pastor Linda

This Week!

*Sunday, June 15* 9AM-Small Groups The Bethany Siblings-Room 204 Youth Group-Room 210 In the Word-Room 108 10AM-Sanctuary/Room 208 Kid’s Worship 10AM-Sanctuary Worship Jesus, the Healer Pastor Rocky Marlowe	*Monday, June 16* 7PM UWF Martha Book Club Meeting *Tuesday, June 17* 10AM-Multipurpose Room Tai Chi 6PM-Multipurpose Room After Hours Community Band *Wednesday, June 18* 9:30AM UWF Reading Group Meeting *Saturday, June 21* 8AM-Multipurpose Room Zumba with Julie Durham

We're hiring a new Next Gen Leader!

Here's a link to the job description.

Please share it!

Sunday is the Last Chance to Get Tickets!!

Get some for Dad or the Father Figure in your life!

Tornado Relief Volunteers Needed!

The St. Louis Area Foodbank needs volunteers to assist neighbors to sign in before receiving support as well as pass out disaster boxes of food, water and hygiene kids/supplies to tornado victims. You will be stationed at our St. Louis Area Foodbank truck which will be parked near the semi circle entrance near Compton and Laclede.

Dates are June 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25. 26

Get more info and sign up here:

More Info and Register

Summer Mystery Lunch

Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Meet at UMCGT at 10:45 am

Friends and family welcome

RSVP to Linda Liermann by 6/20

We are on our way to historic Kimmswick for all it's charm of historic buildings, unique shopping experiences (including The Spicery of Kimmswick if you like special teas, coffee, and spices) and the main event—lunch at the Blue Owl restaurant. While not required, making lunch reservations is recommended. Please let me or Linda Liermann know if you would like to attend by June 18th. Knowing who will be going will also help coordinate carpooling. We'll meet at the church Tuesday morning with a departure time of 10:45 am. Don't let any driving issues prevent you from joining in; let me know and as Enterprise says "we'll pick you up."

Also, we are still collecting items to donate for Susanna Wesley Family Learning Center. While they accept all kinds of household and paper products, based on feedback from the speaker we hosted, we are focusing on laundry detergent, diapers, and children's socks. You can leave your items on the Donation Table downstairs at the church or in the UWF room. We'll be taking a "road trip" down to take donations and get a first-hand look at what their programs do. Let me know if you would like to make the trip down south. We would likely leave early in the morning and return late afternoon, as it's about 2.5 hours drive to the center. We're targeting an travel date around the middle of July.

Hope to see you and some new friends!!

Tornado Relief Concert

Join the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, IN UNISON Chorus, and St. Louis Symphony Chorus for an afternoon of powerful music and community healing—a special performance supporting those most affected by the May 16 tornado.

Presented in partnership with the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, and hosted by the SLSO and the Fabulous Fox, this pay-what-you-wish performance supports the Urban League’s ongoing relief, recovery, and rebuilding initiatives. Together, we celebrate enduring community bonds and a shared commitment to help our neighbors recover, rebuild, and heal.

Special Guest: BeBe Winans

(Jei will be singing in this concert as well!)

More Info and Get Tickets

Musical Theatre Camp is One Month Away!!

Make sure you sign up today!!

We never want any kid to miss out because of financial need. Please contact Jei jei@umgt.org for information about scholarships and financial aid.

A new challenge for a new year!

Write a verse a day from the Bible. Here is May-click below to print out a copy or use your own notebook!

FROM YOUR BOARD

Sign up to help out!

Greeters	Youth Mornings	Nursery	Children Mornings	Youth Evenings
Green Trails Elementary Weekend Meals	Acolytes	TREKKERS Guide