Newsletter - peoplescongregational.org

Pilgrim’s Press
PEOPLE’S CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
FEBRUARY 2015
Dear Community of People’s,
It is an honor to have begun serving as your Senior Pastor. The first couple of weeks have been packed with
your welcoming kindness, your willing participation in efforts we are already launching, and it seems new
enthusiasm is spreading through our community. I’m grateful to be a part of it all.
As was heard in our service on Sunday, January 25th, it’s time for all of us to plunge in and rise up and with
new enthusiasm to claim our identity as a community of faith. As Jesus rose up out of the waters of baptism
and belonging and then lived out his identity in the world, we, too, rise up to do the same. We, too, belong to
God and to one another.
All that we do in being part of the community is part of that belonging; whether we're supplying refreshments
for fellowship time, singing in the choir, being part of Valley Outreach Food Shelf, ushering, taking a pot of
soup to someone, sending a card, volunteering for one of our outreach efforts, teaching Sunday School, or
making a special effort to attend worship. It all matters to our vibrancy as a community of faith.
I’m excited about what we have planned in the coming months and invite all of you to participate in whatever
way feeds your soul and reflects our new commitment to our community of faith. Here are some the ways you
can be part of our living out our identity:
1. Adopt a Room! We are inviting small groups or families to adopt an area of the church building for the
next few weeks. The areas that are the current priority and which need sprucing up, some TLC, and in
some cases paint and attention are:
The side entrance area and stairwells
The Narthex (lobby) area and stairwell
The Adult Education Room
See inside for more information!
2. Bible Study resumes on Wednesday Evenings. See inside to find out what we’re doing now and to
review your choices for the next session.
3. Adult Education Forum Resumes on the 2nd and 4th Sundays at 9:00AM. We are starting with
several sessions on “Living Your Strengths” . . . a fascinating look at how to determine your strengths
and how you best live them out in the world and in our community. See Page 3!
4. Lent Begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18th. A soup and bread supper will be followed by a
New Ash Wednesday service format in our sanctuary. You won’t want to miss this sacred and
beautiful time together.
Our life together is a Divine calling. We, as Christ was, are to be “God bearers.” We, as Christ did, are to help
one another embody and live God’s love, grace, acceptance, inclusion, and forgiveness in the world.
We can all be part of the greater story, the bigger story of God. We can all be part of making a difference,
especially right here in our own little corner of the world. May we move forward together, belonging to God
and to one another. May God empower us to people of love and to be people of the Way of Christ.
The earliest Christians were known as “People of the Way.” As People’s Congregational Church, may we all
plunge in and claim that as our identity, too. I am honored to walk with you.
With gratitude and honored to be your companion on the journey,
Pastor Linda
ADULT EDUCATION LAUNCHES WITH NEW FORMAT!!
“In the Bleak Midwinter…” starts one of our well-known hymns. To combat the winter doldrums –
and enhance our knowledge and agility in using our individual strengths, Adult Ed is being
reimagined and relaunched.
Stan Hilliard and Jill Greenhalgh would like to invite you to participate in the first module which
begins at 9 am on Sunday, February 8th. We will be using the book “Living Your Strengths” as our
guide, which comes highly recommended by Pastor Linda.
We are inviting all members of the church to take the “Strength Finder” online assessment as soon
as possible. For more information, please contact Jill at [email protected] or 651-343-2254.
“Living Your Strengths” will meet the 2nd and 4th Sundays in the Adult Forum room (former library).
We will each be learning what our individual top five strengths are, understanding them in a Godgiven context and gaining awareness of how we bring them to life as a congregation and in our
greater community. Sessions are held on Sundays opposite of choir practice so that all can attend.
Please join us in this uplifting, informative and fun exploration!
5 Sessions: February 8 & 22
March 8 & 22
April 12
CONGREGATIONAL
ANNUAL
MEETING
SUNDAY, February 1st
11:15 AM
FELLOWSHIP HALL
(Snacks and Child Care Will be Provided)
ANNUAL REPORTS are available in the
Narthex and at the front of the Sanctuary. Please pick
up one copy to a family.
Call the church office (651.439.5667) if you would like
one sent to you or a copy e-mailed to you.
WEDNESDAY EVENING BIBLE STUDY
AND
SPIRITUAL FORMATION RESUMES!
February 4th – April 29th
6:30-8:00pm
Adult Education Room
We are continuing our study of The Gospel
of John which began last summer. This indepth study is a poetic, beautiful rendition
of the life of Jesus Christ and answers the
question: “Who is Christ?”
All are welcome!
UPCOMING SERMONS FOR FEBRUARY
February 1st : “What’s Really Eating Jonah?”
February 8th : “The Art of Throwing Stones”
February 15th: “Unlikely Gatherings”
February 23rd: First in the Lenten Series on The Lord’s Prayer: “Our Father”
ADOPT A ROOM!
We are inviting small groups or families to adopt an area of the church building for the next few weeks.
The areas that are the current priority and which need sprucing up, some TLC, and in some cases paint
and attention are:
 The side entrance area and stairwells
o Would you like to help paint and find a new bulletin board for the side entrance?
o Should we clean the carpet and put down a plastic runner? What are your thoughts?
 The Narthex (lobby) area and stairwell
o Some loose wallpaper and some that is in bad shape is telling us it’s time to do
something else.
o Most of our visitors enter through here and the better it looks, the better the
impression.
o Can you wall paper? Can you take it down? Can you help us figure out our next
steps? How about painting?
 The Adult Education Room
o Generally needs help and is sitting desperately waiting to be rescued.
o What are your ideas to help this area?
 The back hallway behind the sanctuary is crying out,
“Help me.”
o Would you be willing to be on a small team to help this area?
We currently have scheduled a work day for Saturday, March 21 st and we will be giving you
more information, soon! Look for a sign-up sheet in Sunday’s bulletin on February 8th!
February 18, 2015
6:00 PM: Soup and Bread Supper, Fellowship Hall
7:00 PM: A special and sacred service
“Letting Go and Finding Hope”
in our beautiful sanctuary.
A deeply meaningful service you won’t want to miss
as we begin our Lenten Journey together
“winter GARDEN GATHERINGS”
Thursdays at 9:30am
Come for coffee and conversation in the Church’s
Fireside Room. Our agenda will be light and the coffee
will be hot. We’ll share a brief devotion and let the
conversation flow. Everyone is welcome!
CHRIST OUR HOPE
Daily Lenten Devotions
By Henri J.M. Nouwen
This booklet of daily devotions for Lent
includes reflections by the late Henri J.M.
Nouwen, one of the most widely read spiritual
writers of our time. His deeply moving
spiritual insights and prayerful conversations
with God are particularly timely during this
holy season of Lent.
AVAILABLE Sunday, February 15th!
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
FEBRUARY 2ND -7:00PM
We meet at Croixdale’s Club
Room, Bayport. Join us for knitting,
crocheting, laughter & fellowship!
Name:: ____________________________________________ Age:: __________ Grade:: _________
Church:: ___________________________________________ Leader’s Name:: ____________________
Registration price:: Emergency Contact & number:: ____________________
Retreat cost
$35 = $35 .
Lift Ticket
$35= ______
Ski/Board Rental $26= ______
Helmet
$ 8= ______
Total
* ______
*note, your group may have
additional charges to cover travel. ___________
What to Bring::
Release of liability (this page and secondary release)
A great attitude, your Bible, snow gear (i.e. pants, jacket, and gloves), sleeping bag (you will be sleeping on the floor in
Sunday school rooms), toiletries, bible, ice skates (an option next door to church), snow board/boots, skies/boots (if you
have them), a great attitude.
Registrations and money are due to your leader by Sunday February 15th
For questions in MN/WI — Tony Rambo 651-705-6635, in IA — Patrick Stewart 515-321-
MISSION OF THE QUARTER: Family Place
Although the Mission of the Quarter (3rd quarter, 2014) was The Family Place, we were unable to fulfill
our commitment to them (serving lunch on November 29) as they canceled. This was actually a
“joyful cancellation” as the families all had a place to go on this weekend following Thanksgiving!
In light of this, the Missions Committee (Mindy Peters and Sue Favilla) has decided they will be the
first Mission of the Quarter for 2015.
People’s people will now be serving lunch there on Saturday, February 28, and we will need volunteers! 10 people
are needed to help serve and sit with the families who come to lunch – you never know when you really might make
a difference in someone’s life in a simple conversation! The menu will be very simple – Sloppy Joe’s, fries, fruit salad,
lettuce salad, brownies and ice cream. Please contact the church office if you’re able to help!
Here’s the scoop on The Family Place from their website to give you a flavor for the population they serve, their
commitment to families and their desire to make positive change happen:
Children are the face of Minnesota's homeless.
On any given day, 70% of our guests are kids - newborns to teens.
The Family Place is the only day shelter for families with children in Ramsey County, MN.
We offer safety, opportunities and encouragement to help move our guest families from despair to hope, from
uncertainty to stability.
Sue Favilla, for the Missions Committee
VALLEY OUTREACH FOOD SHELF
Be a Hero. Fight Hunger. This is the slogan for the 2015 Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign. It is a
month off yet, but be thinking about it. One in 10 Minnesotans, or 500,000 state residents, experience food
insecurity on a regular basis. Almost 200,000 children in Minnesota live in poverty.
Looking ahead, in March People's is scheduled again to provide volunteers to the Food Shelf.
Thank you for your continued donations to Valley Outreach Food Shelf.
You are helping our neighbors in need.
Mark and Michele Stephan, Valley Outreach Coordinators for People's Church
CARING HEARTS
Roses are RED, violets are BLUE, on February 10th, we hope to see you!
In celebration of Valentine’s Day, at our February gathering, we will discuss how we express love for one another.
Is it as simple as the words on a greeting card?
What actions can we take to express love for one another?
In what ways have others expressed their love to you?
Can love only be expressed to family and friends?
Can we express love to a stranger or an enemy?
What does the Bible say?
Tuesday, February 10, 6:30-8:30pm
Join us in the Fellowship Room
for this festive and uplifting discussion of love for one another
Caring Hearts meets the second Tuesday each month. We have a different pastoral care discussion topic each
month. We begin and end in prayer, taking time to share our personal joys, concerns, and the needs of others.
God expressed His love for us with the ultimate action. (See John 3:16).
1
8
15
22
HOSPITALITY
11:15am
Mindy Peters, Sue & Andy Favilla
Mark & Michelle Stephan
Don & Lucy Gibb
Kathy Iverson
1
8
15
22
USHERS
10:15am
Don & Nico Gibb
Carol Dusbabek
Kathy Iverson
Bob & Cheri Schwartz
1
8
15
22
LAYREADER
10:15am
Lisanne Winslow
Lisanne Winslow
Don Gibb
Mindy Peters
FEBRUARY PARISH REGISTER
Birthday Wishes
6
8
12
18
21
24
27
28
Lucy Gibb
Louie Favilla
London Gannon
Vicki Donatell
Kathy Clark, Keith Land
Mila Horak
Xin Guo McLean
Joe Legato
Anniversary Wishes
7
23
Robert & Helen Secor
Bob & Marg Siebenaler
If your birthday/anniversary is incorrect or
is missing, please call the office, 439-5667.
DECEMBER
TREASURER’S
REPORT
SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP
Revenue/Expense
January - November 2014 Income:
December 2014 Income
$142,332.43
$14,675.55
2014 Budget
Income through December 2014
$
$157,007.98 178,962.00
January-November 2014 Expenses:
December 2014 Expenses
$145,691.18
$22,871.19
Expenses through December 2014
$
$168,562.37 178,962.00
Net Income:
($11,554.39)
NEW
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
MONDAY – FRIDAY
9:00AM – 3:00 PM
ATTENDANCE
January
January
January
January
4
11
18
25
Average
Adults
45
50
32
53
45
Children
4
2
3
12
6
Check out our updated Web page.
www.peoplescongregational.org
News from the NACCC - February 2015
The National Association of Congregational Christian Churches
by Mark Stephan - People's Church Year Round Delegate to the NACCC
The NA has redone its website! The following two paragraphs are quoted from the new NA home page:
As a member of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches, your church joins with
other churches around the country for mutual encouragement and support. By sharing fellowship through
the NACCC, each church is made stronger by access to a multitude of resources and expertise.
This website is for you. Our primary mission is to serve the local church. We're here when you need help
finding your next minister, need resources for stewardship, Christian education, youth ministry and
revitalization. We can provide training for church leaders, advising during times of structural change or
conflict, and resources to start a new church. We give you assurance that your mission dollars are
making a difference and we have resources to better understand the Congregational Way.
Check out the new website at www.naccc.org. Scroll down the left column or click on the Site Map page
to see all the good stuff available to you through our NA.
Dear Member Churches, Leaders, and Friends of the NACCC,
The deadline for nominations for the coming service year is fast approaching. While we have heard from some of
you, we are still in need of additional nominations. In particular, we are looking for:

Board of Directors (2015-2019 term): specific skills in Personnel and/or Non-Profit Boards.

Annual Meeting & Conference Committee (2015-2018 term): experience in meeting or conference planning.

Ministry Councils (2015-2018 terms): interest and experience in ministry, education, missions, church
planting, and/or revitalization.
Click on the "Get Involved" drop down box on at naccc.org to learn all about NA leadership opportunities and to
nominate yourself or someone else.
Please consider sharing your talents through our National Association.
Bringing together Congregational Christian Churches for mutual care
and outreach to our world in the name of Jesus Christ.
The NACCC Nominating Committee
NACCC Contact Information
NACCC national office: Oak Creek, Wisconsin
www.naccc.org
[email protected]
800-262-1620 or 414-764-1620
Center for Congregational Leadership: Olivet College, Olivet MI
www.centerforcongregationalleadership.org 800-262-1620 x1613
The Congregationalist: Magazine of the Congregational Way since 1849
www.congregationalist.org or www.naccc.org
Like and follow the National Association on facebook
PEOPLE’S CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Church: 309 Third St. N., Bayport, Minnesota
Office: 293 Third St. N., Bayport, Minnesota 55003
WORSHIP WITH US
A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CONGREGATIONALCHRISTIAN CHURCHES
School Year:
SENIOR PASTOR
ASSOCIATE PASTOR OF FAITH DEVELOPMENT
OFFICE MINISTRY COORDINATOR
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC MINISTRIES
WORSHIP ACCOMPANIST
CHOIR ACCOMPANIST
NURSERY CARE COORDINATOR
CUSTODIAN
MODERATOR
VICE-MODERATOR
CLERK
9:00am
10:15am
10:15am
11:15am
Rev. Linda To ssey, M. Div.
Rev. Dr. Lisanne Winslow
Mary Olson
Melinda Hoke
Sharon Neuenfeldt
Dawn Huso
Yandra Riascos
Ashley Cooper
Peter Favilla
Lucy Gibb
Carol Dusbabek
People’s Power Youth
Worship
Sunday School
Fellowship
(Child care provided 10:00-11:30am)
Summer: (July 13 – August 31)
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS 9:00am-3:00pm, Monday - Friday
TELEPHONE NUMBERS (Church)651-351-0494 (Office)651-439-5667
OFFICE E-MAIL ADDRESS: [email protected]
WEB SITE: www.peoplescongregational.com
Check out our updated Web page.
www.peoplescongregational.org
10:15am Worship at the Outdoor
Chapel, adjacent to
Barker’s Alps
Fellowship Time Follows Worship
Service