Confirming Faith in Community

This Sunday, we joyfully witness Jack Baker and Avery Vanden Bos make personal statements of faith that confirm their membership into our church family. While we cherish the personal component of confirmation, we also deeply value the communal affirmation. In worship, we respond together to the prompting of Spirit that says, “your identity will always be as Christ’s beloved, no matter what.” This affirmation is needed by all of us, no matter how long we’ve been members of Christ’s body. In the UCC, we live into both the autonomy and covenant of faith, and it’s sheer joy to proclaim this together on behalf of Jack and Avery, their parents, and their mentors Dorinda and Sandra this Sunday!

Jack and Avery, pictured above, have been a part of the fabric of one another’s lives since birth. (so cute, right?) They join fellow confirmands Jenna Kruger and Sarah Mohr, for whom we celebrated this September at their confirmation in the park! Together, this crew has been bold in growth and sharing deeply of their spiritual wondering, supported by family and mentors Teddie, Dorinda, Gloria, and Sandra.

Worship & Events

Follow the Daily Bible Lectionary Here!

Sunday 10am Service

Jan. 24: We celebrate confirmands Avery Vanden Bos & Jack Baker as they lead us in worship, alongside mentors Sandra Kangas & Dorinda Daniel
Jan. 31: We will share a service of healing and anointing & the baptism of Euan Buras in worship prior to our zoom annual meeting at noon.

Jan. 31st Annual Meeting at noon!

Next week, we will provide the entire 2020 Annual Report Booklet, complete with the agenda for our annual meeting. For now, we include 2 pieces of information: 1. The zoom link (only active 12pm CT on Jan. 31st). For help accessing zoom, contact a friend in the church or Pastor Emily this week. 2. Information to review regarding placing our church on the National Register of Historic Places: CLICK HERE to be informed!

Emily Munger is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: FCUCC Annual Meeting!
Time: Jan 31, 2021 12:00 PM Central Time

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89650836625?pwd=OEtzdUV3cnZLVXM2L3lXMzR0b25PZz09

Meeting ID: 896 5083 6625
Passcode: 8u2kZn

Virtual Worship 10am Sunday on Facebook- Join us!

Community Connections

Meet Christina (Christy) Ford, our new
Administrative Assistant!

Christy joined the Pierre community in July 2020, and is excited for the opportunity to further engage in service as our new administrative assistant! She lives with her husband Nathan Ford and step-son Haden, 4 English bulldogs, and a family of hedgehogs! Christy moved to Pierre from Fort Collins, CO, where she managed a service business from her home, providing 24/7 care for people with developmental disabilities. She also comes to us with several years of experience as an office and project manager for the Sioux Empire Housing Partnership in Sioux Falls, SD. Christy has degrees in information technology and economics, and has experience as a technical support consultant for various organizations. We are thrilled to welcome Christy to our church community, and we look forward to getting better acquainted once she begins on Feb. 1, 2021.

Let’s Celebrate Cherlyn Christiansen!

For 12.5 years (that’s a big deal!), Cherlyn has sustained our ministries with effective coordinating and communication skills. Next week our e-news will include a heartfelt FAREWELL and GRATITUDE section for the tremendous ministry Cherlyn has offered our entire church body. SHARE A FAVORITE memory, photo, or word of thanks with Pastor Emily by Wednesday, Jan. 27th!

Prayer Requests

Roger Easland’s mother Helen contracted Covid-19 this week
Victims of the Edgewater Apt. fire
Susan Smith is recovering from knee surgery
Graeme Buras is recovering from surgery
Val Kelly’s family is preparing to say farewell to Granny Reta
Jack Baker and Avery Vanden Bos are preparing statements of faith
All congregants separated from loved ones

Get Involved This New Year

Oahe Federal Credit Union Fire Relief Fund

Send checks or drop-off via the drive-through: 221 E Pleasant Drive
Venmo: @EdgewaterApartment-FireDonatio

Funds collected will be distributed to help defer the costs of downpayments and deposits for victims searching for new housing options. THANK YOU for the tremendous outpouring of concern and support.

The Oahe Disaster Response Team is interested to HEAR FROM YOU regarding possible re-housing options for those displaced by the fire. If you’ve got a lead, contact Pastor Emily.

Reverse Advent Calendar #latergram

Jenna Kruger (and Arik & Fio Bethke) participated in our Reverse Advent Calendar challenge, collecting one food item a day during December. Thanks for caring for our community in this way!

Do you have a photo of Good Work to share with us? email Pastor Emily. We love to spread word of Gospel news!

Souper Bowl of Caring: $2,500 is the Goal!

Our local food pantry, housed in PARS, is a tremendous community resource that we support each year. This year, due to covid, we are setting a monetary-only goal of $2,500! Help us reach it with your financial donations, simply desigate your giving to Souper Bowl of Caring!

We Celebrate 2021 Leadership!

We are grateful for the continued service of SO MANY lay leaders in our church, and the addition of new voices to our teams! Check out the complete list of your church friends serving in various ministries here!

In an effort to display our depth of commitment and joy as a faith community, our new website will host a few of YOUR stories! If you’d like to submit a paragraph or two describing what you value about this church, along with a photo, we will spread good news to those searching for a faith home! It’s the most authentic form of evangelism I know.

email Pastor Emily with your story and photo today! No need to be a member for your story to be valuable!