Beer, Brats, and Martin Luther. Sounds about right for Wisconsin.
Northeast Update - Early October 2017 
First, An Apology

Faithful reader Jerry Schrankler points out that the Knee Patch fundraiser mentioned in last month's  Update is held by Church of Peace in Fond du Lac, not Pilgrim UCC. My apologies for the error.

If memory serves, I once credited an educational series put on by Pilgrim to Church of Peace, so hopefully the score is evened out and my colleagues will not throw newsletters at me the next time we get together.

-Editor

Around the Association
Special Services


Blessing of the Animals Service
On Saturday, October 7, First Congregational Church of Oshkosh's Animal Ministries group will hold its fourth annual Blessing of the Animals Service. The service will be held in FCC's Fellowship Hall, beginning at 10 am. If you have a pet or pets, and would like them blessed for the role they play in your life, please bring them to this special service being held in honor of pets, and St. Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint of Animals and the Environment. 

All pets should be well-behaved, current on all vaccinations, and either leashed or otherwise contained in a carrier, pet crate, etc., depending on the type of pet you have. If for some reason you can't bring your pet, but want to attend the service and still have them blessed, feel free to bring a photo of them. 

We encourage you to let your friends and neighbors know about this event so that they can also participate. This year, like last, we're inviting working dogs from our community (K-9, service, and therapy) so they can receive a special blessing before they go out to do the very special, much-needed work that they each do in our community. 

Then, in keeping with the concept of animals and ethical eating, there will be a vegetarian/vegan potluck following worship on Sunday, Oct. 8. 

First Congregational, Oshkosh

Harvest Blessing
The Worship team will host a Harvest Blessing Sunday on October 15 featuring homemade soup, followed with making blankets for shelter pets. The team is requesting gourds and pumpkins to decorate the church.

Bethel, Ada


 

Christian Education/Faith Formation

Intergenerational Faith Formation 
Christian and Native Spirituality 
October 8th - 10:10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. 
Field Trip to Pilgrim Center/Green Lake 

Come Sunday schoolers of all ages, parents, grandparents, anyone interested in being together and growing in faith! Beginning in October, Church of Peace is starting a monthly series of intergenerational events designed to enhance our Christian education program, encourage spiritual development, and strengthen family ties. 

Our first event will focus on spirituality and the similarities between Christian faith and Native American traditions. We will feature our knowledgeable friend, Dwight Weiser-passionate educator in Indian archeology and anthropology-and his fascinating stories and artifacts. The Fond du Lac/Green Lake area has a rich history of Native American culture and spiritual development. Here, with the ancient, unique rock formations and water resources, people have felt close to our Creator, "the Wise One above." 

The day's activities will include: 
  • A great bus ride over to Pilgrim Center on Green Lake
  • Time to examine some of Dwight's ancient Indian artifacts and related charts
  • A closer look at Pilgrim's effigy mound (shaped like an animal, oriented east and west)
  • A picture and story presentation by Dwight about shared Native and Christian spirituality
  • Delicious food (including a tremendous salad bar) in Pilgrim's newly-updated dining hall
  • Engaging projects and activities for everyone
  • A multi-sensory worship experience in Pilgrim's lovely chapel (or, weather permitting, outside overlooking the lake)
  • A happy, sleepy bus ride back to church. 
  •  
Church of Peace, Fond du Lac

Jesus and Beer?
Our next meeting will be Tuesday, October 17 at 6:00 p.m. Bring your Bible or Bible App and join us at Titletown Brewery in Green Bay for BIBLE AND A BREW. We will gather to talk about our faith in a safe, non-judgmental setting. And, God knows, we need a safe place to talk in our current conversational climate.

A focus-topic will be provided, but you are encouraged (especially during our first meetings) to bring your questions and topic of interest.

We will meet at Titletown Brewery. Just ask the receptionist where you can find "Bible and a Brew" (or Rev. Bob's group). Feel free to order a meal or eat before you arrive. We will start at 6:00 p.m. and conclude around 7:30 p.m. . . . Join us any time and stay as long as you wish.

Oh . . . Remember you don't have to like beer or drink to be part of this unique group.

First, Green Bay

[Not actually sure if this should be filed under "Christian Ed" or "Fun"-Ed.]


 
Ministry 
 
CROP Walk Sunday is October 8th!  
CROP Hunger Walks are community-wide events sponsored by Church World Service and organized by local congregations or groups to raise funds to end hunger at home and around the world. Dave and Vicki Wagner are our CROP Walk reps for St. John's and will be available in the back of church if you are interested in picking up a donation envelope.

The CROP Walk day begins on Sunday, October 8th with all walkers turning in their donation envelopes to Dave Wagner at church that morning. For the walk we will meet at Our Shepherd UCC in Howards Grove at 12:00 pm. The Walk will begin at 12:30 pm and proceed on a route throughout the village.

via St. John's Schwarzwald

Peacemaking Collection
MCM churches will be collecting a special offering throughout October to support Peacemaking. Together the United Church of Christ and Presbyterian Church USA are committed to Christ's work of peacemaking. We understand peacemaking as something we need to do with our neighbors around us, as well globally. Our gifts to the "Peacemaking: Neighbors in Need and Global Witness Offering" will help to end suffering and violence, both here in our community and around the world. A portion of what we collect this month will be shared with the Manitowoc County Court- Appointed Special Advocates. The CASA program assures that children who are trapped in different forms of domestic conflict at home are cared for, given a voice, and protected. The rest of the offering will be given to our denominational peace and justice ministries, affecting positive change domestically and abroad. This month, we encourage you to think about how you can be a peacemaker through prayer, through action, and through giving.

Manitowoc Cooperative Ministry


Fundraisers 
 
Brat Fry
Fall is coming faster than we expected!! So, it's time to start planning the Ebenezer UCC Brat Fry. Heritage Orchard is hosting us again during the Rural Arts Tour on October 13, 14, and 15. We will again run from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.

The proceeds will be split into the areas of the church that the volunteers choose to represent. Watch for a sign-up sheet in the Narthex. 

This year our menu will include Johnsonville brats, Hickory Hills hamburgers, and a slice of pie from Heritage Orchard. Coffee and hot apple cider will also be available. If you are unable to help, please consider coming down for lunch or a piece of pie. Thank you again!

Ebenezer, Chilton

Fall Bazaar
Saturday October 14
Featuring: Granny's attic items, re-gifting table, plants, silent auction items and door prizes

Trinity, Shiocton

Ham Dinner and Mission Fest
October 15, 2017-10:00 a.m.

Worship Leader: Richard Bahnaman, Lakeshore Ecumenical Outreach, Manitowoc

Please join us in worship. A family style dinner and time of fellowship will follow from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Proceeds support Our Church's Wider Mission (OCWM).

Menu: Ham, German Potato Salad, Corn, Applesauce, Coleslaw, Dinner Rolls, Pumpkin & Apple Pie, Ice Cream Carryouts available.

St. James is located at 13312 Pioneer Rd. Newton, WI 

Cost: $10.00 adults, $5.00 for children 6-12

St. James, Cleveland

6-month Courage & Renewal Retreat Series
Are you committed to the work of spiritual formation for children and youth, but trying to sustain yourself in the midst of institutional tensions, relational expectations, and the internal pressure you feel to make a difference? Courage & Renewal for Faith Formation Leaders offers a rare opportunity to renew, reflect, and reconnect with what matters most to your vocation. The registration deadline has been extended until October 15, 2017. 


ESTHER Annual Banquet: "Voices for Justice"
Join us as we celebrate our 13th Anniversary!

Sunday, November 5th - 5:00 PM

Liberty Hall (800 Eisenhower Drive), Kimberly
We are very excited to have as our keynote speaker, Glenn Martin, President and Founder, JustLeadershipUSA. Martin is dedicated to reducing the US correctional population in half by 2030. He has received several national awards for his work and is a sought-after speaker and frequent media guest, appearing on national news outlets such as NPR, MSNBC, Fox News, CNN, Al Jazeera and CSPAN.

Join us for fellowship, a great silent auction, joyous music, a delicious meal, well deserved awards, and an altogether wonderful celebration.


Still Shifting After 500 Years!
Celebrate the Reformation on October 28!

It's not every day that we get to celebrate a shift as BIG as that of the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century. But this year we in Wisconsn join the rest of the Western world to recognize Martin Luther's hammering start of the Protestant movement five hundred years ago.

On Saturday, October 28, at the Trost Center, 4459 Gray Road in DeForest, the Wisconsin Conference of the United Church of Christ will sponsor two presentations from noted Reformation scholars, have lunch together, and hear from Wisconsin pilgrims who will have recently returned from Luther's Germany. Margaret Bendroth of the Congregational Library in Boston, and Lee Palmer Wandel of UW's history department will focus on the contemporary relevance of this half a millennium old shift that some have regarded as more revolution than reformation. The cost of lectures and lunch is $20, and registration can be made at www.wcucc.org . 

One More Thing
"Years ago, the Rev. Ruth Eller wrote, 'Once a year, strange creatures in quaint costumes pop into our lives. Sticking out their hands palm upward, or opening little sacks, they ask us to dig into our stores of goodies. And they threaten all kinds of nastiness if aren't forthcoming. I'm speaking, of course, about the fall stewardship campaign. Trick or treat.'"

via the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Fond du Lac  Chapter & Verse
About the Northeast Update: Published twice per month. Rev. Daniel Schultz, Editor  Mike Mathes, Assistant Editor

Digital Submissions can be sent to Rev. Schultz, or paper copies to 270 Laurel Lane, Fond du Lac WI 54935

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