WESTERN DISTRICT SYNOD - APRIL 25-28, 2024
Delegates from our congregations throughout the Western District will be gathering at Mt. Morris Thursday, April 25 – Sunday, April 28 for our District Synod. During this gathering we will gather in fellowship and worship as well as conduct the “business” of the church. We will elect our District President (a 4-year term) as well as pastoral and lay members to the District Executive Board. We also elect representation to many commissions and agencies within the district and province.
In the March Western District News and Notes, current District President, Rev. Bruce Nelson shared this: “If you have not
yet been praying for our upcoming synod, we would encourage you to do so. The theme for our Western District Synod is “Survive, Revive, Thrive.” We believe that this is a continuum and that the three words should not necessarily be put in any particular order. Some of our churches and ministries are thriving and doing wonderful things for the kingdom in their communities and well beyond their walls.
Some of our churches have been or are experiencing revival. They are doing ministry in a new and different way and are exciting about where they are. Some of our congregations and ministries have survived. Now at first glance that might not seem like much of an accomplishment but when we realized how many of our loved ones did not survive since we were last in person for a Western District Synod (eight years ago), surviving should be thought
of as a major accomplishment.
There are also some churches (Moravian as well as ecumenical partners in our local communities) that did not survive over the past 8 years. Our keynote speaker for our time together will be Rev. Dr. Riddick Weber who is assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry at Moravian Theological Seminary. Our
synod chair will be former Provincial Elders Conference President, Rev. Dr. Elizabeth (Betsy) Miller.”
Please be in prayer leading up to and during our District Synod for our delegates (Seth Habhegger, Jody Werth, and Pastor
Beth) and all those who will be gathering for this important event in the life our denomination.
In the March Western District News and Notes, current District President, Rev. Bruce Nelson shared this: “If you have not
yet been praying for our upcoming synod, we would encourage you to do so. The theme for our Western District Synod is “Survive, Revive, Thrive.” We believe that this is a continuum and that the three words should not necessarily be put in any particular order. Some of our churches and ministries are thriving and doing wonderful things for the kingdom in their communities and well beyond their walls.
Some of our churches have been or are experiencing revival. They are doing ministry in a new and different way and are exciting about where they are. Some of our congregations and ministries have survived. Now at first glance that might not seem like much of an accomplishment but when we realized how many of our loved ones did not survive since we were last in person for a Western District Synod (eight years ago), surviving should be thought
of as a major accomplishment.
There are also some churches (Moravian as well as ecumenical partners in our local communities) that did not survive over the past 8 years. Our keynote speaker for our time together will be Rev. Dr. Riddick Weber who is assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry at Moravian Theological Seminary. Our
synod chair will be former Provincial Elders Conference President, Rev. Dr. Elizabeth (Betsy) Miller.”
Please be in prayer leading up to and during our District Synod for our delegates (Seth Habhegger, Jody Werth, and Pastor
Beth) and all those who will be gathering for this important event in the life our denomination.
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED DURING SYNOD
Both Karen and Pastor Beth will be participating as a part of our Western District Synod. Because of this the church office will be closed Thursday, April 25 and Friday, April 26. If you are in need of pastoral care during this time, please contact our vice chair of Elders, Rosemary Mooney, and she will coordinate care with the pastor on call.
PHOTO DIRECTORY - MONDAY, APRIL 29th
How many times have you come to a worship or a church event and asked someone “Who is that person”?
As we have blended several congregations together and brought in over 25 new members in the past 5 years, it’s not surprising that we can’t always recognize or name those within our church family. To help with this challenge we are asking that each family (including families of 1) in our congregation to consider coming to be photographed so that we can all have the opportunity to names and faces together. We have scheduled to have our portrait sessions Monday, April 29 from 2:00pm - 8:30pm. To schedule your photography appointment online, simply go to www.ucdir.com, click on photography appointment scheduling login on the right side, enter wi340 in the Church Code field and enter photos in the Church Password field. Follow the prompts to schedule your family’s appointment time. If you have 6 or more in your family please use 2 consecutive time slots. The online scheduling option is available Monday through Friday. Appointments fill up quickly, so schedule as soon as possible to secure your preferred time. If you would like help in scheduling your time, Pastor Beth would be glad to help you do so. The more families we have participating the more helpful it will be for us all. There is a possibility of submitting a photo of your own (for $15). Each family photographed will receive a free 8x10 picture and pictorial directory for getting your portrait taken. If you are unable to schedule for this date, you can schedule a time on April 9th or 10th at the Wisconsin Rapids United Methodist Church or on April 12th or 13th at Calvary Baptist Church using our church code: wi340. We are also looking for volunteers to help coordinate this effort. If you are willing to serve on a pictorial directory committee please contact the church office to let us know. |
GREETINGS FROM MT. MORRIS CAMP AND RETREAT CENTER!
The weather may not feel like it - but - summer is on the way!! We'd like to invite you to join us as we kick off summer with our Family Fun Weekend May 31 - June 2, 2024!
It'll be a great weekend filled with plenty of free time for families and a mix of games, activities, devotional time and worship. Rev. Greg Behrend of You Belong Ministries in Green Bay will be leading our devotional and worship time during the weekend.
Registration forms are available on the back table in the sanctuary.
We'd love to have you join us!
- Dan Scharnhorst
Mt. Morris Camp & Retreat Center
It'll be a great weekend filled with plenty of free time for families and a mix of games, activities, devotional time and worship. Rev. Greg Behrend of You Belong Ministries in Green Bay will be leading our devotional and worship time during the weekend.
Registration forms are available on the back table in the sanctuary.
We'd love to have you join us!
- Dan Scharnhorst
Mt. Morris Camp & Retreat Center
2024 CAMP DATES
- Chetek: July 14-20 (Mt. Morris)
- Tar Hollow: July 21-27
- Winmor: July 21-27 (Mt. Morris)
- Junior: July 28-Aug. 1
- Camp Bethany (Michigan and Ohio
- 2nd grade through 6th grade): August 5-9
BOXES NEEDED!
Our Book Sale committee is already hard at work to prepare for this annual event which will take place Thursday, October 10 – Saturday, October 12 (preview time after worship for our congregation on Sunday, October 6). Looking to streamline our process, we are asking for donations of larger cardboard boxes for us to use as we sort the books donated for this event. If you have boxes you are willing to let us use, please bring by the by the church.
|
DONATIONS LIST
As we continue to look for ways to be good stewards of our finances, we would welcome any extra support from our congregation or friends who might be willing to donate supplies to our church. Click here to see what is needed and possibly sign-up to donate:
OUR WINTER FARMERS MARKET IS HERE!We have vendors selling crafts, produce, eggs, bakery, cider, honey, spices, tamales, fry pies, and microgreens.
For the fall session we will be running Saturdays through December 16th, (closed on Thanksgiving weekend). The Winter session will be Jan 6th through May 18th, closed Easter Weekend. People should check the website, or facebook winter market page for any unforseen closures, (weather, funerals, weddings). We have sign-up for vendors available on the Winter market vendor page on our website: (go to the "More" tab and click on "Market Vendors"). There is a customer page there also: go to the "More" tab and click on "Winter Farmers Market"). he Facebook page for the market is: https://www.facebook.com/wrwinterfarmersmarket |
TRAVEL ASSISTANCE TO WORSHIP
The Board of Elders wants to make sure that transportation is not an issue to participate in worship or other events. If a ride is needed, please let a member of the Board of Elders know. Also, if you are willing to give a ride to someone in need, let a member of the Board of Elders know. We will do our best to make connections.
I would like to thank all those who helped make our Mid-week Lenten, Holy Week and Easter celebrations such a meaningful experience! Thank you to those who hosted the meals (Bonnie Nuber, Milo & Kathy Plante, the Renners, Marilyn Dakins, and the Habheggers). Thank you to those who shared their stories (John Gunn, Rosemary Mooney, Alice Lavin, Chris Ratelle, and Diane Renner), and a special thank you to Diane Renner for coordinating these services for us while Pastor Beth was on sabbatical.
Thank you to all who read for our Holy Week services (Bob, Bill, Seth, Rosemary, Bonnie, Rhone and Diane), to all those who provided music (Karen, Jan, the trombone choir, and children’s choir), who did the tech (Seth, Mike, Milo, Kathy, Jody, Marilyn, Rhone), and to those who coordinated/prepped/cleaned-up our breakfast (John B, Joint Board, the Blessings Committee & families).* It was joy to be together and the Spirit of God was definitely felt throughout!
*My apologies to any names that I forgot to list, my memory is not always reliable.
Thank you to all who read for our Holy Week services (Bob, Bill, Seth, Rosemary, Bonnie, Rhone and Diane), to all those who provided music (Karen, Jan, the trombone choir, and children’s choir), who did the tech (Seth, Mike, Milo, Kathy, Jody, Marilyn, Rhone), and to those who coordinated/prepped/cleaned-up our breakfast (John B, Joint Board, the Blessings Committee & families).* It was joy to be together and the Spirit of God was definitely felt throughout!
*My apologies to any names that I forgot to list, my memory is not always reliable.
PRAYER OF SERVANTHOOD
O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come. We give you thanks for your constant presence. Through seasons of stability and change, you are with us, calling us out of ourselves into the world to serve others. Grant that we may be united in love for each other and for those we haven’t yet met. Grant us wisdom, patience, and perseverance as we work through the details and challenges of the ministry you have placed before us. Continue, O Lord, to bless the work of our hands. Bless the work of our hands.
Amen.
Amen.