The Messenger - First United Methodist Church, Whitewater

Transcription

The Messenger - First United Methodist Church, Whitewater
The Messenger
Page 1
The Messenger
January, 2015
Whitewater Area Regional Ministry - WARM
Volume 10, Issue 1
EPIPHANY: Leaking Light
submitted by Rev. Susan Bresser
Arise! Shine! Your light has come; the Lord’s glory has shone upon you. Though darkness
covers the earth and gloom the nations, the Lord will shine upon you; God’s glory will appear
over you. – Isaiah 60:1-2
Special points of
interest:

Missions

Craft Connection

Birthdays &
Anniversaries

Promise Point

Youth Group
Activities
Epiphany: to show, to make known, to reveal
Epiphany: the season of illumination; God’s light has been revealed and radiated throughout
all of creation.
The Epiphany of the Lord celebrates the coming of the wise men (magi), bearing gifts for the
Christ child. Their visit reveals Jesus to the world as Lord and King.
A light in the sky invites the wise men to follow. They have a choice: follow the light to a life
with God or choose the path of darkness and death. The light points the way, as if to say:
“Follow me and you will see God’s desire for the world.” They choose wisely.
The light stops at the house of Mary and Joseph, shining down upon the child, Jesus. The
Light of the World has come!
So often we want that light to stay right where it is, right there with Jesus. But God doesn’t let
that happen. The magi point to the light in the sky. The light points to Jesus. And then Jesus
points to YOU. You are the light of the world.
Inside this issue:
So, what are you going to do with the light that shines upon you and within you? Does it stay
right there, upon you and within you? Or do you share it with others?
Financial Peace
2
Children’s Ministry
4
Prime Time
6
You are the light of the world. Not because you’re a church member. Not because you’re a
US citizen. Not because of your social standing. Not because of how successful you might
be. But because of your humanity. As a child of God, as part of creation, you were created in
God’s image and declared good. You are the light of the world. You are God’s deepest
desire, God’s hope for the future of creation.
Scrip
7
Worship
Schedules
8
You may be the only light a person will see. When everything else is darkness, you might be
the only light that shines their path.
Birthdays/
Anniversaries
19
You are the light of the world. Hide it under a bushel? NO? Let your light shine before others,
that they might see the love of God. Let your light shine before others, so that in seeing you,
they might look down and notice that their own souls are leaking light.
Calendar
20/21
What will you do with your light? Will you help God transform lives? Will you help God offer
healing comfort and grace? Will you help God make a difference in the world today?
The Messenger
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Helping Hands, Giving Hearts
Dear WARM Friends,
Christmas is still a week and a half
away as I sit down to write this note to
you. The deadline for the January
Messenger is today, so I thought I’d get a
note written to let you know how the
“Helping Hands - Giving Hearts” project
has been progressing. First, let me say
“thank you” to all of you for being so
supportive of this project. Once again, we
are providing food and gifts for several
area families, some of which currently live
in Bethel House. Each family has a story
and specific needs. We are fortunate to be
able to help their situations during the
holiday season. On behalf of this project, I
would like to say “thank you” for all of you
with “helping hands” and “giving hearts”
during this time.
We will be gathering at LaGrange
UMC this week to sort, wrap, and package
all the gifts and food. I am very lucky to
always have many special, amazing
“helping hands” who readily volunteer to
help out. This year some of our WARM
Confirmation students will be helping with
Craft Connection
submitted by Dawn Mathews
packing and delivery this week. I hesitate
to mention names, as I don’t want to omit
anyone.
I’m sure that families who will be
receiving our gifts and food boxes will
appreciate our collaborative efforts. Some
of the gift items on the “Christmas Wish
Lists” this year included: clothing, warm
bed blankets/sheets, books, disposable
diapers, pajamas, snow boots, nail polish,
and a variety of different toys and games.
In addition to these gifts, each family will
receive large festively wrapped boxes of
food items, holiday treats and also
including some much needed household
items, paper products and personal care
items such as toothbrushes/toothpaste.
Thanks again to all of you who
contributed to this project in any way. The
extra food and monetary donations really
help out, too. THANK YOU to everyone
who has a “hand” in this project to make it
successful.
Wishing all of you a wonderful New
Year!!
submitted by Jen Soehner
On Saturday, January 10 at First
Church we will have from 9 am to 9 pm to
work on whatever project(s) you would like
to do. Some people scrapbook, others
sew, others organize...Come and join us,
Financial Peace University
What is Financial Peace University?
It’s a biblically-based curriculum that
teaches people how to handle money
God’s way. We all need a plan for our
money. Financial Peace University (FPU)
is that plan! It teaches God’s ways of
handling money through video teaching,
class discussions and interactive small
group activities. FPU presents biblical,
practical steps to get from where you are
to where you’ve dreamed you could be.
even if it is only for part of the day.
Contact Jen Soehner at 608.201.6408
with questions or weather-related issues.
submitted by Kimberly Brumm
This plan will show you how to get rid of
debt, manage your money, spend and
save wisely, and much more!
The class begins on Tuesday,
January 6 and continues for nine weeks,
ending March 3. We’ll meet at First United
Methodist Church from 6:30-8 pm. The
cost is $99 for materials per couple.
Please register with the office ASAP.
The Messenger
Children’s Choir
It is with great joy that I
have served FUMC as the
Children’s Choir Director for
over ten years! I have loved
watching the children grow in
their knowledge of God’s
Word through song. Thank
you to the families that have
had kids in this ministry.
Wednesday evenings are
when a majority of our
Christian Education occurs
at FUMC. A majority of
children attend on
Wednesdays, but I cannot
switch Children’s Choir to
submitted by Jen Soehner
that time. Also, many of the
children who attend on
Wednesdays aren’t children
who are attending on
Sundays, so performing
becomes difficult. After
consulting with Pastor
Susan, Staff Parish has
accepted my resignation as
Children’s Choir Director for
the time being. Sunday
mornings are not a time
when we have enough
children available to warrant
a Children’s Choir Director.
Loose coins at FUMC
The Loose Coins of
January at FUMC will give
us a part in the ministry of
our Prayers and Squares
team, whose purpose is to
make lap quilts and shawls
for members of the church
who need to be
remembered in prayer. As a
quilt is ready to be given, it
is displayed in Fellowship
Hall, with untied pieces of
yarn sewed into the center
of each square, and
members of the
congregation are invited to
tie knots and pray for the
individual receiving it. The
quilt becomes a comforting
reminder of the support and
prayers of our congregation.
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I do plan to lead a
Children’s Music Ministry on
an informal schedule. We
may spend some time
together in preparation for
events. I am also planning
on having music be a part of
our summer programming,
whether it be VBS or some
other form of education
during that time.
Thank you for all of your
support.
submitted by Mary Anne Gerlach
Shawls are delivered
privately, and they too come
with many prayers.
Many generous
donations of fabric and
thread, etc., have come
from quilters and others in
the area. Our coins will help
provide the batting used to
finish the quilts, and also to
buy yarn, especially when a
particular color is needed.
Our Prayers and Squares
team would love to welcome
new members; they meet on
the first and third Thursdays
at 9 am at First United
Methodist Church (a few just
work from home). Quilting
experience is not required;
they need help with cutting
fabric, ironing it, and some
sewing - their experienced
quilters do the hard parts. If
you’ve ever thought you
would like to learn to quilt,
this is your chance!
Questions? Contact Ruby
Schroeder (262.473.6269).
Please give
generously. Remember that
bills for the loose coin
offering need to be put in an
envelope and marked “loose
coin.”
[Jesus said] “I tell you,
whenever you did this for
one of the least important of
these brothers of mine, you
did it for me!” Matthew 25:40
Your loose
coins will
bless many of
the
unfortunate in
our
community.
The Messenger
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Write it on Your Walls
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
exhorts us: “You shall love
the Lord your God with all
your heart, soul, and
might. Keep these words
that I am commanding you
today in your heart. Recite
them to your children and
talk about them when you
are at home and when you
are away, when you are
down and when you rise.
Bind them as a sign
on your hand, fix them as
an emblem on your
forehead, and write them
on the doorposts of your
house and on your
gates.” (NRSV)
This portion of
scripture gives us literal
ways to keep God’s words
in mind! In fact, while our
family has often talked
about and read the Bible
together, I thought of one
dimension that was lacking
in our home - writing God’s
word on our walls! When I
began to do it, we saw it
bear fruit. My kids could
review the Bible verses we
were attempting to
submitted by Heidi Cook
memorize by making a
tree of life and putting our
favorite verses on its
leaves. Other depictions of
the Bible have been up on
our walls, which allows our
friends not familiar with the
Bible to learn something of
God.
A dear teen friend
visited our house and
claimed, “I’m learning
about Christianity by
looking at your walls. I
really don’t know that
much about it.” Her
parents have been
functioning as atheists, yet
have told their daughter
that she can choose
whatever religion she
wants. She has recently
told my daughter, “I’ll
probably become a
Christian in five years
(when reaching
adulthood)” since all five of
her good friends are
Christians. We also try to
read the Bible and pray
when she stays at our
house, and we are
amazed at the Holy Spirit’s
Sunday School Parent Partnership
This term our
Children’s Team has
devised a plan for our
Sunday School! We’d like
all of our Sunday School
parents to rotate and
have a chance to teach.
We think it would be
vitalizing to our ministry
to have parents involved
and have an opportunity
to present God’s Word to
your kids in a group
setting. Our schedule will
remain every other
Sunday for Sunday
School. We will give you
the topic and you will
have some freedom to
plan activities to illustrate
the main Bible teaching
for the day!
We are excited to
partner with our parents.
working in her heart.
Another friend and
neighbor has been with us
for dinner Bible readings
and prayer and even
Vacation Bible School, and
has also seen the “writing
on our wall.” Recently,
while her parents have
been going through a
divorce, they came to our
house and asked if we had
any books that would
teach her about Jesus!
These are but a few
illustrations of what the
Holy Spirit can do when
we desire Him to bear fruit
in our lives and literally
make it our aim to make
Christ visible through acts
of love.
Bible reading,
praying, and decorating
our walls with God’s truth.
What neat depictions of
the Bible will your family
come up with to decorate
your walls? Feel free to
share a picture with me.
Maybe we can start a
bulletin board of pictures
of our creations!
submitted by Heidi Cook
So be looking for your
chance to sign up for a
weekend or two for
Sunday School!
The Messenger
Promise Point Mission
Promise Point A
Giving Party - Mission
within a Mission!
Promise Point kids
had a successful
Christmas Giving Party.
With Terrie Parenteau
“Mama P” and her after
school study mission
group of Middle
Schoolers, the Promise
Point kids made
handmade cards with
interesting Christmas
paper and buttons, and
submitted by Heidi Cook
they decorated placemats
with Christmas ribbon
and stickers for shut-ins
at Fairhaven, Blackhawk,
and Brookdale.
With Terrie’s
creativity and the
enthusiasm of our
beloved Middle Schoolers
who have so much fun
working with the kids, we
had a “mission within a
mission” - Middle
Schoolers ministering to
younger kids who were
Promise Point Winter/Spring 2015
Schedule: January
14-April 29 (With a
Spring Break on
March 25)
The new Promise
Point term begins
January 14. We will be
walking into the New
Testament with the
following themes:
 Jesus Shows Me
God’s Love
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 Jesus Shows Me
God’s Power in the
World
 How I Respond to
Jesus
 Jesus Wants Me to
Believe in His Name
 I am Filled with God’s
Holy Spirit
We will also learn
how Jesus is God’s
revealed Word to us and
our Tree of Life. We will
put our stories on a “Tree
of Life.”
ministering to the older
people in our community!
It’s what Christmas is all
about!!
That night the
Middle Schoolers then
got to celebrate by
playing a live game of
Clue in the church rooms
with Jeff Cook, Lisa
Otterbacher, our college
leaders, and a few parent
volunteers!
submitted by Heidi Cook
Needs!
Assistant 4th/5th Small
Group Leader
Hospitality Leader for 7
weeks
Please contact Heidi
Cook if you are
interested.
The Messenger
Page 6
submitted by Lisa Otterbacher
Our heartfelt thanks
is extended to all those
that helped decorate the
church for Christmas:
Prime Time youth,
FLOOD youth,
parishioners, and our
church Building and
Design Team did such a
wonderful job! Special
thanks to Betty and Joe
for bringing out all the
boxes of decorations. It’s
amazing how many
beautiful decorations we
have to celebrate the birth
of Christ.
We enjoyed another
very successful year of
wreath sales and our
annual Cookie Walk. Both
of these fundraising
events will help finance
our 2015 mission trip to
New Orleans. In addition
to First Church, a special
shout-out goes to
Richmond and LaGrange
UMCs. All three churches
were supportive in
purchasing cookies,
wreaths and We Care
stockings in their mission
to end domestic violence.
This year we were
able to “pay it forward”
with many of our
Christmas cookies.
Thanks to all of the
donated cookie
ingredients and the
students’ pre-baked
cookies, we had enough
cookies to sell and share
with others. The Prime
Time youth were able to
deliver donated cookie
platters to each of our
retirement homes and
Bethel House homes
throughout the city, the
women’s advocacy group
(APVF) and our own
children’s ministry group.
A true testament of
discipleship in action, this
could not have been done
without everyone’s
support.
Prime Time also
received two very
generous donations
during the Cookie Walk.
One special parishioner
sponsored the food to
feed the youth throughout
the overnight lock-in, and
the second parishioner’s
generous donation will
support two youth to New
Orleans; God works
through the hands and
hearts of his disciples.
Our heartfelt thanks is
extended to all of our
church family.
Moving forward,
nothing but more fun
Christian opportunities lie
ahead. Please mark your
calendars for the 30-Hour
Famine lock-in scheduled
for February 27-28
starting at 6 pm. Youth
will start their famine fast
at noon during school on
Friday, February 27, and
we will end together in a
shared meal at 6 pm on
Saturday, February 28.
During our lock-in we will
assemble bags for needy
persons. These bags
made a profound impact
on both the receivers and
givers throughout our
mission trip to St. Louis. If
anyone has unused “sling
bags” they are willing to
donate, please leave
them in the Youth Room
at First Church labeled
“Famine.”
We hope everyone
will be able to attend our
2015 Student Led
worship service and
Pancake Breakfast
scheduled for April 19.
The Prime Time youth will
have a lock-in the night
before to prepare for both
the service and the
breakfast.
Of course, Mr. Tom
and Mr. Tim are already
at work planning our fun
winter activity night, so
stay tuned for an update
of that pending event.
We remain so
thankful for the support of
our united congregations.
We could not be such an
engaged and successful
youth group without all
your support through
faithful prayers and giving
hearts. May God bless
each of you, and may
your love and support of
the youth help them grow
in faith and develop into
grace-filled adults. As
faithful mentors, you are
preparing our youth to
withstand any challenges
they will face. Through
your witness of faith may
they receive God’s
unyielding strength,
courage and love.
God bless.
Page 7
The Messenger
Many Thanks!
Many thanks to all
who provided gifts,
groceries, mittens, hats,
scarves, etc. - they
overflowed in Fellowship
Hall, and they are now
flowing out to many in our
community.
The distribution of the
groceries was supervised
by Dawn Mathews (thank
you, Dawn), and the
distribution of the gifts was
supervised by Duane
Dickens and members of
the Optimist Club (thank
you, Duane).
The “decorations” on/
in the mitten “treebox” will
continue to be distributed
as they come in, and Joe
Sherman is seeing that
they get where they are
needed (thank you, Joe).
submitted by Mary Anne Gerlach
Thank you, thank
you all for your
generosity to mission in
2014. The money raised
by our loose coin
offerings/special
appeals in 2014 totaled
$13,410.72 , the Special
Sunday offerings totaled
$3,500.62, the produce
cart money, which goes
to Mujila Falls
Agriculture Centre,
totaled $509.72, and our
congregational money
going to apportionments
(which supports United
Methodist missionaries
like the Gablers and Paul
Webster) totaled $28,896.
In addition, we donated
supplies for school bag
kits and other mission kits
as part of our donation to
the Wisconsin Annual
Scrip - a No-Cost Fundraiser!!
If you could give
money to your church
without it costing you a
dime, would you do it?
Scrip does just that! Each
scrip/gift card you
purchase gives the church
a percentage of your
purchase, yet you still get
to spend the entire amount
of the purchase price. For
example, if you purchase a
Woodman’s card for $50,
you go to Woodman’s and
spend the $50! If you don’t
spend the entire $50 the
remaining amount remains
on the card for you to
spend the next time you
go to Woodman’s. You
don’t lose that balance.
Conference In-gathering
effort, some of which went
directly to Northcott
Neighborhood House, and
some were distributed
through Midwest Mission
Distribution Center.
We have provided
disaster relief through our
special offering donations
to UMCOR. Our donations
online through UMC
#Giving Tuesday on
December 3 were part of a
record $2.5 million.
Donors in 25 countries
gave more than 8,700 gifts
to projects and
missionaries through The
Advance to missions, and
Global Ministries matched
the first $1,000,000
received.
submitted by Gina McManaway
This is true for any “Scrip”
card you purchase!
Thank you to
everyone who has
purchased scrip cards
over the holiday season.
First Church/Richmond
made over $600 in the
month of December
alone! I encourage
everyone to please think
about purchasing scrip
cards for their groceries
and gas. This would make
a huge impact. I would
love to see us make $600
every month. It would be
very easy for us to do.
As always, there is a
long list of retailers who
participate in this program.
Pick up a current list at the
Scrip table at either First
UMC or Richmond UMC.
This truly is a way to give
to your church without it
costing you a dime. If you
have any questions about
this fundraiser, call Gina at
262.473.2131.
Happy shopping, and
thank you for supporting
our ministries!
New Year’s resolution
you can keep: Do all your
grocery shopping with a
Scrip card!
If you could
give money
to your
church
without it
costing you
a dime,
would you
do it?
Page 8
The Messenger
Thank You/Meals on Wheels
Thank you! We have
also supported the
Whitewater Food Pantry
with food and monetary
donations, provided food
and service to The
Gathering, driven for
Meals on Wheels, not to
mention monetary and
service donations to
missions (including Africa
ELI, Africa University, and
Imagine No Malaria) from
submitted by Mary Anne Gerlach
church members, United
Methodist Women,
Sunday School children
and youth…the list goes
on…
Speaking of driving to
deliver Meals On Wheels,
we have agreed to supply
drivers for two weeks in
February this year, helping
to fill some empty slots in
their delivery schedule.
Look for a sign-up
sheet in Fellowship Hall at
First Church, where you
can volunteer to drive for a
day (or more) during the
weeks of February 16 27. You will have an
opportunity to drive again
in July, which is our
traditional month.
WARM Worship Schedules
First UMC
8 am - Chapel Service
10 am - Sanctuary
10:20 am - Sunday
School 1st & 3rd
Sundays
First UMC
January 4
Communion: Intinction
“Epiphany: VISIT”
Isaiah 60:1-6
Matthew 2:1-12
LaGrange UMC
9 am - Worship
9:20 am - Sunday
School
January 11
“Epiphany: BEGINNING”
Genesis 1:1-5
Mark 1:4-11
Richmond UMC
9 am - Worship
Sunday School
following worship
January 18
“Epiphany: CALL”
1 Samuel 3:1-10
John 1:43-51
All three WARM churches have Food
Pantry collections on the first Sunday of
each month. Please continue to give
generously to our local Food Pantry.
January 25
“Epiphany: FOLLOW”
Jonah 3:1-5, 10
Mark 1:14-20
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The Messenger
A Stewardship Message
Every year I set a
New Year’s resolution with
good intentions, but within
weeks the resolution is lost
in my busyness. Task lists,
projects and timetables are
in my DNA, and the
resolution gets pushed
aside. I use stewardship to
help me continually check
priorities that really matter.
Our Enough Stewardship
message focused on
blessings and gratitude.
This year my resolution will
be to combat my busyness
with more attention to the
host of blessings around
me and the joy of giving in
various forms.
Last December,
WARM supported an
outreach giving opportunity
called Giving Tuesday.
The Global Ministries of
the United Methodist
Church offered a matching
gift to all monies given.
First Church gave over
$1,300 which resulted in a
gift of over $2,600 for
outreach ministries.
Thanks to all who
contributed. This kind of
giving illustrates how our
church seems to always
Community Clothes Closet
Kay Robers speaks
for the volunteers at the
Community Clothes
Closet in “hoping that
everyone had a
BLESSED HOLIDAY
complete with family and
friends!!! The Clothes
Closet continues our
pursuit of WARM
THINGS. As I write this
there is a promise of
snow and more cold
weather...let us make a
collective effort to care for
those in need. MITTENS,
GLOVES, COATS, and
BLANKETS are in
demand. As we are warm
and comfy in our homes,
please be mindful of
those without that luxury.
Thanks so much for
your support!”
WOW!!! The Nearly
Naked 5K was a huge
success!! We had 100
runners (the first 85 got
warm fuzzy robes, and all
submitted by Dave Gamble
find ways to give.
More good news as
early December results of
our giving campaign
indicate we are confident
that our giving results will
support our 2015
ministries. By the time the
January Messenger is
available we will know the
specifics and will share
these details. Thank you
for your gifts and your
willingness to support our
ministries.
submitted by Mary Anne Gerlach
got nice medals). The
Closet is the recipient of
twelve 55 gallon barrels of
clothing!!! (and that
includes not only the
clothing that the runners
stripped off as they ran,
but also bags brought by
both runners and
spectators.) It was an
awesome day with lots of
fun-loving generous
people. Thanks to Bruce
and Debbie Masterson of
Plan Ahead Events for
putting this together for
us. Also a BIG THANK
YOU to all our volunteers
for your organizing efforts.
Oh, and YES, those
runners were great - See
you next year!
The 4th annual
Community Baby
Shower, sponsored by
broadcasting station
WTMJ in Milwaukee, will
take place in
southeastern Wisconsin
on Friday, January 23,
from 8 am to 6 pm, with
our local collection point
at the Whitewater
Daniel’s Sentry store.
Clothes Closet
representatives will be
there accepting donations
of all kinds of foods and
new baby items (think
shower gift), providing
information and
expressing their
appreciation. The food
items will be passed
along to the Whitewater
Food Pantry, and the
rest will be distributed
from the Clothes Closet
during their regular
opening hours. Mark
Friday, January 23 on
your calendar, and plan to
stop by Sentry with a
baby shower gift.
Discovering
the Joy
through
Simplicity
and
Generosity!
Page 10
The Messenger
Confirmation 2014-15
submitted by Rev. Susan Bresser
Introducing Confirmation Student,
Christopher Dedrick
Introducing Confirmation Mentor,
Charlotte West
Born: Fort Atkinson, WI
Family: one brother and a yellow lab
named Wanda, grandma, Charlotte
West
Hobbies: fishing, hunting, sports
Gifts & Strengths: good student, good
basketball and baseball player
What I like best about church:
fellowship and getting to know God
God: powerful
Travel Plans: Montana
Biggest Challenge for Teens: drugs and
alcohol
Born: Milwaukee, WI
Family: 7 grandchildren (one of them
Christopher Dedrick) and 1 greatgrandchild
Who I was as an 8th grader: boy crazy!
Got my first kiss in 8th grade!
Gifts and Strengths: good volunteer
and good listener, like to sing
Best thing ever: getting married
God: loving, caring, creative, forgiving
Why I’m involved in the life of the
church: it is good to help others
Joy in the church: fellowship
Faith traditions growing up: through
6th grade attended a Presbyterian
Church, then joined the Methodist
Church
WE CARE
submitted by Terrie Parenteau
Want to “give back” but haven't found
what you’re looking for? Why not check
out WE CARE?
It’s a service group offering university
students an opportunity to gather together
to support those in need. All supplies are
provided. We make quilts for “Linus
Project,” create scrapbook pages for those
who are in early stages of dementia and
Alzheimer’s, sew dresses for young girls
to start school, make “Capes for Kids,”
design holiday stockings for the
Association for the Prevention of Family
Violence, make jewelry and do numerous
other projects. All completed items are
donated to local organizations.
Have an idea for a charity need?
Please come and share your thoughts,
ideas, talents and skills. It’s a come-asyou-can group; no strings attached.
Never done any of these things
before? Not a problem; we’ll teach you
whatever you need to know.
We meet Sunday afternoons, 3-6 pm
(flexible end time) at First United
Methodist Church, 145 S. Prairie St. (they
sponsor the Free Lunch on Tuesdays).
Spring schedule:
January 25
February 1, 8, 22
March 1, 8, 15
April 5, 12, 19 and 26
May 3
Snacks will be provided!!!
Page 11
The Messenger
Human Relations Day
Human Relations Day
Special Offering
Together, we extend
a helping hand to those in
crisis so they can
overcome formidable
obstacles.
Turn on the news or
drive around the outskirts
of your town, and you will
find what Jesus called
“the least of these.”
Those living in the
margins of society,
struggling to survive.
People like:
 An immigrant teenager
in Texas’ poorest
county, being recruited
by a local gang
 A father struggling for
sobriety in Little Rock,
Arkansas
 An Oklahoma woman
recently released from
incarceration looking
for work
submitted by Mary Anne Gerlach
Over and over Jesus
served people like this,
embracing them. And
that’s what we want to
model as the people of
The United Methodist
Church. As a member of
The United Methodist
Church, your gift, on this
day, allows the work of
folks like Bruce and
Becky Ballou to build
relationships with those
teens in Texas. Your gift
allows Montey Payne to
lead recovering addicts
towards healing. And your
gift helps Rev. Steve Burr
find work for ex-offenders.
This work, and
hundreds of other
ministries, are possible
because you give.
Rev. I. Maliik Safir,
whose church works with
those gripped by
addiction in Little Rock,
sums up the work of
Human Relations Day by
recalling Jesus’ story of
WARM Singers
submitted by Rev. Susan Bresser
If you’d like more
music in your life, come to
a WARM sing-a-long. On
the second Monday of
each month singers will
gather in the Chapel to
enjoy some favorite
hymns. We will begin at
7 pm on Monday, January
12. Everyone of WARM
RUMC Potluck
RUMC members and
friends will gather for a
potluck on Wednesday,
January 14 at 6 pm. This
is a time of fellowship and
the Good Samaritan: “to
meet the poor, the
disadvantaged and the
underserved at the places
where others have
robbed them and help
them to recover from the
wounds of social
inequality.”
Human Relations
Sunday is January 18,
2015.
Your gifts to Human
Relations Day provide
avenues to restored
relationships through
ministries like Youth
Offender Rehabilitation,
Community Developers
self-improvement
programs and United
Methodist Voluntary
Services community
advocacy programs. It’s
time to think and support
justice, to become radical
in changing lives and
changing the world.
Please give generously.
and their friends are
welcome, and no special
talent is required, just an
enjoyment of singing!
submitted by Kim Brumm
good food! Please come if
you are looking for some
fellowship with your
church family and are
ready to eat some of our
awesome cooking!!
Page 12
The Messenger
2015 Adult Mission Opportunities
May 11-15
MMDC at
Springfield, IL
To
compassionately
help God’s
people in need
locally, nationally,
and around the
world...
What is MMDC?
Midwest Mission
Distribution Center is a
disaster relief facility
located on an 8-acre
campus, 4 miles south of
Springfield, Illinois.
Construction began in
October of 1999 and
opened for ministry in the
year 2000. MMDC is a
caring ministry related to
the Illinois Great Rivers
Conference and the North
Central Jurisdiction of the
United Methodist Church.
MMDC is also a
cooperating depot in the
UMCOR (United Methodist
Committee on Relief)
Relief Supply Network as
of January 2010.
Midwest Mission
Distribution Center’s
mission statement reads:
“To compassionately help
God’s people in need
locally, nationally, and
around the world, and to
offer a center to fulfill the
call for service to our
neighbors in Christ’s
name.”
Join us for this
regional ministry as we
work with others from
around the Midwest to
assemble birthing kits,
school kits, health kits,
cleaning buckets and build
school desks. There is
something for all skill
levels from beginner to
advanced. You will have
the choice of standing or
sitting work and can
change throughout the
day.
In the evening we will
have fellowship such as
playing games, putting
together jigsaw puzzles
and lively conversation
and fun.
We plan to carpool to
Springfield, IL about a 3.5
hour drive. Then we will
settle into the dorms. We
will share cooking
responsibilities for our own
meals, so everyone will
have some “KP” time.
The cost is $145:
$20 registration
$50 supplies
$75 lodging
We will also share the
cost for groceries and
transportation.
Registration is due by
March 2, 2015 to Pastor
Kim.
submitted by Kim Brumm
June 20-28, 2015
Sager Brown
UMCOR Depot at
Baldwin, LA
We will gather with
other United Methodists
from around the country to
assemble school kits,
health kits, birthing kits
and do service work in the
community of Baldwin. As
at MMDC, there is work for
all skill levels and
interests. However, all
meals (the food is
fantastic!) and lodging are
provided.
Sixteen spaces were
available, and there are 7
remaining openings. The
cost is approximately.
$500. A deposit of $200 is
due January 30, and the
balance will be due
May 15.
The mode of
transportation is in
discussion.
Join 8 Sager Brown
alums for this inspiring
mission trip. Make new
friends. Make a difference!
Contact Pastor Kim for
more information.
The Messenger
United Methodist Women
What missions do you
wonder about? What
fellowship activities would fill
you? What study
opportunities would peak
University Ministry
February 3 we will
again begin to serve
University Students and
the community. The
break will be enjoyed by
all, but by the same
token we will be glad to
see each other in the
spring semester. Even at
our last meal of the
semester we had a
dozen new students
because of the different
testing schedule. Two
young ladies were so
excited because they
realized that they could
make it on Tuesdays
next semester.
I want to thank all
the faithful servants that
have served this fall
semester. I wouldn’t think
of listing their names for
fear of forgetting
someone. The regular
and team volunteers
know who they are. The
students, Dolores and I
cannot thank you enough
Page 13
submitted by Jen Soehner
your interest? Please join us
for a program planning
meeting on January 8, 6 pm
at First UMC in the library.
We will be thinking and
talking about what great
programs to offer for 2015.
We would love your input!
submitted by Rev. Kim Brumm
for your generosity,
ministry, grace and love
that you share with the
students and each other
weekly.
Stephen came to
me on that last Tuesday
and said “thank you so
much for feeding me for
the last two years.” He
was deeply thankful for
the home-cooked meals.
He graduated on
December 13 and will be
looking for work in the
Rockford area so he can
be near a young lady that
has his heart.
Max will only be
able to make a couple
lunches in the spring
before he flies to
Australia for studying
second semester.
James graduated on
December 13, and he will
be going on to medical
school in St. Lucia. He
was sad to have missed
the last lunch.
Habitat for Humanity
The university
chapter had a ‘social’
night in the Youth Room
at First Church on
Tuesday, December 2
and watched Elf on the
big screen!
The campus chapter
is still targeting March 1
to break ground on the
Whitewater house that is
completely paid for
through donations that
Brittany Anderson was
bequeathed from friends.
I will keep you posted as
to work days. If you have
never participated in a
Habitat build, you don’t
want to miss it!
March 21-28 will be
the Spring Break Trip to
Raleigh, North Carolina.
More information to
come!
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Rooted in Community
Rooted in Faith
Branching out into the Future!
The Messenger
Africa University
It’s Wonderful
to be Home!
My experiences at
Africa University have
been life changing, but it is
so good to be worshiping
with you again!! The new
Vice Chancellor is slowly
beginning to make some
positive changes, and
students who left campus
last January for their yearlong internship will be
returning for their final
semester before
graduation. So I will be
greeting old friends when I
return to the campus in
early February.
Once again you are
invited to participate in this
excellent mission project.
The following printer
cartridges are needed.
The price of these in
Zimbabwe is about twice
what it is here! Thanks for
your generosity.
Stephen Ministry
We celebrate
Wanda Richards who has
responded to God’s call
to be trained as a
Stephen Leader in
Orlando, FL the week of
January 11-17. Please
keep Wanda in your
prayers this week and in
the weeks to come.
There will be another
Stephen Ministry Training
Page 14
submitted by Rev. Mary Beth Byrne
Printer Ink
HP98
Printer Ink
HP95
Printer Ink
HP901 tri-colour
Printer Ink
HP901 xl-black
Printer Ink
Epson 126 black
Printer Ink
Epson 126 blue
Printer Ink
Epson 126 red
Printer Ink
Epson 126 yellow
I will also be taking
4GB or 8GB flash drives
which are sold to the
students at a much more
reasonable price than they
can buy in Mutare. This is
a win-win project, because
students without
computers can have a
flash drive to keep their
assignments on, AND the
funds raised from their
sales goes for student
scholarships and meals,
AND they are easy and
light to transport!! I have
been watching for sales
and have been able to buy
some for as low as $3.99!!
Please place your
donations in the box in the
Church Office at First
Church. I take all of you
with me in my heart when
I return to serve as a
volunteer counselor, and I
appreciate your interest
and enthusiasm in
participating in this way.
Thank you so much.
submitted by Rev. Kim Brumm
Class this spring. Please
pray if God may be
calling you to this ministry
of one-on-one care for a
fellow church member.
We are in need of a
handful of men to go
through the training. Men
struggle just as much as
women and are in need
of spiritual care and
support.
I am praying for a
class of 12 people for this
spring’s class. Times and
dates will be in the next
monthly Messenger and
in future Weekly
Messengers.
Page 15
The Messenger
Thank yous
I would like to thank
all the people who sent
me cards and gifts after
my stay in the hospital
and since I have come
home. Thank you to
United Methodist Women
for the Cookie Plate.
Thank you to Peg
Anderson from The
Gathering for the scarf
and all who visited me. I
am doing fine and
improving each day.
I would like to thank
Prayers and Squares for
the quilt you made me
when I had my surgery.
I’m getting to feeling
better. I hope to be back
in church soon.
It is a very nice
project you are doing.
Prayers to everyone,
Eva Hughes
Thank you again,
Joan Stone
Thank you for the
many Christmas cards,
greetings, treats, snacks
and gifts you bestowed
upon the Bresser family!
Thank you for filling our
hearts with so much love!
We are blessed to be
among you and so
blessed to be a part of
this wonderful church
family! Thank you for the
many ways you
remembered us at
Christmas time.
With grateful hearts,
Rev. Susan Bresser
and family
Important Things Happen Every Day
“Realize deeply that the
present moment is all you
have. Make the NOW the
primary focus of your
life.” — Eckhart Tolle
Smile, it
makes
people
wonder
what you
are up to!!!
Today, I interviewed a
woman who is terminally
ill. “So,” I tried to
delicately ask, “What is it
like to wake up every
morning and know that
you are dying?” “Well,”
she responded, “What is
it like to wake up every
morning and pretend that
you are not?”
Today, I was driving to a
job interview when I saw
a businesswoman
standing next to her
BMW on the side of the
road. She had a flat tire. I
pulled over and helped
her put on the spare.
When I arrived to the
interview, the woman
who I helped ended up
being the CEO of the
company. I got the job.
Today, while I was
driving my grandfather to
his doctor’s appointment,
I complained about hitting
two red lights in a row.
My grandfather chuckled
and said, “You always
complain about the red
lights, but you never
celebrate the green
ones.”
Today, my father told me,
“Just go for it and give it
a try! You don’t have to
be a professional to build
a successful product.
Amateurs started Google
and Apple. Professionals
built the Titanic.”
Today, in the grocery
store parking lot, I
watched a man run as
fast as he could with a
packed shopping cart
and then jump on the
back for a ride. He smiled
and chuckled aloud as he
rode the cart all the way
to his car. He was in his
mid-40s and wearing a
formal suit and tie.
Today, after spending the
last three years viciously
bickering with the college
kid who lives next door, I
found myself crying in his
arms and thanking him
repeatedly for saving my
son’s life.
Today, I asked my sixyear-old son what he
wants to be when he
grows up. He said,
“Mommy, all I want to be
is happy.”
Page 16
The Messenger
Proposal: WARM Boundaries Expanded
PROPOSAL: Whitewater
Area Regional Ministry
Boundaries Expanded
The proposal to bring
Bethel UMC into
partnership with the
Whitewater Area Regional
Ministry (effective July 1,
2015) has been approved
at both the WARM Church
Conference (December 1)
and Bethel UMC Church
Conference (December
14). The proposal now
rests with Bishop Hee-Soo
Jung. Our prayer is that he
will approve this proposed
partnership early in
January.
...a diversity of
gifts and
experience
that will
complement
those of the
laity already in
WARM.
Why the proposal?
Rev. Kimberly
Brumm has requested a
new appointment, which
leaves Richmond UMC in
need of a pastor. We
propose that Richmond
UMC and Bethel UMC
become ‘yoked’ –
becoming a two-point
charge (one pastor, two
churches).
What will change?
 Staffing. Effective July
1, 2015 there will be
one pastor serving
Richmond UMC and
Bethel UMC. University
Ministry will be led by a
laity team. A WARM
Pastor of Visitation will
be hired (though not
under appointment).
Rev. Susan Bresser
and Rev. Don Norman
will continue their
current appointments.
We are requesting that
Rev. Joyce Rich, the
current pastor at Bethel
UMC, be appointed to
serve both Richmond
UMC and Bethel UMC.
 Worship Times.
Currently, both
Richmond UMC and
Bethel UMC have
Sunday morning
worship at 9 am. The
congregations will work
out a new schedule.
 Pastoral Housing. The
Bethel UMC parsonage
will be used by the
pastor serving Bethel
UMC and Richmond
UMC. The current
WARM parsonage (next
to First UMC) will be ‘on
hold’ as the FUMC
Board of Trustees
discusses all options.
 WARM administrative
staff will have
additional
responsibilities
supporting Bethel UMC.
Missional Reasons for
Partnership
 With the addition of
Bethel UMC, WARM’s
primary outreach and
ministry area will cover
the entire northwest
corner of Walworth
County. The churches
can make a concerted




effort to reach the
unchurched in this
geographical area.
The unique
characteristic of Bethel,
Richmond, LaGrange
and FUMC enable
WARM to attract new
people who desire both
the intimacy of a
smaller worship
community and the
opportunities of shared
ministry for generational
and intergenerational
faith development and
special interest groups,
choral and instrumental
music ensembles,
mission trips, special
worship services and
community events.
Combined, effective use
of personnel and other
church resources
witnesses to our ability
to live and work in
connection as United
Methodists.
Maintaining healthy,
vital local congregations
– both large and small –
is a springboard for
creating new ministry
relationships within
WARM and with our
ecumenical partners.
The laity of Bethel UMC
bring a diversity of gifts
and experience that will
complement those of
the laity already in
WARM.
The Messenger
First UMC offers electronic
giving, which allows you the
convenience of making donations
on a scheduled, automatic basis. If
you are writing checks and
preparing envelopes every week,
or if you prefer to stop writing
Page 17
To set up an electronic
donation, simply fill out the form
below or ask Jayne for an
authorization form to fill out and
return it to the Business Office.
Donations can be debited
automatically from either a
checking or savings account.
If you are interested, please
contact Jayne Haskey (262.473.
2131) for more details.
checks altogether, you will
especially appreciate electronic
giving. It is convenient for you and
provides a donation consistency
for our church.
We use a company called
Vanco Services through the
Wisconsin Annual Conference. We
have several families participating,
and the process is very simple.
You set the amount and the date
you want to give. The monies are
transferred from your checking/
savings account to the church
account.
Authorization Form
Church name:
Your name:
Address:
City, State, Zip:
E-mail address:
I would like to make the following contribution:
General Operating Fund $
per week
per month (circle one)
Date or days of month/week
Checking/Savings Information
Please debit my (check one)

Checking account (attach voided check)
Routing #:

Savings account (attach voided deposit slip)
Account #
Valid routing # must start with 0, 1, 2 or 3
I authorize the above organization and Vanco Services to process debit entries to the above
account. I understand that this authority will remain in effect until I provide reasonable
notification to terminate the authorization.
Authorized signature:
Date:
/
/
Page 18
The Messenger
WARM Business Meetings for November
Looking for
information?
See who to
contact!!
January 11
Ad. Council, 8 am (RUMC)
January 15
SPRC, 6:30 pm (FUMC)
January 13
WARM Staff Mtg., 9 am (FUMC)
Trustees, 6:30 pm (FUMC)
Finance, 7:30 pm (FUMC)
January 24
SPRC Training, 8:30-11:30 am @
Delavan UMC
January 27
WARM Staff Mtg., 9 am (FUMC)
WARM Contact Information
First UMC
Pastor Susan Bresser
262.458.2309 (home)
608.333.4249 (cell)
[email protected]
www.fumcwhitewater.org
Richmond UMC
Pastor Kimberly Brumm
262.473.5622 (home)
608.289.8615 (cell)
[email protected]
http://richmondumc-wi.homestead.com
LaGrange UMC
Pastor Don Norman
262.472.9166 (home)
920.723.3862 (cell)
[email protected]
www.warmlagrangeumc.com
Children’s Ministry Coordinator
FLOOD (Middle School Youth)
Heidi Cook
262.379.0421 (cell)
[email protected]
Prime Time (High School Youth)
Tom & Julie DuVal
262.949.7309 (cell)
[email protected]
Tim & Lisa Otterbacher
262.409.0300 (cell)
[email protected]
Promise Point
Mike Soehner
608.201.6494 (cell)
[email protected]
Steven Ministry Coordinator
Mindy Wade
920.723.4385 (cell)
[email protected]
The Messenger
Page 19
Samantha McKelvey
Daniel Trost
Peter McCrea
Audrey Tuinstra
Landon Loomans
FUMC Anniversaries
Russell & Kim Walton
Steve & Crystal Hoffmann
Richard & Beverly Grosskreutz
LUMC Birthdays
FUMC Birthdays
Carley Boudreau
Dana Hoffmann
Kay Miles
Marge Triebold
Haydon Beecroft
Shirley Sweno
Kim Walton
Elyse Walton
Brent Bresser
Hannah Bukowski
Carolyn Stroupe
Erica Germundson
Barb McComb
Melanie Ryan
Jeanne Triebold
Chelsea Stonewerth
Winona Campbell
Brandon Korf
Fred Triebold
Joe Athas
Emma McGarry
Tim Niemuth
Spencer Scharinger
John S. Hoffmann
Robert Miles
Sierra Minton
Ben Raufman
Jamie Hoffmann
Kelby Hoffmann
Glenn Stoll
Michelle Minton
Mary Anne Gerlach
Nancy Hoffmann
Christine Hayes
Brodie Runez
Jim Holden
Brian Duerst
Judy Seip
Heather Schramm
Alyce Smith
Julie Treder
Dawn Mathews
James Taylor
Donna Herman
RUMC Birthdays
Gladys Gudeyon
Corey Kelleher
Bonnie Hoover
Cliff Storlie
Craig Brumm
Leroy Redenius
Lloyd Behrens
Food Pantry Sunday
On the first Sunday of each
month all three churches of
WARM have Food Pantry day.
On those days, everyone is
invited to bring food pantry items
that will be donated to the local
Whitewater Food Pantry. The
Food Pantry is always in need of
canned goods, fresh produce,
baked goods, dish soap, laundry
soap and any other cleaning
products. Thank you for your
generous donations!
Page 20
The Messenger
CLR - Cristo La Roca
FUMC - First United Methodist Church
LUMC - LaGrange United Methodist Church
RUMC - Richmond United Methodist Church
Sun
Mon
January 2015
Tue
Wed
Church Events
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
Happy New Year!
Church Office
Closed
4-5:30 pm - Clothes 8:30-11 am Closet @ Cong. Ch. Clothes Closet @
6 pm - Prayer/
Cong. Church
Worship (CLR @
FUMC)
4 Food Pantry
Sunday/
Communion
8 am - Chapel
Service (FUMC)
8:15 am - Choir
Practice (LUMC)
9 am - Worship
(LUMC & RUMC)
10 am - Sanctuary
(FUMC)
1 pm - CLR
Worship (FUMC)
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
27
28
29
30
31
8 am - Ad. Council
(RUMC)
8 am - Chapel
Service (FUMC)
8:15 am - Choir
Practice (LUMC)
9 am - Worship
(LUMC & RUMC)
10 am - Sanctuary
(FUMC)
1 pm - CLR
Worship (FUMC)
Human Relations
Sunday
8 am - Chapel
Service (FUMC)
8:15 am - Choir
Practice (LUMC)
9 am - Worship
(LUMC & RUMC)
10 am - Sanctuary
(FUMC)
1 pm - CLR
Worship (FUMC)
25
8 am - Chapel
Service (FUMC)
8:15 am - Choir
Practice (LUMC)
9 am - Worship
(LUMC & RUMC)
10 am - Sanctuary
(FUMC)
1 pm - CLR
Worship (FUMC)
Memorials - 4:30 pm
(FUMC)
7 pm - WARM
Singers (FUMC)
10 am - Womens
Group (CLR @
FUMC)
Kindred Caregivers 1:30 pm (FUMC)
6:30 pm - Financial
Peace (FUMC)
9 am - Staff (FUMC)
10 am - Womens
Group (CLR @
FUMC)
6:30 pm - Financial
Peace (FUMC)
6:30 pm - Trustees
(FUMC)
7:30 pm - Finance
(FUMC)
Martin Luther King
10 am - Womens
Day
Group (CLR @
Church Office Closed FUMC)
6:30 pm - Financial
Messenger
Peace (FUMC)
Deadline
9:30 am - Wed.
Morn. Bible Study
(FUMC)
3 pm - Communion
@ Fairhaven
7 pm - Chancel
Choir (FUMC)
9:30 am - Wed.
Morn. Bible Study
(FUMC)
6 pm - Potluck
(RUMC)
7 pm - Chancel
Choir (FUMC)
9:30 am - Wed.
Morn. Bible Study
(FUMC)
7 pm - Chancel
Choir (FUMC)
9 am - Devotions @ 6 pm - Prayer/
Brookdale
Worship (CLR @
10 am - Devotions
FUMC)
@ Blackhawk
4 pm - Missions
(FUMC)
6 pm - UMW
Planning
9 am - Prayers &
Squares (FUMC)
6:30 pm - SPRC
(FUMC)
9 am - Devotions @
Brookdale
10 am - Devotions
@ Blackhawk
Messenger
Deadline
4-5:30 pm - Clothes
Closet @ Cong.
Church
6 pm - Prayer/
Worship (CLR @
FUMC)
8 am-6 pm Community Baby
Shower
6 pm - Prayer/
Worship (CLR @
FUMC)
9 am-9 pm - Craft
Connection (FUMC)
8:30-11 am Clothes Closet @
Cong. Church
8:30-11:30 am SPRC Training @
Delavan UMC
Messenger
Deadline
26
6 pm - Miriam Circle
9 am - Staff (FUMC)
10 am - Womens
Group (CLR @
FUMC)
6:30 pm - Financial
Peace (FUMC)
9:30 am - Wed.
Morn. Bible Study
(FUMC)
7 pm - Chancel
Choir (FUMC)
6 pm - Prayer/
Worship (CLR @
FUMC)
Page 21
The Messenger
CLR - Cristo La Roca
FUMC - First United Methodist Church
LUMC - LaGrange United Methodist Church
RUMC - Richmond United Methodist Church
FLOOD - Middle School Youth Group
Prime Time - High School Youth Group
Sun
Mon
January 2015
Tue
Wed
Youth Events
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
Happy New Year!
Church Office
Closed
4 Food Pantry
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
27
28
29
30
31
Sunday/
Communion
10 am - Sunday
School (RUMC)
10:20 am - Sunday
School (FUMC)
7 pm - Prime Time
(FUMC)
10 am - Sunday
School (RUMC)
7 pm - Prime Time
(FUMC)
10 am - Sunday
School (RUMC)
10:20 am - Sunday
School (FUMC)
7 pm - Prime Time
(FUMC)
Martin Luther King
Day
Church Office Closed
Messenger
Deadline
Messenger
Deadline
Messenger
Deadline
25
10 am - Sunday
School (RUMC)
WE CARE - 3 pm
(FUMC)
7 pm - Prime Time
(FUMC)
26
6:45 am - Breakfast
Club (FUMC)
5 pm - Confirmation
All Wednesday
Night WARM
programs held at
FUMC
6:45 am - Breakfast
Club (FUMC)
3:15 pm - Promise
Point
5 pm - Confirmation
6 pm - Drumming
6:30 pm - FLOOD
All Wednesday
Night WARM
programs held at
FUMC
6:45 am - Breakfast
Club (FUMC)
3:15 pm - Promise
Point
5 pm - Confirmation
6 pm - Drumming
6:30 pm - FLOOD
All Wednesday
Night WARM
programs held at
FUMC
6:45 am - Breakfast
Club (FUMC)
3:15 pm - Promise
Point
5 pm - Confirmation
6 pm - Drumming
6:30 pm - FLOOD
All Wednesday
Night WARM
programs held at
FUMC
The Messenger
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The Messenger
Page 23
WARM: First UMC, LaGrange UMC & Richmond UMC
The Messenger is published by
the Whitewater Area Regional
Ministry
145 S. Prairie Street
Whitewater, WI 53190
Phone: 262.473.2131
Fax: 262.473.2362
E-mail:
[email protected]
Return Service Requested
We’re on the Web
First UMC
fumcwhitewater.org
LaGrange UMC
warmlagrangeumc.com
Richmond UMC
[email protected]
Susan Bresser  Lead Pastor, Whitewater Area Regional Ministry (WARM)
Donald Norman  Pastor, LaGrange UMC
Kimberly Brumm  Pastor, Richmond UMC, University Ministry and
WARM Caring Ministries
Norma I. Albino-Noriega  Pastor, Cristo La Roca
Heidi Cook  Children’s Ministry Coordinator
Michael Soehner  Wednesday Youth Director
Tom & Julie DuVal/Tim & Lisa Otterbacher  High School Youth Leaders
Megan & Brooke Linse and Renee Stoll  Nursery Care, FUMC
Dolores Feltych  University Ministry Lunch Coordinator
Jim Athas  Director of Music, FUMC
Christine Hayes  Chancel Choir Director & World Drumming
Instructor, FUMC
Jen Soehner  Youth Choir Director, FUMC
Janet Hardt  Pianist & Choir Director, LUMC
Elizabeth Asher  Pianist, RUMC
Mindy Wade  Stephen Ministry Coordinator
Betty McManaway & Joe Sherman  Custodian & Maintenance, FUMC
Jayne Haskey  Office/Business Manager/Administrative Assistant, WARM
Gina McManaway  Clerical Assistant, WARM