CABLE UCC NEWS SEPTEMBER 2018

Transcription

1 CABLE UCC NEWS SEPTEMBER 2018 No matter who you are or where you are on life s journey, you re welcome here. Cable United Church of Christ is located at County Hwy M, Cable Wisconsin MAILING ADDRESS PO Box 279 Rev. Phil Milam, Pastor pastorphil15@outlook.com Cable, WI UCC Website cableucc.org Kay Lewis, Administrative Assistant cablechurch@gmail.com Like us on Facebook Pastor s Blog birchwoodhomeblog.com A Beloved Consistency & A Colorful Diversity Imagine if you were to go into a supermarket and every package were the same brown cardboard color, and the words describing the contents were all in the same plain font. You would look down aisle after aisle and see nothing, but walls of the same dull cardboard and it would take you a long time to find precisely want you wanted. Now, switch from that imagined scene to what you actually find when you step into a supermarket: aisle after aisle of brilliantly colored packages, their brand names inseparable from the script in which they are written. If the product is a staple in your home, you don t even have to stop to read the packaging. Take cornflakes for example, you know what the box looks like and you can find it amidst all the competing brands simply by the way it appears on the shelf. i In the same way that a supermarket features a colorful diversity of packaging, churches themselves are very diverse as well. Within the United Church of Christ, we accept and affirm a variety of worship and musical styles; we have a progressive theological underpinning that allows us to explore a variety of perspectives and understandings about the nature of God; and finally, we offer an extravagant welcome to all people. And it s within this diversity that we find our greatest strength. And this colorful diversity is also reflected in grassroots type of polity. In other words, each congregation chooses her own leadership, has her own constitution and by-laws, and decides for herself what the worship experience will be like. And this is important. It s important because, like that box of Cornflakes, you know what you re getting on Sunday morning without having to read every package. In a very real way, the United Church of Christ has best of both worlds; we have a comfortable worship style in our local church, and yet, across the denomination churches are free to choose their own worship style depending upon the ethos of the individual congregation. We have both consistency and diversity. So, bearing this in mind and as we continue on this journey we call faith, may this balance of consistency and diversity serve us well, may we continually seek to move ourselves just a little bit closer to God, and may we, each of us, be moved to invite others to travel along with us. Peace and Blessings Pastor Phil i Thomas H. Troeger. Sermon Sparks (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2011) pg. 72

2 2018 USHERING SCHEDULE SEPTEMBER Communion/ Please check sign up sheet Jim & Joanne Collins Earl & Sharon Manthey Lisa & Andy Arthur Open OCTOBER Communion/ Please check sign up sheet Phil & Kathi Jensen Reg & Mary Behrends Ron & Shari Bieber Please check your name on the ushering schedule and log your date on your personal calendar. Hope these dates work for you. If not please schedule your replacements or let Kay know. SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS Kris Cooper Shari Bieber Jim Crandall Warren Parsons Kelly Randolph Jessica Rogers SEPTEMBER ANNIVERSARIES Stacey & Scott McKinney Glenda & Bob Jalowitz Karen & Ron Gran 16th Annual Cable Area Fall Fest Friday, September 28 & 29 the Cable Area Fall Fest begins! Kick off with local stores offering sidewalk specials and a Fall Harvest Dessert Contest! The evening concludes with a Corn & Pig Roast, beer & wine garden, and live music! Bring your dancing shoes, for a great time! Thank You! Thank you Bob and Corrine Rasmussem for hosting the Men s Fellowship Pontoon Picnic on August 15. Thank you Jodi Kingdon for leading the Bible Study this summer on the Old Testament. Thank you to choir director Sylvia Gillberg and the choir for the exceptional music for the summer. Sunday School Begins September 9, 2018! A prayer for our community and beyond Loving Creator, we are thankful today that your Spirit moves among us and dwells within us. Help us to remember today those who are suffering or struggling; those names and situations we ve mentioned in worship as well as those we hold within ourselves. And give us the wisdom, we pray, to reach out to those on the fringes of society; the lonely, the forgotten, the mentally ill, those who are abused, those whose lives have been torn apart by war or violence of any kind. May they be filled with your presence and know that they are not alone and may each of us also know the abundance and the fullness of your love and grace and compassion. In the name of the One who calls, challenges, and sends us out, Jesus Christ. Amen.

3 Announcements UCC Board Update The regular Board meeting was held August 20, Kathi opened the meeting at 1:00pm. Pastor opened the meeting with a meditation and prayer on No worries. John presented his detailed report; total balance is $61, Checking is $16, Investments (UCC) are $16,273.79, Savings is $10,237.79, Investments (Ashland) $19, Our total budgeted expenses exceeded our total budgeted income by $2, Through July our collections are $4,575 behind our giving goal. Endowment year to date is down $2,202; it s at $187,252. Our Mission report collection to date includes: OCWM, OGHS, STC, the BRICK and Heifer International for a total of $4, Pastor Phil continues with counseling, home and hospital visits. Baptisms for Penelope Row on July 29 th and Noah L eceivain on August 5 th. One wedding- Kathleen & Brian Pemberton at Lakewoods on July 14 th, A Celebration of Life for Susan Reynolds on July 28 th. He continues with all meeting, Adult Bible Study, Youth Group and Confirmation planning for fall. He has inquired about the Community of Practice group. He is working with a committee on changing the church sign as it needs updating. John will be checking on Memorial Funds to help with this project. Pastor Phil will be on vacation September 3 rd -9 th. Open and Affirming Statement Cable United Church of Christ Cable, WI We affirm that all people are children of God. We honor and warmly welcome everyone, and we are committed to being a uniting church that embraces the rich diversity of God s creation. We recognize, celebrate, and give thanks for the many gifts of all of God s children. We encourage those of every race, gender, age, nationality, ethnicity, faith background, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, economic, circumstance, marital status and physical or developmental ability to join in full participation and leadership of Cable United Church of Christ. You are welcome here! Continued Sue Rosa and Pastor Phil with the help of Stacy McKinney will be checking into the RANWW and ADRC for assistance with new roofing and furnaces for people in need. Phil J. reports the lawn care season for 2018 with the Arthur boys has gone well. He continues with the monthly check list and updated Maintenance Ministry Schedule. He has secured bids for a new vacuum cleaner will purchase one with the board approval. The construction of the fence extension near the church playground is completed. The furnace cleaning and maintenance is done and ready for the heating season. The propane contract with Midland Coop for the Rasmussen Group has been secured for the 2018/2019 season at a cost of $1.39/gal with a verified rebate of.04 cents per gallon contract usage of 2540 gallons which will be sent to Women s Fellowship. Yearly fire inspection by Northland Fire and Safety is completed. The board approved the purchase of two more fire extinguishers to comply with safety standards. The board continues with visioning/strategic planning for church ministries. Men s and Women s Fellowships will work together on lead people for the church dinners. Nominating committee announced that Lili Herbert has agreed to be Moderator and Jim Jenkins and Cheri Olson have agreed to serve on the church board. Mary Behrends will serve on the Endowment committee. Pastor Phil and Sue Rosa report the has been going well. The Fellowship Hall use responsibilities have been posted by the door into fellowship hall and it was agreed that one should also be posted by the back door. The ONA Covenant committee has drafted the ONA statement which was approved by the board and will be presented at the Annual meeting for approval. It will be added to the website and in the newsletter. The date for Christmas in Cable December 1st. Next meeting will be September 17, at 1:00pm in the church library. (The above ONA Statement was unanimously approved by the board at their August 20, 2018 board meeting)

4 Announcements - Continued The Neighbors In Need offering, which we will receive on October 2018, supports the UCC s ministries of Justice and compassion throughout the United States. Two-thirds of the offering is used by the UCC s Justice and Witness Ministries to fund a wide array of local and national justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects. Through ucc.org/justice, our national Justice and Witness Ministries office, offers resources, news updates, and action alerts on a broad spectrum of justice issues. Working with members of the UCC Justice and Peace Action Network (a network of thousands of UCC justice and peace advocates), Justice and Witness continues its strong policy advocacy work on issues such as the federal budget, voting rights, immigration, health care, hate crimes, civil liberties, and environmental justice. Neighbors in Need also supports our American Indian neighbors in the UCC. Onethird of the offering supports the UCC s Council for American Indian Ministries (CAIM). Historically, forebears of the UCC established churches and worked with Lakota, Dakota, Nakota, Mandan, Hidatsa, Arickara, and Hocak in North and South Dakota, Wisconsin, and northern Nebraska. Today there are 20 UCC congregations on reservations and one urban, multi-tribal UCC congregation in Minnesota. These churches and their pastors are supported by CAIM. CAIM is also an invaluable resource for more than 1,000 individuals from dozens of other tribes and nations who are members of other UCC congregations in the U. S. Artist s North Woods Retreat at Forest Lodge on Lake Namakagon September 26 to 28, 2018 Class fee: $240 for commuters/$265 for staying overnight 2 nights. Delicious meals are provided to both commuters and those staying overnight. Join professional artists Diana Randolph and Jan Wise for this artist s retreat nestled among the old-growth trees at Forest Lodge on Lake Namakagon in Cable, Wisconsin. You ll observe, explore and interpret the pristine lake and forest environment of this unique north woods retreat using various drawing materials. We ll work outdoors and on the upstairs level of a beautiful boathouse that juts out onto the lake. With Diana you ll focus on the art elements of line, value, texture and space on the first day. You ll use pencil, black & white conte crayons, and water soluble (gray) pencils. On the second morning you ll explore the natural world of vibrant color using waterproof drawing pen and watercolor pencils. On the second afternoon and third day, Jan will coach you to stretch your senses and imagination as you bridge your inner world to the outer, natural world as you create fun art projects. You ll connect with the wonders of nature in a unique way. This workshop will include individual projects, guided exercises, onsite field art instruction and personal work time. To register on-line please visit: -retreat/ For more information please phone: Sarah Szymaniak (715) or her at sszymaniak@northland.edu This retreat is offered through Northland College Outreach Programs. Neighbors in Need help make A Just World for All possible. For this to occur, it needs your support. Please give generously. And remember, contributions to Neighbors in Need can be made online at anytime: ucc.org/nin

5 Cable UCC Active Shooter Plan Active shooters want to cause as much damage as possible and in most cases, they have completed the act within minutes and usually before law enforcement arrive. Most analysts agree that there are many warning signs that could cue a community or a congregation to a potential situation. That the shooter just snapped is probably a myth. It is well to be aware of three steps congregants can take to stay safe. 1. Preventative Step: Therefore, since the Cable UCC is an open and unlocked facility, it is important for everyone to be aware of red flags in behavior and report them to pastor or the authorities before an incident could occur: Erratic or abnormal behavior Conflict between employees Increased mood swings Depression/withdrawal Explosive anger or rage Suicidal comments 2. Preparedness Step: Staff can benefit from workplace violence training including a review of the Safe Space Policy (which includes conflict resolution methods to settle minor conflict) and review emergency plans to make sure they have a safe room in case of a violent incident. Our insurance agency (churchmutual.com) is a good resource. 3. Steps For Responding to An Active Shooter: While there is no one fail safe response to an act of violence, staff and parishioners have three choices besides callling 911: The 3 E s: Evacuate - get to a safe location. Evade - find a place to hide. Engage - fight for your life. (Even throwing hymnals at a shooter may be provide the distraction needed to confuse the perpetrator and save lives.)

6 Cable UCC Treasurer's Report 31-Aug-18 Account Balances $61, (Down $7, for the year) Investments (UCC), $16, Checking, $16, Investments (Ashland), $19, Memorial Savings, $10, Budget $3,784 Last month: ($2,899) Sunday CollecVons Through 8/31/2018 Actual $69,245 Goal $74, $70,209 $50,000 $60,000 $70,000 Mission Report (collections to date) Our Church's Wider Mission (OCWM) $3, One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) $ Neighbors in Need (NIN) N/A Strenghtening the Church (STC) $ Christmas Fund N/A Noisy-Coin (BRICK) $ Covenant Church (BRICK) $ Heifer International $ Total $5,264.68

7 September 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 nd Chapter 2 Communion Food Shelf Donations 3 4 Diana s Book Club 7-9pm 5 AA 11 to Noon 6 Women s Fellowship 10am Delta Burger Night 5:30pm nd Chapter 9 Special Music Sunday School Begins 10 Bible Study 11:00-Noon Men s Fellowship 8:30am AA 11 to Noon nd Chapter Fat Tire Festival 16 Noisy Coin Collection 17 Bible Study 11:00-Noon Church Board 1:00 Library AA 11-Noon nd Chapter Bible Study 11:00-Noon AA 11-Noon 27 Cable Area Food Shelf11-6pm 28 Cable Fall Festival 29 2 nd Chapter Cable Fall Fest 30