A Reconciling Congregation having
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
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As we head into summer and hopefully some warmer weather, this is the season for growth as we see our plants and gardens bloom with life. As I was thinking about this, I came across this story. Once there was a little boy who used to escape his bedroom after being punished. He would crawl out of his bedroom window down an old fruit tree to the ground. One day, his father told him that he was going to chop down the fruit tree, because it hadn’t borne any fruit for a number of years.
That evening, the boy and his friend bought a bushel of apples, and during the night, tied those apples on the barren branches. The next morning, the man could not believe his eyes. He said to his wife, "Honey, I just can’t believe it! That old tree hasn’t yielded any fruit for years, and now it’s covered with apples. And, the most amazing thing is that it’s a pear tree!"
This funny little story has a serious point that trees have a purpose, to bear fruit. In the same way our lives have a purpose and they also bear fruit. When we go to work or school, we produce fruit through our products and learning. When we work out, we want to see the fruit of a healthy body. No matter what we do, we produce fruits of some kind.
When Paul wrote to the church in Galatia, he wanted them to understand that a life of faith also has fruit. Paul wrote, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” These qualities of faith are what we, as disciples of Jesus, need to show and share through our words and actions.
But just as a tree needs some tending to produce fruit, since fruit tied on a tree will not really last, so do our lives need some loving care. All throughout scripture God is often referred to as that gardener who comes to tend our lives and hearts into producing harvests of abundant life.
So how are we doing in letting God work in our souls and hearts to weed out fear, anger, anxiety or anything else that is choking the joy out of our lives? Are we letting God through worship and prayer, water and nourish us with grace and hope? Are we taking the time to nurture our faith through Bible study and service to others letting it grow, deepen, and bear fruit? And since good fruit is not meant to stay on the tree, we need to freely share all our fruits of faith with our family, neighbors, and the world around us.
In God's love,
Pastor Tim
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WORSHIP TIME
We are holding two in-person worship services on Sundays at 8:30 am and 10:30 am.
We will once again be holding our Outdoor Worship during the summer. On those Sundays, the live-stream will be at 8:30 am. See the article below for dates of our Outdoor Worship services.
If you are not able to watch the service live on Sunday morning, there are several ways you can watch it later:
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All of our worship services are saved and posted on our Facebook page - www.facebook.com/StPaulsUMC.Point.
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Our worship services are also on Youtube. Just go to our church website – www.stevenspointumc.org and click on "Worship" from the drop-down menu of the "About" tab on the top of the home page. It will take you to our YouTube channel that has a collection of our worship services
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OUTDOOR WORSHIP AND INTERGEN MINISTRY
People of all ages love Outdoor Worship and for good reason!
- Music and liturgy that early-readers and non-readers can easily participate in;
- Intergen Readers Theatre of all ages for Scripture readings;
- Bubble Prayers;
- Engaging activities for all ages to enhance the message of the morning.
Outdoor Worship welcomes people of all ages to a relaxed worship time outdoors surrounded by the varied and beautiful gardens on the St. Paul's--The Springs grounds.
Join us this summer as we worship in God’s creation. Outdoor worship is held at 10:30 am on the south side of the building by the Growing Kindness Gardens.
This week (June 18) we will have some furry special guests. Be sure to come and meet them!
If you are interested in sharing music, readings, activity-planning, please let the Outdoor Worship planning team know--talk with Pastor Tim, Vern Walters, Yvonne Chojnacki, and Laura Courtright. We look forward to hearing from you!
OUTDOOR WORSHIP SCHEDULE at 10:30AM
June 18
July 9 & 23
August 13 & 27
September 10
Please bring your own lawn chairs, blankets, or whatever you need to be comfortable.
We will be live-streaming our 8:30am service on Facebook on these Sundays.
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ARTREACH AT STEVENS POINT PRIDE AND
GROWING KINDNESS GARDEN
After a 15-year pause, ArtReach, an arts ministry of St. Paul's-The Springs, returns this summer with it's first event at Stevens Point Pride this past Saturday. Our presence at Point Pride is one way that we are living out our Reconciling Statement of welcoming and affirming all people. ArtReach brought this message, as well as a fun and well-received community arts activity to all in attendance at the Point Pride celebration. All six of the Point Pride collaborative chalk murals can be seen in the church's gathering area for the remainder of the month of June.
ArtReach will offer three Pop-Ups this summer at Growing Kindness Garden nights on June 26, July 17, and August 28, all from 6-7:30pm. Designed for fun and for all ages, these community-building art activities are FREE and open to the community--an Ice Cream Social is offered on these nights too. Please join us!
If you would like to hear more about ArtReach or volunteer for any of this summer's ArtReach activities, contact Laura Courtright at 715/340-4523 or lauracourtright@gmail.com.
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“FUN IN THE SUN”
Mark your calendars and plan to attend our “Fun in the Sun” events held on Mondays beginning June 12th through August 28th, 6:00-7:00 pm. Here is June/July’s schedule:
June 19 – Bubbles Blast
June 26 – 6:00-7:30 pm – “ArtReach” Pop-Up & Ice Cream Social
July 10 – Soccer Night
July 17 – 6:00-7:30 pm - “ArtReach” Pop-Up & Ice Cream Social
July 24 – Craft Night
July 31 – Drum Circle
All Events are FREE and Designed for All Ages! Children to be accompanied by their adults.
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CITY BAND CONCERTS
Every Wednesday night through August 2, we will meet to enjoy great music and fellowship at Pfiffner Pioneer Park band shell. Concerts start at 7:00 pm. Join us left center toward the front. Bring your own chair. If it is rained out, we will not meet at the inside location. If you have any questions, contact Janet Carter at 715/252-6875.
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CAMP IS COMING!!!
July 23-28, 2023
Plan to attend our 47th year of Church Camp, started by Selma Taylor from our church. Go to the link below to register. You don’t want to miss it!
Camp is for those who have finished 3rd grade and above. This year’s cost is $370.
If you have 3 campers in a family, you pay for the first 2 campers and the third camper goes free. Scholarships are available so that no one is hindered from attending camp due to finances. Checks may be made payable to: St. Paul's UMC and sent to: 600 Wilshire Blvd., Stevens Point, WI 54481
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our directors below.
Matt Taylor Eric Taylor Yvonne Chojnacki
715/347-1222 617/694-1995 715/340-9333
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THANK YOU TO OPEN DOOR BISTRO DINERS
AND VOLUNTEERS
CHANGES COMING FOR SEASON 2023-2024
The 2022-2023 season of Open Door Bistro has ended and we want to thank all of the diners and volunteers who have faithfully served to ensure each meal was available as scheduled. THANK YOU to everyone for your support throughout the years of the Open Door Bistro, formerly the Disciple’s Diner, and prior to that the Lighthouse Café. This mid-week ministry has provided opportunity to enjoy meals and good fellowship together for many years.
We are anticipating changes for the next season of Open Door Bistro beginning in the fall. Some of the current Bistro team members will not be continuing in the same capacity, thus leaving gaps in the service team roster, especially in leadership/meal coordinator roles. The proposed plan is to change the Bistro schedule for the 2023-2024 season from twice a month to once a month on the first Wednesday from 5:30-6:00 pm. Also, Sunday potlucks once a month after 10:30 worship will provide another fellowship opportunity.
Additional volunteers to support this modified Bistro schedule are still needed. Volunteers willing to coordinate the menu for one meal is the most significant need and helpers for set-up, salad prep, clean-up and dishwashing will also be needed. If you are interested in coordinating/preparing a meal, be aware that we can help with some training if needed or perhaps a team of two or three people might work together. Volunteer sign-ups will be offered this summer. Please contact Sandy Shave (715-592-4346) or Stephanie White (715-347-0367) with questions or to discuss your interest in helping to coordinate a meal or to volunteer in other ways. Thank you for considering these opportunities to serve. We look forward to hearing from you.
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MEET OUR NEW STAFF MEMBERS |
COMMUNICATION SERVICES COORDINATOR-OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR - Kristen Deadwyler
Kristen has been a Stevens Point resident for over
30 years. She has college degrees from UWSP and Mid-State Technical College in psychology, religious studies, digital marketing, and project management. Kristen has served the community by working with local nonprofits like Central Rivers Farmshed, Women's Fund of Portage County, and Portage County Literacy Council. She also sits on the Board of Directors for the Hunger and Poverty Prevention Partnership of Portage County. Her previous work for First Presbyterian Church of Winneconne inspired her to continue to serve God by serving the St Paul's-
The Springs United Methodist congregation. When not working and volunteering, Kristen loves to advocate for women's sports, write, enjoy movie marathons, and kayak.
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DISCIPLESHIP COORDINATOR -
Tonya Kowalski
Many of you may know me, as I have been a member of St. Paul’s – The Springs for 25 years. While serving on the Accountable Leadership Board for the past year, I have had the opportunity to learn some of the visions and strategies leaders in our church imagine for the future. I am excited for the next steps and believe that we are currently positioned to start a new chapter in this church’s story with fresh offerings through expanded collaborations and increased commitments.
As an active preacher and lay pastor, I enjoy walking with people on their faith journey, speaking with diverse groups of people, and serving God. Here at
St. Paul’s-The Springs, I have volunteered with several different roles and groups.
In my new role (and first time on staff!) I am excited to grow in my discipleship journey and engage with new and existing congregation members as they also journey on their discipleship paths. I understand and appreciate the strengths of our congregation and am confident we can leverage these strengths to build new disciples and grow current disciples in ways that will make the future of our church dynamic, vibrant, and engaged.
I look forward to getting to know each and every one of you more in the days ahead!
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MATCHING CHALLENGE
Aworowa, Ghana Orphanage Project
Our mission team would like to purchase a motorcycle cart for the Aworowa, Ghana orphanage and present it to them in January. It will be used to move food supplies for the orphans and other orphanage needs. The cost of the cart will be $1850. We have a donor who is willing to match half of that cost if we can find donors who will provide the other half ($925). Send any donations to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 600 Wilshire Blvd. Stevens Point, Wisconsin 54481. Mark the check “Orphanage Cart Project”. Any donation is greatly appreciated. We will need the donations by December 1, 2023, so we can take the money with us in January 2024.
Please let me know if you have any questions about our mission work. Barb and I can be reached at 715/341-1208 or barbjohn@charter.net
Be well,
John and Barb Munson
Co-coordinators for Fund Raising
Aworowa, Ghana - Methodist in Action Team
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PLEASE REMEMBER TO CONTINUE
TO SUPPORT OUR MINISTRIES
You can give by one of the following:
1. You can mail your check to the church office at 600 Wilshire Blvd., Stevens Point, WI 54481
2. You can use ACH. If you don’t have that set up & would like to, please contact the church office (715/344-3557) and we will help you with that or email us at finance@stevenspointumc.org.
3. You can use Bill Pay through your bank. This is a free service through your bank. They draw the money from your bank account and send the church a check as you direct them to, whether that be weekly or monthly. This way would save you on postage.
4. You can go to our website www.stevenspointumc.org and there is a button that says “Donate”. That will take you through the steps to use your credit or debit card. If you continue down on that page, you can also text on your phone to give.
Our Director of Finance is Ardis Burke. If you have any questions or problems, please let us know at finance@stevenspointumc.org or 715/344-3557.
PLEASE NOTE: Ardis’ office hours will be Monday and Wednesday 11:00am – 2:00 pm.
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LOOSE COINS
The Loose Coin Offering for June is in support of Project Fresh Clothes. The money collected will help provide vouchers for families in need to use at local consignment shops to purchase "new" outfits for school. Be sure to label your envelope so your coins/currency will be deposited into the correct account. If you are submitting a check, please write "Project Fresh Clothes" in the memo portion of the check. Thank you for supporting this important ministry.
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SENIOR TIME BY SENIORS
Please consider joining this group. They meet on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 11:00 am. Bag lunch at noon. Discussions are wide ranged. If you have a particular request, we’ll do our best to work it into a session.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact:
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NEEDED: Would you like to recycle your empty prescription bottles to a good cause? Just rinse and remove labels and deposit them in the box in front of the office. Ghana Clinic LOVES them!
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VISITATION
One of the responsibilities, among many, that I take very seriously as a pastor is visitation. I consider it a sacred time to visit someone in the hospital, nursing home, or in their own home. It is time where I can get to know someone better and really talk about spiritual issues one on one.
Please let me know if you have gone into the hospital, are in need of a home visit, or what your specific needs are that I can help you with. I’m also willing to bring communion to any of my visits.
I want you all to know that I am here for you. If you are struggling, need to talk, or have any need whatsoever for a pastoral visit please call me on my cell phone (262/388-4635), at the office (715/344-3557), e-mail me (tobrien@stevenspointumc.org) write me a note (600 Wilshire Blvd), or mark that you would like a visit on one of the attendance cards in the pew on Sunday morning.
I will continue to make visitation my top priority and continue to respond to every request as quickly as possible. It is an honor to be here as your pastor and I’m committed to being here for you as a pastoral presence representing the Good News of Jesus Christ that gives us hope and heals us all.
Pastor Tim
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SPIRITUAL FORMATION TEAM
Spiritual formation is growing and being formed in our faith. It is becoming more and more like the image of Jesus we reflect to our world. This happens in many ways through prayer, Bible study, small group discussion, retreats, devotionals and many other ways. As part of our Revitalization Plan we would like to form a new team that would lead us on the journey of growing in our faith. Some of the tasks of this new team would include:
a. Developing a Discipleship Pathway for our church community as the guiding resource to help people grow deeper in their faith.
b. Working with the Worship Team to utilize the labyrinth during Advent/Lent/Other times.
c. Developing spiritual formation retreats – speakers, authors, musicians, etc.
d. Assessing interest and offering training to begin small groups – for families – men’s small group – women’s small group – topical small groups.
e. Offering resources to equip people to discuss Jesus out in the community.
f. Encouraging and providing resources to groups/ministries that meet or use the building, and to incorporate a time of spiritual formation in their agenda
g. Producing bi-monthly programs in the Plover area focusing on faith and life. Examples: worship for seniors who are in care facilities, outreach to ethnic groups, a program featuring a speaker with a faithful message, etc.
If you are interested in serving on this team, please talk with Pastor Tim.
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REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT TEAM UPDATE
Our Refugee Resettlement Team, which is a combined team of our congregation with Good Shepherd Lutheran church and members of our community, has begun working with a new family. The Bipendu family arrived on May 25. They are from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The family is a single mother with six children from age 6 to 17. The mother also has a young adult son who came here about five months ago. The family is overjoyed that they are finally reunited.
Currently they are living in a house on 4th Avenue but at the end of June on Friday,
June 30, we will be moving them to another house on College Ave. If you would be willing to help with this move or with cleaning, please contact Pastor Tim or Mary Schultz.
Over the next few months, our team will be helping the family in six areas:
• Housing and Welcome
• Transportation
• Health
• Education
• Cultural adjustment
• Jobs and finance
Our goal is to help this family move towards being self-sufficient. We could always use more help so if you are interested, please talk with Pastor Tim or Mary Schultz who are the team coordinators. If you would like to make a financial contribution to support our refugee family, that would be appreciated. Please put "Refugee Help" on the memo line of your check. Please continue to pray for our new family and all the refugee families in our area. They are working hard to adjust and make a new life in our community.
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ITEMS NEEDED FOR REFUGEE FAMILIES
Please bring items to Rooms D/E in the Discovery Zone and
place on tables in front of the table signs.
Shampoo/Conditioner
Ethnic shampoo/Ethnic conditioner- for our African families
Body Wash for shower
Hand Soap
Laundry Detergent
Bleach
Dryer Sheets (Not bleach dryer sheets)
Dish Soap
Cleaning Supplies
Paper Towel
Toilet Paper
Diapers- size 4
Baby Wipes
Pillows
Twin Sheets
Plastic Bags (garbage/food size)
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KWIK TRIP CARDS
Our fundraising program will be changed. Kwik Trip is selling a new Grocery Only, used in the store card that will give us 15% back for Holiday Baskets.
Regular and Fuel Only cards will still be offered at 5% profit for us. You can continue to use your gas card in the store also.
If you normally buy grocery or snack items at Kwik Trip, we suggest you buy the Grocery Only as we will raise money faster for Holiday Baskets. Thank you for helping us with this mission. As always, you receive 100% of your purchased card to spend.
We are grateful for church members who have purchased Gas Only cards for people in need in our community who come to our church for help. You can buy a $10 card to help others by giving that money to Yvonne in the office or Cathy. Then the cards are ordered.
You may purchase your Gas or Grocery cards in the office or contact Cathy Martin, 715-340-8426 or jcmartin@charter.net for assistance.
Thank you for your giving.
Helping others on a mission,
Mary Martha Circle
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FUEL ONLY GAS CARDS
We give $10 gas cards to people who need help getting to a doctor’s appointment, job interview, etc. If you would like to donate toward gas cards that are given to those in need, please write “Gas Cards” in the memo section of your check payable to “UMC.”
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ONE BIG TENT
“Connecting the church to the community through the love of God”
For over a year our joint ministry of reaching out to our neighbors in need known as One Big Tent has been operating out of our offices (1039b B Ellis St.) in downtown Stevens Point. This ministry which we are doing cooperatively with other congregations in Stevens Point and Plover has helped over 80+ individuals who are in various forms of crisis from homelessness, domestic violence, threats of eviction, illness, to a loss of a job.
Over this past year we have stood with our neighbors in need who …
- asked for help working with their landlord to prevent an eviction
- requested money for job training classes
- wanted bicycles to get to work
- needed assistance with transportation
- needed assistance in finding shelter and/or food resources in our community
- needed help with budgeting
- needed help filling out housing or job applications
- needed a shower, which we provide for free in our building along with shower supplies
- needed clothes such as t-shirts, socks, underwear or blankets, hats, gloves which have all been generously donated along with a storage unit for our office
- needed help washing their clothes which we do for free on Wednesdays through our Laundry Love ministry
- desired spiritual care and friendship
As you can see our main goal is to build relationships with those who come for help as we listen to their stories and walk with them in their need.
I would like to ask for your support of this important ministry in our community in the following ways.
1) Please pray for those in need as we work with them and for the companions and clergy who give their time to help find solutions.
2) Consider if you would like to be a companion talking with and working with people to help them. We offer training and only ask people to volunteer for a 3-4 hour shift once a week. Also, we pair you with a clergy person who is there to support you. For example, I (Pastor Tim) volunteer every Wednesday with a member from Beloved Community from 8:00 a.m. to Noon. If you are interested, please talk with Pastor Tim
3) Consider being a member of our One Big Tent Board as a representative of our congregation helping to guide our organization. This board meets on the fourth Thursday of every month at 5:15 p.m. here at our church.
4) When it is appropriate, we do provide financial support to help with rent assistance, car repair, buying medicines, etc. We work with people to identify what they can contribute and we make up the difference with what they owe. We could use your financial support to help us meet these needs. If you would like to make a financial contribution, please make the check out to our church and put, “One Big Tent” in the memo line.
Thank you for your prayerful and generous support of this important ministry to make God’s love real to all our neighbors.
Pastor Tim
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MEET & GREET HOSTS NEEDED
@ 10:30 SERVICE
You would be responsible for set up and clean up. Before service you would need to make coffee as needed so it is ready. Make sure there is a pitcher of water in the refrigerator and there are utensils out for any treats that are there. After service you would need to wash up and put away the coffee pots, clean up the snacks and drinks area and wipe down areas & tables as needed.
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BROWN PAPER BAGS
Operation Bootstrap is in need of brown paper bags. If you have any you would like to donate, please bring them to the church and place in the south coatroom. If you have any questions, please call the church office (715/344-3557).
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FAIR TRADE COFFEE SALE
You can find all Fair Trade products in the church office. Call the church office (715/344-3557) if you would like an item pulled for you and placed in the church exchange box outside of the church building for you to pick up.
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WAYS TO HELP
We are all looking for ways to share God's love. Here are some samples of things you can do:
Interfaith Food Pantry – We have the grocery cart in between the entrance doors on the south side (school side), Monday through Thursday, 9am-3pm. Here is a list of their urgent needs: Canned Fruit, Canned Vegetables, Cereal, Pasta, Pasta Sauce, Peanut Butter and Jelly.
Call church people or neighbors – Just a friendly phone call can make someone’s day.
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If you or a loved one are in the hospital and would like a visit from Pastor Tim or a lay person, please contact the church office at 715/344-3557. If this happens on a weekend, please contact Pastor Tim (262/388-4635). |
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St. Paul’s-The Springs UMC
600 Wilshire Blvd
Stevens Point, WI 54481
(715/344-3557)
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Campus Ministry - UWSP
Stevens Point, WI 54481
(715/340-4523)
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