The March Tower Chimes

Website Edition

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-LENT 2023 – FROM BITTER TO SWEET

-UNITED METHODIST COMMITTEE ON RELIEF (UMCOR)

-WORSHIP UPDATES

-EASTER FLOWERS

-MISSION LEMONADE STAND

-FAIR TRADE SALES

-MARCH XYZ

-LOAVES AND FISHES

-SOPHIA: A CALL TO END HOMELESSNESS

-PIE DAY

-UNITED WOMEN IN FAITH:2023 SOCIAL ACTION DAY

-CELEBRATING PASTOR GRETA – SAVE THE DATE

-2023 INTERGENTERATIONAL MISSION TRIP

-CHILI COOK-OFF/TALENT SHOW

-GARDENS AT FUMC WAUKESHA

-INTERGENERATIONAL MINISTRY COORDINATOR

-GO TO A UNITED METHODIST CAMP THIS SUMMER!

-ADRC OF WAUKESHA COUNTY OFFERS HEALTHY LIVING WITH DIABETES

-PARISH PULSE

-SIGN UPS AND LINKS

LENT 2023 – FROM BITTER TO SWEET

LENT 2023 – FROM BITTER TO SWEET

On the first Sunday of Lent, those worshipping in-person were invited to take a lemon and begin the work of harvesting and planting the seeds. Once the seeds sprout, the work doesn’t end, as the seedlings need care and nurture. It’s a miracle, really, the sprouting of new life as the seeds break open and grow, pushing through the messiness of the dirt which surrounds them.


And such is the way of Lent, the season of spiritual gardening, of inviting God to unearth in us what lies uncultivated and what needs to be tended for new life to emerge. New life grows when we acknowledge our brokenness and what it is that keeps us from a relationship with God. Lent is a journey, a journey to restoration and forgiveness. And we only get there by growing; growing in our faith, in our relationship with God, in possibilities and promises. Growth means pushing through the dirt of our lives.


Why lemons? Because they offer a powerful reminder of our theme for Lent – from bitter to sweet – for Lent takes us on a journey through the bitterness of our brokenness to the sweetness of new life on Easter. On its own, a lemon is bitter, sour, harsh, but add some forgiveness and grace and redemption – and by all means, resurrection – and the sweetness is quite wonderful. In a life of faith, our brokenness – our sinfulness – can be transformed into something of great beauty and value.


But before we get to the sweetness, we have to push through some dirt. Recognizing our own brokenness, seeking forgiveness, and growing from that can be challenging. May God give us the spiritual courage to look within ourselves, to allow God to confront us and help us grow. Because when we grow, there is the possibility of bearing fruit.


If you didn’t get a lemon, dirt, and harvesting/planting instructions, they will be available on Sunday, March 5 following worship. If you just need the harvesting/planting instructions, you can find them HERE.


Much thanks to FUMC Master Gardeners – Pam Brown, Andrea Hedemann, and Cheryl Minor – for researching, experimenting, growing, packing, and preparing our lemon seed projects.


LENTEN DEVOTIONAL

We encourage participation in daily Lenten devotions. This year we are using the book Bitter and Sweet by Tsh Oxenreider to guide us through Lent. Following the Sunday worship services, there is an opportunity to discuss and share highlights from the book (March 5, 12, 19, 26, and April 2, approx. 10:30-11:30am). Book discussions are hybrid (in person and online), allowing everyone access to conversation, growth, and community. Sign up HERE or call the church office for more information. You can pick up a book at church ($9 if it is not a hardship) or purchase it on your own.


Even if you are not participating in the weekly discussion, we encourage a daily connection with God. Use the book for your personal journey to encounter the grace of God and the presence of Christ.

LENT 2023 – FROM BITTER TO SWEET

UNITED METHODIST COMMITTEE ON RELIEF (UMCOR)

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is the humanitarian arm of The United Methodist Church. UMCOR’s work reaches around the world in direct ministry to persons in need, offering humanitarian relief when war, conflict or natural disaster disrupts life to such an extent that communities cannot recover on their own. UMCOR provides relief, response, and long-term recovery grants, as well as technical support and training. When we give in support of the efforts of UMCOR’s disaster response, 100% of our financial gifts reach that specific project.


Our relationship with UMCOR includes:

UMCOR Sunday - On Sunday, March 19, we will recognize UMCOR Sunday with a special offering. This is an opportunity for FUMC to help underwrite the ‘cost of doing business’ for the United Methodist Committee on Relief, making it possible for UMCOR to focus on responding to communities and individuals when they need immediate assistance. It allows UMCOR to preserve the promise that 100% of any donation to a specific UMCOR project will go towards that project and not administrative costs. Special offering envelopes will be available soon. Checks should be made payable to FUMC (UMCOR Sunday on the memo line). You can also give safely through our website and/or app. Please give generously.


2023 Easter Offering – Our Easter offering this year will support UMCOR’s International Disaster Response for those devasted communities impacted by earthquakes in southern Turkey and northwest Syria. A special envelope for this specific offering will be included in the Easter letter. Giving online is also always an option.


Summer Intergenerational Mission Trip – Mission participants from FUMC will serve at the Midwest Mission Distribution Center, near Springfield, IL this coming July. Service will include packing disaster relief kits, sorting donations, sewing, building desks, repairing bicycles and whatever else needs to be done to meet the needs of those impacted by disaster, displacement, crisis, or chronic hardship. MMDC is a cooperating depot in the UMCOR relief-supply network.


UMCOR stands ready to accompany communities in need over the long haul of their recovery until a “new normal” is established after a crisis. “Early in and last out” is a guiding principle of UMCOR. Their mission: to alleviate suffering. Let’s do all we can to offer our prayers, gifts, service, and support for the United Methodist Committee on Relief.

WORSHIP UPDATES

MARCH 5- HOLY COMMUNION

FUMC will celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion on Sunday, March 5. For those at home, please have your communion elements ready


HOLY WEEK WORSHIP

April 2 – Palm/Passion Sunday, 9:30am

April 6 – Holy Thursday, 7:00pm

April 7 – Good Friday, 12:00pm

April 9 - EASTER SUNDAY, 9:30am

EASTER FLOWERS

EASTER FLOWERS

Would you like to provide an Easter Lily, Cyclamen, Daffodils, Chrysanthemums or Tulips as a memorial for a loved one or to honor a special person for the sanctuary on Easter Sunday? Flowers are $20.00 each. Forms are in the hallway outside the sanctuary, or you can order on our website! Orders need to be submitted by March 19.
EASTER FLOWERS
MISSION LEMONADE STAND

MISSION LEMONADE STAND

The FUMC Mission Lemonade Stand will be open each Sunday throughout Lent. All donations go directly toward travel and food costs for the summer trip to Midwest Distribution Center. There is also the opportunity to purchase VIP stock in the trip!
MISSION LEMONADE STAND
FAIR TRADE SALES

FAIR TRADE SALES

Church & Society will sell Fair Trade and Organic coffee and chocolate bars on Sunday, March 5, immediately after the 9:30 worship service in the Asbury Room. Please stop by to check out our inventory. We accept cash and checks payable to First United Methodist Church ("Fair Trade" in memo line).
FAIR TRADE SALES

MARCH XYZ

You’re not going to want to miss the March XYZ potluck and program. We’ll be enjoying a very special music program presented by The Dolcé Duo, a two-member group that entertains at various venues in the Waukesha area. They recently performed at New Perspectives and were warmly received by those in the audience. Keep the date open, March 9, 2023 with serving starting at noon in the FUMC dining room. We’re looking forward to seeing you and maybe you could invite your friends along to this great Spring event.

LOAVES AND FISHES

FUMC is signed up to host Loaves & Fishes at the Hope Center on Sunday, March 12 from 12:30-4:00pm. Thank you to those who signed up to volunteer. We are still in need of salads and desserts to serve approximately 40 people. Sign ups for volunteers & food donations can be made within SignUpGenus, or by calling the church office. If you have any questions, please reach out to Erin Blum or the church office.

SOPHIA: A CALL TO END HOMELESSNESS

Church and Society invites you to attend “A Call to End Homelessness.” Featured speaker Kevin Nye is the author of the book Grace Can Lead Us Home. His presentation will reflect upon lessons he has learned while working with people who are unhoused, along with extensive research into best practices for solutions. This event is presented by SOPHIA and hosted by First United Methodist Church. Join us on Saturday for March 18 from 1-2:30 pm in the sanctuary. Contact Susan Mingesz or the church office with any questions.

PI/E DAY

The Missions Team invites you to the FUMC Pi/e Day on Sunday, March 19, 10:30-12:30 in the Asbury Room. This year’s event will again include live and silent auctions of creative and delicious pies, lovingly baked and donated by members of our church family, as well as pie by the slice. The funds raised will benefit Pathfinders of Milwaukee (http://pathfindersmke.org), one of Wisconsin’s oldest and most effective nonprofit organizations serving youth in crisis. Come learn more about Pathfinders and the good they do in Milwaukee. Thank you for your support of their impactful programs. Sign-up sheets and instruction cards for pie-makers are now available in the Asbury Room. Please sign up by March 12. Also please note that pies and pie plates will be auctioned off, and pie plates cannot be returned. New this year: "Invisible Pies" -- a pie to be made especially for you at a later date, to include "Pies for Every Season" an offer from Pastor Susan (including her summertime Sugar Cream Pie which won a Blue Ribbon at the Stoughton Jr. Fair!)

UNITED WOMEN IN FAITH:2023 SOCIAL ACTION DAY

The United Methodist Women (UMW) has changed its name to United Women in Faith (UWF). The national and state groups are making some changes to the organization that are interesting and exciting. You may remember UMW/UWF sent out a survey to FUMC women to gauge interest in First Church's Group. The responses we received had a lot of good ideas that could take the group in a direction that sparks interest once again. The group was affected by Covid-19 in that the usual activities were no longer safe to do in group settings. Since then, we have looked to adjust and move forward.


Last year, there was a watch party/Zoom event around Indigenous women that was very informative. This year, another highly relevant topic, "climate" is going to be addressed.

Please consider this opportunity to join other United Methodist churches online, chat with other FUMC church members, and eat good food! We will send out more information as it becomes available. For now, please consider saving the date, April 15, 2023 from 9AM to Noon. Contact Polly Mather with any questions.

CELEBRATING PASTOR GRETA – SAVE THE DATE

CELEBRATING PASTOR GRETA – SAVE THE DATE

Pastor Greta Hietpas will be retiring soon, and her last Sunday with us will be April 30. Worship will be special, as will the celebration that will take place immediately following worship. There will be a brunch served, music, speakers and, of course, cake. Worship will take place in the sanctuary; the celebration will be held in the dining room on the lower level.

Ways you can contribute to the celebration will be shared in a separate communication.

All are invited to celebrate Pastor Greta’s grace-filled ministry and wish her well on the next chapter in her life.

CELEBRATING PASTOR GRETA – SAVE THE DATE

2023 INTERGENTERATIONAL MISSION TRIP

Fundraising has started for the 2023 Intergenerational Mission Trip to Midwest Mission Distribution Center, near Springfield, IL, July 12-14. Participants pay a registration fee, but funds are needed for meals and transportation.


Visit the Lemonade Stand, open every Sunday morning, for a sweet, cold cup of lemonade. Free will donations are accepted. Tips are encouraged.


Might you consider purchasing one or two (or five or 10) shares stock at $10/ea to support the fundraising efforts? Simply place your donation in the offering plate (with completed form found HERE) or return to the church office. You can always give safely online. Please remember to designate your donation as “mission trip stock.” All stockholders will be invited to a Stockholders brunch/luncheon in late summer.


There is still ONE spot left on the mission trip roster for anyone 14+ years old. If you’re interested, please call the church office or reach out to Nikki Haskey.


The experience and the service offered will be life-changing for our mission trip participants. Please support their experience as they represent all that is good about First United Methodist Church, including a God of abundant grace and a community of love and support.

CHILI COOK-OFF/TALENT SHOW

Thanks everyone for making our first annual Chili Cook-off/Talent Show a success!! We had about 80 attend, 12 chili entries and many sharing talents of all types, from a tuba/bell combo to sewing showcase to impersonations, poetry and lots of music. This congregation is truly gifted!! Tina Melzl won the first place prize for her delicious chili w/pineapple. Diane Smith and Shirley Chilson rounded out 2nd & 3rd respectively and we all won during the talent portion of the evening!! Can't wait for next year's event - tentatively planned for February 18 2024.


For more photos from the evening, click here!

GARDENS AT FUMC WAUKESHA

Hope everyone has planted their Lenten Lemon seeds or will do so soon! If you have questions or concerns about your lemon tree ask Master Gardeners Pam Brown or Andrea Hedemann on Sunday mornings. Feel free to contact Cheryl Minor in the church office if you would like to be part of our informal gardening group during the 2023 growing season. She will also try to answer lemon questions (The Minors now have 18 lemon trees sprouting at our home!)

INTERGENERATIONAL MINISTRY COORDINATOR

FUMC-Waukesha is seeking an energetic and enthusiastic candidate to fill the position of part-time Intergenerational Ministry Coordinator. This position is responsible for coordinating ministry opportunities with an emphasis on Christian education for all ages. For a description of job responsibilities and required qualifications, visit https://fumcwaukesha.org/job or call the church office. For interested candidates, send a completed application (download available on website) to the church office, Attn: SPRC, 121 Wisconsin Ave, Waukesha WI 53186 or contact us to get the SPRC email.

GO TO A UNITED METHODIST CAMP THIS SUMMER!

Pine Lake and Lake Lucerne offer camps for people of all ages and interests. First UMC helps send kids to camp by offering scholarships for up to half the cost of camp. If there is greater financial need, there may also be help from the conference. Check out www.wiumcamps.org or stop by the table in the hallway to look at a camping catalog and pick up a camp scholarship form for children and youth. Questions? See Pastor Greta.

ADRC OF WAUKESHA COUNTY OFFERS HEALTHY LIVING WITH DIABETES

More than 100 million adults in the U.S. are now living with diabetes or pre-diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While that statistic is startling, there is good news. People with diabetes or pre-diabetes can improve their health by joining a Healthy Living with Diabetes workshop sponsored by the ADRC. The program has been researched and proven to improve the health of adults with diabetes or pre-diabetes.


In 6 weekly sessions Healthy Living with Diabetes gives participants strategies for managing diabetes including techniques to deal with symptoms and information about healthy eating, appropriate use of medication, exercise and working effectively with health care providers. Participants learn to make realistic, achievable action plans, share their experiences and help each other solve problems.


Healthy Living with Diabetes will be held on Thursdays from 1-3:30, April 20-May 25 at First United Methodist Church of Waukesha. This workshop is free for anyone 60+.

For questions or to register for the program, contact Courtney at 262-548-7835.

PARISH PULSE

PARISH PULSE

As part of the WCTC centennial, a new scholarship fund, The Ruth Project, has been established to honor Ruth Sells' rich legacy of outstanding leadership and commitment to WCTC. This project will support WCTC Nursing students through scholarships and funding to improve the Nursing Skills Lab.

Sells was appointed to an advisory committee at WCTC in 1972, and two years later, she became the first woman appointed to the WCTC District Board, where she served for 14 years. She later joined the WCTC Foundation Board and served for 20 years until her passing in 2018. She was presented with an honorary WCTC Associate of Applied Science degree in 2012 for her generous service to the College.

Like WCTC, Sells would have celebrated her 100th birthday in 2023.

To make a donation, please contact Ellen Phillips, 262.691.5257.

PARISH PULSE
SIGN UPS AND LINKS

SIGN UPS AND LINKS

Sign Ups

Links

SIGN UPS AND LINKS

Have an Announcement You'd Like Featured in the Chimes? See below:

Articles for the next Tower Chimes are due to the Office Manager by March 24 at 3:30pm. Articles submitted past 3:30pm will not be featured in the newsletter. You can email articles to office@fumcwaukesha.org. If you don't have an email, feel free to call the church at 262-542-4256. You can also mail them, our address is 121 Wisconsin Avenue, Waukesha, WI 53186.