Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
September 2020
Inside this Issue
November 4 (no Super Wednesday worship 10/31-Halloween)
All Saints Sunday Romans 12:1-13
Rev. Rachel McIver Morey
December Worship
September Worship September 6
Genesis 21:8-21 Rev. Rachel McIver Morey
September 13 Genesis 41:14-36 Rev. Jerad Morey
September 20 Exodus 4:1-17
Rev. Rachel McIver Morey
Simultaneous Worship Watch Parties at 9:30am!
Join your church family either on Facebook (account needed) or at
Church.Online (no account needed) for worship! Check in via comments or the chat function so we know you are with us.
Zoom Coffee Hour!
At 10:15 am we will host a Zoom coffee hour for anyone interested
in online fellowship after worship - email the church office for the
Zoom link [email protected].
September 27 Exodus 13:17-22
Rev. Rachel McIver Morey
Social Distance Sunday Nights 4:00 pm
beginning September 13th
(no Sunday Night service Labor Day weekend)
We will gather in the grass on the north side of the church building by the upper parking lot. We will observe social distancing and we will have prayer, testimony, preaching and celebrate communion. What to bring: • A mask • A chair or blanket • Bug spray if necessary • Perhaps an umbrella for the sun • Bread/crackers and Juice
Communion will be a part of the gathering, but instead of having bread and juice distributed by the pastor, we will each bring our own to use. Please note that the building will remain closed during this time.
September Worship
Schedule
1
Message from the
Pastor
2-3
Stewardship & Finance
Update
Isaiah
4
Family Ministry 5
Parish Nurse 6
Service Opportunities 7
Church Staff 8
Lessons from the Wilderness
Fall 2020 - the wilderness ahead. . .
Our last full usage of our facility was March 18th, meaning that as of this writing, it has been exactly 5 months since we were together in our facility.
Let's give ourselves a moment to mourn the year we thought we would have - as a church, as individuals, as a whole world. 2020 has left none of us unscarred.
But if necessity is the mother of invention, this year of plague, protest, and politics has driven us deeper into the questions that - in normal times! - we leave untouched in our busyness: what really matters? what is worthy of my/our time and attention? We have always known that what we love is revealed by how we spend our time and attention: in this moment, what are we learning about ourselves?
The lay leadership of our church - Administrative Council, finance, trustees, SPRC, and the MCCI teams whose work has been able to continue - is wise, committed, and absolutely centered in what actions and ministries will do the most good with the least harm. This year, that's a tough trick to pull off. Keep these folks in your prayers. The lay staff has been flexible, learning, and open to new technology to get the job done - from video editing to coaching folks new to Zoom to nursing home "window visits" to rethinking ministry for our youngest disciples, they have been game for the "what's next?", and never stuck in how "we used to do things." God has truly blessed NUMC with excellent folks at the leadership table.
So what does the rest of the year look like for the NUMC family?
Building use: For the remainder of 2020, the NUMC facility will remain closed except by special permission of the administrative council for extraordinary circumstances. We have committed to being a polling place for the November 3 election - this is because otherwise the city would have to combine our usual ward/precinct with another one, meaning that if we closed, even MORE people would be forced under one roof on election day (note: in MN, you can vote early via no-excuse needed absentee ballot, and - as an election judge myself - I cannot encourage that enough.) Beyond that and worship recording, the facility will not be available. This will allow our trustees/facility people the time to address the growing and ever-changing recommendations being released by the MN Department of Health/CDC in a variety of areas, and prevent us from doing unintentional harm to people we love fiercely.
Worship: Worship will continue to be available online, via our 9:30am Sunday Watch Parties (check your email for details!) and 10:15am Zoom Coffee Hour (check your email for details!). As always, you can worship whenever it works best for you by accessing the services on our website, Northfieldumc.org. Additionally, as long as the weather permits, we will host our Social Distance Sunday gatherings – starting September 13th at 4pm on the north side of the campus, BYO camping chair/blanket, communion elements, and facemasks (although we have plenty of our sewing crew's facemasks if you forget!).
Children's Ministry: Pre-K-5th grade kids in our district will be starting school in person. Hold them and their teachers in prayer. Gregory Ennis, who coordinated our Wednesday afternoon KC3 program last year, has helped us learn and experiment with online/offsite children's ministry this summer. We are pleased to announce that he will be bringing this learning into the fall! Sunday school will be a materials pick-up/video curriculum through One Room Sunday School, and Wednesday KC3 fellowship will be via ZOOM. Additionally, we will continue the pen pal program with senior church members into the fall. More details will be coming out during the month of September.
Middle School Ministry: Our middle school youth are attending school in a "hybrid" model, meaning that they will each be in school 2 days a week, at home three days a week. Hold them and their teachers in prayer. We will provide monthly fellowship opportunities at family-hosted bonfire events offsite, and provide the best possible connections for our families who can't be present in person (want to know more? [email protected]) - as with all of our family ministry, we will flex with what is deemed safe under current COVID restrictions. See this Herald's note on "Faith on Fire!" for more information.
Confirmation and High School Ministry: High school youth are attending school in a hybrid model, meaning they will be in school 2 days a week and three days at home. Hold them and their teachers in prayer. Pastor Jerad has been working with our confirmation kids for the last 5 years, and coordinating our senior service for just as long. This fall, Pastor Jerad's unofficial work is being made official, and he will be the connection point for all our high school related ministry - see the Family Ministry page for information on "Faith on Fire!" and Confirmation, or email him at [email protected].
2
Music Ministry: This is the toughest one for Methodists. . .good heavens, but we like singing together! This is actually one of the worst culprits for spreading COVID-19. We cannot safely have choir, band, or other ensemble rehearsals and performances. That said, the amount of musical talent in our congregation is kind of ridiculous...and we need it all! We would love to share your music either via our online worship videos or at a Social Distance Sunday Night gathering. Need some coaching in how to record yourself? We can help with that! Wendy, our worship guru/video worship editor would love to hear from you: [email protected].
Service to the World and Community: Our SALT team - confirmed high school students with adult advisors - are working on a plan to keep us connected in service this fall; stay tuned for opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus in new and creative ways! Alongside what they develop, here are some ways to start. . .
1) If you have been thinking about someone in the congregation and wondering who is checking in on them, that is God telling you to pick up the phone and call! Our Pandemic Care Calling team has continued its work through the summer, although a number of folks have indicated that they are ok and don't need to be checked in on. Listen to the Spirit as it whispers to you, and if you haven't already, consider making your own "informal" call list of folks that you touch base with via phone, email, text, smoke signal, messenger pigeon. . .whatever way works for you.
2) Individuals with daytime availability (older youth attending school in a hybrid model: this could be you!) are badly needed to assist at the Community Action Center Food Shelf. They have transformed their delivery model to a drive-up/pick-up model, and it requires a different way of volunteering there. Need help getting connected? Email us at [email protected]!
3) Host a "drive through item drive" either at our church or at your own home, where you collect canned goods/shampoo/socks/baby items or whatever else for the CAC (or Ruth's House, the agency for victims of domestic violence based in Fairibault) and invite your church family to contribute - we can help get the word out!
4) Stay out of toxic social media interactions. Perhaps you've noticed: it is an election year. Campaigns and those who support them regularly employ media consultants whose entire job is to make us angry. There is plenty in our world to be angry about - make no mistake. Our work as disciples of Jesus isn't just to wish everyone would be nicer to each other - it is to engage in the deep work of hard conversations with those we love about what values we are called to embody as the body of Christ. It is best done person-to-person, leading with vulnerability, and with an openness to learning about someone else's experience. If you wouldn't say it in person, don't say it online. Vote your conscience, and prayerfully consider the issues we face as you do so.
Bible Study/Faith Formation: We hosted two short term Bible studies over the summer and the Tuesday women's Bible Study continues its important work of formation and fellowship. Coming up: A short-term online Bible study beginning in October and an upcoming book study to deepen our Christian reflection on what it means to be anti-racist as a church. Stay tuned to our all-church email updates for details!
Other ongoing ministries - the men's breakfast, mask sewing, visitation when/where possible, the peace and justice work of our ISAIAH and MICAH groups, and others - continue to adapt their ministries to the changing conditions around us, and we are rightfully proud of the "can-do" spirit the leaders of these ministries provide; they are unafraid to move with the Spirit, and they are a blessing to us all.
This gives you an idea of the shape ministry will take going into September. We know it will change. That change will bring other ministry opportunities, and we will do our best to live into God's call for each moment that lies ahead, both in our lives and in our church. We will grieve the things that we can't safely do, and we will discover ministry we never dreamed of before the pandemic. It will be complicated, chaotic, and constantly on the move. We will return - again and again- the question of what we are paying attention to, and what it reveals about what we really love and what matters to us. We will take the next step and do the next right thing - even if the path leads to an unwelcome cross. If there be a cross, there will also be an empty tomb: we know who writes this story, and how it ends.
Blessings, Pastor Rachel
3
Administrative Council Response: Racial Justice at NUMC The Administrative Council voted in July to support efforts within the Northfield faith community toward becoming anti-racist - we recognize that the church has work to do, and that God calls us to do whatever it takes to welcome all God's children as a church. Interested in joining the effort? Contact [email protected], or watch all-church emails and future Herald editions for opportunities to learn, grow, and challenge ourselves to love all of our neighbors as we are called to do.
NUMC WELCOME STATEMENT
We affirm that all people are created in the image of God and, as beloved children of God, all are worthy of God’s love and grace, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, family status, race, ethnicity, physical or mental ability, socio-economic status, or age. We unreservedly support and affirm the full inclusion of persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities in all facets of ministry at Northfield UMC, including ordination and marriage. Following Christ’s example, we open our hearts, minds, and doors to welcome all who come to us in God’s grace.
STEWARDSHIP & FINANCE UPDATE It’s the beginning of a new and unique school year and our church’s programming and ministries are evolving accordingly. Your Stewardship & Finance team along with other church leaders is working hard to use your monetary gifts in the best and most prudent ways possible to enhance those programs and ministries for the greater glory of god.
Enjoy the Convenience
of Electronic Giving! Electronic giving offers convenience for individual congregation members and
provides much needed donation consistency for our congregation. Please consider electronic giving. Authorization forms are available on our website
northfieldumc.org or by emailing [email protected].
4
General Fund July 2020 contributions $16,676.66 General Fund July 2019 contributions $35,329.47
General Fund YTD 2020 contributions $219,641.03 General Fund YTD 2019 contributions $226,154.06
How to make tithes and offerings You can make your tithes and offerings a few different ways:
1. Make automatic donations from your bank account. Contact [email protected] for a form.
2. Donate online using a credit card, click on the GiveMN tab on the church website northfieldumc.org.
3. Mail a check to: Northfield United Methodist Church 1401 S. Maple St. Northfield, MN 55057 The church mail is checked daily.
As you prepare for the elections in November, take time to pray for all the candidates for elected leaders at all governmental levels – city, county, state and country. Take time to discern who can best lead us into becoming a more just and equitable society. And then vote.
If you want to vote by mail and avoid the crowds on that day: As soon as possible, apply for an absentee ballot either online at mnvotes.org or by requesting a paper application from the Rice County Elections Office, 507-332-6104. (If you voted by mail in the primary, you may have requested the ballot for November at the time you applied for the August ballot.) Ballots will be mailed to approved applicants beginning September 18th. Complete your ballot as soon as you are clear on those you want to vote for. Put your ballot in the pre-addressed envelope, add the required information, sign the envelope, and then mail it so the postmark is no later than November 3rd. It must be received at the election office no later than November 10th. Follow directions carefully so your ballot will be valid. Since there is concern about delays in postal delivery, don’t procrastinate. And watch for alternate ballot collection possibilities such a drop-boxes to be announced.
October Herald Deadline The deadline for the October issue of the Herald
Newsletter is noon on Wednesday, September 23rd. Please submit your items in a digital format to
[email protected] by the deadline.
Olive Oil for Sale MICAH has 500 ml bottles of Palestinian organic, fair trade,
extra virgin olive oil available @ $15.00 each. Contact Darlene Cox, [email protected]
to place an order and for delivery or pick up.
5
Children's Ministry: We are pleased to announce the continuation of Gregory Ennis in our children's ministry this fall! He will be coordinating both Wednesday online fellowship opportunities and Sunday School programming - to be included in the children's ministry email list if you are not already so you can participate in fall ministries, please email us at [email protected].
Discovery Zone Thanks to all the Discovery Zone kids who donated money to be sent to Jorge in Ecuador!! We sent $70.00 to Children International for him and His friends at the Community Center! He drew this Turtle to say THANKS!
10th Grade Confirmation Changes In order to accommodate the ways our church ministry is adapting at the start of the program year, but to continue making a priority of claiming an authentic faith, we have revised the 10th grade confirmation schedule:
Wednesday, September 9, 6:30pm: Confirmation will meet as originally scheduled from 6:30 - 8:00pm, Weather permitting we
will meet at the NUMC fire pit. Otherwise this will be an online Zoom. Families will be notified by email.
NEW Saturday, September 19, 9:00am: Meet at Riverside Lions Park to reflect on service and participate in the socially distant
Cannon River Watershed Clean-up. 9:00am - 12:00pm. Wear clothes to sweat in and close-toed shoes.
NEW Sunday, September 27, 6:15pm: Confirmation will attend and meet after Social Distance Sunday Night for a campfire at
church. We will talk about questions of membership and belief. (approximately 6:15pm - 9:00pm)
CANCELED Wednesday, October 14, 6:15pm: Confirmation will NOT MEET in lieu of a general high school youth gathering
as part of the new Faith on Fire ministry, held tonight at the Updike back yard
NEW Sunday, October 25, 7:00pm: Confirmation will meet online at 7:00pm to pray over and consider a confirmation worship
service that reflects our faith.
Sunday, November 15, 9:30am: The confirmation service will be live or broadcast.
9th Grade Confirmation Orientation September 20, after Social Distance Sunday Night worship 9th graders and their parents or guardians will join Pastor Jerad in a conversation shaping confirmation for the coming program year and beyond. While in the past this has been a time for outlines and schedules, instead we will name our priorities for confirmation and the ways we prefer to be together as we learn to authentically claim our faith.
FAITH ON FIRE! While our building is closed, our church is most assuredly open: we worship, pray, serve, seek justice, and connect in new ways! Familes with youth aged 6th grade-12th grade are invited to "Faith on Fire!" at the Updike backyard on October 14, 6:15pm. They will provide the fire and the space, we bring everything else: camping chairs/blankets, face masks, and s'mores ingredients. We will, as at all church gatherings, observe appropriate social distance as we gather to keep our most vulnerable folks safe. If coming in person doesn't work for your family but you'd like your youth to be able to participate, we are working on ways to make that happen - contact us at [email protected], and we will work that out together! There will be breakout groups for middle school (6-8th grade) and high school (9-12th grade) and fellowship time for all - if weather is inclement OR if schanging COVID-19 safety precautions demand it, event will be cancelled. Mark your calendars!
6
Notes from the Parish Nurse The phrase “returning to school” has new meaning and evokes new worries since we have been affected by COVID-19. As parents and school officials plan for the new school year, they must consider and balance educational, social, and emotional needs with health and safety issues. Most school districts will choose from three learning options, which include distance learning, in-person schooling, and hybrid schooling. The decision will be made locally by school officials, but the options may change if or when numbers of COVID-19 cases in a particular county increase or decrease. Being prepared for the different learning scenarios can help reduce anxiety for students, parents, and teachers alike. There are steps one can take to reduce the risks of COVID-19.
Practice Safe Physical Distancing The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend safe physical distancing, which means keeping at least 6 feet of space between people. There are different levels of physical distancing based on a child’s age and developmental stage. Elementary students on up might be divided into cohorts (distinct groups) that stay together during the school day and don’t interact with other cohorts. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends though, that preschoolers should be allowed to have interactive play, even though older children should remain in cohorts.
Wear a Mask Because people with COVID-19 can transmit the virus before they realize they have it, the CDC and WHO recommend wearing a cloth face mask in public places (including schools) when it is difficult to avoid close contact. Tips for wearing cloth face masks include the following.
• Label with a permanent marker each child’s face masks with his or her name. • Supply two clean masks each day—one to wear and one as a spare. • Supply a clean re-sealable bag where a mask can be stored during lunch. • Practice with your child how to put on and take off a mask: wash hands before and after touching a mask, avoid touching the cloth
part that touches the face. • Instruct children to never share masks. • Explain to children the importance of wearing a face mask but discuss why some people might not be able to wear one because of
age or medical reasons.
Keep Hands Clean Explain why it is important to wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and then practice with the child. So the technique isn’t rushed, the child should sing Happy Birthday twice or two verses of Mary Had a Little Lamb. Remind children that hands should be washed before and after coughing or sneezing, eating, or adjusting a face mask. (Of course always wash hands after using the toilet.) If soap and water are not available the child could use alcohol-based (at least 60% alcohol) hand sanitizer. Remind a child to avoid touching his or her eyes, nose, and mouth. Encourage children who attend in-person schooling to practice good health habits before and after school too.
Clean and Disinfect Frequently touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, faucets, keyboards, tablets, and phones should be cleaned and disinfected frequently. Don’t share devices. Consider packing a bottle of water for your child so he or she doesn’t have to use a school drinking fountain.
Stay Home if Sick Monitor children each day for signs of COVID-19. Though many of the symptoms overlap with other conditions (allergies, colds, influenza) it is important to keep children home from school and other activities if they have any of the following signs: sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches, fatigue, headache, nasal congestion, runny nose, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting or poor appetite.
Checklist to Guide Parents or Guardians • Be sure that your child is up-to-date with all recommended vaccines, including influenza. (It is unknown at this time if one has a
more severe illness while being sick with COVID-19 and influenza. • Be sure that emergency contact information for the school is current for each child.
Set Up for Distance Learning • Create a schedule with your child and make a commitment to follow it. Structure and routine are important so your child doesn’t fall
behind on assignments. • Physical activity should be included in the schedule. • The learning space should be free of noise, clutter, and distractions. • Find an opportunity for your child to connect with peers either virtually or in person with physical distancing.
These are challenging times for all of us. No matter which of the three learning options your child will be using, it is important that the child practices self-care. You can be their role model by taking breaks, getting plenty of sleep, exercising, eating well, and staying connected socially. Your child should do likewise. The following websites have more information about returning to school: www.mayoclinic.org, www.cdc.gov, and www.who.int.
7
Family Fare Receipts Thanks to everyone who is faithfully saving
Family Fare receipts. There is a plastic box on the bench at the south entrance to the church where you
can deposit them or feel free to contact Mary Ann Polley at [email protected] to arrange for contactless pick up.
Cardboard Recycling Operation Backpack will be one of the groups that
receives the proceeds from the cardboard recycling bins at Family Fare and Cub Foods
through the month of September!
Operation Backpack Distribution Day Wednesday, August 19th, was the distribution day for Operation Backpack. Due to the need to take extra precautions and keep socially distanced, it was a drive-through event held outside at the NCRC. It was a beautiful day, and there are so many happy children who are now ready for the start of school with new backpacks and school supplies. Thanks to the CAC and all who helped to make this special event happen.
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage
PAID
Northfield, Minn PERMIT No. 122
1401 South Maple Street
Northfield, MN 55057
NORTHFIELD
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Phone: (507) 645-5689
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.northfieldumc.org
Offering Christ
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Our Church Staff
Pastors Rachel McIver Morey Jerad Morey
Parish Nurse Ruth Kruse
Office Administrator Sandy Vesledahl
Children’s Ministry Coordinator Gregory Ennis
Worship & Music Wendy Smith
Child Care Provider Kathryn Steed
Organists /Accompanists Bob Henstein Donna Paulsen
Handbell Choir Director Kathy Szydlo
Projection Coordinator Molly Peterson
Custodian Arturo Rosas Avila
Treasurer John Stull (Volunteer)
Web Site Jesse Steed (Volunteer)
Retired Clergy: Wayne Abdella, Carl Caskey, Richard Collman, Jeanne Martin, Dick Waters,
Mary Keen, Gordon Orde
Northfield United Methodist Church offers an electronic option for our monthly newsletter. By having our newsletter available electronically, we will save costs on paper, postage and copier usage. The newsletter will still be available to those who want to receive a hard copy in the mail.
For those that sign up, you will receive an e-mail directing you to a link to view the newsletter. If you have more than one member in the household that would like to receive this e-mail, please list them also.
Please cut out this form, fill in the information and place it in the basket in the church office or place it in the offering plate on Sunday mornings.
Please print clearly! Thank you!
Name _______________________________________
E-mail Address ________________________________
Name _______________________________________
E-mail Address ____________________________
