the united methodist church newsletter - brf umc · our umw has fair trade coffees, teas and hot...

THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

NEWSLETTER “Serve, Teach, and Love As We Grow In Faith”

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FEBRUARY 2016

“Religion or Spirituality?”

What is more important in your life, your “religion” or your “spirituality”? Seem like an odd question? Actually, they are not one and the same. While talking with someone about their faith journey recently, I was asked the difference between religion and spirituality. It occurred to me that, if one person is confused about this, there must be more. So I did some research and developed a comparison that I hope will help you determine where each fits in your faith life.

There is one detail that is common to both religion and spirituality—belonging. Whether your religion or your spirituality are more important to you, they are both practiced through belonging. Our faith teaches us that our identity is based on multiple relationships.

One final thought—religion and spirituality should not be mutually exclusive of each other. Religion should en-hance and encourage spiritual growth and spirituality should result in a practiced religion.

Pastor Kathy

RELIGION

What is Religion? Religion is seen as conven-tional faith, meaning it is based on tradition and custom and has a formal, ritualistic nature. It is also considered to be dogma; ideas and opinions about God. Religion tends to be corporeal; it is tangible, something we do. How is it Practiced? Through programs and spe-cific goals that generate results. There are cer-tain rules that must be followed. Who are Involved? Members, who submit to the authority of leadership.

SPIRITUALITY What is Spirituality? Spirituality is considered to be experiential faith, meaning it is something that is attained through the senses more than through ritual. Spirituality is not something we do as much as it is something we feel deep within us. Spirituality is practices that draw us into creating a way of living based on faith. Those practices might include prayer, holy conversa-tion, worship, study, music. How is it Practiced? We gain conviction, an un-derstanding of God through an encounter in the context of life experience. Spirituality is en-hanced by the worship experience. Who are Involved: Friends/Neighbors who have a prepositional identity (are connected) and are inherently linked through relationships and com-munities.

UMC NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2016

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FEB 1 Sun Gorski

Duane Nosbisch

Shari Sheppard

FEB 3 Jim Bible

FEB 6 Jessica Gjerseth

FEB 7 Kim Gjerseth

FEB 8 Jana Nandory

Renata Olson

FEB 9 Steve Calhoun

Kay Finch

FEB 10 Elaine Ott

FEB 11 Don Holcomb

Tony Phillips

FEB 12 Mary Gjerseth

Freda Goldsmith

FEB 13 Judy Sheppard

FEB 15 Rosemary Dvorak

FEB 16 Roy Hefty

Donna Odonovich

FEB 17 Don Gilbertson

FEB 18 Steven Dobson

Jim Hoffman

FEB 22 Dorothy Hefty

FEB 23 Amy Bauer

Jeremy Nandory

FEB 24 Robert Elmore

Jerry Overman

FEB 25 Madelyn Hoffman

FEB 26 Paul Brauner

Linda Heller

FEB 27 Cody Calhoun

Marian Millis

FEB 28 Danielle Dougherty

FEB 8 Mark & Valerie Maurer

FEB 9 Pastors Kathy & Lon Jury

FEB 14 Duane & Rose Moldenhauer

FEB 17 Paul & Robin Hoffman

FEB 28 Warren & Mary Loveland

YOUR UMC NEWSLETTER IS AVAILABLE ONLINE.

You can view it on our website at brfumc.org, or we can email it to you each month. Let us know if you would prefer this way of reading your monthly newsletter.

February 10 Marks the Beginning of Lent

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, this year February 10, and continues to Easter, March 27. Lent is a pe-riod of 40 days, or six weeks, set apart to prepare the heart of the Christian for the death and resur-rection of Jesus Christ. We prepare our hearts for Easter through fasting, prayer, reading the Bible, and/or through giving to charity. Lenten Wednesday Worship Services will be held on Wednesday evenings at 6:15 p.m. in the Sanctu-ary on February 10 (Ash Wednesday) and on Wednesday, February 17 and 24, and March 2, 9, and 16.


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United Methodist Women Growing in Blessedness

Reflect “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there

are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone.” 1 Corinthians 12: 4-6

Let’s consider these verses as we begin a new UMW year together. Let’s celebrate each others’ gifts. We have dif-

ferent gifts, different abilities, different interests. Some of us will lead devotions, some will give programs, some will

add to our fellowship with delicious snacks. All of us will pray and study; all will work to fulfill our pledge to mis-

sions and to reach out into our community with generosity and love. Together we can accomplish what God wants

us to.

Pray Gracious Lord, throughout the year may we be reminded that the work we do is in your name. Help us to be compas-

sionate, understanding and gracious to all we serve. Amen (UMW Prayer Calendar, 2015, p. 1)

Celebrate On January 10 UMW honored three members of our church family for their work in our church and in our commu-

nity. Nancy Hindes, Louis Shaw and Amy Willette are following Christ’s commands to care for others in need. They

each received a Special Mission Recognition pin to honor their contributions. Congratulations!

Remember Our UMW has Fair Trade coffees, teas and hot chocolate for sale in the Gathering Area. These products are made

available through a partnership between the United Methodist Church Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and Equal Ex-

change, a worker-owned co-operative offering 100% fairly traded products.

Also in the Gathering Area you can find greeting cards for any occasion. These cards are reasonably priced and help

support our mission pledge.

Consider Joining this fellowship of United Methodist Women. Call Carol Anderson (715-284-2456) for more information.

The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to “count our blessings.” Let us find time to stop and thank

the people who help make a difference in our lives. (UMW Prayer Calendar 2015, p. 1)

Plan March 6 Circle Meetings Watch for more information in the Sunday bulletin.

April 2 Mission Action Day Focus on the Homeless, Columbus UMC

Read Check out this book from the 2016 Reading Program:

I Love Growing Older, But I’ll Never Grow Old by J. Ellsworth Kalas

“Older is a journey. Old is a destination.” This book is about learning how to “make peace with whatever you are

right now.” It’s about learning from the past and then moving past it. It’s about growing and continuing to grow---

personally, spiritually and in our relationships with God and with others.

You will find the checkout list on the shelf of the bookcase in the Wesley Room.


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JAN 24 In honor of Gary Potter’s Birthday on

January 28 sponsored by Gil Homstad.

JAN 24 In honor of Gary Potter’s Birthday on

January 28 sponsored by Gil Homstad.

Please keep the church informed if you

change your email address. Also, please let

us know if you discontinue your land line and

only use cell phones. This will help us to be

able to stay in touch with you. Thank you so

much for your help!!!

Thanks to everyone’s support the Mission Outreach

Committee serves others, both locally and abroad.

One of our projects that serves women abroad is

the Patricia Project. Here we sew re-usable femi-

nine hygiene products so that young women need

not be confined to home during their monthly cycle

but can continue to go to school. When women are

educated they are better able to get jobs to help

support their families.

Our next sewing date will be February 23 from 10:00

a.m.-2:00 p.m. Please join us in fellowship. Men

and women are welcome. Stay for an hour or the

whole day. If you can sew, please being a sewing

machine or serger. If you are unable to sew, there is

cutting and trimming to do.

In addition to the pads, we will also be working on

pillowcase dresses for younger girls. A light lunch

will be served. If you are not able to help in person,

we need these supplies:

Standard pillow cases—new or used

Trims, lace, ribbon, etc.

1/4” elastic

Double fold seam binding (bias tape) all colors

Questions, please call Charlene Galston 715-284-

9544. Please also call if you plan to attend.

Thank you.


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Like our Facebook page Black River Falls Sunday School to see photos of our activities. You can also go to the church’s website, www.brfumc.org for photos and other information.

YOUTH BIRTHDAYS FEB 14 David Becker FEB 20 Abigail Meimann Rylee Meimann FEB 23 Logan Hoffman FEB 25 Jacob Woods FEB 26 Karma Leffingwell

ROTATION MODEL: We will be finishing the Rotation Model, Signs of Faith, this month and beginning Easter-Go Tell It On The Mountain. Signs of Faith has been a fun rotation with the children learning about different Christian signs and what they mean. REMINDER: Sunday School will begin at 9:20 a.m. and end at 10:15 a.m. (Children are encouraged to attend church with their families at 9:00 a.m. They will be dismissed to go to Sunday School following the Children’s Message). The Sun-day School classrooms are unsupervised until 9:20 a.m. please remain with your child until an adult arrives. FAMILY SUNDAY: Sunday, February 21, will be Family Sun-day. The children will be singing at the 9:00 a.m. Worship Service. Families and children are encouraged to attend this special Sunday and remain in church for the full service. LENTEN SEASON: I encourage all families to attend our Wednesday evening Lenten Services at 6:15 p.m. Lenten Wednesday Worship Services begins on Ash Wednesday, February 10, and ends Wednesday, March 16. Children can participate in Lent in similar ways as adults, discuss with your child what it means to “fast” or even add something for Lent. This is a time for us to focus on God and our relationship to Him. Everyone’s lives are so busy with work, school, sports, etc, take some time to read the Bible, say a prayer, add a chore to their list, or see what other ideas they can come up with. Some suggestions to “fast” would be to give up soda, candy, chips, fighting with siblings, and the list goes on. Hope to see you on Wednesday nights! MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!!

NO SUNDAY SCHOOL on Easter Sunday, March 27

SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAM May 15 at 9:00 a.m. (More details soon)

LAST DAY OF SUNDAY SCHOOL, May 22 (More details soon) RECYCLING: Thank you to everyone who has brought in ink cartridges and cell phones for recycling. This fundraiser is used to purchase Vacation Bible School supplies. Please con-tinue bringing in your ink cartridges and old cell phones. There are boxes in the front entryway, by the Church Office, and by the Youth Rooms for the ink cartridges and cell

FEED MY

STARVING CHILDREN

On Saturday, March 19, the Confirmation Students

will be going to Feed My Starving Children in

Eagan, Minnesota. There they will be doing volun-

teer work for two hours filling food bags that will be

sent to starving children around the world.

This is a very rewarding day and I would like to

share this opportunity to all who are interested in

participating in this event. I have reserved extra

spots for volunteers who would like to join us.

There is a sign-up sheet at the Information Station

in the Gathering Area.

If you are unable to attend this event, but would like

to donate to this cause, there will be a Pie Social on

Sunday, March 13, right after church.

If you have any questions, please give me a call at

715-896-7628.

Thank you,

Karolyn Gjerseth

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=feed+my+starving+children+logo&id=70EAF769955C872AFE7E0098ACA10AE706BEFE5C&FORM=IQFRBA


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YOUTH GROUP HAPPENINGS:

February 3: Youth Group

February 10: Ash Wednesday

February 17: Lent Worship Service

February 24: Lent Worship Service/Kitchen Cleanup

The youth will be attending Lenten Wednesday Worship

Services beginning February 10, Ash Wednesday, and end-

ing Wednesday, March 16. Lent is a great time for us to

“repent”- to re-focus our lives to be more in line with Jesus.

It’s easy to get caught up in all of the busyness of our lives,

school, family, work, and the list goes on. Take these 40

days and challenge yourself to fast from candy, the internet,

TV, soda, or anything else that may be distracting you from

God. You could also take something on for God, like col-

lecting food for the needy or volunteering within your com-

munity. Think about what clutters your life and calendar

and how you can simplify your life, then make a decision

about Lent. Hope to see you on Wednesday nights!

Saturday, February 20, 2016 is the Women’s Retreat at our

church. Young women are invited too!!!! Only $25.00 for

adults and $10.00 for youth for a fun, God-filled day!!!

Registration brochures are available in the Gathering Area.

Scholarships are available. Ask Beth for more info.

ADULT VOLUNTEERS: Our Safe Sanctuary Policy requires 2 adults in each youth

room. We are looking for adult volunteers who would like

to come hang out with us on Wednesday nights from 6:00

p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Call Beth 715- 284-7494 or Suzanne 715

-896- 0224 if you would like to hang out with us and we

will add you to our calendars.

RECYCLING:

Thank you to everyone who has brought in aluminum cans.

The proceeds are used to purchase items for various youth

group events. Please continue bringing in your aluminum

cans! Aluminum cans may be placed in the fenced-in area

by the shed in the parking lot.

Suzanne Goldsmith—Jr. High Youth Director

715-896-0224

Beth Bue—Sr. High Youth Director

715-284-7494 or 715-896-0823

WOW DINER MENU

Our Church Family Night menu for the month of February: February 3 Meatballs & Mashed Potatoesi Vegetable Desserts Beverages February 10 Homemade Pizza Desserts Beverages February 17 Barbecues Baked Beans Chips Desserts Beverages February 24 Chili Lettuce Salad Garlic Toast Desserts Beverages Every week there will be hot dogs and peanut butter/jelly available. Plan to join us on Wednesday evenings. Everyone Welcome!!


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7th Annual Women’s Retreat Saturday, February 20

9:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m.

8:30 a.m. Registration

“Fill My Cup, Lord” Jesus and a Samaritan Woman

The Main Event: Pastor Kathy Jury We will be introduced to a new way of connecting with God — through

the use of Prayer Beads. Learn how to experience God’s presence, in-

crease your focus and comfort level in prayer, and be still and know God.

You will be able to create your own prayer beads.

Cost: Adults—$25.00, Youth—$10:00 Brochures and registration information available in the Gathering Area

or in the Church Office. Call 715-284-4114 for more information.

Break-Out Sessions to choose from: Recycled Christian Art

Prayer Stations

Bible Study

Knitting with Mary Vase

Invite your friends!!

Plan to join us for a fun-filled day!!

Hope to see you there. . .


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2016 Walk to Emmaus Weekend

If you are looking to grow in your faith, or if you are looking for answers, then this weekend is for you. The cost for the 3-day weekend is $175, including all meals and lodging. The Fourth Day Group has established a scholarship to help with the cost, if needed. If you have questions, just ask around. At least 18 people in our congregation have attended a Walk. If God has been nudging you to go to a Walk to Emmaus weekend, you will want to get your registration in soon as the walks are limited to 36. The men’s walk is April 14-17 and the women’s walk is April 21-24, 2016.

P.S.—The “Walk” to Emmaus is a spiritual walk, not a physical walk.

It’s time to start thinking

about SUMMER CAMP!!

We will be having CAMP SUNDAY on

February 21. Please join us in wor-

ship to hear all the exciting informa-

tion on our Wisconsin United Method-

ist camps.

After worship, join us for a PANCAKE

BREAKFAST from 10:00-11:00

a.m.in the Fellowship Hall to support

the camp scholarship program. The

scholarship program allows our church

to support members of our congrega-

tion financially who want to attend

camp.

If you are interested in camp and

would like a book, you can pick one up

in the Gathering Area or call Suzanne

715-896-0224 or Beth 715-284-

7494. Camps fill fast, so if there is

one you are interested in, we suggest

registering as soon as possible.

PRAYER FAMILIES

FOR FEBRUARY FEB 7 Dave & Gail Jelinek

Bob & Kathy Lind

Jeremy, Jana & Ryan Nandory

Jordan & Dylan Hill

John & Theresa Paul

FEB 14 Beulah Severson

Mary Van Gorden

Jim, Emma & Ethan Bible

Dave & Kae Dettinger

FEB 21 Megan & Mallory Finch

Dick & Vonnie Greene

Nancy Hindes

John & Sue Lindahl

FEB 28 Teddy Neilson

Larry, Karen, Leah, Joel & Jamie Pennekamp

Gary & Jackie Shankey, Kaylee Peterson

Jim, Deb, Emily & Josh Ward


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Van Etta Library

Book Review

If You Lived Here, I'd Know Your Name

by Heather Lende

Haines, Alaska, ninety miles north of Juneau, is accessible mainly by water or air—and only when the weather is good. There' s no traffic light, no mail delivery, people can vanish without a trace, and funerals are community affairs. Heather Lende, both obituary writer and social columnist for the local newspaper, knows better than anyone the goings-on in this breathtakingly beautiful place. Her offbeat chronicle brings us inside her busy life with her husband, Chip, who owns the local hardware store, their five children, and a colorful assortment of friends and neighbors, including aging hippies, salty fishermen and native Tlingit Indians, as well as the moose, eagles, sea lions, and bears with whom they share this wild and perilous land. The author offers touching stories about neighbors with whom she shares wedding celebrations, potluck dinners, tears for missing fishermen and all the joys and sorrows of family life in a remote town. This true story of life in Alaska was given to the UMC VanEtta Library in memory of Alice Homstad by her husband, Gil. Rhoda Gulso

Valentine’s Day Dinner

Sunday, February 14 - 5:00 p.m.- 6:30 p.m.

In the Fellowship Hall

Tickets: $10.00

Tickets can be purchased and reservations made after the worship service

on February 7, or by calling the Church Office at 715-284-4114.

Menu:

Beef Tips over Noodles or Baked Chicken Breasts

Vegetable Medley, Tossed Salad, Dinner Rolls, Beverages

Sweetheart Cupcakes for Dessert

Sponsored by the Scholarship Committee

Proceeds go to higher education scholarships for our members


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Our Seniors

When Joan Agnes Hill’s grandfather saw her for the first time after her birth he declared, “She looks like a

Sally!”… and that was what she was called from then on. We know her as SALLY BURGAU, one of our most faith-

ful senior members.

Sally was born on December 14, 1933, at her grandparents’ home in Wessington, South Dakota. Her parents,

Robert and Agnes Hill, farmed nearby.

As children, Sally and her two brothers and two sisters experienced both the joys and the hard work of farm

life. One of their joys was their pony, who would “go just so far and then head back to the barn!” “It was a real treat

when we could go into town to see a movie, especially Gene Autry or Roy Rogers, even though it got a bit expensive

with five kids.” (Each ticket cost 11 cents.) They also went into town to attend Sunday school at the Community

Church.

The Hill kids began their education in a country school that was a bit unusual. It was divided into two rooms,

one for the youngest children and the other for older students. Twin sisters served as teachers, one in each room. Re-

cess was a fun time, especially when they could play ball. Sally began enjoying athletics as a young child and remem-

bers, with pleasure, learning to swim in a creek near the farm.

Sally’s family lived in Huron, South Dakota, for a short time before moving to Wadena, Minnesota, in about

1949. This is where she was graduated from high school in 1952. Her extracurricular activities during those school

years had to be limited due to her employment after school at a dairy bar. Following graduation, Sally lived at home

while working for an accounting firm and then in a bank.

LeRoy Burgau, of Sebeka, Minnesota, and Sally were married at the Methodist Church in Wadena. LeRoy

had employment on the Iron Range so they settled in Chisholm and then Mountain Iron. In those days, iron ore min-

ing operations were booming in the open pit mines in northern Minnesota.

Sally and LeRoy’s first child, Michael, was born in Duluth, while the next three, Al, Greg, and Kathy were

born in Chisholm. Mike is now retired from the Navy and Coast Guard and lives in Black River Falls; Al is local

manager of CenturyLink; Greg is Manager of the Federation Cooperative in Hixton; and Kathy is a business woman

in Appleton but lives in Green Bay. These four children have given Sally 11 grandchildren and two great-

grandchildren. Through the years she has been a faithful presence at many of their sports events.

In 1969 the Burgau family moved to Black River Falls when Inland Steel began its mining operation east of

town, the site of the current Wazee Lake Recreation Area. LeRoy eventually became shop foreman. The mine closed

in 1986, and LeRoy retired the following year. He died in 1997.

For many years Sally worked for Falls Oil Company and then for Millis Transfer, retiring when she was 70.

But she never lost her love of athletics and continues to bowl and to swim at the Lunda Center. She is one of those

well-known “Mermaids” who meet for water aerobics at 5:45 A.M. three times a week.

The Burgaus became active in our church shortly after they came to BRF. In fact, Sally became treasurer of

the church after Gene Dana left that office. She continues to serve as an usher-greeter and rarely misses a worship

service or special event. She also has given community service as a “watering girl” for Riverside Cemetery and a

driver for the Meals-on-Wheels program.

When asked about the blessings in her life, Sally cites her family and her church, but she is quick to add “and

my loyal group of friends.” Those friends have been especially important during Sally’s several health challenges.

She has had two heart surgeries and now wears a pace maker. In 2012 she suffered a stroke, which limited her activi-

ties for a period of time. She has made a truly remarkable recovery, a significant blessing for her family and friends

and, yes, also for our church.

BRF UMC Calendar of Events—February 2016

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1 Pastor Kathy Day Off

CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED

1:30 p.m.—UMW General Meeting

6:30 p.m.—UMW General Meeting

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2 5:15 p.m.—Women’s Retreat Meeting

6:00 p.m.—Staff/Parish Relations Committee Mtg.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3 9:00 a.m.—Prayer Group

4:30-6:00 p.m.—Church Family Night Meal

5:00 p.m.—Confirmation

5:15 p.m.—Spirit! Practice

6:00 p.m.—Youth Group

6:00 p.m.—Bell Choir Practice

6:15 p.m.—Study/Discussion Group

7:00 p.m.—UMC Choir Practice

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4

5:30 p.m.—Women of the Bible Study

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6

8:30 a.m.—Men’s Group Meeting

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7 9:00 a.m.—Worship Service

9:20 a.m.—Sunday School

10:15 a.m.—Special Choir Rehearsal

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8

Pastor Kathy Day Off


TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9 5:30 p.m.—Board of Trustees Meeting

5:30 p.m.—Finance Committee Meeting

6:15 p.m.—Administrative Council Meeting

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10

9:00 a.m.—Prayer Group

10:10 a.m.—Book Club






6:15 p.m.—Ash Wednesday Worship Service


THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11 5:30 p.m.—Women of the Bible Study

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14 9:00 a.m..—Worship Service

9:20 a.m. —Sunday School

5:00-6:30 p.m.—Valentines Day Dinner

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15










6:15 p.m.—Lenten Worship Service




SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.—Women’s Retreat

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21

9:00 a.m.—Worship Service

Family Sunday—No Sunday School

10:00-11:30 a.m.—Pancake Breakfast

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22



TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23

10 a.m.-2:00 p.m.—Patricia Project Sewing Day








6:15 p.m.—Lenten Worship Service




SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28

9:00 a.m.—Worship Service

9:20 a.m.—Sunday School

1:00-4:00 p.m.—Visioning Meeting for

Church Leaders

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