Welcome to Swiss United Church of Christ!
Read a copy of our monthly newsletter:
The Spire
Search Team Formed!
Our Search Team has been formed and will move quickly into the search for a Senior Pastor. The work completed by the Northstar Consulting Group along with the guidance of the Transition Team and the "Congregational Conversations" will serve the search process well. Thanks go out too all who joined in our special sunday conversations over the past several months. (To follow our search process, please visit "Senior Pastor Search" under the "About Us" tab.)
Questions and concerns while we are in "search mode" can be addressed to any member of the team:
Melodie Ace - Co-chair
Barb Anderson - Secretary
Kim Bright
Christine Craven - Co-chair
Colleen Hoesly
Amy Legler
Linda Marquart
Steve Olcott
Kris Penniston
Brendan Pittman
Fran Zimmerman
Third "Conversation" Completed
Congregational Conversation #3 - "Dreams for the Future"
Our third "conversation" as a church centered on dreams we have for the future of United Church of Christ. During our time together at the New Glarus Home service, the group came up with this description of Swiss UCC in 2014.
"In 20014, Swiss UCC will be known as a church that is: WELCOMING, FRIENDLY, CARING, GIVING, SHARING, FAITHFUL and is ONE BIG FAMILY.”
The top priorities that emerged were Youth ministry, Mission, and growing as an open and inclusive congregation. A general sense of the UCC's affirmation was strong, "No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here!"
Congregational Conversation #2 was well attended and successful!
During all three weekend services, we talked about priorities and needs as the church moves closer to the formation of a team that will recommend the call of a senior pastor. It was an exciting time of seeing what a rich and diverse congregation we have.
And the beat does go on! From here we will gather to form a vision for our next ten years together as a congregation. Meanwhile, our worship services are very well attended, Christian Education and Youth ministry continue successfully, the generosity of our people is encouraging and we are indeed discovering joy in the journey of faith!
Spring is in full swing and summer is on the way. New Glarus is coming alive with celebrations, festivals and visitors. We are a congregation that celebrates the UCC theme: "Whoever you are, wherever you are on life's journey - you are welcome here!" That invitation rolls right out of our door and to the city center - all are invited. Saturday at 5:30 pm is our casual service, Sunday at 9:00 am our regular celebration of faith, and Sunday at 10:45 am is our relaxed and open service at the New Glarus home.
Congregational Converstion #2 - May 2-3
Our Second"Congregational Conversation"...
Will take place on Saturday May 2 at the evening service and Sunday May 3 at both 9:00 AM and 10:30AM. Come prepared to share your thoughts on the topic. "What are your top priorities for the gifts and qualities you want to see in a new senior pastor?" Remember.... Our ground rules are: 1. Everybody gets to talk and 2. Nobody gets to judge. A really good part of our conversation will be some surprising insights into what it takes to accomplish the things we want to see happen with our pastoral ministry.
Congregational Converstion #1 - March 14-15
Our First "Congregational Conversation"...
Will take place on Saturday March 14 at the evening service and Sunday March 15 at both 9:00 AM and 10:30AM. The purpose of these conversations will be to involve the whole congregation in our transition and search process. Your input is vital to the future of our congregation. We will meet for abbreviated worship services then gather with transition team members to gather input. The heart of our first gathering will be to share our answer to the question, "How do you personally feel about the life of our congregation at this time?" If you can not be present at any of the services on the weekend of March 14 - 15, you are invited to send an email:
faith@swisschurch.org Or contact any member of the Transition Team. (See Team Members below)
Transition Team
Barb Anderson, Kim Bright, Leah Hanson, Carol Holmes, Rosalie Huntington, Carl Marquart, Jane Martinson, Rick and Diana Myers, Mark Schafer, Shelly Truttmann, Tim and Mary Usher
Our Transition Team will work closely with the Interim Senior Pastor and seek broad based congregational input as we engage the Five Tasks of the
Interim
Church; namely:
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Coming to Terms with History
The interim is a time of letting go of the former pastor(s), old expectations, wounds, patterns, and baggage. The church can then celebrate its past and look to the future.
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Reviewing Organizational and Leadership Needs
The interim is prime time for (1) reviewing the membership’s needs and its ways of organizing, and for (2) developing new lay leadership for the tasks of ministry.
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Rethinking Denominational Linkage
A congregation has often learned to see its relationship with the denomination through the eyes of its former pastor.
The interim is a good time to revisit this relationship and to make any desirable adjustments.
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Developing a Clear Identity and Vision
To help ensure that a congregation calls a pastor who will be a good match, the congregation should have a clear sense of its theology,
purpose, direction, and vision for the future.
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Commitment to New Leadership
Once a congregation has completed the first four tasks, it is ready to commit to moving forward under new leadership and to begin conversations with potential pastoral candidates.
We are excited for our congregation as we embrace the future to which God is calling!
Need to contact the church?
18 5th Avenue (Downtown corner of 1st St and 5th Ave)
New Glarus, WI 53574
Phone # 608 - 527- 2119
Fax # 608 - 527 - 6390
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Feb 24: Spire Assembly
at 8:30:00 AM (Zwingli Conference Room) Feb 28: Teen Ministries: Ski excursion! Apr 3: Paintball |
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