April, 2016 The Covenant Connection Newsletter of Covenant United Methodist Church My goodness, Easter has come and gone and we are already experiencing Montana’s few but beautiful spring days! We are seeing the first signs of buds on the trees, sprouts from the ground, birds looking for nesting sites, last vestiges of snow rapidly disappearing. My hope for us all is that we take some time to enjoy this time of year and to be grateful for the renewal of life, even when in some areas of our world, life is diminished by senseless violence and fear abounds. I know we feel there is little we as individuals or even the church can do to comfort people thousands of miles away and to calm their fears. We must trust those who govern to exercise wisdom in protecting all of us and we must exercise wisdom in the selection of our leaders. Meanwhile, in enjoying spring I hope that each bud, sprout and new nest will serve to remind us of the hope that is hard-wired in our universe and that the self-renewable power of life cannot be turned off. In the end goodness will conquer all. Let us be agents of that goodness in all we do, say, and accomplish. Shalom! Rev. Rick April 3 — Communion Sunday John 20:19-31 “Thomas Pipes Up for Us All” — Rev. Rick Bell choir performs April 10 Acts 9:1-20 “Get Up and Go” — Rev. Marianne April 17 — Earth Day John 4:7-15 “Water, Holy Water” — Rev. Rick Special music by Kathy Chase Blessing of the Giving Garden at the conclusion of the service. Weather permitting this will be outside with a portable sound system and special music. April 24 Acts 11:1-8 “God Likes Surprises” — Rev. Tyler Vocal choir performs Noisy offering And as Jan Fishburn invites us: Make sure to come worship with us each Sunday. I know your hearts will be blessed by the fellowship, the music and the sermons awaiting you each Sunday.
Transcript
April, 2016
The Covenant Connection
Newsletter of Covenant United Methodist Church
My goodness, Easter has come and gone and we are already experiencing Montana’s few but beautiful spring days! We are seeing the first signs of buds on the trees, sprouts from the ground, birds looking for nesting sites, last vestiges of snow rapidly disappearing.
My hope for us all is that we take some time to enjoy this time of year and to be grateful for the renewal of life, even when in some areas of our world, life is diminished by senseless violence and fear abounds. I know we feel there is little we as individuals or even the church can do to comfort people thousands of miles away and to calm their fears. We must trust those who govern to exercise wisdom in protecting all of us and we must exercise wisdom in the selection of our leaders.
Meanwhile, in enjoying spring I hope that each bud, sprout and new nest will serve to remind us of the hope that is hard-wired in our universe and that the self-renewable power of life cannot be turned off. In the end goodness will conquer all. Let us be agents of that goodness in all we do, say, and accomplish.
Shalom!
Rev. Rick
April 3 — Communion Sunday John 20:19-31 “Thomas Pipes Up for Us All” — Rev. Rick Bell choir performs April 10 Acts 9:1-20 “Get Up and Go” — Rev. Marianne April 17 — Earth Day John 4:7-15 “Water, Holy Water” — Rev. Rick Special music by Kathy Chase Blessing of the Giving Garden at the conclusion of the service. Weather permitting this will be outside with a portable sound system and special music. April 24 Acts 11:1-8 “God Likes Surprises” — Rev. Tyler Vocal choir performs Noisy offering And as Jan Fishburn invites us: Make sure to come worship with us each Sunday. I know your hearts will be blessed by the fellowship, the music and the sermons awaiting you each Sunday.
Wednesday, April 6 — 12:00n-1:30pm Gentle Ways to Promote Strength, Flexibility, and Balance
Presented by Sandee Sept and Charlotte Sanddal Make your lunch reservation by Monday, April 4 —877-962-8300
Thursday, April 28 — 6:30pm My Destiny 2 Health Care and Financial Powers of Attorney Orders for Life Sustaining Treatments Personal Representatives Probate Trusts Presented by Marsha Goetting, PhD, CFP, CFCS - MSU, Professor & Extension Family Economics Specialist For more information contact Fran Waddell — 406-438-2162 or [email protected]. Reserve your space by Monday, April 25 — 866-295-7278. Bring a nonperishable food item for Food Share.
Wednesday, May 4 — 12:00n-1:30pm Life After Employment
Presented by Steve Reiter, Senior Operations Specialist, AARP Montana Make your lunch reservation by Monday, May 2 — 877-962-8300
Bridges is an outreach program of the Helena United Methodist Ministries, in partnership with AARP Montana.
All presentations are always open to the public. Bring a friend. Contact Alyce Brutosky at 458-8144 for information.
Photo by Richard C. Hulbert
The Covenant Connection — Page 4 April, 2016
Growing in Spirit and Service
Middle School Group Wednesday — 6:15-8:15pm
Choir Room at Suzanna’s Place
Senior High Group Wednesday — 7:00-8:15pm
Covenant UMC
Other Youth Events: Wednesday, April 20 — Fritz Behr Memorial Litter Patrol. Help clean up the neighborhood. April 15-17 — Junior High Retreat in Choteau. Meladie Brandle, interim coordinator of youth ministry, will be accompanying youth to this retreat. Cost is $70. Contact Meladie with questions — 439-8617. Tuesday, April 26 — Leadership Academy — Meet at Frozen Moose at 3:30; go to Intermountain 4:00-5:00pm
Interested in Joining a Two Week Mission Trip to Cuba?
Be part of a HUMM sponsored United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) trip to Cuba in February 2017. United Methodist churches in Cuba are looking for a team of 10 to 12 volunteers to help build parsonages and homes and renovate churches. Construction skills are not required. There are tasks for everyone to assist our Cuban Methodist sisters and brothers. The United Methodist church has been conducting mission trips in Cuba for the past 20 years. Membership in the Methodist church has more than quadrupled in the past 17 years. This mission trip is organized with the approval and under the guidelines of UMVIM. Please contact JoAnn Hanson ([email protected] or 449-2689) for more information. More details will follow in the newsletter and weekly church bulletins. Stay tuned.
Rev. Andre Cassule, pastor in the East Angola Conference of the UMC, will speak at St. Paul’s at 6:30pm on April 6. The Yellowstone Conference has been in partnership with the East Angola Conference of the UMC for almost 13 years and now supports 66 pastors at $50 a month. Come hear about what life is like in Angola, the experiences a pastor encounters, and more about this partnership that offers hope to the pastors, their families and their villages.
The Covenant Connection — Page 5 April, 2016
Camping in the Yellowstone Conference There are many opportunities to grow spiritually at one of the UMC camps this summer. For more complete information (dates, contacts, fees, etc) check out the camping page on the Yellowstone Annual Conference website — www.yac.umc/camps.
Youth Flathead Lake UMC Camp Tween — (entering grades 4-6) July 6 — 9 Middler — (entering grades 7-9) June 26—July 1 Senior High — (entering grades 10-2016 grads) July 24—29 Luccock UMC Camp Elementary — (entering grades 3-6) July 27—30 Middler — (entering grades 7-9) August 7—12 Senior High — (entering grades 10-2016 grads) August 7—12
Camps on the Boulder Youth in grades 9 - 12. — Community Transformation Leadership Camp July 20-24; $249. Poverty
simulation, mutual invitation, hands on mission, team building. Youth in grades 6 - 8. Builder’s Camp: Problem Solving and Team Work August 18-21; $189. Can you...
shoot a rocket? knock down a wall from 50 feet? construct a shelter? build stuff? Adults — Living Artfully: Cultivate a Spirituality of Creativity August 12-14; $149. Creative, experiential,
and devotional. Class and individual projects, outdoor explorations, living artfully, journaling. Women’s Retreat — Mind, Body, Spirit - August 26-28; $139. Stop , reassess, and learn how to be the
healthiest version of yourself. Bring a sister or a friend. All ages and backgrounds are welcome. Flathead Work Weekend — April 29-May 1. Trade some work for some time at Flathead Camp. Families, couples or single adults are welcome at this weekend of getting camp ready for summer. There are jobs for all skill sets from raking, painting, window washing, to construction and repairing. There will be some finish work to do on a new area off the dining hall that will include a campfire ring. If you have never been to camp, this is a good way to introduce your family to the beauty, do a bit of work and help young ones get excited for Youth Camps. For more details and to let the camp know you are coming for that weekend call John Weida at 442-6366. You are fed and housed for free in exchange for your help getting the camp ready. Intergenerational 4th of July Camp — July 1-5 Families of all shapes and sizes are welcome at 4th-of-July Camp — grandparents and grandkids, several generations of families, singles who love the lake and community, and couples young and older all find a lot of fun and time for reflection. This camp is centered on quality time with family and friends and spiritual renewal time in God’s beautiful creation. This camp is a ‘Come and Go’ camp which means you do not have to register for the entire camp, but can register for the days you would like to attend. For more information contact Lynn Van Nice (442-5643 or [email protected]) or Vicki Weida (442-6366 or [email protected]).
The Covenant Connection — Page 6 April, 2016
Thank You to...
Rhonda Payne and Jim Fishburn for leading the Lenten Disciples classes at the St. Paul’s location.
Jan Fishburn and the Worship Team for thoughtful planning of worship with Rev. Rick.
Ron Guse for volunteering to serve as chair of the Ad Council.
Dick Benner for repairing the light switch in the Silver Linings room.
Those who hosted fellowship hour in the month of March. • Alyce Brutosky • Lucille Gordon • Martha & Jim Haddock • Rita Newman • Mickie & Dennis Petty • Bobbi Renner • Gail Tronstad • Rita Newman
Ron Guse and Fran Waddell for cleaning the front entrance area around the sidewalks and benches and the front parking lot.
Communion stewards in March: • Ron Guse • Billie Rogne • Ryan Sept • Sharon Wolfe
Liturgists who served in March: • Jim Fishburn • Jim Haddock • Gail Tronstad • Sharon Wolfe
Bobbi Renner and Billie Ann Rogne for preparing the Communion elements on every Communion Sunday.
Jim Madison, Zach Allen, Cody Brown for serving as readers on Good Friday.
Alma Cline and Carson Payne for doing such a great job as acolytes and especially for your help during the Good Friday service.
Wilmot Collins for singing “Were You There?” for the Good Friday service.
Vocal choir — for your special music on Good Friday and Easter Sunday; Jerry Sept for directing, Kelly Cline for accompaniment and Ron Guse for recruitment.
All who gave tulips for Easter Sunday. Colorful! Glorious!
Kathy Chase and Dean Mack for the special music on Palm Sunday.
Kim Peachy for the beautiful piano solo and accompaniment on March 13.
Bell Choir — we love the special music you bring to us monthly.
Zach Allen, Jim and Jan Fishburn, Jerry Sept and Sharon Wolfe for alter decorations in March and on Good Friday.
Jim Madison for loaning the tenebrae candle holder and candles for Good Friday.
Mickie and Dennis Petty and Margaret Eagle for faithfully serving as greeters every Sunday.
—Thank yous continue on page 7—
“This is a wonderful day. I’ve never seen this one before. “ —Maya Angelou
The Covenant Connection — Page 7 April, 2016
Growing in Spirit and Service
Holocaust Remembrance Service — May 1, 2016
We will have a special order of worship on May 1 for Holocaust Remembrance including reflections by two members of our Covenant community. Rhonda Payne has family ties to the events of Holocaust in Holland and Walter Degee lived in Holland during the Holocaust and his father was put to death by the Third Reich days before the end of the war for assisting the escape of Jewish people. You will not want to miss these reflections by Rhonda and Walter. Our service will also feature prayers of remembrance for those who suffered and died, those who assisted others to escape to a world free of man’s inhumanity to man. Our Service of Holy Communion will be followed by a video of Holocaust faces with music from the movie Schlinder’s List. This will be a moving service in which we remember the past and pray for the future.
Proceeds from the UMW Soup and Pie Luncheon totaled $1233.38. Proceeds are designated to missions.
Following is a partial list of beneficiaries from Covenant’s United Methodist
Women this past year: Family Promise of Helena • Angola Pastor • YWCA
• Leo Pocha Clinic • Friendship Center • Angel Fund • God’s Love • Helena
Food Share • UMCOR • Fill the Buckets for Annual Conference • Heart Butte Sunday School Many thanks to our very active, committed UMW group for your generous giving that others may live better.
Rita Newman and Fran Waddell for decorating the fellowship hall for Easter Sunday.
Kris Allen and helpers for providing an Easter egg hunt.
Dawn North who coordinated much of the recent Family Promise week at Covenant.
Tara and Wayne Knight for leading the setup of the sleeping rooms for Family Promise.
Thank you from…
Tracie and her children, our Family Promise guests in March, thank Covenant for its generous help. Covenant will host Family Promise again in September.
The Covenant Connection — Page 8 April, 2016
Growing in Spirit and Service
Getting to Know Our New Ad Council Chair — Ron Guse
Ron and Mary came to Covenant in 1996 from Helena’s First Presbyterian Church after being members there for almost 28 years. They have a daughter and son, 4 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. Ron was employed for 28 years with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, responsible for numerous positions, including manager of the state’s water permitting system and serving 18 years on the Board of Water Well Contractors. Retiring in 1996, he ran his own water right consulting business for 5-6 years.
Ron has been active at Covenant from the beginning, singing in the choir, serving on numerous committees, including six years on trustees. Currently he continues to sing with the choir, serves on the Board of Trustees, Stewardship team, Lay Leadership team, usher, money counter, tills the Giving Garden, and other activities as needed.
Ron and Mary were both born in Hamilton, Montana, and graduated from Hamilton High School. Mary grew up in Billings before moving back to Hamilton in the mid 60’s. Ron served in the Hamilton Montana Army National Guard for six years and obtained the rank of Sergeant. They both attended the University of Montana where Ron graduated in 1968, the same year they married and moved to Helena and a new job. When the two children were older, Mary worked at the PanHandler and the State Department of Health and Human Services, totaling 27 years.
Ron enjoys working with photos and music on his computer and most outdoor activities including elk hunting and fly-fishing.
John Jones Friday, April 15 11:00—Graveside service at
Fort Harrison 12 noon — Reception at
Covenant Saturday, April 16 10:30 — Funeral service at
Gold Hill Evangelical Lutheran Church, Butte
Helen Pike Saturday, April 16 1:00pm — Memorial service at
Covenant
Graveside service following at Sunset Memorial Gardens
If you know someone who might enjoy our newsletter and news notices encourage them to provide their email address to Renata ([email protected]).
Ways to Stay in Touch and Be in the Know
The Covenant Connection — Page 9 April, 2016
Growing in Spirit and Service
CUMC Administrative Council Meeting March 17, 2016
Abridged minutes of the March 17, 2016 Administrative Council meeting are below. For purposes of space, topics that are otherwise covered in the newsletter are not repeated in these minutes. An approved copy of the minutes may be obtained from Secretary Sandee Sept.
Covenant UMC is governed by an Administrative Council which offers every member the opportunity to attend meetings, express views about business presented and vote
on the outcome. Next meeting will be Thursday, April 21 at 6:30 pm.
February council minutes were approved as submitted with one correction. The Fidelity account should have read $3,668.27 and stands corrected.
Finance Report Mickie noted that actual income for February was less than budgeted income of $10,810. Our current checking account balance is $26,049.66 This includes $2,225 for the cross project and $1,990 for the technology program. The treasurer’s report was accepted as submitted.
Rick spoke of the Extra Mile Program to address the budget deficit. The current budget was approved with an anticipated deficit of approximately $15,000. If the additional funds are not raised it will be necessary to reduce expenditures by reducing the mission shares or facilities maintenance fund. These are the only areas of the budget which are not fixed costs.
Trustee’s Report A new screen has been installed in the
fellowship hall and is available for meeting use. Technology planning for the sanctuary
continues and is nearing completion. The anticipated cost of equipment using the wall as a screen is about $1600. Some electrical work will need to be completed for this project.
The fabricator anticipates the exterior cross will be completed within three weeks.
Rick is working with Signs Now to produce and install new banners to replace the damaged ones.
Jerry shared plans for the next stained glass window to be installed behind the bell choir.
Exterior window painting and eaves is planned when weather permits.
Trustees are preparing to analyze the outdoor water usage issue and trying to economize without hurting the grass.
Lighting for the front sign is regulated by an atomic clock which will also be used to regulate the illumination for the new cross.
The parking lot renovation and associated costs is an example of as a long term project for which we need to be saving.
Trustees are looking into the possibility of a heat pump system for part of the building to reduce costs.
Silver Linings has offered to donate $500 to Covenant from funds generated during a fund-raiser.
—Continued on page 10—
$0
$2,000
$4,000
$6,000
$8,000
$10,000
$12,000
Budgeted Income February Income
The Covenant Connection — Page 10 April, 2016
Growing in Spirit and Service
Lay Nominations and Development Ron Guse volunteered to act as Ad Council chair and his offer was quickly accepted by the council. We do not currently have an Education chair which is primarily for adult ed.
SPRC Discussion at the joint SPRC meetings has been about discipleship and how to promote spiritual growth for adults in our churches.
A volunteer team of Ron Guse, Kelly Cline, and Jerry Sept are currently providing guidance to the choir. Our current budget does not include paying a choir director for this year.
Member Services and Outreach Work on the mission wall continues with the goal of having some components installed within the next few weeks.
Discussion about name badges raised questions about how they are used and where they should be stored. Council members recommended putting the rolling name badge display into the fellowship hall. We also need someone to update the names and remove those no longer in use.
Gail is anticipating a June 1 and a September 1 newsletter with the middle of the summer off. Ideas suggested for future newsletters include book reviews and member profiles.
Visitor packets are still under discussion. The library has been reorganized and moved to the front office thanks to Tara and Wayne Knight. There is interest in advertising some of the library resources and possibly promoting a book review each month.
Small group dinners are in process. There are currently two groups of about 8-10 people each meeting monthly. Plans are underway for both groups to meet together in May.
Missions and Ministries Berma described her conversation with Pastor Tyler Amundson and the organization of mission ministries. In May she and other representatives will be meeting to discuss joint HUMM mission projects. The Giving Garden is anticipated to be a HUMM joint mission project with a planting gathering and luncheon on June 5. Berma is
anticipating an orientation meeting for the Giving Garden in April and details of planting will be shared at that time. The November joint mission project would again be filling the boxes for the Blackfoot Parish.
Volunteers will be needed for the Yellowstone Annual Conference June 16-18 at both St. Paul’s and Covenant. Covenant is hosting the evening picnic on the 16th. The food will be catered, but Covenant will provide the site and set-up. The service project for this year is layettes. JoAnn is exploring a potential mission trip to Cuba in February 2017. Adult Ministries Another reconciling ministries meeting will be
scheduled. Bridges is going well and the summer will be used
to plan programming for the next year. The Hunter’s Pointe ministry is a continuing
question as participation has waned. Worship Team Jan provided a handout and description of upcoming Sundays and associated activities through May. Planning is underway for an Earth Day worship
service on April 17. A blessing of pets service is planned for June. The model conservation environment concept has
begun to merge with some of the issues the trustees are facing. The importance of water in both the bible and our current environment (including garden) is expected to be a part of the discussion.
Planning Rick provided copies of the dashboard detailing current project status and another visual depicting the “oars in the water” or happenings and activities at CUMC.
Rick described an Extra Mile Mission Shares evening potluck dinner. The goal is to understand more fully what our mission contribution supports. The $11,000 annual contribution from this little church makes a significant impact in the world. The potluck is anticipated to be in late May and there is the possibility of including other Methodist churches. Meeting adjourned.
Covenant United Methodist Church 2330 East Broadway Helena, MT 59601
The Covenant Connection April, 2016
Special thanks to those who contributed information and photos for this issue.
Jan Fishburn Martha Haddock Ron Guse JoAnn Hanson Lois Neal Rev. Rick Sandee Sept Renata Strauss Fran Waddell
Next newsletter will be published early May. Please submit articles by Friday, April 24.
Covenant United Methodist Church Growing in Spirit and Service
