running with perseverance
TRANSCRIPT
RUNNING WITH PERSEVERANCE 2016 Annual Report
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses… let us run with
perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our
faith…” (Hebrews 12:1-2)
What a wonderful cloud of witnesses we have throughout the Minnesota Conference! I am
continually inspired by and grateful for the authenticity and determination we bring to our
collective ministry as the United Church of Christ in Minnesota.
I see it when a local congregation approaches a time of transition and fully engages in prayerful
consideration of their future. I see it in the ways we accompany and guide our Members in
Discernment as they journey down a path toward authorized ministry. I see it in the ready
willingness of the Conference’s Board of Directors to act generously and boldly. I see it in those
who step into the streets to protest injustices and wrongs for the sake of justice and righteousness.
I see it in the painstaking efforts of our pastors and chaplains and specialized ministers, as they
continually seek the will and guidance of God in their various ministry settings. And I see it every
time we gather to worship, raising our praise and our prayers to a God whom we trust is creating
new purpose and promise all around us. We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, indeed!
A number of highlights come to mind as I consider our ministry as a Conference in 2016.
UCC General Minister & President Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer was with us in January, casting
bright vision for our beloved United Church of Christ
We received United Faith Community in Buffalo as a new “ministry connection” of the
Conference
We commissioned and bid farewell to Tom, Monica, Hannah, and Simon Liddle as they began their
global mission service in East Timor, thanks in part to generous fundraising across the Conference
for their mission appointment
80 youth and adult advisors attended National Youth Event in Orlando, Florida, wowed by the
worship and learning and fellowship of this fantastic national UCC event
999 individuals and 52 congregations benefited from our outdoor ministry at Pilgrim Point Camp
The Conference became fully divested from fossil fuels in 2016, a commitment made at our 2013
Annual Meeting and completed well ahead of the 5-year schedule that had been set
The Board of Directors approved a new set of strategic objectives for the Conference, instilling new
purpose and focus into our ministry
The Board of Directors also directed resources to a new part-time staff position dedicated to lay
leadership development in the Conference
Our prophetic witness for justice was abundant and clear, as Conference staff, teams, congregations,
and individual members advocated, protested, and physically showed up amid multiple issues that
emerged during the year
Our witness as the Minnesota Conference UCC is vital and robust, but God has far more to
accomplish with us and through us. So let us run this race with perseverance……..and with an
abundance of faith!
With deep gratitude for all the ways we are the Church together,
Reverend Shari Prestemon, Conference Minister
Financials for Fiscal Year 2016: October 1, 2015 - September 30, 2016
OCWM
44%
Restricted Contributions
Released
24%
7% Per
Capita
10%
Program Revenue
15%
Annual Fund &
Gifts
Revenue
Expenses
Program
67%
OCWM National
Payments 14%
12%
Fund- raising
7% Management
& General
Ministry Facts for Calendar Year 2016
Our Churches Our Ministers Our Youth & Pilgrim Point
129
Churches
1
Church Withdrawn
25,353
Church Members
9
Ordinations
9
Installations
25
Members in Discernment
999
Campers & Volunteers at PPC
80
National Youth Event Attendees
$50,000 or more
First UCC, Northfield
Mayflower Community Congregational, Minneapolis
United Church of Christ, New Brighton
$25,000—$49,999
First Congregational Church of MN, Minneapolis
Peace UCC, Duluth
Robbinsdale UCC, Robbinsdale
St. Paul’s UCC, St. Paul
Union Congregational UCC, St. Louis Park
Wayzata Community Church, Wayzata
$10,000—$24,999
Chapel Hills UCC, Edina
Falcon Heights UCC, Falcon Heights
First Congregational UCC, Anoka
First Congregational UCC, Austin
First Congregational UCC, Fairmont
First Congregational UCC, Mankato
First Congregational UCC, Brainerd
The United Church, Mapleton
United Congregational UCC, Birchdale
Zoar UCC, Chaska
Zoar UCC, Waldorf
$500—$999
First Congregational UCC, Lake City
Peace UCC, Glencoe
Pilgrim Congregational UCC, Benson
St. Luke’s UCC, Eitzen
The United Protestant Church, Silver Bay
United Faith Community, Buffalo
Up to $499
Faith UCC, Winthrop
First Congregational Church UCC, Hancock
First Congregational UCC, Aitkin
First Congregational UCC, Dodge Center
First Congregational UCC, Graceville
First Congregational UCC, Hutchinson
First Congregational UCC, Pelican Rapids
First United Church UCC, Sauk Centre
Mendota Heights United Church of Christ (Cong’l), Mendota Heights
Scrambler Union UCC, Pelican Rapids
The United Church of Grand Meadow, Grand Meadow
Congregational Donors Includes contributions made to support Our Church’s Wider Mission, Christmas Fund, Neighbors in Need, Strengthen the Church, One Great Hour of Sharing, Per Capita covenant dues, Annual Fund, New Initiatives Fund, and Pilgrim Point Camp & Retreats.
Granite Falls UCC, Granite Falls
Lynnhurst Congregational UCC, Minneapolis
Macalester Plymouth United Church, St. Paul
Mizpah UCC, Hopkins
New Journey UCC, Hutchinson
Parkview UCC, White Bear Lake
Pilgrim Congregational, Duluth
Plymouth Congregational Church, Minneapolis
St. Anthony Park UCC, St. Paul
The Congregational Church of Detroit Lakes UCC, Detroit Lakes
The Congregational UCC, Rochester
The Federated Church, Morris
Union UCC, Elk River
United Church of Christ, Gaylord
Zion UCC, LeSueur
$5,000—$9,999
Clark Memorial UCC, South St. Paul
Community UCC, St. Paul Park
Cottage Grove United Church of Christ, Cottage Grove
Edina Morningside Church, Edina
Faith UCC, International Falls
First Congregational, Grand Marais
First Congregational Church, Zumbrota
First Congregational of Moorhead, Moorhead
First Congregational UCC, Cannon Falls
First Congregational UCC, Glencoe
First Congregational UCC, Wadena
Linden Hills Congregational UCC, Minneapolis
Living Table UCC, Minneapolis
Lyndale Congregational UCC, Minneapolis
New Spirit UCC, Savage
Olivet Congregational Church, St. Paul
Parkway UCC, Minneapolis
Peace UCC, Rochester
St. John’s UCC, Faribault
St. Mark’s UCC, Bloomington
St. Paul’s UCC, Welcome
The Associated Church, Owatonna
Union Congregational Church UCC, Hackensack
$2,500—$4,999
Bethlehem UCC, Maple Lake
Cherokee Park United Church, St. Paul
Circles of Faith UCC, Waubun
Community Church of Walker, UCC, Walker
First Congregational Church, Staples
First Congregational UCC, Alexandria
First Congregational UCC, Winona
First United Church, Little Falls
Friedens UCC, Norwood Young America
Glenwood United Parish, Glenwood
Glyndon Congregational UCC, Glyndon
Hazel Park Congregational UCC, St. Paul
Peace UCC, St. Cloud
Peace United Church, Long Prairie
St. James UCC, Barnesville
St. John’s UCC, Fairmont
St. John’s UCC, New Albin
St. Matthew’s UCC-Forest City, Litchfield
St. Paul’s UCC, Delano
St. Paul’s UCC, Henderson
St. Paul’s UCC, Plato
St. Paul’s UCC/ELCA, Lewiston
St. Peter’s UCC, Stillwater
The Congregational Church, Excelsior
The Federated Church, Fergus Falls
United Church of Christ, New Ulm
Wabasha UCC, Wabasha
$1,000—$2,499
Community UCC, Biwabik
Congregational Church of Faribault UCC, Faribault
Faith United Church, Ada
Faith United Church of Christ, Bertha
First Congregational Church, Aldrich
First Congregational UCC, Appleton
First Congregational UCC, Baudette
First Congregational UCC, New York Mills
First Congregational UCC, Princeton
First UCC of Marietta, Marietta
Grace UCC, Millville
Peace UCC, Eden Valley
Prairie Community Church of Lester Prairie, Lester Prairie
St. John’s UCC, Norwood Young America
St. Paul’s UCC, Minnesota Lake
Rev. Susan & Jim Burns•
Kathryn Butler
Rev. John Buttrey◊
Rev. Ralph Colby
Rev. Molly Cox◊
Robert Crom◊
Peter Dahlen & Mary Carlsen
Nat & Catherine Dickey◊
Rev. Beth Donaldson
Leon Erstad
Rev. Charles Eversman
Ken & Cindy Femanich◊
Bart & Sally Finzel
Donna Force
Barbara Fox◊
John Fox
Rev. Charlotte Frantz+
Betty Fritz◊
Maggie George & Rev. Rebecca Voelkel◊
Rev. Richard & Jane Gerber
Richard & Nancy Gongoll◊
Rev. Bob Griggs
Rev. Clare & Rev. Justin Gromoll◊
Rev. Bridget Haefner•+
Rev. Victor Hallberg
Rev. Jerry & Liz Hankins•◊
Norma Heinbuch
Evelyn Rentz Henrickson◊
Rev. Kathy Itzin
Barbara Jeffries◊
Rev. & Mrs. John Kemp
Darlene Kenning◊
$5,000—9,999
Frank Bennett & Mary Lenard
$2,500—$4,999
Hildegard Bunge◊
Marion Bunge◊
Mike Rice•
Rev. Richard & Dr. Mary Wagner•
$1,000—$2,499
Rudi & Diann Anders•
Hobart & Charlotte Anderson◊
Janet Bartz•
Rev. Howard Bell & Christopher Cook•◊+
Conee Biggs
James & Barbara Bock+
Don & Arlene Fancher
Becky & Dan Kruse•
Lisa Lindesmith & Toni Pangborn
John & Karen Marsh◊
Annette Matzen•◊
Rev. Jane McBride & Rev. Jen Nagel•
Peter Norum
Robert Peterson
Derek Peterson◊
Rev. Robin Raudabaugh & Gigi Nauer•◊
Judy & Chris Reiss◊
Judy & Gene Rose◊
Rev. Richard & Nancy Scheerer
Kim & Jan Shaffer•◊+
Rev. Michael Small & Rev. Sheila Hunter•
Steven & Karen Sorensen
Glen Taylor◊
Rev. Parker & Albert Trostel•
Dr. Mary Walser & Lynne Meyer
$500—$999
Jim & Nancy Barbour•
David & Betty Jo Braun•
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Carlisle◊
Rev. David Cave
Rev. Kathy Gibson Christensen & Robert Christensen
Jim Conn & Dawn Carlson Conn
Kimberly Graff◊+
Thom & Diane Haines•
Robert Hattlestad◊
Bonnie Johnson◊
Nancy Charlene Johnson•
Rev. Sandy Johnson
Carol Joyce
Mary Kaser•
Rev. Gary & Kathleen Kasten
Rev. Tom & Dr. Monica Liddle•+
Dorothy Lundberg
Roberta & Annette Mailes
Rev. David & Rev. Jane McMahill
Sham Moteelall•
Rev. Paula Northwood
Ruth & Donald Plackner◊
Rev. Dr. Carolyn Pressler & Sue Ebbers
Rev. Gary Reierson
Rev. Teresa Roberts•
Rev. John & Marion Roschen◊
Patricia & Jerry Stone◊
Rev. Nancy Swanson
Rev. Howard & Betsy Tobak
Rev. Dwight & Jean Wagenius
Rev. Kay Welsch
Don & MaryJane Westra
$100—$249
Deb & Dave Adams◊
Janice Anderson
Steve Anthony
Williard Arnold◊
Adrienne Banks◊
Jane & Tom Barthell•
Rev. Julie Beck
Rev. Marilyn Benson
Rev. Rex Beyer•
Rev. Dr. Anita Bradshaw+
Rev. Brian & Glennis Brosz
Dwight & Helen Brown◊
Sue & Dean Kloker◊+
Donald Koehn•
Mary Korsmo◊
Lynne Krehbiel-Breneman & Donald Krehbiel
Rev. Zoe & Rev. Lanny Kuester
Laurie Lang•
Ruth Larson
Charles & Hope Lea◊
James Leslie
Shelley Lindenfelser◊+
Rev. Dana Mann
Rev. David Martens
Rev. Kent & Rev. Debra Meyer
Jonathan Morgan
Helen Myers◊
Priscilla Nauer
Rev. Leslie & Chris Neugent
Rev. Paula Nordhem
Ole & Sharon Olson
Karen Peterson
Rev. S. Lindy Purdy
Liz Reishus◊
Sandra Rempfer
Rev. Margaret Richardson•
Bruce Richardson
Rev. Herb Rotunda
Cindy Russell
Belle & Dr. Robert Scott
Sue & Erin Scully◊
Margaret Seath◊
Lynne Severson
Rev. Madison Sheely◊
Ellsworth Simon◊
Individual Support • Sustaining Donors ◊ Pilgrim Point + New Initiatives * Deceased
Phil & Sue Keithahn◊
Spencer Kvam
Richard & Karn Lerum◊
Chelle Lyons Hanson & Chip Hanson
Gerald Meigs◊
Rev. Dr. Jeff Palmer & Rev. Cindy Mueller
Roberta Peterson & Neil Otto•◊
Rev. Sharon Prestemon•
Rev. Jeff Sartain•
Rev. Orville & Rev. Mary Kay Sauter◊+
Rev. Dr. Karen Smith Sellers & Rev. Richard Sellers◊
Doris Strong•◊
$250—$499
Rev. Raymond Ahrens
Dr. Richard & Sharon Anderson
Rev. Obadiah Ballinger & Rev. Javen Swanson•
Jerry Clark
Rev. Joseph Clay◊
Carol Crowe
Maureen & David Engelhardt+
Gordon & Marty Everest◊
Diane Gardner
Rev. Muriel Pool Hachfeld & Randall Hachfeld◊
Barry & Diana Hanke+
Charles Herrmann◊
Rev. Timothy & Michelle Johnson
Rev. Tom & Peg Lammers◊+
Annika Simon◊
Michael Steiner◊
Joan Stevens◊
Rev. Gary Stoos◊
Nathan Syverson•
Rev. Terese Tomanek+
Rev. Dennis Tooley
Norma Tramm◊
Eleanore Troxel◊
Ann Turnbull
Marilyn Twete
Karen Udstrand
Anita Vanderploeg
Rev. Rosanna Walker+
Suzanne & Jim Wedge•
Karel Weigel◊
Rev. Adam Westrich
George Wickstrom◊
Tim Wulling◊
Mark Young◊+
Up to $100
Steve & Myrna Aldrich◊
Leslie Amundson
Jeanne Anderegg+
Doris Anderson◊
Edith Apelt◊
Ellen Baker
Rev. Tara Bauer & Charlotte Sullivan
Carla Becklin◊
Cindy Behnke◊
Joann Bell
Virginia Bergfalk◊
Rev. Robert Broeder
Mr. & Mrs. Dick Brust◊
Marvin Bunnell◊
Kathy & Larry LaFayette◊
Cindy Larson◊
Natasha Lehmann◊
Pearl Lenzen◊
Ruby Lynk
Rev. Daniel Maiden
James & Karen McConkey
Rev. Alan McNamara•
Laura Michelson+
Rev. Kathryn Nelson+
Barbara Nilles
Zac Norenberg◊
Rev. Clarion Olsen◊
Jean Ostrom+
Ann Peterson
Joan Peterson◊+
Rev. Keith & Helen Purscell
Parker Quammen
Daniel Quiillin
Marilyn Rhatigan◊
Rev. Cynthia Riggin◊
Dr. Mary Rogers◊
Caitlin Rogers◊
Joanne Rohricht◊
Beth Sammond◊
Judith Schulze◊
Walter Seiditz
Hans Simons
Rev. Brigit Stevens
Barbara Stone◊
Rev. Sheryl Stowman◊
Roy & Lois Swanson
Rev. Joannne Sylvander
John Szarke
Gretchen Burk◊
Rev. Henry D. Campbell
Joseph Capistrant◊
Brenda & Rob Clarno◊
Barbara Clay◊
Gary & Jane Clements◊
Gerald Cleveland+
Phil Cook◊
Michael & Marlys Daly
Mr. & Mrs. Keith Davison◊
Sylvia Fleming
Michael Florey
Rev. Timothy Forester
Doug & Dianne Frantz
Jerry Gee◊
Adam & Meghan Gordon
Rev. David Groenemann
Mark Gustafson
Joy Hamann◊
Rev. Sue Hamly
Dan Hegstad
Rev. Abigail Henderson
Dorothy Herrmann◊
Mr. & Mrs. Terry Hess◊
Carri Hoagland•+
Robert & Geraldine Howieson◊
Rev. Norma Rae Hunt & Rev. Garth Schumacher+
Rev. Kristen & Bruce Jeide
Margaret Johnson
Nancy Johnson-Maloney
Mary Klonoski•
Roger Taylor
Craig Thorsen◊+
Jan & Paul Truchan◊
Rev. John & Carol Tschudy◊
Jon Tufte
JoAnn Undem◊
Rev. Marguerite Unwin Voelkel
Rev. Victor Vriesen
Linda Wagenbach◊
Zilla Way
Betty Wentworth◊
Rev. Victoria Wilgocki
Jane Williams◊
Eugenia Williams*
Cindy Wiltjer◊
Annalese Wright
Nancy Zaworski
Legacy Circle
Hobart & Charlotte Anderson
Rev. Muriel Pool Hachfeld & Rev. Randall Hachfeld
Rev. Cindy Mueller & Rev. Dr. Jeff Palmer
Priscilla & Joseph* Nauer
Robert W. Rosene
Rev. Mary Kay & Rev. Orville Sauter
Vernon & Adele Zander
Thank You,
Donors!
If you have made arrangements to remember the Minnesota Conference through a legacy gift and we have not included you on this list, please let us know so that you can be added.
Thank you to all of our
individual and congregational
donors who financially
support the Minnesota
Conference UCC, Pilgrim
Point Camp, and New
Initiatives with your gifts.
Your generosity multiplies
our impact and empowers our
ministry. We simply can’t do
it without you!
122 West Franklin Avenue, Suite 323
Minneapolis, MN 55404
Show your commitment to supporting the Minnesota Conference mission as we continue to transform lives in our churches,
our clergy, and our lay leaders for all generations as we grow in our faith. Thank you for your support of the Minnesota Conference.
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