underwoodtidings-feb2010

8/14/2019 UnderwoodTidings-Feb2010

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The Tidings Rev. Jamie P. Washam, Pastor

“We are living proof that Jesus Christ is our peace who makes February 2010

strangers into friends, breaks down dividing walls and builds up real persons.”

From the Pastor

In this season of sentimentality and romantic love, I commend a book of poetry to you: Love

Poems from God: Twelve Sacred Voices from the East and West , translated by Daniel Landinsky.

Around Valentine’s Day, it can be easy to overdo it on mass produced versions on love, and wind up

with a belly ache from the glut of candy hearts and stuffed bears. This is not the true stuff of love.

Rather, Divine Love, in the purest sense, is as St. John of the Cross writes, the most “blessed grace I

now know.”1

What if, in this time of hyper-sensitivity to the heart, you aimed to cultivate and reflect the

heart of God in all your interactions? What if you, like Rumi, came to believe that, “It’s [all] rigged –

everything, in your favor. So there is nothing to worry about.”2 Would you then be able to shower that

same abundance and generosity towards others? St. Thomas Aquinas asks, “How can we live in

harmony? First we need to know we are all madly in love with the same God.”3

Too quickly, we forget Christ’s mandate to be his hands and hearts and feet – his body – in

this world, and we get swept away by petty incidents and superficial concerns. Rabia of Basra wrote:“When God said, ‘My hands are yours,’ I saw that I could heal any creature in this world;

I saw that the divine beauty in each heart is the root of all time and space.

I was once a sleeping ocean and in a dream became jealous of a pond.

A penny can be eyed in the street and a war can break out over it amongst the poor.

Until we know that God lives in us and we can see God there, a great poverty we suffer.” 4

God has gifted and entrusted to us the potent presence of Divine Love. Why do we reject it? Do

we believe that we don’t deserve it? Do we distrust our management of such a mighty force? Perhaps

we forget that it can manifest as quietly and simply as a breath, a prayer, or a smile.

Again, St. John of the Cross teaches us that, “You might quiet the whole world for a second if

you pray. And if you love, if you really love, our guns will wilt.” 5 Beloved, seize this opportunity, this

moment, to open your heart, and to share this love.

1 St. John of the Cross, “Beloved” in D. Landinsky p 3022 Rumi, “It’s Rigged” in D. Landinsky p 853 St. Thomas Aquinas, “We Are Fields Before Each Other” in D. Landinsky p 1294 Rabia, “Jealous of a Pond” in D. Landinsky p 195 St. John of the Cross, “If You Love” in D. Landinsky p 317

Underwood Memorial Baptist Church

1916 Wauwatosa AvenueWauwatosa, WI 53213

(414) 258-4246

Email: underwoodchurch.com



BULLETIN

BOARDDEAR

UNDERWOODCHURCH FAMILYThank you so much for your generous endof the year gift. It is a joy to be your pastor.

With much appreciation, Jamie

DEAR UNDERWOOD,Thank you all for the generous Christmasgift this year. It’s very much appreciated.

Sincerely, Emily Rohde-Terrien

+DEAR UNDERWOODThank you for thinking of me with your generous Christmas gift.

Sincerely, Robin

DEAR UNDERWOOD CHURCHThank you for the beautiful poinsettia plant.We at Tudor Oaks have enjoyed it so verymuch! Blessings to you for the New Year.

Sincerely, Ann Paeschke

DEAR FRIENDSAT UNDERWOODWe have enjoyed the coming of theChristmas carolers over many years now.It’s so good to have this visit of friends, who

bring wonderful cookies as well. It was aspecial treat this year for the Health Center residents to listen to or sing with thecarolers, as they sang for Floyd, and for Paula Shockey. And sometime over theholidays we also received beautifulpoinsettias. We sincerely thank you for your kind attention and your prayers. Blessingsand Love, Doreen & Floyd Harbold

THANK YOUThe AIDS RESOURCE CENTER OF WIthanks Underwood for its generosity. Your donation will help the ARCW medical Center provide quality health care to our rapidlygrowing patient census.

Sincerely, Dan Mueller, V.P.

FULFILL YOURHEARTS DESIRE…Heart Sisters [women with BIG hearts]a purposeful group of women at UnderwoodBaptist Church, fun-loving, mission-minded,caring and giving, meet quarterly - openingsavailable - please apply in person at:

Heart Sisters

Valentine TeaSaturdayFebruary 13th2:30 pmFireside RoomPlease bring your own special tea cup andyou may dress up if you’d like. We willcontinue the Secret Heart Sisters!! Please

R.S.V.P. to Mary Ann Hand or Robin in thechurch office.

IT’S ACELEBRATION OPEN HOUSE!You have prayed for her – now celebratewith her! Now that Maria Hand has officiallybecome a resident of the United States,

come celebrate on Saturday, February 6th beginning at 7:30 p.m. Join us for an OpenHouse in the Stable House.

SEE YOU SOONPastor Jamie will be at the InternationalBaptist Theological Seminary in Prague,Czech Republic from January 23rd –February 5th, doing academic research.



THE

L I B R A R YC O R N E R

It’s a new year, with new goals to pursue.Did anyone resolve to read more books?

The Library received three books as gifts atChristmas. Two colorful children’sChristmas books were donated by theJonathan Landis family: The Twelve Daysof Christmas and The Donkey’s FirstChristmas. The second book was writtenwhen the author was just 11 years old.Children will find them in the Holiday Books

Section. Who says you can’t readChristmas books at other times of the year?

The other donated book came from HopeMarusic. It is Joan Chittester’s book, TheFriendship of Women. Thanks for thesenew additions.

There are plenty of new books (written aboutin previous Library Corner articles) waiting tobe signed out. Get into the habit of checkingthe new book display each Sunday. If you

need help in locating a book, please don’thesitate to ask for my help.

With the projected 2010 budget shortfall andthe cutting of all committee funding, our $200 library budget is eliminated. Thereforedonations of books are even more welcome.The policy for acceptance of books is on thelibrary desk.

Remember that you can honor or memorialize a friend or loved one with abook, perhaps for a birthday. I can makesome suggestions, if you wish. Thechildren’s library can always use more newbooks from preschool to the middle schoollevel of reading.

Keep on reading: one of life’s greatestpleasures!

Carolyn Sanders, Librarian

FAT TUESDAYPANCAKE SUPPER

Lent is approaching fast. Many people fast

during Lent. But before you do that, comeand join us for the third annual PancakeSupper, on Fat Tuesday, February 16th.

The time is 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., inFellowship Hall. The cost is $4 per person,with a $10 maximum for a family. The menuincludes pancakes, sausage, fruit, dessert,coffee, milk and ??? In order to preparesupper, won’t you please make your reservations by signing up on the pew pad

or calling the church office? Please join us,for food and fellowship

FEEDYOUR BELLY &YOUR

SOULJoin us each Wednesday during Lent for asimple meal and discussion on

going Beneath the Skin: Baptists and Racism. Using a study produced byEthicsDaily.com, we will consider pastmistakes and future challenges regardingracial unity and social justice. From thetrans-Atlantic slave trade to the currentimmigration debate, we will peel backprejudices and confront them with biblicalmandates. Come prepared for a lively andhonest conversation. See you there.



SILENT AUCTION

We are seeking items suitable for our SilentAuction that will take place in the FiresideRoom, March 14 & March 21. All moniesreceived become Camp Tamarack

Scholarships for campers in our church.Below is a list of ideas of items that woulddo well at an auction. For more informationor to arrange for a pick up, contact SarahTorbenson at 414-333-3144 or [email protected]

Trips and Getaways Use of vacation home, Bed & Breakfast,Hotels and resorts, Airline tickets, Hot air balloon ride, Sailing or boat cruise

Sports and Sporting EventsPro Game tickets, Rounds of golf or tennis,Pro instruction, Skiing lessons, SportsmemorabiliaGift CertificatesRestaurants, Books and CD’s, Clothing andaccessories, Beauty salon, Car washCultural EventsConcert tickets, Theater tickets, Movietickets, Personal museum tour Special Events

Hosted dinner, Hosted kid’s party, Catering,Music for a partyElectronicsI-Pod, Digital camera, Laptop computer Food and DrinkBottles of wine or spirits, Gourmet foods,Cooking lessonsArts and CraftsPaintings, Drawings, Prints, Ceramics, Fine

jewelry, Quilts and hangings, Handmadeclothing, Art classes

House and GardenAntiques, Oriental carpets, Gardenequipment, Appliances, Kitchen equipmentProfessional ServicesAccountant, Personal trainer, Photographer,Interior designer, Landscape designer,Computer consultant, Massage therapist

Put your thinking cap on!

MONEY & BUDGETS

Something we all like but don't like to talkabout. Well, Pat Ransom LOVES to talk

about it! So after church on February 14th

she will deliver a useful presentation onHOUSEHOLD and PERSONALBUDGETING. This is a presentation of theIDEAS committee, so you'll come away withtried-and-true ideas to help you get more for your hard-earned dollar. Proverbs 24:3-4reads “through wisdom a house is built, andby understanding it is established; and byknowledge the rooms shall be filled with allprecious and pleasant riches.”

MISSION UPDATE

Unlike 2008, when three out of the four mission campaigns exceeded the goals set,this past year was not as successful.Four American Baptist mission offerings arepromoted annually (one per quarter). Inaddition special donations are received for

Blankets of Hope and Tools of Hope,Church World Service projects. (CurrentlyChurch World Service is providing muchneeded blankets for the Haiti earthquakesurvivors.)

The collective goal for the four ABC missionprojects was $4000. We received $3109,about 78% of the set goals for eachcampaign. The mission committee loweredthe goals this year, anticipating a shortfall.Even so, we still missed the mark.

Thankfully, the two Church World Serviceofferings were more successful. Theytotaled $875, just over the $850 goal. If youparticipated in any or all of the specialofferings, your generosity is appreciated.

How can the Mission Committee better encourage you to participate in these specialofferings? Your suggestions are mostwelcome.



Voices of Faith Invites You to

“Allies for LGBTQ Equality”:Discovering How Being an Ally Is a Practice of Faith

Saturday, February 6, 201010 am to 1 pmUnitarian/Universalist Church West

13001 W. North Avenue, Brookfield262-782-3535

10 a.m.--The Rev. Keith Kron will talk with us about how clergy and their congregations can become more comfortable with and more public about their commitment to being open and welcoming to members of the lesbian, gay,

bisexual, and transgender community. He brings a wealth of experience in thisprocess, and will be able to answer questions and offer practical resources.

11 a.m.--After the general session with Rev. Kron, we will break into focus groups,allowing time for you to talk with other congregations and share ideas.

Noon--Finally, we will provide lunch. A free-will offering will be appreciated.

PRAYER CONCERNSMembers: Eva Berry, Jim Christenson, Carole Elizabeth, Marge Gaeth, Steve Glodoski,Margaret Jeske, Joyce Johnson, Marilyn Mee, Janice Melcher, Eugene Pramenko, Pat Ransom,Neil Rosenow, Carolyn and Joe Sanders, Dee Schowalter, Eileen Seeger, Ken Smith, AdinaTarpley, Pat and Llew Walker, Shari West, Wyla Wong, Millie Youngquist.

Friends and Others Known to the Church Family: Joe Gleesing’s brother, Dan; Linda Landis’mother, Kathy Hink; James Ingbretson; Grace Morgan’s son, David; Sandy Sherry’s sister, Jan,and father, Rev. Floyd Harbold; John & Bonnie Sorenson’s daughter-in-law, Jennifer; ColleenSprague’s brother, Mark Ashworth; Walker family; Jamie Washam’s grandparents, Weldon &Virginia Fikes; and all soldiers on active duty.

Sympathy: The Underwood Church family extends sympathy to Lorraine Genich and familyupon the death of her mother, Irma Julius, on January 13 th, 2010.

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