Rosemount UMC
April 2008 E-News

14770 Canada Ave*Rosemount, MN, 55068*www.rosemountumc.org *651-423-2475



A favorite poem of mine by Wendell Berry (Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front) ends this way:

…Be like the fox
who makes more tracks than necessary,
some in the wrong direction.
Practice resurrection.

Not everything in our lives seems to follow a certain course or logical pathway; not everything we do makes sense at the time we do it. Certainly, the life and ministry of Jesus did not always make sense, or follow a clear path. He went this way and that way; blessed the poor and condemned the rich; spoke when people wanted him to be quiet, said nothing when others demanded he respond; died when he should have lived, lived when he should have died. In this next month as we live in the wake of Easter, may we remember these words of Wendell Berry and practice resurrection in our own lives. Where do you see new life emerging from death? Where is God at work, growing and nurturing something or someone?

Join us in worship this month as we seek to tell and share the stories of God’s action in Scripture and our lives.

Happy Springtime!
Pastor Brooke Heerwald

41st Annual Spring Salad Luncheon
 Wednesday, April 23, 2008 11:00 AM TO 1:00 PM

Bring your secretary, administrative assistant, spouse, and friends to celebrate spring with some delicious salads, deviled eggs, muffins, and pie. Enjoy some conversation, share in the fellowship, and try out a new recipe.

Not only do we need people to sample the salads, we really could use your help distributing flyers, preparing the dining room, baking muffins, supervising waitresses, washing dishes, as well as cleaning up the kitchen and dining room. Men are welcome and are especially needed for set-up and take-down of tables and chairs. No experience is necessary – we will train you! We ask that you sign up in the notebook so we know when you’re available. The notebook will be available starting March 30th on the Adult Life table in the narthex.

Proceeds from the salad luncheon support Rosemount United Methodist Women’s budget which provides the Upper Room, Alive Now, Pockets devotionals, Care Notes, as well as scholarship money for GDK nursery school and napkins and decorations for funeral service receptions. The UMW pledges support to the Metro East UMW District programs, Minnesota Conference UMW programs, and programs of the Women’s Division of the UMC which supports national and international missions. If you have any questions, please call Mary Moffitt (952-846-0157) or Janet Ewing (651-431-7751).

WE NEED YOU!! All-Church Spring Clean-up day- Saturday, April 12th from 8:30a –noon. Mark your calendars. A sign up sheet is posted at the display in the narthex.


Saturday, April 26, 2008
9:00-2:00 p.m.
Rosemount UMC – Family Life Center

We are partnering with the American Red Cross to sponsor a blood drive in Rosemount. Our goal is to sign up 55 blood donors. There will be a large, sign-up sheet in the narthex. Monday-Thursdays you may also call the church office from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at (651) 423-2475 to sign up for an appointment.

We will need 12 volunteers to help with welcoming, serving treats and take-down. The shifts are 2 ½ hours each and would be a GREAT service project for confirmation students or other volunteers. The volunteer sign-up sheet will also be posted in the narthex.

FACTS ABOUT BLOOD:

Please contact Pastor Karen Bruins to help with the blood drive (651) 423-2475 or email kbruins@rosemountumc.org

Caregiver's Support Group- On Saturday, April 26th from 9:30-11:00 AM we will be meeting at church to ask questions and support each other as we try to do our best with being caregivers for our loved ones. Contact Bonnie Student if you have questions 952-432-8024.

Church Mortgage Refinance Update
The Finance Committee is pleased to announce that the church mortgage was recently refinanced at a 6% fixed rate for a 7 year term. We were previously locked into an interest rate of 7.5% for a 5 year period. Monthly payments will remain at $24,000, but we’re shaving 5 years off the amoritization of the loan!! A special thanks to the following individuals who helped make the refinance a success: Doc Richardson, Tami Luckhardt, Michelle Jara, Dennis Van Skyhawk, and Scott Sauter.

If you build it, God’s people will come!!!!

Nothing But Nets Net-a-Thon

One great day! One great event! One great way to help others! One great swipe at those nasty mosquitoes!

Saturday May 31st- 9:00-5:00. Arrange a team of 6 or 7 people to participate in soccer, street hockey and basketball. The proceeds from the $30 per team registration fee will go to Nothing But Nets to purchase insecticide treated bed nets ($10 each) for African children where malaria is prevalent. There will also be :

Click here for a registration form and watch for the Net-a-thon display

Kids Eat almost Free at Pasta on Wednesdays

Take an evening off from cooking for the family and enjoy some fellowship as well. The prices for children under 12 for Pasta on Wednesdays has been reduced to $2 per child. The menu changes weekly and includes pasta, salad, breadsticks and dessert. A meat-free option is available as well. To help us plan, please try to sign up by Monday afternoon. The meal is served from 5:30-6:30 each Wednesday. The cost for adults is $5 per person. Please join us!

Electronic Giving - Avoid getting behind on your pledge by enrolling in our electronic giving program.

Important Benefits of Electronic Giving

To sign up for this option, please fill out an authorization form available in the church office or on the nametag table. "I gave electronically" cards are available in the narthex on the nametag table to participate in the weekly offering during worship.

New Member Class

In an effort to provide more options for prospective members, we will be offering the three hour membership class, one hour at a time. The classes will be held on three consecutive Sunday mornings from 9 - 10 AM beginning Sunday, April 6. Childcare is available. Please RSVP by Thursday, April 3 to the church office (651)423-2475 or Jim and Dawn Dibley (651)423-5392 or jdibley@rosemountumc.org.

Lakelander Barbershop Chorus will be in concert at the Lakeville Art Center on Friday, April 4th.  The concert begins at 7:30 p.m.; tickets may be purchased at the door.  Pastor Rick Ormsby is a member of the chorus, who performed at Rosemount UMC last April.  The 4th Avenue Four quartet (and two other quartets) will be in the concert.  Rick is a member of the quartet, who have sung on several occasions at RUMC.

Pastor’s Book Review- Myth of a Christian Nation: How the Quest for Political Power is Destroying the Church, Written by Gregory A. Boyd

The thesis, right off the bat, of this author (a pastor in St. Paul) is as follows: “I believe a significant segment of American evangelism is guilty of nationalistic and political idolatry.” Throughout the next 170 pages, Boyd walks us through his thoughts and arguments about calling the United States a “Christian” nation and the role evangelicals (he includes himself in this category) play in harming this country’s view of the political system and the view of the Church at large. While admitting that many disagree with him (20% of the members of his mega church left after he delivered sermons along this topic, thus fueling the idea for this book), he writes this in hopes that readers with open minds from a variety of political and religious standpoints will hear his argument that there is a distinction between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of the world. Arguments and mindsets that align with a particular political belief belong in the latter, and it is when Christians assume that they belong in the former that problems result.

Though I did not always agree with his points or his logic, overall I found the premise of the book informing, challenging, and honest. Surprisingly, the author was quite consistent on his viewpoints and his rationale throughout the various topics, which I greatly appreciated. I appreciated the way he was able to recognize his own association with the people whom he speaks about most often in his book—this takes real courage and integrity, especially as a well-known leader and pastor. In this sense, it gave him more authority to write about and critique the particular language, mindsets, and behaviors that he observes in his evangelical circles as opposed to someone on the outside who would not consider themselves an evangelical Christian.

One of his points is that the United States has never been, nor is now, a “Christian” nation. I discussed this point earlier this week with someone, and found it to be quite challenging. What defines a “Christian” nation? One where the citizens often attend church, read their Bibles, refrain from swearing? One where the citizens celebrate Christmas? One where citizens strive to learn about the person of Jesus? One where the nation puts at the forefront the plight of the needy, the poor, the lost? This led me to further question our use of “Christian” as an adjective and not just a noun. I often hear people referring to “Christian” music, “Christian” comedy, “Christian” movies. What makes them as such? What would forbid a song or a movie from being categorized as “Christian?”

This book was particularly helpful for me to read in light of this year’s political campaigns. Boyd challenges readers not to align a political viewpoint with the word Christian. How you vote, he says, does not matter so much as how you live. It is easy for me to get caught up in thinking about what the “Christian” view on war is, or the death penalty, or abortion, or gay rights, or what have you. Instead, we should realize there is more than one way to view these issues in a Christian matter. It reminded me of something I read elsewhere, that said we should all be held accountable to our beliefs. If you are in favor of the death penalty, you could be held accountable for ministering to the victims of violent crimes. If you are against the death penalty, you can be held accountable for getting involved with prisoners on death row. No matter where you stand, there are actions you can take to bring more peace and love into the world without demonizing or polarizing those who disagree with you.

What are your thoughts? Reactions? Have you read this book? Will you? Why or why not? Email me your comments: bheerwald@rosemountumc.org

Next book: Grace (Eventually): Thoughts on Faith, written by Anne Lamott

Adult Life News-"Journey with a FoCUS on Christ"

Rosemount in Farmington!
All Farmington residents are invited to join their neighbors for a cup of coffee or tea at The Ugly Mug (off of Pilot Knob Road) on Saturday, April 5th at 10:00 a.m. Contact Pastor Brooke with questions. bheerwald@rosemountumc.org

 The GET IT Group (Guy’s Evening Thing) is just beginning a new Bible Study, “Experiencing God” by Henry Blackaby and Claude King. The group is open to men age 30+. Please contact Larry Greaves or Kenan Kolb for more info. Meets the 1st and 3rd Thurs each month from 7:00 to 9:00pm in the Conference Room
 Modern, Mature, Methodists (3Ms)- Senior citizens are invited to participate in the monthly activities of 3Ms. We meet on the 2nd Tuesdays of most months. 3Ms will meet on Tuesday, April 8, at noon in Fellowship Hall. Enjoy a pot-luck meal with beverage provided. The program is "China: Travel Impressions". 3Ms is a group of seniors that welcomes all ages to its programs and events.

Living Fully, Dying Well Sundays at 9:00 and 10:30 in D125.  Our best decisions about life's most important events are seldom made in times of crisis. "Living Fully, Dying Well," written by Bishop Rueben Job, assists in making careful, wise and prayerful preparation for meeting life's most important moments. A study for ALL ages designed for a frank and open discussion about faith, mortality, and living every day to the fullest.  Led by Pastor Rick Ormsby. Questions or comments: rormsby@rosemountumc.org
African Fellowship - African Fellowship gathers on Sunday, Aprll 27, at 11:45 a.m. for its
monthly fellowship and a pot-luck meal.  Guests are most welcome! Come to room D-125. There will be a report on Debrugsal School in Freetown, Sierra
Leone.  Plans will be made for an all-church program in June.		 The Artist's Way/ The Creative Call
Calling all artists! Of any kind and any caliber! You can still join this group that meets on Saturday mornings at 9:00 a.m. in D120. Contact  bheerwald@rosemountumc.org

Adult Bible Study on Sundays 10:10 am -11:10am in the Conference Room. Newcomers always welcome. Contact is Dennis Lund nlund@charter.net.

Worship Ministry News

Have you enjoyed the Men's and Women's Ensembles that have been participating in worship the past 6 months?  New singers are wanted and we would love to have you join us as we finish out the year.  Each group rehearses only twice monthly and we sing in one service per month.  It's not a lot of time, but a great service opportunity.  It's a great time to check it out and see if this is a place for you.  These groups are open to all singers High school age and up and you do NOT have to be a member of a current Church Choir to join.  Come check us out!  Contact Natalie Olsen with questions or a for a rehearsal schedule, (952)423-3566.

Is God calling you? We are all here to be used by God and walk with Christ. What’s your story? Worship Arts Ministry offers many opportunities to use the gifts given us to be used for a higher purpose! For a complete description of all the Worship Art Ministries available here at Rosemount UMC, please visit our website at www.rosemountumc.org

The KFC children’s choir for children in grades 2- 4 is in need of a choir director for 2008 – 2009 season. If your heart pulls you towards the joy of nurturing the gift of music in this unique choir, please contact Terry Field, tfield@rosemountumc.org or (651)423-2475 ext. 216.

Jesus weaved God’s message through parables and stories. Let God’s message be seen and heard by YOU! Be a part of the Drama Ministry team! Offering incredible opportunities throughout the year to serve in ministry! Directors, JoAnne Cope and Jerry Pittman are masters at bringing out the best of everyone. Contact JoAnne Cope at jjcope3@juno.com or Jerry Pittman at Gerald.Pittman@nrgenergy.com

Fine Arts Council serves to facilitate community outreach concerts and programs here at Rosemount UMC. This unique fellowship encourages and supports a broad range of fine art events and invites people to our building. A special Sunday family brunch planning meeting will take place on April 6th immediately following the 10:30am service. If interested and would like to join us on April 6th please RSVP with Terry Field, tfield@rosemountumc.org

ATTENTION all musicians and singers . . . Special Music needed for 9am and 10:30am services for the summer. If you would like to share your gift of music for service, please contact Terry Field, tfield@rosemountumc.org or (651)423-2475 ext. 216.

Are you going out of town for the weekend? Take God with YOU

Journey with us on Wednesday Nights

An intimate service with contemporary music held in the sanctuary. Music is led by the W.O.W. Praise Team

Wednesday evening 7pm service

Discovery Avenue Children's and Zone 56 News

Enroll in Funology 101!!!
The summer brochure is now available with old favorites as well as new opportunities. Enjoy a summer of discovering God’s power of love through science and fun. New things include a cooking class with Karen Klekner as well as a Wacky Wednesday of everything imaginable from the church school office to create and invent. Our littlest boys will have an adventure packed day with Go Diego Go! Girls will once again enjoy the American Girl Doll Tea Parties and boys will overflow with gloppy and slimy inventions with the Mad Scientist event. Kids can get ready for the Olympics with a two day Mini Olympics Sports Camp. Preschool opportunities abound with the Laboratory Dive-in and Mini-camp Fusion. Don’t forget to sign up for Adventure Day Camp at Lake Elmo where Karen Klekner is a director and lots of our youth join in as junior counselors.

Church School 2008-09! You must be joking! It can’t be time to enroll again! Say it isn’t so! Yes, indeed Families! It is nearing the time to enroll in church school for next fall. Watch for church school registration forms in late April; both paper copies and online.

Power Lab Vacation Bible School Registration Forms Now Available!

Get ready to discover Jesus’ power through activities including Faith, Fusion, Bible Blast, HyperSpeed Games, Wacky Works, Cinema Science & Sonic Sing & Play. Power Lab is a fusion of fun & learning about God’s Power & Love! You don’t want to miss the bursting excitement this summer at Power Lab Vacation Bible School. Sign up now!

Pick up your Power Lab VBS Registration form today at the Children’s Welcome table. Join us this summer for an explosion of fun, learning about the power of God, June 16 – 20, 2008. Registration for Vacation Bible School begins 3/17/08 & ends 5/23/08. Registration forms available at the Children’s Welcome Table and can be turned in to the Church Office; marked VBS. Register early – space is limited (especially for pre-school)!!! Questions? Contact Missy Kenninger (651.322.5034, missy@nhmn.com) or Sandi Gressman (952.322.3229, kermie2112@charter.net).

Zone 56 News

Zone 56 kids served at Feed My Starving Children in February. Way to go 5th and 6th graders! They have also teamed up with Club 78 to try to outwit the Senior High raising funds for Nothing But Nets. Why not help them out by dropping your pennies in the Culligan Water jug labeled for Zone 56/Club 78!!

Zone 56 kids will begin a new unit called “Making Good Decisions”. Just watch these kids grow in their love of Jesus by learning how to make the right decision based on His teachings.

God’s Discovery Kids Preschool

Come join the fun! GDK is a preschool located in the Rosemount UMC Discovery Avenue. We are licensed by the MN Department of Human Services and specialize in immersing preschoolers in God’s love while preparing them for success in Kindergarten. Registration for the 2008-2009 school year has begun.

The following classes will be offered next year:

Brochures and registration forms are available on the GDK web site and at the Children’s Welcome Table in the narthex. There is a $55 per child registration fee. Scholarships are available. For more information contact Wendy Riphenburg at wriphenburg@rosemountumc.org or pick up a brochure at the children’s ministries table in the narthex.

Elevation Youth Ministry News
Remember you are a Rock Star and Jesus believes in all of you!!!

NOOMA Nights for…

Mentors & 8 th & 9 th graders! Monday, APRIL 7 th - 6-7pm in the Attic!

This meeting is designed for 8 th & 9 th grade confirmation students and their mentors!

Confirmation Interviews!!

Sign up for an confirmation interview with Pastor Karen, Pastor Brooke or Josh. Sign ups are available on the confirmation bulletin board upstairs in the Attic! The earlier you sign up the more options you will have for an interview!! Sign up today!!

Confirmation Banquet, Rehearsal, Pictures, and MORE…

  • Confirmation Service Rehearsal & Pictures – Sunday, April 27 th from 3:30-6pm
  • Confirmation Banquet & Program – Sunday, April 27 th from 6:15-8pm
  • Confirmation Sunday – Sunday, May 4 th at either the 9am or 10:30am services!

** Please turn in your Confirmation Finalization Form that you should have received via email by APRIL 7!!

CLASS of 2008 – For Seniors in High School!

Meets Sunday nights: 8-9:30pm in the Attic. The Senior Class is an experience designed for Seniors in High School.

  • April 6 th – Power of Faith
  • April 11 th – 13 th – Sr. Class Trip
  • April 20 th – NO CLASS!
  • April 27 th – Begin planning for Graduation Sunday or we will continue meeting…To be determined

CLUB 78 – April Dates!

  • Wed. April 2 nd, Wed. April 9 th , Wed. April 16th, Wed. April 23 rd, and Wed. April 30 th

Club 78 is a meeting of 7 th & 8 th graders on Wednesday nights! It will include crazy games, great times, discovery, worship, and tons more! *8 th graders don’t forget about NOOMA Nights!

Sr. High Youth – April Dates!

  • Sun. April 6 th, Sun. April 13 th, Sun. April 20 th and Sun. April 27 th – NO SR. HIGH YOUTH!!

    Sr. High youth is a meeting of 9th – 12th grade students on Sunday nights from 6-8pm in the Attic!

PUT IT ON YOUR CALENDAR. . .

___ Last NOOMA Night – Mon, April 7th– 6pm
___ NO SR. CLASS April 20 th!!
___ SR. Class trip – April 11 th – 13 th
___ Duluth Mission Orientation – Wed. Apr 2nd 8pm
___ No Sr. High Youth – April 27 th
___ Chicago Mission Orienation – Sun. April 6th – 11:30am

What are you waiting for…get out your calendar and write these dates down... If you have any questions - do not hesitate to give Josh a call at 651-423-2475 or email @ jcorbett@rosemountumc.org

Josh is on Facebook too!!!

Mission Trips 2008 – Check orientation meeting dates at the bottom of the page!!!
Sr. High Mission Trip to: Downtown Chicago!!

When: July 6 th – 12 th - Cost of trip: $440 - Non refundable deposit of $220 is due at registration. 7 spots remain! Who can go on this trip? Students who have completed 8 th grade this year through graduating Seniors!

Middle School Mission Trip to: Duluth, MN.

When: June 15 th – 20 th This trip is full!! Still want to go? Call Josh! Who can go on this trip? Students entering 7 th grade next year through students who have completed 8 th grade.

MISSION TRIP MEETINGS for 2008! for students and parents -

Duluth Mission – Wed. April 2 nd – 8 – 8:30pm
Chicago Mission – Sun. April 6 th – 11:30-12noon

*Both meetings will be held upstairs in the ATTIC. If you are signed up to go on either of these trips you need to be at an orientation meeting, you will receive important paperwork and itinerary for these trips! C U THERE!!!!

Mission News

Rosemount UMC's 7th Annual Chili Cook-off competition was very tasty!! First we would like to thank all of chefs that participated. Without the participation of all 32 chefs, we would not be able to have such a successful event. Ken Golder was the overall winner. Randy Wilson has once again been given the Spiciest Award, and Cindi Parker won the People’s Choice Award AND the Most Unique Flavor.

$4,000 was raised for RUMC Missions in our community. We would like to thank those that donated items, cooked, bid, and those that simply enjoyed the chili. The event itself is a great time, but the effects of the money raised goes far beyond the walls of RUMC.

The Family Place is a daytime shelter for homeless families in St. Paul that we have served at several times as one of our Urban Plunge sites. We have stepped up our commitment there and are serving an evening meal about once every three months. Our next serving opportunity for The Family Place will be Saturday, Apr 26. If you would like to help out, please contact Tom and Linda Montgomery, coordinators. We will car pool from the church, leaving about 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Apr 26. We should be back at RUMC by 6:30. Come and be the hands and feet of Jesus and help to “feed his lambs”. Tom and Linda Montgomery 651-423-3721 tlmontgomery@frontiernet.net

Operation Classroom Update

There continues to be a need for empty medicine bottles by the Operation Classroom clinics.
How can you help?
1. Drop off empty medicine bottles in the Donation Location in the marked bin.
2. Pack the bottles into boxes for spring shipment in early May. Perhaps a small group, girl scout troop, or group of confirmation students would like to help.
3. Need one person to deliver the boxes to Lake Harriet UMC on Friday, May 9 between 10am and 2 pm.

Contact Shari Christian (651)905-0409 if you are able to help! Thanks!

Simpson Shelter Meal - The next available serving dates are April 21 and May 19. A sign up sheet is located on the west wall in the fellowship hall. Join us as we bring and serve a meal at the Simpson Shelter in Minneapolis which serves the 70 homeless people who stay there each night. This is a great family activity. We try to provide a meal once a month. Cooks are needed to prepare the meals in the Rosemount UMC kitchen. Contact Rich Wirt -rwirt@rosemountumc.org

United Methodist Women

Start that spring cleaning- the Rosemount UMC Spring Garage Sale will start taking donations Sunday, May 18

Prayer Lists and Announcements
Please pray for the following members and friends of our congregation:

Sara Tanberg

Peter Dufek

Barb Miles

Anne Hasbrouck

Marsha Osborn

Tim Berghuis

Jessica Bloom

Mary Ann Barnes

Josh Fuller

Muriel’s brother, Don

Elaine Lidke

Dave Sauter

Phyllis Swanson

Amy Taylor

Mildred Reichert

Bob Lauinger

Angelo Glitto

Virginia Wessels

Georgia Williams

Eastview Band travel to Europe

OUR SYMPATHY & PRAYERS to the following who have lost loved ones:

  • Elvi & Jim Frisbee and family in the death of Elvi’s mother, Josie Sacripant

  • Stacy Cobb and family upon the death of her uncle, Jerry Moen, who died after a long battle with cancer.

  • Ann Williams and family upon the death of Jesse Williams

  • Pat Roberts cousin’s son Marvin Horne is the young father of 3 who was in an accident in Ca. died of head injuries.

  • Carol Olson upon the death of her son-in-law, Kip Allen.

Baptisms

Emma Kern, born Nov. 25, 2006 was baptized on March 16, 2008. Emma’s legal guardian is Robin Hubertus and her baptism sponsors are Tom & Linda Montgomery.

New Babies

Congratulations to David and Gwen Krehbiel on the new addition of baby Benjamin Joseph born on March 10th. Big brother Samuel also welcomes him.

Maddox Henry Ditty was born to Jill and Andy Ditty. Proud grandparents, Ray & Laurie Fosburgh.

Andrew & Stephanie Champ have a new baby boy, Alexander. Proud grandparents, Mike Champ, Amy Champ, and great grandmother, Lee Champ.

Kona Bruyere' Bloom was born Saturday, March 15th to Jessica and Jeremy Bloom.  The very happy and proud grandmother is Marty Jo Bruyer.