This newsletter is about events

February 2020

Submissions Deadline for the next “Express”:

Sunday February 16th

(*Email submissions are encouraged: express@fumccasper.com)

“The Express” Staff

Editor: Linda Gehres

Asst. to the editor: Brenda Doyle

Reporters: FUMC Members

First United Methodist Church

Casper, Wyoming

Bishop

Bishop Karen Oliveto

1-800-536-3736

District Superintendent

Reverend Jeff Rainwater

307-274-2105

Senior Pastor

Reverend Nancy Boswell

Associate Pastor Reverend Mary Schmidt

First United Methodist Church 332 East Second Street Casper, Wyoming 82601-2506 Phone: 307-234-9385 Email: office@fumccasper.com Website: www.fumccasper.com

February2020

WEEKDAY OFFICE HOURS M—TH 8:30am - 4:00pm

(Closed for lunch 12:00—1:00) F 8:30am—Noon

Worship Services - 8:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. The Third Contemporary Worship Service - 5:00 p.m.

Vol. 32, Number 03

Chamber Orchestra Rehearsal If you play Cello

“Let us always meet each other with a smile, for a smile is the beginning of love.”

Mother Theresa

ATTENDANCE STATISTICS

January 2020

DATE 8:30 AM 11:00 AM 5:00 PM TOTALS

1/5/2020 149 148 20 317

1/12/2020 83 68 45 196

1/19/2020 82 76 33 191

1/28/2020 98 76 43 217

The 2020 Altar Flower Chart is located on the bulletin board by the elevator in the Koinonia Room. If a particular date is special for you or your family, please consider signing your name on an open date to provide altar flowers on that day. If you have no special date in mind, you can still provide flowers simply for the beautification of the sanctuary. You may also contact Martha Rakestraw at 262-6056 if you would like to participate in this ministry.

Your flower donations are

TRULY appreciated!

A note from

Reverend Nancy Boswell

We celebrated Epiphany almost a month ago. This was my first experience of the puppet kings along with the rest of the celebration. As the producer of the event, I was challenged to find enough folks to be

kings, camels, and the rest of the cast and crew. Without the faithful guidance of Janet Garner and Ronna Boril, our worship would have suffered. The rest of the cast and crew came through as well. Thanks to all who made the story of the kings visiting Jesus come alive. I honestly thought January 5th would be our 35th and final performance. Historically, the youth group were solely responsible for the service. However, times are changing. The youth have various outside activities (sports, travel, jobs) which prevent them from taking on the entire service. Have you ever dreamed of being part of a camel? How about being the arm of a giant King? Or maybe a servant, behind the scenes helper, a scripture reader, etc. etc. Starting next year, your dreams can be fulfilled. Starting next year anyone in our congregation, or for that matter anyone who wants to participate, regardless of age or gender, is invited to be part of this traditional, very popular Service. So be thinking about it over the next several months. We will be signing up Epiphany parts next November and hope you will join us. January 20, 2020 was the 25th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr. march, celebration and day of service. Organized by Serve Wyoming (part of AmeriCorps and all things volunteer in Wyoming), the turnout exceeded expectations. The celebration was held in our sanctuary. Lunch was served in Fellowship Hall followed by an opportunity for service, assembling hygiene kits and pet food bags. MLK Day is the only federal holiday that includes a day of service. Thanks to all who helped with refreshments, sound, and media. We are trying something new at the end of February called “This I Believe.” During worship, willing church members are invited to speak during worship. Interested individuals please contact me and 1) I will schedule a Sunday for you to speak; 2) your words will be your own point of view and how you came your belief, this is NOT an opportunity to rant, criticize others, or present a political agenda; and 3) I will review and approve your written script of what will be said. Remember, this is an opportunity to express your belief. In early January, a press release outlined an agreement signed by United Methodist Traditionalists, Centrists, Progressives, and Bishops aimed at separation. The agreement is titled “Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation.” I was as surprised as many of you were to learn about this agreement in the media and not at church. The 16-member group came together in an unofficial capacity; meaning it was not conviened by the General Church. The Protocol was the result of a mediation process and must be approved by the 2020 General Conference in May. If you would like to read more about this proposed legislation, please go to https://www.unitedmethodistbishops.org At https://www.UMCnews.org there is a video of the group discussing the process they used. Please, do not hesi-tate to ask me questions about this latest proposal or talk with me about the issues facing our denomination. We are living in a time of great change. Together we can navigate the waves of change and keep a look out for Christ leading us. See you in worship. Grace & Peace, Pastor Nancy

The following dates are still available for the gift of altar flowers in February: February 2 Bill & Sandra Porter February 9 February 16 Brenda Kennedy February 23 Steve & Vicki Cathey

A note from the Pastor My dear friends, I want to take this opportunity to CELEBRATE a group of women that I have had the pleasure of working with since 2018. In January of 2018, I called a meeting to invite women to become a part of my Visioning Team for a New Women’s Ministry here at FUMC.From that first meeting, many women stepped forward to become what we later called ourselves as “The Faith Keepers Women’s Ministry Team.” We never intended to replace our active United Methodist Women’s group, rather we wanted to come along side these beloved women to broaden our outreach to women not only here but in the community.

We developed the following vision statement: “A safe caring community of Casper women who nurture and empower each other’s mind, body and spirit through the love of Christ.” We strived to develop our ministry fulfilling this statement. In the last two years we offered two women’s one day retreat, co-sponsored a community Women’s Event, two summer Bible Studies, a women’s mentoring women Bible Study during the school year, a summer walking group, and two church wide Fall Festivals. The team’s enthusiasm, passion, love for God and for each other was deeply felt by all. But, as in all things, nothing stays the same. For everything there is a season, and at this time our Faith Keepers group has decided to take a break from their ministry here at the church.

Therefore, with so much love in my heart for each one, I want to personally thank the following persons for their commitment to the church and to our Lord. Now, while some of our group have moved on to other interests and churches, others are still actively here. Therefore, they may choose to perhaps revive this ministry later. So, for now, please join me in saying Thank You to these dear Sisters and their service: LuAnn Allhusen, Dr. Patricia Bell, Signa Bougere, Brenda Doyle, Diane Frame. Jana Gurkin, Bobbi Larson, Anne Marken, Toni Patik, Debby Pyska, JoAnn Ramsey, and Bonny Sutter.

I close with these words from Saint Paul, “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Phil.1:3-6)

Pastor Mary

Goes out to Matthew & Kaerie Bowers on the recent

loss of their daughter in Colorado & to the family of

Jeanine Jones who passed 12/31/2019.

The Casper Chamber Music Society is pleased to announce a performance on Sunday,

March 22 at 4:00 p.m. by Feste Fantini at the First United Methodist Church in Casper.

From the time of Girolamo Fantini (1600-1675), the author of Modo per imparare a

sonare di tromba (Method for learning to play the trumpet), ensembles of multiple

trumpets, timpani and organ have heralded special events: coronations, weddings,

funerals and treaties. This performance will present music by Henry Purcell, Georg Frederic

Handel, Giuseppi Torelli, Jean Françaix, William Billings and the Symphony with 8 Obligato

Timpani by Johann Fischer.

Feste Fantini members Dr. Bruce Barrie (trumpet), Dr. Genie Burkett (timpani/

organ), Dr. Gary Malvern (trumpet) and Steven Trinkle (trumpet) are delighted to be joined

by Wyomingites Dr. Kelly Dehnert (trumpet from Riverton) and Eric Unruh (organ from

Casper). The players of Feste Fantini have worked together since 1975 in brass quintets,

symphony orchestras and many oratorio orchestras, most recently the B Minor Mass

of J. S. Bach in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The group has performed for Festwoche

Klassiche Musik in Oppenau and Offenburg Germany, and for the American Guild of

Organists in Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

General Admission tickets are $10 at the door, $8 for seniors 60+ and students

are free. Season Tickets are also available. Please visit the Casper Chamber Music Society

Facebook page for more information:

(https://www.facebook.com/CasperChamberMusicSociety/

This concert is funded in part by a grant from the Wyoming Arts Council, the

National Endowment for the Arts, the Wyoming Community Foundation and the many

individual and corporate donors who make the CCMS season possible.

January 5 Stephen Ministries Rosemary Bartle: 307-267-0535

12 Thrift Shop Anne Carlsen: 307-265-7927

19 SOS Class Bruce Johnson: 307-377-6659

26 Endowment Committee Gary Becker: 307-277-8816

April

5 Board of Trustees John Scherlin: 307-237-8626

12 Hannah Circle Brenda Doyle: 307-277-1096

19 Finance Committee Lester Lebsock: 307-337-6172

26 Stephen Ministries Rosemary Bartle: 307-267-0535

July

5 Youth Group Cody Horkan: 307-333-3105 Rachelle Horkan: 307-277-5541

12 SPR Committee Hal Hutchinson: 307-441-0183

19 Sister’s Bible Study Rose-Mary King: 307-262-4861

26 Board of Trustees John Scherlin: 307-237-8626

February

2 Faith Finders Dave Allhusen: 307-259-0350

9 Mary Martha Circle Bonny Sutter: 307-265-5745

16 Koinonia Ringers Dana Deuel: 307-234-3168

23 Naomi Circle Jane Sizemore: 307-237-7707

May

3 Thrift Shop Anne Carlsen: 307-265-7927

10 SOS Class Bruce Johnson: 307-377-6659

17 Endowment Committee Ronna Boril: 307-259-3131

24 Faith Finders Dave Allhusen: 307-259-0350

31 OPEN FOR SIGN-UP

August

2 Hannah Circle Brenda Doyle: 307-277-1096

9 Finance Committee Lester Lebsock: 307-337-6172

16 Stephen Ministries Rosemary Bartle: 307-267-0535

23 Thrift Shop Anne Carlsen: 307-265-7927

29 Marsha Nichols: 307-235-0351/307-267-1154

March

1 Board of Stewards Marvin Nolte: 307-577-1238

8 Youth Group Cody Horkan: 307-333-3105 Rachelle Horkan: 307-277-5541

15 SPR Committee Hal Hutchinson: 307-441-0183

22 Sister’s Bible Study Rose-Mary King: 307-262-4861

29 K-5th Sunday School

June

7 Mary Martha Circle Bonny Sutter: 307-265-5745

14 Koinonia Ringers Dana Deuel: 307-234-3168

21 Naomi Circle Jane Sizemore: 307-237-7707

28 Board of Stewards Marvin Nolte: 307-577-1238

2020 Coffee Hour Schedule

1 Kaden Drake 2

Ground Hog’s Day Justin Flores Roy Larsen Everlee Siems Max Tomasini Jeanne Tomb

3 Skip Curry David Dandridge Zak Kvislen Winne Scott Dorrie Shosh 4 Christopher Culver Austin Hinchey 5 Allen Pedersen Elaina Sausedo 6 Peggy Busby Jayne Clark Abigail Flesvig Jenna Milliken 7 Hailey Erbert Madison Hartnett Wilbur Yankey

8 Kane-Gabriel Decker Regina Johnson Earl Querin Bridger Tille 9 Deborah Barber Mataya Orth Debby Yankey 10 Deanna Archibald Corey Hittle Ashley Meyer Bob Tomb 11 Mark Adels Joshua Elliott Todd Kvislen 12 Denise Fulton William Gay Paige Hill Louise Turner 13 Herman Boner Harry Patterson Shaun Reinhart

14

Valentines Day! Myrlu Bolles Steven Bunner Ethan Hinkle Tiffany Magnus Simon Martinez Suzanne Norden

15 Vicki Cathey Kyle Chuman Ashlie Delach Grace Jenkins Taybor McCarthy Debra Slocum 16 Shirley Austin Danielle Bangs Joshua Oxley 17

President’s Day Steven Tomasini Chelsie Tucker

18 Bob Firebaugh Cleda Hughes Amanda McBeath Sandra Porter 19 Carla Itzen 20 Dylan Briggs Abby Kennedy Mason Stillwell 21 Gavin Bishop Brenner Thoman 22 Tristan Bunner Karen Long 23 Jeff Glass Peyton Hill Justin Rainwater 24 Katie Farley 25 Travis Koch Emrullah Sarac Hannah Wheeler

26 Debbie Bovee Joanne Garone Cindy Hill Carrie Jordan Scott Kroll Kayla Kukus Victor Rodriguez 27 Diana Farrell 28 Chandler Kaiser

29 Stanley Johnson Mandi Quinones NOT A LEAP YEAR

WORSHIP IN february Sunday 2/2/2020 Luke 14:1, 7-14 “Come to The Table” Jesus regards service more important than status in his kingdom. Sunday 2/9/2020 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 “You Are Not Lacking” Paul wrote to the church in Corinth as they were experiencing some division. Christ called that church to be saint, to a way of living and a way of being. Christ continues to call us in the same way, reminding us that we live for something greater in our lives, especially during difficult times. Sunday 2/16/2020 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 “Same Mind Same Purpose” The church at Corinth had begun to reflect the larger society around it by breaking into factions, choosing sides of us and them. Paul asks them to remember “to whom do you belong” and to focus on the same mind and same purpose: living as followers of Christ Jesus. Sunday 2/23/2020 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 “This I Believe” was a popular radio series in the 1950’s hosted by Edward R. Murrow where famous and ordinary people shared the guiding principles by which they lived. This Sunday we will begin our own version of “This I Believe” with Board of Stewards Chairperson Marvin Nolte’s thoughts.

Easter Choir Steven Trinkle directed our choir for Advent and Christmas Eve, which added so much to our worship. He’ll be back again to lead a choir on Palm Sunday and Easter. Rehearsals start 2 weeks before Palm Sunday, with between services rehearsals from 9:45 am to 10:45 am. March 22 will be the first rehearsal at 9:45 am in the choir room. SUNDAYS at FUMC

8:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary 5:00 p.m. in King’s Corner

Sundays: 8:30 am Worship (Sanctuary) 9:40 am Sunday School Classes 11:00 am Worship (Sanctuary) 5:00 pm The Third Community Dinner (King’s Corner) 5:30 pm The Third Worship Service (King’s Corner) Mondays 6:00 pm Stephen Ministry (1st & 3rd Mondays) 7:00 pm Koinonia Ringers Practice 7:00 pm NA Meeting Group 2 (Room 10) Tuesdays: 9:30—11:00 am Staff Meeting—Staff is unavailable during this time. 5:00 pm Bulletin Deadline (for the following Sunday) Submit your info to: office@fumccasper.com. 5:00 pm Girl Scout Meeting (Fellowship Hall/3rd Floor) 5:30 pm Community Mission Dinner (King’s Corner) 6:00 pm Upgrade Bible Study (King’s Corner) Wednesdays: 6:00 pm Youth Group (King’s Corner) 6:30 pm Sister’s Bible Study (Parlor) 7:00 pm Al-Anon Meeting (Room 12) 8:00 pm NA Meeting Group 3 (Room 10) Thursdays 5:00 pm Media Submissions Deadline (for the following Sunday) Submit info to the Media Team at: media@fumccasper.com Fridays: 8:30 pm NA Meeting (Room 10) Saturdays: 8:30 am Mindful Warriors (Parlor) 1st & 3rd Saturdays 10:00 am Drum Circle (King’s Corner) 2nd & 4th Saturdays

*Book Club: 3rd Saturday of the month, 9 am, SonRise Room February: “The Island of Sea Women” Author: Lisa See *Mary Martha Group: 2nd Tuesday of the month, 1:00 pm in the SonRise Room *Naomi & Hannah Circles: 3rd Thursday of the month, 9:30 am (Hannah meets in the SonRise Room. Naomi meets in members’ homes.) *Creative Worship Team: Every Tuesday, 1:30 pm, Room 207 *United Methodist Women Executive Board: 1st Thursday of the month, 9:30 am *Board of Stewards: 3rd Thursday of the month, 7:00 pm *Board of Trustees: 3rd Thursday of the month, 5:30 pm *Finance Committee: 3rd Thursday of the month, 5:30 pm *SPR Committee: 1st Thursday of the month, 5:30 pm *Staff In-Service Work Day: Last Thursday of the month. Office is closed.

“Express” Newsletter Submissions Deadline: Sunday, February 16th

(Newsletter processing: Tuesday, February 25th

CALENDAR OF EVENTS—JANUARY COFFEE HOUR We have a new schedule for Coffee Hour from the Board of Stewards. If you need to change your assigned Sunday, please call the person whose name and number are listed as contact(s) for your group. The 5th Sundays are open and available for individuals to sign up.

2019 UMW Board Officers

President: Lori Johnson Secretary: Linda Brubaker Treasurer: Diane Payne Communications & Publicity: Lori Johnson Education & Interpretation: Rita Livingston Membership Nurture & Outreach: Ann Hines Nominations: Executive Board Program Resources: Wanda Bennett Social Action: Genene Quick Spiritual Growth: Brenda Doyle Youth Coordinator: Ruth Hartung

Mary Martha Group meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month 1:00 pm in the SonRise Room.

Hannah Group meets the 3rd Thursday of the month at 9:30 a.m. in the SonRise Room. Naomi Group meets the 3rd Thursday of the month at 9:30 a.m. in a member’s home. We encourage you to contact one of our group leaders to learn more about UMW or to attend one of the meetings.

Bake a Cake and Buy a Cake!!! February 9th before church, during coffee hour and after! $5.00 will get you a wonderful cake!

Come to Ash Wednesday service on February 26th at 6:00pm before the service. We will be serving soup, salad and pie at 5:00pm. Please help support the UMW missions!!

If anyone has brought food from home for potlucks, meetings, etc., please check the kitchen in the SonRise Room to see if any of the pots and pans on the counters there might belong to you. If so, please come and get them and take them home. You might be needing them soon.

A BIG THANK YOU to all who helped with HANGING OF GREENS & UNHANGING OF GREENS. Everyone's help was much appreciated.

Thank You, Donna Roth

Found:. Key Fob in a Red purse. If you know of someone who this belongs to, come by the thrift store to retrieve!

February Events

Youth group is desperately looking for people to make meals for our Wednesday night meetings! If you are interested in providing a meal for about 20 people, please contact Rachelle at 307-277-5541.

We will not have a Youth Group on February 26th because of Ash Wednesday. We hope everyone attends the Ash Wednesday service.

Our Youth Mission Team would like to thank everyone who cme out to support us at the ,Pizza Ranch Fundraiser. We will be doing a Silent Auction in March and are looking for donations of items. If you have something you would like to donate , the youth would greatly appreciate your support as they continue to raise money for their summer mission trip.

2020 Census

Casper Area Census office is now open and taking job applications —307-441-6500. The pay rates are $17.50 to $19.50 and represents both office and census takers. Census takers also receive reimbursement for work-related mileage and expenses, where applicable. Those interested can go to: https://2020census.gov/jobs to find out more information and apply.

From Marsha Nichols:

As we begin a new year and a new decade, it’s time to reflect on what we did last year and our plans, hopes and dreams for this year. It’s time to say thank you for the gifts, prayers and service you have given that has kept King’s Corner mission outreach active. The dinners on Sunday and Tuesday nights are the only free hot evening meals served in the downtown area.

Do you like to cook? There is a need for cooks to help keep this outreach program active. Not only are we helping to feed people but we are demonstrating God’s love to those that come for dinner. If you want to cook and be a part of this downtown mission project, please let the church office know. The blessings and benefits created through this ministry are wonderful!

MENTAL HEALTH STUDY

Our members and friends are invited to participate in a free

7-week study on Mental Health issues beginning Saturday

Feb.1 from 1:30-2:30 at King’s Corner.

This program will talk about the affects of mental illness and

offer practical knowledge about the various issues

surrounding mental health.

We will offer a short film each week covering the topics of

anxiety, bipolar, depression, addiction, eating disorders, PTSDS

and suicide. Come hear each other’s story and receive sup-

port, prayer and encouragement. Licensed mental health

therapists: Rosemary Bartle and Stephen Brown and Pastor

Mary Schmidt will co-lead the weekly discussion. Contact

Pastor Mary for more information.

PICTURES FROM THIS YEARS EPIPHANY SERVICES

&

Pastor Nancy’s first birthday here

at FUMC