May Connections page 1

May 10: 7:00pm

It’s the last circle until next fall.

The Open Circle

Presents… Voluntary Simplicity and Consumer Culture

with Val Hibert of ProvidenceCollege

May 10, 7pm,

SteinbachUnitedChurch - use main street entrance

All are Welcome

The Circle is Always Open !

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Greetings from the Finance Team!– Ken

We have had a great winter, are now well into a beautiful spring and looking forward to a great summer of getting out and enjoying God’s beautiful creation of people and nature.

As a Congregation our income has been running on the short side so far in 2012.

Summer is usually a time when we tend to get away and may not support our church in the usual Sunday morning offering. As you enjoy your summer please keep our church in your prayers and help out financially where you can.

There are ways for you to be away and continue your offering support. Post dated cheques are one method, give ahead for the time you will be away, catch up when you return.

What many of our church members have done is to go on PAR.

PAR stands for Pre-Authorized Remittance. It is a formal way of saying automatic withdrawal. Many of us pay our bills directly from our bank accounts through direct automatic withdrawal. PAR is an automatic withdrawal that supports your church.

The PAR program is provided as a service to congregations and donors. Congregations enjoy regular cash flow that enables mission and ministry. Donors have the convenience of giving from home and the assurance of knowing that they have supported their church even in their own absence. Participants can also use the service to support Mission and Service.

The program has been incredibly successful. On average, PAR donors give 50 percent more than non-PAR donors. The program has 43,000 members committed to congregational giving. PAR is expected to continue growing, and we hope that every congregation will sign up and participate.

Spread the word. The PAR program is just one way our national office seeks to serve and support local congregations.

Contact the church office at 326-3713 for a PAR Authorization Form today.

Enjoy Your Summer!!

Fun Lovers Group!

Are you tired of spending too many days and evenings alone? Would you like to sometimes keep company with other separated, divorced, or widowed people?

Join the Fun Lovers Group! Together we will plan events or outings to attend together. We are here to help support and uplift you in what is sometimes a difficult lifestyle (living alone). We want to be able to share in ways that are healthy and we want to do so in a safe environment. Matchmaking is not on our agenda. We are interested in making new friends to enhance our lives through interactions experienced by participating in various outings and get togethers.

Wondering how to get involved and provide some input? Contact Wendy at 320-1937 for more information.

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Can the UnitedChurch become penniless?”- Kathryn Hofley

When she heard the federal government’s announcement in its recent budget that it is discontinuing pennies in our Canadian currency, Pauline got an idea. She asked her congregation to bring in their penny jars until it becomes "penniless".

Her question to everyone was, “Can the UnitedChurch become penniless?”

Research tells us that Canadians have several billion pennies at home. Billions of pennies! Imagine that! Then imagine what good all those pennies could do when added together!

Why not bring your pennies to church each week and drop them into a special container? Why not use a container that identifies what the money will be spent on—like a stainless steel pot to support your weekly suppers for those who are in need, or an old paint can to support the cost of repainting your nursery, or a colourful bucket to support your community garden project.

This is a fun and simple way to share your faith!

Another surprisingly simple way is by creating a legacy gift.

Recently, Marilynne shared with her congregation:

“Why have I included my church in my estate?” she asked. “Because I believe that Jesus and the Christian faith have a great deal to offer this world—a faith that is about light in the face of darkness; love in the face of hate. And I believe that we need to ensure that the light is passed along to future generations, as it has been passed along to us. Our congregation has been ministering to people in this part of the city for a long time and I’d like to help it to continue to be a vibrant faith-family for our youth of today and their future families.”

Why not cultivate generosity this May?

  • Share compassion where there is none.
  • Donate your pennies to your church.
  • Create a Legacy Gift.
  • Do something fun and faithful and generous.

[Pauline Brock and Marilynne McNeil attend Wesley-KnoxUnitedChurch in London, Ontario

Would you like to explore some ideas about other legacy gifts? Or would you like some help with sample wording to take to your lawyer? I am here to help you.

For more information, contact:

Kathryn Hofley

Financial Development Officer or 204-943-4844

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Sunday, May 20...Graduation Sunday

Our 2012 graduating students are Kat Klassen and Audrey Razon!!

Opportunities!! Opportunities!! Opportunities!!

It’s that time of the year when we ask you to consider being actively engaged in the life and work of our congregation by becoming a member of one of the teams. Our Board structure is set up to ensure there is a place for everyone to be involved and a place for everyone to use their gifts. At this time of the year we are looking for people to be part of a team. Our teams are small and are meant to dream, come up with ideas and then invite others to be involved.

What are your gifts? What area of our church life excites you?

Would you consider helping in that area?

As of July 1st, we have openings on the following teams:

  • Board Chair: Usually a 4 year term – 1st year as chair elect; 2nd and 3rd years as chair, 4th year as past chair. As we currently do not have a chair elect, this will be a 3 year term moving into chair as of July 1st, 2012.
  • Worship Team - responsible for the overall plans for worship and spiritual development of all ages. They work closely with the minister, Sunday School, youth and music coordinators and are responsible for communion, baptism and other special worship events
  • Communication Team - finds creative ways to enhance the communication within the congregation and beyond, into the community and the wider church. Sharing of information, ideas and stories enables relationships to develop. This team edits the monthly newsletter and updates the website.
  • Finance Team - guides the congregation in the management of our financial resources including budgeting. The treasurer is a member of this team.
  • Special Gifts Team - provides training and education for the congregation regarding opportunities to give e.g. to the Special Gifts Fund. Designated gifts are used as stated by the donor. Undesignated gifts are distributed as outlined in the Special Gifts Fund Policy. This Team makes recommendations to the Board re the distribution of the funds as per the policy. They ensure that donations are acknowledged and donors are recognized in appropriate ways.
  • Presbytery Rep - the liaison between SteinbachUnitedChurch and Selkirk Presbytery. This person is also a member of the Co-or.

The Open Circle Planning Team is also looking for one more person to assist in the development of The Open Circle events.

Study of Affirming – volunteers to serve on a committee and continue leading this process.

These opportunities offer a chance to deepen one’s faith, make a difference and learn so much more about this church of ours!! If you are interested, or think someone might have the gifts and interest for one of these opportunities please contact Gay Boese (326-3558) or Brian Gadsby (326 – 6753).

Thanks to all of you who have served on the Board over the past year!

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Trudy models the classy, bright yellow shirt worn by the Pick Up &Walk volunteers on April 29th . Trudy reported seventeen members of Steinbach United volunteered for this community event.

Our thanks to all who helped! Special thanks to Evelyn for being our contact and organizer and to Ethel for cleaning and storing our shirts each year!

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Wow, it’s hard to believe we are almost done our first year in ARK (All Remarkable Kids)! We have been very busy downstairs the last few months! We devoted Lent to exploring questions that the children had about God, as well as learning of different church sacraments such as Baptism in our “I wonder” rotation. We were really happy to have Pastor Susan come and answer some of the children’s questions and teach us about communion one Sunday. After Easter, we celebrated the fact that we had filled our attendance button jar by having a pajama party. I think there were a lot of church members wishing they could have joined us downstairs that Sunday as we played games and ate yummy snacks in our pjs!

We are now beginning our last rotation of the Sunday school year. We are learning the Parable of the Good Samaritan and how we can relate it to our everyday lives. We are making a list of ways we can be good Samaritans, not only in our own community, but to others in the world, in particular the village in the Philippines M&S is helping. Each week we will hear the story told in a different way, and then learn more about it through art, games, drama, science, music, cooking and media. The Razon family will be helping us learn about the Filipino culture as well. If you get a chance, ask one of the children what they have learned in ARK on Sunday!

Submitted by
Andrea, Sunday school Coordinator

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The Haircut

A teenage boy had just passed his driving test and inquired of his father as to when they could discuss his use of the car.

His father said he'd make a deal with his son, "You bring your grades up from a C to a B average, study your Bible a little, and get your hair cut. Then we'll talk about the car."
The boy thought about that for a moment, decided he'd settle for the offer, and they agreed on it.
After about six weeks his father said, "Son, you've brought your grades up and I've observed that you have been studying your Bible, but I'm disappointed you haven't had your hair cut."

The boy said, "You know, Dad, I've been thinking about that, and I've noticed in my studies of the Bible that Samson had long hair, John theBaptist had long hair, Moses had long hair, and there's even strong evidence that Jesus had long hair."

(You're going to love the Dad's reply!)

“Did you also notice they all walked everywhere they went?"

Thank you……..

From: West Broadway Community Services Inc.

To: Steinbach United Church

March 28 2012

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your ongoing care and support of West Broadway Community Ministry.

You have sent many donations over the past few months, boxes of cups, latex gloves, towel, toiletries, 5 cases of cheese, etc, and we want you to know how much we appreciate your thoughtful donations.

You also send a wonderful volunteer, Dennis Coley, who has been a faithful and hard working volunteer for many years.

Thank you for all that you do for this Ministry.

Yours sincerely,

Rev. Bob Gilbert

Community Minister.

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Images of Lent & Easter 2012 at Steinbach United

Two of the Prayer stationsof Holy week

Barbara leads the Labyrinth workshop Tony and an Easter visitor!

MINUTES FOR MISSION - Announcements and Updates -Dennis, M& S Team

Mar YTD Actual Mar YTD Budget

M&S Givings $ 3625.$ 3750.

LocalChurch Givings$ 19434.$ 25750.

Surplus(Deficit)$ (5680).$ 457.

  • Through the UCC Extra Measures Initiative, SteinbachUnitedChurch has committed to the Jampason Outreach Children’s Literacy Program project – a ministry of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines.

This will be an ongoing commitment. Funds raised for this project will be over and above local Church and M&S givings. Extra Measures gives us the opportunity to learn more about an overseas mission partner-their challenges, successes and joys – through the lens of a particular project.

  • Mission Sundaes on March 18 and April 29 raised $94 for M&S and $94 for Jampason Outreach Children’s Literacy Program.
  • SteinbachUnitedChurch will be participating in Anna’s House Bottle Drive fund raiser again this year. Baby bottles will be distributed on Mothers Day (May 13) and returned on June 24 (hopefully full of coins). Anna’s House is a family resource centre that is dedicated to serving expectant parents and families with young children.
  • INFORMATION ABOUT THE PHILIPPINES

- Archipelago of 7107 islands in South East Asia and western Pacific Ocean. South of Taiwan and East of Vietnam

- Philippines has a democratic government (Independence in 1946). It is a constitutional republic with a presidential system (similar to US)

- Population of about 98 million people (12 most populous country). 3x the population of Canada in an area about ½ the size of Manitoba.

- Currency is the Philippine peso $ 1 Cdn = 42 pesos

- Major languages are Filipino and English

- World’s largest producer of coconuts and third largest producer of bananas

- Capital is Manila. Population of about 1.5 million lives in area just a little larger than Brandon. Metro Manila population is about 11 million and Greater Manila is about 20 million

- About 91% of population are Christian ( about 82% Catholic)

- Jampason Outreach Children’s Literacy Program is located in North-Central Region of the southern Island ofMindanao (second largest island)

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“Women Overboard”

A women’s Retreat is being planned for Friday /Saturday August 24 & 25th 2012 at Koepke’s cottage at BreretonLake. More details to follow……Call Merle at 326-6753 or Marlene at 326-3908 for information and to register.

All women welcome!

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Volunteer Job Posting

Editor for the CONNECTIONS Newsletter

Start Date: August 2012

Duties include editing submissions, compiling and formatting the monthly newsletter.

The newsletters are published the 1st Sunday of the month.

SteinbachUnitedChurch Extra Measures project…… -Dennis, M& S Team

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST IN THE PHILIPPINES - Jampason Outreach Children’s Literacy Program

Jampason village in the northwest region of Mindanao in the Philippines is a fishing village. For many families already living with the challenge of making a living in a challenging context, the global economic crisis has hit hard affecting many of the services available to the community. One of the services to survive the crisis is a child care centre, established in 2007 to accommodate 100 children – The Jampason Early Childhood School.

The school has become an important institution in the community offering child care, early education and nutrition to children at risk. In a 2011 consultation with the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, children’s education and services were identified as a priority for services that The United Church of Christ in the Philippines could offer. UCCP is appealing to partners for help. The United Church of Canada is being asked for

$ 15,000 to support the program. Your contribution can work to support the following:

$ 15 feeding program for one child for a school year

$ 30food and vitamin supplements for one child for a school year

$ 50covers the fees for one child for one year

$ 125 covers the cost of one teacher for one month

$ 1,500covers the cost of one teacher for one year

$ 1,500covers the cost of the feeding program for the whole school for one school year

$ 3,000covers the cost of food and vitamin supplements for the whole school for one school year

$ 15,000covers the cost of the whole program for one school year

Editor’s Note: for more information on the partnership read Dennis’ complete article in the April 2012 edition of CONNECTIONS available at .

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Treasurer’s Report- Dave, Treasurer

April was a more encouraging month for our finances. We ended the month with $900 in our General account. April had 5 Sundays and this is one of the things that helped put us back on the right track.

In order to give you a general idea of how your offering is spent, here is a typical month:

  • Wages to paid staff
  • Mileage paid to the Minister covering hospital and shut in visits
  • Utilities
  • Office supplies/equipment
  • Flowers and Palm branches for Palm Sunday
  • Honorarium paid to speakers for “The Open Circle”
  • Kitchen supplies so you can have a good visit over coffee after Sunday service
  • Conference registration
  • Knitting materials for the busy hands of our Prayer Shawl ministry
  • Additional Pick Up & Walk shirts to identify volunteers

In addition to this, there is your ongoing generosity to the Mission & Service Fund. We are on track to reach this year’s goal of $15,000.