Pastor’s Corner
Last Sunday we took a big step into the future when we approved a permanent relationship with St. John UCC for Shared Ministry. Prior to Sunday, we had been in a trial period with St. John to discern whether such a relationship could be sustained for a year. The leaders of both churches spent that year working through new challenges, spending many hours in prayer, and listening to comments from members of each church. Sunday, we said “Yes.”

This coming Sunday, St. John will vote upon the Shared Ministry covenant. They have worked through many similar challenges. I believe they will also vote to make the covenant permanent. A second vote is required of them, to vote to call me as their Settled Minister. The leaders of St. John have been in prayer over both questions for quite some time and will recommend a “Yes” vote to the members.

I am certain that with continued prayer, listening, and seeking God’s desires for both churches, we will come to a new generation of ministry in each church and community. I believe God has called us to this moment, a different moment than either church has experienced, for a new birth of ministry in a new time. Society views “the church” to be bigoted, homophobic, uneducated and out of step with the world. Sometimes our brothers and sisters reinforce this image when pastors live exorbitant lifestyles, and members protest funerals and add pain to the suffering of parents. We have an important task ahead of us, bringing the love of Jesus to a world increasingly unfamiliar with love freely given for all of God’s children.

May all of us be in prayer to learn how we may bring this love to each other and to the wider community.

Peace and Grace,
EUCC Ushering Schedule
Below is the upcoming ushering schedule; please note that the church office does not find a replacement, but we are happy to help you get in contact with possible subs! Please let the office know when any changes are made.

February:
February 3: Council
February 10: Sunday School
February 17: Glen & Rita Pingel, Kelly & Wayne Kress
February 24: James & Penni Gleason Family

March:
March 3: Council
March 10: Sunday School
March 17: Ken & Shirley Lisowe, Kelly Brown Family
March 24: Kristi & Ryan Schnell, Tiffany Porsche & Kurt Knoespel
March 31: Ralph Schmid, Mark Rusch, JoAnn Lakin, Karen Cmejla

If you have any questions about your ushering duties, click here for the instructions.
February Confirmation Readers
February 3: Gavin Tyson
February 10: No reader
February 17: Jaren Pingel
February 24: Alex Greuel
Coffee Hosts
Thank you, again, to our committees who are hosting coffee hour each month! Below is the schedule; please note that this should be a light snack to enjoy after church. 

February: Mission Committee
March: Council
April: Worship/Continuing Education Committee
May: Bell Choir
Mission Education News ...
The Mission Committee will be holding a Rummage Sale on Thursday, March 28 from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m., Friday, March 29 from 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., and a bag sale on Saturday, March 30 from 8:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m. Please bring your salable items to the Fellowship Hall starting on Sunday, March 24, or anytime earlier that week during office hours. Our room downstairs is full so we would appreciate it if you can wait until this time. Please no TVs. 

Do you enjoy helping people? The Mission Committee is looking for a couple new people that would like to join our committee. Please talk to Nan , Jeanne , Janet , Ruth or Karen if interested.

Thank you!
Notes from the Music Corner ...
We will look forward to having Michael Bratz offer special organ music on February 17. Anyone else interested in providing special vocal or instrumental selections for worship? Please let Pastor or Elaine know if you would like to share your talents!

Several weeks ago we sang " This Little Light of Mine."  There are two possible tunes in our hymnal, we sang the more ‘spirited’ version. It is always interesting to note the background of the hymn, written in the lower left corner of the hymnal page. The lower right corner lists the hymn tune, composer/arranger and year written. Please note that information gives more meaning to each hymn. 
Annual Meeting
Meeting Minutes: January 20, 2019
Opening: The 2019 Annual Meeting was called to order at 9:32 a.m. by President Kelly Brown. A 
Quorum of Congregation members was established. 

Approval of the Amended Agenda: Don Waldvogel made a motion to approve the agenda. Dale Hintz seconded. Motion carried. 

Church Covenant: Read in unison by the congregation. 

Prayer by Pastor Michael Safford-Kennedy 

Approval of the Amended 2018 Annual Meeting Minutes: A motion was made by Kari Meyers to approve the 2018 Annual meeting minutes. Karen Cmejla seconded. Motion carried. 
 
New Business: 
  • Appointment of Tellers: Kelly Brown appointed Ken Lisowe, Kurt Knoespel, Stephanie Adamietz and Don Pingel as tellers. 
  • Nomination and Election of new council members: Ken Lisowe, Zach Platner and Barbara DeKerf were nominated for a 3-year term on the church council. No other nominations were made. Ralph Schmid made a motion to close and accept the nominations. Vern Gasch seconded. The motion carried. 

2018 Financial reports: The 2018 financial reports were reviewed. Stephanie Adamietz made a motion to accept them. Kelly Kress seconded. The motion carried. 

Adoption of 2019 Budget: The proposed 2019 budget was reviewed. Stephanie Adamietz made a motion to accept and adopt the 2019 budget. Kelly Kress seconded. The motion carried. 

New lighting: Ken Lisowe presented the proposal from Mike's Electric to replace the lights throughout the church with LED lights. The estimated cost would be $3,015.57. It would be another $200 - $300 to add dimmer switches. Karen Cmejla made a motion to accept and approve the lighting upgrade with funds coming from the Memorial fund or donation. Dale Hintz seconded. The motion carried. 

Church Security: The proposal and quote from CEC security firm to upgrade the church’s security system was reviewed. Don Waldvogel made a motion to accept and approve the proposal with funding to come from the Memorial fund. Ralph Schmid seconded. The motion carried. 

Reports: Committee, Pastor and President reports were addressed and noted.

Shared Ministry: The proposal to the make the shared ministry between Ebenezer and St. John permanent was reviewed. Stephanie Adamietz made a motion to accept the permanent shared ministry between Ebenezer and St. John. Karen Cmejla seconded. The motion carried. 
 
Adjournment: Kurt Knoespel made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Don Sattler seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 10:22 a.m.  

Minutes submitted by: 

Colleen Marx
Ebenezer Church Council
Meeting Minutes: January 20, 2019
Opening: The meeting of the Ebenezer Church Council was called to order at 8:08 a.m. by Kelly Brown. The meeting was postponed for the church service at 8:45 a.m. The meeting resumed after the church service and annual meeting at 10:30 a.m.

Present: Kelly Brown, Pastor Mike, Colleen Marx, Kari Meyers, Vern Gasch and Dale Hintz

Absent: Jamie Plate and Andy Hofmeister

Approval of Agenda: Kari Meyers made a motion to approve the agenda. Colleen Marx seconded.

Approval of Minutes: The December 2018 meeting minutes were previously approved via email.

Treasurer's Report:
Our December revenue was $27,823.75. Our December expenditures were $25,615.08. The Equity as of December 31 st was $99,726.81. Our balance as of December 31 st was $343,686.17. Our stocks went up to $30,554.36. Dale Hintz made a motion to accept December financial report, Vern Gasch seconded. The motion carried. Dale Hintz made a motion to accept the January bill list, Vern Gasch seconded. The motion carried.

Minister’s Report: Attendance is 82 on average for a Sunday. Averaging $1,900.00 in weekly contributions. 

Committee Reports
  • Christian Education and Music: No new news.
  • Evangelism: No new news.
  • Mission: Rummage sale March 28, 29 and 30.
  • Property: There was a leak in fellowship hall. The roof was inspected by Security Luebke roofing. Repairs will be made if needed under the warranty.
  • Stewardship: No new news.
  • Membership: No new news.

Continuing Business:
  • Braille System Update: No new news.
  • Church Security: Security proposal to be discussed at Annual meeting.
  • Spanish Ministry: No new news.
  • Worship service recordings: Need a person to record Sunday service.

New Business: 
  • Shared ministry: Proposed call agreement was reviewed, and the council recommended to make the shared ministry between Ebenezer and St. Johns permanent.
  • New Church Council members Zach Platner, Ken Lisowe and Barbara DeKerf were welcomed.
  • Appointment of the new officers was completed. Kari Meyers was nominated and accepted the position of President. Vern Gasch was nominated and accepted the position of Treasurer. Colleen Marx was nominated and accepted the position of Vice President and Secretary.

**Next council meeting is on February 17, 2019, at 8:00 a.m.**

Adjournment: Kari Meyers made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Colleen Marx seconded. Meeting was adjourned at 10:36 a.m.

Minutes submitted by:

Colleen Marx 

Approved by: The Church council via email. 
Tod ~ Katy ~ Lorraine ~ Da’Nisha
Arlene ~ Larry ~ Vern ~ Laura
Pat ~ Rod ~ David ~ Gracie ~ Rebecca
Sue ~ Scott ~ Marlene ~ Jeff
Steve ~ Shelly ~ Alice ~ Pastor Susan
Terri ~ James ~ Janice ~ Edith

Due to privacy laws, last names cannot be printed on the prayer list because the Eagle goes on the church website which can be viewed by anyone on the Internet. 

If you want someone added or removed, please contact the church office . Thank you.
Building Use Form: If you would like to use Fellowship Hall, please fill out the Building Use Form and return it to the office. We require a completed form for all events in the Fellowship Hall that are not related to EUCC (if you are planning multiple events, i.e. a recurring meeting, you only need to fill the form out once.)

Newsletter Articles are due to the office on the 4th Tuesday of the month in February (unless posted otherwise); be sure to check the calendar for the month’s due date. Please also share any pictures for inclusion!

Weekly Bulletin Announcements are due to the office by Tuesday mornings.
Ebenezer Office Hours:
(Labor Day - Memorial Day)
Monday - Thursday 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
(920) 849-4331

Pastor's Ebenezer Hours:
Monday 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Tuesday 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Pastor's St. John Hours:
Monday 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Thursday 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
2111 Church St
New Holstein, WI 53061
(920) 898-4259
Pastor's Cell Phone: 920-286-1956

Please make sure to write a note on the pad on Sunday mornings if you need to communicate with the office. Pastor Mike is a little preoccupied on Sundays, so use this pad to assure these tasks are completed. Thank you!!!

Please schedule any appointments with Pastor Mike through the office .
Please note that if the Chilton Area School District is closed due to winter weather, EUCC office (and all scheduled activities) will follow. Should the weather prohibit Pastor Mike and/or Jackie to come into the office any other time, forcing the office to be closed, a note will be posted to the EUCC Facebook page informing members of this closure as soon as possible.
Penni Gleason: Feb 2
Diane Sattler: Feb 3
Tjark Sattler: Feb 4
Doris Propson: Feb 5
John Mattes: Feb 5
Bobby Van Beek: Feb 1
Kaleb Plate: Feb 15
Darren Sattler: Feb 15
Pirelli Payne: Feb 17
Terry Schenkus: Feb 21
Andy Hofmeister: Feb 21
Jase Porsche: Feb 21
JoAnn Lakin: Feb 21
Dyane Boese: Feb 26
Fred Kubichka: Feb 27
Tim Van Oss: Feb 27
Tanner Zwetow: Feb 29
Leah Zwetow: Feb 29

May God bless your years and may you continue to bless Ebenezer!
  • Handbell Practice: Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. Anyone is welcome to join; contact Jill Sippel at 920-418-1534 with questions!
  • The March/April Upper Room devotional guide is available in the Narthex book rack. Help yourself!
  • Appleton Visually Impaired Support Group: Learn how to live with vision loss from others who have been there. Discover different methods to accomplish those activities that are important to you. 
  • Become a Chilton ADRC Meal Site Volunteer; check the board for details!
  • Affinity Hospice could use your help; see the flyer on the board. 
  • The ADRC Lunch & Learn, “How Much Water DO We Need Daily” is being offered on February 4, 6 and 12. See the press release on the board for details. 
  • Bethlehem UCC (Kiel) Choir and Youth Fellowship will be hosting their Chili Supper on Wednesday, February 6, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. See the flyer on the board for details! 
  • On February 11, the American Red Cross will be conducting another Blood Drive at the Eagle Club from 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. See the board for details. 
  • The 18th Annual Holy Trinity Parish Perch Fry is on February 15. See the flyer on the board for details! 
  • Details for the “Face Time with Jesus” Women’s Day Event at Zion Lutheran Church (New Holstein) on March 9 have been posted to the bulletin board. 
  • Two upcoming events at Lakeland College have been posted to the bulletin board. 
  • The 21st Annual Women’s Breakaway is on Saturday, April 6, at Chilton High School. Registration begins on February 4 and is required.
Blessing Box Reminder
With the colder temperatures, please do not put anything in the Blessing Box that could freeze. Welcomed items include:
  • paper products
  • hygiene supplies
  • diapers
  • boxed meals
  • cereal
Thank you for taking the time to check the box to make sure it is stocked! I f you have any questions, contact the church office .
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The EUCC Calendar can be viewed online anytime at: https://churchtraconline.com/public_calendar?ui=FDBEB63