Brown Deer United Methodist Church September, 2019

The Flame Bearer

COME ONE, COME ALL

to the 59th

Annual BDUMC Chicken Fry!!

It is time again for the BDUMC Chicken Fry.

Please join us for the 59th edition on

Saturday, September 7 from 11am - 7pm

(or when the chicken runs out).

Tickets have been distributed, so please purchase or sell them to

friends, neighbors or co-workers.

If you should need additional tickets con-

tact Kevin Lyman at 414-355-4251.

To volunteer, contact Mark Laux

(414) 354-6648.

Join us and the whole flock

for food,

fun & fellowship at

“The Fry”.

Brown Deer

United Methodist Church

5736 W. Brown Deer Road

Brown Deer, WI 53223

Facebook: fb.me/bdumc

Website: www.browndeerumc.org

Phone: 414-354-4477

SUNDAY WORSHIP:

8:30 am and 10:30 am

Pastor: Rev. Ellen Rasmussen

608/451-2000 pastorellen.bdumcwi@gmail.com

Office Staff

Heather Forbes

bdumcwi.ofc@gmail.com

Organist: Cindy Schroeder

Choir Director: Cliff Gribble

Custodian: Hilary Forbes

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From the Heart of Pastor Ellen September, 2019

See, I am doing a new thing!

Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the wilderness

and streams in the wasteland.

~ Isaiah 43.19 NIV

My Beloved ~

Oh, how I have missed you! My heart over-

flows with gratitude for all of you. Thank you for

the gift of time away to heal and be renewed.

Thank you for your prayers, cards, texts and

emails.

These past two months have had a profound

impact on my life—they have been life changing!

Much to my surprise, it has been a season of

“letting go” and grieving. I held onto (and still

do) the prayer from our UM Hymnal, “New

every morning is your love Great God of Light

and all day long you are at work for good in the

world…”

Through the gift of faith, I have been able to

recognize that in the midst of letting go and grief,

there is hope. The scripture that I have been

drawn to is Isaiah 43.19 (above). In order for God

to create new health in my life, I had to learn to

let go of ways living that I had long practiced.

For over 28 years, I had successfully lived with

Grave’s Disease— a thyroid disorder. This year

things are different. My time away has been to

take the necessary steps to get the disease under

control and help my body heal. In order to heal,

in order to be healthy, I had to make changes.

One of my greatest challenges—I had to change

my attitude about food. Food used to be a time of

celebrating with others. Food meant time with

family. Food was joy and laughter. Now food is

medicine for my body and I had to learn that

many of the foods that I had been taught were

“good foods” are actually harmful to me. In order

to be healthy, I eat food that is gluten-, grain-.

dairy-, and soy-free. Tomatoes, potatoes, green

peppers and eggplant are also off-limits. It is

quite different from how I was raised. I am learn-

ing a new way with food and it is an adventure!

It is a joy that I am finding new foods that are

delicious and I like them. One of my favorite new

foods is sweet potatoes. I have discovered that I

like them mashed (with olive or coconut oil and

garlic) or baked or as hash. I have avoided sweet

potatoes since my childhood. Sweet potatoes with

marshmallows, lots of butter, and brown sugar

was how I knew sweet potatoes and I did not like

them. I thought that was the only way sweet

potatoes were edi-

ble, until I learned

a new way. I am

having fun experi-

menting with

sweet

potatoes—adding

new spices and

combining them

with different foods.

On the other hand, there was a harsh reality

that I had to give up regular potatoes. No more

mashed potatoes with lots of butter, no more

cheesy potatoes, no more French fries and baked

potatoes with varied toppings, and no more

mashed potatoes and gravy. Mashed potatoes are

a staple at our family holiday meals and this year,

and in the years ahead, I will not be indulging in

them. I can hear my nephews say, “more for us!”

And we will laugh together. Regular potatoes are

not bad and many people enjoy eating them. In

order for me to be at my best, I had to let them

go.

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I am very grateful that my faith walk has pre-

pared me for this new adventure with food. As

Wesleyan theologians, we understand that we are

on a journey to be made whole in God’s love.

John Wesley identified it as our journey toward

Christian Perfection. This journey is surrounded

and filled with God’s grace.

Prevenient grace is at work all the time every-

where for everyone even before it is recognized.

Justifying grace happens when we connect and

acknowledge God at work in our lives and we be-

lieve. Sanctifying grace is at work as we journey

towards wholeness—Christian Perfection. We get

to use the lessons we have learned along the way

to inform our journey, not determine or define it.

We can learn new ways of living, being and grow-

ing in understanding that does not mean we dis-

respect or deny what we previously learned, but

use knowledge gained as building blocks. And

sometimes we learn that we can no longer use

what was once used.

And no one pours new wine into old wine-

skins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the

skins, and both the wine and the wine-

skins will be ruined. No, they pour new

wine into new wineskins."

Mark 2.22 NIV

I am learning that God is creating something

new in my life. I am being gifted with greater

health. In order to receive this gift, I have to let go

and make changes in my life. I have to trust God

in this process. It is a journey of faith.

For a year we have been praying Prayer 757

asking God to breakthrough to us. And God has

and we need to share the stories with each other.

How have you seen God break through? We have

a display on the wall in the church parlor— is

your story there? Learning how to witness and

share God’s breakthrough stories is not only how

we help our own faith grow, but it is how we help

draw others into the Jesus story. Do you remem-

ber the Pentecost story from Acts 2?

They said to Peter and the other apostles,

“Brothers, what should we do?”

Peter replied, “Change your hearts and lives.

Each of you must be baptized in the name of Je-

sus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then

you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This

promise is for you, your children, and for all

who are far away—as many as the Lord our God

invites.” …. Those who accepted Peter’s message

were baptized. God brought about three thou-

sand people into the community on that day.

The believers devoted themselves to the

apostles’ teaching, to the community, to their

shared meals, and to their prayers. A sense of

awe came over everyone. God performed

many wonders and signs through the

apostles. All the believers were united and

shared everything. ...They praised God and

demonstrated God’s goodness to everyone. The

Lord added daily to the community those who

were being saved.

We serve an amazing God! I am excited to

witness God breaking through in my life and I

know God is at work within you and our congre-

gation as well. I am excited to learn about your

breakthroughs and to witness God’s continued

breakthroughs in our congregation

Love & Peace, Pastor Ellen

PRAYER 757

“Breakthrough to us Ever-creating

God!” I say again,

“Breakthrough!” You, who are

creating in and through us a new

Beloved Community,

transform our “whatever’s of

resistance” into the “Holy

Whatever’s” of justice, healing and

hope. Empowered by your

immeasurable love and grace, let

us do more than we can possibly

ask or imagine through Christ who

strengthens us for this adventure.

Amen.

Pray each morning & night @ 7:57.

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Becoming One, Being One

Published: 21 August 2019

By Bishop Hee-Soo Jung

I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:1-6

The word that leaps out of this passage of scripture is “one.” Bear with one another. One body. One Spirit. One hope. One Lord. One faith. One baptism. One God. I shake my head when I hear peo-ple question and challenge the concept of unity in our scriptures – “making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” My blessed siblings in Christ, this is why we are here. This is why we exist. We are the one body of Jesus Christ, incarnate and empowered by the Holy Spirit, to participate in God’s holy work of the transformation of the world. We do this togeth-er. In the spirit and teaching of John Wesley -- Solitary religion is not to be found there. “Holy Soli-taries” is a phrase no more consistent with the gospel than Holy Adulterers. The gospel of Christ knows of no religion, but social; no holiness but social holiness. Faith working by love, is the length and breadth and depth and height of Christian perfection. (Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1739)– where he explains that we cannot be truly Christian in isolation from a faith community, we need each other. The trend toward personal and individual holiness so prevalent and popular in recent times is completely foreign to the understanding of ancient Hebrew culture, early Christian culture, and our Wesleyan heritage. We are Christian together.

In recent months, unity in the church has become not only a topic for discussion, not only the battle-ground for debate, but the focal point of a real effort to divide the church. Again, John Wesley offers clear and precise opinion on the matter: “Itis evil in itself. To separate ourselves from a body of liv-ing Christians with whom we were before united, is a grievous breach of the law of love. It is the na-ture of love to unite us together; and the greater the love, the stricter the union. And while this con-tinues in its strength, nothing can divide those whom love has united. It is only when our love grows cold, that we can think of separating from our brethren. And this is certainly the case with any who willingly separate from their Christian brethren.” (On Schism, 1786) There is no goodness or grace in separation, only an admission that we lack the love that can unite us together.

United Methodism proudly offers an open communion table. We do not deny the grace and ac-ceptance of God to anyone who wishes to partake of this holy meal. And in our standard liturgy, we proclaim and request together that “through the power of your (God’s) Holy Spirit, make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world.” This is who we are.

But I am concerned about how different our actions are from our words and our core values and be-liefs. Do our racial and ethnic minority people feel they are one with us? Do many women feel they are truly one, with equal voice and power and respect as many of their male counterparts? Do our gay and lesbian siblings feel they are one with us? And even because of our theological and political differences, I question how many of our same culture, same background, same gender baptized chil-dren of God feel they are one with each other? In a Christian fellowship where God works constant-ly to forgive, redeem, unite, and reconcile people, we choose instead to focus on our differences. In a denomination defined by prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying grace, many choose instead to fo-cus on sins, and faults, and failings.

My distress over these realities led me to create a Bishop’s Task Force on a Wisconsin way forward – leadership dedicated to discerning a Wisconsin Option as alternative to schism and split. We cannot solve all the challenges and problems facing our church today, but we can work together to create a space for prayer, discernment, humility, and hope – a grace margin – that allows us to slow down,

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not be overly reactive, and to engage with one another in mutual respect and regard, to hold each other accountable to the highest standards of civility and dignity, and to put our Christian faith and values into action. We want to be a people who do not attack, do not insult or assault, and who “do no harm” in the ways they treat one another. We are making a commitment to “do all the good we can,” embracing a Golden Rule code of conduct, and seeking to think the best of one another instead of the worst.

Make no mistake, the Task Force is not doing this for the conference. They will be leading the con-ference – all of us together; clergy and laity, younger and older, of every status of education, econom-ics, ethnicity and heritage – to make a fundamental paradigm shift. The Wisconsin Option is a choice of unconditional love and forgiveness. We will live faithfully into the Wesleyan understanding of God’s grace for all who confess Jesus as Christ and Lord. We will hold our disagreements as a sa-cred trust – to love those with whom we disagree and formerly judged as beloved children of God.

Let us pray for God’s presence and the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we truly, deeply, and honestly seek healing, wholeness, and oneness as the body of Christ. Let us spend time in contemplative reading of our scriptures and the teachings of John Wesley. Let us enter into true and faithful Chris-tian conference and conversation – both with those with whom we agree as well as those with whom we don’t. By God’s grace, God’s will is done in us, and together we can witness to God’s miraculous work of grace. Thanks be to God.

Grace and Peacce,

Bishop Hee-Soo Jung

Connectional Table launches Emerging,

an online anthology on our church

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 15, 2019

Chicago, IL—The Connectional Table is proud to announce the launch of Emerging, a digital

collection of essays, articles and other content discussing what may be taking shape in the life of our

connection as a result of the outcome of the 2019 Special Session of the General Conference.

The purpose of the website, www.emergingmethodism.com, is to be a venue of conversation

including voices from a multiplicity of viewpoints. The hope is that it will help lead us to forge a

compelling consensus toward what to teach, how we teach, who we are, and how we will continue to

live together in ministry. It is not a forum for debate or for proposals about structure, but a space to

invite critical thinking and reflection on what is emerging in Methodism.

The project draws inspiration from Isaiah 43:18-19: “Don’t remember the prior things; don’t ponder

ancient history. Look! I’m doing a new thing; now it sprouts up; don’t you recognize it? I’m making a

way in the desert, paths in the wilderness.”

Emerging can be found online at www.emergingmethodism.com

and on Twitter and Instagram @EmergingProject.

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New Series:

The Gift of Sabbath

September 1—15

Sunday, September 1, 2019

Labor Day Weekend

8:30 & 10:30

The Call to Sabbath: Rest & Labor

Exodus 20.1-11

Communion at both services

@9:30 Reconnecting

w/Pastor Ellen

Sunday, September 8, 2019

8:30 & 10:30

Practical Sabbath Practices

Genesis 2.3

Ezekiel 20.19-20

8:30 Communion

@9:30 UM Roots

w/Pastor Ellen—Sanctuary

All Ages Invited

(Kids on a Mission begins Sept. 15)

Sunday, September 15, 2019

8:30 & 10:30

Sabbath As Act of Resistance

8:30 Communion

@9:30 Kids on a Mission

& Adult Spiritual Formation

Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019

8:30 & 10:30

UMW SUNDAY

150 Years of Ministry!!!

@8:30 Communion

@9:30 Kids on a Mission

& Adult Spiritual Formation

Stewardship of Our Lives Series Begins

Sunday Sept. 29, 2019

8:30 & 10:30

Faith Roots: The Shema

Deuteronomy 6.4-9

8:30 Communion

@9:30 Kids on a Mission

& Adult Spiritual Formation

What’s Up In Worship ~ September 2019

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*Sign up sheets available on the bulletin board near the Hospitality Center

+Servants of Our Hospitality Ministry

God appeared to Abraham at the Oaks of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance of his tent. It

was the hottest part of the day. He looked up and saw three men standing. He ran from his tent to

greet them and bowed before them. He said, “Master, if it please you, stop for a while with your

servant. I’ll get some water so you can wash your feet. Rest under this tree. I’ll get some food to

refresh you on your way, since your travels have brought you across my path.”

~ Genesis 18:1-5 The Message

Marks of Discipleship: Radical & Inclusive Hospitality

Is God calling you to serve in this capacity? Talk with Pastor Ellen as you explore

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On-Going List (BDUMC Members & Constituents)

Bob Adkins

Pastor Paul Armstrong

Wava Belter

Dennis DeVoy

Dawn Haney

Mary Anne Herrick

Jack Kennedy

Doug Paul

Don Peters

Anna Tamm

James Thomas

Christine & Robert Whiteside

Robert Crawford

Caregivers of those with

on-going concerns

Others with Health Concerns (BDUMC Members & Constitu-ents)

...with important medical proce-dures

Prayers for Suzanne Ward &

family as they mourn the death of her mother.

Prayers for Beverly Jacquet

and family as they mourn the death of he brother.

9.01 Beverly Jacquet

9.02 Evelyn Kuczynski

Don Wendorff

9.03 Patti Bocian

Kendall Holloway

Christine Ines

9.05 Pat Ulman

Rob Wedemeyer

9.06 Helen Lynch

9.08 Bryce Irwin

9.09 Dawn Witte-Bowen

9.12 Natalie Armstrong

9.14 Jim Giunta

Jack Kennedy

9.15 Sophie Irwin

9.17 Mark Laux

Alex Stanford

9.18 Elias Odhiambo

9.19 Joe Bourassa

9.20 Joel Belter

9.22 Heather Forbes

Andy Ittner

Jim Lingle

September 10

Jackie & Greg Adlington

36 years

September 21

Kevin & Laura Henrics

34 years

September 21

Adam & Nikki Kuczynski

6 years

September 22

Kevin & Lisa Lyman

29 years

September 27

Kevin & Chris Tubbs

22 years

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North Shore School for Seniors

Registration for the Fall Session of the North Shore School for Seniors will be

on Wednesday, September 4 from 9am-12pm and Thursday, September 5

from 12-3pm at the United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay.

The first day of classes will be on Monday, September 9.

The course catalog will be available at nss4s.org

Words cannot fully express the depth of my gratitude for all of you, our con-gregation’s leadership team, and especially our worship leaders—Rev. Ann Rathert, Joe Masterson, Mark Laux, Audrey Gloor, Richard Whitaker and Cathryn Luse. You gave me the gifts of rest and renewal in order to heal. I am very grateful.

Thank you for your care, cards, calls, text messages and emails. They are treasured. I am excited to be returning in better health and serving with you once again.

Love and Peace,

Pastor Ellen

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THE LEGACY OF MISSION: A NOTE AT THE CLOSE OF CELEBRATING A 150 YEARS IN MISSION

A CALL TO CONTINUE TO LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE

Much of our work through United Methodist Women is rooted in shining a light on issues that are often overlooked or ignored. From human trafficking to domestic violence, UMW members have always served as torchbearers, illuminating the darkness that hides injustices like economic inequali-ty, mass incarceration, threats to the climate, and maternal and child health issues. Our individual callings toward justice are just as important as our collective one. Our lived experiences draw us toward the issue(s) that matter to us most - and it is in that spirit we call forth women who are willing not only to engage and and learn about these social justice issues, but also engage in dismantling the systems that uphold the through our words, action and giving. What a legacy. Continue to illuminate the darkness. ( Notes from 2019-2020 Program book: LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE, PAGE 27)

Welcome the Stranger: Cornerstone Family Ministries

Brave: Rosa Valdez was a brave Hispanic woman moved by the

plight of immigrant children arriving in her hometown of Tam-

pa, Florida, in the late 19th century when segregation was the

law of the land. The children were banned from public schools,

so Ms. Valdez used her own funds and, with help from benefac-

tors, established a small school for the children in west Tampa.

At the same time, Eliza Wolff, who wintered in Tampa, was urg-

ing the Woman’s Home Missionary Society of the Methodist

Episcopal Church South to form a mission school for immigrants

living in east Tampa.

The small mission begun as a result of the determination of these two women grew and

adapted to the community’s changing needs over the years. Today, it is called Corner-

stone Family Ministries, a United Methodist Women-related national mission

institution in Tampa.

https://www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/news/welcome-the-stranger-cornerstone-

family-ministries

A NOTE FROM THE MISSION FIELD (As printed in the 2019 Prayer Calendar) WE ARE CALLED TO PRAY Rain has made it hard to get the corn and soybeans planted. A cholera epidemic is slowly spreading across the country, so public schools have been cancelled for a month. God promises to be with us, not make things easy. Paul Webster, Global Missionary from Wisconsin serving in Zambia pwebster@wisconsinumc.org P.O. Box 20219, Kitwe, Zambia What is our response to Missionary Webster? Correspond and find out how you may help to bring light to a dark experience.

CELEBRATING 150 YEARS IN MISSION

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United Methodist Women Calendar:

September 1—11:45—BDUMW General Meeting September 22—UMW Sunday September 29—9:30am—5th Sunday Conversations: Healthcare Disparities October 5—South East UMW Annual Gathering, Black River Falls October—Date TBA—Stand For Children Observance December 1—11:45am—Advent/Christmas Celebration

THANKS FOR A FOR A FUN AFTERNOON WITH THE CHILDREN AT THOREAU

CAMP, THOREAU ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AUGUST 14, 2019

We had so much fun. They had so much fun. We must do it again. Why can't we make it a regular thing? We can. Thanks to those who participated and made an idea come to life. The giving of snacks, games, prizes, your participation on that day made it happen. Special thanks to Ann Rathert, Joe Mas-terson, Audrey Gloor, Victoria Wisthus, Linda Olsen, Lisa Jones, Mary Mitchell, Shirley Jackson, Arthur Luse, Suzy Holstein, Diana Ittner, Mildred Powell, Dana Hodge, Cathryn Luse, and those who gave in silence.

2019 WORLD THANK OFFERING “A Light for the World to See” AUGUST 18-SEPTEMBER 22

THE WORLD THANK OFFERING of the United Methodist

Women (UMW) is an opportunity for individuals to respond to God's

abundance and grace with spontaneous gifts of gratitude. The funds

collected are used in the total program of mission carried on through the

Women’s Division in the United States and around the world. Your gifts

will help United Methodist Women support programs that provide food,

protection, respite care, and, in general, improve the health, education

and welfare of women, children and youth both near and far.

Boxes for personal collection of your thank offerings will be

available on Sunday, August 18, on a table in the Narthex. Please take one and fill it generously in

thanks for God's many blessings to you and your loved ones. Bring your offering box to worship Sun-

day, September 22, at which time the Thank Offerings will be dedicated to the UMW Mission Pro-

grams.

With a welcoming spirit of compassion, Brown Deer United Methodist Women invite you to

transform the lives of others through your generous giving to the

2019 WORLD THANK OFFERING.

Thank you!

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Equipping For Ministry

SUNDAYS

8:30—9:15 am

Worship with Communion each

week

& prayer stations

9:30—10:15 am

September 1—

Reconnecting with Pastor Ellen

September 8—

UM ROOTS—Sanctuary

Videos & Stories of our

UM Heritage w/Pastor Ellen

ALL AGES INVITED

September 15, 22 & 29—

Kids on a Mission

Adult Spiritual Formation

Fellowship

10:30—11:30 am

Worship with Communion the

first Sunday of the month plus

Weekly Critter (stuffed)

Connection for children

of all Ages

Time for Young Disciples

Conversations on Race

Tuesday, September 10

@ 6:30 pm Sanctuary Area

Building Beloved Community

NEXT w/Pastor Ellen

Saturday, September 21

11 am @ Church Library

Exploring prayer together.

All Are Welcome.

Gathering ‘Round the Scriptures

Tuesdays @ 6:30 pm

Parlor

(except the second Tuesday of the month when

they participate in Conversations on Race.)

Wednesday Morning

Bible Study

7 am Parlor

Coming soon—

Companions in Christ at

9:30 am Wednesdays

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United Methodist Men invite all men to join us Friday-Saturday October 11-12, 2019 for our 5th annu-

al 2-day retreat—again this year at Green Lake Conference and Retreat Center on beautiful Green

Lake.

The theme of the Retreat is “Christian Men in a Troubled World”. There will be handouts and no

study book will be required, although reading “The Universal Christ” by Richard Rohr would be help-

ful. Five sessions are planned.

Session 1: Genesis - God the father/parent/Universal Christ

Session 2: Men’s role in Christian family life when challenges occur

Session 3: Beatitudes - going outside our comfort zone

Session 4: Diversity and social justice

Session 5: Departure with worship with communion

Costs for the Friday-Saturday retreat is $124.00 for double room occupancy for one night, or $180.00

for single room occupancy which covers our meeting space and Friday supper buffet, Saturday lunch

buffet. We will do our own Saturday breakfast. Again this year you have the option of going up to

Green Lake on Friday morning departing at 8:30 am and using the Lawsonia Golf Course (for all you

golf lovers out there) , or if you don’t golf, to go on a short or longer hike, a bike ride through the

property, visit the International gift shop or climb the Judson Tower overlooking Green Lake. A sec-

ond group may depart around 3 pm arriving in time for supper there at 5:30. We will depart Green

Lake returning home mid afternoon on Saturday after celebrating closing worship and will arrive

home in time for supper. The only ‘extra’ charges would be for Lawsonia golfing fees or for bike

rental fees (unless you bring your own bike with you).

Registration Forms will be available near the coffee serving area or can be emailed to you by con-

tacting Jim Lingle at jlingle49@gmail.com. Signups must be in by September 11, otherwise rooms

will be released. It might be possible to sign up later but room availability may be limited ands cost

may increase.

Your Men’s retreat Planning Team: Joe Masterson, Mark Laux, Jim Lingle, Dave Mike, and Bob Thompson

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