DOCSLIB.ORG

UCC History Panelrev5

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
UCC History Panelrev5 WISCONSIN CONFERENCE Conference Hosts General Synod in Milwaukee 218 congregations 1840 St Paul’s “The Protestant Church,” Erin (first cong. of 2014 Conference votes to become ONA German Evangelical Synod tradition) 1846 Beloit College (Congregational) 1862 Mission House College and Seminary (now Lakeland University 1991 Plymouth UCC, Milwaukee, 1963 1966 1981 1982-1983 2001 2014 1847 Immanuel Church, Plymouth (first cong. of German and United Theological Seminary, Twin Cities) founded by German first ONA (Open & Affirming) congregation Reformed tradition) Reformed Church. Clarence McCall Ralph Ley Frederick Trost Helen Barnhill David Moyer Franz Rigert and Staff Conference President Conference President Conference President/Minister of Milwaukee, Conference President Conference Minister 1878 Winnebago Indian Mission Church, Black River Falls UCC Moderator (now Ho-Cak UCC) Mission House professor Henry Kurtz, grateful for a Winnebago tribal member who saved his life in a Global Partnerships of the Conference: snowstorm. Jacob Hauser and Jacob Stucki among first leaders. Mexico, Egypt, Honduras, Germany, Haiti, “The words you have spoken are good. We also believe in 1962 Fairhaven Home, Whitewater established by leaders of East Africa, United Kingdom, Bethlehem, France Earthmaker. We love our children. It will make us glad to see them Wisconsin Congregational Conference (now Fairhaven Diocese of San well taught. We are glad that you have come.” (Chief Black Hawk) Senior Services) Cristobal De Las Tribal member John Stacy baptized, and helped translate Bible Casas (Mexico) 1832 Black Hawk War ends at Battle of Bad Axe into Winnebago language. 1963 First Meeting of the Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ, Lawrence University, Appleton. 329 congregations, Coptic Orthodox 1836 - 1848 Wisconsin Territory 1992 Trost Center built in Deforest Diocese of Beni- roughly half from both Evangelical and Reformed 2017 Conference votes to become immigrant welcoming Souef (Egypt) 1836 Union Church, Green Bay (first Congregational church 1848 Wisconsin Statehood and Congregational Christian traditions. Conference begins conversation on race and white privilege in Wisconsin) Evangelical and Reformed Synod of Honduras 1966 “Youth Views the Possibilities for Peace” 1852 Ripon College (Congregational) 2019 Trost Center “goes solar” Evangelical Church of the Union (Germany) Republican Party born at Ripon U.S. Senator Wm. Proxmire, speaking Moers District (Rhineland) of the Evangelical Church 1854 Plymouth Cong’l Burlington helps 1966 New Glarus Home, New Glarus of the Union Germany) established fugitive slave Joshua Glover along 1940s Friedens (“peace”) Evangelical and Reformed Church, Prenzlau District (Berlin-Brandenburg) of the Underground Railroad. “No slaveholder Milwaukee, Pastor Wm. Schlinkmann, FBI investigates for 1967 United Church Camps, Inc., created Evangelical Church of the Union or apologist for human slavery need preaching against WWII. with Pilgrim Center, Green Lake Spiritual Council of Churches of Haiti (Conaspeh) apply for membership.” (Congregational, 1949); and Moon 1945 Mitchell Whiterabbit, first Native American ordained Presbyterian Church of East Africa 1846-1865 American Missionary Beach Camp, St Germain 1906 Northland College founded by Congregationalists Malagasy Protestant Church in Paris (France) Association (Albany, NY) supports nearly 1950s Post-War Church Growth (Evangelical and Refored, 1957) 1994 Lay Academy established fifty Wisconsin congregations with abolitionist views. AMA 1910 German Evangelical Synod founds Deaconess Hospital, 1956 Cedar Lake Home, West Bend established by Evangelical and 1970 First “Earth Day” with Wisconsin Gov. and Sen. Gaylord Nelson United Reformed Church of the United Kingdom founded by Amistad veterans Lewis Tappan and Simeon Jocelyn. Milwaukee (now Aurora Sinai Medical Center) 1933 Myrtle Baker, first woman ordained Reformed congregations (now Cedar Community) as founder 1995 Gay/Lesbian Task Force created Bright Stars of Bethlehem 1800 1820 1840 1860 1880 1900 1920 1940 1960 1980 2000 NOW UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 1801 Plan of Union; Presbyterians and Congregationalists 1821 Friedrich Schleiermacher publishes his systematic, 1840 Founding of the Evangelical Synod of North America 1863 Formation of the General Synod of the Reformed Church 1883 Commission Creed produces more modern statement of belief 1902 Washington Gladden 1922 General Convention of the Christian Church name adopted 1947 Final draft of “Basis of Union” presented to Evangelical 1960 Constitution of the United Church of Christ approved in special 1980 EKU Synod meeting in East and West Germany votes 2000 Statement of Faith translated into Spanish by Damaris Velez “The Christian Faith” in the United States for Congregationalists influences Social Gospel and Reformed and Congregational Christian denominations “adjourned session” of Second General Synod for “Kirchengemeinschaft” or Full Communion with UCC, 1801 Female Society for Spreading Christian Education is formed, 1841 Amistad case reaches the U.S. Supreme Court and the 1927 First World Conference on Faith and Order held in Lausanne 2004 “God is Still Speaking” Movement publishes endorsed by UCC in 1981 later changed to Women’s Board of Mission 1824 American Sunday School Union founded captives are freed 1863 Celebration of the 300th Anniversary of the Heidelberg 1884 Board of Foreign Missions of the German Evangelical Synod 1948 World Council of Churches meets for the first time 1966 “Statement by the National Committee of Negro Churchmen” Campaign “Social Salvation” 1931 Congregational Church and Christian Church merge Catechism of North America in Amsterdam published in the the New York Times 1981 Statement of Faith in the form of a doxology is endorsed 1801 Barton W. Stone helps lead the Cane Ridge Revival: 1825 American Unitarian Association forms, 2004 TV Networks Ban the UCC 1908 Federal Council of the 1932 Reinhold Niebuhr publishes fearing sectarianism takes on the name “Christian” in 1804 separating from Congregationalists 1864 American Missionary 1887 Missionaries sent to Japan from Foreign Missions Department 1949 Several Congregational Christian churches bring lawsuits 1966 UCC Ministers for Racial and Social Justice organized at 1981 Yvonne Delk becomes first African American Woman to head “Bouncer Ad” Churches of Christ in “Moral Man and Immoral Association shifts focus to of American Christian Convention to stop proposed merger “Washington Consultation” the national Office for Church in Society. 1804 James O’Kelly gives up ties to Methodism and Presbyterianism Society” 2005 Marriage Equality 1826 American Home Missionary Society literacy education in the South America founded, first and takes on name “Christian” 1887 Woman’s Missionary Society formed as official part is founded meeting in Philadelphia 1934 Evangelical Church and 1951 H. Richard Niebuhr publishes “Christ and Culture” 1972 William Johnson is first openly gay person to be ordained 1982 Office for Church Life and Leadership produces Resolution 1865 National Congregational Council of Reformed Church to Christian ministry “The Leader’s Box” Reformed Church merge 1953 Court of Appeals State of New York upholds Supreme Court 2007 50th Anniversary of the 1846 John W. Nevin publishes “The gathers representatives from 25 1913 Kansas City Statement of 1888 Philip Schaff founds the American Society of Church History of State of New York decision to allow General Council 1973 “Resolution on Inclusive Language” is adopted 1986 UCC Book of Worship published United Church of Christ Mystical Presence” Mercersburg states and several different Faith summarizes 1934 Council for Social Action of Congregational Christian Church to pursue merger Theology countries 1889 Evangelical Deaconess Congregational belief with established by General Council 1974 “Hymnal of the United Church of Christ” is published 1986 “A Just Peace Church” edited 2013 Resolution to repudiate the Doctrine of Discovery Society of St. Louis strong Social Gospel themes of Cong. and Christian Churches 1957 Uniting General Synod and by Susan Thistlewaite is 1847 Louis Nollau and pastors of 1865 Burial Hill Declaration of Faith for 1976 Joseph H. Evans is first 2017 Reorganization of national staff organized responding to creation of the United Church published in its final version Evangelical Church Association Congregationalists African American to hold the needs of the poor of Christ in Missouri publish a union catechism, position of Secretary and 1987 United Church Board for World 1866 Eastern Synod of Reformed Church 1832 ABCFM helps bring Georgia Cherokee Independence the “Evangelical Catechism” 1890 Northern and Southern 1959 Statement of Faith of the United President of a mainline Ministries “Houston Statement propose revised liturgy based on issue to Supreme Court. Despite Court decision, tribes Christians agree to a Plan Church of Christ denomination on Mission” 1850 Christian movement delegates from Mercersburg theological principles. are forced to leave their land leading to the "Trail of Union 11 states and Canada meet at Marion, Ohio. The largest general 1959 Formative document “Call to 1977 “[Robert] Moss Version” of 1989 UCC and Disciples of Christ in full of Tears" 1867 Myerstown Convention of “Old Reformed” list objections convention for the movement to date. 1896 Charles Sheldon publishes Christian Action in Society” Statement of Faith commended communion to Eastern liturgy and propose their own western
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Development of Congregational Polity and Early Governance in Watertown, Massachusetts”
    “The Development of Congregational Polity and Early Governance in Watertown, Massachusetts” Charter Day Talk - September 12, 2009 - Rev. Mark W. Harris Anyone who wishes to understand early town government and town meetings in Massachusetts needs to know about the form of church government that the early Puritan settlers described as, “One, Immutable, and Prescribed in the Word of God.” (1) The authority for their chosen form of Ecclesiastical organization was the Bible, and the Puritans set forth in the Cambridge Platform of 1648 that “the parts of church-government are all of them exactly described” there. Here was a sharp division between Puritan and Anglican, for the Puritan could not find in the book of Acts or the letters of Paul any reason to justify a hierarchal system of bishops, or cardinals, or popes. The Puritan structure of organization has typically been described as congregational polity, because the congregations were intended to be a reflection of the primitive Christian churches which were small cells of independent believers. (2) By 1648 nearly thirty years had passed since the first settlers had arrived in Plymouth. The Westminster Confession, a theological platform, had arrived in the colonies from England, and by and large, there was agreement among the Puritans in matters of faith. Fifty churches had been gathered in the four colonies - Plymouth, Massachusetts Bay, New Haven and Hartford. The Synod in Cambridge, which held its first session in 1646, was called by the General Court to formally structure the polity of the New England churches. Some of the English authorities had hoped to Presbyterianize the congregations, and while the theological agreement made it a fortuitous time to regularize church polity in the New World, the Puritans had no desire to capitulate to a system that did not, in their view, conform to texts from scripture.
    [Show full text]
  • Female Preaching in Early Nineteenth-Century America by Catherine A
    20 Copyright 2009 The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University Female Preaching in Early Nineteenth-Century America BY CATHERINE A. BREKUS In the Second Great Awakening more than one hundred women crisscrossed the country as itinerant preachers, holding meetings in barns, schools, or outside in fields. They were the first group of women to speak publicly in America. Why have virtually all of them been forgotten? ome argued that she was “bold and shameless,” a disgrace to her fami- ly and to the evangelical movement. Others insisted that she was the S“instrument of God,” a humble woman who had given up everything for Christ. Few women in early nineteenth-century America provoked more admi- ration, criticism, and controversy than Harriet Livermore. She was the daughter of a congressman and the grand-daughter of a senator, but after an emotional conversion experience, she renounced her privileged life in order to become a female preacher. Reputed to be a gifted evangelist who was also a beautiful singer, she became so popular that she was allowed to preach in front of Congress four times between 1827 and 1844, each time to huge crowds. According to a Washington newspaper, more than a thousand people assembled in the Hall of Representatives to hear her preach in 1827, and hundreds more gathered outside to catch a glimpse of her. President John Quincy Adams had to sit on the steps leading up to her feet because he could not find a free chair. Harriet Livermore was the best-known female preacher of her day, but she was part of a larger community of evangelical women, both white and African-American, who claimed to have been divinely inspired to preach Female Preaching in Early Nineteenth-Century America 21 the gospel.
    [Show full text]
  • What Is a Church of Christ? Silenced
    An international newspaper Our mission: To inform, for Churches of Christ inspire and unite Vol. 75, No. 3 | March 2018 www.christianchronicle.org IMAGE VIA PIXABAY, LETTERING BY LYNDA SHEEHAN Sexual abuse victims ‘fed up’ with silence SOCIAL MEDIA advocacy empowers survivors, molester’s son says. GRAPHIC BY CHELLIE ISON VIA WordcloUDS.com BY BOBBY ROSS JR. | THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE or far too long, victims have been What is a Church of Christ? silenced. Finally, they have an outlet to spot- AS NUMBERS DECLINE in the U.S., Christians ponder a fellowship’s identity light their painful ordeals. FThat’s how Jimmy Hinton character- BY ERIK TRYGGESTAD | THE CHRISTIAN CHRONICLE leadership, baptism by immersion single cup and an undivided loaf. izes the social media movements — first and a cappella worship. In recent years, other Churches #MeToo and now #ChurchToo — where t should be love.” But in 2018, a clear definition of Christ have added instrumental sexual abuse survivors are recounting That was Jeff Cash’s of those who strive to be simply worship services, ministered their real-life nightmares. answer to the question, Christian is anything but simple. alongside denominational groups “Quite simply, millions “What would you say Survey respon- and changed their name, though of abuse survivors are ‘Idefines a Church of Christ?” dents noted a they still identify with the fellow- fed up with the church Cash, an American missionary widening variety ship of autonomous congregations. protecting abusers while serving in Fort Portal, Uganda, of practices taking The word “autonomy” itself shaming the victims,” was one of more than 640 respon- place in buildings eludes definition, survey respon- said Hinton, minister for dents to a Christian Chronicle that bear the name dents said.
    [Show full text]
  • Exploring Boston's Religious History
    Exploring Boston’s Religious History It is impossible to understand Boston without knowing something about its religious past. The city was founded in 1630 by settlers from England, Other Historical Destinations in popularly known as Puritans, Downtown Boston who wished to build a model Christian community. Their “city on a hill,” as Governor Old South Church Granary Burying Ground John Winthrop so memorably 645 Boylston Street Tremont Street, next to Park Street put it, was to be an example to On the corner of Dartmouth and Church, all the world. Central to this Boylston Streets Park Street T Stop goal was the establishment of Copley T Stop Burial Site of Samuel Adams and others independent local churches, in which all members had a voice New North Church (Now Saint Copp’s Hill Burying Ground and worship was simple and Stephen’s) Hull Street participatory. These Puritan 140 Hanover Street Haymarket and North Station T Stops religious ideals, which were Boston’s North End Burial Site of the Mathers later embodied in the Congregational churches, Site of Old North Church King’s Chapel Burying Ground shaped Boston’s early patterns (Second Church) Tremont Street, next to King’s Chapel of settlement and government, 2 North Square Government Center T Stop as well as its conflicts and Burial Site of John Cotton, John Winthrop controversies. Not many John Winthrop's Home Site and others original buildings remain, of Near 60 State Street course, but this tour of Boston’s “old downtown” will take you to sites important to the story of American Congregationalists, to their religious neighbors, and to one (617) 523-0470 of the nation’s oldest and most www.CongregationalLibrary.org intriguing cities.
    [Show full text]
  • Congregational Study Committee Report
    Congregational Study Committee Report First Presbyterian Church of New Haven 704 Whitney Avenue New Haven, CT 06511 fpcnh.org 2016 – 2017 Mission Statement First Presbyterian Church is a worshiping community of progressive Christian believers in the greater New Haven region. We are a broadly diverse and welcoming congregation, and include people from the city of New Haven and many of the surrounding towns, as well as many from the university communities. We gather on Sunday morning to worship God, and throughout the week to be about the work of God in the world. We are a part of the Reformed tradition, which means that we value the Word of God in Scripture, and as we understand it in the midst of today’s world. In the Word of God read and proclaimed, in music which stirs the soul, in the nurture of children and adults alike, we seek to serve God together. Report submitted August 22, 2016 1 Table of Contents 1. Background and Purpose of This Report 3 2. FPCNH Church History 4 3. FPCNH Organizational Structure 6 4. Survey Process 8 5. Demographic Snapshot and Comparison 9 6. Findings from Survey and Small Groups A. Theological Stance 12 B. Christian Education 13 C. Worship and Nurturing our Church Community 14 D. Mission and Social Justice 16 E. Community Interviews 17 F. Traits of an Ideal Pastor 19 7. Our Vision: Who We Are and Who We Want to be as Christ’s Community in this Place 21 Appendices: 1. Statement of Financial Position, End of Year 2015 23 2.
    [Show full text]
  • Biblical Pictorial Timeline & Resources a My S Ands
    Biblical Pictorial Timeline & Resources ANDS. S MY A RT BY RT A ONSIN. ONSIN. C IVER FALLS, WIS IVER FALLS, R H, H, C COPYRIGHT © 2016 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHUR COPYRIGHT © 2016 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL The Biblical Pictorial Timeline is a collection Think about this image: of 36 images depicting Bible stories. The What do you see in this image? timeline and its related books are a creative, Where is Jesus? engaging way to foster biblical literacy and Why are the fish important? interpretation, and encourage people to find What the man in front doing? their place in the unfolding drama of the Bible. The timeline is applicable to a wide variety of congregational settings; connects worship, education, and mission; and provides a link between church and home. 110 North Third Street, River Falls, Wisconsin 715-425-2052 l www.firstchurchrf.org Biblical Pictorial Timeline l Draws in viewers with exceptional-quality art. l Fosters biblical interpretation and increases biblical literacy. l Presents images chronologically or thematically. l Augments all types of Christian Education curricula. l Connects to a variety of educational settings. l Offers a strong connection between worship, education, and mission. l Provides an effective link between home and church through the books. Available Resources Books The Story of God’s Love for Us is similar to a children’s Bible featuring the timeline’s art. This book is designed to be given at the time of baptism. It includes all 36 timeline images. 74 pages. Light in the Darkness tells the overarching story of the Bible from creation to Pentecost.
    [Show full text]
  • FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH UNITED CHURCH of CHRIST “Unexpected Places” the UCC General Synod Comes to Cleveland, Ohio
    FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH First Church News UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST Columbus Ohio June 2015 Volume 163 No. 6 “Unexpected Places” The UCC General Synod comes to Cleveland, Ohio June 26-30, 2015 By The Rev. Dr. Tim Ahrens With a theme of “Unexpected Places,” the 2015 General Synod of the United Church of Christ will be in Cleveland, June 26-30. We have a great opportunity as members of this denomination and active supporters of its ministry and mission to support the work of the UCC in our home state this month! People from around the globe and around the nation who make up the many congregations of the UCC will descend upon Cleveland – like the Holy Spirit descending upon the church at Pentecost – and become the church gathered for action in five days on the lakefront of Ohio’s north coast. There is much planned for the five days of General Synod. In order to experience the length and breathe of the UCC in action, I highly recommend you go the www.ucc.org and cruise through the General Synod links. You will read about keynote speakers, special worship services, workshops, 16 resolutions (which I have attached at the end of this article) and special dinners and events. You have opportunities to bake cookies, volunteer your time and service to the larger church. Having served as a delegate to three General Synods and having attended six others, it is a dynamic gathering of the church in faith and action. I highly recommend you take time to visit the Synod and become an active participant as you see the church in worship, fellowship and action.
    [Show full text]
  • Simply-Christians.Pdf
    Simply Christians David L. Eubanks Why Bother with the Brotherhood? Mike Shannon Are You a Christian? Gene Appel Just Christians, Just Enough Mark Taylor The Restoration Movement in the 21st Century Robin Underhill Keeping the Dream Alive David Faust HAT by David L. DO Eubanks W you believe? From one per- spective the principle, “no creed but Christ, no Restoration book but the Bible,” and Unity should be an adequate Of course, the early answer to that question pioneers did not and a sufficient guide to know all the direc- sound doctrine. Be- tions that the path cause of much confu- they had chosen sion in today’s religious would lead them world, however, the when they began. It question deserves a led to the successful more detailed explana- promotion of the tion for those who hon- name “Christian” to estly want to know. the exclusion of sec- tarian names by Rice Early History Haggard among the of the Republican Method- Restoration ists in North Carolina Movement and Virginia in 1794 With roots in the Brit- and the Presbyterians ish Isles, the Restora- of the Springfield tion Movement sprang Presbytery in Ken- to life in the United tucky in 1804. States about the turn of It led to the disso- the nineteenth century. lution of the Spring- The leading pioneer fig- field Presbytery and ures were such men as “union with the body Elias Smith and Abner of Christ at large” by Jones in New England, Barton W. Stone and James O’Kelly in others at Cane Ridge North Carolina and on June 28, 1804.
    [Show full text]
  • A Study of Ordination in the Baptist Context
    CHANGED, SET APART, AND EQUAL: A STUDY OF ORDINATION IN THE BAPTIST CONTEXT Dissertation Submitted to The College of Arts and Sciences of the UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for The Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Theology By Jonathan Anthony Malone Dayton, Ohio May, 2011 CHANGED, SET APART, AND EQUAL: A STUDY OF ORDINATION IN THE BAPTIST CONTEXT APPROVED BY: _____________________________ Dennis M. Doyle, Ph.D. Committee Chair _____________________________ Brad J. Kallenberg, Ph.D. Committee Member _____________________________ William L. Portier, Ph.D. Committee Member _____________________________ Anthony B. Smith, Ph.D. Committee Member _____________________________ William V. Trollinger, Ph.D. Committee Member ii ABSTRACT CHANGED, SET APART, AND EQUAL: A STUDY OF ORDINATION IN THE BAPTIST CONTEXT Name: Malone, Jonathan Anthony University of Dayton Advisor: Dr. Dennis Doyle The American Baptist denomination is often characterized as an ecclesiological grass-roots organization. The theology of such a denomination is practiced organically by the people and is seldom articulated by the academy. Thus one cannot find a well articulated theological understanding of what ordination means for the individual and the community in the Baptist context. A synthesis of Geertz’s thick description, Lindbeck’s approach to doctrine, and McClendon’s understandings of speech-acts and conviction will offer a methodology through which one can articulate a theology of ordination. In doing so, we will find that the “call” and a relationship with a congregation are essential for ordination to occur. Such a theology will suggest that one is changed through ordination, and this change is relational in nature. The Catholic concept of Sacramental Consciousness offers a way to articulate the community’s awareness of the pastor’s relational change while at the same time maintaining the egalitarian nature of a Baptist community.
    [Show full text]
  • History of the Church: Lesson 5 the Restoration Movement
    HISTORY OF THE CHURCH: LESSON 5 THE RESTORATION MOVEMENT INTRODUCTION: The reformers sought to REFORM the apostate church, but those active in the Restoration movement were desirous of RESTORING the true church of the first century (cf. Jer.6:16). I. RESTORATION LEADERS: A. James O'Kelly (1757-1826) 1. Methodist preacher who labored in Virginia and North Carolina. 2. Favored congregational government, and the New Testament as the only rule of faith and practice. a) Wanted Methodist preachers to have the right to appeal to the conference if they didn't like their appointment. 3. James O'Kelly, Rice Haggard and three other men withdrew from the conference in 1792. They formed the "Republican Methodist Church" in 1793. 4. In 1794, at a meeting conducted at the Lebanon Church in Surrey County, Virginia, they adopted the name, "Christian" and devised a plan of church government. 5. Agreed to recognize the scriptures as sufficient rule of faith and practice. The formulated the "Five Cardinal Principles of the Christian Church." a) Christ as head of the church. b) The name "Christian" to the exclusion of all others. c) Bible as the only creed - - rule of faith and practice. d) Character, piety, the only test of church fellowship and membership. e) The right of private judgment and liberty of conscience. B. Elias Smith (1769-1846) and Abner Jones (1772-1841) 1. Both Baptists. 2. Agreed with O'Kelly on his major points 3. In 1808, Smith and Jones established churches in New England. 4. Organized an independent "Christian Church" at Lyndon, Vermont in 1801.
    [Show full text]
  • FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH UNITED CHURCH of CHRIST “CONNECT!” We “Reconnect” in September As We Launch Our New Fall S
    FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH First Church News UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST Columbus, Ohio September 2016 Volume 164 No. 9 “CONNECT!” We “reconnect” in September as We Launch our New Fall Season: Bring family, friends, and neighbors to church as we begin again! By Rev. Dr. Tim Ahrens “Connect” is our theme for 2016-2017. The staff and lay leadership of First Congregational Church, UCC, Columbus have been hard at work getting ready for a glorious fall season. From Worship and preaching, to Christian Education, to Music Ministry, to Stewardship, to building preparation, to justice and mercy missions, to Celebration/Legacy Sunday, to the start of our largest Confirmation Class and joy of being back together again, we have been preparing for a great fall season! Inside this issue you can read about all the excitement that has been building. Here are some highlights as we move joyfully into the Fall. On September 4 – Labor Day Sunday/End of Sermon Series - I will bring to a close the five-part sermon series, Mental Illness: The Journey In, The Journey Out. My final sermon is entitled, Blessed are the Stigma Busters. The entire series will be printed in booklet form. In addition, we will have them posted on-line and our podcasts will be available for you to hear and share. On September 4, we will also celebrate Holy Communion at both services. On September 11 – The 15th Anniversary of 9/11 – Faith Formation Time Kick-off, Adult Choir Returns, Requiem at 4 p.m. - Christian Education kicks off at 10 a.m., the Adult Choir returns and we launch into a whole new season! The fun begins on the Second Sunday of September! Bring friends, children, grandchildren, co-workers and NEIGHBORS to church! My sermon is entitled, “When Everything Changed.” Everyone is invited back to church in the afternoon.
    [Show full text]
  • Centennial Booklet
    1918 to 2018 The Walls Tell Our Story First Congregational Church September 10, 1916 Order of Worship Just 5 days after the fire, Dr. William Barton reflected the church’s resolve to rebuild. This message was contained in the Sunday worship bulletin. Our Baptism of Fire “Our holy and our beautiful house, where our fathers praised Thee, is burned with fire; and all our pleasant things are laid to waste.” Isiah 64:11 Our beloved church building was struck by lightning about 5:45 o’clock Tuesday morning, September 5, 1916, and totally destroyed. The fire was reported at 6:10 and the fire department was on the ground and hard at work before the arrival of the pastor about 6:20. At that time the spire was blazing fiercely. No flame was visible inside, but the fire was breaking out at the ridge pole above the echo organ, and at the eaves on both the east and west sides at the points of junction of the nave wall and transepts. At the same time fire was almost certainly under way in the swell organ in the extreme northeast corner of the church. The main building was not set on fire by the falling of the spire, for the fire was already well advanced in the attic, though the fall made more apparent the hopelessness of our effort to save the church. With a strong south wind blowing, there was imminent danger that the church house also would be lost; and the greater part of the church house furniture was moved by the willing and heroic service of volunteers, through the rain into near-by homes.
    [Show full text]