From the Pastor's Desk

Transcription

1 Sherman Avenue United Methodist Church August 2018 From the Pastor's Desk We are all unique individuals. We are all distinct. We have different cultures, different traditions, even different histories. We see the world from different perspectives. Things that make me laugh, may not make others laugh. Things in this world that outrage me, may not outrage others. Yet, God desires for us to live in unity. But, that task is not easy. Today, there is incredible animosity in the world. One ethnic group despising another. One family member hating another. One neighbor feuding against another. While unity is God s plan for us, it does not come naturally. Just look at a toddler. Among the first words they learn are NO and MINE. Jesus says to His followers, to the Church, I want you to be different than the world. I want you to love one another, just as I have loved you. You are different. You are all unique in the body of Christ, but love one another. Then, when others look at you, they will see God. When the church is united amid it s diversity, it becomes a reflection of the One True God Father, Son, and Holy Spirit all in one. Take a look at your life. Are you reflecting the unity in diversity of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? In what areas are you lacking unity with other believers? Ask God for help overcoming any animosity toward others. Ask God to help you be a force for unity amidst the diversity of Christ s church Join us every Wednesday at 6:00 pm for Mid-Week Meditation. We offer prayer, scripture and short reflection via tele-conference. The call-in number is The access code is

2 SHERMAN FEST What do you get when you cross prose, poetry, storytelling, visual arts and fun? Maybe you get the world s most creative riddle. But, certainly, you get ShermanFest! On August 11, from 1-3pm, Sherman Church and the Lakeview Branch of the Madison Public Library will host ShermanFest. An event for all Northside kids and families, ShermanFest will blend education and the arts with fun, to help prepare youth for the upcoming school year. In an afternoon, young leaders will get an opportunity to create their own prose, learn the art of storytelling, and paint portraits...with some goodies to eat and books to take home. We are looking forward to partnering with Lakeview library for this wonderful event, says Rev. David Hart, the lead Pastor of Sherman Avenue Church. Giving the youth of our community an opportunity to learn and have fun is our goal here. Caitlin McGahan and Jolieth McIntosh, two of the event organizers, say they wanted a name that reflected its uniquely Northside Madison origins. The same way Sherman Avenue is the intersection for diverse cultures, families, businesses and events, we wanted ShermanFest to reflect those intersections they said. The event is free and open to the public. The event will be held at the Lakeview Library UPDATE FROM THE ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL At the Admin Council meeting on July it was suggested that we remove the carpeting from the parsonage. We would like to get a small group who would be interested in helping with this. Once that happens we can set a date to do the job. We were also wondering if anyone would like to make some curtains for the nursery to keep the sun off of the floor. Fall clean up day will be on October 13, 2018 from 8AM until Noon A new Job Board has been installed in Fellowship Hall near the door to help our congregation share knowledge of job openings. Please add any kind of work opportunities you would like, including openings at your workplace, a post you've heard about or casual jobs like mowing your lawn.

3 WHAT IS A STEPHEN MINISTER? By Cyndy Hoffman Bear one another s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2) Stephen Ministers are laypeople Christian men and women trained to provide one-to-one care to people experiencing a difficult time in life, such as grief, divorce, job loss, chronic or terminal illness, relocation, or separation due to military deployment. People often ask, What exactly is a Stephen Minister? One way to put it is that Stephen Ministers are the After People, as they are there: After the phone call you hoped you d never get. After the funeral, when everyone has left and the emotions you ve held at bay come crashing in on you. After a relationship falls apart and the bottom falls out of your life. After the doctor says, I m sorry, but there s nothing more we can do. After the nursing home director shakes your hand and says, Welcome to your new home. After your family and friends have heard your story one too many times, yet you still need to talk it out. This is a short list of many places that Stephen Ministers are ready to walk alongside you - friends, neighbors, co-workers, or relatives and provide comfort and support for as long as needed. Sherman Avenue United Methodist Church, recently commissioned five Stephen Ministers on Sunday, July 15, We opened our doors the same way Sun Prairie UMC opened theirs when Emily Acheson & Cyndy Hoffman trained with them. The following Stephen Ministers completed the mandatory 50 hours of training: Jan Gray member of Sherman Avenue UMC; Tammy Conrad member of Monona UMC; Velma Hockenberry member of Sun Prairie UMC; and Dottie Petersen & Cindi Ritter members of Stoughton UMC. Stephen Ministers come from all walks of life. Their unity is a passion for bringing Christ s love and care to people during a time of need. They are people with a compassionate heart who have been equipped with the skills to listen, encourage, and offer support when someone is in need. A Stephen Minister typically has one care receiver at a time and meets with that person once a week. Since 1975, more than 600,000 people from more than 13,000 congregations and other organizations have been trained as Stephen Ministers.

4 Enough by Veronica Berry Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. Proverbs 3:5 How many times a day do we contain ourselves by limiting our thinking? How many times do we allow outer concerns to restrict our capacity to grow? Most of us have some form of constrictive selfimages and attachments to our old perceptions of who we are and what we want. Familiar habits can make it easier to close our eyes to change and hold on to false perceptions. Fortunately, each new day gives us a chance to stop and look at the beliefs we have been holding on to. Each day gives us the opportunity to unlock the chains that have been limiting our destiny and blocking our perception of who we truly are. Sometimes it seems we have been programmed to think we are never enough. In order to get that job, we need more experience. In order to get a promotion, we need more education. In order to find the love of our lives we need to get in shape. In order to keep that love of our lives we need to lose the twenty pounds we gained from eating the wonderful food they cooked. It seems as if it s a never-ending circle that keeps coming back to the question, Will I ever be enough? Declare me innocent, O Lord, because I do what is right and trust you completely. Psalms 26:1 When our own insights are clouded, we can trust in God to give us clarity. Through prayers and positive affirmations, we can be guided to his truth and know we are always enough. We can release all thoughts of limitations and rest in the knowledge that he will give us the understanding and tools we need to do what is right and face each day with hope and a new-found energy. Trusting him gives us the strength to let go of old habits and shift our attention from outer concerns so we can focus on embracing our spiritual potential. When we allow our spiritual potential to manifest in the challenges and experiences in our lives we can dissolve negative energies, open our eyes to all the infinite possibilities, and be grateful to God for making us more than enough. We can reflect on our true nature as spiritual beings and come to a new understanding of who we are and what we want in life. No-one knows us better than God. He knows every cell in our bodies, inspires all our creative thoughts, and uses all our unique idiosyncrasies to accomplish his work. Each day offers endless opportunities to squash the power to ideas of limitation and become closer to God. He is the very breath of all life and the divine source of love in all things. Connecting with his insight of who we truly are will relieve the anxiety of wondering, will we ever be enough with a resounding answer that in God s eyes, we are divinely loved, we are blest with infinite possibilities, and we will always be more than enough The 3rd annual Mendota Community School Block Party is slated for Saturday, August 25 from 1-4. This will be a fun family event that will bring a variety of resources to not just Mendota families, but also the north-side. If you're interested in helping, please visit the "sign up genius" with specified stations and times.

5 5 August 2018 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT Dinner with Rev. David Bible Study will not meet until Wednesday, September 26th :30 Men's Group Presentation on Backyard Chickens 11 12:30 Hmong Men 6:30 SPEAK UP! 6:30 United Methodist Women 6:00 Hmong Ministry & Youth Bible Study 1:00 ShermanFest :30 Hmong Women 6:30 Trustees 6:45 Communications 6:00 Craft Night 8:30 Oscar Meyer 9:00 Oscar Meyer 9:00 Oscar Meyer Fellowship Breakfast 26 Homeless Shelter Meal 1:00 Hmong Council 27 5:00 Newsletter Deadline August Birthdays Ron H. 8/1 Caitlin M. 8/3 Jan K. 8/3 Jason.Van P 8/4 John Van P 8/4 Ralph S. 8/6 Cyndy H. 8/7 Margery S. 8/8 Brooks B. 8/13 Tracy A. 8/18 Ethan B. 8/24 Ronnie H. 8/27 Kimberley N. 8/31 Anniversaries Cindy & Curt Van P. 8/16 Craig & Debra M. 8/20 These are the dates that are in the database. If you find that your name is not included with the Birthdays or Anniversaries, please call Matt Treadaway. 6:30 Admin Council 28 6:30 Outreach & Missions Please take a moment to remember our homebound members Linda J. (B-day 7/11) c/o Avalon Assisted Living 2875 Fish Hatchery Rd, Rm 11 Fitchburg, WI Justin K. (B-day 12/13) 1601 Wheeler Rd #208 Madison, WI Carol R. (B-day 2/1) 1524 Wheeler Rd #B Madison, WI Ralph S. (B-day 8/6) 4218 Green Ave Madison, WI :00 Copy and Fold 6:00 Hmong Ministry & Youth Bible Study 31 Homeless Shelter Meal Christian Education Opportunities Anyone interested in learning about God s love is invited to join any of these classes at any time. Early Adult Sunday School meets on Sundays at 8:30 in the Youth Room. Sunday School for All at 10:45 The Adult Class meets in the Choir Room. The Children s Class meets in the Youth Room. Wednesday Bible Study begins at 4:30. This is an ongoing study of the Old and New Testament. The Youth Group meets Wednesday and Friday. Please check the Bellringer and Bulletin for activities, topics and times. Dinner with Rev. David will continue on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 6:30 in the Parsonage. Mid-Week Meditation The call in number is The access code is