United Methodist Church

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United Methodist Church Learn God ~ Love God ~ Share God ~ Serve God JULY 2016 Church Staff Rev. Brenda Whitford Lead Pastor pastorbrenda@centurylink.

1 United Methodist Church Learn God ~ Love God ~ Share God ~ Serve God JULY 2016 Church Staff Rev. Brenda Whitford Lead Pastor pastorbrenda@centurylink.net Amy Loeffelholz Business Administrator amyloeffelholz@centurylink.net Adam Abing Custodian Ellen Carnahan Sunday School Superintendent ellen.carnahan@yahoo.com Roxane Ford Beyond Belief Band Leader ford_roxane@yahoo.com Nancy Fairchild Organist nfairchild2@gmail.com Deb Putnam Mallow Ringers Director putnamd@uwplatt.edu Dean Goninen & Josh Byrnes Redeemer Directors dean@lifelineav.com brewcrew2808@gmail.com Susan Schlager Parish Nurse smschlager@yahoo.com (608) Mariah Umhoeffer Nursery WORSHIP HIGHLIGHTS July 3 Freedom Galatians 5: :30 Special Music, Ian McCann 11:00 Beyond Belief Band Communion at both services July 10 Sermon & Scripture To Be Determined* 8:30 Special Music, 2 Families, 4 Names Quintet 11:00 Beyond Belief Band July 17 Sermon & Scripture To Be Determined* 8:30 Special Music Ian McCann 11:00 Beyond Belief Band July 24 Sermon & Scripture To Be Determined* 8:30 Special Music Daniel Ellis 11:00 Beyond Belief Band July 31 Vacation Bible School Sunday On The Beach John 21: :30 VBS Program 11:00 Beyond Belief Band & VBS Program * On June 26 th Pastor Brenda and the Accountable Leadership Board invited the congregation to enter a New Way Forward: listening to and confronting our current and previous hurts by having El Colyer be a consultant for us, leading us to healing. If the congregation responds that they would like this, then El will be speaking on July 10 th. Worship for July 17 th & 24 th will be determined as we move forward Lancaster St., Platteville, WI (608) plattevilleumc@centurylink.net

United Methodist Church Page 2 When I was on my Spiritual Renewal Leave I spent two weeks alone in Florida. The weather was poor it was cold, rainy and windy.

2 United Methodist Church Page 2 When I was on my Spiritual Renewal Leave I spent two weeks alone in Florida. The weather was poor it was cold, rainy and windy. Because of the weather, the ocean waves were much larger than usual. One day when I was walking along the seashore, I noticed a Pompano fish. It had been washed up on the shore. The waves would wash over it, but it didn t get pulled back into the ocean. Its gills were moving so I knew it was alive. I am not a fisherman, and I do not like to touch fish at all. I found a stick, and each time the wave would wash over the fish I tried to help it get back into the ocean. It would flop a little, but it just wouldn t go back into the ocean. It was on the beach dying. All it needed to do was go back into the ocean and it would be fine. Instead, it was dying. It made me think about people. We need to spend our lives immersed in God. Life tosses us around and we wind up separated from God. All we need to do is jump back in the water and we would be fine, but we stay washed up on the shore. God even prods us, but we just can t make it back in the water. I continued to try to help that fish try to get back into the water. A very large wave came in. I pushed the fish, and the wave pulled it back in! The fish began swimming! It had a little trouble with the strong waves, and I thought it was going to end up back on shore, but it struggled and swam away. I walked back to the spot later, and there was no fish, so I assume he made it back to wherever Pompano fish live. How are you doing? Has life thrown you up on shore? Have you found yourself unable to get back into God s presence? The wonderful thing about God is that all you have to do is turn to God and he will draw you back to him. This summer, pause to look at your life. Are you swimming or stuck? Open yourself up to letting God pull you back to him. I ll see you in church, where we immerse ourselves in God.

United Methodist Church Page 3 UNITED METHODIST WOMEN No UMW General meeting nor Rebekah Fellowship meeting this month. Both groups will resume in September.

We have GREAT UMC camps with a diverse selections of programs. Give one a try!

They cover present day issues going on in the world around us.

Tilly by Monique Gray Smith Social Action: The White Umbrella by Mary Frances Barley These books are located on the farthest end of the top shelf of the bookcase on your left as you enter the library.

3 United Methodist Church Page 3 UNITED METHODIST WOMEN No UMW General meeting nor Rebekah Fellowship meeting this month. Both groups will resume in September. UM SUMMER CAMPS REMINDER The UMW will contribute $50 to each student going to a United Methodist Church sponsored camp. Let Katie Cottingham know if planning to attend. We have GREAT UMC camps with a diverse selections of programs. Give one a try!! BOOKS IN THE LIBRARY Every year the UMW budgets $200 to buy books that enrich the programming for the year and they are available in the library for anyone to read. They cover present day issues going on in the world around us. Here is the newest list: Education for Mission: Uprising by Sally Armstrong Leadership Development: I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai Nurturing for Community: Dreamers by Ellen Truax Spiritual Growth: Tilly by Monique Gray Smith Social Action: The White Umbrella by Mary Frances Barley These books are located on the farthest end of the top shelf of the bookcase on your left as you enter the library. PLEASE do take the time to join us in reading these books. Peg and Nancy are busy gathering ideas in preparation for the Fair. Feel free to talk to them and join them in the activities already in motion or share some of your own. Time is going fast and so it is great to be getting a head start. It will be here before we know it! WANTED Still looking for those who can knit or crochet to help with making the prayer shawls or baptism blankets to be given to those in need of extra caring thoughts and prayers. Contact Dee Gray if you can help. THANKS to Helen Cardin's granddaughter, who made three shawls for us.

United Methodist Church Page 4 VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2016 July 25 - July 29 9:00 am - Noon Ages 3 1/2-5th grade We have a fun project to start preparing for VBS week.

Put strips into a plastic bag. Drop off your strips at the church office along with..... PURCHASE $1 flip-flops (all colors, all children sizes and small/ medium adult sizes).

4 United Methodist Church Page 4 VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2016 July 25 - July 29 9:00 am - Noon Ages 3 1/2-5th grade We have a fun project to start preparing for VBS week. PURCHASE $1 plastic rectangular party tablecloths (all colors). Take the tablecloth out of wrapper, cut lengthwise into 1 1/2 strips, then cut the strips in half. Cut the folded edges off. Put strips into a plastic bag. Drop off your strips at the church office along with..... PURCHASE $1 flip-flops (all colors, all children sizes and small/ medium adult sizes). The children will tie the colored strips onto the flip flops for fun and festive VBS footwear! Thank you for your help! Sunday, July 3 rd we will have invitation cards with cds for you to invite your family, friends, and neighbors to Vacation Bible School. Last year we had several families tell us that they came to VBS because they received a cd invitation. What a wonderful way to introduce people to Jesus! Transportation will be available again this year. If your child needs a ride to and/or from VBS, please indicate on the registration form or you can contact the office. A list of supplies needed for crafts, snacks and decorations will be available on the table outside of the office and an will be sent out too.

United Methodist Church Page 5 SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS Over the course of the school year, the Sunday School children helped to raise $9,100 to send to Ulithi Atoll, a ring of islands

Here are some of the Sunday School children presenting the "check" to Pastor Brenda during worship! PSALM 23 PARAPHRASES: The 23rd psalm is a metaphor for how God cares for us.

The Lord is my coach, he gives me what I need. He makes me sit on the bench, he brings me water. He prepares me for my next game.

5 United Methodist Church Page 5 SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS Over the course of the school year, the Sunday School children helped to raise $9,100 to send to Ulithi Atoll, a ring of islands in the Pacific Ocean near Guam that suffered serious damage from typhoon Maysak, to help with recovery costs. Here are some of the Sunday School children presenting the "check" to Pastor Brenda during worship! PSALM 23 PARAPHRASES: The 23rd psalm is a metaphor for how God cares for us. The confirmation class changed the metaphor to make the Psalm more meaningful for them. Enjoy their writing in this issue and future issues. The Lord is my coach, he gives me what I need. He makes me sit on the bench, he brings me water. He prepares me for my next game. He tells me to make good choices so I can be on his team. Even though I lose game, I will try again, because he is with me. His support and training comfort me. He trains me while my opponents rest, he congratulates me. His help and wisdom will follow me forever. His knowledge will stay with me for the rest of my life. ~ Connor Serkies

United Methodist Church Page 6 MISSION & SERVING Our second distribution for Ruby s Pantry was held on Thursday, June 2 nd.

For June, Ruby's Pantry served 186 families with 64 volunteers and a total of 287 volunteer hours. This is truly amazing! The next distribution is on Thursday, July 7 th.

If you are interested in the opportunity to be a part of this mission, please contact Deb Putnam at putnamd@uwplatt.edu or call 732-1574.

6 United Methodist Church Page 6 MISSION & SERVING Our second distribution for Ruby s Pantry was held on Thursday, June 2 nd. For the first distribution in May, Ruby's Pantry served 59 families with 55 volunteers and a total of 262 volunteer hours. For June, Ruby's Pantry served 186 families with 64 volunteers and a total of 287 volunteer hours. This is truly amazing! The next distribution is on Thursday, July 7 th. Doors will open at 4:30 pm for registration with distribution following from 5:00-6:30 pm. If you are interested in the opportunity to be a part of this mission, please contact Deb Putnam at putnamd@uwplatt.edu or call THRIFT SHOP Susan Schlagler is our church s representative on the Thrift Shop Board. Business is going well at the Thrift Shop and many people who need assistance are getting help. Those who have volunteered in the past may remember dealing with the cash register and lines of customers. The volunteer position isn't so stressful any more, now the volunteers restock the shelves and straighten up displays, however more volunteers are needed at this time. If you have the summer off and would like to spend 4 hours a week or once or twice a month at the Thrift Shop it would be appreciated. Volunteers are also appreciated during the school year. Please contact Susan at for more information. We hosted our first family during the month of June. Thank you to everyone who volunteered to assist with the family and/or donated food or other items. Our next host week begins Sunday, August 21 st. Please call Don Shaw at or if you are interested in helping or have questions. Dear Family Promise Volunteers, Thank you for the hospitality and compassion you provided to our guests last week. I know they enjoyed the yummy food and fellowship. We can t serve families without countless volunteers - including you! Thank you for your support. Gratefully, Hannah Campbell Gustafson Director, Family Promise of Grant County There are many ways to be a part of the garden committee besides picking and weeding, such as delivering to the Food Pantry, Family Advocates and shut-ins. Please let Susan Schlager know how you would like to help and she will give contact you when your assistance is needed. Susan can be reached at

ANNUAL CONFERENCE REPORT Tom Lindahl, Dave Carnahan, Lucy Tian and Pastor Brenda attended the 2016 Wisconsin Annual Conference that was held in June.

7 United Methodist Church Page 7 Mattea Scanlan has again been hired as a part-time summer intern to work on our website and social media. Mattea is a life-long member of the Platteville United Methodist Church. She will be returning to Western Illinois University in the fall where she will be a junior. ANNUAL CONFERENCE REPORT Tom Lindahl, Dave Carnahan, Lucy Tian and Pastor Brenda attended the 2016 Wisconsin Annual Conference that was held in June. A written report on the Conference is available on the table next to the office. MISSION COMMITTEE Thanks to everyone who donated items for the hygiene kits to benefit groups in our Wisconsin Conference. These packets will be much appreciated! Dear Platteville United Methodist Church, Thank you so much for the graduation gift. I truly appreciate it. I have shared some wonderful memories in this church, and I look forward to growing in my faith and spreading God s love at UW-Stout next year. Thank you for always making me feel like a valued member, and for showing/raising me in the love of God. Thank you again. Love, Rana Pluemer Dear PUMC, Thank you so much for the gift of the portable phone charger for graduation. It will definitely be something I will use while I am at college. I m very excited to attend Marquette in the fall, as well as explore the big city of Milwaukee. I m also ready to learn how to become a doctor. Thanks again! It was a thoughtful gesture. ~ Allison Woodworth A big thank you to those of you who expressed kind words of congratulations for my receiving the Valiant Woman Award from the Church Women United. The messages were greatly appreciated and I will continue to try to live up to the meaning of the award. Join me in doing an act of kindness for someone, since we need a lot of it in the world today. Again, thank you! ~ Dee Gray To my friends at Platteville United Methodist Church, Thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and cards. My daughter, Kristi will have a bone marrow transplant on July 1 st. Kristi is in God s arms. In Christian Love, Carolyn Woodward

8 Platteville United Methodist Church Learn God ~ Love God ~ Share God ~ Serve God Platteville United Methodist Church 1065 Lancaster Street Phone: platttevilleumc@centurylink.net Plattevilleumc.org Non-Profit Organization U.S Postage Paid Platteville, WI Permit No. 97 Return Service Requested If you would no longer like to receive this newsletter, please contact the church office to take your name off the mailing list. Thank you! VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL Be a VBS volunteer and make a difference in a child s life. Contact the office for more information! Register /vacation-bible-school Ages 3 1/2-5th Grade July 25 th - 29 th 9 am - noon Our mission giving for this year will support Family Promise by purchasing games, activities, and consumable arts and crafts to be used by the families during their evenings at our church. Please join us for a fun-filled week for VBS. Join us Friday, July 29 th at 6:00 pm for an awesome program and potluck. Sunday, July 31 st will be Vacation Bible School Sunday, where we share God s Amazing Love with the congregation during worship.

United Methodist Church

United Methodist Church Learn God ~ Love God ~ Share God ~ Serve God January 2016 Church Staff Rev. Brenda Whitford Lead Pastor (Renewal Leave) Rev. Elizabeth Whitford Associate Pastor pastorliz@centurylink.net (608)482-2303