The Caller

Pastor’s Ponderings —

The Mission of the Sun Prairie United Methodist Church is to invite and welcome people to be committed and compassionate followers of Jesus Christ, through

worship, through spiritual growth, through fellowship, through service to others.

Our worship services are aired on KSUN-12, digital channel 983 and basic cable channel 98, Sundays at 11:00am

“Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has

welcomed you, for the glory of God.” --Romans 15:7

and to make visible our Sun Prairie United Methodist Church vision of welcome that knows no boundaries

and opens our doors and hearts to all God’s children. We will work from the definition of a disciple being a

grace-filled Christ follower who puts faith into action.

Our acronym of H.O.P.E. will guide us in Hospitality, Offering Christ, Purposeful Living, and Engaging the

Community. We will focus each year with one of these guiding principles, beginning this year with

Hospitality.

When living out our faith, hospitality is considered a mark of Christian discipleship and a commitment to

grow in the likeness of Christ; while going the extra mile and reaching out beyond ourselves to receive all

people in ways that go beyond expectation. One of the guiding questions we will ask in our year of

Hospitality is, how do we proclaim the Gospel, while seeking to welcome and gather people into the body of

Christ?

Early Methodists practiced hospitality in ways that were radical for their day. John Wesley preached from

thousands of roadsides, in open fields and coal mines, to field laborers, factory workers, and the poorest of

the poor. Wesley and the early Methodists invited people to be in community.

People are searching for places of welcome, belonging, acceptance, care, forgiveness, and purpose…Many

are searching for hope. If they do not find hope in the church, they will find it somewhere else and if they do

not find it at our church, they will find it at another church. (Continued page 2)

January 2016 Vol. XIII No. 1

As we enter into a New Year, we will begin to live out our ministry from the

basis of H.O.P.E. Over the next four years, we will use H.O.P.E. as the core

process to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world

January Sermons

Pastor’s Ponderings — continued from page 1

Pastor’s Ponderings 1

December Sermons 2

Connectional Giving 3

Outreach & Spiritual Formation 4

Youth Ministries 5

Hospitality Ministry 6

Children & Family Ministries 7

Caring Ministries/Stephen Ministries 8

Small Group Ministries 9

Grace Cafe 10

Members in Assisted Living Facilities 11

LOGOS News 12

Church Records 13

Welcome Our New Members 14

January Calendar 15

Church Staff 16

Hospitality really does stream through Scripture. Jesus said, “I was a stranger and you welcomed me…Just

as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me” (Mt. 25:35, 40).

“Welcome one another just as Christ has welcomed you for the glory of God” (Rm. 15:7). “Do not neglect

to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it” (Heb.

13:2).

Our year of focusing on Hospitality seems like a wonderful and natural continuation of what SPUMC is

known for. I look forward to seeing how we will take our Hospitality to a new level as we offer H.O.P.E. to

a world in need.

Blessings,

Jenny

In This Issue

– JANUARY 2 & 3 –“Pausing For Direction”

Epiphany & John Wesley Covenant Service

Isaiah 60:1-6; Matthew 2:1-2 We will hear the story of the Magi finding the Christ

child. We will also celebrate the Sacrament of Holy

Communion. We will receive Communion at the front of

the Sanctuary and have the opportunity for anointing with

oil. When we come forward for Communion, it

symbolizes coming to the table of God’s grace.

– JANUARY 9 & 10 –“Remember Your Baptism and Be Thankful”

Baptism of Jesus & Reaffirmation

of our Baptism Vows

Isaiah 43:1-7; Luke 3:15-17, 21-22We will hear the story of Jesus’ baptism and have the

opportunity to reaffirm our own Baptism vows.

– JANUARY 16 & 17 –“I Stopped In, But You Were Out to Lunch--God”

Psalm 36:5-10; John 2:1-11

– JANUARY 23 & 24 –“Being the Hope the World Needs”

Psalm 19; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a

– JANUARY 30 & 31 –“A Still More Excellent Way”

Psalm 71:1-6; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Page 2 THE CALLER Jan. 2016

Our Connectional Giving – The giving of our Apportionments (‘A Portion Meant for Others’) is also

known as our Connectional Giving in The United Methodist Church and is not something we simply

‘do;’ rather then reflect who we are as United Methodists.

Part of the impact of our Apportionments stays within the Wisconsin Conference and support ministries

such as Madison Hospital Chaplaincy. This ministry supports United Methodist patients and families

who come from out of town to any of the Madison area hospitals. Through the gift of our shared giving,

families find pastoral care waiting for them through the ministry of the Madison Hospital Chaplaincy.

With today's rapid transitions in and out of the hospital and distance to travel, often clergy and lay care

givers from outside of the immediate Madison area can’t respond to offer pastoral care. Rev. Aaron

Alfred from the Wisconsin Conference brings comfort to many as they are receiving care for their health

needs. He serves the ministry 20+ hours per week by visiting or connecting with United Methodists and

their families in his hospital rounds. When the patient gives permission, he contacts the home pastor

providing a connection of care and communication on behalf of the patient.

Apportionments are an opportunity to show the love of God to others in a very tangible way. Together

we do more than we could ever dream of doing alone and this outreaching ministry of love is grounded

in our generous giving.

Apportionment giving for each local church is calculated individually based on membership and total

church expenses, including staff compensation, programming expenses and operating expenses. We paid

a little over half of our Apportionment giving of $98,232 for 2015, but look to continue moving forward

in 2016.

Our Apportionment commitment in 2016 is $105,612; based on 901 members, which is approximately

$117.22 per member for the year.

Thank You for the ways you can support how we are United Methodist through our connectional giving!

our congregation at Christmas and will also be used to bring a little St. Nicholas joy at times ofemergency or challenge during the year as needed. Through your generous gifts, we were able tooffer several families and individuals from our congregation with Scrip gift cards to help during theChristmas season. Thank you for your gifts!!

Thank you for the generous gifts toward our St.Nicholas Fund during the Advent season. Thisgiving was used to help members and friends of

St. Nicholas Gifts

Page 3 THE CALLER Jan. 2016

On January 18, we will host Sunshine Supper, a weekly meal organized by Sunshine Place for those inneed of a hot dinner in Sun Prairie. This means we will provide at least 25 volunteers and food to makeour famous scalloped potatoes and ham. Look for the volunteer and food donation sign-up sheet on thethree-sided bulletin board in the fellowship hall. Contact Jen Southworth or Jeanne Wellman for moreinformation.

Poverty is a growing problem in Sun Prairie and Sunshine Place wants to partner with the city to find asolution. Here are the top three issues that those experiencing poverty have:

1) Food Insecurity 2) Housing 3) Transportation

For one week in March, the whole city of Sun Prairie will be discussing these issues at the same time, andwe at SPUMC will be taking part as well. Each 'conversation' will be a group of less than 10 peoplefollowing a set agenda of questions on these topics. We hope to have 20 or more conversations inpeople's homes and here at church. Would you like to host a conversation? Contact Jen Southworth formore information and look for additional announcements as we get closer to March!

The first half of confirmation has gone splendidly! Here are some pictures of the things we've been up to:

Page 4 THE CALLER Jan. 2016

LABOR AUCTION FUNDRAISER

Saturday, January 23rd at 6:30pm

Help fund our 2016 LOGOS Colorado Experience by attending our Labor

Auction Fundraiser and Chili Cook Off! Come enjoy some fabulous chili and

then bid on your favorite labor items presented by our youth and supporting

adults.

Do you have a driveway that needs shoveled when it snows? What about a

babysitter… Need one of those? Or what about raking leaves in the fall? Or

planting flowers in the spring? Or maybe you need your windows washed or

maybe just want someone to come to your house and bake cookies with

you. The possibilities are endless!! It’s going to be an evening filled with good

food, lots of laughs, and it’s all a great way to support our youth and adults

heading to Colorado in July!

Do you have a great chili recipe you want to show off? Contact Matt Starika-

Jolivet at: matt@sunprairieumc.org or call 608-837-5554 ext. 108 to sign up!

Outreach continued from page 4

First Quarter Loose Coins will be going to the Wesley Fund, which is our fund for those within ourcongregation and community who are experiencing a crisis and need emergency funds.

Sun Prairie UMC, what a blessing. You helped so many people in our community this year. You fedpeople, helped them learn and brightened their Christmas. You were the light of Christ this year. Whata blessing! Here's to 2016 being a year where we can bring even more love into the world, as Christ'slove is endless.

Jen SouthworthMinister of Outreach and Spiritual Formation, Sun Prairie United Methodist Church

Page 5 THE CALLER Jan. 2016

The holidays are over and time to put

away holiday decorations … old ones

you don’t want? Then put them aside

for the Garage Sale. My Aunt Imogene

(married for 49 years to Uncle Herbert

and living in Idaho) came across again

with an unusual gift she just Knew-I-

Would-Enjoy (the ones over the years

have definitely been Garage Sale fodder).

Opening her gifts is interesting and this

year is the same. Her gift was a garden

art item, a Meerkat with a Santa Cap and

holly around his neck. He sits straight up

watching over the landscape. A true

beautiful craft sale treasure and I may

even decide to keep him ... I’ve named

him Morris. Do you have “treasures” to

save for the Garage Sale? Everything

sells. Garage Sale dates are April 29 and

30, always the week-end before Mother’s

Day. Questions? Contact Pam Girard at

608-846-4008 or email her at:

pamela.girard4555@gmail.com or you

can contact Deb Mulhern at church. P.S.

If you see the LION KING, character

Timon is a Meerkat.

Since 2016 is the year of Hospitality at Sun

Prairie United Methodist Church, each month

we will be introducing one new suggestion or

letting you know about one idea that we are

implementing to help make SPUMC a more

hospitable church. And if you have ideas

you’d like to share, please contact Deb

Mulhern, Director of Connecting Ministries at

dmulhern@sunprairieumc.org or 837-5554

ext. 106.

During our Christmas Eve services this year,

our Welcome Center hosts gave away almost

100 visitor bags to people who were visiting

Sun Prairie United Methodist Church! These

bags had information about our church as well

as other little treats. We also had 19 greeters

and 23 ushers making people feel welcome as

they arrived for worship in addition to the 4

Welcome Center hosts. Thank you to all of the

ushers, greeters and welcome center hosts who

help to make our church more welcoming!

We hope that you will join us in 2016 helping

our church to be more hospitable!

Hospitality Garage Sale News

Please call your reservations to the church office nolater than Wednesday, January 13. All adult membersand friends are welcome.

January Dining Out EventFriday, January 15 at 6:30 pmBuck and Honey's804 Liberty Square Commons, Sun Prairie

MinistryHospitality

Ministry

Page 6 THE CALLER Jan. 2016

STAFF REFRESHER

Volunteers in both our weekend Christian

Education and Wednesday night LOGOS ministry

are invited to our Staff Refresher. We are excited

that our own Pastor Jenny will be sharing with us

as we gear up for the second half of the year. We

will gather on Wednesday, January 6th starting at

6:00 pm. Please watch for an email invitation and

RSVP.

The church staff will take turns reading some of their

favorite Bible stories, we will have a small snack and

do a craft project. Please mark your calendar for

Monday, January 25th starting at 6:00 pm.

Sun Prairie United Methodist Church is excited to

announce the revival of our Acolyte Ministry! We

are looking for youth currently in (3rd grade through

7th grade) to join our team. As an acolyte, your

child(ren) will light the worship candles at the

beginning of service and then extinguish them as

service ends. This is a great way for your child(ren)

to get involved in worship! We will be covering all 3

weekend services, needing one acolyte per

service. A training session will be held at church,

January 16 at 3:00 pm for all children & parents

interested. We will begin this ministry shortly

thereafter. We look forward to seeing you in

January! --Jenny Elske, Acolyte Coordinator

Please contact Jenny Elske jelske@charter.net or

Amanda Hinthorn if you have questions.

BIBLE STORY HOURMorning Bible Story Hour

continues in January on the

13th and 27th at 10:00 am.

We will be learning about

Jesus’ life as a young boy

thisthis month. Please join us for a story, snack and

a craft. Each child should bring their own snack.

G.I.F.T RETREATSpots are still available for our February G.I.F.T.

Retreat to Pine Lake. Join us February 5-7 at

Pine Lake United Methodist Camp. This is a

church-wide retreat open to anyone. We will have

breakout times for children and adults, time for

fellowship all together, worship and some free

time as well. The cost for the weekend is $160

and that includes food. Visit this link to register

and pay your $25 deposit:

https://docs.google.com/a/sunprairieumc.org/for

ms/d/1OvUZLhNnUbJTx1OxnE4lPg19fXlAfvf5mk

JPylPOqKI/viewform?c=0&w=1

Space is limited, so please do not wait to

register. Scholarships are available. Please talk

with Amanda Hinthorn or Lisa Wink for more

information.

SECOND SATURDAY SUPPERJanuary 9th following worship

Menu: Lasagne, Garlic Bread and Salad

NIGHT TIME

BIBLE STORY HOURFamilies are invited to wear their

jammies, bring a blanket and

snuggle up with us as we read

some great stories from our

Bibles.

ACOLYTE MINISTRY

Page 7 THE CALLER Jan. 2016

FRIENDLY VISITORS

Are you interested in making a monthly call on one

of the shut-in members of our congregation?

Would you like to help keep those who are not able

to get to worship still feel connected to our ministry

and congregation? If so, there is a great

opportunity lying just ahead for you! On Tuesday

night, January 12, there will be a meeting of

Friendly Visitors in the library at the church. All

current visitors and those who would like to

become visitors will gather to have conversation

about our ministry. If you would like to have more

information or to let us know you will be there,

contact Frank Gaylord at:

fgaylord@sunprairieumc.org or 837-5554 ext. 105

our members who are unable to be present to

receive the sacrament at church. We have a

lot of resources and insights to help new

communion stewards become a part of this

ministry. Is that something YOU would be

interested in participating in? All current home

communion stewards and those who would

like to become a part of this ministry are

invited to gather to share ideas and receive

resources for sharing the sacrament. The

meeting will be Thursday, January 14 at 6:30

pm in the library at church. If you would like

more information or to let us know you will

attend, contact Frank Gaylord. (see contact

information above).

XYZ IN JANUARY

XYZ (eXtra Years of Zest), our fellowship group for

retired folks meets every third Tuesday of the month.

We will meet on January 19 at 11:00 am for a program

and share lunch ($5. each) at noon.

This program will be a travelogue presented by Ron

Wanek, who has been with us several other times and

enjoys the vitality of our group! This time he will show

pictures and share his experience on a 250 mile

riverboat cruise from Clarkson, Washington to the

Pacific Ocean on the Snake and Columbia rivers. The

trip retraces the Passage of Lewis & Clark with their

Indian guide, Sacagawea. Ports of call are Nez Perce

Park, (WA), Richland, WA, The Dalles, OR,

Stevenson, WA and Astoria, OR. Magnificent sights of

the Columbia River Gorge and Multnomah Falls will be

pictured.

Reserve your place for lunch by phoning the church

office (837-5554) before Friday, January 15.

Our newest class of Stephen Ministers is almost 2/3

of the way through their 50 hours of class

participation. The times goes by quickly and

everyone in the group (like every Stephen Ministry

class before them) feels as if they have learned so

much that is practical not only for Stephen Ministry

but as well for living every day!

On November 28, our Stephen Ministry Team had

the distinct privilege of meeting and sharing a meal

with Dr. Ken Haugh, founder and executive director

of Stephen Ministry. It was inspirational, indeed to

hear his story of how the ministry began and has

grown over these 40 years!

Have YOU thought about the gifts you have that

might qualify you to give Christian care to someone

in a crisis? We will be planning a new class in the

near future. If you would like to speak to any of the

Stephen Leaders (Pat Harper, Bonnie Kott, George

Kaminski, Dave Heinle, Mike McGaffin, Frank

Gaylord) about Stephen ministry, any of them would

be very happy to talk with you about it. Stephen

Ministry has become a very important part of our life

together in Sun Prairie United Methodist Church. Is

God calling you to this service?

HOME COMMUNION

STEWARDS

Every month several of our

members take the consecratedHoly Communion elements to

Page 8 THE CALLER Jan. 2016

Books Between Bites

Join us Thursday, January 7th at 12:00 pm at

Gus’ Diner for our Books Between Bites. This

month’s presenter will be Carol Esser and she

will be reviewing a book titled ”Come, Lord Jesus,

Be Our Guest, Adventures in Hospitality” By

Marian Korth.

"Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest" And he came-

as a homeless man, a stranger, a friend. Marian

Korth and her partner, Mim Jacobson, have

served breakfast to thousands of overnight

guests in their home, but they didn't bother to

offer a cup of coffee to a homeless man huddling

on their doorstep one cold winter morning. Why

didn't they welcome this "Jesus" into their home?

Marian has more to learn about hospitality, even

after sixty years of adventures in hospitality. She

can tell stories about being hospitable (or not)

from: Growing up on a small dairy farm in

Wisconsin; Living in Chicago for twenty years;

Returning to Wisconsin and turning their

farmhouse into a bed and breakfast; Providing

end-of-life care for guests who live with Marian

and Mim in their home; Transforming their bed

and breakfast into a spiritual retreat center.

Kindness is the common thread that runs

through all these adventures in hospitality.

In these stories, Marian reflects on what God is

telling her about being hospitable. She thinks it's

pretty exciting to know that God has told us, "Be

ready with a meal or a bed when it's needed.

Why, some have extended hospitality to angels

without ever knowing it" (Hebrews 13:2 The

Message).

Please RSVP to the church office no later than

Wednesday, January 6th by noon. If you have

any questions, please contact Lisa Wink.

Knit, Crochet, PrayOur knit and crochet group creates prayer shawls,

baptismal shawls, confirmation shawls, caps and

lap robes. They provide a significant ministry of

comfort and support. If you, or someone you know,

would like a prayer shawl please have them

contact Lisa Wink and we will make sure they

receive one.

Would you like to be a part of the creation of these

garments? We meet in the library at church every

fourth Monday at 10:00 am. Join us. We gather

more informally and share finishing work at Coffee

Connection on the second Monday of each month,

also at 10:00 but at the Wesley House. Please

consider participating in this worthy mission. If you

wish to discuss this further, please contact Lisa

Wink (lisa@sunprairieumc.org or 208-880-2594) or

Sandi Gordon (608.212.6597 or email Sandi at:

cgordon1108@yahoo).

Parenting Tweens & TeensThis "Parent of Teens" small group meets during

the Church School hour at 9:45 am. September

through May. The group will spend time sharing

what is going on in our own families and learning

together. Support and insights of other parents is

invaluable. Every child is unique and every family

situation is different, but we can certainly learn

from our church family.

No registration is required, and you are invited to

come when you can. What a great opportunity to

invite a friend to join you!

For questions or more information, please contact

Lisa Wink at lisa@sunprairieumc.org.

Lent StudyIt’s hard to believe that Lent will be upon us soon.

Ash Wednesday is February 10, 2016. We will be

having a Lent Study beginning the week of

February 14th. More information about the study

will be available in January. We encourage you to

be a part of a small study group during Lent.

Page 9 THE CALLER Jan. 2016

GRACE CAFE IS A BOOK GROUP FOR WOMEN.

Grace Cafe

Our next book for Grace Café is : “Why? Making Sense of God’s Will”

by Adam Hamilton January 7th / 8th – 4 Week study

When the ground shakes, and a poor nation'seconomy is destroyed; when the waters rise,washing away a community's hopes and dreams;when a child suffers neglect and abuse; whenviolence tears apart nations; where is God? If God isall powerful, and if each one of us is a beloved childof God, then how can God allow tragedy andsuffering to infest his creation?In Why?, best-selling author Adam Hamilton bringsfresh insight to the age-old question of how tounderstand the will of God. Rejecting simplisticanswers and unexamined assumptions, he lays outcore ideas for comprehending God's plan for theworld.

2 OPTIONS FOR GRACE CAFÉ TO MEET YOUR NEEDS:1. GRACE CAFÉ MORNING—

FRIDAY MORNINGS FROM 9:30-11:30 AM

2. GRACE CAFÉ EVENING—THURSDAY EVENINGS FROM 6:30-8:30 PM

Choose whichever one fits into your schedule!

REGISTRATION

____ I am registering for Why? Making Senseof God’s Will

Name ____________________________

Email ____________________________

Phone ____________________________

____ Grace Café Morning (Fridays)

____ Grace Café Evening (Thursdays)

____ I will need childcare for thefollowing ages: ________________

TURN THIS FORM INTO THE CHURCHOFFICE WITH THE $20 FEE.

____ Check here if you do NOT need the book.Cost is then $15 (if no book).

On behalf of the entire staff, I’d like to THANK YOU, BarbNelson for your 10 years of ministry as our NewsletterEditor!! Your expertise and creative talent gave us manyinteresting and beautiful newsletters to read and learn from! --Laura Meixner

Page 10 THE CALLER Jan. 2016

THIS IS A TIME FOR YOU TO FELLOWSHIP WITH OTHER WOMEN, AS WELL AS GROW IN YOUR FAITH THROUGH SCRIPTURE, DISCUSSION,

FRIENDSHIPS, AND OF COURSE, FOOD AND COFFEE! COME AND BE PAMPERED WHILE YOU GET TOGETHER WITH BOTH LONG-TIME AND

NEW FRIENDS TO DISCUSS A GOOD BOOK! THERE WILL BE BOTH LARGE GROUP TIME, AS WELL AS SMALL GROUP DISCUSSIONS.

Sunday Morning NOOMA

NOOMA is a series of short films that explore our

world from a perspective of Jesus. NOOMA is an

invitation to search, question, and join the

discussion.

Jesus lived with the awareness that God is doing

something, right here, right now, and anybody

can be a part of it. He encouraged his listeners to

search, to question, to wrestle with the

implications of what he was saying and doing. He

inspired, challenged, provoked, comforted, and

invited people to be open to God's work in this

world. Wherever he went, whatever he did, Jesus

started discussions about what matters most,

because for Jesus, God is always inviting us to

open our eyes and join in.

Our discussions will resume January 10 at 9:45

am in the Conference Room. Bring your coffee &donuts and join in the discussion.

Happy Birthday to our Members 80+

Penny DeMott January 5Dotty Carolan January 7Patricia Streveler January 10Ed Swanson January 11Muriel Lane January 17Joe Syty January 22

May God’s goodness and kindness follow you all the days of your life.

Please remember these members and friends by praying for them and sending a note of

remembrance or a friendly hello!

NANCY TROWBRIDGE:Belmont Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, 110 Belmont Road, Madison WI 53714

DON THOMPSON, BOB STUTZMAN:Brookdale, 650 Broadway Drive, Sun Prairie WI 53590

MERYL TUREK:Columbia Health Care, 323 W Monroe Street,Wyocena WI 53969

JEANNE PUTNAM:Faith Garden, 35 Tower Drive, Sun Prairie WI 53590

MARY JORDANHighland House, 161 Goehl Road, Waterloo WI 53594

DOROTHY DUERST, ESTHER GERBER, SHARON PETERS:

Hyland Park of Sun Prairie, 881 Liberty Blvd,Sun Prairie WI 53590

CAROL JENSEN:Hyland Park Crossings, 1249 School StreetSun Prairie WI 53590

HELEN STOIBER:Kindred Hearts Memory Care, 505 W Lawn Drive, Room 2, Cottage Grove WI 53527

CYNTHIA MANSFIELD, LEONA NICHOLS, PEG JANKE, CECIL & BERNADINE SMITH, DORIS JOHNSON, JOHN & MARY LOU SCHNEITER, SUE ELLEN LAMB:

The Lighthouse of Sun Prairie, 222 S Bristol Street,Sun Prairie WI 53590

ELEANOR CAMPBELL:Marla Vista Manor, 1006 N Military Avenue,Green Bay WI 54303

JEANNETTE LIVIE:Oakwood Seasons Assisted Living, 5565 Tancho Drive,Madison WI 53718

BONNIE LAVIRON, URSULA KAUPPINEN:Prairie Gardens, 900 O’Keefe AvenueSun Prairie WI 53590

PETE & DOTTIE POHLMAN, JOE SYTY, FLORENCE MURPHY:

Sun Prairie Health Center, 228 W Main Street,Sun Prairie WI 53590

EDA HOFFLAND:Waunakee Manor, 801 S Klein Drive, Waunakee WI 53597

Would you like to donate

flowers for worship?If you’d like to memorialize a person or

event, or recognize a person or event

with flowers or a plant during worship,

call our church office, 837-5554 or

email Laura at:

lmeixner@sunprairieumc.org

Page 11 THE CALLER Jan. 2016

Sunshine Supper Banks Reminder:This is a reminder that our elementary students should return the

banks they made at our last family time in December during our first

LOGOS of 2016. Money collected in the banks will be used to

purchase the potatoes our church serves during our turn at Sunshine

Supper the following Monday.

Snow Policy Reminder:If Sun Prairie Schools are cancelled, we will cancel LOGOS. In case of bad weather predicted for lateafternoon or evening, we will watch weather reports and cancel, if necessary. If LOGOS is canceled, anemail will be sent out by 1 p.m. on Wednesday. The cancellation will also be listed on the churchanswering machine. If LOGOS is not canceled and you are coming from communities other than SunPrairie, always do what you are comfortable with. The safety of you and your children is our mainconcern. If you are uncomfortable with driving conditions and are not able to attend, please call theLOGOS office at 837-5554, ext. 106 to report the absence.

2nd Semester LOGOS Registration and New Families to LOGOS Meeting:2nd Semester Registration will continue online for LOGOS through January 4th. Fees are the same aslast semester. Even if you attend 1st semester of LOGOS please visit the site and let us know that youwill be joining us for 2nd semester. If you are a new family to LOGOS we would love to have you. Newfamilies are encouraged to attend a meeting to learn more about LOGOS on Sunday, January 3rd at3pm

Volunteers Needed to Make 2nd Semester A Success:We are looking for a few adults to help with LOGOS 2nd semester in the following areas. Please let Director of Christian Education Amanda Hinthorn know if you can help.

1) Dining Room Clean-Up2) Kitchen Clean-Up3) Nursery4) 1st and 2nd Grade Rec

January LOGOS Calendar and Themes:January 6th Staff RefresherJanuary 13th Crazy Hair and Shirt Night (We will hand out shirts)January 20th Pirates, Mermaids, and Mermen- Dress like a pirate or merpersonJanuary 27th Snow Day- Wear your pajamas like you stayed home from school

Staff Refresher: Details can be found under the Christian Education page of the newsletter and via email.

Page 12 THE CALLER Jan. 2016

BUDGET UPDATE THROUGH NOVEMBER 2015

Total 2015

Budget

Total Funds

Anticipated to Date

Total Funds

Rec’d to Date

Total Expenses

Over/Under

702,000 643,500 553,405 615,677 -62,272

NOVEMBER ATTENDANCE

Date Sat. 8:30 10:45 Total

Nov 1 64 155 144 363

Nov 7/8 110 144 149 403

Nov 14/15 126 141 140 407

Nov 21/22 99 125 133 357

Nov 28/29 115 170 103 388

AVE. NOVEMBER ATTENDANCE 384

Church Records

NOVEMBER GIVING

GENERAL FUND 49,311.64

FIRST MILE GIVING 2,808.00

MISSIONS 2,980.75

Proceeds of approximately $1,380 will be sent to the Sunshine Place to aid the Sun Prairie Emergency FoodPantry and Sunshine Supper in providing food to our community. Without your support, we could notprovide these much-appreciated dollars.A huge “Thank You" also to all who gave of their time to prepare the Fellowship Hall, fold boxes, arrangethe cookie trays, or helped in any way with the Cookie Walk. Together, we make a difference.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Total 2015 Apportionments

Budget to Date

ActualsPaid

Over/Under

98,232 90,046 53,591 -6,455

2015 Cookie Walk THANK YOU!Many, many thanks to all the bakers and buyers at the annual Cookie Walk. In the busytime of the holiday season, it is greatly appreciated that you took time to help others.

Page 13 THE CALLER Jan. 2016

BAPTISMS:November 28, Lexi Grace Sondgeroth, daughter of Jason & Tamara Sondgeroth

November 29, Angelica Louise Beneteau, daughter of Shana Beneteau and Todd Specher

December 20, Hayley Patricia Elmer, daughter of Amy & Shawn Elmer

DEATHS:November 30, David Armstrong

December 8, Marion Sage, Leah Krause’s mother

December 26, Ted Skogen

December 27, Janet Olson, Bruce Babcock’s wife

GO GREEN:Do you still get your newsletter in the mail? If you have a computer, would you

consider signing up to receive your newsletter via email? If this is YOU, call our office,

837-5554 or email Laura in the office to receive your newsletteronline,lmeixner@sunprairieumc.org

Karen Andrusco

Karen lives in Sun Prairie and is retired from the

Healthcare field. She enjoys spending time with her

grandchildren and family & friends, animal rescue,

snowshoeing and golf. She is already involved in

the food pantry, Bible Studies and Grace Café at

SPUMC. Welcome, Karen!

Scott Canon

Scott Canon lives in Sun Prairie with his son,

Ethan (9). He is a Retail Sales Specialist with

AT & T. He enjoys coaching football, baseball,

playing sports, fishing and spending time with

Ethan. Welcome to Scott and Ethan!

Mary Ann Stewart

Mary Ann now lives in Sun Prairie with her

partner, Michele Yelk, after caring for her parents

in St Petersburg, Florida. She enjoys coloring,

sports and going to the gym. Welcome Mary Ann!

Welcome ourNew Members

Page 14 THE CALLER Jan. 2016

December2015

Friday, January 1Office Closed –Happy New Year!

Saturday, January 25:00 Worship5:15 Church School

Sunday, January 38:30 Worship9:45 Church School9:45 Singing Churchmen rehearsal9:45 Treble Tones rehearsal10:45 Worship3:00 LOGOS Parent Meeting

Monday, January 410:00 Stephen Ministry

Tuesday, January 56:00 Safe Sanctuaries6:00 Heaven’s Handbells rehearsal6:30 Centering Prayer6:30 Outreach Committee

Wednesday, January 66:00 Sweet Assurance rehearsal6:00 Christian Education &

LOGOS Staff refresher6:30 Confirmation7:00 Chancel Choir

Thursday, January 712:00 Books Between Bites6:30 Stephen Ministry6:30 Praise Band rehearsal

Friday, January 86:00a Men’s Group

Saturday, January 95:00 Worship5:15 Church School6:00 Second Saturday Supper

Sunday, January 108:30 Worship9:30 Blood Pressure Screening9:45 Church School9:45 Singing Churchmen rehearsal9:45 Treble Tones rehearsal10:45 Worship

Monday, January 1110:00 Coffee Connection2:00 Worship at The Lighthouse6:30 Stephen Ministry

Tuesday, January 121:00 Red Cross Blood Drive6:00 Heaven’s Handbells6:30 Trustees6:30 Friendly Visitors

Wednesday, January 134:30 LOGOS6:30 Confirmation7:00 Chancel Choir

Thursday, January 146:30 Stephen Ministry6:30 Home Communion Servers6:30 Praise Band rehearsal

Friday, January 156:00a Men’s Group6:30 Dining Out Group

Saturday, January 163:00 Acolyte Training5:00 Worship5:15 Church School

Sunday, January 178:30 Worship9:45 Church School9:45 Singing Churchmen rehearsal9:45 Treble Tones rehearsal10:45 Worship

Monday, January 18Office Closed – in observance of

Martin Luther King Day5:30 We serve Sunshine Supper

Tuesday, January 1911:00 XYZ (Xtra Years of

Zest for retirees!)6:00 Heaven’s Handbells rehearsal6:30 Finance Committee6:30 Centering Prayer

Wednesday, January 204:30 LOGOS6:30 Confirmation7:00 Chancel Choir

Thursday, January 216:30 Stephen Ministry6:30 New Member meeting6:30 Praise Band rehearsal

Friday, January 226:00a Men’s Group

Saturday, January 235:00 Worship5:15 Church School6:30 Youth Labor Auction &

Chili CookoffSunday, January 24

8:30 Worship9:45 Church School9:45 Singing Churchmen

rehearsal9:45 Treble Tones rehearsal10:45 Worship

Monday, January 2510:00 Knit~Crochet~Pray6:00 Nighttime Bible

Story Hour6:30 Stephen Ministry

Tuesday, January 266:00 Heaven’s Handbells

Wednesday, January 274:30 LOGOS6:30 Confirmation7:00 Chancel Choir

Thursday, January 286:30 Stephen Ministry6:30 Praise Band rehearsal

Friday, January 296:00a Men’s Group

Saturday, January 305:00 Worship5:15 Church School

Sunday, January 318:30 Worship9:45 Church School9:45 Singing Churchmen

rehearsal9:45 Treble Tones rehearsal10:45 Worship

Page 15 THE CALLER Jan. 2016

Pastor Jenny Arneson, jenny@sunprairieumc.org

Administrative Secretary Laura Meixner, lmeixner@sunprairieumc.org

Secretary/Treasurer Carey Adkins, careyadkins@sunprairieumc.org

Director of Connecting Ministries Deb Mulhern, dmulhern@sunprairieumc.org

Director of Christian Education Amanda Hinthorn, ahinthorn@sunprairieumc.org

Minister of Outreach & Spiritual Formation Jen Southworth, jen@sunprairieumc.org

Director of Caring Ministries Frank Gaylord, fgaylord@sunprairieumc.org

Director of Small Groups Lisa Wink, lisa@sunprairieumc.org

Director of Music & Youth Ministries Matt Starika-Jolivet, matt@sunprairieumc.org

Organist & Singing Churchmen Director Pam Girard, pamela.girard4555@gmail.com

Organist Deirdre Abbott, kernds@juno.com

Chancel Choir Director Julie Stalheim, jstalheim@gmail.com

Radiance Co-Director Geb Lefeber, gebriel.lefeber@housing.wisc.edu

Radiance Co-Director; RiversEdge Director Livvia Goff, livgoff@gmail.com

Hand Bell Choir & Treble Tones Director Mary Hartkopf, mary.hartkopf@gmail.com

Chancel Choir & Singing Churchmen Accompanist Marilyn Silvester

Treble Tones Accompanist Susan Frey

Financial Secretary Pam Rush, prush@sunprairieumc.org

Custodian George Kaminski, george@sunprairieumc.org

Nursery Beth Grainger, bethica_01@yahoo.com

Nursery Janet Slaughter, jrwslaughter@frontier.com

Nursery Tracy Dom, tracydom@hotmail.com

Newsletter Editor Nancy Schmitt, mantheschmitt@gmail.com

Webpage www.sunprairieumc.org

CCLI #1855045; CVLI #501367880

Follow us on FACEBOOK – Sun Prairie United Methodist Church

THE CALLER, Vol. XIII No. 1– January, 2016, is the monthly publication of THE SUN PRAIRIE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH,

702 North Street, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, 53590-1433 † Telephone: 608-837-5554 · Fax: 608-825-8474

Office Hours: September through May, Monday-Fri. -8-4; June-August, Monday-Thu. - 8-4 and closed on Fridays

Membership is voluntary.

Our welcome knows no boundaries. The people of the Sun Prairie United Methodist Church open our doors andour hearts to all God’s children. We Celebrate the diversity of God’s creation. We answer Jesus’s call to “loveyour neighbor” by embracing every person as a full participant in our church family, including people of all ages,nations, races, sexual orientations and gender identities. We proclaim this statement of welcome especially toanyone who has known the pain of exclusion or discrimination through religion or in society. The people of theSun Prairie United Methodist Church strive to love as God loves and welcome all to grow in their relationship withGod. We invite you to make our church part of your faith journey.

Page 16 THE CALLER Jan. 2016