Mineral Point United Church of Christ
300 Maiden Street, Mineral Point, WI 53565
November 2021 News
Worship Service at 10:30am
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May the Peace of Christ be with you!
Church family, as we turn towards a new month and the coming winter - we feel the changing of the seasons around us. Days are getting shorter, the temperatures are dropping, we put the land to bed and rest as the leaves turn brilliant colors and fall from their branches.
Our church is also entering into the new season. The Search Committee has been formed and will begin their work in partnership with the Council and Transition team to gather all the information about what this church has been, what it is now, and where God is calling you in the future. Then they will make that information available to potential ministers – and begin interviewing and discerning what Pastor will join you in ministry in the future.
This is an exciting moment – and yet again a time unknowns. In addition to this we continue to be good stewards of keeping ourselves and our communities healthy in a global pandemic. We must be prudent with masking and protocols in church so that our whole state and nation can continue its trend of declining COVID cases. Our choices and resiliency to sacrifice some comfort now will help safeguard the health of our young children, elders, and vulnerable populations of all ages we live and work with.
Across our country church leaders and ministers are under increasing pressure to rush “back to normal,” and many parishioners feel frustrated with constant adaptations and boundaries. I want to say thank you for your steadfast caution, consideration of the needs of the whole community, and practicing the spiritual discipline of patience so that there may be a day in our futures when we celebrate this crisis being over.
At the end of November, we will welcome in our season of Advent. This is a holy time in our faith where we practice the JOY of waiting for the birth of our Savior. We wait with anticipation and excitement. We wait with candlelight and heartwarming songs. We wait with scriptures of prophets proclaiming healing and justice for all. We wait in the quiet and beauty of snow that will come. Our waiting is not a wasted time – it’s a time to tend and nourish our souls, practice delight, and prepare ourselves again for the challenge and inspiration of becoming a follower of Jesus Christ.
How can we wait in the same way as this church enters the process to discern a new settled pastor? How can we make this time of waiting a space to engage again about nourishing our souls? Having fun and joy? Slowing down in wonder and quiet? Welcome something new being born in our midst? And be changed in a powerful way to prepare for what comes next?
Towards this – I’ve asked the Council – and I ask YOU the church to share with me in November… What are some concrete and specific skills, projects, and spiritual care you want to work on together during this waiting time rooted in our four Interim Goals that you selected and guide our journey?
Here’s a reminder of them:
1) Cultivate a deeper relationship between members, and a healthy faithful congregational life.
2) Discard old expectations, wounds, and unhealthy patterns from the past.
3) Prepare for a smooth transition to the next settled Pastor.
4) Build a stronger welcome and outreach to the community and new people.
I hope to see you for worship in the sanctuary, or online through Zoom and facebook to answer this question together! As always if you are in need of pastoral care, or a visit – I’m here and available.
Pr. Sonny (he/him/his)
Call/Text (608) 535-9251
A gentle reminder that I work in part time ministry Sunday - Thursday and appreciate your patience and grace in the time it takes to respond to your message.
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November:
7th Julia Marr
14th Deb Ivey
21st Chuck Tennessen
28th Bill Buckingham
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December:
5th Juli Schult
12th Jessie Potterton
19th Larry McNeil
24th TBA
26th Betty Hogan
January 2022:
2nd Karen Tennessen
9th Deb Ivey
16th Larry McNeil
23rd Betty Hogan
30th Lynne Buckingham
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 Mission Committee Notes:
Community Meal:
Upcoming dates for the remainder of this year are: Nov 17th & Dec 22nd
(11/17: note one week earlier than usual, the menu plan is for a ‘traditional Thanksgiving’ dinner)
Serving from 5:00 to 6:00 pm, we are continuing to offer Dine-In,
Curbside pickup (Maiden St entrance), and home delivery. If you have
Been on our ‘call’ we ask you to please confirm with the caller if you would like
a meal(s), or please contact Mary Dunn at 987 2478 or Pat Johnston at 987 2259
If you would like to receive a meal.
THANK YOU to our great November crew: Drew, Lexi and Jared from MPHS, Judy, Linda, Martha, Elaine and Mike, as well as help from our new confirmands that stepped up, and our partners at the St Mary’s/St Paul’s congregation. Hope you will pass the dates along to anyone that might like to join in for a meal or would like to help.
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Share the Holidays!
As we're all aware, the Holiday season is upon us.... just a reminder to watch for updates in the coming weeks how you can share. Our congregation plans to share in some of the following ways:
Iowa County Family Giving Tree
Best Gift from Church World Service
Personal care items and food drive for local families
Please share if you have any ideas for other ways to give. Would you like to help? Please contact Dick Josh 608-584-8090.
Thank you!
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 Events
Calling all kids!
Mark your calendar and join the fun at the UCC church (300 Maiden Street) on Wednesday, December 8. We will gather after school, about 2:30 pm, in the church basement to make Holiday ornaments for the church and a present box for Christmas that you will take home with you!! Treats will be served. All children are welcome!
Call Kandy Keuler at 608-553-1300 with questions.
Special Church activity for Kids on Sunday, November 28
Kids and those young at heart will be making stars. ornaments and other holiday decorations during Church. Hope to see many young people at 10:30 am for this fun activity!
Date TBD: Greening of the Church & Decorating for Advent and Christmas
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 NOVEMBER 13 PASTY SALE
Don’t forget! –there is a pasty sale on Saturday, November 13!!
Workers are welcome on Friday the 12th after 8 am to peel potatoes, mix crust and set up.
Workers are also needed for two shifts on Saturday-- 6 am to 8:30 am and 8 am to 10:30 am for preparation and baking of pasties. Any time you can give is welcome. Contact Kandy Keuler to sign up to work or with questions—608-553-1300.
If we want to continue to make our own and make them on a Saturday, we must have LOTS of helpers.
It is a great time for fellowship and fun and a great fundraiser for the church.
JOIN the fun!!
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Due to the enthusiastic response to so many congregations in the Wisconsin Conference to the Braiding Sweetgrass Big Read, we have been given special permission to extend the availability of the recording of Robin Wall Kimmerer's talk. It is available through the end of November only at this link using the password wn7!!4RQ.
(Please DO NOT make a copy of this video)
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 Council Meeting Minutes
October Council Meeting October 12, 2021
Attending: Chuck, Betty, Pastor Sonny, Trudy, Marla, Jim, Bill, and Lynne
Absent : Diane and Penny
The meeting was called to order by Betty
There were no minutes from the August meeting
Pastor Sonny opened with a prayer
Pastoral report
The search committee will meet for the first time after church on November 7th
Reverend Lorraine wants to meet with the committee before she leaves for her new job.
Pastor Sonny wants the council to look at the goals that were decided on. This will be discussed at the next council meeting .
Some of the 4th Sundays will be used to share what the search committee is doing. This committee will help with the service as the transition team did.
November 7th is also All Saints Day so Pastor Sonny will have a remembrance for those that have passed in the past year.
Bills payable
Marla reported the church is about $1,000 ahead for the month. No special bills were paid, just normal expenses of the church. Jim moved to accept the report, Chuck 2nd.
Marla has the legacy notebook. She made three copies for people to read.
Worship
The time of worship will be changed from 9:30 to 10:30 beginning on October 24th. Jim will change the signs in the front of the church.
Sunday School
Trudy reported that letters have been sent out about Sunday School. Three kids are interested in Confirmation. Ella Wilson, Payton Christopher, and Christian Bigler. Teachers are needed for Sunday School and for confirmation. Chuck will ask Karen if she would be willing to do it again. Pastor Sonny is willing to help with the set up and the council will revisit this next month.
Building and Grounds
Jim shared that the cross will be worked on on October 13th.
Jim has installed a motion light outside of the door to the chapel
The new ovens worked well at the last pasty sale. They were able to hold 6 racks at a time in each oven.
Mission
Neighbors In Need will be collected in October
Finance/Stewardship
Chuck reported the Capital Building and Maintenance fund letter will be sent out and asked to be back by 10/31
There will be no Fall Auction again this year.
Chuck suggested adding a letter to the pledge envelope asking for people to give at Thanksgiving to make up for the amount in the budget for the auction. Council thinks it would be better to send this as a separate letter. Chuck will draft the letter. It is planned for it to be sent at the beginning of November asking for a response by Thanksgiving. Marla said it was very successful last year when there wasn’t an in person auction. The amount in the budget was more than met.
Memorial
Jim reported there is a balance of $26,204.45 in this fund.
Pasty Sale
Over 500 pasties were made and sold. There was a good amount of help so things went very well. By 8 am, 400 pasties had been made. All cooking and clean up done by 10:00. Most pasties had been picked up by that time too.
The next sale will be held on November 13th
Search Committee
There are five members of this committee, Chuck Tenneson, Trudy Tibbits, Mary Dunn, Dick Josh, and Lynne Buckingham. The transition team will assist when needed and it was suggested a couple youth become part of the process too.
Constitution
Bill and Lynne Buckingham went over the constitution and shared the changes they felt were needed for the constitution to meet the needs of the present church.
Some of the suggestions are:
Removing church auditor since there isn’t one
The Statement of Faith needs to be updated. Pastor Sonny said there are several versions that are being used today and will provide them to the council.
Rev Lorraine sent an email with guidance for making these changes.
The council discussed some of the suggestions and asked questions. Each member has a copy of the constitution with suggested changes to review before the next meeting. It was agreed by all members that this will take some time to do.
Legacy was also discussed and some members of the council took home a copy that Marla had made to read over.
Other
The council feels masks should still be required at this time. Several noticed not a lot of people were wearing them at the last service. The council will continue to set a good example by wearing them and encouraging all others to do the same.
There will be a lunch provided to the search committee meeting on 11/7. Chuck will coordinate.
The meeting was closed with the Lord’s Prayer
Submitted by Lynne Buckingham
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Congregational Meeting, October 10, 2021
Congregational United Church of Christ, Mineral Point
- Council Moderator Chuck Tennessen called the meeting to order at 10:10 am and verified that there was a quorum.
- Chuck provided an update on a few items
- The current church constitution requires 10 members on a search committee including the council president and the Sunday school superintendent. The constitution is being reviewed by Lynne and Bill Buckingham to reflect a smaller congregation. These revisions will be presented at the Annual Meeting in January.
- It was recommended that there be 3 to 5 members on a Search Committee.
- Chuck also reminded members about other opportunities to serve the church including on church council.
- Chuck reported that the church is holding steady financially.
- Chuck reminded those present of comments made by Pastor Lorraine at a meeting in September. She said we are a “church in transition” and we might seek “a settled pastor to guide us to do what God wants us to.”
- Search Committee nominations: Chuck Tennessen, Mary Dunn, Dick Josh, Trudy Tibbits and Lynne Buckingham were nominated and accepted the nomination. This slate of nominees was approved by a voice vote.
- The Transition Team will partner initially with the Search Committee to use information gathered during 4th Sunday activities and assist in the completion of a church profile.
- Pastor Sunny shared a closing prayer.
- Meeting Adjourned.
- Following the meeting, the Search Committee and the Transition Team made plans to meet after church on Sunday, November 7 to begin work on the church profile. Pastor Sunny will email information to all parties in preparation for this meeting.
Deb Ivey,
Clerk
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