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Outreach of the United Methodist Churches of Wells and Kiester, Minnesota

DECEMBER 2018

Growing in love of God and neighbor, Reaching new people, and Healing a broken world.

December 2018

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Wells Campus Service Groups:

Communion Servers * = Communion Preparer 2 Pat Coy*, Sarah & Doug

Hankerson, Dave Loveless

Liturgist 2 Pat Coy 9 Bob Clark

16 Diane Viesselman 25 Doug Hankerson 30 Pat Druckenmiller

Greeters 2 Joyce Frederick, Anne Feist,

Mickey Ellsworth, Sarah Hankerson

9 Sue Schuster, Cari Stenzel, Betty Culbertson, tbd

16 Jo Doolittle, Bev Niebuhr, Deb Lackey, Brad Remington

23 Bob Clark, Joyce Frederick, Betty Culbertson, Sarah Hankerson

24 4:00 Don Stenzel, tbd 7:30 Sandy Youngblom, Jo

Doolittle, Sally Yokiel 30 Katie Hueper, Deb Lackey,

Anne Feist, Brad Remington

Ushers Dave & Shari Petersen

Nursery 2 Amy & Hailey Chandler 9 Makayla Knutson,

Katie Hueper 16 Grace Mithun, Kylie Fordham 23 Ashley Petersen, Sally Yokiel 24 4:00 tbd 7:30 Kylie Fordham, Sally

Yokiel 30 Amy & Hailey Chandler

Cross Bearer 2 Dylan Parks 9 Kylie Fordham 16 Madison Meyer

23 Miles Kruse 24 7:30 Jaiden Gossen 30 Brooklyn Miller

Alcolytes 2 Chloe Bullerman,

Miles Kruse 9 Jaiden Gossen,

Ally Mersman 16 Clare Kruse, Abby Wedin 23 Addison & Brayden Mithun 24 4:00 tbd 7:30 Sadie Nappin, October

Roberts 30 Kolt & Chloe Bullerman

Coffee Servers 2 Sally Roesler 9 Martin & Michelle Healey

23 Reese Druckenmiller 30 Brad & Amy Remington

Audio/Video Technicians 2 Sarah Hankerson,

William Healey 9 Sarah Hankerson,

Don Stenzel 16 RJ Fordham,

Sarah Hankerson 23 William & Kaylynn Healey 24 4:00 Don Stenzel, tbd 7:00 RJ Fordham, Sarah

Hankerson 30 Sarah Hankerson,

Don Stenzel

Projection: Op Set-Up 2 Karen Stenzel Chris D. 9 Kevin Stenzel Chris D. 16 Karen Stenzel Deb L. 23 Kevin Stenzel Deb L. 24 4:00 Karen Deb L. 7:30 Kevin Deb L. 30 Karen Stenzel Chris D.

Driver For a ride, call one of the following.

Dean Youngblom 553-5272 Dave Loveless 553-3609 Bruce Frederick 553-5456

Coffee Treat Pot-Luck Bring a plate, a pan, or a container of any type of coffee treat you’d like to share. Could be cookies, bars, cheese & crackers, fruit, etc. This is an act of hospitality, so if you don’t bring something, that is fine. Everyone is welcome.

Cookies & More Sale

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Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Well as I sit here and write this to you it is just under a week away

from thanksgiving. I once heard someone describe time as a runaway

train, and it sure feels that way. Soon the dinners and laughter of

thanksgiving will all too quickly give way to the frenzy that is the

Christmas shopping season. We will all be looking for that perfect gift that will make that

someone special smile. I know I will be looking for many people especially my wonderful

wife, and of course Noah and Charlotte. I am looking forward to the look on their faces on

Christmas morning when they will open presents, but like many parents I am worried about

getting the right thing. I used to work in retail and saw many parents with worried looks on

their faces as they looked for the “right thing” or that “it” toy of that year. Consumerism

becomes the all encompassing theme of the season far too easily. It leaves many losing

their holiday cheer, which is supposed to be in abundance this time of year. The looks of

happiness fade into a look of desperation a few days before Christmas when people realize

that the shopping days are almost over and they still have to get things for this person and

that. How easy we lose what Christmas is all about. We become Charlie Brown amidst all

of the lights and expectations asking, but what’s it all about? We seek the meaning that we

knew so well when we were young and still saw the magic of the season.

The meaning and what it is all about is the same as it has been for over 2000 years.

It’s about the fact that God chose to descend into our humanity and live as a man so that he

could redeem us. God chose to be born in the most humble of places with no fanfare to do

the most important thing ever, and because of that we celebrate that most singular person.

We remember that on Christmas, love and life won, and death lost. We are people that

every December the 25th, we remember that momentous day where everything changed,

and would never be the same because God so love the world that he sent his only begotten

son to us as the light of the world. Remember this and love a little more and

smile a little bigger, and spread that love that was given to you to all that you

meet, because love is the perfect gift that you can give and the

best you can ever receive.

God bless, and a very merry Christmas from the bottom of my heart.

~ Pastor

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Wanted: Someone to Serve on the Altar Committee

We want to thank Janice Linder for the many years she has served on the Altar Committee. But all good things must come to an end. Janice and her husband, Joe, will be moving to Mankato next month, and we need to find a replacement for her on the Altar Committee.

The purpose of the Altar Committee is to provide care for the sanctuary as a setting for worship. Special attention is given to items within the chancel area, such as flowers and greenery, banners, paraments, candles, and other chancel ornaments and special occasion needs. The committee serves as a resource team in planning and designing existing or new worship settings.

We’re looking for one or more people who would enjoy working together to partner with Sherry Asmus on this committee. Contact Sherry or the church office if you have questions or are interested.

Men’s Ice Fishing

Get-Away at Lake of the Woods

Thursday-Sunday, January 3-6, 2019 Zippel Bay Resort, Lake of the Woods

Two lodging options: $389 for modern cabin on shore; or $339 for “Sleeper” house on the ice. Fee includes fishing, three nights lodging, great meals and bait. Space is limited! Registrations due Dec. 14. For more information, contact Don Nickel at 507-294-3740 or Camp Minne-sota at 855-622-1973 (toll free). Register with Camp Minnesota by phone or on the web: www.campminnesota.org.

CABLE TV Worship Times (Wells service)

Every Monday: 11:00 a.m. & 6:00 p.m. – Bevcomm Ch 7 Every Tuesday: 8:00 p.m. – Bevcomm Ch 7 Note: If anyone without cable service would like to borrow a DVD recording, they are available for loan from the Wells church library.

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Kenneth Dean McKee Born January 26, 1939.

Died November 12, 2018.

Funeral November 17, 2018, at Open Doors UMC-Wells with Pastor Chris Leistra officiating. Burial was in

Lura Township Cemetery.

Florence Frederickson Born December 15, 1923. Died November 29, 2018.

Funeral 11:00 am, December 4, 2018, at Open Doors UMC-Wells, Pastor Chris

Leistra officiating. Burial in Dunbar Memorial Cemetery.

Haylyn Hazel Petersen Born November 2, 2018

8 lbs. 6 oz., 20” Daughter of Jason & Kristin

Petersen; little sister to Holden; granddaughter of Dave & Shari Petersen.

Recipes Wanted The Wells 150th Anniversary Committee is collecting recipes for a cookbook. Bring in the recipe for your favorite dish, salad, baked goods, or dessert (especially dessert!) to the Wells Mirror Office (40 West Frank-lin Street, Wells, MN) or you can leave the card in the basket. We are also collecting recipes for homemade cleaning supplies (ex. homemade laundry soap). Recipes will be due December 31. The book will be available early in 2019. For more information, call Casey at 507-553-3131.

Wish to Join?

If anyone is interested in learning more about becoming a member of Open Doors United Methodist Church, please contact Pastor Chris or the church office to set up a meeting. December 16, is the tentative date set for New Member Sunday.

Congratulations

Jay Hankerson will graduate from Universi-ty of Arizona–Tuscon with a Masters of Science in Optical Sciences on December 14.

Poinsettias We would welcome poinsetti-as—any color—to decorate our sanctuary during this Advent

season. If you plan to have a plant brought to the church, please order from the florist of your choice and arrange for delivery anytime during December. Let the church office know by December 18 if you are sharing a plant and if it’s in memory or in honor of anyone so that it can be printed in the bulletin.

Weather Related Announcements If worship or other church-related activities need to be canceled because of weather, they will be announced on the following radio stations:

KBEW: 1560 AM; 98.1 FM KJLY: 104.5 FM KATE: 1450 AM

And announced on www.opendoorsumc.org and Facebook, or call the church office at 553-5453 & listen to the recorded message.

--------- Wednesdays – Generally, if school is can-celed or let out early due to weather, church

activities would be cancelled as well. Feel free to call the church to be sure.

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Advent Offering With all the devastation from hurricanes, floods, and wildfires that our

country has experienced this year, the Ministry Council of Open Doors has chosen to give this year’s Advent offering to UMCOR (United Methodist Com-mittee On Relief) and designate “US Disaster Response,” where it will go to the most urgent need. We will collect the Advent offering throughout the season. Please use the special Advent Offering envelope in your envelope box or the pew pockets. You may also give via the GivePlus Mobile app and on our website.

Men’s Advent Breakfast All area men are invited for a 7:00 am breakfast and devotions each Tuesday

morning during the Advent season. Different churches take turns hosting.

December 4 United Lutheran, 224 W 3rd St., Walters Rev. Don Rose December 11 Open Doors UMC, 116 N 3rd St., Kiester Rev. Chris Leistra December 18 Our Savior’s Lutheran, 605 W State, Kiester Rev. Kris Ferkin

Mitten Tree As in previous years, the “Giving” Tree in both church’s entryways will again

welcome gifts of hats, mittens, and scarves to adorn them. All these donations will be given to Semcac (Southeastern Minnesota Community Action Agency).

Advent Study We got a little jump on the Advent season and began The Redemption of

Scrooge on November 19. The is a 4-week DVD study, which meets at 7:00 pm on Mondays. You can join in at any time. The study will conclude on December 10.

Explore the classic Christmas tale and how we all need redemption. Ebenezer Scrooge is a man in dire need of a second chance. Is redemption possible for such a greedy, dark, and sad character? The Redemption of Scrooge, from Matt Rawle’s The Pop in Culture Series, shows us how the teachings of Jesus can be found in Dickens’ Christmas classic. From the ghosts of Christmas past, to the Life of the present, and the resurrection of Christmas future, this Advent study will “bless us every one” and reinvigorate our spiritual journeys as we look at this familiar story through the lens of faith.

Lessons and Carols Mark your calendars for Sunday, December 16, when the Tri-parish mem-

bers of St. John the Baptist, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, and St Casimir’s present this year’s Lessons and Carols, at 4:00 pm at St. Casimir’s Catholic Church. Celebrate Advent and prepare for Christmas with word and song. All are invited to enjoy supper and fellowship in the church hall after the program. There will be a free-will offering for the Wells Area Food Shelf.

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Children’s Christmas Program—December 9 You won’t want to miss worship on Sunday, December 9.

That is the day our children, ages 3 through 6th grade will share the story of Christmas and of the love of God when He sent His son to us. We will have one joint worship service on this day—(9:00 am in Wells – so everyone can be part of it.

Our youngest students have been working hard to learn songs and poems about the birth of Jesus, which they will share with us via video. The kids in grades 1-6 have been learning songs and lines to “Angels We Have Heard,” a musical with an incredible story.

“Angels We Have Heard” tells the story from the perspective of the angels. The heavenly host has had all kinds of exciting adventures when they were sent on assignment. Now they are dreaming of possibilities when they receive the news: Bethlehem!! (Oh, no. Nothin’ ever happens there!) But, of course, God has a plan that is perfect and everyone finds that even in a cattle stall, we will praise God and rejoice in the birth of the newborn King. The music is amazing, high-energy, and just right for these modern-day angels.

Come to the 9:00 worship, hear an old, old story in a new way. Then stay for fun and fellowship with cookies, coffee, and cider. This is a great way to celebrate the joy of Christmas and the joy in all of our children.

Christmas Books & Movies We have a nice little selection of Christmas children’s books and DVDs for children

and the whole family that you may sign out. Check them out at the mobile library cart in the entryway at Wells.

Worship Schedule

4:00 pm in Wells A family service with the retelling of the story and opportunity for children to get involved.

5:30 pm in Kiester 7:30 pm in Wells Each service will include a reading of the story with lots of carols, communion, and candlelight.

Please join us for one or more services as we worship the Christ Child and reflect on that night that changed the world.

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The Walk to Emmaus is an experience of Christian spiritual renewal and formation like no other. Basically, it is a three-day short course in Christianity, with relationship building, introspec-tion, prayer, laughs and tears, and a few surprises. It is an oppor-tunity to meet Jesus Christ in a new way as God’s grace and love is revealed to you through other believers. The objective of Emmaus is to inspire, challenge, and equip the local church members for Christian action in their homes, churches, communities and places of work – to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Emmaus lifts up a way for our grace-filled lives to be lived and shared with others. Now is the time to register! The Walk to Emmaus begins

with the prayerful invitation from someone who has previously gone on a walk who becomes your sponsor. If you would like to go, we have several in our congregation who are ready to be your sponsor! The next Walks will be held in Mankato at Good Council Academy in January and they are expected to fill, so registrations should get in soon! If you have a desire to attend or to find out more of what goes on during and after a Walk to Emmaus weekend, talk to anyone else who has been on a “Walk” – Jan Johanson, Diane Viesselman, Sarah Hankerson, Sandy Youngblom, Cari Stenzel, Wendy Nickel, Deb Lack-ey, Don or Karen Stenzel, Sally Yokiel, or Nancy Mueller, or go to www.mnemmaus.org. The dates for the next Walks are:

Men’s Walk: Thursday night, January 17 thru Sunday afternoon, Jan. 20 Women’s Walk: Thursday night, January 24 thru Sunday afternoon, Jan. 27

Both are held at Good Council in Mankato. The next ones will most likely be held at Koronis and then back at Good Council in January 2020.

Open Doors Annual Meeting – January 20 The Annual Meeting for Open Doors United Methodist Church will be Sunday,

January 20, 2019. This is a time to join together in for a pot-luck meal, celebrate our ministry accomplishments from the previous year, and look forward to the new year and talk about the direction of the church and discerning God's will for us as Open Doors UMC. This is an excellent opportunity for everyone to learn more about the life of our church. Please mark this on your calendar and be a part of this ministry celebration on January 20.

Also part of the Annual Meeting program, Pastor Chris will lead a conversation on “A Way Forward.” With the Special General Conference of the United Methodist Church meeting February 23-26, 2019, we need to be informed on what exactly is up for vote and what it might mean for us, the local church. Whatever is decided, it will affect us, and we need to do our best to understand and be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

To all Ministry Leaders: Please write a report reviewing the 2018 accomplish-ments in your ministry area and your hopes & dreams for 2019, and turn them in the church office by Monday morning, January 14.

To all Church & Organization Treasurers: Please turn in your 2018 financial report to the church office by Monday morning, January 14.

These reports will then be printed in the Annual Meeting booklet and will be kept as a historical record of our church.

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W =Wells Campus; K =Kiester Campus; All other events at Wells Campus unless designated otherwise.

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Event Calendar

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DECEMBER NEWS

Youth Group – Wednesdays, December 5, 12, & 19, at 6:15 pm The 7th-12th graders meet from 6:15-8:00. Come early for supper and bring friends. See

you there!

Mission Kids – Thursday, December 13, right after school The Mission Kids K-12th grade will meet at the church after school on Thursday, Decem-

ber 13. We will have snack and then go to Parkview Care Center to visit and decorate Christmas cookies with the residents, and play some music. We could use some drivers and volunteers to help out!!

Youth Christmas Party – Sunday, December 2, 12:00 pm The youth group, grades 7-12, will be having their Christmas party on Sunday, December

2, starting at 12:00 p.m. Meet at Sandy’s home at 331 7th Ave. SW. Come very hungry, we will be doing a progressive meal. We will eat three courses, each at a different house. Friends are welcome to come!!! (We’ll need drivers, if anyone can help out.)

Pie Auction A huge thank you to Lee Schumann for auctioneering our Pie Auction this year! Thank

you to everyone who made the 47 delicious pies and the rosettes!! Thank you to all who purchased the pies. Our total was $5,200. We were able to help out the Torres family with $520 and the Marino family with $260. The remainder will be used by the youth for their winter retreat, random acts of kindness in our neighborhood, youth events, summer mission trip and Jamaica mission trip! Thanks for sharing of your abundance, so we can spread the love of Jesus to others! It was so much fun to see our church family laughing, visiting and enjoying the time together.

Operation Christmas Child I want to say a big thank you to

everyone who helped in anyway with Operation Christmas Child boxes. Thank you to those who made them, donated items for them, paid for shipping, and prayed for the kids who are going to receive them. The total count was 70, with some boxes donated from others outside of our church, too! Thanks community for loving others! ~ Sandy

Sandy Youngblom Youth & Family Ministries

photobug0608@yahoo.com 507-525-2401

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Wells—The Wells unit of United Methodist Women will not meet in December. We encourage everyone to help the Kiester campus of United Methodist Women with their annual cookie sale. December 1 is the date. If you wish to bake cookies or submit crafts to be sold, have them at the Wells campus before 1:30 on Friday November 30 or Saturday at 8 a.m. Those of us going to Kiester to help will take them to

Kiester church at that time. If you cannot help in that way, plan to attend the sale on Satur-day. Doors open at 8:30 in the morning and you can have coffee and a few treats and enjoy fellowship with our sisters there. Monies from the coffee time will go to Emma Norton mission in the Twin Cities. Monies from the cookie/craft sale will go to various missions chosen by the Kiester UMW. One of these missions is maternal health—a focus of the national United Methodist Women in 2019. – JoEtta Doolittle, President UMW-Wells

Kiester—Open Doors UMW - Kiester will hold their next meeting on Thursday, Decem-ber 6, 11:30 at the KEE Kafe. Lunch will be "Dutch Treat". Business meeting to follow. – Wendy Nickel, President UMW-Kiester

UMW Reading Program Book Reviews Hope for the Future: Answering God’s Call to Justice for Our Children

by Jenny Shannon Daley-Harris Wells Campus Collection

In this time when it appears our children’s future is bleak, and children across our nation face many challenges. Hope for the Future brings us reflections that move us beyond what we know to be true about the state of our children to a place that challenges how we live into our responsibilities as children of God.

This book uses stories that echo Scripture to inspire teachers, pastors, caregivers and parents to look, listen and “move our feet” in order to care for all of God’s “little ones.”

(UMW 2019 Reading Program - Nurturing for Community)

UHD Hospice Invites You to “Light Up A Life”

Remember your Loved One and support Hospice by pur-chasing a bulb for the Hospice Memorial Tree in your com-munity. $10.00 will light up one bulb in memory of one person on a Hospice Memorial Tree. To make a donation, fill out the Light Up A Life form found on the church litera-ture table and mail to UHD Hospice, PO Box 160, blue Earth, MN 56013. Online donations at UHD.org.

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Introducing GivePlus Giving has never been more convenient

Open Doors UMC is working with Vanco Payment Solutions to make supporting Open Doors more convenient than ever before! Now you can give right from your smartphone or online! You can make donations using your credit/debit card or transfer funds directly from your checking or savings account. Vanco meets or exceeds all industry standards to safeguard your credit card or bank data. Besides your general offering, you can make contri-butions for Advent offering, apportionments, study

books, Wednesday meals, Sunday coffee, or Congregational Love Fund.

GivePlus MOBILE – The convenient way to give from your smartphone. Download the free Give+ App on your smartphone – search for “GivePlus Church” at the App Store or Google Play. Here’s how it works: Download the app. Select Open Doors UMC by typing in name or tap Find Churches Near Me. Tap “Give Now.” Choose an Open Doors fund to donate to. Choose the frequency, the amount, and tap “Add” to add another fund or move forward to the payment information. Enter your bank or card information. Review your donation summary then select “Complete Donation.” You can do this as a one-time guest or if you set up an account, all this information is securely stored so you can quickly make donations in the future, plus you’ll have access to your giving history and can set up recurring donations.

GivePlus ONLINE – Now you can make donations from your computer, tablet, phone, or any device with internet. Visit our website www.opendoorsumc.org and click on the “ GIVING” button in the main menu. This works very similar to the mobile app. 1) select fund, 2) select frequency, 3) input amount, 4) click “Add Donation,” 5) input card or bank information. If you sign up for an account, all this information is securely stored. Once you have a GivePlus account, you can access that account on either GivePlus MOBILE or GivePlus ONLINE.

GivePlus SWIPE – Now we’ll have the capability of accepting all major credit and debit cards for special events. With the GivePlus Swipe mobile card reader, it’s the quick and easy way to accept one-time payments or gifts.

ACH (Electronic Funds Transfer) – This is the e-giving option we’ve had in the past. ACH requires no computer or smartphone on your part. Simply fill out an application form (available on our website, literature rack in church, or by contacting the church office), return it to the church office, and be assured that your donation will be completed automati-cally as a direct transfer from your checking or savings account into the church’s bank account. You select the amount and frequency (weekly, monthly, semi-monthly). No more check writing, stamps, or missed donations when you’re not able to attend church.

What are the Offset Processing Fees? As with most forms of non-cash payments, there

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GivePlus (Continued from page 16)

are some costs involved that every business or church has to cover. Open Doors does not pass those costs on to the giver, but does offer the giver the opportunity to pay those fees so that the church doesn’t have to. In the donation summary screen of the mobile app or online, there is a box you can check to agree to pay the processing fees—0.6% for check-ing/savings account transfers and 2.75% for credit/debit card payments. If it does not matter to you, we’d recommend a payment from your checking/savings account rather than using a credit or debit card to receive the lowest fees.

For more information, check out our website www.opendoorsumc.org. You’ll find answers to frequently asked questions and “How it works.” Information sheets are also at each campus site. And you can always call the church office with questions.

We hope you enjoy these new ways to contribute to our ministry, and thank you for your support!

Wednesday After School Snack and Supper Schedule December 2018 Through February 2019

SNACK – 3:10-3:25 SUPPER – 5:00-615 December 5 Tammy Bullerman Kim Anderson & Sally Musser December 12 Janet Garvick Don & Karen Stenzel December 19 Michelle Healey January 9 Tiffany Parks January 16 Jay & Sharon Miller (hot turkey sandwich) January 23 January 30 February 6 February 13 February 20 February 27 Chris & Reese D. Chris & Reese Druckenmiller Several people have volunteered to provide snacks, but are unable to be present to serve. Can you serve for them?

Wednesday Meal Service Thank you to those who have already signed up to serve afterschool snacks & make

supers on Wednesdays! It’s such an important part of our outreach ministry each week to children & parents, adults & youth.

Below is the schedule through February. If you can help fill in some blanks, that would be fantastic! Call the church office or sign up on the bulletin board in Wells.

After-school Snack: Prepare and serve a healthy and satisfying snack & drink for about 35 children/youth from 3:10-3:25. Some eat lunch as early as 11:11am, so they come hungry.

Supper: Plan menu, purchase ingredients (church will cover the cost), prepare, and serve a simple, balanced meal (in addition to the standard selection of pizza). We have a young person dedicated to baking the pizzas. Meal should include one entrée (i.e. hotdish, soup/stew, broasted meat & veggies, hot meat sandwich), optional side-dish and/or bread, and simple dessert. Need at least two people to prepare, serve & clean-up. We have options for those who would prefer not to cook but could serve. Ask in the office.

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Meals Prepared for You Wells Senior Dining (dine-in at the Wells Community Center) and Meals on Wheels (home-delivered) are two options you might consider if preparing nutritious meals for yourself have become too difficult. The meals are served Monday through Friday and weekends by request. Call to request meal by 12:00 the day before. Special diets available. Contact Bev Johnson at 507-553-6083 for details. Office hours are 10:30-1:30 M-F.

There are many ways you can give to your church that both helps the church in huge ways, while at the same time may offer

considerable tax advantage to you. Gifts offering possible tax advantages to you while helping the church could include: Gifts of commodities (corn, soybeans) Gifts of cash Marketable Securities Bequests and Beneficiary designations

under Revocable Trusts, Life Insur-ance Policies, Commercial Annuities, Retirement Plans

Charitable Remainder Trusts or Charitable Lead Trusts.

Have a conversation with your tax consultant to see if any of these options might provide special advantages.

Contributions must be received in the church office by December 31, 2018 in order for the donor to include the donation in their 2018 tax deductions. The only exception is a check mailed and postmarked in 2018 even if re-ceived after year end.

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Notes from the Annual Church Cluster Conference of the United Methodist Churches of

Alden, Blue Earth, Fairmont, Janesville, Waseca, Winnebago, Wells/Kiester

Held at Open Doors United Methodist Church, Wells

1:00 p.m., November 4, 2018

Present from Open Doors UMC: Sherry Asmus, Pat Coy, Sarah Hankerson, Jan Johanson, Karen & Don Stenzel, Diane Viesselman, Audrey Henkel, Sylvia Halverson, Pastor Chris Leistra, Neil Roesler, Sue Schuster, Larry & Nancy Hummer, JoEtta Doolittle, Mary Loveless.

District Superintendent Fred Vanderwerf opened the meeting. He explained the reason for cluster conferences. We have more and more Licensed Local Pastors leading churches now, and to have a Charge Conference, it’s required to have an elder preside. The cluster conferences take care of that.

Church Conference Action: Election of new leaders–M2P to elect each church’s leaders as presented on rosters brought to conference. M2P to allow local Ad Councils to complete and approve any open positions.

Certified Lay Servant/Speaker Reports: There were several present, Open Doors has none. Certified Lay Speakers, Servants, and Ministers were to submit reports online. Reports were approved.

There were no Candidates for Ministry. Fred reminds us to encourage those who might be interested in pursuing a future in ministry.

Membership: M2P to approve reports of inactive members to be removed from membership. Open Doors has a list of members who are two or more years inactive, but in Pastor Chris’s first year, we recommended to not remove any Open Doors members at this time.

Pastor Compensation: All recommendations come through SPRCs. M2P to approve. This concluded the Church Conference Action.

Rev. Vanderwerf made a point that our testimony is so important in sharing Christ with others and how can we do it with strangers if we can’t do it among ourselves? So, we should practice this in our congregations.

Superintendent’s Report: “The Way Forward” – Bishops organized a committee of 35 people to come up with a solution to the human sexuality debate. They came up with three options to bring to a Special General Conference for voting in February, 2019. We do not want our people to be caught off guard. Resources are available to help congregations. Local congregations undoubt-edly will be affected. Fred encourages leadership to inform and have conversations with congrega-tions. We are not at the point of taking any votes on a local level and are not to try to persuade anyone in any direction.

Message: “Driverless Cars and the Expanding Gospel” – Do today’s digital generation need to be morphed into 1950’s industrialized culture? Something more revolutionary needs to take place to cater to this new age. In the new age, there will be no checks, paper bulletins, offering plates, sign-up sheets. What “sacred cows” exist in our church that prevents whole new generations from hearing the Gospel? We have to think what is good for the driverless generation, not necessarily what is good for us.

The conference concluded with Holy Communion. Coffee, water, bars, and fruit were served in the Hospitality Room.

Open Doors UMC was the host for this Cluster Conference. A sincere thank you to everyone who offered hospitality in a variety of ways.

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Thank You!

APPORTIONMENTS

Get yourself signed up at umcmarket.org where a percentage of every dollar you spend is contributed to your designated UMC ministry (search Wells UMC), and at no additional cost to you. Start earning donations for our church and make the most of your online holiday shopping. It’s easy! Step 1: Register at www.umcmarket.org

Step 2: Select our church (Wells UMC) to receive a donation. Step 3: Shop. Stay on the site and click through to any of the 1,000s of retailers listed on umcmarket.org and a percent-age of your total purchase gets donated to our church.

There’s no additional cost to you, it’s all free, no mark-ups. From umcmarket.org, you get directed to the retailer’s actual website. Take advantage of special discounts offered only at umcmarket.org.

Church Leadership Meeting Minutes The minutes of the church leadership meetings are published in the

OneWay. They will be subject to approval at the next month’s meeting. Meeting packets of Open Doors UMC are located on the literature table (W&K) and are available for taking.

Ministry Council Minutes – Thursday, November 15, 2018, 6:30 pm Members present: Karen Stenzel, Sandy Youngblom, Sherry Asmus, Sarah Hankerson, Pastor

Chris Leistra. Karen opened the meeting and led in the devotions, “Be Glad.” Minutes: M2P Sandy/Sherry to approve the minutes of 10/18/18 as printed. Evaluate: Trunk or Treat: There were 21 trunks. Awesome day, good weather , 89 kids, maybe 200 total. The time was 3-5 pm – suggested to have in 1-1/2 hours instead. The crowd thinned out quite a bit after 4:30. Sunday worked out well for the day. Basement decorations were awesome – thanks, Barb! Met goals.

Ministry Council 2019: Current members will r emain on with two new members: Audrey Henkel and John Kruse.

Reaching New People Community Presence: Pastor Chris will star t “Coffee with Pastor Chris” at The Bean from 9:30-11:30 on Tuesdays. After the holidays, may have it later in the day.

Hospitality: Discussed a gift for new visitors. The AV booth is a pr ime spot for identifying visitors, a handy place for keeping gifts and requesting the help of others to distribute them. Karen will work on putting together a gift.

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Church Leadership Meeting Minutes (continued from page 18)

Growing in Love with God and Neighbor Sunday School: Working on Chr istmas program from now til 12/9. Wednesday Fall Ministry Offerings: Pioneer Club and Youth Group are going Pastor Chr is

will ask for supper volunteers on the 18th and Karen on the 25th. We have options for those who don’t want to cook, just serve.

Scrooge: 11 have signed up for The Redemption of Scrooge on Mondays at 7:00pm beginning Nov. 19. Pastor Chris would like to do an expanded version next year.

Stewardship Campaign: Theme this year is giving of oneself. E-giving has been launched with announcement going out with pledge mailing. Hoping that the convenience of giving thru smartphones will increase the donations, especially from younger members and visitors. The processing & transaction fees will be higher for credit/debit cards than for transfers from check-ing & savings accounts. Donors have option of covering processing fees, but the transaction fees are an expense for the church. More information available in church on Sunday. We have quite a ways to catch up on apportionments.

Thanksgiving: Soup Supper : Wendy is managing and has under control. Worship: Pretty much ready to go. After conferring with Our Savior’s and discussing here, it was decided that the offering will go to the Kiester Ministerial Fund for helping people in crisis or in need. Thanksgiv-ing Day dinner: Good Shepherd reports that they need more helpers in all areas.

Children’s Christmas program: Is Dec. 9. It be a 9:00 joint service at Wells. Christmas Eve: 3 services – 4:00 (W), 5:30 (K), 7:30 (W). With the new pews, there is no place to

attach the candelabras, so Glenn Johanson has fashioned a stand that is free-standing. Altar: Janice Linder will be moving in December , so Sherry will need a helper to replace her

on the altar committee. Sarah will put “ad” in newsletter. Poinsettias would be welcome after the Christmas program on 12/9.

Decorating for Christmas: Wells will be after church on 11/25. Lamar can put up trees week of Thanksgiving. [Addendum: Will put up everything BUT the trees on 11/25. Trees will go up the next week, to be in place for 12/9.] Kiester is decorating 11/28, and finishing up 11/29 if needed.

Healing a Broken World Christmas Love Baskets: Sher ry will check on getting some handmade cards and she &

Karen help with writing. To be delivered week of 12/17. Pastor, with help from the office, will come up with a list.

Advent Offering: Discussed options and with all the natural disaster s recently, decided to designate UMCOR US Disaster Relief.

Giving Tree: Will continue collecting hats, mittens and scarves and include tags for church needs like heating, apportionments, etc. No family this year.

Operation Christmas Child: Slower this year . This is the last year that the processing center will be in Minnesota. There are still openings for our work day on Nov. 30. Sandy will ask the Clothes Closet for help with shoebox costs.

Serve Day: Star t thinking and brainstorming ideas. In January form a planning team. Other: Sarah has brochures and fliers of theater events and fun places to visit if anyone

would like to plan a group trip. Dreams: Would like to get more speakers to come in, like Officer Murphy, to talk to the kids

and/or youth & parents on a Wednesday on topics like safety, depression, drug awareness. The next meeting will be Thursday, January 10, 2019, 6:30 pm at Karen Stenzel’s (halfway

between Kiester & Wells). No December meeting. Recorded by Sarah Hankerson

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WELLS CAMPUS: (Central Office) 595 1st Ave SW, Wells, MN 56097 Office Phone: 507-553-5453 Fax: 507-553-6370 E-mail: opendoorsumc@bevcomm.net Web Site: opendoorsumc.org

Sunday Worship 9:00 a.m. / Coffee Fellowship 8:30 & 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:00 a.m. (Sept-May)

KIESTER CAMPUS: 116 North 3rd St., Kiester, MN 56051 Phone: 507-294-3300 Sunday School 9:30-10:15 a.m. (Sept-May) Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m. / Coffee Fellowship 9:45 a.m.

Ministers ......................................... People of the Congregation Pastor .................................................. Rev. Christopher Leistra Office Manager ............................................... Sarah Hankerson Music Ministries Coordinator ................................ Jan Johanson Youth & Family Ministries Coordinator. ......... Sandy Youngblom Custodians ............. LaMar Johnson (Wells); Priscilla Holst (Kiester)

OPEN DOORS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION Central Office PERMIT #15 595 1ST AVE SW U.S. POSTAGE PAID WELLS MN 56097 WELLS, MINNESOTA 56097-1397

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

STAFF

In this issue:

Volunteer Schedule ....................................... 2

Pastor’s Message .......................................... 3

Altar Committee / Ice Fishing / Coffee w/Pastor 4

Bits & Pieces................................................. 5

Advent Happenings ....................................... 6

Christmas Program / Christmas Eve Worship . 6

Walk to Emmaus / Annual Meeting ............... 7

December Prayer Calendar ........................... 9

December Events Calendar ...................... 10-11

Youth & Family News ................................... 12

UMW News / Light Up A Life ........................ 15

Introducing GivePlus .............................. 14-15

Wednesday Meal Service .............................. 15

End-of-Year Giving / Puzzle ......................... 17

Notes from Church Cluster Conference ......... 17

Leadership Meetings ............................... 18-19

DECEMBER 2018

OPEN DOORS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH