ALGOMA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

SEPTEMBER 2016

Thanks to everyone who helped out with our ChurchPicnic! What a fantastic evening of music, food, laughter and love!

Mission Statement: As the Algoma Boulevard United Methodist Church family of faith, we will help people experience God through … transformational worship, lifelong learning, inspiring music, life-changing service and passionate witness

September is a busy month for United Methodist Women!

* Monday, Sept. 19, at 6 p.m.: A potluck dinner will be held in Paine Hall.Men and women from ABUMC, the Circuit churches, and other interested people are invited. The mixed media program about racial literacy will be given by Tracey Robertson of Fit Oshkosh.It is expected to start at 6:50 p.m. For more information about the program please see the article written by Kate Yarbro. A short business meeting is scheduled after the program. Nursery care will be available. Children should eat with their parents. Please call Rachel Benton (920-231-7724) so that we can provide adequate care for your children.

* Friday, Sept. 23 at noon:UMW Sponsored Book Groupwill meet to discussMiss Brenda and the Loveladies: A Heartwarming True Story of Grace, Godand Gumption in the Fireside Room. Two copies are available in the Open Door that can be checked out. Note later date.

* Saturday, Sept. 24: North East District Annual Day of Celebration and Leadership Training at Lakeshore, UMC, Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Registration will be from 8:30-9 a.m. Please bring at least one can of vegetables for the local food pantry. Reading Program books will be available for purchase. The meeting will begin at 9:15. Lunch will be served. The theme is Hospitality, Healing and Reconciliation. The speaker will be Breanna Illene from Trinity UMC, Madison.We can share transportation. If you need a ride, please call Rachel Benton (920) 231-7724. Conclusion will be about 3 p.m. The deadline forregistration is Aug. 26.Forms for Registration are available on the bulletin board by the library or from Rachel. The fee is $13.

* Friday p.m. and Saturday,Oct. 21-22: Conference UMW Annual Gathering: Growing in Blessedness. at Lake Street UMC, Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Friday evening will include training for district leaders. Other activities are planned for those who are not district officers. For those options, please consult the bulletin board by the library at ABUMC. Registration will be Friday evening at 5:30. Program 6:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday speakers will be Barbara Certa-Werner and Mary Kathryn Pearce.

Registration for the program should be made by Sept. 27 for a reduced fee of $25, which includes the Saturday lunch. For housing information for Friday evening, see the bulletin board by the library or contact Rachel (920) 231-7724. More details will be provided in October.

More Church Picnic Pics….

Circuit Rider Articles - Sept

Youths

CROSSFIRE!

On Wednesday, Sept. 14, our regular Crossfire gatherings start up again – FINALLY! I hope everyone had a fantastic summer and you’re ready to get back in the groove of our weekly get-togethers! We’ll start at 6 p.m. with a great meal and wrap up at 7:45 (note the new time!). If you haven’t joined us before, Crossfire is the name of our amazing middle and high school group. We have an awesome time on Wednesdays, letting loose with a game, discussing current issues and looking to the Bible for insight, and just detaching from the stress and chaos of daily life.

In addition to our Wednesday programs, we also go to Park View Health Center once in a while to play bingo with the residents, and we have special events like laser tag, 30-Hour Famine, scavenger hunts, tubing, haunted houses, Packer parties, etc. Come check it out! We’d love it if you’d bring a friend, too!

Children

Sunday School Starts! –

We can’t wait to see all our little friends for Sunday school! Sunday, Sept. 11, will be our kick-off date for the new school year. We’ll have tons of fun with lots of activities for the whole family. Regular Sunday school classes will begin the following Sunday. Again this year, we’ll begin in the sanctuary at 9 a.m. After the children’s message, off we’ll go to class from 9:15-10:15. Know any families who don’t have a church home? Invite them to join us!

David

Our first Sunday school rotation lesson will involve the familiar story of David and his battle with Goliath from 1 Samuel 17:1-58. David was a young shepherd, not a soldier, yet he defeated the great Philistine with just a stone and his sling. We’ll look at this future king’s great faith in God that gave him such tremendous courage.

Congratulations Sergei Raspel!!

Sergei Raspel has received a $500 Scholarship from the Harvey Scholarship Fund of the Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation Inc.

He was chosen from 77 applicants and was one of 38 who received scholarship awards. Eric P. Churan, president of the foundation, said, “All of the award winners were well-qualified and faithful followers of Jesus Christ. The foundation is honored to be able to award scholarships annually to young people who are members of our United Methodist faith.”

INSIDE THE OPEN DOOR

Welcome to our room next to the Harmony Room! We have multitudes of “animal” books to coincide with The ABUMC Fair.Another that relates isAnd God Created Squash, How the World Began.Do you like to make things? So does God. This new book will make you smile, as noted children’s author Martha Whitmore Hickman (JFic Hic) writes a whimsicalretelling of the creation story.

Come in and take a look. Then check out a book, DVD or CD. Directions are located on the desk.

CHILDREN: Childrenwill become acquainted with David during September. Related selections includeDavid Battles Goliath, one of the Beginners’ Bible series. Ages 2-5 can enjoy this colorfully illustrated book.(J Fic Has). Penny Frank has interpreted the Bible story of David and how he became king in King David(J222.4 Fra). Several other “David” books for children are on display.

YOUTHS: Youthswill enjoy a book of fantasy, The Bark of the Bog Owl,by Jonathan Rogers.Follow Aidan as he meets Dobro, a feechiefolk, and helps protect King Darrow and the Cornwalders, and discovers the Wilderking. (YFic Rog)

ADULTS:How many of you have had a frightening diagnosis involving your health? One of the women leaders we met at Mission U had such an experience. She was from Puerto Rico and became a Methodist pastor who was encouraged to establish new Spanish-speaking congregations. Her book relates her long period of reaching a diagnosis, her denial of multiple sclerosis, and how her strong faith and family supported her in accepting what may occur in her future.She isa very energetic speaker!In the Waiting Room, by AwildaNolla (248 Nol), is on display in the Open Door.

Those of you with hearing difficulties and know others who have the problem will appreciate the world of former pharmacist Monique E. Hammond.What Did You Say?, An Unexpected Journey into the World of Hearing Loss(362.4 Ham)relates the frightening experience of her hearing loss and warning signs. She explains the importance of timely diagnostic tests, how and why they are performed, related diseases, hearing instruments, surgical implants and supportive help.It is easy to understand! This book is a gift from the author.

To all our church family:

We, the Leaman family, want to thank you for your beautiful cards, prayers and visits. Mom is close to going home to be with Jesus and her family.

We love you, and God be with you

Sunday County Fair

Volunteers Needed!!

Our opening Sunday will be held Sept. 11, and our theme will be County Fair.We need help with planning and volunteers to pull it all together.Anyone know of a great petting zoo that could come? Food trucks (especially mini donuts, right?) or other fair sorts of things?

We'll need you to be thinking about what Blue Ribbon items you can bring in (pies, cookies, pickles, etc.)

Contact Pastor Cathy if you are able to contribute.

Southern Congo Wings of the Morning

The UMC has a well-established aviation ministry in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Because the DRC is a huge country and there is a major lack of infrastructure and roads, the UMC’s ministry provides a vital service in the transportation of “medicines, supplies, the sick, doctors, teachers, volunteers and pastors.”

ABUMC has a direct connection with the Southern Congo Wings of the Morning as its pilot, RukangChikomb, has spoken twice at ABUMC. In 2012, among other duties, he flew Ben Irvine and a traveling companion to mission sites in the DRC.

Operating costs of Wings of the Morning are great with fuel (aviation gas) being the largest single cost item. The fuel did cost $14 per gallon more than a year ago.

If you were in church on July 31, you were able to hear first-hand from Stephen Quigg regarding his experiences as a UMC missionary pilot in Nigeria and in the DRC and later as coordinator of the General Board of Global Ministries Aviation Resource Dept. Stephen also mentioned the current activities of the UMC Aviation Program which includes the Southern Congo Wings of the Morning.

Coins received in the Sunday morning offering

in the program’s operating costs. If you would like to provide additional funds, please use a mission giving envelope and mark the envelope Congo Wings of the Morning. — Richard Graeber

People can give gifts to this fund, and Pastor Cathy can use it when people from our congregation or connected to our congregation have a need.We can help someone with gas money or groceries.In certain circumstances, we can consider helping in other ways, as well.If you or someone you know could use a little help, contact Pastor Cathy.Help will be given on a case-by-case assessment and with consideration to the amount of money available in the fund.

How does it work?

When we give special gifts that are designated to certain mission or ministry projects, those gifts are stored, short term, in a special account.When the giving time is over, the person in charge of the mission or ministry works with a staff person to have a voucher written and approved.After the voucher is complete and turned in to our treasurer, a check is cut and sent.

If it is a mission or ministry within our congregation, the gifts are added to the line item in the budget for that particular gift.And now you know.

Welcome Back Read School Students on Sept. 9

Help us welcome the young families in our neighborhood as we celebrate the start of the school year at Read School next door to ABUMC.From 3 to 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, we will do all that we can to let the kids next door and their families know that we’re here and that we care.

We need help with:

* Snacks and drinks

* Arts and crafts

* Games

* Bounce house pickup, setup and return

* Bounce house supervision

We also will need people to welcome, direct and connect with our neighbors.Can you help reach beyond our doors?

If you can help, please contact Pastor Cathy

Church Picnic 2016