Energy and Excitement in the Congregation

In this month's Reminder, within the March 12 Council Meeting Minutes, this statement appeared, "A former member noted the energy and excitement of the congregation."

Then, in reading the other articles within the Reminder, I picked out some examples from the activities of our members. I feel the energy and see the excitement!

• Late Night Study Break for UMM Students, May 8:  A place to come to study, for beverages, snacks, and Internet connection
• The Women's Fellowship Salad Supper, hosting guests from Herman, Chokio - Pepperton, and Hancock churches.
• The contributions we made to the Office of Community Engagement in support of their annual "Bread 'N Bowls" fundraiser.
• Our continued efforts to offer the 2-Hour Delay Café for Morris Area High School students for a safe and welcoming place to be before school begins.
• Our efforts to save lives through the "Imagine No Malaria" campaign.
• Contributing toward and attending the "Intercultural Community Event" at the Common Cup.
• Unprecedented giving to the "Foodshare Campaign" in March.
• Creating 60 school kits that will be sent to the United Methodist Committee on Relief for distribution at the end of May.
• The upcoming "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus" Re/New Membership Event to be held May 23, 6:30 - 8 pm.  A time to engage the core of our faith:  "What does it really mean to follow Jesus?"
• Nancy Barbour's article, "Creating Generous Congregations," reminded us of the things Rick Wagner, MN Conference UCC Associate Conference Minister talked about when he was here in February.  He asked that we consider making a covenant in the congregation to:

• Pray daily
• Worship regularly
• Improve yourself
• Volunteer outside the church
• Give generously