THE SALT - OUR LORD UMCThe friendly Monday-Funday Fellowship group is a great way to do something...

The SALT Newsletter Adding Flavor to Life March 2020

It’s Time to Dig Deep

The Lenten Season is my favorite liturgical season, because purple is pretty, because Spring is not far off and because I choose to add something to enrich my life during Lent! Observing a holy Lent is often enhanced when accompanied by a friend. The companionship and shared experience expands the growth potential and it can also offer a measure of accountability. Committing to 6 weeks of something is a good challenge and a doable time frame to set an achievable goal. Whether you are looking to dig deeper into a spiritual discipline or to just dip your toe into discipleship Lent is a great season to do so.

The Church, during Lent, offers worship, study, fellowship and opportunities for response in service so that everyone can find a path into a holy Lent. Worship on Sundays will be “mini Easters” and a welcome break from the 40 day Lenten journey. Bring an open heart each week to worship in the pew and as you offer leadership, reading, singing, serving, greeting and being yourselves each week.

The First Sunday in March will celebrate Holy Communion in worship, followed by fellowship and a wonderful presentation on Worldwide Hunger Relief, by Dave Piper. This is the organization that supplies and then uses the fruit of our New Berlin Feeds Food Pack event efforts. Please plan to stay on March 1st.

Adult Sunday classes join up, beginning March 8th, and welcome anyone to attend their focused study on Holy Week by Amy-Jill Levine called “The Passion of Jesus”. See Mary Schulz or Mark Radick for details. The Intergenerational Narthex group continues to enjoy “Chuck Knows Church”.

When you’re in/about the church during the week, add to the installation (see the following article for details) your photos, artwork, poetry, single impressions, questions – whatever you’d like to share that is emerging through your Lenten journey.

Join the Tuesday @ 10 Bible study or Pr. Kelly’s Lenten reflection/Taize worship on Thursdays @ 6:30 p.m. Both groups will be using “Wondrous Love”, available in regular and large print for purchase now @ church.

Our Lords United Methodist Church 414-425-7030 1

THE SALT Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30am-12:30pm


Check out the service opportunities through United Methodist Women, help promote the church at the New Berlin Chamber: Discover New Berlin event on 3/21 or get a group committed and sign up for the New Berlin Feeds Food Pack @ Our Lord’s on 5/2 (that registration opens in March – find the link on our website.)

Gardeners will tell you that preparing soil by digging deep down to loosen the soil and to really mix any fertilizer or compost will bring forth better ‘fruit’. The root systems have an easier time establishing themselves and the sprouting plant finds ease in its search for the warmth of the sun. Giving ourselves to a deep Lent is a gift that serves our personal discipleship and it serves the kingdom God grows, by the power of the Holy Spirit, here @ Our Lord’s.

Whether you add a discipline or remove a temptation from your daily life, I invite you to join me in committing to and sharing about your holy Lent.

Peace be with each of you, Pr. Kelly

Express Your Lent: ALL are encouraged to participate!

The spiritual disciplines of fasting, prayer, abstinence and study have each given me opportunities to look at what is life-giving in my life – either by missing it or by enhancing it. I’ve had the chance to see, through a new lens, how these disciplines feed my soul and I understand more deeply, why. Sharing about our experience of Lent will enhance our collective journey toward a beautiful Easter Sunday. To that end, YOU are invited to add words and images that express your experience of Lent. This installation will be created in the Narthex and in the Fellowship Hall, by EVERYONE! You can share insights, challenges, encouragement and beautiful images of this Lent with the community. The more creative we are, the richer the Lent will be as we share deeply with one another in creative ways. As the weeks progress, our Lenten story will give us encouragement, add beauty to our journey and prepare us, as a community, for the deep experiences of Holy week.

If you’re away during Lent, email a photo of some sight that is growing your faith this Lent. Text me your stories, growth moments or words of challenge or encouragement and we’ll add them to the installation. If you’re stuck at home, call the church office and schedule a visit so that I can hear about your Lenten journey and share it with your church family.

I pray that this Lent @ Our Lord’s will be a beautiful reflection of the hard work each of us engages in during the 40 days before us. As Easter people, let us ready ourselves to truly celebrate the risen Christ.

Pr. Kelly



Weekly Reflection / Taize Worship with Pr. Kelly on Thursdays in Lent

Pick up the daily devotion “Wondrous Love” – regular and large print are available for purchase @ church. This daily study discipline will give us much to reflect on and discuss at the readings guide our Lenten journey. Taize style worship will compliment this contemplative time of weekly reflection this Lent. ALL are welcome @ 6:30 p.m. in the Wesley Room.

News from New Berlin Preschool

It is exciting to know that spring is just around the corner! New Berlin Preschool welcomed two new students in February, one in the 3K class and one in the 4K class. We are thrilled to have these families join us mid-year. This month students will take a field trip to the New Berlin Police and Fire Departments to learn the importance of staying safe at home, school, and anywhere they might be. Around March 17th, you may hear squeals of laughter and delight coming from the preschool room. We are always lucky enough to have a visit from a leprechaun or two. Do you know a family that is looking for a preschool for their 3 or 4 year old? If so, we are currently accepting registrations for the 2020-2021 school year. Information about New Berlin Preschool and registration forms can be found on our website: newberlinpreschool.com.


http://newberlinpreschool.com/


MARCH HAPPENINGS @ OUR LORDS

First Sunday Forum The First Sunday Forum will be held March 1st. ALL ages will gather from 10:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall for a presentation by Dave Piper, a representative from Worldwide Hunger Relief.

Eras Senior Network On Thursday, March 5, at 1:00 p.m., a speaker from Eras Senior Network, the new name for the service formerly called Interfaith, will tell us about this program and the services it offers. This program will be held in the Garden Room. You may ask, what does Eras do? Eras Senior Network is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to engage and support seniors, adults with disabilities, and family caregivers in leading meaningful lives. Seniors and adults with disabilities are supported by volunteers of all ages to help them maintain their independence. Eras helps individuals 55 and older stay engaged in their community through a variety of meaningful volunteer opportunities.

This information will be most useful if you are a caregiver of someone who may benefit from Eras’ services, or if you need some help getting around. Plan to come and get the details.

Blessing the Blankets On Sunday, March 8, the fleece blankets made by the Mission Crafters in the Wednesday workshops will be blessed during the service. About 18 blankets have been made and will be donated to Cathedral Center, the shelter in Milwaukee for homeless women and their children. You can see these in all their glory that Sunday as they will be spread on the backs of the pews throughout the sanctuary. Plan to be at this special service at church.

Monday-Funday Fellowship God often tells us to come and rest in His presence, to allow Him to take charge of each day. We often worry too much and carry a heavy burden with us, but God wants us to relax and enjoy the journey He has planned. Trust Him to open a new way as we move forward in life.

The friendly Monday-Funday Fellowship group is a great way to do something different and change up your routine. The next meeting date is Monday, March 16, in the conference room off the Garden Room at 10:00 a.m. ALL are welcome to attend and change up their routine on the 3rd Monday of every month.

Noisy Bucket The Noisy Bucket offering for February was given to the Caring Ministries team of Our Lords to meet its expenses for the Valentine Boxes, etc. The amount collected so far is over $75. For March, the Noisy Bucket offerings will be designated for New Berlin Feeds.



Saturday Afternoon at the Movies As part of the Saturday Afternoon at the Movies program, movies will be shown February 29, March 14, and March 28. There may be some adjustments to these dates. Any changes will be given in the weekly What’s Happening e-mail. We will gather at 1:00 p.m. in the conference room and snacks and coffee/tea will be provided. Below is a short summary of the movies we will be watching:

Saturday, February 29th “Thicker Than Water” - starring Melissa Gilbert and Lindsay Wagner. A powerful attorney learns of a bittersweet secret of her father’s past and how families are bound by honor.

Saturday, March 14th “Miracle in the Woods” - starring Della Reese and Meredith Baxter. Three generations of women are united by the gift of love. Estranged sisters are at odds after inheriting land following their mother’s death.

Saturday, March 28th “I Can Only Imagine” - starring Dennis Quaid and Trace Adkins. Be inspired by the power of forgiveness and God’s love. The true story behind the hit song by the Christian group Mercy Me.

Church Garden Now that days are getting longer, can spring be far behind? Already many gardeners have planned what they want to grow – flowers, veggies, whatever, and may even have bought the seeds already; the most popular ones do sell out before planting time!

If you do not have the space to grow veggies and flowers at you own home, why not try growing them at church? Last year, the veggies and flowers in the church garden squares were very prolific. In March (the actual date to be given in the weekly What’s Happening e-mail), a meeting will be held to discuss plans for the church garden squares. Come and give your input.

Sunday Services in March

The guest musicians and special music for March are:

Sunday, March 1: Organist, Sue Broker and the Gospel Quartet Sunday, March 8: Mission Sunday; Organist, Dennis Wolfgang, Handbells Sunday, March 15: Musicians, Tom Anderson and the Praise Team Sunday, March 22: Musicians, Sue Schulkers; Walk-In Choir w/Sue Schulkers, Handbells Sunday, March 29: Folk Worship Service w/musician Tom Anderson



ALL are invited to join in to sing in the walk-in choir on the fourth Sunday of each month. Meet in the Wesley room at 8:45 a.m. on Sunday, March 22nd for rehearsal and/or contact the church office [email protected] ahead of time to receive a copy of the month’s song selection.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION @ OUR LORDS

Intergenerational Learning Join us on Sundays in the Narthex at 10:45 a.m. for more fun and educational episodes of “Chuck Knows Church”. This is a short educational series for ALL ages to learn about a variety of aspects of church life.

Christian Living Class & Sunday AM Bible Study Class Beginning Sunday, March 8th, both adult Sunday school classes will combine and begin a focused study on Holy Week by Amy-Jill Levine called “The Passion of Jesus”. All are welcome to attend.

Tuesday AM Bible Study Class If you cannot stay for the Sunday morning Bible Study class, you have another opportunity to learn more about God’s word. This class meets every week on Tuesday morning in the Wesley Room next to the sanctuary from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. During the season of Lent the group will be reading and discussing topics from the Lenten devotional book, “Wondrous Love”. Copies are available for purchase in the narthex at a cost of $3.

REACHING OUT TO THOSE IN NEED IN 2020

It is time to mark your calendars to reach out to those in need in our communities. If you cannot go to serve, why not plan to provide part of the meal at the Cathedral Center or provide milk, coffee, and/or cookies for The Gathering? Your contributions will be greatly appreciated. The dates Our Lords has committed to serve at these sites are given on next page.


mailto:[email protected]


Cathedral Center The dates to serve at the Cathedral Center are March 16, Monday; April 28, Tuesday (note the day change); October 19, Monday; November 9.

UMW has committed to serve at the Cathedral Center on Tuesday, April 28. Help will be needed to provide a meal for 50 – 60 people. Many hands will be needed to prepare this food, so please mark the date on your calendar and think about how you can help.

The Gathering - a mission supported by Our Lords UMC The Gathering is a community of guests, volunteers and staff united by a common goal: to feed the hungry in body, mind and spirit. Ten to eleven meals are provided each week, cooked on site at four Milwaukee locations, to those who would otherwise go hungry. They also offer services associated with ending hunger and homelessness, and work to educate our community on hunger issues. The Gathering serves 51 weeks out of the year, closing for one week between Christmas and New Year’s and on major holidays, with some exceptions. For more information on The Gathering, go to http://www.thegatheringwis.org/

Our Lord’s UMC, along with Memorial UMC, serves at The Gathering 4 Saturdays each year at the NEAR SOUTH SIDE SITE: Christian Faith Fellowship Church East 724 South Layton Blvd. (S. 27th Street near the Mitchell Park Domes). This year, our Saturdays to serve are: 4/18/2020, 5/30/2020, 9/19/2020, and 10/24/2020. Are you able to help? Mark one or more of these dates on your calendar and plan to join us.

On those Saturdays, Our Lord’s needs 5-7 volunteers from 9:45 a.m. until 1 p.m. We prepare some of the food and assist the cooks in getting ready to serve. We welcome guests about 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. with warm smiles as we serve food and clean up afterwards. Come and work with fellow United Methodists as we assist in this community based meal program.

UMW has committed to serve at The Gathering on Saturday, September 19. Since the people served by the Gathering really appreciate homemade cookies, UMW may have a cookie baking session at church. Please watch for details closer to the date.



Caring Ministries The Caring Ministry Team would like to thank the church for their help with the college boxes. There was enough candy and treats for us to fill 11 boxes: 9 went to our students, here in Wisconsin, one went to Texas and one to Nebraska. Also, we would like to give thanks for the donations collected from the February noisy bucket.

Remember if there is any need or help that we can give to support our church attendees, just call the office and know that we will be glad to reach out in love!

Mission Crafters The Mission Crafters had a most successful time making fleece blankets for the people served by Cathedral Center. Many thanks to Rachel Kaufman and Debbie Huyck for cutting the ties; that job is hard on the hands and wrists, but they persevered. The crafters will continue to meet on Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. in the Garden Room. Until plans are finalized for a new mission project, they will continue to knit and crochet or perhaps sew needed items.

Church Library Ruth Bock and Gwenda Szczygielski worked on the church library getting the new books for the 2020 UMW Reading Program (House in the Sky, Feathered, Tilly and the Crazy Eights, Midnight Teacher, and Working Class Rage) on the shelves. Books no longer eligible for the UMW Reading Program (they are only eligible for six years, or 2015 - 2020) have been recategorized and will be put in the designated categories in the church library. To make space for these additions, other books were weeded out and offered to the church congregation. Those that were not taken were donated to Goodwill.


Special Announcement: The Wisconsin Delegation to General & Jurisdictional Conferences has scheduled informational sessions throughout the Wisconsin Annual Conference in the coming months. The purpose of these gatherings is to provide information and answer questions on what is coming before the General Conference in May and Jurisdictional Conference in July. These sessions are open to all whom are interested.

South East District March 10, 7:00 p.m. Fifth Avenue UMC, 323 S. 5th Ave, West Bend, WI. 53095 March 19, 6:00 p.m. Waukesha: First UMC, 121 Wisconsin Ave,Waukesha 53186 April 4, 1:00 p.m. Milwaukee: Central UMC, 639 N 25th St, Milwaukee 53233 April 18, 9:30 a.m. Milton UMC, 241 Northside Dr, Milton 53563


Easter Flowers Easter flower order forms will be in the bulletin and the Narthex beginning March 1st. This year several different varieties of flowers will be available for purchase, including Easter lilies, tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and geraniums. Also available for purchase will be larger plants such as azaleas and hydrangeas. Orders need to be put in the offering plate or turned in to the church office with payment by Sunday, March 22nd. Contact the church office at 414-425-7030 or [email protected] if you need an order form mailed to you.

Sundays @ Our Lords There are several ways to serve on Sunday mornings.

*Ushers are needed to greet guests, hand out bulletins, help with offering. *Acolytes are needed to light & extinguish candles at the beginning & end of worship. *Liturgists are needed to help with readings during worship service. *Singers, musicians, and bell ringers are needed to provide special music during worship. *Snacks and juice need to be provided and set up for fellowship time. *Tech room is always looking for volunteers to help with audio and sound during worship.

Sign up in the Narthex and/or contact the church office to learn more about volunteering @ Our Lords.


Sue Radzius 3/2 Mark McGarry 3/14

Wenda Cichucki 3/5 Marge Mewhorter 3/19

Pete Merschdorf 3/5 Peggy Wucinski 3/20

Mary McGarry 3/7 Ruth Bock 3/26

Izzy Veit 3/9 Dave Pauly 3/27

Kathy Depies 3/11

mailto:[email protected]



Third annual New Berlin Feeds Event

May 1-2, 2020

Registration begins March 2nd, 2020

Invite your family & friends!

Visit www.ourlordsumc.com for all details

http://www.ourlordsumc.com

http://www.ourlordsumc.com

THE SALT - OUR LORD UMCThe friendly Monday-Funday Fellowship group is a great way to do something...

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