Newsletter

March 2010 Newsletter

“Fruits of the Holy Spirit”

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.” Galatians 5:22-23

On my weekend retreat February 12-15 at the Rochester Federal prison we were reminded that the two gifts of the Spirit, love and self-control, are like book ends to the gifts of the Spirit. Love is the self-giving love of God that is for everyone. It is the love that puts the other first. It is the love that issues from God unconditionally and never runs out. Self-control is another way of saying we need to discipline ourselves in order to be disciples of Jesus Christ.

I have invited our congregation to a Lenten discipline of reading the book Cultivating Fruitfulness by Robert Schnase and participation in small groups to discuss the book. It takes self-control to find time to read the book, struggle with the questions and challenges presented in the book and meet with others to discuss it. Yet this is how we grow. This is how we cultivate the fruits of the Spirit given to us by God.

The fruits we are considering all have adjectives added to them, Radical Hospitality, Passionate Worship, Intentional Faith Development, Risk -Taking Mission & Service, Extravagant Generosity. Radical means root and we need to ask ourselves what is at the root of inviting, welcoming, including others in our church. Passionate refers to putting your whole self into something, being fully and totally present in worship. Intentional means that we will find a way to grow in our faith through education, small group participation, etc.

Risk – Taking is what we do whenever the calls go out that someone needs our assistance. We have been on Mission Trips to work with our hands, and love with our hearts total strangers and give from our pockets. Which leads us to our final gift that needs cultivating, our generosity. It needs to be extravagant because that is how God gives to us in love, in daily bread, in all ways.

As we raise our spirits during this season of Lent our minds, hearts, and bodies will follow because we are created by God as a whole and holy body.—Wayne Walther

March Birthdays

March 1 Lornie VanGilder, Jan Bruns, Ann Correll, Ken Moon

March 4 Steve Koehn

March 5 Ben Reich

March 7 Ruth Featherstone

March 8 Judy Johnson, Bob Riegelman

March 9 Rolaine Porter, D.J. Meyer, Natalie Hanson

March 10 Josephine Grabow, Phyllis Althoff

March 11 Kathy VanCampen

March 12 Don Bruns, Lexis Halvorson

March 13 Susan Horvat

March 14 Algene Larson, Bill Petroff, Libby Frost, Vayda Kaiser

March 16 Jerry Plein

March 20 Stacey Harstad, Lou Chicquette, LaVonne Thomforde, Cherie Riegelman

March 21 Loretta Todd, Rose Marie Bosshard

March 22 Marilyn Sievers, Sarah Holmsten, Megan Brueschke

March 23 Karen Nelson

March 24 Barbara Karwand, John Crandall, Bonnie Strusz

March 25 Karl Tombarge, Glen Dummer, Cole Krie

March 26 Tom Muller, Marcia Reich, Carrie McMahon, Madeline Johnson

March 27 Diane Kosnopfal, Mathew Nystuen

March 28 Tom Larkin, Ella Johnson

March 29 Gene Foster, Sue Hamberg

March 31 Robert Zeisler

Thank you to Pastor Wayne and our church family for the visits, prayers, cards, and concern during Sam's long battle back to health which started with surgery on Thanksgiving Day. We know we are never alone in times of trouble, but how thankful we are that you shared the load with us. Thank you also for the altar flowers which brightened Sam's room during his rehab time at Seminary Home. He came home at last on January 22. - Sam Pearson and Muriel Copp

Church Women United

Church Women United World Day of Prayer 2010 will be held Friday, March 5 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at 9:30 am. A continental breakfast will be served. This year’s WDP theme is “Let everything that has breath praise God.” The worship service is written by the women of Cameroon with music and praise. Speaker for this event will be Lois Christenson of Red Wing. She will speak and show slides of her travels in Africa. Contact Yvonne Childs or Betty Jane Everett if you have questions. No reservations needed.

Bible Study at Downtown Plaza

On the second Wednesday, March 10^th at 10:00 am we will gather on the Ninth Floor of the Downtown Plaza for a discussion of Mark 11 with Pastor Wayne leading. Please join us.

Day on the Hill

Our Lay Leader Jane Stone and our Pastor Wayne Walther have been child advocates for the Interfaith Child Advocacy Network (ICAN). Each spring we have a meeting in St. Paul and go to the capital to meet with our state senator and representative to share our concerns for children. The date this year is March 25. There is room for more. Just go to www.jrlc.org. - Wayne Walther

National Food Shelf Month

Hey everyone, its Julia Featherstone:) Just dropping by to remind everyone that this month is National Food Shelf Month. Please keep your hearts open and your donations flowing! Any amount donated is appreciated. Remember that for every $1.00 you donate, it translates into $7.50 in buying power for the Food Shelf. Thank you and have a blessed March. Hope to see you all in church.

Minnesota Annual Conference—River Valley District

Dear Members and Friends of First United Methodist Church:

In spite of the challenging economic conditions during this recession, your congregation has continued to show commitment and care by paying 100% of your conference support through apportionment giving. I know that the level of financial commitment your church has made is significant. Thank you for making our connectional covenant a priority in your ministries. About 75% of our district churches kept stride with you.

It is important that you know that your generosity through giving has made a difference in the lives of other people and other faith communities. Your apportionments help provide health insurance to retired clergy. You are helping us start new faith communities. Your contributions allow churches who may not have the financial resources to continue to provide ministry to the people in their communities. Your gifts support the staff members who provide leadership, guidance, and support throughout the state.

You have supported our growing ethnic churches throughout the Minnesota Annual Conference. You have supported missions in other states and other countries. You have brought food to starving people and medicine to people in need. In short, you have acted like the hands and feet of Jesus Christ.

Thank you for what you do. This is the way we “make disciples of Jesus Christ who transform the world.”

In shared faith, hope and love,

Clay Oglesbee

River Valley District Superintendent

HANDCRAFTERS GROUP

The Handcrafters group will meet on March 11, at 10:00 a.m. in the Friendship Room. The coffee is always on and the company and conversation is great. Why would you want to miss this group? Hope you can join us--even if you just want to come for a cup of coffee and see what everyone is working on. We would love to have you join us. Any questions, feel free to call me.

Susan Walther 385-9091

Update and Repair of Organ

The Organ Update/Repair Committee along with the Trustees has undertaken the project of repairing and enhancing the church organ. Last fall during the church stewardship campaign the opportunity was afforded for members of First United Methodist Church of Red Wing to contribute to the repair and enhancement to the church organ. The response has been very encouraging. We have received pledges in the amount of $8,735 and have received $3,730 payment on pledges. We have also received $2,100 that was not pledged for a total of $10,835.

As members of the committee we wish to again place before the church membership the opportunity to support this effort. The trustees have entered into a contract with the organ repair company called Olson-Lethert Inc. The proposal calls for repair and enhancement of the organ for a cost of $17,400 with a completion date of approximately May 1, 2010. Payment in full will be required by this date. We need to raise an additional $6,565 to pay for this.

The last time the church organ received any major repairs or reconditioning was back in the middle 1980’s. Over the last 25 years our organ has served our congregation well. As with any musical instrument it is vital to maintain and repair it so that it may continue to support our worship of God through the music ministry of our church.

As we move forward to raise the money needed, the committee will be coming to the church membership with updates on the amount raised and on the progress of the repair and enhancement of the church organ. Please consider a financial contribution to the organ fund so that we may complete this project in a timely manner.

Thank You—Organ Fund Committee: Gene Foster, Dan Munson, Lynne Otterness, and Don Featherstone

Lay Speaking Classes

The District Committee on Lay Speaking, of which I am a member, will be offering lay speaking classes on Saturday, April 24 at the Owatonna United Methodist Church. Both a basic class and an advanced class ("From Your Heart to Theirs") will be offered. I will help teach one of them, to be determined at our March 3 meeting. The classes do not need to be taken in any order. If you're interested in spending a day learning more about church leadership in general and lay speaking specifically, please see me for more details.—Jane Stone

The Foundation for United Methodist Communications

Dear Red Wing First UMC,

On behalf of the Global Health Initiative of the United Methodist Church, thank you for your gift of $120 to Saving Lives in Sierra Leone. Your support will help us to eliminate malaria as a major source of death and suffering in Africa by 2015.

A true expression of God’s love, your generosity will touch the lives of many families, especially the millions of pregnant women and young children at most risk of dying from malaria. You are making a lifelong impact to entire families and when multiplied, profoundly affecting the health and livelihood of entire villages and communities. Your gift to “bring health to the sick,” lives into Jesus’ call to all His disciples.

Saving Lives in Sierra Leone is an extraordinary effort of the people of the United Methodist Church. Program goals and activities include continued distribution of bed nets; revitalization of United Methodist hospitals and clinics across Africa; training of community health care workers to educate about the cause, prevention, and treatment of malaria; and build partnerships to improve global health for lifetimes to come.

Again, please know the value of your contribution and please continue to pray for our work and those we serve.

Peace and Joy,

Larry Hollon, General Secretary United Methodist Communications

(NOTE: We also sent in $441 to UMCOR for the Nothing But Nets Campaign, Advance #982015. This money and the $120 above was raised by the Mission Market and the VBS offering in 2009.)

Thank you to Yvonne Childs for delivering flowers, it was so nice to visit with Yvonne and the flowers lasted so long. I want to thank everyone for the visits, cards, and remembrances. It was so nice of everyone to include me in their prayers. I am recovering and will soon be back to church.—Christie Brown

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING

ACT justly LOVE mercy WALK humbly

“She’s only 26 years old and came to me in tears. In a whisper the girl said to me, ‘I’m afraid. I think I have AIDS, but please do not tell my family.’” Angie Willicore tells this woman’s story to illustrate the terrible stigma of AIDS in Liberia. Angie is a registered nurse for Ganta United Methodist Hospital in Liberia and head of the community-based HIV/AIDS counseling team.

“I want to relax them and get them to talk,” said Angie of her approach for patients such as this young woman. “Talk, talk, talk. Every time, this is how I gain their trust. They then come straight back to me.” With her hand tapping at the door, Angie continues, “See this door? It’s always open, and they know I will talk to them. I’ve even learned how to take blood directly for the HIV test because people don’t want to leave this room and go to the lab.”

BE THERE AND BE HOPE WITH UMCOR

UMCOR supports Ganta and 16 other United Methodist hospitals in Africa and Asia in their community-based health programs, such as the HIV/AIDS ministry at Ganta Hospital. Committed people like Angie live out God’s command to act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly.

Through comprehensive programs like these that help provide healing and hope for some of the world’s most vulnerable people, UMCOR is there on your behalf providing help to people in distress.

Gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing lay the foundation of all of UMCOR’s work by covering the costs of doing business. This means all gifts designated to specific programs can go 100% to those programs because UMCOR’s basic expenses are covered. Please give generously.

To donate online, go to www.umcgiving.org/OGHS

“And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” - Micah 6:8

LAY LEADER LEARNINGS

Lent, the forty days preceding the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, is for many a time of giving up something. Many will fast, something I don't usually choose to do, as I get headaches when I skip a meal. (Note: That doesn't mean, however, that I can't give up something else--snacks, TV, gossip, unkind thoughts, etc.) Some people refer to fasting as a time when they take an "s" out of the word "dessert," leaving them with "desert." Jesus wandered the desert for 40 days and Moses for 40 years.-- (Was it because, like all men everywhere, they refused to ask for directions?)

During the season of Lent, asking for directions is exactly what we should be doing. How can we do that? We had the opportunity to begin by attending worship on Ash Wednesday, when we were reminded that we began as dust and will return to dust upon our death. We have the opportunity to attend Wednesday evening worship hosted by the "Churches Around the Park." This year's theme is "Things I Wish Jesus Hadn't Said." It will be interesting to see the responses our local pastors have to that question. Hopefully, they will share some good ideas as to how we should respond to some of those difficult commandments of Jesus--commandments like "love your enemies. "They will help give us the direction that we need. Pastor Wayne will also help us find direction on Sunday mornings during Lent, when his theme is “Open to God.”

In addition to attending worship and finding direction there, we can look on our own for the direction in which God wants us to go. Here are some ideas:

· Pray - Remember that prayer is a conversation with God. It can take place at any time and in any place. It will help us find direction in our lives.

· Say "Thank you!" - Certainly, during Lent and during the rest of the year as well, we should say "Thank you" to God for his many blessings. But let's not stop there--let's say thank you to those others who are helping us find the right direction in life--Pastor Wayne, Sunday school teachers, friends, and others.

· Sing - An anonymous person once said, "Singing is praying twice." So let’s sing out loud in the shower or on our daily walks. It will warm God's heart and our own as well and may even help us find the direction in which we should go.

· Laugh - Is laughter allowed in the desert and during Lent? Yes! In Proverbs 17:22, we read, "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” God wants us to laugh because laughter is healing. It will raise our spirits and maybe even point us in the right direction!

· Fast -And here we are, back to fasting. Remember that fasting does not need to be a meal, or even food. Perhaps it is something entirely different—something like what is recommended in Isaiah 58:6-7: "This is the kind of fast day I'm after: to break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the workplace, free the oppressed, cancel debts. What I'm interested in seeing you do is: sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your homes, putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad, being available to your own families. Do this and the lights will turn on, and your lives will turn around at once. Your righteousness will pave your way. The God of glory will secure your passage. Then when you pray, God will answer. You'll call out for help and I'll say, 'Here I am.'” (The Message) - Jane Stone

2010 Pastor Appointment

Rev. Greg Strunk

Will begin serving in Worship on Sunday, July 11

Family

Wife: Jill

Children: Alayna (6), Mathias (4), one more on the way

Education

MDiv Asbury Theological Seminary, 2001

BA Luther College, 1997

Appointment History

Pine Island, 2006-present

Dexter/Grand Meadow, 2002-2006

Theological Perspective

I consider my ministry transformational, because of the act of the resurrection and power of the Holy Spirit which gives new life. My theological framework is grounded in Scripture first and balanced by tradition, experience and reason. While I do believe one can know God and God's character, I do not believe that one can completely comprehend all of the greatness of God. This is not because of God as much as it is the limitation of our being finite and in a world that does have sin.

Thus, while my theology is grounded with a solid foundation in Christ, it is continually growing as I seek God out in my life and in the world around me. This influences my ministry in the sense that I can share what God has put upon my heart, but I am also continually looking to others to gain a deeper understanding of how God is at work in the world. This allows me to learn and grow from those whose perspectives are different than mine.

Spiritual Disciplines and Other Interests

I take time each and every day to reflect and be fed by the Word of God. I practice the means of grace with prayer (both silent times of reflection and by incorporating prayer throughout the day), tithing, worship, sacraments, covenant groups, small group Bible studies and spiritual retreat (often taking time alone in the woods).

My hobbies include hiking, fishing and working with arts. I am fed by spending time in creation with others and by myself. I also like to engage as an amateur in poetry, painting and photography.

My Present Call to Ministry in the United Methodist Church

The call that has been put upon my life has become more specific in nature and my passion in ministry has been to serve where I can minster to families. While my passion is for sharing Christ to all people in all places, I definitely feel a call to connect family life, with all of its struggles and blessings, to the larger narrative of what it means to be part of the family of God.

The three areas that bring me the most fulfillment in ministry are preparing creative worship, doing small group discipleship, and creating events that enhance family and relational life.

My Best Gifts for Ministry

I have been effective in helping people connect with the Word in preaching and in Bible Study. I have been told numerous times that I help bring difficult concepts down to levels that are understandable and can help in one’s walk in life.

I help create environments that make it comfortable for people who have not been involved in the church to get involved.

I am gifted in the area of healing. I have had multiple opportunities to connect with people who are sick, dying or grieving over a lost one.

I feel that I am very effective in interpersonal relationships. I connect with people in many various ways and people often feel that I am very approachable.

My leadership style is one that works with others and pushes them to have a voice. First and foremost, I want to see people living strong, spiritual lives so they have a solid base as they reach out to the world around them. I see my role as one that empowers others to do ministry, more so then being the one that constantly has to lead the way.

Leadership Gifts and Style

Introducing people to Jesus: I lead by example as I try to put myself out there to meet new people and welcome them. I have also worked on empowering people to take part in ministries that meet the needs of people in the community.

Motivating and developing a congregation to be a mission outpost: My passion in ministry is to those who are in need. I know the church is at its best when it is being incarnational like Christ.

Providing leadership for high-quality, relevant worship experiences: I am ever growing in this area. I love worship and preaching and being creative in bringing forth the glory of God. I know the importance of creating an experience where people feel connected to God and each other and I try to create that on a weekly basis.

Building, inspiring and leading a team of both staff and volunteers: I build, inspire and lead a team by first finding people who balance each other and all share a like passion. I first try to connect people together who desire to see the same thing get accomplished and then help to make whatever they are doing manageable and exciting. I do this by using my administrative skills and the overall passion I carry for the things I am doing.

Interpreting and leading change; managing conflict: I would say I am above average in this area when I have people to work with, because I can keep the larger vision in front of me and recognize my need for the input of others.

To see the complete bio and picture of Pastor Greg Strunk and his family, stop by the bulletin boards at East Ave. and Fourth St. entrances.

Lent 2010—”Churches Around the Park”

“Things I Wish Jesus Wouldn’t Have Said”

Worship will also be at 10:00 am at Christ Episcopal Church each Wednesday

Worship is at 5:00 and 7:00 pm each Wednesday and a meal will be served from 5:30 to 6:30 pm at the host church.

Community Good Friday Service will be at First Presbyterian Church at noon on Friday, April 2

Date	Location	Presenter(s)	Scripture
March 3	Christ Episcopal Church	Pastor Wayne Walther Pastor Gary Elg	Matthew 5:44-48
March 10	Church of St. Joseph	Pastor Kristin Schlauderaff	Matthew 10:37-39
March 17	United Lutheran Church	Pastor David Jore	Matthew 6:14-15
March 24	1st Evangelical Lutheran	Father Thomas Kommers—Pastor	Matthew 19:21

Easter Plants

We will soon have a sign-up sheet in Hamline Foyer for Easter flowers. These flowers will once again decorate our sanctuary on Easter Sunday, April 4. If you would like to donate a plant in honor or memory of a loved one to decorate our sanctuary, please fill this out and return it to the office. The cost is $15 per plant.

Name ______________________________________________ Qty ___________

In honor/memory of: _________________________________________________

Notes From Nicole

Well believe it or not, we are almost through our winter. I sure can’t wait to be outside again with the warm sun. But for now let me tell you what we have been doing in Sunday school. We have been learning new songs and practicing the Lord’s Prayer in our group time.

If you have been in church on Sunday, you have heard me ask for donations for buttons and cardboard. Everyone still wondering was that was for?

Well, on February 14^th we were in Sunday school for the morning of Valentine’s Day and we had an awesome day. We used our cardboard and our buttons to make bulletin boards. We covered the 12x12 cardboard with batting and then covered that with red fabric. We drew a heart on the front and filled it in with our buttons. It left the rest of the board open to use to post notes on. We added popcorn, crackers and juice to eat and drink to complete our activity. I would like to thank everyone who donated the cardboard, buttons and batting. We had plenty for everyone. Your support for our Sunday school program is very much appreciated. Looking forward to seeing you at Sunday school.

Warm Wishes,

Nicole Schmidt

Prayer Chain

If you have any prayer concerns and/or if you would like to be part of the prayer chain, please call Marilyn Josephson at 388-2050, Donna Dummer at 388-6998, or the church office at 388-3262.

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At our annual council retreat, we discussed adding a second service with a different format. To start with, we will add a thirty minute second service of worship one Sunday during the month of May. As time goes by, we may want to adjust the time or day. The Church Council would like your thoughts into this possible adjustment. Please take a few minutes to answer a few questions, then return to the church office. Your input is very important to us.

Circle the age group that pertains to you:

13-25 26-35 36-50 51-65 66-100

Circle one possible second service:

Sunday: 8:30-9:15 Sunday: 11:00-11:45

Wednesday: 6:30-7:30

Saturday: 5:30-6:30

Other suggestion: ___________________

Please give us some ideas what you and your family would like to experience at a second service; ex: music (instruments, drums, vocal, etc), more hymns, short scripture with sermonette, more member participation (music, scripture, message)

Other suggestions?

Signed________________________________________________________________

Thank you for taking the time to help guide the future of our church.

GLOBAL MISSION IN ACTION

Yei, Southern Sudan—A microfinance program run by the United Methodist Women’s organization of the church enables local women to grow and market their produce.

The West Bank village of Wadi’ Foukin (Valley of Thorns)—UMC and UMW Mission Giving-supported mission projects work with the people of Palestine.

Samrith Village, Kampong Thom Province, Cambodia—Women receive grants to plant seeds as part of a UMW-supported Methodist Mission in Cambodia.

San Bernando do Campo, Brazil—Street Children Project, supported by UMW Mission Giving, provides activities for the children it serves.

Tinga-Tinga, Mozambique—Girls learn vocational skills such as sewing and cooking at a UMW-supported boarding school.

Des Moines, Iowa—New Directions Shelter is part of UMW Mission Giving-supported Hawthorn Hill Ministries.

Please pray for all mission projects and missionaries supported by the

United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries.

Information from Prayer Calendar 2010, provided by your Outreach Committee