REFLECTIONS for April 2017
from Pastor Mary
Promise. As I write this reflection, water is covering the ice on the lake and also the ice on
the roads and paths. I can see the ‘promise’ of Spring for that is what all this floating water
means to me—Spring is coming to the Northwoods! Yes we have ice and snow now, but,
with each warm day, more melts and, even though more comes, it lasts for shorter and shorter periods. I am
getting restless with winter and ever more anxious to get outside to rake the ‘front yard’ between the house and
the lake. Mike and I first saw this home in late fall when everything was deeply covered with leaves and then
again in December when everything was covered with snow, so we really don’t know what the ground actually
looks like surrounding us. I promise to enjoy the ice melt and the lake glisten with sparkling life anew!
Here there are lots of rocks. I really like rocks! I am thrilled to see so many very large rocks and also interesting
smaller ones. I just finished reading about the glacial retreat of the last great Ice Age. We are blessed to have so
many lakes and also the Great Lakes which are the result of the glacial ice retreating. It will be fun to find rocks
and gather rocks and carry rocks (!) and then use them in fun formations. Wherever Mike and I have lived, he
has joined me in ‘picking up rocks.’ When we lived in Charlevoix on Lake Michigan, we became quite good at
spotting Petoskey stones and we had a large collection which we left behind when we moved on. It seemed the
right thing to do for the Petoskey stones are found basically in the Charlevoix-Petoskey area. For those of you
who don’t know of Petoskey stones…They are a rock and a fossil , fragments of a coral reef that was originally
deposited during the Devonian period, approximately 350 million year ago! (I know, that’s hard to put your mind
around.) I have some coral that washed up in Hollywood, FL that looks just like our Petoskey stones!
I look forward to being able to find a Lake Superior agate. I bought three of them in the original Yooper Store in
Ishpeming, MI where there is a good display of geological findings. My father said that the home he grew up in
in Ishpeming was situated on Jasper Bluff and I always remember the sound of someone hammering for jasper
whenever I drive up to see his old house on Jasper Bluff in Ishpeming. I promise to enjoy the geology of our little
special piece of land here on the north shore of Birch Lake!
What do you love about the promise of Spring? The smell of moisture and sweetness in the air? The sight of the
first wildflowers poking through the ground—I have my Peterson’s Guide to Wildflowers waiting…The sound of
birds singing in the trees when the mating calls are the loudest and most urgent of the year? The sight of the
first green leaves appearing on the trees? When I visited my brother and sister-in-law during their year of
teacher exchange in Finland, I remember going to an open market where little bunches of birch twigs with green
leaves were being sold much as we sell pussy willows here in America. Folks were buying them to put on their
dining table to remind them of Spring’s approach. Perhaps I will pick some birch twigs with green leaves and put
them in a vase on the table for the same reason…I promise to enjoy each little peek I get of the beauty and
mystery of Spring as it unfolds here!
Promise. It’s Easter and time to remember the greatest promise we were ever given by our Lord Jesus. Jesus
promised to love us and forgive us. He did. Jesus died and promised to rise again. He did. Finally, Jesus
promised in Matthew 28:20 “I will be with you always, even until the end of the age.” He will! Joy in the journey
we share and all the promises of Spring, especially, the promise of Easter, Pastor Mary
OUT AND ABOUT….
This month I have been reaching out to community leaders as an envoy of our Ely Memorial Church! I have
been letting them know about our Helping Hands fund and also asking about how our church can help them in
their various capacities…First I met Vilas County Sheriff Joe Fath when he was kind enough to drive up from
Eagle River to visit our church and to share ideas; then I met the Land O’ Lakes Town Chairman Dan Balog; then I
attended a meeting of the Land O’ Lakes Chamber of Commerce; then I went across the street to meet Carie
Breck, the new principal of Land O’ Lakes Elementary and SOAR Charter Middle School where I was surprised to
learn that the greatest need for kids there is food. I have more folks to meet but if you have any suggestions for
me, call 715-547-3890 or email me at [email protected]. My goal is always to serve Christ at home
and in the world around us!
I finally met Rev. Mary Ann Briggs of the First Congregational Church, UCC, Eagle River and I also met Rev. John
Kuziej of neighboring Pioneer Lake Lutheran Church. The two, along with a few others, are part of the group
that gathered to plan the Ecumenical Good Friday Service which will be held at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic
Church at 5001 County Road G, Eagle River at 1 PM on April 14, 2017. If you would like to take part in an
ecumenical choir, please contact me and I will have practice dates for you. I hope that many of you will drive
down to Eagle River for this once-a-year ecumenical celebration. On another occasion, I met Michele Rein,
parish director of St. Albert Catholic Church in Land O’ Lakes and Saint Mary Catholic Church in Phelps. We are
blessed to have so many caring leaders in our midst.
The most important meeting of the month was the one I was invited to attend in Wausau on March 19 with the
Church & Ministry Committee of the Northwest Association of the Wisconsin Conference United Church of
Christ. It is a requirement in the United Church of Christ that a pastor meet with the Church & Ministry
Committee when transferring ministerial standing (from one state to another) which gives an ordained
individual the right to serve as a full-time pastor in good standing within the United Church of Christ. I
graduated from Yale Divinity School in New Haven CT with Master of Divinity degree in 1992. My first call to
ministry came from Christ Congregational Church UCC in south Miami, FL where I was ordained and my
ministerial standing established. Then my standing was transferred to OH where I served The Church in Silver
Lake, then it was transferred to MI where I served the First Congregational Church of Charlevoix, then to CT
where I served Lordship Community Church in Stratford, then I did a 9-month interim in Canton, OH at Trinity
UCC (since it was a part-time interim, standing did not need to be transferred) and now I am serving here at Ely
Memorial UCC and Phelps Congregational in Phelps. As my last full-time position was in CT, that’s where my
standing is which I have now requested to be transferred to the Northwest Association of the WI United Church
of Christ. The meeting was friendly, courteous and also important for no one wants to be transferring in a
minister who is not in full good standing in another state. So, I am on my way now to being ‘installed’ as your
settled pastor.
Plan to join us for the special installation which will take place on Pentecost Sunday, June 4th during worship. A
potluck will follow for all to enjoy.
Moderator’s Note – April
By Kathy Floriano
As we all wait patiently for the snow to melt, the lakes to open up, and the snowbirds
to return, it’s a good time to review with all of you the results of the last Vision Team
meeting. This information was also shared with the council at their March meeting.
The following five goals were determined by all of you at the three vision workshops that were led by our
interim pastor last year. As you read them, think how they fit into the mission statement of our church: To
LOVE and SERVE: God, Creation, Each Other, Community.
Vision Team Goals
To Nurture Membership
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Pastoral visits (Pastor Mary has been calling and visiting members.)
Nurturing Team (Nancy Bailey will put a team together with Pastor’s help.)
Cards, meals, visits, etc.
To Welcome Visitors
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Welcoming Team (Kathy Floriano will put a team together with Pastor’s help.)
Gently welcome
Befriend someone
Incorporate new members
Invite to special activities
To Increase Visibility
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Publicity Team (Barb Wilkinson & Pastor Mary)
Phun Committee (up and running)
Helping Hands (up and running) (Sig Baake, Chris Tews, Jim Floriano, Mike and Mary Willis)
Website (Mike Brennand is almost ready to launch our new website.)
Outreach Committee (Barb Agney - chair)
Endowment Committee (Charyl Zeh - chair)
To Have Fun
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Phun Committee (Brennands, Florianos, Chris Tews, Barb Agney)
Plan activities to enjoy fellowship and be visible in the community.
To Have Uplifting, Joyful Worship
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Pastor Mary
Worship Committee (Jan Smet - chair)
Music Team (Mike Willis will put a team together to plan music for the 2nd and 4th Sundays.)
We are grateful to those folks who have volunteered in some way as we strive to reach these goals.
Whether you are serving on a committee or team, or participating in an activity, you are an important part
of keeping our church alive and vibrant in the community.
WANTED! WANTED! WANTED!
Do you have a highchair in good condition that is gathering dust at your house? If so, it would be
nice for the church to have one on hand for any babies visiting on Sunday mornings or attending
funerals or other functions held at our church. Please call the church office if you have a
highchair that you would like to donate. If we get more than one, it could be borrowed if
someone from our church family has a little-one coming to visit their home.
Hospitality Groups – Revised April. 2016
In each quarter, these groups are responsible for events held at the church. They may serve for;
funerals, potlucks, congregational meetings which include a meal, or refreshments following a
special event. Your service may include: setting up tables, place settings, dessert donations, serving
food and beverages, and clean up. Leaders will coordinate your group. Thank you all! (s) indicates
a seasonal resident. If you feel you are not able to serve, or need to change your quarter, please call
the office. 715-547-3890
Group 2 – April, May, June
Steve and Barb Wilkinson, leaders
Bill and Pam Boscamp
Bill and Jan Smet
Chuck and Linda Sauberlich
Mark & Jo Mayeau
Mike and Diane Brennand
Chris Tews
Elsie Conant
Rev. Steve Russell has just been named Pastor Emeritus of Grace United
Church of Christ in Wausau and Rev. Nancy Russell has been named Pastor
Emeriti. Congratulations go to both of them for this distinctive honor. Steve serve there for 20
years. As a result of this momentous occasion, Steve and Nancy will be transferring their church
membership back to Grace United Church of Christ.
Prayer Concerns:
John Clarke
Bob Pierce Kully Rohlen
Chuck Battin R.D. & Dorothy Aikins
Esther Starszak
Mimi & Tom Allmann Mary Ann Lang Debbie Olson
Stacy Huddle – Niece of Barb & Steve Wilkinson
Tom Brennand – Mike’s Father
Family of Bob Clem
Family of Mary Lou Ullstead – Bob Wilson’s sister
Our U.C.C. Congregations in Phelps, Three Lakes, St. Germain, Eagle River, & Land O’Lakes
Our Homebound: Burt Wedow Everett Crass Jack Brandt
If you have someone you would like to add to the prayer list and have their permission to do so, please email or call the
office. [email protected] 715-547-3890
Easter Week Schedule
April 13th
Maundy Thursday Service 4:00 pm followed by soup supper at Ely.
April 14th
Good Friday Ecumenical Service 1:00 pm at St. Peter the Fisherman
church 5001 Hwy G. Eagle River.
April 15th
Saturday - Easter Breakfast Preparations 9:00 (including setting up the
flower cross). Please sign up in the fellowship hall to help.
April 16th
Easter! Easter Breakfast 9:15. Easter egg hunt after breakfast. Easter
Service 10:30.
Start warming up the sneakers! Ely plans to participate in this year’s relay for life.
Barb Agney & Barb Wilkinson will be coordinating our team. Watch for details forth coming.
St. Albert annual fish fry benefit
April 7th 5 – 7pm
St. Albert Church is hosting a fish fry on April 7th with all proceeds going to benefit the Bill Spence family. Bill
is a resident of Phelps, who has served our area as a plumber and also a civic minded volunteer in our
communities. He has been very generous in helping people in need. Last year, Bill had a major health crisis that
has left him unable to work. So far no disability support has come his way.
Help support neighbors helping neighbors
Phelps High School
Sophomore class fundraising breakfast
Saturday April 22, 2017. Sunrise Lodge 7:30 – 11:00. Contact Elsie Mendham for more info. 715-547-3684
Hats Off
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To Sandy and Don Hall and Helen Hayhurst for organizing the “Bowling for Phun” event.
Twenty-two folks participated. No one knows if there were more gutter balls than strikes, but
everyone had fun, whether they bowled or just cheered for others. We helped support the two
young couples that bought the bowling alley and Grizzlies as we enjoyed their catered pizza. To
top it all off, everyone went home with a prize!
To the nine ladies who spent a morning making soup under the guidance of our resident chef,
Sandy Hall. Thirty-five containers were put in the freezer to be delivered to those needing a
little TLC.
To all the women who helped make fleece blankets for Project Linus. Eighteen blankets were
delivered, ready to be wrapped around a child who needs love and comfort.
To Barb Wilkinson for taking care of publicity for these events so the community knows we are
an active congregation who wants to make a difference for others.
To the worship committee for their time and energy as they helped make plans for Easter week.
To the choir for their willingness to make worship more joyful by also singing on the second and
fourth Sundays.
To Barb Wilkinson for providing the art for our Lenten bulletin covers.
To Bob and Nancy Bailey for donating all the daffodils that were planted last fall so we can
FINALLY enjoy a sign of spring. We can’t wait! (They’re just peeking out of the ground now!)
Bowling over with laughter!
Our church went bowling and what fun we all had! It was an event of the Phun Committee
and all those who participated had lots of laughs and some good exercise.
Maybe this could be the start of an annual March event of bowling for phun?
In an effort to welcome new businesses and owners into town, Ely Memorial Church of Land O’ Lakes sponsored
a Bowling Party on March 12th at “The Alley”, previously T & M Lanes, which has been recently remodeled and
under new ownership. The church also catered pizzas from T. J. Grizzlies as part of the event. It was another
shop local, buy local effort to support and encourage local businesses by Ely Church members.
Need a ride? Sooner or later we all ‘need a ride’ to someplace important, like a doctor’s
office . Here is a list of Ely drivers who have agreed to provide a ride to other Ely members
when they need a ride:
Nancy Bailey—Conover—715-479-8971; Barb & Ken Brown—west Land O’ Lakes—715-547-6608; Elsie
Mendham—east Land O’ Lakes—715-547-3684; Sudy Wattson—Watersmeet (north Land O’ Lakes)—906-5442461; Barb Wilkinson—Watersmeet (north Land O’ Lakes)—906-544-2183; Scarlet and Bob Wilson—west Land
O’ Lakes—319-383-8203. THANK YOU TO ALL OUR VOLUTEER DRIVERS! GOD BLESS!
The Ecumenical Good Friday Service will be held at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church at 1:00
pm on Friday, April 14th. The ecumenical choir will be under the direction of Lori Hunter,
Director of Music at First Congregational United Church of Christ. Choir rehearsals will be held as follows:
Sunday, April 9th at 12:30 pm at First Congregational UCC and
Friday, April 14th at 11:15 am at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church.
All are welcome to participate.
No need to register just attend the first rehearsal or have someone pick up the music at the first
rehearsal for you.
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Financial Standing February 28, 2016
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Account Balances as of February 28, 2016
Pledges
$
4,327.00
Debit Card Account
$
638.08
Prepaid Pledges for 2017
$
1,933.35
General Checking
$
28,289.63
Loose Collections/Donation
$
1,979.86
Endowment Fund
$
252,186.88
Women’s Fellowship Support
$
612.51
Memorial Fund
$
4,766.05
Phelps Church
$
1,202.92
Sabbatical Account
$
62,463.69
Misc. Income
$
50.40
Attendance
Interest Income
$
63.17
February
5th
37
February
Total Income
$ 10,169.21
February
12th
33
February
Total Expenses
$ 12,396.96
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Happy Easter!
Total
19th
26th
37
27
134
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