The Tower

March 2019

Decorah First United Methodist Church; 302 W. Broadway, Decorah, Iowa 52101

Email: decorah-first-umc@iaumc.net

Website: decorahfirstunitedmethodist.org

563-382-3835

Lenten/Easter Worship Schedule

Ash Wednesday March 6, 2019 at 5:00 p.m.

Palm Sunday April 14, 2019 at 9:00 a.m.

Maundy Thursday April 18, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.

Good Friday April 19, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.

Easter Sunday April 21, 2019 at 9:00 a.m.

FUMC office closes at noon on Friday, April 19 and remains closed

until 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday April 23.

Lenten Bible Study starts Sunday March 10 at 10:45 a.m. We will be

using Mike Slaughters “Miracle”.

Trustee’s meeting minutes for January 13, 2019 Election of officers: Syd and Marc were named Co-chairs of this committee. Gary presented the financial report as of the end of the year 2018. Our monies were lower than last year due to the drop of the stock market. Trust Fund allocation: This money is determined by taking the average value of the trust fund over the last five years ($373,517.35) and then take 3.5% of it for disbursement. Our rec-ommendation is to take 2.75% from the trust. This would be $10,272. Please remember that the Trustee’s have asked for $3136 to pay for the capital improvement loan for HVAC. Pew repair. Motion to ask Ward Budweg to cut the broken pew in half and add the end to make a complete half pew. The front pew would be moved into the place of the broken one and the half pew would end up in the front. Ken will check to see how many tables need to be replaced in the fellowship area so we can determine the cost and use the dedicated money of $ 1495. Ken also asked that our building get an inspection to check out how it is aging! He knows a building inspector, that would look the church over and make suggestions for no fee. The next Trustee meeting is planned for February 10. Adjourned at 11:15. Respectfully submitted, Bob Watson.

Utilities for the month of January and February.

Jan. Feb.

Black Hills (gas) $1,049.53 $1,302.71

Alliant (Electricity) $386.41 $367.02

City of Decorah Water and Sewer $178.60

CenturyLink (phone and internet) $175.89 $176.15

Malcom (garbage pickup) $24.34 $ 24.34

Insurance: Qtly installments paid in January

Guide One $1,783.50 A & J Petersburg $461.00

Apportionments paid for January and February

General Church $1,157.50

Conference Ministries $3,461.00

Conference Mission $1,201.70

Our District Asking for the year 2019 in the amount of $1,605.00 was paid in full.

NOTE: The above list is a portion of our monthly expenses, your timely contributions are very

much appreciated and necessary in meeting the financial commitments of our church ministry.

Trustee’s meeting minutes for February 10, 2019 Old Business: Custodian report from Ken: Quotes for replacement tables for the Fellowship Hall from Ace at $117 and from Fisk at $110. motion carried to purchase 14 tables from Fisk Farm & Home Pew repair – Ward Budweg is planning to repair as soon as he can. Ken will assist him if need be. Building Inspection – Many points of maintenance for the building are included but no ma-jor structural issues. Upon review of the document, the trustees will discuss a plan to repair what is needed and projects that can be budgeted for. Emergency Response Plan – Gary will review existing plan and make suggestions as neces-sary for the whole building. New Business: Lift Inspection: Ken is planning to contact the company to take care of this. From Ad Council: The snow removal of the sidewalks has been done by Ken with his own snow blower brought from home. The machine is in need of repair and the ad council asked if the Trustees could pay for the repairs. Ken estimates that the cost may be up to $150. Marc volunteered to personally cover the cost instead. Thanks Marc! Hearing Devices: Wayne Wasta has donated funds to purchase two more devices for the congregation. Thanks to the Wasta's! Locking of building doors: It has been decided to keep all doors of the building locked ex-cept the main entrance door to the office on Broadway. Anyone using a locked entrance with their key is expected to lock again when finished. Light for choir loft: Jan shared the request for adding overhead lighting for the back row of the choir. From SPRC – Deb Tekippe: There is a request that a new answering machine is needed for the office. If approved the funds are available in the “office remodel” portion of the account - $290.76. Video/Audio Proposal: Nick Rissman from the finance committee could not be at the meet-ing today, so Gary M shared this proposal. It is hoped that the sanctuary can be updated with large TV/Video screens. These would be used for displaying video as well as hymns, prayers, scripture, announcements, etc. Discussion included that Pastor Mee has been asking for this so that we could apply for a grant from the Conference which has a deadline this week to ap-ply for. Gary suggested that we have Sim Sound from Winona come and evaluate our needs and give us a couple estimates of what may work for our sanctuary (they installed our audio system about 10 years ago). Jan suggested visiting with members to hear their feelings about this. It was suggested that other grants are available also and to take some time to decide once there is a plan from the sound company. Gary will contact Sim Sound to get proposals. The next Trustee meeting is planned from Sunday, March 17 at 10:30. Meeting dismissed 11:35 AM. Submitted by Syd Stevenson

EASTER LILIES

All are welcome to provide lilies for the Easter Service on Sunday, April 21, 2019 in honor or memory of a loved one. Please remember to order your lilies from the florist in time for delivery to the church by Monday April 15 Let the church office know the names of those you are honoring or memorializing with the lilies so names can placed in the church bulletin by 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 18.

Office 563/382-3835 or by e-mail at decorah-first-umc@iaumc.net

UMCOR SUNDAY

For more than 50 years, United Methodist congregations have been taking part in a special One Great Hour of Sharing – now: UMCOR Sunday offering, laying the foundation for UMCOR’s ministry of relief and hope. Donations UMCOR receives through this offering, along with other undesignated gifts made throughout the year, cover our costs of doing busi-ness. Gifts like yours make it possible for UMCOR to use 100% of all other contributions on the projects our donors specify, instead of on administrative or fundraising costs.

Because of your donation today, we’re ready to respond in times of crisis. UMCOR does not receive United Methodist World Service or apportionment funds, so without your offerings, UMCOR would not exist.

FUMC will proudly collect this offering on Sunday March 31, 2019, Please make checks payable to FUMC with “UMCOR Sunday” in the memo line.

FUMC READS BOOK CLUB

March 19 7:00 p.m. @ Vennehejm with Nancy Eichinger

and Jean Carter as co-hostess.

We are reading The Orange Girl by Joestein Gaard

Everyone is Welcome to join us.

Happy Reading!

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

THIS MONTH: March 2019

No Executive or General Meetings

March 1– 1:00 p.m. Church Women United World Day of

Prayer at St. Benedict’s

March 20 -

UMW Circle Day, Happy Birthday UMW-Proclaiming the Mystery of Faith pg. 72

*9:15 a.m. Sarah Circle at 209 Mound Street, Apt. 4, Decorah – Jerri Osenga, hostess;

Nancy Lerdall, program

*1:00 p.m. Mary Martha Circle at church –Tina Shedinger, hostess;

Barb Dale, program

*1:30 p.m. Eve Circle at 207 Ohio Apt 1- Phyllis Wasta, hostess; Jane Eckblad, program

March 23- Northeast District Mission Study Day, Shell Rock UMC, with Greene UMW,

9:00 registration ; Program: "Finances” and observance of 150th Anniversary of UMW

NEXT MONTH: April 2019

April 3

*1:15 p.m. UMW Executive Committee Meeting

*2:00 p.m. UMW General Meeting

Program: “Racial Discipleship” from the Book of Mark

Sarah Circle Serves

April 13 Eastern Star Coffee Party, begins @ 2:00 p.m. (Eve Hosts)

April 17–

UMW Circle Day ,Women Witnessing to New Life pg. 82

*9:15 a.m. Sarah Circle - TBA

1:00 p.m. Mary Martha Circle at church – Claudia Dabbs, hostess;

Lois Roberts, program

1:30 p.m. Eve Circle at 504 Terrace, Jane VandeBerg, hostess Jane VandeBerg, program

The World Day of Prayer will be Friday, March 1, 2019 at 1:00 p.m.

St. Benedict’s Church

Everyone is welcome, men, women and children.

We hope to see you all there!

YOUTH 2019 IS FOR ALL UNITED METHODIST YOUTH, GRADES 6-12, AND THEIR LEADERS. For more information contact www.iaumc.org

FUMC offers fun and exciting Sunday school classes for preschool to 7th grade.

Join us:

March 3; March 10; March17; March 24;

March 31

All classes meet in our education wing from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Join Puppets of Praise!

March schedule:

March 3-Eastern Star @ 2:30

March 10-practice 4-5

March 17-practice 4-5

March 24-practice 4-5

March 31-practice 4-5

ADULT FELLOWSHIP POTLUCK DINNER

Join us on Sunday, March 10, 2019

At 5:30 p.m., FUMC Fellowship Hall Bill & Connie Bergstrom, hosting

You are guaranteed to experience good food and great fellowship! (or your money back)

March Altar Flowers

are being coordinated by Virginia Leidahl (563/737-2283).

March 3– Communion Sunday March 17– Deb Bishop

March 10-Tina Shedinger March 24 – Deb Bishop

March 31-

Please call Virginia if you wish to provide an arrangement in honor or

memory of a loved one for Sunday March 31.

When having events at the church please check with the office to make sure no other ac-

tivities are already scheduled.

To better secure our facility during the week ALL doors will remain locked EXCEPT the

Broadway entrance by the office.

Custodian Ken has informed us that some of the doors are not closing properly. Make

sure the door you use is closed tight when you enter and exit. We are losing a lot of

heat by them not being closed properly.

Thank you Janis Mineart for creating our “Souper” Bowl boxes for super bowl Sunday.

Our congregation voted for the team they thought would win by placing cans of soup in

the team box. Patriots received 29 cans and Rams received 36 cans. Thank you to Don

Stromseth for taking the soup cans to the Decorah Community Food Pantry.

A request

from our Worship Committee……

We are in need of candles,

all sizes of pillars, white or cream

color.

Please drop them off in the office by

March 25.

Thank you Pastor Jim Dale, for repairing our

banners and organizing them by seasons.

Nancy Lerdall’s January display in our lobby.

3/1 George Duder

3/2 Bob Eppens

3/4 Lorraine Rear; Mark Rhodes

3/6 Nancy Limberg

3/9 Karen Van Der Maaten

3/10 Tina Shedinger

3/13 Marc Folkedahl

3/16 Andrew Rhodes

3/20 Mary Lou Hageman

3/22 Carter Rissman

3/27 Barb Dale

3/29 John Lubke, Mark Landas

3/31 Leslie Smith

March Birthdays

Worship Leader

3/3-Barb Dale

3/10 Tina Shedinger

3/17 Pam Ransom

3/24 Syd Stephenson

3/31 Mark Landas

Audio Visual

Gary Mineart

Gary Mineart

Gary Mineart

Gary Mineart

Gary Mineart

Coffee Fellowship

Steve & Bonnie Steinberg

Dave & Candace Arp

LeRoy & Deanna McClintock

Tom & Kim Sheppard

Bill & Connie Bergstrom

ASH Wednesday March 6,2019

Worship Leader– Bob Shedinger

Stewards for March

Committees Meet in March

Finance March 3 @ 10:30

SPRC March 4 @ 9 a.m.

Ad Council March 12 @ 5:30

Trustees March 17 @10:30

Help is needed for the COMMUNITY MEAL - MARCH 7th - FREE TO COMMUNITY Sponsored by Friends Church, and the Methodist Church SCHEDULE 4:00 - helpers and set-up 4:30 - servers 5:00 - 6:15 SERVING 5:15 - clean-up volunteers FOOD DONATIONS OR VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP SHEET IN OFFICE (382-3835) any questions

contact Sondy Carver 382-2254

We have implemented our “One Call” system.

Have you received the messages Pastor Mee has sent regarding office closing and

cancellation of the worship service due to the weather?

Let us know what you think about it.

However, we have discovered some disconnected phone numbers, have you dropped your landline phone and gone just to your cellphone?

Give the office a call so we can get your record updated.

Our Way forward results from Special Called General Conference

From Iowa Conference The General Conference is the highest legislative body in the church and the only

group who can decide church law and speak officially for the global denomination. The 864 delegates (half lay, half clergy) from all over the world met from Feb. 24-26

to discuss and act on the report of the Commission on a Way Forward over the issue of hu-man sexuality. The delegates also considered petitions other than the report from the Com-mission.

The decision of the General Conference was to offer a majority support for the Tradi-tional Plan. The vote was 438 to 384. The delegates then voted to ask the Judicial Council, the highest court in the denomination, to review the constitutionality of the approved legis-lation.

What is the Traditional Plan? “We continue to teach and believe that all persons are welcomed in the church, all

persons are persons of sacred worth and we welcome all to receive the ministry of Je-sus. Human sexuality is a topic on which people of faith have differing views,” said Bishop Ken Carter, president of the Council of Bishops, after the conference ended. “Despite our differences, we will continue to work together to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world and share God’s love with all people.”

The Traditional Plan keeps the current language around sexuality and increases ac-countability by streamlining the processes to enforce penalties for violations of The Book of Discipline related to marriage and ordination of LGBTQI persons. Some parts of the Tradi-tional Plan were ruled unconstitutional, and it will take some time to clarify which parts will become part of our church law and which parts will not.

4-H Omelet Breakfast and Silent Auction

March 3, 2019-Winneshiek County Fairgrounds 8:00 am-12:30 pm

Menu: 4-H members will be serving made-to-order omelets, applesauce, muffins, cinnamon

bread, milk & coffee

Price $8.00 Children 5 and under free. Carry outs available.

Proceeds help pay for 4-H members Annual Program Development Fees, fund educational

workshops, and 4-H Financial Aid. Thank you for Supporting Winneshiek County 4-H

Aase Haugen Senior Services is hosting an Open House at Nabotunet

March 8-10 from 10am to 4pm each day

1015 Glen Barth Circle (near Vennehjem)

Nabotunet is the premiere senior living neighborhood in Decorah for seniors age 50+.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

World Day

Of Prayer

1:00 St. Ben’s

2

39-Worship

10-coffee

10:30 SS

2:30 Puppets of

Praise to Eastern

Star

4

9– SPRC

5 6 Ash

Wednesday

5:00 Worship

7:30 Choir

7

Community

Meal at St .Ben’s

8 9

109-Worship

10-coffee

10:30 SS

10:45 Lent Study

4-Puppets of Praise

11 12

5:30 Ad Council

13

7:30 Choir

14 15 16

179-Worship

10-coffee

10:30 SS

10:45 Lent Study

4– Puppets of Praise

18 19

7:00 Book Club

20

Circles Meet

7:30 Choir

21 22 23

249-Worship

10-coffee

10:30 SS

10:45 Lent Study

4-Puppets of Praise

25 26 27

Social Concerns

@ 6:30

7:30 Choir

28 29 30

319-Worship

10-coffee

10:30 SS

10:45 Lent Study

4-Puppet of Praise

March 2019

Board of Trustees Meeting

Sunday March 17 at 10:30

Finance Committee Meeting

Sunday March 3 at 10:30