January 2015 newsletter

United Methodist Church of Estes Park 1509 Fish Hatchery Road (970) 586-4153

www.estesparkumc.org

Vol. 34 No. 1

January 2015

Sunday Morning Schedule 9:30 am Early Bird Coffee 9:45 am Worship (Children’s Sunday School) 10:45 am Fellowship Time in Anderson Hall

January, 2015! How time seems to be moving at a more rapid pace these days. As I move into my last six months as your pastor, I am feeling quite a mixture of emotions.

There is excitement mix with anxiety about what lies ahead. A sense of grief begins to waft in and out as I recall those to whom we’ve said our “good-byes” as they moved from this life to the next. Those sacred times I was given to be able to stand with some of you in the hard places of life have been precious gifts of grace.

And, yes, there have been those hard times of misunderstandings and hurt that have led to reactions that have not been appropriate. I apologize for my complicity and poor reactions and, I forgive those who also have reacted out of frustration and misunderstanding as well. It is my hope that these next six months include time for healing relationships and community. We are all human with strengths, gifts, and failings. It often seems that the church is the last place we want to see the failings of our humanness, yet in a very real sense, it should be the safest place. God’s merciful and loving grace is very real and is most clearly expressed in the actions of God’s people when we take the time and garner the courage to remember that which brings community together. Lost in the heat of differing opinions, it is difficult to set aside our own egos so that we can focus on what is most important as a community of faith.

Please know I’m preaching to myself as I write these reflections.

Several years ago I came across an article entitled, “A Year of Time” by Steven B. Cloud. I have shared portions of this before and want to close with some of Cloud’s reflections at the beginning of this New Year.

As we look into 2015 we look at a block of time. We see 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days, 8,760 hours, 525,600 minutes, 31,536,000 seconds. And all is a gift from God. We have done nothing to deserve it, earn it, or purchase it. Like the air we breathe, time comes to us as a part of life.

The gift of time is not ours alone. It is given equally to each person. Rich and poor, educated and ignorant, strong and weak, every man, woman, and child has the same twenty-four hours every day.

Another important thing about time is that you cannot stop it. There is no way to slow it down, turn it off, or adjust it. [although we try to alter time somewhat with Daylight Savings which I think messes with us more that helps us… Ah, well] Time marches on.

And you cannot bring back time. Once it is gone, it is gone. Yesterday is lost forever. If yesterday is lost, tomorrow is uncertain. We may look ahead at a full year’s bock of time, but we really have no guarantee that we will experience any of it.

Obviously, time is one of our most precious possessions. We can waste it. We can worry over it. We can spend it on ourselves. Or, as good stewards, we can invest it in the kingdom of God. I pray we move into the New Year with joy and eager anticipation as our journeys move in many directions. I pray we take time to see the sacred in every day.

May our days be filled with laughter, hope, and God’s all-embracing merciful love.

New Year Blessings!

Pastor Donna Lenten Study The season of Lent begins Ash Wednesday, February 18th. There are several good small group studies available in The Companions in Christ series that I would like to recommend. I will have the books out in Anderson Hall the next few weeks for you to look at and see which you might prefer. We’ll go with the majority vote. I will also have a sign-up to decide between two times for the study: Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. or Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m.

The series from which to choose include: 1. The Way of Blessedness – explores the Beatitudes, Jesus’ vision of the kingdom of God, and developing a “rule of life” for living into that kingdom. [9-week study] 2. The Way of Forgiveness – explores ways to live a forgiven and forgiving life in response to growing in the heart and mind of Christ. [8-week study] 3. The Way of Prayer exploring the nature of prayer and a number of prayer forms.

[10-week study] 4. The Way of Transforming Discipleship – explores five themes and ends with a mini retreat. [6-weeks] Knowing Who You Are; Changing from the Inside; Listening to the Groans; Experiencing the God who Heals; and, Discovering Community Together I have used each of these and have found them excellent resources that have led to fruitful conversations and spiritual understandings.

I look forward to joining with you on the Lenten journey.

Blessings for a Joyful New Year!

Pastor Donna

Choir Concert Service, December 14, 2014 and Judy Speece Recognition

All our best wishes go with you!

Santa gave the “Children’s” Sermon on December 21, 2014:

Santa and Mrs. Claus on Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve Service, 2014

Jane Arnold passed away on December 30, 2014.

The celebration of Jane’s life will take place on Saturday, January 10th at 2pm in the Sanctuary. A reception in Anderson Hall will follow.

Donations in Jane’s memory may be made to 1) Rocky Mountain Conservancy Attn: Donations PO Box 3100 Estes Park, Colorado 80517 (Donation form http://rmconservancy.org/wpcontent/uploads/2014/06/2014-DonationForm.pdf or online at http://rmconservancy.org/product/donation/ 2) St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 or online at www. stjude.org 3) UMCEP Memorial Fund 1509 Fish Hatchery Road Estes Park, CO 80517 From Daughter, Deborah Rae (Nuetzman) Soneson: The Reverend Raymond Ernst Nuetzman of Estes Park Colorado passed to his Heavenly home on Tuesday, December 30th, 2014 at the age of 92 years. Ray or "Papa Ray" spent his entire life preparing for his journey to join his Father by being a disciple of Christ. His ministry began as a young man in Columbus, Nebraska during which he was a lay minister for the Methodist church. Upon returning to Nebraska Wesleyan University after assisting his father as a farmer during the 2nd World War, Ray felt a call to serve the Lord as a full time clergyman for the Methodist Church. During his college years and after he served as a pastor in Brainard, Rogers, and Schuyler Nebraska. He gained his Masters in Theology from Iliff School of Theology of Denver Colorado in the mid 50's while pastoring in downtown Colorado Springs at St. Paul's Methodist Church. In 1962 Ray returned to Nebraska to serve the St. Edward Methodist Church for 5 years and then was the pastor at the Seward Nebraska United Methodist Church for 11 years, building a new church for the newly merged Methodist and E.U.B. congregations. He was the longest serving pastor of the Seward United Methodist Church. For many years Pastor Ray was the

Conference Secretary for the Nebraska United Methodist Conference in Lincoln. In 1973 Ray was appointed to serve as the Central District Superintendent of the United Methodist Conference with his office in Kearney, Nebraska. After 6 years in this capacity he remained in Kearney as the Associate Pastor at the First United Methodist Church for 6 years. Following this appointment Ray became the first chaplain at Methodist Memorial Homes in Holdrege, Nebraska where he had previously spent many years as a board member. He also witnessed to two small rural churches, Haven's Chapel United Methodist north of Kearney and Bethel United Methodist near Gibbon, Nebraska. In later years Ray assisted in many ways at the YMCA Church of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado. During the 7 decades of his ministry he officiated at 368 marriages, 318 funeral services, 235 baptisms and participated in countless ways as a shepherd to God's people.

Raymond Ernst Nuetzman was born on November 16th, 1922 on a farm north of Columbus, Nebraska to Ernest Julius and Katherine (Schroeder) Nuetzman. He was the youngest of 2 children with an older sister Lorine (Nuetzman) Mueller. His High School graduation was from Columbus High School in 1940. He received his degree in Religion and Journalism from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1952. Post graduation Ray served the church in Schuyler, Nebraska where he met and married his wife of 61 years, JoAnn (Chudomelka) Nuetzman on October 27th, 1953. To this union 2 children were born: Deborah Rae (Nuetzman) Soneson and Suzanne Jo (Nuetzman) Mayo. They lived in Schuyler, NE., Colorado Springs, CO., St. Edward, NE., Seward, NE., Kearney, NE., and Estes Park, Colorado full time since 1991.

Ray was involved in many community and church organizations including Kiwanis where he served as president, countless church committees and collegiant organizations, served on the board of Methodist Memorial Homes in Holdrege, NE., on the board of Camp COMECA in Cozad, NE. and conducted camps for youth at Camp Fontanelle in Nebraska. Ray was a radio broadcaster for the Church of the Air in Estes Park with a Sunday morning music program and officiated at 110 wedding ceremonies while living in Estes Park during his retirement years. He assisted his daughter Suzie at her store, Peaks Hallmark as well as working with his son-in-law Gerald as a Real Estate Statistical Analyst at Prudential Team Realty. He longed to retire in his beloved Rocky Mountains, loved to travel the world with Jo, enjoyed watching the Huskers and the Broncos, always did statistics while watching basketball games, enjoyed his puppies, wrote poetry, and was so proud and encouraging of his family. He is our Hero and our Precious Beloved Papa.

Missing him are his wife of 61 years JoAnn Nuetzman, his daughters Suzie (Nuetzman) Mayo and her husband Gerald of Estes Park CO., Deborah Rae (Nuetzman) Soneson and her husband Jeff of Holdrege, NE., 2 grandchildren, Kirsten Rachel Soneson and her fiancĂŠ' Angel Hernandez III of New York City, NY and Evan Jeffrey Soneson of Lincoln, NE., a special great grandson Hudson Mayo of Whittier, California, a sister Lorine (Nuetzman) Mueller of Kansas, and lifelong friend and classmate at Iliff, Uncle Frank Gunter of Estes Park as well as

neighbors, former members of his congregations, and dear and loving friends. Papa Ray touched the lives of an endless number of people including the staff and the residents of his last ministry at Prospect Mountain Living Center in Estes Park. His Loving Witness continues...........

New Book Study There’s still time to join! The Women's Devotional Group has begun a new book study in January, called "The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl" by Timothy Egan. The group meets most Tuesdays at the Good Samaritan Village, 1901 Ptarmigan Trail, downstairs in the main building. Contact Connie Dedon (586-4078) for more details. This non-denominational group would welcome all newcomers.

HIV/AIDS CHALLENGE : No child should be born with HIV/AIDS as we celebrate the birth of Jesus! To respond in faith, think of each child in your life and save $10 per child for our Special Offering February 15 at UMC of Estes Park! The medication given to mothers to prevent HIV/AIDS in children costs about $10! UMGlobal AIDS Task Force www.umglobalaidsfund.com.

The Staff Recognition Offering is being collected, this month! If you would like to contribute to the staff recognition, please make out checks to “UMCEP”, and put “Staff” on the Memo line.

Thank You, those who served as greeters and ushers, this past year! We couldn’t have made Sundays work so smoothly without you! Katharine Lockwood, Coordinator

Greeters January Head Greeters February Head Greeters March Head Greeters April Head Greeter May Head Greeters June Head Greeters July Head Greeters August Head Greeter September Head Greeter October Head Greeters November Head Greeter December Head Greeters

Dewain and Katharine Lockwood Walt and Nancy Kaesler Katharine Lockwood Polly Ingold Dorothy Scott and Jane Wilson Susan Kutrubes Katharine Lockwood Arleta Bell Jim Gunter Mark and Susan Newendorp Marlene Brown Donna and Paul Newendorp

Greeters for 2014: Adina DeWitt, Linda Bowie, Jane Boyer, Verna Cairns, Larry and Karen Blinn, Don and Barbara Bailey, Mary Lou O'Neil, Connie Dedon, Walt and Nancy Kaesler, RoJean Werner, Dorothy Gibbs, Marlene Brown, Bill and Gerry Martindale, Wayne Hoelscher, Dorothy Scott, Jane Wilson, Arleta Bell, Thomas Beck, Polly and Fred Ingold, Jr., Jake and Donna Meyer, Pete and Linda Hogue, Gerry and Kathie Dougherty, Linda Tucker, Mark and Susan Newendorp, Jay and Maureen Vetter, Joe and Jane Arnold, Bob and Kay Traver, Jim Gunter, Chris Weiler-Allen and Jerry Allen, Ron and Susan Hora, Paul and Donna Newendorp, Virgil and Carol Holtgrewe.

Ushers January February March April May June July August September October November December

Head ushers Head ushers Head ushers Head ushers Head ushers Head Ushers Head ushers Head ushers Head usher Head ushers Head ushers Head usher

Dewain and Katharine Lockwood Randy and Becky Davis Babs and Carroll Mock Cliff and Sarah Dill Lynn and Kay Myers Marvin and Merilyn Rowan Robin and Cathy Groene Jake and Donna Meyer Wayne Hoelscher Bill and Gerry Martindale Gerry and Kathie Dougherty Peggy Beck

Ushers for 2014: Dewain and Katharine Lockwood, Margaret Mendoza, Kathy Levine, Babs and Carroll Mock, Adina DeWitt, Linda Bowie, Larry and Karen Blinn, Randy and Becky Davis, Paula Edwards, Gerry and Kathie Dougherty, Cliff and Sarah Dill, Thomas Beck , Walt Kaesler, Connie Dedon, Jim Gunter, Dwight Strandberg, Marvin and Merilyn Rowan, Robin and Cathy Groene, Jake and Donna Meyer, Jay and Maureen Vetter, Wayne Hoelscher, Bill Martindale, Lynn and Kay Myers, Walt and Nancy Kaesler, Mary Lou O’Neil, Peggy Beck and Debbie Mertz, Sid, Lois and Lucy Scott.

Thank you, Jim Gunter, for clearing the parking lot and outside steps of the large icy drifts!

Mark your calendars! New Game Night Schedule: January 18th February 22nd March 22nd April 26th All gatherings begin at 5pm. Beverages will be provided. Please bring a dish to share with the group.

Coffee Fellowship During the winter months, with travel and seasonal illnesses, it is not as easy to find volunteers to do coffee hour. In order to make it easier for the volunteers, we will just provide coffee, lemonade and water after church. Early bird coffee will be optional – if someone is there to make it, it will be available.

There will be a sign-up sheet on the volunteer bulletin board in Anderson Hall. Please check your calendars and volunteer just one Sunday!

Thanks for your support – Pastor Donna and Kathy During the winter months, Communion will be served so as to minimize the risk of infection. There will be regular and gluten-free Communion wafers available, along with the use of the small individual cups. You will not need to dip the wafer in the small cup. Please bear with us during this flu/cold season!

Thank you, Dale and Peggy Beck, Larry Blinn, Bill Martindale and Donna Newendorp for taking down the Christmas decorations! We appreciate your service to this church!

Reminder from Katharine Lockwood: With our summer people in their winter homes and year-round people traveling, this time of year, we have fewer volunteers to call on. Please help us fill the empty dates!

GREETERS JANUARY Head Greeter: Mary Lou O’Neil 4 – Connie Dedon and Mary Lou O’Neil 11 – Kay and Lynn Myers 18 – Larry and Karen Blinn 25 – Jane Boyer and Mary Lou O’Neil FEBRUARY Head Greeter 1 – Dale and Peggy Beck 8– 15 – Larry and Karen Blinn 22 – MARCH Head Greeter: 1– 22 – 8– 29 – (Palm Sunday) 15 – ***************************************************** USHERS JANUARY Head Usher: Katharine Lockwood 4 – Dewain and Katharine Lockwood 11 – Walt and Nancy Kaesler 18 – Babs and Carroll Mock 25 – Kathy Levine and Wayne Hoelscher FEBRUARY Head Usher: Kathy Levine 1– 8– 15 – 22 – MARCH Head Usher: Linda Strandberg 1– 8– 15 –

22 – 29 – (Palm Sunday)

January Birthdays 6 - Linda Strandberg, Dewain Lockwood 15 - Caroline Krandell 17 - Michelle Hurni, Mark Newendorp 19 - Janet Porter, Chelsea Newendorp 26 - Debbie Mertz 28 - Susan Kutrubes Are we missing your birthday on the list?

Please call or email the office and let us know!

December Worship Attendance 7 – 76 14 – 90 21 – 57 24 - 150 28 – 54

~ January 2015 ~

◄ December

Sun

4

Mon OFFICE is closed, this week

Tue

Wed

February ►

Thu 1 New Year's Day

Fri 2

Sat 3

NO BRIDGE CLUB

8

9 12:30pm4:30pm Bridge Club

14 7am Sacred Space@Old Church Shops

15

16 12:30pm4:30pm Bridge Club

18 Special Offering 19 Martin Luther 20 21 King Human Relations 6:30pm Womens 7am Sacred 12:30pm- Devotional Day Space@Old Church Shops 9:45am Worship 4:30pm Group Bridge Club Service

22

23 12:30pm4:30pm Bridge Club

24

30

31

9:45am Church Worship COMMUNION

5 6 7 12:30pm- 6:30pm Womens 7am Sacred Space@Old Devotional 4:30pm Church Shops Bridge Club Group

11 Human Trafficking

12 13 12:30pm- 2 6:30pm 9:45am Worship Womens 4:30pm Service Bridge Club Devotional Dale Beck Guest Group Preacher Awareness

1st UMC Loveland Youth Group to stay overnight

25

26

27 28 6:30pm Womens 7am Sacred Space@Old Devotional Church Shops Bridge Club Group

9:45am Worship 12:30pmService 4:30pm

1pm Pastor @ offsite mtg.

29

1pm Pastor@ off- 12:30pmsite mtg.

4:30pm

Bridge Club

10 8:30am United Methodist Men@ Shep of Mtns 17