The
TOWER
April 2014
Delavan United Methodist Church
213 S. 2nd Street
Delavan, WI 53115
Phone: (262) 728-3644, FAX: (262) 728-5105
Church Email: [email protected]
Pastor: Rev. Stan Curtis, [email protected] office: 262/728-3644 or cellphone: (262) 749-1141
Bishop: Hee-Soo Jung / District Superintendent: Sam Royappa
Secretary/Editor: Lynn Curtis, [email protected], (262) 728-3644
Music Director: Ronlyn Bauer, [email protected]
Organist: JoAnn Rivas, [email protected], (608) 756-3596
Sunday School Superintendent: Jessica Rima (262) 203-6878
Custodian: Lourdes Navarro, (262) 729-6583
WORSHIP: SUNDAY 9:00 a.m.  FELLOWSHIP: 10:00 a.m.  SUNDAY SCHOOL: 10:15 a.m.
Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-Noon and 1-3 p.m., Friday Closed
MISSION STATEMENT
We strive to love God with open hearts, minds and souls, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
VISION STATEMENT
The people of Delavan United Methodist Church are committed to deepening our understanding, living and sharing of our
faith by worshiping God and reaching out to members of the community regardless of age, race, ethnic origin, gender,
economic status, sexual orientation, mental or physical ability.
Website Links
Delavan United Methodist Church, http://www.delavanumcwi.com  We’re also on Facebook!
The People of the United Methodist Church Live the Fruit of the Spirit
Mobility Accessible  Air Conditioned Fellowship Hall
Emily Post, who died in 1960, wrote a book called “Etiquette.” This book, which ran
through ten editions, taught people how to get along politely in society! Some of what she
said was good. For example, how many of us have ever been to a posh restaurant and been
confused by the array of different knives, forks and spoons at our place! Mrs. Post wrote,
“Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness,
you have good manners, no matter which fork you use!” However, she also wrote, “To do
exactly as your neighbors do is the only sensible rule.” Someone else said this, in another
way, “When in Rome, do as the Roman’s do!”
In my opinion, that doesn’t necessarily seem very wise advice to me. Nor, in fact, does it
sound very Jesus-like.
Over the centuries, the church has given us a picture of Jesus who is quiet and calm and reserved? The Jesus
who was so meek and mild that it’s difficult to imagine anyone getting so angry at him as to want to kill him! But
the picture of Jesus as “meek and mild” is only half the picture. When in Jerusalem for the Passover during Holy
Week, we have a picture of Jesus we don’t see very often. It’s the angry Jesus, the loud Jesus, the not so meek-andmild Jesus we are confronted with.
Let me set the scene for you. It is Passover time. That is the holiday (holy-day) celebrated in early spring,
reminding the people of God’s deliverance from slavery in the land of Egypt. It’s a time of unleavened bread, lamb
and herbs. It’s a time of sacrificial lambs and pilgrimages to the Temple in Jerusalem to offer prayer. It is more
than evident that the sight that greets Jesus there that day, as he and his disciples
arrive to prepare to observe Passover, angers him greatly. Jesus finds traders,
selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money.
Pilgrims—Jews and non-Jews alike—came from foreign lands far away, and they
needed to exchange their “coin” into Temple currency. After all, on their coins (if
they lived within the Roman Empire) bore the image of Caesar, and it would be
next to blasphemous to offer these to God. The money-changers were cheating the
people which angered Jesus. The traders were so many and took up so much space,
it was making it impossible for the gentiles to worship God. What had begun with
the intention of providing a service had, in fact, become a disservice! It was no
longer a service but a business with the major motive not to worship God but to make money. Jesus understood
this and that is why he drove them all out of the Temple.
This, of course made it impossible for worship in the Temple. The Temple priests—the Sadducees—were
angry with Jesus and wanted him dead.
In his righteous anger, Jesus is acting against the double injustice that is, firstly, preventing the non-Jewish
people from worshiping God and, secondly, cheating the worshipers by charging unfair exchange-rates. In his
words and in his actions—in his anger—Jesus is rebelling against unjust practices that are preventing people
getting close to God in worship. It is the case, then, that God calls us to be “rebels” too—that God calls us to do the
opposite of “When in Rome, do as the Roman’s do!”
As we prepare for Easter, consider the logo: “WWJD”; What would Jesus do? Consider also what we as the
church can do to bring people to God through our faith in Jesus Christ. God bless. See you in Church. Pastor Stan
In Our Prayers:
 Congratulations—Ben & Laura Johnson on their new baby boy along with
proud grandparents Kathy & Dennis Duesterbeck and Lorena Holman
 For Healing—Bona Springer, Erica Reddy Care Calendar at:
http://www.carecalendar.org/ (calendar ID: 96207, security code: 8768), Marilyn
Aldinger, Ann Scott, Bob Svenson, Jim Harrington, Dennis Duesterbeck, Ronlyn
Bauer, Cathy Venema, Sarah Jones, Scott Jones, and Becky Perez
 For Sympathy—Chris Anding and her Family on the death of her father, Ellie
Lee and his Family on the death of his brother, and the Family of Martha Leyda
 Those in the Armed Services— Kelly Campbell, Jeff Demet, Nicholas Bell, Nathan & Shanean Borchardt
 Our Homebound— LaVon Adney, Don Boviall, Sue Edler, Jean Lees, Mary Leff, Louise McKinney, Grace
Means, Bill Swoger
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From the Finance Team—Our Church bills have remained high due to the extended Wisconsin winter
(spring?). We hope that the end is in sight and sincerely appreciate the increased giving that has been done
to help us meet these needs. If it is at all possible, we would ask you to please continue to give above your
regular giving level. Thank you!
Lenten/Easter Worship—We will continue hosting Lenten Devotions and Soup
Luncheons through April 9th. Each week a different Delavan church is presenting a short
devotional service at 12:05 p.m. in the Sanctuary, followed by a soup luncheon in
Fellowship Hall. A freewill offering will be taken. Below is a schedule showing the
remaining churches leading the devotional time and preparing the soups:
 April 2, Vida Abundante Hispanic

April 9, Christ Episcopal
An Ecumenical Good Friday Service will be held at 12 Noon on Friday, April 18th at the United Church of
Christ-Congregational, 123 E. Washington, Delavan.
Our Easter Worship will be at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 20th. This year we are also offering
the opportunity for Designated Gifts for Easter. This year we are offering two ways to
honor/remember loved ones. You can either bring an Easter lily to decorate the church or give
a monetary gift in their name. Envelopes are included in the bulletins to complete and place in
the offering plates. A listing of names of donors/gift given (either lily or monetary gift) will be
included in the Easter bulletin. Please talk with Lynn if you have any questions (728-3644).
News Feed...What’s on your mind?
 Directory Updates—Please make the following changes to your directory:
 Jeremy Weber: 622 Patricia Street, Apt. 202 Elkhorn 53121
 Paula Holmes: 304 S. Wells, Lake Geneva 53147 Phone (262) 347-2013
 Please add *Patricia DeBruin, *Austin, *Mason, *Sydney, 4026 County F North, Delavan 53115
Phone (262) 728-9204
 Date Changes—The UMW Salad Luncheon will be Wednesday, April 30, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. and the
Mother-Daughter-Friend Banquet will be Wednesday, May 14, 6:15 p.m.
 Our April Noisy Can Money will go to the Walworth County Homeless Shelter. So far this Shelter
year (October 2013-present) we have hosted 49 men for a total of 1,742 days with 504 meals being
served! The Shelter also has helped five gentlemen transition into fulltime employment and two into
permanent housing. The Shelter program is funded 100% by donations and we could not do this without
your help.
 Mission Project—Making School Bags for Midwest Distribution Center—The next “sew-ins” will be
Wednesdays, April 2, 9, 23 and 30, at 1:30 p.m. and all are welcome regardless of your sewing
background!
 Coffee Hour/Nursery—Sign-ups are available in Fellowship Hall with slots available beginning Easter
Sunday, April 20th for Coffee Hour and all weeks in April.
 Needed for OUR Food Pantry—We are in need the following items: Canned fruit of all
kinds, canned soups of all kinds (except tomato), canned meats, tuna/chicken/hamburger
helpers, macaroni and cheese, boxed potato mixes, spaghetti sauce, pancake mix and syrup,
cooking oil, sugar, flour. All other items are welcomed as well.
 Have you checked out our Website?? ( www.delavanumcwi.org or www.delavanumcwi.com ) Our
monthly calendar is now available on the website as well as sermons, music, newsletters and lots more!
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April Meetings
 Men’s Club Breakfast Meeting – Saturday, April 5th at 8:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall
 Nurture Team – Monday, April 7th at 4:00 p.m. in the Library
 Trustees Team – MONDAY, April 7th at 7:00 p.m. in the Library
 Church Council – Monday, April 21st at 7:00 p.m. in the Library
 Finance – Thursday, April 24th at 7:00 p.m. in the Library
United Methodist Women
2014 Theme: “A Calling for this Time”
Beginnings: None This Month
Dates at a Glance:
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Wednesday, April 9th, Faith in Movies
Tuesday, April 29th, Read’em & Meet
Wednesday, April 30th, Salad Luncheon
Wednesday, May 14th, Mother-Daughter-Friend Banquet
April 9th (Wednesday) Faith in Movies
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When/Where: 1:00 p.m. at Lorena’s – 504 N Terrace St
Movie: “12 Years a Slave”—Oscar winner as best picture of the Year-2013. Steve
McQueen based this movie on Solomon Northup’s 1853 memoir. He dedicated it to
those who suffered slavery and the 21 million who still endure slavery today. Joyce
Francis will be picking it up from the Red Box.
Who: Anyone who enjoys a good movie (pick the Christ-like figure. “Come One, Come
All” Popcorn...Beverages…Snacks Discussion! Bring a friend or two!
April 29 (Tuesday) Read’em & Meet
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
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When/Where: 5:00 p.m. at Culver’s corner round table (Order off the menu)
The Book: “Outcasts United” by Warren St John—a 2013 Leadership Development
book. Clarkston, Georgia, was designated as a refugee settlement center in the 1990s
and became the first American home for families in flight from the world’s war zones.
It’s a stunning real-life story of an inspiring group of refugees; especially a woman with
tough love and fiery determination. Jan Shirk is the reporter.
Who: Anyone who likes a good read.
April 30 (Wednesday) Salad Luncheon (Proceeds go for Missions)
 Co-Chairs: Phyllis Almburg and Maxine Peters
 Advertising: Jean Hummel
 Tickets & Treasurer: Lorena Holman and Joyce Francis
 Tables and Decorations: Judy Miller and Vernola Anderson
 Time: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
 Cost: $8.00 / $9:00 at the door
 Bring: Lots of friends
Sign-up sheets for donations will be in Fellowship Hall on Sundays after worship. Please sign-up in advance
to save us from having to make telephone calls.
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Children’s Page
Birthdays
Kathy Vance ...................................... 4/2
Liz Grober .......................................... 4/4
Karen Maize ...................................... 4/4
Lauren Grober ................................. 4/8
Carole Colombe ............................ 4/13
Vi Reyher ........................................ 4/14
Richard Meredith ........................ 4/15
Jackie Keller ................................... 4/16
Nancy Williams ............................ 4/16
Dorothy Gallup ......................... 4/17
Cheryl Wolfe .............................. 4/18
Carl Sanders............................... 4/20
Douglas Hanchon ..................... 4/23
Breanna Yartey ......................... 4/23
Don Boviall ................................. 4/24
Ann Scott ..................................... 4/24
Erv Borchardt ........................... 4/26
Noreen Malmin ......................... 4/27
Anniversaries
Gene & Marlys Gallup ........................................ 4/1
Carl & Estrid Sanders......................................... 4/3
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Nurture Team Minutes March 11, 2014
Present: Pastor Stan and Lynn Curtis, Van Brown, Cheryl Wolfe and Mary Ann Holt. Lynn called the meeting to
order in Chris Anding’s absence and Pastor Stan gave the opening prayer. February minutes were read and
approved by consensus.
Jan Shirk has resigned from the Nurture Team. We are looking for someone who would be interested in joining the
Nurture Team to replace her.
► January 2014—$143.13 Association for
Prevention of Family Violence
► February 2014—$164.87 Imagine No Malaria
► March 2014— Church Discretionary Fund
► April 2014—Walworth County Emergency
Homeless Shelter (Lynn)
► May 2014—Northcott Neighborhood House
(Cheryl)
► June 2014—Chaplaincy Ministry (Bona)
We received thank you cards from UMCOR for our undesignated gift of $200.00 and a thank you from Open
Arms Free Clinic for our gift of $147.57.
Lynn bought three $65.00 gift cards from Wal-Mart and gave them to Wileman, Phoenix and Turtle Creek
schools for school supplies from the monies donated in December..
Food Pantry Report—Next food donation March 14, 2014 at Kunes. Van Brown will get helpers to pick up
our donation.
Coffee Hour Report—Erica Reddy donated an electric teapot for the kitchen and Sunday Coffee Hours
which works great. Thank you Erika! There was a discussion of ideas for how to fill the vacant slots for
Coffee Hour.
Nursery Report—There was a discussion about adding a TV in the Nursery but the Nurture Team feels that
there is no need for one at this time.
Homeless Shelter Report—Homeless Shelter ends April 26th. The Shelter will be here the week of April 1320. Plans will be discussed at the next Nurture Team meeting. The Shelter Board will be working to contact
more churches about helping with the Shelter next year.
Caring Ministries—Will be discussed next month when more Nurture Team members are present.
School Bag Mission Project—Sew-ins are happening on Wednesdays from 1:30-4:30 p.m. There are about
80 bags left to sew.
New Business—The Care Calendar for Erica Reddy can be found at http://www.carecalendar.org/
(calendar ID: 96207, security code: 8768. A dog walker and meals are needed. Food must be gluten free.
Lynn moved to adjourn.
The next Nurture Team meeting will be Monday, April 7, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. in the Church library.
Respectfully submitted,
Cheryl Wolfe
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Delavan UMC Church Council Minutes February 24, 2014
Meeting Opened with prayer by Pastor Stan. In attendance: Mary Rima, Don Miller, Phyllis Almburg, Chris
Anding, Maxine Peters, Jim Aldinger, Julia Meredith, Ron Anderson, Vernola Anderson, Bona Springer, Jean
Pippitt. Minutes from meeting January 20, 2014 were approved by consensus as read. Maxine Peters made
motion.
Treasurer’s Report—Maxine Peters:
 Check Book balance as of 2/19 was $3,050.39, some bills have not been paid. Deposit 2/24 $2,298.00.
Total bills yet to be paid by end of month: $7,393.00. Mortgage is paid and current. $21,012.00 in
Apportionments remain unpaid and due. Dedicated Account balance is $19,346.82. We owe $90,593.58
to Dedicated Account. We are only paying actual mortgage amount required, not paying the extra
amount that we were continuing from 2013, when amount was revised by Foundation. Motion to accept
report made by Mary Rima, second by Julia Meredith with discussion.
 Julia suggested checking into budget plan for WE Energies. Carried and approved.
 Pastor mentioned that with high heating bills and plowing due to harsh winter any additional
contributions above our normal would be appreciated and very much needed.
OLD BUSINESS
 Lent—Wednesday is Ash Wednesday and first soup luncheon Bona and Phyllis will make soup. Six
churches are involved.
 Praise in the Park—There was discussion about whether to continue with Praise in the Park and the
decision was made to cancel it this year. We will return to the first Sunday AFTER Labor Day being the
first day of Sunday School and SUNDAY SCHOOL RALLY DAY. This year the date will be September 7th.
 Ecumenical Service—This is typically in July but no date has been set yet. We are in charge this year for
this outdoor service with the Baptist and UCC churches.
 150th ANNIVERSARY of our Building—Built in 1864 with the congregation established in 1838, we are
the second oldest UM congregation in Wisconsin. There was discussion about how we could celebrate
this event and bring in community. Anyone with suggestions please let them be known.
NEW BUSINESS
 Pastor—Congregations are losing memberships. The Pastor and Laity need to go out in community and
bring attention to our church family. Some suggestions included: Welcome Home Delavan/Darien Vets;
Have community game nights at restaurants or community centers; Drama for Easter 2015; Bible Study
in one of the local restaurants and/or meetings in local restaurants; Pastor do articles in the local paper;
Blessing of Animals in the Park as we have in past
 Phyllis Almburg—Reported a church member asked about us getting cost for automatic door for
handicap members/visitors. Jim will get quote, part of Trustees
 Nurture—Chris Anding
o Bags being made for Midwest Mission Distribution Center.
o Food Pantry needs Food.
o April 13-20 Homeless Shelter is at our church.
o Noisy coins collections are going well.
 Trustees—Jim Aldinger
o The flooring in the basement for Homeless Shelter is carpet and Lynn Curtis, Bona Springer, and Joy
Nelson spent a lot of time and effort to clean it. We may want to update the flooring in the future.
o The boiler leak is repaired – Could be a big part of our high January heat bill.
o Painting of the walls will happen in near future.
Motion to Adjourn made by Pastor; second by Phyllis – Carried. Next meeting March 17th 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary Rima, Recording Secretary
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Delavan United Methodist Church
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
1
5p TOPS-CR
5p SERMON ON THE
MOUNT BIBLE STUDY
@ CULVER’S
6
7a Hispanic Prayer-Chapel
9a Worship
10a Fellowship-FH
10:15a Sunday School
12:30p Hispanic Worship
5p AFS-K/FH
7
4p NURTURE TEAM
7p TRUSTEES
13
14
7a Hispanic Prayer-Chapel
9a Worship
10a Fellowship-FH
10:15a Sunday School
10:30a Chancel Choir
12:30p Hispanic Worship
Thursday
2
Friday
20
8
1p Office Closed
Pastor Stan/Lynn @
Shelter Ops Mtg
5p TOPS-CR
5p SERMON ON THE
MOUNT BIBLE STUDY
@ CULVER’S
9
10
22
He is Risen—Alleluia—Happy Easter! 7p CHURCH COUNCIL 5p TOPS-CR
27
28
11
16
17
18
6:30p Hispanic Band
29
5p READ’EM & MEET
5p TOPS-CR
12
23
19
Good Friday
8:45a OA-L
10a AA-CR
12N ECUMENICAL
GOOD FRIDAY
WORSHIP @
DELAVAN UCC-C
6:30p Hispanic Band
24
25
5p Girl Scout #3428-FH
6:30p Hispanic Band 8:45a OA-L
5p Praise Band/6:30p Bell Choir 7p FINANCE TEAM 10a AA-CR
7p Hispanic Bible Study-FH
6:30p Hispanic Band
8p AA-CR
7a Hispanic Prayer
9a Worship
10a Fellowship-FH
12:30p Hispanic Worship
7a Hispanic Prayer-Chapel
9a Worship
10a Fellowship-FH
10:15a Sunday School
10:30a Chancel Choir
12:30p Hispanic Worship
3:00p Jean Pippitt Recital-S/FH/K
5
8a MEN'S CLUB
BREAKFAST
MTG
12:05p LENTEN DEVOTIONS/ 6:30p Hispanic Band 8:45a OA-L
SOUP LUNCHEON
10a AA-CR
1:00P FAITH IN MOVIES
6:30p Hispanic Band
5p Girl Scout #3428-FH
5p Praise Band/6:30p Bell Choir
7p Hispanic Bible Study-FH
8p AA-CR
15
Tower Articles Due! 5p Girl Scout #3428-FH
21
4
12:05p LENTEN DEVOTIONS/ 6:30p Hispanic Band 8:45a OA-L
SOUP LUNCHEON
10a AA-CR
5p Girl Scout #3428-FH
6:30p Hispanic Band
5p Praise Band/6:30p Bell Choir
7p Hispanic Bible Study-FH
8p AA-CR
5p Praise Band/6:30p Bell Choir
5p TOPS-CR
5p SERMON ON THE 7p Hispanic Bible Study-FH
MOUNT BIBLE STUDY 8p AA-CR
@ CULVER’S
Red Wagon Sunday
Saturday
3
30
11a UMW SALAD LUNCHEON
5p Girl Scout #3428-FH
5p Praise Band/6:30p Bell Choir
7p Hispanic Bible Study-FH
8p AA-CR
Room Key: C=Chapel CR=Community Room FH=Fellowship Hall K = Kitchen L=Library S=Sanctuary
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