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THIS WEEK
Mason United Methodist Church
A theologically progressive,
open, and affirming faith community.
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors.
February 23rd - March 2nd, 2023
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Follow Pastor Susan's adventures
in Maua, Kenya via Mason's Facebook page, or check out her
blog:
The Recovering Pastor (click here)
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PUT IT ON YOUR CALENDAR.... | |
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CALENDAR of EVENTS
Wednesday, 2/22
12:30 - No Living the Questions
5:30 - No Living the Questions
5:30 - Ash Wednesday Service
Thursday, 2/23
1:00 - No Living the Questions
6:30 - No Living the Questions
Sunday, 2/26
10:00 - Sunday Morning Worship –
Rev. Derek Nakano
11:00 - Fellowship Hour
11:30 - Church Clean-up
11:30 - SPRC Meeting
Monday, 2/27
Church office closed
Tuesday, 2/28
9:30 - Calling Group Meets
Wednesday, 3/1
12:30 - No Living the Questions
5:30 - No Living the Questions
Thursday, 3/2
10:30 - Retirees Fellowship Time
1:00 - No Living the Questions
6:30 - No Living the Questions
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STANDING
ADMINISTRATIVE MEETINGS
If you are on one of the committees below, please save the dates for meetings in your calendar.
1st Sunday of the Month at 11:30
AD COUNCIL (all are invited!)
2nd Sunday of the month @ 11:30
TRUSTEES
3rd Sunday of the month at 11:30
DREAMING TEAM
5:00 - FINANCE
4th Sunday of the month at 11:30
SPRC
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PROJECT MASON..................... | |
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Project Mason is the name we've given the team who is dedicated to doing the hard, time-consuming, complicated work of re-visioning Mason United Methodist Church for the future. The vision is for Mason to be church in worship and service, in God and neighbor. Keep an open mind and open heart for the Spirit to do the Spirit's work through us.
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MASON NEEDS YOUR INPUT!
Hello Mason Church! The Project Mason team is looking for specific feedback in order to make decisions that best reflect the needs and desires of our congregation. Whether you come to church regularly, used to come and don't anymore, are a member or not, please take a few minutes and fill out the following survey. If you can’t access this survey digitally, there are hard copies available in the church foyer or upon request from the church office.
Thank you,
Dana Lede
CLICK HERE TO TAKE SURVEY: https://forms.gle/N1aKm1f8n1qrbbeu5
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A note from our Project Mason Team:
Greetings Mason!
As you know, we are cleaning out the church. As in now, not months from now. We need this both for Annual Conference, and because it hasn’t been done in years. We need to remove at least 50% of items currently stored throughout the church; if it hasn’t been used in the last ten years, we cannot and should not keep it. We cannot be in a mindset of “we might need that down the road.”
The only things we are throwing out are broken items, items missing pieces, or older plastics which contain harmful chemicals. We are trying very hard not to get rid of things people might want, but we cannot keep it all. The items we don’t currently have a use for are currently stored in the classroom on the north side of the education wing. We would be glad if you would come by after church and see if there’s anything you want to keep. Anything not taken (and not belonging to UWF) will be donated. This process will repeat again next month. The schedule will continue to be posted in this newsletter and the bulletin.
I know this is very hard for some. We continue to pray for guidance, and that we can honor the past during this process.
Again, I know this is hard for many. If you are concerned or have questions, the appropriate people to talk to are David Wilson or myself.
Prayerfully,
Dana Lede
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HOW WE WORSHIP................ | |
WORSHIP WHILE PASTOR SUSAN IS IN AFRICA | |
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Pastor Susan is in Kenya until mid-March. She will be gone for three Sundays but we have generous volunteers who will be filling in.
February 26: Rev. Derek Nakano (District Superintendent)
March 5: Rev. Jim Simpson (retired UMC pastor)
March 12: Rev. Dr. Del Permann
Rev. Derek will be staying after worship in the Parlor to chat with you about anything. This is a good time for you to ask questions about "Project Mason" from the Conference’s point of view.
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While Pastor Susan is out of town, Del Permann and Jim Simpson are providing emergency pastoral support. If you need emergency pastoral care, please contact them.
Del Permann
cell: 715-222-9344
email: delbert.permann@gmail.com
Jim Simpson
phone: 253-229-0340
email: grampajim2014@gmail.com
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While Pastor Susan is away, recordings of the full service will be available on our Facebook page only.
Thank you for your patience and understanding!
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2/19/23 Attendance
36 Adults
3 Worship Leaders
4 Children
3 Nursery Attendants
TOTAL: 46
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SERVICE IS LIVE ON FACEBOOK LIVE.
JOIN US SUNDAYS AT 10:00
Be sure to make a comment so we can record your attendance. Here is a link to our Facebook page.
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Your Generosity is Greatly Appreciated!
Make your giving easy.
Pay through Paypal or with your credit/debit card in the church's office.
Click below to go directly to
Paypal on our website.
Paypal on Mason's Website
Earn all you can. Save all you can. Give all you can. - John Wesley
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HOW WE LEARN................ | |
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LIVING THE QUESTIONS
Pastor Susan is in Africa.
Living the Questions classes will resume on
March 15 and 16 beginning with chapter 17:
INCARNATION: DIVINELY HUMAN (click title)
AFTERNOON - Wed 12:30 – 2:00pm. - Thurs. from 1:00 – 2:30pm.
EVENING Wed.5:30 – 7:00pm and Thurs. 6:30 – 8:00pm
Join us anytime in person OR by ZOOM
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HOW WE SERVE................ | |
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N.O.W.
Nurture - Outreach - Witness
Thank you to all who donated to the Supper Bowl competition. Items were counted and Team Kansas City had the most items with 320. The Eagles came in with 124 items, and the Seahawks had 158 items, but the real winner is the food bank. These items will be greatly appreciated by those who use our food bank.
Remember to grab a bag for the individual asking for help on the corner. Keep it in your car. You never know when you will be able to share it with someone in need.
We continue to need items for additional the bags. A few additional suggestions include: a comb, lip balm, deodorant, wipes, and a variety of food items like protein bars or fruit chews.
If you have questions or want to help, please let me know.
Gail Simpson
jsimpsfam@comcast.net
253-229-0343
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BREAKING BREAD with OASIS QUEER YOUTH PROGRAM
A note from Syra Beth, the coordinator of this ministry:
“I am happy to say that with organization, we seem to be off to a good start. I'd like to thank Kathy Sprick, Jennifer Permann, and Lavonne Hoivik and our trusty driver Dick Wittstock for their great contributions this month. Without them, the plan wouldn't work.”
If you are interested in helping with this ministry, please reach out to Syra Beth Puett. You can contact her via email at syr07@nventure.com, or call her at 253-651-7869.
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BLESSING BAGS FOR UNHOUSED PEOPLE
This is an Outreach Ministry that we can all participate in.
This is an easy ministry that is greatly needed. Please let Gail Simpson know if this is something you would like to participate in.
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Help us organize and clean!
In preparation to host services for Annual Conference this July, we are cleaning and organizing the forgotten spaces of Mason UMC. We will be cleaning and organizing the church on these upcoming dates:
Sunday, Feb. 26th at 11:30
If you or someone you know would like to help please feel free to come by. If you have any questions, please reach out to David Wilson at davidw2000@yahoo.com.
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UMCOR RESPONSE TO EARTHQUAKES IN TURKEY AND SYRIA
The earthquake destroyed buildings in the town of Jandaris,
near Afrin, Syria.Credit: Rami al-Sayed/AFP/Getty
By Susan Clark
ATLANTA (February 9, 2023) – A 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck southern Turkey at 4:17 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 6, 2023, the most powerful earthquake recorded since 1939. In the hours that followed, at least 78 aftershocks were reported, followed by a second earthquake of 7.5 magnitude.
The earthquake and aftershocks also impacted northwest Syria, where 4.1 million people depend on humanitarian assistance. Syrian communities, many of them women and children, are simultaneously facing an ongoing cholera outbreak and extreme winter weather, including heavy rain and snow.
Thousands have been killed in both countries, and deaths continue to rise as rescue crews seek survivors in collapsed buildings. The humanitarian response is struggling to ramp up to meet the need among the devastation and winter weather.
UMCOR’s longstanding humanitarian partner, International Blue Crescent (IBC), has multiple offices and project sites in Turkey. In IBC offices, people fill the halls as they seek shelter, warmth, and a hot meal. With the devastating damage to roads, transport and infrastructure, IBC has received hundreds of families in its Kilis Community Center for shelter, warm items, and hot meals since the first hours Monday morning. Kilis is serving as a major hub for coordination and relief efforts, including for cross-border response into Syria.
UMCOR has released initial solidarity grants to IBC and Forum for Development Culture and Dialogue (working in Syria) to help provide tents, heaters, blankets, warm clothes, ready to eat meals and first aid kits to those who have been displaced. UMCOR staff members are also in touch with other partners in the region. Additional updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Please join UMCOR in prayer for the many people affected by these devastating earthquakes, including the rescue crews seeking survivors and those caring for the injured and displaced.
Support relief and recovery efforts for this and other international disasters by donating to Advance # 982450 here.
If you would like to support UMCOR with a check, please make the check payable to ADVANCE GCFA, with the memo “Advance #982450”. These checks can be mailed to:
Global Ministries/UMCOR
GPO
P.O. Box 9068
New York, NY 10087-9068
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Calling Group meets next Tuesday, 2/28 at 9:30am.
Join this ministry of care and compassion and visit our members who can’t make it to church as often. Reach out to Gail Parker with any questions.
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RETIREES FELLOWSHIP TIME
monthly on the first Thursday at 10:30am
Next meeting:
Thursday, March 2nd at 10:30am
Greetings. The interruption of our group stemming from Covid has been long and disrupted our connections with one another. In our coming gathering we hope to restart things and begin a monthly gathering which will emphasize conversations, group discussions and our relationships with one another. We will have coffee, tea, and juice with some morning snacks.
We hope you can join us as we restart this fellowship. If you have questions, please contact me.
Doug Nelson
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Mason UWF is Alive and Well in 2023!
All women are invited to join us at our next meeting for UNITED WOMEN IN FAITH on Saturday, March 11, from 9:30 - 11:30 at the church. Our program will be given by Mary Denend. Come join us for coffee, goodies, and fellowship.
WE SERVE, WE ADVOCATE. WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE. United Women in Faith supports partners providing direct services to women, children, youth, and families in neighborhoods around the country. Internationally, we support partners empowering women, children, and youth with education and economic development opportunities. We advocate for a more just world to improve life for women, children, and youth.
If you are aware of an organization in the Tacoma area that advocates for women and children that would benefit from our support and service please let us know. Carol Sprague is the 2023 UWF President for our group. She can be reached at 719-406-1126; or email her at ces0204@gmail.com.
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Want to have an event or meeting at the church? We would love to host you and/or your group! As traffic increases, please make sure you contact the church office, so we can avoid double-booking events. Calendars are updated as frequently as possible, but do not always reflect the most current bookings.
Email admin@masonchurch.org, call 253-759-3539, or stop by the office Tuesday-Friday between 9:00am - 2:00pm.
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Sign up to Host Sunday Fellowship
Just another way to serve God—Hospitality.
Hospitality is a recurring theme in Scripture, and we are called to gather, break bread, and build relationships. If you are willing to assist in the planning and implementation of Sunday Fellowship, contact Sandy Roszman, as she is the coordinator of this ministry.
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Mason UMC is working in partnership with Proctor’s Jr. Daffodil Parade.
Interested in learning more? Talk to Tina Queree or check out their website here: www.JuniorDaffodilParade.com
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HOW WE LEAD................
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ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL MINUTES
FROM SUNDAY,
FEBRUARY 5, 2023
CLICK HERE
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LET'S MAKE IT EVEN EASIER
FOR YOU TO GIVE
We are now capable of accepting your offering with your debit
or credit card. Just ask Brian Nelson or Pastor Susan, or contact the church office. We want to make life easy for you, and simplifying the process of contributing to our church family is one way to do so. Your generosity is greatly appreciated!
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HOW WE PRAY................ | |
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PRAYER IS IMPORTANT TO US
BECAUSE WE ARE A FAITH FAMILY.
Families share what's happening in our lives, and since we are a church family, we too can share our joys and concerns with one another.
Joys:
We rejoice with Pastor Susan as she sets forth on her mission trip to Maua, Kenya.
Our Food Bank expresses their gratitude for our donations and generosity.
Concerns:
Pastor Susan asks for prayers for her husband Ken, who is alone for three weeks while she is in Kenya.
George and Joyce Shuetz lift up Dan, who is in remission.
Please continue to pray for Maura Cullen as she continues rehabilitation. Cards, emails, phone calls, and visits are always appreciated!
Please pray for the Lede family. They have recently discovered that Lloyd has an allergy to cinnamon, and Emmie has another ear infection.
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OTHER STUFF................
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PASS THIS ON
Share What's Happening Here.
It's all Good!
Want to be a part of reviving Mason? Want to fill the sanctuary with folks who wish to live a meaningful life? There's one little thing you can do to help make that happen. It only takes seconds. Forward this newsletter to two people this week. Don't fear judgment. We're all judged no matter what we do; just do it. Just spread the Word without words.
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EARN ALL YOU CAN.
SAVE ALL YOU CAN.
GIVE ALL YOU CAN.
Please continue to make contributions
to the church as you are able.
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