The Country Church Herald …Proclaiming the Word of God The Monthly Newsletter of St. Mark’s and St. James United Church of Christ St. Mark’s UCC W1307 Orchard Road Cleveland, WI 53015 St. James UCC 13312 Pioneer Road Newton, WI 53063 Rev. William Kesting, Pastor 920-693-8361 (office) 920-207-7209 (cell) e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] online: www.stmarksucccleveland.org November 2014 Issue This month brings several important events. In order they are: Sunday, the 2nd, Special Joint Meeting of the Congregations at St. James after late worship. Agenda: Pastor’s Salary and Benefits for 2015. Sunday, the 9th, 10am Mission Fest at St. Mark’s. The presentation is by Dr. Jeff Elzinga, Professor of Writing, Lakeland College. He and some students will share about the Masters In Education program at the College for students from Malawi. A ham/meatball dinner will follow the worship. Please note the worker list included in this newsletter. Everyone welcome. Sunday, the 23rd, is Memorial Sunday. On this day we remember those who have gone before us in the Christian faith. Wednesday, the 26th, is Thanksgiving Eve worship, 7pm, at St. Mark’s. The Joint Consistories have decided that the loose offering of the evening will be split between Peter’s Pantry-Manitowoc and the Salvation Army-Sheboygan. Sunday, the 30th, is the first Sunday of Advent. As usual, I share scripture readings to help our preparation for the celebration of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Date Scripture Thoughts Nov. 30 Mark 13:33-37 Be watchful in waiting This list of readings will continue next month. The light of the world, Jesus Christ, is coming to us. Let us rejoice and be thankful. Faithfully, Pastor Kesting Monthly Highlights From Our Church Groups St. Mark’s Consistory October 14, 2014 Present at the meeting were, Pastor Kesting, Dave Grunwald, Gary Kaestner, Kevin Kellner, Cindy Hundt, Sandy Perronne, Amy Summers, Patty Taylor. The meeting was called to order at 6:33pm. Pastor led us in prayer. The Secretary’s report was reviewed. A motion was made by Kevin Kellner to approve the secretary’s report. Cindy Hundt seconded. Motion carried. The Financial Secretary’s report was reviewed by Patty Taylor for September. Reviewed the options for removal of the Goeke Youth Fund. Sandy Perronne made a motion to remove the full amount from the Goeke Youth Fund to be used as instructed for Youth related expenses. Cindy Hundt seconded. Motion carried. Cindy Hundt made a motion to approve the Financial Secretary’s report. Sandy Perronne seconded it. Motion carried. Building and Grounds Elevator inspection completed after the meeting. Tuckpointing was completed. Thank you Jason for coordinating this. The bell tower roof access door needs to be checked for possible updates. Discussed annual cleaning for the church. Scheduled Gingham Girls cleaning on October 29th. Kevin will oversee this project. Reviewed seasonal concerns and snow removal. Looking into snow removal possibilities. Old Business Evangelism Committee. Working on transfer of the Will Scharl family. Nothing new in the suggestion box. Bible presentation and Teacher Installation went well. Reviewed Communion and Mission speaker. The CROP walk went well. Confirmation orientation and retreat went well. Worship Committee report. Hat making on November 1, at 9:00 am. A sign up sheet is posted. Concerns have been raised regarding shaking hands during flu season. Hand sanitizer will be provided in the pews for those that wish to use it. Next Worship Committee is October 26th. The Prayer basket continues. Joint Consistory meeting will be Monday October 20th at 6:30 pm at St. James. The Lakeland singers will sing at Worship on October 26th at 10:30 am. Kevin Kellner made a motion to increase the OCWM goal this year form $5400-$5450. Sandy Perronne seconded. Motion carried. Discussed Mission Fest duties and assignments. See newsletter for assigned duties. Directory sheets are coming in. Christmas sheets are coming in. St. James Mission Fest October 19. Consistory Nominations. Anyone interested in fulfilling a Consistory position beginning in 2015 please see a current Consistory member. New Business Reviewed hospitalized and recuperating. Home Communions were restarted. Need 2 delegates for 1st UCC Wisconsin Rapids Election of Conference Minister. November 23rd is Memorial Sunday. November 26th Thanksgiving Eve Worship at St. Mark’s at 7 pm. November 30th is the first Sunday in Advent. October 26th from 6-7pm is the Halloween Party at St. Mark’s. Otto Thiel has moved out of the area and has requested to be released from membership. Sandy Perronne made a motion to release them from membership. Gary Kaestner seconded it. Motion carried. A motion was made by Kevin Kellner to investigate a hand rail on either side of the steps going up to the altar. Cindy Hundt seconded it. Motion carried. Next Meeting will be November 11th at 6:30 pm. Cindy Hundt made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Gary Kaestner seconded it. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted by Amy K Summers, Secretary St. Mark’s Sunday School News Hello Sunday School Families, Our class time is spent learning about the book of Genesis and the goodness of God's creation. Our next date for singing in church is Nov. 9th, which is also Mission Fest. There will not be Sunday school due to the fact that the basement will be set up for dinner. On November 23rd, we will be finishing the hats that were made in October, along with introducing the Christmas play for the program. We have contributed $45 to the Dominican Republic to have a shoebox of needed gifts prepared for a child for Christmas. Please remember to check when your child lights candles in church. Thank you. Schedule for St. Mark's Christmas program: Sunday, November 23, 9:15-10:15 Program will be introduced to children. Sunday, November 30, 9:00-10:15 Practice (note earlier start time) Sunday, December 7, 10:00-11:30 Practice (note later end time) Sunday, December 14, 9:00-10:30 Practice (note earlier start and later ending times) Sunday, December 21, 9:00 Program. Children need to be ready by 8:45. If your child will not be participating in the Christmas program, please notify Lori Roelse (946-3540) or Sandy Perronne (901-8320) by Nov. 14. Julie Herrmann, Sunday School Newsletter Coordinator St. James Sunday School News Rehearsals for our Christmas Program will be starting this month. A complete schedule will be sent to every home. This schedule is best described as starting on the 16th, and each week following; Program Practice, Worship and Sunday School will be from 9-11:30am each Sunday. Parents: please make sure that your child/children are present. The Program is scheduled for Sunday, December 21st at 10:30am. The loose offering of the day will go to the Outreach Program of our Sunday School. Schedule for St. James Christmas Program: Sunday, November 17, 9:00 Program Practice 10:30-11:30 Sunday School Class Sunday, November 23 9:00 Sunday School Class 10:00-11:30 Program Practice Sunday, November 30 9:00 Program Practice 10:30-11:30 Sunday School Class Sunday, December 7 9:00 Program Practice 10:30-11:30 Sunday School Class Sunday, December 14 9:00 Sunday School Class 10:00-11:30 Program Practice Sunday, December 21 9:00 Program Practice 10:30 Christmas Program Submitted by Pastor, the Board of Christian Education St. James Consistory The October 13, 2014 meeting was called to order by Dave Mueller at 6:00 p.m. Members present were Pastor Kesting, Bill Heckmann, Dave Mueller, Kris Zolltheis, Kim Grotegut, Wendy Henschel, and Barb Reimer. Pastor led us in prayer. The Secretary’s Report was reviewed and approved with a motion by Wendy and seconded by Kim. Motion carried. The Treasurer’s Report was also reviewed and approved with a motion by Kim and seconded by Barb. Buildings and Grounds: Cemetery report: The blacktop of the cemetery driveway has been completed. The committal of Eugene Bohne will take place on November 1st at 11:30. We have received a bid for sealing the parking lot by Rightway for $3500. Painting of the outside windows will be done next spring. Bill is working on the completion of the maintenance schedule. Wasps by the kitchen door have been removed. There were no violations found by the Fire Department in their recent inspection report. Old Business: The Board of Education will meet on November 6th. All grades now have teachers. Sandy Beiersdorf is a candidate for the Board of Education. The Christmas program is set for December 21st at 10:30. There was a suggestion regarding obtaining cell phone numbers of members. A notebook will be placed in the Narthex where members can help update the contact list. Bible presentations, teacher installation, communion, the Mission speaker, and Blankets Plus were evaluated. Twenty of the seventy participants for the Crop Walk were from St. James. Confirmation orientation and their retreat went well. The worship committee will meet December 7th. Sessions with area clergy are in process. The anniversary committee will meet January 6th. The next meeting of the Vision of Hope is October 21st. They will be discussing the Capital Fund which is a drive for outdoor ministry sites and the Dr. Ulrich Memorial. The Stewardship committee’s next meeting will be January 8th. Members who have not responded to the letter sent out to those who have not been involved in the church for three years will be placed on an inactive list. Dave Johnson will present the financial needs of the church at the December 7th service. Dave Johnson and Colleen Lauersdorf have completed their terms on the committee. A motion made by Kris and seconded by Barb to recommend increasing the OCWM goal by $50 dollars was approved. The joint consistory meeting will take place at St. James on October 20th at 6:30. Pastor’s salary and the 2015 calendar will be discussed. The consistory addressed any concerns regarding Mission Fest which is scheduled for October 19th. Lakeland Singers will be performing at the 9:00 service on October 26th. October 16th will be the United Churchmen and Women’s Banquet at Lakeland. Scott Henschel is attending. On October 14th, conversations regarding church growth will take place at Ebenezer in Sheboygan. Barb Reimer will attend. New Business: Please pray for our members who are hospitalized, in treatment, or recuperating. Home communions have restarted. The Luebke wedding will take place on November 1st at 2:00. St. Mark’s Mission Fest is November 9th. The Malawi teacher education project will be presented. November 23rd is Memorial Sunday. Thanksgiving service will be November 26th at 7:00 at St. Mark’s. November 30th is the First Sunday in Advent. Dave Mueller and Kim Grotegut’s terms on the consistory end February, 2015. New members are needed. The Safe Sanctuary committee will need three people to replace Sandy Beiersdorf, Tom Kleinhans, and Randy Krause whose terms have ended. The Election of the conference minister will take place on Saturday November 1st at 11:00 at First UCC in Wisconsin Rapids. Two delegates are needed. Pastor will attend boundary training at Redeemer in Sussex on October 21st. The next consistory meeting will take place on November 10th at 6:00. A motion to adjourn was made by Dave and seconded by Kim. Motion carried. Kris Zolltheis, Secretary Youth News As of this writing, the Halloween party is yet to come. More later. Remember: Please share with Pastor when your school concerts are scheduled. We will attempt to find a non-conflicting date to go Christmas caroling. News to Know Confidentiality Laws There have been some changes to the confidentiality laws. These changes make it difficult for pastors to obtain information about anyone in the Hospital. If you or a loved one will be in the hospital and wish Pastor to know about it, please call him at 693-8361. Otherwise he may not be able to find out. St. Mark’s Prayer Basket Please continue to place your requests in this basket at the back of church or give them to Pastor. He will honor your requests. CROP Walk There were about 70 people participating in this fundraiser. We thank all who walked, donated or in any way helped in this event. The results will be available soon. Receive Your Church Newsletter Online If you are interested in receiving your monthly newsletter strictly via the internet instead of the hard copy, please send an e-mail stating such to Mike Summers, [email protected]. Each month an e-mail will be sent to notify you when the updated Country Church Herald is available online. Vision of Hope – St. James There are new Application for Funding on the small table at the back of church. Thank You The Kesting family shares its appreciation to the St. James congregation for the gift card for Clergy Appreciation month. Needed at St. James Ice cream pails with lids for Chili Dinner etc. Please place them in the narthex. Thank you. College and Tech School Students We like to send newsletters to our students, so please call Pastor as soon as you know your school address. Thank you. Bible Study We will meet in November. The chapters to read from the book of Proverbs will be announced before the session. Everyone is welcome. St. Marks UCC Hat Drive On Saturday, November 1 from 9:00 till noon, a hat making morning will occur. Sandy Perronne will be teaching participants how to make a simple crocheted hat that will then be donated a local cancer clinic. Young, not so young, men, women, members, friends and neighbors are all invited. Please bring a size I (5.5) crochet hook St. James Member Directory and one skein of Caron “Simply Soft” yarn St. James is making a member directory to help (available at Joann Fabrics). If you can’t come or for contacting members for church activities. There will be a form in the back of church where choose to help in a different way, consider donation of the items above or a Scrip Card from you can put your name, address and phone number or if you like you can contact a consistory Joann Fabrics. Snacks would also be appreciated. A sign up will be located in the church entrymember with this information. way. Any questions, contact Sandy Perronne Phone: 901-8320. Favorite Hymns If you have a favorite hymn, please request it by A Reminder placing its number in the offering plate. Pastor The date of St. Mark’s Mission Fest has been seeks to meet your requests on a regular basis. shifted to Sunday, November 9th. St. Mark’s Member Directory St. Mark's UCC is developing a member directory to assist with contacting members for ushering, Sunday School and other church activities. Since times have changed we are no longer able to rely on the phone book. This newsletter contains a form to allow you to provide updated contact information. This information would then be added to the member list that is distributed with the annual report. Each member MUST sign the authorization statement in order for it to be published. If no signature is provided, your information will be kept confidential. Forms need to be returned by November 30, 2014 if you wish to be included in this year's member directory. Returning the form after that time is also appreciated and will allow the information to be included in the directory handed out at the 2016 Annual Meeting. Nonperishable Food Collection – St. James This month we will be collecting nonperishable food items. There will be a box in the lobby for these items. This will end the 23rd of this month. Morgan Henschel is in charge. United Churchmen & Women Banquet This annual event was on October 16th at Lakeland College. This was the 77th Annual event. The results of the banquet was that Emma Landowski, a sophomore student at Lakeland College and former intern student at Immanuel United Church of Christ, received the preseminary award. The seminary award was given to Daniel Krueger, a student at Chicago Theological Seminary who is also a licensed Lay Pastor at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, Kiel. Also, Scott Henschel of St. James was elected the Vice President of the group. The next banquet is scheduled for October 15, 2015. Please plan to attend. Mission House Lecture – Lakeland College This event is scheduled for Tuesday, the 4th, at 11am at the Bradley Auditorium. The speaker is Sr. Simone Campbell. Her topic is “The Burning Bush – Faith and Advocacy for the 100%”. Everyone welcome. These lectures are thought provoking experiences. TIME TO ORDER HOLIDAY POINSETTIAS TO BEAUTIFY OUR SANCTUARY If you would like to contribute a plant for this effort, please complete the form below and put it in the offering plate or call the Church office (693-8361) by November 30, 2014. Plants will be ordered from: Millhome Nursery and Greenhouses - Cost: $9.25 Please make checks payable to your church. You may take your plant home after the services: St. James - Dec. 24th St. Mark’s - Dec. 25th Cut Here My poinsettia is ________________________________________ (in honor – in memory – for the joy, etc.) of ____________________________________________________ (printed name of honoree , as it should appear in bulletin) Given by: _____________________________________________ (your name, as it should appear in bulletin) Please Choose Color: RED flower _____ WHITE flower _____ (Includes gold foil and white bow) OFFICE USE ONLY Date: ____________ Check: ____ Cash: ____ Amount: __________ Ushers St. Mark’s St. James November Ushers November & Thanksgiving Ushers Kevin Kellner, chair Carol Weiand Steve Schnelle Kay & Fred Bitter Jack Schnelle Galen & Deb LaDuke, chairs Dale Krause Susan Kracht Brian & Wendy Henschel Keith & Michelle Mauk James Becker Jeremy Becker Candle Lighters 2 – Ryan Binversie, Bradley Grunwald 9 – Emma Perronne, Alivia Hundt 16 – Nathan Roelse, Dawson Strysick 23 – Emily Binversie, Lindsay Summers 30 – Marlee Strysick, Courtney Binversie Decem ember Dec em ber Ushers Bill & Lori Roelse, chairs Jim & Patty Taylor Dave Grunwald Thad Athorp December Ushers Jon & Diane Luckow & Kara, chairs Scott Zolltheis Kris Zolltheis Mary Ann Vogel Cindy & Joe Klapperich Tom & Nicole Spindler Richard & Sarah Lutze November Celebrations St. Mark’s Birthdays 1 2 3 4 5 7 11 12 14 21 24 26 30 Tyler Athorp Benjamin Summers Brynn Schueler Nathan Roelse Michelle Scharl Jacob Trowbridge Brian Karstaedt Lori Roelse Richard Vandoske Sierra Bramstedt Angel DeBlaey Pat Flook Isabella Dexter Alexander Perronne Marlene Kammann Logan Strysick St. Mark’s Anniversaries 4 6 12 15 Robert & Beverly Gumm, Jr. James & Bonnie Schuette Conrad & Kathleen Johanning (54) Glenn & Karen Spindler (56) If there is a correction for the birthday or anniversary list, please contact the church office, 693-8361. Thank you. St. James Birthdays 1 3 5 6 10 18 19 21 22 23 24 26 29 30 Kim Grotegut Rick Wippermann Hank Reimer Susan Kracht Amanda Henschel Richard Lutze Caroline Heckmann Colleen Lauersdorf Cheyenne Spindler Allison Luckow Jonathan Meyer Wendy Meyer Keri LaDuke Vernon Henschel Loretta Kracht Amy Christianson Barb Reimer Donna Wippermann St. James Anniversaries 4 7 Warren & Sheila LaDuke Andrew & Heather Reif Dave & Jackie Mueller 12 21 22 John & Whitney Morales Keith & Michelle Mauk Ronald & Jessie Hansmann (58) 25 Henry & Bonnie Langenhahn Dave & Sue Johnson U.S. Postage PRSRT STD Non-Profit Organization Permit #2 CLEVELAND, WI 53015 St. James/St. Mark’s United Church of Christ W1307 Orchard Road Cleveland, WI 53015 November ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED We Invite You To Join Us… If you have been joining us for worship and fellowship and would like more information about joining either St. James or St. Mark’s, please contact Pastor Kesting (693-8361). September 28, 2014 St. Mark’s - 55 St. James - 60 October 5, 2014 St. Mark’s - 82 St. James - 78 October 26, 2014 St. Mark’s - 85 St. James - 78 Lakeland Singers Our sympathy to Dorothy Mueller and family on the death of her brother Eugene Bohne on October 9th in Arizona. He is also a cousin of Kathryn Jaehnig. October 12, 2014 St. Mark’s - 90 St. James - 74 October 19, 2014 Mission Fest St. James - 115 Our sympathy to the family of Mabel Lenz who died on October 20th. Her funeral was the 25th at St. James. Burial was at St. James Cemetery. Our sympathy to Dale and Ken Dirks and their families on the death of their aunt Evelyn Dirks on October 20th. Our sympathy to Janet Schueler and family on the death of her brother-in-law Niles Schueler on October 16th.
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