A Fair Day

Charles accompanied some of the residents from Thorne Crest to the Freeborn County Fair today and had a nice time escorting one of the men around the fairgrounds.

 

A treat from Glenville

 

This morning during worship, the congregation celebrated the first month of our being together. One of the members, Roy, presented us with a handmade cross with our names on it!

Poem: “To Pastor Charles and Belinda”

Written by Linda Bighley, the “poet laureate” of Glenville United Methodist Church (GUMC), Glenville, Minnesota, to commemorate Pastor Charles Alkula’s first month pastoring the church. This was read by Linda Bighley before the worship service, GUMC, Sunday, July 27, 2025.

A month ago, today, you came into our life:                                                                         A wonderful Pastor and his very special wife.                                                                      Hope you know you’ve made us happy as can be,                                                       Adding a great blessing to our church family.

You’re both beautiful, inside and out,                                                                             Some of God’s wonderful people, there is no doubt.                                                             We prayed to God to bless us with someone like you.                                                He truly did answer with the gift of you two.

Here at our church, we are simple, pretty easy to please.                                               We love to laugh and be happy, and some truly love to tease.                                             We want to make each person feel real welcome here,                                                   With a smile, a big hello, and a greeting full of cheer.

We love our music, like to sing, and praise the Lord,                                                  Being all in unison with hearts of one accord.                                                              We’re blessed with many good readers, really enjoy them all.                                     They are ready with our Scripture: summer, winter, spring, and fall.

Great group of ladies, making coffee and goodies to eat.                                            When it comes to being tasty, they can’t be beat.                                                              Our men are all so talented, can fix most anything.                                                           If we have a problem, we just give one of them a ring.

It makes us happy whenever you are both around,                                                           To know we have some friends like you,                                                                            Because of all the cheer you bring,                                                                                      The warmth and gladness, too.

It doesn’t’ take a special day to tell you that we’ve found                                                    The world’s a nicer place to be, whenever you are both around.                                  This is the beginning of a journey blessed by our Lord.                                                     If we follow and do right, we will be given a heavenly reward.

We don’t know about you, but we can’t wait to begin.                                                        With God, you two, and every member of our flock,                                                      Here at the Glenville Methodist Church, we are ready to rock.

A Friday task

Charles spent a few hours this morning, volunteering to paint some of the curbs that had not been painted in a good many years.

Another civic activity

Charles attended his first meeting of American Legion Post 56 tonight after being signed up by a member of the Glenville UMC.

Sunday triple header

Shelley is Glenville's reader today.

First service at Thorne Crest

Last service of the day

Our Sundays are full with three worship services! We begin at Glenville UMC, have a bit of rest, and then conclude the day with two services at Thorne Crest.
 

Art & Garden Tour 2025

Charles had a volunteer stint this afternoon with the Albert Lea Art Center's Art & Garden Tour. It was a wonderful experience at a beautiful home and meeting some very nice people!

Busy in Glenville

Before the edging

After the edging

Before the paint

After the paint

Charles spent some time at the Glenville church this morning, tending to two projects. He completed edging of the sidewalk around the church and touching up the paint on the church sign.

A visitor from Blue Earth

Our friend, Judy Clark, was in town today and spent an enjoyable time with Belinda at the Green Mill!

Sign of the time

The Glenville congregation has already claimed Charles as their pastor!

Sunday afternoon in Council Bluffs

Shortly after leaving Omaha this morning, the car developed a problem with the alternator which led to a call to AAA for a tow. Eventually, he got to a car repair place in Council Bluffs, Iowa and then by Uber to a hotel at the Ameristar Casino!

Sunday morning in Omaha

With Dr. Shropshire (middle)

 

At the Urban Abbey

Rev. Jim Wallasky shares the message  

Buttons from Urban Abbey

Charles' last morning in Omaha began with another early breakfast with other chaplains. At Charles' table, was Dr. James Shropshire, one of his professors from Wesley Theological Seminary!

Saturday in Omaha

Charles day got off to another early start with the prayer breakfast for chaplains and other specialized ministries. Attendance at two workshops and a rally for Palestinian justice gave a lot to think about!

He also ventured to the historic Haymarket area for lunch and enjoyed a treat at Voodoo Tacos (think Voodoo Donuts but with tacos!). Lots to see in the area!!

July 4 in Omaha

An early start to the day

At the Fat Putter

At the Luminarium

Charles' day got off to an early start with the gathering of the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists Biennial Breakfast. It was nice to be in the midst of such an enthusiastic gathering.

A late-morning break in the schedule gave him an excuse to visit the Fat Putter, a place that is without question the most unique putt-putt venue he's ever seen!

Following another conference gathering, this one with MMBB, Charles ventured out to take in the nearby Kiewit Luminarium, an amazing combination of science, entertainment, and social gathering place. He ran into friends from his time in the Nebraska Conference, Rev. Susan & David Davies while there!

Back to Omaha

Quick stop at Cracker Barrel

All signed in!

Attendees getting orientation

Buttons!

A fellow ABHM chaplain

Charles is in Omaha for a few days, attending an American Baptist Church Mission Summit. Thorne Crest is part of that denomination's programming.