The Sacred Pace of Rest

Jesus, who often withdrew with his disciples to quiet, deserted places, understood something we easily forget: transformation takes time. The richest, most life-giving compost does not form overnight. As author James Gleick observes, “You can’t hurry compost for the same reason you can’t hurry love and you can’t hurry a soufflé. The biochemistry has its own inherent pace.” In much the same way, the most meaningful parts of life unfold slowly. Relationships deepen over years. Wisdom grows through experience. True rest cannot be rushed.

Disciples of Jesus today are invited to rediscover the value of the deserted place. It is not empty or wasted space, but sacred ground. It is where long books can be read, unhurried prayers can be offered and deep thoughts can take root. It is where Sabbath is honored through rest, renewal and quiet attentiveness to God.

In a culture that prizes speed and productivity, stepping away may feel counterintuitive. Yet it is in these still moments that our souls are restored and made fertile for growth. The deserted place becomes a gift, shaping us into people who are grounded, attentive and spiritually mature, ready to reenter the world with renewed strength and purpose.

Pastor Mark

Vacation Bible School was held at First United Presbyterian Church in conjunction with Central Methodist, Faith Lutheran and Algonquin Methodist June 29th through July 2nd. This year's theme was "Rainforest Falls". Although a group picture was not taken, below are some photos of some of the fun had. Special thanks to all the volunteers and to the FUPC ladies who served everyone lunch following the program on the final day. The VBS Mission Project continues to collect items to fill backpacks with such as notebooks, pencils, breakfast bars, pudding cups, etc. for the upcoming school year. Please contact Amie Lawson for more details.

You are invited to an OPEN HOUSE at Presbytery Point Camp! Come tour the grounds, meet the new camp director, learn about our mission and taste some yummy camp food! Please join us on August 22^nd from 1:00 to 7:00PM at 211 Brown Rd, Michigamme, MI.

Please consider voting on 8/4 in support of the CHAC (Community Health Access Coalition) proposal on the ballot. The CHAC organization provides a great service to the public. For more information on their programs, please contact Andrea Osborn at info@upchac.org. Be informed and make a vote!

Required Minimum Distribution

This year is presenting a significant financial strain1 for our church.  At the same time, many are concerned with the economy as it relates to personal finances.  It’s a great time to remind our members of a mutually beneficial contribution option for those 73 and older.

Once you turn 73, you are generally required to start withdrawing from certain retirement accounts (such as your traditional IRA, 401(k), or similar employer -sponsored retirement plans) in what is known as a required minimum distribution (RMD). If you don’t withdraw, you’ll take a significant financial hit. The IRS penalty for not taking the RMD is 25% of the amount not taken by the deadline. The deadline to take your first RMD is usually April 1, of the year after you turn 73, and December 31, each year after that. Your RMD for any year is the account balance as of the end of the prior calendar year divided by a life expectancy factor according to the IRS. Normally, a RMD is included as gross income on your tax return. However, Congress passed the Protecting Americans From Tax Hikes Act, which established the Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD). This act codified the practice of charitable giving directly from IRA accounts.  By contributing directly to the church from your IRA, you can satisfy some or all of your RMD.  This Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), is not treated as ordinary income and is exempt from income tax.

 For First United Presbyterian Church members who need to manage their funds to avoid a high tax bracket on their adjusted gross income, please consider donating a portion or full amount of your RMD to the church in the form of a Qualified Charitable Distribution.  As with all tax questions, consult your tax preparer for details as they relate to your personal financial situation.

The annual Memorial Candle Lighting, Dedication Service will be held on Sunday, October 18th.

PW would like to thank everyone who donated their items and their time with this year's Annual Rummage Sale being held on August 1st. More information on the sale will be available in next month's Chimes.

Boat Dip

Ingredients:

• 16 oz of sour cream
• 1 packet of taco seasoning
• 1 packet of ranch dressing mix
• 1 10 oz can of Rotel tomatoes (DRAINED)
• 8 oz shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions:

In a large bowl, mix all of the ingredients together until well combined. Cover and store in the fridge for 1 hour or until ready to serve. Serve with tortilla chips, potato chips, veggies, crackers, etc. Enjoy!