the united methodist church newsletter · page 4 umc newsletter june—july 2015 _ _ join...

THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

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

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JUNE-JULY 2015

The Lesson of the Choir

Church choirs are such a blessing during worship; they add a spiritual dimension drawing the worshiper into God’s presence through the combination of melody and word. The variety of voices adds the ele-ment of harmony. The value of harmony is the lesson of the choir. God’s creation is at its most beauti-ful when it is in harmony, which is not to be confused with unity. BRF UMC has a beautiful choir, thanks to the dedication, commitment, and vocal gifts of those who participate and to the gifts and talents of our director, Jeff Woodward. Now imagine what the church choir would sound like if every voice had to sound the same note with the same pitch on the same octave. The choir might have volume but there would be no harmony.

When God created all the elements of the world, God intended all of creation to live not necessarily in unity, but definitely in harmony. This means that we, the people of God, do not have to agree on all things. We don’t have to agree on the best car, the most beautiful color, or even the most intelligent gender. And we don’t have to agree on those matters relating to what we believe and how the church is to be “in ministry.” This lesson is no more evident than at Annual Conference. Each year at Annual Conference petitions are presented for consideration. The petitions deal with polity (the way the church operates/does business) and doctrine (how we understand God’s teachings through the Bible). Before a vote is taken people are allowed to speak for or against each petition. Some petitions bring out lively, oftentimes passionate debate. (We humans can be very passionate about what we believe God to be saying to us through the Scriptures.) And, although some people argue passionately against those who do not agree with their position on any one petition, I am amazed by the “lesson of the choir”, as I witness those same people who were so opposed to each other’s position talking and laughing during the breaks.

It amazes me how the element of harmony can bring about beautiful sounds from a group of diverse voices. God intends all of creation to live together not necessarily in unity, but definitely in harmony. But how do we learn to live in harmony when we can’t agree on matters of politics, theology (what we interpret God to be saying through the Scriptures), religion, when life begins and when to allow it to end, or even the meaning of freedom. We are lucky if we can agree on what to eat for dinner! But if we are sincere in our desire to live in harmony there are some things we can learn from the choir and practice to help bring about harmony ~ to our marriage, our family, our work or school, our church ~ in all the places we live. Here is what the choir teaches us:

A choir consists of many voices singing in various ranges (soprano, alto, bass, etc.) These are the sections of the choir. In order for the music the choir sings to come out in harmony each section must allow all the other sections to sing in their respective ranges. If the sopranos were to insist the everyone in the choir sing soprano, the music would be monotonous (and boring!). Because each section respects and values the abilities of all the other sections, the choir is able to sing in harmony and the resulting music is . . . harmonious! When we apply that lesson to our lives we realize that we, too can live in harmony with each other if we respect and recognize the value in other’s opinions, understandings, interpretations. But when we insist that everyone else must think and believe as we do, then there can be no harmony.

The choir must also agree on the basics of “choir etiquette.” Here is a primer on choir etiquette.

A choir needs a director, someone who is able to read music and teach the choir how to follow the director’s lead. In life we need a director as well, someone who is able to read, understand and teach us, in word and in action, God’s Word. Our choir director is Jesus and, when we follow his lead, we will find harmony.

The choir must sing from the same music, the same version of the song, if it going to find harmony. In life we need to live by the same standards and values. Those standards and values are found in God’s Word, the Bible.

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UMC NEWSLETTER JUNE-JULY 2015

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JUNE 1 Jean Anderson

JUNE 2 Tifanie Weldon

JUNE 6 Barb Hagenbrock

JUNE 7 Janet Krohn

JUNE 9 Libby Secard

Deb Ward

JUNE 10 Sharon Melichar

JUNE 11 Joel Gartner

Abbi Goldsmith

JUNE 13 Arnold Doud

Nancy Hindes

JUNE 15 Vangie Stender

JUNE 16 Vivian Simons

JUNE 17 Duane Weldon

JUNE 18 David McCullough

JUNE 19 Mike Gaede

Sherry Olson

JUNE 22 Jim Holt

Pat Moe

Duane Moldenhauer

JUNE 23 Wayne Bue

JUNE 25 Randy Bjerke

Marsha Harmer

A. Jay Holder

JUNE 26 Josh Farnsworth

Marlene Taylor

JUNE 27 Jackie Hagen

JUNE 28 Larry Anderson

Linda Atkinson

Justin Dougherty

Lyle Hart

Peter Hoffman

Irma McNeely

JUNE 29 Jack Bailey

JUNE 30 Rich Goldsmith

JULY 2 Michael Dobson

Mark Jarrett

Andy Secard

JULY 3 Gil Homstad

LuAnne Schoolcraft

JULY 4 Beverly Doud

Helen Radcliffe

JULY 6 Leroy Wiersma

JULY 7 Trevor Quinn

JULY 9 Kristie Gomer

Lance Wiersma

JULY 10 Marly Divver

JULY 12 Donna Overlien

JULY 13 Carol Jarrett

Mike Kappen

JULY 15 Julie Talley

JULY 16 Joe Collins

Gary Dolsey

JULY 19 Luane Meyer

JULY 21 David Dettinger

Chris Odeen

John Piotrowski

JULY 22 Contessa Calhoun

Rose Moldenhauer

JULY 23 Gene Atkinson

Jeannine Uhrig

JULY 24 Rita Casper

Aaron Epps

JULY 25 Beth Bue

JULY 26 Patty Iverson

JULY 27 David Casper

JULY 28 Kim Amborn

Sue Gaede

Sonny Hagen

JULY 29 Zach Hoffman

Diane Moe

JULY 30 Pastor Kathy Jury

Andy Whaley

JULY 31 Barry Goldsmith

Emily Stewart

YOUR UMC NEWSLETTER IS AVAILABLE ONLINE

OR BY EMAIL

You can view your newsletter on our website at brfumc.org, or we can email it to you each month if you give us your current email address. Please let us know if you would like to be taken off the mailing list. (715-284-4114)


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Faith * Hope * Love in Action

United Methodist Women LOOKING AHEAD: June 1st—Circle Meetings UMW does not have any regularly scheduled meetings in July and August. If your circle members would like to do something together, please feel free to do so. June 13th—UMW Brat Barn Sale at Gordy’s. Workers will be needed to help with the set-up, selling, and clean-up. Please let Lois Epps know when you would be able to help with this sale. Thanks!! 9-11: set-up and grilling 11-1: selling, grilling, cash box 1-3: finish up sale at 2 and then clean-up July 20th-23rd—Mission u at the Westwood Center in Wausau. If you are interested in attending, please contact Carol Anderson. Registration forms are available on the kiosk in the Gathering Area. This 4 day experience is one that you will never forget. The spiritual growth study is Created for Happiness: Understanding Your Life in God; the geographic study is Latin America: People and Faith; and the issue study is The Church and People with Disabilities. The cost of the 4 day session, which in cludes all meals, motel, and materials is $330 (double room with 2 queen-size beds). Registration is due by June 29th. The Overview Day is Friday, July 24th from 9-3:30. This session cost $46. The Overview Day includes an overview of all 3 mission studies and the noon meal. If you would like to attend either session of Mission u, the local unit will try to assist with the cost. September 19th—Heartland District Annual Gathering in Wisconsin Rapids October 23rd—Wisconsin Conference Annual Gathering at Lake Street UMC in Eau Claire. (With this conference being so close, let’s get many in our membership to attend).

What are you thankful for each day? Remember your Thank Offering boxes. The May issue of Response has an interesting article about Latin America, which lays some groundwork for the Mission u study on Latin America. Perhaps this will pique your interest in attending Mission u. There are also several selections that highlight the spiritual growth study, as well. Please check out the article on “Mass Incarceration in the United States.” The information presented is troubling to say the least. “Joining United Methodist Women gives us the chance to be actively involved in something larger than ourselves. From the very beginning, founder and leaders of the foreign and home missionary associations that laid the groundwork for our organization yearned to be involved in something ‘useful.’ They did not neglect faith development, family responsi-bilities or their involvement in their local congregations; however, they found in the women’s mission work a chance to learn about the situations of women in their own cities and towns and around the world and then to be open to God’s leading to live out their discipleship in witness, service and advocacy…..because we see the needs of the world and the abundance of God and we feel the call to get involved and to make a difference. Happy indeed are we, who can re-spond to God’s call, engage in our own process of transformation, connect with our sisters and make a difference in the world. Thanks be to God.” Harriet Jane Olson Response May 2015 If you would like to join United Methodist Women, contact Lois Epps, UMW president at 715-284-4648 or talk to her at church. Have a great summer! Remember greeting cards for all occasions and fair trade products are for sale in the Gathering Area!

UMC NEWSLETTER JUNE—JULY 2015

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Join us for

Worship at Lunda Park

Sunday, July 26 - 9:00 a.m.

In the upper shelter

followed by a Potluck Brunch!!

There will be picnic tables to sit on,

or bring a lawn chair for more comfortable

seating.

Bring a dish to pass.

Tableware and beverages will be provided.

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Each choir member must recognize and respect the elements necessary for the choir to be effective, elements such as; the choir has only one director and each must allow the director to direct, every choir member will sing from the same musical selection, no one in the choir will willingly cause another choir member to sing in a range that may hurt that person’s vocal chords. Similar elements are necessary in our everyday encounters. If we are to live in harmony we must recognize only one director, God. We cannot agree on everything but we must agree on the basics ~ that there is one God, that God loves everyone (even those who don’t agree with us) equally, that God’s grace is offered freely to anyone who asks, that God is present in all of life and in all of creation. This means that even when we disagree on matters of doctrine, Biblical interpretation, time of worship or how we take communion, we can still live in and celebrate harmony by recognizing and respecting the basics. Basically, this means that even when we disagree on matters of faith, we can seek and find those places where we can agree (the basics). It’s all a matter of what is most important and, for we who call ourselves the people of God, what is most important is to live In harmony.

I sincerely believe that if we make harmony a priority in our life we will find unity within our reach. May God’s Shalom be Yours, Today and Every Day,

Pastor Kathy

Please let the Church Office

know if you change your address,

telephone number (cell phone),

email address, etc., so that we

can keep in contact with you!


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RADIO BROADCASTS

MAY 17 In memory of Dennis Johnson from

his wife Norma and family.

MAY 24 Sponsored by the United Methodist

Women.

BULLETINS

MAY 10 In memory of Doris Hermanson

sponsored by her family.

UNDESIGNATED FUND

In Memory Of:

Simone Swanson from Paul & Vikki Buckley.

May 23, 2015

Kimberly Lang and Charles Hutchens

Pastor Kathy Jury will be taking a Sabbatical from July 1 through September 30, 2015. We are work-ing on filling the pulpit and have received a grant for the funds to pay the interim pastor(s). United Methodist Church Pastors are eligible to take a Sabbatical every 7 years. This will be the first Sabbatical that Pastor Kathy has taken in 29 years of ministry. Pastor Kathy plans on attending continuing educa-tion seminars and also spending time to refresh and renew her spirit through retreat. She would like to attend “Meditation Skills Training for Church Lead-ers” and the “Academy for Spiritual Formation/Sacred Stories” seminars. In order to allow her to attend both seminars, we will be raising funds to help cover the cost ($2,800). In the near future, you may be asked to contribute to a special offering to assist with the expense of the seminars. Please keep in mind that it is a rec-ommendation that the Pastors take Sabbaticals to continue their education and spiritual growth. If you are interested in contributing to Pastor Kathy’s Sabbatical expenses, you may also deliver your funds to the Church Office by June 30. Please desig-nate the funds for Sabbatical expenses. As always, we are grateful for the generosity of our church. God’s Blessings, Carrie Farnsworth Staff-Parish Relations Committee Chair


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The year end program, “Our Favorite Bible Stories” went

very well. The classes sang, read poems, and performed

skits about their favorite Bible story they had learned in

Sunday School. Thank you to everyone who attended,

teachers and helpers, Tech, Rolo for grilling brats and hot

dogs, and the Education Committee who organized the

potluck lunch.

BRFUMC Vacation Bible School, CAMP FRIENDSHIP,

will be held August 10-13, 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. There

will be a meal offered from 5:00 p.m., to 5:45 p.m. VBS

will begin at 6:00 p.m. in the sanctuary every evening.

REGISTRATION FORMS are available online at

www.brfumc.org or in the Gathering Area at the church.

Please note registration deadline.

Many fun crafts are planned for the week, we are asking

for donations of toilet paper tubes and large craft sticks,

the items can be placed in the tent located in the Gather-

ing Area. Monetary donations will also be accepted to

purchase other needed VBS supplies. We are in need of

substitutes, teachers, and helpers for VBS, contact Beth

Bue 715-284-7494 or 715-896-0823 if you are able to

help us out that week.

Please continue 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 car-

tridges and cell phones.

JUNE & JULY

YOUTH BIRTHDAYS

JUNE 2 Chloe Baker

JUNE 5 Lauren Perry

JUNE 6 Abigayle Rave

JUNE 9 Jacob Ross

Peyton Taylor

JUNE 14 Mallory Finch

JUNE 19 Aaron Dawley

Ally Odeen

JUNE 28 Adaline Goldsmith

JULY 1 Jaelyn Stowe

JULY 2 Faith Leisgant

JULY 14 Brian Andersen

JULY 15 Ryan Casper

JULY 29 Jamie Pennekamp

JULY 30 Mya Long

We are looking for someone who likes to cook and would be willing to prepare two meals per month for Church Family Night on Wednesday evenings this fall. Menus have been planned and groceries will already be purchased and available in the church kitchen The person would need to pre-pare the meal and have it ready for the youth to eat at about 4:30 p.m. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Theresa Paul at 715-284-4114.

PLEASE NOTE . . .

This newsletter is for the months of June and July. Your next newsletter will come to you in August. See you in church!!

http://www.brfumc.org

UMC NEWSLETTER UNE-JULY 2015

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Jeremiah 29:11-13 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to

harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will

listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

This Bible scripture is important for everyone, but especially for the 2015 graduating class. First of all CONGRATS!

God has guided you on several journeys within this church, baptism, Sunday School, Pre-Con, Confirmation, Youth

Group, and now He will continue guiding you on your next journey. You will be in our daily prayers. God Bless all of

you!!!!!

Congratulations to the 2015 Confirmation Class, Sam Rogstad, Jacob Woods, Alex Hoffman, Lauren Perry, and Stepha-

nie Brauner! Your journey with God continues as well!

Just a reminder that the Youth Group has a Facebook page. If you have a Facebook account, search for Black River

Falls United Methodist Youth Group and “Like” our page. We post photos and upcoming events and news.

Youth Group WILL NOT be held regularly this summer, but we do have monthly events planned.

June 20: Mount Olympus (We will be using free tickets, so no cost to you.) Signup deadline will be Friday, June

12 so we can arrange transportation. Contact Beth Bue, 715-284-7494 or 715-896-0823 if you would like to go.

July : Date to be announced, but we will be having a Hatfield Fun Day. More info at a later date.

August 15-16: Overnighter at the church. More info at a later date.

RECYCLING: The youth groups will continue collecting aluminum cans to recycle, however the ink cartridge and

cell phone recycling program will now be done by Vacation Bible School. Please continue bringing in all 3 items, the

proceeds help out our programs. Aluminum cans may be placed in the fenced-in area by the shed in the parking lot.

Our contact information:

Beth Bue, Sr. High Youth Director: 715-284-7494, 715-896-0823, [email protected]

Suzanne Goldsmith, Jr. High Youth Director: 715-896-0224, [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


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PRAYER FAMILIES FOR JUNE & JULY

June 7 Don & Charlene Galston

Jeff, Barb, Nicholas & Nathan Hagenbrock

Peter & Jone Hoffman

Jeanie Johnston

June 14 Mark, Valerie & Jillian Maurer

John, Shirlie, Keisha & Hunter Nimmo

John Piotrowski

Tim Shaw

June 21 Dean & Diann Will

Orville & Beth Amborn, Aaron Dawley

Roger & April Bue

Betty Dobson

June 28 Joel, Heather, Brady, Collin & Megan Gartner

David Hammond

Don & Lori Holcomb

Pastor Kathy & Pastor Lon Jury

July 5 Tim & Mary McCann

Duane & Connie Nosbisch

Gary Potter

Rus & Judy Sheppard

July 12 Joan Zenz

Gary, Rhonda, Mitchell & Jessa Ammann

Wayne, Beth & Tyler Bue

Tammie, Steven, Michael & Ryan Dobson

July 19 Todd & Lyn Gates

Steve, Dina, Samantha & Kyle Hansen, Boston Gilberg

A.J. Holder

Jim & Jill Kaphengst

July 26 Dave & Linda McCullough

Kyle & Renee Nosbisch

Rich & Jill Prochaska

Jon, Markus & Benjamin Sherman

Good Samaritan Fund

The Good Samaritan Fund is in place to help members of our church family who are experiencing unex-pected financial need. The fund may be used to help pay for needed medications, utilities, or to help with Christmas expenses for children. The fund has also helped travelers in need of fuel or a meal. The Good Samaritan Fund is funded by the generous donations of the church family. If you would like to help financially support the GSF, your donation can be dropped off at the church office and Jill will see that it is deposited to the right account.


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Dear Church Family: For the past two years I have had the privilege to serve as a vol-unteer on a medical mission trip to Belize. I asked for your prayer support and, if possible, your financial support. I was truly blessed by your response. Our 2014 trip was a resounding success and the Belizian Government has approved a trip for 2015. I am honored to have been chosen to be part of that team. We will leave Atlanta on October 11, 2015, and return on October 18, 2015. In 2013 and 2014, we headquartered in Belmopan City and we traveled to a different village each day to provide medical care to the Belizian people. This year we are planning to go south to the town of Punta Gorda, where we will treat people of Creole, Mayan and Hispanic descent. Our mis-sion, and that of VIMM, is to touch these people with the love of Christ and demonstrate that he indeed cares about and loves them. In VIMM’s 29-year history, over $47 million of medical care has been provided and thousands have heard the good news of Jesus Christ. These teams have cared for and taught in the Caribbean, Central and South America, Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa. I am asking for your prayer support and, if you can, to help me with the financing of this mission trip. The cost of the trip is estimated at $1,850. Anything you can contribute will be greatly appreciated. You will make a huge difference in the lives of needy people. Donations need to be received by August 12, 2015. PAYMENT AND DONATION OPTIONS (Your donation is tax de-ductible and VIMM will mail a receipt to you.) By check - Mail to: Volunteers in Medical Missions, 265 Cove Road, Seneca, SC 29672-6712. In the memo line on the check, put my name and Belize. By credit or debit card - Go to the Trip Payments link on the home page http://www.vimm.org/. In the middle of the page you will see an option “Click here to make payments for upcoming mission trips.” Click on it and follow the instructions. If you opt to use PayPal, there is a 3% user’s fee, paid by the donor. Thank you so much for your support (prayer and/or financial). Gratefully, Marly Divver

SPONSORSHIP

OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE:

Did you know that you can sponsor the Bulletins

or the Radio Broadcast on a Sunday in memory

or in honor of loved ones? The cost is:

Bulletins — $20.00 per Sunday

Radio Broadcast — $100.00 per Sunday

You can also provide Altar Flowers for a special

Sunday. Please call Jill in the Church Office (715

-284-4114) to schedule the Sunday of your

choice.

Sign Up for E-Giving!!

Electronic Giving (E-Giving) is a way for

you to give contributions to the church without

having to write a check. In E-Giving, you specify

a set amount that you wish to give to the church

monthly. This amount will automatically transfer

from your checking or savings account to the

church’s bank account on a specified date each

month. If you would like to sign up for this

method of giving to the church, please contact

Jill in the Church Office to fill out an authoriza-

tion form. It’s that easy!!

Other methods of automatically giving

contributions to the church may be available at

your bank though programs such as “Bill Pay”.

Please contact your bank for more information

on these other methods of online contributions.

UMC NEWSLETTER JUNE - JULY 2015

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Many thanks to Mary Loveland, Judy Sheppard and

Judy Goldsmith for preparing our Church Family Night

meals each Wednesday this last year. They did a terri-

fic job of keeping us all well fed! Also, a big thank you

to everyone who helped with the clean-up following all

of our meals on Wednesday nights. Without everyone

working together, our Church Family Night meals

would not have been possible. A HUGE THANK

YOU to you all!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The United Methodist Women would like to thank eve-

ryone who bought desserts or donated to our Mother’s

Day sale. We made over $150 toward our 2015 mis-

sion pledge. Thanks for helping us work toward our

goal of $3,000. We appreciate your support

JUNE & JULY ANNIVERSARIES

JUNE 1 Ed & Vione Brauner

JUNE 2 Steve & Jeanne Calhoun

JUNE 4 Dan & Mary Jelinek

JUNE 5 Dave & Marilyn Hoffman

JUNE 8 John & Theresa Paul

JUNE 11 Steve & Patty Harelson

JUNE 13 Larry & Karen Pennekamp

JUNE 14 Todd & Lyn Gates

JUNE 17 Gene & Janet Krohn

David & Linda McCullough

JUNE 18 Dave & Sherry Olson

JUNE 19 Peter & Jone Hoffman

JUNE 20 Bob & Phyllis Nesbitt

JUNE 21 Tim & Mary McCann

JUNE 22 Mike & Dana Rave

JUNE 23 Jeremy & Jana Nandory

JUNE 24 Bob & Clarice Rush

JUNE 25 Lyle & Ruth Hart

JUNE 29 Basil & Iris Holder

Gene & Mary Maurer

JULY 9 Dick & Vonnie Greene

JULY 11 Rich & Jill Prochaska

JULY 13 Tom & Lois Epps

JULY 20 Andy & Libby Secard

JULY 22 Jim & Carol Hornby

JULY 25 Vernon & Mary Gjerseth

JULY 27 Pat & Judy Brauner

JULY 28 Dave & Gail Jelinek

JULY 30 Francis & Linda Heller

If you know of someone who is in the hospital or who is working through medical issues at home, please call the church office so that the Pastor is aware of the need and can respond accordingly.

If you know of an individual or fam-ily that is working through health is-sues, hospitalization, or some other crisis and could benefit from the gift of a meal, please call the church of-fice and Jill will pass the information to the Casserole Crew.


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Our Seniors

BOB NESBITT, a mining engineer, worked for Inland Steel in Black River Falls for 13 years, but he and PHYLLIS

returned to Minnesota’s Iron Range in 1984 following the closure of our mine in 1982. Bob continued to work for

Inland Steel until retiring in 1992.

Bob stated (with a smile) that he then wanted to move south since he doesn’t like cold weather. Phyllis agreed

to go south, but only as far as BRF, which they did in 1992, settling at 1005 Golf Road (a perfect example of successful

marital compromise!).

The Nesbitts’ return to Black River was fortunate for our community and for our church. They had been faithful

UMC members in prior years and rejoined in 1992. Having grown up in small towns, they fit well into this community.

Bob was born in Virginia, MN, on January 16, 1937. His father worked on the railroad, and his mother was em-

ployed as an office manager. His mom was Norwegian, so lefsa and krumkake were not unknown to Bob when he

moved to Jackson County. (He says he enjoys lutefisk once a year.)

The Nesbitts, including Bob’s sister and two brothers, attended Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Virginia.

“Going to church every Sunday was a ‘given’ in our family. You had a bath Saturday night and then got dressed up for

Sunday school and church the next morning.”

Bob was a high school athlete, active in football, baseball, and track. “And, of course, all boys played hockey

up there in the winter, always outside.” In September of this year the Nesbitts will drive to Virginia to attend Bob’s 60th

high school graduation reunion.

Following high school Bob attended Michigan Technological University in Houghton, MI, where he studied

mining engineering, graduating in 1959. In June of that year he married Phyllis Erickson in Biwabik, MN, with a hon-

eymoon in the Black Hills. He then began a 33-year career with Inland Steel, working in Iron River, MI; Crosby, MN;

Ishpeming, MI; Black River Falls; and Virginia, MN.

Here in Black River Bob served notably on the City Council for 20 years. In the summer he keeps busy caring

for his lawn and gardens, which, he admits, grow smaller each year. Most weekday mornings he can be found at 9:00

A.M. having coffee with friends at MacDonalds.

Phyllis grew up in Biwabik, where she was born on September 28, 1936, and where her father was a miner.

One sister and a brother completed the family. Her mother was Finnish, a member of the Ojakangas family, a name well

known in Minnesota. (Phyllis has a cousin married to Bea Ojakangas, the famous Duluth chef and cookbook writer

known as “The Julia Child of Finnish Cuisine.”)

Phyllis, also, was active in athletics during her school days. She played softball (2nd base) in the summer and

skated in the winter. She was a cheerleader in high school and again in junior college in Virginia. At one time she

played the xylophone in the high school band.

The Erickson family was active in a community church in Biwabik. Phyllis taught Sunday school while in high

school and junior college. She has special memories of Sunday night youth group meetings at the church, times of fun

and fellowship.

Following junior college Phyllis attended the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis majoring in home eco-

nomics. She was graduated in 1958 and then taught in Virginia before being married in 1959. Ten years later the family

moved to Black River Falls, where their three boys grew up and were graduated from high school.

The Nesbitt sons are Jim and Mike, who live in Seattle, and John, who lives in Waukesha. All three are engi-

neer graduates of the University of Wisconsin, Madison. They have provided Bob and Phyllis with five grandchildren,

as well as opportunities for many happy family reunion trips.

During her years here in BRF Phyllis has been active in bowling, golfing, and playing bridge. She has also en-

joyed her duty in the City Hall as a poll worker.

Yes. We’re grateful that the Nesbitts returned to our community and church. You did well, Phyllis, when you

convinced Bob that Black River Falls, Wisconsin, was far enough south.

Mark your calendars and plan to join us for

Dinner and a Movie in the Fellowship Hall this summer.

Come and join us for food, fellowship,

and to watch three awesome movies!!

A free-will offering will be taken.

The meal will be served as soon as people arrive. Movies will start promptly at 6:15 p.m.

Thursday, June 25, 5:30 p.m.

Movie: “Welcome to Inspiration” Set in a small fictional American southern town of Mountain Brook,

this movie follows a diverse cast of characters as they struggle in their lives. The main theme explored

in the movie is that you, too, can live a life of irrefutable success if you learn and act upon the things

that God has revealed to you!

Dinner: Macaroni and Cheese, Lettuce Salad, Garlic Toast, and Ice Cream with Toppings for Sundaes

and Root Beer for Floats.

Thursday, July 23, 5:30 p.m.

Movie: “Unbroken” The true story of Louis “Louie” Zamperini, an Olympian and war hero. He and two

other crewmen survive 47 days in a raft to be captured by Japanese Navy and sent to a prisoner-of-

war camp.

Dinner: Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Baked Beans, Chips, and Ice Cream with Toppings for Sundaes and

Root Beer for Floats.

Thursday, August 27, 5:30 p.m.

Movie: “The Song” The story of an aspiring songwriter who falls in love with the local vineyard daugh-

ter. After they get married, he writes her an award-winning song which thrusts him into a life of star-

dom and a world of temptation, causing his life and marriage to begin to fall apart.

Dinner: Spaghetti and Meat Sauce, Lettuce Salad, Garlic Toast, and Ice Cream with Toppings for Sun-

daes and Root Beer for Floats.

Mark your calendars and plant to attend!!

PAGE 12 UMC NEWSLETTER JUNE—JULY 2015

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BRF UMC Calendar of Events—June and July 2015

MONDAY, JUNE 1

CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED

Pastor Kathy Day Off

TUESDAY, JUNE 2

2:00 p.m.—Essential Needs Meeting

4:00 p.m.—Backpack Project Meeting

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3

9:00 a.m.—Prayer Group

6:00 p.m.—Youth Group

SUNDAY, JUNE 7

9:00 a.m.—Summer Worship Service

COMMUNION SUNDAY

MONDAY, JUNE 8



1:30 p.m.—Circle of Hope Meeting at church

TUESDAY, JUNE 9

5:30 p.m.—Board of Trustees Meeting

5:30 p.m.—Finance Committee Meeting

6:15 p.m.—Administrative Council Meeting

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10


6:00 p.m.—Spirit! Practice

7:00 p.m.—UMC Choir Practice

SUNDAY, JUNE 14


MONDAY, JUNE 15



TUESDAY, JUNE 16

5:30 p.m.—Church Family Fellowship Meeting

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17


THURSDAY, JUNE 18


SATURDAY, JUNE 20

Youth Group Trip to Mount Olympus

SUNDAY, JUNE 21


MONDAY, JUNE 22



WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24


THURSDAY, JUNE 25

5:30 p.m.—Dinner & a Movie

SUNDAY, JUNE 28


MONDAY, JUNE 29



WEDNESDAY, JULY 1


THURSDAY, JULY 2


FRIDAY, JULY 3


NO CHURCH ACTIVITIES

SUNDAY, JULY 5


COMMUNION SUNDAY

MONDAY, JULY 6


WEDNESDAY, JULY 8


SUNDAY, JULY 12


10:15 a.m.—Worship Committee Meeting

MONDAY, JULY 13


WEDNESDAY, JULY 15


THURSDAY, JULY 16


SUNDAY, JULY 19


MONDAY, JULY 20


WEDNESDAY, JULY 22


THURSDAY, JULY 23

5:30 p.m.—Dinner & a Movie

SUNDAY, JULY 26

9:00 a.m.—Worship Service and Brunch at Lunda Park

MONDAY, JULY 27


WEDNESDAY, JULY 29


THURSDAY, JULY 30


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