Lena United Methodist Church July 2019 Newsletter

Pray for Healing: Cathy Daniels, Ron Buchenau, Lisa Baer (Jeff and Judy’s daughter-in-law), Lisa Prindle (friend of Janice Myelle), Liza Howe, Mike Embry (Bruce Wuebben’s brother-in-law), Mary Shick, Ruth Wingert, Rhys Stone (Larry & Kim Nelson’s great grandson), Joyce Knight, Myrl Haeft (Beulah’s nephew), Verla Lobdell, Judy Welch, Bob Stewart, David Gerber (Shane Gerber’s father), Mike Rider (Judy Baer’s brother), Carl Munz, Deb Betcher (friends of Bruce Wuebben), Scott, Sharon and Avery Reese (Friends of Renee Buisker), Pauline Lutz, Robert Hartwig, Darryl Wybourn, Dave (Bonnie Broge’s brother-in-law), Todd Miller (Myrna Seuring’s nephew), Kim Pluss (Dot Spielman’s daughter), Loren Brown (Holly Buss’ father), Scott Bonnett, Vernon Baer, Myron Coaty, Tam Kryder, Vivien Rose Dascher John Gorz (Sue Bussian’s brother), Arlene Kryder, Irene Schubert In treatment: Pat Campbell (Mick Flynn’s sister) Our home-bound members and friends: Lois Thrasher (Liberty Village/Hawthorne Inn); Lorraine Bonebright, Rita Rowe (Pearl Pavilion); Pauline Lutz, Marilyn Holmes, Al Owens, & Carol Fluegel (all at Lena Living Center); Chris Liles (Oakley Courts); Bev Rakowska – Forest Hills Nursing Home (Rockford); Joyce Brinkmeier – Presence St. Joseph Center In Military Service: Kade Lobdell - In Basic Training Calendar notes:

- UMW does not meet in July and August

- No Bible Study in July and August for Edler/Kryder,

- Flo’s or Men’s Bible Study at Flynn’s. These Bible Studies

will resume in September

Invitation: Lanark UMC invites everyone to a special celebration of

sacred, patriotic and favorite music on Sunday, July 14 at 3 pm for their

“Historic Hinners Pipe Organ Program”. This tracker-action organ has

been in service at the Lanark UMC since 1931.

Pastor Keri Rainsberger 815-369-5291 or Cell 614-542-9197

July Servants

Greeters 7 – B0b & Carol Buss

14- Larry & Judy Buchenau 21 – Dwayne & Carol Robieson 28 –Dwayne & Carol Robieson

Liturgist 7 – Judy Baer 14- Rose Black 21 - Sally Buchenau 28 - Scott Stich

Video Tech 7 – Lisa Dascher

14 – Elaine Williams

21 – Sharon Hammill

28 – Cathy Rich

Dial-a-Devotion

7 – Eleanor Holmes

14 – Pat Phillips

21 – Janet Lobdell

28 – Norma Klipping

Fellowship

7 – Eleanor Holmes,

Burdene Meyers

14 – Stacey Mader,

Roberta Rogers

21 – Please volunteer

28 – Please volunteer

Sunday School Teachers

Lynne Howe, Lisa Dascher

Roberta Rogers, Cathy Rich

July Birthdays July Anniversaries 7/1 Suzanne Daws, David Schulz 7/6 Bruce & Lois Shelton 7/5 Tom Edler, Erin Korte 7/9 Scott & Lisa Stich 7/6 Wayne Werkheiser 7/10 Ray & Leticia Boland 7/7 Amy Buchenau, Carol Fluegel, Darryl Wybourn 7/15 Ken & Maryanne Gritzmaker 7/8 Max Knoup 7/18 Robert & Sherry Sandell 7/10 McKenzie Temperly 7/28 Steven & Glenda Rothschadl 7/11 Charlie Short

7/14 Leticia Boland, Tanya Knoup

7/15 Gene Brister, Alison Kepner

7/18 Shaun Dascher

7/20 Marilyn Holmes, Marcia Lobdell

7/22 Alton Owens, Marlys Scorsolini

7/24 Carol Buss, Rhonda Hooker

7/27 Betty Barker, Gary Black, Kayleigh Gerber, Xavier Sheppard

7/28 Lavone Gabel, Bethany Howe, Elaine Williams

7/29 Gary Rich

7/30 David Lobdell

On Father’s Day all the men of the church were presented with devotional books by the Membership

Committee. If you did not receive one and would like one, please let Pastor Keri or Jeff or Judy

Baer know, and we will do our best to see that you get one.

Invitation: Calvary & Wesley UMCs in Stockton invite all children from age 3 to 6th grade completion to attend

their VBS - “Rolling River Rampage” Monday, July 22 through Friday, July 26 from 6-8 pm at Wesley Church, 127

E. Benton, Stockton. The grand finale will be July 26 when kids will perform a program, followed by a

potluck/cookout at 6 pm. Come join the fun!

This month’s spotlight is on Meagan Mader. Meagan is

a recent Lena-Winslow High School graduate who has

always been very active in Lena United Methodist

Church activities. She is a member of the Audio Tech

team, has attended youth activities and mission events

and helps at fundraisers; and frequently serves as an

usher. Your church family wishes you the best as you

head out of town in August to your freshman year of

college at Indiana State University. Thanks for all you

do, Meagan; and God’s blessings be with you!

From the Pastor’s Desk:

Lazy days of summer? Not hardly! And not just because I am writing this in an unusually wet and cool

June. This month there will be lots of fun summer church happening with Lena UMC! The evenings of

July 15-18 we'll be joining with Good Shepherd and Beloved to host an exciting Vacation Bible School

with the theme “Friendship: A Love that Never Ends.” We'll learn together the stories of Abraham, Ruth,

Zaccheus, and Jesus. Hopefully this year's closing pool party will not get rained out and many joyful

shouts of praise will be lifted by splashing VBS participants!

On Sunday mornings we will be exploring the “Unraveled” worship series from A Sanctified Art. We will

study Biblical stories of life falling apart or unraveling and see God working even through those times of

uncertainty, slowly weaving things together into a new tapestry. We'll have multiple ways of engaging

with this theme and the stories throughout the series.

On nice days, keep your eye out for me around town. I'll be taking my “office hours” outside to random

locations. If you spot me, stop by for a chat, I even have treats! If you are on Facebook, check our church

page where I post clues about my location. I'll be out enjoying God's beautiful creation – although I may

send up a few complaints about the gnats. I look forward to having random conversations with those who

stop by!

Also keep an ear open for other “outdoor church” opportunities – a barbecue worship is in the plans and

details should be announced soon. Summer is a time when we are more likely to see neighbors, so as we

are out-and-about this summer, look for opportunities to get to know folks. I'm am always surprised how

even in a town where "everyone is related" there are still folks who fall through the cracks and could use a

friendly word or wave.

More information about the elected delegates, the legislation passed, and recorded videos from conference are

available on the Annual Conference website: https://www.umcnic.org/AC2019

Conference 2019 - Schaumburg, IL

I was one of two lay delegates from our church to attend the 2019 Northern Il Conference held in Schaumburg, IL

June 2nd through June 4th

Being my first year to attend, I felt that I wasn’t prepared for how this huge Methodist governing machine worked. I

used the word “machine” purposely to describe my assessment of the proceedings that went on there. Threads of

this “machine” feeling I had will wind throughout my speech.

Six hundred people were in attendance … approximately 40 from the western or rural faction and 460 from the

Chicago area. That fact was overwhelming to me. From the beginning, there seemed to be an invisible wall standing

between the rural and city factions.

Early Sunday evening was the ordination ceremony. Sally, small town girl, began her initiation in the ways of the

city. Many rainbow be-decked folks were ordained along with others. Many ordained pastors were there to join and

support in the ceremony as well. Several babies were baptized after the ordination ceremony.

Monday morning began with being seated at assigned tables for the beginning of a long day of reports by the various

committees with Bishop Dyck and her assistants presiding. During this session, we were given numbers pertaining

to the legislation to be passed. I had no idea what legislation was attached to that number, and no introduction or

explanation was given to us, so I just guessed as to whether it should pass or not. The show of hands was the

method of vote. Since the rurals were the 40 or so there. I voted as they did. The 460, obviously won every time

with the bishop practically dismissing our paltry showing. This continued until the numbers of each item had been

voted on. Then, we were each given a hand held voting machine. Large lists of candidates for delegates to General

Conference were shown on a large screen. Laity voted first, then clergy, whose candidates were different from the

laity’s. I didn’t recognize a single person on either list so, once again, I just guessed. During a break in voting, there

appeared to be some politicking going on in the halls also. The voting machines weren’t working properly, so this

whole process was very nerve wracking & time consuming.

Tuesday, various groups spoke and I believe some awards were given…once again I had the feeling of being in the

twilight zone (& Rod Sterling didn’t seem to be anywhere in attendance).

I enjoyed the choir performance, which Scott participated in. Pastor Keri was chosen to be the bell ringer at the

memorial service for recently deceased pastors. The general secretary of the UMW gave two interesting bible

studies.

I had looked forward to networking with other people, but there was no mingling or conversation to share ideas or

get acquainted except for the lady I sat next to. She was from Bethel UM church in Shannon and had met Jackie

Edler there. She was very nice and tried to be helpful.

Gary Rich, Pastor Keri & I rode in and back from conference together and I enjoyed all of our conversations, lunches

& dinners we shared. Scott took us to lunch one day too. Our hotel was beautiful.

I want to thank you for sending me to attend conference. I felt inadequate, as did others. It seemed to me the whole

time there was, mostly, impersonal. It almost seemed as if as if things were decided upon and happened before we

got there. I was left with a very disheartened view of what our governing leaders were about.

Sally Buchenau

2019 UMC Annual Conference Summary Annual conference is a three-day assembly of all the leadership, clergy, and lay people of the Northern IL conference

of the United Methodist Church. There are six districts in the conference. And we are in the Rockford District.

During Monday and Tuesday sessions, we discussed and passed very few measures to by-laws and constitution of

the Methodist Church. We did spend time selecting delegates to the upcoming 2020 General Conference. I would

like to report that most of the discussions were geared towards “clean up” from the General Conference this past

spring. By the way, our Bishop Sally Dyck is still a great motivator.

I did get the chance to meet our new District Superintendent Rev. Fabiola Grandon-Mayer. As most of you know,

Lisa Kruse-Safford is finished with her term and going back to the pulpit.

The conference theme was “Back to the Future.” The Northern IL Annual Conference is 180 years old. The United

Methodist Church through the General Board of Global Ministries is now 200 years old. And, United Methodist

Women is now celebrating 150 years.

So, it is time to reflect on the history of our denomination through these three great entities, while we look ahead to

how all three of these will help us continue to fulfill our mission to “make disciples of Jesus Christ for the

transformation of the world by proclaiming the good news of God’s grace and by exemplifying Jesus’ command to

love God and neighbor...”

With all of that said, I felt as though the underlying conference theme was “do no harm.” We are in a changing time

in our churches, communities, and families. And while we have differing points of view on every topic imaginable, I

kept being reminded that as a Christian, in all things, we must do no harm to the message of God. We must do no

harm to our fellow church members who have different points of view. We must do no harm to our community. But

lastly, we must never do harm to our family and loved ones just because we disagree.

That is what I got out of Annual Conference 2019. Over simplified, yes! Accurate, time will tell. Not only do

we need to continue to go forth and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to these three groups of people in our lives, but

we must never let our differences tear us into factions, tribes, or political parties. We must continue to search for

what makes us alike. We must continue to have dialogue that is thoughtful and productive. We must, must, must

never let Satin do his work in our lives by allowing hate to be a feeling we harbor, maintain, or foster in our soul.

When that happens, Satan wins and the message of Jesus Christ is now made less of a priority. How can Christ’s

message be a bright shining beacon to the world, when professing Christians are mired in hate, distrust, or a

distracting fog of the world. These thoughts are true of any topic you would like to pick.

So you may ask, ‘how much did the conference discuss the new direction of the United Methodist Church?” Answer,

not as much as you would think. We did talk about how to treat each other during our time of change. We must all

guard our congregations from ‘diminishing’ either type of congregation. If we are in a conservative congregation, we

must not let people feel as though their interpretation of the word of God is ‘less than’ your version. If we are in a

progressive congregation, we must not let people feel as though their interpretation of the word of God is ‘less than’

your version. We cannot make this issue about us. We must make this issue about God and his love for all of his

children.

How we treat our LGBT family and friends in our church is not the first social issue we have had to wrestle with. It

will not be our last. But the damage we do to our church family will be the lasting affect here, not the issue itself.

A few reminders of topics that have made for some smash-mouth debate in the past: forms of baptism, forms of

communion, people of color as members of white congregations, women in leadership roles, divorce, environmental

issues, and military ethics just to name a few.

Is the United Methodist Church going to remain united? Only God knows. Will Christians continue to divide

themselves into groups that gather in like-minded groups, maybe. That is the way our species thinks most of the

time. So how can we, the Lena United Methodist Church navigate this next few years of potential conflict? The

answer is with unceasing prayer, as much conversation with others as we can muster, and with as much tolerance to

those who do not see the world as we do. That’s how.

And on all occasions, remember why we gather in God’s house in the first place. Let us all continue to be servants

of God and his word, not servants of our own wishes and needs.

Thank you to this congregation for allowing me the opportunity to participate in the Annual Conference. All of you

should get one chance to experience Conference. There really is so much good to be gained by learning what others

do in their worship. - Submitted by Scott Stich

********

Worship Meeting Minutes June 7, 2019

Present: Kim Nelson, Eleanor Holmes, Lisa Stich, Pastor Keri, Cathy Rich & Sally Buchenau.

*Pastor Keri opened with prayer.

*Kim will handle publicity for this year’s VBS which will be held July 15 thru 18 here at our church. The theme is

Friendship, a Love That Never Ends. Mission project is for RAMP. Kim will also publicize summer worship plans

and events.

*Eleanor is ordering two patriotic banners for the front of the sanctuary. Monies taken from designated

memorials

*Pastor Keri will be on vacation for two weeks.

*June 9 Worship Pastor Jeff Baer preaching and also celebration his 50th year ordination.

Sermon theme is LOVE

*June 16 worship will be Men’s Sunday

*June 23 Keri is back

*July 7 will begin our summer ministry series. The theme is titled “Unraveled”. The program costs 120.00 and has

ideas and visuals for us to work with. We voted to proceed with this program.

Discussion was heard regarding having a backyard BBQ in the style of a neighborhood block party. Possibly

themed and having hot dogs, chips and soda. Possibly also having stations with various tables with items of

interest. Volunteers for organizing food, set up, etc needed. If successful, maybe having another one in the near

future. Keri will make an announcement at church Sun June 23 for volunteers to help with this.

Keri reported that Jane Rubietta had contacted her about possibly having her out for Sunday music or a day

retreat this summer. Due to the cost we decided to table this for another time.

Discussion was heard on a way to keep better track of our church attendees. The idea would be to have “pew

shepherds” to be mindful of an area around them & to keep notice of when someone is missing. There would

need to be “shepherd” assigned to various areas and the shepherd would reach out to them and see if there is

something we can do for them. To be discussed at our next meeting.

On Sept 29 there will be a pulpit exchange. Local pastors would get together and arrange to trade pastors to fill in

at another church that day.

Keri reported that she picked up some “The Faith We Sing” books and a few extra hymnals when Embury church

merged with Trinity Church.

Our next meeting TBA

Sally Buchenau, Worship Chair

July 2019 Calendar

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

2 1 pm Quilters

3

4 Independence Day – Holiday Office Closed

5

6 8 am Men’s Breakfast

7 9 AM Worship + Communion 10:30 am Adult Sunday School

8

9 12 pm – Daytime Food n Fun Potluck 1 pm Quilters

10

11 6:30 pm Knitters & Knotters

12 13

14 9 AM Worship 10:30 am - Adult Sunday School

15 5-8 pm – Mason Street churches VBS

16 1 pm Quilters

5-8 pm – Mason Street churches VBS

17

5-8 pm – Mason Street churches VBS

18

5-8 pm – Mason Street churches VBS

19 Newsletter Deadline

20 11 am – 1 pm – UMW Cookout at AJ’s Lena Maid Meats

21 9 AM Worship 10:30 am – Adult Sunday School

22 7 pm Stagecoach Quilters

23 9:45 am Hymn Sing 1 pm Quilters

1 pm Elizabeth Circle

24 9 am Hannah’s Helpers

25 6:00 pm Food and Fun Potluck 6:30 pm Knitters & Knotters

26

27

28 9 AM Worship 10:30 am - Adult Sunday School

29

30 1 pm Quilters

31

Lena United Methodist Church Non-Profit Org. 118 W. Mason Street U.S.POSTAGE P.O. Box 336 P A I D Lena, IL. 61048 Lena, Illinois Website: lenaumc.org Permit No. 17

July 2019 6th – 8 am – Men’s Breakfast; 9th - 12 noon – Daytime Food n Fun Potluck 11th & 25th – 6:30 pm - Knitters & Knotters 15th – 18th – Vacation Bible School 19th - Newsletter Deadline 22nd - Stagecoach Quilters 25th – 6 pm – Food n Fun Potluck

Or Current Resident [ ] [ ] [ Place label here ] [ ] Pastor Keri Rainsberger Home 815-324-2746 Cell 614-524-9197 Office Telephone 369-5291 Church e-mail: umclena@gmail.com Dial-A-Devotion 369-4411 Worship hours: Sunday 9 A.M. Children’s worship 9 A. M. 2nd & 4th Sundays Sunday School 10:30 A.M.