Poinsettias will again adorn our sanctuary during the month of December. If you would like to give a poinsettia in memory of or in honor of a loved one, please fill out the form online following the link below. We do request a $15 donation to help cover the cost of the poinsettias. The church will order the poinsettias. The deadline is December 12th.
The Giving Tree is now up! If you would like to participate please go up to the tree and take a tag. There is also an online sign-up list on the church website. If you receive the e-bridge there is a link included there. Once again, we ask that gifts be returned in gift bags and not wrapped (tissue paper in the gift bags is fine). If you take a tag from the tree, please remember to record it on the sign up sheet located by the tree, and use that as your gift tag. If you choose a gift from the digital list, please make sure the gift is clearly marked with the correct number, so we can properly tag it. Gifts will need to be returned by Sunday, December 11.
***New this year – please return gifts in gift bags and NOT wrapped***
The organizations have asked for safety purposes that gifts be put in gift bags and NOT wrapped (we found out many of them unwrap the gifts to see what is inside before sending home with the recipients). If you are looking to take multiple tags, please consider taking tags of siblings-they will be marked! Thank you!
The Leadership Circle led an activity on 09Oct22 after worship that listed out various ideas for projects, missions, ambitions, and opportunities to make a difference. The intent was to list out current activities and propose new activities. In addition, we looked for volunteers to lead each specific activity, and looked for volunteers to help with each activity. The lead is responsible for further defining the activity, recruiting help to lead if necessary, recruiting volunteers as needed, coordinating with and securing funding from either the appropriate board and council if necessary. If there is not a lead, not enough volunteers, or lack of funding – it will not happen. We are sharing the list of activities generated.
Explanation and Question/Answer Meeting
Profile/Search Committee
Sunday September 25, 2022
Carol Freeman called the meeting to order and introduced Rev. Dr. Stephani Perdew. Dr. Perdew began by telling members in attendance that UCC is resourced by Our Church’s Wider Mission which helps with search and call share profiles.
Steps in the profile/search process include the following:
At this point, Dr. Perdew opened the meeting to questions. The first question centered on whether or not we will be able to find a worthy candidate given our financial situation. She assured us that we are not alone in this situation and that currently candidate flow is slow.
Another member asked how long writing the profile takes and once it’s active how long does the search take. The answer is once the profile is active it takes six to nine months to complete. We have to remember that the candidate will need to give 90 days notice to his/her church. She also indicated that it isn’t wise to hurry through writing the profile; it needs to be thorough and honest.
There were also questions about the demographics of potential candidates and how many responses we might expect. The Association doesn’t have precise statistics, but Dr. Perdew explained that the pandemic saw early retirements which has altered the number of potential candidates. On average, most churches will see 7-9 pastoral profiles.
Another member of the congregation shared that past search committees received names of potential candidates from others. Dr. Perdew said that this is perfectly fine but if we receive a name of a pastor, we have to direct it back to the conference office. Since we are insured through United Church of Christ, if a pastor does not fulfill recognition in the Association we are at risk. She also explained the steps a pastor who is not from United Church of Christ or Disciples of Christ must take in order to be recognized in the Association. Should we hire someone from outside our denomination, we pay for their course of study.
The next portion of the discussion centered on what happens when profiles come to us.
You can download the minutes below.
Neighbors in Need supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States, including Council for American Indian Ministries (CAIM), justice and advocacy, and direct service projects supported by Justice and Local Church Ministries.
In addition to Our Church’s Wider Mission (Basic Support), the United Church of Christ has 4 Special Mission Offerings (SMOs). These offerings exist to allow congregations and individuals to meet people at points of critical need in their lives. Though many options exist for direct, individual support of these needs, the SMOs allow a common witness and make a collective positive impact. Our church has identified four areas where these critical human needs exist:
We believe these SMOs collectively serve to lift people closer to the abundance and wholeness to which Jesus Christ has called us to work together to bring about. Join the other 1,000 churches that have made the decision to become 5 for 5 congregations, supporting OCWM and all four of the Special Mission Offerings.
The Spiritual Engagement Board has been thinking of Christmas, even though it is September! Unfortunately it was discovered after last year the Christmas garlands and decor have livened our sanctuary for the last season. They were tattered and torn over many years of use and it is time to purchase new Christmas decor for the sanctuary.
Please consider sponsoring new Garland, Wreaths and a Christmas tree for our Sanctuary this holiday season:
We know in this time of uncertainty, it may be hard to plan years into the future with investment in Christmas sanctuary decorations. However, it brings a smile to our face and a twinkle to our eyes imagining the warmth of the Christmas season, beautifully lit in the FCC Sanctuary. Please consider helping bring light and warmth to our sanctuary this Holiday season.
Sincerely,
SE Board
Cella Armstrong
Mary Curry
Pam Wendt
Marcia Renaud
Shirley Morton
Nancy Henning
Becca Peterson
Update from Outreach and Mission – Emergency Request from World Relief!!
Due to a recent influx of refugee families arriving in the Quad Cities, World Relief as asked us to forego our annual winter coat drive in order to help them meet their current needs.
They URGENTLY need help filling their residences with the items below (new or gently used). If you would like to donate to the families, bring items to the coat rack area in the basement and place them in marked bins. Or if you would prefer to take items directly to World Relief, contact them at 309-764-2279.
O&M will collect items until Sunday, October 2nd.
Items needed:
Here’s What Folks Are Saying!
Summer worship has been a great source of fun and fellowship. The feedback from those attending has been overwhelmingly positive. I think part of what folks have enjoyed is the opportunity to talk together about the scripture and how it is speaking to FCC in this moment.
On Aug 28th the scripture was Deuteronomy 34:1-5. Here’s what folks noted about their conversation.
What does this passage suggest about transitions in ministry?
What wisdom does this story offer about beginnings and endings in ministry?
What do you imagine it was like for Moses to lead for so long only to hand off his ministry before it was “completed”? Why might God ask this of him?
Here’s What Folks Are Saying!
Summer worship has been a great source of fun and fellowship. The feedback from those attending has been overwhelmingly positive. I think part of what folks have enjoyed is the opportunity to talk together about the scripture and how it is speaking to FCC in this moment.
On Aug 21st the scripture was Luke 19:11-27. Here’s what folks noted about their conversation.
What talents (pounds) do you feel God has given you to share with FCC?
What talents do you feel God has given FCC to share with the community?
How well do you feel FCC has shared those gifts?
If FCC was one of the slaves in the story would it be the first, second, or third?
Here’s What Folks Are Saying!
Summer worship has been a great source of fun and fellowship. The feedback from those attending has been overwhelmingly positive. I think part of what folks have enjoyed is the opportunity to talk together about the scripture and how it is speaking to FCC in this moment.
On Aug 14th the scripture was Matthew 9:14-17. Here’s what folks noted about their conversation.
What within FCC constitutes “old wineskins” that may need to be let go in order to make room for something new?
What comes to mind when you think of “new wine” being poured into FCC?
What container or wineskin needs to be created to hold this new wine?
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