FIRST UNITED CHURCH of CHRIST

Sermon from 5/19/13

Andrea Pegram — Sun, 19 May 2013 19:45:21 +0000

Please click on this link for a readable/printable version of the sermon: “Acts 2: 1-21.”.

Please click below for an audio format:

Sermon from 5/12/13

Andrea Pegram — Tue, 14 May 2013 21:45:15 +0000

Please click on this link for a readable/printable version of the sermon: Mark 6: 6b-13.

Please click below for an audio format:

Mary Ellen Ross

Jennifer Kluzak — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:27:17 +0000

Mary Ellen Ross, age 67, of Northfield, died Sunday May 5, 2013, at Three Links Reflections Care Suites. She was in Hospice after a long and courageous battle with what was most likely Alzheimer’s disease.

Mary Ellen Ross was born on Jan. 18, 1947, as the daughter of Helen Kemp Ross and Hugh J. Ross. She attended Catholic schools through college, earning a bachelor’s of science degree in psychology from Fordham University in 1968. Mary Ellen earned her master’s and doctorate degrees in 1974 in developmental psychology at Syracuse University with research focused on children. She continued her work with children with a post-doctoral fellowship at University of Colorado Medical Center in 1976-77. She was an adjunct faculty at several universities, as well as an elementary school counselor in Pennsylvania from 1974-1976.

Mary Ellen moved to Northfield and she joined the faculty at St. Olaf College in 1977. She taught in the psychology department for 30 years. Her courses included counseling, development, listening and communication. She was active in the women’s studies program and served as director of the college’s Teaching and Learning Center. She also worked as a therapist, primarily with children, and as an artist using the quilt form as medium to document her struggles with depression.

Mary Ellen was a member of First United Church of Christ and she enjoyed singing in the choir. Her family is grateful for a circle of church members and friends who were important in providing caring support in the last years of Mary Ellen’s life.

She is survived by her older brother, Donald K. Ross and his wife Helen Ross of New York City; and two nieces, Katherine and Margaret Ross. She also leaves behind many devoted friends.

A memorial service is planned for 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 29, 2013, at First United Church of Christ, 300 Union St., Northfield.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in Mary Ellen’s name to the church and will be designated to the good work of the Service and Social Responsibility committee.

The Chronicle

Jennifer Kluzak — Fri, 10 May 2013 16:10:45 +0000

Please click here to view the May 9th issue of The Chronicle.

If you did not receive The Chronicle in your email, make sure you have joined our mailing list by adding your information in the Join Our Mailing List on the right side of this page! The Chronicle will be sent out the 2^nd and 4^th Thursday of each month.

Carleton Arboretum Prairie Restoration Project

Jennifer Kluzak — Fri, 03 May 2013 17:24:21 +0000

F.A.S.T. Families will meet from 9:00 a.m until 10:00 a.m. at the Arboretum on Sunday morning. Gather at Carleton in the parking area nearest the water tower. We’ll be helping with a prairie restoration project that is underway at the Arb. Our job is to make piles of sticks, approximately 50 feet apart. We can work at our own pace and do not need to do any digging, cutting or uprooting of trees or other vegetation. Hard soled shoes and gloves are recommended as there are many small trees that were taken down with rough cuts. If you haven’t attended F.A.S.T. Families before, feel free to join us. It’s ok if you come to worship a little bit dirty.

Trees Will Wait, But There’s More!

Jennifer Kluzak — Thu, 02 May 2013 17:03:57 +0000

Read Pastor Todd’s weekly email here.

If you are not receiving Pastor Todd’s weekly email or the Chronicle e-newsletter, make sure you have joined our mailing list by adding your information in the Join Our Mailing List on the right side of this page.

Tree planting postponed until Saturday May 11!!

Jennifer Kluzak — Thu, 02 May 2013 17:00:53 +0000

When the Weather Channel camps out in your town, some outdoor activities will be postponed. Be ready Saturday May 11th though. We’ll plant 450 trees at River Bend Nature Center from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. If you want to car pool, meet at the church at 9:15. Otherwise come on out to the Nature Center when you can and we’ll direct you to the planting site. Bring your own food and water and wear appropriate clothing.

Mavis Larkin

Jennifer Kluzak — Wed, 01 May 2013 13:52:57 +0000

Mavis Larkin, age 89 of Northfield, passed away Sunday, April 28, 2013 at the Three Links Care Center in Northfield. Funeral Services will be 10:00 am Thursday, May 2^nd at the First United Church of Christ in Northfield with burial at the Oaklawn Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from4-8:00 pm at the Bierman Funeral Home in Northfield and at the Church on Thursday 1 hour prior to Services.

Mavis Evelyn Larkin was born May 26, 1923 in Minneapolis, MN, daughter of Richard and Irma (Nash) Sampson. Her first years were spent in Minneapolis before moving with her family to Northfield. She graduated from Northfield High School in 1941 and then attended Mankato State Teachers College. She taught country school for a few years near Hector, MN before moving back to Northfield to begin working at the First National Bank.

On October 20, 1957 she was united in marriage to Fay Wesley Larkin and they made home on the Larkin dairy farm just south of Northfield. In addition to raising three daughters, Mavis helped with driving tractor in the field and taking care of the calves. She always had a large vegetable garden, which included canning a lot of their produce, was an excellent baker and was known for her apple pies. She also was a care provider for many of her elderly relatives. When Fay retired from dairy farming in 1969 she worked a number of years for the Federal Land Bank in Northfield.

Mavis and Fay were active with the Odd Fellows and Rebekah’s Organization, Rice County Farm Bureau, Birthday Club, and the monthly card parties with the neighbors. She also was active with her church circle and the Rice County Extension Group. Mavis loved music her entire life and was an excellent pianist and organist. She was more than willing to play at community events and with the groups and clubs she belonged to.

Mavis Larkin is survived by daughters Marnee Larkin and husband Bryan Iwamoto of Minneapolis, Jeanne Estrem and husband Mark of Nerstrand, Carol Beumer and husband Steve of Northfield; grandchildren Clarice (Pat) DeGrood, Crystal (Tim) Pieper, Derek Beumer, Courtney (Michael) Gilomen; great grandchildren Breanna and Karlie Jo DeGrood, Hadley Gilomen; and sister-in-law Shirley Sampson of Hoffman, MN. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Fay; and brother Richard Sampson. Memorials to donor’s choice.

Funeral arrangements by the Bierman Funeral Home of Northfield.

The Chronicle 4/25/13

Andrea Pegram — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 22:03:57 +0000

Please click here to view the April 25th issue of The Chronicle.

Sermon from 4/21/13

Andrea Pegram — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:45:27 +0000

Please click below for an audio version of the sermon “Reverence, Wonder, Awe” by Rev. Bob Griggs: