Here we are half way through the Lenten Season already! How’s the journey going for you? Are you taking good care? Are you remembering that you each are a blessing to me and are blessed by God? (no matter what you’re going through!) Have you taken the Spiritual Gifts survey yet to discover the gifts God has given specifically to you? (see Diane Evans to make this experience a part of your Lent!)

Even as we have ALL experienced both success and failure with this quest for rest and renewal, we can be sure that the love of God is always with us. No matter how far you stray or push God away, the Spirit remains faithful and sure, waiting patiently, wanting you to discover and claim the best and only you God creates you to be.

The work of Lent, for me and for ALL of us, is to make space for God’s love through rest. It’s to bring a willing heart through renewal for God’s work through us for the kin-dom here on Earth (as it is in heaven), as we strive to be disciples of Jesus Christ.

What’s the easiest/hardest part of being intentional this Lent in finding rest for your body, your mind and your spirit? How are you feeling supported through your friends and family of faith as you move toward renewal in this season?

My travels over the last three weeks have challenged my commitment to rest AND they have been a blessing to it as well. I’ve been convicted about how much of a creature of habit I am and I’m being blessed to see how just a change in my routine and my environment can bring rest!

As we turn the corner toward Easter, I am beginning to be anxious to return to my familiar surroundings and routine. Does that anxious feeling equate with being renewed? Am I just missing everyone or is my spirit really ready to be back at it? That said, the

In this Issue:Easter

Bread & JamUpcoming Events

Loving Start PreschoolMissions

Much More!

ContentsPastor Columns

Pastor Columns

First Sunday Forum

Main Level Concerts

Thanks/Cleaning Day

Children’s Ministries

Finance Class

Finance & Stewardship

LSP & Birthdays

Calendar

Contact Info

nnn

O P E N H E A R T S . O P E N M I N D S . O P E N D O O R S . T M

CONNECTION NewsletterB A Y V I E W U N I T E D M E T H O D I S T C H U R C H

March 2016

Take Good Care: Part 2

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

...continued on page 2

2

continuing ‘test’ for my Lenten journey is to be patient and to stay the course toward rest and renewal.

Jesus’ teaching and example reminds us of the value of time away to pray alone and how the restorative blessing time with trusted friends can be. Join me as we continue the journey of intentional rest and renewal with hope for the deep and joyful discovery of God’s gifts for our lives and our ministry together.

I look forward to that glorious celebration of resurrection we will soon share. How sweet will the fruit of the Spirit be as we trust in the ALL encompassing, unconditional love of God through Jesus, the Living Christ among us!

Keep taking good care. See you ALL soon!

Pastor Kelly

Take Good Care... ...continued from page 1

...continued on page 3

What’s Going On? Yeah Tell Me What’s Going On

You might recognize those words from Marvin Gaye’s 1971 recording of the same name. That song addressed the social unrest of that time and Gaye’s plea was that “we've got to find a way to bring some lovin' here today.” I guess the more things change the more they stay the same. After all, we can never have too much love, right?

What made that song title come to mind for me was remembering something I heard years ago which was that if the pastor knew everything that was going on in the church…there wasn’t enough going on! This is certainly a church where much is “going on.” So much so that it is difficult at times for Pastor Kelly and I to keep a handle on everything…and that’s good!

All you have to do is open the Green Sheet on any given Sunday and you’ll see all kinds of announcements about upcoming special events, community meals, ongoing social group outings, classes being offered by Kelly or I, Bible studies, etc. And that doesn’t begin to include all the usage our building gets from outside groups like AA, NA and the Suzuki Strings violin classes. Indeed, there is a whole lot going on here.

What I really appreciate about all this activity is that so much of it comes from YOU. I want to share two recent examples of this that I believe speak to the type of faith community we’ve been working hard to create here. First, Susan Troyer put together a wonderful Lenten devotional booklet and she welcomed the inclusion of other voices within it. Pastor Kelly and I, along with several others, contributed reflections but Susan did all the hard work of preparing and delivering a wonderful worship tool. What a special gift for us all!

3

What’s Going On... ...continued from page 2

In a similar vein, Katy Meyer and Ann Pier organized a special Valentine’s Day chocolate sale to support our commitment to the Stains Children’s Home in India. They researched vendors, ordered the chocolate, arranged for delivery and staffed the table in The Gathering Space for two Sundays. Because of their hard work we’ve already got a couple of hundred bucks set aside for this important ministry. Plus, we all got to enjoy some great chocolate!

This past Sunday’s scripture reading from 1 Corinthians included these words, “Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits.” That, my friends, is how we continue to “bring some lovin’ here today”…and every day to come! Amen!

Blessings,

Pastor Andy

First Sunday Forums Calendar ! ! Sponsored by Missions Team These presentations happen in the Gathering Space or Sanctuary at 9:15 a.m. each First Sunday of the month. Get your coffee and come listen and learn about area ministries, agencies and some of our own folks who actively serve others.

March 6th - Gayle Burgess. Gail is a member at Bristol UMC and has chaired our Conference Board of Global Ministries. She'll be here to share about one of our special Sundays: One Great Hour of Sharing.

Mardi Gras Thank YouA HUGE Thank You to the Mardi Gras Pancake team:

Al, Hertha, Mark, Ann, Linda, Carol Ann, Carl, George, Jan, Travis, Matthew, Julie and Andy.

Your willingness to plan for, shop, decorate, flip, stir, spoon-out, cut-up, set-up, clean-up, wash, count, entertain, greet and

serve made this a super wonderful and fun event, yet again! Although not planned as a fundraiser, we did turn a profit

which will propel ministry in this place. Both my happy tummy and my happy heart thank each of you for your

generosity of time and talent.

Pr. Kelly

Photo by Jamie Allard

Once again we come together as a congregation to spruce up our little corner of Bay View. We welcome you to lend a hand in this annual tradition of caring for our community building. Cleaners and scrub brushes

will be provided - just meet us in the church dining room. The volunteer sign up is on The Cube. Coffee and donuts provided.

Ministry Spotlight! ! ! ! ! ! by Katy Meyer

Sweet Support for Missions!

The Missions Team held its first fundraiser in February. We raised money for our 2016 commitment to support the Philip and Timothy Stains Memorial Children's Homes, serving orphans in south India. Orphans are provided food, shelter, clothing and education. We partnered with Seroogy's Chocolates from Green Bay, Wisconsin, to offer boxed and bar chocolates just in time for Valentine's Day... and beyond! THANK YOU to everyone who made a delicious purchase. As of this writing, we only have 5 boxes of chocolate remaining! It looks like we will earn a profit over $200 which is about halfway to our goal of $460 for the year.

4

Bread & Jam Thanks You!! ! ! ! ! ! Jan Colson

Hailey Petrie (daughter of Jon and Kelsie) and two of her friends sold hot chocolate and lemonade at a stand this summer and raised $120.00. They have donated that money to our Bread & Jam Free Community Meal program! We are very grateful for their generous hearts. If you are looking for new ways to help Bread & Jam, we are going to be purchasing some additional shelving for storage. If you have a few dollars you can spare, we would appreciate your contribution.

Thank You!! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Pastor Kelly

Thank you to the Card Ladies, to Sue Neiderheiser, and to the Trustees for the generous donation that enabled our Sanctuary, Gathering Space, Library and Office area carpeting to get a thorough cleaning. The Gathering Space chairs were also included in this project. What a wonderful way to lead us into thoughts of Spring cleaning this month in preparation for Easter! (watch for the date and sign up to come soon!).

All Church Cleaning Day

Saturday ● March 19th ● 9am

main level concert seriesAn Independent Music Series hosted by Bay View United Methodist Church

Sunday January 31 East Side Chamber Players FWO

Valentine classics @ 2pm

Tuesday February 9 Drow/Rotker-Lynn Duo FWO

Straight-ahead Jazz @ 5:30pm & 7pm

Pancakes @ 4:30pm

Celebrate Mardi Gras with Pancakes and Great Music

Tuesday February 23 The Ches Smith Trio $10*

Jazz @ 8pm

Ches Smith/Craig Taborn/Mat Maneri THE BELL

(new disc on ECM records)

Friday March 18 Slipstream $5*

Mixed-Instrument Chamber Ensemble @ 7pm

Bonus: A Duo Set with Matt Blair and Devin Drobka

Sunday April 24 East Side Chamber Players FWO

Experimental and Contemporary @ 2pm

Some concerts are FWO: Free Will Offering

*Some concerts are ticketed - purchased on Facebook and at the door.

0RVW�RI�WKH�SURFHHGV�EHQHÀW�7KH�&LYLF�0XVLF�$VVRFLDWLRQ�RI�0LOZDXNHH�

“Music for the mind and for the soul.”

The people of Bay View United Methodist Church welcome you.

5

6

Wondering how to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this month?

The PEP group suggests enjoying an afternoon at the theater to attend Sea Marks, a unique Irish love story being performed at the Soulstice Theatre on

Sunday, March 13, at 3:00 p.m. Soulstice, a group that has been producing theatre in Bay View since 2002, is located at 3770 S. Pennsylvania Avenue in St. Francis.

Sea Marks, tells the story of a fisherman living on a remote Irish island who has fallen in love with a woman he’s seen only once, at a local wedding. She lives in Liverpool, and after an 18-month "courtship" by mail, he ventures to the city for a visit. She convinces him to stay and romance blooms, but the bliss is fleeting as our fisherman, on this voyage to find a new life with his new love, loses all that he knows best.

A light lunch of ham, rolls, potato salad and dessert will be served in the Gathering Space following the second service. That will give us plenty of time to relax before heading to the theater at 2:15. Seats are on a first-come, first-served basis.

Check “The Cube” for ticket prices, details, and to sign up for an enjoyable afternoon! As always, everyone is welcome!!

Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended in case of a sellout. Tickets to Soulstice Theatre are available online at Soulsticetheatre.org, or by phone at (414) 481-2800.

Voice/Acting LessonsKathleen Matts is offering singing classes at 11:00 a.m. on Saturdays, March 5th through April 2nd in the choir room. All levels are welcome, including beginners, adults and teenagers.

The ability to read music is optional. If you've ever wanted to try singing or are experienced but need a tune-up, this is your opportunity!

A short acting class will follow. We'll read sketches and coach monologues.

All classes are free to church members and friends.  

Need more info? Call (414) 241-8161

PEP Outing - Sea Marks by Samuel French

Use the QR Code OR click the button below OR contact Jan Kosanke

Looking to Volunteer?

7

Children’s Ministries Updates & Save the Date

February and March take us through the Season of Lent as we learn about the “call stories” of Jesus’ disciples. The children continue to enjoy beginning each Sunday School session with their hands as they “zoom” through the lunch bag packs for Bread & Jam. Thanks to Mary K. and Jan K. for helping with set-up each week and to the teachers who help guide the work.

Palm Sunday will be a BIG Sunday School Day!There will be a special “team” egg hunt, origami butterfly folding, Easter symbols to color and a special treat as ALL classes will stay in the Dining Room for a pre-Easter fun day. We’ll also be practicing our 10:45 a.m. palm procession and the Quackers will sing in worship.

There is NO Sunday School on March 27th - Sunday School resumes on April 3rd

Easter Sunday. Families are encouraged to worship together!FYI: Spring Sunday School will run through Memorial Day weekend, May 29th.

Mark your calendars for FUN!Sunday, April 17th: Family- Friends/Intergen Sing-Along Early Movie Nite **Everyone arrives for a pizza buffet at 4:30 p.m.

• Parents meet & eat with Pastor Kelly while we discuss future plans for Children’s Ministries (I need/want your ideas/input)

• Kids eat with the friends they bring, with Sunday School teachers and ALL other adults attending.

• By 5:15 p.m. the movie and fun will begin!**At time of printing the movie has not yet been selected. Ideas welcome! Must be G-rated and a ‘sing-

along’!

Sunday June 5: Sunday School Celebration

ONE Service of Worship @ 9:45am followed by a special Sunday School promotion celebration is being hosted by PEP!

Daylight Saving Time Begins

Sunday, March 132am

Administrative CouncilLocation: Gathering Space

Monday, March 147pm

Finance Meets at 6pm in the Office

Set your clocks ahead one hour.

• April 2nd Planning for the Unknown: Life insurance has changed. It's not what it was when your parents first started buying it. Why do I need it? Do I have enough? Is it the right kind? Did you know you can be your own Life Insurance beneficiary?

8

Free Financial Seminar Series A Will Is Not Enough

Planning for Incapacity: What happens if you cannot make your own decisions? Do you have a Health Care or Financial Power of Attorney? What do you need to be concerned about with estate planning? Guardianship of a minor: Who will take care of your children? Disposition of Bodily Remains: Do you have someone that can take care of this?

Come join us in the Gathering Space on Monday, March 7th at 6:30pm to learn why “A Will Is Not Enough”. Please RSVP signing up on The Cube or on our Facebook event page. A light snack will be provided. Feel free to bring a guest!

This seminar is a part of our 2016 financial series and is open to anyone who wishes to know more.

Upcoming seminars:

• May 2nd Have the Conversation/Terms of Endearment: Beneficiary check-up and ICE (In Case of Emergency) Learn how you can be better prepared to make family decisions should the need arise. We will also be defining introductory financial terms, for those of us who want the basics.

• June 6th End of Times Lets talk about funeral pre-planning: What do I need to think about? Who should I talk to? What are my options?

9

2016 February Giving Record2016 February Giving Record2016 February Giving Record

Fund

Rec’d This

Month*Needed Monthly

(Short)/Over This

MonthRec’d This

YearNeeded

This Year

(Short)/Over

This Year

General $14,249 $17,927 ($3,678) $27,583 $35,854 ($8,271)

Apportionment† $2,010 $2,442 ($432) $4,060 $4,884 ($824)

Totals $16,259 $20,369 ($4,110) $31,643 $40,738 ($9,095)

* Includes January 31st Contributions† All apportionments have been paid

One Great Hour of Sharing is one of six church-wide Special Sundays with offerings of The United Methodist Church. One Great Hour of Sharing calls United Methodists to share the goodness of life with those who hurt. Your gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing lay the foundation for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) to share God’s love with communities everywhere. The special offering underwrites UMCOR’s “costs of doing business.” This helps UMCOR to keep the promise that 100 percent of any gift to a specific UMCOR project will go toward that project, not administrative costs.

What Is One Great Hour of Sharing?

What is UMCOR?

UMCOR is the humanitarian arm of The United Methodist Church. UMCOR’s work reaches people in more than 80 countries, including the United States. UMCOR provides humanitarian relief when war, conflict or natural disaster disrupts life to such an extent that communities cannot recover on their own. Learn more at www.umcor.org. One Great Hour of Sharing is March 6th. Please use the envelopes in the pews for you contributions. Thanks, Finance Team

Did you know if you are 70 1/2 or older and have a Traditional or Roth IRA you may give to a charitable organization (Up to $100,000) without being subject to income tax on the distribution? In addition, the gift satisfies all - or in part - the annual Required Minimum Distribution from the IRA.

Your Stewardship Team

Stewardship Update

Finance Update - March Special Sunday

10

Loving Start Preschoolers have been learning to care for babies, winter animals and pets. You may see large bodies in the hallway as we learn about what is inside our bodies. We are learning about our bones, muscles, blood vessels and digestive system. We will be learning about astronauts and space in March.

Registration is now open for new students for the 2016-17 school year. If you know of a child who will be 3 by Dec 31st please tell them about our school. Potty training is not required. Last year we filled our 3 year old classes by the end of March, so tell your friends and neighbors to call for a tour soon.

The Campbell Soup Labels for Education program is ending. Please turn in any labels you may still have by the end of April. There is a bin in the preschool cubby area and one outside the office. Thank you for your support.

Miss Martha, Miss Debbie, Miss Mary and Miss Karen, Miss Nicole

LOVING STARTARTPRESCHOOL

March 4th

Anthony Bernal

March 8th

Kathleen Borders

March 11th

Heather HaileGina Wrobel

March 13th

Matt Wold

March 14th

Alexis Wold

March 15th

Yvonne Smith

March 16th

Allan EckoldtChris Grumley

March 17th

Kyle Haile

March 18th

Peg Humphrey

March 21st

Verlie Mae Tranmal

March 27th

Bob BakerMackenzie Moebius

March 29th

Adam Garside

11

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

288:15am Worship9:15am Coffee Hour9:15am Adult Study10am Sunday School 10:45am Worship12:30pm LSP Open 2pm GriefShare3pm Bread & Jam6pm Adult Study7pm AA Mtg

298:45am LSP6:30pm Music Mtg7pm AA Mtg

18:45am LSP10am AA Mtg5:30pm AA Mtg

28:45am LSP10am Bible Study12:30pm SECA

38:45am LSP6:30pm Faith Singers7pm AA Mtg7:30pm WBC

48:45am LSP4:30pm Suzuki Strings 7pm NA Mtg

510:30am AA Mtg11am Voice Lessons4pm WFAA Open Meeting

68:15am Worship9:15am Coffee Hour9:15am Adult Study9:15am FSF10am Sunday School 10:45am Worship2pm GriefShare3pm Bread & Jam6:30pm Adult Study7pm AA Mtg

78:45am LSP6:30pm A Will Is Not Enough7pm AA Mtg7pm District 28 AA

88:45am LSP10am AA Mtg5:30pm AA Mtg6:30pm Praise Band

98:45am LSP10am Bible Study12:30pm Cards6:30pm Craft Club

108:45am LSP6:30pm Faith Singers7pm AA Mtg7:30pm WBC

118:45am LSP7pm NA Mtg

129am Men’s Breakfast10:30am AA Mtg11am Voice Lessons

138:15am Worship9:15am Coffee Hour10am Sunday School 10:45am Worship2pm PEP Outing2pm Grief Share3pm Bread & Jam6:30pm Adult Study7pm AA Mtg

Daylight Saving Time Begins

148:45am LSP6pm Finance Mtg7pm Ad Council7pm AA Mtg

158:45am LSP10am AA Mtg5:30pm AA Mtg7:15pm SPR Mtg

168:45am LSP10am Bible Study

178:45am LSP6:30pm Faith Singers7pm AA Mtg7:30pm WBC

188:45am LSP4:30pm Suzuki Strings7pm Slipstream7pm NA Mtg

199am ALL Church Cleaning Day10:30am AA Mtg11am Voice Lessons

208:15am Worship9:15am Coffee Hour10am Sunday School 10:45am Worship2pm GriefShare3pm Bread & Jam7pm AA Mtg

Palm Sunday

218:45am LSP1pm Memory Café7pm AA Mtg

228:45am LSP10am AA Mtg5:30pm AA Mtg6:30pm Praise Band

238:45am LSP10am Bible Study 12:30pm Cards6:30pm Craft Club

248:45am LSP6:30pm Faith Singers7pm AA Mtg7pm Maundy Thursday Worship7:30pm WBC

Maundy Thursday

258:45am LSP1pm Processional Worship Service7pm Good Friday Worship Service7pm NA Mtg

Good Friday

2610:30am AA Mtg11am Voice Lessons

Holy Saturday

276:15am Sunrise Service9am Worship10:45am Worship2pm GriefShare3pm Bread & Jam7pm AA Mtg

Easter Sunday

288:45am LSP7pm AA Mtg

298:45am LSP10am AA Mtg5:30pm AA Mtg

308:45am LSP10am Bible Study

318:45am LSP

No Faith SingersRehearsal

7pm AA Mtg7:30pm WBC

18:45am LSP7pm NA Mtg

210:30am AA Mtg11am Voice Lessons

March 2016People Enjoying People South East Clergy Staff Parish RelationsWesleyan Bell Choir Rehearsal

KEY:

PEP: SECA:

SPR: WBC:

Alcoholics AnonymousEast Side Chamber PlayersFirst Sunday Forum - MissionsLoving Start PreschoolNarcotics Anonymous

AA:ESCP: FSF: LSP: NA:

March2016

BAY VIEW United Methodist Church2772 S Kinnickinnic AveMilwaukee, WI 53207

Phone: 414-744-4036Fax: 414-744-4928Email: officeadmin@bayviewumc.org

Pastor Kelly FowlerPhone:414-378-4012Email: pastorkelly@bayviewumc.org

Pastor Andy OrenPhone: 414-744-3927Email: pastorandy@bayviewumc.org

We’re on the web:bayviewumc.org

WORSHIP SERVICE SUNDAYS:

8:15am Worship9:15am Coffee Hour10am Sunday School

10:45am Worship

OFFICE HOURS:

Monday8:30am - 1:30pm

Tuesday through Friday 8:30am - 2:00pm

Please Recycle

Easter Services Sunday, March 27th

Sunrise Service6:15am

Join us for worship as the sun rises over Lake Michigan. Service is at Muriel Blackwood and Jan Colson’s house. Directions are available in the Gathering Space. We will have some chairs there, but encourage you to bring your own.

Please dress for the weather.

Early Service9:00am

In the Sanctuary

Mid-Morning10:45am

In the Sanctuary