MINISTRIES
Below are the various ministries available at Asbury.
Watch the calendar for upcoming events or contact the church office if you are interested (608) 752-7961.
Asbury-To-Go (Contact Pat Spors)
Offers various fellowship outings throughout the year for members and friends of Asbury.
Bible Study (Contact Peggy Eggen)
A wonderful opportunity for spiritual growth, fellowship, and learning. Includes exploring scripture, discussing and reflecting, and prayer.
Book Club (Contact Jan Diers) - Meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 4:30 p.m.
Offers warm fellowship and motivating discussion for church members and friends to come together to read and discuss books. The book club provides a space for members and friends to engage in meaningful conversations, share insights, and support each other's spiritual journeys. The book club can be a way to foster community, deepen understanding, and create lasting friendships among members. The group enjoys reading a variety of inspiring subjects by various authors from famous to local writers. The contents range from short lighthearted, feel-good stories, to deeper soul-searching topics that challenge us. A new book is chosen monthly to read.
Care Team Ministry (Contact Pastor Jill Nowlen)
Provide support and care for Asbury's shut-ins and those who are ill. Team members will visit shut-ins, offer them communion, send greeting cards
Church Council (Contact Pastor Jill Nowlen)
The council is composed of members who represent the program ministries of the church. The chair of the council is elected annually by the church conference and serves as the executive agency of the church conference between meetings to oversee the administration and ministry of the congregation.
Education Team (Contact Pastor Jill Nowlen, Pastor Kellen Roggenbuck, or Donna Havens)
The Education Team combines the efforts of the Youth Ministries, Children’s and Rotation Sunday School teams as they plan out the yearly educational opportunities for each group throughout the year. This team encourages all to grow in their relationship with God.
Fellowship Coordinator (Contact Vicki Jo Barlass)
Coordinates snacks and coffee before and after worship.
Finance Team (Contact Lynn Curtis)
The Finance Team is primarily responsible for overseeing all the financial transactions of the church through developing policies and procedures, authorization controls, yearly audit reviews and increasing stewardship.
Financial Secretary (Money Counter) (Contact Vicki Jo Barlass)
Receives, records, and deposits all funds received by the congregation in a timely, thorough, and confidential manner. The financial secretary works with the treasurer and committee on finance to develop policies and procedures to that funds can be made available to support the ministry of the congregation.
Greeter (Contact Debra North)
Welcome members and guests with a warm smile and a "Good Morning". Greeting is a vital part of how we share God's hospitality. After worship, stand by the front door again and express your appreciation to the worshipers as they leave by saying "Thank You for worshiping with us today!"
History and Archives (Contact: Connie Nelson)
Documents the historical identity of our congregation with orderly records so that heritage will be preserved and can be built on into the future.
Lay Leader (Contact Peggy Eggen)
The Lay Leader functions as the primary representative and role model of Christian discipleship and faith lived out in the church and in daily life. The lay leader works with the pastor to fulfill the mission and vision of the congregation.
Lay Servant Ministers (Contact Pastor Jill Nowlen or Peggy Eggen)
A layperson who is trained to lead, care for, and communicate ministry.
Liturgist (Contact Peggy Eggen)
The liturgists will read the scriptures during Sunday's worship service.
Ministry Matters (Formerly Rethink Church) (Contact: Pat Spors or Diane Bundy)
This group is aimed at redefining what it means to be a church and to do church. It seeks to transform the church from a building to a movement of people who are empowered to make a difference in the world. This team meets the first Monday of each month at 3:00 p.m. in the Peace Room.
Ministry Matters bases our ministry on the scripture reading from Matthew 25: 35-40.
I was hungry and you gave me something to eat … thirsty and you gave me something to drink … a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me … sick and you took care of me … in prison and you came to visit me… Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it for me.
Our purpose is bringing awareness of the many needs in our community and the world and joining together as Disciples of Christ to meet those needs. Each month we focus on a specific organization. We promote and briefly educate each cause through video clips and guest speakers during our Sunday Ministry Matters moments, and through articles in our monthly church newsletter and weekly worship bulletin. A few of the varied programs that we are involved with are located under "Missions and Outreach."
Movie Night
We try to have a Movie Night/Movie afternoon during the summer hours.
Prayer Shawl Ministry (Stitching Group)
This group meets weekly on Wednesday's, 9:00 - 10:30. This ministry is open to anyone who can knit or crochet who would like to help in creating shawls which are then given as gifts of hope, comfort, healing, peace and love.
Staff Parish Relations Team (Contact: Peggy Eggen)
This team supports our pastor(s) and other staff so that they can work effectively in managing the ministry of our congregation for witness and service.
Stewardship
Leads the congregation in understanding and practicing Christian stewardship, focusing on transformation of the world through stewardship. Coordinates stewardship ministries, implements stewardship programs and events, collaborates with finance leaders, etc.
Trustees (Contact: Russ Dahlke)
This team functions as Christian stewards of property that God has entrusted to the congregation. This includes supervising and maintaining both the physical property of the congregation and gifts made to the congregation so that the ministries of the congregation can be effective and all legal requirements related to the property are satisfied.
United Methodist Covenant Guild (Contact: Lois McKinney)
This group of women meets for breakfast the 2nd Wednesday of the month at Eagle Inn. Contact the church office for more information 608-752-7961.
United Methodist Men (Contact: Larry Abbott and Bob Banner)
Their motto is “Every man share in Evangelism, Mission and Spiritual Life”. Their purpose is “to be a creative, supportive fellowship of men who seek to know Jesus Christ, to grow spiritually and to seek daily his will. Our primary purpose is to declare the centrality of Christ in the lives of men and in all their relationships.” They are currently meeting on a monthly basis and help out with the GIFTS (homeless shelter for men) and are working with A-OK (Acts of Kindness).
United Women in Faith (Contact: Pat Spors)
The mission is to connect and nurture women to inspire, influence, and impact local and global communities. Focuses on Christian spiritual formation, leadership development, and advocacy for justice, particularly for women, children, and youth. It aims to be a powerful force driven by God's love and united in sisterhood.
Valet Parking
Be prepared to offer valet parking to those in need before worship. After worship, bring the cars to the front door for those who had required valet parking.
WORSHIP TEAM
Acolyte (Contact: Mark Wheaton)
Light the altar candles at the beginning of worship and extinguish the candles at the end of worship.
Usher - Contact: Mark Wheaton
Ushers are our front-line ministers of welcome. Ushers serve as the hosts for worship. The role as an usher is critically important to set the tone of welcoming in the congregation. Ushers will greet visitors, collect offerings, help with seating and hearing-assisted devices (if necessary), assist acolytes, maintain the sanctuary, ensure candles are filled, ensure candle batteries are replaced, and record attendance. They will provide directions and other assistance as needed. They will assist in serving communion in the pews.
Music Ministry (Choir Director, Praise Band and Bell Choir Leader: Wendy Anderson-Markow; Jazz Band Leader: Connie Nelson)
The music ministry serves to enhance worship, foster community, and prepare hearts for the message of God through the power of music. It's a wonderful way to express your faith and love for God. Asbury's Music Ministry includes the Vocal Choir, Handbells/Chimes, Bell Choir (Handbells/Chimes), Praise Band, and Jazz Band.
Visual Media Aid Creator (Contact: James Foss, Connie Nelson or Lynn Curtis)
They create the visual media aids for worship services. These aids can include PowerPoint-projected slides, videos and other visual elements that enhance the worship experience.
PowerPoint Clicker (Contact: James Foss or Lynn Curtis)
This person clicks the PowerPoints in Sunday's worship that were created by the Visual Media Aid Creator.
Photographer (Contact Connie Nelson)
Be available to take photographs of Asbury's various missions and ministries to share with the History and Archives team.
Soundboard Operator (Contact James Foss or Patrick Waite)
Soundboard operator controls the sound board during Sunday services and other church events. This may involve the management of microphones, adjusting of sound levels, and ensuring clear audio for congregants.
Videographer (Contact: Paige Waite or Connie Nelson)
This person is responsible for videorecording Sunday worship services which may also include Choir, Praise Band, Jazz Band, Handbells/Chimes.
Online Streaming (future possibility)
Video Editor (Contact: Connie Nelson or Lynn Curtis)
The video editor edits the video created by the videographer and prepares the video for upload to YouTube and Asbury's website.
Webmaster (Contact Connie Nelson)
The webmaster plays a crucial role in maintaining the church's online presence and supporting its outreach efforts. The webmaster manages the website, monitors and reports analytics. Ensures that the church's communications are effective, engaging, and aligned with its mission and values.
YouTube Updater (Contact Connie Nelson)
Uploads the video content prepared by the Video Editor to YouTube and make sure the video meets YouTube guidelines.