• Paint the back hallway
• Finish the trim/moulding in the back room
• Clean/organize the front room in the basement
• Help with on-going cleaning

"Did you hear about..."

"I can't believe he..."

Words matter. When I've been wronged or sinned against, it's easy to want to run to a friend to gather my defenses, build up my position, and proclaim the wrongness of others.

But Jesus leads me to another way.

In Matthew 18, Jesus gives us a clear way of dealing with conflict and sin within the family of God. Rather than running to others, we're to run to the person who's wronged us.

As a part of our gathering this Sunday, we'll explore Jesus' teaching about conflict, and how to promote unity in the church family. We'll also worship together through music, communion, and prayer.

We'll be serving from 9am-12pm. If you can't join us the full time, that's ok...help when you can.

Two-and-a-half years ago, a small group of people met at Jeff Lovell’s home to discuss the concept of a new church – and how it could best serve the community.  Now that same group is not only serving the community – they’re serving coffee, as well.

As coffee shops go, Stoughton’s newest java joint is fairly typical: an array of coffee beverages, espresso and tea, a small assortment of bakery items, comfy couches, café tables and free WiFi.

But what’s unique about this coffeehouse is that it doubles as the meeting place for Watershed: a community church on Sundays.

Read the full article...

See you Sunday!

It’s been long, busy days around watershed the past 2 months. We’ve moved into a new ministry location. God miraculously provided us a building, and He is providing everything along the way. After years of being nomadic, God brought us into the heart of Stoughton, in a building that we could not afford to buy but are leasing for a great price.

This entire blessing comes in the midst of a difficult budget season when finances are more than just "tight"... when the blessing of God and reality of crisis are enough to fracture your psyche.  It is here in the midst of all of this that many volunteers within the watershed family have worked tirelessly to make this huge move into our new hub happen.

There are moments in our journeys of faith when we are sure that God has opened the door for us to walk into a miracle, and yet the obstacles leave us wondering if it may all come undone.

You believe that God is in it, with you and calling you but you fear that you may just be fooling yourself. Recently, I was talking with a friend about the reality of walking by faith and leading a community that is not a business but a family of people. What matters to us? Relationships or budgets? The walk of faith or foresight and control?

The fact that we have gotten this far is a miracle in and of itself. There is something symbolic for us that a community, started in a living room would be graced by God to have a sign in the middle of the city as we seek to be an outpost for the Kingdom of God.

Last week, I finally recognized that I was feeling very tired. Celebrating and thankful for sure, but also just really tired. I needed to catch my breath for a moment. Just as I was turning on my "out of office" email reply, I saw one more email come in and I decided to read it.

A respected pastor I know was telling about something in his church, and share a poem from  Wendell Berry, a writer, subversive Christian, and sustainable farmer. Normally I save poems for my "later" reading, but this time dove in...

By Wendell Berry

Love the quick profit, the annual raise, and vacation with pay.
Want more of everything made.
Be afraid to know your neighbors and to die.
And you will have a window in your head.
Not even your future will be a mystery any more.
Your mind will be punched in a card and shut away in a little drawer.
When they want you to buy something they will call you.
When they want you to die for profit they will let you know.
So, friends, every day do something that won’t compute.
Love the Lord. Love the world. Work for nothing.
Take all that you have and be poor.
Love someone who does not deserve it.
Denounce the government and embrace the flag.
Hope to live in that free republic for which it stands.
Give your approval to all you cannot understand.
Praise ignorance,
For what man has not encountered he has not destroyed.
Ask the questions that have no answers.
Invest in the millennium.
Plant sequoias.
Say that your main crop is the forest that you did not plant,
That you will not live to harvest.

Say that the leaves are harvested when they have rotted into the mold.
Call that profit. Prophesy such returns.
Put your faith in the two inches of humus that will build under the trees
Every thousand years.
Listen to carrion–put your ear close,
And hear the faint chattering of the songs that are to come.
Expect the end of the world.
Laugh. Laughter is immeasurable.
Be joyful though you have considered all the facts.
So long as women do not go cheap for power,
Please women more than men.
Ask yourself: Will this satisfy a woman satisfied to bear a child?
Will this disturb the sleep of a woman near to giving birth?
Go with your love to the fields.
Lie easy in the shade. Rest your head in her lap.
Swear allegiance to what is nighest your thoughts.
As soon as the generals and politicos can predict the motions
Of your mind, lose it.
Leave it as a sign to mark the false trail, the way you didn’t go.
Be like the fox who makes more tracks than necessary,
Some in the wrong direction.
Practice resurrection.

After reading the poem, I sat there stunned and a bit emotional because in the midst of the joy of blessing and the fear of crisis, and the doubts that come from wondering if you run a church like a church and not a business, will you ultimately fail in this world, God provided an email poem for me at just the right time.

Jesus knew I needed Wendell Berry to remind me that doing it the right way, waiting on God and practicing resurrection is at the core of this journey that Jesus has us on. It was a gracious reminder that God is here, with us and for us and that we have to stay on this journey of faith regardless of how we may tire from it.

As I drove through Stoughton the next day, past an empty store front, a bar, and a craft store, I looked up to see the sign for watershed. Our little symbol that God is our living and resurrected God who has placed us in the middle of the city to practice resurrection. Follow Jesus regardless of how hard the journey is, never resign yourself to worldly tactics and never stop believing that our God reigns.

In the midst of the mighty acts of God’s blessing, He still shows up in the simple but profound faith building acts of kindness. A great friend, a timely email, a poem, and a little sign in downtown Stoughton.

There's plenty of space, free wifi, and a child-friendly room. But best of all...a portion of every purchase goes straight to meeting needs in Stoughton. You can also suggest needs you may know of.

==Cafe Hours==
Monday - closed
Tuesday - 7-11am
Wednesday - 7-11am
Thursday - 7-11am
Friday - 7-11am
Saturday - 7am-4pm
Sunday - 7am-4pm

With that in mind, the Lovells are hosting a gathering of friends and neighbors this Wednesday night beginning at 5:30 (details)...a great way to connect and share life together.

We're working on other events to host here at the cafe that will let people connect. (Game nights, music nights, kid's story time, and more.) See the calendar for more details.

Watershed Update 2010-06-03 from watershed: a community church on Vimeo.

We'll be working in the space all day Saturday, beginning at 8am. Specifically, we need help with setup, cleaning, and putting on the final touches...all skill levels can be put to use! :)

This Sunday, we open the doors of the watershed cafe for our first "public" gathering in the space. We'll begin promptly at 10am. Can you come early to help create a welcoming environment for others who will join us? Also, for those interested, we'll gather in the back room at 9:30 for a brief time of prayer.

See you soon!

to join in our month-long celebration launching our new hub for watershed life at 129 E. Main Street in Stoughton.

We’ll kick things off at 10am on Sunday, June 6th.

Arrive early and grab some coffee from the café. Then, celebrate with us and discover more of how life with God can turn our dreams into reality.

Everyone’s welcome!

This Sunday, May 23 | Our final gathering at Asbjornson House - We'll look ahead in faith together. Feel free to stick around after to help us pack up.

Tuesday, May 25 at 6pm | Work night to help prep the new space at 129 E Main. Specifically, we need help with these kinds of things:

• Priming, painting, trimming
• Carpentry
• Drywall hanging, taping, mudding,
• Setup & Decorating
• CLEANING!

If you'd like to help, but can't make it on Tuesday, just let Jeff Lovell know, and he'll arrange a time that works for you.

Sunday, May 30 - Dedication of 129 East Main | Using prayer and the scriptures, we'll let our first act together in the new space be committing ourselves to serving Jesus in Stoughton. This will be a great gathering for adults and children alike. Details...

Sunday, June 6 - watershed gathers at 129 East Main | We celebrate and kickoff gathering at the new watershed café (serving Real.Good.Coffee.). Details...

This Summer | Acts of service, watershed neighborhoods, monthly meals, and more...stay tuned.

And, you can always check out our calendar to see what's coming up.

Saturday
On Saturday, we have a great opportunity to be a part of the Syttende Mai festivities here in Stoughton. We’ll be helping with the race/walk, by hosting the tent at the finish line at Mandt Park (map), full of refreshing food and drinks for the runners & walkers. Can you please join us to help setup, serve, or cleanup?

We have 2 shifts: 6:15am-9am, and 9am - noon. First shift will do setup, prepping all kinds of fruit and snacks. Second shift will serve food & drinks as the runners and walkers arrive, and then help with cleanup. If you can only come for a little, while, that’s fine - we’d just love to have you be a part of the day with us.

Those arriving for the early shift can park near the community building at Mandt Park, and the second shift will need to find parking on the streets nearby.

Sunday
On Sunday, we’ll gather at East Side Park (map) at 10am for a brief time to celebrate, pray and honor God together. If the temperature is above 50 degrees and not raining, we'll be there. Otherwise you can find us at Asbjornson House (map).

Our gathering this Sunday will give everyone an opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way. Sometime this week, take some time to read Jesus' story of the Prodigal Son found in Luke 15:11-32. Then, using your own gifts and talents, find a way to express yourself this Sunday (kids too!). Maybe you use art, music, a reading, food, an activity, something for kids...whatever.

Our time together will be made up entirely of your contributions...and I'm excited to see the results. Most of all, God will be honored by you playing your part.

2010-04-27 watershed current from watershed: a community church on Vimeo.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Location: 129 East Main Street, Stoughton, WI US 53589

Help clean the upstairs apartment. if you can, bring cleaning supplies: all-purpose cleaner, bathroom cleaner, window cleaner, rags, broom, ladder, etc.

Saturday, May 01, 2010, 9:00 AM - ???

Location: 129 East Main Street, Stoughton, WI US 53589

Join us for light demo work at the new space downtown. Bring a hammer, crowbar, scrapers, etc. We'll be tearing down/repurposing walls, removing wallpaper, taking down display boards, etc.

You can help make it all happen...through prayer, through physical labor, through financial gifts. Can you help Make It Real and let us know how you might play a part?

Financially, we still need to raise approximately $5000 for Phase 1.

You can give online, or send your gifts to

Watershed
808 Valley View Drive
Stoughton, WI 53589

For example, instead of "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth," Jesus taught to turn the other cheek. Instead of hating your enemies, his message was to love them.

The upside-down way of Jesus says there is more to life than life. He teaches that real life is found when we die.

Just when the story seemed over, when Jesus was killed and buried, the story turns upside-down again. Death doesn't win. That's what Easter is all about. Easter is the difference between life and death, and it all comes down to the Resurrection. The resurrection is enough.

Jesus defeated the misconception that death is death. He conquered the grave.

Death is swallowed by triumphant Life! Who got the last word? Oh, death? Oh, death, who's afraid of you now?

-1 Corinthians 15:55 in The Message

May you celebrate the real goodness of this Friday.

Whether you're regularly connected to watershed, or perhaps it's been a little while since we've connected...I want to invite you to celebrate Easter with us. On Sunday, April 4th, we'll join together to rediscover why Jesus' resurrection matters...what it means for life today. If you've ever felt weak, had doubts, or ever wanted more out of life...Easter is for you.

We'll meet at Asbjornson House (map) at 9:30am for brunch. You're welcome to bring some food to share, if you like, but there's no obligation.  We will sing, we will share stories, we will pray, and we will let the scriptures teach us. We'll also have an Easter egg hunt for the kids following our gathering.

I hope you can join us!

I'd like to ask you to play a part. Would you consider how your tools, your treasures, and your talents could be a part of making it real? How could you respond and contribute to the life of your church family?

In the past few weeks, the plans have come together very well, but we still need people to help make it all happen...through prayer, through physical labor, through financial gifts. Can you help Make It Real and let us know how you might play a part?

We have a matching gift available that will match all financial gifts received before May 1, up to $5000. When you send your gift before May 1, you double your gift, and help us get off to a healthy start. And, in case you're wondering, many of our leaders have given generously, but we still need to raise approximately $15000.

You can give online, or send your gifts to

Watershed
808 Valley View Drive
Stoughton, WI 53589

This place can be one of solitude to rest and reflect, or a place to connect and feel valued and loved no matter how old you are. This place provides an opportunity for you to join in or at least to consider serving your community. It is a place for you to be accepted, a place where you can invite your family, friends, and neighbors into a community that loves Jesus and people.

This place offers opportunities to learn about life with Jesus. It is a safe place to bring your kids to share with them that same truth and for them to learn it in a fun, engaging, and simple environment.

A special pantry downstairs collects and distributes resources for people in need: diapers, wipes, toiletries, and other household basics.

Lastly, this place offers affordable housing where a family or an individuals can have an attentive landlord who values relationships.

This invitation to the people of Watershed demonstrates a commitment to our community that runs deeper than a cup of coffee.

Learn more about how you can play a part with your tools, treasures and talents.

Electronic giving offers convenience for you and much-needed financial consistency for our church family.

Direct Debit Giving is used to automatically transfer funds from your checking or savings account to watershed.

Credit & Debit Card Giving lets you give automatically on a pre-determined schedule using a credit or debit card.

Online Giving lets you go to iamwatershed.com/give at any time to set up an automatic donation plan, change your donation plan, make a one-time donation or view your online donation history.

As you consider future financial gifts, please consider electronic giving.

Your mailbox receives a steady stream of bills, but your bank account doesn't match your expenses...the river rises. Your schedule is out of control and your relationships are strained...the current gains speed. Pressures at work are mounting, and every morning you wake up with a knot in your stomach...the ground beneath your feet begins to give way as the waters press against you. You try to hold on, but you are not sure how long you can stay your ground.

Sound too familiar? Well, you're not alone. This was also the life story for many Christians in the first century. There were pressures, conflicts, and tensions everywhere. Peter wronte to these followers of Christ, and his words brought hope in the middle of a rising river of troubles.

During the next 7 weeks, we'll explore the book of 1 Peter in the Bible.

Feb 28 | A Life of Hope - 1 Peter 1:1-21

March 7 | A Life of Love - 1 Peter 1:22-2:10

March 14 | A Life of Submission - 1 Peter 2:11-3:7

March 21 | A Life of Purpose - 1 Peter 3:8-4:6

March 28 | Watershed in Action - Serving Together

April 4 | A Life of Service - 1 Peter 4:7-19

April 11 | A Life of Humility - 1 Peter 5:1-14

The storms of this life do not have to sweep you away, destroy your family, erode your business, or drown your hopes. God offers overcoming power to stand strong in the storms of life. My prayer is for you to grasp the hand of God in the midst of the storm and find His power to stand strong.

If you've followed the watershed story for long, you know we've been pretty nomadic when it comes to finding a place to gather. Buildings have never been very high on our priority list...the church is people!

In the past few months we realized an opportunity to lease a space to facilitate our mission and service to the Stoughton community - a tangible expression of our life with Jesus. What will this new space entail? To serve the community, we will structure the first floor and lower-level  to initially provide the following services:

• Free coffee! We'll give away coffee, and invite people to share their contact info with us to learn more about service opportunities in and around Stoughton. Other coffee, tea and beverages will also be available.

• creating a safe place for toddlers to play while moms and dads take a well-deserved break - we'll have an area dedicated to kids
• welcoming community events, meetings and activities
• facilitating a central clearing house for promoting community service opportunities, organizing volunteer teams or providing space for other community service organizations
• offering recreational game nights, book and movie discussions, club meetings, etc.
• hosting weekend church gatherings and weekday classes & studies
• distributing food and clothing to those in need
• featuring local artist displays, music events and other cultural activities

The second-story apartment will provide reasonably priced housing to people needing some help along life's journey.

A space is just a space until people breathe life into it. We need you to add your part to this adventure. How could you help breathe life into this space, and help make it a reality?

• Help with remodeling, plumbing, cleaning, painting, etc.
• Host an event in the space, invite people to join you.
• Share the word with your friends - let them know about what's new.
• Make a financial contribution to help get the space ready.
• Pray with us during this season of preparation.
• Join us in the adventure of serving and being the church wherever you are!

The building is located downtown at 129 East Main Street in Stoughton. Our lease is set to begin May 1st. Right now we're still working through the city zoning process. So far, so good!

We'll continue to pursue mission, community and communion wherever we find ourselves. While getting ready to move into the new space, we'll gather on Sundays at 10am at Asbjornson House (map).

The best is yet to come!

For the next season of watershed's development, the L-team members are:

• Jason Enke
• Cheryl Housley
• Jeff Lovell, Watershed Pastor
• Jeff Walkington

If you have any questions or concerns about watershed, please be sure to connect with one of these leaders.

William Barclay on prayer:

What: A time to discuss our reading of Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen. For our first time together lets read the introduction and chapter 1. Lori L will facilitate the discussion this first time, but please bring your thoughts, questions, etc.

When: 4th Thursday of each month - Our first time together will be Thursday, January 28th from 7:00-8:00.

Where: The meeting room in the lower level of the library. Lori is still working out the details of this, but hopefully this place will work. If you know of another place that would work better, let Lori know.

Who: watershed friends and anyone else you think would like to join us

Getting Three Cups of Tea: There are a few copies within the library system, in both audio and book form. Also, it can be found on Amazon and other book stores.

When: 2nd Thursday of each month - Our first time together will be Thursday, January 14th from 7:00-8:00 p.m. or to when they kick us out of the place.

Where: Ancora Coffee in Stoughton

Who: watershed friends and anyone else you think would like to join us.

– Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971) via

There are 4 ways you can play a part:

Please join in and play a part this week.

– Thomas a Kempis (1380-1471) via

Some are wacky; some are simple; some are BIG; some are repeats/variations; some have an element of promotion, but all are about being a part of creating good in the world around yout:

and counting…add your ideas in the comments below. Most of all, remember that we all have needs and that we all have something to give. Which one(s) could you take action on this week?

More ideas:

• http://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/serviceideas.shtml
• http://www.servantevangelism.com/matrix/matrix.htm

- Francis of Assisi (1182-1226) via

– Benedict of Nursia (480-547) via

We’ll collect a special offering for this purpose at our gathering this Sunday, December 20th. Your gifts will be given to the transforming work of our friends at Possibilities Africa and to immediately help feed hungry people right here in Stoughton.

If you’re unable to join us this week, but still want to give, you can mail a check to Watershed at 808 Valley View Drive, Stoughton, WI 53589. Please include a note designating the gift for Advent Conspiracy.

Watershed friends: Please bring some sort of dessert to share, and invite your friends to join us. We’ll invite those we carol to along the way to join us back at Fox Prairie, as well.

So what's stopping us? It seems clear to me that the biggest hindrance I face is my own heart. My struggles are often no different that the struggles everyone faces.

Understanding this helps me see that until the Gospel gets bigger in my own life, I'll have a hard time displaying it to the world. As we face this, we discover an opportunity to open ourselves to a much deeper transformation. We find ways to let God speak into every nook and cranny of our lives.

What's stopping you? Let's continue the journey together this Sunday.
(thoughts adapted from the TK primer)

– John Baillie (1886-1960) via

– Augustine of Hippo (354-430) via

– Victor Jack (1937- ) via

Dianne Parsons (1949 –  ) via

We will be meeting at the Enke's home (map) on Sunday mornings at 10am from October 25 thru December 27.

We'll come together to explore how each of us can more fully be the church wherever we find ourselves, discover some intentional activities and habits of life that can help us make God's kingdom more tangible, and re-orient our lives to join in God's work today.

While there are needs around us everyday, it's easy to move past them or fail to recognize them. Today's groups discovered the following opportunities, and we noted that each of these things happened with people or circumstances we already knew about, but had not yet acted upon. None of these were planned in advance. Isn't it great to see how much we can do when we invest a little attention and time?

• The farmer that rents one family's land lost his 13 year old daughter in an accident in one of their barns a month ago.This weekend they are taking that barn down. The group bought a meal and went to visit the family, sharing in the difficult moment the family is in.
• A friend is expecting a baby next week. As a young single mom, she has several needs, and the group helped provide for some of the ongoing needs like diapers, wipes, nursing supplies, and a special gift for the mom.
• One family connected with the Salvation Army in Madison to help provide food for people in need.
• Several people from the watershed family have developed a relationship with the people at Head Start in Stoughton. One group provided some fall cleanup at their building, and provided some pumpkins for the kids and staff to decorate together.
• We are friends with a young man who has some special needs. His food and health needs are provided for him, but his minimal income makes it difficult to meet all of the other needs in his life. He mentioned that he needed clothes for work, so we were able to help him get several new clothing items, and a new "Wisconsin" hat, of course. :)

Isaiah 52:7 announces: "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'" It was a remarkable day - bringing the good news of our God in both words and tangible actions.

How could you make someone's day beautiful tomorrow?

We’re still collecting ideas for 100 ways to serve and meet needs in the world around us. The list is taking shape, but we need your help!  Would you please share some possible ways you can imagine to serve around you? Send your ideas to Jeff L. We’ll use the list to help guide our serving in coming months, and also invite others in the community to partner with us in meeting some of the needs.

Most merciful God, order my day so that I may know what you want me to do, and then help me do it. Let me not be elated by success or depressed by failure. I want only to take pleasure in what pleases you, and only to grieve at what displeases you.

For the sake of your love I would willingly forgo all temporal comforts. May all the joys in which you have no part weary me. May all the work which you do not prompt be tedious to me. Let my thoughts frequently turn to you, that I may be obedient to you without complaint, patient without dejection, and serious without solemnity. Let me hold you in awe without feeling terrified of you, and let me be an example to others without any trace of pride.

- Thomas Aquinas (1225 - 1274) via

David Bayles and Ted Orland in their book Art and Fear tell the story of a ceramics teacher who divided the class into two groups - one group would be graded on how much they created in the designated time, while the other group would be graded on the quality of the one work they made.

In the end, it was the "quantity" group that ended up producing the works of most quality.

They conclude "that while the ‘quantity' group was busy churning out piles of work - and learning from their mistakes - the ‘quality' group had sat theorizing about perfection, and in the end had little more to show for their efforts than grandiose theories and a pile of dead clay."

This isn't true just for ceramics students.

When I'm meeting with my counselor and I use words like "mistake" or "failure" or "waste," he stops me.

He then reaches into his desk drawer and pulls out a sign and holds it up so I can read it - again

The Hebrew characters on the sign are translated on the bottom of the sign - "The God Who Wastes Nothing."

Now it's absolutely necessary for us to own and name and claim and make amends for our failures and mistakes and sins and wrongs where others are concerned.

But to stop there is tragic.

It isn't just a failure,

a mistake,

a sin,

a wrong...

It's also an opportunity

to grow,

expand,

evolve,

learn.

This is called the art of failure.

What every artist must learn is that even the failed pieces are essential.

We're also collecting ideas for 100 ways to serve and meet needs in the world around us, and YOU can help. The list is taking shape, but we need your help!  Would you please share some possible ways you can imagine to serve around you? Send your ideas to Jeff L. We'll use the list to help guide our serving in coming months, and also invite others in the community to partner with us in meeting some of the needs.

It's a strange feeling to be completely disoriented in your surroundings, wandering around with no idea of which way you're really supposed to go. I've been there-lost in a strange city . And I've also been there...wondering where my life is going, how all the pieces fit together, and wondering if my dreams are just silly nonsense.

During our gathering this Sunday, we'll explore how the way of Jesus helps us find direction again when life is confusing and unclear. We'll encounter the story of God inPsalm 73 and seek out a fresh sense of direction and clarity for the road ahead.

What if you could find a way to capture some of your hopes, dreams, fears and failures in a way that makes sense, and breathes life and hope into them.

What if you could share the journey with others who are chasing their God-given dreams and helping one another along the way?

Of course, this isn’t about where you hang out on Sunday mornings, but about where your life is going and who’s going with you. Over the next several weeks the watershed family will be exploring these ideas together:

• The Language of Dreams
• Defying Odds & Facing Fears
• Overcoming Adversity
• Embracing Uncertainty
• Taking Risks / Seizing Opportunities
• Looking Foolish

Would you join us to share this journey together and help you survive and thrive as you chase your dreams?

The best way to find a need is to look and ask. Look around your community and see what is going on. There is no lack of need in our world.What sports leagues are playing, what’s broken, who’s hurting, what community events are happening, what do you see going on in your community? You can look atcommunity calendars or drive around, but if you’re attentive you will see a need. It does not have to be a big need or even an urgent one. It can be something simple like cold water on a hot day, a hot meal to a hungry family or a kind word to a lonely person.  It may be something small that is easy to do. It may be a big job that nobody has been able to do, but you can pull it off if you rally the troops. The best way to serve is find a need and meet it. You may be surprised at what you find if you look hard enough.

Thought I’d share a few of my personal definitions of success. It’s important to define success in biblical and personal ways. You need to know what you’re aiming at or you will succeed at the wrong thing.
First of all, success is maximizing your God given potential. Success is synonymous with stewardship.
A second definition is this: doing the best you can with what you have where you are. Success is not circumstantial. Some of the most successful people are those in the worst of circumstances, but theymake the most of them. That’s success.
Here’s a third definition: the people who know you the best respect you the most. We care way too much about what strangers think of us, but they won’t be the ones at our graveside. I want my wife and my kids to respect me the most.
Here’s a fourth and newest definition: success is trying until the day you die. I think most of us give up on our dreams way too easily and way too quickly. We stop trying. But if you’re still trying you’re succeeding!
One key to success is not worrying about the outcome. Winning or losing isn’t the issue. Trying is winning! That is what I told Parker when he decided to run for class president. That is the lesson I learned at our triathlon this weekend. That is what I’ve learned as a church planter. The measure of success is this: how hard did you try?
If you pray like it depends on God and work like it depends on you you cannot fail.

I used to hope for a do-over, or a Mulligan, as real golfers call it…a chance to try my drive again. But, with time, I’ve learned that no matter how many times I hack away with my golf club, the results continue to be the same - a frustrated Jeff and everyone else wondering “Who invited this guy?”

Have you ever experienced life the way I experience golf? Have you ever wanted a do-over - a fresh start? Do you ever have a sense that you know where you want your life to go, but it just never seems to go anywhere near there, or at best would require a whole lot of hacking away?

As the watershed family regroups for the fall after a busy summer, I’m excited to explore these thoughts together, and see how the way of Jesus might enable us for life’s journey.

We’ll start the conversation this Sunday at 10am at MARC Stoughton. We’ll have coffee & light breakfast food beforehand, and share lunch together on the last Sunday of each month.

If it’s been a while since you’ve been able to join us, I’d like to invite you to connect again this weekend, as we have a fresh start this fall - learning to follow Jesus together.

On Saturday, August 22, we’ll be showing “The Incredibles” at 7:45pm at the Lovells (808 Valley View Drive).

We’ll provide popsicles and drinks. Please bring lawn chairs or blankets. 

The Wallace family lives in Stoughton and has been receiving ready to eat meals around 5:30pm. There are no food allergies and they are very appreciative to receive these meals. One last thing to keep in mind, if you do choose to provide a meal and you have children it is best to keep them at home when delivering food. They, Jamie especially, is having a very difficult time interacting with other children that may remind them of Nevaeh or their loss. Thank-you for coming along side of this family and loving them.

Have you ever prayed and things didn’t turn out the way you’d hoped? Do you ever wonder if God answers prayer, or ask “If God’s gonna do what God’s gonna do, then why pray?”

Many of us have experienced situations where we’ve prayed and it felt like God wasn’t listening. And yet other times we’ve prayed or known someone that prayed and the situation changed. Does God answer prayer? Sometimes, but not all the time? Or does God always answer prayer it’s just that sometimes God says no? Some of us are angry with God for not answering the prayers we’ve prayed for years. Why did he answer their prayer but not ours? What if there’s more to prayer than just God listening and answering?

Perhaps if we understood how Jesus prayed, our concepts and expectations of prayer would change. Let’s explore this together this Sunday morning during our gathering at 10am at MARC Stoughton.

We will also gather on Sunday morning, August 16 at 10am at MARC.

• How have you discovered this in your life?
• What have you seen this past week, month, or year that demonstrates the truth that God is living and active in your midst?
• How have you been able to join in his work in the world?
• How has your life been changed?
• How has the watershed family helped you discover more of life with God through Jesus?

I’d like to invite you to join us this Sunday at 10am to hear from one another how God has been at work in this place and time. Would you consider sharing your story or thoughts on the questions above, as well? Let’s discover more of God together.

There are several dedicated people who work hard each week to help our watershed family gatherings happen, and this week we’re saying, “Thank you” to them and to God. We depend on God for things to happen in our midst, not on our efforts. 

 So, please intentionally enjoy a time of rest and thankfulness this Sunday, August 2nd. We’ll be back together at MARC on Sunday March 9. See you then! 

I have to admit that I was unsure if we’d get that whole hallway painted, but with so many of you helping out - we accomplished the mission.

We’ll be serving together again in August - be on the lookout for needs we can join in meeting.

We’ll gather at MARC again this Sunday - I hope you can join us.

We need to dream big dreams not because we need to accomplish big things. What we accomplish is a byproduct. We need to dream big dreams because it keeps us on our knees in raw dependence upon God. Unless He intervenes we look foolish. Dreams have far more to do with who we become in the process than the what we accomplish. They stretch us. And that’s why they are so good for us. You want to take your prayer life to the next level? Dream God-sized dreams!

Our vision of starting a dream center in DC is way beyond our ability. And the thought of opening our second coffeehouse is a little overwhelming. We can’t do either of those things. It’s going to have to be God. And that’s why it’s so good for us.

Keep dreaming big dreams, and keep trusting God.

I mentioned a few weeks back that Martin, our friend in Kenya who heads up Possibilities Africa, is organizing a Vacation Bible School for the children of Embu, Kenya in August. They are hoping to have 1,000 children attend VBS this year, but they need sponsors to help with the cost. It only costs $2.50 per child, and I was thinking that Watershed could make a difference in their lives by sponsoring some kids to go! Martin is appreciative of anything we can give, especially since this impacts children. We will be taking a special offering specifically for the VBS in Kenya this Sunday. There is no pressure to give, of course, but please be in prayer over it.
Thanks, Jen 

When: This Sunday, July 12 at 9:30am

Where: Meet at Yahara Elementary School (map) NOT at Pumpkin Patch as previously planned.

Who: Anyone - bring your children, your neighbor, your friends.

What: wear clothes for painting and cleaning.
Please bring painting supplies (rollers/pans/etc) if you can.
We have projects for the kids, too.

Thank you for your flexibility as we work out the details for how we can best help our friends at Pumpkin Patch. See you Sunday!

So - to be clear - no gathering at MARC this week - meet at Pumpkin Patch. 

We’ll continue sharing a meal together after our Sunday gatherings on the last Sunday of each month. (Yep - that means THIS Sunday, June 26th, there’s lunch.) On the other weeks we’ll have coffee, juice, muffins, etc before our gathering. Use theses weeks to connect with friends, neighbor and family during the afternoon. Get out there!

On the second Sunday of each month, we’ll use our gathering time to serve and meet the needs of the world around us. For this to happen, we’re counting on YOU to share opportunities and needs that you might see. It doesn’t have to be big, just an opportunity to authentically share love, kindness, generosity, a helping hand. What could we do to make a difference in someone’s life?

They’re all a part of our upcoming weekend.

On Saturday, we have a great opportunity to be a part of the Syttende Mai festivities here inStoughton. We’ll be helping with the race/walk, by hosting the tent at the finish line at Mandt Park (map), full of refreshing food and drinks for the runners & walkers. Can you please join us to help setup, serve, or cleanup?

We have 2 shifts: 6am-9am, and 9am - noon. First shift will do setup, prepping all kinds of fruit and snacks. (Side note: ask Jeff about how he was injured by a banana last year and the Assistant Fire Chief came to his rescue.) Second shift will join us as the runners and walkers arrive, and then help with cleanup. If you can only come for a little, while, that’s fine - we’d just love to have you be a part of the day with us.

Those arriving for the early shift can park near the community building at Mandt Park, and the second shift will need to find parking on the streets nearby.

On Sunday, we’ll gather at MARC at 10am.  We’ll worship and celebrate God’s goodness together, and continue our teaching/discussion series Life.Money.Hope. We’ll explore biblical guidance for breaking free from debt. Is it possible to live a debt-free life? Is there such a thing as good debt? How do I get out of debt?

Also on Sunday, we will not be having lunch together at MARC. With all of the festivities downtown, we’re encouraging you to get out and celebrate with the community. 

We’ll all converge on the Hipkes’ farm (map) at 10am where we have plenty of work to help prepare a place for Todd’s work with disadvantaged youth in Madison. We’ll be rehabbing a tobacco barn, prepping volleyball and/or basketball area, and more.  We have some great things lined up for the kids, as well.  

A few people are also going to Stoughton Head Start for a short time.  Cheryl Housley is coordinating that effort and will be in touch.  If you’d like to start by helping out there - let Cheryl know (cmhousley@att.net) 

In the best way possible, think “good old-fashioned barn-raising” - a community of people coming together to accomplish a big task over the course of the day.  

• When & Where: starting at 10am at the Hipkes.
• Lunch: bring something to grill and something to share.
• Drinks, plates, etc. provided.
• Please join us for as long as you can be there - an hour or all day.

If you have any questions, or need more information, please contact Jeff.

During the next few weeks, we’ll explore the timeless guidance of God’s Word relating to the money matters right under your own roof. Learn how to take control of your financial future and launch a personal economic revolution.

Join us as we begin the journey toward financial freedom.

• May 10 | Basics of Biblical Finance
• May 17 | Breaking the Bondage of Debt
• May 24 | The #1 Myth About Money

We’ll learn from one another’s stories and discover a rich source of hope for our financial future.

Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll finalize the details, but for now, know that we’ll direct you to a project, and then we’ll all converge on the Hipke’s farm where we have plenty of work to help get things setup for the great things Todd is preparing for this summer. We’ll share more of that story soon, too.

In the best way possible, think “good old-fashioned barn-raising” - a community of people coming together to accomplish a big task over the course of the day.  We’ll be including the kids, have food to share, and all are welcome - for as long as you can be there - an hour or all day.

More details coming soon…. 

Jesus’ resurrection makes all the difference to me. I can’t wait to celebrate and share the joy of life with Jesus together this Sunday (April 12). In the midst of the challenges and joys of life, will you take time to encounter Jesus together with us this Sunday? 

Our watershed gathering will be an opportunity for the whole family to experience the joy and wonder of Easter - encountering Jesus with others who are seeking him, as well.  We’ll have elements of music, teaching from the Bible, stories, meaningful traditions, and community. 

In place of our regular lunch afterward, we’ll have donuts, coffeecake, etc beforehand (you’re welcome to bring something to share, if you like.)

Will you celebrate Easter with us?

With 3-6″ of snow predicted for Saturday night, we’re going to postpone our work day scheduled for Sunday morning.  We’ll reschedule it in the near future when the weather will be more cooperative for a family-friendly work experience.

Let’s gather at our regular time at MARC (10am).  We’ll launch into our next series of teaching/discussion - Encountering Jesus. If you’ve ever

• asked “where is God in my life?“
• wondered how to have a closer connection with him,
• wished you could hear his direction or see his work more clearly,
• thought “It must have been nice for those first followers of Jesus to have him right there with them - but what about now?”,

…then you’re not alone. We’ll explore these questions together and learn from those who encountered Jesus in the Bible - discovering how we can encounter Jesus today.

If you haven’t already committed to a project, please meet at MARC Stoughton between 9:45 and 10am on Sunday. We’ll direct you to a project at that time. If you’ve already been asked to bring tools, please do - otherwise maybe just bring a rake and some gloves - we have the rest covered.

Each project team has plans for lunch, as well.  After the project, you can enjoy lunch together.

Questions? Contact Jeff for more info.

Please take a moment this week to send your ideas and any details you know to Jeff, and we’ll pull things together to get people pointed in the right direction on March 29.  

We’re going to party together, and that includes some food. If you can, please bring something to share. We’ll provide the main dishes and beverages. 

• Created for Community: Connecting Christian Belief with Christian Living, by Stan Grenz
• Life Together , by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
• Everybody’s Normal Till You Get to Know Them , by John Ortberg
• Community 101 , by Gilbert Bilezekian
• Eternal Echoes , by John O’Donahu

by Autumn Drussell
Courier Hub Associate Editor

Creating a safe space for young people to discover their own voice and learn how to share it with the world: That’s the philosophy behind Eyes of Hope, a new organization created by Stoughton resident Amy Warner and her husband, Jay.

Warner has always worked with youth, whether through church, school or non-profit organizations. Most recently, she worked at the Stoughton Youth Center. Upon leaving last summer, Warner decided it was time to fulfill her dream of establishing a non-profit organization to continue helping youth after they no longer qualify for services at the center.

“I left the youth center in June and kept in touch with some of the girls who were in eighth grade,” Warner said. “Some of them showed up on my doorstep saying, ‘We’re bored!’” That was the catalyst she needed to get her first program going. Ever since, Warner, along with a few volunteers, has been meeting with a group of girls at her Stoughton home after school once a week.

“The idea is to meet with them once a week and discuss things that are relevant to their lives, whether its boys, relationships with family or friends, employment skills and really any topic they want to further explore,” said Warner. Recently the group has been discussing achievement, goal setting and life after high school.

“We’ve been talking with them about getting jobs, but without having cars, it’s tough,” said Warner. “But they are out there and trying. They are hopeful.”

The group averages between seven and eight, but Warner said they’ve had as many as 15. Because transportation to her home can be problematic for the youth - some walk, some get rides, or Warner’s daughter, Leah, a senior at Stoughton High School, helps out sometimes by providing rides for the girls back to her home.

Meetings typically begin around 4 p.m., and center on discussions, but also involve games, a snack, and homework time (for those who wish to stay later). They have even prepared and enjoyed meals together, said Warner.

The girls who come through her doors are from all walks of life and have diverse backgrounds.

“They are honest, open and they aren’t afraid to speak their minds,” said Warner, smiling. “They say what they think.”

She said the girls who come are typically ones who have not “found their connection,” such as athletics, arts related or otherwise. Some may have other interests, but because they are new to town, are wanting to meet people. Some, Warner added, have trouble fitting in.

“Hopefully Eyes of Hope can help them find and make those connections,” Warner said.

Markle, who, along with her husband, Tim, served as house parents at the Elizabeth House in Madison for several years, said she hopes the group gives the girls an opportunity to see that they can plan and set goals and they can achieve the goals they set.

“That’s where the being together and having those discussions helps,” she said. “It provides positive reinforcement for them.”

Warner said she has opened up her home to the girls because she wanted to provide them with a space where they could hang out and be themselves, talk peer-to-peer in a non-judgmental environment.

“Sometimes we just don’t give kids the chance to make the right choices,” she said. “Most of the time when they have the opportunity to talk it out with their peers, they make the right decisions.”

It also helps to be in a setting other than school, Warner noted.

“We hope here they can learn that its OK to walk away from something unresolved, without it being fixed,” said Markle. “We want to show them its good to stop and mull it over.”

Diamond Tribble, one of the Girls-2-Girls members, said she comes because “it’s an experience of life.” She said she only wishes the girls wouldn’t hold back. “I want more people to be honest. That’s why we’re here.”

Anna McGee, who was relatively new to Stoughton when she joined, said she came to have fun and meet more people.

“I wanted the chance to learn new things and (the girls) kept telling me I should join.”

McGee said she enjoys the kindness and caring she feels from Warner, Markle and her peers.

Leah said she has enjoyed getting to know the girls in her mother’s group, and participates as often as she can.

“I like that I can connect with them in a way I wouldn’t if I hadn’t met them - I didn’t know half of them until I (met them through my mom). It’s a deeper way to get to know someone,” said Leah.

“I like when we talk because I feel comfortable here,” added McGee. “I can be myself.”

Tribble said she enjoys the fact she can “be unique” with everyone in the group.

“I also like it when Amy cooks for us,” she said, smiling. “And I like learning new things.”

Girl-2-Girl has taken at least one trip and members participated in Victorian Holiday weekend.

“We went last fall to a horse farm by Janesville - we are hoping to be able to go back and ride the horses next time,” said Warner. “We also recently went to the Pops concert together as a group.”

This May Warner said she is hoping to take the girls on a retreat to Bethel Horizon - a peer mediation and retreat center near Dodgeville. There the girls can learn leadership and teamwork, participate in a ropes course, canoeing and other team-building activities.

Warner said they would soon begin fundraising for the trip, but hope a grant the girls wrote - with the help of Warner - will help fund the majority of the expenses for the retreat. Warner said the group is looking to explore monthly “themes” or having one topic to discuss each month. They’ve also talked about connecting with another group of girls, hoping to be a positive influence.

One step in that direction is a movie event the girls are planning in conjunction with the Stoughton Public Library, set for March 9 at 7 p.m. The event is free. According to Tracy Markle, one of the volunteers with Girl-2-Girl, said they showed the girls a movie that carried a message of thinking of others before themselves.

“We showed them this movie, called A Walk to Beautiful,” and some of the girls started crying,” Markle said. The documentary tells the stories of five Ethiopian women who suffer from devastating childbirth injuries and are rejected by their husbands and ostracized by their communities. Left to spend the rest of their lives in loneliness and shame, they make the choice to take the long journey to the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in search of a cure and a new life.

“Instantly the girls were hyped up and wanted to do something,” Markle said. “They wanted to try to raise funds for the group in Ethiopia, but we encouraged them to start local.

Other programs planned for this year, according to Warner, include HopeLeaders, a community service-based program where teens serve the community in a variety of settings. Part of the program will have teens receiving tutoring, job skill training, and encouragement towards graduation and steps to avoid negative activities.

Sponsor-a-Masterpiece will provide young people with a chance to explore the arts through private lessons in music, dance, drama, art or another medium. “Sometimes it’s harder for people to have those chances,” said Warner.

In creating Eyes of Hope, Warner said she is ultimately hoping to fill a void and continue services for teens once they no longer qualify for services at the Stoughton Youth Center.

That means offering youth (girls and boys) with after school and summer programs focusing on academic and social development, as well as encourage them to contribute to their community and the world. The girls hope to open their group up to even more of their peers and find new ways to serve the community and learn.

Both Markle and Warner said it would be nice for the organization to grow to a point they can’t meet in Warner’s home anymore.

“It’s been awesome meeting here - but it would be equally as nice to be too big to meet here,” said Markle, laughing.

Warner is just thrilled at the accomplishment of getting her group off the ground - and is waiting for her 501C3 (non-profit status) paperwork to come back to her.

Now she is hoping more people will participate - whether through membership, financial contributions or volunteering.

“When they learn about the group and what we are doing, I’ve had some people just hand me money,” said Warner, laughing. “And that, of course, has been great.”

If you would like to make a financial contribution to the Eyes of Hope organization, please visit or send a check to Home Savings Bank in Stoughton with Eyes of Hope in the memo line. To volunteer or learn more about the group, contact Warner at 630-7684. 

(source)

Would you consider volunteering in the community - perhaps at Parent Connections, Girl2Girl, the Stoughton Food Pantry, coaching kids? Helping your neighbor? Finding out who your neighbors are? Just showing up? How are you living out a commitment to serving?

• Justice in the Burbs: Being the Hands of Jesus Wherever You Live, by Will & Lisa Samson
• Peace Child, by Don Richardson
• Good News About Injustice, by Gary Haugen
• The Shaping of Things to Come, by Frost and Hirsch
• The Challenge of Jesus, by N.T. Wright
• A Framework for Understanding Poverty, by Ruby K. Payne

If you’re looking for something that you can’t seem to find and negative thoughts keep running thru your mind, 
just turn to Him.

If nothing seems to work for you, but you just keep on trying and you have a smile on your face when instead you feel like crying, 
just turn to Him.

If the road you are taking seems like it’s all uphill and you’re running out of strength, but you keep on travelling still, 
just turn to Him.

If it seems as if all’s against you and you have nowhere to turn and life’s lessons get you down because you never seem to learn, 
just turn to Him.

If troubles keep on coming and there seems to be no end and you feel as if you’re all alone and haven’t got a friend, 
just turn to Him.

If you feel your strength slipping and you seem to lose the fight, keep your eyes upon Him, He’ll turn your darkness into light, 
just turn to Him.

Poem by Tanya Skaggs

• Connecting: Healing Ourselves and Our Relationships , by Larry Crabb
• Messy Spirituality , by Michael Yaconelli
• Love Beyond Reason , by John Ortberg
• Sacred Thirst , by Craig Barnes
• The Healing Path: How the Hurts in Your Past Can Lead You to a More Abundant Life , by Dan Allender
• Waking the Dead: The Glory of a Heart Fully Alive , by John Eldredge
• The Inner Voice of Love: A Journey Through Anguish to Freedom , by Henri Nouwen
• Emotionally Healthy Spirituality: Unleash the Power of Authentic Life in Christ , by Peter Scazerro
• The Ragamuffin Gospel Visual Edition: Good News for the Bedraggled, Beat-Up, and Burnt Out , by Brennan Manning
• The Cry of the Soul: How Our Emotions Reveal Our Deepest Questions About God , by Dan Allender
• Let Your Life Speak , by Parker Palmer
• A Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Toward an Undivided Life , by Parker Palmer
• Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life , by Cloud and Townsend
• In the Name of Jesus , by Henri Nouwen
• The Kingdom Within , by John Sanford
• www.xxxchurch.com
• www.heartsupport.com
• www.ransomedheart.com

Would you consider getting help for your addiction? Getting counseling for your marriage? Talking with someone about your past? Being honest with friend? Committing regular time each day to pray for your family? Learning more about the patterns passed on to you from your family? Sharing your story with others? Say no to one more thing?  Say yes to the right thing?

What are you doing to live out your commitment to wholeness?

One of the greatest misconceptions about the inward journey is feeling like you’re the only one with the struggle you are facing. We’re part of a long line of people who are also seeking to be all that God is making them to be. You don’t have to go alone.

If you would like to talk with someone, find a resource, or ask for prayer, please know that you can speak with me (Jeff) confidentially. I love being a pastor among us, and am committed to walking the journey with you.

During our gathering this week, can you share with us about where you are moving forward with Jesus?  What’s new in your journey? Where are you growing as a follower of Jesus? What’s the next step you’re considering?  Where is he leading you? 

Here are a few resources that may be helpful as you go forward:

• Velvet Elvis, by Rob Bell
• Simply Christian, by N. T. Wright
• In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day, by Mark Batterson
• A New Kind of Christian, by Brian McLaren
• The Story We Find Ourselves In, by Brian McLaren 
• An Unstoppable Force, by Erwin McManus

Also, as we gather this week, we’ll consider another direction: inward.

To start - we’re going backward… understanding the story we find ourselves in, the story of a God who invites us to join in his redemptive work in the world. It’s the story of the Bible, where we discover a God who has a great love for the people and world he created. It’s his story, and we get to play a part.

Some of you asked for resources to better understand the story of the Bible. In addition to reading theBible itself, you may find the following resources helpful:

• How Can the Bible Be Authoritative, by N.T. Wright 
• www.followtherabbi.com, a rich resource about the life and culture in the world of the Bible
• The Drama of Scrip-ture, by Bartholomew and Goheen
• The Desire of the Everlasting Hills, by Thomas Cahill

Note to husbands: taking your wife to an art gallery for Valentine’s Day is a good idea.     

Whether you’re new to the watershed family, visited once or twice, or been around for a while, you won’t want to miss our time together this week. As we discover the future of watershed together, we want to hear from you, as well. 

Join us for our gathering at 10am on Sunday, February 1st to discover more about who watershed is, and learn our secret. 

Please bring along an idea or 2 that you could share with others - we’re in this together, and I’m amazed at how frequently what one person is learning/discovering/going through serves to encourage and challenge others.

We’ll also take some time to explore some lessons learned from our journey together - as the watershed family:  where have we traveled this past year?  what have we discovered?  what’s next? 

Where do you see him at work in your life?  How can we help you as you follow Jesus?  What risks are you ready to take?

As we seek to follow Jesus together, we give him thanks for you, and the journey we’re sharing. May we continue to be the church together.

I’d also like to share couple of thoughts for Christmas with you…

The birth of Jesus made possible not just a new way of understanding life but a new way of living it.

- Frederick Buechner, “Listening to Your Life,” Christianity Today, Vol. 37, no. 15

Life is a constant Advent season: we are continually waiting to become, to discover, to complete, to fulfill. Hope, struggle, fear, expectation and fulfillment are all part of our Advent experience.

The world is not as just, not as loving, not as whole as we know it can and should be. But the coming of Christ and his presence among us—as one of us—give us reason to live in hope: that light will shatter the darkness, that we can be liberated from our fears and prejudices, that we are never alone or abandoned

May this Advent season be a time for bringing hope, transformation and fulfillment into the Advent of our lives.”

- “Life Is an Advent Season,” Connections, 11-28-93

May you be confident in the way of Jesus, finding hope and peace in knowing the God who is with us.

Grace & peace,
the lovell family

That means we need you!

As part of our family, we rely on the work of God in your life to help us be who God wants us to be. Where is God leading you to join his work in the world?  Who are the people you can share the journey with? How can we help one another pursue God together?

Shortly after the beginning of the year, we’ll have several specific opportunities for you to experience more of what we mean when we say “be the church.”  Some of these opportunities include: 

• discover watershed | a forum for you to hear the watershed story and share your ideas for the next chapter.  
• neighborhood connections | a group of people committed to”doing life” together: serving, laughing, growing, sharing, crying, praying living.
• going deeper | groups of people who want to connect around a specific topic or area of interest.
• play a part | getting involved in the needs of the world around us and sharing the opportunities with one another.

 Stay tuned for more details and specifics about each of these opportunities.  

As you consider your dreams, we’d love to capture what you’re thinking in some kind of tangible way.  Will you consider how you might be able to share your dream through art, music, writing, video, or whatever works for you?  We’d love to keep these dreams in front of us as we continue exploring how to live a life that matters, pursuing the dreams of God for our life together.

What have you discovered about your dreams? Are they helping you to live a life that matters? Over the next 2 weeks, we’ll go deeper into helping you discover more about how you can live a life of significance and purpose, even while we’re in the process of figuring out our dreams.

This goes way beyond a dream job or a dream vacation and points us to the God who made us and invites us to encounter him everyday in the ordinary moments of life.  Following the way of Jesus leads us to discover this life with God, a life beyond short-sighted dreams.  The Bible says it this way in 1 John 2:

Don’t love the world’s ways. Don’t love the world’s goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world - wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important - has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. (The Message & TNIV)

As you consider your dreams, we’d love to capture what you’re thinking in some kind of tangible way.  Will you consider how you might be able to share your dream through art, music, writing, video, or whatever works for you?  We’d love to keep these dreams in front of us as we continue exploring how to live a life that matters, pursuing the dreams of God for our life together. 

You’ve got dreams.  There’s no one else that sees the world quite like you.  You want your life to count, and to be a part of something bigger than yourself. We get that.  We invite you to be yourself and pursue your dreams.

It’s not so important that you support our dreams, but that we support yours.

We believe that God has planted dreams in all of us, and we want to bring these dreams to life - discovering together how to live a life that matters.  It’s never too late to pursue your dreams, and we’d be glad to share the journey with you.

While we’re focused on making the most of life with God every day, we also gather on Sundays, and during the month of November we’re exploring how our dreams can lead us toward living a life that matters.

November 9 | Dare to Dream Again
November 16 | Overcoming What Holds You Back
November 23 | A Dream Worth Living For

What are your dreams? Have you achieved your dream? Have you given up on a dream? What’s getting in the way of your dreams?

Leave a comment below and tell us about your dreams…

What do you think? Do you have a dream?  If so, what is it?  Where did it come from? Is it a dream worth pursuing? How can you discover your dreams if you’re not sure what they are? These are a few of the questions we’ll begin exploring this week - and I’d love to hear what questions are on your mind when it comes to living out your dreams.

Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below… 

Join us in thanking God for providing a location for us, and for the hospitality of the MARC staff.  Want to know more about what MARC does?  Check out their website. 

This Sunday, 9/28 we’ll have our gathering at Norse Park in Stoughton (map - take Page Street north to Kriedeman; turn left and the park is 1 block down on your right; look for us at the shelter).

It’s supposed to be a beautiful fall day, so we’ll enjoy being together outdoors.  We’ll have time for prayer, discuss Colossians 3:1-17, and hear about what’s new with our Less Is More goals.  The children will enjoy some kid-time and then we’ll share lunch together.  You’re welcome to hang out at the park for a while afterwards, as well.

You may wish to bring a lawn chair and your favorite outdoor fun-stuff.

We’re working on a plan for the coming weeks, as well, and will let you know more as soon as we have details.

No worries, though…we’re more interested in being the church.

The church is not a place. The church is people following Jesus and joining God in his work in the world. God is redeeming the world, making things right.

We’ll find a place for our Sunday gatherings soon.  In the meantime, it’s a great opportunity to expand our creativity and trust in God to provide.

We’ll have a plan for 9/28 by Friday morning, so check back for more info.

How have you experienced God in the everyday moments this week?

But, I think they work because of Jesus. I’m afraid you’re not going to get much more explanation than that from me. I think that something about Jesus - who he was and who he is - inspiried the pople who developed these practices long ago. He led them on this quest. They believed in his promise: God wants to meet with us.

Again, I think it’s because of Jesus. In the end, there is something so compelling about the person of Jesus and the way of life he offeres that it causes people to commit everything to the pursuit of him and his way. It is the way to live in the sacredness of God.

In the spiritual life, the word "discipline" means "the effort to create some space in which God can act." Discipline means to prevent everything in your life from being filled up. Discipline means that somewhere you’re not occupied, and certainly not preoccupied. In the spiritual life, discipline means to create that space in which something can happen that you hadn’t planned or counted on.

If so, you’re not alone. Many of us wrestle with how to connect with God in signficant and meaningful ways. We wonder if there isn’t more that we could experience in our life as we follow Jesus. There is a long tradition of searching among the followers of Jesus - it’s a quest, really, for ways to connect with God - and it has been undertaken by some of the most intelligent and deeply spiritual people ever to walk this planet. The quest is to know Jesus better, to follow him more closely, to become - in some mysterious way - wrapped into his presence.

This summer, we’re exploring historic spiritual practices; learning from those who’ve gone before us about how they connected with God and how we might discover new ways to understand following Jesus and living life with God, as well.

So, no lunch together after this Sunday’s gathering.  We’ll do it again the following Sunday.

If you can join us, please RSVP in the comments below so we can plan for the appropriate number of people.

I’ve developed a tool over the past few years that I think is helpful for leading people to consider this question. (Some of you may recognize the Pathways idea.) The Pathways document (PDF) outlines the idea of pathways and may help you begin to see the pattern of how God is working in your life. I believe it isn’t a big mystery, but rather embedded in who you already are, in the relationships and interests you already have.

Would you please take some time before our gathering on 4/6 to consider how God is working in your life and how that might contribute to who we are as watershed? What are your dreams and ideas for our future together?

We’re arranging for extra childcare on 4/6 to allow all of the adults at watershed to be together and hear from one another how God is at work. I hope you’ll be able to join us and share where God is leading you.

For the brunch we need:

• egg dishes
• cut up fruit trays or salads
• rolls, coffee cake, or muffins

Please let Lori know through email (lorilovell@charter.net) or phone (205.9618) if you could help prepare any of the food items.

We look forward to celebrating with you on Sunday!

Where is Jesus leading you? What is he calling you to leave behind - and where is he taking you in it’s place?

If you will be joining us for our Easter Gathering, please bring something that represents what you are leaving behind - and plan to leave it behind. We’ll have a place for you to place it privately and to celebrate leaving it behind. We’ll also have a time to share about what we’re leaving behind, for those who would like to share their story.

If you are unable to join us for our Easter Gathering, we still want to hear from you! Would you take a moment to leave a comment below or email jeff@iamwatershed.com and tell us a little about what you’d like to leave behind? You can keep it as simple as, "I’m leaving ___ for ___." Feel free to elaborate more, if you’d like.

Either way…I pray that you will trust where Jesus is leading you, and look forward to hearing your stories.

This week’s reading:

• Luke 12:13-34
• Malachi 3:6-12  

I believe that God is still leading people from the Egypt of sin and into a new life in his Kingdom. Christ calls us to follow him as he leads us out. Where is he leading you? What is he asking you to leave behind so that he can take you to freedom? Is it anger, control, debt, a bad habit, selfishness?

On Easter Sunday I invite you to bring something that represents where Christ is leading you from. We’ll come together and celebrate the message of Easter - that the power of the resurrection breaks the bonds of sin and death and brings life. As you leave our gathering that day, you’ll symbollically leave behind that place, and move out in new freedom.

Last Sunday we talked about L-team. As we move forward, it will be helpful to have a team of people within our community that

helps us discern the work of God among us and create a healthy environment for his work to flourish.

This group will include men and women from our church family, representing a diverse group of passions, gifting, and interests, and who demonstrate a growing faith in Christ.

For more info about L-team and the people who are part of it (including some fun pix), please see ourLeadership page.

This week’s reading: Hosea 1-3

While the Old Testament (OT) of the Bible often gets a bad rap, I’m convinced that the God of the OT is the same God we can know today, and that the people we read about in the OT face the same kinds of struggles and joys that we face today. The story of God and people in the OT has much to teach us about the way we live with God today.

Throughout the OT, and even in much of the New Testament, the story of the Exodus is the central story that provides meaning and identity for God’s people. While they were slaves in Egypt, God heard the cry of his people and sent Moses to lead the people to freedom (Exodus 3:7-10). God restores their identity as his chosen nation (Exodus 19:3-6) and gives them a kingdom through which they are to maintain justice and righteousness (1 Kings 10:9). However, the people turn their hearts to other gods, and are exiled to a foreign land.

From this backdrop, Jesus enters the scene. God has heard the cry of his exiled people once again and has sent a new Moses…the ultimate deliverer. He has come to lead us to a new kingdom and to find our identity and mission in him. In Christ, we are lead out from the slavery of sin (and loneliness, perfection, control, greed, anger)…and into the freedom of forgiveness and eternal life.

This is the message of Easter. In the resurrection Christ breaks the bonds of sin and death to lead us out to freedom.

As we journey toward our Easter celebration this year, I invite you to consider where Christ is leading you out from, and where he is leading you toward. We’ll spend time during each of our gatherings between now and Easter reflecting on how Christ saves us by leading us out…

• What does it mean to be members of his kingdom?
• How does God see us in Christ?
• How does that affect how we see ourselves?
• How does that affect how we see others?

What do we learn from the Scriptures about these questions? Some things to consider might include who we are in Christ and the "one anothers" of the New Testament…how are we to live with "one another"?

So this week we’re going to wrestle with those ideas…and explore what the Bible has to say about them. A few topics to consider: God, Jesus, salvation, sin, judgment, heaven, hell, who’s in, who’s out, good news for who?, the gospel, following Jesus, being born again.

It’s been great to have so many of people coming with thoughts on these topics, and searching the scriptures for direction. I look forward to hearing what you’ve discovered this week. If you’d like to help us get the conversation going ahead of time, please offer your comments below.

This week we’ll explore the question, "What is this world like?"

In other words: is our world supposed to be like this, or is something wrong? It seems that to many of us, we have a sense deep down that this is not how things are supposed to be.

How is it that our world can be filled with such beauty and such order and such good, and yet at the same time filled with such heartache and such pain? How are we supposed to relate to God in the midst of this kind of world? How does our faith inform how we live?

How does the Bible begin to answer some of these questions?

If you’d like to begin sharing your thoughts before Sunday, please use the comments below.

As we work through/wrestle with the questions you have posed, we are driven to the question, "What is God like?" In order to approach the other questions we must consider what we believe about who God is and what his character is like. So, at our next gathering we’ll dive into questions like these:

• How do I live as You desire (love You - love others) when there is so much else that must be done to live here? Err - maybe I know the answer - give me the ability to execute …
• Why do you allow suffering especially of the innocent?
• How do I know when You are pleased with me? How do I know when I’m good enough?
• How do I know what God has planned for me?

These are questions about how we relate to God - about what he is like. We agreed together on Sunday to spend some time on our own this week considering that question: what is God like? Consider your own experiences, but also please spend some time searching the scriptures, asking God for a deeper understanding of what he is like.

While this may be a "big" question, please don’t be overwhelmed by it. Maybe a way to approach it would be to consider the themes and stories of the Bible you are already familiar with…what do they show you about what God is like?

I think we’ll have plenty to talk about on Sunday.  If you’d like to begin sharing your thoughts before then, please comment below.

We thought of all of you and prayed for your safety and the safety of your families and friends, and I’m learning to not just watch the news, but to pray for everyone whose lives are being affected.

Please join me in praying for the rescue workers, those involved in the crashes, the loved ones who are waiting for news, the doctors and hospital staff, and for the wisdom of those who will have difficult decisions to make during these events.  If you would like us to pray for you, please send us a note via the Contact Us page and our prayer team will pray.

In the midst of life’s unknowns, I’m so glad for the hope you and I can have. As a follower of Jesus I am confident that this life is not all there is and that when my life on earth is over, whenever that is, my Savior will greet me with arms wide open. This week we will all be presented with opportunities to give reason for the hope we have - as the topic of the crash comes up around Stoughton, in our workplaces and in conversations with people who have important questions about life and its meaning.

These moments are opportunities for you and me to speak into people’s lives at a moment when they seeking answers. We don’t have to have it all figured out, but we can join them in the search for answers, and share with them the hope we have found in knowing and following Jesus - hope for both this life and life after death. As a church family, please join me in praying for those who have been impacted by today’s accidents and for those with whom we have an opportunity to share this week.

Psalm 62:6-7 says, "For He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken."

With hope,

Jeff

One of the stations invited people to write questions that they have…if they could ask God something, what would it be? There were some very thoughtful questions, and we’re going to use these to provide direction for our times together over the next several weeks. I’m looking forward to some good discussion as we explore the scriptures together and see what they say about our questions.

We’ll take 1+ questions each week and wrestle with it together. Some of these may have some clear answers, while others may propel us to embrace mystery and the unknown. We’ll also talk briefly about the whole idea of having questions and doubts, and what that means to our faith. Here’s a 2 sentence preview of what I’m thinking:

Questions are central to our faith - they acknowledge that we don’t have all of the answers and need to look beyond ourselves for guidance. Questions propel us to search for and discover more of God.

What do you think?

Here are the questions that you wrote last week - from adults and kids alike:

And, some questions about the questions: Are there any recurring themes here? What do these questions tell us about ourselves and how we think about God?

The birth of Jesus made possible not just a new way of understanding life but a new way of living it.
-Frederick Buechner "Listening to Your Life," Christianity Today, Vol. 37, no. 15

Life is a constant Advent season: we are continually waiting to become, to discover, to complete, to fulfill. Hope, struggle, fear, expectation and fulfillment are all part of our Advent experience.

The world is not as just, not as loving, not as whole as we know it can and should be. But the coming of Christ and his presence among us-as one of us-give us reason to live in hope: that light will shatter the darkness, that we can be liberated from our fears and prejudices, that we are never alone or abandoned.

May this Advent season be a time for bringing hope, transformation and fulfillment into the Advent of our lives.

-Life Is an Advent Season, Connections, 11-28-93

May you have eyes to see your Savior and respond to his gift of love during this Christmas. I’m thankful for all of you who are part of this journey with us.

Thanks to my friends the Reynolds for sharing these quotes with me.

Who would have thought that the Glory of God would be delivered into poverty and dirt?! The Son of God belonged in a palace, on a throne - certainly anywhere but a stable. Jesus entered this world vulnerable and with no material glory. The blue-collared shepherds were the first to see respond to t the good news of Jesus’ birth.

Throughout Jesus’ life, he is constantly challenging the powerful and indentifying with the weak and poor. The political and religious leaders were consistently angered by Jesus’ words and actions, but it was always good news for the poor - the broken, the discouraged, the sick and homeless. His message was always full of hope and healing for those in need.

How are we poor? If not financially, where are we most aware of our need? Are we poor in spirit - recognizing our need for God’s love and grace and humbled by our unworthiness of God’s good gifts to us? The comfortable and successful have little need for a Savior. How might we submit ourselves to this love, realizing that it is more powerful than our personal kingdoms, our wish lists, our careers and families? How might we submit to this love that can alone bring light and life to someone else? Jesus is building a Kingdom, and love is a key the city.

The coming of Christ remains good news, an act of love. He is still the wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Where have you witnessed the good news of Jesus in your life?

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." -Matthew 5:3

Portions adapted from "Peace is Here" by Jars of Clay.

Christmas comes each year with its dangerous invitation to hope. Yet for most of us this invitation feels more like an inconvenience and a burden. We see this burden from the very beginning, as Mary herself pondered the meaning of all these things. I wonder how many of her personal hopes and dreams were on the altar at this moment. Surely this was not the life that she had dreamed for herself, and who could possibly understand the road that she was about to walk? Who would go with her? As she began to consider all that she would lose along this journey the invitation to hope must have felt callous and far-fetched.

If you are like me this is where most of my adult Christmas’ have been spent, burdened and heavy under the Hope that promises much but asks for everything along the way. Maybe this is your story this year, maybe your losses have been deep and painful. Maybe you stand in the reality of every Christmas from now on being a bitter reminder of those that are no longer with you, and things that have been lost along the way. If this is you take courage from Mary who somehow found a way to move from peep pondering and introspection to singing. Somewhere along the road the question of her life ceased to become "If you knew me and love me God how could you ask this of me" to "God who do you see when you look at me?" Somewhere along the way her hope was unfettered to all those good things that she had hoped her life would be and became anchored to God’s hopes for her.

"For he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed," -Luke 2:48

Where do you need hope this Christmas?  How can we be a portrait of hope to the Stoughton community?

You are a worshiper. So am I. We all are. Every day, all day, in every place you and I worship. We all worship something. We can’t help it, because we were made to worship.

You may not consider yourself a worshiper, or may not think that you worship all the time, but think of it this way: worship is about what we value; worship is our response to what we value the most.

So, worship isn’t just about singing or about what we say. It’s more about what we do.

This thought comes crashing home during the Christmas season. For many people this is the time of year that they think to themselves, "I’ll finally take time to focus on the important things in life. This Christmas season I’ll discover how to really worship. I’ll finally rise above all the everyday stuff to find real meaning in it all." But in a few short weeks, or days, they give up feeling like they’ve once again failed. They think of worship as some grand act that will elevate them beyond the "everydayness" of life.

In his book The Air I Breathe Louie Giglio suggests another way…

Most people find themselves in places that don’t seem all that spiritual. Or worshipful. Jobs that seem pointless apart from paying the bills or filling the time…. If you’ve ever felt like that, I’ve got great news. You can worship God wherever you are…doing whatever it is you do. Your attitide of worship can turn any mundane task into an offering to God.

Perhaps our greatest acts of worship come during the "everydayness." Trusting and following Jesus gives us a new relationship wit God and shows us a way to live in close connection with him in each moment. Giglio goes on to say

Our lives are filled with gifts from God, little miracles. The trees that line the road we take to work. The car (new or not so new) that gets us there. A chance to work. Eyes to see. A place to sleep. His faithfulness in days gone by. All these should keep us worshiping moment by moment.

When we see the greatness of God in all these everyday moments, we can’t help but worship more. We’re invited to a moment-by-moment connection of personal worship that’s as much a part of our lives as the air we breathe. That’s the life that the coming of Jesus makes possible.

The Christmas story is about so much more that Christmas, isn’t it?

What if this Christmas things really were different? What if this Christmas you could discover how to

• WORSHIP MORE
• GIVE MORE
• LOVE MORE

Here’s the deal: I’m not a cynic or a humbug, but there’s nothing magic about the Christmas season. Christmas doesn’t change me, and the Christmas season can’t change me. I can’t really become something at Christmas that I’m not the rest of the year. But, it’s not hopeless.

The coming of Christ was meant to change the world. Christ changes me. The coming of Christ fulfilled a long awaited promise. In Christ we now have full access to life in the eternal kingdom of God.

So, while I may not become a different person at Christmas, in Christ I am a new creation, and I’m learning to live like the person God says I am in Christ. It’s an ongoing journey, and I’m letting Jesus teach me the way to live.

This Christmas season, we’ll be exploring these ideas together and discovering how the coming of Christ invites us to a life where we can worship more, give more, and love more.