November Newsletter - Community Church of Walker UCC

GN
THE GOOD NEWS !
Community Church of Walker
United Church of Christ
P.O. Box 267
Hwy 371 & Tianna Drive
Walker, MN 56484
(218) 547-1093
Rev. Lynn Strandt
Our Mission
To offer a welcoming church home to all, where friendships grow, spiritual needs are met,
community concerns are addressed and where “God is Still Speaking...”
NOVEMBER 2014
Discussion Group 9:00 a.m. Worship 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:15 a.m. Fellowship 11:00 a.m.
The Good News!—November 2014
Page 2
A PASTOR’S PONDERINGS
“So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation:
everything old has passed away;
see, everything has become new!
2 Corinthians 5:17
Driving back from Bemidji yesterday in a snow �storm’ was an awakening awareness of the season
that is coming after so much nice weather. I was on the lake only a week or so ago. Then when I walked
into my office at home, I saw the catalog from which I will be ordering the Advent and Christmas Eve
bulletins that Spiritual Life decided on. I heard on the news or someplace that it’s only 50 some days to
Christmas…yikes! Where does the time go? The other day, Kerry helped secure the dates of November
24th and 25th for STS to help us with the hanging of the greens. This weekend we �fall back’ as we change
back to standard time. Change!!
Change is many times hard but it is inevitable. But, perhaps another way to look at it is go ahead and
lament what was and move into what’s ahead…sometimes, actually many times, it’s pretty amazing. I
imagine all of us can think of many wonderful things not expected that arose out of change.
I am rejoicing at how the council has evolved into not only a larger representative group, but also
how the many more voices are being engaged in decisions that affect all of us. The decisions—yes,
sometimes bringing change—are ones that have been discussed respectfully and then voted on. This, I
believe, is how it is meant to be: everyone having an equal voice; the vote taken with the majority ruling;
and then we move forward. It is being practiced in other settings than the council, and the feedback that I
have been given is that it is appreciated. I appreciate all leaders and chairs who engage this kind of
practice, as it allows for the many good ideas each of you have to be part of the solutions—the ways we can
move into being a more responsive and strong church family. Thanks to everyone who shares their ideas as
they have brought about some great solutions and ways of being the church in Walker. After all, only God
has all the right answers, so let us continue to allow God to speak through each of us.
God’s blessings as we move forward together,
Pastor Lynn
The Church has been given a lovely piano by Loretta and Sheldon Mayclin. We have replaced the
large and much older piano with the one from the Mayclins. Perhaps you have noticed this change in the
Fellowship Hall. We do thank them for thinking of us and will always remember how beautifully Loretta
could play the piano.
The older piano is now in one of the Sunday School rooms and LOOKING FOR A HOME!!! If you
would like to have this piano, or know of someone who would like it, it’s your/theirs for the TAKING AND
MOVING!!!
If you have any questions, please call the Music Board Chair, Darlene at (218) 547-1063
The Good News!—November 2014
Page 3
MODERATOR’S NOTES
As all the leaves and acorns are falling we look to the next season of winter and what our church and
our members will be doing. Most of our snowbirds have left and we wish them a great winter and will look
forward to them coming back in the spring.
Lots of good things are happening in our church: the new Congregational Directory is being worked
on; Women’s Fellowship are busy with activities; for the younger ones we have Release Time, Youth
Group and Confirmation; the policy for the church is being worked on; the Hunter’s Feast is being
organized - be sure to buy tickets and attend that great meal. Thank you to everyone for all your hard
work.
Our council meeting last night was longer than I planned and hoped for—it was 3 hours—I will try
my best to make them shorter in future! We did, however, have a lot of things to consider, plus our new
neighbors, Northern Peace Funeral Home, came to explain what they will be doing—their plans are so
exciting.
Last month I asked that if anyone wanted something on the agenda to let me know by the Friday
before the Council Meeting and that is working well.
I would like it if reports could be given to me by the Sunday before the Council Meeting in the hopes
that this will make is less confusing at the start of meeting. This month I copied all the information and
handed out the packet—but I had forgotten to put the September minutes in that packet! As Barb said,
“First time’s always a goof.” I will try to get everything in from now on. The Policy Committee is working on the new Church policy and each council member took them home to read. We will be discussing
them in the November meeting.
Last but not least, remember to check out the Honor Our Veterans bulletin board. We thank them for
their service to our country and we are very proud of all you.
Your Moderator, Pat Finney
The Good News!—November 2014
Page 4
FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S REPORT
Pledge/Giving Analysis: 09/01/2014 - 09/30/2014
Summary - Non-Pledged
1 - Pledges
2,885.00
10 - Fund Raisers
25.00
11 - Miscellaneous
99.75
2 - Regular
942.00
3 - Plate
243.65
4 - Rent
375.00
Grand Total
$4,570.40
Count: 44
Giving selection: Only those who gave
Pledging selection: All.
Accounts selected: All accounts
People where: Excluding terminated/inactive. Also includes: donations individuals, donations groups,
membership groups.
Thank you for your continued support of the Community Church of Walker UCC.
Vera Demars, Financial Secretary and
Ruth Niedermann, Financial Secretary
Vera [email protected]
Ruth [email protected]
Home Phone 547-3390
Home Phone 547-1656
UCC COMMUNITY CHURCH COUNCIL MINUTES
October 21st, 2014
Attending: Pastor Lynn, Bar b Br ownlow, Deb Far r ell, Pat Finney, J o Hor ak, Alice J ohnson, Dor is
Johnson, Ruth Niedermann, JoAnn Rand, Doris Splichal, Sue Standeven, Darlene Stilson, Kerry Swenson.
Also attending: Doug Olson
Moderator: Pat Finney asked Pastor Lynn to opened the meeting with a prayer. Pat had no report.
Jarrod & Jenelle Mankie attended the meeting to give us an update on the Northern Peace building project.
Three ponds are being developed on the property and there will be Memorial Paths along the paving stones
that will circle the ponds. 64 Cremation Niches, benches and possibly fountains will be placed along the
path. A Veterans Memorial displaying dog tags will be made of the large pines that were taken down for the
building project.
Pastor Lynn: The Confirmation Class will attend worship in Onigum with Pastor Mark Olson, which Council
approved. Pastor Lynn created and distributed a monthly “General Use of Time” report on her daily activities.
Treasurer: Deb presented her report for the board and said church finances still look good at this time.
Council approved.
Financial:
Vera gave her report and Council approved it.
Memorials:
Ruth made no report.
Continued on Page 5
The Good News!—November 2014
Page 5
Continued from Page 4
Trustees:
Kerry would like there to be a "church volunteers" list for anyone who will be working with
children. This will solve the problem with the confusion of “who is doing what.”
Benevolence: "Neighbors in Need" has taken in $350.00 so far for the month of October. Doris J. asked the
Benevolence committee if the Christmas Eve Fund collection should be taken earlier in the month when more
people would be present. The committee decided to continue doing this on Christmas Eve as done in the past.
History:
They are making progress.
Christian Ed: Jo reports there were 4 kids for the first High School Release Time. There would be a possible
18 kids for the Elementary School group. John Thompson has volunteered to help on April 15th, 2015, for the
High School Release Time; 2 adults are required to be present at all times when kids are involved. Advent
Workshop will be held on November 30th and the Christmas Program on December 14th.
Spiritual Life: Daily Advent books ar e her e and will be put out closer to Advent. The Congr egational
Directory rough draft is on the conference table. Please check out the information under your name such as:
address, spelling, phone numbers and email. If there is information you do not want in the directory, cross it
out. After you have approved it, please initial it.
Music:
The contract with Luke has been signed for $400.00 a month with one Sunday a month off
when Celebrate will perform instead of the choir. An ad for the sale of the piano will be in the Walker
paper. There is an ad in the Walker paper for an accompanist for Sunday mornings choir practice and church
service. Juliane has volunteered to play the organ for the hymns. We are so pleased about this. Marina has
also been so kind as to play the piano until we can find a full time person. When both Marina and Juliane are
there at the same time, they will play the hymns together. We are so thankful for these two great and talented
ladies for working this out for us. The organ is in need of some attention. Juliane will keep us informed about
what the repairman will find. We hope our music budget will cover the expense— this is necessary, so let’s all
hope it won’t be too costly.
Women’s Fellowship: The Women’s Fellowship meeting will be held on November 19th. The Christmas
Tea will be on Saturday, December 6th at 5:00 p.m. Carpets upstairs and downstairs will be cleaned. They are
starting to collect shoes for the Sentence to Serve people.
Old Business: The Hunter’s Feast tickets are ready to be picked up for people to sell.
Pastor Lynn's contract was handed out and read by the council. Discussion and questions followed resulting in
corrections and additions being made.
Pat read an email from Bonnie Bailey concerning the loan on the van for Tammy Artley. After discussion,
Kerry made a motion for the church to pay $565.00 out of undesignated funds in Memorial of Jane Bailey. A
paper vote was taken and the results were 7 yes, 5 no.
New Business: Pat will be attending the Northern Peace zoning meeting at the city.
A motion by Vera to adjourn, seconded by Barb, ayes all.
Alice Johnson: Clerk 10:00 p.m.
The Good News!—November 2014
Page 6
Our next scheduled meeting will be Wednesday, November 19th at 1:00 p.m. at our church.
Faith Circle will host. All women are welcome to join us for good discussion and great fellowship.
On October 27th (and possibly the 28th) we will sponsor a two level carpet cleaning of the church done
by the STS crew. The lower level was last cleaned over two years ago and the upper one much longer ago.
Since we have a new church vacuum (see Pat smile) it is a good time for a fresh start on all levels.
Dates to remember for the future are our Christmas Tea on Saturday, December 6th at 5:00 p.m. Mark
your calendars now and invite a friend. We will again take reservations. More details available soon.
Women's Fellowship Board
Advent Workshop
and
Pot Luck
It’s never too early to start thinking
about purchasing Christmas Cards.
November 30th
after Church
The Recycled Cards Gals have been busy.
Cards can be purchased individually or in bundles.
Advent logs & other crafts
Look in the Fellowship Hall for cards for all occasions.
Bring something to share
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION BOARD
Our Board met on Sunday, October 19th, at 11:15 a.m. Discussion centered on these upcoming
events. Dates are as follows: Advent Workshop—Sunday, November 30th (during Fellowship Time).
Good fun, learning, and sharing for both young and young in heart. Please plan to join us! All craft ideas
are welcome. Just let a member of CE Board know your plans.
Another date is December 14th, when our Christmas play will be performed as a part of the Sunday
morning service. Please plan to be there!
Two sessions of Release Time have been held so far and are going fairly well. October 1st High
School group had 4 youth, and October 22nd Elementary School group welcomed 18 kids. Special thanks
to Lead Teacher, Amber, and all who assisted with the most recent event—Dick, Darlene, and Betty
(snacks), Kathy, Jo and Bev (assist) and Pastor Lynn (inspiration and music). Release Time’s next date is
November 5th.
Thanks to all who support our various CE activities!
Christian Education Board next meets Sunday November 15th.
Blessings to you from the Christian Education Board.
The Good News!—November 2014
Page 7
8th ANNUAL
HUNTER’S
FEAST
Saturday, November 8th
5:00—7:30 p.m.
Adults $12 Kids 5-11 $7
Show us your hunting license
and save $2
RIBS & CHICKEN
Scalloped Potatoes
Hot Vegetable, Rolls,
Salads, Desserts and Beverages
Community Church of Walker
United Church of Christ
Located at the corner of Hwy 371 & Tianna Drive, Walker
The Good News!—November 2014
Page 8
WORSHIP MINISTRY ~ NOVEMBER
USHER
SOUND SYSTEM
Doug Olson
Karen Compton and Pat Finney
November 2
November 9
November 16
November 23
November 30
GREETERS
LITURGISTS
Ruth & Earl Niedermann
JoAnn Rand
Beth Alderson
Doris & Don Splichal
Meryle O’Connor
Kerry Swenson
Chris Kolp
Deb Farrell
John Thompson
Bev Jorland
COMMUNION ASSISTANTS
November
December
January
February
March
Steve Bilben
Barb Brownlow
Don & Doris Splichal
Vera Demars
Don & Doris Splichal
The Good News!—November 2014
Page 9
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Let us pray together for:
п‚·
All the natural disaster victims worldwide.
п‚·
The victims and their families lost to acts of violence.
п‚·
Peace in the Middle East and all over the world.
п‚·
The men and women in the Armed Forces and National Guard who have been called to active duty.
We pray for the health of our members, friends and loved-ones: Yvonne Ahles, Ruth Aksamit,
Gene Alderson, The Family and Friends of Bill Alderson (Gene’s Brother), Tammy Artley,
Kathy Austreng, Dale Boone, The Family of Ken and Mary Butzier, Lois Caldwell, Jim Canada, Rev. Milan and Joan Davig, Ardith Fischer, Penny Fisher, Vida Fuller, Virginia Hallett,
Emma Halverson, Dick Hein, Ed and Betty Hopps, Georgie Howard, Bill Koch, Jerome Markel, Loretta Mayclin, Kristy Meyer, Pat and Bob Moore, Kent Olson, Arthur Reese, Bob
Stonebraker
NOVEMBER DATES TO CELEBRATE
BIRTHDAYS
1
10
11
14
20
21
23
24
25
26
27
29
Ken Huber
Paula Stittsworth
Peggy Berglund
Penny Fisher
Jack Metzger
Matthew Paul
Karen Pooley
Beverly Lloyd
Deb Farrell
Wendy Paul
Chris Kolp
Vida Fuller
Chick Knight
Lorraine Henselin
Tammy Artley
ANNIVERSARIES
6
19
Bruce and Ruby Haugen
Matt and Wendy Paul
The Good News!—November 2014
Page 10
The Good News! is a monthly newsletter publication of the
Community Church of Walker
United Church of Christ
located at the corner of Highway 371 & Tianna Drive
Walker, MN 56484
Mailing address: P.O. Box 267, Walker, MN 56484
Phone: (218) 547-1093
Email: commchurchucc@ar vig.net
Web Site: www.uccwalker.com
Rev. Lynn Strandt
(218) 547-6413
[email protected]
Secretary: Mar ina Lovell Email: commchurchucc@ar vig.net
Office Hours: Wednesday and Thursday 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Music/Choir Director: Luke Bar nar d
Bell Choir Director: Heidi Hoppe
Custodian: Pat Finney
Email: l.bar [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Email: pat57@ar vig.net
Church Moderator: Pat Finney
Vice-Moderator: JoAnn Rand
Clerk: Alice Johnson
Treasurer: Deb Farrell
Financial Secretary Co-Chairs: Vera Demars and Ruth Niedermann
Historian: Darlene Stilson
Chair, Board of Trustees: Kerry Swenson
Chair, Board of Benevolence: Doris Johnson
Chair, Board of Christian Education: Jo Horak
Chair, Board of Memorials: Ruth Niedermann
Chair, Board of Music: Darlene Stilson
Chair, Board of Spiritual Life: Seasonal Co-Chairs Barb Brownlow & Doris Splichal
Women’s Fellowship President: Jo Horak
Minister/Church Relations Board Members:
JoAnn Rand (Vice-Moderator), Deb Farrell, Marge Koch, John Thompson
Materials for the December Good News! Newsletter need to be in the office by
9:00 a.m. Thursday November 20th, 2014
2 Communion
8:30 a.m.
9:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
10:15 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
Choir Practice
Discussion Grp
Worship
Sunday School
Fellowship
3
MONDAY
NOVEMBER 2014
4
TUESDAY
10:00 a.m.- noon
3:00-6:30 p.m.
National Christmas
Weight Watchers
Tree travelling through
Walker
6:00 p.m. Boy Scouts
9
9:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
10:15 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
Discussion Grp
Worship
Sunday School
Fellowship
16
8:30 a.m.
9:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
10:15 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
Choir Practice
Discussion Grp
Worship
Sunday School
Fellowship
8:30 a.m.
9:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
10:15 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
5
6
1:00-4:00 p.m.
Office Hours
1:00-4:00 p.m.
Office Hours
4:00-6:15 p.m.
Confirmation
1:00-4:00 p.m.
Recycled Cards
11
12
13
6:00 p.m. Boy Scouts
3:00-6:30 p.m.
Weight Watchers
1:00-4:00 p.m.
Office Hours
1:00-4:00 p.m.
Office Hours
4:00-6:15 p.m.
Youth Group
1:00-4:00 p.m.
Recycled Cards
20
17
18
19
6:00 p.m. Boy Scouts
3:00-6:30 p.m.
Weight Watchers
8:40 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
9:00 a.m. Deadline for
Release Time Elem. Sch. December Newsletter
submissions
1:00 p.m. Women’s
Fellowship Meeting
1:00-4:00 p.m.
Office Hours
1:00-4:00 p.m.
Office Hours
1:00-4:00 p.m.
Recycled Cards
4:00-6:15 p.m.
Confirmation
1:00 p.m. Esther Circle
at May Creek
6:00 p.m.
Board Meetings
24
Choir Practice
Discussion Grp
Worship
Sunday School
Fellowship
THURSDAY
10
7:00 p.m.
Council Meeting
23
WEDNESDAY
25
26
9:30 a.m.
9:30 a.m.
Hanging of the Greens Hanging of the Greens
1:00-4:00 p.m.
Office Hours
6:00 p.m. Boy Scouts
4:00-6:15 p.m.
Youth Group
3:00-6:30 p.m.
Weight Watchers
27
FRIDAY
7
SATURDAY
8
5:00-7:30 p.m.
Hunter’s Feast
14
15
21
22
28
29
The Good News!—November 2014
SUNDAY
30
Page 11
8:30 a.m. Choir Practice
9:00 a.m. Discussion Grp
10:00 a.m. Worship
10:15 a.m. Sunday School
11:00 a.m. Advent
Workshop and Potluck
Community Church of Walker
United Church of Christ
P.O. Box 267
Walker, MN 56484
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The Good News!
Community Church of Walker
United Church of Christ
2014
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