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It's the Wednesday Email!Happy Wednesday! It’s the church’s busy week! We had our first book study yesterday, and it was great to talk about our own seeking and spiritual journeys as we figure out what people are looking for in the world today. If you’ve been on the fence, we do have another session meeting at 7 tonight (which is also when we’ve got our first choir rehearsal)! And then on Saturday, we’ve got our church cleanup from 9-12, as we attack some spider webs, clean some windows, and prepare the church for the winter. Sunday at 3:30, we’ll re-gather for fellowship and fun and whatever the Deacons have planned for us. AND we’ll have a World Communion Sunday liturgy as we join with people around the world to celebrate communion in all its forms and languages and settings while considering the Neighbors in Need we have in our midst. You can learn more in the video below. I was pleased to see all the people at Bonnie Ballard’s funeral on Sunday afternoon, and the many more who came through the visitation. I think one of the most important things we can do to a church is to mark the events in the cycles of our lives together, being reminded that wherever two or three are gathered in Christ’s name, Christ is there also. To celebrate our hopes for life eternal, whatever its form, in the presence of people who can testify to the impact of one’s life is always a privilege. As we think about the ways that we will provide that celebration and remembrance in the future, we want to remind you to fill out our survey (reports say it takes 15-20 minutes) so that we can best take advantage of the consulting we are receiving via a grant from the Eli Lily Foundation as a part of my work with the Leadership Center for Social Justice at United Theological Seminary: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AnkenyUCC
If you have any problems, let me know.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Nathan
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| Monday, October 3: 10:00am Deacons meeting Tuesday, October 4: 1:00pm Stalking God (Blue Room)
Wednesday, October 5: 7:00pm Choir (sanctuary), Stalking God (Blue Room) Sunday, October 9: 9:15am K-5 Sunday School 10:30am Worship,12:00pm 6-9 Sunday School (Porch Light) |
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A Welcoming Church Family |
| For Rich Misty, Nick, and Aggie. For Trina’s brother Doug, in the hospital, and her father Stan and the people mourning her aunt Shirley. For everyone who loved and loves Bonnie Ballard. For Erika Williams and the family she has left behind. For Latin American migrants tricked into taking trips far away from their immigration hearings. Of thanks for Christian mercy. For people in relationship with one another as they search for new futures. For the at least 2,905 people who died of COVID in America last week. Of thanksgiving for our reconstructed narthex and all those who labor in the church. |
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| Emily is still on a hybrid schedule, with her in the office on Tuesday and Thursday this week. She’ll be back on usual office hours in a couple of weeks. In the meantime, Pastor Nathan will try to be in the office from 9-12 M-Th as much as possible. |
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Exploring Progressive Christian Theology |
| Choir rehearsals resume tonight at 7pm in the sanctuary! |
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| Our study on Stalking God begins this week. We’re planning to meet Tuesdays at 1 and Wednesdays at 7 (if you want to do both the study and choir, let me know!). We’d especially love a few more people for the Wednesday night study. We’ll help you if you need a copy of the book! Sign up here! |
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Caring Within |
| Join us Sunday, October 2nd at 3:30 for the fall festival! (Please note the time change) There will be caramel apple making, cider, a scavenger hunt, and a craft! Please RSVP here. |
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| The October 1 fall clean-up will have a bit of an outdoor maintenance theme to it as, in addition to our usual brush-clearing and window-cleaning, we’ll be replacing the storage shed door and building some fencing to make life more pleasant for the Prep Preschool students coming in the south door to the Fellowship hall. 9-1 on October 1! |
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| Our August mission giving was $244.41, to Joppa, DMARC and Our Church’s Wider Mission. That brings mission giving up to $9388.44 on the year, with $6824 joining with churches from around the country to promote Our Church’s Wider Mission. General Fund income was $4055.48 against expenses of $13,287, bringing us on the year to income of $81,641 against expenses of $95,104. |
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| As we’ve shared, Misty DeReus’s husband Rich has metastatic cancer and, after a period of difficulty, is back on a chemotherapy regimen. Stephanie has set up a Meal Train so people can sign up to provide meals to them (or talk to Stephanie): https://mealtrain.com/1nv5q6 . To make communicating the big news easier, they have a set up a page at https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/richarddereus . |
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And Serving Beyond |
DMARC-ket Opening | DMARC has opened a new food pantry at its headquarters on Army Post Rd. Their grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on Thursday, Sept. 29 from 8:30-10am, where tours will be given. As always, they are in need of volunteers during the week. More information can be found on their website. |
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Weekly Coin Collection | Our coin collection for September and October will go to UCC/DOC Global Ministries and their work in Zimbabwe! |
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| Ankeny UCC Is….A welcoming church family exploring progressive Christian theology, caring within and serving beyond. No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, come walk with us! | |
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