God is Still

Speaking...

Brookings United Church of Christ

WWW.BROOKINGSUCC.ORG

Brookingsucc@brookings.net

605 697 2882

Rev. Wade Schemmel

Pastor

Email:

buccpastor@swiftel.net

Office Phone:

605-697-2882

Cell Phone:

701-934-2051

As I look at it. . .

“Whoever

you are,

wherever

you are on

life’s jour-

ney, you

are wel-

come here”

Issue 11 NOVEMBER 2015

NOVEMBER

2015

828 8th Street South

Brookings, SD 57006

Brookingsucc.org

605.697.2882

828 8th St. South

Brookings, SD 57006

ISSUE

11

November is a month when God so truly blesses us. In November the people

of Brookings United Church of Christ are blessed with many opportunities to reach out and touch another with the hope saturated grace of our Re-

deemer. The blessing is that God enables us to change a life. Through our simple activities miracles can happen. Brothers and sisters in the divine family that are finding life over whelming suddenly find hope and a new

reason to embrace tomorrow. The miracle is shared is the most inconspicuous manner. It is not accompa-

nied with clap of thunder, or a bolt of lightning or the sound of a mighty rushing wind. The miracle can come in a myriad of forms. It can be hidden

in a bowl of soup or a bag of food sent home with a child or Thanksgiving dinner shared with loved ones. It can be expressed in a smile, an under-standing ear that listens or a piece of handicraft that catches another’s eye.

In these simple acts God hides the restorative miracle of new life. We are enabled to share that miraculous gift, God is great.

The sharing of that gift comes at a cost. As your pastor I am grateful for all the energy and time I see so many of our congregation putting forth. I am

grateful for bowls that were made, decorations that were prepared and placed, and tables that were put in place, meals that were prepared, tables that were picked up (and returned) and hundreds of other jobs that were

done. I know that these tasks were not small and they came at a cost. For some of you that cost ended up in a doctor’s office, and for that I am truly

sorry. I can only hope you got your pay back in knowing that you have made a difference, you have been a carrier of God’s healing grace. Please know that you have been part of a miracle.

Just think of it, that is just November. There are eleven more months for God to work the subtle miracles of new life through us. May we continue to

deliver God’s gracious touch to brothers and sisters in the human family? May we realize that as we are sharing we are also receiving the very grace

that touches another, and may that grace bring to us the new life we are privileged to share with another?

Namaste, Wade

Stewardship Sunday:

November 15th, 2015

The third Sunday of November is very important for several reasons. First it is the Sunday when we dedicate the food items that have collected in the food carts. That food will go to help needy families at a critical time in their life. But the second thing that will happen on that Sunday is that we will be receiving the pledge cards of the congregation. November 15th is stewardship Sunday, the Sunday when we receive your pledge cards. Your generosity makes possible all that this church is and does throughout the year. I am asking that you again generously commit your support to the future life of this congregation. The reality is that nobody other than you can make it happen. Cards will be handed out that Sunday morning along with the bulletin. If any have ques-tions please contact the church office.

A Thank You ~

To the Community…

On behalf of the United Church of Christ, Brookings, I want to say “Thank You” to the community for your support of our 12th annual

Empty Bowl Event which was held in our church building No-vember 2nd. Thanks to your support, in so many ways, we will be able to write some very nice checks to some very deserving community programs. We nearly met our goal for funds raised including ticket sales and donations. We are in a good place and look forward to completing this project. We also look forward to inviting you next year to the 13th annual Empty Bowl.

Volunteers Needed: Setup

Food prep Desserts Salads

Break down *Please look at the sign up sheet on the table in back of church to volunteer, or contact Christina

Wiemer @ 695-7092

Local businesses, churches, schools, individuals, and com-munity organizations generously supported “Project Joy” by contributing toys, gift cards, clothes, and monetary donations which enabled them to fill up a store for Holiday shopping. 2

years ago, they provided gifts for over 600 children in Brook-ings County.

Let’s support this local project and be creative in our meth-ods of fund raising and collecting toys for local children dur-

ing this holiday season! They accept gifts for children of all ages, especially 13 to 18 years of age. Your donations are tax

deductible and they provide you with a receipt if needed if you donate directly to Brookings Radio.

You can bring your gift and leave it here for your convenience and the last drop off deadline is December 9th. The store opens for families December 12th and 13th. They are committed to bringing smiles and joy to those families and

children in need! For more info please grab a flyer on the front table. Happy Holidays!

Moderator’s Report NOVEMBER 2015

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Adult Study 9

Worship 10 Fellowship 11

2 EMPTY BOWLS 6 pm

3

4 Bible Study 11:30-1 pm Confirma-

tion Mtg. 6 pm

5 Faithful Crafters 2 pm Yoga

5:30 pm

6CMU~

World Comm.

Day 2 pm

7

8 Adult Study 9

Worship 10

Fellowship 11

Communion

9

10

11 Bible Study 11:30-1 pm Confirma-tion Mtg. 6 pm

12 Faithful Crafters 2 pm Yoga

5:30 pm

Blood Drive

12-6 pm

13

14

Craft & Bake Sale 9-4 pm

15 Adult Study 9

Worship 10 Fellowship 11

Steward-ship Sunday

16

17

Council Mtg.

5:30 pm

18 Bible Study 11:30-1 pm Confirma-tion Mtg. 6 pm

19 Yoga

5:30 pm

Night Out

5:30 pm

20

21

Birthday Breakfast 10 am Perkins

22 Adult Study 9

Worship 10

Fellowship 11

23

24

25 Bible Study 11:30-1 pm Confirma-

tion Mtg. 6 pm

26 Thanks-giving Dinner 11-1 pm

27

28

29 Adult Study 9

Worship 10

Fellowship 11

30

November is here already; this year time has flown by and we are entering a month where are church has many activities. Starting off the month is the Empty Bowls, then the Craft and Bake Sale and ending with Thanksgiving Dinner. For a small congregational church we have a lot of energy and com-mitted individuals who make all these events happen with success. Whether you are the leader of the committee planning these events or directing the traffic, baking baked goods or doing the dishes after Thanksgiving Dinner I want to Thank You personally and from the church. If you want to help in any of these activities don’t hesitate to call the office and leave a message. The next council meeting is on November 17th at 6:15 PM, everyone is wel-

comed and if you have anything you want me to bring to the council’s atten-tion please contact me. Contact information: Home: 605-693-4220 Cell: 605-690-2820 Email: kprunty@itctel.com

NOTES FROM THE OCTOBER CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING

State Housing Research and Development officer Lisa Bondy will be

invited to the next council meeting to talk about resources to address

the homeless problem in Brookings.

Planning is underway for the Thanksgiving dinner. Many volunteers

will be needed to assist with preparation, serving, and cleanup.

Kathy Apland has agreed to help with Sunday School. The curriculum

will be changed to better meet the needs of the current Sunday School

students.

The youth group plans to help with the Thanksgiving meal and partic-

ipate in the Hunger Banquet and Common Read event.

Cleaning of the sanctuary carpet is scheduled for November 3rd.

World Community Day is at 2 p.m. on November 6th at the Presbyteri-

an church.

Determination of which Council offices will need to be filled at the next

annual meeting will be discussed at the November Council meeting.

Ruby Wilson, BUCC Council Secretary

By: Kristi Prunty Moderator

217 4TH Street

BROOKINGS, SD 57006

605.692.5007

IMMEDIATE NEEDS:

Crackers Canned Fruit

Carrots (canned)

Cereal

Spag. Sauce

Egg Noodles

Refried Beans

Instant Oatmeal

Tomato Sauce

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 communi-

ty looking for good food and fellowship! If you

have questions, contact Vonda Kirkham, Harvest

Table Director, 692 4345.

FEEDING

BROOKINGS

Bags of food are distributed

every Thursday from 4:00—5:00 p.m. at the

Ascension Lutheran Church

2030 3rd Street 692-6565

October food item of the month:

Hearty Soups

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, cere-

al, 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.

Pantry is open:

Monday, Wednesday & Friday

1:00 - 4:30pm

Celebrate!Birthdays in

November

January July

Stuart & Melissa Apland

Kathy Apland

Jihong Cole-Dai

Steve & Kristi Prunty

Dennis & Darlene Dokken

February August

Chris & Sue Hay

Clarence & Darlene Bauer

Kyle & Tiffany Eide

Larry Rogers & Ruth Harper

Matt Chang & Brandy Donaldson

March September

Chad & Laura Gloege

Susan Helvig

Dave & Julie Huebner

Christina & Justin Wiemer

Shanta Messerli

If anyone has any concerns or possible conflicts,

Please contact the church office 605.697.2882

Or at brookingsucc@brookings.net. Thank You!

Ministry Teams 2015

April October

Jim & Joanne Satterlee

Leonard & Norita Henneman

Don & Nancy Marshall

Scott Meyer & Taylor Mertz

Steve & Jean Chappell

May November

Jim & Ruby Wilson

Helen Anderson

Brenda & Carl Kline

Doug & Mary Ward

Raul & Marisol Galvan-Murillo

June December

Tom & Susan Rosen

Loye Holmes

Randy & Marlene DeBoer

Wade & Peg Schemmel

Linda Langner

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 Pan-

try” and “The Harvest Table”. There are receptacles and carts to receive

each of these offerings. That food will be dedicated each 3rd Sunday and will

be distributed shortly after that. Help us to have nice full bins to share and

dedicate.

2 Chris Hay

8 Kali Ward

9 Torie Dokken

21 Lily May Chang

24 Shanta Messerli

27 Isla Hay

28 Doug Ward

30 Myrna Huebner

ANNIVERSARIES

IN NOVEMBER … 26 Rod and Dona Steele

Upcoming Events in November

Red Cross Blood Drive

November 12th ~ 12-6 pm @ BUCC

Please call church office for more info

about the blood drive.

Bible Study will take place on

Wednesday mornings at 11:30– 1pm

November 4, 11, 18, 25 this month.

Please join us!

FAITHFUL CRAFTERS

group will be meeting

November 12th at 2 pm, and the

Craft Sale is on the 14th from

9 to 4 pm. Please Join Us!

All are welcome!

Introductory

Yoga Classes:

There has been a schedule change

from Monday’s at noon to Thurs-

days at 5:30 pm at the BUCC

church. The classes will be an op-

portunity for all that are interested

experiencing the physical and spir-

itual gifts of yoga.

ALL ARE INVITED!

BUCC Council

Meeting

November 17th

5:30 pm Potluck

6:15 pm Meeting

“BUCC Night Out”

November 19th, 2015

@ 5:30 pm

We will be sharing the sacrament of Holy

Communion on Sunday, November 8th @ 10

am. All are invited to come and share in this

very special time as we gather about the table

that our Redeemer has set. Please Join us!

Thanksgiving

Dinner

November 26th

11-1 pm

It’s a free meal and donations are welcome. Please join us for great food

and fellowship!

Birthday Brunch

November 21st

Perkins~10 am

All are welcome to join us

in this time of good fellow-

ship and good food!

Adult Study Group that has

been meeting at 9:00 on Sunday

mornings has begun a study of

K a t h l e e n N o r r i s ’ s b o o k

“Amazing Grace”. If any have

interest in joining the group you

are welcome to join us!

World Community Day ~ 2015

Church Women United will celebrate World Community Day on

November 6th, 2015 at the First Presbyterian Church, 405 7

th Ave-

nue, Brookings, SD at 2:00 pm. Our 2015 theme focus is bringing

Christian women together from different cultural backgrounds to

share stories from their Christian journey. The goal of this worship

is to unite the faith community in a time of praise and worship that

demonstrates Christ’s reconciling love to the community the coun-

try, and the world. An offering will be taken to help support the

Church Women United National Movement. All Christian men

and women are invited to come to this celebration!

Interfaith Meeting

@ Islamic Center 6:30 pm

Confirmation Meetings

Wednesday Evenings

6 pm

2nd

Annual

“KOINONIA”*

CRAFT AND BAKE SALE

WITH A QUILT RAFFLE of

two handmade quilts

NOVEMBER 14th, 2015

9:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m.

United Church of Christ-Brookings

828 8th Street South

Brookings, South Dakota

Lunch will be provided for purchase during the sale.

Proceeds from the sale will be for the Child Protection Services of Brook-

ings, and other youth services for the community of the Brookings area.

ALL ARE WELCOME AND INVITED TO COME AND JOIN IN SUP-

PORTING THE YOUTH IN OUR COMMUNITY.

*’Koinonia’ means community -- common unity and of purpose. What is shared, received or given, becomes the common

ground through which Koinonia becomes real.

The 12th Annual Empty Bowls

Soup Supper was a success! This year

had an Hispanic Theme. Guest speaker

Dr. Fred Kirschenmann did an amazing

speech on sustainability in Agriculture.

The decorations were beautiful and the

music was fantastic! We nearly met our

goal including ticket sales and donations.

The local groups receiving donations from

the event are: Brookings Back Pack Pro-

ject, Brookings County Food Pantry, Feed-

ing Brookings, Harvest Table, and the

BUCC Helping Hands Fund. There were

approx. 110 people in attendance and a

variety of soups were offered. Beef barley,

chicken tortilla, and Lentil soups were pre-

pared and served by the SDSU Dietetics

and Health Club. Apple crisp and SDSU

ice cream were served for dessert.

Check out our adorable Empty

Bowl Greeters, Raul Jr. and his

little sister Olivia!

Music by: Terrillo and the Jaristas