Random Thoughts - October 2019
Mike Zahn
HISTORY LESSONS
In preparing for our MCCI Express Day October 9th, I helped put together a history of our church for the “Self-Study” we needed to assemble. It was an enlightening process.
Here are a few tidbits I learned:
Our church has its roots going back to 1847. We haven’t always been called First United Methodist Church. Past names include the Methodist Episcopal Church and First Methodist Church.
We’ve had our ups and downs. Consider 1868- 69—On July 24, 1868 the parsonage was entirely destroyed by fire. Then, in the winter of 1869, the first church building burned to the ground.
An interesting story—
From 1888 to 1890, Rev. J.S. Davis was pastor, and when it came time for him to leave, it was reported that his salary had not been fully paid. Mrs. Charles Gilbert and Mrs. Joseph Gamble took the horse and buggy and solicited the $800 due him in about a week from the citizens. Many times the Ladies Aid helped with repairs of the church and parsonage and even with the moving expenses of the pastor.
Until this time, Mr. Charles Gilbert had not concerned himself with the church, preferring to sit on the front step and see who went to church and who did not. As he saw the dedication of his wife, and noted the contributions of people who were not members, he decided to dedicate himself to the church and from then on was a faithful and devoted leader in the church.
In Hebrews, the writer recounts many things that people of God did “by faith” (Hebrews 11). Then he declares, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1). Many have gone before us by faith. We are now here to bring Christ to 21st century Wausau. How will we run our race? How will you run your race?
Growing Generous Givers
The Growing Generous Givers team (GGG) has been meeting monthly to find ways to encourage generous giving to the church as part of our Christian faith. We want people to think long and hard about why they give, and how much they give. The GGG team challenges you to "wrestle with God" in deciding how much to give to First United Methodist Church. God calls us to give generously. The GGG team challenges you to give generously. Are you ready to help our church thrive through generous giving?
Betsy Duginski
Special Thanks to Lila, Ginny and Pat for their donation of paper for the Activity Bags used by children in church
Sara Roquemore
Welcome Statement (in process)
Welcome Statement (in process) Again this month we’ve included the welcome statement for a team has put together. Would you please share your feedback—for or against—with Gary Getzin 842.9254, Wes Ebert 409.6077, Molly Hoffmann 845.6129, Bonnie Goertz 359.9871, Jen or Pete Johnson 848.8240, or Dick Rayborn 845.2665?
In response to God’s unconditional love for all people made known to us in Jesus Christ, we are called to be a welcoming and affirming community. We, the First United Methodist Church of Wausau, are believers and seekers who include and welcome persons of all ages, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender identities and physical and mental abilities. Whatever your story, we embrace who you are. We welcome into the full life of this church all who God sends us. Centered in Christ, we commit ourselves to building and living as a community where all are loved.
A Chance to Support Claire
thru Helping at St. Jude’s
With Claire Hornby, a member of our church family, at St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital many of you have grown interested in supporting this medical facility.
Naturally, we pray for the family. Yet, we want to do more. Some of you have donated toward the costs the family has and will continue to incur. Lin Strong has supplied us with another possibility! Tri Delta Place, one of the places they stayed has a Wish List!
Household Products:
- Individual Tissue Packets (ex; Kleenex On the Go)
- Travel Size Disinfected Wipes
- Travel Size Baby Cleaning Products (ex. wash, lotion, wipes)
- Smaller Size-Fabric Softener (Sheets)
- Smaller Size-Laundry Detergent (Powder Only)
- Smaller Size-Dreft Detergent
Also, if you’d like to send letters or cards to Claire
while she is at St. Jude’s, you can mail them to:
Kirsten & Claire Hornby
Ronald McDonald House Charities, #10
535 Alabama Ave.
Memphis, TN 38105
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Equal Exchange Fair Trade New Product!
We are adding another product to our Equal Exchange inventory. It is a single serve coffee for use in Single Serve Machines. There are 12 cups per box and it is compatible with Keurig 2.0. The cost will be $8 per box.
(Equal Exchange single serve coffee cups are a greener alternative to traditional K-Cups.* Our organic single serve coffee is sourced directly from small-scale farmers and disadvantaged producers around the world. You get the same quality, organic coffee you know and love in a convenient, environmentally friendly coffee pod. Our Fair Trade organic single serve coffee cups are made from recyclable plastic and aluminum with a compostable filter. The conversation around waste from K-Cups is an important one, and we want to do our part to reduce waste with our single serve coffee cups. If you use a Keurig, make the switch to our environmentally friendly, organic coffee cups and do your part to reduce, re-use, and recycle. Equal Exchange is not affiliated with KEURIG, Inc.) www.equalexchange.coop
For the more than 20 years United Methodist Women have been offering Equal Exchange Fair Trade products to our congregation. This decision was made to introduce people to a way of supporting a more equitable alternative trade system that empowers small farm- ers worldwide while also providing support to United Methodist Committee On Relief (UMCOR) and the UMW mission projects.
Equal Exchange is a co-op business structure that has over 120 worker-owners, each with an equal stake and an equal vote – in the business. Their mission statement is “We believe that we should expect no less from ourselves and each other than we demand of our farmer partners. For that reason we have organized ourselves as a democratic worker co-operative, now one of the largest in the country.” Thank you for your continuing support of this work. Mary Ann Dykes
God’s Love Breaks Through
By Joan Stroyny
Even when my faith seems faded, Lord,
the blossoms of spring return alive and new;
And when in brokenness my heart appears,
it’s your love that always breaks through.
Even when my eyes don’t see, Lord,
the morning light is created by You;
with Christian love and care abiding,
it’s your love that always breaks through.
Even when I can’t find hope, Lord,
your spirit soars among the skies of blue;
and when my strength can not avail,
it’s your love that always breaks through.
Even when I don’t have peace, Lord,
your tranquility surrounds the misty dew;
and when other answers fail and fall,
it’s your love that always breaks through.
Even when my soul is sleeping, Lord,
show me the journey I must pursue;
and if my life is broken helplessly,
it’s your love that will break through.
This is the victory of Easter,
when Christ is risen to set us free;
so the brokenness of spirit and sin
brings salvation and peace eternally.
