Abby Cockrill Funeral Service Information

Abby Cockrill was killed in a car accident Sunday morning at 1:30am around the area of I-29 and 152 highway. Her friend, who was driving, escaped the accident with no injuries and they were both wearing their seat belts. The man who hit them did have a blood alcohol content well above the legal amount. Abby is the granddaughter of WUMC members Robert and Earlene Fulk and the niece of Dennis and Barbara Fulk. Abby’s parents, Diana and Pat, are members of the 1^st Christian Church in Platte City.

Abby’s visitation will be at 1^st Christian Church (708 3^rd Street) in Platte City tomorrow, Wednesday the 25^th from 6:30-8pm. Her funeral will be Thursday the 26^th, 10:30am at 1^st Christian Church. A grave side service will follow the funeral at Platte City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be given to the 1^st Christian Church Youth Group or the Missouri Special Olympics. Please keep the Cockrill and Fulk families in your prayers.

Consistency

Life has been anything other than consistent this summer. I had two great vacations: one to Colorado with friends and another to Texas with family. VBS was great but it sucked the life out of me. I've had a couple weeks to commit to the office but they were full of planning activities. Then we had a week of great loss where two wonderful people were laid to rest who passed away in the same day. In all of the previous activities, a lot of regular visits to our elderly, sick and worship guests were minimized which is my focus this week. However, last week I decided that some things needed to be consistent again. So, little by little I'm gaining some ground with working out (biking, walking, weights), scripture reading, meditation/prayer, family time, reading and getting outside (even though it's bloody hot!). Remarkably enough, I'm starting to feel better. When we increase stress in our lives and decrease stress reducing activities we begin to feel bad. I had developed headaches and a lot of shoulder/neck pain along with needing more sleep. These are symptoms that something is wrong. So, I'm not surprised that when I've worked out the last five days and spent some time meditating and doing things that I enjoy that I feel better.
Now to personalize this. How do you feel? Have you missed consistency in areas of your life that help you feel better? Maybe it's time to work on some consistency with me:) Pick something small this week and experience a win for consistency next week! And let's pray for each other too:)

Too young to be so old!

Today is our third day of VBS at Weston UMC. It's been a great three days! Our leadership is fantastic and the kids are having a great time. Kim K. is so enthusiastic and passionate about our children and our church! She comes in with high energy every morning and leaves with high energy. I, on the other hand, dragged my tired rear into church this morning and dragged it out. I'm just amazed how much VBS is taking out of me this year! On my birthday in March this year I hit that magical age where I am no longer considered a young adult (36) as a Methodist pastor. Maybe I'm just acting my age for once:) Now if some of these older folks would stop running circles around me maybe I could be content in that???!!

Prayer Group

Kim Kirby, our Council Chair, has invited anyone to come pray at the church every Wednesday at 12:05pm. This last Wednesday, Kim, Betty and I prayed about the following things (and invite you to pray with us now):

Brook Stokes- motorcycle accident

Mike Walsh- hospitalized over reaction to medicine

Taloff Family

Eskridge family and friends

Pastor Jim, his family their vacation to work out and also for you mission, vision, service and leadership

Ben Taylor- friend of Voigt's in hospital

Jolie’s father- Paul Norman's sister

Dick Emery- hip surgery recovery

Hayworth family including Mary and Lynn

Our community and those that are in financial trouble and need help

Divorce – couples, kids & their property problems

VBS – planners, kids

Our body of Christ – our missions, service, small groups and the garden to be abundant to feed anyone that needs it

Our city government – including the Mayor, Aldermen and workers

Kyle Torster – his safety, his return and Jen and the kids

Joe Taloff update

I just got off the phone with a member of Joe’s family. After over a week Joe is still unresponsive and his health has not improved. Tomorrow Joe will be taken off life support as he requested in his living will. He will move to a care facility tomorrow as well. Joe’s feeding tube was removed and he has also contracted pneumonia. The doctors have projected that Joe has days to weeks to live as a result of removing the feeding tube and the pneumonia. Please pray for Joe, Joan and all of Joe’s family during this very difficult time.

Today's outdoor service moved to Church!

Because of wet grass and questionable rain showers we are moving today's combined service to the church. We will have a combined service at 10am and eat lunch together after service. Please bring whatever food items you were planning on bringing to the picnic.

Joe Taloff update

Pastor Joe Taloff went into the hospital yesterday morning. He was restless through the night and was getting in and out of bed a lot. At one point he passed out and hit his head on the side of an end table. The blow to the head was minor and the doctors believe it didn't cause the damage that they found. The ambulance took him to St. Lukes Hospital on the Plaza where they found out he had a brain hemorrhage. They did surgery immediately in order to drain the blood that was pooling on the right side of his brain. This is Joe's second day in the NICU. He is currently being supplied air through a breathing machine and his nourishment through an IV. He has not opened his eyes yet or tried to talk but is slightly responsive when he is touched. A nurse asked him to squeeze her hand and he did so. Joan is holding on and had some health issues of her own the day before Joe's hospitalization. When I called this morning and spoke to Joe's daughter, Joan wasn't in yet so I'm hoping she got some rest. Joe's condition does not appear to be neither good nor bad. We won't know if he has any memory loss or loss of motor skills until he regains consciousness. Please continue to pray for him, Joan and their family