rcc may monthly newsletter 20131

7/28/2019 RCC May Monthly Newsletter 20131

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THE CONGREGATIONAL CONNECTION



Manda’s Musings Sabbatical Blessings

There’s an old saying that goes, “when the pastor’s away, the church members will play.” Okay. I

made that up. While I am on sabbacal, though, I have every condence that you will play! You will have

the opportunity to:

Enjoy the fresh, new voice of Pastor Jim from the pulpit as he shares God’s Word,

(and some special sermon series that he’s planning for you)

Play with new ideas that will spring up,

Connue to care well for one another through your joys and sorrows, and

Worship regularly with your church family in God’s House

The purpose of Sabbacal and Sabbath is to recognize and claim the gi of grace; it is a reminder

that God is the giver of every good gi.

During my sabbacal from May 26 through the end of August I will give myself over to God in the

simple but profound act of receiving what God has to oer. I will soak up spiritual nourishment which will

sustain me for the on-going work of pastoral ministry. I will spend me at connuing educaon events to

learn some new things to share with you.

I am humbly grateful to both congregaons for supporng my ministry by providing for this sab-bacal. As I have cared for you, you care for me. It is a big responsibility for me to know that I have been

given permission to separate from the needs of our congregaons – many minor needs but also some

very important things as well. This is where trust and release come in. This is God’s church, not Pastor

Manda’s church!

I fully trust that God will connue to care for you, and I release the pastoral leadership for these

three months to Pastor Jim, who has wonderful gis to oer. I also release the responsibility to each of

you, who already know so well how to be church together and carry on with our mission.

I will miss you, and you will all be in my prayers, as I hope I will be in yours. With this sabbacal Iplan to rell, refuel, refocus and reconnect to the abundant life which Jesus Christ oers so freely to me. I

will look forward to returning to you in September with a renewed spirit and refreshed energy for the

good work of serving God.

In Christ’s Abundant Love,

Pastor Manda



Sabbacal Renewal Leave

The Pastor Parish Relaons Commiee has been working with Pastor Manda in plan-

ning for her three month sabbacal, which will begin on May 24 and last through August. A

sabbacal supply pastor will be with us for the

duraon of this me. Our covenant between the pastor and congregaon

includes the benet of sabbacal leave aer ve years of ministry. The Yoke Council has

been planning for this event with monthly contribuons into an

accrual fund to cover the cost of the sabbacal supply pastor.

Pastor Manda’s sabbacal will have two focuses: church renewal and healing in the life

of the church. She will parcipate in a pastor’s educaon event in June with Brian McLaren

who is a leader in church renewal for the 21st century. She will also parcipate in a healing

retreat in August to nd ways to grow our church’s healing ministry. Other me will be spent

worshipping with a variety of faith communies to gather fresh ideas, reading, and enjoying

Sabbath me walking in nature enjoying God’s creaon.

Any quesons can be directed to the Pastor Parish Relaons Commiee: Union Grove

- Judy Berndt, Doris Deschler, Joyce Gilbertson; Raymond - Dale Meyer, Cindy Spitza, Rick

Roepke, Jeanne Hahn. Watch for more informaon.

We would like to recognize any of our graduates this spring. Please let the

church office know of anyone from our church families graduating form

middle school, high school or college. Thank you.

Raymond Community Church - Mission Statement We seek to bear witness to the good news of God’s love for the Church and for the World as

revealed in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.



Raymond Community Church

Mark Your Calendars

Thursday May 2 – Friday May 3 – Spring Used Clothing Sale supporng our Union Grove Area Food-bank, 8:00 am – 8:00 pm (Thursday), 8:00 am – 1:00 pm (Friday),

located at the St. Robert’s Church fellowship Hall. All clothing is 50 cents or less.

Friday May 3 and Saturday May 4 – Union Grove Congregaonal UCC Church

Rummage Sale at the Masonic Center (across from the church) 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Sunday May 5, Last Day of Sunday School unl fall.

Wednesday May 15, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm Amazing Grays Senior Luncheon and program at Raymond

Community Church, UCC.

Sunday May 19 - Pentecost Sunday, Strengthen the Church oering will be taken. This will be Pastor

Manda’s last Sunday before she goes on Sabbacal Renewal Leave.

Everyone is invited to wear the color red to celebrate the Holy Spirit on this special Sunday.

Sunday May 19 - the annual “Strengthen the Church” oering will be taken. Half of this oering stays

right in our Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ. Strengthen the Church oerings work to-

gether for: Funding new church starts and invigorang exisng congregaons . Nurturing lay and pas-

toral leadership. Building youth and young adult ministries . Supporng the God is Sllspeaking Min-

istry and its extravagant welcome for all within the United Church of Christ. Let’s give generously!

Monday May 20, 6:00 pm Faith Development Commiee

Sunday May 26 - We welcome Rev. Jim Burd as our Sabbacal Supply Pastor. Pastor Jim is a rered

United Church of Christ minister living in Elkhorn, and has preached here on a few occasions in the

past while Pastor Manda was o. He and his wife Elaine enjoy me with their grandchildren and in

their garden. Jim is the author of “Behind the Stole: Rebirths of a Pastor.” He will be serving in a part-

me capacity with services on Sundays, and will be available to church members by phone, e-mail

and in person for any needs that arise. We welcome Pastor Jim.

Friday May 31 - Saturday June 1 - Union Grove Relay for Life at the Racine County Fairgrounds

Sunday June 2 – Our new worship me begins today: 9:00 am.

http://www.ucc.org/newchurch/

http://www.ucc.org/youth/

http://www.ucc.org/young-adults/

http://www.ucc.org/god-is-still-speaking/




http://www.ucc.org/young-adults/

http://www.ucc.org/youth/

http://www.ucc.org/newchurch/



Sunday School News May 5: Mother’s and Father’s Day Breakfast/Last Day of Sunday School - To celebrate the last day of Sunday School and

Mother’s and Father’s Day, the Sunday School children will be preparing and serving a breakfast for all

members of the congregaon. Students should arrive at 8:30; brunch will be served 9:30 a.m. – 10:30

a.m. Please mark your calendars for this special day, and plan to aend.

May 5: Children will sing during the worship service, and Sunday School sta will be recognized.

July 16-17: HAYDAY Vacaon Bible School, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

September 15: SAVE THE DATE for the rst day of Sunday School for the 2013-2014 session. Please watch up upcom-

ing Congregaonal Newsleers, your weekly church email and weekly bullen announcements for ad-

dional details.

“HAY DAY” VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2013 The Faith Development Commiee invites and encourages all members of the congregaon to join us at “HAYDAY” Va-

caon Bible School scheduled for Tuesday, July 16, - Wednesday, July 17. (Please note change of dates – VBS will now

be 2-day program instead of 3.) Hours are 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

The overall theme of this fun-lled, FAMILY VBS is “Growing in Friendship with Jesus.” You’ll be up to your elbows in

farmin’ fun as you explore one simple Bible truth: Jesus will always love us. This message is reinforced through Bible

adventures, a key Bible verse, songs and hands-on acvies.

An enrollment form is included in this newsleer. There is no cost to parcipate.

Please watch upcoming Congregaonal Newsleers, your weekly church email and weekly bullen announcements for

addional details.

If you have any quesons regarding Faith Development and/or Sunday School acvies, please call

(262) 835-2157, email the church at [email protected] or let one of the Faith Development

Commiee members know.

mailto:[email protected]





HAYDAY Vacation Bible School begins Tuesday, July 16, 5:30 p.m.

Name of Child Birth Date Grade (Completed) Allergies/Medical Info

____________________ _________ ____ ____________________

____________________ _________ ____ ____________________

____________________ _________ ____ ____________________

Name of Parent(s)/Guardian(s):

Home phone: Cell phone:

Address:

City/Zip:

E-mail:

In case of emergency during Vacation Bible School, please contact* (Name & phone #):

*Please note: If someone other than the parent or guardian is to pick up your child from Vacation Bible School, the staff must be notified

in advance.

Yes No I want Raymond Community Church to keep my name and contact information private when creating a public record or

list.

Yes No I grant Raymond Community Church the right to publish and copyright my image (including audio, moving image or

photography) for educational programs, website and promotion of church and Sunday School programs.

Yes No I require an accommodation for a disability to participate in Raymond Community Church HAYDAY Vacation Bible

School.

Name of Parent or Guardian

Signature of Parent or Guardian

Date



May 5 Rick and Cheryl

Roepke

May 12 Paul & Heather Ryan

May 19 Cole & Chrisan Ryan

May 26 Pat & Mindy Schuh

May 5 Kayla Kastenson

May 12 Luke Kastenson

May 19 Will Syty

May 26 Brandon Kozelek

You are invited to prepare for worship by reading the

selected scripture ahead of time:

May 5 Acts 16: 9-15 Psalm 67

May 12 Acts 16: 16-34 Psalm 97

May 19 Acts 2: 1-21 Psalm 104: 24-34 35b

May 26 Psalm 8 Romans 5: 1-5

Since we are now using new bibles and hymnals in our church pews, we

have our old ones to give away. Please contact the church office if you

would like some bibles (New International Version) and/or hymnals.



Planning Ahead: Time Change coming rst Sunday in June. Mark your

calendars for Sunday June 2 which will be the start of our new worship me

as we make the annual switch with our Yoke Partner church, Union Grove

Spring Used Clothing Sale:

The Union Grove Area Food Bank's Annual

Spring Used Clothing Sale will be held on

Thursday, May 2nd from

8:00a.m. - 8:00p.m. & Friday, May 3rd from

8:00a.m. - 1:00p.m. in St. Robert's Church Hall

(Hwy 45 in Union Grove - across from the High

School). All clothing items are priced at 50

cents or less and new items will be added

throughout the event. On Friday (only), a $3

bag sale is

offered. Anyone wishing to donate clean, good,

used clothing may do so by dropping them into

the collection bin behind St. Robert's church

beginning April 14th. No Rummage items.

____________________________________

Faith Development News May 20: Faith Development Meeting

at 6:00 p.m.; Sunday School

staff and anyone interested

in volunteering for Vacation

Bible School are asked to

join at 6:30 p.m.

_______________________________________

The week of April 7 brought much rain along

with a power outage a church that disabled

the sump pump and caused three feet of

water to ood our basement. Our oil fur-

nace and hot water heater were among the

losses. Our insurance company is in the pro-

cess of assessing the damages, and we are

wroking closely with them for repairs and

replacements. The recovery and restoraon

company has done a good job with the clean

up. We will keep our members posted about

upcoming needs. Your prayers are

appreciated.



Outdoor Ministries Camping Opportunies for all – registraon is now open

It’s me to think about summer church camp. Our Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ is

blessed with two wonderful church camps: Pilgrim Center in Green Lake, and Moon Beach in St. Germain.

They oer a variety of camping opportunies for children from preschool age (Mom & Me/ Dad & Me/

Grandparent & Me), through Senior High, as well as adult retreat opportunies. A Chrisan camping expe-

rience oers a safe, fun environment to learn and grow in faith. Our church and Associaon can oer somescholarship assistance to those interested in aending a camp. Pick up a camp catalog at church. More in-

formaon can also be found at www.ucci.org or by calling Moon Beach Camp (715-479-8255) or Pilgrim

Center (920-PILGRIM).

Our Church’s Wider Mission (OCWM)

Every organization has acronyms (initials that stand for something). One acronym heard around

our church is “OCWM” which stands for Our Church's Wider Mission. This is a very important part of

our mission budget that allows us to pool our money with other United Church of Christ

congregations to have an impact beyond what we could do as one local congregation. Our Church’s

Wider Mission truly changes lives!

Our Yoked churches of Raymond and Union Grove UCC were recipients of OCWM monies in

1996 in order to call a new pastor and supplement the salary for the first three years. This was

done in order to provide a competitive salary to ensure a strong start for qualified, competent

pastoral leadership. As our church has been blessed by OCWM monies, we are encouraged to share

in partnership with other missions and ministries as well. OCWM is a special part of our budget.

Amazing Gray’s Luncheon W ednesday May 15th

11:00 am – 2:00 pm

at Raymond Church

Eukulele band, Dress up as though you

Are on a Hawaiian vacation!

http://www.ucci.org/





1 John H. Scott

4 Derrick Bey

5 Jacob James

6 Lydia Fliess

6 Mindy Schuh

10 Kellie Christensen

11 John A. Scott

11 William Stoll Jr.

14 Nicholas Beck

14 Ryan Gresk

19 Jean Hulbert

25 Scott Kastenson

25 Rick Roepke

28 Ardine Scott

31 Holly Pesch

Bob & Pula Wlc My 20

Rn & Shri Hetz My 31

Prayer is a powerful and important part of our

faith lives. Psalm 66:19 tells us, “Truly God has

listened; he has given heed to the words of my prayers.”

To add a name to the “In Our Prayers” list for the

church bulletin, submit a prayer request form in the

prayer box in the church entryway or submit your

prayer request to the church office or Pastor Manda

by

e-mail or phone. We will keep the name of each

person or situation on our prayer list for one month,

unless otherwise notified. To respect privacy, please ensure that you have permission to

share this

prayer request.



Opportunities Sunday

Throughout the history of our church we, the members, have

performed most of the maintenance and upkeep of our building and grounds. Since God has

blessed us with a beauful and useful place of worship, in a pleasing country seng, we are

oered the opportunity and privilege of stewardship of God’s bounty.As long me members most of you are serving, or have served, in a variety of

posions. And we recognize and thank you all for your service! As a newer or younger

member perhaps you have thought about helping but were not sure what you could do or

how to go about geng started. In order to aid all who are interested in helping with your

church’s work, the resources commiee has put together a program lisng the ongoing

opportunies and has set up a help.mentoring program to ease you into parcipang in one

or more of the areas of need.

CHURCH CLEANING. The church is cleaned on a weekly basis. When two people do the

cleaning together the work takes 3 to 4 hours. There is a list of the weekly cleaning dues

posted in the storage room. Cindy Spitza is the cleaning coordinator. She will work with any

new volunteers. All who are interested may talk with Cindy aer church or contact her at

895-3406 or [email protected]. There is a sign-up sheet in the narthex.

LAWN MOWING. From late April through early October the lawn needs to be mowed about

once a week. To mow the enre lawn takes about 4-5 hours with one mower. You are wel-

come to sign up for 1/2 a lawn to share the work with others. Vern Baumgart is the lawn care

coordinator. See Vern aer church or contact him at 262-332-7012 or [email protected]

A sign-up sheet will be posted in early April.

AMAZING GRAYS. A wonderful fellowship meal & entertainment for seniors is hosted here

the 3rd Wednesday of every month Sep-May. Please contact Cheryl Roepke or Sandra Sorce.

SPECIAL PROJECTS Dates to be announced.

Annual church clean up, Painng, Replace drains.

Rick Roepke will coordinate special projects. 262-716-9273



May 2013

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2

Clothing Sale

8-8

3

Clothing Sale

8-1

Rummage

4

Rummage

Sale

UG UCC 8-5

5

Mothers/

Fathers

Day brunch

6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 Amazing

Gray’s Senior

Luncheon—

Raymond

Community

16 17 18

19

Pentecost

Sunday

20

Faith Devel-

opment Com-

mittee Meet-

ing

21 22 23 24 25

26

We welcome

Rev. Jim

Burd

27 28 29 30 31

Relay for Life



Informaon not referenced in this publicaon is sourced from: The Newsleer Newsleer , published monthly by Communicaon Resources, Inc.



OFFICE HOURS

Rev. Manda Stack

Monday 8:30 - 12:00 Union Grove

Tuesday 9:30 -11:30 Raymond

Wednesday 1:00 - 3:00 Union Grove

Thursday

Day Off

Friday 12:00 - 3:30 Raymond

Nancy Jorgensen, Administrative Assistant

Mon/Wed/Fri 9:00 - 12:00 Raymond

Tues/Thurs 9:00 - 2:00 Union Grove

E-Mail:

Raymond Community Church Office [email protected]

Union Grove Congregational Office

[email protected]

Pastor Manda [email protected]

You are welcome to call Pastor Manda at home if the office hours are not convenient for you. Please leave a

message if she is not home, and your call will be returned. Please note that Pastor Manda can be reached during her

office hours, except on the first Tuesday of each month when she attends the monthly UCC District Clergy meeting.

Union Grove Office 878-1690

Raymond Office 835-2157

Rev. Manda Stack 878-1168

WEBSITES:

UCC Denomination: www.ucc.org

Wisconsin Conference: www.wcucc.org

CHURCH LEADERS

Moderator Dale Meyer (414)-529-5141

Clerk/Historian Cindy Hirschfield 835-3085

Treasurer

Vern Baumgart

835-

2057

Financial Secretary Dale Meyer/Cindy Spitza (414-)529-5141

895-3406

Head Usher Paul Ryan 835-9078

Music Coordinator Carol Beckman/Amy Beck 895-6131/

534-3370

rcc may monthly newsletter 20131

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