Maple Leaf Parish

May2020 Newsletter

It is good to greet you as disciples of Jesus Christ! There is no doubt about it, we are living in the midst of challenging, difficult, confusing and hurtful days… The Coronavirus has affected all of us and those around us. First of all, we continue in prayer for those who are ill with the virus, their friends and family and for those who have lost loved ones….Our prayers are also with all of the essen-tial workers, in so many different capacities, who are giving of themselves in the midst of this pandemic. The Coronavirus has altered our lives in many ways… As compassionate people we understand how important it is to follow social distancing guidelines and to refrain from many of our daily activities. Nevertheless, these are not easy days! We are concerned for business people, shops, stores, restaurants, schools, churches, civic groups and all aspects of our communities. We are also concerned for those who may be lonely, isolated or in some form of need. Therefore, we reach out to offer help in whatever ways we can. Already in the ministry of Maple Leaf Parish churches we are hearing and seeing examples of people reaching out to help, support and encourage. This article is being written after Easter as we move past the middle of April. The news changes almost every day. It is hard to keep up! But, we know that many of our plans have changed. We miss worshiping together on Sunday mornings. We miss the boys and girls in Sunday School. We miss sharing in fellowship with each other. We miss our new youth ministry. We miss our bell and vocal choirs. We miss the togetherness we share as church families. But, we are thankful for the creative work of Barb Paul and Sim Sound in getting our new “computer streaming ministry” up and running! This is a real blessing! While “streaming” will never take the place of the gath-ered community of believers, it is helping us through these pandemic days and we are profoundly grateful! We are coming into May and as of this writing, we do not know exactly what the coming days will look like. We are hoping to begin meeting together on Sunday mornings – to begin innovative forms of worship, fellowship, mis-sion and ministry. Spring Valley: Faith might have worship services by the cross and campfire circle in the church yard as we explore creative options. Cherry Grove might have services at the ballfield. Fountain might have ser-vices across the street at the park…. And we could also meet in the church sanctuaries observing proper social dis-tancing. Above all, we are exploring innovative ways to be in ministry in these days. (Services held in the Spring Val-ley: Faith sanctuary will continue to be live-streamed via computer technology on You Tube Channel: Maple Leaf Parish UMC – Minnesota) During these days, we seek to be supportive in every way possible! Our Maple Leaf Parish churches seek to be compassionate disciples of Jesus in every way we can. We are thankful for our church families and we are thankful that we can reach out to this area to live and share the Good News of Jesus Christ. We will pray for one another! We will be loving and creative in sharing mission and ministry in whatever ways we can. One of these days we will have an awesome celebration in giving thanks and praise to God! Easter contin-ues! Resurrection happens every day! Jesus is alive! Soon…Pentecost will be here…the celebration of God’s gift of the Holy Spirit! ( May 31 is Pentecost Sunday) Despite the challenges of these days, we have so much for which to be thankful! Let us rejoice and give thanks to God for God’s unending love! In the days to come, some pretty awesome things will happen, as we together as Christian people, lift up our voices in giving praise and thanksgiving to God! We’re all in this together! Spring Valley: Faith, Cherry Grove and Fountain United Methodist Churches are filled with the presence and power of the Holy Spirit and the abundant life of our risen Savior, Jesus Christ! We are on the door step of a whole new beginning….Let us be truly born anew as we live and share the Good News of Jesus every day! Stay tuned.. keep praying.. keep loving.. keep walking with Jesus! “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!”

Your friend, Pastor Mark

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Contact Pastor Mark 507-346-2830 507-271-6761 mark.woodward.ponderosa@gmail.com

Pastor Deanna 507-346-2830 507-765-9856 revdeannaw@gmail.com

Faith Office Info 9:30-4:15 Tuesday through Friday 507-346-2830; Fax: 507-346-2877 faithunited@centurytel.net www.faithsv.net

Office Closed: March 30-May 4

The more you know...

Did you know we’re on Facebook? You can find Cherry Grove UMC at: https://www.facebook.com/cherrygrovechurch/ You can find Faith UMC at: https://www.facebook.com/Faith-United-Methodist-Church-229920383757905/

Faith Online Giving Instructions 1. Visit the church website at http://faithsv.net/home/donations/ 2. Click on the GIVE NOW button, 3. Click on the Create Profile

Follow the onscreen instructions to create an online profile and to sched-ule your contributions.

Service Groups

Faith UMC Service Groups

The Service Group handles the Sunday Coffee/Fellowship Hour for the entire month of Sundays.

MAY

*Dan & Denise Montgomery 352-4375 Linda Jacobson 352-2582 Ben & Carla Leslie 251-4975 Ross & Trish Montgomery 612-214-3353 Ryan & Katie Montgomery 352-5550 Scott & Kristie Shorter 259-9548 Lois Suckow 272-0494

Cherry Grove UMC Service Group APRIL-JUNE *Steve & Andrea Atwood 517-0574 Richard & Joan Bessingpass Denny & Peggy Brusse Sandy Cole Reid Forland Ryan & Angela Forland Debi Kappers Gene & Linda Kappers John Kappers Todd & Dicia Kappers (Co-chair) Aaren & Dena Mathison Larry & Irene Mathison Shawn & Megan Merkel Bryan & Michelle Root Dave & Kim Runde

Deadlines Newsletter: The newsletter deadline is the 21st of every month at 4:00 pm. Bulletin: Please submit announcements for the Sunday bulletin by noon on Thursday. Occasionally these deadlines may need to be adjusted. Please submit your articles as soon as possible. Thank you for understanding.

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Please pray for: -Front line workers in the fight against COVID-19. -People who are unemployed and struggling to pay bills, buy food. Businesses struggling. -People who are ill. Families whose loved ones have died. -People who have been injured in home workshops. -Those recovering from surgery, undergoing cancer treatment -Leaders who must make important decisions. -Teachers, students and parents who are distance learning.

Give Thanks for: -People sewing cloth masks. Contact the church if you need a mask and we’ll put you in touch with a seam-stress! -Neighbors waving, visiting and singing together while standing in their driveways. -Daycare children parading by the Care Center to greet residents. -Paper hearts on windows to say “You are loved. We are in this together.” -Flowers blooming. Time outdoors as the weather im-proves. Crops being planted! -Live streaming worship when we can’t worship in per-son.

These are difficult days. The Coronavirus is affecting our lives in many ways. Our communi-ties from the farm to main street, from one fami-ly to another, from school to church – every as-pect of our lives is affected. Our churches seek to be compassionate in every way possible. We are called to support one an-other. We depend on one another during these days of challenge. Our Maple Leaf Parish churches depend on each other as a team of be-lievers. We will be good stewards of our re-sources and we will depend on one another’s gifts, graces and talents during this time. As United Methodist Christians we are com-mitted to living our faith by sharing our: Gifts, Talents, Attendance (participation), Pray-ers, Witness. As we reach out to the communities in which we live. Spring Valley: Faith, Cherry Grove and Fountain Churches are committed to being in mission and ministry in every way we possibly can be all to share God’s love and hope with our hurting world. Together we will be encouragers to build up the Body of Christ during these days. If you have a prayer request of any type, please e-mail them to Pastors Mark and Deanna. Church office: faithunited@centurytel.net Mark: mark.woodward.ponderosa@gmail.com Deanna: revdeannaw@gmail.com Or call the church office: 507-346-2830

During these days, Pastors Mark and Deanna are trying to reach out in many different ways by us-ing the U.S. Mail, phone calls, e-mails, face book connections, streaming and in other ways. The pastors are doing their best to reach out to a lot of people and do not mean to miss anyone, but they want people to know that they are praying for everyone in our churches and in our commu-nities. We want to reach out to be encouragers and to offer support in every way we can during these challenging days. Please feel free to call Mark and Deanna 507-765-9856. We are in prayer during these difficult days…. Together with Jesus we make an awe-some team!

MAPLE LEAF PARISH: WE ARE A TEAM! WE PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER

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“When God Created Mothers"

When the Good Lord was creating mothers, He was into His sixth day of "overtime" when the angel appeared and said. "You're doing a lot of fiddling around on this one." And God said, "Have you read the specs on this order?" She has to be completely washable, but not plastic. Have 180 moveable parts...all replaceable. Run on black coffee and leftovers. Have a lap that disappears when she stands up. A kiss that can cure anything from a broken leg to a disappointed love affair. And six pairs of hands." The angel shook her head slowly and said. "Six pairs of hands.... no way." It's not the hands that are causing me problems," God remarked, "it's the three pairs of eyes that mothers have to have." That's on the standard model?" asked the angel. God nodded. One pair that sees through closed doors when she asks, 'What are you kids doing in there?' when she already knows. Another here in the back of her head that sees what she shouldn't but what she has to know, and of course the ones here in front that can look at a child when he goofs up and say. 'I understand and I love you' without so much as uttering a word.” “God," said the angel touching his sleeve gently, "Get some rest tomorrow…” "I can't," said God, "I'm so close to creating something so close to myself. Already I have one who heals herself when she is sick...can feed a family of six on one pound of hamburger...and can get a nine year old to stand under a shower." The angel circled the model of a mother very slowly. "It's too soft," she sighed. “But tough!" said God excitedly. "You can imagine what this mother can do or endure.” “Can it think?" “Not only can it think, but it can reason and compromise," said the Creator. Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek. “There's a leak," she pronounced. "I told You that You were trying to put too much into this model." “It's not a leak," said the Lord, "It's a tear." “What's it for?" “It's for joy, sadness, disappointment, pain, loneliness, and pride." “You are a genius, " said the angel. Somberly, God said, "I didn't put it there.”

― Erma Bombeck Mothers Day is May 10th!!

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MAY 31ST IS PENTECOST SUNDAY….PLEASE

WEAR RED CLOTHES!...A DAY OF REAL CELEBRATION!

Our Maple Leaf Parish Churches will cele-

brate Pentecost (the indwelling gift of the Ho-

ly Spirit) on Sunday, May 31st! All three of our

churches: Spring Valley, Cherry Grove and

Fountain will celebrate God’s great gift of the

Holy Spirit – God’s great gift of redeeming love

in our lives on Pentecost Sunday! Pentecost

Sunday is celebrated 50 days after Easter.

We are in weird and difficult days right now,

but we have so much for which to be thankful

as Christian people. God reaches into our lives

to renew our hope and to give to us a growing

sense of joy and the power of redeeming

love.

This year, please wear RED clothes to church

on Sunday morning! We will find a way to

meet for worship whether indoors or out-

doors we will share the joy of our faith as we

celebrate God’s gift of the Holy Spirit! As of

this writing, it is hoped that May 31, 2020 can

be a real day of celebrating the Holy Spirit!

Please stay tuned as we begin to plan for this

joyful day…. This indeed could be a day of real

celebration! Please pray….prayer is always

good!

THE UPPER ROOM an excellent devotional booklet is here for May-June The Upper Room is an excellent devotional booklet which is available in our churches. Each copy has inspiring, uplifting and renewing arti-cles that relate to our faith during these per-plexing days. They are available in both regular and big print editions.

FYI: The Kingsland Backpack Program contin-ues to distribute sacks of food to the families with children in the Kingsland school district. Food is available for pick up at Faith UMC in Spring Valley on Mondays and Fridays at 5p.m. The church office at Faith UMC in Spring Valley remains closed for the time being, with the pastors and secretary stopping in periodi-cally to check mail and messages. The office will re-open and resume normal office hours, Tuesday-Friday, 9:30-4:15 when the governor’s “stay at home” order is ended or modified.

THANK YOU! Thanks to everyone for all of the phone calls, text messages and get well cards following my hip surgery. I am back at work and doing well. -Luann Jones

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Hello Sunday Schoolers! We miss seeing and learning with you, and hope you’re staying healthy. We know how hard it is being out of routine for both you and your parents. As your church family, we want you to know we’re thinking about you. Hopefully you’re finding fun things to do at home and distance learning is going well. Depending on how things go with COVID-19, this summer we may be able to gather together to have some fun. More to come on that. In the meantime, Jesus is here for you rain or shine, in and out of church. Making time for Jesus is easy and you don’t need any fancy equipment. Here are some fun ideas for you to try: -ART—Crosses are easy to make! Doodle away with crayons or markers. Or gather up some small sticks, col-orful paper, or even pretty rocks or buttons! Add glue, be creative, and make yourself a cross! Want to take it a step further? Make someone’s day by mailing your creation to someone who could use a pick-me-up! -READING—Many of you have children’s bibles at home. Read away or ask an adult to help you. Review some of your favorites from Sunday School or find a new favorite! -SINGING—We know you all have your favorites from music class. (Ho-ho-ho-hosanna anyone?!) Who doesn't love singing in the shower? Or better yet, sing your song over the phone to grandparents or loved ones. -PRAYING—Make up your own prayer and practice saying it each night before bed. Prayers don’t have to be complicated. Just say what comes from your heart. -GIVING THANKS—Make a grateful list or start a journal of good things that happen throughout your day. Or write a thank you note and send to someone who would love to hear from you. Take care and stay safe! We look forward to hearing all the ways you made time for Jesus and lifted up family and friends during this difficult time. -Teachers and Ed Committee

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DIFFICULT DAYS TO MAKE PLANS…BUT WE’RE CALLED TO BE CREATIVE! During the days of the Coronavirus Pandemic it is difficult for people and groups to make plans and set dates because there are so many things that are changing every day… As we come into May, we would like to make plans for the spring and summer seasons. We will most likely send out some special mail-ings, e-mail, face book and other ways to an-nounce plans for the spring and summer sea-sons. --worship gatherings --fellowship events --possibility of some summer Sunday School events --youth ministry --beginning of new Confirmation ministry --summer mission and camp events --parking lot concerts --mission projects to help people during these days…making masks, food shelf, etc. --outdoor worship services – campfires -- --possibility of outdoor movie nights In what ways can we make plans for spring and summer mission and ministry projects, events and activities. Currently as of late April and early May, it is difficult to make plans and set calendar dates. But, we are seeking to be creative and innovative as we come to this time of year. We want to hear your ideas for mission and min-istry as we make plans for spring and sum-mer. This will be a tremendous time for trying new ideas and thinking out of the box! Let’s be creative as we try new forms of mission and min-istry during the midst of these unusual days. All to the glory of God!

Cherry Grove Cowboy Church Service to be Live Streamed As churches remain closed for the time be-ing, the Cherry Grove Cowboy Church Services will be live streamed from Faith UMC in Spring Valley at 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 3. The service is available for viewing online on YouTube channel: Maple Leaf Parish UMC– Minnesota. Cowboy musicians Leonard Luetink, Arlen Sloan, Jim Pries, Larry Erickson, Cindy Seabright and Steve Arnold will share live and recorded music in the service. We hope to return to Cherry Grove for an in person Cowboy Church Service on June 7, pos-sibly outdoors at the ball field. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.

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NEW “STREAMING” MINISTRY COMES

TO OUR CHURCHES In the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic a new ministry is born! We extend profound gratitude to Barb Paul and her friends at Sim Sound for bringing “live streaming” to enhance the mission and ministry of our Maple Leaf Parish churches based out of the sanctuary of Faith United Meth-odist Church. Barb’s creative, determined and love-filled leadership has made the live stream-ing of worship services and other events a reality for our churches. We are working to live stream worship events on this new system on both Facebook and You Tube. (You Tube Cha-nel: Maple Leaf Parish UMC – Minnesota) Thank you, Barb and Sim Sound for making this new ministry a reality! At this time we are inviting additional people to come on board to assist Barb Paul as part of our computer technology team as this new ministry grows all to the glory of God. It is hoped that this new ministry will be benefi-cial to all three of our churches as the future un-folds.

HERE IS OUR JOHN WESLEY BEAR…. “God is with us always” This little bear has John Wesley’s quote on his sweater. These were some of John Wes-ley’s last words toward the end of his life. We may not be able to hug one another right now, but we can certainly pray for each other! Prayer is so important!

Hello! My name is Megan Dahl and

I am the new office administrator

here at FUMC. It is definitely an in-

teresting time to take on a new po-

sition. I haven't quite found my new

normal here due to there being no

in house service, or anything going

on for that matter! I definitely look

forward to the day when I can meet

some of you and fill my role more

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A message from the Finance Committee: The Maple Leaf Parish is participating in the Cares Act Payroll Protection Plan that was enacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through this program we were able to receive a loan equal to 2.5 months of payroll for the staff at Faith United Methodist, Fountain and Cherry Grove church-es. This loan will be forgiven if documentation can be provided stating that the funds were actually used for payroll. We truly do intend to use it to pay the wonderful people that are continuing to meet the needs of our churches during this challenging time. The staff is working from home, fol-lowing social distancing when in the church, and finding ways to serve the congregations. Thank you for your continued donations. Many of you are mailing them in and using the online giving tool on the website. As you know, payroll is only a portion of our expenses. Like you, the utility bill, phone bill, and other bills still need to be paid. For those of you that are struggling with your own bills know that you are being lifted up in prayer. For those of you that can continue with your offerings, we thank you. With God's love, we will get through this. Jan Hammon Finance Chair

Hey!!!! Remember… Every day can be Easter. Every day can be Resur-rection Day!!! Easter Sunday seemed different this year, but we need to remember: “Jesus is very much alive!!!” Yes! Jesus is Alive! We will find ways to continue the Resurrection of Jesus! Every day can be Resurrection Day! -Pastor Mark

Impact You never really know the true impact you have on those around you. You never know how much someone needed that smile you gave them. You never know how much your kindness turned someone's entire life around. You never know how much someone needed that long hug or deep talk. So don’t wait to be kind. Don’t wait for someone else to be kind first. Don’t wait for better circumstances or for someone to change. Just be kind, because you never know how much someone needs it.

MASKS FOR MINNESOTA Caring for our neighbors is taking on many forms right now, but the one thing that every person and community has in common is the need to be vigilant in slowing the spread of coronavirus. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is now recommending that everyone wears a cloth face mask when out in public. For those that don’t sew or have the necessary ma-terials to make one, this directive can be diffi-cult to follow. The Minnesota Conference of the United Meth-odist Church is promoting a “Masks for Minne-sota” initiative to encourage congregations in the mask-making effort. We are asked to keep track of the masks our churches collectively make and give out, and report these numbers to the conference by May 22. Then we will cele-brate how we worked together to keep people safe and healthy. Home sew-ers, please call the parish office at 507-346-2830 to share how many masks you have made. Call the office also if you are someone in need of a mask and we’ll make sure you receive one.

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Faith United Methodist Church will hold a

“National Day of Prayer” Service Thursday, May 7, 2020

7:00 pm. (streamed on YouTube & Facebook)

“Turn Your Radio On”

Enjoy music with Suz Eberle, Cindy Seabright and SisterLuv

as we offer our prayers.

“Pray God’s Glory Across the Earth”

Earth Day The first Earth Day was 50 years ago on April 22nd and maybe some of you were a part of that day. I was a biology major at a college in upstate New York and participated, along with two other stu-dents, in a radio interview about Earth Day. That day is credited with launching the modern environmental movement. As a result the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) were all created. Inspite of great successes and decades of environ-mental progress, there is much more to be accom-plished. Some of the main issues are loss of habitat and biodiversity, destruction of the rain forests, plastic pollution and air pollution around large cities. Due to restrictions caused by the Corona virus, Earth Day celebrations and call to action have gone virtual and will get less attention. But the Earth has had a chance to breathe. Because of stay at home guidelines there is less travel and therefore less pol-lution, less use of resources. This will change after things get back closer to normal but what an eye opener for some areas around the world. John Wesley said, "God has entrusted his creation to us because He loves us. Let us, therefore, be good stewards of his creation because we love Him." So.. Be good to the Earth. Use less plastic. Partici-pate in a clean up. And take time to enjoy nature. Wishing you and the Earth well, Nancy Cornell

Memorial Day is May 25th

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Maple Leaf Parish Cherry Grove UMC Fountain UMC Faith UMC 617 Maple Lane Spring Valley, MN 55975 Address Service Requested

Spring Valley, MN U.S. Postage Paid

Permit #62 Non-Profit Bulk Rate

Maple Leaf Parish

Cherry Grove United Methodist Church 18183 160th Street - Spring Valley, MN 55975

Faith United Methodist Church 617 Maple Lane - Spring Valley, MN 55975

Fountain United Methodist Church Cedar Street & County Road 9, PO Box 46- Fountain, MN 55935