Vol. XIX No.2 ____ www.ucccbboo.org February 2010
From the Pastor’s Desk— February: Short but Jam-Packed
Don’t let the 28-day brevity fool you. There’s a lot going on. February seems to be my month to highlight various things needing your attention and participation. Maybe it’s good to do so as people are again traveling and may be out of the loop. Our life together is marked by moments big and small needing our attention and participation, making our life together more complete. You can read about a number of special events and activities that are upcoming elsewhere in the newsletter: a sledding party, CPR Certification Training, the “Gotcha Covered” drive for warm winter outer clothing, the Mardi Gras Potluck and Un-Talent Talent Show and the Lenten Adult Nurture book study of The Last Week. If you think there’s nothing to do at First Congregational UCC…well, think again!
I do want to highlight three items.
Life and Leadership: The Advance. By the time you likely read this we will have installed leaders for 2010. This is particularly important in a year with Sabbatical leave, and a Sabbatical Supply Pastor needing your involvement and support. Please be attentive to your board or committee’s need to have a representative at the February 9 Cabinet meeting. ALL Cabinet, board and committee members (not just chairs) are strongly encouraged to come to the leadership “advance” on Saturday, Feb. 20 (snow date, Feb. 27), from 9 am until 12 noon (food provided!). The “Advance” has proven helpful in getting focused on purpose and goals and plotting out the year ahead. This year we’re going to take time, as an outgrowth of a recognized need that came out of last year’s “Roots to Shoots” conversations, to talk ‘evangelism’ (OUR style) across the Boards, and also to work on capturing our “mission statement” in a way that is memorable and practical for our identity, both within the church and beyond. It would be helpful to let Moderator Bob Tully or me know if you plan to attend or not.
Ash Wednesday and Lent. We enter the season of Lent on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 24 with a light, light supper at 6 pm and a 6:45 pm service with option of imposition of ashes on forehead or hand as a sign of our shared humanity and hope. We’ll have quiet, brief contemplative evening prayer services at 6:45 pm on Wednesdays in the sanctuary. Watch the Broadcaster, the E-Pistle and Sunday bulletins for more details of Lent, Holy Week and Easter plans, including a children’s musical at First UM the Sunday before Palm/Passion Sunday.
Finally, a word on budget and stewardship. Last February, I thanked you in this space for stepping out in faith at the Annual Meeting and approving a challenging budget. While we didn’t ‘make’ the budget, we had a strong year and ended slightly in the black. There’s some good fortune that made this possible, along with careful spending and out-of-pocket generosity for expenses that doesn’t show. Thank you. But there was also a great deal of generosity and consistent giving, too. An even bigger thank you for that. I am trusting that this year’s budget is no less challenging. I hope you’ll join me in being attentive to generous and consistent giving, especially when missing a Sunday. Just a friendly reminder—the expenses of the church don’t take time off and it’s really helpful if every one commits to make an offering that “hallows” the Sabbath day with thankful giving, each week, here or not. Thanks!
See you in church! Pastor Doug
From Our Parish Nurse By: Geri Schoenoff
Mo-ti-va-tion is a beautiful four-syllable word with a huge meaning that many of us cannot put into action, myself included.
The dictionary meaning states it is “the act or process of motivating. An incentive, inducement, or motive especially for an act.”
Dr, Javed Butler, M.D., the deputy chief science advisor for the American Heart Association, states there are six critical factors that are increasing our cardiovascular health to have strokes and heart attacks. Dr. Butler states, “The real problem is not coming up with new ways to asses risk, the problem is getting people to do what we already know they should: eat right, exercise, stop smoking, control blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels; and consider preventative aspirin.” Six factors that are known to improve our vascular health. We intuitively know this information as we’ve been told over and over again, but, “the problem is getting people to do what we already know they should.” Dr. Butler’s words lead me back to the word “motivation”. What can impel us to strive for a healthier lifestyle?
Some of us have many years of time ahead of us, but for others like myself, the passage of time is becoming finite. Ask yourself, “What choices can be made at this time to improve my health?” Very personal choices and decisions are yours to make. I don’t believe I fear death, but I don’t want to hasten it either with gluttonous eating. So, what can we do to improve our motivation for a healthier life style?
After I get this column in the bag (newspaper slang), I’m making an appointment for a physical with my doctor. If you haven’t seen your doctor for a yearly physical, consider this first step. Do you know your cholesterol levels? Knowing these levels may motivate you to consider diet changes if needed. I may also ask for a C-reactive protein or CRT test that assesses inflammation throughout the body. It’s a test that can be an indicator for measuring risk of heart disease. The BMI table tells me I need to lose weight, so I don’t need to be told this information. Do you know your BMI figures? The Kiosk in the church has this informational table for you. Your medical history may dictate other tests to be ordered.
I do take a baby aspirin daily and smoking has never intrigued me. Out of the six factors, I have four that need my immediate motivation to solve. If I could quit shoveling so much food into my mouth, those four factors could possibly be solved for me.
I can be contacted by phone: cell 969-9559, home 356-3473 or by e-mail: Baraboo_firstUMC@wisconsinumc.org for blood pressure assessment or any other medical questions you may have. All enquiries are confidential.
Happy Valentine’s Day – Love to you all,
Geri. Parish Nurse
Very Special Lenten Adult Nurture Bible Study
What does the Bible really tell us about Jesus’ final days before the crucifixion? What better time than Lent to find some answers to that question! During Lent Adult Nurture will embark on a study of The Last Week authored by some of the best progressive scholars of our time, Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan. You’ll get insights that may just change how you were taught or think about Jesus’ life, death and resurrection—maybe even your world view! “The authors dig into the Gospel of Mark’s day-by-day account of the week leading up to Easter, and they excavate profound insights into the political and spiritual dynamics of Jesus’ true passion—his message of the Kingdom of God.” Kay Hallanger will facilitate. Join in on the reading and discussion of the most consequential week in Christianity. The book may be purchased individually through Amazon.com. First session is Feb 21.
Let’s Go Sledding!
The Fellowship Committee invites you to join in a sledding party at Eilertson’s (thank you!) on Saturday, Feb. 6th. We’ll leave the church at 12:30 pm. There are three hills for three different levels of sledding fun: beginner; that was fun; and—are you kidding me?
CPR Course
Thursday, Feb. 11th, 7 (SHARP!) -9:30 pm. This full CPR certification course is for anyone who hasn’t been certified and would like to be. A request is being made for a $10 fee for each participant to help defray costs—let Parish Nurse Geri Schoenoff know if you will be participating and/or if you need assistance with the fee.
MARDI GRAS POTLUCK & UN-TALENT TALENT SHOW
The Fellowship Committee is calling on everyone to let loose the
Just a Teaser… for Now
BACK BAY MISSION TRIP to Biloxi in October with Memorial UCC, Fitchburg—of course, you can let Sandy Perry know if you think you’re interested, or contact her for information! More to come…
Thank You’s
…to all who have provided special music in January while Gretchen and the choir have a winter break. Special thanks to Jean Powell for directing the one Sunday choir sang; to Sue Lappin for our special quartet; and to the yet unknown provider(s) of special music the last Sunday of Jan.
…to all for generosity in the aftermath of the
…to all who gifted me, Pastor Doug, in so many ways during Christmas. A special thanks for the generous monetary gift from the congregation as a body…and all your gifts, cards, notes, pictures and good wishes!
…to all who gave leadership during Christmastide—especially the Diaconate, pulpit suppliers Earl Eckhart and Beth Voigt, and all who helped “de-decorate” January 4 after worship.
Liturgist Schedule
Feb. 7 Orie Eilertson
14 Jill Bobholz
21 Chris Christofersen
28 Joanna Hollenback
March 7 Gorgene Kunze
Greeters & Ushers Schedule
Feb. 7 Teddy Jedry Joe & Gretchen Viney
14 Carolyn Kohlhoff Bob & Vi Tully
21 Tut Gramling Kevin & Luke Moll
28
Men’s Fellowship to Meet, Feb. 28 for Breakfast
All men and teen boys of our congregation are invited to gather at the church at 8 a.m. for breakfast on Saturday, February 28th. Breakfast will be provided. The program will be Luke Moll sharing his life story and faith journey.
Please sign the sheet in the narthex so appropriate preparations can be made.
Schedule of Events
Tues 2 6pm Trustees meet
Wed 3 11am Stewardship Board meets
6:30pm Social Concerns/Mission meets
7:30pm Choir rehearsal
Sat 6 12:30pm leave church for Sledding party
Sun 7 9am Adult Nurture – Bible & Body
Too Hot for Sunday/Song of Solomon
(pomegranates & Chocolate included)
10:14am Worship with Communion
(older children stay in worship)
Diaconate meets after worship
11am – 2pm Souper Bowl at High School
(Habitat for Humanity benefit)
Tues 9 7pm Church Cabinet meets
Wed 10 7:30pm Choir rehearsal
Thurs 11 7 sharp – 9:30pm CPR Certification
Sun 14 Transfiguration Sunday
9am Heart Matters with Parish Nurse
Geri Schoenoff, RN
10:15am Worship & Children’s Nurture
After worship: Mardi Gras theme Potluck
And un-talent talent show
Tues 16 Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday
12N Christian Education Board,
Tug’s Kitchen, Wisconsin Dells
Wed 17 12N Women’s Fellowship at church
6pm Light Supper
6:45pm Ash Wednesday Service
7:30pm Choir Rehearsal (Gretchen away)
Sat 20 9
Sun 21 9am Adult Nurture Lenten Book Study
The Last Week – Palm Sunday with Kay H.
10:15am Worship with Children’s Nurture
Wed 24 6:45pm Lenten Evening Prayers
7:30pm Choir Rehearsal
Sat 27 8am Men’s Fellowship Breakfast
Sun 28 9am Lenten Book Study – Monday/Tuesday
10:15am Worship with Children’s Nurture
Women’s Fellowship at church, Feb. 17, 12N
All women of our congregation are invited to meet at the church on Wednesday, Feb.17, at 12N. Please bring a bag lunch. Beverages and dessert will be provided.
Audrey Christofersen will share pictures and narrative of the Christofersen family windjammer cruise in honor of Audrey’s and Chris’ sixtieth wedding anniversary.
Please sign up in the narthex so appropriate plans can be made.
To: Members and Friends of First Congregational Church
Many of you already know that in April Pastor Doug will begin his sabbatical leave. It is truly a wonderful opportunity for both Doug and the congregation. Some of you might be wondering just what this sabbatical business is all about. Over the next few months, information will be available about logistics, responsibilities, coverage, etc. I believe it helpful to understand the deeper meaning essential to sabbatical/renewal leave. Pastor Doug has compiled guidelines from other denominations that speak to the importance of this time.
“Congregations expect much of their ministers and ministers expect much of themselves. In healthy relationships between congregations and their ministers, there is a sense of mutual care. The minister cares for the members of the congregation and they also care for the minister.
Temperament and practice must find a balance for healthy ministry. Everyone needs time away periodically to reflect, renew and recover the work/rest rhythm necessary to complement effective ministry.
A Sabbatical/Renewal Leave offers the minister time for reassessment of his/her ministry, which can be difficult to do while engaged in the day-to-day tasks for ministry. By changing the scene and the pace as well as engaging in different activities, ministers find themselves enriched spiritually, mentally and even physically.
When a minister takes a Sabbatical/Renewal Leave, the congregation will benefit from the opportunity to reflect on its mission and ministry, experience different gifts of leadership and perhaps discover their own unique areas of ministry.”
- From the Disciples of Christ Guidelines for Sabbatical/Renewal Leave Policy
It is fair to say, and must be said, that this is OUR sabbatical time. And we will not be all alone! We have a wonderful, experienced minister who has agreed to join us as our Sabbatical Supply pastor. Her name is Rev. Margaret Shepherd (Meg) and she is known to some of our members and comes highly recommended. She will lead our Sunday worship and be available to us if need arises mid-week. However, day to day operations will be our responsibility. And our pleasure. We might assume some duties that take us beyond our comfort level. Perhaps this will be a time to explore new areas of calling for this congregation. Most certainly we will sorely miss our pastor and look forward to his return. But what we discover on the journey could possibly amaze us. I, for one, am taking this as a sure bet. Keep your eyes on the Broadcaster and bulletins for more information about sabbatical leave and who is covering what.
Sincerely,
Beth Voigt - Pastor/Parish Relations Committee
