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SHATTERED MINDS – by Jozie Roberts Chapter 1

I used to wake up every morning to the smell of the ocean's breeze. It would waft into my room. Now I wake to the smell of musty sheets. I used to see the sunrise out my window, and walk the streets of Maine. Walk down to the bakery, and walk down the broken roads. Now I walk down to the dining room, down the twisting hallways, and get lost. Is it two lefts and a right, or one right one left one right? I try and find a sign, but there isn't one in sight. Instead I continue to walk the halls of St. Jose-phine’s hospital. So many people come to see me each day, and they all tell me their name, but I can never seem to remember. I ask them what it is, and with a sad look on their face they say It’s me Ma, I’m Cindy, I'm your daughter. And this is Joe, and Cady. Your grandchildren. I try my best to keep those names in my head, but by the time the little girl with the most bright eyes starts talking, telling me about school. I ask I'm sorry, but who are you? The little girl looks to her mother who has a sad face again, and the little girl says I'm Cady, you're granddaughter. I smile and tell her that I remember, and she smiles, not knowing that I really don't. I tell her you look just like my daughter. I had a daughter you know Her eyes sparkled like the sun, and she had the sweetest eyes. I loved her so much. But one day she left, and never came back. A single tear fell down the woman's cheek. I asked her what's wrong honey? She smiled and shook her head. They gave me many photos and told me lots of stories. I told them I remembered all of the moments, even though I couldn't remember a single one. Sometimes I would sit by a window, and write poems or songs, I would just start writing, even if I didn't know the words. I would read the stories after, and think it was all insane. Little did I know I was literally writing memories of my life without knowing. I once wrote a poem about walking the streets of Paris, not knowing that it happened on my anniver-sary. I wrote about a beautiful wedding, not knowing it was mine, I wrote about crazy kids not realiz-ing they were mine. Somehow my heart knew these things, but my mind didn't. In the morning, once I make it to breakfast, a man always sits by me and talks to me, I never see him anywhere else except breakfast and sometimes at games. After breakfast when the man leaves I always hear him mutter something. I never knew what he was saying, but one day I caught it. He said I love you Cassie. I don't know why he would say that, we barely even knew each other, if only my mind knew who he was. Like my heart did. Some days were better than others, some days I could remember that I was a mother, that I was 60 years old, and that my name was Cassie. Other days, the bad ones, I couldn't even remember what a spoon was called. I used to be able to remember from when I was even just 5 years old, I could remember most everything. Now, nothing. I used to play instruments and billions of pieces of music, now I forget the tune to happy birthday, and even my own birthday. Now I walk down the hall and forget where I am going. Every morning, someone comes into my room to wake me and tell me it's time for breakfast, I am always awake be-fore they get there, but I still need them to come get me or else I would never even leave the room. I would sit in my room all day writing poems, not knowing they were my memories that I was writing. The next morning that the man came I asked him what is your name? He looked at me clearly shocked, most likely because I don't usually talk to him at all. He smiled and said My name is Jason. Do you know who I am? I just smiled, I didn't know what else to do, I didn't remember who he was, but clearly he knew me. I just said Yesterday you said that you loved me as you were leaving, how can you love me, we barely know each other? How can you love someone you barely know? The man named Jason looked at me with a sad face. I can love you because you're not someone I just met or someone that I barely know. You are my favorite person in the world, you are my wife, and even if you don't remember me ever again, I will always remember you and how much I love you. I just stared at him with wide eyes, I didn't know what to say. Here this man was, professing his love to me, and I didn't even know who he was, besides his name. My heart started racing, and all I could do was sit and stare, then everything went black.

PRAYER MINISTRY “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, pre-sent your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6. If you would like to add a prayer request to this monthly list, please contact one of the Elders. For prayer requests to be included in the weekly bulletin, please contact Tammy Meyer ([email protected]) before Thursday of each week.

PRAYER CHAIN If you have any prayer requests or want to be included on the Ebenezer Prayer Chain, please contact Karol Wesemann at 920-261-7388 OR [email protected]. The most important thing to remember is to have permission of the person or family before you request it be included on the Prayer Chain. Also, please be sure to just give facts and don’t add any rumors or assumptions. Please use any information you get just for the prayer request. In the absence of a Pastor, our Board of Elders are our spiritual leaders and every-one should be looking to them for guidance.

REMEMBER: Church services will begin at 10am Starting Sunday, September 3rd.

As a Praying Church, We Remember In Our Prayers…….Lord, hear our prayers. Prayers Brian and his family, Megan for peace, perseverance, acceptance and hope. Prayers always for Todd Hamann. Janet Butzine as she continues to adjust to her new living space at Sunset Ridge. Tom Naatz — Prayer for Tom’s cousin Lori who passed away. Prayers of comfort and peace for her husband Jim and children. Gerald & Paula Harris — Prayers for Paula’s uncle in the hospital with pneumonia and dementia getting worse. Continued prayers for Paula’s cousin Julie who is battling lung cancer. Prayers for those looking for employment. Jim & Kathy Baum — Prayers of joy and thanksgiving. Amanda and Jimmy are expecting baby #4 in March. Prayers for a healthy pregnancy and baby.

The Ebenezer Family extends

their condolences and sympathy to Barb Braasch

and her family on the death of Ellis.

Doug Schefft, Elder

920-285-1045 Buzz Orval, Trustee

Chair 920-674-3440

Women’s Retreat BREATHE JUST BREATHE

The Lake Mills Moravian Women invite you to come for a weekend of fellowship, laughter, and re-flection to seek God’s face and experience the breath of God.

LOCATION: Mount Morris Camp & Conference Center DATES: September 22 - 24, 2017

The guest speaker will be Amy Anderson. Her topic for the weekend, “Breathe Just Breathe”, re-minds us that in the midst of our chaotic life, it is important to slow down, breathe and take time to focus on God’s Spirit as breath, wind and life. We hope you can join us at tranquil Mt. Morris to take time to relax and “Breathe Just Breathe”. The cost will be $120 for housing in Black Oak (Bathroom in each room and linens included) or $90 for housing in one of the cabins (Community bathroom and you must provide your own linens or a sleeping bag and pillow). Housing is on a “first come, first served basis”. Friday dinner through Sunday breakfast meals are included. If you are only able to come for part of the weekend, that could be accommodated as well. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact:

Cindy Fahney — [email protected] — 920-648-5744 Diane McFarlane — [email protected] — 920-988-1993

Cindy Miller — [email protected] — 920-648-36232

Registration forms may be picked up in the church Narthex. You may also go to our website and print a registration form. Registration and room assignments are at Arrowhead on Friday night from 5:15 to 5:45 pm, with

dinner at 6:30 pm. Departure time is Sunday at 11:30 am Please return registration form with a $50 deposit or full payment as soon as possible. Registration forms and money MUST be received BY September 11th.

Invite a family member or friend. All are welcome!

Moravian Women will begin meeting in September. We

need on the first Wednesday of each month at 9 am. Please contact Linda Rabbach if you

have any questions.

1 - Will Brown

2 - Virginia Naatz 2 - Judith Strauss 3 - Kathleen Orval 11 - James Parmley

11 - Benjamin Berger 15 - James Baum 15 - Robert Hahn

16 - Julie Pattengale 19 - Sally Parmley 20 - Carol Schultz

25 - Robert Hamann 25 - Dalton Krueger

28 - Kathly Liederbach 29 - Janet Butzine

29 - Liz Walsh

12 - Scott & Jill Beerbohm 14 - Bob & Tammy Meyer 18 - John & Jean Walker

18 - Travis & Emily Hamann 30 - Joe & Shelly Degrandt

30 - Robert & Dianne Hamann

All services at 9am (except as noted) September 3: Dan Behrend

September 10: Barbara Rich - communion September 17: Dan Behrend

September 24: Kay Ward October 1: Bruce Jones

October 8: Kay Ward October 15: Dan Behrend

October 22: Tom Naatz October 29: Justin Rabbach

November 5: Al Bergman November 12: Kay Ward - communion

November 19: Dan Behrend November 26: Bruce Jones

December 3: Barbara Rich - communion December 10: Dan Behrend

December 17: CEF - Children’s Christmas Program

December 24: Dan Behrend December 31: Dan Behrend

REQUEST: Linda Butzine (Janet’s daughter) is asking for help with bringing Janet to Sunday services. It would not be every Sunday; but she is looking for assistance. Please e-mail Linda at — [email protected].

LOOKING AHEAD………….

Ebenezer will be on deck for serving Meals on Wheels the week of October 23 - 27. More information to come in the next newsletter.

Board of Elders - Support the spiritual care and oversight of the church, which includes the programs and services done at the church. Board of Trustees - Support the oversight of all affairs of the church, making sure all bills are paid, the church is maintained and all necessary repairs are done. CEF - Support the Sunday School program and fundraising events for camp and other church-affiliated programs.

2017/2018 SUNDAY SCHOOL SESSION Sunday, September 10th begins our next Sunday school session; and the start time will be moving back to 8:45 am, with classes ending at 9:45 am. We will open this session with a “Rally Sunday” as we’ve done in the past few years. We will sing songs, play games, listen to a story and have some snacks. We encourage parents to join us for Rally Sunday. We ask that you fill out a new registration form, just to make sure we have your most current contact information and that we have any updates concerning special needs for your child. We have made some class changes this year. As the kids continue to grow, it’s important to move up to new and exciting things! Those changes are: Emmaleigh Rein, Kaylin Bender and Bohdi Degrandt will be moving to the teen class with Tom Naatz as their teacher. Tom will also be teaching the confirmation class, in the absence of a Pastor, and these three youth will be participating in that. Mason Baneck, Thomas Baum, Andre Caratechea and Jackson Hamman will be graduating to the “Junior” class with Mrs. Paula as their teacher. Mrs. Dawn’s class will be full with all the beautiful “little lambs” that we currently have, and more to come, as we have recently learned! We are truly blessed! Parents, please keep in mind that you are always welcome to join our Adult class, led by Linda Rabbach, while your kids are here for Sunday school. If you are interested, please let Linda or myself know, so she can plan to have extra resources available.

Paula Harris, Sunday School Superintendent

VBS 2017 This year we held a one-day, action-packed Vacation Bible School studying “Creation”. With the help of Jozie, Bohdi and Dalton we did not lose any of the eleven kids who came to have fun and learn about God, the Bible and love! Trudy Krueger and Paula fed us, Jozie taught us songs and Kris led the story and prayer. Dawn was again the organizer and director; and we all helped with crafts, games, songs and fellowship. Kid participants this year were: Chloe, Mason & Archer Baneck, Thomas & Jameson Baum, Andre Caratachea, Lucas Maass, Lilly Orval & her friend Lea, Patrick & Sarahlyn Webb. Thanks be to God for the blessings of a church family!

GREETERS, LAY READERS & FELLOWSHIP HOSTS If you are interested in being a greeter or lay reader, or hosting Fellowship Hour after the church service, please sign up. The Elder on duty each month will pass around the clipboards before worship begins and will collect them at the end of announcements. If you wish to sign up after the service is over, the clipboards will be in the Narthex.

July 23 - 50

July 30 - 45 August 6 – 70 August 13 - 32

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!! WHEN: Friday, January 25th to Sunday, January 27th WHERE: Mount Morris

ACTIVITY GROUP “A” - Leaders Bob (920-342-4304) & Tammy (920-342-3849) Meyer August - October 2017

ACTIVITY GROUP “B” - Co-Leaders Dennis & Linda Rabbach (920-699-3781) AND Tom & Virginia Naatz (920-699-3118)

November 2017 - January 2018 ACTIVITY GROUP “C” - Co-leaders Linda & Gregg Lippens (920-261-2061)

AND Doug (920-285-1045) & Kris (920-285-1048) Schefft May - July 2017

September 3 AND September 10 Gregg Lippens, Linda Lippens, Craig Cahill & Trudi Wesemann

September 17 AND September 24 Eric Rein, Allison Rein, Tom Naatz & Virginia Naatz

LOAVES & FISHES Contact Linda Lippens

In partnership with the Watertown Moravian Church, we provide dinner for our community free of charge every Monday evening. The meal served every Monday, except holidays, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Watertown Moravian Church, 510 Cole Street.

SEPTEMBER MENU 4 - CLOSED - Labor Day

11 - Chicken 18 - Spaghetti

25 - TBA

SEPTEMBER VOLUNTEERS 4 - CLOSED - Labor Day

11 - Summit Harvest Church 18 - Farmington All Stars 4H Group

25 - Church Women United

CAPITAL FUND DRIVE — MOUNT MORRIS Over a year ago the Board of Mt. Morris Camp and Conference Center approved a capi-tal fund drive designed to enlarge Arrowhead in order to provide a multipurpose dining space and enlarge the kitchen. It had become obvious to the board that with groups in-creasingly using the food service program there was not sufficient space to allow multi-ple groups to use Arrowhead for both program and dining. While there is no good time for a fund raising program, doing nothing means limiting the growth that is needed in or-der to continue the camping program and to provide our congregations retreat and con-ference opportunities.

The addition that has been proposed would require $600,000 in pledges over a 5 year period. All members of the board and the District board have made pledges, as well as the Christian Education commission and our camps. In order to proceed, our congregations are being asked to support this effort through individual pledges and other fund raising methods. The addition will not move forward until sufficient pledges have been received. More information is available at Mt- Morris.org or you can contact Jane Harberg at [email protected]

REACHING OUT… This is a list of members that may not be able to attend church regularly. Please feel free to contact them via mail. If you wish to have your contact information or someone close to you added, please contact Shelly Degrandt at (920)988-6281 or at [email protected]

Janet Butzine c/o Sunset Ridge

1275 Remmel Drive

Johnson Creek, WI 53038

Leroy Gronert, Sr. Dycora Nursing Home

Apt. 201

430 Wilcox St. Fort Atkinson, WI 53538

Marion Schwartz

Marquardt Memorial Manor

1020 Hill St. Room 706

Watertown, WI 53098 Douglas Rabbach Park Ridge (Zinzendorf)

1148 Bayberry Drive

Watertown, WI 53098

Naomi Athas

301 Jackson Street Fort Atkinson, WI 53538

Joyce Kopp

317 Lauren Lane

Watertown, WI 53094

Carol Schultz

800 Hidde Dr. Apt. 201

Watertown, WI 53551

Todd Hamann #627678

John C Burke Correctional Center

900 South Madison St. Waupun, WI 53963

Operation Christmas Child SHOEBOX STORIES

A doll. A yo yo. A toothbrush. A toy car. Every item lovingly added to an Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift has the potential to influence a child. Each month we will print one of a series of articles in which recipients give a first-hand account of the eternal impact of a gift delivered in Jesus’ Name. This month we will learn about Nadia and A Doll.

“As a Christian from a low-income family in Ukraine, I saw my shoebox gift as an answer to my mother’s prayers.”

While growing up in Ukraine I lived in a three-bedroom apartment with my family of 11. Toys were rare in our neighborhood. I remember one of my neighbors showing me her doll from her balcony because it was too valuable to bring outside. My father had a difficult time finding a job because he was the pastor of an underground church. Communism fell when I was 7, but Christians were still persecuted — even being thrown in jail for other people’s crimes. There were times when we had no food, but my mother would fast and stay up all night praying for God’s provision. He always came through for us, but when we sang “Jesus loves all the children of the world” at church, I wondered why he let some of us be poor. One day while my dad was in the countryside preaching, my mom loaded all nine of us kids on a bus to take us to an “Operation Christmas Child” outreach event. I was 10 at the time. The first thing that stood out to me when we arrived were all the smiling people. In the Ukraine then, people weren’t happy. Though I was already a Christian, I felt like the people leading the event truly showed me the light and joy found in Christ. As I received my shoebox gift along with all of my siblings, it was an answer to my mom’s prayers that God would provide. Inside my box, I found a doll wearing a dress and pink plastic heels. I was so surprised, I thought, Is that for me? I felt so special — so loved! I was delighted to share my new treasure with my friends. Every day, we played with the doll together outside. Each night, one of my friends took her home for a sleepover. This continued day after day. I moved to the United States with my family at age 14. I grew up, went to school, and got married. Three years ago, I was in a Christian store that was giving away empty Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. As they encouraged people to pack them, I realized I was a shoebox recipient as a little girl. From that point on, my husband and I and our three children began packing shoebox gifts to send to children in need. A year later, my parents started packing shoeboxes, too. They were like little kids as they filled the boxes. They were so excited to be a part of answering the prayers of other families around the world. I also recently learned that my doll — which I received more than 20 years ago — is still being enjoyed by family friends in Ukraine. Today, I live in Ohio, and my prayer as I drop off my family’s shoeboxes is that God will work through our gifts and draw children closer to Himself. When I began speaking for Operation Christmas Child last year, I realized just how much of a spiritual difference my shoebox made in my life. It helped me experience God’s love and grow in my faith. I am grateful now to have the opportunity to share the importance of giving—in Jesus’ Name — with others.

The SEPTEMBER deadline is Monday, September 18th.

Please feel free to submit something you would like to share in the next edition of The Messenger. Please send your sub-mission to Dawn at [email protected]. Thank you for your participation in this very important Ebenezer ministry.

PLEASE remember…………..there is an Ebenezer Face Book page out there that does NOT belong to us. So when and if you ever post and/or want to visit, our name is “Ebenezer Moravian”. Please do not in-clude the word “Church”.

CONFIRMATION CLASS Confirmation class for our Ebenezer youth aged 5th grade and older, will begin on Wednesday September 6th, from 6pm - 8pm in the Piper Room at the church. Tom Naatz will be teaching the class in the absence of a pastor. The Board of Eld-ers felt that confirmation of faith education should continue for those students who started when Pastor Sanette was here. Kaylin Bender, Emmaleigh Rein, and Bohdi Degrandt are members of the class. Confirmation of faith is a rite by which persons who were baptized as infants and children, publicly affirm the covenant made for them in baptism and confirm their faith. In the Moravian church today Confirmation of Faith follows a period of instruction in the beliefs, doctrines, practices, and heritage of the church. Through confirmation of faith a person enters into fuller participation in the responsibilities and privileges of church membership. This includes regular participation in worship, stewardship and supporting the church financially as they are able, making the commitment to serve the church and the larger community, and bearing witness to the love of God for the world. If you are the parent of a confirmation aged child and have questions about what we will be studying, and the resources we will be using, please contact Tom Naatz. Home 920-699-3118 Cell 920-248-1029. Following is a schedule of dates for confirmation class: September 6 & 20, October 4 & 18, November 8 & 22, December 6 & 20, January 3, 17 & 31. Please notify Tom of major conflicts with any of the above dates so other dates can be scheduled. Class time will be Wednesday from 6 - 8pm.

PASS THIS ON..............YOU NEVER KNOW WHO MAY BE IN NEED The first sentence is pretty powerful!

God determines who walks into your life....it's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who

you refuse to let go.'

Father, God, bless all my friends in whatever it is that you know they may need this day! And may their lives be full of your peace, prosperity and power as they seek to have a closer relationship with you. Amen

Now send it on to other people. Within hours you caused a multitude of people to pray for other people.

P.S.. More is better; who else do you know that needs prayer? Make it a wonderful day!!!

We hereby appoint all church members, friends and family who take pictures dur-ing church events an un-official “church photographer”. Every time you find your-self taking pictures of church activities, ministries, church grounds and church fa-cilities, please send them as jpg files to Dawn Westenberg at [email protected]. We desperately need to update the photographs cur-rently on our website. We are looking for new group pictures of the Board of Elders, Trustees, CEF Committee, Choir, Moravian Women and Cemetery Board. We also need to up-date our “meet the Board” page and need individual pictures of the Vice Chair Elder and Secretary and Chair and Vice-Chair Trustee.

NOISY OFFERING The Noisy Offerings collected in April, May and June for the Watertown Family Center came to $569.98. Thank you!

Our Lamb has Conquered, Let us Follow Him” Sunday, September 17, 2017

Southern Wisconsin Moravians for Mission (SWMM) will be celebrating the annual Lovefeast at the Glenwood Moravian Church located at 725 Gilmore Street in Madison at 2:00 pm. SWMM is excited to have Bishop Kay Ward as the guest speaker. Bishop Ward is an author and has taught at the Mo-ravian Theological Seminary. She is a popular, engaging speaker who will present about “Follow the Lamb”. There will be a light meal for all following the Lovefeast. Everyone is invited and encouraged to bring a friend.

Notice to past choir members and anyone interested in joining Senior Choir!

Choir will begin in September.

Please speak with or e-mail Glennis — [email protected] as to what eve-ning you would be able to practice (6:45 or 7:00 pm for an hour.)

Please wish an extra special Happy Birthday to Bob Hahn. We’re not saying HOW old, but he is

the OLDEST member of Ebenezer. Bob’s birthday is on September 15th.

NOISY OFFERING July – September: Tricklebee Café

October - December: Loaves & Fishes If you have any suggestions for future rotations, please share your idea with one of the Elders.