TowerFebruary 2016 - Wauwatosa Avenue United Methodist Church

The
Tower
February 2016
Gathering As Friends... Growing in Faith… Sharing God’s Love
Jazz Sunday, February 7
Adult Lenten Study
"Blues are the songs of despair, but gospel songs are
the songs of hope." —Mihalia Jackson
It has been said that blues are the
soul of gospel and blues form the
backbeat of American music. For
this year's Jazz Sunday, we will
have a blues and gospel emphasis.
The Praise Ensemble will lead many
favorite hymns with that little musical twist we have
come to enjoy. In addition, they will share a variety
of musical selections accompanied by our Jazz
Combo including a gospel setting of Psalm 62. Bono,
the lead singer for U2, states that "What is so
powerful about the Psalms is that as well as being
gospel and songs of praise, they are also the blues."
Join us and let God put a song in your heart. Pastor
Sue's sermon, "When Life Sings the Blues" will be
based on portions of Psalms 40, 42, 43.
One of the most loved sections of
Jesus' teachings from the Sermon
on the Mount, is commonly
referred to as the Beatitudes. This
year we will center on the
Beatitides both for an adult study and for a Sunday
sermon series during Lent. We will be offering a 6week Lenten Study and two times will be offered for
the classes, Thursday evenings (7pm) and Tuesday
afternoons (2pm). Natalie Stumpner and Sue Burwell
will be sharing leadership. The Thursday group will
begin on February 11 and the Tuesday group on
February 9. The book we will use to guide our study
is "The Power of a Focused Heart—Eight Life
Lessons from the Beatitudes" by Mary Lou Redding.
The book is organized around the various sections of
the Beatitudes from the gospel of Matthew. The
author gives an opportunity to hear Jesus' words
again, explore their meanings, and discover our
responses. If you would like to be a part of these
groups, please sign up in the church office. We will
be happy to offer both groups if there are sufficient
numbers for both groups. We need a minimum of five
people to sign up at either/both times to offer the
class at that time. If you want a book ordered for you,
please sign up by January 31st. The cost of the book
is $10.
Ash Wednesday marks the
beginning of Lent. On this day we
take the time to reflect upon our
mortality as well as recognize the
ways we have become separated
from God. A joint service of
worship with the Mary of Magdala congregation will
be held on Wednesday, February 10, at 7pm. The
sermon that night, “Reaching Across the Aisle,” will
be based on 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:2. We will also
share communion, and provide the imposition of
ashes. Ashes are a sign of our repentance and our
mortality and being marked with ashes can be a
humbling experience, as a reminder we are mortal
beings. The imposition of ashes on our foreheads will
be an option for those who may find it meaningful.
Please know that you need not participate in this
aspect of the service if it is not comfortable for you.
February Treats
On February 7, our youth
will be preparing New
Orleans Beignets for
Fellowship Hour. And the
following Sunday, February
14, our Scouts will be
filling us up with pancakes
and sausage. Plan to be with us both those Sundays
for some fun treats and for the remainder of Lent, you
can watch your diet more carefully!
Wauwatosa Avenue
United Methodist Church
2016
Tower Deadlines
1529 Wauwatosa Avenue
Wauwatosa, WI 53213
Phone (414) 453-0700  Fax (414) 453-0702
www.waumc.org  [email protected]
February 23 - April (Easter/Spring)
Sunday Schedule
August 9 - September (Fall start up)
8:15 a.m. Traditional Worship - Chapel
9:45 a.m Blended Worship - Sanctuary
9:15 & 10:45 a.m. Coffee & Fellowship
10:00 a.m. Sunday School - Children & Youth
11:00 am Adult Sunday School Hour
May 10 - June (Summer)
Please place your articles in the Tower folder in
the church office across from Jodie Hunt’s office
or email to [email protected] by the above
dates.
Church Staff and Office Hours
Sue Burwell
Pastor
Tuesday - Friday  9:30-3:00
Charles Bauer-King
Pastor of Visitation
Monday & Thursday  9:15-2:00
Natalie Stumpner
Director of Christian Education
Monday - Thursday  9:00-4:00
Jodie Hunt
Church Administrator
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday  9:30-4:30
Jackie Onan
Financial Secretary
Monday  9:00-2:00; Thursday  9:00-12:00
Brian McLinden
Adult Choir Director
Tim Karth
Praise Ensemble Director
Martha Aslakson
Organist (9:45 service) & Tower Bells Director
Janet Smith
Pianist (8:15 service)
Amanda Prosser
Cherub Choir Director
Susan Watson
Troubadour Choir & Youth Ensemble Director
Heather Sugden
Praise Ensemble Accompanist
Elena Caceres
Children & Youth Accompanist
Laurie Froemke
Nursery Coordinator
Chick Zaffiro
Maintenance/Security
Marie Rider
Printer/Custodian
4
The Tower
We’ll pray for you!
Our church prayer chain
welcomes any prayer requests
you would like to forward to us.
You may drop your written
prayer concern in the collection
plate on Sunday morning, or
call or email it to: Penny
McCanles at 414-453-5337,
[email protected]; or Jodie Hunt at 414453-0700, [email protected].
The requests are emailed each Monday to those
who have agreed to pray for those who need our
help. If you would like to join the prayer chain,
please contact Penny McCanles at the above email
address.
Feel Free to Contact Your Pastor
There are times when people are hospitalized, or
have personal concerns or a crisis, and the pastoral
staff would like to be supportive. If you or someone
you know, goes to the hospital, or needs our care,
please feel free to call the church and let us know.
Pastor Sue makes hospital visits Tuesday through
Sunday, and Pastor Charles makes hospital visits
Mondays & some Thursdays. Also, contact the
church office and let us know of the names of any
home-bound persons who might like a visit. And, if
your address changes, we also would appreciate
receiving that information. After office hours, you
can reach Pastor Sue at 414-257-1228 and Pastor
Charles at 262-681-0570.
PAGE 2
From Pastor Sue’s Desk
I’m at the point in my pastoral career where I think
back to when I was first ordained. Believe it or not,
those were still the “glory years” for churches. Pretty
much, if we opened our doors, people came in. Lives
were a little simpler, there were not quite as many
activities vying for our time, and church as a tradition
and priority in our lives was still the reality.
I recently read an article about changes in the church,
and changes in our society. I found it thoughtprovoking, and thought others might also.
I was listening to a radio show where the two DJs
were doing their usual bit of asking each other trivia
questions. One of them asked, “What are the top nine
favorite religious Christmas Carols in the United
States?” The other DJ had a hard time answering.
He got only one: “O Holy Night.” Upon learning that
another popular carol is “Silent Night” he asked,
“Wait, that’s a religious one? How?” He was
familiar with the tune of “It Came Upon a Midnight
Clear” but again, he didn’t know it was religious.
That same day, for our church preschool’s Christmas
party, I was helping one of the teachers and her
teenage daughter set up some decorations in the
sanctuary while the musicians were practicing some
Christmas carols. Unknowingly I was humming along
and the daughter asked, “Oh, what song is that?”
After realizing that I was humming aloud, I had to
take a moment to think about what song I was
humming along to. “Oh. It’s ‘It Came Upon a
Midnight Clear.’” “I never heard of that song,” she
said. What is it about this song that no one knows
about? Out of curiosity, I started asking her if she
knew other “well-known” Christmas carols. Nope. I
don’t think so. Sounds familiar. I think so…?
Manger? What’s a manger? Those were the answers
to my spur-of-the-moment pop quiz.
It’s no secret that our culture is becoming
increasingly “secular.” What’s frustrating is that a
lot of our churches still operate with the assumption
that everyone knows about the church. And when we
meet people that don’t know the Lord’s Prayer,
instead of trying to teach them, we become more
outraged at the secularity of our culture.
The Tower
Where I believe my church and others fall short is
meeting people where they are and joining in on the
conversations they are already having. We still seem
to want people to meet us where we are. At a recent
visioning meeting, we talked about how we can reach
our community and let them know that our church
exists. A majority of the ideas were something along
the lines of a facelift for our campus so that we can
look fresh, brighter, newer for the people driving by.
“If they see a new landscape, they might think there’s
life in the church and may want to come and check us
out.” That’s all good, but a new landscape or change
of color of the church building isn’t going to draw
people in. That’s the second mistake many of us
make. Not only do we assume that a majority of our
neighbors know about church, we also look at
outreach through the lens of the question, “How do
we get people into our pews,” rather than actually
being missional.
My church is absolutely welcoming. Many other
churches are also welcoming… and happy, gracious
and grateful to meet new families. But a welcoming
church can easily become a dying church. Welcoming
suggests passively waiting for people to come to be
embraced, much like a dog anticipating and waiting
for its master to come home. Yes, we need to be
welcoming… but more importantly, we need to be
invitational. That means taking a risk and putting
ourselves out there for possible rejection when we
invite people to our church. It means going out into
the world, making contact with people and building
relationships with them.
Many decades ago, people looked for the cross and
flame (the United Methodist Church logo) when they
moved into a new town. We don’t have that luxury
anymore. We can’t just wait and assume people are
going to show up — because they won't. We’re also
going to encounter more and more folks who don’t
know the things about our faith that we take for
granted. And that’s okay. What’s not okay is for us to
mistake the words of Jesus to “Go” for “Stay and
wait for people to come” — no matter how
welcoming we may be.
—Joseph Yoo,
www. ministrymatters.com
PAGE 3
Church News
Upcoming Sermon Scriptures &
Themes
Jan. 24:
Luke 4:14-21
A Mission Statement
Jan. 31: Luke 4:21-30
We Thought We Knew Him
Feb. 7:
Psalm 40; 42; 43
When Life Sings the Blues
Feb. 10: 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:2
Reaching Across the Aisle
Feb. 14: Matthew 5:3
The Blessings of Poverty?
Feb. 21: Matthew 5:4
The Gifts in our Grieving
Feb. 28: Matt. 5:5; Matt. 11:28-30; Ps. 37:1-11
Meekness=
Mar. 6: Matthew 5:6
Satisfied with Being Unsatisfied
Mar. 13: Matthew 5:7-8
Grace Amidst a Focused Life
Mar. 20: Matt. 5:9-10; Lk. 19:28-40
Peace and Persecution
If you are out of town or miss church some Sunday
and would like to read the sermons, you will find
them on our church website: www.waumc.org.
Our Church Family
Recent surgery…
Terri Surrett
We rejoice in the baptism of…
Grace Beatrice Willingham,
daughter of Anna & Tyler, on
December 27.
Our sympathy to…
the family of Helen Sceales who died January 2.
Thanks to…
members of our youth groups and their adult leaders
for decorating our worship spaces for Christmas and
for taking down the decorations once the season was
over.
The Tower
Lenten Devotional Books
Prayer is the focus of Sue Mink's devotions and on
people in the Bible who prayed. She especially
examines Jesus and his prayers, including the Lord's
Prayer, which is examined phrase by phrase over
several days. The Sanctuary for Lent 2016 is a booklet
that contains one devotion for each of the forty days in
Lent, plus Sundays. Each daily devotion includes a
recommended Scripture reading, a Bible verse, an
inspiring message, and an uplifting prayer. The cost of
the book is $1 and they will be found on the tables
close to the doors of our sanctuary and chapel.
Did You Know?
THANKS to your Christmas offerings, $383 has been
collected as a part of our congregation’s pledge of
support of Northcott Neighborhood House and will be
sent to them to support their ministries.
Endowment Fund Scholarships
Our Wauwatosa Avenue UMC Endowment Fund
administers a scholarship program. These scholarships
are available annually, and can be awarded to
members of our church who are either graduating high
school seniors continuing their education, or someone
working on advanced degrees. They must be enrolling
at an accredited four year college, university, or
technical school. Applicants will be evaluated on the
basis of academics (30%), community service (15%),
service to the church (15%), moral character (20%),
and financial need (20%). This fund was established a
number of years ago, within our Memorial
Foundation. Members of our church are welcome to
make contributions to this fund so that more students
can be supported (contact the church office for more
information). If you, or someone you know, would
like to apply for a scholarship for the 2016-17 school
year, applications with instructions can be picked up at
the church office or found on-line at the church
website: www.waumc.org. The applications are due
back in the church office by Sunday, March 20, 2016.
Daylight Savings Time Begins
March 13
Remember to turn your clocks ahead one
hour on Saturday night, March 12.
PAGE 4
Church News
How a New Pastor is Appointed
Some may be wondering how the process works with
Pastor Sue retiring and somebody new being
appointed here as lead pastor. The United Methodist
Church is a connectional church, and pastors are
appointed to local churches by the bishop. (Ours is not
a call system, where a committee of laity from the
church go searching for their new pastor.) This past
November, our Staff-Parish Relations Committee
(SPRC) met with Deborah Thompson, the District
Superintendent for the Southeast District. At that
meeting, they discussed with her the qualities most
needed in a new pastor, as well as shared with her
basic information about who we are as a congregation.
She will take that information back to the Cabinet (all
of the District Superintendents from the five districts
in Wisconsin), as well as the Bishop and Bishop’s
Assistant. That group of people will look at all the
churches whose pastors are moving for one reason or
another, as well as pastors who may be willing to
move, and other pastors in UM churches in Wisconsin
who may not be looking to move, but could be a good
fit here. They will discern who might be the best
person for us. Sometime this spring (usually MarchMay), our SPRC will be notified by the District
Superintendent, that she would like to set up an
introductory meeting with the new pastor and the
SPRC. At that time the committee, incoming pastor,
and District Superintendent will have discussions to
see if this is an appointment that could work well for
all involved. If so, an announcement will then be made
to the congregation regarding the name of this person.
There is no exact time line for any of this. The Cabinet
is most likely already thinking about who might be
appointed here, but because appointments sometimes
hinge on other pastors moving, many things have to be
coordinated, which can become a lengthy process. The
good news is that by Annual Conference in June, we
should know who our new lead pastor will be.
Family Movie Night
Bring your sleeping bag, pillow, and
favorite stuffed animal and camp
out in the West Youth Room for a
family movie night! We will be
hosting a Family Movie Night on
Friday, February 19, starting at 6pm. We will be
showing a G-rated movie. Snacks and punch will be
provided. Children of all ages are welcome. Please
RSPV to Natalie by February 12th so we can make
sure we have enough snacks for everyone.
The Tower
Pastor Sue’s Book Discussion
January 24
Pastor Sue’s next book for discussion
is Peace Like a River, by Leif Enger.
This is a Tosa’s All-City Read title for
2016. One of Time magazine’s top-five
novels of 2001 and a New York Times
bestseller, Peace Like a River is set in the Minnesota
countryside and North Dakota Badlands of the early
1960s. A moving and engrossing story about one
family’s quest to retrieve its most wayward member,
the book has been described as a heroic quest, a
tragedy, a love story, and a haunting meditation on the
possibility of magic in the everyday world. If you
would like to discuss this book, plan to meet in the
Heywood Room on Sunday, January 24, at 11am. The
book is available in paperback, and there are many
copies in the county library system. In addition, you
may want to take advantage of other events planned
for February, including an author visit on February 28
(at the Irish Fest Center, 1521 N. Wauwatosa Ave.)
and a panel discussion with area clergy (including
Pastor Sue), on February 21 at 1pm at St. Matt’s
Lutheran Church (1615 N. Wauwatosa Ave.)
Throughout February, there are many more activities
planned for all ages, in various locations in our
community. Go to www.TosasAllCityRead.com for
more information or pick up one of the All-City Read
brochures in the church office.
Save The Date!
It’s time for some Family Fellowship! Join us on
Sunday, March 13, for lunch and an Easter Egg Hunt!
After worship and Sunday school, we will be
gathering in Fellowship Hall for Souper Sunday or a
sandwich lunch while the Easter eggs are being
hidden. After lunch, children ages 2-3rd grade will go
explore the sanctuary looking for our brightly colored
eggs. Kids 4th-7th grade will be on a scavenger hunt
throughout the church. When our egg adventures are
complete, we will gather together one last time to
make a small craft before heading out. There is no cost
for this event. Come join us for some family
fellowship and a chance to explore our worship space
in a fun way. Parents must accompany children during
the event. Don’t forget to bring a basket or bag for
collecting all of those Easter eggs. If you’d like to
participate, please let Natalie know by March 6th so
we can plan for enough food.
PAGE 5
Church & Society
Service Opportunities - 2015-2016
Hunger After the Holidays
Jan. 31: Pick up bucket to make
jello fruit salad for St. Ben’s meal
site.
Feb. 8:
Bake muffins for St.
James meal program at 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 20: Make 200 bag lunches for The Gathering
meal site at 9 am.
Feb. 20: Prepare and serve a hot meal at
Summerfield UMC. Meet 2:30 pm.
Feb. 28: Pick up bucket to make jello fruit salad for
St. Ben’s meal site.
Mar. 14: Bake muffins for St. James meal program
at 5:30 p.m.
Mar. 19: Make 200 bag lunches for The Gathering
meal site at 9 a.m.
Soon:
Donate blood at a local Blood Center,
www.bcw.edu.
The Milwaukee Hunger Task Force
says, “Unfortunately, hunger doesn’t
end with the holidays, but you can help.
Fighting hunger is a 365-day job.” You
can help by bringing non-perishable
foods to our Ingathering grocery cart at
the bottom of the central set of stairs,
and we will take the food to the Wauwatosa Food
Pantry at St. Bernard’s. Protein items such as canned
dinners, tuna, peanut butter, spam, etc. are in
particular need. Gifts in the offering plate marked for
Ingathering will go to The Hunger Task Force or local
pantries and meal programs. Thank you!
Blanket Sunday – February 14
When you donate blood, you make a
difference in someone’s life. Over
700 donors are needed daily to keep
up with the needs of patients in our
area. Go to www.bcw.edu or call 1800-BE-A-HERO or 1-877-2324376 to make an appointment at one
of ten (10) local Blood Center of Wisconsin sites. Use
the same contacts for more information, including
eligibility questions.
Burr! When the weather outside is
cold and deep with snow, we
burrow under warm blankets every
night to stay warm as we fall fast
asleep. Now imagine a man on a
cold bench or a family standing
outside of their home, looking at the devastation
caused by a natural disaster. How will they find
warmth? For many, a simple blanket given when they
most need it is a loving way to offer warmth, to offer
hope. Many people without homes have a daily
challenge of fighting the bitter cold.
The Church World Service Blanket program provides
warmth, hope, and care during cold and trying times.
A gift of just $10 provides a sturdy, comforting
blanket to children, men and women who are
struggling against the cold. This Valentine’s Day is a
perfect time to give thanks for the warmth in our
homes, our churches and our hearts by providing CWS
Blankets to those in need. Your generosity has not
only the ability to help but to change lives and
communities. Let’s blanket the world with love this
Valentine’s Day! Plan on making your donation on
Sunday, February 14, to keep someone warm this
winter.
The Tower
Start the New Year off with a bang!
Save a life! Donate blood!
Go Green! Get The Tower Online
Reduce paper usage and read The
Tower online at www.waumc.org/
AboutUs/TowerNewsletter. Simply
email the office at
[email protected] to opt out of
receiving a paper copy of our Tower
newsletter (published 6 times a year). A notice will go
in the email announcements when a new Tower is
published. If you wish to opt back in to receiving a
mailed copy, send the office another email to that
effect.
PAGE 6
Church News
Check Out These Additions to Your
Church Library
Fellowship
News from Troop 21
Scout Sunday
Scout Sunday at the WAUMC is
Adult and Young Adult Books
Sunday, February 14, Valentine’s Day!
“Chasing the Divine in the Holy Land”
All Girl Scouts, Brownie Scouts, Boy
by Ruth Everhart, c. 2012
Scouts, Cub Scouts, and all adults who
“Coffee, Tea and Holy Water: One Woman’s Journey were Scouts are encouraged to proudly
to Experience Christianity around the Globe”
wear their uniforms or Scouting pins to
by Amanda Hudson, c. 2015
church on Scout Sunday. How many of you mom's
“Mary’s Way: Cultivating a Peaceful Heart in Trying and dad's can find your Scout pins or sash?
Times” by Peggy Tabor Millin, c.2012
Additionally, Boy Scout Troop 21 will serve a free
“The Place of Mary in the Christian Life: a Sabbatical pancake breakfast starting immediately after the 8:15
am service and concluding at 12 noon. All church
Study” by John Beebe, c.1993
members are invited and it is FREE. Bring your
“Peace like a River” by Leif Enger, c.2001
Valentine for a free pancake breakfast/lunch. This
Note: Pastor Sue will be leading a book discussion on event is Troop 21's way of thanking the congregation
this novel on Sunday, January 24, at 11 am in the
for sponsoring Troop 21 for 94 continuous years!
Heywood Room. It is also the Wauwatosa All-City
New Boy Scouts Welcome
Read title for 2016.
Any young man presently in the 5th grade, or any boys
“Standing Tall: a Daughter’s Gift” by Jacqui Tam,
older, can join Boy Scouts. New Boy Scouts do not
c.2002
have to have been active in Cub Scouting to become a
Children’s Books
Boy Scout. In the past Troop 21 has had members join
“What do you do with an Idea?”
as late as age 16. Additionally, this time of the year is
by Kobi Yamada, c.2013
when 5th grade boys visit Boy Scout Troops in
“Susanna Wesley: Servant of God”
preparation to joining in February and March. Any
by Sandy Dengler, c.1987
boy interested in Boy Scouting is welcome to visit a
Troop 21 meeting on any Tuesday evening or contact
“Susanna Wesley: Mother of John and Charles”
Scoutmaster Steve Weber at 414-771-3228. Troop 21
by Charles Ludwig, c. 1984
is sponsored by the WAUMC and has 55 youth
“Beautiful Moon: a Child’s Prayer”
members and we expect 10-12 5th graders to join in
by Tonya Bolden, c. 2014
February. Anyone interested should call or just stop by
Books may be checked out at any time by printing
for a visit.
your name on the check-out card found inside the
BSA Update of Boy Scout Rank Requirements
book and putting it in the card holder on the desk.
Effective January 1, 2016, BSA has updated the
There is no specific check-out period, but please be
requirements to earn every rank in Boy Scouting.
considerate of other library users by returning
After years of making things easier, the BSA
materials in a timely manner. If you would like help
Advancement Committee revised the ranks to add
finding a book or other item, the library is staffed on
many more requirements. Some are traditional like
Sunday mornings between 9:00 and 9:45 am. The
additional camping nights, canoe knowledge, and even
library is a great resource, so feel free to take
more knot tying skills. Others are modern like
advantage of it.
protecting yourself while using the Internet, and
recycling. All existing Troop 21 Scouts will need to
complete these new requirements for all future rank
advancements.
The Tower
PAGE 7
The
Tower
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MILWAUKEE, WI
The Newsletter of
Wauwatosa Avenue United Methodist Church
Published six times a year
1529 Wauwatosa Avenue
Wauwatosa, WI 53213
Phone: 414-453-0700
Fax: 414-453-0702
www.waumc.org
[email protected]
Address Service Requested
Gathering as Friends, Growing in Faith, Sharing God’s Love
TIME-DATED MATERIAL
Please have in-home
January 22
Easter Flowers
Easter lilies, daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths may be purchased for use in the Sanctuary and Chapel on
Easter and can be taken home after the last service. There will be a bulletin insert on Easter Sunday
giving the dedication for the flowers. The flowers are $10.00 each this year. Orders will be taken
until March 26. Make checks out to WAUMC.
I would like to order :
EASTER LILY PLANT(S) at $10.00 each
DAFFODIL PLANT(S) at $10.00 each
HYACINTH PLANT(S) at $10.00 each
TULIP PLANT(S) at $10.00 each
Please dedicate my gift as follows:
In memory of:
In honor of:
I will pick up my plant(s) following the 9:45 Easter Worship Service.
I will leave my plant(s) for the church to distribute or use for another service.
Your name(s) as you want noted in the dedication listing:
Phone
Email