The Spirit of Bethlehem Bethlehem United Church of Christ 11608 Lax Chapel Rd. Kiel, WI 53042 (920) 894-3332 Dear Members and Friends of Bethlehem UCC, As I write to you I am in Evanston for two weeks of intensives as I work towards my Doctor of Ministry. Many of you may wonder, why am I doing this? Trust me, with each paper and assignment I have asked myself the same question. One of the things this degree is supposed to accomplish is honing my ministerial skills. After 28 years in ministry I worry about getting stale and out of touch with current thought. I want to make sure I am leading congregations with integrity and current tools. Also, the Doctor of Ministry is designed for the pastor to be able to devise a project that is useful and helpful to the whole church, meaning not just Bethlehem, but all churches in similar size and makeup. It is also designed to help us formulate questions that are relevant to our congregations and their mission. This week are looking at the question, what does it mean to be the church. I m sure you re all rolling your eyes right now and thinking, really she had to go to Chicago to come up with that?. No, it s not a new question for me or for you, I know, but it is one we need to continually grapple with. There are many expressions of church in our culture and some we recognize while others look very foreign to us. I think we need to talk more seriously and theologically about what it means to be the church. We all know (I hope) that when we talk about the church we are not talking about the building, but rather the faith family that uses the building to gather and worship, among other things. So, what does it mean for us to be the church? Where do we get our understanding about what it means to be the church? What are the key components that we absolutely need for us to call ourselves the church and what do we currently do and value that may not have anything to do with how we live our lives out as a church? These questions aren t as easy as they may seem, but I am hoping they are questions that we are willing to grapple with in our time together so that we can definitively define, in a faithful and theological way, what it means for Bethlehem United Church of Christ to be the church. I hope you will share with me some of your thoughts and also be open to some of mine. I believe Bethlehem has a lot to offer the community of Kiel and the world at large, but I am hopeful that we are able to do that with a clear understanding of why we do what we do and why we are who we are. I m not the kind of leader that will offer you all the answers, but I do covenant with you to seek the questions that can guide us on our journey. INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Pastor s Page 1 Misc News 2 Consistory 3-4 Contact Info and Search Committee 5 Scrip/Ladies/Choir 6 Youth/Prayers/ Lectionary/ Bethlehem News/Community Events May Building Fund July Calendars 10 7 8 9 Articles for the Aug 2017 edition of the Spirit are due on Wed, July 19th. Articles can be emailed directly to me at bryanjeanty@gmail.com or leave articles in the mailbox in the church office. Thank You ~Bryan Yours In Christ, Rev. Becky
LET S SAVE PAPER! In order to help the church reduce the amount of paper we go through please sign up to receive the Spirit electronically. You can do it by signing up in the fellowship hall or emailing Bryan Jeanty at bryanjeanty@gmail.com. This is purely voluntary if you don t sign up you will still keep getting the printed copy of Spirit. Do you have someone in college or the military or away from home who would like to hear about the events of Bethlehem sign them up so they can receive the spirit electronically. If you are not able to worship with us on Sunday, you can send your giving envelope/check to the following address: Bethlehem UCC c/o Ginny Schultz 11608 Lax Chapel Rd. Kiel, WI 53042 2017 Consistory: Elder /President: Gene Radder Elder : Bob Radder Elder: Traci Rabe Deacon: Ross Westphalen Deacon/Secretary: Natasha Verhultz Financial Secretary: Ginny Schultz Treasurer : Rick Rabe Mission Statement As Disciples of Christ, we are a loving, caring community of faith, called to witness to God s grace and glory. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit to love, nurture, respect, encourage and challenge each other. Rooted in the tradition of our Christian ancestors, we live our faith through worship, fellowship, teaching and service to others.
Consistory Minutes June 5th, 2017 6:00pm Bethlehem United Church Of Christ Rebecca Johnston Gene Radder Ross Westphalen Traci Rabe Randy Koppenhaver Bob Radder Natasha Verhulst Rick Rabe Call to order Meditation- 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 Monthly Reports Financial- Ginny Bob motion to accept Traci 2nd Motion carries Treasurer- Rick Bob made a motion to put laminated cards in the pews for electronic giving Ross 2nd with amendment that the directions for electronic giving are on the cards Motion cares Bob moves to accept the report Traci 2nd Motion carries Secretary Report- Submitted by Traci Rabe Ross moves to accept the report Ginny 2nd Motion carries Pastor Becky Audio/visual needs in church Gene will look into these needs and get an estimate Need someone to go to conference for the Wempners We will ask around to find someone Change of culture in the church The consistory will work together to help support The consistory will start by doing a book study together over the coming months Randy Koppenhaver Confirmation was a success Baptism was a success Feed my starving children 16 people went from Bethlehem and they had a great time Worship at Atrium post Cancelled for May Randy s license renewed Old Business Website Active! We will need updates and messages from group leaders in the church to keep the page fresh Randy will put the link to the page in the Bethlehem Blurb It will cost $600 yearly, which will be a budgeted item
We will look into getting monthly reports of webpage visits Picture release forms will need to be updated for use on the webpage Missionfest Merry Christians have it all under control Pulpit Supply Karen Darnik from Appleton, WI will be with us July 2nd. Communion is moved to July 9th Computer updates Both laptops have church windows Wifi is running well Parsonage Deck Just needs cleaning No rotten spots New Business Employee reviews for July Time of employment Expectations on both ends Organists, custodians, Secretaries Pastor Becky on vacation August 18-25th, 2017 Looking to make a big calendar of events for the church White board with painted lines Color coded Located in the church office Confirmation Discussion of years, grades, and retreat opportunities The Lord s Prayer Bob made a motion to adjourn Rick 2nd Motion carried Meeting adjourned Respectfully Submitted, Natasha Verhulst Deacon/Secretary + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Current church contacts: Primary Contact: Gene Radder 920-901-1677 Secondary Contact: Bob Radder 920-894-7229 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Bethlehem UCC - Search Committee The search committee has been working diligently on Bethlehem s church profile. We should be in a position to move on to input from the congregation by sometime in February. Members of the search committee will meet with the groups and then with the congregation as a whole. We ask for your continued patience and prayers as we move to discernment of the next pastor for Bethlehem. If you have questions, please talk to anyone on the search committee. Linda Rabe Ryan Arnold Kerry Henning Lindy Riesterer Steve Voland Bob Radder + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Bethlehem UCC's Website is LIVE!!! The website is www.bethlehemkiel.org. Check it out!!!!! Please use the email address below to submit information, photos, etc. for the church website: bethlehemucckiel @gmail.com Bethlehem United Church of Christ 11608 Lax Chapel Rd Kiel WI 53042 Phone: 920-894-3332 Worship Times: Sunday School begins at 8:00 a.m. Worship time is 9:30 a.m. Rev. Rebecca A. Johnston, Interim Pastor (920-918-3654 - revbecky1124@gmail.com) Randy Koppenhaver, Licensed Lay Minister (920-286-2531 - randynmel5@gmail.com
Scrip Summer is for fun and family vacations, consider using scrip to help fund your vacation. We have gas cards available as well as gift cards for restaurants. If there is something special you need, please ask, we can probably order it. I have a list of retailers which you can choose from, just have to allow a week to order special gift cards. Stop at the scrip table and check it out! The scrip program benefits the building fund. We set aside 10% for families in need. Please consider using the scrip program. Thank you to all who continue to use the program! Linda Rabe MONTHLY SCRIP STATS: 5/21/17 $1,830.00 $ 76.75 5/28/17 $2,055.00 $ 76.26 6/04/17 $2,110.00 $101.70 6/18/17 $4,315.00 $162.79 Bethlehem Ladies Our guest night will be at 6:00 pm on September 19 th. SAVE THE DATE!!! As a reminder to everyone there are greeting cards and napkins for sale in the fellowship hall. We also recycle greeting cards into note cards for nursing homes, etc. Place your old greeting cards in the container under the mailboxes. Our next meeting will be August 20 th at 8:30 am. Washing communion glasses for July will be Shirley, Darlene and Heidi. PLEASE NOTE: Communion in July will be the SECOND Sunday July 9 th. Washing on August 6 th are Jeanette, Polly and Ginny. Secretary, Shirley Henschel Choir Choir Notes: Summer is moving right along and soon the choir will be practicing again. We are always looking for new members, so if you would like to have some fun and lift your voices to the Lord, watch next month s Spirit for rehearsal starting date to be posted. We look forward to another great season of singing. In the meantime, it was great to have the HHT Men s Acapella group sing in June. Special music throughout the summer is welcome and if you or someone you know would like to share their talents just let myself or Pastor Becky or Randy know and we can schedule you in the service. Smile while singing, Ross Westphalen - 1 -
Choir President Youth Fellowship Rural Church Fellowship Volley Schedule Saturdays 8:00-10 AM Volleyball Practice Sundays: volleyball at 6:30 PM July 9 at Bethlehem July 16 at St. Marks/St. James July 23 at Bethlehem July 30 at Immanuel Prayer Concerns Those in our thoughts and prayers: Prayer Concerns: Please continue to keep the following in your thoughts and prayers: Ken Behnke who is receiving treatment for Leukemia; Louie Bowe who is receiving treatment for cancer; Evelyn Schnell, still recovering from Shingles and at Atrium Post; Ken Henschel for healing; Ken and Lori Behnke as they recover from a house fire. Those struggling to find answers to health problems. Those having trouble in personal relationships. Lectionary July 2, 2017 - Genesis 22:1-14 and Psalm 13; OR Jeremiah 28:5-9 and Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18; Romans 6:12-23; Matthew 10:40-42 July 9, 2017 - Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67 and Psalm 45:10-17 or Song of Solomon 2:8-13; OR Zechariah 9:9-12 and Psalm 145:8-14; Romans 7:15-25a; Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 July 16, 2017 - Genesis 25:19-34 and Psalm 119:105-112; OR Isaiah 55:10-13 and Psalm 65:(1-8), 9-13; Romans 8:1-11; Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 July 23, 2017 - Genesis 28:10-19a and Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24; OR Isaiah 44:6-8; Songs of Solomon 12:13, 16-19 and Psalm 86:11-17; Romans 8:12-25; Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 July 30, 2017 - Genesis 29:15-28 and Psalm 105:1-11, 45b or Psalm 128; OR 1 Kings 3:5-12; Psalm 119:129-136; Romans 8:26-39; Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 - 2 -
Bethlehem News & Events On July 9 th, BUCC will visited by Conference Minister, Franz Rigert and NE Association Minister, Jane Anderson. Please join us for worship! The consistory has renewed Rev. Becky s contract for ¾ time starting June 1. As of that date office hours will be Tuesdays 9am Noon and Wednesdays 9 am -3 pm. If you need to contact her outside of those hours feel free to use her cell phone 920-918-3654. Randy is going to continue with us at his current status preaching once per month and co-leading in some of the programming. Don t forget we ll be starting our focus group on Extravagant Generosity. Sign up sheet is on the table in the Fellowship Hall. Aluminum Cans please place ONLY aluminum cans into your bags keep aluminum pans and other items separate. Please continue to save your aluminum cans and place them in the old garage next to the parsonage. If you remove the can tabs and place in a separate bag - these can go help support The Ronald McDonald House. Building Fund Bethlehem has been blessed with this new building we are in our 12 th year in building and our debt is continuing to go down. We ask that you prayerfully consider monthly donations to the building fund to help us retire this debt. We are now under $32,000 and would like to retire the fund as soon as possible. Mark on the outside on your envelope Building Fund. Thanks for your continued support to the building fund. Take time to introduce yourself to someone you don t know help them to get to know you and other people in the church. Please wear your name tags at church to help one another get to know you better. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Community Announcements: Wed. 6/28 4-7:30 pm Picnic in the Park - @ Kiel City Park. Sponsored by St. Peter s UCC music programs. Kiel Municipal Band to play @ 7pm. Ice Cream Social 7/12 4pm-7pm Ebenezer UCC - Chilton JOHNSBURG PARISH FESTIVAL, Sunday, July 16. Outdoor Polka Mass at 10:30a.m., Blanck s chicken and dressing and Jim and Linda s beef tips dinner 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. $10 adults, $5 ages 5-10. Bob Kuether Band 10:30am-4:00pm, The Ricohettes 5:00-8:30 p.m. Raffles, crafts, golf putting contest, kids inflatables and play center, games for kids of all ages. Refreshments-brats-hamburgers are available all day. N9288 County Road W, Malone (Johnsburg). Information: 920-795-4021 or 920-286-2184-3 -
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