Welcome to The Congregational United Church of Christ
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No matter who you are Dear Friends,
On Thursday evening, May 21, 2020, our Church Council decided we would suspend all in-person gatherings in our church building until further notice. This decision was made thoughtfully, and prayerfully, with heavy hearts. It remains in effect. This decision was shared with the congregation in an email on Friday morning, May 22. Nationally, this was also the day churches were deemed to be "essential," and full sanctuaries were encouraged. On Saturday, May 23, I received the following from one of our members. It was written by Deon K. Johnson, the Bishop-elect of the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Missouri: The work of the church is essential. The work of caring for the lonely, the marginalized, and the oppressed is essential. The work of speaking truth to power and seeking justice is essential. The work of being a loving, liberating, and life giving presence in the world is essential. The work of welcoming the stranger, the refugee and the undocumented is essential. The work of reconciliation and healing and caring is essential. The church does not need to be "open" because the church never "closed." We who make up the Body of Christ, the church, love God and our neighbors and ourselves so much that we will stay away from our buildings until it is safe. We are the church. After reading this, I thought of the large banner on the north side of our building. Be the Church. Protect the environment. Care for the poor. Forgive often. Reject racism... This is also on coffee mugs many of us use, and on that beautiful print many of us have hanging on a wall in our homes. During these continuing days of self-isolation, I would add we are called to be present for one another as we care for family, friends, neighbors and our community. I also think of Jesus' revelation to the Samaritan Woman when they were discussing "where to worship" in John 4 -- Jesus made clear we are to worship in Spirit and in Truth. While doing this gathered inside our beautiful Sanctuary would be wonderful, it's not essential. We are the Church. Wherever we are, whatever our circumstances. We are the Church. For this, I give thanks. Grace and Peace, Rev. Mark Kuether January, 2021 |
Sunday Schedule10:00 a.m. Worship
10:15 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Friendship Coffee Hour Church Office Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Recent Events: Our Recent Events |
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Thank you for wanting learn more about this faith community.
Here are a few things we'd like you to know about us:
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Never place a period where God has placed a comma, |