Hope UCC February Newsletter

8/7/2019 Hope UCC February Newsletter

1/15

Save the Date!3rd Annual

First BreakfastMarch 6, 2011 - 9 am in the

Fellowship Hall

Enjoy a yummy breakfastprovided by the MembershipCommittee and fun and

conversation with fellow Hopemembers. Well also welcome

Pastor Sue!

Free will donations will be accepted.

ThewindowHOPE UCC 150 NINTH AVENUE HIAWATHA IA 52233 VOL 11 NO 2 January

2011

New CouncilMembers Installed

On January 16, new councmembers were inducted.Reta Saylor will chairStewardship, Adrian Evans

takes over as CouncilPresident and BettyHohensee will chair

FriendshipNot

pictured, Regan Bloomquist who takes over as

Membership Enrichment chair. Thank you tooutgoing chairs for the work for the good ofHope.

Get a SUB Sandwich

And Support HopeYouth!

Order your Super Bowl Sub Sandwich fromAndrew or Kayla Buck by February 2! Thesedelicious and generous sandwiches will bebuilt by Hopes youth group during churchservices and be ready for you to pick up onSUPER BOWL SUNDAY, February 6!You can order by emailing

Kayla at [email protected] or

Andrew at [email protected].
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


2/15

From the Ministers Desk

SAYING GOODBYES

After 17 years in one place, moving on is daunting for both pastor and parish. So I reflected on our time

together and came up with a few insights.1. The church I came to in 1993 is not the church we have today. We have gone through both slow and excitingyears. We have tried many ways to stimulate mission and community. Some worked and others didnt. We kepworking at it and even the popular things will outlive their day. We are pilgrims in a strange land. We mustlisten to the silent voice of God and follow into uncharted lands. The journey is scary at times until weremember that we are following the word of God, directing us to new expressions of Good News. Change isGods middle name.2. Hope is one of the few churches in Iowa that is young and growing. We have grown in numbers and giving every year since my predecessors years; from 142 solid members in 1993 to 289 today, from $88,000 in

pledges in 93 to $105,000 today. My favorite talking point has been that the best years are still ahead of us.I think Hope agrees.3. Hope is ready for new leadership and is already lifting up new talent within its family to promote excitingnew directions. I am discovering how set in my ways I have become and I bow to our leaders and cheer themon. Trust them, they are wise in their young ways and will help Hope grow in spirit and mission.Iowa Conference Minister Rich Pleva recently prayed that all of us in Iowa would discover the ever-newfreedom of Christ. I end with a paraphrase of his prayer.

Guide us O God to embrace hope - even when despair seems more realistic. Guide us to love God and all of

humankind - even when God seems distant and humankind beyond all hope. Guide us to open ourselves tosomething new - maybe even the prospect of being made new ourselves - even when it seems we've alreadyseen it all or that the change necessary is in the other man or woman.Peace


3/15

Fill the Pews for Fritz in February

A great way to honor Fritz and his 17 years of service at Hope, is to come tochurch! Fritzs last sermon will be given on February 27th. If you havent beento church for a while, this is a wonderful time to come and catch up with oldfriends, make some new ones and give Fritz the gift of your presence at HopePlus, its a gift that doesnt cost you a thing!

Council Minutes for Hope UCCJanuary 18, 2011

Present: John Nus, Mary Nus, Betty Hohensee, Julie L, Adrian Evans, Joan Meier, KarlaGrauberger, Ruth Vial, Fritz Mellberg, Jim Wooldridge, Cathy Evers, Denise MineckCall to Order: Adrian EvansOpening Prayer: Fritz MellbergCommunity Building:Minutes from previous meeting: motion/2nd/approved by voteTreasurers Report: motion/2nd/approved by vote after discussionCommittee Reports: Building/Property: toilet in girls restroom replaced, water heater in new addition needs to belooked at/replaced. Snow removals for Dec. 24, 2010 do not pay. Could use a couple morepeople to help with mowing this summer.

Worship/Music: Christmas decorations are down, could have used a little more help. Gettingmusic set up for this year.

Membership Enrichment: Regan Bloomquist is new chair, have split out some of the jobs inthe committee so the chair doesnt have help. Mentoring group meets Jan. 20.Stewardship: meeting next month. Please remember your pledges and keep them up to

date.Christian Ed: attendance is very low, planning a friendship Feb. bring a friend and get a

prize. Will be making valentines cards to sell along with baked goods on Feb. 6 and 13. Theproceeds will go to the Heifer project.

Mission: donations for Christmas gifts for Harrison school and Home Instead went over verywell. Mission brochure is in the works. Financial Peace University started on Jan. 16 and wentwell.

Friendship: still deciding on how to spend money from silent auction. Plans are being madto do something for valentines.

Old Business: Scrip audit is being worked on; sign committee has a bid from Media Quest and had apresentation from the committee on this. Interim pastor has been hired, will sign contract at thMarch council meeting.

Pastors Report: Will be in LA in February for an award, had a baptism this month, Fritz and Gretchen have haopen houses for church members as he is retiring.

New Business:Michelle Grauberger is hoping to on a trip abroad this summer with People 2 People, and


4/15

needs to raise funds to go. She wants to do a parents night out on Feb. 11 and use the buildingthe council gave their approval on this.

A motion/2nd/approved by vote to donate $100.00 to Michelle to help assist her to go on thetrip with People 2 People. The president will draft a scholarship policy for future students.

Our secretary Susie Lucas is leaving us on Jan. 20. There was a motion/2nd/approved by voteto pay her for 7 days of holiday and 2 weeks of vacation for the year ending 2010 for a total of39 hours.

Will be moving our advertising to Yellow book instead of DEX as it is cheaper.

For the good of HopeClosing Prayer/Adjourn next meeting Feb. 15, 2011

Christmas Program 2010

A huge thank you to Music Director Emily Barnes for her leadership in the kids Christmaprogram that was presented December 19th. The kids had fun and the message wasmeaningful. Middle school students played instruments! Ben Mayer played saxophone,Kendra Thompson violin and Kate Nus played cello! It was a great way to start the

Christmas week!

Lindale Mall shoppers, Laura Nus,Madelynn Mayer and Grace Neumannbellyache about all the Christmasscrambling. (left)

Christmas Carolers Kate Cordes,Zayna Evans, Jacie Lehman, MyaGersema, Alexis Hill, Alana Hill,

Jessie Grauberger, Zayna Evans andMichael Grauberger spread the truemeaning of Christmas throughout

the neighborhood. (right)


5/15

Santa made a

surprise visitfollowing the

program with treatsfor all the kids!

Makayla Lehman sitswith Santa! (right)

Christian Ed.thanks Santa and

the elves for thegreat visit and wonderful treats!

Sunday School News

There are plenty of opportunities tobring snack for your Sunday school friendsthis spring. Parents, check the sheet on theChristian Ed bulletin board to sign up!

Below are our immediate needs. Contact

Order your Superbowl Sunday Subs from Andrewor Kayla Buck by February 2! Subs will be readyfor pick up on Super Bowl Sunday, February 6,

after church!

Proceeds benefit Hope Youth Group.

Friendship February

Hey kids, lets celebrateFriendship February!Bring aguest to Sunday school with youany Sunday in February, and bothyou and your guest receive aspecial prize! Something cool too,not something lame.

Attendance counts!Every time you come to Sundayschool from now until the end ofthe year, your name will beentered in a jar for drawings- adrawing at the end of each monthand a final drawing at the end of

the year! WIN SOME COOLSTUFF JUST BY COMING TOSUNDAY SCHOOL!And the more times you come toSunday school, the better yourchances of winning! If youhavent been to Sunday schoolfor a while, or have been comingevery week, now is the time to

join the fun every Sundaymorning at 9am!

Valentines Day Card Sales!

Valentines Day is Monday February 14th. Sundayschool students will be selling precious Valentinescards for $1 on February 6 and 13th before and after

church. Dont forget your sweet heart and friends!Honor them with a hand made card! Pick up sometreats while youre shopping for cards! There willbe baked goods available, too! Proceeds go to TheHeifer Project.

For your Calendar:

January 16-February 13 Students studying the story of Ruth

January 30- All students create Valentines Cards during Sundayschool Snacks-Lehman

Snack helper- Barb Adams

February 6- Snacks-NEED HELP!Snack helper- Hatcher

Valentines Card and bake sale before and afterchurch

February 13- Snacks- M. NusSnack Helper- NEED HELP!Valentines Cards and bake sale before and after

church

February 20- Begin Healing Miracles UnitSnacks-NeumannSnack Helper- AdamsChristian Ed meeting following worship

February 27- Snacks-February Birthday Celebration and prizedrawing

Middle School News

Middle School studentsdelivered gifts to residents oWestover Manor on thecoldest night of December!They will also help with

collecting offering and takingattendance during Sundayschool.The kids are working on ayearlong project having to dowith a plane and a banner.Ask one of the kids fordetails!

And if there is ever a break inthe activities, middle school

kids play a seriouslycompetitive game of Applesto A les - Bible Addition.


6/15

Technology UpdateIf you have information that you would like to have shared in the news section of thewebsite (hope-ucc.com), you can send it to Paul Nus at [email protected]. Most ofthe website stays the same, except the calendar and the news. Remember the website our formal face to the world.

Hope Church is on Facebook now! Which means you can post personal news and photo

on the Hope Church Facebook page. This is a terrific tool for us to stay connected.Facebook is where we can be a informal with discussions and photos and share personanews.

If you do not have a computer, and would like to see what all this computerstuff is about, sign up on the sheet in the narthex and well coordinate alearning/sharing time this spring. Dont be shy, any dog can learn a new trick

HOPE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST -MISSION COMMITTEEJanuary 10, 2011

The meeting was called to order at 7:15 pm by chairperson, Denise Mineck. Memberspresent were Lois Bennett, Irene Fay, Betty Hohensee, Denise Mineck and VaylaWaddington.

Denise opened the meeting with a thoughtful quote.

Agenda accepted.

December 2010 minutes were accepted.

CORRESPONDENCE: The committee received thank you notes from the following: Hom

Instead (Santa to a Senior); Harrison School (Christmas gifting and seasonal donations);and adopted daughter, Reynasul Sarne from the Philippines (financial help with hereducation). Also, thank you notes for donations given in the year 2010 were receivedfrom Four Oaks; Linn County Food Bank; One Great Hour of Sharing; Crop Walk; GreenSquare Meals and Willis Dady.

FINANCIAL: Checkbook balance as of January 9, 2011 is $2636.50

OLD BUSINESS: **There was good participation from the church congregation withChristmas giving projects: Santa to a Senior and Harrison School Families. All applicantwere gifted. **Fifth Sunday speaker for the month of January 2011 has been confirmed.

The topic will be Justice for Our Neighbors. **The Financial Peace University will bestarting on January 16, 2011. Childcare for those participating will be provided byChelsea Ludovissy. **The Mission Committee Brochure is still being planned withpublication at a later date.

NEW BUSINESS: ** Lois Bennett reported the following donations in the year 2010:(1). 151 Bags of food given to the Linn County Food Bank(2). 130 quilts made by the Monday Morning Quilters, given to the Linus Project,Waypoint and Camp Courageous

Closed with the Lords Prayer.Adjournment was at 8:30 pm.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


7/15

Next meeting will be February 14, 2011.

Vayla Waddington, Secretary

Womens FellowshipJanuary 2011 Minutes

We had 11 women in attendance for our fellowship on January 10th. The meeting beganwith a review of the 2010 Annual report. There were a few corrections that were notedAfter making the changes they were accepted as corrected.

Old Business: We received a Thank You note from Westover Manor for our help withtheir Christmas Lunch.

The Ministry Lunch will be served on February 22, 2011 from 11AM-1PM and we will beserving lunch for 15-20 pastors. Rhonda Kaczinski and Faye Cieslek volunteered to chathe committee. We will all pitch in to help serve the lunch (soup/sandwiches/dessert).

The Boutique is scheduled for April 30th with a Gardening theme. We are going to ordeflowers through Ellen Krause (hopefully) and will get 50 geranium pots and 15 pansybaskets. Rhonda will design the postcard. We will be baking pies and cinnamon rolls oApril 29th.

Respectfully submitted, Nancy Kotalik

Save these 2011 dates

February Womens Fellowship Meeting - February 7, at 7PM

Spring Boutique - Saturday, April 30th

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not beafraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be withyou wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

Middle schoolers call BINGO!

Kate Nus andKendra

Thompson callBINGO

numbers at theHiawatha Care

Center onSunday,


8/15

January 23rd.

Office News..SusieLucas worked her last day asHopes secretary on January 20.She was given a beautiful ficusplant to honor her six years ofservice to Hope Church.

Mary Nus will be Hopestemporary secretary. She is alsoa substitute teacher. She will

most weeks work the Tuesday-Thursday 9-noon hours.However if a sub opportunitycomes up on one of those days,she may work the Monday orFriday instead. Thank you foryour patience as details areworked out.

HOPEful Accolades

The Sunday school ChristmasProgram was excellent! Greatjob to the kids and theirDirector, Emily Barnes!

It is always wonderful to bewelcomed by so many warmand inviting smiles here atHope. Sarah Sherbon

I am so thankful for thegenerous spirit of the HopeFamily! Your gifts of time andsupport are appreciated!

Thank you Fritz, You havemarried 2 of my children,baptized all 6 of mygrandchildren, helped my familythrough my cancer. Thank you- IWILL MISS YOU! Nancy Lehman

If you have something great

Hope HappeningsKendal Meiers new volleyball team-Rapid Spikerswon the Nike 6 pack tournament at UNI lastweekend.

John Nuss sister, who had pneumonia last fall, isback to work at UNI and recuperating slowly. Thanksto everyone for the get-well prayers.

MERRY CHRISTMAS from South Texas!!! I want to

wish all of my HOPE CHURCH family a very happyholiday. I am in the 3rd week of rehab for thecompression fracture in my right shoulderowch!!!Making progress, but am very careful when I movethat armcause I know that it can really hurt if Imove it wrong. Getting mature is so much funBEST WISHES to all of you and HAPPY NEW YEAR!Joyce Barrington.

Amy Hatcher received the Summa Cum Laudemedal from UNI. That is graduating in the top 3% o

her class. She is now doing the substitute teacherroute, both in Hopkinsville and Clarksville schooldistricts; hoping for a permanent job this coming fal

Ann Bromley was featured with her physicaltherapist and surgeon in the winter publication of StLukes Hospital Healthbeat. She has beenparticipating in the St Luke's Cook Cancer WellnessProgram.

Norma Lange fell and broke her hip and is now atHiawatha Care Center for therapy.

Boneata Kautz is recovering at home from herheart spell.

Olivia Meier has accepted a full scholarship toUpper Iowa University to stuffy biology and playbasketball.

Mary Nuss paintings are displayed at the BlueStrawberry Coffee Company at 118 2nd Streetdowntown Cedar Rapids through February.

Margaret Debners daughter Jennifer met with he


9/15

to say about Hope Church, write it on a pink HOPEful Accolade sheet found ineach pew and place it in the offering plate. Or just call the office!

Adrian and his wife Amy married in 2000 and headed overseas for a teaching job. Aftertwo years there, daughter Zayna was born. Zayna is an Arabic name to honor whereAdrian & Amy were in their lives when they had her. After moving back to Iowa, theyexpanded their family after two more years and had Zoey. Three years ago, God blessetheir family with Alex who was adopted here in Iowa.

The Evans joined Hope in 2004. Adrian has served on Parish Relations (by the way, helooking for a replacement almost no meetings!!) In 2010, he chaired the stewardshipcommittee and was lucky to work with a fantastic group of Hope members he wasalways surprised by their energy and dedication to making Hope a better place. Lastweek, Adrian was installed as the new Council President. Hes looking forward to thechallenge, knowing full well that the energy and passion of Hope will drive us forward inour new direction. When Adrian was asked about goals for his presidential term:

In this term, we as a church are going to be undergoing some pretty big changes.We have Fritz retiring, a new interim minister coming in to help us work through

our feelings- both positive and negative and we need to understand that there aregoing to be positive and negative feelings! But we are also going to be looking tocall a new pastor, after about a year, so I am looking forward to facilitating that,building the search committee, creating our profile and looking to really keep Hopon the move. If I can accomplish one thing, it would be that I am able to keep ourenergy and focus aimed at the best future that we can create for ourselves.

Adrians favorite thing about Hope is the atmosphere of acceptance that is all around thchurch. People are always willing to help out but hes found that sometimes, we need ttake the initiative and look to involve ourselves, volunteering to join committees, helpwith Hog Wild Days, take care of snacks for the Sunday School groups among other

Meet February Member of the Month:

Adrian EvansAdrian grew up in Canada as a self describedArmy brat. His father was in the Canadian Armyand every two years the family would move frombase to base. Adrian lived in several locations inCanada and also spent 9 years in Germany. Hewent to 3 different high schools and received hisundergrad from Carleton University in Ottawa, histeaching degree from St. Andrews College inGlasgow Scotland and his Masters degree from

the University of Phoenix. Adrian has been ateacher for several years. Hes taught across theglobe in Cowes High School on the Isle of Wight just off of the coast of southern England, at theAmerican International School in Abu Dhabi- in theUnited Arab Emirates and at Cedar Rapids


10/15

examples. When we are willing to put ourselves out a little bit, Hope members reallyrespond and become even more accepting!

In between globetrotting and chasing after his kids, Adrian is a big sports fan, especiallyof hockey and soccer (which he also coaches). He also loves to read and Amy boughthim an e-reader in hopes hed stop spending so much money at used bookstores! If yodont already, get to know Adrian and his family!

Valentines Forever

The Friendship Committee is planning a reception for Valentines. Pastor Fritz will bedoing Renewal of Marriage Vows, as a group, following worship service on Sunday,February 13th. There will be refreshments in the Fellowship Hall following the ceremonyIf you dont want to take part in the Renewl of the Vows you can go to the Fellwoship Hafor coffee and well join you shortly.

We hope you will join us in Fellowship!

Your Friendship CommitteeChairperson-Betty Hohensee.

Mentoring Luncheon, February 21st

Members of the Mentoring Class of Winter 2010 will meet for noon to 11:45-12:30pm on Sunday, February 21st for lunch and fellowship. Members include:Emily &Jeremy Barnes, Paul &Andrea Nus, Steve Moretz &Jodi Kempel, AngieGuildford & Reed Thompson, Andrew & Kayla Buck, John & Mary Nus, Lee HowrenMargaret Debner, Mark & Jane Buck, Bob & Kathy Landers.


11/15

BAPTISM at HOPE

Makayla Lehman, born May 9, 2010 was baptized Sunday, January 23rd at Hope. She isthe daughter of Hope Members Mark and Angie Lehman, and granddaughter of Bill andNancy Lehman.

Two New High Chairs

for the FellowshipHall!

Chloe Gilbert, daughter of AmandaStrunk , granddaughter of Deb andGay Strunk and great-granddaughteof Zane and Delores Sharp, tries oneof the two new highchairs that weredonated to Hope! If you are under 4lbs, take a test sit in one!

Greeting From Hopes Interim, Pastor Sue Weier, who will beginMarch 7!

Hello friends and members of Hope UCC,

I have been asked to write a letter of introduction. I was born and raised in Iowa. I am a graduate o

the University of Northern Iowa. Then I attended seminary at Iliff School of Theology in Denver

Colorado. I came back to Iowa in 1983 to serve 3 churches in NE Iowa for 7 years and then one

church in NW Iowa for 3 years.

I am a trained intentional interim minister and I have served 7 churches in that capacity in Michigan

(1994-2007). It is a ministry I value and enjoy. I bring many skills to interim ministry. I am a non-

anxious presence. I am down to earth, direct, and accepting. I am loving and caring. I love God an

seek to serve God through a ministry of faithfulness.

An intentional interim ministry seeks to do away with the typical awkwardness and confusion during

this time of transition. It is a prime time for renewal. My goal during this transition time is to slow

those who want to rush the process and nudge those who are stuck. I have an open door policy.

That means I am open to talking with anyone about anything in the church. I will be setting office

hours (especially the first few months I am with you) that reflect a variety of times. I will have a day I

will be in the office in the morning, another in the afternoon, and I will try and have one evening that

will be available too. I hope you stop by and get acquainted.

Unlike a resident pastor, an interims agenda is to engage the congregation in the interim process an

tasks, not to start new programs or to simply go along with business as usual. I will be asking lots of


12/15

questions.

February will be a time for you to celebrate the ministry you have shared with Fritz. Saying a healthy

goodbye is as important as a welcome. I hope it is a month of remembering with love the times

shared, letting go of any misunderstandings, and having extra special experiences.

I look forward to joining you in ministry in March. I will write more for your next newsletter about the

process and what you can expect during this transition time.

In Christ,

Pastor Sue

Scrip Donations to Church Projects

Bob and Kathy Lander have shepherded the Scrip program since its beginning at Hope.Here is a list of the benefits it has brought to us. Buy Scrip every Sunday or call them tomake special orders.

Date Amount Purpose Notes

7/10/2001 $100.00 Hope UCC Building Fund

9/28/2001 $475.00 Transfer to General Fund ?

Total - 2001 $575.00

9/18/2002 $86.00 $25 Permit $61 Fence

Downpayment Legally required to rent to Daycare

10/10/2002 $549.00 D&N Fence

Total - 2002 $635.00

1/28/2003 $759.40 Christian Ed Computers

Total - 2003 $759.40

10/11/2004 $50.00 DVD player

Total - 2004 $50.00

6/2/2005 $545.17 Balance due on Copier half the cost

10/2/2005 $293.75 Balance due for Computer

Total - 2005 $838.92

6/17/2006 $139.00 Apple iMAC G3 400 Blueberry 31 (Computer)

9/10/2006 $25.00 Contribution - Westover Manor

Total - 2006 $164.00

3/25/2007 $1,122.37 Window Tinting to reduce chair and carpet fading

Total - 2007 $1,122.37

6/24/2009 $500.00 Website creation paid to Andy Reisdorph


13/15

Total - 2009 $500.00

1/22/2010 $156.34 Virus Protection Software

2/14/2010 $400.00 Dell computer for office

3/29/2010 $500.00 narthex chairs

7/26/2010 $900.00 2 window air conditioners for daycare

9/7/2010 $200.00 Basketball Hoop

Total - 2010 $2,156.34

Grand Total $6,801.03

Parents Night Out

A Fundraiser for Michelle GraubergersPeople to People trip to Europe

As a fundraiser for my People to People trip to Europe, I will be holding aParents Night Out babysitting party on February 11th from 6-11 PM. This will beled by myself, my family, and volunteers that I am lining up. Children will beserved pizza for supper, and a snack during the night. A variety of activities willbe planned to entertain the children, which will depend on the number of children

the number of volunteers, and the ages of the children. There will be no morethan five children per volunteer, with a maximum of forty children total. The coswill be $10 per child for the first two children, and $5 for each additional childfrom a family. If you have questions, please leave a message at (319)373-7529 ocall Karla Grauberger at (319)981-1270 Please fill out the form below, and returnit to the Hope Church office by Tuesday, February 8th.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Name ___________________________ Age_____

Parent Name_____________________ Number______________

Food/Other Allergies_____________________________________

Pizza Flavor Preferred: Cheese Pepperoni Sausage


14/15

Anything we should know about your child?_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________**Please write information for additional children on the back of this sheet*****If your child may fall asleep, please bring a pillow and blanket/sleeping bag***

FEBRUARY 2011 Duty ScheduleDate Liturgist Friendship Nursery

ScripFeb 6 G. Sohl Cieslek Evers

Krause

Feb 13 J. Meier Wittwer BloomquistSaylor

Feb 20 Neumann Toomsen KlimaLander

Feb 27 M. Urbanowski R. Vial Cordes KrauseHead Usher: Erika Zanka

Communion Leader: Kotalik

Ushers: Willhite, Frederick, Kotalik, Mineck, Saylor, Heckroth, Wooldridge

Greeters: Sohl, Hasler, Guilford, R. Thompson

___________________________________

NON-PROFIT GANIZATIONUS POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 5


15/15

HIAWATHA, IOWA 52233-1710

THE WINDOWVol. 1No. 2HOPE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST150 9th AvenueHIAWATHA, IOWA 52233-1710Office Phone (319) 393-2400Fredrich Mellberg, MinisterHome- 363-6577Worship 10:30 AMEmail: [email protected]: http://www.hope-ucc.comADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
mailto:[email protected]://www.hope-ucc.com/mailto:[email protected]://www.hope-ucc.com/

Documents

Hope UCC February Newsletter