Thanks to everyone [...]]]> I am so grateful to everyone for the wonderful celebration of our ministry together,  for the beautiful fabric art by Dawn Carlson Conn that was commissioned for the church in honor of my time with you, and for the substantial donations made to my seminary, Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley. 

Thanks to everyone for your generosity and good wishes, and may God’s blessings continue to shower down on this wonderful congregation.

Grace and peace,

Sandy

Snowmen at Christmas, by Caralyn Buehner, pictures by Mark Buehner

Great Joy by Kate Dicamillo, Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline

Here’s an excerpt from the Pastoral Letter:

As people of faith we believe [...]]]> The UCC has a long record of advocating for change in our health care system, and a commitment to health care for all. Here’s a link to information about our position, and about things you can do to move this important work forward.

Here’s an excerpt from the Pastoral Letter:

As people of faith we believe that it is a moral imperative to transform health care so that it is inclusive, accessible, affordable and accountable. We call on our churches to actively work towards the creation of a national health care system and to affirm the moral and justice imperatives of equal access for all people.

Damen is pictured in our sanctuary, speaking with long-time member Ian Barbour, one of the many people who have helped Damen to live a life [...]]]> Our 2007-08 Seminary Intern, Damen Heitmann, who graduated in May, is the focus of an profile in this year’s Annual Report from the United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities.

Damen is pictured in our sanctuary, speaking with long-time member Ian Barbour, one of the many people who have helped Damen to live a life of curiosity and faithfulness.

Here’s the article:

Damen Heitmann ‘09 ranks his confirmation class at Trinity United Church of Christ in Victor, Iowa, high on his list of formative experiences. “When Pastor David Mears said whatever language we used to write our personal religious creeds was the right language,” Damen explains, “he took the Divine out of a box that previously had only one key and gave everyone equal access.”

The same pastor told the young Damen that he, too, might one day receive a call to ministry. The freedom to express himself in his own words and to think critically on matters of faith has played an important role in Damen’s path to answering his call.
As a teenager, Damen, along with several friends from various churches, joined the most active youth group in town. On a weekend retreat, the guest speaker distributed free copies of a book he had written that attempted to disprove the theory of evolution. Damen discussed with his father how the book contradicted what he had learned in science class, and in his father’s response, Damen once again benefited from encouragement to think for himself and reach his own conclusions. This marked the beginning of Damen’s interest in the relationship between science and religion that became an important theme in his undergraduate studies and seminary work.
But first a detour or two:
When he entered Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, Damen first chose to major in television production, then elementary education. Finally, after taking a required course in religion, Damen found what he’d been seeking. “When I decided to major in religion,” he said, “it felt like coming home.”
After earning a bachelor’s degree with a major in religion, Damen sought an opportunity for service and spent a year in AmeriCorps VISTA as a volunteer coordinator at the University of Minnesota in Duluth. There he recruited students to volunteer at local non-profit agencies.
All of these formative experiences led Damen to discern a vision for his life. Echoing the scriptural injunction to choose life over death and blessing over curse, Damen began to see the church as a place that promotes the flourishing of life in large and small ways. He began to see himself helping to bring this about through preaching, teaching, and pastoral care.
United Theological Seminary, as a seminary of the United Church of Christ and with a long tradition of open inquiry, was a natural choice for Damen as he claimed his call to ministry. Affirming his youthful experience in confirmation class, he found at United an ecumenical ethos that “gives everyone equal access to the Divine.” United’s academically challenging program in biblical studies and theology was also an important consideration in Damen’s decision to enroll at United.
When he was admitted to United, Damen was selected as one of three George fellows for his outstanding potential as a church leader. The George Family Foundation established these fellowships for students at United who show exceptional promise for leadership. The fellows receive full tuition scholarships for three years at United. The fellowship also provided Damen with the opportunity to participate in a summer conference for outstanding seminary students, sponsored by the Plymouth Congregational Church’s Center for Progressive Christianity. Fortuitously, Damen completed his internship requirement at the United Church of Christ in Northfield, where he met long-time member Ian Barbour, professor emeritus of Carleton College. A theologian and physicist, Barbour is credited with breaking down age-old barriers between science and religion and received the Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion in 1999.
In his years at United, Damen exhibited the characteristics that will serve the church well as he moves into congregational ministry. An outstanding student, he served as teaching assistant to Marilyn Salmon, professor of New Testament Theology, and received the award for best academic record in New Testament studies at United’s 47th Commencement on May 17. A winsome leader of the community, Damen organized a kick ball team that played – and won – matches with Luther and Bethel Seminaries. A sensitive theologian, Damen demonstrated his deep and thoughtful nature, and the love of life that infuses his vision for the church.

Ode to Process v2.0
by Damen Heitmann
Ever changing ours the journey
Shift we down life’s earthly path
Seeking fresh new ways of living
Alleluia allelu
Moments bloom from wombs maternal
Resurrection present now
Newness springs from ground eternal
Alleluia allelu
Toward your vision lure us always
Incomplete and not yet done
Heaven breaks forth in our own time
Alleluia allelu
Ever present, ever flowing
Fount of life be known to us
Spirit bless us on our journey
Alleluia allelu

Our congregation was recognized for our extraordinary generosity to Our Church’s Wider Mission — we’re in the top tier of givers, with over $60,000 contributed last year.  We are one of the smallest (maybe the [...]]]> The UCC General Synod (our biennial national gathering) honors many individuals and groups — and this year, that included us!

Our congregation was recognized for our extraordinary generosity to Our Church’s Wider Mission — we’re in the top tier of givers, with over $60,000 contributed last year.  We are one of the smallest (maybe the smallest) of churches on the list.  What a joy and blessing to be recognized for what we give away!

And our own Kevin Peterson received the Rev. Robert D. Sherard Award for Youth and Young Adult Leadership.  Kevin is an associate member here while he is a student at St. Olaf; his home church is in Federal Way, Washington.  He serves on two national boards, plus was a member of a task force working on ways to update the structure of the national setting of the UCC.  Here in Northfield, he serves on our Youth Ministry committee, is a representative to the Church Council, and last year was an instructor for our Junior High program on human sexuality, “Our Whole Lives.”  Congrats to Kevin!

This year you can follow all the action from home.  Click here to get details on all the ways you [...]]]> The United Church of Christ General Synod begins Friday, June 26, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Every two years, delegates from all over the country come together to worship, work, and make decisions for our church.

This year you can follow all the action from home.  Click here to get details on all the ways you can be part of General Synod while never leaving home!

I am just a visitor this year, not a delegate, so I’ll be free to roam around and find interesting stories to share with you here — watch for them!

I want to encourage you to try out the UCC’s Daily Devotional.  These are thoughtful reflections, written by clergy and lay leaders around the [...]]]> If you are like me, you are a little wary of “devotional” readings.  They often seem trite or simplistic, or worse, are based on a theology that I don’t agree with.

I want to encourage you to try out the UCC’s Daily Devotional.  These are thoughtful reflections, written by clergy and lay leaders around the UCC, that touch on our daily lives.  It’s free, and comes to your email every day.  You can read a sample (and subscribe) by clicking here.

Go ahead and subscribe — you can always unsubscribe if you don’t like it. I have been reading these for three months now, and I really look forward to them — I think you will, too.

Whenever you see something new posted here, there’s a place at the bottom to click if you would like to make a comment about what you have just read. (Don’t be confused if it says “No Comments” — that just means “no [...]]]> I’d like to invite you to add some conversation to our website.

Whenever you see something new posted here, there’s a place at the bottom to click if you would like to make a comment about what you have just read. (Don’t be confused if it says “No Comments” — that just means “no comments have been offered yet”)

   This is a great place to raise a question, take issue with a sermon, or let us know about other events and activities.  And don’t worry — I check each comment before it is posted, so we’re safe from spam!

Let’s hear from you!