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Volume 78, Issue 7 July 2010
From the Minister:
The Congregational Church of Faribault UCC is part of a network of churches known as the Minnesota Conference. This network and the greater national United Church of Christ sponsor missionaries who are working in clinics, in neighborhoods, and farm fields. Our hands stretch to East Timor, to the Philippines and even to Zimbabwe. We are drilling wells, building bio-gas resources ("Porker Petro?"), healing the sick, repairing cleft palates, rebuilding earthquake ravaged Haiti, teaching and sharing God's love.
For a couple of days George Wickstrom, Jr. and I were introduced to these and other global efforts to witness to the dignity of persons, to stand in solidarity with the oppressed, and to comfort the afflicted. It is surprising to see the enormous outreach that the Conference and National Church are making in the world. There are two primary ways that we participate in this work: giving our capita dues ($10 per person), and through special giving called Our Church's Wider Mission (OCWM).
Historically, there has been reluctance in our congregation to participate in these ways of giving. Money is tight for us. We do, from time to time, find memorial money for equipment or furnishings, but our budget is shy of where we need to be and our endowment has greatly declined. It's hard to remember that while we are trying to pay for utilities and salaries, others in the world are dying from AIDS, living in make-shift shelters and mourning the loss of their families from natural disasters. How big are our hearts? What is God calling us to do with our resources?
These are some of the questions we are going to be addressing in the months ahead. Stay tuned.
Jan
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Have you seen the new 60" flat screen TV? It was recently purchased with memorial funds. Donations are routinely given to the Church in memory or in honor of a member or friend as a way to enhance church programs, buildings, etc. The TV will be used for Movie Night and other church functions.
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SAVE THE DATE!
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, IS THE DATE FOR JAN BODIN'S INSTALLATION SERVICE.
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Special Thanks to:
· Linda Gagnon for baking loaves of bread which were given to new members who joined our church May 23rd.
· Milt Kettering and Ollie Larson for covering the custodial duties on the church property while Tim Nelson was on vacation in late May and early June.
· John & Karla Furey for donating a DVD player to be used with our new flat screen TV.
· May Bottke who helped Rev. Jan with the nursing home services in June.
· Joel Raaen and his crew who took part in the Heritage Days parade...to the scroll rollers and ribbon tiers: Mary Ellen Thomas, Richard Huston, Carl Mortenson, Sandra Thomas, Ardis Sundwall, Jan Bodin, Kris & Joel Raaen; to the musicians; to the walkers handing out the scrolls and pencils; and to Kris and Joel for donating the pencils.
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Join us for movie night at 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 17th. Our movie feature is "Finding Nemo." This delightful cartoon is enjoyed by all ages. Adults will have much more to laugh about than the children. Popcorn and drinks provided.
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GREETING FROM THE MODERATOR:
How well our church serves our local and world community depends on how well we use our time, buildings, and financial resources.
You will soon receive a questionnaire from the Cabinet. Please take time to give us your best thinking on what you would recommend we do as a church to best accomplish our mission statement. It is vital that we as a congregation understand and take ownership of our decisions and the efforts we commit to. Having a unified sense of purpose can energize us to accomplish much more than we could otherwise.
Take time to discuss your thoughts with others; sharing your thinking can be synergistic and expand our horizons. We will look forward to your responses and will give them careful consideration.
George Wickstrom, Jr.
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WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBERS:
Please add these names to your Church Directory:
Jan Bodin and Deb Braun
Jim & Shirley Rainey
Dr. Richard Huston
Liz Fritz and Shanna Lindelien, Blake, Noah, CJ
(Contact the Church Office for addresss and phone numbers. Pictures of our new members are posted on the Photo page.)
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Garden & Landscape Tour
The Committee has been hard at work pulling together all the loose ends to make our first Garden & Landscape Tour a huge success. Help is still needed in all areas so please consider signing up to sit at a garden and sell or punch tickets; contribute bars for the Ice Cream Social, or to work at the Ice Cream Social. And...please BUY a ticket to attend this fundraising event. The details are:
Garden & Landscape Tour
Sunday, July 11, 2010
12:30 to 5:00 p.m.
Tickets - $10 per person
Tickets include an Ice Cream Social (sponsored by the Nook & Cranny)
from 3 to 5 p.m. at our Church
Gardens on the tour: Terry and Marilyn Caron; Mike and Deb Glende; Harriet and Jim Dietz; Carl and JENean Mortenson; Tom and Linda Gagnon; Roger and Kak Koopman, and Kevin Pierce.
Tickets available at: the Church office, Farmer Seed & Nursery, and the Nook & Cranny.
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Work Day - July 17
Being hospitable is an important feature of our congregation. In an effort to show our hospitality we have decided to re-arrange the furniture and cabinets in the back entrance of the church to make it more welcoming. We want our "Back Door Guests" to feel the warmth and love that is so evident once they come inside.
Items stored in this area will be relocated and comfortable chairs will be moved in. If you would like to help with this project, come on Saturday, July 17, at 9 a.m. garbed in your work clothes.
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Sunday, July 4
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
Guest minister: Rev. Paula Nordham
Sunday, July 11
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
Communion Sunday
Genesis 18:1-14; Luke 10:25-37
Sermon: Open-hearted Care
Sunday, July 18
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
Ruth 2:1-12; Luke 10:38-42
Sermon: Extravagant Welcome
Sunday, July 25
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
II Kings 5:1-14; Luke 11:1-13
Sermon: Asking, Seeking, Finding
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SMALL DOGS, LARGE DOGS, HOT DOGS
You are invited to attend our first Blessing of the Animal service and picnic at 10 a.m. on Sunday, July 25th at Maple Lawn Park, just behind the cemetery. We will enjoy the pavilion there for our lunch and our children and child-like adults can play on the playground equipment. A picnic lunch will be provided and a freewill offering taken.
You are welcome to bring to our gathering a pet to be blessed. Worship will be informal and child-friendly. There will be no worship service at the church on this Sunday.
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PARISH HOUSE "GRANT PROGRAM"
To date we have received pledges in the amount of $15,600. Of this amount pledged, we have received $3,750.00. It's NOT too late to commit to this fundraiser.
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Vacation Time for Jan
Jan Bodin will be on vacation after worship June 27 through July 5. During her vacation, Rev. Lora Sturm, Pastor of St. John's UCC, will cover should any emergencies arise. Her cell number is 507-330-0025.
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From the Church Records:
New Members: Received on May 23, 2010--
Jim Rainey, Jan Bodin, Deb Braun, Richard Huston,
Liz Fritz, and Shanna Lindelien.
Received on June 6, 2010--
Shirley Rainey.
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A Game and Pizza Evening will be held again on Saturday, July 17 from 5 - 8. Bring a snack to share, a favorite game or two and a couple bucks for pizza. We meet in the church basement (Plymouth Hall). Last month was great. Let's make this month even better.
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This Month's Historical Quiz:
1. The limestone for our Church was quarried in St. Paul. True/False
2. In the 1870's pews were rented as a means of raising operating funds. True/False
3. The Resurrection Scene, a memorial window in the sanctuary, was designed and made at Tiffany's.
True/False
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Notes from the last Cabinet Meeting
The Diaconate Board reviewed all committees and boards currently in place under the current church structure. Lynn Cook reported on these recommendations for these boards to the Cabinet members. A task force will be formed to review and discuss these suggestions with representative from several boards. This group will bring a draft of possible By-law changes to the next Loyalty meeting.
The Cabinet members discussed a church member survey to get current church pulse. This survey could be replied to by mail or phone. The survey will be distributed soon.
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Remember the Food Shelf
Some families have children who are home from school for the summer. Many of these kids ate at least one meal at school so now there is more demand for food at home. The Food Shelf greatly appreciates our donations of food and funds. Thanks for your help.
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Philippine Immersion Trip
The Minnesota Conference invites you to consider participating in a Philippine Immersion Trip, January 12 - 25, 2010. Cost is $2,700 includes airfare, lodging, meals, transportation in the Philippines, honoraria and costs directly related to the trip.
This trip provides an opportunity for the Minnesota Conference UCC to affirm its partnership with the South-East Mindanao Jurisdiction of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines.
Participants must complete a series of orientations in the fall of 2010. Readings on globalization and major issues in the Philippine context will be necessary reading.
If you are interested, contact Eleazar Fernandez at United Theological Seminary 651-255-6131 or email Eleazar at efernandez@united seminary.edu.
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Birthdays in June - see the poster at Church.
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The Church Event Calendar is posted on the Church bulletin board.
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You Are Welcome...
