Ebenezer United Church of Christ
July 2020 Eagle Newsletter
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Worship Services will continue to be held through July 12 at 9:00 a.m. at the Twilight Drive-in Theater;
Pending Council Approval - EUCC plans to resume in-church service at 8:45 a.m. on July 19!
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At our last Council meeting, the Council created a task force to create a path for reopening the church with a target date of Sunday, July 19. The members of the task force are: Zach Platner, Ken Lisowe, Kelly Brown, and Pastor Mike.
The task force met on June 21 and covered a wide range of topics concerning reopening the church. Some of the topics included: entry into the church, exiting the church, how many pews will be open for seating, if masks are required, whether we should be doing health screenings at the doors, and many other topics and questions. At all times we remembered that the health and safety of members is a priority, along with conducting a meaningful service.
We agreed that we should be able to open the church on the 19 (we will send a letter to all members letting them know as soon as we get Council approval for the 19). We will use the entrances on Reed and W. Washington only, all other entrances will remain locked. At the two entrances, we will have a greeter who will ask a brief set of questions concerning each person’s health and travels, and hand sanitizer will be available at the stations. At all times, we will be requesting members to maintain appropriate social distancing.
Inside the church, ushers will seat all attendees. Throughout the sanctuary, every third pew will be open for seating. If attendance is too high to seat everyone, there will be overflow seating in the Fellowship Hall. No one is to use the drinking fountains, and the restrooms will be open. Masks will be highly recommended.
Offering plates will be placed in the Narthex. There will not be an offering during the service. Please place your offerings in the plate as you enter or leave.
At the conclusion of the service, an usher will dismiss people by rows beginning in the back of the church. As you leave the sanctuary, please leave the church. If you wish to chat with friends before or after the service, please do so outside the church. We will not have coffee time after the service.
We also discussed the elements of a typical service. Unfortunately, we will not be able to sing. We will have music before and after the service, and at least one piece of music during the service. Pastor Mike will remain in the pulpit for the service. The Children’s Time will be held, but the children will remain seated with their parents. We are seeking to provide everyone with a pre-packaged Communion packet for Communion services. There will not be a greeting time during the service. The service will be limited to about 40 minutes.
The use of cell phones is strongly encouraged for the liturgy and for texting prayers. We will have limited supplies of paper bulletins and will ask for prayer concerns as usual.
We realize that many members typically arrive at about five minutes before the start of the service. During normal times this is fine, but with social distancing and screening question it will be impossible to get a large number of people into the church in five minutes. Please come early so we can seat you in an orderly manner.
If you have questions or suggestions about these or other issues concerning the opening of the church, please contact any of the members of the Task Force.
Peace and grace,
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Last week was a challenging time; if you wanted to keep up with the rules and orders that were in effect in Calumet County, it literally changed each day from Wednesday forward. As of this writing, I don’t believe there are any enforceable rules existing. There remain certain good practices to minimize the chances of getting COVID-19 and spreading COVID-19:
- Wash your hands
- Wear a mask in public
- If you are feeling sick – stay home
- Keep 6 ft. from other people
- Don’t go out if you don’t have to
- If you do go out, minimize the time you are near others
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Communion at the Drive-In... |
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Please bring communion elements with you to the drive in on July 5. Grape juice and a cracker are certainly good options. |
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Ice Cream Social Supper Approaching! |
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The Ice Cream Social Supper is on Wednesday, July 8th, from 4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
PLEASE NOTE: There will be no sit down seating this year - only carry-outs. Social distancing will be in place that day, and workers will be wearing masks and gloves.
You can stop in July 8th and place your order, or you can call Joan (920-418-5457) or Ruth (920-849-9427) by July 6th for curbside pickup. There will be two parking spots designated for curbside pickup along the North wall closest to the Fellowship Hall doors. Someone will greet you and get your order for you. Menu includes: brats, hamburgers, German potato salad, coleslaw, calico beans, homemade pies, and ice cream (in Dixie cups).
If you wish to make a donation to the Ice Cream Social Supper, please make checks payable to: Ebenezer Women’s Guild. Donations can be sent or dropped off at the church office, or given to any Guild officer: Diane Sattler, Ruth Aebischer, JoAnn Lakin, and Joan Woelfel.
Pie Bakers: The Fellowship Hall doors will be open by 6:00 a.m. on July 8th if you want to drop your pies off before you go to work. We ask that everyone please try to get their pies to church by noon that day. It’s also very important that we know how many pies we will be getting so if you haven’t returned your post card yet, please do so by June 26th.
The Women’s Guild would like to thank everyone who helps on July 8th, bakes a pie(s), or donates cash. It is very much appreciated!
Any questions about the Ice Cream Social Supper, please contact Joan or Ruth.
Thank you for your support!
Thank you!
Joan Woelfel and Ruth Aebischer
Co-Chairs
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Notes from the Music Corner... |
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Really not much to report until we know what the direction is to return to worship in the sanctuary. It has been delightful to use my keyboard to play before and at the end of worship at the drive-in. We’ve been blessed with sunshine, gentle breezes and plenty of seagulls (1 week). Incorporating “Let There Be Peace on Earth” into June 21 worship and encouraging everyone to sing along in their cars was a great addition to the message. Thank you to everyone who helps load and unload the keyboard each weekend. I can no longer manage it by myself so I especially appreciate the help. Along with others, I am anxious to return to the sanctuary and back at the organ. Hopefully, Karen (and possibly Claudia) have some bell solos ‘waiting in the wings’!
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EUCC Members/Chilton Community,
If anyone is concerned about heading into the community, Kelly (920-418-0351) and Ellie (920-418-4978) are happy to run any errands needed such as groceries, pharmaceutical needs, etc. Please don't hesitate to ask for help if you need it.
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Flower Pots!!!
THANK YOU to those who helped the Evangelism Committee place 20 flower pots at local businesses this year!!! They are beautiful and much appreciated!
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New Look!
When the church is back open AND we can have chairs in the Narthex again (currently removed for social distancing), be sure to check out the 'new' chairs in the Narthex and in the back of church - the chairs were reupholstered and refurbished thanks to Ellie and Dean Papendieck! For the history of these chairs, talk to Ann Gasch!
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Ebenezer Church Council
Meeting Minutes: June 14, 2020
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Present: Ken Lisowe, Zach Platner, Vern Gasch, Andy Hofmeister, Dennis Winkler, Joan Woelfel, Pastor Mike
Meeting was called to order at 9:57 a.m.
Dennis Winkler made a motion to approve the meeting agenda and last month's minutes. Andy Hofmeister seconded the motion and it carried.
Treasurer's Report:
Joan Woelfel made a motion to approve the treasurer's report. Zach Platner seconded the motion, and it carried.
Committee Reports
- Christian Education: The plan for Sunday School in the Fall is to follow what local schools are doing
- Evangelism: Flower pots went out
Old Business
- Bat mitigation was discussed. We now have sound device to attempt getting bats out.
- Ice Cream Social was discussed. There will be curbside pick-up or take-out orders available.
New Business
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There was discussion about when to re-open the church building for services. Vern Gasch made a motion to create a sub-committee to explore the possibility of returning to church for service on July 19. Zach Platner will head that committee.
- Joan Woelfel made a motion to hold the next council meeting on July 12 so we can meet before the 19. Dennis Winkler seconded that motion, and it carried.
Andy Hofmeister made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Dennis Winkler seconded that motion, and the meeting was adjourned at 10:55 a.m.
*Next Council Meeting: July 5, 2020.*
Minutes Submitted by:
Andy Hofmeister
Approved by: The Church council via email.
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Tod ~ David ~ Lorraine ~ Da’Nisha
Pastor Sue ~ Zachary ~ Da'Monique
Diane ~ Arlene ~ Rebecca ~ Vern
David ~ Audrey ~ Rod ~ Jeff
Steve ~ Janice ~ Ryann ~ Diana ~ Betty Kathy ~ Don ~ Terri Ann
Mary ~ Bob ~ Audra ~ Patrice
Due to privacy laws, last names cannot be printed on the prayer list because the Eagle goes on the church website which can be viewed by anyone on the Internet.
Thank you.
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Visitation List: If you know someone who is ill/homebound that you would like to add to Pastor Mike's Visitation List, please contact the office (include a contact number and address).
Building Use Form: If you would like to use the Fellowship Hall, please fill out the Building Use Form and return it to the office. We require a completed form for all events in the Fellowship Hall that are not related to EUCC (if you are planning multiple events, i.e. a recurring meeting, you only need to fill the form out once.)
Newsletter Articles are due to the office on the 3rd Tuesday of the month (unless posted otherwise); be sure to check the calendar for the month’s due date. Please also share any pictures for inclusion!
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Scrip: Great Lakes Scrip is open on a limited basis, and are only filling orders 2 days/week. If there is something you need, please let Kelly know. If you are interested in re-loadable cards and direct pay to avoid contact, there is a small fee for credit card charge and bank withdrawal.
Kelly Brown
920-418-0351
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Cole Woelfel: July 4
Michael Bratz: July 6
Jordan Kress: July 7
Bea Pingel: July 9
Tyler See: July 10
Sadie Kubichka: July 11
Terra Hintz: July 16
Owen Brown: July 17
Vern Gasch: July 18
Chris Stenz: July 23
Megan Tyson: July 23
Josh Ditter; July 24
Jody Mattes: July 27
Emily Wagner: July 27
Royce Verrier: July 30
May God bless your years and may you continue to bless Ebenezer!
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Ebenezer Office Hours:
*Until further notice, the church office will be closed.*
(920) 849-4331
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Pastor's Cell Phone: (920) 286-1956
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- The Ice Cream Social Supper is on Wednesday, July 8th, from 4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
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Sunday Worship Services will continue at the Twilight Drive-In Theater at 9:00 a.m. until July 12; pending Council approval, we will welcome everyone back to EUCC on Sunday, July 19 at 8:45 a.m.!
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The August Eagle deadline is July 21.
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Save the date for the Interfaith Education event scheduled for November 14, 2020, at Lakeland University. See the board for information.
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In the Fall, LifeTouch will be coming to EUCC to take member/family pictures for a new picture directory. Stay tuned for details!
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