8/4/2019 Voice 201104

1/14

Columbus United Methodist Church

222 S. Dickason Blvd. Columbus, WI 53925April, 2011

Our purpose is to:Follow Jesus Together

We do this by:

Opening our hearts to people and to Christ in worship and fellowship, so that weknow God and each other more fully,Opening our minds to deepen our Christian faith, understand our heritage, andthink together to solve common problems, andOpening our doors in welcome and hospitality, even as we go out of those doors toinvite people into God's church and be in service to all of our neighbors every-where.

In This Issue From the Pastor Page 2 Save the Date Page 2

April Usher Schedule Page 3 Scripture Readers for April Page 3

April Fellowship Time Schedule Page 3 April Anniversaries Pa April Birthdays Lent Page 3

All-Church Lunch and Calendar Planning Page 4 Retreat Page 4 Upcoming Sermon Topics Page 5

April Children & Youth Ministries Page 6 Twelve Alternatives to Lashing Out at Your Child Page 7 UMW News Page 8 Lenten Soup Supper Page 8 Easter Sunrise Service Page 9 Maundy Thursday Page 9 New Procedures for Stock Donations Page 10

A Stewardship Message Page 10World Day of Prayer Page 11Mission Offering for April Page 12 Ecopalms Page 12

Brie SheardFuture Missionary Page 13 Calendar

8/4/2019 Voice 201104

2/14

The Voice is the monthly newsletter of theColumbus United Methodist Church.

Please send all correspondence to:PO Box 392, Columbus, WI 53925-0392.

Pastor: Jim CotterSecretary: Wanda GuentherChurch Office......920-623-3625

(Office Hours: Monday thru Friday from 10-3)Pastors home phone......920-623-9641E-Mail: columbusumc@wisconsinumc.orgWebsite: ............................. www.cbusumc.comPastors E-Mail: jcotter@wisconsinumc.org

The Voice Page 2

From the Pastor

When I talk to a couple about a wedding,I have some basic requirements. One of them isthat the music, if it contains words, must at

least be about mutual relationship. Its evenbetter if it talks about our relationship to God.

The reason I do that is because Ive hadoccasions where couples would like to use asong that is about a one-sided love. Whetherits pop/rock or country and western, a songabout one person pining after another is not themessage that you want to remember twentyyears into marriage.

I am reminded daily of how importantmutual relationship is. When, in business,politics, religion or education we think that ourneed is more important than someone elses well, then, our relationship stumbles. Its nothard to see why. Relationships are mutual, orthey dont matter.

I am proud to be part of a church that isdoing well with relationships. We work andpray together. Recently, we have had such avariety of people newcomers and long-time

church members come together in manyefforts. Not only that, but when one person isunable to continue in a task, someone else stepsup to fill their place. I marvel at how God isworking in things from ushering to SundaySchool, to the Ash Wednesday soup supper.

God is definitely working in ourrelationships. I pray that those mutualrelationships within the body of Christ growstronger and stronger.

Pastor Jim

Our deepest sympathy toMaryBeth Shea, Miles & KerrieShea, and the entire Sheafamily upon the death of RonShea in March. The funeralwas held at our church onSaturday, March 12th. PastorJim Cotter officiated.

Our church was completely filled. Thatwas a wonderful testament to a man and afamily who are well-loved.

Save the Date

On May 22nd, we will have theFriesland Mens Chorus here at the

9:00 a.m. service. The 10:30 a.m.worship service will be the celebrationof Confirmation. Please mark yourcalendars for this important day!

8/4/2019 Voice 201104

3/14

The Voice Page 3

April Usher Schedule

April 3rd: Orville & Beverly Karow andLyle & Louise Elske

April 10th: Jim & Judy Vale and MarloGaddo

April 17th: Tim & Julie Jensen and Dan& Beth Burnard

April 24th: Rita Jordan, Stuart Smith,Dave Stricker and RichardSheard

Happy April Birthdays!

1 Lyle ElskeDave LuepkeNick Sharrow

2 Tom BastenJamie KasmiskiSarah Venden

3 Peggy Goetsch6 Judy Kluetzman10 Sean Bennett

Dan Roe12 Mike Lange14 Brittany Luepke

Louise Sampson15 Dorothy Hake

Fellowship TimeSchedule -

April Volunteers April 3rd: The Glasbrenner Family

April 10th: Jim & Judy Vale

April 17th: Eileen BennettPalm Sunday

April 24th: No Coffee HourEaster Sunday

16 Diane BleichKevin Theede

17 Brittany Rego19 Katie Bodie20 Karen White

Jody Wuserbarth21 Adam Guenther23 Greg Tiedt24 Stuart Smith26 Gail McCoy27 Mitchell Feucht

Andrew Feucht29 Robert Sanks30 Brianna Emerson

April Anniversaries

4/16 Pat & Eileen Bennett4/20 Kelly & Barb Green4/21 Dan & Bobbie Rake4/27 Jason & Karissa Guenther4/28 Joe & Louise Sampson

Jesus prayed. Jesusobserved the Sabbath (mostly).Jesus celebrated the Judeanholidays.

Jesus practiced thespiritual life of a Hebrew male of

his time. What does that mean for us? How canwe learn from the spiritual practices that Jesus

himself practiced? That's the theme of ourEcumenical Lenten Services in 2011.

Ecumenical Lenten services will takeplace on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m., precededby a soup supper at each church, serving from5:30 to 6:30. All are invited to this sharedworship.

The offerings taken will be divided intoequal thirds among Kindred Kids, Salvation

Army and the Ecumenical Association.

April 3rd: Dan Roe

April 10th: Winfred Mandody

April 17th: Eileen Bennett

April 24th: Julie Jensen

Scripture Readers for the Month of April

8/4/2019 Voice 201104

4/14

The Voice Page 4

The Wills & Gifts Committee of our church is pleased to present you this Wish List.If there are any additional items you believe should be on this list, call the churchoffice at 623-3625. These are opportunities for special giving.

Columbus United Methodist Church Wills & Gifts Wish List

Bulletin Sponsor $15.00 per week VOICE Sponsor $50.00 per monthGift Bibles for 1st & 3rd Graders $13.00 each

Child care for Praise Band $15.00 per weekRehearsals7 Confirmation Picture $230.00 each frameFrames & Matting (each (or sponsor one pictureframe holds six pictures) at $40.00)Seasonal silk flower $35.00 to $40.00 eacharrangement for SanctuaryEaster/Wedding Altar Clothand Pulpit & Lectern Paraments $2800.00Wellness FundCounseling Various Amounts

All-Church Lunch and Calendar Planning

Oh no! Calendar planning? Oh yes! Itwill be great. First, at about 11:45, well have alunch of sub sandwiches together. Well enjoy

good conversation together.

Then well look at some copies of thechurch calendar (with some dates already filledin) and plan ahead. If you want a date on thecalendar, please come to the meeting. Well beplanning ahead through May of 2012. Somethings we may want to schedule:

Christmas caroling A community-wide invite a friend toworship weekend (Sept. 17-18)Easter egg huntSpring church cleanup

Vacation Bible SchoolHoly Humor Sunday

All-Church PicnicChristian Holy Days (Christmas, Easter,

Ash Wednesday, etc.)Special things for Veterans Day, MothersDay, etc.

Retreat Sponsored by PeoplesUnited Methodist Church in Oregon

God MotherCan we call God Mother?Friday, May 20th, 6:308:30 p.m.Saturday, May 21st, 9:00 a.m.4:00 p.m.

Explore female images of God in the Bible andChristian tradition, led by Marianne Cotter, anelder in the Wisconsin Annual Conference of theUnited Methodist Church. Activities includeworship, Bible study, guided meditation,exploring feminine images of God in Churchtradition, personal reflection andstorytelling. Participants are invited tobring a Bible and a picture of their mothers.

All other materials will be provided. Thereis no fee for this retreat. However we ask adonation be made to the Susannah Wesley

Community Center, a United Methodist-related social services agency in Honolulu,Hawaii which fights human trafficking:

Peoples United Methodist Church, 103 N. Alpine Pkway, Oregon, WI 53575RSVP to rotte@wisconsinumc.org Registration deadline: May 14thFor more information contactmarianne@wisconsinumc.org

This retreat is for both women and men.

mailto:rotte@wisconsinumc.orgmailto:marianne@wisconsinumc.orgmailto:marianne@wisconsinumc.orgmailto:rotte@wisconsinumc.org

8/4/2019 Voice 201104

5/14

The Voice Page 5

Upcoming Sermon Topics

Sunday, April 3rd: Holy Communion, Jim gone, Patsy Roe preaches

Wednesday, April 6th: Lenten Service at Faith Lutheran Church, Pastor Jim Cotterpreaching, Shabat Shalom

Sunday, April 10th: Nakedness and Poverty, Job 24:1-11, Isaiah 20:1-6,Matthew 25:34-40

Wednesday, April 13th: Lenten Service at Wisconsin Academy SDA, Pastor FloydLaabs preaching, Pray This Way

Sunday, April 17th: Palm Sunday, The Nakedness of the Cross,Matthew 27:27-36, Isaiah 53:1-12, Children will participate

at 10:30 service

Thursday, April 21st: Maundy Thursday Services: 7:00 p.m.Olivet Congregational U.C.C.Tenebrae Service

(Columbus UMC & Church of the Nazarene participating)

Friday, April 22nd: Good Friday Services: 1:00 p.m.First Presbyterian Church, Pastor Wayne Hullpreaching, Are you Jelln?7:00 p.m.Faith Lutheran Church, Taize Service, Theme:Meditation on the Crucified Christ

Saturday, April 23rd: Holy Saturday Services:7:45 p.m.Faith Lutheran Church

After 8:00 p.m.St. Jerome Catholic Church

Sunday, April 24th: Easter Sunday, 6:00 a.m.Easter Sunrise Service atHillside Cemetery, plus our regular 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.services with an Easter Egg Hunt between them

8/4/2019 Voice 201104

6/14

The Voice Page 6

April News & Notes: Children and Youth Ministries Coordinator

Sunday School We will be working on our Lenten and Easter Rotation. We will createspecial arts and crafts projects, enjoy great learning games, and make gooduse of the ovens in our kitchen as we work on our Bread of Life Lesson. Thefocus will be on some of the names of Jesus we find as we study Lent andEaster. These include Jesus as the Way, Truth, Life, Gate, Door andResurrection. We are excited to learn and study together!

April 17 th is the Palm Sunday 10:30 Childrens Service!! This is sure tobe a very meaningful worship experience. We hope you will attend.

April 24 th will be the annual Easter Egg (treat) Hunt at 10 am. This will take place duringthe Fellowship time between the 9 and 10:30 Service. Sunday School will be at the regular 10:30time slot.

Family Friendly Friday Film is an Easter Special EVENT Join us Friday April 15th at 7 pm .forTwas The Night Before Easter (* Veggie Tale special!!),

Doors open at 6:45. There will be supervised games and activities as children arrive.

We will be Tie Dying Easter Eggs !!. .Each child will get to make and take one (at least) of thesevery unique creations home. There will be other arts and crafts fun for everyone.We welcome volunteers to provide a simple snack, set up, clean up, and help during the film. ThisMission of caring is going and growing! J. .

April is National Prevention of Child Abuse Month. Throughout the scriptures we find references on how we are to care for, protect, and love thechildren. Jesus calls us today! As a community of faith let us do all we can to support andstrengthen all families.***Please take time to read the article I have enclosed in this newsletter on Twelve Waysto Prevent Child Abuse. Share it with everyone you know as we work together to love andprotect all children.

A Parent Pledge from Guide My Feet by Marian Wright Edelman, well known child advocate,is a good reminder for us.

I promise to Listen to my children Communicate with my children Teach my children right from wrong and be a good role model for them Spend time with and pay attention to my children

Educate my children in mind, body, and soul Work to provide a stable family life for my children

Pray for and see God in my children and in all children Vote for my children to ensure them fair opportunity

Speak out for my and other peoples childrens needs.

May God our example of the almighty and loving parent guide our feet as we strive to live as the kind of person we are called to be.

Blessings to you.Mary Baker

8/4/2019 Voice 201104

7/14

The Voice Page 7

Twelve Alternatives to Lashing Out at Your Child

The next time everyday pressures build up to the point where you feel like lashing out --STOP! Try any of these simple alternatives. You'll feel better... and so will your child .

Take a deep breath... and another. Then remember you are the adult. Close your eyes and imagine you're hearing what your child is about to hear.

Press your lips together and count to 10... or better yet, to 20.

Put your child in a time-out chair (remember this rule: one time-out minute foreach year of age.)

Put yourself in a time-out chair. Think about why you are angry: is it your child, oris your child simply a convenient target for your anger?

Phone a friend.

If someone can watch the children, go outside and take a walk.

Take a hot bath or splash cold water on your face.

Hug a pillow.

Turn on some music. Maybe even sing along.

Pick up a pencil and write down as many helpful words as you can think of. Savethe list.

Call for prevention information: 1-800-CHILDREN

8/4/2019 Voice 201104

8/14

The Voice Page 8

UMW NEWS

On March 10th we were treated to a presentation about School of Christian Mission by Julie Miehe theschools co-ordinator for the conference. It was a wonderfully informative talk, as she shared her historyof her connection to SOCM. Thank you Julie, hope to see you this summer. By the way, SOCM is thefirst week in August this year and drive-in day is at the end of the week. See the sign-up sheets on theUMW bulletin board.

We took a new UMW Membership photo in the entryway which should be on the bulletin board soon! Itwas nice of our guests Julie Miehe and Marianne Cotter to take those pictures for us. Thanks again!

Excitement for this month is another presentation. This time we will hear from Katie-Herr Yang whowill tell us all the news about the Hmong House of Good News in Milwaukee. Some of you were on thefield trip last spring. This should remind you of the great time we had there (and the egg rolls-yum!).Please come to the event and listen to what is new and exciting!

The one thing we need to decide is when to have our mini-retreat this summer. Please give it somethought and let us know what your ideas are. It proves to be a great time to bond. Enjoy the comingspring. Peace.

Your UMW President,

Peggy Goetsch

Lenten Soup Supper

Our Fellowship Hall was host to approximately 90+ diners on March 9th for a Chili-Soup Supper.Many volunteers from the church body helped from cooking to serving to clean-up and monetary

donations. A big Thank You to all.

The weather was beautiful for that Ash Wednesday Lenten service. Pastor Bob Moberg, FaithLutheran Church, gave the sermon. Pastor Floyd Laabs, Church of the Nazarene; Steve Smith, FallRiver UMC; Mina Kenevan, Olivet Cong. U.C.C.; Pastor Wayne Hull, Fall River UMC; Pat Wendt, FirstPresbyterian Church; Patsy Roe, Columbus UMC; Sandra Schieble, Faith Lutheran Church; and PastorLisa Nelson, Faith Lutheran Church; were the Liturgists. There was a lot of great music.

Proceeds from the supper and donations came to $374.00. Many thanks to the Soup SupperCommittee! WAY TO GO!!

8/4/2019 Voice 201104

9/14

The Voice Page 9

We invite you toprovide a lily to decorate ourSanctuary during the Easterseason. These plants may begiven in memory of or in

honor of someone (please be sure to include thisinformation on the clipboard) .

The plants are available at $14.00 eachand you may place your order through PalmSunday on the clipboard to be passed around onSunday mornings or by calling the ChurchOffice at 623-3625. The lilies may be takenhome after the worship service on EasterSunday.

New Front Light Timer

The canopy lights may be turned on inthe entryway for evening events. The timer issimple to use. If you would like instructions,please see Mike Toth, Pastor Jim or Wanda.

Office Hours

The hours forthe church office

have been changed. The new hours are10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Recruiting Servers for Communion

Have yousometimes thought that you'd like to bea Communion server but weren't sure just howto do it? Have you thought to yourself, "I can'tdo that, because I don't know what tosay?" Perhaps the Lord has been nudging youto serve in this ministry. Here's your chance tovolunteer! We'll be passing the clipboards andusing a method similar to that of Scripture-reader volunteers. Select a month, make a noteof it, and pass it on. We'll have a brief sessionsoon to provide some simple training andanswer any questions you mayhave. Questions??? Call Patsy Roe, 623-9110,for more information.

I would like to thank ourchurch family for their thoughtsand prayers offered for me and mychildren who have both recovered.

In appreciation,

Ann EhlenfeldtEaster Sunrise Service

On Easter Day, April 24, Olivet UCCwill join us at 6 a.m. for an Easter sunriseservice at the chapel in Hillside Cemetery on N.Lewis Street in Columbus. You may park in thecemetery and enter the back door of the chapel.This is the first time were using the cemeterychapel for this purpose, so we want to thank thecemetery association and the city for the use of

the building.The worship service will be brief, and

consist mostly of Scripture readings, stories andhymns. All are welcome.

Maundy Thursday

We will join Olivet UCC forworship services on MaundyThursday, April 21 at 7 p.m. atOlivet. This will be a servicewhich focuses on the reading of the passion story(the story of Jesus suffering and death). Ascandles are extinguished, we will focus on thegifts that come to us by way of the cross of Christ.

8/4/2019 Voice 201104

10/14

The Voice Page 10

New Procedure For Stock Donations

The Church benefitsgreatly from gifts of

stock (equities or mutual funds) and you

as a donor can also benefit from avoidingthe capital gains tax on appreciated stockdonated to the church. We encouragethese gifts. We have made a change tothe procedure for doing this. We nolonger use Scottrade and instead askthose interested in donating stock to callI-888-903-9863 which is the WisconsinUnited Methodist Foundation. Thephone will most likely be answered byKaren Woods who will talk you throughthe process and handle the entireactivity. She will have you download aform or will mail one to you. That formwill drive the process.

You will be asked your name and otherpertinent information but you can alsoremain anonymous if you like. You canspecify if you want the stock soldimmediately or held for the church todecide when to sell it (your choice here).If you want the stock held and also want

it used for a specific cause, that can bearranged. A foundation account can becreated to hold the stock or its proceeds if you want it sold immediately.

Our church will gain two importantbenefits from having the Foundationhandle these transactions. First, we willnot be charged a brokerage fee for thesale whenever the sale takes place.Secondly, unless you choose to remainanonymous, your donation will becredited to you in our church rollswithout risk of omission or error.

Please direct any questions to theFinance Committee or simply call theFoundation using the number above.

Thanks

Dave Stricker - Finance Committee

A STEWARDSHIP MESSAGE FOR YOUR CHURCH

#264 Give each what would keep (them) above want,and bestow all the rest in such a manner as would bemost for the glory of God. - John Wesley

Dont let this happen to you!

A few years ago Karen inherited shares of stock fromthe estate of a family friend. All the paperwork wascompleted by the estate lawyers and Karen receivednotice when the shares had been transferred to hername. When her church was in the process of abuilding campaign, Karen entered on her pledge cardthat she had stock she would like to redeem in orderto pay her pledge. No one from the finance committeeor church office contacted her to help her gift the stockto the church!

She didnt know who to contact in the secular worldeither so she left the stock invested. Years later sheread in her church newsletter that the WisconsinU.M. Foundation could process gifts of stock, whichmeant she could avoid paying capital gains taxes. Shealso could avoid paying a selling fee or commission.She was amazed! By following the Foundationssimple procedure, she could actually make a largergift to her church than if she had sold the gift of stockherself and written a check to the church for the

proceeds.

In 2010, the Foundation assisted 73 people in giving$529,811 in stock gifts to 42 different churches andministries. Thats an average gift of $12,614 perchurch, or over $1,000/month! By making these giftsthrough the Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation,these individuals made sure that 100% of theproceeds from the sale were used for ministry.

For more information on how you can make a gift of appreciated stock to your favorite church or UnitedMethodist ministry, please find the most currentsecurities processing form on our website at http:/ /www.wumf.org/assets/ProcessingStockGifts.pd f . Besure to call us or send us a copy of the form so that wecan process your gift as quickly as possible.

Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation750 Windsor Street, Ste. 305, P.O. Box 620

Sun Prairie, WI 53590-06201-888-903-9863 or wumf@wumf.org

http://www.wumf.org/assets/ProcessingStockGifts.pdfhttp://www.wumf.org/assets/ProcessingStockGifts.pdfmailto:wumf@wumf.orgmailto:wumf@wumf.orghttp://www.wumf.org/assets/ProcessingStockGifts.pdfhttp://www.wumf.org/assets/ProcessingStockGifts.pdfhttp://www.wumf.org/assets/ProcessingStockGifts.pdfhttp://www.wumf.org/assets/ProcessingStockGifts.pdf

8/4/2019 Voice 201104

11/14

World Day of Prayer

World Day of Prayer is a worldwide ecumenical movement of women of many faith traditions who come together to observe a commonday of prayer each year on the first Friday in March. The Columbus-FallRiver celebration of World Day of Prayer was held at Columbus United

Methodist Church on Friday, March 4, 2011,at 1:00 p.m. There was a Fellowship Hourafter the service. Participants in leadershiproles came from several local churches.

This years theme was How Many Loaves Have You? Bread iscentral to the daily life of the Chilean womenand sharing bread is a universal sign of hospitality.

Enduring a devastating earthquake in February, 2010, and twoother earthquakes since January, 2011, the women of Chile furtherencourage us to enter a process that draws us into the Bible, into thecontext of Chile and into the real situations of our lives and communities.How many loaves have you? What are your gifts? What can you share?These are questions we are asked to ponder as we reflect on the meaning of

the theme, How Many Loaves Have You?

Women from most of our local churches participated in theprogram. Ann Breitenbach, Toby Vincent,Deb Schilling, Alice Schmidt, MaryCarpenter and Mary Baker wereinstrumental in putting the program

together. Mary Baker used her considerabletalents in decorating the sanctuary andfellowship hall in the bright colors used by

the Chilean women. Liz ODonnell baked all of the delicious bread (stayingwith the theme of the program) and served after the program during afellowship time. Approximately 34 women (including those in the program)were in attendance at the service.

The Voice Page 11

Thank you for your generosity!

It is sometimes a good thing to be reminded of how our giving adds up.In 2010, United Methodists in Wisconsin contributed over $477,000 to Haiti through United

Methodist Committee on Relief. This was part of a total designated mission giving through The Advance of $1.45 million, none of which was used for administration, but all went directly to where it was needed.

In addition to this, $65,858 went to One Great Hour of Sharing, which provides for theadministrative costs of The Advance .

The above figures are all above and beyond our requested shared offerings (apportionments),which amounted to 6.5 million for ministry in Wisconsin and beyond.

Our ministry is multiplied as we give together!

8/4/2019 Voice 201104

12/14

The Voice Page 12

Mission Offering for April

One Great Hour of Sharing (April 3, 2011) is one of the six church-wide SpecialSundays with offerings of The United Methodist Church. One Great Hour of Sharing(OGHS) enables the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) to live out its missionto alleviate human suffering.

UMCOR is the humanitarian arm of The United Methodist Church. OGHS giftsunderwrite UMCOR's "costs of doing business," meaning that every penny of every gift youmake to a specific UMCOR project will be spent on that project-not on office administrative

costs. This enables UMCOR to respond to natural or human made disasters.

The OGHS offering makes ministries available in the United States and across the globe. In 81countries in all, you assure the United Methodist Church is in the lead to alleviate suffering throughOGHS. Restoration. Healing. Hope. Jesus teaches us to bring healing and restoration wherever we can.That's what we can all do through the work of UMCOR.

Remember -- you can also donate on-line to UMCOR anytime at http://new.gbgm-umc.org/

Your Missions Committee

The Church and Health Ministry

Church Health Services, Inc. is sponsoringThe Church and Health Ministry seminar to be heldat the Beaver Dam Community Hospital onSaturday, April 9th, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The

cost is $15.00 per personmaterials and lunch areincluded in the cost.

The featured presenters are Dr. Mike andLois Auguston, Family Physician and Clinical NurseSpecialist. The seminar will focus on advancinghealth and healing in the local churchwholeness.Its a one day training for lay people, clergy andhealth professionals. Training highlights include:

Medical Model and the Faith CommunityBuilding Rapport and Planning withPastorsDeveloping the Health Ministry TeamHealth Belief ModelCongregational SurveysCommunity Resources and much more

For more information, emailkarlaj@churchclinic.org or call Church HealthServices at (920) 887-1766. The registrationdeadline is April 4th.

Ecopalms

Did you know that the typical palmsused on Palm Sunday actually contribute todeforestation in the rain forest? Thatsbecause the palm fronds may be harvested

in ways that kill the plants.

So we this year are ordering palmsthrough eco-palms for these reasons:

Harvesting groups receive 5 to 6 timesthe normal payment per frond.Eco-Palms are purchased directly fromthe communities, which lessens theimpact of the fluctuating market andallows value-added processing to takeplace within the community.

A typical Eco-Palm is harvested in theforest by men and processed by womenin the community. This increasesemployment opportunities for women inthe community and helps themcontribute to their familys financialstability.Without a market for the palms theforests are at risk of being converted toagricultural fields.

8/4/2019 Voice 201104

13/14

Brie SheardFuture Missionary

Dear Pastor Jim & Congregation,

Greetings from snowy Massachusetts! I am writing this letter to update you about my life and to share withyou about an opportunity this summer that I truly believe God has handcrafted for me. The opportunity will

bring together three significant areas of my life: my experience in ministry and the church, my past andcurrent higher educational studies, and a future in full time missions work.

Currently I am a second year master's degree student at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, which islocated a few miles north east of Boston in South Hamilton, Massachusetts. Here I am pursuing degrees inBiblical languages and in world missions and evangelism. I am blessed not only in the classroom, but alsooutside the classroom as I participate in Gordon-Conwell community events, international missionsconferences, church Bible studies, outreaches to Harvard University, and networking with people in the bodyof Christ from a variety of denominations and backgrounds.

This summer I will be participating in another rich learning experience outside the classroom as I travel to Vienna, Austria with World Harvest Mission. I will be in a group made up of three other interns and we willbe partnering with the World Harvest Mission church planting team already located in Vienna. While itmight seem extraneous to plant churches or send missionaries to Western Europe, the need for the truth of Jesus Christ and discipleship is great. Like the majority of Western Europe, Vienna is marked by a steadydecrease in church attendance, a postmodern ideology where pluralism reigns, and a worldview that sees theinstitutional church as out of date.

My time in Austria will be structured around three types of experiences: relational ministry throughinteraction with Austrians and internationals, engaging the city and the culture, and personal growth/discipleship. What I am most looking forward to in these areas is participating in weekly church events,building relationships with unbelievers and believers, hosting outreach events, taking a short course inconversational German, discipling, and times of personal and corporate prayer. Working with the churchplanting team will be a priceless time of equipping and growth as I look ahead to full time missions work inWestern Europe after the completion of my degree programs.

In order to make this opportunity a reality, I need your help. I am asking first and foremost for your prayersupport. Pray for our team's awareness of what God is doing in Vienna and receptive hearts not only forthose our team will minister to, but also for the team members as we listen and grow.

Secondly, I am inviting you to partner with me financially. The trip's cost is $5275 which includes aroundtrip ticket, food & lodging, local transportation, ministry expenses, pocket money, and anadministrative fee. Any amount will make an impact whether that is $25, $50, $100, or more.

Thank you for your continued interest in and support of my life and ministry.

Blessings,

Brie J. Sheard

The Voice Page 13

(We have an opportunity to support one of our own as she prepares for missionary service.If you would like to donate to Bries efforts, you may give through the church until April17th. Please mark your check Brie Sheard. We will then forward all the donationstogether. Or you may give online at www.whm.org/give/give-to-a-missionary; click onSheard, Brie. Donations are tax deductible.)

8/4/2019 Voice 201104

14/14

Upcoming events you might want to know about!

Wednesday, April 6th: Soup Supper at Faith Lutheran ChurchServing5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.7:00 p.m.Lenten Service at Faith Lutheran Church

Wednesday, April 13th: Soup Supper at Wisconsin Academy SDA ChurchServing 5:30 p.m. to6:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 14th: 7:00 p.m.UMW Meeting

Friday, April 15th: Family-Friendly Friday Night FilmEaster Special Event

Saturday, April 16th: Church Clean-Up Day

Maundy Thursday, April 21st: 7:00 p.m.Olivet Congregational U.C.C.

Good Friday, April 22nd:1:00 p.m.Service at First Presbyterian Church 7:00 p.m.Service at Faith Lutheran Church

Sunday, April 24th:6:00 a.m.Easter Sunrise Service at Hillside Cemetery 9:00 a.m.Easter Worship Service 10:00 a.m.Easter Egg Hunt 10:30 a.m.Easter Worship Service

Friday, April 29th:: Confirmation Class Lock-InOvernight

NONPROFITU.S. Postage

PAIDColumbus, WI 53925

Permit No. 1

The Voice

Columbus United Methodist ChurchPO Box 392

Columbus, WI 53925-0392 ___________________________ RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED