 Dear Friends
While I sit by a window in a different place than I sat last year at this time, I am amazed at what we have accomplished together/ apart.
We have shared an entire church year and as we did we began to know one another a little more each season.
As your Bridge Pastor you trusted me to lead worship every Sunday, officiate the funerals of some of the saints of the church and one of your youngest and dearest.
Just about a month ago I was able to travel to Mineral Point on a very cold day to baptize the newest member of your community in faith. I was hesitant at first, but the scene and the smiles of the family involved were well worth the trip. And guess what? You all got to witness this event in the comfort of your home.
Pretty cool huh?
It has been interesting, to say the least.
But, with the help of the Holy Spirit and the technology of Zoom, we were able to stay together/apart.
I want to also tell you, that we spent most of the last year apart, I never doubted that we were together in Christ.
Thank you everyone,
You'll always be in my prayers
Pastor Bev Davis
PS Thank you Mary and Eleanor
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Pastor Sonny Graves
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I want to extend warm greetings, the Peace of Christ, and my gratitude for this opportunity to partner in ministry together!
I am so excited to learn more about this church and your lives as I transition into ministry with you soon. The interim journey is one we embark on together to reflect on the past, ask good questions about the present, and pay attention to God’s call in the unfolding future of this unique congregation.
I am a bi-vocational minister and hold secular work for a hospital foster care program where I teach ongoing education for foster parents throughout southwest Wisconsin. I completed my seminary education at the Pacific School of Religion, and joined the UCC during those seminary years.
I have ministry experience as a chaplain in hospitals and prisons, as staff resourcing clergy and churches at the Conference level, and as a local church Pastor. Some of my longtime hobbies include volunteering, visiting (now on Zoom!) with my many Godchildren, and spending lots of time outdoors.
I know that this season of COVID has been a challenging one for us on individual, community, and church levels. I am encouraged by the faith and persistence of this congregation in what I already know about how you have adapted worship – care – leading and supporting one another through these unpredictable times. It is a gift and a privilege to join you all.
I trust the interim time will be a fruitful period of reflection, connection, and dreaming with God. Let us hold one another in steadfast prayers as we embark on this holy adventure.
"I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit." (New Living Translation Romans 15:13)
Pastor Sonny
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March:
7th Jessie Potterton
14th Betty Hogan
21st Teagan McConnell
28th Deb Ivey
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April:
4th Karen Tennessen
11th Patti Johnston
18th Larry McNeil
25th Lynne Buckingham
May:
2nd Trudy Tibbets
9th Julia Marr
16th Bill Buckingham
23rd Chuck Tennessen
30th Deb Ivey
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Joyce Buckingham Phyllis Hanson
Mildred Stephenson Evalena Anderson
Kevin and Carol Wasley Griffiths Family
Carrie and Cory Ferguson
All families who are experiencing illness and loss
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WHAT: Sunday Church Service
WHEN: Every Sunday
TIME: 10:15 AM
WHERE: Online or by phone (choose 1 option)
- Online Directions
- A few minutes before the start of the service, follow this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89943058054?pwd=YUkwdDhVaUU5ZzRtZEMwaklkS0kxUT09
- Meeting ID: 899 4305 8054
2. Passcode: 611850
1. Press # when asked for participant ID
2. If given the option, click "join by computer audio," otherwise you should automatically be connected
OR
2. Phone Directions
1. Dial: +1 312 626 6799
2. Enter this meeting ID: 899 4305 8054
3. Enter this password if asked for the password: 611850
4. When asked for participant number, enter #
5. Connection is made
If you are interested in tithing, there are two options:
1. Send a check to the church
2. Contact Marla Martin (marlad.martin54@gmail.com) for a payment form where a tithe can be made monthly and automatically.
If you have questions, contact Marla Martin.
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March 14, 2021 We move our clocks forward 1 hour!! More light longer days, SPRING is coming!!
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 Mission Notes
Community Meal:
A February meal was served on the 24th with 50 meals served, thank you to those who have donated, volunteered to serve, and deliver meals. Thank you for 3 MPHS students who helped.
A March meal event is planned for the 24th, with plan to continue to offer the curbside meal, and with hope to see a time of being able to gather once again. Please contact Dick Josh or Mary Dunn with any questions about the meal, volunteering, or sharing names of those that might welcome a meal.
Holiday Thank you:
This year's annual "Holiday Project" for individuals and families in need during the holiday season was a huge success thanks to all of the support from the Iowa County communities. We were able to provide food baskets, personal care items and gifts for 117 families, which included 109 adults, 194 children and 37 elderly individuals due to the kindness and generosity of everyone who donated items.
Thank you for your donations of food, money, personal items, gifts and time to help make the holiday season special for so many people.
Sincerely,
Lori Cerutti
Social Service Specialist
IOWA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
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 FINAL PASTY SALE
Saturday March 13. Pick up at church 8-10am.
Curbside service is encouraged. |
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Women’s Fellowship will meet in early April to make plans for 2021. It might be by zoom or face to face with masks and distancing. Watch for details in your email and in the next newsletter!
Topics that will be discussed include ideas for the flower planters in the front of the church, planning the annual the rummage sale and other issues. Hope you can join us!
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This year's theme for the UCC's One Great Hour of Sharing campaign is "Let Love Flow". We will be collecting a special offering for this campaign on March 14, which you can send in to the church via mail or electronically through our eGiving portal. The gifts you give to One Great Hour of Sharing support a variety of local and global partners in the areas of advocacy, sustainable development, refugee and asylum issues, and assisting those most in need and vulnerable among us. The major emphasis of the 2021 offering campaign is on safe and accessible potable water around the globe. A great example of mission work in this area is the Water Well project in Mozambique, which builds adequate infrastructure for safe drinking water in villages. Not only does this improve health and sanitation, local wells are a tremendous life improvement for the women of these villages, who can travel up to 12 hours by foot just to collect safe drinking water for their families. Please consider an offering to "Let Love Flow" this year. Please send special collections to Marla; please make sure to make sure to note on them: OGH offering.
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Pastor: Sonny Graves
Organist: Mary Dunn
Maintenance:
Secretary: Penny McConnell
Treasurer: Marla Martin
Church phone is:
987-2025 or contact
Penny 574-5319
(for faster response)
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2021 Church Council Members:
Chuck Tennessen, Co-chair 987-3835
Betty Hogan, Co-chair 773-620-4821
Diann Wenger, Vice Co-chair 574-2627
Jim Bennett 987-3756
Trudy Tibbits 987-2810
Marla Martin 987-3213
Bill Buckingham 608-437-4895
Lynne Buckingham 608-219-4948
Don Bennett 574-7998
Penny McConnell 574-5319
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