Ebenezer United Church of Christ
June 2020 Eagle Newsletter
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Worship Services will be held on Sunday mornings through the month of June at 9:00 a.m. at the Twilight Drive-In Theater. |
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This Eagle is Sponsored by Betty Schilling, Dick & Karen Sohrweide, and Marvin & Grace Gesier in Memory of Elmer "Butch" Sohrweide. |
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Thank you. Thank you to everyone attending the worship services at the Twilight Drive-In. We have had unique times at the drive in. We have had clear weather, snow flurries and rain. The forecast for this Sunday is warmth. We have had it all and I have enjoyed every minute of every service.
We will continue holding services at the drive-in through the month of June. I know we long to be in church, but the Coronavirus continues to be a persistent and unwanted visitor in the county. The Council continues to monitor the situation and reviews the recommendations of the CDC, the Wisconsin Conference of the UCC, and other organizations. Our first priority is the safety of the members of the church and community.
When we return to church, the services are going to look very different from last winter. Safety precautions will be paramount in everyone’s minds. Therefore, we will not be Passing the Peace, we will not be having the Children’s time in the front of the church, the offering time will be changed to having plates at the back of church, Communion will look very different, I will be staying in the pulpit for the sermon time, and sadly, singing will not return for sometime.
What will the school year and Confirmation look like beginning in the fall? I do not know the answer. We have much to experience before making that decision. Again, we will be listening to experts in the fields of health and safety before arriving at a final decision.
Church offices will remain closed until further notice.
As always, I am available via my phone, text, and email. If you need something, please contact me.
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 June 7*. Grape juice and a cracker are certainly good options.
*Services will continue to be at the Drive-In on Sunday at 9:00 a.m. through June. You can also view recorded services anytime on Pastor Mike's YouTube Channel.
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Ice Cream Social Supper ... |
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We wanted to let you know that Ebenezer UCC's Annual Ice Cream Social Supper is going to be held on Wednesday, July 8. However, there are some changes. This year we will only be offering carry-outs available from 4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. The menu will include: brats, hamburgers, coleslaw, calico beans, German potato salad, and, of course, homemade pies.
Because of COVID-19, we will be taking precautions for social distancing at the Ice Cream Social Supper. There will be no sit down eating this year - ONLY CARRY-OUTS. If you would like to pre-order and do curbside pick up, please call Joan Woelfel at 920-418-5457 or Ruth Aebischer at 920-849-9427 by Monday, July 6. Otherwise you can stop in and order off the menu the day of the event in the Fellowship Hall.
Funds raised from this event goes towards Our Church’s Wider Mission. If you have questions or concerns about the Ice Cream Social Supper, please give Joan or Ruth a call.
Thank you!
Joan Woelfel and Ruth Aebischer
Co-Chairs
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Notes from the Music Corner... |
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As of this writing, it appears that we will continue to worship at the drive-in for the month of June, meaning no music activity. For the last few years the congregation was invited to submit their favorite hymns to be used as pre-service sing along during July. Recent guidelines from the conference for opening churches suggested that there is to be no singing! This means that there will be no sing-along in July. Since Gospel Fest has been canceled in August, we will not be having the Sharon Bethel Quartet. So, I guess the best I can do for the immediate future is continue to go to church at least once per week, prop the fellowship door open for the world to hear and play the organ at full volume! It soothes my soul and I would very much like to share it. Think of your favorite hymn and keep humming it! |
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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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Confirmation Sunday
We are in the process of re-thinking how to do Confirmation Sunday; stay tuned for further information.
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New Look!
When the church is back open, be sure to check out the 'new look' 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: May, 2020
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Called to order at 9:47 a.m.
In attendance: Ken Lisowe, Zach Platner, Vern Gasch, Andy Hofmeister, Joan Woelfel, Dennis Winkler, Pastor Mike
A motion was made by Dennis Winkler to approve the agenda for the meeting and last month's minutes. Vern Gasch seconded that motion and it was carried.
Treasurer's Report:
A motion was made by Zach Platner to approve the Treasurer's Report. It was seconded by Dennis Winkler and the motion carried.
Pastor's Report:
We have been averaging 35 cars per service since we have been holding services at the Twilight Theater.
Everything else is on hold until the church opens
Committee Reports:
- Christian Education - Discussion about preparing for Fall classes
- Property - A bill for thermo panes for some church windows was paid. There was discussion about improvements to lighting in the church
Old Business
- There was continued discussion on the bat mitigation. Dennis Winkler will follow up with his contact
- Vern Gasch made a motion to buy two electronic bat defense units and continue to look into bat mitigation company coming in. Zach Platner seconded that motion and it carried.
- The Church Picture Directory has been postponed until further notice
- There was discussion about supply pastors. It was noted that we would need to contact Associate Conference Minister Jane Anderson in the event we would need to find a supply pastor
New Business
- There was discussion about how to come back to the church building for service when we are ready to do so. We discussed which precautions would be necessary
- Zach Platner made a motion to keep services at the theater through the month of June and to purchase communion packets. Joan Woelfel seconded that motion and it carried.
- There was discussion about how to publicly thank the Twilight Theater for allowing us to have our services there.
- Vern Gasch made a motion to have Jackie Kempf produce an article to be sent to local newspapers thanking the Twilight Theater for allowing us to have services there and openly inviting people to join us. Joan Woelfel seconded the motion and it carried.
- Joan Woelfel made a motion to have the Church's Summer Office Hours be 9:30-3, Tuesday-Thursday, beginning the week of Memorial Day. Zach Platner seconded the motion and it carried.
- There was discussion about how to conduct the Ice Cream Social. Joan Woelfel will have an update after the Women's Guild meeting on Thursday May 21. Joan Woelfel made a motion that the Women's Guild be able to use the Fellowship Hall for the Ice Cream Social while observing proper health guidelines. Dennis Winkler seconded the motion and it carried.
- There was discussion about the Happy Hour Nursery lease. Joan Woelfel made a motion to continue the current lease contract with Happy Hour Nursery. Andy Hofmeister seconded that motion and it carried.
- There was discussion about the possibility of grant money for the church.
Vern Gasch made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Dennis Winkler seconded the motion and the meeting was adjourned at 11:27 a.m.
Minutes Submitted by:
Andy Hofmeister
Approved by: The Church council via email.
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Tod ~ David ~ Lorraine ~ Da’Nisha ~ Pastor Sue
Arlene ~ Rebecca ~ Vern ~ Marlene ~ David
Audrey ~ Rod ~ Jeff ~ Steve ~ Janice
Ryann ~ Diana ~ Betty ~ Kathy ~ Don
Terri Ann ~ Mary ~ Bob ~ Audra ~ Patrice
Zachary ~ Da'Monique ~ Dean
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.
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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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Ryan Schnell: June 1
Erin Woelfel: June 5
Mark Pingel: June 5
Kelly Brown: June 8
Kris Pagel: June 8
Kyla Rona: June 9
Charlie Kuhn: June 11
Jane Bolz: June 17
Donald Pagel: June 18
Patrick Marx: June 18
Vern Knoespel: June 21
Jean Goeldi: June 22
Dylan Tyson: June 27
Judy Mastrocola: June 29
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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- Sunday Worship Services will continue at the Twilight Drive-In Theater at 9:00 a.m. through the month of June.
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The July Eagle deadline is June 23.
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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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