Glad

Tidings

Congregational United Church of Christ Neenah / Menasha November 2015

(Continued on next page)

“Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable.” ― Mary Oliver

I’ve always liked having a big, open countertop in our kitchen. It gives me room to spread out when I’m baking pies. It serves as a great space for cutting out fabric for sewing. But it also serves as a dumping spot for things we don’t know what to do with: the mail, newspapers, various to-do lists, small tools that weren’t returned to their proper place. You get the idea. The big, open space is just an invitation for clutter.

If we were to see our hearts or souls as a “space” that we could keep open, will we keep it open for the unimaginable, as Mary Oliver suggests? Or will is simply be the dumping place for things that we can’t figure out what to do with? Say you leave some room in your heart for the unimaginable but you end up piling up the unresolved resentments of life or the odd feelings that come with life’s changes. If you’re like me, there’s probably a bit of those things in your heart and soul and you spend way too much energy on picking them up, looking at them, not knowing what to do with them and putting them back down again. It’s exhausting and it means we are quite often left with very little energy to see unimaginable that might be hiding under a pile of guilt.

But Mary Oliver entices us to keep some room there so we might, every once in a while, go through those things that are piled up on the big counter top of our soul. It’s probably one of the best uses of Sabbath time and why it’s so important for us to keep some of that open, God-with-us time each week or even day. As we pick up each of the items we’ve accumulated on the open spaces, God can help us sort things out, clear out the clutter and do something with the really important stuff.

In my soul it might go something like this: Picking up a shameful memory from my youth, God might remind me that everybody else has long

forgotten or didn’t even notice. Time to trash it. Seeing, once again, the hope to get in touch with some old friends, God might give me the nod that

now would be a really good time to do that. Holding a dear memory of a deceased loved one I’ll realize that I have the time to take that memory

for a little walk and honor their spirit that still lives on in my life.

2

We would like to wish all a happy birthday or anniversary. If your birthday or anniversary was omitted or you would rather not have it published, please contact the church office.

Please keep the f o l l o w i n g m e m b e r s a n d friends in your p r a y e r s :

Clo Shumann (back surgery); Joan Breening (cancer treatment), Sherry Bayer, Joel Toeppler, Barb Peperkorn, Jenny Fitzgerald, Dean Curtis, Sandy Pozolinski Lebo, Steve Furstenberg and Bill Gear.

11/01 Mark Goodacre 11/02 Stephanie Groom 11/03 Ruth Kobinsky 11/03 Myles C. 11/04 Chris Peters 11/04 David Reynolds 11/05 Nancy Winkler 11/05 Stephen Ware 11/06 Bently M. 11/08 Chuck Geiger 11/08 James K. 1/109 Jacky Meyer 11/13 Morgan G. 11/20 Lucas A. 11/21 Nick Fahrenkrug 11/21 Jeanette Fitzgerald 11/24 Tod Loberg 11/26 Sirena Jording 11/26 Chuck Meyer 11/28 Barb Peperkorn 11/28 Dennis Libertoski 11/29 Ann Luebke 11/30 Bob Doornbos

Wedding Anniversaries

Nov 3rd Mark and Nancy Winkler

Nov 9th Susan Hibbs-Magruder

and Dave Magruder Nov 27th

David and Lucy Rumpf

Rev. Scott Anderson will visit November 22nd Scott Anderson, Executive Director of The Wisconsin Council of Churches to Visit CUCCNM

It is our honor and privilege to have the Rev. Scott Anderson, the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Council of Churches (WCC) as our guest on Sunday, November 22. Rev. Anderson will lead an Adult Forum about the work and ministry of WCC at 9:00 in the north end of Fellowship Hall. Everyone is invited to attend to meet him and learn more about this important partner in ministry. Rev. Anderson will be our guest preacher in worship that morning. You are also invited to meet and visit with him during fellowship time following worship .

The ministry of the Wisconsin Council of Churches is an important partner with us through the Wisconsin Conference of the United Church of Christ. It encompasses 18 denominations representing approximately 2,000 congregations and over 1 million church members. Its goal is to promote church unity, peacemaking, social and economic justice for Wisconsin’s most vulnerable residents and revitalizing congregations. You can read more about WCC on their website at http://www.wichurches.org/.

And somewhere in the middle of all of this, the space is cleared away and there’s room for something else, perhaps the unimaginable thing that God has been hoping would become part of the thing I look at every day and try to figure out what to do with. What unimaginable thing might God be wanting to give you this day and when was the last time you cleared away room in your heart for it?

Lynne

3

Spiritual Life

Glad Tidings Articles

November 10th

PANTRY SUNDAY----LET’S MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

October/ November FOOD PANTRY Item: Salad Dressing

Food pantry items are used by our church as a "give away item" at our next Community Table. We will be collecting items in hopes that there will be enough for each guest to get one item. Please place above items in the shopping cart in the center hallway. They will be distributed at our November 24th Community Table meal.

October 31st

When you go to bed turn your clocks

back 1 hour ! You get an extra hour

of sleep!

November Lectionary

November 1st Ruth 1:1-18 Psalm 146

Deuteronomy 6:1-9 Psalm 119:1-8

Hebrews 9:11-14 Mark 12:28-34

November 8th

Ruth 3:15; 4:1317 or

1 Kings 17:816 Psalm 127 or

Psalm 146 Hebrews 9:2428 Mark 12:3844

November 15th 1 Samuel 1:420 or

Daniel 12:13 1 Samuel 2:110or

Psalm 16 Hebrews 10:1114,

(1518),19-25 Mark 13:18

November 22nd 2 Samuel 23:17

Psalm 132:1-12,(13-18) or Daniel 7:910,13-14

Psalm 93 Revelation 1:4b8

John 18:33-37

November 29th Jer 33:14-16

Psalm 25:1-10 1 Thes v3: 9-13, Luke 21:25-36

Musical Greetings, Happy November to everyone and I hope you have a wonderful season of giving thanks. November will bring a busy month. November 8th - We are planning a special “Spiritual Sunday” – don’t miss this. The Adult Choir will be singing several favorite “Spirituals” to enhance our worship. November 15- Children’s Choir will sing for worship November 25- Ecumenical Thanksgiving service at our church. There will be a combined choir from all the churches involved. This is always a wonderful service of thanks and people coming together.

****SAVE THE DATE**** December 20th will be our Christmas Musical with the Sunday School children and Adult Choir. Our musical is called “On Our Way to Bethlehem”. It will have a nice variety of adult choir music as well as simple songs for the children to join us. We look forward to singing with the children and celebrat-ing Christ’s birth. If you are interested in joining the choir for the holidays, please begin coming in November! We welcome all singers and we would be happy to help you along as you learn the new music. Thank you for all your support for the music program and may you enjoy this beautiful fall. God’s Blessings, Sherri Jischke Music Coordinator

4

Spiritual Life

Alternative Christmas Market November 1st

9:00-2:00 Are you looking for a great opportunity to get a head start on your Christmas shopping and support a number of worthy causes at the same time? November 1st is the day! This is your chance to shop for that person who has everything, and to help others who, by contrast, have very little.

Come and look over our ‘alternative gifts’- i.e., symbolic gifts, which benefit local and international charities and self-help organizations. You will receive an attractive card for each gift that you purchase, so that you can present it to the family member or friend on whose behalf the donation is being made. You’re actually giving a gift that gives twice!

Contact Sue Knuth(sknuth2@new.rr.com) or Kerry Fox (kerfox@juno.com) with any questions .

Celebrating our “Saints”

All Saints Day

Sunday, November 1

Do you have any “saints” in your life who are now with the “saints” of all time (in other words have passed away)? Have you noticed how they continue to be in your

life in some way and still making an impact? (Hopefully, that’s been in a good way!) On Sunday, November 1, we will join with the church around the world to celebrate All Saints Sunday. We’ll acknowledge the members of our faith community who have died during the past year. We’ll also give you the opportunity to acknowledge the death of your own family and friends. You are invited to bring a photo or some other item of remembrance of someone who has died to worship. Along w ith ce lebrat ing Ho ly Communion, where we remember Jesus, we’ll be giving sacred honor to others who have had an impact in our lives.

We’re hosting the Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service!

Wednesday, November 25 7:00 pm

On Wednesday, November 25, we will be hosting the annual Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service. We will gather for worship with our brothers and sisters in Christ from SS. Cyril and Methodius Old Catholic Church, Immanuel United Church of Christ, First United Methodist Church, Neenah-Menasha and the First Presbyterian Church. The offering will go to support the community meal program at Immanuel UCC. This is a wonderful opportunity to worship with friends and neighbors and give thanks to God on the eve of the national Thanksgiving Holiday. There will be a combined choir with singers from each of the congregations. If you would like to join them, contact Sherri Jischke about music and rehearsal times.

Confirmation Update

The 2015-2016 Confirmation Class has settled into their class routine but is engaging in some additional activities as well. They have opted to do their Bible courses as a lock-in and will be spending a Friday night/Saturday morning at the church to learn about the Bible. It’s very likely there will be some fun and games as well. With the help of Gay Dickson, they selected the menu for the October 31st Community Table and then prepared the main course at church. Several of

the class members participated in serving the meal on Halloween. They have met with their mentors and are looking forward to meeting with them once a month.

Please keep these amazing young people and their mentors in your thoughts and prayers as they continue on this journey: Abigail and Kerry, Brandon and Steve, Cadey and Bob, Chloe and Alanna, Kelsey and Cheryl.

5

Ministry of Faith Development

Beer and the Bible What???

Beer and the Bible m e e t s o n November 10th at 6:59 pm at Waverly

Beach in Menasha. Meetings are held the 2nd Tuesday of every month. This lively discussion is very informal and lay led – there is no right or wrong answer.

Join us at 6:59 (or come at 6:00 and eat dinner first).

Y’all Come Youth Group

Nov 4th

6:30p-7:45pm

Ages 5 years and up

We will be putting together shoeboxes for Operation

Christmas Child. Collection will be taken until

this date.

Join the fun!!!

Nov 15th

Children sing

during worship

We are in need of Sunday School Snacks

There is a signup sheet outside of the Christian Education office. We are in need of snacks and juice. Any questions please contact Kerri Ahlborg: ce@cuccnm.org

NO Sunday School

November 1st & 29th

TOM the TURKEY is coming to CUCCNM!!

The Y’all Come Youth Group will be collecting non-perishable food items and monetary donations during the month of November!! Please consider donating to this very worthy cause! Donations will be accepted in the Narthex November 15th.

Knock Knock Retreat at Pilgrim Center November 20-22, 2015

This is a retreat for middle school youth groups and their leaders. It is designed to help groups bond as the youth explore some of the many issues they will encounter during their middle school years...and beyond. Leadership is provided by the CYMT, the Drama Team and Bryan Sirchio. Register early...this retreat fills up fast!

Cost $155 (Camp Scholarship available)

Registration information at www.wcucc.org Registration Deadline Nov 2nd

If you are interested please contact Kerri Ahlborg

6

M

a

d

a

Habitat 201 House

101 until 201: A 201st Habitat House Update

It’s happening! The house at 2414 Gmeiner Road in Appleton is being built, and we’re making it happen!

Throughout the month of November the walls and roof will go up, doors and windows will be installed, siding will be put in place and sheet rock will cover the interior framing. We’ve filled the November volunteer slots as much as we can but have needed to turn the sign-up sheets over to Habitat. The folks there will see to it that the remaining 3 or 4 slots will be filled for us.

There’s still plenty of opportunities to volunteer for December. Don’t wait too long to sign up because we need to provide our list of volunteers to Habitat by November 18th. Sign up on the Habitat Board in the hall by the church offices or contact Melanie (920-725-4873 or office@cuccnm.org) to see what is available.

Be watching for the announcement of the date and time of the dedication. It will be sometime in mid-December – just before Christmas!

Listed below are the dates and tasks so you can plan accordingly. A lot of the work days are during the week. This would be a great way to spend a day or two of your vacation! Don’t forget to check with your employer. Many companies provide a “service day off” (with pay) if you are engaged in a local service project. If they don’t, perhaps you could encourage them to do so! Don’t worry, if you see something you’d like to do but have never done it before, Habitat will be providing skilled crew members to teach you everything you need to know for each day’s build.

A typical work day schedule is: 7:30 am – Volunteers arrive onsite & fill out paperwork at the site support (picnic) table 7:45 am – Morning meeting and devotions 9:30 am – Mid-morning coffee break Noon – Lunch 3:30 – 4:00 pm – finish tasks and clean up

Job descriptions for volunteers: Crew members: volunteers provided by us. No special skills are required!

Task to Be Completed Date Crew Members

Lunch for

Painting Sat., Dec. 5 8 (17)

Underlayment Tues., Dec. 8 3 13

Cabinets & Doors Thurs., Dec. 10 6* 16

Doors & Trim Sat., Dec. 12 5* 14

Trim & Finish Wed., Dec. 16 2 10

Install Appliances & Clean House (1/2 day)

Sat., Dec. 19 4 0

How to Sign up:

Please see sign up board located by the church office. If you are unable to get to church and want to help, please call the ch ur ch o f f i c e (725-4873) to sign up.

Check our out FB page to see the progress

on the house. https://www.facebook.com/

CongregationalUCCNeenahMenasha?fref=ts

7

Ministry of Service

NOVEMBER Special Offering--Community Table

The Community Table (CT) is one of CUCCN/M's long time missions. Every other month our church serves up to 80 healthy meals to needy people in the Fox Valley. We donate food, cook, serve and clean up on the 4th Tuesday. The other great need is for monetary donations. The day to day expenses of running this program need to be covered by donations from individuals and organizations. Supplies such as coffee, cleaning supplies, appliance upkeep, paper goods and the site director's salary all need to

be covered. Any amount that you can give will help tremendously and will benefit the people that the CT serves. Please prayerfully consider this when you make a donation of any kind.....time, food, or money.

Church Information 1511 Nicolet Blvd. Neenah Wi 54956

920-725-4873

Website: www.cuccnm.org

Church Office office@cuccnm.org

Pastor Lynne Spencer-Smith

Pastor@cuccnm.org

Christian Education Director ce@cuccnm.org

Communication Coordinator: communications@cuccnm.org

Time & Talent Coordinator

volunteers@cuccnm.org

Wider Church Contacts:

www.ucc.org (United Church of Christ)

www.neaucc.org

(Northeast Association )

www.wcucc.org Wisconsin Conference

www.uccfoxvalley.org

Fox Valley UCC congregations

CHRISTMAS COMMUNITY DINNER SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2014

“UNITING FAITHS TO FEED HIS FLOCK”, this is the mission of the Christmas Community Dinner ecumenical holiday meal that CUCC N/M is helping with again this year along with 13 other area churches. Last year close to 300 meals were served to guests and homebound people, helping to give everyone a special festive dinner of grilled tenderloin, chicken and ham along with all the trimmings!

This dinner, which is not part of the Community Table, is put on by an ecumenical group of churches that are working together to make this one day a year very special to all the guests who attend. Not only is a delicious meal served, but each guest receives a gift bag full of some of the basic items we all need. Many of these items, such as soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes, deodorant and paper products, are not covered by food stamps and are very greatly appreciated by those that attend.

CUCC has been very generous in the past with donations of cookies, pies, tooth care products and workers. The sign-up sheets will be posted the beginning of November. Please check them out and see where you can help. There are lots of dates and chances to be part of this holiday service opportunity.

PLEASE REMEMBER YOUR TOOTHPASTE!!!!

WE NEED 262 TUBES!!! ($1 each at the dollar store) As of October 19th we have 100 tubes.

Tubes can be brought in until December 1st

There will be a sign up sheet outside the church office for making pies, cookies and working at the dinner. Any questions contact Gay Dickson ((dickson.anne5@gmail.com)

8

Ministry of Stewardship

Treasurer's Corner

September Year to Date

Giving Income $ 8,951 $ 127,768

Interest + Rents 240 2,602

Other Income 354 921

Total Income $ 9,545 $ 131,291

Expenses 20,315 155,938

Difference $ (10,770) $ (24,647)

Dear Fellow Church Members,

Back by popular demand, the Finance Committee is pleased to announce Stewardship Drive “Lite” 2016, As We

Give, We Grow. The letter you received in the mail is 2016 pledge drive. That’s right, no stewardship sermons,

no stewardship minutes, no special mailings, no special events.

By saying no to these past practices, we’re hoping you’ll say yes to generous giving. As a faith community, we are

all equally responsible for our youth and adult programs, our minister and staff, and our facilities. By pledging our

support, we acknowledge that our mission helps us grow and makes our world a better place.

Each year we ask for financial support. Pledges make up approximately 85% of our income. Our financial goal

for 2016 is a budget of $220,000. This will allow us to accomplish our priorities, which are improving our

internal, external, and digital communications to bring us closer to the community around us, a small pay increase

for our minister and staff, and paying our own way so that our Congregational Enrichment Fund can be devoted

to enhancing our lives together rather than covering our budget shortfall.

We estimate that we need 16% more in pledges from existing and new members in order to reach our goal. We

encourage everyone to try to move incrementally toward giving 5% of your income. If most people gave 5% or

moved in that direction, we would be able to insure that our congregation can be here not only today, but

tomorrow and for years to come.

As important as your financial pledge is, we also need your time, talent, and presence. As we give of ourselves, we

grow spiritually, personally, and as a faith community.

Please prayerfully consider your stewardship commitment for 2016 and return stewardship commitment card

and time/talent sheet in the offering plate on November 8. You may also drop them off at the church office or

mail it to the church, Attn: Melanie, at any time prior. If you need a pledge card, Melanie can get you one.

In Christ’s Service,

Your Church’s Finance Committee

Bruce Janda , Jeff Nichols ,David Reynolds ,Nancy Winkler, Pam Zielinski, Dave Zernicke, Treasurer , Pastor Lynne Spencer-Smith, Steve Stoll, Chair

9

Spiritual Life

“Needlers”

Please join us in the church lounge the 1st Wednesday and 3rd Friday of the month at 1:00pm. (Nov 4th & 20th) This is for anyone working on a needlework project (knitting,

crocheting, etc.) or wanting to learn to knit. Some will be working on Prayer Shawls. Questions, contact Laurie Kleist.

2011

Ministry Council

Moderator: Linda Stoll

Vice Moderator: Bruce Janda

Secretary:

Treasurer: Dave Zernicke

Ministry of Faith Development Jenn Abing

Ministry of Service: Kris Anderson

Ministry of Spiritual Life Cindy Wolf

Ministry of Stewardship Steve Stoll

At Large: Dan Balogh Cheryl Humleker

Chuck Luebke Communication Coordinator:

Church Historian: Jeff Stewart

“An AED (automatic

electronic defibrillator) is

available in the east hallway

across from the church office. In

the case of an emergency, call

911 first.

Lake Edge still has enrollment opportunities for the 3-4’s class. We are having an enjoyable fall with many fun craft projects, please follow us on Facebook and like and share to spread the word of Lake Edge and the opportunities that we offer.

PLAN AHEAD FELLOW GARDENING FRIENDS:

There will be another plant sale in May. Save plant containers and fill with annuals or perennials from your collection in spring. Or save and bring any empty plant containers to the church in spring. The sale will probably occur the second Sat. in May. You, your

containers and your plants will help make the sale a success. Last year the sales in May and June sale netted about $1,300. With good PR we hope the one day sale will bring in an equal amount.

Book Club Book Club will meet at noon at Neenah Perkins on January 10th to discuss When No One is Looking by Joseph Hayes. Looks like it might be a little harder to get this book, but we have until January to read it.

FALL CLEAN UP Sat November 7th @ 9 Am, Or Any Other Time

Building & Grounds Will Be Available On Other Saturdays Also

Help With Leaf Pick Up, Spider Web Removal, Etc

(No Window Washing) - We have 103 Trees that will continue dropping leaves in Oct And Nov.

You Are Welcome Any Time To Move Leaves To The Curb In Bulk On Tarps -Areas Marked.

Finishing Will Be Done Later. Call Don 725-9427 if Rakes or Tarps are Needed at other times.

Hanging of the

Greens

November 28th

10am to Noon

10

Time and Talent

Upon receiving the schedule, please review it to ensure you are available when scheduled. If you are unavailable,

please use the contact information to find a replacement for yourself. Please notify the Clo Shumann at volun-

teer@cuccnm.org and church office@cuccnm.org with the schedule change. Thanks to all for your continued

support and service as volunteers! Clo Shumann, Volunteers Coordinator

Interested in serving as a Worship Host?

There is a need for someone to serve on the second Sunday of the month as well as people to be on a list of substitutes. Contact Laurie Kleist or the church office if you would enjoy serving as a worship host.

Looking for help in the Nursery.

If you are interested in helping please contact the church office. A background check and training to be completed before you can be scheduled.

Sunday

Date

11/01/2015 11/08/2015 11/15/2015 11/22/2015 11/29/2015

Host Don Kleist Marcy Fry Ann Pabst Dar Schuff Barb Peperkorn

Liturgist Cheryl Humleker Shirl Alix Signa Meyers Pam Zielinski Tim Murphy

Greeter 1 Ann Pabst Jeff Nichols Bonnie

Pozolinski Dean Katzman

Cheryl Humleker

Greeter 2 Ginny Stutzman Liz MacKelvie Kerry Fox Pat Katzman Terri Flesburg

Head Usher Terri Flesburg Jack Fry Gary Bezella Ginny Stutzman Steve Stoll

Usher 2 Leon Flesburg Pat Mahoney Pat Bezella Cadey Katzman Jeff Nichols

Usher 3 Alan Gear Mark Marek Dorothy Samu Kelsey Wadleigh Dave Zernicke

Usher 4 Maribeth Diem Wendy Remmel Connie Regazzi Sue Knuth Erv Wegner

Depositor Bruce Janda David Reynolds Roy Rosenberger Pam Zielinski Steve Stoll

Acolyte Maggie Balogh Owen Huycke Izzy Hagenow Nolan Smith Gavin Vierling

Nursery 1 Laurie Kleist Sam Chaffin Audrey Mosebach Alanna Smith Denise Stewart

Nursery 2 Abigail Jischke Brandon

Oakley-Janness Kelsey Wadleigh Abigail Jischke Cindy Wolf

Communion Preparation

Cindy Wolf N/A N/A N/A N/A

Projectionist Kevin Katzman Kevin Shumann Jerry Pozolinski Kevin Katzman Kevin Shumann

11

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

NO

Sunday School

9:00am-2:00pm

Alternative

Christmas Market

10:15 am

Worship

2

11:30 am

Staff Meeting

3

7:00 am

Discussion Group

6:30 pm

Ministry of Service

4 1:00pm Needlers 3:00 pm

Bible Study 6:30 pm

Adult Choir Confirmation 6:30-7:45 pm Youth Group

5

7-8:30pm

Horizon II AA

6 7 9:00 am

FALL CLEAN UP

7-8:30pm Horizon II AA

8

Stewardship

Sunday

9:00 am

Sunday School

10:15 am

Worship

9

11:30 am

Staff Meeting

10

7:00 am

Discussion Group

11

6:30 pm

Adult Choir

Confirmation

12

7-8:30pm

Horizon II AA

13 14

7-8:30pm

Horizon II AA

15

9:00 am

Sunday School

10:15 am

Worship :

Kids Sing

16

11:30 am

Staff Meeting

17

7:00 am

Discussion Group

18

6:30 pm

Adult Choir

Confirmation

19

7-8:30pm

Horizon II AA

20

1 :00pm

Needlers

21

7-8:30pm

Horizon II AA

22

9:00 am

Sunday School

10:15 am

Worship :

Rev Scott Anderson

guest preacher

23

11:30 am

Staff Meeting

24

7:00 am

Discussion Group

10:30 am

Community Table

25 7:00 pm

Ecumenical Thanksgiving

Service @ CUCC

No confirmation

26

Thanksgiving

Church Office

Closed

7-8:30pm

Horizon II AA

27

Church Office

Closed

28

10-12 pm

Hanging of the

Greens

7-8:30pm

Horizon II AA

29

NO Sunday

School 10:15 am

Worship

30

11:30 am

Staff Meeting

Knock Knock Retreat

Knock Knock Retreat

12

Congregational United Church of Christ

of Neenah / Menasha

1511 Nicolet Blvd.

Neenah, Wi 54956

920-725-4873

www.cuccnm.org

office@cuccnm.org

November 1st

9:00AM - 2:00 PM

Alternative Christmas Market

All Saints Day

November 7th

Fall Clean Up

November 25th

7:00 pm Ecumenical Thanksgiving

Service

November 28th

Hanging of the Greens