I give thanks to God every time that I think of you.

Philippians 1:3

Recently I finished another sad grave side service. A young man died way too young. His death was inevitable, according to the family, due to his overuse of chemicals. Yet, in the midst of it all there was celebration. Person after person shared how this person brought joy to their life. In contrast to the setting, many celebrated how they were better persons because of his life.

As I reflected, once again it made me wonder, “Why did he and so many others like him feel this need to continually require these pain medications?” It was not that he had physical pain. His pain was clearly emotional and spiritual. What made him and so many like him hurt so bad that he would put himself in prison and now end his life in this manner? What made him and so many others like him hurt so bad? It is not that he lived a worthless life. Yes, we could have reminded him of that more. Yet, in spite of so many efforts to do so, he remained unable to hear people when they told him that.

As you know, the answers are very complex. Yet, even complex problems can have some elements of healing through simple solutions. Perhaps this Bible verse is more helpful than we realize. It is a passage that speaks to our inner core. There are people who give thanks for us whether or not we feel it. There are people who need us, whether or not they are able to verbalize it. But most importantly, there are tasks that only we can do. Others can substitute for us, but no one will do what we do the way that we do it. Most importantly, no one else can ever be us.

Perhaps we should see a bit of that young man in all of us. We need to focus our self worth on things other than comparing ourselves to others. Instead of seeing our worth in the unfair comparisons of others, we should see our worth in being whom God made us to be. Our self image changes drastically for the better as we do so.

As we see this most complicated year, slowly winding down, perhaps it would be worthy for you to reflect on the ways that you have become more and more that person. What are the ways in which doing so has made others thank God for you?

Pastor Tom

Albany United Methodist Church “Everyone is somebody and Jesus Christ is Lord”!

October 2020

The Methodist Message

Pastor Tom

Food Pantry open every first Wednesday of the month from 4:30 to 6:00pm.

Albany UMC worship service is now at 10:00 a.m. Looking forward to

seeing you!

Annual Conference is tentatively set for October 18th starting at 6pm. All are welcome to attend.

October’s Melodies of Love is Empty Stocking. The Albany Women’s League/Empty Stocking has

for many years assisted the children in Albany Community who have need of clothing, jackets, and boots. This year will be no exception. To accomplish our goals, we send a form to everyone through the school newsletter at the beginning of the school year. Families in need of clothing food and gifts send the forms with all necessary info to the Town Bank-Albany. Members of The Albany Women’s League divide the lists and proceed to shop for the children. We try to accomplish this before cold weather sets in. We truly appreciate any monetary support given to this effort. The Albany community, organizations and the Albany Methodist church have been the reason for the success of this much needed program. Praying that we can continue to have a successful year. Thank you so much for all your support. If you wish to pay by check please make it to Albany United Methodist church with memo MoL. Blessings and again Thank you. Albany Women’s League

Family Promise is still currently in standby mode.

2020 Melodies of Love October – Empty Stocking

November – Shop with a Cop

December – Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Green County

The last meeting for the freshman confirmation students will be this Sunday September 27th at 6pm in the fellowship hall. Conference List of Churches to Pray for in October Hillcrest Family Services, their CEO Julie Heiderscheit, Hillcrest is located at 2005 Asbury Rd, Dubuque IA 52001; October 4 - October 10. Clarno: Zion, clergy Sarah Mae Gabuyo and the 88 members. Zion is located at W5292 County Road P, Monroe WI 53566; October 11 - October 17. Cobb, clergy TyLacey Hines and the 48 members. Cobb's mailing address is PO Box 102, Livingston WI 53554; October 18 - October 24. Columbus, clergy Kim Brumm and the 166 members. Columbus is located at 222 S Dickason Blvd, Columbus WI 53925; October 25 - October 31.

UPDATES:

The choir will be featuring individual choir members to

sing from time to time. Watch our webpage and your

emails for dates. McKenna Bump will be singing this

Sunday, Sept. 27th at the 10am service.

Quilting Group

The UMC Quilting Group will start meeting the

second Saturday in October. If you are interested

you can call Terrie Blumer @ 608-558-8685, Barb

Briggs @ 608-558-3973 or Julie Wanless @ 608-

426-4892 or the church office at 862-3206. A

reminder the quilts made this fall will go to local

nursing homes etc… Please come and join us. It is

a of fun.

Church Cloth Face Mask

There is still some face mask available. Only $5. The money will go towards the quilting group projects. You can pick them up at church. Buy one for yourselves or buy one for a friend. Makes a great gift! They are colorful, they are spiritual and very well made by our very own Barb Briggs.

________________________________________________________________________________

If anyone has any articles or meetings or any news items they would like to put in November’s newsletter, please email (albanyumc@tds.net) it to the church office by Oct. 19th.

________________________________________________________________________________

ALBANY YOUTH SCHEDULE September, October, November & December

September 20th at AUMC from 6:00-8:00pm Campfire & food. Please bring a lawn chair and bug spray

October 4th from 11:00-1:00

Visiting shut ins from a distance

October 18th from 11:00-1:00 Yard clean up. Please bring a rake and gloves

November 1st from 11:00-1:00

Getting are packages together for college students

November 15th from 1:00-3:00 Barter to Better

December 6th from 11:00-1:00

Games, food and fun

December 20th from 11:00-1:00 Christmas caroling

Our youth group will be following Covid-19 guidelines of social distancing and wearing face mask when gathering.

UPDATE

We are excited about the great start to our Sunday School year!! Many children, youth and families are involved in the education ministries of our church. Special “thanks” to our awesome staff! Pre-School thru Grade 5 Students:

• Sunday School will continue virtually with plans to transition to in-person Sunday School when it is safe and appropriate.

• Virtual via Zoom (as a group) on Sunday morning 8:45-9:15 a.m.

• Teachers will be involved in leading the on-line SS lesson and activities

• Our Sunday School students and families are enjoying the SS materials that are delivered monthly to them

Grades 6-8

• Sunday School will continue virtually with plans to transition to in-person Sunday School when it is safe and appropriate

• Group Sunday School virtually on Sunday morning 9:15-9:45

• led by Middle School SS teachers

• Teachers will be in contact with students/families High School

• Students will be meeting in-person utilizing social distancing and wearing of masks

• More information will be coming from your teachers Adults

• Adults are invited to join a Bible study utilizing the book “Life Lessons from Philippians” by Max Lucado.

• The class meets on Sundays 9:00-9:45 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall where social distancing and use of masks is utilized.

************* T-Shirts Will Arrive Soon!! If you did not have a chance to order your t-shirt, additional orders will be available later. Contact the church office or Brandi Grazioso for details. Special “Thanks” to Brandi for organizing this ministry. ************* We want to include all families in our church community. If you or someone you know is not presently attending Sunday School but would like to attend, please contact the church office (608) 862-3206 to provide your contact information. An email address is needed so that you can participate in Age 3-Grade 8 virtual Autumn Sunday School programs. You will want to be a part of our Education Ministry!! Please join us!! Sunday morning: Age 3 – Grade 5: Virtual via Zoom 8:45-9:15 a.m. Grade 6 – Grade 8: Virtually 9:15-9:45 a.m. High School: In-person 8:45-9:45 a.m. Adults: In-person 9:00-9:45 a.m. **(All in-person activities will utilize social distancing and use of masks.) Then plan to stay for the Worship Service at 10:00 a.m.!!

Opportunities for Connecting with People in Late Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease Although individuals in the late stages of dementia may not be able to verbally interact with you, they may still be able to react to things that happen in their environment – They can still experience the world through their senses. This is how connections can be made. TOUCH Studies suggest that persons with late stage dementia retain their ability to react to touch. Compassionate touch and caring can evoke some sort of emotional comfort, and relaxation. • Massage back, arms, hands or feet with lotion or scented oils • Hold hands and enjoy silence together • Gently rub your loved one’s face with a warm or cool washcloth • Rub your loved ones arm or face with different types of fabric that may have had meaning earlier in their life – a silk scarf, mink collar, quilt fabric • Brush your loved one’s hair. • Offer them a doll or stuffed animal to hold. • Hugs • Gentle touch, skin-to-skin contact • Animals – petting SOUND Individuals in the late stage of dementia are still able to respond to certain sounds. Studies using favorite pieces of music indicated that persons who were in a late stage of dementia were still able to react positively when a song that matched their previous preferences was played. Specific music or sounds seem to be most beneficial when played in close proximity to the individual. • Play cds of favorite music from your loved one’s past and enjoy listening to it together. • Read poetry, passages from the bible, or favorite book to your loved one. • Sing or have others sing • Record your children’s concerts or holiday family sing-a-longs to play for your loved one. • Listen to tapes of old radio programs together • Read scripture Care, Hope & Faith - Spiritual Resources for the Family with Alzheimer’s People in the late stage of dementia may be very limited in their ability to process visual information, especially when it is more than two or three feet away. They can still respond to patters of light and dark. The very important and real value in surrounding your loved one in a rich visual environment is in the reminiscing it promotes, and in the variety of patterns of light and dark it provides. • Use photographs, magazines, calendars, coffee table books and items which represent something of significance from your loved one’s past to reminisce about. • Create a photo album of family photos and memories of home and travel. • Watch colorful moving visuals together such as certain videotapes, simple • Coloring books

SMELL Aromas are significantly related to memories, and often evoke a stronger response than visual images, and fragrances affect mood. • Use scented lotions or oils in massage • Incorporate your loved one’s past as you offer opportunities to experience different smells: coffee brewing, popcorn popping, homemade cookies or bread, fragrant flowers such as lilacs or lily of the valley, perfume TASTE Preferences for favorite foods and specific tastes persist for individuals even in the late stages of dementia. Sometimes food preferences change. The taste for sweet foods seems in most cases to remain strongest. • Enjoy favorite foods together. • Feed them one of their favorite foods • Make a special food in their presence and enjoy it together, or allow them to share it with others. This is especially nice for those who enjoyed being in the kitchen and sharing their food creations. OTHER TIPS • Spending short, more frequent periods of time with your loved one, may be more beneficial than long visits. • Individuals in the late stages of the disease will sleep a great deal • There is no need to think of new activities for each visit, repeating the same activities over-and- over again is just as valuable. It is more about being present and in the moment. • You may want to put a basket or photo album together of meaningful pictures and items that can stir memories for visitors to talk about. • Avoid “do you remember?” or “you remember” statements as well as questions about who you are. As the memory wanes, what is important is that you are together. SPIRITUAL & RELIGIOUS CONNECTIONS: • Lord’s Prayer • An in-home worship service • Reading of scripture • Singing or listening to hymns • Praying out loud common prayers. • Religious leader visitation• Sacraments - communion • Making the sign of the cross • Reciting the Rosary (Catholic) • Feeling religious objects including rosary beads, cross, or prayer book in their hands. • Playing sounds of an organ or church bells • Providing scents of Incense, wine, fresh bread • Providing visual items including crosses, rosaries, Bibles, religious sculptures, paintings of Jesus, rainbows, doves, butterflies, etc. • Religious coloring books

Spiritual Self-Care for the Caregiver What do they need for spiritual renewal?

• Family & Friends • God • Prayer, Music, Meditation • Physical Exercise • Fresh Air • Nature • Books and daily devotional readings • Space, me-time, alone-time • Daycare Utilization (ADRC pickup/drop-off) • Church/Community • Support Group • Volunteer • A new perspective • Sense of Appreciation Caregiving is an opportunity for personal growth – an opportunity to learn how to give love in a whole new way. In essence, giving love without perhaps receiving gratitude, feedback, or acknowledgement.

REDUCE EXPECTATIONS of them and yourself

– acknowledge this is hard work –

EDUCATE SELF to know what to expect

knowing what to expect reduces fear of the unknown Serenity Prayer God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things that I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Presence is the core element of love and care

Green County Aging and Disability Resourse Center

Our Bridge, weekly Home Delivered Meal newsletters and caregiver newsletter, as well as other information, is located on our website for your convenience. Click here: https://adrcgreencounty.org/newsletters/ to access the October Bridge newsletter online. Also, online you will find a calendar and events section. We encourage you to check this section often to keep updated on presentations, training, transportation schedules, prevention classes and other events that might benefit you or someone you are caring for.

We also have a Facebook page where we send information on our events regionally, in case you do not live in Green County. Our regional website is www.adrcswwi.org or search for ADRC of Southwest Wisconsin on Facebook and like our page!

Green County ADRC / N3152 State Rd. 81, Monroe, WI 53566

All taped services can be found on our Sunday School face book

No Volunteer Schedule for October 2020

Albany United Methodist Church

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday 1

Friday 2

Saturday 3

4

10am Worship

Taped service

11am

All Sunday school

classes 8:45

including adult

5

6 7 Food Pantry

4:30 to 6pm

8

9 10

11

10am Worship

Taped service

11am

All Sunday school

classes 8:45

including adult

12

Columbus

Day

13

14

15

16

17

18

10am Worship

Taped service

11am

All Sunday school

classes 8:45

including adult

Ad Council mtg.

Following worship

Annual Confer.

6pm @ AUMC

19

Newsletter

Items Due

20

21

22 23

24

25

10am Worship

Taped service

11am

All Sunday school

classes 8:45

including adult

26 27 28 29 30 31

Halloween

Lenten Ser. St. Patrick’s 6pm

Albany United Methodist Church 500 S. Park St. Albany WI 53502

Join us on facebook: Albany UMC

Visit our Website www.albanyumchurch.com

Church Staff Pastor:

Tom Moe

Office Manager:

Teresa Brugger

Office Hours

M- W- F

8:00am-12:00pm

Office phone # 862-3206

Email: Albanyumc@tds.net

Administrative Council Chair:

Phyllis Runaas

Financial Secretary:

Dave Gavin

Treasurer:

Sharon Pryce

Lay Leader:

Glenn Holtsapple