Author: UMC

Black River Falls
United Methodist Church
100 North Fourth Street
Black River Falls, Wisconsin
Return Service Requested
54615
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Give Thanks to our Maker

INWHA SHON, PASTOR
Worship Service: 9:00 a.m.
Sunday School:
9:15 a.m. (September - May)
Office Hours:
8:00am. - 4:00pm.
Monday-Friday
Telephone:
715-284-4114
Website: brfumc.org
“You Tube Live:
BRFUMC

THE BLACK RIVER
FALLS
UNITED
METHODIST
CHURCH
NEWSLETTER
"To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world ."

THE BLACK RIVER FALLS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
NEWSLETTER, NOVEMBER 2022
“Serve, Teach, and Love As We Grow In Faith”
_____________________________________________ _________________________________________
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ at BRF,
Peace and grace be with you. This is a season of thanksgiving. The leaves have changed, many have fallen from the trees. The air is crisp. Winter is knocking on autumn’s door. This is a time when we gather with family to have good food and fellowship. We often have lists of what we are thankful for and we share them around the table.
It seems like we have come back to normal and people have traveled to see nature and meet their friends and family members who they didn’t meet for a while due to the Covid pandemic.
As you might know, however, we still see many people around us who were sick, as Covid-19 variants have arrived. I anticipate we cannot but live together with viruses for a while, even though we expected to live freely once we developed vaccines for Covid-19. I have a lot of friends who are hurting right now financially, spiritually, physically, and emotionally. Children seem to walk away from the Lord. Also we still hear sad news that war continues between Ukraine and Russia and inflation rate increases high worldwide.
How can one be thankful when things are difficult? It is not easy for most people to be thankful in the middle of tough times. We cannot be satisfied 100 % of the time as long as we live here. We are not perfect and our world is filled with uncertainty and imperfection. Everything in life is fragile.
I encourage you to remember the Prophet Habakkuk who envisioned losing things vital to their economy: Habakkuk 3:17-18, “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls.” Yet this prophet says “I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” Where does his gratitude come from?
First of all, the name of Habakkuk means to embrace or to cling. We see him fighting hard to cling to his faith in God in the face of trying circumstances. And he knows and believes that God is sovereign and is salvation. He confesses, “The just shall live by his faith” (Habakkuk 2:4). He trusted in God for what he doesn’t understand, and waited confidently for God to prove Himself in the end.
I invite you to recall the first Thanksgiving in 1621. Despite the pilgrims losing half their members, they gave thanks to God. There is a saying that “Happiness is not about getting what you want all the time, it is about loving what you have and being grateful for it.”
It is true that we live in unprecedented times. But our life itself is uncertain. Only God is certain and is in control. As Christians, we trust in God’s goodness that He will bring salvation.
Hebrews 11:1, “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” We see this hope through the lens of faith. Gratitude is at the heart of the Christian faith.
I invite you to be thankful for God and for what you have now and pray for all of you to live abundantly in God’s grace.
Love in Christ,
Pastor Inwha Shon

PAGE 3 BRFUMC NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2022

NOVEMBER

NOVEMBER 1 Judy Hansen
NOVEMBER 2 Ashley Johnson
NOVEMBER 4 Lawrence Whaley Jr.
NOVEMBER 5 Barry Gjerseth
Jill Kaphengst
Erica Gentry
Amanda Lang
NOVEMBER 8 Sam Lund
NOVEMBER 10 Gary Potter
NOVEMBER 12 Beth Amborn
David Hoffman
NOVEMBER 15 Linda McCullough
NOVEMBER 18 Dana Rave
Sarah Wiersma
Trevor Speich
NOVEMBER 20 Dan Jelinek
NOVEMBER 21 Michael Rave
NOVEMBER 22 Ella Goldsmith
NOVEMBER 23 Daniel Goldsmith
NOVEMBER 24 Matthew Schluntz
NOVEMBER 28 Karen Pennekamp
Patrick Brauner

NOVEMBER 3 John & Shirley Nimmo
NOVEMBER 4 LeRoy & Kim Amborn
NOVEMBER 6 Robert & Kathy Lind
NOVEMBER 8 Roy & Dorothy Hefty
NOVEMBER 11 Richard & Suzanne
Goldsmith
NOVEMBER 27 James & Juliann Talley

NOVEMBER 2 Xaview Olson
NOVEMBER 10 Ella Hatleli
NOVEMBER 22 Madyson Schultz

PAGE 4 BRFUMC NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2022

FINANCIAL REPORT - For the Months ended September 30, 2022
YTD Balance 2022 YTD Budget % of Budget
Income
Weekly Offerings $ 197,129.31 $ 211,656.00 93.14%
Special Offerings $ 50.00 $ 5,259.00 0.01%
Other Income $ 7,714.77 $ 15,740.00 49.02%
Total $ 204,894.08 $ 232,655.00 88.07%
Expenses
Apportionments $ 18,000.00 $ 32,403.00 55.56%
Programming $ 6,085.59 $ 7,605.00 80.02%
Pastoral Support $ 88,570.28 $ 89,000.00 99.52%
Program & Support Staff $ 42,470.62 $ 53,427.00 79.49%
Operations $ 41,725.24 $ 50,250.00 83.04%
Total $ 196,851.73 $ 232,685.00 84.60%
Difference $ 8,042.35 ($ 30.00)

In the first nine months of 2022, The church’s income is under budget by $27,766.92 or 11.93%. Expenses also are under budget by $35,833.27 or 15.40%. Though the church is doing satisfactorily at this time, we continue to ask that you keep praying for our church finances. We also ask that you prayerfully consider how you might help the church in the coming year.
We thank everyone in our church family for your continued support.

From your BRF UMC Finance Committee:
Information from the Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation
Congress, President Make Permanent the IRA Charitable Rollover
If you are 70½ or older and have a Traditional or Roth IRA you may give up to $100,000 to a charitable organization without being subject to income tax on the distribution. In addition, the gift satisfies all or in part the annual Required Minimum Distribution from the IRA.
We encourage you to consider an IRA Charitable Rollover gift to your local church or any United Methodist ministry of your choosing. You may make a direct charitable gift to fund your church’s operating budget, fund a special project or establish a permanent endowment fund to benefit your church in perpetuity.
It is wise to consult your IRA custodian or financial planner to assist you. The Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation is available to assist you, as well. Please call us toll-free at 1-888-903-9863 or email us at wumf@wumf.org.
If you prefer to channel your IRA Charitable Rollover gift through the Foundation office to your local church or a number of United Methodist ministries, we are happy to do so.
As chair of the Finance Committee, I would be happy to provide contact information on how to proceed.
I pray that the members of our church family will continue to support the ministries of our church through your presence, your time, your talent, and your financial gifts.
Appreciatively,
Jim Hornby, Finance Chair

PAGE 5 BRFUMC NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2022

Connections

Wednesday Night Connections are continuing! Join us for a meal, fellowship and devotions. Meals begin at 4:45pm. Below is the current schedule:
November 2 Served by: Imelda Kelley
November 9 Served by: Mission Outreach Committee
November 16 Served by : United Methodist Men
November 23 Served by : Worship Committee (Snacks after Service)
November 30 Served by:
If you would like to sponsor a meal, please call the office.

Seeking Applicants for Children’s Ministry Coordinator
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
We are blessed to have younger families with children in our church. The Staff Parish Relations Committee is looking for a person to lead the of Children’s Ministry.
This rewarding 5-10 hour/week opportunity for someone with love and enthusiasm for helping children learn about the Bible, God’s unending love and grace, and what it means to be a follower of Jesus. The coordinator works closely with the Children and Youth Activities Committee to select curriculum for Sunday School and Vacation Bible School (VBS). Additionally, they will help to recruit teachers for Sunday School (grade 4K – 5th grade) as well as coordinate and oversee VBS. Other responsibilities for this paid position, include the ability to evaluate the need for additional programs to support our families and children and work with our music coordinator to provide music for Church School.
If you, or someone you know would be interested in this position, please contact Carol Hornby at 715-896-7684 or chornby@centurytel.net
Katrina McGillivray
Chair, Staff Parish Relations Committee

PAGE 6 BRFUMC NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2022

Class 201: Discovering My Spiritual Maturity.
This class will be held for 3 more weeks on Thursday November 3rd, 10th and 17th from 5:00-6:30. Dinner will be served.
Class 201 is designed to teach you about these simple habits and show you the different steps you can take to mature and grow as a Christian.
Join us for this informative session. Don’t miss out.

Newsletter November
The youth have been busy this Fall. We have visited Cain's Apple Orchard and Hidden Trails Corn Maze. We helped bake bread for World Communion Sunday and made dinner for Wednesday Night Connections. We also hosted a pancake breakfast.
Thank you to all the parents and congregation members that have supported us so far chaperoning and supporting our events.
Once a month, we go over to the Brockway School and help pack over 100 food bags for the Neighborhood Food Pantry.
REMINDER: Fall Daylight saving time is November 6th. Remember to set your clocks back 1 hour.
Upcoming:
November 20th: Youth Family Thanksgiving Meal (info sent home with families) Please let us know if you didn't receive information.
November 23rd: NO YOUTH Please attend Thanksgiving Eve Worship as a family.
Looking Ahead:
December 14th: Youth Group Christmas Caroling
December 21st and 28th: NO YOUTH GROUP for Holiday Break
Suzanne Goldsmith

PAGE 7 BRFUMC NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2022

Fresh Expressions – A Fresh Approach to an old Commission
In 2004, The Church of England did a study on decreased church attendance. The results were surprising. While It showed that only 21% of people attend church, 80% of people were spiritual and longed to connect or reconnect a relationship with Jesus Christ. Why the disparity?
The responses they heard were similar to what we hear in the United States: sporting events on Sundays, parents working on weekends or using Sunday as their only day off to rest and catch up. To many, the traditional church style and hymnody feel foreign and do not appeal. Many have been alienated, disrespected, ostracized by previous church experience.
Out of that research the Fresh Expressions, movement was created. This is a form of church for our changing culture, established primarily for the benefit of those who are not yet members of any church. It will come into being through principles of listening, service, contextual mission and making disciples; to meet people where they are rather than dragging them, begging them, to come to us. People are met on their own turf, in their own interest groups, and on the mission field.
If you are intrigued in the concept or want to develop and share a strong, Spirit-led relationship with God, you are invited to “Water into Wine Sundays” on the Porch with prayer, study, and sharing. Sundays at 10:30am at the church. RSVP to Rod McGillivray 812-581-9511

Buying Scrip Cards makes it easier to do personal shopping and gift giving while helping to raise funds for our church. The church buys the cards at a discount and sells them to you at face value. The difference is profit for the church.
We have cards for several restaurants and businesses in the BRF, La Crosse and Eau Claire areas available for sale every Sunday. But even better, we can order cards for other places near and far.
Don't forget, cards cost less to mail to friends and relatives than larger packages.
Contact Marcia at 715-284-3346 if you have any questions.

PAGE 8 BRFUMC NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2022

Black River Falls United Methodist Church
Mission Outreach Committee report
Our next meeting has been scheduled for November 9 at 3:00pm at the church. Please join us to share in fellowship as we develop and set in place ways to serve others.
On Tuesday, November 15 at 1:00pm we will meet again to sew for the Patricia Project which is the making of reusable sanitary pads for young women. The committee decided not to pursue this mission outreach project any longer but will use up what materials we have available before stopping. As we have quite a bit, so be watching for at least 2 more sewing dates in the future.
Since we started our Knit for Kids mission outreach project in October, we already have 13 items toward our goal of 100. We are surely off to a good start. World Vision is asking for hats, mittens, scarves and sweaters for all ages of children. Also requested are blankets either knit, crochet or fleece that are 36x45 inches. As usual , our supply of yarn remains significantly depleted. Donations are desperately needed. Acrylic yarns are best but all would be accepted. As you are closet cleaning, downsizing, or if you are at yard sales please keep the church and this worthwhile project in mind. Donations may be left at the church office.
We are always trying to keep ahead of when someone might go on a mission trip and could use some pillowcase dresses to take along. I’ve been keeping the supply of kits for dresses in the gathering area. If you are a sewer it is a quick project and easy to do. Please feel free to take one home. If you have pillow cases, bias tape or trims you could donate, that would be appreciated. All donations can be left at the church office.
Our committee re-evaluated the projects that our church supports at our October meeting. The number of service projects that we were involved in were many. It was decided that we should review each and consider if there was a need or if it was being met elsewhere. Projects that we decided to continue are:
Friendly visits to shut ins
Knit for Kids
Sleep in Heavenly Peace bed build
Essential needs/food pantry support
Harbor House - both financially and with visits to facility
Senegal feeding stations
Our largest outreach endeavor will be to continue a weekly evening meal, but open it up to the public so that those that have food insecurities might come. To do this project well, we are currently in a “fact finding” stage, seeking out more information.
Questions we are seeking answers to are:
What or how great the need is?
Are there any other community groups that might help us?
Are there any safety concerns?
Can we get some help with food costs from the food pantry?
Do we need a coordinator?
What funding sources are available?
This will be an exciting project. If you have talent that you could share in this area please reach out to a committee member. Be watching for more updates.
Submitted by Charlene Galston

PAGE 9 BRFUMC NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2022

Greetings to UWF Members and Friends,
Giving Thanks for God’s Gift of Love and the Joy we share through Christ the Lord. Happy Thanksgiving!
At this time of year, we think of all that we have to be thankful for. Those special people in our lives, our health, freedoms to worship and go to school as we choose, support from community. As part of the United Women in Faith sisterhood, we are thankful for the opportunities to help others through Mission Initiatives that touch lives of women, children, and youth right here in Jackson County and those that spread to other parts of the world.
We will thankfully continue our annual giving to those Missions we have become connected with and graciously find new projects that serve others.
We extend a welcome to all women in the congregation and in the community to join us for our upcoming meetings. Our November meeting will focus on Pledge to Mission and will be held on Monday, November 7. We will meet at 5:30pm for supper followed by devotions and continued fellowship.
Be sure to look ahead and put our December 5 meeting on your calendar. We will be making Christmas cards to send out to church members. Join us as we share a Christmas message, holiday treats and Christmas music.
On Sundays, beginning November 13 and through the month, we will be selling Rice Packs in the Gathering Area. Many of you found them to be unique and welcome stocking stuffers last year so we are bringing them back if you need a few more for your list. Proceeds raised will be used to in our annual Mission Pledge that will be added with funds from other Wisconsin UWF units.
Go Forward with God’s Blessing
Luane Meyer

PAGE 11 BRFUMC NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2022

What happened on This Day in the History of Christianity?
City Aflame
November 2
Citywide conflagrations seldom happen today, having gone the way of the plague. But Christians of earlier eras often ministered and suffered amid such holocausts. Believers in Nero’s day were unjustly blamed for Rome’s fiery destruction. Eighty-nine churches perished in London’s 1666 fire. D. L. Moody lost virtually all his property in the great Chicago fire of 1871. But none of them exceeded the fire and fear that engulfed Canton during the days of Protestants’ first missionary to China.
Robert Morrison ministered in Canton despite the misgivings of the East India Company and the antagonism of the Chinese themselves. Yet he plodded on, finally baptizing his first convert after seven years of labor.
On Friday night, November 1, 1822, Morrison became aware of panic in the city. A fire, starting in a baker’s shop and driven by strong winds, was roaring like a furnace through acres of crowded, wooden houses. Multitudes fled in hysteria. The East India Company’s fire equipment was of little use, for the streets were clogged with fleeing humanity, and the water supply was poor.
Morrison, transfixed by the sea of flames, hurriedly penned a letter in Chinese before dawn on November 2, 1822 begging officials to pull down buildings in front of the fire to stop the inferno’s advance. But the Chinese refused to even read his letter, though he took it to the governor in person. By 8 a.m., the flames consumed the city’s manufacturing sectors. Shifting winds drove the fire along the riverfront, westward for a mile and a half. Multitudes were killed, burned, or left homeless. Thousands of shops and houses were destroyed. It was the end of the world in miniature.
Looters tried to beat the flames to abandoned valuables, and Morrison recorded that 28 people were trampled while scrambling for money after a robber cut open a man’s cash-stuffed backpack. The missionary himself was relatively fortunate. He lost nothing of great value beyond a hundred pounds of paper intended for a new edition of his translation of the New Testament.
The earth came out of water and was made from water. Later it was destroyed by the waters of a mighty flood. But God has commanded the present heavens and earth to remain until the day of judgment. Then they will be set on fire, and ungodly people will be destroyed. -2 Peter 3:5b-7
Morgan, Robert J., On This Day