Vol. XXXIX No. 5
MAY 2008
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“WHAT I DID ON SPRING BREAK”
On March 6-17, Shawna Vareberg and I went on a trip to Taize’, France. The trip was partially funded by the Ashley Foundation through the Minnesota Conference United Church of Christ. Sixteen people (including Shawna and me) from the Conference attended. (A second group of 17 left on March 27.) The trip was an opportunity to experience different forms of worship targeted specifically for older teens and young adults, to introduce them to Christianity.
Taize’ is a commune of brothers founded by Brother Roger in 1940 and is located next to the village of Taize’ in the Burgundy region of France. Young people from all over the world, ages 17-30, have flocked to Taize’ since the 1960’s in search of a more meaningful life.
The trip was a once-in-a-lifetime experience where we met many people from different countries and walks of life ~ from a German Lutheran minister whose church was built in 1868 to Teresa (Germany) and Claire (Belgium), who were our camp hostesses. The meditative songs were in Latin, German, French, and a few in English. It was interesting waiting to hear the English translation for everything. The life was simple, the food was simple, everyone had a job assignment.
Since we flew into Paris, we got to see a few other sights as well: the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Seine River. Going through Customs was a somber experience, both in Detroit, Michigan, and Amsterdam. We tried out the McDonald’s in Paris, and also visited an Alpha Romeo (car) dealership. We rode a train across France, the Metro (subway) in Paris, traveled in cars and on airplanes. This was quite a memorable trip and I’ve enjoyed sharing my experiences with others.
~ Renee Holm
(A PowerPoint presentation was shared on Sunday, April 27.)
BIRTHDAYS 02 – Andy Nustad 03 – Hannah Kuether, Dan Thornby 04 – Kate Rolf 07 – Samantha Vareberg 14 – Kyle Anderson, Aggie Masten 17 – Helen Hammond 18 – Mark Johnson, Dick Wilson
USHERS 04 & 11 -- Jim Mendenhall & Walt Kulberg 18 & 25 – Ron Row & Dave Perlmutter
FRIENDSHIP TIME 04 – Jamie & Dave Marks Erickson, Sarah Ruppel 11 – Virginia & Wayne McCoy, Gene Ross 18 – Darlene Eberhardt, Miriam & Dave Moen 25 – Sally & George Oja
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19 – Larry Werkman 20 – Shawna Vareberg 22 – Dylan Walter 24 – Alison Atchia 27 – Janet Whitcomb 28 – Elaine Kiger, Alex Nustad 30 – Marissa Pederson
GREETERS 04 & 11 – Sally & George Oja 18 & 25 – Sylvia Fleming & Nancy Hayle
FLOWERS 04 – Gini & Gary Kleingartner in Memory of Gini’s father Edwin Mayer 11 – Kyle Anderson in Honor of the Congregational Youth 18 – Roma & John Jacoby in Memory of Fred & Jessie Kee 25 – Aggie Sanden in Memory of John Masten
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ReMarks...
For Mothers (and those who love them)…
A Mother’s Patience
A man observed a woman in the grocery store with a 3-year-old girl in her cart. As they passed the cookie section, the child asked for cookies and her mother calmly told her, “no.”
The little girl began to whine and fuss. The mother said very quietly, “Now, Ellen, we just have a few more aisles to go; don’t be upset. It won’t be long.”
The man passed the mother and child again in the candy aisle. Of course, the little girl began to scream for candy. When she was told she couldn’t have any, she began to cry. The mother calmly said, “There, there, Ellen, don’t cry. Only two more aisles to go, and then we’ll be checking out.”
Later, the man happened to be behind the pair at the checkout, where the little girl immediately began to clamor for gum and burst into a terrible tantrum upon being informed there would be no gum purchased today. The mother patiently said, “Ellen, we’ll be through this checkout stand in a few minutes, and then you can go home and have a nice nap.”
The amazed man decided to compliment the young mother. “I couldn’t help noticing how patient you’ve been with little Ellen.”
“Ellen?” said the mother. “I’m Ellen. My little girl’s name is Tammy!”
~ St. John’s United Church of Christ, Council Bluffs, Iowa
Answers Given by Second Graders
How did God make mothers?
~ He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
~ God made my mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.
If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
~ I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.
~ I’d make my mom smarter. Then she’d know it was my sister who did it and not me.
~ She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I’d get rid of that.
What does your mom do in her spare time?
~ Moms don’t have spare time. Everybody knows that.
~ To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.
What would it take to make your mom perfect?
~ Diet. You know. Her hair. I’d diet, maybe… blue.
~ On the inside she’s already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
A Mother’s Prayer
Make me a wise mother, O Lord. Keep me calm and give me patience to bear the small, irritating things in the daily routine of life. Give me tolerance and understanding to bridge the gulf between my generation and that of my children.
Let me not be too ready to guide my children’s stumbling feet, but allow me to be ever near to bind their bruises. Give me a sense of humor that I may laugh with them but never at them. Let me refrain from preaching with words.
Keep me from forcing their confidences, but give me a sympathetic ear when my children come to me. Make me humble. Keep my children close to me, O Lord, though miles may
separate us. And let your light so shine upon me that they, too, will perceive your glory.
~ St. Philip Episcopal Church, Rochester, Minnesota
Grace and Peace, and a Blessed Mothers’ Day to Mothers Everywhere,
Rev. Mark
MEN’S CLUB will meet Saturday, May 3, at 8:00 a.m. at the Holiday Inn.
Come & bring a friend!
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH WOMEN will meet for a Potluck on Tuesday,
May 6, at 12:30 p.m. at the home of Roma Jacoby.
LADIES’ COFFEE GROUP will meet on Saturday, May 10, at the Holiday Inn. Come for good conversation and fellowship.
ADULT BIBLE STUDY will not meet again until September. Have a great summer!
YOUTH NEWS…
YOUTH SUNDAY ~ Our Board for Christian Education is busy planning this year’s Youth Sunday, which will happen on May 11. You won’t want to miss it! Youth Sunday includes the recognition of our high school graduates: Mary Johnson, Danielle Nelson, and Alex Nustad. Congratulations, graduates!
Vacation Bible School registration forms are available in the church narthex. Please fill one out for your family and place it in the basket on the table or send it by mail to the church office. This is a family event in which children and parents, grandparents or other responsible adults are encouraged to be involved. Participants “join” one of the Tribes of Israel and return to Jerusalem Marketplace at the time of Jesus Christ for games, foods, synagogue and tribe time, songs, crafts and stories. As in the past, VBS will involve families from our church as well as the United Methodist and St. Luke’s Episcopal churches. This year’s host for VBS, set for 6:30-8:30 p.m. June 1-4, is St. Luke’s, 1400 Corbett Road in Detroit Lakes.
Congo Church Women (CCW)
Tuesday, May 6, 12:30 p.m.: “Pot Luck” and year-end evaluation meeting at the home of Roma Jacoby. Note time and location change from program booklet. Call Roma for directions 847-5893.
BUS TRIP
Start planning now to join us for the bus trip on Sunday, June 8, to the closing service of the Minnesota Conference United Church of Christ Annual Meeting at St. Benedicts, where Rev. Mark will be installed as Moderator of the Conference. The bus will leave at 7:00 a.m. from the church. Don’t miss it!
We Welcome Our New Members
Betty Jensen (Betty was received into membership on April 20 via a Letter of Transfer from First Presbyterian Church of Georgetown, Texas.)
“I think I’ve had a very interesting life – a great family – Mike, Mark and Kathy – and now their families. With Don’s work with Northwestern Bell for thirty years, we lived in several places, including Detroit Lakes for almost ten years! The last eight years after he retired we lived in Georgetown, Texas – a lovely city on the eastern edge of the Hill Country. In 1998 Don was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, later with pneumonia, and died on November 2, 2001.
I was alone for three years and then moved to Pelican Rapids where Mark and wife Sonja were building – to be their “House Mother.” A lovely place to be, but after two winters, I felt it was too isolated. So, here I am – back in Detroit Lakes. I’m so pleased to be here! Yes, I’ve truly been blessed!”
Jean and Jim McDonald (Jean and Jim were officially received into membership by vote of the Church Council via a Letter of Transfer from First Congregational UCC in Pelican Rapids on March 19th. They were welcomed by the congregation on April 20th.)
Jean and Jim both grew up in Detroit Lakes. They have three adult children – Patty, Bob and Tom. “The kids have been a wonderful part of our lives,” they both say. All were active in the church in a variety of ways. Jean sang in the church choir. She also sang with the “Sweet Adalines” for more than 20 years. Jean has been involved with a quilters’ group, a homemakers group, and the Red Hat Ladies. She was an avid bowler for more than 40 years. Jean and Jim moved to Pelican Rapids in 1979 when Jim assumed the position of Postmaster. He retired in 1986. Jim also served as mayor of Pelican Rapids for 8 years. Jim was quite an athlete – tennis and softball were often on his schedule. He became a skilled woodcarver somewhere along the way and truly loved it. Jim was also a drummer for the “JimmyMac Band” as well as other bands. They add, “We’re so happy to be back ‘home’ in Detroit Lakes. We’ve been so warmly welcomed.”
“Because we all share this small planet earth, we have to learn to live in harmony and peace with each other and with nature. That is not just a dream, but a necessity. We are dependent on each other in so many ways, that we can no longer live in isolated communities and ignore what is happening outside those communities, and we must share the good fortune that we enjoy.” ~Dalai Lama
STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH
What does “Church” mean to you? Mission? Compassion? Community? Prayer? Praise? Peace? My hunch is that we could sit in a circle asking that question and come up with as many different answers as people. My further hunch is that the value at the heart of every answer would be the same: Love. Christ’s Church is love.
When I think about how the Church’s love – God’s love – has transformed and nourished me, I’m profoundly grateful. And I want to share it. I want others to feel the blessings of grace and acceptance, to know the joy of service and the freedom to live fully in God’s presence – in both joy and sorrow, in both struggle and laughter. This month we have a special opportunity to help spread this Good News.
About this time each year we receive a special offering that helps the Church’s love to grow and thrive. Called Strengthen the Church, this offering funds new congregations and renews existing ones. It supports programs for youth and young adults and nurtures current and future leaders in Christ’s Church. And this year, for the first time, it will support the God is Still Speaking Ministry and its message of welcome to all God’s children. Directed to our own local church, the Minnesota Conference, Local Church Ministries and the Still Speaking Ministry, Strengthen the Church gifts help create vital church communities with evangelical courage to proclaim a message of extravagant welcome.
We’ll receive this offering on Pentecost Sunday, May 11 – the birthday of the Church. I invite you to celebrate this birthday (and Mother’s Day, too) by giving to Strengthen the Church. Our gifts today ensure a vibrant Church tomorrow. Strengthen the Church. God is still speaking,
Peace,
Rev. Mark
What’s the Financial Temperature?
March Year to Date
General Offering $ 9,673.00 $ 36,746.00
Loose Offering 259.00 660.00
Shop & Save/We Care 00.00 225.63
Labels for Learning $ 0.00 0.00
Total $ 9,932.00 $ 39,631.63
Expenses Paid $ 17,801.03 $ 36,462.21
Commentary:
As we review the March flow of funds, we do note that the expenses exceeded the income. The quarterly expenses which we prepared to meet have been met and we have the succeeding months to rebuild and prepare for next quarterly challenges. We can do it!! There should be no further snow removal costs and the seasonal fuel expenses will show some reduction. In the meantime, seeds are germinating and green is returning!!
We note that our participation in the Minnesota Foodshare campaign assisted in record-breaking Becker County Food Pantry receipts. Our contribution of $1,910 is gratifying and deserves congratulations. During March, our special offering to One Great Hour of Sharing exceeded $600. Again, congratulations for this very good response.
Upcoming, we note the Strengthen the Church special offering will be received on May 11, 2008. An accompanying article discusses the Strengthen the Church opportunity to participate.
“THE BIG SECRET of Giving” Stewardship, 2008
‘I know what it is to have little, and what it is to have plenty. In
any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being
well-fed and going hungry.’ Phillipians 4:12
Marv Enslin, Board for Stewardship
THANK YOU…THANK YOU!
From the Congregational Church Women:
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you – to everyone who helped make the Spring Salad Luncheon a wonderful success! Thanks – to those who created the festive spring butterfly decorations; to the kitchen crew that began at 7 a.m. and were still on their feet at 1:30 p.m.; to the dining room gals that cleared stacks and stacks of dirty dishes; to the guys who loaded those dishes into the dishwasher; to all who made the gorgeous salads and breads; to those who invited friends and neighbors; to anyone and everyone who helped in large ways and small: Thank You!
It was a beautiful spring day and 193 guests came to spend their lunchtime with us. Over $1,000 was raised to continue the support of the Crisis Center, the Food Pantry, Care Packages for our college students, Pilgrim Point camp and other concerns.
It was a good job well done. Blessings to all!
From J.U.M.P. Team 3 Leader, Dave Perlmutter: “On behalf of J.U.M.P. and especially Team 3, it gives me great pleasure to thank you all for your contributions for our Jamaican Mission. Your contributions of $500 by the Foundation, $300 from the Board for Congregational Life, and hundreds from pie sales, calendar sales, books, supplies and monies, in no small part led to a computer being presented to Brownstown Servite Elementary and a freezer to Widow’s Mite (an orphanage for the disabled). Again ~ thank you!!”
From the Becker County Food Pantry: “Many thanks to your congregation for the $1,910.00 and the 44 lbs. of food to the Pantry. We appreciate your support!”
PILGRIM POINT CAMP
Dear Potential Campers,
I'm looking over the Summer 2008 brochure from Pilgrim Point Camp.
There are some wonderful opportunities for you and/or your children to spend some time on the shores of beautiful Lake Ida in Alexandria this summer. Terrific camps for children of God of all ages are once again happening. Copies of the brochure, including registration forms, are available on the table in the Narthex. I hope you'll be able to make your way to camp this summer. As has been the case for a number of years, the Foundation Board will
pay your way.
While I haven't done so for a couple years now, I spent at least one week at church camp every year for 16 consecutive years. It's a great place to be! In particular, in my experience, anyway, it's a great place to be with your family. I hope you'll seriously consider making your way to Pilgrim Point this summer -- either with or without your family. Please contact me with any questions.
Think Summer! Think Camp!
Rev. Mark
Brief Summary of Church Council Meeting, April 16, 2008
The C. S. Lewis book discussion planned by Congregational Life was postponed until a date to be announced. Summer activities include the August church picnic including the second annual bocce ball tournament
From April 16 Reverend Mark made 42 personal pastoral visits and attended 15 church or church-related meetings. He will be on vacation June 9 – 22. At the recommendation of the Stewardship Board, the Church Council encouraged Congregational Life to arrange for a press release/interview about Pastor Mark’s installation as Moderator of the Minnesota Conference - United Church of Christ.
A total of $1,910, including church offerings and Congregational Church Women funding, was delivered to the Becker County Food Pantry.
May 11 is Youth Sunday that includes: recognition of high school graduates Alex Nustad, Mary Johnson & Danielle Nelson and presentation of scholarships by the Foundation Board. No new board members have been found for the Board for Christian Education.
The Diaconate expresses it’s appreciation to Paul Bursik for building an attractive screen around the projector. No service will be held at our church on June 8. Members (not attending St. Ben’s service) and guests will be referred to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. The date for the choir appreciation dinner will be announced after consulting with music director, Mitsy Casey.
The following motions were unanimously passed.
**The annual premium of $240 will be paid in order to include Reverend Mark and his family in the Vision Benefits Plan.
**Carol Moore and Sylvia Fleming are elected to officially represent the Congregational Church – United Church of Christ of Detroit Lakes as delegates to the Annual Conference Meeting (College of Saint Benedict) June 6 – 8.
**The purchase of four sturdy, matching music stands for $140 will be charged to the undesignated memorials fund. The stands will be church property.