During the season of Lent, the congregation is prayerfully discerning whether to become an Open and Affirming (ONA) church. ONA is an official covenant of welcome to people who have come to expect that “All are welcome” does not include them–people whose sexual orientation or gender identity sets them apart.
We began a three week program last Sunday with a presentation about ONA and the UCC. In the 1985 National meeting of our General Synod, an ONA resolution was adopted. While the National UCC speaks to local congregations, it does not speak for them. The resolution encouraged congregations and other ministry settings to adopt ONA covenants through their own processes of discernment.
This Sunday, March 4th, Dr. Eric Stewart, Associate Professor of Religion specializing in New Testament Studies, will offer a presentation on what scripture has to say about sexual orientation. This presentation will include a 30 minute question-and-answer session.
Next Sunday, March 11th, we will host a panel of guests from other churches talking about their experiences as LGBT Christians. Our panelists will share their faith journeys, including their experiences of looking for churches and finding congregations that were open to and affirming of them and their families.
Then on Sunday March 18th, the congregation will vote on whether to adopt an ONA covenant. This covenant is being written by a group of our members, which as of today includes these people:
- Audra Bailey (Council, Member-at-Large)
- Kim Fuller (Council Moderator)
- Dieter Härle
- Katy Härle (Outreach and Mission Ministry Board
- Emilia Deem
- Jeff Newcomb (Building and Finance Ministry Board)
- Mary Newcomb
- Marcia Renaud (Women’s Connection)
- Michael Dyer (Spiritual Engagement Ministry Board)
- Barb Guss (Outreach and Mission Ministry Board)
- Kristi Bailey (Christian Education Ministry Board)
There is a lot to learn and to discuss. Open and Affirming does not begin with welcoming people who have been excluded. It begins by honoring our covenantal relationship with one another because we walk together by faith regardless of the creeds we confess, beliefs we hold, or opinions we express.
To keep up with our ONA process, send private questions and comments, subscribe to our e-mail discussion group, or sign up to join our Wednesday Covenant Group, please visit fccmoline.org/ona.
Yours in Christ,
Pr. Craig
The Tower: VBS Sponsor A Camper 2018
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Posted on April 16, 2018 by amberfccmoline
Sponsor a camper: Vacation Bible School 2018
Please consider sponsoring a VBS camper at $30/camper.
This summer nearly 100 children and youth will occupy FCC for an entire week of VBS programming! We are asking that you help us prepare for continued success by sponsoring a VBS camper. With a cost of about $30 per camper, meeting the need of so many campers comes with quite a cost. You can contribute in any number of ways…
FCC has gained a reputation as a fantastic Vacation Bible School for FCC and area children. This is such a unique and fun week for our FCC children, our returning friends, and a wonderful opportunity for growth within our neighborhood and larger community. Did you know we have neighborhood friends who read the banners in front of our church and attend our children’s activities? Did you know we have Facebook event followers in the community? People that appreciate and value our events and want to make sure their children attend. Currently our outreach is limited, as there is always a danger in too much outreach, if we aren’t prepared for the numbers that will come. Please consider helping us to prepare for the amazing success we’ve already experienced!
The Tower: Community Garden
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Posted on April 16, 2018 by amberfccmoline
It will be soon be spring… Time to start gardening!
Last year, we built raised beds in our 7th Avenue parking lot and filled them with garden soil. This year we are ready to fill them with seeds and young plants…AND we are also partnering with World Relief to distribute fresh produce! Kim Dyer plans to plant a variety of vegetables, focusing on those requested by World Relief. Trellises are also in the works to make more efficient use of the space and for easy picking.
Where do all our gardeners come into the mix?
We need volunteers willing to do some light gardening. Tasks may include: watering, occasional weeding, picking, etc. and will vary each week depending on the needs of the garden. We are asking individuals, families and friends to sign up to cover a week of “garden duty” during growing season (May 15 – September 15).
Interested in joining the gardening team? Fill out the form below or contact Carol Freeman 309-235-1626 or carolfreeman@fccmoline.org
Please consider helping to feed our neighbors!
The Tower: Tulip Luncheon
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Posted on March 30, 2018 by amberfccmoline
Coming to the Tulip Luncheon and Silent Auction . . .
THE BEATLES!
Christine Kastell, Curator of History and Anthropology at the Putnam Museum in Davenport, will take us through the lives and the music of John, Ringo, George and Paul. We will relive younger days when their music was so influential. There will also be a Silent Auction. Mark your calendars now and make your reservation.
Silent Auction at Tulip Luncheon
Get a jump start on your Spring cleaning! Now is the time to go through closets, basements and attics. Won’t you help by donating? The Women’s Connection is sponsoring a Silent Auction to coincide with the Tulip Luncheon on Saturday, April 28th. The first 200 donations of good condition, gently used, no longer needed or used items will be accepted between April 1st and April 22nd. These items may be dropped off at the Church Office. The monies raised from the Auction will go to support the Women’s Connection’s programming for the coming year.
Reserve your spot!
Make reservations by calling the church office, 309-762-0787, or by signing up in the Son Cafe or register online below. Guests are welcome.
The Tower: Youth Spring Lawn Clean
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Posted on March 30, 2018 by amberfccmoline
Youth Spring Lawn Clean
Auction – April 15th during fellowship
Spring Lawn Clean Day – April 21st
It’s that time of year again…time to clean out your landscaping beds and get your lawns in tip top order! Why do the work alone, when you can hire a Youth Group Spring Lawn clean team. Each Youth Group Team is made up of 3-4 Youth and 2-3 Adults, all working hard to get your outdoor areas cleaned up and beautiful. Bidding on each team will take place Sunday April 15th during the Fellowship hour. Online bidding has closed. Teams will work in lawns of the highest bidder on Saturday April 21st. All proceeds from this Youth event will go towards two mission projects our youth feel passionate about: Heifer International and blanket supplies for the local humane shelters.
Easter
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Posted on March 26, 2018 by amberfccmoline
Maundy Thursday | Thursday, March 29th | 6:00pm
Remembering the New Commandment, “Love one another as I have loved you,” we celebrate Holy Communion remembering the Last Supper Jesus shared with his disciples. In this somber service, we strip the altar and depart in silence.
Good Friday | Friday, March 30th | 6:00pm
What does the means to us, those we love, and those in our world who are suffering? What does the cross say about our God? How do we find salvation in the cross?
Easter Sunday | Sunday, April 1st | 10:00am
With Easter Lilies adorning the sanctuary, with soaring music and the declarative sound of brass, we celebrate the power of life, love and hope over the forces of death, fear, and despair. Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen Indeed!
Following Worship Downstairs: Easter Egg Hunt, Mimosas and Chocolate Covered Strawberries 🙂
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Posted on March 21, 2018 by amberfccmoline
Open and Affirming Covenant
Open and Affirming Covenant
We, the members of First Congregational United Church of Christ, Moline, in seeking to share God’s love and to establish greater justice, do affirm
We, therefore, commit ourselves to an Open and Affirming Covenant with all people regardless of sexual orientation, gender expression or identity. All people are welcome to participate fully in the life of the church, including the rites, sacraments, and leadership of the congregation.
First Congregational United Church of Christ
Ratified: March, 18, 2018
The Tower: ONA Results
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Posted on March 20, 2018 by amberfccmoline
The Congregation met after worship on Sunday March 18th, 2018, to vote on whether to adopt the Open and Affirming Covenant as proposed by Council. The result of the confidential, paper ballot was to approve the motion and adopt the ONA Covenant:
For the first time, the Council developed a procedure to allow members wintering in Florida, required to work, away on Spring Break, and physically unable to attend (Shut-ins) to cast Provisional Ballots. While these Provisional Ballots cannot be counted as part of the official total, these ballots give us a broader sense of the congregation’s support or opposition to the ONA Covenant:
The discussion began with a brief presentation–available here–addressing the following questions:
In a spirited discussion, members respectfully expressed their support and opposition to the motion. The question was called when it was clear the congregation was decided and ready to vote.
Approving an Open and Affirming Covenant is the first step in a journey we will walk together, promising to hold one another with care, gentleness and openness and learning along the way. We walk together by faith regardless of the creeds we confess, beliefs we hold, or opinions we express, and we pray God will bless us as we travel this journey together.
Yours in Christ,
Pr. Craig
The Tower: Valentine’s Theater Recap
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Posted on March 12, 2018 by amberfccmoline
Valentines Dinner Theater was a smashing success!
For over a decade the annual Valentine’s Dinner Theater has been an enjoyable evening with good friends, delicious food and great entertainment…and this year did not disappoint! Talents varied from family music and dance performances, youth and adult comedy acts or FCC members dancing and singing the night away!
FCC Youth served the meal again this year and CE Board organized amazing raffles. The evening donations totaled over $2,200 that will be used for Youth Group activities and the summer Youth Mission Trip.
Often times, I see this as the best FCC has to offer…Church friends gathering for an evening together, a chance for our youth to nervously yet bravely show off their developing talents, and our adult performers feeling like a kid again on stage!
Thanks to all who were involved!!
Becca Peterson
Director of Family Ministry
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Posted on March 1, 2018 by Craig Jan-McMahon
ONA Wednesday Covenant Group
FCC ONA Page (General Info for Congregation)
Example ONA Covenants
Meeting Notes and Resources
Google Drive Links
The Tower: ONA Update
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Posted on February 28, 2018 by amberfccmoline
During the season of Lent, the congregation is prayerfully discerning whether to become an Open and Affirming (ONA) church. ONA is an official covenant of welcome to people who have come to expect that “All are welcome” does not include them–people whose sexual orientation or gender identity sets them apart.
We began a three week program last Sunday with a presentation about ONA and the UCC. In the 1985 National meeting of our General Synod, an ONA resolution was adopted. While the National UCC speaks to local congregations, it does not speak for them. The resolution encouraged congregations and other ministry settings to adopt ONA covenants through their own processes of discernment.
This Sunday, March 4th, Dr. Eric Stewart, Associate Professor of Religion specializing in New Testament Studies, will offer a presentation on what scripture has to say about sexual orientation. This presentation will include a 30 minute question-and-answer session.
Next Sunday, March 11th, we will host a panel of guests from other churches talking about their experiences as LGBT Christians. Our panelists will share their faith journeys, including their experiences of looking for churches and finding congregations that were open to and affirming of them and their families.
Then on Sunday March 18th, the congregation will vote on whether to adopt an ONA covenant. This covenant is being written by a group of our members, which as of today includes these people:
There is a lot to learn and to discuss. Open and Affirming does not begin with welcoming people who have been excluded. It begins by honoring our covenantal relationship with one another because we walk together by faith regardless of the creeds we confess, beliefs we hold, or opinions we express.
To keep up with our ONA process, send private questions and comments, subscribe to our e-mail discussion group, or sign up to join our Wednesday Covenant Group, please visit fccmoline.org/ona.
Yours in Christ,
Pr. Craig
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