Greetings from Pastor Kelly Jahn!!
Grace and peace to you all! I am so excited to begin to meet you! There are so many wonderful things that I've heard about the two congregations. Perhaps the best way to begin is to let you know a little bit about who I am. Then we'll make opportunities together so that I can find out who you all are. I've been married to my husband, Bill for 33 years. We have three wonderful children, two of whom live in southern Wisconsin and one who lives in western Minnesota. Bill and I met at Ripon College, where I received a degree in chemistry. But as you'll find out, I was pretty good at running from God's call. God didn't really "mess up my stuff" until my children were older, at which time I began the process to become a Licensed Local Pastor. I never intended to attend seminary, but somehow found myself there. In 2010, I received my Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary, in Wilmore, Kentucky. Since then, I have served at Stillwaters UMC in Jackson and Johnson Creek UMC. I've had the blessing of many mentors along the way, most notably Pastor Brian Kundinger, Pastor Matt Hadley and Pastor Ron Kral. Each of them has helped me grow as a Pastor and as a person. Bill and I enjoy biking and hiking, although haven't had time for either this summer. My hobbies are reading, geocaching, traveling and scrapbooking. When I got asked to send a picture of Bill and myself together, I had a difficult time. It seems that there is always one of us BEHIND the camera!
Grace and peace to you all! I am so excited to begin to meet you! There are so many wonderful things that I've heard about the two congregations. Perhaps the best way to begin is to let you know a little bit about who I am. Then we'll make opportunities together so that I can find out who you all are. I've been married to my husband, Bill for 33 years. We have three wonderful children, two of whom live in southern Wisconsin and one who lives in western Minnesota. Bill and I met at Ripon College, where I received a degree in chemistry. But as you'll find out, I was pretty good at running from God's call. God didn't really "mess up my stuff" until my children were older, at which time I began the process to become a Licensed Local Pastor. I never intended to attend seminary, but somehow found myself there. In 2010, I received my Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary, in Wilmore, Kentucky. Since then, I have served at Stillwaters UMC in Jackson and Johnson Creek UMC. I've had the blessing of many mentors along the way, most notably Pastor Brian Kundinger, Pastor Matt Hadley and Pastor Ron Kral. Each of them has helped me grow as a Pastor and as a person. Bill and I enjoy biking and hiking, although haven't had time for either this summer. My hobbies are reading, geocaching, traveling and scrapbooking. When I got asked to send a picture of Bill and myself together, I had a difficult time. It seems that there is always one of us BEHIND the camera!
Fall Worship Times Now Activated
Please join us for fall worship times
Juda - Zion at 10:45 am
Oakely - Union at 9:00 am
Juda - Zion at 10:45 am
Oakely - Union at 9:00 am
February's Pastor's Corner
Hello again, my Christian friends! How is the new year starting out for you? I know that several of you have esca ped the Wisconsin cold only to find that areas you are visiting are just about as cold as home. Hopefully you are still having a wonderful time. Come back to us refreshed and renewed!
My heart has been touched by a couple of things lately. First, I overheard a conversation recently (sorry… wasn’t intentional) about how difficult it is to pray in public. And then at the women’s Bible study when it was time for the meal prayer, no one seemed comfortable with offering up that simplest of prayers. Most of this is coming from people who I am pretty sure have a private prayer life. Why is it that praying out loud is so hard for us?
OK… so maybe it isn’t just PRAYING out loud, because one of our assignments for Disciple is that we read some Scripture that is poetry out loud. Yikes! That feels pretty odd as I sit at my kitchen table!
One of the requirements for the confirmands is that they each take a turn being liturgist. For some, this is no big deal. For others…panic! Yet these same kids can get into some deep discussions about God in class.
Is there a time and a place for God? Hopefully you’re with me here, as I say “NO!” I think what’s happening is we fall into such routines that anything different sends us out of our comfort zone. We try to compartmentalize our prayer life and our social or family life when they really need to be more integrated. How else are we to “Pray continually”
(1 Thessalonians 5:17)?
Prayer is an important part of the Christian life. It’s how we can come into the presence of God. It is a main way we can hear God’s direction for our lives. It is how we can find peace in chaos, forgiveness in the midst of shame. It is how we are changed from the inside out. It’s how we remember that God is God and we are not. Be ready for surprises! Be willing to say
“Yes!” Our lives are no longer ordinary when we allow God to work in us, they become extraordinary.
So this month, take an opportunity! Swallow that fear! Pray out loud when you’re asked. Read scripture out loud when no one is around. Sign up to be a liturgist. Pray with someone you don’t know well. Listen for God to send you… and go.
Shalom!
Pastor Kelly
Hello again, my Christian friends! How is the new year starting out for you? I know that several of you have esca ped the Wisconsin cold only to find that areas you are visiting are just about as cold as home. Hopefully you are still having a wonderful time. Come back to us refreshed and renewed!
My heart has been touched by a couple of things lately. First, I overheard a conversation recently (sorry… wasn’t intentional) about how difficult it is to pray in public. And then at the women’s Bible study when it was time for the meal prayer, no one seemed comfortable with offering up that simplest of prayers. Most of this is coming from people who I am pretty sure have a private prayer life. Why is it that praying out loud is so hard for us?
OK… so maybe it isn’t just PRAYING out loud, because one of our assignments for Disciple is that we read some Scripture that is poetry out loud. Yikes! That feels pretty odd as I sit at my kitchen table!
One of the requirements for the confirmands is that they each take a turn being liturgist. For some, this is no big deal. For others…panic! Yet these same kids can get into some deep discussions about God in class.
Is there a time and a place for God? Hopefully you’re with me here, as I say “NO!” I think what’s happening is we fall into such routines that anything different sends us out of our comfort zone. We try to compartmentalize our prayer life and our social or family life when they really need to be more integrated. How else are we to “Pray continually”
(1 Thessalonians 5:17)?
Prayer is an important part of the Christian life. It’s how we can come into the presence of God. It is a main way we can hear God’s direction for our lives. It is how we can find peace in chaos, forgiveness in the midst of shame. It is how we are changed from the inside out. It’s how we remember that God is God and we are not. Be ready for surprises! Be willing to say
“Yes!” Our lives are no longer ordinary when we allow God to work in us, they become extraordinary.
So this month, take an opportunity! Swallow that fear! Pray out loud when you’re asked. Read scripture out loud when no one is around. Sign up to be a liturgist. Pray with someone you don’t know well. Listen for God to send you… and go.
Shalom!
Pastor Kelly
How to Support the Davis Family
Back at the very end of 2019, Darin Davis got an infection in his heart. The infection spread to his brain and caused several strokes and a brain bleed. Things have been hard for the past few weeks! For those of you who want to stay current with his journey, there is an easy way to keep updated without disturbing family members. Log onto the CaringBridge.org website and register (it’s free). Once you do, do a search for “Darin Davis” and click on FOLLOW. Stephanie has been keeping in touch frequently. Through Caring Bridge, you can also send notes of encouragement. This is going to be a long recovery for Darin!
Back at the very end of 2019, Darin Davis got an infection in his heart. The infection spread to his brain and caused several strokes and a brain bleed. Things have been hard for the past few weeks! For those of you who want to stay current with his journey, there is an easy way to keep updated without disturbing family members. Log onto the CaringBridge.org website and register (it’s free). Once you do, do a search for “Darin Davis” and click on FOLLOW. Stephanie has been keeping in touch frequently. Through Caring Bridge, you can also send notes of encouragement. This is going to be a long recovery for Darin!
Youth News and Events
by Dennis Pfingsten, Youth Leader
by Dennis Pfingsten, Youth Leader
Wow!! What a great year for our collection of aluminum cans! In 2019 the group recycled 3,514 pounds of aluminum cans that netted $980 for group activities! Thank you to everyone who donates their empty cans to the group! Funds earned from cans collected in the months of January and February will be used to offset cost of the July Missions Trip to Superior/Duluth. On Super Bowl Sunday, the group will again be the sponsor of the “Souper” Bowl collection. Members of both churches are asked to bring cans of soup to church on February 2nd, 2020. All items collected will be donated to the Green County Food Pantry. Looking ahead a movie/pizza/game Sunday is being planned for a Sunday after church in February at Shelly’s house. Watch Facebook for further details!! Group members are also encouraged to keep March 22nd open to help with Loaves and Fishes at Grace Lutheran in Monroe.
As always, I am looking for ideas for the group, so if you have any ideas or suggestions please let me know! As a reminder, empty aluminum cans may be dropped off at the Jefferson Township Recycling Center or the collection cage at the corner of the bank parking lot on Walnut Street. Empty inkjet cartridges along with used cell phones, I-pods and now useable digital cameras can be dropped in the collection boxes located at both churches.
The YF will again be sponsoring the annual “Souper Bowl” Day of Caring on February 2nd. Members of both churches are invited to bring cans of soup to church on February 2nd, 2020. Items collected will be donated to the Green County Food Pantry.
The Historical Corner
by Hazel Matzke, Historian
More than 20 years ago in January of 1997, the following article appeared in the Monroe Times:
Juda church plans ‘Musical Chairs’
JUDA – “Musical Chairs,” an evening of food and music will be presented by the Zion United Methodist Church choir of Juda on Saturday.
A large variety of hot and cold hors d’oeuvres will be served from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the church fellowship hall. At 7:30 p.m., the concert of sacred and secular music will begin.
The program includes solos, duets, trios and quartets. Musical selections planned include “Lamb of God,” “Mister Sandman,” “When I Fall in Love,” “Let It Be Me,” “Love One Another,” “Old-Fashioned Wedding Song” from “Annie Get Your Gun” and a medley from “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”
Tickets are $5 and are available from the church office and the Bank of Juda.
Proeeds from the concert will be used to purchase additional chairs for the fellowship hall.
Does anyone remember this event?
Juda church plans ‘Musical Chairs’
JUDA – “Musical Chairs,” an evening of food and music will be presented by the Zion United Methodist Church choir of Juda on Saturday.
A large variety of hot and cold hors d’oeuvres will be served from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the church fellowship hall. At 7:30 p.m., the concert of sacred and secular music will begin.
The program includes solos, duets, trios and quartets. Musical selections planned include “Lamb of God,” “Mister Sandman,” “When I Fall in Love,” “Let It Be Me,” “Love One Another,” “Old-Fashioned Wedding Song” from “Annie Get Your Gun” and a medley from “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”
Tickets are $5 and are available from the church office and the Bank of Juda.
Proeeds from the concert will be used to purchase additional chairs for the fellowship hall.
Does anyone remember this event?
February 2020 Newsletter
The current issue of our Newletter is here! To keep up with all the churches' activities this month, download a copy by simply clicking the button below!
The current issue of our Newletter is here! To keep up with all the churches' activities this month, download a copy by simply clicking the button below!
Green County Food Pantry
by Leanna Severson
The Green County Food Pantry is located at 1129 17th Ave. in Monroe. The hours of operation are Monday 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM and Wednesday 9::00 AM to 11:00 AM. Arrangements may be made in case of emergencies. Phone number is 608-329-7511.
Current needs are canned vegetables, soups, pork and beans, pudding, jello, canned fruits, cake mixes. Personal care items needed are shampoo, conditioner, feminine hygiene products and toothpaste.
The Green County Food Pantry, Inc. is also on Facebook.
During October the pantry served 50 adults age 60 and over, 240 adults age 18-59 and 178 children. The Board of Directors would like to thank Dennis Pfingsten for organizing the annual food drive and appreciate the youth group and the Juda Honor Society students taking time from their busy schedules to collect the food. 387 pounds was given to the Green County Food Pantry, 17 pounds to the blue food pantry box which is located at the lower level south door at Zion and 39 pounds was taken to the Juda School Pantry.
Current needs are canned vegetables, soups, pork and beans, pudding, jello, canned fruits, cake mixes. Personal care items needed are shampoo, conditioner, feminine hygiene products and toothpaste.
The Green County Food Pantry, Inc. is also on Facebook.
During October the pantry served 50 adults age 60 and over, 240 adults age 18-59 and 178 children. The Board of Directors would like to thank Dennis Pfingsten for organizing the annual food drive and appreciate the youth group and the Juda Honor Society students taking time from their busy schedules to collect the food. 387 pounds was given to the Green County Food Pantry, 17 pounds to the blue food pantry box which is located at the lower level south door at Zion and 39 pounds was taken to the Juda School Pantry.
Announcements
Help us update the information on this site!
Do you have an update, suggestion, or correction for website? How about a picture/story from the past or present that helps tell the story of our churches? If you do, please fill out the info below to pass it on!
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Women's Bible Study Series
The Women’s Bible Study group will be meeting for a new session beginning Monday, January 21st 6:30 – 8:30 at Kay Carter’s. It will be a potluck followed by the study. Pre-order the book by contacting Shelly Jordan. Price is $9.50. Prepare Chapters 1 and 2 for the January 21st meeting.
The study is: Heaven – Finding Our True Home. Heaven is hard for us to picture. We think of floating on clouds, singing praises and playing harps, or walking on streets of gold. While we know we want to go to heaven, we are a little nervous about what it will be like. These Bible studies provide a biblical perspective on heaven--something richer and more exciting than we can imagine.
Contents:
Getting the Most Out of Heaven
1. Preparing a Place - John 14:1-9
2. The Last Frontier - Philippians 1:19-30
3. Rapture Ahead! - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
4. Run to Win - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
5. Practicing Our Praise - Revelation 4
6. Welcome to the Party! - Luke 14:7-24
7. Working for Your Father - Matthew 25:14-30
8. Looking for the City - Revelation 21—22
Link To The Commission on A Way Forward Report
Click HERE to get the Commission on a Way Forward's Report to the General Conference.
Click HERE to get the Commission on a Way Forward's Report to the General Conference.
2018-2019 Zion Sunday School Calendar
Don't miss what's going on with Zion Sunday School! Download your 2018 - 2019 calendar HERE!
Don't miss what's going on with Zion Sunday School! Download your 2018 - 2019 calendar HERE!
Pastor's Sermons
Click the button to the left, or go to the "Sermons" tab for a listing of Pastor Kelly's sermons. Her messages are always just a click away!
Click the button to the left, or go to the "Sermons" tab for a listing of Pastor Kelly's sermons. Her messages are always just a click away!
Important Note from Our Parish Nurse Regarding Pastoral Hospital Visits
If anyone needs to be hospitalized, Pastor Jahn asked me to remind you that at check-in, if you would like a visit from Pastor, please tell the admissions clerk. There have been times Pastor has wanted to visit a parishioner and could not because of the strict H.I.P.P.A. laws forbidding staff to release a patient's room number. Thank you!
If anyone needs to be hospitalized, Pastor Jahn asked me to remind you that at check-in, if you would like a visit from Pastor, please tell the admissions clerk. There have been times Pastor has wanted to visit a parishioner and could not because of the strict H.I.P.P.A. laws forbidding staff to release a patient's room number. Thank you!
Recycling Reminder
Please remember that our youth group can benefit from your recycling!
Dennis and the members of the youth group are always appreciative for the support!!
- Aluminum cans: May be dropped off at Dennis Pfingsten's home located at W2926 Main Street
- Cell phones, I-pods, and usable digital cameras: Collection boxes located at both churches
- Old toner cartridges: Please contact Dennis prior to donation as limitations exist for qualification
Dennis and the members of the youth group are always appreciative for the support!!
Youth Group Reminder
A friendly reminder to all youth planning to participate in the various activities, please remember to get in touch with Dennis Pfingsten to let him know any events in which you're planning to participate. The more the merrier!
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Shop At AmazonSmile & Support Zion United Methodist Church At The Same Time
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Noisy Offering. Make Some Noise!!!
Thank you to everyone who continues to contribute to the Noisy Offering! Each month, the Noisy Offering will go towards a specific fundraising activity or will be put towards our Stained Glass Window refurbishing fund.
Thank you to everyone who continues to contribute to the Noisy Offering! Each month, the Noisy Offering will go towards a specific fundraising activity or will be put towards our Stained Glass Window refurbishing fund.
New Donation Program!
The General Council on Finance and Administration of the United Methodist Church is pleased to present UMCmarket, a tremendously rewarding opportunity to earn money for our church. UMCmarket makes it possible for our church to receive donations from retailers every time you make an online purchase. The best thing is that you don’t need to change anything from how you shop today, and every small donation makes a difference. This allows our church family to do together what we cannot do alone.
How it Works.
Every store at UMCmarket is happy to pay a percentage of the purchased amount as a donation. There is no additional cost or charge for either you or our church. The stores send UMCmarket the contributions within a variable time frame of 30-90 days. Once our church reaches $100 in total donations, a check will be mailed.
Signing Up is Free!
You can easily sign up for free. When you go to UMCmarket, you will click on the “Get Started” button. You will have the option to sign up with your Facebook account or enter your email and create a password. You will then be prompted to download the Easy Give Button app and find our church. With these three simple steps, you are ready to shop and donate!
Easy Give Button.
Using the Easy Give Button app is the easiest way for you to shop and donate. Once it’s downloaded, you will see the UMC Cross and Flame icon in your browser toolbar. This Easy Give Button will allow you to shop directly at store websites and let you know that you are connected.
Research shows that members who download the Easy Give Button generate more than double the amount of donations to their church. You don’t have to remember to visit UMCmarket.org before you start shopping!
Share UMCmarket with your friends!
We hope you will sign up, try UMCmarket out, and share with our church family and friends. It’s easy and free, so why not rally your fellow members to do the same? See how fast your donations will make a difference! For help or any questions, UMCmarket’s customer service team is ready to help. Just email them at info@umcmarket.org.
We live in a global village, and the world is our parish. When we give generously, our gifts do wonderful, life-changing things in the name of Jesus Christ.
The General Council on Finance and Administration of the United Methodist Church is pleased to present UMCmarket, a tremendously rewarding opportunity to earn money for our church. UMCmarket makes it possible for our church to receive donations from retailers every time you make an online purchase. The best thing is that you don’t need to change anything from how you shop today, and every small donation makes a difference. This allows our church family to do together what we cannot do alone.
How it Works.
Every store at UMCmarket is happy to pay a percentage of the purchased amount as a donation. There is no additional cost or charge for either you or our church. The stores send UMCmarket the contributions within a variable time frame of 30-90 days. Once our church reaches $100 in total donations, a check will be mailed.
Signing Up is Free!
You can easily sign up for free. When you go to UMCmarket, you will click on the “Get Started” button. You will have the option to sign up with your Facebook account or enter your email and create a password. You will then be prompted to download the Easy Give Button app and find our church. With these three simple steps, you are ready to shop and donate!
Easy Give Button.
Using the Easy Give Button app is the easiest way for you to shop and donate. Once it’s downloaded, you will see the UMC Cross and Flame icon in your browser toolbar. This Easy Give Button will allow you to shop directly at store websites and let you know that you are connected.
Research shows that members who download the Easy Give Button generate more than double the amount of donations to their church. You don’t have to remember to visit UMCmarket.org before you start shopping!
Share UMCmarket with your friends!
We hope you will sign up, try UMCmarket out, and share with our church family and friends. It’s easy and free, so why not rally your fellow members to do the same? See how fast your donations will make a difference! For help or any questions, UMCmarket’s customer service team is ready to help. Just email them at info@umcmarket.org.
We live in a global village, and the world is our parish. When we give generously, our gifts do wonderful, life-changing things in the name of Jesus Christ.
Our Vision for the Quadrennium and Beyond
Bishop Hee-Soo Jung invites all United Methodists to Imagine Wisconsin Anew by being passionate about inviting new people into a relationship with Jesus Christ through our existing congregations and new faith communities. We are a wonderfully diverse people seeking to live faithfully and witness to the love of God in Jesus Christ. Over the next few years, we are committed to exploring together what God is calling us to do – seeking to follow the mandate of Scripture to “bear good fruit.”
Imagining Wisconsin Anew is an effort to bear fruit by serving new people, diverse people, young people, elderly people, all people. We are called to invest in new communities around the Conference, reach out beyond ourselves and buildings, and provide leadership and direction in a wide variety of settings and with a wide diversity of people. Imagining Wisconsin Anew means looking at who Wisconsin United Methodists are, the choices we can make, and the opportunities for transformation and vital witness.
Click here to view the brochure that talks about this renewed vision for the Wisconsin Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Bishop Hee-Soo Jung invites all United Methodists to Imagine Wisconsin Anew by being passionate about inviting new people into a relationship with Jesus Christ through our existing congregations and new faith communities. We are a wonderfully diverse people seeking to live faithfully and witness to the love of God in Jesus Christ. Over the next few years, we are committed to exploring together what God is calling us to do – seeking to follow the mandate of Scripture to “bear good fruit.”
Imagining Wisconsin Anew is an effort to bear fruit by serving new people, diverse people, young people, elderly people, all people. We are called to invest in new communities around the Conference, reach out beyond ourselves and buildings, and provide leadership and direction in a wide variety of settings and with a wide diversity of people. Imagining Wisconsin Anew means looking at who Wisconsin United Methodists are, the choices we can make, and the opportunities for transformation and vital witness.
Click here to view the brochure that talks about this renewed vision for the Wisconsin Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Acts 29 Juda
Acts 29 Juda is a interdenominational community prayer movement. We are a group of believers from various local churches praying for our community. Christians from any local church are welcome to join Acts 29 Juda. Each month we select a prayer theme. Throughout the month, we lift our community and its members up in prayer. Daily prayer helps are emailed to members on a weekly basis. These prayer helps are also posted on our private Facebook page. Meetings are held once monthly at a home in Juda. To participate contact the church office or click HERE to request an invitation to our Private Facebook page.
Acts 29 Juda is a interdenominational community prayer movement. We are a group of believers from various local churches praying for our community. Christians from any local church are welcome to join Acts 29 Juda. Each month we select a prayer theme. Throughout the month, we lift our community and its members up in prayer. Daily prayer helps are emailed to members on a weekly basis. These prayer helps are also posted on our private Facebook page. Meetings are held once monthly at a home in Juda. To participate contact the church office or click HERE to request an invitation to our Private Facebook page.
Women's Breakfast Club
Join us for a time of women's fellowship. Women of all ages are welcome and encouraged to join in the conversations.
Every 2nd Saturday | 8:30 am
La Iguana Restaurant | Inside Olin's Juda Oasis | W2616 Hwy. 11, Juda
Join us for a time of women's fellowship. Women of all ages are welcome and encouraged to join in the conversations.
Every 2nd Saturday | 8:30 am
La Iguana Restaurant | Inside Olin's Juda Oasis | W2616 Hwy. 11, Juda
Family Promise of Green County
Family Promise is an on-going ministry. Please consider signing up for a volunteer spot as a host or for furnishing food. All volunteers are greatly appreciated. If you have questions or need more information, please contact Kay Carter at 608-329-7098 or Norman & Lorraine Williams at 608-325-5223.
Family Promise is an on-going ministry. Please consider signing up for a volunteer spot as a host or for furnishing food. All volunteers are greatly appreciated. If you have questions or need more information, please contact Kay Carter at 608-329-7098 or Norman & Lorraine Williams at 608-325-5223.