Dear Friends,
Each year during the month of June our church joins about 5,000 other American Baptist Churches in receiving the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering. Your gifts to this offering make a world of difference to people in our country, as well as to people half a world away. In fact, as I write this letter, OGHS donations are being directed to both China, for earthquake relief, and to Myammar (Burma) for relief from the cyclone that hit that region a couple of weeks ago.
Gifts to the One Great Hour of Sharing help not only in emergency relief situations, but by helping families and villages around the world build lives and communities that are healthy, safe and sustainable. One Great Hour of Sharing:
· Helps rebuild communities ravaged by natural disasters
· Creates sustainable sources of income for rural villages
· Provides micro-credit to women to start poverty-escaping businesses
· Teaches trades and job skills
· Offers children a chance to survive past the age of 5 and go to school
· And much more.
Here is one example of “and much more.” In the remote villages of Bonde, Ethiopia, the cost to dig and finish one well is $200. With the well nearby, which is made possible through OGHS funds, the lives of the villagers changes dramatically for the better by having a source of clean water close by.
Here is a second example of “and much more.” In refugee camps all around the world, people fleeing war or natural disaster find shelter and the support to begin rebuilding their lives. Through OGHS funds, families are provided a tent, blankets, water, latrines, and a month’s worth of food, for a cost of about $380.
Your gifts do make a difference! And they gladden the heart of God, who promises that those who respond to need, “shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail” (Isaiah 58:11.)
An offering envelope is provided in this newsletter for your gift. Thank you for your generosity.
Sincerely Yours,
Pastor Jim
P.S. Since the OGHS offering is used in part for Refugee assistance, the Ministry Council feels it appropriate for any who want to, to designate any amount of their OGHS offering to our refugee family. If you choose to do so, simply mark on your envelope a “R” with a circle around it, and state the amount designated for the Refugee family, and the designated amount for OGHS. And thank you! Your giving to help others less fortunate and to help our refugees has been outstanding!
Friday, May 30, 2008
Laughter Is Good Medicine
Norman Cousins, the man who laughed himself well in 1964, shows that by simply changing your mindset and attitude or emotion towards an illness even the nastiest aliments can be reversed (“Anatomy of an Illness”).
"Our bodies’ healing system responds to positive thoughts, moods, and emotions, and negatively to depression, anxiety, pessimism, loneliness and hopelessness. A well-developed sense of humor can be an excellent coping mechanism. Laughter contributes to physical health by relaxing tense muscles, reducing the production of stress hormones, lowering blood pressure and enhancing the immune system. It improves emotional health since laughter is a protective factor against anxiety and depression. It can improve social health by creating a bond between people of diverse backgrounds. There are no known negative side effects to laughter."
We need to cultivate our sense of fun. Children laugh 300 times a day. That number falls to 15 with adults. Laughter is literally the sound of play. Do at least one fun thing every day. Remember the “key” that distinguishes situations in which being playful is appropriate from those in which it’s not; real humor is based on love – not on an agenda such as putting someone down.
Look for humor. List stressful situations, and then look to see if you can find something funny in them. Can you think of challenging situations that you have been through that now, upon reflection, make you smile? A wise person once said when you are in the midst of a difficult situation and if there is the slightest chance you might look back on it some day and laugh about it, start laughing now.
From the Samaritan Counseling Center of the Fox Valley
Tutoring
The Literacy Education Services and the Fox Valley Literacy Coalition are making available Tutor Training, which would be helpful for tutoring our refugee family. Tutor Training will be held on Monday and Wednesday nights, 6:00 to 9:30 pm, June 23, 25, 30 and July 2 (attendance is required each night.) In addition, Tutor Orientation is required as well. There are two options for this: Monday, June 16, from 4:00 to 5:00 pm., and Wednesday, June 18, from 6:00 to 7:00 pm. For more information and to receive a registration form, please see Pastor Jim or contact the Fox Valley Literacy Coalition.
You Know You’re Having A Bad Day When…
· Your doctor tells you that you are allergic to chocolate chip cookies
· You have to borrow from your VISA to pay off your MASTERCARD
· You realize that you have memorized the back of your cereal box.
· People think you are 40…and you really are
· Everyone is laughing but you.
· You have to borrow from your VISA to pay off your MASTERCARD
· You realize that you have memorized the back of your cereal box.
· People think you are 40…and you really are
· Everyone is laughing but you.
Music Sunday
The Adult Choir, the Children’s Choir, the Flute Choir, and other special music will highlight our Music Sunday, which will be held during our regular worship time of 9:00 am, on Sunday, June 1st. We hope you can join us!
Tree Farm News:
Camping Weekends still Available!
Are you looking for a place to vacation? There are still weeks or weekends available at the Tree Farm. Only one hour from home.
A big THANK YOU to everyone who helped with "Workday". It was a huge success with 35 workers participating and making a big job easier. Thank You! Thank You!
Our next Tree Farm Church Potluck will be July 13th. This is a brunch! Meeting will be held following our meal. Everyone is invited.
Reservations, questions, or anything else on your mind regarding the Tree Farm can be directed to Dave & Donna Mentink. dmentink@centurytel.net
Bell Timber, Inc. will be having their annual tree farm meeting on Friday, June 20,2008. It will be at Barron, WI about one hour north of Eau Claire. If you are interested in attending contact Dave or Donna.
Are you looking for a place to vacation? There are still weeks or weekends available at the Tree Farm. Only one hour from home.
A big THANK YOU to everyone who helped with "Workday". It was a huge success with 35 workers participating and making a big job easier. Thank You! Thank You!
Our next Tree Farm Church Potluck will be July 13th. This is a brunch! Meeting will be held following our meal. Everyone is invited.
Reservations, questions, or anything else on your mind regarding the Tree Farm can be directed to Dave & Donna Mentink. dmentink@centurytel.net
Bell Timber, Inc. will be having their annual tree farm meeting on Friday, June 20,2008. It will be at Barron, WI about one hour north of Eau Claire. If you are interested in attending contact Dave or Donna.
Congratulations, Graduates!
• Neil Mongan, from Neenah High School
• Heather Stilp from Winneconne High School
• Craig Hoehne from Fox Valley Tech
• Jeremy Rose from Fox Valley Tech
• Josh Rose from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater
• Heather Stilp from Winneconne High School
• Craig Hoehne from Fox Valley Tech
• Jeremy Rose from Fox Valley Tech
• Josh Rose from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater
Father’s Day History
The idea of celebrating "Father's Day" originated in 1909 in Washington. Sonora Smart got this idea while listening to a Mother's Day sermon. She thought of a special day to honor her father, William Smart. William Smart was widowed when his wife died while giving birth to their sixth child. William raised all the six children by himself. When Sonora grew into an adult, she realized the courage and selflessness shown by her father. Sonora's father was born in June, so she decided to celebrate the first Father's Day celebration on June 19, 1910. President Calvin Coolidge, in 1924, supported the idea of a national Father's Day. The National Father's Day Committee was formed in New York City in 1926. A Joint Resolution of Congress recognized Father's day in 1956. Then in 1966 President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the 3rd Sunday of June as Father's Day. President Richard Nixon signed the law, which finally made it permanent in 1972. Happy Father’s Day to our dads!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
A New Opportunity to Share
Dear Friends,
God has blessed us with a wonderful opportunity! A family of refugees from Burma are coming to our area and we have been asked to be their sponsor. Did you know that Jesus and his family were refugees? Shortly after Jesus was born, King Herod found out about the new-born king, and so he went about killing all boys two years of age and younger. Jesus and his family were forced to flee to Egypt. Jesus, Mary and Joseph became political refugees in Egypt until it was safe to go back to Israel. Later, during His ministry, Jesus talked about welcoming the stranger (in this case refugee.) In Matthew 25 Jesus said, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” When we welcome the stranger, the refugee, we are welcoming Jesus! By time you receive this newsletter, the refugee family will already be here. Their names are: Htoo Moo Khu (father); Paw Hsar Say (mother); Moo Hsar Blut (8 year-old boy); Paw Mu Nay Blu (one year-old girl.) This family comes from the Karen people, a people reached with the Gospel by our American Baptist Missionaries. It is a good chance that this family is Baptist and has a direct link to our American Baptist missionary work in Burma.
Our new friends from Burma come with hardly anything. In time they will get assistance from governmental agencies and begin looking for work so that they can support themselves. But in the meantime they look to sponsors to help them with housing, transportation, utilities, groceries, and so forth. That’s where we come in. We will be helping to meet these needs during the next three months.
Not only will we strive to meet their physical needs, but we will strive to meet their emotional needs as well. They come to the Fox Cities knowing no other people from their country other than Htoo Moo Khu’s two sisters, who are also coming to this area. We are their support group – their new friends who will help them feel welcomed. We are the ones who will encourage them in this journey in their lives. This won’t be too difficult to do. Some of us may bring a meal to them. Some may stop over and just converse with them. Some may invite them to a picnic, a ballgame, a church function, or show them the sights and sounds of our community. Yes, this is a ministry we can do!
Several years ago, when we were looking at goals for our church, one goal was to sponsor a “big event.” Most of us thought in terms of hosting a concert or something similar. I believe sponsoring this family of refugees is our big event! I believe God is providing us this opportunity to help us grow as a church, to step in the waters of faith and see if we will trust Him. To be sure, sponsoring this family will challenge us. We might be challenged with language barriers. (I believe Htoo and Paw Hsar know some English, but I’m not sure how much.) We will be challenged with sacrificial giving for to sponsor this family will require our financial support. We will be challenged to make ourselves available as friends to people who are very different than us, yet like us are children of God.
This is a great opportunity for our church to serve Christ and serve God’s people. Let us embrace it wholeheartedly and enthusiastically. I believe that if we do, not only will we bless this family, but we’ll be amazed in the ways we are blessed as well.
In Christ,
Pastor Jim
American Baptist Connections to Burma
Our mission work in Burma can be traced back to nearly 200 years ago. Baptist missionaries, Adoniram and Ann Judson, arrived in Burma in 1813. Baptist work in this Southeast Asian country grew, especially among ethnic minorities in Burma (including the Karen people, from which our refugees come,) who have been persecuted throughout the time Baptists have been in the country. A political change in the government, in the 1960’s, forced missionaries to leave, including American Baptist missionaries. However, American Baptists continue to maintain strong ties with the Myanmar (the new name for Burma,) Baptist Convention, which is over 100 years old. Presently, American Baptists share over $100,000 annually in resources directly in Myanmar for education, development, relief and outreach ministry. American Baptists also provide $100,000 annually in resources and direct services to refugees living in Northern Thailand. More than 500,000 have fled Myanmar for the refugee camps due to years of persecution. Thousands of ethnic Karen and Chin refugees from Burma are now coming to the United States, escaping repression and violence, to find freedom and new life in America. Meanwhile, back in Burma, the army continues to attack unarmed Karen, Karenni, and other villages.
Who are Refugees?
Refugees are individuals or families who seek safety outside their country because of well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or because of political opinions. The family we are sponsoring has spent 10 years in a refugee camp due to the persecution they have experienced.
Mission Lunch
We have many of our church family who minister outside of our church doors. For example, we have volunteers with Community Table, Community Clothes Closet, Habitat, Brigade, and so forth. These volunteers serve in the name of Jesus and make a wonderful difference in our community.
On Sunday, May 18, we are having a Mission Lunch following our worship service to recognize those involved with mission outside of our church doors. We are asking those of you who volunteer in our community to briefly share about your ministry. This is an opportunity for all of us to see and hear the difference our church makes in our community through our members who serve in some way. We’re looking to learn about the various ministries our church family is involved in, the responsibilities of the ministries, the kind of commitment it requires, the way it blesses the volunteers, etc.
The Mission Lunch is for the whole church family. Meat will be provided – please bring a side dish, a salad, or a dessert.
Tree Farm News
Time to get out of your rocking chair! Join us at the Tree Farm for a day of fresh-air; food; and a little bit of muscle workout and some fun!
· Date: Saturday, May 17th
· Time: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
· Bring: rakes, cleaning supplies, and your energy!
· Reservations are helpful. Email or phone: dmentink@centurytel.net; 920-787-3455. If you plan to camp overnight, contact the Mentinks so power and water would be turned on.
You Know You Are Having A Bad Day When…
· It costs more to fill up your car than it did to buy it.
· You wake up to the soothing sound of running water…and remember that you just bought a
waterbed.
· The bird singing outside your window is a vulture.
· Your income tax refund check bounces.You put both contact lenses in the same eye
Our mission work in Burma can be traced back to nearly 200 years ago. Baptist missionaries, Adoniram and Ann Judson, arrived in Burma in 1813. Baptist work in this Southeast Asian country grew, especially among ethnic minorities in Burma (including the Karen people, from which our refugees come,) who have been persecuted throughout the time Baptists have been in the country. A political change in the government, in the 1960’s, forced missionaries to leave, including American Baptist missionaries. However, American Baptists continue to maintain strong ties with the Myanmar (the new name for Burma,) Baptist Convention, which is over 100 years old. Presently, American Baptists share over $100,000 annually in resources directly in Myanmar for education, development, relief and outreach ministry. American Baptists also provide $100,000 annually in resources and direct services to refugees living in Northern Thailand. More than 500,000 have fled Myanmar for the refugee camps due to years of persecution. Thousands of ethnic Karen and Chin refugees from Burma are now coming to the United States, escaping repression and violence, to find freedom and new life in America. Meanwhile, back in Burma, the army continues to attack unarmed Karen, Karenni, and other villages.
Who are Refugees?
Refugees are individuals or families who seek safety outside their country because of well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or because of political opinions. The family we are sponsoring has spent 10 years in a refugee camp due to the persecution they have experienced.
Mission Lunch
We have many of our church family who minister outside of our church doors. For example, we have volunteers with Community Table, Community Clothes Closet, Habitat, Brigade, and so forth. These volunteers serve in the name of Jesus and make a wonderful difference in our community.
On Sunday, May 18, we are having a Mission Lunch following our worship service to recognize those involved with mission outside of our church doors. We are asking those of you who volunteer in our community to briefly share about your ministry. This is an opportunity for all of us to see and hear the difference our church makes in our community through our members who serve in some way. We’re looking to learn about the various ministries our church family is involved in, the responsibilities of the ministries, the kind of commitment it requires, the way it blesses the volunteers, etc.
The Mission Lunch is for the whole church family. Meat will be provided – please bring a side dish, a salad, or a dessert.
Tree Farm News
Time to get out of your rocking chair! Join us at the Tree Farm for a day of fresh-air; food; and a little bit of muscle workout and some fun!
· Date: Saturday, May 17th
· Time: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
· Bring: rakes, cleaning supplies, and your energy!
· Reservations are helpful. Email or phone: dmentink@centurytel.net; 920-787-3455. If you plan to camp overnight, contact the Mentinks so power and water would be turned on.
You Know You Are Having A Bad Day When…
· It costs more to fill up your car than it did to buy it.
· You wake up to the soothing sound of running water…and remember that you just bought a
waterbed.
· The bird singing outside your window is a vulture.
· Your income tax refund check bounces.You put both contact lenses in the same eye
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)