GOSPEL NEWS

The Newsletter for the St. Charles United Methodist and

Dover Community Churches

January 2018

Pastor: Rev. Heather E. Klason

Church Office: 824 Church Avenue, St. Charles, MN

Telephone: 507-932-4966 (O), 507-932-4931 (H), 320-290-7460 (Pastor’s cell)

Email: Church: scdumcs@hbci.com Pastor: pastor.scdumcs@hbci.com

Website: http://www.scdmethodist.com

Shalom

We begin a new year – 2018. To prepare to write, I chose some quotes, which I will now share.

Maya Angelou - If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your

attitude.

Brad Paisley - "Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one."

Neale Donald Walsch - "Life begins at the end of your comfort zone."

C.S.Lewis - "There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind."

Rainer Maria Rilke - "And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been."

Mister Eckhart - "And suddenly you know: It's time to start something new and trust the magic

of beginnings."

Paulo Coehlo - "If you're brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello."

Jeremiah 29:11 tells us “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “plans to prosper

you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”

Often we begin with a look over our shoulder and a plan to make it different this year somehow, some

way. It is the source of the resolutions we make and break.

But what if this year could truly be different? If it was only to look forward with hope, courage and

expectation. What if all that was needed was a change in attitude? Think about it. What if you began

each day with an attitude of hope, expectation and possibility? In the words of the above authors,

poets, singers and a prophet, we can see new beginnings, courage to expect difference and be accepting

of that, and a gaze that remains focused ahead. To push beyond the known into the unknown

opportunities God will place before us - Jeremiah reminds us of the source of that confidence.

And what if we ended each day with reflection on that for which we are grateful and gave Jesus a

thank you? Each day would bring a new awareness of the blessings contained that we could now antici-

pate and experience – ‘full of things that have never been’. Add to that prayer, with confidence, what

help is needed for the following day, and the new blank page is prepared.

A wish for the newness that lies ahead …

Pastor Heather

From the Pulpit – Seasons of the Spirit

January 7 – Baptism of the Lord

Genesis 1:1-5; Acts 19:1-7

“Wrestle with the Texts”

Keep your eyes open this week for God’s leading in unusual situations.

January 14 – Second Sunday after the Epiphany

Focus Text: 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20)

“Discerning God’s Call”

This week, talk with a friend about the times when you just want to go back to bed.

What calls you to get up anyway?

January 21 – Third Sunday after the Epiphany

Focus Text: Mark 1:14–20

“Casting Call”

This week, list three things you’d : be thrilled to leave behind to follow God

and three things that would be really hard to leave.

January 28 – 4th Sunday after the Epiphany

FocusText: Mark 1:21–28

“Called to Truthful Love”

Whose voice do you give authority?

Pay close attention to that person this week and see if you can figure out why.

February 4 – 5th Sunday after the Epiphany

Focus Text: Mark 1:29–39

“Called to Healing”

So many people with so many needs.

Pray each day this week for those who heal bodies, minds, spirits, and relationships.

January, 2018

10 – The Quadrilateral

17 - Grace

24 – Family Time

31 – Prayer

Pastor Heather and ‘Gary will

be on vacation until Jan. 9

to spend time with family.

Rev. Debra Collum is on

call . (507-923-1097)

St. Charles United Methodist Church Administrative Council Meeting

December 13, 2017

Members present: Troy Henry, Allan Fagan, Dianna Pulley, Sue Stefanich, and Pastor Heather.

After devotions and prayer by Pastor Heather, the meeting was called to order by Chairperson Allan Fagan.

Worship:

Pastor Heather will be gone on vacation December 25 – January 9 Troy Henry will decide and notify needed people in case of weather cancellations. Jon Arnold will lead the service on Dec. 31. Pulpit supply will be needed for Jan. 7. Allan will open the church on Dec. 31 and Jan. 7.

Lent:

SCUMC will have services on Feb. 21, March 14, and March 29

The Ad. Council will be in charge of the meal for Feb. 21

Confirmation will do the meal for March 14.

March 29 will be Maundy Thursday. UMW does the meal.

Offerings will be for:

Feb. 21 will be for the Hometown Resource Center

March 14 will be for UMCOR.

The Joint Ad Council will discuss the rotation for Easter Services.

Funeral hosting:

Allan will be contact to set up tables.

Dianna will be contact to serve meal.

Trustees:

The State inspector for the boiler will be coming soon.

Troy will have the key for the pastor’s garage to get the snow blower

to use for snow removal while Pastor Heather is on vacation

Troy will be the contact for snow removal while the pastor is gone.

There is a bill for grit for the sidewalk at Ag. Specialists. Dianna will stop and pay it.

Finances:

Apportionments will be paid on full for 2017.

The 2018 budget was distributed. It was motioned and passed to approve the 2018 budget as presented.

The boiler fund has begun with $3800 presently in it.

The estimate to replace the boiler is $40.650.

Sue bought things for the “Giving Tree”. It was motioned and passed to reimburse her $75.

The “Noisy Offering” will go to UMCOR.

The wheelchair will be brought up to the sanctuary level with a sign to tell people it is there.

It was motioned and passed to sponsor the school carnival at the $50 level.

Meeting was adjourned with the Lord’s Prayer.

Next meeting will be February 7, 2018.

Respectfully submitted, Dianna Pulley

Thank you Marcie Dabelstein, Kendra Henry,

Jennifer Mitchell, Melinda Kieffer,

Jill Magnuson, the children and all others who

helped with the fun, wonderful, inspiring

Christmas programs.

2018 Dover Community Church Officers

Position Name

Administrative Council

Chair Jennifer Mitchell

Recording Secretary Betty Pedersen

Lay Leader

Financial Secretary Betty Pedersen

Lay Delegate (Still Needed)

Finance Committee Chair Shelley Wegman

Trustee Co-Chair Steve Harvey

Trustee Co-Chair Brian Kieffer

Membership Committee Marge Fix

Sunday School Superintendent Jennifer Mitchell

Jill Harvey

Jill Magnuson

Melinda Kieffer

Amber Myers

Trustees

Co-Chair Steve Harvey

Co-Chair Brian Kieffer

Joint

Staff/Pastor Relations Committee

Co-Chair D Casey Ihrke

Co-Chair D Amber Myers

D Mickey Badker

S Cheryl Hinckley

S Helen Tollefson

S Jubal Snitker

Lay Delegate S Peggy Carlson

Lay Leader (St. Charles) S Jon Arnold

Lay Leader (Dover) D

Committee on Mission

Engagements Council

Communion Steward Nancy Kieffer

Worship

D Betty Pedersen

D Geri Ihrke

April, 2018

Join the confirmation class in a 21 day study in April

Volunteers needed to be group leaders for the 21 day challenge and will train together

The book is available for electronic readers, including the participants book.

We will ordering books as the time grows closer.

Sign up to participate – join confirmation to make this an all church study!

2018 St. Charles United Methodist Church Officers

Position Name

Administrative Council

Chair Allan Fagan

Recording Secretary Dianna Pulley

Lay Leader Jon Arnold

Church Treasurer Shelly Wegman

Assistant Treasurer Teri Arnold

Financial Secretary Sue Stefanich

Lay Delegate Peggy Carlson

Finance Committee Chair Lee Carlson

Trustee Chair Troy Henry

SPPR Co-Chair Casey Flury

SPPR Co-Chair Amber Myers

UMW President Dianna Pulley

Staff/Pastor Relations Committee

Co-Chair D Casey Ihrke

Co-Chair D Amber Myers

D Mickey Badker

S Cheryl Hinckley

S Jubal Snitker

S Helen Tollefson

Lay Delegate S Peggy Carlson

Lay Leader S Jon Arnold

Lay Leader D

Trustees

Chair Troy Henry

Marion Decker

Steve Pearson

Jon Arnold

Mark Roubinek

Rick Dabelstein

Emeritus Dick Kvam

Committee on Lay Leader-

ship Teri Arnold

(aka Nominations Commit-

tee) Barb Traxler

Jill Butson

Membership Committee Al Fagan

Barb Traxler

Linda Ferguson

Committee on Finance

Chair Lee Carlson

Financial Secretary Sue Stefanich

Assistant Treasurer Teri Arnold

Trustees Troy Henry

Lay Leader Jon Arnold

Treasurer Shelly Wegman

Lay Delegate at Large Janell Pearson

Communion Stewards Carol Mueske

Jill Hutsell

Helen Tollefson

Worship Committee

Marion Decker

Rory Ellsworth

Jon & Teri Arnold

Marcie Dabelstein

Hamline University Rep

Historian

Prayer Chain Carol Mueske

Dianna Pulley

Missions Jon Arnold

Lay Visitation Committee Dianna Pulley

Al Fagan

Deb Fagan

Carol Mueske

Jon Arnold

Teri Arnold

SC UMW

President Dianna Pulley

Secretary Carol Mueske

Treasurer Joan Hoff

Thursday, January 11, 2018, 3:30 - 6 :00 pm

St. Charles & Dover UMC will be distributing food at City Hall.

Volunteers needed!

3:30 - 4:30 pm Unload, Setup, Distribute food

4:30 - 6:00 pm Distribute Food & Clean up

Sign up on the clip board during worship

Keeping our church clean is everyone’s job.

When you use an area, please be sure that any food related trash is removed and the area is put back in order as it was when you began.

Thank you to Sue Stefanich, Mark Roubinek, Allan Fagan, and Jon Arnold for doing the major cleaning.

They need help!

Please sign up on the clipboard to help keep our church clean.

Thank you.

Boiler Replacement Fund

St. Charles UMC The church boiler (heating system) is getting

near the end of its lifespan (50+ years old).

The estimate to replace the boiler is

$40,000.

We recently received a generous donation to

start that fund-raising process. Please

consider making a donation to help the

church replace the boiler.

A very special thank you to everyone who

gave their time and talents to make our Advent and

Christmas season so inspiring.

May the miracle of Christmas fill our hearts through-

out the New Year!

We want to thank all who participated in any way.

Thank You!

You are so important to help spread God’s love.

Thank you for remembering Gary and I during the

Christmas season.

Pastor Heather

Thank you for your generous donations to the

Hometown Resource Center.

Our “adopt a families” are so grateful for the their gifts.

St. Charles UMC purchased gifts for 16 children and gave

$370 for food and gas.

While any and all donations are so appreciated, fruit is a vitamin filled

food for winter. Let’s fill the shelves with canned fruits.

If you would rather, money is a gladly accepted and well used.

Carol Mueske is volunteering to go to Channel One each week to pick up food . We need a backup person. Please consider this mission and contact Carol to help.

UMW Ladies” Party

for ALL Ladies of St. Charles &

Dover United Methodist Churches

Friday, January 12th, 6:00 pm

Potluck

St. Charles Fellowship Hall

Please bring a white elephant gift to exchange

Come and enjoy the fun!

Winter weather is upon us. When there is inclement weather, be sure

to check to see if Worship has been cancelled.

Cancellations can be heard on KTTC TV, KXLT TV and KNXR

and KFSI Radio Stations.

We will also send out e-mails to those who we have e-mail addresses.

If school is closed or closes early, there will not activities at the church that evening.

Please be safe this winter!

January Birthdays and Anniversaries

Please Remember these People

in Your Prayers Vicki Marquart

Julie Gettler

Wade Messerschmidt

Roy Holst

Jan Behrens

If you know of anyone in the hospital or in need of prayers, visits, or who would like communion brought to them, please contact Pastor Heather (320-290-7460).

1 Kerry Sackreiter St. Charles

Teigen Henry St. Charles

3 Kathy Lane St. Charles

Hannah Doty St. Charles

6 Barb Disbrow St. Charles

7 Jan Campbell St. Charles

Kendra Henry St. Charles

8 Sunshine Ellsworth St. Charles

Sandy Ihrke Dover

9 Nancy Kieffer Dover

Ray Literski Dover

11 Barbara Literski Dover

12 Wayne & Janis Fix Dover

13 Phil & Renee Putzier Dover

Gary Pederson Dover

Carson Mitchell Dover

Carson Abel Dover

14 Marcie Dabelstein St. Charles

Dianna Pulley St. Charles

Olivia Geertz St. Charles

15 Jody Tilford Dover

16 Marge Fix Dover

Jeremy & Jill Magnuson Dover

17 Jubal Snitker St. Charles

19 Chris Mitchell Dover

Kaylee Hammel Dover

20 Dee Ann Pease Dover

22 Jon Arnold St. Charles

23 Alex Torres St. Charles

Tessa Ryan St. Charles

25 Sage Snitker St. Charles

Renee Putzier Dover

26 Glen Dabelstein St. Charles

Logan Kahn Dover

27 Susan Stefanich St. Charles

30 Morgan McKee St. Charles

Sarah Hinckley St. Charles

31 Myra McKay St. Charles

Vicki Koehler Dover

Ron Pulley St. Charles

Thank you so much for the Christmas gift. I am one of many who do the tasks in our churches that need done. I truly enjoy being part of this team. Thank you for your

friendship and appreciation.

Dianna

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January Worship Schedule

8:30 am Sunday Worship at St. Charles UMC

9:30 am Sunday School at SCUMC

10:00 am Sunday Worship at Dover CC

10:15 am Sunday School at Dover CC

The children’s Christmas programs

entertained us and made us reflect

about Jesus in our Christmas.

The Dover children thought of Jesus

as a super hero in “A Super

Christmas”.

Jesus was missing in the St. Charles

play called “Don’t Forget Jesus”.