Spring 2015 - St. Paul`s United Methodist Church

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
201 South Monroe Street
Monroe, MI 48161
(734) 242–3000
stpaulsmonroe@sbcglobal.net
Spring 2015
Spring 2015
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Monroe, Michigan
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Thoughts and News
from St. Paul’s
United Methodist Church, Monroe
One Vision of St. Paul’s
The Slate staff is asking parishioners to voice their
thoughts on what they like, and would like to see
at St. Paul’s. If you would like to be included,
please contact a member of the Slate staff.
St. Paul’s Staff
Pastor Evans C. Bentley
Christian
Education Director
Alisha Cooley
Director of Music
John C. Tyner
Sunshine Choir
and Alleluia Singers
John Fedosky
Organist
Office Manager
Secretary
Treasurer
Financial Secretary
Newsletter Staff
Inger Oswald
Susan Paterson
Ileene Smith
Jeanette Fedosky
Velma Mumby
Willie Lass, Judie Wiseman
Kyle Cooley, Ken Jaynes, Emily Myers
The Slate is published 4 times annually.
Article submissions are welcomed. Preferred
format is a plain text email, or MS Word File please
let us know what you or your group are doing by
submitting articles and/or photographs (digital or
print).
E-mail
stpaulsumcnews@gmail.com
Almost everything in my life that is a religious
ceremony has happened at St. Paul’s. When I
joined the church as a child, we were all
required to say a Bible verse. Mine was John
3:16 and that has been my watchword for my
life. I was married there as were two of our
children, two of our children were baptized in
the church, as well as 7 of our grandchildren.
My parents, my brother and a grandchild had
their funerals through the church. I am not
unique in this.
My words would be Pride, Respect, Tradition,
Change, Attitude, God-loving.
Pride: Jeff Weaver from our church started
God Works. This program feeds people. I was
told last month when I was part of the Lotus
Garden Club’s dinner, a tribute to Mrs. Nogar,
that not enough groups at our own church will
take on the responsibilities of a dinner.
The music program is a highlight of this
church and a certain reason to come.
The children’s programs have been wonderful,
yet not enough people want to teach.
Respect: I believe that the Lord looks on each
of us who call upon Him as worthy, yet I see so
much unhappy behavior between members
(myself included) that we forget we are all
different, but that God loves us all. Who are
“they” anyway? As in they don’t like the
decorations.
Tradition: There is a wholeness and confidence
in a traditional church. When you come you
know what you are going to get. There is a
magic in a candlelight service in our sanctuary.
When my granddaughter, Olivia, was two, she
came to St. Paul’s and said, “Oh, a castle”.
Being able to worship in an inspiring place is
comforting. I grieve for my friend, a Catholic,
whose church just closed.
Change: This is a tough one for me. On one
hand I know that change is important to stir
the soil to keep things growing, yet I grieve the
loss of the cross in the chancel and the cloths
behind it that changed with the seasons. I miss
an altar.
Attitude: The church must look at each person
and meet their needs. This is a big mission, but
it is an important one. We need to be more
welcoming and inclusive. Years ago it was more
encouraged that each one needs to do a job in
the church. This promotes getting things done,
but also ownership.
God-loving: We are humans with human
frailties, but I know everyone that I see in
church are believers.
The St. Paul’s Scholarship Committee is
proud to announce the names of the students
who are receiving grants for this year. They
are: Brian Brodie, Lindsey Favreau, Lydia
LaRoux, Carly Hilliard, Jennifer Skarbek,
Mitchell Tyson, Joshua Thompson, and Sarah
Wangbickler. These students were awarded
$3750 in total scholarship funds as St. Paul’s
carries on the strong tradition of supporting
our young adults with financial help for
education and training. We ask that you also
continue to support these members of our
church family with you prayers and words of
encouragement.
Special thank s to all who contribute or and/
or direct memorial funds to this special local
mission. Please continue to consider this area
as you plan your gifts of support to St. Paul’s.
Submitted by Fran Rayce
Submitted by Jannet Low
RELAX and REST
Early in the NFL season, after a poor start with
more wins than losses, Green Bay Packers
quarterback Aaron Rodgers was airing on his
weekly local radio show. Things had started
poorly for a team that was used to winning its
division. Fans were growing restless. Rodgers
sensed the anxious attitude and told Green Bay
fans to just R-E-L-A-X. The Packers went on to
win their division with a 12-4 record and made
the playoffs with a first round bye, barely
missing a shot at the Super Bowl with an
overtime loss.
So what does a Christian do when faced with a
difficult time or a moral dilemma? The answer
is R-E-S-T. By Methodist teaching we are
expected to employ Reason, Experiences,
Scripture, and Tradition. That is, we are to
certainly read God’s holy word and pray for an
answer. Fortunately, the Bible is available to all
of us. But we are also to rely on Church
traditions, some of which have been passed
down to us in oral, rather than written form,
over the centuries.
In addition, we are to use our own God-given
faculties—our powers of reasoning and logic
and our own life experiences. So the next time
you face a quandary or impasse, just relax, and
R-E-S-T. God has everything under control!
– Ken Jaynes
adults are not so excited about the idea of
another overnight retreat.
It Takes A Church To
Make A Disciple
Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of
all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
and teaching them to obey everything that I
have commanded you. And remember, I am
with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28: 19-20
The most important work of the church is to
make disciples. I am proud to belong to this
congregation that takes that work so seriously
through its Christian Education Ministries. It
is certainly the fun part of my work to lead
the Confirmation Class Study every two years
with our Confirmation Class. I love my
twelve student disciples and my co-leaders
Kelly Vergowven and Alisha Cooley. The six
boys and six girls make for a dynamic learning
environment. Jesus had it so much easier with
an all-boys class. But it is clear that they care
for one another and have fun learning
together. Every week the students ask their
adult leaders if they can have another
overnight retreat like the one they experienced
together in November. The teachers taught
lessons about essential Christian practices
throughout the night. For some reason the
QUOTABLE QUOTES
One of the best part of the Confirmation
Class is the interaction the students are having
with their adult mentors and special guest
teachers. Church member Emilie Short was
speaking to her in a new way through her
newly revived interest in painting. Artist
Christi LaRoy helped each student mold a
clay vessel and shared how God shapes our
lives daily through prayer and surrender and
love. Architect, Jim Jacobs, took the students
on a architectural tour of the church and
pointed out how our church building points
us upward to God and the beauty and
greatness of God’s love. Music Director, John
Tyner, brought home the importance of music
in our Methodist History and revealed how
our hymnal can be used to teach and strength
our faith. Next month our church Lay
Leader, Mary Kay Hamilton will share her
journey of faith here at St. Paul’s throughout
her Infant Baptism, her church’s influence
upon her values of social justice and her
current service as a church leader in many
church ministries.
St Paul's UMC is pleased to provide these
Lenten Programs open to all at 6:30 pm
on Wednesdays
Clearly, Confirmation Class is a rich and life
changing experience for the students and for
the entire church. Discipleship cannot be
complete without the work of the whole
church and all its many parts. Everyone is
needed to offer your support to our student
disciples and pray that they might come to
know the height and depth of God’s love.
March 18: Pastor Brad Luck of
Hudson UMC, “Coming Home."
Vince Lombardi.
Dr. Seuss
March 11: Pastor Evans Bentley:
"REVIVAL" Adam Hamilton will take
us on a journey to England tracing the
life of John Wesley and his message of
faith that continues to revive hearts and
souls today. Part 3.
March 25: Pastor Chris Butson of
Azalia/London UMC, "Coming Home.
The Seekers class is in the middle of a
special 8-week series called The Story of
the Life of Jesus led by Willie Lass. One
of the discussion items the last couple of
weeks has been how we came to know
Jesus in our individual lives. As you might
expect, the responses varied. Some had
significant life experiences that drove
them to look for
something beyond
what the world had to
offer. Others remember
a distinct event, a time
and place where they
made a commitment to
Jesus that is fresh in
their minds to this day.
For many Christians,
there was a time of
straying, followed by reflection, and then
an epiphany when it became clear that
God was calling them and that God’s way
really was the right way, as in the story of
the Prodigal Son. But for many of us
there was not a single, emotional event
that we could point to. Knowing Jesus has
been a loving and long relationship, often
from childhood. We could recall many
times we felt moved by the Holy Spirit or
when God spoke to us directly or
indirectly. But there was not that one
sudden, emotion-packed perception of
our need for a relationship with God and
His acceptance of us.
The Bible acknowledges both types of
relationships in Luke 15:3-7: “So he told
them this parable: “What man of you,
having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one
of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in
the open country, and go after the one
that is lost, until he finds it?
And when he has found it, he
lays it on his shoulders,
rejoicing. And when he comes
home, he calls together his
friends and his neighbors,
saying to them, ‘Rejoice with
me, for I have found my
sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I
tell you, there will be more
joy in heaven over one sinner
who repents than over ninety-nine
righteous persons who need no
repentance.”
UMYF UPDATE
One of the youth group’s favorite events
this winter was caroling to members of
the church. The youth enjoyed being
able to do something for others during
Christmas time. The UMYF Super
Bowl Sub Sale sold over 150 subs.
Thank you everyone who supported the
youth through this fundraiser! St. Paul’s
UMYF also spent time planning for
Youth Sunday this winter. It was a great
opportunity for them to learn from
each other while experimenting with
ways to serve in the church. Another
UMYF fundraiser, the Baked Potato
and Dessert Auction, is scheduled for
March 15 from 12:15p.m. to 2:30p.m.
All are welcome to come and bid on
food to support St. Paul’s youth group.
Clearly, there is more emotion over saving
the one wayward individual. But there is
also an acknowledgement of those who
did their best to strive for righteousness.
None of us are perfect, but the pathways
to a saving relationship with Jesus are
numerous. The key is to get on that path!
Try to be a rainbow in someone's
cloud.
Muhammad Ali
Today you are you! That is truer
than true! There is no one alive
who is you-er than you!
March 4: Pastor Evans Bentley:
"REVIVAL" Adam Hamilton will take
us on a journey to England tracing the
life of John Wesley and his message of
faith that continues to revive hearts and
souls today. Part 2.
Pathways
– Emily Myers
– Ken Jaynes
The Slate would like to thank this issue’s sponsors and welcome other’s to sponsor future
issues. Please contact the Church Office if you are interested.
Maya Angelou
Abraham Lincoln
Feb. 25: Pastor Evans Bentley:
"REVIVAL" Adam Hamilton
will take us on a journey to England
tracing the life of John Wesley and his
message of faith that continues to revive
hearts and souls today. Part 1.
Come and add to your Lenten/Easter
experience. Snacks will be served and
- Pastor Evans Bentley fellowship guaranteed.
Friendship... is not something you
learn in school. But if you haven't
learned the meaning of friendship,
you really haven't learned
anything.
Most folks are as happy as they
make up their minds to be.
Lenten Programs: 2015
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Worship.........Worship.........Worship.........................by Willie Lass SPOTLIGHT ON…
The first of the year saw a change of leadership in some of our commi;ees and new members joining various other commi;ees. New blood helps bring new ideas and advancement in worship ac?vi?es with some folks taking a chance to try something different or just "take a break." People contribute in so many ways that I'm not sure if anyone really has an idea of all the wonderful ac?vi?es going on here at St Paul's; except for Pastor Evans. He provides such wonderful encouragement/leadership for our spiritual growth; though he won't take credit. We are blessed! DICK BARRETT
We are also blessed with wonderful Adult Sunday School Programs: All meet a 10:10am Dick may be able to claim “bragging
rights” for length of membership at
St. Paul’s: he joined the church in
1943, making him a 72-year
member! He was a teenager then,
and participated in Youth Fellowship
and Sunday School classes, and has
Seekers: (library) "the Story of Jesus" con?nues in the Library, with DVD, lively discussion from par?cipants from several Sunday School groups. Searchers: (upstairs) " If God Is Love: Rediscovering Grace in an Ungracious World” Shared Leadership approach
with mutual lively discussions.
Living in the Word: (room between the Library and Parlor) Rev. Brad Lewis. We are taking a journey through "Exodus". You are invited to join in our travels and learn how God shaped the wandering slaves into a community of faith and how that should shape our lives today. Horizons: (parlor) Mike McCain leads: Life of Jesus from the viewpoint of Luke; Lively discussion and lesson. Confirma?on Class: with Pastor Bentley and Kelly Vergowven. 12 youth are being prepared for confirma?on into the UMC; true blessings Youth Sunday took place on February 7th with a wonderful display of youthful enthusiasm in worship to the Lord. Fun and good fellowship was had by all with big thanks to Kelley Vergowven, John & Inger Oswald, Alisha Cooley and a host of other wonderful and pa?ent volunteers to pull this off. Oh yeah, biggest thanks: to our Youth! We are very proud of them and their parents and loved ones had a lot to do with that too. Ucare (see flyer in this edi?on) started on Jan 30th, 10 plus kids 10-­‐15 came for an hour and a half of recrea?on in the Gym, refreshments and a message about: "Taking care of yourself-­‐staying off drugs." Big thanks to Taiya Himebauch and all her great volunteers who started a needed outlet for children to learn health living; not as easy a thing as you might think in our modern complex world. Bless them and their mission! Get involved, there is something for everyone. Use the giis God gave you and feel like a part of the "body of Christ”. …And, "Stay Tuned" to St Paul's, on line, Facebook, or best yet, just come 'on down and spend a Sunday morning with us; guaranteed the rest of the day will be great. Blessings to all of you through our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. UMW OFFERS CHALLENGES,
OPPORTUNITIES FOR 2015
(the boys’ counterpart to the
Masons), and Joyce was a member of
the girls’ counterpart to the Eastern
Star, Rainbow Girls, when their
friendship began. They were married
at the First Methodist Church in
September, 1949, and Joyce joined
St. Paul’s in 1952. They enjoyed
stage plays, concerts and Toledo
Symphony Orchestra programs, and
traveled to Florida and California to
visit relatives. After his retirement,
they were able to take several cruises.
She passed away in 2008, after they
celebrated 59 years of marriage.
They had four children: Michael,
Susan (who died tragically in an
automobile accident in recent years),
David and Ann. There are five
grandchildren in the Barrett family
now: Elizabeth, Kathleen, Jennifer,
Kelly and Daniel, who range in age
from a high school senior to 25 years
of age.
Dick’s entire working career was
spent at Monroe Auto Equipment.
He began as a draftsman in 1945,
worked his way up from that
position to drafting manager and
retired in 1989 as packaging
manager.
continued his involvement at all
levels: he has served on the Board of
Trustees, the Staff Parish Committee,
the Memorial Committee, and has
been a faithful usher for many of
those 70+ years.
On January 23, he celebrated his
88th birthday and says he feels
“continually blessed and I continue
to count my blessings“.
Monroe County has been his home
all his life; he went to elementary
school at Boyd School (now
demolished), Monroe Jr. High and
was a 1944 graduate of Monroe
High School. Joyce Mikesell, the
lady who would become his wife,
was a 1948 graduate of MHS also,
but they did not begin their
courtship until after high school. He
was a member of the DeMolay Boys
Sports have been an interest for Dick
all his life; he was active in bowling
and golf leagues, still watches a lot of
sports on television and regularly
attends high school athletic events.
He faithfully follows both University
of Michigan and Michigan State
University athletic teams, as well as
the Detroit professional sports teams.
He has a younger sister who lives in
Temperance, and had a brother who
passed away in 1994.
Dick is passionate about his
relationship with St. Paul’s and its
people; he states that he has “always
enjoyed the people of St. Paul’s - its
minister, the choir, and the
friendship and friendliness of so
many.”
– Judie Wiseman
Paula Vergowven, new UMW President, is
making plans for an exciting year for the
women of St. Paul’s. Working with her are:
Secretary, Susan Fleming; Treasurer, Cindy
Miller; and Program Chair, Mary Kay
Hamilton. Kathy Heatherly has also been
assisting in the planning as well. Recruitment
of a person to fill the position of Vice
President is now taking place.
Meeting dates for the year are: March 19, June
18, September 17, and the December activity,
the Advent Tea. Meeting days are Thursdays,
at 7:00 p.m., at the church.
Salad Luncheons have been scheduled for the
year, and will be held on September 10,
October 8 and November 12. Plans are for
these luncheons will continue in the format
established over the past few years, with
cooperation from all church groups and
donations of salads and desserts coming from
all who are willing to do so.
Paula is promoting a book reading activity for
the months of June, July and August, that is
part of a district-wide reading program. A
book will be chosen for each of those three
months, in categories such as missions and
leadership development. The reading list will
be posted on the bulletin board, with a signup sheet for those who wish to participate,
and a book club-style discussion will follow.
Mission-support is a major function of the
UMW; the March meeting will focus on the
selection of local, national and international
missions and the amount of monetary
contribution to be pledged.
District UMW events are included in Paula’s
agenda for the year, and will be announced as
they occur, on the bulletin board in the
fellowship hall. One district activity that has
already been placed on the calendar, is a twoday training workshop, called Soulful Living,
April 17 and 18, to be held at Judson Collins
Methodist Center. This activity is open to all
women of the church.
In addition to the search for the Vice President
position, the group is looking for a chairman
for the Advent Tea.
All women of the church are urged to
participate in the monthly meetings and in all
of the activities sponsored by the UMW. Paula
has established an ambitious agenda for herself
and the group, and it is hoped that their goals
will be enthusiastically supported.
– Judie Wiseman
March!
4
6
8
11
15
Wednesday Lenten Program!
World Day of Prayer!
Alleluia Choir Performs!
Wednesday Lenten Program!
UMYF Baked Potato Brunch
& Dessert Auction @ Noon!
IHM Bell Choir Festival!
No UMYF Meeting!
18 Wednesday Lenten Program!
25 Wednesday Lenten Program!
29 Palm Sunday!
Sunshine & Alleluia Choir
Perform!
April!
1
2
3
5
Wednesday Lenten Program!
Maundy Thursday!
Good Friday!
Easter!
No Sunday School or UMYF!
8 Christ’s Kids will not meet!
14 Christian Education Committee!
22 Christ’s Kids Bowling Party at
Nortel Lanes!
May!
3 Confirmation Sunday!
Sunday School Sings @ 11am!
Last UMYF Meeting!
10 Mother’s Day!
17 Teacher’s Appreciation Sunday!
Last Day of Sunday School!
24 Summer Worship @ 9:30am!
25 Memorial Day!
31 Graduation Sunday!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR:!
March Birthdays
Sunday School
!
Sunday’s at 10:00am!
Classes for all ages!
between Worship Services !
(Labor Day to Memorial Day)!
Christ’s Kids Program!
Wednesday evenings at 5:30pm!
Kids 1st-6th grades welcomed! !
Children’s choirs, lessons, hand chimes !
and mission fun! Fee is charged for meals.
We are online: www.stpaulsumcmonroe.org!
or Facebook: stpaulsumc
UMC CAMP AND RETREAT MINISTRIES
BROCHURES AVAILABLE NOW!
Check out the Michigan summer camps for the
Detroit Conference United Methodist Camps
website or ask for a camp brochure.!
www.umccamps.org
The UMYF is active at St. Paul’s! The United
Methodist Youth Fellowship meet on Sunday evenings
at 6-7:30pm at St. Paul’s UMC. Please support our
fundraisers for mission work!!
UPCOMING EVENTS: !
MARCH 15: Baked Potato Brunch & Dessert Auction!
JULY 12-17: UMYF Mission Week
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL!
DATES: JUNE 29-JULY 3!
TIME: 9:00AM to NOON
2014
Interested in leading or creating a new small
group, Bible study or other activity? Contact
Alisha Cooley, Christian Education Director at
242-3000 or alisha@cooleyservices.com.
2.
Dorothy Mortiboy
4.
Royce Florence
5.
Carrie Hilliard
Josephine Mehki
6.
Arthur Kosino
7.
Kyle Rouser
Jane Steed
8.
Kylee Bezeau
Audrey Cooley
9.
Madeleine Cooley
Collin Petty
10.
Katherine Jaynes
Dennis Vergowven
11.
Cathy Brodie
Logan West
Blaine Zimmerman
Melissa Woodruff
12.
Chris Butson
14.
Griffin Linn
16.
Lynne Allen
Brianne Barton
17.
Mallory Everly
Chloe Pabin
Nora Weismiller
18.
Kelsey Pabin
19.
Katie Merman Flynn
22.
Kendall Himebaugh
Cathy Spalding
Jordyn Helser Young
23.
John Salisbury
24.
Collin Barton
Alyssa Cotterman
Rebecca Rice
26.
Caleb Blackwell
Lauren McCain
Robert Scott
Taylor Thompson
27.
Melvin Gillespie
Susan Helser
Fritz Shull
28.
Amy Smith
29.
Cayman Herrera
Gabriella Laroy
Susan Paterson
30.
Michelle Davis
Jennie West
31.
Micaiah Ivey
Emilie Laroux