"To make disciples for Jesus Christ by proclaiming God's Good News

and by providing a community for spiritual growth"

Rockbrook United Methodist Church

9855 W. Center Rd

Omaha, NE 68124

Phone: 402-393-1015

Fax: 402-955-1434

E-mail: churchoffice@rockbrookumc.com

www.rockbrookumc.com

News From the Rock . . .

Greetings and Joy:

Thank you to all for your prayers

and good wishes. It gave me the

strength to persevere and warmed

my heart. Thank you for the

kindness and support the past

weeks. Thank you for a listening

ear and for the words of

appreciation.

*************

Many have asked or inquired:

What is the next step or who will

be our next pastor?

Though it has been 11 years since I

was directly involved in the

appointment process, I want to

share with you the process: I don’t

think it has changed much.

United Methodist pastors are

appointed by the Bishop in

consultation with the District

Superintendent (DS is Rev. Dan

Flanagan) and the Staff Pastor

Parish Relations Committee

(Personnel Committee). Some

denominations “call” their pastors

(which means the congregation

votes on their pastor).

Paragraph 425 of the Book of

Discipline states: Clergy shall be

appointed by the bishop, who is

empowered to make and fix all

appointments in the Episcopal area

of which the annual conference is a

part. Appointments are to be made

with consideration of the gifts and

evidence of God's grace of those

a p p o i n t e d , t o t h e n e e d s ,

characteristics, and opportunities of

congregations and institutions, and

with faithfulness to the commitment to

an open itinerancy. Open itinerancy

means appointments are made

without regard to race, ethnic origin,

gender, color, disability, marital

status, or age, except for the

provisions of mandatory retirement.

Paragraph 426 states: Consultation

a n d A p p o i n t m e n t - M a k i n g -

Consultation is the process whereby

t h e b i s h o p a n d / or d i s t r i c t

superintendent confer with the pastor

and committee on pastor-parish

relations, taking into consideration

the criteria.... the needs of the

appointment under consideration,

and mission of the Church.

Consul ta t ion i s not merel y

notification. Consultation is not

committee selection or call of a

pastor. The role of the committee on

p a s t o r - p a r i s h r e l a t i o n s i s

advisory. The DS will meet with the

SPPRC and the SPPRC will express

the needs of the congregation.

The DS will share with the other 16

DSs and the Bishop, the needs of

Rockbrook. After a time of prayer

and discernment – this spring – the

bishop will appointment the new pas-

tor and she or he will begin July 1st.

Once the “tentative appointment” has

been made, an introduction meeting

will take place. The SPPRC then

wil l share with the ent i re

congregation the appointment of the

new pastor.

This will be done this spring.

I ask that you will be in prayer for all

those involved in this deeply spiritual

process. I firmly believe that God

placed me here, and I know God will

guide those involved in selecting the

right pastor for you.

*************

I want to extend a special thank you

to Fred and Genia Ripley for their

assistance while we are without

maintenance staff and to Joyce

Solheim and Cheri Humphus for

coordinating and leading the youth

group. And to Linda Stroud for

filling in while Laura was on Family

Leave. You all are deeply

appreciated!

“Every time I think of you, I give

thanks to my God. Whenever I pray,

I make my requests for all of you

with joy, for you have been my

partners in spreading the Good News

about Christ from the time you first

heard it until now.”

Philippians 1: 4-5

With Joy and Thanksgiving,

Rockbrook United Methodist Church

NEWS FROM THE ROCK...

February 2016

Capital Renovation Update:

● The Knapp Wing restrooms are complete! Please stop by to view the beautiful

renovations!

● The kitchen renovation is underway! Contracts have been signed, cabinets and

countertops have been ordered, and demolition should begin around February 1st.

● Many thanks to the team that emptied the cabinets and drawers! Please do not enter

the kitchen for anything until construction is complete, both for your safety and to enable

the crew to work without interruptions.

● The new outside west stairs and railings have been completed, but (as a reminder) please do NOT use them

when snowy or icy. The snow removal company is unable to use salt on them since it will damage the new con-

crete, so they will be dangerous. Please use the lower entrance by the elevator if parking in the west parking lot.

● Have you experienced the new folding chairs in the Fellowship Hall-40 chairs were purchased, and more are

needed to replace the folding chairs that were originally purchased in 1966.

● If you are interested in assisting Rockbrook with this purchase, the cost for 4 chairs is $105. Please include your

check in the Sunday collection plate with “folding chairs” in the memo line, or send a check to the church office.

News from the Gracious Generosity Committee

Thank you for your commitment to Rockbrook in 2015. We took a Leap of Faith and were able to meet all of our

commitments. We received $517,775 in general and designated receipts this year. This money allowed us to stay current on

our bills, pay our mission shares in full, and support many ministries of the church. Over $500,000 was paid out in 2015. The

reason for the difference in receipts and disbursements is a timing of money paid out in early 2016. Some of the ministries,

charities, and programs that our church members find important to support with some of these gifts include: Justice for our

Neighbors, our Emergency Fund, our Youth, Vacation Bible school, the Stephen Center, the Food Pantry, and at least 20

other charities and programs.

We kicked off our Capital Stewardship Campaign, Building on the Rock, The Dream Continues last summer. We have

$245,928 pledged. (and $63,911 in other gifts). At the end of 2015, we received $107,450 in pledges. Because of our

generous congregation, we have been able to complete a few of the projects. The new window wells (retaining walls) were

completed at a cost of $49,712. This cost included two new windows wells (retaining walls), new gutters, new steps and

drainage on the west side of the building. The bathrooms in the Knapp wing have also been updated at a cost of $19,055. Our

family will enjoy these for years to come. The next project has begun in the downstairs kitchen. I look forward to watching all

of the changes in our church as they happen.

The Finance Committee is an open book, so if you ever have any questions on the finances of our church, please feel free to

ask. Also remember that if you are unable to make it to church, you can go to the Rockbrook UMC website and click on the

giving to Rockbrook link on the main page. All of our gifts are important, big and small, to help support the Rockbrook

ministry. Remember, if 100 people gave an extra $5 a week for the year (a Scooter’s coffee for me), we would see $26,000

added to our ministry.

So again, thank you for your generous gifts in 2015 and the gifts that you continue to give in 2016. Without them we would

not be able to support all of the ministries that are important to our congregation. I look forward to watching my boys grow in

their faith in this church, the church I grew up in, because of the gifts given yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Thank you,

Emily Quigley

Chair, Finance Committee

News From the Rock . . .

Please remember in prayer:

Our Confirmands, The Family of Kate Rist, The Family of Brad Zahm,

The Family of Sherry McLaughlin, Ron Rezac, Rosie Johnson, Jody Holdcroft, Janet Segrave, Bill

Halm, John and Sally Pixley, Rusty Holly, Al Gloor, Wendell and Roxie Peterson, Military personnel

2/1 Frances Boeck 2/15 Betty Kenney

David Marshall II 2/18 Arloene Foresman

2/2 Mary Jean Amick 2/20 Mike Julian

2/3 Larry McChesney 2/21 Mike Donham

Ed Vidlak Fran Dittmer

Nathan Mathews 2/22 Cathy Palmer

2/5 Wanda Neaderhiser 2/23 Cheyenne Boelter

2/8 Deann Sterner 2/24 William Engstrom

Brian Cox Courtney Lezanic

2/11 Joy Goodman 2/25 Margaret Heinz

2/12 Donald Engstrom 2/28 Shirley Burnham

2/13 Jeanne Humphrey Janice Samson

HY-VEE RECEIPTS A BIG “Thank You” to all those who contributed Hy-Vee receipts from Sept 1st- Dec. 31, 2015. The money donated to The Omaha Street School will

be most appreciated. We will not be collecting Hy-Vee receipts again

until September 1, 2016.

Please make sure you are contacting

Laura at the church office when you

are planning an event, meeting or

canceling an event. This will help the

staff better serve you and help

eliminate any scheduling, cleaning

and set-up conflicts.

Thank you, Church Family, for all your cards, visits, and especially your prayers and encouragement

for us during the past several months. It is good to have Al

home and we are finally finding the “new normal.”

Love you all,

Al and Eunice Gloor

Thank you to everyone that

attended the baby shower, and

for the thoughts and prayers

from the people that could not

attend. We had a great time

and I am glad everyone could

meet Charleston. A special

Thank You to Janice, Julie,

Kara and Lynn for putting the

shower together. You did an

amazing job!

Love,

Laura and Charleston DeVos

News From the Rock . . .

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

5:50p Aerobics (FH) 6:30p Radical Hospitality Group (FR)

2

8:30a Yoga (FH) 7:00p Heartland Singles Sq. Dance (FH)

3

5:50p Aerobics (FH)

6:45p Handbell Practice (LL)

7:30p Chancel Choir (S)

4

6:30p SPPRC (FR)

6:30p Men’s Ministry (P)

7:00p Sq. Dance Lessons (FH)

7:00p Praise Band

Rehearsal (S)

5 6

7 Youth Sub-Sandwich

Fundraiser

8:00a Traditional Worship- Lite 8:45a Contemporary Worship 9:35a Faith Development 10:45a Traditional Worship 3:00p Cub Scout Pack Meeting

8

5:50p Aerobics (FH)

6:30p Pack Committee

Meeting (LL)

7:00p Trustees &

Finance Committee

Meetings

9

8:30a Yoga (FH) 7:00p Crossfire Sq. Dance (FH)

10

12:00p Ash Wednesday

Service

5:50p Aerobics (FH)

7:00p Ash Wednesday

Service

8:00p Chancel Choir (S)

11

1:30p Happy Friends (FR)

6:30p Prayer Group (FR)

7:00p Sq. Dance Lessons (FH)

7:00p Praise Band

Rehearsal (S)

7:00p Den Meeting (LL)

12

1:00p Prayer Shawl

Ministry (FR)

13

7:00p Amazing 8’s

(FH)

14 Scout Sunday

8:00a Traditional Worship- Lite 8:45a Contemporary Worship 9:35a Faith Development 10:45a Traditional Worship 4:00p Caller’s Sweetheart Dance 5:00p Fusion

15 President’s

Day

Newsletter

Deadline

5:50p Aerobics (FH) 6:30p Church Council Meeting (FR)

16

8:30a Yoga (FH) 7:00p Heartland Singles Sq. Dance (FH)

17

9:30a Morning Joys (FR)

5:50p Aerobics (FH)

6:45p Handbell Practice (LL)

7:30p Chancel Choir (S)

18

6:30p Men’s Ministry (FR)

7:00p Sq. Dance Lessons (FH)

7:00p Praise Band

Rehearsal (S)

7:00p Den Meeting (LL)

19

20

21

8:00a Traditional Worship- Lite 8:45a Contemporary Worship 9:35a Faith Development 10:45a Traditional Worship 2:00p Blue & Gold Banquet (set-up 12:30p) 5:00p Fusion

22

5:50p Aerobics (FH 9:30a UMW Executive Board Meeting

23

8:30a Yoga (FH) 1:00p TLC (FR) 7:00p Crossfire Sq. Dance (FH)

24 5:30p Confirmation (FR)

5:50p Aerobics (FH)

6:45p Handbell Practice (LL)

7:30p Chancel Choir (S)

25

6:30p Prayer Group (FR)

7:00p Sq. Dance Lessons (FH)

7:00p Praise Band

Rehearsal (S)

7:00p Den Meeting (LL)

26

27

7:00p Amazing 8’s

(FH)

28

8:00a Traditional Worship- Lite 8:45a Contemporary Worship 9:00a Library 9:35a Faith Development 10:45a Traditional Worship 5:00p Fusion

29

5:50p Aerobics (FH)

2016

March Newsletter Deadline is February 15th

Somewhere Over the Rainbow:

The Sermon Series

“The Wizard of Oz” is my favorite film of all time.

Unfortunately, it only came on television once a year. Dorothy

thinks that she has a really rough time at home and dreams of a

better place. She becomes convinced that there is a better place

somewhere. Join Dorothy and her 3 new friends as they discover

that for which they are searching.

Beginning February 14th during the Lenten season, Pastor

Williams will lead another exciting sermon series: Somewhere

Over the Rainbow, based on the movie “The Wizard of Oz.” February 10 Ash Wednesday - Noon and 7:00 PM

February 14 When Life Gets Turned Upside Down

February 21 If I Only Had the Brains

February 28 If I Only Had the Heart

March 6 If I Only Had the Nerve

March 13 Follow the Yellow Brick Road

March 20 Palm Sunday

March 24 Maundy Thursday Service

March 25 Good Friday Service

March 27 Easter – Resurrection Day Resurrection and Life

February 10th

Ash Wednesday Services

Noon and 7:00 pm

Lenten Soup Suppers! Cancelled.

One of Rockbrook’s treasured traditions is that of Lenten Soup Suppers. The soup is always delicious and lovingly prepared.

Due to the construction and renovations in the kitchen and logistics in preparing of the meal and cleaning after the meal, our

soup suppers during Lent will not be held this year.

Mark your calendar for the

Omaha MS Walk on

April 9th at Aksarben Village.

Join Team Rockbrook in the fight against

Multiple Sclerosis.

Contact Linda Stroud at stroudss6@aol.com

Men, are you seeking a spiritual

foundation to help you in your walk of

faith? Are you willing to meet on a

regular basis with other men who desire

to walk closer to Christ? Are you willing

to explore ways to help you become a

better father, husband or Christian?

Join us Thursday, February 4th and 18th

at 6:30 pm in the Friendship Room.

See you then.

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

Please note that we welcome anyone to attend our events. Please join us.

HAPPY FRIENDS CIRCLE – 2nd

Thurs. 1:30 PM

MORNING JOYS CIRCLE – 3rd

Wed. 9:30 AM

Ecumenical Legislative Briefing Day

“Working for Justice” - Feb. 13, 2016

Christ UMC, 4530 A Street, Lincoln, NE

8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. – Fee: $20.00

Call Darlene Hicks for more information

402-333-5763

Missouri River District UMW Mission Study

Understanding Your Life in God

Presented by Rev. Russ Tompkins

Senior Pastor, St James UMC, Bellevue

Feb. 20, 2016 (reservations by Feb. 14)

Registration - 8:30 AM, Study 9:00AM-3:00 PM

Lunch 12:00 noon - $7.00

Papillion St Paul UMC, 324 Jackson St. Papillion

Reservations: Carol Michaels 402-734-0857

carolmich4@msn.com

Looking ahead: 3/02/16, Unit Meeting

12:00 noon, Prayer & Self Denial

Missouri River District Spring Retreat – 3/19/16

First United UMC, 7020 Cass, Omaha

Thanks to all the members of the Rockbrook Youth Group who volunteered on January 18 for the Omaha Open

Door Mission Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. At the Open Door Mission the youth were put in charge of

straightening up the Timberlake Outreach Center, which is a building at the Open Door Mission housing donated

clothes, household items, toys, and food made available at no cost to those in need. The youth hung up clothes

and purses and belts, put toys on the shelves, disposed of some overly ripe vegetables, discarded empty boxes, and

did many other miscellaneous tasks to help make the building more clean and hospitable. There were several

small children at the Center while we were there (with their parents who were choosing items that they needed),

and it was fun to see and hear the kids playing (including on a donated drum set!). The Center looked much better

after the youth group was finished with its work than it did at the start.

Youth: please let Joyce or Cheri know if you would like to help greet people as they come into church for the

10:45 a.m. services on any of the Sundays in February. This is a great way to help people feel welcome at the

church. Also, there are some slots available for youth to be Scripture Readers at the 10:45am Sunday service

during 2016, so please let Cheri or Joyce know if you would like to be a Reader.

Over the next two Sundays we will be collecting orders for the Super Sub Sandwich Mission Trip

fundraiser. Some volunteers are needed to make brownies. On February 7 we will make the Super Subs and hand

them out, so please plan on being at the church Fellowship Hall by 8:00 a.m. on that date. If you have any plastic

grocery sacks, please bring them on February 7. A few youth volunteers are needed to help distribute sandwich

orders at the end of each of the services. No Youth Group meeting will be held on the evening of February 7.

February 14: Youth Group dinner at the church at 5 p.m., lesson, a game, and a service activity. We'll make gifts

or cards for a few of the elderly Rockbrook Church members for Valentine's Day.

February 21: Activities are being planned for this date, and suggestions are always welcome.

February 28: Youth Group dinner at the church at 5 p.m., lesson, a game, and a service activity.

FUSION making activity bags for Ronald McDonald House

News from THE QUARRY – February 2016 ROCKBROOK CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL Julie Vidlak, children’s ministry director

.........CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL UPDATE.........

February theme – JESUS CALLS HELPERS

Verse of the Month: Matthew 4:19—”Come, follow me,” He said.

Anchor Point for the month: Jesus calls us to follow Him.

Weekly Lessons

Feb 7—Jesus Calls the Fishermen (Matthew 4:18-22)

Feb 14—VaLENTine’s Day Party!

Jesus Calls Levi (Luke 5:27-32)

Feb 21—Go Two by Two (Mark 6:7-13)

Feb 28—Women Follow Jesus (Luke 8:1-3)

All children ages 3 through 5th grade are invited to join us!

Children should arrive at 9:35am and are dismissed at 10:30am

...................................................................................... IMPORTANT FEBRUARY DATES FOR CHILDREN

Sunday, Feb 14th: VaLENTine’s Day Party in Fellowship Hall during Sunday school.

First Sunday of Lent – see Julie to get your family devotional.

Sunday, Feb 21st: Kids for Christ Sunday School choir sings during 10:45 a.m. worship.

Sunday, Feb 28th: Library Time during Sunday School. Please return old books or movies.

...................................................................................... *Can You Believe It?

Vacation Bible School 2016 is only 4 months away!*

At Surf Shack VBS,

kids will catch the wave of God’s amazing love!

*Sunday, June 12th through Thursday, June 16th

6:00pm to 8:30pm with optional supper at 5:30pm

for children ages 3 through completed 6th grade

Many Youth and Adult Volunteers needed – how can you help us?

Contact Julie Vidlak soon to save your spot!!!

Email julievidlak@rockbrookumc.com or call 402-397-3606.

...................................................................................... A Special Note about Lent… As we are just now “recovering” from the Christmas season, Lent sneaks up on us

but is no less important! This is a special time to continue helping our children along their faith journey. Each

family with children at Rockbrook UMC will receive a special Lenten gift to help along that journey. I will have

these available beginning on Sunday, February 14th. Just a minute or two each day to connect your children with

God during this season can create a meaningful tradition for your family! God’s blessings…Julie