FIRST CONGREGATIONAL, UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST BENZONIA, MI

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1 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL, UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST BENZONIA, MI October 2017 Hi my fellow travelers, As I was contemplating what to share with you the word journey keeps bubbling up in my head. One of the great metaphors of the Bible is the journey. The Bible is filled with journey upon journey. From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture is full of people on the move. In the beginning of the Old Testament, Abraham journeys from Ur of the Chaldees to the Promised Land. Many generations later, Abraham s descendants journey from slavery and oppression in Egypt into the land of Israel. Many generations after that, they journey back to their Promised Land after the tragic downfall of their civilization and their forced exile in Babylon. In the New Testament, Jesus himself journeys through Palestine, preaching the Good News of the Kin-dom of God. As he journeys, he shows people what that Kin-dom looks like by his deeds of love and power. After the Resurrection, Paul and the apostles journey all over the Roman Empire, and their message reaches to the ends of the earth and here we are, millennia later, with our journeys touching theirs. Journeys: I have gone back to Maine, was ordained, had a hard trip returning to Michigan. I will be installed Sept. 24 here at The First Congregational of Benzonia. There was the funeral for June Deering, Nancy Czap will be soon. Sunday school has started with confirmation class soon to follow. New beginnings are happening in football as well, just ask Liam or Sam. Soon we will be in conversation about Stewardship. Sonny and I attended an informational organizational meeting on Safe Harbor, dealing with homelessness during the winter months. Don t forget how we walk with BACN and Love INC. There are many journeys going on here at First Congregational. There are those listed above and so many more that I am just hearing about. We are on the move. Where do you see the journey going? On the path with you, Patty

2 Page 2 OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS 1 John Marshall 2 Clint Brian 5 Phyllis Crowell 8 Rob Rafferty 8 Harriet Stone 8 Tim Jenema 11 Andy Case 15 John Abbett 15 Amy Stone 19 RJ Rafferty 21 Doug Rodriguez 23 Michelle Herban 25 Barbara Reigler 27 Jim Catts 29 Nicole Olney Ryan REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS Family of June Deering Victoria and Jeremiah Rosemary Miller who is at The Pines Helen Pickard, Pat Forrester, and Hal Bruning who are in Traverse City UCC SISTER CHURCH OF THE MONTH As part of our continuing efforts to work together as a community of faith, in worship we pray for UCC churches in our United Northern Association. You are invited to pray this month for the ongoing mission and ministries of First Congregational Church of Harrison. FLOWERS If you would like to supply flowers, please sign up on the sign posted on the bulletin board, and indicate who the flowers honor or memorialize. You may then bring in your own flowers or donate $25 to the church to make the arrangements with a local florist. THANK YOU TO OUR OCTOBER VOLUNTEERS COFFEE NURSERY Oct. 1 Deacons needed OCTOBER ANNIVERSARIES 6 Rob and Maria Wolowiec 14 Pete and Sally Moss Oct. 8 Potluck Linda Jenema Oct. 15 Sarah Circle IV Chris Jones Oct. 22 Bev Brouwer Kristi Johnson Oct. 29 October Fest Kay Bos HEAD USHER: Trevor Danford

3 Dear Congregation: FAJITA DINNER FUNDRAISER On October 6th this church will be hosting the Challenged Abilities Fajita Dinner. This will be our 9th fajita dinner fundraiser we have done in this church. In 2016 we reorganized our dinner through the Benzie Sunrise Rotary club to better serve our community. I believe this was the best way to go so that all monies stay here in Benzie County to better distribute the money in the form of grants to people that need it the most. In addition, last year we added take-outs, which reduced waiting times. I want to thank all the sponsors and especially our church members who have made this dinner a complete success could not have done it without you. This is truly a community church that serves the community. I invite you to come and join us. Dinner Tickets: $9.00 If you would like to sponsor a table: 1/2 tables are $25.00; full tables are $ Checks can be made out to the Benzie Sunrise Rotary Club and on the memo line write Fajita Dinner. Thank you and God bless you, Sonny Rodriguez TRUSTEE REPORT At the September meeting, the trustees discussed the music program and what we can do to enhance it. The stewardship campaign will begin in October. Rev. Patty Higgins had a lot of questions that were addressed as she becomes familiar with our committees and all other activities that take place in our church. She had some building use questions and it was noted that our building use form needs updating. There was discussion about remodeling the kitchen. The first step is to form a committee. Volunteers are Carol Dye, Earl Schopp, and Chris Gehring. We are looking into having the sermons on the website. CHURCH WORLD SERVICE & NEIGHBORS IN NEED On October 1, the Church World Service Committee is sponsoring Neighbors in Need (NIN), in conjunction with World Communion Day. If you are able, please give; there will be info in the bulletin explaining the details, but in a brief note, NIN is a special mission to help support justice and compassion throughout the US. It helps with two supporting organizations: CAIM and JWM; you can find more about these ate Thanks again from CWSC! CIRCLE I Circle 1 will meet Wednesday, October 18th at 1:00 at the church. Our winter projects will be on the agenda.

4 2017 STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN STARTS OCTOBER 15 Our new stewardship year starts, with our new full-time pastor, Patty Higgins. We are so happy to have her with us, and under her leadership we will move forward with great enthusiasm and a bright future before us. Welcome Patty. Journey to Generosity, the Way of Jesus is the theme for this year. God gives us such great gifts. How do we respond? According to Christian theology, we become stewards. A steward is a person who manages resources. As stewards of God, we manage or try to manage our resources so that they serve God s purposes to make the church and the world more like the communities God wants them to be. (from the UCC Journey to Generosity insert material provided for this year s campaign.) October 15 Matthew 9:35-10:23 October 22 Matthew 11:16-19, October 23 Commitment letters and cards mailed October 29 Matthew 9:35-10:23 November 5 Matthew 22:34-46 November 12 COMMITMENT SUNDAY Please take an hour or so to join us, welcome our new pastor, and help us kick off a new stewardship campaign. Bring a friend we re open on Sundays. CHRISTIAN EDUCATION On Sunday, October 29th, Christian Ed will be hosting Fall Fest The students will be Trick-or-Treating for UNICEF following Worship Service. Wear your Halloween Best...there will be a Best Costume Contest this year for Adults and Youth. Snacks, homemade doughnuts, fresh-pressed cider, games, prizes, and more... WOMEN S FELLOWSHIP Our first fall meeting will be Oct 4th at 1:00. A representative from BACN will be speaking to us about volunteering and how we might be of help. Circle I is in charge. The board will meet at 12:00. Hope to see you there. SOUL SISTERS The Soul Sisters will be participating in Undies for Everyone during the month of October. They will be collecting new, unopened packages of underwear for children, women, and men. At the end of October, they will be distributed to BACN and Mrs. Mullen s Closet. QUARTERLY POTLUCK AND MEETING There will be a potluck and meeting following worship on October 8. Bring a dish to pass and your own table service. We will be celebrating Harriet Stone s birthday.

5 October 2017 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT (Neighbors in Need & World Communion Sunday) Women s Fellowship (Potluck & Info Meeting) 11:00 Commodities Distribution 7:00 Council 10:30 Love, INC Safe Harbor 4:00 Deacons 8:30 Men s Papa J s :00 Trustees 1:00 Circle I (Fall Fest)

6 First Congregational Church, UCC 901 Barber Street, P.O. Box 234 Benzonia, MI Phone: (231) F I R S T C O N G R E G AT I O N A L CHUR C H, UCC B E N Z O N I A, M I C H I G A N Patty Higgins Pastor Chris Stone Treasurer Mary Rodriguez Financial Secretary Mary Ellen Wagner..Organist Andy Wagner...Sound Technician Rose DuFrane Custodian Samantha Mullet..Secretary Melanie Bredbanner..Nursery Staff Jerry Slater...Church Moderator Carolina Jones...Christian Ed Coordinator Office Phone: Office Hours: M F 9am 12noon Office secretary@benzoniacongregational.org Our Website: Our Facebook Page: