Chapel Chimes Newsletter
"Sharing faith, lifting up, reaching out and growing together."
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September 2020
VOLUME 70 No. 9
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SPONSORING (ALTAR FLOWERS, BULLETINS, RADIO BROADCASTS)
If you would like to honor someone you love, or mark a special day, you can sponsor the bulletin ($20), radio broadcast ($50) or you can purchase the altar flowers ($20). There is a binder which is located east of the Gathering Area on the table or use the link below. The church office is also available to help you reserve your day.
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RSVP REQUIRED TO ATTEND
IN-PERSON WORSHIP SERVICES
Seating in our sanctuary will be limited in order to provide for social and physical distancing. We are asking that persons interested in attending in-person worship RSVP by calling the church office at 892-7456 or by clicking on the box below no later than by noon on Wednesday prior to worship that you plan to attend.
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USHERS NEEDED FOR IN-PERSON WORSHIP SERVICES
Three volunteer ushers are needed each week. The usher responsibilities have changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a training session is required to ensure the safety of our parishioners, volunteers and staff. Please contact the church office (892-7456) if you are willing to serve as an usher for in-person worship. You can also click on the box below to direct you to SignUpGenius.
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FIRST NOTES
By: Rev. Jim Hoppert
Like so many things of this year, what constitutes the beginning of autumn in these parts is going to be very different. There will be no County Fair to mark the Labor Day weekend and the start of school will be a unique thing in every school district. A good bit of our church programming will fall into that category, as well. Christian Education will be different (and Marsha Meyer's article details the plans going forward). Confirmation will be different. Music will be different. However, we have learned to improvise with “different” this summer. We've had “drive-in” movie experiences this summer. We had a “drive-thru” brat fry. We've had an outdoor service for Confirmation. In-person worship (with a modified format) was resumed in August. And of course, live-stream worship continues as it has since March and has become a community in its own right.
I appreciate the willingness of people to be flexible and adaptable. These aren't the ways of doing church that we're used to (and someday those ways will return), but we're making the best of what we're given. Some wise person once said that 10% of life is what we're given and the other 90% is what we do with it, and this year might be the proof of that.
What exactly the next month or two will look like is an open question. A lot of that hinges on what the virus does and how we react to it. We can put ideas on the planning board, but circumstances may change them. As another saying goes, “We propose; God laughs.” In the meantime, we move forward in good faith. I have a healthy respect for the virus, but I do not wish to live in fear of it.
Again, I close with the words that concluded last month's front page: As for whatever else will happen in the weeks and months ahead, that is in God's hands. I don't know what the future may hold, but I trust the One who holds it. That will have to be enough for now.
Shalom aleichem—Peace be with you.
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Sunday, September 6, 2020
Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Hebrew Scripture: Exodus 12:1-14
Psalm: Psalm 149
Epistle: Romans 13:8-14
Gospel: Matthew 18:15-20
Sunday, September 13, 2020
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Hebrew Scripture: Exodus 14:19-31
Psalm: Psalm 114
Epistle: Romans 14:1-12
Gospel: Matthew 18:21-35
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Sunday, September 20, 2020
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Hebrew Scripture: Exodus 16:2-15
Psalm: Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45
Epistle: Philippians 1:21-30
Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16
Sunday, September 27, 2020
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
Hebrew Scripture: Exodus 17:1-7
Psalm: Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16
Epistle: Philippians 2:1-13
Gospel: Matthew 21:23-32
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Here we go….
At this point in the summer, I thought we would have a clearer picture of how we plan to move forward with our faith formation ministries this fall. This pandemic does not seem to be cooperating with any of the plans that I have tried to make. Thank you all for your feedback to the recent survey I sent to our Sunday School and Confirmation families. Your perspective has helped to shape the vision for how we will ‘gather’ to be the church in our faith formation ministries this fall.
Our fall program year is scheduled to begin on September 13 for Sunday School. There may be opportunities for us to gather in-person outdoors for Sunday School when the weather cooperates. When that is not possible, we will gather on Zoom first as a large group, then we plan to break into ‘classrooms’ in age groups for further exploration. Either way, the families involved will be notified as to how we plan to meet week to week by text and/or email. Please register your son(s)/daughter(s) HERE for Sunday School. Confirmation will take a thinking outside of the box approach as well. Please register your son(s)/daughter(s) HERE for Confirmation. More details will be sent the first week in September.
Youth fellowship groups will begin meeting in October. JR Youth is open to students grades 3-6 and SR Youth is open to students grades 7-12.
Some things coming up on the horizon:
- Back to school take home dinner for families
- One more drive-in movie before it gets too cold
- Conversations about communion with children and youth
- Faith in an Anxious World study (4wks) for High School students & adults
I have been thinking of and praying for all of you in the past weeks. If there is anything that we can do to help support your family as we transition back to school, please reach out and let me know. Thank you for your patience and prayers as we navigate through this together.
The work of the church is ongoing. We just wrapped up our fundraising efforts to help St Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Monrovia, Liberia (in West Africa) fund a solar power project. They are so grateful that we have taken this on and are partnering with them. We had a goal to raise $2500. I am overjoyed to share that as I write this, we have received over $3800 between the funds raised from our drive thru brat fry, our most recent drive-in movie night, and through personal donations. Because of the generosity from the people in our church and community, we are able to bless them with additional funds so that they can expand the scope of their project! God is always at work. Thank you all for your generous hearts in helping to make this happen for our neighbors in Africa.
Peace and love,
Marsha
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SEPTEMBER ANNIVERSARIES
9/5 Kenneth & Kay Mauk
9/6 Al & Linda Bosman
9/7 Dan & Paulette Klotz
9/9 Jered & Ashley Krueger
9/10 Randy & Laurie Gutschow
9/10 David & Amy Nischik
9/12 Kevin & Kathy Andrews
Todd & Nancy Bruggink
9/16 Norman & Karen Raeder
9/18 Dave & Carol Barts
9/22 Tyler & Lauren Chisholm
9/25 Paul & Susan Clarke
9/27 Roger & Jacqueline Rortvedt
William & Rachel Schwantes
9/28 Jim & Val Gillman
9/30 Peter & Marsha Meyer
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CONGRATULATIONS CONFIRMANDS!
Our church community congratulates the young people in the 2020 confirmation class who were confirmed on Sunday, August 16 at Salem United Church of Christ. May God bless you as you continue on your faith journey.
Congratulations to:
Joseph Ausloos, Jr.,
Lauren Bunyea, Lilly Hengst, Cassandra Pilling
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SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS
9/1 Eugene Boll
Eugene Littlefield
9/2 Kevin Andrews
9/3 Magnus Blad
9/5 Jeff Greuel
9/6 Janet Veleke
Brady Pratt
9/7 Joanne Lammers
9/9 Ian Andrews
Reta Klemme
9/10 Robert Plahmer
9/11 Anna Hoppert
9/12 Jay Ellis
Dianne Kaczmarski
9/14 Lucia Blad
9/16 Larry Huenink
Jennifer Schoenefeld
Laura Diver
9/19 Mary Bender
9/20 Warren Faas
Roger Rortvedt
Gladys Palm
9/23 Pietje Markus
9/25 William Klemme
JoAnn Kraus
9/26 Delores Titel
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Thank you for the donation to the Plymouth Police Dept. K9 fund. Thanks to people like you, we are able to continue to make Plymouth a safe community for our citizens and continue our worthwhile K9 program.
Sincerely,
Members of the Plymouth Police Dept.
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PRAYER REQUESTS
If you have prayers you would like included in worship, please contact the church office or add your concerns in the comments section of our live stream worship. Prayers can also be submitted to our Prayer Chain Group. If you would like to be added to our Prayer Chain Group, simply call the church office.
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THE UPPER ROOM
The September/October issue of the daily devotional “The Upper Room” is available.
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CHURCH ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
If there is something that you need assistance with (groceries, prescriptions, errands, etc.) please reach out to the church and we will find a way to help.
Robbie Gremminger, parish nurse (920-980-3977)
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ENDOWMENT FUND REQUESTS
Salem’s Endowment Committee meets semi-annually to grant requests for funding of mission and ministry related activities and expenses. So far this year we approved grants for Studio Computer replacement, Back Bay Mission, Electronic Funds Transfer, Grocery Ministry, and Back-to-School Ministry.
Please consider how our Endowment Fund may offer financial support for your mission and ministry goals. Request forms for funding will be accepted through Wednesday, October 14, 2020 for the upcoming round of grants. Printed forms may be requested through the church office. Requests may also be submitted online at www.bit.ly/endreq. Participants must outline the need, objective(s), budget, and anticipated results for each grant being requested. All are invited and encouraged to submit requests for funding. Related questions may be directed to Salem’s church office or members of the Endowment Committee: Tom Daigle, Wes Huibregtse, Mary Mullen, Mary Bender, Kay Scheible, and Rev. Hoppert.
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SPECIAL GIFTS TEAM NEWS
Salem’s Special Gifts Team meets quarterly to discuss and steward our church’s Special Gifts Fund which is comprised of donations in memory or honor of a loved one—or any unique gift. We work to acknowledge these gifts and consider how they impact our church’s ministries and missions. We have a goal of ensuring that gifts received are impactful toward sharing God’s love and care within our congregation and our broader community.
To further the goals of our ministry, the Special Gifts Team of Cindy Conrad, Michelle Mauk, Rachel Risse, Mary Mullen, Kay Scheible, Mary Bender and Rev. Hoppert encourages you to consider the opportunities available to you. In addition to acceptance of donations (which may be categorized as designated or undesignated gifts - see Donation PDF form), our team also encourages you to take advantage of funding available for support of new or existing ministries and missions, as well as scholarships (see Scholarship PDF form).
The Special Gifts Team welcomes your inquiries and invites you to bring forth requests for consideration of funding, as well as donations, along with your wishes for their use. Please reach out to any of our team members or contact the church office at churchoffice@salemuccplywi.org or (920) 892-7456 or for more information.
Thank you, on behalf of Special Gifts Team,
Mary Bender, Chair
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The following is a letter we received from Back Bay Mission for the gift received from the October 2019 endowment grant.
Dear Salem UCC,
Thank you for your generous gift to Back Bay Mission! Your gift to Friends of the Mission makes it possible to meet the most urgent needs of the poor and marginalized of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Your gift is already at work strengthening neighborhoods, seeking justice, and transforming lives. You’re helping a homeowner stay in their home, providing homeless families with apartments, making sure people have enough food, and giving people the support they need to make their lives better.
Most importantly, your gift is making sure that Back Bay Mission is here to provide a safe and welcoming place for everyone who comes through our doors. Thank you for partnering with us through your generous gift. We – and those we serve – are ever grateful.
Grace and Peace,
Rev. Alice Graham, Ph.D.
Executive Director
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From Salem’s Lakeland Ambassador here’s what’s happening at Lakeland University!
By: Art Pahr
HOMECOMING 2020:
To our treasured alumni and friends,
Each year, we look forward to welcoming you back to campus for a weekend to reconnect with old friends and create new memories. This year is a little different. The Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference (NACC) postponed all conference regular-season competitions and championships through the end of the calendar year. Our first priority is the health and safety of all of our Muskies, so we have made the difficult decision to cancel Homecoming 2020.
Although we will not gather in person on October 9 and 10, we invite you to celebrate your Muskie pride by joining us for a day of social celebration on our Lakeland Facebook page!
We are excited to bring you back home in 2021.
Stay safe and be well,
The Lakeland University Family
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Join us for Worship
Live Stream on Facebook on Sundays at 8:30am
(You do not need a Facebook account to view worship on our page and to see content there)
In-Person worship is on Sundays at 10:30am.
(Must RSVP by Wednesday before noon. Please call the church office to reserve a seat.)
Worship is also posted to our YouTube page on Sunday afternoons
(Worship can also be accessed by going to our website salemuccplywi.org by clicking on online worship)
For those without internet access,
you can call-in on the phone to listen to worship by
calling toll free: 888-958-7272
*there is an access code that needs to be entered and it changes weekly*
(Updated codes will be included in our weekly worship bulletins or by contacting the church office)
Our weekly worship services will continue to be available on: TV 14 on Wednesdays at 5pm and on the radio 1420am on Sundays at 9am.
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Follow us on Facebook or YouTube
Click on the links above
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CORONAVIRUS IMPACT ON CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
Due to cancellations caused by the Coronavirus, we are still waiting to schedule a congregational meeting. We will continue to publish information on the meeting’s purpose for the time when we will be able to gather again as a group.
Special Congregational Meeting – Constitution
The Consistory has called for a Special Meeting of the Congregation for the purpose of amending Salem’s Constitution (addition of Article X, as described below). If the proposed amendment is approved, a motion to suspend portions of the Constitution will also be considered at the same meeting. The portions of the Constitution being considered for suspension deal with size and elections of the Consistory and Officers of the Congregation. It will allow us to try a different approach to how we structure and manage church activities and mission and test it before we decide whether to change the By-laws or Constitution. Copies of the existing Constitution with highlights and notes explaining the proposed changes are available. You may contact the office to request an email copy. If you are not able to accept email, the office can mail you a hardcopy version. The proposed text of the amendment follows:
Article X. SUSPENSION OF ARTICLES
Section 1. Any Article(s), Section(s) or Subsection(s) of the Constitution may be suspended for a period not to exceed one year, if approved by a two-thirds majority.
Section 2. The suspension of any Article(s), Section(s) or Subsection(s) may be continued (for the same or a different period of time), provided it is approved by a two-thirds majority, at a meeting as specified in the By-laws. If the period of suspension lapses without further action, the Constitution will revert to the language of the original Article(s), Section(s) or Subsection(s).
Section 3. The membership shall be informed of any meeting as specified in the By-laws.
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MINISTRY TEAMS TAKING SHAPE IN NEW GOVERNANCE MODEL:
September Focus – Generosity Team
Salem’s Governance Restructuring Team is pleased to share a diagram which shows how each ministry team is in relationship with the others – all working together for the love of God and all within God’s creation. The purpose and leader are listed for each of the ministry teams. Month-by-month, we focus on one of our six ministry teams…
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The purpose of the Generosity Team is to align what we have to share with God’s purposes. All who contribute to, support and help steer Salem’s finances, SCRIP, Endowment, Special Gifts, Lakeland and Ministerial Scholarship Funds, benevolent giving, other fundraising, ministry and mission are part of this team; and for each contribution we are immensely grateful. Led by Mary Mullen, Tom Daigle, Mary Bender, Kay Scheible and Rev. Hoppert, the Generosity Team is working alongside Salem’s other ministry teams to encourage good stewardship by connecting our resources of time, talents and treasures to support our various ministries and to make positive differences for Christ’s purposes throughout our local community, state, nation and world. As Christians, we are moved to give generously because we serve a giving God; and we seek to nurture and shepherd worthy causes out of that abundance. Here is a sampling of the ways our generosity is providing a positive impact beyond the day-to-day and week-to-week activities of our church:
- Back Bay Mission, Solar Power Project in Liberia, Grocery Ministry, Back to School Ministry, Families in Need, Sheboygan County Humane Society, SCIO, Fairview School, Adopt-A-Family, Feed My Starving Children
- Scholarships, tablets for persons without internet and new computer for Video Ministry to share worship services, landscaping on Salem grounds, establishment of Electronic Funds Transfer for ease of contributing, restoration of monuments at Zoar-Salem Cemetery, Altar Flowers, Radio Broadcasts and Bulletins
- Our Church’s Wider Mission, One Great Hour of Sharing, Strengthen The Church, Neighbors In Need and The Christmas Fund
The Generosity Team encourages everyone to prayerfully consider ways to contribute to AND utilize our many gifts and resources. Funds for missions and ministries and scholarships are available from Endowment and Special Gifts. Please see related articles from those teams regarding requests for funding, scholarship applications and donations. Please contact Salem’s church office at (920) 892-7456 or churchoffice@salemuccplywi.org, if you have interest in participating in and/or wish to learn more about the Generosity Team or any of our ministry teams. Please join us next month for a focus on Salem’s Hospitality Team.
On behalf of the Governance Restructuring Team, we thank you for your continued prayers and support of Salem’s Ministry Teams! – Terry Risse & Mary Bender
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FROM THE PARISH NURSE...
By Robbie Gremminger
The Parish Nurse found this article on Mayo Clinic Family Health Book and its worth reading.
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Alzheimer’s Disease
Signs and Symptoms
- Gradual loss of memory for recent events and inability to learn new information
- Growing tendency to repeat oneself, misplace objects, become confused, and get lost
- Slow disintegration of personality, judgment, and social graces
- Increasing irritability, anxiety, depression, confusion, and restlessness
Dementia is a syndrome (collection of symptoms) characterized by a decline in intellectual and social abilities to a sufficient degree to affect daily activities. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. It is due to a degeneration of brain cells. Some forms of dementia are caused by specific neurologic or medical diseases and may be treatable. The cause of Alzheimer’s disease, however, is unknown, and no effective treatment exists. The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are progressive, but the rate of degeneration varies greatly from person to person.
Alzheimer’s disease gradually produces abnormalities in certain areas of the brain. The particular behavioral characteristics of the disease depend on which area of the brain is most affected by the disease process. The brain cells of persons with Alzheimer’s disease have characteristic features that were first described in 1907 by Alois Alzheimer. The brain also has chemical abnormalities related to the substances that allow the brain cells to communicate with one another.
Research on the cause and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease is progressing. Among the several possible causes that are being explored are genetic factors, toxic exposures, abnormal protein production, viruses, abnormalities in the barrier between the blood and the brain, and neurochemical abnormalities. No particular hypothesis has turned out to be the entire answer thus far, but aging and genetic factors seem to contribute to the disease.
Recently, research has identified a form of protein that carries lipids (fats such as cholesterol) in the blood as a risk factor of Alzheimer’s disease. This protein does not provide a diagnostic test for the disease, but it does provide information about the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease in the future. The protein is currently the focus of a great deal of research, and its ultimate usefulness is yet to be determined.
Alzheimer’s disease accounts for approximately 50 to 60 percent of all cases of dementia. About 4 million persons in the United States have Alzheimer’s disease. The disease occurs in approximately 4 percent of person 65 to 74 years old, 10 percent or more of those 75 to 80 years, and up to 20 percent or more of those 85 years or older. Alzheimer’s disease is extremely rare in young people and uncommon in middle age.
Diagnosis
No single test can be used to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease, with the exception of a brain biopsy or an autopsy. Many of the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, such as memory loss, occur as a normal part of aging or as a part of other diseases such as vitamin B₁₂ deficiency, hypothyroidism, depression, an adverse reaction to prescribed medications, or a chronic subdural hematoma. Many of these disorders can be treated, and thus it is important for an individual with mental status abnormalities to have a thorough medical and neurologic evaluation.
A person with dementia may lack insight into his or her disability. Consequently, if you know someone who shows signs of changes in mental ability, encourage him or her to be evaluated. The person’s family and friends are essential in helping diagnose dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and also are needed for ongoing support.
Alzheimer’s disease is diagnosed by eliminating other possible causes for the changes in mental status. Initially, the person’s history is reviewed in detail, and additional information from family or friends is obtained. The person then has a thorough physical examination and a neurologic examination to determine whether some other disease is present. Hearing is often evaluated. A series of laboratory tests then are used to assess other possible causes for the changes in mental status.
A neuropsychologist may be asked to evaluate the person’s cognitive function. In particular, performance on various memory and intelligence tests will be compared with performance by normal persons of the same age. Laboratory tests to rule out other causes of the changes in mental status may include chest X-ray, electrocardiography, blood tests, CT or MRI of the head, electroencephalography, and lumbar puncture.
How Serious Is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is generally not an acute condition and often does not require emergency treatment. Abrupt changes in mental status may be due to other diseases, and they warrant medical attention. Alzheimer’s disease, however, is ultimately fatal. Affected persons eventually may become bedridden and unable to care for themselves. They eventually may die of pneumonia or other infections because of this disability. The course of Alzheimer’s disease can run from a few years to as many as 10 to 15 or more years. In the final stages, persons with Alzheimer’s disease may be unable to communicate or feed themselves and have bowel and bladder incontinence.
Treatment
During the early stages of the disorder, you can provide care at home for a friend or member of your family who has Alzheimer’s disease. It is necessary, however, to care for the person under the direction of a physician. Providing care for an individual with Alzheimer’s disease can be difficult and may be stressful to the spouse and family members. Often, those providing care need assistance from support organizations and a network of family and friends. Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease requires patience and compassion to deal with the frequent repetition of stories and questions and the occasionally offensive behavior. Eventually, the person’s condition deteriorates such that additional full-time nursing care is required, and often placement in a nursing home is necessary.
Medication
Currently, tacrine is the only medication approved for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease in the United States. This medication is intended to modify some of the symptoms of the disease, but probably does not alter the overall course. Several experimental drugs are being evaluated for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Thus far, none have proved successful for reversing the course of the disease. However, medication can be prescribed to deal with some of the behavior problems that may accompany Alzheimer’s disease. Occasionally, mild sedatives, antidepressants, or antipsychotic medications may be necessary to control behavior. These drugs, often used in low doses, can improve the person’s quality of life and assist the family in caring for the patient.
Other Therapies
Education can be very important for the caregivers in families. Learning more about the disease process and techniques for dealing with problem behaviors can be very beneficial to the patient and family. These services are often provided by local support groups.
A person with Alzheimer’s disease should be encouraged to continue his or her daily routines, physical activities, and social interactions as much as possible. General health maintenance, including proper nutrition and fluid intake, is critical, but generally, special diets and supplements are unnecessary. Exercise is important, and your physician may recommend specific physical therapies. The person should not be restricted from trying new activities, and travel with a supportive companion may be possible if arrangements are not overly complicated.
Avoid dramatic changes in routine, such as moving to a new location, reorganizing furniture, and disrupting daily habits. Avoid dangerous equipment or materials in the living environment, and monitor carefully the person’s ability to drive.
Provide practical assistance by using notes as reminders of activities. The living situation can be modified to provide calendars, lists of routine tasks, and directions for daily activities. A medical bracelet may be helpful in case the person becomes disoriented and wanders into unfamiliar settings.
Alzheimer’s disease can be a difficult disorder to deal with, but concern and compassion on the part of the persons providing care can make a difference. The assistance of a physician and the services provide by Alzheimer’s disease support groups should be sought.
Litin, S. C., & Nanda, S. (2018). Mayo Clinic family health book. Rochester, MN: Mayo Clinic.
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Salem United Church of Christ
217 Salem Drive, Plymouth, WI 53073
Phone: (920) 892-7456, Fax: (920) 892-4238
Rev. James Hoppert - Pastor, pastorjim@salemuccplywi.org or (920) 838-0405
Marsha Meyer - Dir. of Youth & Family Ministries, marsha@salemuccplywi.org
Anna Cortez - Office Manager, churchoffice@salemuccplywi.org
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