680 8th Ave. SW Valley City, ND 58072

Ph. 701-845-0340 Fax: 701-845-0347

www.epworthvalleycity.com

Dayne Zachrison Pastor

pastor@epworthvalleycity.com Office: 701-845-0340 Home: 701-845-0156 Cell: 701-840-7294

Anita Tulp Office Administrator

Newsletter Editor office@epworthvalleycity.com

Office: 701-845-0340 Home: 701-646-2123 Cell: 701-320-9058

Dawn Thomsen Director of Christian Education

christianed@epworthvalleycity.com Office: 701-845-0340 Cell: 701-490-0840

Rydel Samuelson Director of Youth Ministries

youth@epworthvalleycity.com Office: 701-845-0340 Cell: 701-426-2790

VirLyn Hoff Congregational Care Coordinator

virlynhoff@yahoo.com Office: 701-845-0340 Cell: 701-840-9285

October 2018

Epworth Events Living, Sharing, and Growing in God’s Love

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And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissention and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to discuss the question with the apostles and the elders…When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them…The apostles and the elders met together to consider this matter. Acts 15:2,4,6.

The United Methodist Church has been in the news lately, and will continue to be in the news in the coming months. Matters related to homosexuality have come to a decision point within our global denomination.

Let’s begin with some history and some structure of The United Methodist Church. Hopefully, you have heard of a Church or Charge Conference. It is the annual meeting of a local congregation of The United Methodist Church. It sets the budget, elects the leadership, and, hopefully, creates the vision for a local congregation like Epworth UMC. Our Charge Conference will happen late this month, on Sunday, October 28 at 7:00 pm.

Likewise, every four years, United Methodists from around the globe gather to set budgets, elect leadership, and, hopefully, create vision for the work of the Church around the world. Since 1972, there has been debate and conversation around issues related to homosexuality and the church. At General Conference in 2000, 2008, and 2012, these issues came very close to causing a break in the denomination. It appeared we were headed that way again in 2016 when a clergy delegate from the Great Plains Annual Conference made an appeal unlike any that had come before.

This delegate asked the Bishops to help the General Conference “find a way forward” for the denomination. In every previous General Conference, dating back to the 1786 “Christmas Conference” that began what was then known as the Methodist Episcopal Church, the role of the Bishops had been to preside at the meetings, not to be actively engaged in the debate. The Council of Bishops asked for and received a recess to discuss whether this was even something they were willing to tackle. The Council returned with a plan for conversation and a vision of what could take place.

The Bishops asked for permission to form a “Commission on a Way Forward.” This group, eventually headed by three bishops and containing leaders from around the world and across the spectrum of the church, committed to engaging with each other and with issues related to homosexuality within our denomination. The issues revolve around the sexual orientation and practice of those who are approved as Pastors in our denomination, as well as same-sex marriage by our Pastors or within our worship spaces. The Bishops encouraged the Commission to worship, pray and study together, and to create a path forward, if possible, for our global denomination. —Continued on pg. 9

Volunteer, Share, Enjoy! All are Welcome!

Tues., Oct. 30, 5:30 pm

Open 6 am—6 pm, Mon.—Fri.

8 am—4 pm, Saturday

Wednesday, October 31st 5:00-7:30 pm

Serving for October CHAIR—Dorothy & Fred Schroeder

Richard Hanson Tami & Dave Hanson Shirley & Glenn Haugen Holly & Dale Neuberger Dottie & Bob Werkhoven Cindy & Kevin Zahn Jan & George McCarthy Scott & Sheila Cummings

Serving for November CO-CHAIRS—Gail & Dennis Pederson Anne & Bob Bruns Jeanne & Todd Burchill Darlene & George Freadhoff Kathy & Chuck Jacobson Jeane Lang Della & Joel McClean Marshall Pederson & Matt Thorson Perry Roorda Nancy Sather Pat & Herb Triebold David Wright

October Greeters 7th—Todd & Jeanie Burchill 14th—Dale & Holly Neuberger 21st—Phil & Darlene Mueller 28th—Curt & Katy Van Dyke

Kitchen Care—Please refer to the poster in the kitchen for care and clean up after kitchen use.

The next funeral will be served by the July

serving group.

Your serving group provides the fellowship of Sunday mornings and the comforting presence that all need following a funeral service.

These are important ministries that we provide for one another within the community of believers. It is a way to reach out to those who have not found that gift of the Holy Spirit as being real in their own lives.

Please take seriously your assignment to one of the serving groups. If the month is not a fit for you, please contact VirLyn Hoff, Carol Peterson, or leave a note in the office with Anita.

3rd Bruce Ranum 4th Ellie Kvilvang Jan McCarthy 5th Lily Nielson 6th Kevin Rohrbeck 7th Lisa Baasch Tom Stoen 8th Randi Watterson Marvin Bloom Shanara Lint 9th Judy Elston 10th Mark Nielson Don Malec 11th Jon Owen 12th Skye Nielson Lindsey Noeske Benjamin Kruta 13th Grant Young 16th Alyssa Thomsen Caysen Torbenson 17th Laura Borchert 19th Nate Kvilvang 20th Evan Mielke 22nd Anthony Cuypers 23rd Helen Noeske 25th Vange Tulp Blayze Torbenson 26th Kim Owen 31st Floyce Cummings

Have Questions? Please call: VirLyn Hoff (845-1721) or Carol Peterson (845-2858)

2nd Laura & Derek Bruns 8th Carol & Ty Peterson Bill & Tisa Mason 12th Jerry & B.J. Edwardson 13th Jackie Owen/Rick Clark 18th Ryan & Amy Egeberg 20th Dawn & Brent Thomsen

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

7:30pm Valley

Troubadours

2

9am BC Minis-

terial

12pm Rotary

5:30pm Nurtur-

ing Parents

3

7:00pm Youth

7:00pm Choir

4

10am Pastor’s

Bible Study

4pm Girl Scouts

7pm Cub Scouts

5 6

10:30am

UMW Bazaar

11:00am Soup

& Sandwich

Luncheon

7

9:00am Sunday School

10:00am Coffee Fellowship

10:30am Worship

7:00pm The Vine

8

7:30pm Valley

Troubadours

9

12pm Rotary

5:30pm Nurtur-

ing Parents

10 9am Building Better Moms

4:30 & 7pm Confirmation

7pm Youth

7pm Choir

11

10am Pastor’s

Bible Study

4pm Girl Scouts

7pm Cub Scouts

12 13

14

9:00am Sunday School

9:30am Flu Shots

10:00am Coffee Fellowship

10:30am Worship

4pm NV 4-H

7:00pm The Vine

15

6:30pm 3 Simple

Rules

6:30pm Conversa-tion on a Way For-ward @ Bismarck McCabe

7:30pm Valley

Troubadours

16

12pm Rotary

3pm All Staff

5:30pm Nurtur-

ing Parents

17

5:30pm Church Family Supper 6:30pm Ministry Teams 7pm Living Low Carb 7pm Youth 8pm Ad Council

18 10am Sunny Circle

10am Pastor’s Bible

Study

4pm Girl Scouts

6:30pm Conversa-tion on a Way For-ward @ Fargo Faith

7pm Circle of Faith

19 20

21

9:00am Sunday School 10:00am Coffee Fellowship 10:30am Worship 11:30am Open Table Planning 7:00pm The Vine

22

6:30pm 3 Simple

Rules

7:30pm Valley

Troubadours

23

12pm Rotary

5:30pm Nurtur-

ing Parents

24

6pm Building

Better Moms

7pm Youth

7pm Choir

25 10am Pastor’s Bible Study

4pm Girl Scouts

7pm Cub Scouts

7pm Capital Cam-paign Thank You

26 27

28 9:00am Sunday School

10:00am Coffee Fellowship

10:30am Worship 12:15pm Meals on Wheels Delivery

7:00pm The Vine

7pm Charge Conf.

29

6:30pm 3 Simple

Rules

7:30pm Valley

Troubadours

30

12pm Rotary

5:30pm Open Table Commu-nity Meal 5:30 pm Nurtur-ing Parents

31

5:00pm Indoor Trick or Treat Event

7:00pm Youth

7:00pm Choir

October 2018

10 Epworth Events October 2018 October 2018 Epworth Events 3

August 30-September 27, 2018 Stewardship Daily Expenses/Maintenance $16,096.38 Building/Trustees 556.50 Capital Campaign/Construction loan 1,400.00 Christian Education 25.00 Matthew 25 500.00 Memorial 40.00 Parking Lot 155.00 Sunday School Offering 251.50 Worship Team 20.00

Mortgage Balance as of 9/27/18 $467,700.84

Worship Attendance September 2—94 September 9—122 The Vine—7 September 16—116 The Vine—8 September 23—142 The Vine—5

Sunday School Attendance September 9—54 September 16—60 September 23—56

Memorials in memory of Richard Christ Bob & Dottie Werkhoven—to Worship Karen Magnuson—to Memorial Perry Roorda—to Endowment Don & Bev Enger—to Building Fund Rudy & Sheryl Hanson—to Parking Lot Darlene & Phil Mueller—to Parking Lot Jan & George McCarthy—to Building Fund Bernard & Edna Elsner—to Memorial

Finance Update There are great things happening at Epworth United Methodist. More on that later, but I wanted to give you an update on our budget. Serving on the finance committee, in my eyes, means we need to keep you abreast of where the finances of the church are. Our YTD giving stands at $143,403 through the end of August. This stands at 82% of budget and is $31,134 short of budgeted income. It is the season of travel, lakes and vacation. We are getting back to our fall schedule, and I have enjoyed seeing increased numbers in church. On the expense side, being eight months into our year we are 67%% through the year. Total expenses through July stand at 66%. This says to me that expense management is maintaining budget. There are some budget areas that are over, but most of these are a result of seasonal changes or using volume buying that meets needs for longer than the budget period. We remain open to your questions and concerns. Please contact any of the finance committee if you have a question.

Curt Van Dyke, Finance Team Chair

Spiritual Growth

Join us for our Christian Education options on Sunday mornings.

We begin with a brief time of prayer and offering in the Gathering Space.

Deep Blue, our video and stories for students age 3 through 4th Grade, continues in the Gathering Space before breaking up into classes in their respective rooms.

Submerge is specifically for tweens (5 & 6th Graders) as they learn the faith, and our Junior High and Senior High groups each meet in their own spaces.

FaithLink is a discussion and study group that deals with current events and world issues from a Methodist and Christian perspective. This group meets in the Sunrise Room.

Our Adult Bible Study uses the curriculum that matches our All-Church Studies, Sermon Themes, and in-depth looks at Scripture. This group meets at the table in the Church Library.

All Church Study In October, our two adult classes will meet together for 3 weeks as we take an opportunity to look at Bishop Reuben Job’s book, Three Simple Rules. I believe many of our members already have copies of this version of our General Rules, or I invite you to pick up a new copy from the office. There will also be opportunities on the Mondays of October to continue the conversation, both at 10:00 am and 6:30 pm.

We Love Washington School We are working with Washington School on two different ways of serving in ministry together. Your generous financial gift toward

school supplies is being handled through the Principal’s Office and teaching staff to provide materials to students.

We are continuing to supply personal hygiene needs through the Counselor’s Office, as well. You were more generous than the counselor had space, and so we continue to hold items that will go to help students this fall.

Bridges Backpack School Pantry Last year, the Bridges Backpack Program began a Food Pantry at the Jr/Sr. High School.

Each month, we will share an item that is needed at the School Pantry. This month, we invite you to bring soup and pasta items (canned or microwaveable) that will go toward youth in need.

After 8 months of business, everything is still going amazingly well! We continue to learn, grow, and adapt. Our summer was busy with getting some landscaping and organizing done. Our collection of “Buy 10 drinks, get 11th Free” loyalty card customers has grown to over 800 customers, some coming through everyday! Are you one of them??

With the new school year, we’ve had a bit of staff change over. We will have some pics & intros for next month so you will be able to know them a little better.

We are coming up on some major gift giving holidays. Think about a Holy Grounds gift card!

Be sure to check us out on FaceBook :)

Congratulations!—Congratulations to Mike and Cassie Werlinger on their marriage that took place here at Epworth on Sat. Sept. 8th. We wish them many blessings in their new life together.

Congratulations!—Congratulations to Lucas and Amanda McClean on their marriage. We wish them many blessings in their new life together.

October 2018 Epworth Events 9 4 Epworth Events October 2018

Christian Education, Dawn Thomsen, Director

Wow! What a wonderful start to our Sunday School year we have had!! We’ve had around 50-60 kids through adults attending Sunday School each week. Classes seem to be going well so far as we are trying to get our routines figured out.

Remember we are doing 2 Adult classes again this year, one the current events “FaithLink” & the other being more of a Bible Study type class. We also have classes for our Jr. High & Sr. High! Check out the youth page for more info on the Sr. High Sunday School class.

Kids Sing!

Our preschool through 6th Graders will be singing during worship on Sunday, Oct. 28. After that, we will start working on our Christmas program. We will be getting that picked out & begin working and learning together in the next few weeks.

Indoor Trick Or Treat with Supper!

We are excitedly gearing up for our Annual Indoor Trick or Treat on Halloween. We had over 500 people come through last year. Please let me know if you are interested in setting up a table/space to give out candy or play a little game! We can even split tables into someone handing out candy in shifts (early & late) if that works better for you so it doesn’t get to be such a long evening. If you aren’t able to do a table or help out that night, but still want to contribute, feel free to drop off some candy or anything that would be fun to give out to the kiddos. Having a meal during our Trick R Treat was such a well-received gift to families last year that we are going to do it again this year! Sounds like we will be serving Hot Dogs & BBQs. Come join us for a fun evening!

Look Ahead…

Sunday, October 28th—children in preschool through 6th grade will be singing during worship at 10:30AM.

Wednesday, October 31st —Indoor Trick or Treat from 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Sunday, November 25th – No Sunday School classes (Thanksgiving) Sunday, December 16th —Children’s Christmas program during

worship.

We look forward to seeing everyone with all the fun & learning ahead!

Blessings,

Dawn christianed@eporthvalleycity.com

Continued from pg. 1

Over the course of the next year, the Commission wrestled with the task before them, focusing on the values that they identified as important to the issues and to the global church. In addition to the historic creeds of the Church and the theology of the Methodist movement, they included the issues threatening to pull our denomination apart, such as the ongoing struggle between traditionalists, contextualists and progressives; the constant push and pull toward and against centralization of our denominational governance; the reality of what it means to be a global denomination; and our vision of “making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”

Through the process of conversation, the Commission came forward with a framework for three different plans, and these three plans were presented to the entire church for conversation, and eventually, action. The “Traditionalist” plan keeps much of the language of the current Book of Discipline in place, adding stronger sanctions for those who take actions in disagreement with the Book of Discipline. This course of action also creates a new “exit plan” for congregations or Annual Conferences that feel they can no longer support the current language or restrictions.

The “Connectional Conference” plan creates, in effect, three side-by-side United Methodist Churches, allowing Annual Conferences and then local congregations to affiliate with a particular branch of the larger church. The three branches are understood as traditional, moderate, and progressive. There is much uncertainty as to what would happen with our mission organizations and work with this new structure, but willingness on the part of our Agencies and Global Missions to continue under any plan.

The “One Church” plan tries to bridge the gap between sides of these issues by giving Annual Conferences control over questions of sexuality and practice of those being appointed and ordained, and pastors and local congregations control over same-sex marriage ceremonies. At the end of July, the official report was made public in all five languages of The United Methodist Church (see, it’s messy to be a global church), and in the opinion of a large majority (but not all) of the Bishops, the “One Church” plan was recommended. For more details, you can follow the link n Epworth’s Homepage.

Next February 23rd, United Methodist Christians from around the world will gather in St. Louis, Missouri, at a Called General Conference with the goal of adopting some form of one of these plans. In the ensuing months, there have been other plans and suggestions made to the General Conference, and it will be up to the 860 or so delegates to work with this report and the recommendation of the Council of Bishops.

The Bishops have also committed to hearing from the members of local congregations within their Annual Conferences, and Bishop Ough has scheduled a second round of conversations, with two opportunities more easily available from Valley City. Monday, Oct. 15, 6:30 pm at Bismarck McCabe UMC, and Thursday, Oct. 18, 6:30 pm at Fargo Faith UMC.

As prayer has been an important part of this journey, the Bishops have also called us to pray for a way forward, inviting us to pray for The United Methodist Church at 2:23 each day (mirroring the 2/23 date for the beginning of the Special General Conference. I invite you to pray for our denomination, to participate in the conversations with Bishop Ough, and to strive to hear the voice of God within our conversation.

Blessings,

We Love Washington School Please help support

Washington School by clipping Box Tops and by bringing them

to the Church. The collection box is located in the kitchen.

October 2018 Epworth Events 5 8 Epworth Events October 2018

Sun., November 4 2:00 am Daylight Savings Time Ends! Turn clocks back 1 hour (time is now 1:00 am) 10:30 am All Saints Sunday Friday-Sunday, November 9-11 DakYouth 2018 @ Aberdeen, SD Wed., November 14 4:30 & 7:00 pm Confirmation 5:30 pm Church Family Supper 6:30 pm Ministry Teams 7:00 pm Youth 8:00 pm Administrative Council Tues. November 20 3:00 pm All Staff Newsletter Items Due! November 26-30 Hanging of the Greens Tues., November 27 5:30 pm Open Table Community Meal

Thank you!—Thank you to all who came to my 90th birthday party. It was a very memorable day and you made it so special. —Pat Nielson

Hello All, I am happy to say that the youth group is doing fantastic. We have been talking about great topics in youth group. One is the topic of “surrender stuff.” We talked about how our lives change when we move away from the love of stuff. We had great conversation about how wanting to have the “new and improved” stuff affects our lives. The other topic was that of “peer pressure” and what that looks like and feels like in today’s world. Then we found scripture that tells us how to handle these types of situations. We talked about what positive and negative peer pressure looks like and what to do in certain situations, if that happens.

The Senior High Sunday School will be beginning a series on the Bible and where it came from and how to read it. I am looking forward to diving into a deep study about the stories of GOD with these amazing kids.

I would like to highlight some upcoming events going

on with the Dakotas youth. The first event is DakYouth.

This event is for 6th through 12th Graders who wish to go. It is happening in Aberdeen, SD on November 9th through the 11th. With more information to come.

The next big event is YOUTH 2019!! This event is a

mission/service trip in Kansas City. This is happening July 7th through the 14th in 2019. There is a $100 down payment for this trip. I am excited to have the chance to see these youth grow and learn with being God’s hands and feet to the world while working alongside other youth.

God’s Love,

Rydel

Every Wednesday!

@ 7:00 pm

Attendance

September 5—13

September 12—8 Confirmation—8

September 19—10

September 26—8 Confirmation—9

Celebrating New Life—Congratulations to Sarah & Trevor (TJ) Hansen on the birth of their twins, Liza Kaye (6.5 lbs.) and Gable Scott (6.6 lbs.) on Tues., September 18th. Liza and Gable join a sister, Sophia,

and a brother, Kallen. Congratulations Scott Miller, Kathy & Lloyd Miller, and the rest of the Miller family on the birth of their new grandchildren, great grandchildren, and niece and nephew. May you all be blessed with

Building Better Moms Building Better Moms, a new program for moms of infants through teenagers, will meet the 2nd and 4th Wednesday’s of the month here at Epworth. The 1st meeting of the month will always be a morning meeting 9-11, 2nd will always be an evening one 6-7:30. Childcare will be provided. If you are interest-ed in helping with the childcare please let us know. Check out our Facebook page Valley City Building Better Moms. Contact Courtney Reile at courtney.reile@yahoo.com for more info.

Flu Clinic

It’s that time of year again! A Flu Clinic will take place at Epworth on Sunday, October 14th from 9:30-10:30 am. Vaccinations will be provided by City-County

Health District Nurses. Please bring your insurance card(s) with you to the office area in the church. If you have questions, feel free to call 845-8518 for more information.

6 Epworth Events October 2018 October 2018 Epworth Events 7

Congregational Care Church Family Supper

Our Church Family Supper will be Wednesday, October 17th, 2018. Serving will begin at 5:30 pm and continue as people arrive for meetings. Ministry teams will meet at 6:30 pm and the Administrative Council at 8 pm.

All are invited to these times of food and fellowship. We hope to see you there!

In September, we shared ham and cheese sliders with several salads, apple crisp and dark chocolate zuchinni bars. Thank you to Dorothy Schroeder for food preparation and Dorothy and Bev Enger for serving and clean-up. Thank you to Richard Hanson and Perry Roorda for once again washing the dishes. —VirLyn Hoff, Congregational Care Coordinator

Jesus loves ME, this I know for the Bible tells me so. Jesus loves YOU, this I know for the Bible tells me so.

Part of the Purpose of United Methodist Women is “to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ.” United

Methodist Women along with our Epworth Church offer opportunities to know God. These are ‘sacred spaces’ to encounter God through study of scripture.

Circles meet for study and fellowship. Unit meetings (March, May, August, September, December) include worship with a program. The Reading Program requires reading in five categories – spiritual growth, mission education, nurturing community, social issues and leadership. Every issue of our Response magazine has a Bible study. Also, the stories of mission projects show the Love – Hope - Faith in Action of United Methodist Women for women, children and youth.

Now, this fall, the annual business meetings for our Northwest District and our Dakotas Conference are held. Three of us, Bev Enger, Michelle and myself, attended the Northwest District in Minot September 14 – 15. Michelle was recognized as Epworth 2018 Jewel of a Woman.

The Dakotas Conference meeting of United Methodist Women is upcoming Oct. 12 – 13 in Bismarck. Contact me now if you can attend.

These two annual meetings are where the business matters are conducted. Officers are installed. Finances are reviewed. Yet, we have worship, singing, study and fellowship with sisters in faith. We encounter God coming to us and working through us!

All of these encounters with God and the Word direct us to care for others, especially those in need. So we hold a Bazaar! We work in community and for community sharing our talents, gifts, abilities and resources. This is our major fund raising event for the year.

All of us are needed to pull this off so let me know or Mary Lee Nielson where you can share and what you like to do.

“Your Word is a lamp before my feet and a light for my journey.” Psalm 119:105

VirLyn Hoff, UMW Unit President

“Open Table” Served on the last Tuesday of every month, this ministry is something to look forward to for many in our community.

Planning meetings are held on a Sunday after worship. Donations of food items, cookies, funds, and helping hands are welcome. Our September Open Table meal was served on Tuesday, September 25, and consisted of a choice of soup (cheeseburger macaroni or tomato) and grilled cheese sandwiches. Many hands helped prepare the pudding dessert and sides of garden tomatoes, carrots, crackers, and pickles. The meal was enjoyed by 47 people. Thanks to everyone that helped prepare, serve, and clean up!

Serving begins at 5:30 pm. All are welcome!

Bazaar Notes The Epworth Bazaar bake sale team invites you to dig out your favorite recipes and support the bake sale on October 6th. We have done so well in the past and hope to keep up the fine display of homemade treats.

You may receive a phone call or message as a reminder, but if not, please know that we still need your participation to have another success.

Dorothy Schroeder has some clear plastic packaging available for smaller amounts of bars, cookies, rolls, and smaller pies. Please contact her if you need them. Otherwise, please wrap your items with secure packaging. Double paper plates and clear overwrap work well. Please label items clearly and add a notice if nuts are included in your items.

Pies, rolls, small quick breads, angel food cakes, and homemade candies or snack items sell well. Small pies, plates of 2-4 cookies or bars, or 2 rolls are nice for shoppers wanting a sample or a coffee treat.

Donated items will be accepted Friday Oct. 5 until 7:00 p.m. and Saturday morning before 10:00 a.m.. If you no longer bake, the committee accepts a cash donation at the church office.

Whatever you choose to share, we thank you so much and are looking forward to another amazing bazaar.

VirLyn Hoff, Bev Enger, and Michelle Grebel attended the Dis-trict Meeting of the United Meth-odist Women held in Minot.

Michelle Grebel was honored as Epworth Jewel of a Women for 2018. Alexis Huff, District Vice President, recognized her for this honor.