The Roundy Reporter
Fall
Sept – Nov 2011
Mission Statement
Our objective is to be a welcoming, diverse, and caring Christian
fellowship where people grow in their relationship with God and one another.
A Word from the Pastor
It has been difficult for me to feel much enthusiasm for leadership at this time when we know the church will soon be closing. Oh, I still enjoy visiting those who can’t get out and preparing sermons for Sunday, but there are no long-range plans or visions to keep me going. However, there is something that has brought me excitement, and that is a sermon that will be offered on Sunday, October 23rd.
One evening as I was watching the PBS special of the 25th anniversary of the musical Les Miserables, a thought struck me. There is so much of the gospel in this story that maybe I could preach a sermon from it. (In the past, I have used illustrations from the book in sermons, but never an entire sermon.) With that thought came excitement – and enjoyable work.
I had never read the unabridged work of Victor Hugo, and so I purchased Les Miserables and began to read. However, it is 1200 pages with small print and full pages. As I write this, I am 75% of the way through it. I have watched the DVD of the musical several times, as well as listened to the music on a CD.
I talked with Wilanna about finding a soloist to sing some of the songs from the musical, and she knew the perfect vocalist – Jesse Weinberg – who has agreed to be with us on that Sunday. The entire worship experience will be different from our regular services, and the music will be interspersed with the spoken word of the sermon.
I believe this is a service you will appreciate and will want to invite your friends and family to join you for the experience. So mark October 23rd on your calendar and plan to be present at Roundy for The Gospel According to Victor Hugo: Les Miserables.
Love and peace,
Jo Ellen
World Mission Offering
Dear Friends,
As we think about our individual lives and our church’s life we sometimes forget that we are part of a large community of faith, the Church of Jesus Christ around the world! On October 2nd, World Communion Sunday will remind us of that fact. On that day Christians worldwide will celebrate communion, just as we will. On that day, Roundy will conclude our emphasis on the World Mission Offering – an emphasis that began last Sunday.
The World Mission Offering (WMO) supports the global work of American Baptist International Ministries (IM). Our gifts make possible the ministries of nearly 100 long-term IM missionaries and more than 1500 short-term missionaries and volunteers. They work in more than 70 countries along with 220 partner organizations that include evangelistic associations, hospitals, schools, publishing companies and others responding to Christ’s call.
We are being challenged to Live the Word and Proclaim the Word so that others might Be Transformed. Prayerfully consider what your gift will be and then respond to God’s direction.
Yours in Christ,
Jo Ellen
ABC Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting for Wisconsin Baptists will held Friday and Saturday – October 14th and 15th – in Tomah. The meetings will held at Open Door Baptist Church. If you would more information, please call the church.
Round Table Book Club
The Round Table Book Club will meet on Tuesday, September 20th at 1:00p.m at the home of Chris Leitner. The book to be discussed is Shanghai Girls, by Lisa See.
Fifth Sunday Offering
Our July Fifth Sunday Offering went to Sojourner Peace Center – a resource that helps victims of domestic violence. This thank you note was received by Beulah Erickson, the church Treasurer:
Dear Ms. Erickson,
Thank you for your donation of $260 to Sojourner Family Peace Center. With this gift, we are able to better fulfill our mission to create peaceful communities in which domestic respect and a life free from violence is the right of every woman, man and child. Your thoughtful contribution will allow us to provide comfort, encouragement and support to those experiencing domestic violence. For all those that your gift will help, we thank you.
Peacefully,
Angela Mancuso, Executive Director
St. Ben's Meal Program
American Baptists will serve at St. Ben’s on Thursday, September 29th. It’s good to participate!
Vote
At the quarterly business meeting on August 14th, the church affirmed this action:
The formal dissolution of Roundy Memorial Baptist Church immediately following the transfer of ownership of the church building.
The last regularly scheduled worship service will be the earlier of the following:
The last Sunday preceding the transfer of ownership of the church building,
or
June 24, 2012. (This is the last Sunday before the pastor’s retirement.)
Quote from Journal of a Solitude by May Sarton:
“There is really only one possible prayer: Give me to do everything I do in the day with a sense of the sacredness of life. Give me to be in Your presence, God, even though I know it only as absence.”
Mission Mobilization 2011
This year, through our mission mobilization project, we have the opportunity to show the Tomah area that we care about them. As you prepare to make the trip to the 2011 Annual meeting of the American Baptist Churches of Wisconsin in October, the Commission on Congregational Missions would like you to gather together the following items to be shared with the VA Center located in Tomah. After you have collected the items, bring them with you to the Annual Meeting. For those unable to attend the meeting, there is a box in the narthex to place your gifts.
Food Items:
Cheese & Cracker Snacks
Coffee (Regular & Decaf)
Coffee Creamer
Cookies & Hard Candy
Crackers
Hot chocolate (Regular & Sugar Free)
Individual pudding/fruit packs
Peanut Butter & Jelly
Peanut Butter & Cracker Snacks
Sugar Free Kool-Aid (lemonade)
Tea Bags
Other Items
Chapstick
Combs
Disposable razors
Emory boards
Hand lotion
Puzzle books
Shampoo & dandruff shampoo
Shower gel
Toothpaste
Let’s show our veterans that we have not forgotten them.
Crop Walk
The Milwaukee Area Crop Walk will be held on Sunday, October 9th at 1:30p.m, beginning at McKinley Marina. Chris Leitner is in charge of this effort. If you would like to make a contribution or to walk, please let Chris know. We are also collecting non-perishable food for the Hunger Task force, with boxes available at the back of the sanctuary. Thank you!
Report on Building Status
There has been little activity concerning the sale of the church building. The economy and slow real estate sales in the North Shore area have been conducive to only a few inquiries concerning the property.
October Fifth Sunday Offering
Our special mission offering for October 30th will be to the Hunger Task Force – for feeding the hungry here in Milwaukee. If you will not be present on that date and would like to make a contribution, please make out a check to Roundy – labeling it for the Hunger Task Force – and send it to the church or bring it on an earlier date.
Time to “Fall Back”
Daylight Savings Time ends November 6th. Set your clocks back on Saturday, November 5th – gaining an extra hour for sleep that night.
One Great Hour of Sharing
If you would like to contribute to help alleviate hunger in Eastern Africa, you can do it through the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering. Make your check to Roundy and label it for this relief effort.
Roundy Memorial Baptist Church
Pastor: Rev. Jo Ellen Witt
Minister of Music: Mrs. Wilanna Kalkhof
Secretaries: Donna Eiglmeier & Heather Leitner
Office Hours: Mon & Wed. 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Office Telephone Number: (414)-332-4980
