Care

Update: The “Road” to Becoming a Reconciling Church

It has been just a little over a year now that the pandemic took hold of most of the world and slowed everything down to a stop, at least for a while. One of the things that was stopped before its completion was the movement toward an all-church vote, within our congregation, to what the Reconciling Church committee hoped would make FUMC-Wausau a reconciling church. The committee had invited some speakers in for testimonials, provided information, and tried to establish a comfortable forum for asking questions about what this would mean for our church. Unfortunately, we were not able to finish the process a year ago, so the committee has restarted this action and activated itself once more, moving forward with the steps needed.

While the General Conference for the Unite Methodist Church has postponed its gathering for yet another year, until 2022, a number of members of our congregation feel this is an important issue that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later. Regardless of the overall Church's vote/stand in 2022, many people in our church feel Jesus and God welcome all people into the church, into our faith, no matter what their race, sexual orientation, background, financial status, etc....is. “What will our church look like after this vote?”, “Will we/How will we look different if we go the reconciling route?”, the committee members encourage everyone to reach out with their questions, comments, and concerns as we move forward in the next few months.

The goal is too have a special charge conference for a vote about becoming a reconciling church in the not-too-distant future. Please watch for more information on this very important issue in the United Methodist Church, and do not hesitate to reach out for more information. Members of the committee are: Gary Getzin, Margaret Getzin, Mary Ann Dykes, Dick Rayborn, Wes Ebert, Maggie Schoenfeld, Jen Johnson, and Bonnie Goertz. A welcoming statement for FUMC-Wausau has already been written by the committee and approved by the Ministries Council. It is:

In response to God's traditional 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 young and old, families, couples, and singles, rich and poor. We include and welcome persons of all races, ethnicities, backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender identities and differing physical and mental abilities. We welcome into the full life of the church all those who God sends us. Centered in Christ, we commit ourselves to building and maintaining a community where all are loved.

Sanctuary Spruce-Up

Saturday, April 10^th from 9:00-12:00

The Aesthetics Team is sponsoring a cleaning of the sanctuary and narthex. We invite church members to come and help prepare our worship space as we plan to gather in person again soon. Everyone will wear masks and maintain physical distancing while we joyfully prepare our building and hearts re-open.

NEW PRODUCTS-- Mission-Driven—in the UMW cabinet!

Coffees--Just in for Spring!

Organic LoveBuzz, med-dark roast whole bean ($8.00/12 oz) New!
Organic Mama Tierra light roast ground coffee from Oaxaca, Mexico ($10.00/16 oz bag) New!

We still offer 12 oz bags of ground decaf—$9.00 and regular Cafe Salvador—$8.00

Prefer Tea?

All varieties of our organic teas are $4.00/box. Try the English Breakfast for a little boost or Jasmine Green (New!). If you want a relaxing herbal cup, try Rooibos, Ginger or Peppermint (New!).

Chocolate treats for your Easter basket!

Pick your favorite organic, Fair Trade chocolate bars for $3.00 ea. in these flavors:

Dark Chocolate Lemon Ginger
Dark Chocolate Orange
Dark Chocolate Mint Crunch (New!)
Panama Extra Dark
Dark Chocolate Almond & Sea Salt (New!)
Milk Chocolate
Chocolate with Coconut Milk (vegan, soy and gluten-free) (New!)

Your purchase helps our UMW mission projects, UMCOR, and supports farmer-owned coffee cooperatives in Central America and Mexico, as well as small tea farms in India, Sri Lanka and South Africa.

Thank you for shopping BY CAUSE!

Random Thoughts

by Mike Zahn
April 2021

Death and Dying

I got the call around 7:00 pm:

PHARMACIST: “This is the pharmacy – when do you think you'll get to XYZ facility tonight?”

ME: “Probably around 9:00.”

PHARMACIST: “Well, okay, they'll have to wait until then, I guess. I'll let them know.”

ME: “What's up?”

PHARMACIST: “They have a resident in hospice who is in a lot of pain and they're out of morphine for the dose scheduled for 7:30. Just get there as soon as you can.”

ME: “okay, I'll see what I can do.”

I was going north on HWY. 51 out of Wausau to my next med delivery and this facility was south of Wausau. It would screw up my schedule, but I knew what to do. At the next exit I turned around and headed south. I got there at 7:26.

While we're here in this life, we do the best we can to comfort the dying. It would be nice if we all lived to a ripe old age and passed away painlessly in our sleep, but it doesn't always work that way. So we weep for the suffering before, and then weep for the grieving after. Jesus wept.

On Good Friday we weep in mourning. But on Easter we celebrate resurrection and life!

If you want to learn more about staying safe on-line here are a few links to some good information....

https://www.aarp.org/home-family/personal-technology/info-2019/privacy-for-seniors.html

https://www.senioradvisor.com/blog/2015/01/internet-safety-tips-for-seniors/

https://resources.infosecinstitute.com/7-security-awareness-tips-for-senior-citizens/

A few more tips on keeping your computer safe.

Always update your operating system (Windows 10 or Apple OSX) and keep it updated by installing the Security Updates that Microsoft or Apple sends you. Both Microsoft and Apple have gotten very good at protecting your PC or Mac if you keep them updated. That means when you get a software update notifications from them you should install them, especially those that are titled Security Updates.

Consider installing some Anti-Virus software if you have not already. If you have Charter/Spectrum as your internet provider they offer FREE Security Suite Anti-virus software to their customers. Other options are McAfee or Norton Lifelock, both involve monthly fees.

If your PC seems to be running slower than it used to you may have been infected with Malware or Adware. There's some excellent free software that can be used to scan your hard drive a find it and quarantine/remove it.

Here's the link: www.malwarebytes.com

Prayer Corner

We grieve this month with the loss of:

Janice Normand, a long time member of our conrgation and sister of Darlene Kell, died March 1^st.

Patricia Krause, a long time member of our congregation and aunt of Beth Burke, died March 11^th.

Jean Zuelke, a long time participant of UMW, Prayer Shawl group, and Savvy Seniors, died March 13^th.

News from the Staff/Parish Relations Committee

In recent SPRC meetings through Zoom, members have been working hard to establish realistic, fair guidelines for the staff to work with regarding vacation time, sick days, time for appointments, etc. Stan Schacht has been very instrumental in bringing examples and language to the committee that has been useful and understandable, along with Pastor Rebecca's input. It is the goal of the committee to have the working policy in place by July 1, gathering feedback from staff members involved as we move forward.

Unfortunately, the pandemic has prevented in-person celebrations, but we did recently recognize two staff members on their 5-year anniversaries with our congregation. Martie's was actually a little late, more like 5 ½ years, but we wanted her to know how much she is appreciated for all he gifts she brings to us through her roles in the church – music leadership, Christian educational leadership, and her work with finances of the church. We also recognized Rob's five years with us as our organist and lead pianist.

Even through the pandemoc, both of these church leaders were attendance at all virtual service tapings and remained active in their roes with us, They were celebrated with gift certificates to Janke's Book Store from SPRC.

SPRC is looking for some volunteers in a couple of places. Our church secretary, Joan, is hoping to take more advantage of some time off this year, which means we need reliable, responsible people to help in the office when she is gone. Duties would include answering the phone, letting people into the building while it still remains locked, and possibly some light office computer work under the direction of Pastor Rebecca and/or Martie. Training would be provided as needed.

We are also looking for some possible volunteer office hours to cover mArtie's positions when she is gone. Please contact Bonnie Goertz at 715-359-9871, bgoertz@charter.net, or Joan in the church office (715-842-2201) if you are interested in helping out with one of these positions as needed. The hours asked of the volunteers would cover the church's normal office hours Monday through Thursday, 9am-1pm.

Due to the restrictions for the COVID -19 outbreak, we will not meet for the month of April. We will resume our fellowship as soon as the restrictions are lifted. Hope to see you soon!

Thank you , Vicki Nowaczyk

How We've Been Gathering for the Last Months...

First Church’s Wednesday Evening Youth & Youth Leaders

Memory Cafe... Special Delivery!

Our masked parking lot gang includes clockwise: Maggie, Nancy T (heading to the chiropractor tomorrow), Little Billy, Patti, Mary Ann & Carmen... I mean Carole :)

If you would like to order SCRIP and know what you want, please contact Martie at the office, finance@fumcwausau.org.

Please Consider Helping

Since this coronavirus emergency began, First Church has been sending weekly connections messages via email and USPS mail to say that “We’re here for you” and to remind us that church is we are and what we do rather than a building.

Being good stewards of our resources, we had not budgeted postage costs for communications during a pandemic. If you are able to contribute toward these costs, please consider doing so.

The Sunshine Gals loved taking their warmth to the residents at The Gardens and Mount View Care Center the past years. We have spread our sunshine with music, sharing readings and our thoughts, adding laughter and smiles, conversing with memories, and showing our care through our handshakes. We have become good friends with the common cause of spreading love.

If you would like to join us and take part in this ministry of our church, we would truly welcome you!!! Please call me if you have questions at 715.359.7756.

Arlene Trull