UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
a just world for all
UCC Squared Weekly
May 9th, 2021 Worship at 10a
Please join us live on Facebook this coming Sunday.
This week's Sermon is called "Abiding"
Please click the link below to download or print off your bulletin
Coffee Fellowship will take place at 11:15 am Sunday
See you there!
O&J Special Request
Union Friends, Sanctuary and Resistance to Injustice is going to re-purpose some of the yard signs we use at our Wednesday actions at the Sherburne Government Center. This project will have several different volunteer opportunities.
- First, we are looking for donations of old solid colored sheets of any size. If you have patternless sheets you are no longer using, please drop them off in the drop box at the entrance of Union.
- Second, once we have the sheets, we will ask for volunteers to stitch them like pillow cases to slip over our existing yard signs
- Third, we will need help to paint new slogans or stencil images on the signs.
Watch this space! Once we have enough sheets, we will put out a call for volunteers to sew the slip covers.
Thank you for volunteering!
Thanks,
Nancy
CONVERSATION, DISCUSSION AND DISCERNMENT
about Faith Formation at Union Congregational Church, United Church of Christ
Gigi Nauer has resigned her position as Director of Faith Formation and Chorister Director effective July 31. (Gigi will be continuing as the Handbell Choir director)
We would like the help of the congregation to determine what and how we will move forward in fulfilling these positions. Therefore, we will enter into a Period of Discernment via two Google Meet groups.
Two Virtual Google Meet Groups will be offered to allow maximum attendance for responding to a variety of questions and to have conversation together about our process. Did you miss last night's meeting? It's okay because another one will be held Tuesday, May 11, 6:30 pm. Su Arnold, chair of Personnel will moderate and If necessary, we may add additional gatherings.
All families of children, youth, as well as current and former Sunday’s Cool and Sunday School teachers are especially encouraged to attend. We would also like anyone with thoughts and ideas about these positions to attend one of the Google Meets.
Possible Questions for Discernment:
1. What kind of ministry do we want to offer for our current children, youth and families?
2. What kind of outreach ministry to children, youth and families do we want to provide?
3. What role do we want a Faith Formation Leader to have within church staff, families, and the entire congregation?
4. What gifts and skills are we seeking in a Faith Formation leader? Prioritize.
5. What number of hours do we want a Faith Formation leader to provide?
6. How do we want to fill the role of Chorister director?
7. What role should / could the pastor play in Faith Formation?
The link to the meeting is attached but will also be sent out again closer to the dates
Outreach and Justice is looking for experienced sewers who are comfortable working with lightweight canvas.
We have material and instructions at church to make 16 canvas slipcovers with Velcro to secure them, that will be put over existing yard sign frames.
Once completed, we will do the final part of this project, stenciling immigration advocacy messages on the new canvas.
Stop by the church to pick up and leave the canvas & instructions down in the Narthex under the opportunity clipboards.
The office will be open Monday-Wednesday 9am-1pm.
Or you can contact the office with any questions.
You will be doing the sewing in your own home.
Thank you for helping!
Thank you for helping!
CAER's Spring Forward MN fundraiser, May 1-11
CAER Food Shelf is hoping to raise $25,000 for a walk-in cooler expansion and improvements.
One of the top requests from our clients is produce. We have the ability to receive and distribute more fresh produce, however, we're regularly at full capacity with our refrigeration.
You can help change that.
CAER is hoping to start up volunteer
opportunities again but they need your input.
Please take this survey before Thursday, May 13th
Wednesday, June 2, 2021 Join Guardian Angels ‘FORE’ a ‘TEE’rific afternoon at the Angels & Birdies Golf Tournament!
Golf, network, enjoy the outdoors, have fun, and aim for the hole as we support Guardian Angels Senior Services.
This will be Guardian Angels’ 6thannual golf tournament. After pausing last year because of pandemic concerns, we are more than ready to get back on the course and have some fun! The Elk River Golf Club will host our Angels & Birdies Golf Tournament with a shotgun start at noon on June 2. This scramble tournament includes cash awards for top teams, with fabulous raffles and prizes along the way.
This year’s tournament will kick off a two-year project of creating putting greens at Guardian Angels Assisted Living communities. This project was piloted at the Care Center and has shown positive results. Golf is an excellent intergenerational activity that brings friends and family together. It gets the body moving and stimulates the brain with focus and concentration. The residents are so anxious to get this project started!
Can we count on you to golf, donate, or become a tournament sponsor?
Attached is a registration form with details for the fun-packed day. Sponsorship opportunities are also outlined. Early bird pricing is available prior to May 21. Space is limited, so don’t delay in submitting your registration and teams.
We would like to thank everyone who helped make the spring clean up possible:
Thank you O&J for hosting this year
Thank you to our office staff who made the signup board
Thank you to the Centennial ladies who provided us delicious snacks
Thank you to everyone who showed up and worked so hard to clean up the church
From Outreach & Justice
Thank you to all of the Union families who participated in the spring clean-up yesterday. The weather cooperated, and it was wonderful to have an in-person fellowship after a trying year. And a special thank you to Centennial for providing snacks and beverages for everyone.
Pictured:
The Kannegieter Family
Nancy Hassett
Val Hansen
Bob Hassett
The Sherper-Rohs Family
Don Putnam
*If you have more photos from Sunday Please send them to the Church office so we can add them to our website!*
"Jesus talked about the importance of staying connected by using the image of pruning to achieve a productive vine. He also talked about the branches being discarded – tossed away to be burned in the fire. And yet, we know from commercial vineyards, that many of the branches pruned away from healthy vines, are not thrown into the fire, but are carefully selected and prepared to be brand new rootstock for another vineyard somewhere else. This certainly can be a wonderful metaphor for new church growth and expansion."
Prayers for Joys and Concerns/Announcements: 5/2/21
KEPT IN OUR PRAYERS (cards and calls appreciated) Ella Rivers, Donna Church, Musz Bailey, Jim Babcock, Shelley Sherper, Bobbie Berg, Susan Olsen, Jackie Schuelein, Carol Lloyd, Dave Leland, Joanne Burdick, Ruby Cawthra, Jane Houlton, baby James Bowman, Marion Marcott, Cheryl Wold, Judy Halgren, Amy Britt, Bailey Rosdahl, Jimmy Stevens, Dee & Jim Stevens (Jimmy’s parents), Dave Foley, John Olson, Nicole [Kilber] Teske, Linda Fenton, Dave Halgren, Diane Narr, Joan Axen and Nancy Andersen.
Pastor Robin reminded us that is CAER Sunday, the Sunday we give a special offering to our local food shelf, CAER. Please remember CAER in your giving.
Today, May 2nd, is the alternative Sunday (postponed from last Sunday) for Spring Clean-up Day at our church. This will be held if it is not raining. If it is raining, we still want you to come and receive treats provided by our Hospitality Team (Centennial—Bev Putnam, Carol Lloyd, Joyce Hodge and Sandy Stroebel). Thanks to them and also to the O&J team and office staff for planning and organizing the Clean-Up day. If it is raining, please choose a job from the Job Board to accomplish in the next week or so.
Pastor in the Parking Lot will also be held today at 1:00, if it is not raining. Bring a lawn chair.
Pastor Robin is thankful for our choir this morning—even though small. Our choir was made up of Arlo Schultz, Don Britt, and Sam Eckberg.
Pastor Robin asked for prayers for those involved in the shooting near Green Bay, Wisconsin, where 2 are dead and 1 wounded. This happened in a casino restaurant and appears to be a targeted shooting at the Oneida tribe. Please pray for gun control, safety, and how we keep ourselves safe from violence.
Prayers of safety and joy for Frank and Darla Scouten, and son Andrew, who will be traveling to North Dakota to Frank’s mom’s to celebrate her 100th birthday.
Nancy Hassett asked for prayers for the water protectors.
Don Britt asked for prayers for his neighbors. Neighbor Warren has COVID and is not doing well. His wife is very concerned.
Dave Foley asked for prayers for his friend Kevin who was diagnosed with bladder cancer.
Blessings,
Mary Wilson
We also encourage you to take a look at our prayer post where you can see all prayers from our church community, wider community, and global community
