Dear Church Family –
What blessing to enter into the season of Pentecost and the beauty of summer together. In the past few months, I have loved watching renewed energy and life come into the church as we continue to care for one another, share in our faith and worship, and give back to the community.
I was recently talking with a friend about our individual practices of a daily gratitude list – and how this practice has felt for us as we continue it through times that were easy… and times that were very challenging this past year. I think of the practice as a type of spiritual muscle… the more you use it, the stronger it gets. The stronger it gets, the easier it is to find something to be grateful for in all circumstance. And that gratitude helps us hold on to hope, to connection, and to God.
So, when I think of this church – what are some of the things I feel grateful for?
- Beautiful blooming flowers in the new planters out front that bring cheer to the neighborhood.
- Getting to join the Confirmation class and hear young people ask good questions, create poetry, and come up with all the many ways we feel and name God.
- Praying together as a church on Sunday in all our joys and sorrows – and knowing we are never alone in what we carry.
- Hard work, and team work, and patience of our leadership and staff through the landscape of reopening and regathering as a church in a pandemic.
- A fourth Sunday service led by the transition team where people shared generously in their stories and memories of the church, and practice being thoughtful together about what we need moving forward.
- Hearing all the summer events and projects in church and beyond our members pour their love into.
- The care of the sanctuary and altar, and fresh flowers from members gardens that greet us on Sunday mornings.
- And so much more!
What do you feel grateful for when you think of this church?
Jim Smeja reminded us in the welcome to worship of our recent fourth Sunday service, that church is about the love of the people and community together in the presence of God.
That means you! I know summer is a time of grand adventure – I encourage you to take the time to love each other, and love God by joining us for worship in the sanctuary or online. Tell us where you’re traveling, and what we can help pray with you. Lean in to the activities and sharing for the interim goals, so we can embrace and envision what is needed moving forward. Be generous in saying, “thank you,” and, “you’re doing a great job,” to the many hands and hearts that sustain this church and its ministries.
That friend had one more part to her practice that I’ve now adopted into mine. At the end of her gratitude list, she writes one evidence of God in her day. If I were to list the evidence of God’s love on any given Sunday in our church, I would surely list you. And for you all - I give God thanks and praise.
In it all we can pray… this month through the poetry of Mary Oliver.
On a summer morning
I sat down
on a hillside
to think about God -
a worthy pastime.
Near me, I saw
a single cricket;
it was moving the grains of the hillside
this way and that way.
How great was its energy,
how humble its effort.
Let us hope
it will always be like this,
each of us going on
in our inexplicable ways
building the universe.
Amen!
Pr. Sonny (he/him/his)
Call/Text (608) 535-9251
pastorsonnygraves@gmail.com
Sunday – Thursday
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June Readers
6th Jessie Potterton
13th Betty Hogan
22nd Trudy Tibbits
29th Juli Schult
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July Readers
4th Karen Tennessen
11th Trudy Tibbits
18th Larry McNeil
25th Lynne Buckingham
August Readers
1st Trudy Tibbets
8th Julia Marr
15th Deb Ivey
22rd Chuck Tennessen
29th Bill Buckingham
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 Anyone who is experiencing illness
Anyone who is experiencing loss of family and friends
Anyone who is in need prayers and support
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BE(Coming) the Church Today: Learning and Sharing in Community
A 5-week series of topical discussions, 12:00 pm-1:00 pm, Wednesdays, June 2 through June 30
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What challenges are you encountering as we move to re-open churches and re-engage our worship communities? What are you learning? What questions do you wish you had answers to?
The Wisconsin Conference invites you to a series of facilitated conversations focusing on the questions being raised as we move through this liminal/transitional period of re-gathering, re-forming and re-newing our congregations.
In these discussion sessions, participants can share what they are learning, and hear from others about the steps we are all taking in our ministry contexts. Your stories may be helpful to others. And in turn, you may gain new insights. This is a season of sorting this all out. No one has the answers, but together we can figure this out.
Please join the conversation! Each of the 5 weekly sessions will take place on Wednesdays in June, at noon for one hour, via Zoom. Discussion topics are as follows:
- June 2: Strategies for in-person re-gathering – discerning when and how to re-open
- June 9: Hybrid Hospitality: Intentional Invitations to Build & Rebuild Community
- June 16: Cultivating a Hybrid Community (Without Burning Out)
- June 23: Mental Health and Spiritual Care: The Impact of the Covid 19 Pandemic on our Mental Health & Congregational Life
- June 30: Tending the Soul: Ongoing Supportive Ministries
- NEW: the June 30 session will be re-played in the evening with a live Q&A at 6:30 PM, for those who are unable to make the session at noon. To sign up for this evening session, click here.
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Church Camp is a great experience!!
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| Open and Excited for 2021! |
United Church Camps, Inc., is open and ready to welcome guests to Moon Beach, Pilgrim Center and Cedar Valley. We can't wait to reunite in these sacred spaces again.
Check out our event registration and link to the scholarship application below. Money is not a barrier to participation.
The lake is calling, the sunshine is calling, the trees are calling, camp is calling, God is calling you – it's time!
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HUGE thank you to Pat Johnston
For making lap quilts, walker pockets, catherter bags etc
Kandy has delivered these to various groups in need and each one has a tag from our church.
THANKS FOR ALL YOU MAKE!!!
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 Community Meal
June 23, 2021 5-6pm. Offering curbside, delivery or dine in options, by reservation please. If you, a family member, friend or someone you know who would like a meal, contact Mary (987-2478) or Pat (987-2259). Community meal is an opportunity to share in fellowship as well as a meal. Contact Dick Josh (574-8090) with any questions or if you would like to help.
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WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP NEWS
- ANNUAL RUMMAGE SALE--Mark your calendars for the annual Church Rummage Sale from Saturday, June 5 to Saturday, June 12. Masking and safety practices will be in place.
Workers are needed on Saturday, June 5 from 8 am to 11 am—opening day. If you are available to work at the sale, contact Karen Tennessen at 608-or 608-987-3835 or text (608) 341-8641. Volunteers are also needed to set up for the sale and for clean up, contact Karen Tennessen at 608-or 608-987-3835 or text (608) 341-8641.
Donations are welcome, but no Electronics, no furniture, no treadmills.Contact Diann Wenger at diwenger341@gmail.com or 608-574-2627 if you have items to donate to the rummage sale.
- PLANTERS IN FRONT of the church: Thank you to Jennilyn, Diann, Lynn, and Jim for getting the planters, repairing them and filling them with beautiful flowers. Women’s Fellowship is sponsoring the flowers this year.
Volunteers are needed to assist with weekly watering of the plants in July, August or September. Each person will sign up for one week and will be responsible for checking and watering the planters. Call Karen Tennessen at 987-3835 or text (608) 341-8641.
- A PASTY SALE will be held on the afternoon of Thursday, July 29. Preparation will start at 1 pm with finished, warm pasties ready for pick up at 5 pm. We will only make 300 as a trial run. Contact Kandy Keuler at 608-553-1300 to sign up to help.
- Jammin’ on the Porch on FRIDAY, July 9 AT Orchard Lawn—UCC church will serve desserts during Jammin’ on the Porch on Friday, July 9. Jennilyn, Diann and Lynn will work on details. Watch for information.
- BLANKETS for Native American activity--Kandy is collecting about 20 blankets for a Native American activity this fall. Contact Kandy at 608-553-1300 if you have a blanket to donate.
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SCHEDULE FOR WATERING THE PLANTERS AT CHURCH
Sign up for one week to check the flowers, the weather, and then water accordingly.
Call JennyLynn at 608) 341-6678 with questions or if something comes up for you.
These are the dates of Sunday for your week:
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May 16 J. McNeill
May 23 Margaret Mattison
May 30 Kandy Keuler
June 6 Diann Wenger
June 13 Karen Tennessen
June 20 Deb Ivey
June 27
July 4
July 11
July 18
July 25 Betty Hogan
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August 1
August 8
August 15 Deb Ivey
August 29
September 5
September 12
September 19
September 26
October 3
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 JUNE 5 – 12
Saturday, June 5 8am-1pm -- Rummage sale
Monday-Friday, June 7 to 11 10am-4pm
Saturday, June 12 8am-noon—Fill a Bag for $1
IMPORTANT: The following Health and Safety guidelines will be enforced:
1. Masks are required for shoppers and for workers.
2. Shoppers must keep a 6-foot distance from other shoppers and workers.
3. Shoppers are asked to stay in a family group.
4. Sanitizer will be available.
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 Council Meeting Minutes
Council Meeting 5/11/21
Members present: Chuck Tennessen, Betty Hogan, Diann Wenger, Jim Bennett, Penny McConnell, and Trudy Tibbits.
Also present: Pastor Sonny and Marla Martin
Absent: Bill Buckingham and Lynne Buckingham
Call to order – Chuck Tennessen
Opening Prayer: Pastor Sonny
Pastoral Report: Pastor Sonny Graves reported in the first meeting of the transition team.
Financial Report/Bills Payable:
- Normal Bills. Motion to accept the financial report by Diann Wenger and 2nd by Jim Bennett. Motion to accept bills payable by Jim Bennett and 2nd Trudy Tibbits. Motion carried.
Council Minutes:
- Noted the council date for this month was incorrect. Motion to accept the council report by Jim Bennett and 2nd by Diann Wenger. Motion carried.
Worship:
- Council decided to change start time for church back to 9:30am. Other changes made will be resuming to stand for songs, doxology. Singing Shalom once at end of service. Continue with no ushers at this time.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Pasty Sale:
- Will continue this discussion at next Women’s Fellowship Meeting.
Religious Ed/Sunday School:
- Sending out materials for 2 more weeks than summer break will begin.
- One more month with confirmation. They will be recognized in church 6/27.
Women’s Fellowship:
- Meeting on following Monday. Will continue discussion on pasty sale, flowerpots out front, rummage sale.
Memorial Fund:
- Current balance: $27,206.12
Other Business:
- Don Bennett has withdrawn from being a council member. We thank him for his time. We do need one additional member to step up.
- Cleaning the church, by Diann, Bob, and Jim, once a church. Will discuss more in July.
- Next council meeting will be June 8, 2021. Betty to chair.
Closing prayer
Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Diann Wenger and 2nd by Jim Bennett.
Respectfully Submitted by Penny McConnell
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