St. John United Church of Christ 
God is still speaking 
November Herald
Pastor's Corner
November is Thanksgiving month. As we prepare for Thanksgiving Day we look forward with anticipation to Advent and Christmas. We picture days and nights of peaceful snowfalls, moonlight glistening on the snow, and children running, laughing and playing in the snow. We also spend some of the time looking back over the year wondering where it went. It sometimes seems we are so busy looking forward we never get the chance to look back to see where we’ve been.

This month, take time to remember those people who have been a blessing to you. Tell them they have been a blessing. Thank God for them and then thank them face-to-face if you can. If distance keeps you apart then jot them a note (not an e-mail, write a note so they see your handwriting). Thank God for all the blessings you have received through the year.
 
For some of you this has been another difficult year: COVID-19, the death of family members, loss of a job, estrangement from adult children, diminishing health, increasing stress, and wondering if God is punishing you or has forgotten about you. If I may take a metaphor and literalize it for a moment: God is my rock and refuge. If I am standing next to my rock and fog rolls in so thick that I cannot see the rock, does this mean my rock has abandoned me? Of course not. As time moves forward the fog lifts and my rock has remained steadfast, unmoved by the fog. God remains by your side during these difficult months.

Take time this month to sit and remember. Mourn and rejoice. Offer praise to God who gives us all good things.

Happy Thanksgiving,
Being a Warm and Friendly Worshiper
The first impression a visitor has when they walk into church on Sunday morning is the most important impression they will have the entire morning. Did they see a smiling face as they entered the church? Did someone come over and greet them and say, “Welcome to St. John, we are so happy to have you with us today?” Did someone show them where the restrooms are located, the sanctuary and the church office? Did someone invite them to stay after for a time of fellowship?
 
These are simple gestures that say much about the church. Are we really friendly and welcoming or do we just think we are such? As we seek to continue growing, we need to become intentional about greeting people and making them feel welcome.
 
What do you do if someone new sits next to you in the pew? Extend a welcome. Tell the visitor your name. Let them know a little about the service. If they have a child, please tell them the child is welcome to participate during the Children’s Time.
 
Perhaps the scariest thing for people is what to do if they aren’t sure if the person they are approaching is a member. What I do is say, “I’m sorry, you look familiar but I simply can’t remember your name.” It is rare that a person will be offended if you offer an apology as you greet someone.
 
These are a few easy steps to make our church even more friendly and welcoming. Please practice this next Sunday. You’ll be surprised how easy it is and how many conversations you’ll begin.
 
Peace,
Security Ministry
Since the start of open enrollment last month for Medicare health insurance plans, there have been reports of scammers trying to steal your personal information. The following provides a few tips to prevent scammers from gaining your personal information.
 
  • Medicare does not phone you to enroll in plans or additional coverage. If a caller states they are from Medicare, this is a scam.
  • Medicare Part D prescription drug plan is optional. If you are told that you will lose your Medicare coverage if you do not sign up for the plan, this is a scam.
  • Medicare staff will never cold call you and they cannot ask for a payment or send an email asking you to do so.

It is extremely important to never give out your Medicare number and banking information or Social Security number unless the person is a verified, and trusted individual.
 
If you have questions about your plan, contact your trusted insurance representative or the Medicare hotline at 800-633-4227.
 
November 7th marks the date Daylight Saving Time ends. As we set our clocks back one hour, it is the perfect time to check our battery-operated smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace the batteries with new ones.
 
Stay safe everyone and as always; “If you see something, say something.”

Jim Sommers
 
 
A Special Thank You from Pastor...

I thank many different people and groups for their efforts to make the start of the church school year a smooth transition from the lazy days of summer.

  • Christian Education: the classes have been flawless, the kids energetic and the teachers out of this world.

  • Bell Choir: Thanks to all in the Bell Choir for the music offered during worship. Your seemingly easy offerings to the church add a time of centering to all in attendance.

  • Chancel Choir: The first offering of the Chancel Choir at St. John will be October 31. I am looking forward to hearing the wonderful voices offering blessings to everyone and to God. I am excited the day is almost upon us.
Sunday School News

Our Sunday school children have been working very hard on their projects, please take time to look and them. We have also done a pretty good amount of cleaning in the Sunday School area and there will be a fresh new look in the weeks ahead. Thank you to our new teachers for all the work they have done.

Sunday School is also running a Thanksgiving Food Drive that will collect items specifically for Thanksgiving Dinner to donate to the New Holstein Food Pantry. The kids will be packaging the items up for the donations. The donations will be accepted until November 14th.
Confirmation News

Confirmation has returned to the calendar. We have five young men at Ebenezer, all in their second, and final year, of Confirmation. We have three young women from St. John, two of which are new students and one that is beginning her second year. This year we are looking into the New Testament.
 
The classes are combined and meeting at Ebenezer at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. As the year progresses, we will look at shifting the meeting place to St. John. Since we are meeting in person, I will be monitoring the COVID-19 numbers each week. 
Wired Word- Bible Study

Wired Word has resumed with some big topics that have drawn many great discussions. We meet Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. in Chilton and Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. in New Holstein. Everyone is welcome to attend, join the discussion, or just simply sit and watch to get a feel for what we do in the class.
Chancel Choir is Back!!

We started rehearsals on Wednesday, October 13th and will continue at our regular time – 6:30 p.m.. 

All our former members will be back with the exception of Laurie Jandrey – alto, who is now retired and travelling in the new RV that she and her husband have purchased. We wish them safe travels and much happiness in retirement.

For now, we will be singing once per month. We are scheduled for October 31st and November 21st. It is likely to change once we get closer to the Holidays.

As always, we encourage and welcome new members at any time. If you are interested in singing with us, you may come to any rehearsal and simply observe, or join in. You are under no obligation to sing for a service until you feel ready.

Linda Hau, Director
920-242-998
Herald Information

Please have your Herald Articles in to the church office by November 22. We appreciate your help on this!!
Annual Report Articles

We are going to be starting to put together the Annual Report in the middle of November. Please start to send the information into the office as soon as possible. We would like to start seeing them start to come in around the same time as the Herald which is due November 22nd.
Women's Fellowship

The Women’s Fellowship is conducting their annual food drive until November 14. Please bring your unexpired, non-perishable food items or personal care items with you to church and leave them on the table in the narthex. Cash donations are also welcome. All donations will be given to the Salvation Army Bread of Life Assistance Center in Chilton.  
 
Hebrews 13:16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
Neighbors in Need News

Thank you to everyone who was able to donate to this wonderful cause! St. John earned a total of $305 for the Neighbors in Need Program.
Darlene and Kenneth Draheim 11/2
Neil and Cheryl Streblow 11/5
Roland and Katherine Thede 11/12


A special thank you to Pearl Schmidt for sponsoring the Herald!
Adult
David Jochimsen 11/5
Pearl Schmidt 11/5
Karen Plagemann 11/8
Carly Reif 11/11
Michael Freund 11/14
Jeanette Wagner 11/14
Luella Bender 11/16
Wendy Boll 11/20
Dale Winkler 11/21
Dana Klotz 11/23
Susan Hawk 11/24
Bonnie Kind 11/24
Natalie Cady 11/26
Richard Koslowski Jr. 11/28
Tammy Schisel 11/29

Child
Chloe Desombre 11/14
Reading Schedule
The reading schedule for this month is listed below. If you need to make any changes, please let Pastor Mike or the office know.

November:
November 7: Pastor Mike
November 14: Kayah
November 21: Pastor Mike
November 28: Jadeyn

December:
December 5: Pastor Mike
September Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, September 14, 2021, at 6:15p
Attendees: Kelly Sippel, Wendy Boll, Pastor Mike, and Mike Kovach

Non-attending: Michelle Krause, and Brian Kolb.

Kelly called the meeting to order.

An opening prayer was said by Pastor Mike.

Secretaries Report: It was done on-line to accept the secretary’s report. Mike made a motion to accept the report, Kelly second, motion carried.

Treasurers Report: The beginning balance was $986.32; the ending balance was $1,692.65. Wendy made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report, Mike second, motion carried.
 
Current Committees
Pastor Parish: Pastor is thinking he will be gone on October 10th. We do have funding for a pastor to fill in just in case he would want a Sunday off.
Outreach: Off for this month.

Buildings and Grounds: 
  • We still need to replace some lights outside by the exit doors and going down the steps towards the west parking lot. There is still money in the Improvement fund that can be used for that. We also need some changed lights on the southeast side of church. We will get a quote from Optimum Electric.
  • A vent was capped, and we no longer have any leaks.

Publicity and Stewardship: nothing

Worship: The elements, normal and enclosed seem to be working.

Sunday school: Plans are on schedule.

Security: Jim Sommers is keeping us updated on security issues, and we thank him for doing that.

Pastor’s report: The following is a brief synopsis of my activities during mid-August through mid-September 2021.
 
Teaching Ministries:
  • The Wired Word resumes tomorrow morning.
  • Confirmation class begins tomorrow evening.

Stewardship Ministries

Attendance: We averaged twenty people this past month.

Mission Ministries
  • Baptisms: None
  • Communion: Once
  • Correspondence: Numerous phone calls/e-mails, newsletter articles
  • Counseling: None
  • Funerals: One
  • Contacts: None
  • Meetings: Two
  • Northeast Assoc.: None
  • Prayer: Daily personal prayer and devotions, prayer before and during
  • Daily activities.
  • Preaching: Preached 4 times.
  • Weddings: None
  • Vacation: 4 days (12 days remaining)
  • I will be taking 4 days of vacation, Oct. 11 – 14.

Sick Leave: 0 days (10 days remaining)

Personal Leave: 0 days (6 days remaining)

Old Business: 
  • The Constitution and By-laws will be reviewed and brought up at our next council meeting.
 
New Business: 
  • We discussed about what would happen if Pastor Mike tested positive for Covid. 
  • Nikki would like us to look at purchasing a web product called Constant Contact. It is a software program that would help us stay connected with all the committees. Ebenezer is currently using the software. The cost is $20.00 per month.
 
Kelly made a motion made a motion to adjourn, Mike second, motion carried.
 
We closed with The Lord’s Prayer.
 
Next meeting is Sunday October 10th at 10:45.
ST. JOHN UCC COUNCIL MEMBERS
Kelly Sippel 920-418-2534 (2-year term starting 2021) 
President of the Congregation & Council and Liaison to Memorial, Pastor Parish, Security and Outreach Committees 
 
Michelle Krause 920-418-4899 (2-year term starting 2020 
Vice President of the Council and Liaison Christian Education Committee 
 
Wendy Boll 920-910-0314 (2-year term starting 2020) 
Secretary of the Council and Liaison to the Publicity and Stewardship Committee 

Brian Kolb 920-898-5807 cell 920-470-5748 (2-year term starting 2021) 
Treasurer of the Council  
 
Mike Kovach 920-483-0406 (2-year term starting 2021)  
Liaison Building & Grounds Committee 
 
ST. JOHN UCC STAFF 
Church phone 920-898-4259 
Facebook - stjohnucc. nh 
 
Pastor Rev. Michael Safford-Kennedy 
sjuccpastor@outlook.com cell 920-286-1956 
 
Office Administrator - Nikki Equitz 920-898-4259  
sjucc.desk@outlook.com cell 920-666-5973 
 
Financial Secretary & Treasurer 
Kathy Kovach 920-522-3380  
 
Director of Security Ministry – Jim Sommers 920-894-2350 cell 920-215-2520 
 
Indoor Custodian- Mike Kovach 920-483-0406 
 
Outdoor Custodian – Kelly Sippel 920-418-2534 
 
Choir Director – Linda Hau 920-242-9982 
 
Organist – Penny Geiger 920-827-2087 
 
Bell Choir – Jill Sippel   920 418-1534 
 
Sunday School Superintendents 
Michelle Krause 920-418-4899 
Jenna Bratz 920-418-2049 
 
Quilting 
Sue Hawk 920-286-6094   
 
Women’s Fellowship President 
Bonnie Lau 920-898-5265 

Prayer Chain  
Ruth Larsen 920-898-1704 
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St. John United Church of Christ
2111 Church
New Holstein, WI 53061