For more information on the Christmas Sharing program, click here.

General Facebook Page – Helping Out the Marroquin-Hasletts

Benefit Concert for the Marroquin-Haslett Family Facebook Page

Sign up to donate clothing and household items – VolunteerSpot

Sign up to help with meals – VolunteerSpot

A support [...]]]> Several websites have been set up to organize help for the Marroquin-Haslett family after their recent house fire.

General Facebook Page – Helping Out the Marroquin-Hasletts

Benefit Concert for the Marroquin-Haslett Family Facebook Page

Sign up to donate clothing and household items – VolunteerSpot

Sign up to help with meals – VolunteerSpot

A support fund has been established at First National Bank of Northfield. For more information or to contribute, contact Rick Estenson at restenson@firstnationalnorthfield.com or 507-645-5656.

Click here to learn more about an effort by Just Food Co-op to raise money to help the Haslett-Marroquins.

On Sunday, November 6, [...]]]> This year, the national UCC has organized Mission:1, a nationwide 11-day campaign in early November (from 1-1-11 to 11-11-11) to feed the hungry and confront food-related injustice, with a specific focus on East Africa. In conjunction with this effort, the SSR committee has planned several opportunities in November:

On Sunday, November 6, the SSR committee will sponsor a letter-writing event at coffee hour asking our elected officials and representatives to make reduction of world hunger a higher priority of the US government, providing aid specifically for the famine-stricken areas of East Africa and maintaining and increasing our historic commitments to humanitarian foreign aid. (see http://www.ucc.org/mission1/; 111,111 letters tab; http://www.ucc.org/news/uccs-mission1-goals.html).  This is a joint effort with Bread for the World.  We will have envelopes, stamps, statistics and sample letters available.

A challenge grant from SSR: The SSR committee challenges the congregation to donate to the Mission 1 campaign.  With already existing OCWM funds, SSR will match the first $111.11 + $111.11 + $111.11 (total of $333.33) given by members of the congregation through November 13, 2011. Write “Mission:1” in the subject line of a check, or use the envelopes in the pews to donate cash on November 6 and 13.

with Rev. Bryan Sirchio

Where: First United Church of Christ

When: Friday, February 25

Time:   5:30 p.m. Youth Pizza party, (RSVP to Cher Langley by 2/20 so we know how much pizza to have! Thanks!)

7:00 p.m. [...]]]> Please join us for an evening of Songs of Faith, Justice and Haiti ~

with Rev. Bryan Sirchio

Where: First United Church of Christ

When: Friday, February 25

Time:   5:30 p.m. Youth Pizza party, (RSVP to Cher Langley by 2/20 so we know how much pizza to have! Thanks!)

7:00 p.m. Concert

Cost:    $5 students; $10 adults, ticket sales will go to support the ‘Whatif’ foundation www.whatiffoundation.org   in Haiti, Haiti Allies, and the Haiti Justice Alliance of Northfield.

            Purchase at 1^st UCC before or ‘at the door’

• ·         Bryan Sirchio, www.sirchio.com/ is a gifted UCC minister and musician.  He will have just returned from Haiti on February 18, where he has been involved as an activist for about 20 years.
• ·         Bryan will also be participating in the Haiti Human Rights week from February 20-25, sponsored by the Haiti Justice Alliance, St. Olaf Relief Efforts, Haiti Relief Carleton, National Lawyers Guild and First UCC.

For information about the other events, please see the brochure on the church bulletin board (across from office) or contact: haitijusticealliance@gmail.com

Dear Friends:

At this time of year it is appropriate to be thankful for all God has given each of us, especially a roof over our heads to keep out the snow and rain. That is still not the case for millions around the [...]]]> c/o Robert L. Peterson
1200 McKinley Drive, Hudson, WI 54016

Dear Friends:

At this time of year it is appropriate to be thankful for all God has given each of us, especially a roof over our heads to keep out the snow and rain. That is still not the case for millions around the world and even here in the US.

For the 24th year, Barb and I will be taking UCC members from Minnesota and friends to help Habitat for Humanity build homes for people in need of a decent home. This will be the 22nd year that work campers will travel to Coahoma County, Mississippi to build houses. During the past 23 years Minnesota UCC members and friends have worked on over 100 different homes in Mississippi, 8 other states and Winnipeg Canada. Members from over 20 churches in the Minnesota Conference have participated in one or more of these work camps.

In 2011, Barb and I will be in Mississippi for two weeks in February. We invite you to join us for either or both of the weeks, January 30-February 5, or February 6-12, 2011. Complete the application and return as soon as you know your plans for this winter.

Barb and I will be signing up for a Global Village HFH Camp for the fall of 2011. If you are interested in joining us, please let us know your interest and if you have a preference of where you go. Barb and I hope to do one Global Village Trip each year and we are interested in visiting and helping in many different places in the world; New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, Hawaii, Eastern European countries, Spain, Portugal, as well as Central and South American countries. Where we select to go will depend if anyone else is interested in going also.

If there is enough interest, I would put together a HFH work camp to either the Rockies or Northeastern US. Let me know if you are interested in a summer work camp to either of those areas.

If you have questions please contact me: 651-792-5262 or rpeter446@aol.com.

Bob Peterson, member of UCC New Brighton

Have you ever been hungry?  If you know you are going to be able to eat sometime soon, it’s not bad; our [...]]]> That’s the theme of Northfield’s CROP Hunger Walk to be held Sunday, September 26, at 2:00 pm.  It begins at the United Methodist Church and we will walk to Bridge Square.  

Have you ever been hungry?  If you know you are going to be able to eat sometime soon, it’s not bad; our bodies are reminding us that it’s time to refuel.  But, if you don’t know whether you will be able to eat at all, that’s something very different.  And even worse, if you don’t know if you will be able to feed your hungry children, that’s crushing.  Imagine what that must be like.  We can do something to help!  The CROP Hunger Walk is coming soon and we need you.  We need people to walk.  And we need people to sponsor our Walkers.  We need each of you.  And together, step by step we can make a difference in the lives of hungry people around the world.  

Walker Donation Envelopes will be available for you to pick up after worship on Sunday, September 12.  Invite family, neighbors, friends to donate and bring your contributions to the CROP Hunger Walk on September 26.  

Walkers who collect $100 or more will receive a free CROP Hunger Walk T-shirt with the logo Ending Hunger One Step at a Time.  

You can make a difference!!  

Lynne Severson, CROP Walk Planning Committee

Work begins each Tuesday at 4pm and Saturday at 8am.  They need a crew (willing to learn) of about 8 people, about 4 crew leaders (in the trade or highly skilled) a host (signs people in, sets up [...]]]> Rice County Habitat for Humanity is looking for volunteers to build homes for the needy in Northfield, Faribault, and Lonsdale!

Work begins each Tuesday at 4pm and Saturday at 8am.  They need a crew (willing to learn) of about 8 people, about 4 crew leaders (in the trade or highly skilled) a host (signs people in, sets up lunch, etc) and a meal for all of these people plus the partner family. 

For more information, contact Pam Hanson, Volunteer Coordinator, at 507-323-0170 or email ricehabitatvolunteer@gmail.com.