Christian Education for all ages

Always remember what you have learned.
Your education is your life—guard it well.
Proverbs 4:13

Sundays
9:30 am to 10:30 am- Christian Education for all ages

• Nursery with paid staff
• Sunday School Class for ages Pre-K through 12 grade
• Children's Music is a part of Sunday School
• Adult Christian Education
• Gourmet Coffee Discussion - Connecting Faith and Life as United Methodists
  

GROUNDED IN SCRIPTURE INFORMED BY TRADITION ENLIVENED BY EXPERIENCE TESTED BY REASON  Brenda Wingfield

Brenda's Burbles      Well, it's January and as I am writing this it is snowing — finally. The holidays are now over; all the candy and cake and cookies have been consumed; decorations stored until next year; and resolutions made for 2012 — maybe. I am not one for making resolutions each year, mainly because I do not keep them. I used to make resolutions and it took me several years to realize that this task for me was futile and only added to guilt accumulation. Let me say that I do honor those of you who make yearly resolutions and the efforts to keep them — you are good folks! » continue reading "Brenda's Burbles"

Contemplative Prayer & Reflection Time

Wednesday, February 15, 7:00pm,

     Wednesday, February 15, 7:00pm, in the sanctuary, is the next Contemplative Prayer time and place. We will gather at the front of the sanctuary in silence and be guided through prayer, scripture reading and periods of silence and reflection. This is not a prayer service nor a class but a time to be quiet and meditative.
     "Nothing in all creation is so like God as silence." (Meister Eckhart, 14th century Christian mystic)

Lenten Study 2012

Wednesday — 12:30pm or 6:30pm

     Lent is, among other things, a journey on the way of the cross — a journey of learning how to appropriate Christ's teaching about "taking up the cross" (Mark 8:34-35) for ourselves. This six-session study will look at how one early Christian missionary, teacher, and theologian sought to do just that in his work and in his life. We will examine a number of passages in Paul's letters in order to reflect on the place of the cross in Christian lives today. We will consider Paul's statements about the cross and its implications not only in themselves but in relation to his practice-including areas where he seems to us to have had difficulty living up to his own ideals. The aim is to invite you into Lenten reflection and practice centered on the cross of Christ, guided by Paul's own incorporation of the cross into his spirituality.
     We will gather on the Wednesdays of February 29, March 7, 14, 21, 28 at either 12:30pm or 6:30pm in the Fireside Room. If you are interested in this study or would like more information, please contact Brenda at 249-9222 or at bkwingfield@tds.net.

"Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon & Matthew"

Thursday's — 12:30pm

     This gathering will resume Bible study Thursday, September 8, 12:30pm. The fall quarter study includes Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon and Matthew. Any and all are invited to attend. If you would like to do so, please contact Brenda at 249-9222 or at bkwingfield@tds.net so that she may order you a study book.

Max Lucado, "Facing your Giants"

Wednesday at 10:00am

God called David a "man after my own heart." But read his story and you might wonder what God saw in him. The fellow fell as often as he stood; stumbled as often as he conquered. A man after God's own heart? That God saw him as such gives hope to us all. In his good moments, no one was better. When David focused on God...giants tumbled. But in his bad moments, could one be worse? When he focused on giants...he stumbled.
Giants. We must face them. Yet, we need not face them alone.
This profound look at the life of David digs deeply into the defeats he suffered, and the victories he won, as he faced the giants in his life. When David focused on God, giants tumbled. But when David focused on giants — he stumbled.
Goliath's still roam in our world. Debt. Disaster. Dialysis. Divorce. Deceit. Disease. Depression. These super-sized challenges swagger and strut into our lives, pilfering our sleep, embezzling our peace and robbing us of our joy. And while these giants try to dominate our lives, we know what to do! We've learned what David learned, and we do what David did. We become God focused. We pick up five stones. We make five decisions. And we take a swing.
All newcomers are welcome to come and bring a friend. Sign-up by calling the church office at 608-249-9222.

Bashford Book Club (BBC)

     Our next book for discussion isIn the Bleak Midwinterby Julia Spencer-Fleming, on February 20. "Born-and-bred Virginian Clare Ferguson, newly ordained priest of St. Alban's Episcopal Church in the small upstate New York town of Millers Kill, is faced with not only an early December snowstorm and the bitter cold of her first Northern winter but also a conservative vestry, who apparently expended all their daring on hiring her, a female priest. When a baby is left on the church doorstep with a note designating that he be given to two of her parishioners, Clare calls in police chief Russ Van Alstyne. The foundling case quickly becomes an investigation into murder that will shatter the lives of members of her congregation, challenge her own feelings and faith and threaten her life. ...real strength of this stellar first is the focus on the mystery, which will delight traditional fans."(B&N.com)

     The next book discussion, scheduled for April 2, is Freedom by Jonathan Franzen, a portrait of a Midwestern family living in St. Paul, Minnesota. "...but what you remember most are the characters, whom you grow to love the way families often love each other: not their charm or goodness, but because they have reason and you know them." (B&N.com)

We meet Mondays, at 10:30am on the above noted dates in the Fireside Room to discuss the above books. Come and join in the discussion.

Heifer International

Heifer International is committed to help build a bountiful, just and sustainable world. The 9.2 million families around the globe whom Heifer has empowered through gifts of livestock and agricultural training are evidence that a concentrated effort can make a difference. Hunger and poverty can be eliminated, forever. But livestock is just one part of the solution. Animals could not have impacted so many lives without the support of caring people like you. This is why Heifer believes that educating the public in developed countries about hunger, poverty and sustainability is so important. Heifer International offers extraordinary opportunities for those here in our society to learn important lessons and be inspired to help end world hunger.

www.heifer.org

Camp and Retreat Ministries present great places and great experiences!

Summer camp means fun for youth and adults of all ages with memories to last a lifetime. There is a camp for everyone at our great United Methodist Camp facilities! From family camp to horse camp, canoeing to stargazing, sports to praise — we have plenty of outdoor fun for everyone. God is with us wherever we are!
Let Church Camp be your partner in faith. For information on summer camps call the United Methodist Camping Office at (608) 837-3388 or visit the United Methodist Wisconsin Conference Camps web site at
www.WIUMCamps.org

     Parents like the fact that time at camp increases positive identity, social skills, and spirituality, as well as physical and thinking skills, according to American Camping Association research. These are skills that help children and youth become more successful adults. Camp staff and volunteers make every effort to provide a safe and nurturing environment for campers, while encouraging them to try new experiences. What could be more important than this time at camp for your child?

Camping slideshow 2011 —
Wisconsin Conference UMC Camp and Retreat