God is Still. Speaking... Brookings United Church of Christ. As I look at it... APRIL 2016 ISSUE. Whoever you are, wherever you are on life s journey,

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1 Issue 4 April 2016 ISSUE 4 Brookingsucc.org th St. South Brookings, SD Brookings United Church of Christ God is Still Brookings, SD th Street South As I look at it... Speaking... Brookingsucc@brookings.net APRIL 2016 Whoever you are, wherever you are on life s journey, you are welcome here Rev. Wade Schemmel Pastor buccpastor@swiftel.net Office Phone: Cell Phone: Both the political campaigns and the news lead lines affirm for us the vital mission Easter has for our time. I dare say that in 2016 we need more desperately to hear the Easter message than we have for many years. The current political campaign demonstrates a nastiness that we have not seen in many years. The range of insults thus far have gone from family to physical characteristics, to historical. If that is not enough to cause one s stomach to turn, recent newspaper headlines report that several states have voted in laws that in the name of religious freedom enable people to deny services to folk from the LGBT community and other minorities. These laws say that if someone has a life style or a characteristic that does not fully square with my religious understanding I have the right to deny them whatever services they seek. In other words this law says that I have to right to impose my biases onto another as long as I say I am doing it in the name of my faith. I find it so irritating when we make Jesus the foundation for our hatred. When will we fully understand that Jesus calls us to love our neighbor even if our neighbor looks and acts differently from us. To use Jesus the Christ to justify our hatred is a denial of everything for which our Redeemer stands. Such hatred has no place in our faith or in our civic life. The Easter message that we need to hear is that God so loves us that there is no limit to the bounds of that compassion. In the vision of God the message is that we each are worth dying for. Easter is God saying to us I love you enough to die for you. I would cherish the day when political candidates would approach each other as people of dignity who hold differing opinions. I would cherish the campaign when the candidates spent less time trying to tear down each other s personal life and more time exploring the message that each candidate would have about our future life together as a nation. I would hope we would hear the Easter message of God s love for all people and stop trying to deny people their God given dignity because we do not understand their life style or because they are a different color or nationality than we are. May we approach our life together as Easter people. Namaste Wade

2 Pictured are beautiful flowers donated by Linda Langner in honor of her father s birthday on Easter. Below is a wonderful lamb cake made by Christina Wiemer to celebrate her daughter Phoenix Marie s arrival and our Redeemer s resurrection on Easter Morning. PLEASE JOIN US for a day of fun! Do you love culture and hospitality? Are you looking for a unique way to expand your borders without leaving home? Consider hosting a Foreign Exchange student. They are well-screened for adaptability, come with their own spending money and medical insurance, are bright, involved and have excellent English. They attend the local high school and have expressed an interest to attend church with their host family. Host families are needed for students arriving in August. Please prayerfully consider this opportunity to show the love of Jesus and have a cultural adventure. Please call John Grubman at: (605) or at: doctorjjg@hotmail.com Justin and Christina Wiemer and their new daughter, Phoenix Marie APRIL 17th, 2016 The shower will begin immediately following the church service, during the coffee hour. We are having a diaper and baby wipes shower for the new addition to the family. Suggested items are: Diapers, all sizes, Baby wipes. Other items of your choice. Sponsored by the Church Life Commission United Church of Christ-Brookings. 11 am ALL MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO THE LUNCH AND SHOWER!

3 Moderator s Report APRIL 2016 Dear BUCC Family and Friends, Most of you already know that a few days after Governor Daugaard vetoed the Birth gender bathroom law the church s LGBT flag was stolen off our church. After discussing this situation with the pastor we decided to report the theft to the police. We were told that the flag would probably not be found or returned. A couple of weeks ago several Brookings hockey team players posted a picture on Instagram holding up our flag. The council decided after a long discussion that instead of having the police handle the theft that I would make personal calls to the boys parents. The council felt that if the parents realized what their sons had done they would ensure that the flag would be returned and if it was ruined, replaced. I made several phone calls and the parents ensured me that the flag would be returned to the church by the boys. The flag has been returned and will be put back onto the church once again. I truly believe this theft was not an act against the LGBT community but a stupid high school prank. Like I said in the council meeting, we have all made mistakes in our youth that we wish we could undo, this is one of those mistakes. The boys have learned a valuable lesson, while the council could have pressed charges we CHOOSE to FORGIVE instead of punish. By: Kristi Prunty Moderator Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Faithful Crafters 2-4 pm Birthday Brunch 11 am Perkins Contact information: kprunty@itctel.com Home: Cell: NOTES FROM THE MARCH CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING Four teachers have volunteered to help with Sunday School. The new curriculum has been chosen for Sunday School, Deep Blue Kids. Plans are in progress for games and activities for the Kid s Fair on April 16 th. A fish pond, cake walk, Plinko, ring toss, and bean bag game are being discussed as possibilities. Easter baskets will be put together for children in the foster care system using funds raised at the Craft Fair. Spring cleanup is planned for April 17 th after church. Plans are being discussed to celebrate Earth Day on April 24 th by planting a tree in the church yard or a plant in the Memorial Garden. There will be a signup sheet for mowing the lawn this summer. Four sermons are ready to be uploaded to Youtube. Plans are in progress for investigating copyright permissions to project music for the worship service on the wall or a screen. Ruby Wilson, BUCC Council Secretary 10 Communion 17 Food Dedication Baby Shower Work Day 24 Earth Day Planting Yoga Noon BUCC Council Meeting 5:30 pm Yoga Noon Yoga Noon 13 Yoga 5:30 pm 20 Confirmation Mtg. 6 pm Yoga 5:30 pm 27 Confirmation Mtg. 6 pm Night Out 5:30 pm Yoga 5: Faithful Crafters 2-4 pm Earth Day! Kid s Fair 10-2: Faithful Crafters 10-11:30

4 APRIL BIRTHDAYS 1 Paul Wilson 10 Peg Schemmel 11 Steve Prunty 13 Marlene DeBoer 15 Chad Gloege 20 Luke Wilson 22 Rebecca Marshall 26 Larry Rogers ANNIVERSARIES: 2 Don and Sharon Hirrschoff 11 Stuart and Melissa Apland 22 Ron and Linda Langner Ministry Teams 2016 January July Stuart & Melissa Apland Kathy Apland Steve & Kristi Prunty Darlene Dokken (2) February August Larry Rogers & Ruth Harper Don & Nancy Marshall Brenda & Carl Kline Loye Holmes Raul & Marisol Galvan- Murillo March September Susan Helvig Dave & Julie Huebner Jean Lillelid Linda Langner Helen Andersen April October Jim & Joanne Satterlee Leonard & Norita Henneman Wade & Peg Schemmel Jihong Cole-Dai May November Jim & Ruby Wilson Tom & Susan Rosen *Doug & Mary Ward Christine Prussman Christina & Justin Weimer June December Jacob & Samantha Holden Randy & Marlene DeBoer Chad & Laura Gloege Shanta Messerli Fred & Christine Delfanian If anyone has any concerns or possible conflicts, Please contact the church office Or at brookingsucc@brookings.net. Thank You! Special dedication of food items~ During each month we collect food for three special ministries that distribute food to those in need. These include Feeding Brookings The Food Pantry and The Harvest Table. There are receptacles and carts to receive each of these offerings. That food will be dedicated each 3 rd Sunday and will be distributed shortly after that. Help us to have nice full bins to share and dedicate. HARVEST TABLE: A warm-no-cost meal served every Monday night from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the First United Methodist Community Life Center, The meal is offered for anyone in the community looking for good food and fellowship! If you have questions, contact Vonda Kirkham, Harvest Table Director, If you have participated in the weekly Harvest Table, you know that it is more than a hot meal for those in need. They also distribute food stuffs and supplies for families to get through the week, such as soap, toothpaste, diapers and baby wipes to name a few. The number of people being served each week has grown significantly over the last few years. In July 285 people were served a hot meal, grocery items were distributed to 145 households, 110 packages of diapers and baby wipes were handed out to families all at no cost to the families. The cupboards are BARE!! The Harvest Table is desperately in need of supplies. Non-perishable foods, (canned goods, pasta, rice, peanut butter, beans, cereal, baby food, formula, fruits and juice, canned meat and other pantry staples), personal care items (soap, toothpaste and brushes, shampoo, mouthwash), baby supplies (diapers and baby wipes are especially needed), paper goods (paper towels, toilet paper). The needs run the gamut. If you need it for your house, the Harvest Table probably needs it as well. If you aren t sure what is most needed, money is always the right size and color. With your tax-deductible donations, the Harvest Table staff can shop for what is needed the most. FEEDING BROOKINGS Bags of food are distributed every Thursday from 4:00 5:00 p.m. at the Ascension Lutheran Church rd Street April food item of the month: Pasta/Rice 217 4TH Street BROOKINGS, SD IMMEDIATE NEEDS: Pizza Sauce/Crust Canned Mushrooms/ Black Olives Sloppy Joe Mix Mandarin Oranges Canned Spinach/ Asparagus Instant Oatmeal Pantry is open: Monday, Wednesday & Friday 1:00-4:30pm

5 LENTEN PROGRAM SERIES LENTEN PROGRAM SERIES March 9th~ March 16th~ Pictured is Phyllis Cole-Dai demonstrating a Buddhist Call to Worship. She rang a bell that gave off a very meditative soothing sound. Phyllis experienced a deep connection to Buddhism through the sacred rituals and beliefs. Pictured is Fathe Halaweich who shared his experiences from his life being a part of the Islamic Community. He and his family have lived and worked here in Brookings for about 18 years. The Islamic Center has been a staple for them and they have found support and affirmation in the community of Brookings. Pictured left are a gathering of BUCC family and friends sharing in good food and fellowship for our yearly Seder Meal.

6 Upcoming Events in April Adult Study Group that has been meeting at 9:00 on Sunday mornings has begun a study of Kathleen Norris s book Amazing Grace. If any have interest in joining the group you are welcome to join us! will take place on Thursday mornings at 11:30 1pm April 7, 14, 21, and 28. Please join us! We have a signup sheet in the back of the Sanctuary for the Kid s Carnival on April 16th~Please sign up to help provide and serve our BUCC meals and other programs coming up! Thank You! April 17th ~ Work Day outside cleaning up BUCC grounds Phoenix Wiemer Baby Shower May Ministry Team Mtg. Food Dedication day PLEASE JOIN US! Birthday Brunch April 9th, am ~ Perkins All are invited who wish to enjoy food and fellowship to celebrate your birthdays. Please Join us! We will be sharing the sacrament of Holy Communion on Sunday, April 10th, All are invited to come and share in this very special time as we gather about the table that our Redeemer has set. Helping Hands Offering bowl will also be located in the sanctuary. This fund helps out local folks in need. Please Join us! Confirmation Meetings Thursdays ~ 6 pm BUCC Council Meeting April 19th, :30 pm Potluck 6:15 pm Meeting FAITHFUL CRAFTERS April 7th and 21st~ 2-4 pm April 23rd~10-11:30 am EARTH DAY is Friday, April 22nd this year. Help us celebrate this by joining us on April 24th for our BUCC Earth Day Planting. We will be transplanting some new shrubs into the Memorial Garden area and some weeding as well. Join us for service at 10 am and we will head outside around 11 am to start during our coffee hour. BUCC Night Out April 27th, 5:30 pm Volunteers Needed: April 16th, Saturday Faithfull Crafters group is inviting anyone who is interested in helping work the KIDS FAIR on April 16th, is more than welcome to stop by and join the fun! The KIDS FAIR will be at the church from 10 am to 2:30 pm on April 16th. Please contact Marlene DeBoer if you can help. Our BUCC church life commission is also looking for someone to help out with teaching Sunday School to the kids. We already have the curriculum ordered. Please contact Peg Schemmel at Arts747@aol.com.