CONGO COMMENTS
September 2010
The Congregational Church of Detroit Lakes, UCC, 900 Lake Avenue, P. O. Box 642, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
www.detroitlakesucc.org dlcongo@msn.com 218-847-7177
ReMarks...
An invitation and a proposal…
As we shift gears and move into fall and the start up of our program year, Ieveryone is
busy with a variety of things. It promises to be another great year here at The Congregational
Church. In the midst of all this activity, two specific, unrelated things are on my mind.
First, I have in my hand The Historic Holmes Theatre 2010 ~ 2011 Program Book. A
quick glance reveals that some great opportunities are coming to Detroit Lakes. Among
these are two shows underwritten by The Congregational Church. More specifically, our
Foundation Board decided to provide the funding to make these two shows happen. This
means these shows will be free to the public. On page 25 of the program book you’ll find
the promotion for the two shows, which will be presented by the Mixed Blood Theatre
(www.mixedblood.com), a professional theatre group based out of Minneapolis. The first
show is entitled “Daughters of Africa” and will happen on Friday, November 19th. The
second is entitled “African America” and will happen on Thursday, January 20th. Both
shows will start at 7:00 p.m.
Underwriting these two shows is part of our ongoing emphasis on multiculturalism. This
has been an exciting endeavor for us as a congregation for some time. Underwriting these
two shows is part of our faithful public witness in this community. My invitation is that you
mark these dates on your calendar and make a special effort to be in attendance. And
please bring along some friends. My sincere hope is that there won’t be an empty seat in
the house for either show.
Second, I’ve spoken with a number of colleagues over the years who serve churches that
have made an adjustment to their Sunday morning worship experience, and I propose we
move in this direction, too. It has to do with the portion of our worship we refer to as
“Moments of Preparation, Caring and Sharing.” Some churches have made the decision
to have “No Godless Announcements.” What this means is that even what might be the
most mundane, unholy announcement must somehow be shared as being an expression
of our faith. In other words, if you make an announcement, please tie it into your experience
of the presence of God in your life, or the call of Christ as you understand it, or the activity
of the Holy Spirit in our midst. Somehow, whatever the announcement, the expectation is
that it will be rooted in our faith. Perhaps your announcement will be an expression of joy
and gratitude for some aspect of God’s gracious involvement in your life. Maybe it’ll be
hearing Christ’s call to serve our sisters and brothers, either in the church or in the world.
Perhaps you’ll sense God’s Spirit moving and your announcement will be an invitation to
others to recognize this movement, too. My proposal is that we move in the direction of
having “no Godless announcements” on Sunday mornings. This is a conversation we’ll be
having in various settings here at church this fall. I hope you’ll be part of it.
I’m excited as together we shift gears once again. It’s wonderful to be on this busy, exciting
journey with you. You’re a terrific, faithful group of companions as we travel the path God
sets out before us. I’m very thankful.
Grace and Peace,
Rev. Mark
BIRTHDAYS
04 – Matt Casey, Tim Hachfeld
07 – Miggs Anderson, Mary Kulberg,
Wayne McCoy
11 – Duane Kuehl, Gina Atchia
12 – Miranda Vareberg
13 – Yvonne Borah
15 – Shirley Werkman
20 – Verlyn Borah
24 – Carolynn Blanding
29 – Jean McDonald
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USHERS 05 & 12 – Jim Mendenhall & Walt Kulberg 19 & 26 – Donna & Paul Bursik
FRIENDSHIP TIME 05 – Nancy Hayle, Sherlene Williams 12 – Homecoming Sunday/Donna Aase ~ Fran & Phil Johnson 19 – Dianne & Leonard Bailey 26 – Judy Dey, Margaret Kent, Dorothy & Cal Skogen |
GREETERS 05 & 12 – Sally & George Oja 19 & 26 – Betty Jensen & Mary Otto
FLOWERS 05 – Carolyn Armknecht & Bob Singler 12 – Shar & Paul Legenhausen 19 – Judy Dey 26 – Lueben Family in Memory of Rosemary Lueben
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1. Every local church member and family is assigned to a Courtesy Group.
2. You serve two consecutive months of the year.
3. Your group leaders will contact you to provide food or service in case of a funeral,
wedding or special event that falls within your designated months.
4. You will be asked to take a turn serving Sunday Friendship Hour.
(Assignments will be mailed to you prior to the month you serve.)
SEPTEMBER HAPPENINGS
MEN’S CLUB will meet Saturday, September 4, at 8:00 a.m. at the Holiday Inn for
breakfast and fellowship.
LADIES’ COFFEE GROUP will meet Saturday, September 11, at 9:00 a.m. at the
Holiday Inn. Everyone is welcome to attend!
ADULT BIBLE CLASS will meet on Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. beginning
September 22. Everyone is invited.
TWO RETREAT OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN
September 17 – 19: Conference-wide retreat at Pilgrim Point Camp near
Alexandria. The theme is Faith Stories. Registration must be turned in to the
Church office by Monday, August 30. September 24 - 25: Smokey Hills Retreat
for the women of our local church. The theme is Living Colors and will be led by
Sally Oja & Mary Kulberg. There is sleeping room for only 22 women. Others may
attend the Friday evening events, including the dinner and/or the Saturday sessions
and meals. Registration forms are available at the church.
The Foundation will be paying the registration fees for both of the retreats.
Sunday School begins again on September 12, Homecoming Sunday. Worship
starts at 10:00 and the children will go to their Sunday School classes after the
Children's Message. On this special first morning of Sunday School, kids will all
gather downstairs for donuts & juice and then go on to class (middle schoolers
upstairs and preschool - elementary downstairs). Welcome back to a great year
of Sunday School!
CCW INFORMATION
After much discussion at the May meeting of the Congregational Church
Women, a motion was passed to suspend the meetings and activities of the
CCW for one year.
The CCW (formerly Guild) has held an important role in the history of this
church. The focus has changed over the years since its inception during
WWII. Its role in the future of the church is uncertain. A meeting will be
called in May of 2011 to revisit the decision to suspend. We encourage the
continuation of the special projects and events under volunteer leadership.
Projects and events to be considered are the luncheon at Barnesville, the
Christmas Bake Sale, the Holiday Shoppers’ Luncheon, Valentines for Shut-ins,
and the Spring Salad Luncheon. Detailed records for these are available at
the church.
Call the church office at 847-4609 if you would consider organizing any of
these events.
Teresa Kuether has volunteered to again chair the "Care Packages" project.
The date in October has yet to be determined.
The women of the church have been invited to attend an event hosted by the Barnsville
church ladies. It will be held October 5th. Is there a volunteer who would be willing to
co-ordinate riders and drivers for this event?
BE HAPPY - BE HEALTHY- JOIN THE CHOIR
Choir practices begin at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 15th. We also practice at
9:00 a.m. on Sundays before worship. If you enjoy singing, you are welcome to join us.
For more information, call Director Mitsy Casey 847-6502.
Here are some Extra Benefits of being a choir member:
1. Singing choir music inspires and blesses singers.
2.Frequent participation in church services gives singers a sense of belonging.
3.Going to choir practice often fights depression.
4.Choirs and choir music praise god!
THE SEVEN SECRETS
At the
end of this month five members of this congregation will be at Christ the
King
Retreat Center in Buffalo, MN, for this year's two-day Fall Leadership Convocation.
The theme this year is The Seven Secrets for Renewed Leaders, Renewed Churches,
and Renewed Hope. I'm very excited to have Greg Johnson, Carol Moore, Marv
Enslin and Dave Perlmutter join me for this event. It promises to be a terrific experience. I invite you to keep us in your prayers as we represent this congregation, that we may return filled with enthusiasm, as well as with some solid practical ideas for us as a congregation as
together we
move into the future God holds for us.
Rev.
Mark
CONGRATULATIONS
Dustin Johnson was married to Natalie Nelson on May 22 at Mapelag.
They make their home in Eden Prairie, as Dustin finishes Chiropractic studies.
TABLES FOR SALE
Four of the banquet tables in the Priscilla Room were replaced by four that
are lighter and more easily moved. As a result, the four old 48” X 96” tables
are available to any member of the Congregation. Any reasonable price will
be accepted.
The tables are well built and in good condition. Two of the tables are leaning
against the wall in the Priscilla Room for your inspection. Anyone interested
should contact a member of the Board of Trustees.
What’s the Financial Temperature?
July Year to Date
General Offering $ 8,360.50 $ 78,295.00
Loose Offering 330.00 1,575.70
Shop & Save/We Care 292.72 942.03
Labels for Learning $ 0.00 0.00
MnKota Recycling 00.00 29.88
Total $ 8,983.22 $ 80,842.61
Expenses Paid $ 8,492.81 $ 80,320.92
Commentary:
As leaves begin to drop, and days become shorter, we are reminded that it is time to
review, to wonder where summer has gone. So it is with our review of progress in meeting
our needs and keeping current in meeting our expenses. We have hit a small bump in that
it appears that the cash available in the early part of the summer was light. It may be vacation
interference, or whatever, but we need to remind ourselves that catching up is difficult.
“Lightening” struck…, now we need to respond. Grass keeps growing to remind us of our bounty.
Let us respond favorably as fall approaches. Thank you for your attention to this important
discipline.
Marv Enslin, Board for Stewardship
WE GET LETTERS
From Faith UCC of Bertha, MN and 1st Congregational UCC of Wadena, MN, Search
Committee Members: Dear Pastor Kuether & Members, We would like to thank you for
welcoming us so graciously into your community of faith. You opened your doors & pulpit
for the neutral pulpit with Pastor Marli Danielson on July 18th and we enjoyed that time of
worship with him and with you. We appreciate how you accommodated us by adjusting
your schedule and in your sincere hospitality.
From Nancy Bossert, Plymouth, MN: Dear Rev. Kuether, I saw in COMMAtary that your
church suffered lightning damage from a recent storm. You probably have insurance to cover
the bulk of the damage/repair/replacement, but I thought you might be able to use the
enclosed to help defray costs that are not covered. We (my mother, daughter, and I) will be
at our cabin on Little Pine Lake (out of Perham) for several weeks in August and we are
looking forward to worshipping with you and your congregation. Warmest regards.
From Kiely Todd Roska, Development Coordinator, CUE Seminaries of the UCC: Dear
Friends in Christ, Thank you for your generous gifts received during the months of January
through June of $541.65. Your contribution will provide critical support for each seminary.
Thank you for making theological education a vital ministry of your congregation. Chicago,
United and Eden Seminaries provide training to equip leaders for ministry with individuals,
congregations, and in the wider world. Each seminary strengthens the life of the church by
enlivening critical reflection on faith, and supporting bold Christian discipleship. Each school
is a vibrant, caring, and challenging place in which to pursue theological education.
Thank you again for your support of these important ministries.
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