posted on October 16

NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Hello all!  With the weather turning, I look forward to seeing everyone who is comfortable to come to our indoor service, and if not I will see you via our online services.  
                                              ~ Pastor Chris

• September 30^th was the start of out 12-week study on the New Testament via Zoom. We have two time slots: 12-1 and 6:30-7:30. It’s not too late, so if you are interested, email me at pastorumc@bevcomm.net. If you want a book ordered for yourself, let me know, they will be $13 from us and around the same from Cokesbury. Amazon has them a little cheaper via Kindle.
• We are still in the Yellow Phase and will be until the Conference changes it. The days of outside worship and activities have come to an end, but in the Yellow Phase, we are allowed to meet inside as long as we follow all of the precautions that are in the plan that was outlined in the newsletter. All activities will follow the phase we are in and may need to be canceled or changed depending on what happens this fall. Please follow all of the precautions to keep everyone safe and do no harm. If you have any questions please contact me via email.
• Starting the last week of October, I will be having limited office hours. I will be in my church office from 10-noon on Mondays and that will be a good time to stop by. If you’d like to meet in the church, then all the precautions apply. If you want to meet another day than Monday, then you just need to contact me or the office to set something up. We can always meet outside if the weather is good, or via Zoom if you don’t feel comfortable coming in person.
• With the weather getting colder, we will now be inside for worship and will follow all the Covid protocols to help keep each other safe.
• If you are watching online, please comment, like, and share our Facebook/YouTube videos. 
• Keep an eye out for a survey that we will be putting out to hear more feedback from you. Also watch for more things we will be doing during the upcoming holiday season.  

 
From now on, worship will be held inside the sanctuary, where it is warm!
Please remember to:
Wear masks.
Social distance.
Wash hands or use hand sanitizer.
Stay home if you are not feeling well.
 
New Video System Installed
Have you been watching our Sunday service and noticed a big improvement? That’s due to our new video cameras, computerized streaming software, and microphones that were installed in September by ECS, Mankato. Be sure to tune in to the various online opportunities we have and check it out: 
  Facebook:  Streaming live at 9:00 am on Sundays and saved there as a recording to watch later.
  YouTube:  Streaming live at 9:00 am on Sundays and saved as a recording to watch later. Search YouTube for Open Doors UMC to find our channel, click the “Subscribe” button and the “bell” icon to be alerted anytime that Open Doors goes live.
  Website www.opendoorsumc.org:  Video recording is posted here to watch anytime.
  Bevcomm Cable TV:  Mondays at 11am and 6pm and Tuesdays at 8pm.

All-Saints Sunday – November 1
All Saints Sunday is the day we recognize those from our church family and other loved ones who passed away during the last 12 months. On November 1, we will remember members and friends Cathrine Hagen, Rodney Wedin, Darlene Redman, Betty Kruse, Frank Vincent, and Don Frederick. If you have a loved one whom you would like us to pay tribute to during the naming of the saints, please inform the office of their name and obituary information as soon as possible. A funeral program would also be helpful.

Pie Auction Goes “Silent”  by Sandy Youngblom
We really want to have our annual pie auction, even though it will look different! We will have fun!! Whoever is willing to make a pie, or a few pies, for the Pie Auction, let me know how many and what kinds. Email me at photobug0608@yahoo.com, call or text 507-525-2401, or Facebook Messenger me by October 25. I will put that information in the OneWay. Then we will have a silent auction on Thursday, November 19 for the pies. To bid, you call or text me! The bids will start at $25 per pie. I will get back to you if someone outbids you, just like at a silent auction. You will have until 6:00 pm on November 19 to bid for your pie. If you are the lucky winner, you can pick up your pie(s) on Sunday, November 22, immediately after worship, either in Kiester or Wells. If you cannot come to church, we will deliver to you, you will just need to let us know!! Let’s give it a try!!!
- If you want to make a pie:  Send your name and quantity and variety of pies to Sandy at photobug0608@yahoo.com, or call or text to 507-525-2401, or by Facebook Messenger by Sunday, October 25. Pies should be delivered to church by 9:00 a.m. Sunday, November 22.
- If you want to buy a pie:  Watch for the November OneWay with the list of pie names and bakers, and let me know your bid (all pies start at $25). It will be a silent auction, so I will let you know if someone bids over you. The deadline for bidding is November 19 at 6:00 p.m. To bid, call or text me at 507-525-2401. Winning bidders can pick up their pies after worship on Nov. 22.
Bakers . . . it would be fun if you would send a picture of you and your pies to the church via email or Messenger!!
Let’s have some fun and support the youth, so when we can get back to normal we will be able to do our retreats, R.A.K., mission trips and other youth-related events. Thanks for your support! We can do this, yes we can!!

3rd-6th Grade Tuesday Kids
As the weather is getting colder, we will continue holding Tuesday Kids inside the church. Everyone must wear a mask and do our best to social distance. 3rd & 4th graders will be with Sarah Hankerson in the basement and 5th & 6th graders with Sandy Youngblom upstairs in the room behind the balcony. We’re still working on the nine characteristics of the Fruit of the Spirit. Parents, please make arrangements for your child to take the town bus to the church so we can all start at the same time – 2:45. We will then be done by 4:00.

Sunday School is in session!
Sunday School is at a new time this year:  9:45 to 10:30.  There are classes for Preschool & Kindergarten, 1st & 2nd, 3rd & 4th, and 5th thru 7th. Come and learn about what happened after Jesus’ resurrection and about Paul and others who started the first Christian churches. Masks will be required.
We’re still looking for teachers for the following grades:
- A co-teacher for Pre-school & Kindergarten (from Jan.-May)
- A co-teacher for 3rd & 4th
- Two co-teachers each for 5th & 6th & 7th.
If you would like to be a teacher this year, please contact Sandy Youngblom or Sarah in the office.

Trunk or Treat—October 31
Trunk or Treat will be held Saturday, Oct. 31, from 3:00-4:00 p.m. on the street to the west of Open Doors UMC church in Wells. Come for some outside fun! This year there will not be any indoor activities. If you want to host a trunk, please let Sandy know at 507-525-2401, or let the church know at 553-5453. Thank you! Let’s make it the best year ever!!!

Youth Group
We have been having youth group outside after school on Wednesdays. Well, since we live in Minnesota, the outside gig will come to an end soon. I will try to do youth group in the church after school, when the weather does turn bad. We will all have to wear a mask and social distance as best we can. We will give it a try and see how it goes!        ~ Sandy

Hope
In this time, some days it is hard to have hope. I know I have been struggling with some anxiety. A pastor friend of mine, Austin Walker, signed me up for an online series of amazing speakers. The first day was all on emotional health. There were so many good tips to overcome the anxiety the world is bringing on right now! One of the easiest tips was to have a word or phrase for the day, it could be love, kindness, trust, hope or a bible verse that you have memorized, and when anxiety or worry sets in, just focus on that word or verse, and remember to breathe. Prayer and daily meditation and devotion with Him also helps bring me back to know that God is in control. And He loves us more then we even know. “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17.  I hope and pray that you all know Jesus in this wonderful way; if not, just ask Jesus to come into your heart and you will feel the Holy Spirit fill you up!! We need each other to talk to, pray together, and help one another find the love and joy that only God can give. My prayer is that all your days can be filled with the HOPE that we can only find through Father, Son and Holy Spirit!       ~ Sandy

Drop-Off for UMCOR Kits and Supplies for MMDC—Due October 23
Midwest Mission is RUNNING LOW ON RELIEF SUPPLIES! In order to help our neighbors around the corner and around the world in their time of need, Open Doors is taking a collection of supplies that they are in the greatest need of. With all the hurricanes, wildfires, disruption of the supply chain due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and lack of donations due to cancellations of in-person Annual Conferences, THEY NEED OUR HELP! The four greatest needs are laundry detergent, dish soap, household cleaner, and toothpaste. Please see the list of requested items on accompanying flyer and have the items to Open Doors UMC-Wells by noon Friday, Oct. 23, in order to be taken to the Blue Earth drop-off point on Saturday the 24th. Thank you!

Hygiene Supplies for So. MN Army soldiers stationed in Africa – Due Oct. 25
Open Doors is collecting hygiene supplies for military personnel from southern Minnesota who are stationed in the Horn of Africa. After sending care packages to them, we found out they didn't have access to some basic hygiene supplies. If you'd like to donate to our southern MN Army men & women in Africa, items should be delivered to the Wells Campus by Sunday, October 25.
Requested items are:  Shampoo & conditioner, bar soap, antiperspirant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, lotion, feminine products, razors, postage stamps. Please no aerosol cans.

Operation Christmas Child
It’s that time of year again. And this year, the need is even greater. Covid-19 has disrupted everyday life for millions of people around the world. Children need to know God has not forgotten them. They need great joy now more than ever. Pick up a brochure at church or print off your box labels and get packing tips from the website www.operationchristmaschild.org. You can also build a shoebox online, avoiding the shopping trip. Collection due date is Sunday, November 22.

Special Offerings and Askings:

UMCOR Sunday is Nov. 1
The special offering taken on November 1 for UMCOR Sunday will go to cover the operating costs of UMCOR. This helps UMCOR keep the promise that 100% of any gift will go toward the project specified, not to administrative costs.
UMCOR (United Methodist committee on Relief) comes alongside those who suffer from natural or human-caused disasters—be it famine, hurricane, war, flood, fire or other events—to alleviate suffering and to be a source of help and hope for those left most vulnerable. They provide relief, response and long-term recovery grants when these events overwhelm a community’s ability to recover on their own. UMCOR also provides technical support and training for partners to address emerging and ongoing issues related to disaster relief, recovery, and long-term health and development.
Currently, UMCOR is responding to storms in the Gulf and wildfires in the West, among other situations of disaster and suffering. To learn more about UMCOR and the areas of impact, visit www.umcor.org.
Please use the special UMCOR offering envelopes available at church, or mark clearly on your check or envelope “UMCOR Sunday.” Checks should be made out to Open Doors UMC.

Camps– Thank you for your gifts for Minnesota UMC Camps! The $300 matching challenge was met and even exceeded! A total of $635 will be sent to Conference in support of our camps and to keep the campfires burning!

New Back Door – Donations are coming in for the replacement of the back door leading to the basement at the Wells Campus. If you would like to contribute to helping us get the new door in before winter, please send in your gift designated “New Door.”
Prayer Concerns:
Charlie Johnson, recuperating from surgery and follow-up treatments; Mickey Ellsworth, battling cancer and is now home (cards would be much appreciated!); Margaret Courrier’s son, Randy, at Parkview; Dan Willaby following surgery; Bob Clark’s sister, Susan, who just lost her husband, retired UMC pastor Rev. Allen Clark Harris; continuing prayers for Karen Gimberline, Bebo Getchell, Joan Christian; Harriett (Roesti) Borst, who had a mild stroke, her address is: Harriett Borst, Rochester Rehabilitation and Living Center, 1900 Ballington Blvd NW, Rehab 2 - Room 1138, Rochester, MN 55901.

Community:
Kiester Fire Department To-Go Grilled Pork Chops – Sunday, October 18, 11am-1pm or til gone, at the Kiester Fire Hall. $10 for grilled chop, au gratin potatoes, corn & dessert. To pre-order, call or text 507-383-5207 or 507-402-1551.
Interfaith Caregivers Fall Fundraiser Drive-Thru will be Friday, October 30 from 4:30-6:30 pm at St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Blue Earth. No need to get out of your vehicle! Pick up a beef brisket dinner with baked potato, baked beans, coleslaw, roll and cookies. Call by Thurs., Oct. 28 to order: 507-526-4684. Adults $10, 10 & under $5.

Calendar:
10/19     Newsletter Deadline
10/20     2:45p     Tuesday Kids after school inside
10/21     12p & 6:30p    Disciple Bible Study
              3:15p     Youth Group
              4:30p     Confirmation
              6:00p     Praise Team practice
10/22     6:30p     Finance budget meeting
10/23     12:00p   UMCOR supplies due
10/25     9:00a     Worship in Wells
              9:45a     Sunday School
              10:30a   Worship in Kiester
10/27 & 10/28:   Regular Tues.& Wed. events (see 20-21)
10/29     6:30p     Admin. team mtgs  /  7:15p  Ad Council
10/31     3:00-4:00p   Trunk or Treat