SHARING
NEWS
UNION
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Steven
Boots: Pastor
730
South Third Street Phone
(507) 382-4968
St.
Peter MN 56082
E-mail: steveboots2003@yahoo.com
Phone:
(507) 934-4602
Fax:
(507) 934-1299
Summer
2009
Volume 37, No. 6
Kathy
Gumbel, Editor
A Thought for the Spirit
Things To Do Anytime
On
Sunday, May 17, I passed out a resource to the children, entitled ÒThings To
Make & Do Anytime.Ó ItÕs a
Presbyterian Church (USA) resource
written by Martha Bettis Gee.
I indicated it was intended for the summer months. It is designed to offer children a
window into the life of faith.
It
is divided into two parts. The
first part includes scripture passages and activities that celebrate GodÕs
creation. The second part is a
celebration of Òme,Ó one of GodÕs loved ones.
Kathy
Gumbel, our church administrator, in a moment of inspiration, suggested I could
write an article about things to do during the summer for adults, so here goes.
Celebrating
GodÕs creation, Òand God saw that it was Good!Ó
As
you wake in the morning, maybe during that first cup of coffee or tea, take
just a moment to look out the window or walk out on the deck and take a look
around. Do you see something new
today, maybe new growth, something different in the way the landscape looks?
If
you have plants or a garden, what do you see? How has the changing temperature changed what it looks
like? DonÕt think about the weeds
you need to pull or the trimming you need to do. Just enjoy them.
Look closely at the intricate patterns in the leaves; see the branches
from which they come; imagine the root system below ground as it delivers
nutrients to the plant.
Look
carefully at the grass, each blade unique in its own way, hundreds of thousands
of blades together providing a tapestry of color and texture, a
three-dimensional work of art by a creative God.
Take
a moment to reflect and pray. Say
a word of thanks and pray that this will be a reflection of GodÕs love.
When
the moment has passed, think about your self. You are a child of God. ÒThen God said, Let us make humankind in our image,
according to our likeness, so God created humankind in GodÕs image.Ó Genesis 1:26a, 27a
God
loves you; do you love yourself?
Maybe something happened yesterday that youÕre having a hard time letting
go of, a mistake you made, a moment of anger youÕre sorry for, a fear or a form
of self-doubt. Can you let it
go? Can you forgive yourself? God does. Today is a new day.
You have the opportunity to correct your mistakes, to make amends, to
face your fears, to restore your confidence. You are a unique four-dimensional individual among the
billions that make up the tapestry of humankind, yet God loves you by name. You also have an opportunity to
remember the joys you experienced
yesterday as well. Relive
those moments. Give thanks to God.
Pray
for those close to you by name.
Name your hopes and dreams, your fears and disappointments. Give your thoughts to God.
And,
finally, pray for friends and strangers you might meet today. Pray to be a blessing, not a curse; a
gift, not a hardship; a reflection of GodÕs love, not a messenger of hate.
At
the end of the day reflect on your experiences. What truths have you learned? What blessings have you received? What evil do you need to let go of? Name it, accept it, and give it to God.
If
you begin and end each day in this way, you will have opened the window of
faith and let the spirit of God enter in.
ItÕs the thing that you can do anytime.
Blessings,
Steve
A NOTE FROM OUR TREASURER
As of the end of May 2009 the mortgage balance was $89,280.00.
MARK YOUR SUMMER CALENDARS
Thursday, June 11: Session
Meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 14: Flag
Day Potluck following worship
Wednesday, June 17: Senior
Social at 2:00 p.m.
The
Deacons will meet after the Social.
Sunday, July 12: 1st
summer communion; John Calvin Potluck following worship
Sunday, August 9: 2nd
summer communion
Thursday, August 13: Session
Meeting at 7:00 p.m.
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The
Membership Care and Concerns Committee is in the process of compiling an
updated Church Information Directory for each of our members and UPC
friends. So that we have current
information in this directory, please return the following information to the
church office.
Name:
Address:
City/State/Zip
Code:
Phone: Cell Phone
(optional):
E-mail
Address (optional):
JUNE
USHERS:
Dave Schauer (captain), Carol Eggert, Helen Schauer and (volunteer needed)
|
DATE
|
GREETERS
|
NURSERY
|
COFFEE SERVERS
|
|
June
07
|
Dave
& Helen Schauer
|
Craig
and Tess Drager
|
Sara
& John McKay
Mary
& Pat OÕBrien
|
|
June
14
|
Edna
Hawbaker
|
Judy
Biederman
|
Barbara
Kaiser & Karl Knight
Mary
Lue Brinker and Esther Goodwill
|
|
June
21
|
David
& Aleda Harrington
|
Nina
Preheim
|
FathersÕ
Day; session women serve
|
|
June
28
|
Mary
Lue Brinker and
Esther
Goodwill
|
Thalia
Taylor
|
Aleda
& David Harrington
Edna
Hawbaker
Cheryl
Weisgerber
|
JULY
USHERS:
Lew Seely (captain), Chuck Gumbel, Bob Passon, Eddie Pioske
|
DATE
|
GREETERS
|
NURSERY
|
COFFEE SERVERS
|
|
July
06
|
Al
& Delpha Passon
|
4th
of July weekend;
volunteer
nursery
|
Mary
& Joe Dobie
Cindy
Witty & Meryl Frank
Marilyn
Witty
|
|
July
13
|
Bob
& Jean Passon
|
Thalia
Taylor
|
Jamie
& Matt Goodrich
Thalia
& Larry Taylor
|
|
July
20
|
Jim
& Ginger Guth
|
Mary
Goodrich
|
Kathy
& Chuck Gumbel
Jean
& Bob Passon
|
|
July
27
|
Royce
& Pat Kilmer
|
Roxanne
Pioske
|
Bill
Dobbs
Barbara
Gosewisch
Mary
& Darrel Rosenow
|
AUGUST
USHERS:
John McKay (captain), Joe Dobie, Mark Leagjeld, Marv Severson
|
DATE
|
GREETERS
|
NURSERY
|
COFFEE SERVERS
|
|
August
03
|
Elaine
Kirby
|
Kate
Sonsteby
|
Sara
& John McKay
Nina
Preheim
|
|
August
10
|
Nick
& Kate Sonsteby
|
Jessi
Leonard
|
Carol
& Chuck Eggert
Jane
& Dean Wahlund
|
|
August
17
|
Larry
& Judy Biederman
|
Tess
Drager
|
Jan
Prehn
Lavonne
& Lew Seely
|
|
August
24
|
Nina
Preheim
|
Jacob
Willson and
Jessica
Lillo
|
Nancy
& Ron Hardesty
Linda
& Bob Nielsen
|
|
August
31
|
Howie
& Janet Strey
|
Janet
Strey
|
Christa
& Bill Herr
Janet
& Howie Strey
|
JUNE FLOWERS: Donna
Rydeen JUNE
S.P.A.F. DELIVERY:Mary Lue Brinker
JULY FLOWERS: Jean
Passon JULY
S.P.A.F. DELIVERY: Jan
Prehn
AUGUST FLOWERS: Ginger
Guth AUGUST
S.P.A.F. DELIVERY: Nina
Preheim
JUNE BIRTHDAYS
01
- Harvey Youngs
01
- Gene Thorson
02
- Velma Van Dorsten
02
- Arden Olson
07
- Jan Prehn
08
- Harold Van Dorsten
11
- Chad Gumbel
14
- Gail Thorson
16
- Hazel Hill
16
- Mary Campbell
16
- Lindsay Wachal
18
-Gordon Smith
20
- Dayna Steiner
21
- Sandy Brew
21
- Steve McClellan
22
- Darell Gerber
23
- Curt Willson
23
- Jeff Robb
24
- Sandra Turner
26
- Kevin Sinning
29
- Ernie Crouzer
JUNE
ANNIVERSARIES
01
- Herb & Hazel Hill
01
- Pat & Mary OÕBrien
04
- Jerry & Edna Hawbaker
05
- Jim & Ginger Guth
06
- John & Mimi Braun
11
- Ron & Nancy Hardesty
12
- Brad & Jane Thompson
15
- Bob & Jean Passon
17 - Hank & Gretchen Sadler
18
-Bill & Christa Herr
19
- Chuck & Carol Eggert
19
- Terry & Carol Endresen
20
- Larry & Becky Barnes
21
- Gordon & JoAnn Smith
21
- Dean & Jane Wahlund
22
- Harold & Velma Van
Dorsten
21
- Tara (Barnes) & Andrew Fitch
22- Harold & Velma Van
Dorsten
24
- Al & Delpha Passon
27
- Don & Lois Peterson
29
- Tony & Sue Bogenschutz
JULY BIRTHDAYS
02
- Lois Peterson
03
- Christa Herr
04
- John Braun
06
- Pat OÕBrien
07
- Mary OÕBrien
08
- Janet Anthony
09
- Chuck Gumbel
13
- Elizabeth McKay
13
- Tara Fitch
15
- Sarah Johnson
17
- Carter Schultz
18
- Linda Nielsen
20
- Pat Gerber
23
- Gretchen Sadler
23
- Karen Ferrington
25
- Marshall Anthony
28
- Betsy Benner
29
- Edna Hawbaker
29
- Tess Drager
JULY
ANNIVERSARIES
03
- Jim & Jean McClellan
04
- Terri & Pat Cooney
07
- Adam & Heather Leach
11
- Chuck & Deb Niederriter
16
- Jake & Lorraine
Campbell
16
- Gary & Mary Campbell
21
- Kristi & Tim Schultz
26
- Larry & Thalia Taylor
31
- Cindy Witty & Meryl
Frank
AUGUST BIRTHDAYS
02
- Mimi Braun
08
- Marge Johnson
08
- Nels Kallaus
11
- Dean Wahlund
12
- Esther Goodwill
13
- Katie Biederman
13
- Gillian Baumgartner
14
- Alex Willson
15
- Philip Tanis
16
- Marv Severson
18
- Brody Jensen
21
- Eddie Pioske
23
- Becky Barnes
24
- Kathy Gumbel
24
- Kristi Schultz
26
- Helen Schauer
29
- Debbie Niederriter
31
- Erin DeBlieck
AUGUST
ANNIVERSARIES
01
- Buster & Nina West
06
- Joe & Mary Dobie
09
- Paul & Maureen Tanis
10
- Lew & Lavonne Seely
12
- Arlo & Dawn Lehtinen
20
- Dick & Cheryl Weisgerber
22
- Mark & Pat Leagjeld
24
- Herb & Louise Poncin
25
- David & Aleda Harrington
28
- Eddie & Roxanne Pioske
29
- Curt & Marlene Willson
30
- Ernie & Martha Crouzer
If
you, or someone you know, is having a special birthday or anniversary, please
call the church office. We will
recognize the special day in the newsletter.
Joseph
Paul Biederman,
son of Paul and Katie Biederman, received the Sacrament of Baptism on May 3,
2009.
Brad
Thompson is now at the Benedictine Living Community as he continues to recover
from a broken femur.
Jake
Campbell has now returned home and appreciates visits.
Marvin
Passon, Bob and AlÕs brother, had surgery in Rochester and is at home and doing
well.
Updates: Marshall
Anthony is now at home.
Betty
Reisdorf is now at home.
Robbie
Madison, Betty and Steve BootsÕ sister-in-law, is now at home.
Cards
and/or visits are also appreciated by the following UPC members:
Lavada Fredricksen at Grandview Good Samaritan
Center
Jerry Hawbaker, Norma Suderman, Elaine Skramstad
and Jo Rasmussen at Benedictine Living Community of St. Peter, 1907 Klein
Street, St. Peter
Velma and Harold Van Dorsten, Malcolm
MacKenzie, and Madeline Thorson at
Wilds of Sand Prairie
Richard Whitmore at PheasantsÕ Ridge
Olive
Thomas is back at her St. Peter home.
The
family of Ruth Swartwood, who died
on May 18, 2009, at St. LukeÕs Lutheran Care Center in Blue Earth,
Minnesota. A memorial service was
held at Woodland Hills Chapel in Mankato.
PRAYER CHAIN PRAYER CHAIN PRAYER CHAIN PRAYER CHAIN
If
you, or someone you know, would like to be included in prayers, please call the
church office, and your request will be forwarded to those on the prayer chain.
Requests will remain on the prayer chain for one month, unless we are notified
otherwise. The person calling in
the request is responsible for updating us on the individualÕs condition at the
end of the one-month period, or when the individualÕs condition or needs
change.
To
enable everyone to share joys or concerns during the Sunday morning worship
service, yellow cards have been
placed in the Ritual of Friendship Notebooks. Simply print your request on the card, and place it in the
offering plate, or give it to one of the ushers. Your joy or concern will then be shared during the morning
prayers.
Somebody
you know needs physical or spiritual healing; somebody is suffering a loss from
death or divorce; somebody is in need of a blessing; somebodyÕs in prison;
somebody needs guidance. When we
tell God about the concerns of others, we foster a spirit of hope and bring comfort.
Thanks
so much for all the cards and calls for my birthday in May. I appreciate everyoneÕs
thoughtfulness. – Jean
Passon
Thank
you for the prayers, cards, flowers and visits while Jake was in the hospital
and nursing home. Special thanks
to Pastor Boots for his prayers and visits. Jake is now at home having in-home hospice care. Visits are appreciated. – Jake and Lorraine Campbell
WELCOME,
NEW MEMBERS
On
Sunday, May 17, 2009, Mary and Gary Adams and Elizabeth Herr were welcomed into
our church family. Mary and Gary
joined by Letter of Transfer, and Elizabeth joined by Affirmation of Faith.
If
you have a family member in the military, please let us know; and his/her name
will be added to our prayer chain.
Names we have received as of this date include the following: Please
update this information as needed.
Clayton
Luker is in the Air Force and is presently with the medical corp in
Afghanistan. He is Nancy LukerÕs
grandson.
Major
Steve Eggert will officially retire from the Air Force in September.
Douglas
Godfrey is in the Marines and is currently stationed at al-Asad Air Base in
Iraq. He is Debbie NiederriterÕs nephew.
Dennis
Klein is in the Navy and is now in Washington, DC. He is Chuck NiederriterÕs nephew.
Libby
Rasmussen Pruitt and Brian Pruitt are serving in the U.S. Coast Guard in
Portsmouth and Chesapeake, Virginia, respectively. Libby is Jo RasmussenÕs granddaughter.
Ryan
Rasmussen is a lieutenant in the Navy; he is now back in the United
States. He is Jo RasmussenÕs
grandson.
Several
volunteers are available to provide rides to church or appointments. Please call the church office
(934-4602) or one of the deacons if you are in need of a ride.
Deanne
Schabert (931-4894) Sandy
Brew (931-3025) John
McKay (934-6176)
Pat
Kilmer (625-2853) Gretchen
Sadler (550-4033) Mary
OÕBrien (934-4344)
Pure
religion is LOVE in action.
God, help me keep before You
those who need your healing power in their lives.
TO: ALL SENIORS
FROM: THE DEACONS
You are invited to a ÒSenior Summer SocialÓ
When: Wednesday, June
19, at 2:00 p.m.
Where: Congregation Room at Union Presbyterian Church
Please
join other seniors for a time to relax, chat and have dessert and coffee as we
begin the summer season at Union.
Please
call the church office or any of the Deacons if you need a ride.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY NEWS
A
pictureÕs worth a thousand words!
On May 17, 2009, Thalia Taylor presented Victor and
Anna Cerritos with a new lawn mower at the open house for their new Habitat for
Humanity home in St. Peter. The
mower was a gift from Union Presbyterian Church and St. Peter Lumber/St. Peter
Rental.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY GARAGE SALE
Mark
your calendars for the annual St. Peter Habitat for Humanity Garage Sale this summer
on Friday and Saturday, July 10 and 11, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 511
S 5th Street, St. Peter.
The sale will run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and from 8 a.m. to
12:00 p.m. on Saturday.
Donations
may be dropped off at the church on Thursday, July 9, between 8 a.m. and 6
p.m. Please save your unwanted,
but much loved, treasures. Household
items, tools, toys, books, etc., are all needed. Clothing, shoes, encyclopedias, computers and ReaderÕs
Digest books cannot be accepted.
To
volunteer or if you have questions, please contact Laura Boomgaarden at
931-7393 or mlboomgaarden@msn.com.
VINE FAITH IN ACTION
The
Vine organization is in need of volunteer drivers. Experience the satisfaction of helping others and earn some
extra income, too. Volunteer
drivers, using their own vehicles, are needed to take Blue Earth and Nicollet
County residents to local and out-of-town medical appointments. Mileage reimbursement, education and
supplemental liability insurance will be provided. Successful completion of criminal and motor vehicle
background checks required.
CONGRATULATIONS, 2009 GRADUATES . . .
Michelle
Pioske
will graduate from Sibley East High School on June 7, 2009. She plans to attend Bemidji State
University. Michelle is the
daughter of Eddie and Roxanne Pioske.
Samuel
Johnson
graduated from Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School in New Ulm on May 24,
2009, with a 4.0 GPA. Sam plans to
attend the University of Minnesota, majoring in mathematics. Kyle Roemhildt
will graduate from Montgomery-Lonsdale High School on June 7 2009. Sam and Kyle are the grandsons of Betty
Reisdorf.
Lincoln
Bjorklund
will graduate from Sibley East High School on June 7, 2009. He plans to attend the University of
Wisconsin: River Falls. Alissa
Hoffmann and Ben Hoffmann will graduate from Saint Clair High School on June 7, 2009. They both plan to attend Minnesota
State University. Lincoln, Alissa
and Ben are the grandchildren of Janet Hoffmann.
Matthew
Bosworth
graduated from Nevada High School in Nevada, Iowa, on May 24, 2009. He plans to attend a community college
in Ames, Iowa. Matthew is the
grandson of Hank and Gretchen Sadler.
Jacob
Willson
graduated from Minnesota State University - Mankato on May 9, 2009, magna cum
laude in electrical engineering.
He began working as an electrical engineer at Design Ready Controls in
Minneapolis on May 11. Jacob is
the son of Marlene and Curt Willson.
Elizabeth
Olson graduated
from Gustavus Adolphus College on May 31, 2009. She will be doing an internship with Concordia Language
Institute following graduation.
The Arlo and Dawn Lehtinen family has been ElizabethÕs host family for
several years.
Mariah
(Satrom) Myhra received her MasterÕs Degree in special education, and Ryan Myhra
will receive his MasterÕs Degree in June.
Ryan and Mariah are the grandchildren of Pat and Royce Kilmer and
Shirley Krider.
David
Lick
graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College on May 31, 2009. He plans to work for a year before
continuing his education.
Nathan
Heggem
graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College on May 31, 2009, with a degree in
biology and neuroscience. One of
his many honors was being inducted in Phi Beta Kappa, a National Honor
Society. He will be working at
Ameri-corps in New York City for one year before going to graduate school. Nathan is the son of Dr. Mark and Liz
Heggem and the grandson of Darrel and Mary Rosenow.
Gina
Boots
will graduate from Augsburg College on June 28, 2009, with a degree in special
education. She is the
daughter-in-law of Steve and Betty Boots.
SUMMER
MUSIC
June 7 - Sara McKay August
2 - To be
announced
June 14 - The Sweet
Adelines/Rob Meyer August
9 - Mary
Ellen Malkasian
June 21 - Shelley Conlon August
16 - David Lick
June 28 - John & Katha
Chamberlain August
23 - Matt Nielsen
July 5 - To be announced August
30 - The Riverlights
July
12 - John McKay
July 19 - Kate Sonsteby We
thank Marilla Burch for arranging the
July 26 - The Riverblenders/Dan Neubauer summer
music.
PEACE NOTES
As
Jim Gilbert states in his Minnesota Nature Notes, ÒThere is a palpable rush of
life in June, and it sometimes seems that all living things in our temperate
zone, as if conscious of the limitations of the growing season, are forcing
themselves to grow and renew. Every
forest, every prairie, every wetland, every roadside ditch and every backyard
is rich with green abundance - evidence that our planet is designed as a place
for life. Summer is the season for
repairing the human perspective, for discovering once again that there are
forces and rhythms at work to make life possible.Ó Let us continue our prayers for peace, including this prayer
for global restoration. Have a
glorious summer!
Good
and Gracious God, Source of all life,
all
creation is charged with your Divine Energy.
Ignite
your spark within us, that we may know ourselves
as
truly human and holy, irrevocably part of the Web of Life.
All
creation
-
each star and every flower,
-
each drop of water and every person,
-
each and every atom, down to its very electrons,
explodes with the revelation of
your Sacred Mystery.
Our
minds alone cannot fathom such splendor.
Our
hearts can only respond in awe, praise and gratitude.
Forgive
us, we pray, our ignorance and insecurities which
-
blind us to your Thumbprint writ large.
-
deafen us to the sacred space between two heartbeats,
-
prompt us in arrogance to demand and dominate,
-
numb us to the destruction we have caused,
-
hold us hostage to Òeither-orÓ thinking and living.
May
we always walk gently on this earth, in right relationship,
-
nurtured by your Love,
-
taking only what we need,
-
giving back to the earth in gratitude,
-
sharing what we have,
-
honoring all with reverence,
-
reconciling and healing,
-
recognizing our proper place as part of, not apart from your creation.
Grant
us the strength and courage, we pray,
for
such radical transformation into your Kingdom.
Then
we, too, with the very stones will shout, ÒHOSANNA.Ó
Shhh . . . . . ItÕs a Surprise!
MaÕs Salama (Good Bye) Valerie!
Come
help us celebrate with a SURPRISE ÒGoing AwayÓ
party
for Valerie Thrower. We are
sending her off to Saudi
Arabia
shortly after the party; and, hopefully, this will be a
good
way for her to have a chance to see everyone together
one
last time before her new journey begins in a new country.
When:
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Time:
Drop in between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m.
Where:
St. Peter Community Center, Suite 219
600 S Fifth Street, St. Peter
RSVP
by June 21 to:
HeatherÕs
e-mail: or
NicoleÕs
cell phone: 507-381-7617
Remember
not to spill the beans to Valerie!!!
