The Idaho FoodBank, the primary source of food distributed by Whitney's 3 food outreach programs (Peter's Pantry, Saturday Lunches, and Bench Community Suppers) is very low on food and currently unable to meet our needs.

On Saturday, May 10th, the National Association of Letter Carriers is conducting their annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive.

Non-perishable, commercially packaged food left in boxes or bags at your normal mail receipt point (porch, street-side mailbox, etc.) will be collected and brought to the local FoodBank for redistribution to agencies like Whitney UMC.

On Sunday April 6th Pastor Matt Heny introduced Lesli McGowan as the new Youth Director responsible for formulating programs for Whitney UMC's youth in grades 6 through 12.

Lesli attended Whitney in the past but left about six years ago when asked to help build the music program at Collister UMC.  Now that she's back she also plans to participate in Fresh Air, Whitney's 1st service praise band.

Hear Rev. Matt Henry preach the Word!

Click here to select from a list of audio recordings.

Click here for a list of the same sermons in text format.

Reach Out and Trust, a 30-minute radio program broadcast on 94.1 KBXL-FM Family Christian Radio every Sunday morning at 7:30 AM and again at 11:30 AM, features Pastor Matt, Mac Mcdaniel and others discussing Whitney's activities -- before, during and after one of Pastor Matt's sermons.

If you care to host a broadcast of Reach Out and Trust, merely make out a check for $50.00 to Whitney UMC and write "radio show" on the memo line.  We appreciate your help in our mission to others to "Reach out and Trust."

The Whitney Women's Chorale is sponsoring a Texas BBQ & Hoedown Dinner at 5PM Saturday May 17th in Vernon Richards Hall featuring BBQ beef brisket, German sausage, salads, baked beans, Texas toast, Texas sheet cake, lemonade and Iced tea to be followed by a show featuring musical solos, duets, skits, humor, special drawings and music by the WWC.

Tickets are available from any Chorale member and must be purchased in advance:  adults $10; children 10 & under $5

Public Welcome !

Y'ALL COME AND BRING A FRIEND !

The 2.3 (Debt Reduction) Team is sponsoring a 10-day Panama Canal Cruise aboard the Island Princess departing from Boise February 11, 2009 for Acapulco followed by 9 ports of call including Huatulco Mexico, Puerto Quetzal Guatamala, Puerto Corinto Nicaragua, Puntarenas Costa Rica, Panama Canal Panama, Colon (Cristobal) Panama, Ocho Rios Jamaica and concluding by a flight home from Ft. Lauderdale on February 22, 2009.

Renew your passport if it's due to expire anytime in 2009 and contact Jeri Burns for more information or to make your reservation.

Sunday January 27th after over a quarter century at Whitney, Connie Branton announced her resignation effective June 2008 so she can move to Colorado and carry on a three generation family tradition of looking after grand-children.

As part of his continuing education, Pastor Matt Henry is actively pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree from Drew Theological University (NJ).  He has suggested that those experiencing insomnia might wish to follow his quest by following the link to download and read his papers at 3AM.

Pastor Matt has now posted his 6th paper for his doctoral program entitled The Sacremental Act of Home Blessing: A Movement Toward Theology and Christian Formation.

Follow the link to download any of his first 5 papers or to see selected photos from his field trip to see historic churches in NYC.

Friday, April 18th Marc dePeo and Jeri Burns with the help of others served hamburger stroganoff, mixed veggies, salad, rolls and desserts to a total of 54 guests including 4 children, 38 adults and 12 seniors.

During 2007 a total of 807 guests were served hot, nutritious dinners.

A portion of the cost of this food outreach has been funded in the past by grants from The FRED MEYER FOUNDATION and The UNITED WAY.

May 3rd members of Boy Scout Troop 49 helped prepare 65 lunches for 0 infants, 39 children, 22 adults and 4 seniors, with no first time recipients.

During 2007 Saturday Lunches prepared 5524 sack lunches in response to 848 requests with 154 of them going to first time recipients.

In the past a portion of the cost of this outreach has been funded by grants from The FRED MEYER FOUNDATION and The UNITED WAY.

Over a dozen people showed up to munch on a wide variety of snacks while playing Pinochle, Scrabble and a strange but fun game called Cosmic Wimpout (created by someone living in Oregon).

The date for the next Adults Only Game Night will be posted here as soon as it is set.

During the month of April Peter's Pantry filled a total of 83 requests and gave out enough non-perishable food to supply 264 recipients with 2376 meals.

During 2007 Peter's Pantry served 3,276 recipients with enough food for 29,484 meals!

All food comes from the Idaho FoodBank and in the past a portion of the expense of this programs have been funded by grants from the FRED MEYER FOUNDATION and THE UNITED WAY.

Pastor Matt highly recommends reading this interview with Brother Andrew about the current crisis in the Middle East.

United Methodists are connectional and support programs at the regional, national and international level through Apportionment giving.

Follow the links (above or left) to the Oregon-Idaho Conference Nurture page where at the bottom there are further links to a series of "Where In The World ...?" downloadable explanations on how Apportionments support Camp and Retreat Ministries, Ministerial Education (including Methodist universities), World Service (food distribution, needs of congregations in underdeveloped countries), General Council on Finance and Adminsitration (legal fees), United Methodist Board of Pensions (which also includes pastor health info), Black College Fund (11 colleges or 3% of all US colleged graduate 30% of African-Americans earning BS degrees and 15% earing Masters), Youth Programs, Equitable Compensation Fund (supporting pastors for small congregations), National Division of Board of Global Ministries (including inner city day care), and Episcopal Fund (paying the Oregon-Idaho Bishop's salary so he can support congregations in two states). 

Paul Entzminger is leading a topic based Bible study based on selected study topics and materials from Ginghamsburg Church's Transformation Journal (daily devotions).

Since this is a weekly, not daily study, topics are condensed and not necessarily discussed in Ginghamsburg's original order.

All are encouraged to join this study being held 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM in the sanctuary of Vernon Richards Hall.

As an illustration of how much money is saved by purchasing food for the needy from The IdahoFoodbank, Johnna and Malcom Dunten priced a typical Peter's Pantry box of food designed to feed a family of 4 people for 3 days (36 meals).  At 15 cents/pound handling fee, it would cost $4.05 from the Idaho FoodBank or 1/11 the retail cost of $44.64 at a local grocery store.

Rather than purchase and donate food from retail outlets, those wishing to support Peter's Pantry are encouraged to make designated cash gifts to the program so over 10 times more food can be purchased for the same amount at the IdahoFoodbank.

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The Tasters’ (Adult Ed) Class recently completed a video/discussion series of the Frontline program, “Remaking American Medicine.”  One point of emphasis was the need for every individual to manage their own health information and ensure doctors and hospitals are accurately informed about a patient’s medical history and ongoing treatments. 

Follow the links (photo left or title above) for more information and a downloadable General Medical History Form that will help your health care professionals by providing them quick and accurate access to your basic medical history.