My dear Olivetians,
Thanksgiving is more than one thing. It is part of our call as Christians; we are charged with being thankful for God’s bounty, (which includes challenges that push us to grow). It is a day on the calendar. For most of us, it is a day off from the normal routine of life. It is a prayer, silent or aloud, when we feel particularly blessed.
The day on the calendar is marked by food, gathering, and remembering. Thanksgiving dinners, wherever they occur, are very much about thanks for the blessings of right now, or of the the year thus far—though stories from Thanksgivings or events of days gone by may intersperse the conversations as well.
I think Thanksgiving, just before Advent, is a wonderful opportunity to sum up all the gifts of the year, to celebrate what we have learned about being good stewards of the world we live in and to open our hearts to more learning about how it all works and what we can do to be good citizens of the world and friends to each other.
Thanksgiving is more than a day; it is a way of life. The day gives us a chance to collect all the pieces of our gratitude and use them as a springboard into the Advent season where waiting and watching are major themes.
May the sharing of food, stories and other memories this Thanksgiving be another step in the binding together of hearts for all in attendance.
Traveling life’s path together,
Pastor Sandy
Columbus Fall River Food Pantry Urgent Plea!
Our Columbus/Fall River Food Pantry is in severe need of donations. They are serving more and more people and families all the time, which puts a strain on resources. Monetary gifts may be dropped off at Farmers & Merchants Union Bank. Otherwise, food items may be brought to church and placed in the little red wagon in the main floor entryway. Let’s do our part and share what we can for those who have too little.
Tenzin Yangdon
Global Ministries of the UCC has announced that Tenzin, Tsephel graduated from school this past spring, and our new student is Tenzin, Yangdon, a nine-year-old in grade 4. Sponsorship envelopes are in the Narthex. Addressed notecards will also be available shortly so that you as a family can write to her.
Ecumenical Thanksgiving Eve Service
Olivet is hosting the community’s Thanksgiving Eve service this year. It will be held at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, November 27th. Please join us with the United Methodists, the Nazarenes, Faith Lutheran and the Presbyterians as we give thanks to God for His abundant blessings.
Fall Festival Set for November 1st
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!! The Fall Festival committee has now decided that the Fall Festival that was scheduled for November 1st will now be a “No-Fuss” Fall Festival. Watch your mailbox for a letter that will be coming out soon with all of the details.
Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary to all who are celebrating this month!
News from Our Quilters
Like clockwork each second & fourth Wednesday mornings our ladies can be found laying out color schemes for quilts, tying them, sorting fabric and cutting squares (the sewing takes place in their homes). It is a beehive of activity in the fellowship hall. We would love to have you come - No experience necessary!
We are also in need of blankets and batting for the inside of our quilts and flat sheets for the back.
Election Prayer Topics by WI Council of Churches
The Wisconsin Council of Churches developed and made available a list of prayer topics for use during this election season. They are meant to be used by individuals, family units or groups. Consider using them as you wish.
· For candidates, their staff, advisors & families.
· For ordinary people striving to do what they can . . .
· For donors large & small . . . may we use our resources to support our hopes for this country, its people, and the world, natural and human . . .
· For journalists & those who influence public opinion.
· For the undecided & the disengaged.
· For poll workers and election officials.
· For courts of justice, that they may play their role in keeping our elections and political system just, open and fair.
· For our country
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Have you received the 4-page prayers for our children this school year? If you have, are you using the prayers regularly? If you don’t have a copy, please let Pastor Sandy know.
From Trudy Amherdt:
One of God’s commands is to love one another. My experience with a homebound friend of Olivet gave me an opportunity to see her love shine as well as my own.
Last week I was blessed to be able to give a lap blanket to this friend. To say she was pleased was an understatement. Grateful? Yes! Lit up like a Christmas tree? Yes! She kept thanking me over and over. We prayed over her blanket; gratitude shown there as well.
This lap blanket is a bright and beautiful reminder to her that she has not been
forgotten. Across her lap is love—sewn into every stitch. I hope she keeps that feeling
each and every time she uses it.
THANK YOU, Olivet Congregational United Church of Christ (sewers), for giving
me the opportunity to spread some love in a world that truly needs it.
Church Council Ongoing Activities
The council is in the process of going through the Building & Grounds checklist of improvements and updates that our church building is in need of. Our flat roof that is leaking needs to be resealed/re-caulked at a cost of $600, and will be completed this summer, as well. Our church sanctuary and narthex walls are becoming black from years of burning candles, which will need to be professionally cleaned. We do not have any quotes yet for this but stay tuned! We are putting together a capital campaign so If you can give any amount towards these improvements, we would greatly appreciate it!
Church Council Update for November 2024
We have approved replacing the carpeting in the fellowship area with new carpet tiles. This will take volunteers to remove the furniture and refrigerator so once we have an install date, please know we will need some help!
Pastor Sandy’s contract with us will come to a close on October 1, 2025. She is an amazing gift to us during this transitional time and we are grateful for EVERYTHING she does for us! We are praying that the Holy Spirit will send us a permanent part-time pastor by then.
The Octoberfest Bake Sale raised approximately $872.50.
We have a 175th Anniversary Committee: Nancy Liverseed, Brian Cutsforth, June Waterworth, Barb Heiman (chair), Darlene Crombie and Mina Kenevan. Please watch for information on how Olivet is going to celebrate this!
There is also a fundraiser for the No Fuss Fall Festival that includes two tickets to the TobyMac, Mercy Me and Zach Williams concert in Moline, IL (about a 3-hour drive from Columbus) on Sunday, November 17th at 7 PM. Tickets include a parking pass and doors open at 6 PM. Tickets will be given to the highest bidder and have a value of $200. If you know anyone interested in this, please call or email the church office or contact any council member.
The electrical panels have been updated to code! Money was taken from our savings/ improvement fund in order to accomplish this.
Our finance department now has a new email: finance@olivetucc.gmail.com. Please feel free to email for finance information. Our checkbook balance, less dedicated, was ($1,805.37) as of September 30, 2024.
Search Committee Update for October 2024
We are currently reviewing a profile for a possible part-time pastor and in the process of setting up an interview with this potential candidate. The committee members are working hard in compiling questions that will be forthcoming in what Olivet’s needs are at this time and potentially in the future. Please know that this interview process is totally different from what our past search committees have gone through. This is the first time a search committee has been given the task of finding a part-time pastor. Today’s shortage of pastors continues to be a reality that challenges us in finding someone that will be a good fit for Olivet. Plus, we are in the pool of 11 churches in Wisconsin that are seeking a part-time pastor. With faith, prayer and Jesus by our sides, we will embrace our task of finding someone that will help us lift our sails and navigate the waters ahead! Please keep us in your prayers and we will keep you updated! God Bless!
Messages on the Outdoor Sign
Are you watching the messages on the outdoor sign? They change about weekly. If you walk near the sign, you will see a number of “ministry rocks.” They are for the taking, if you wish. You might have fun placing them around town to be found by others as sort of a fun surprise.
New Email Address for Olivet
Please note that Olivet has a new email address: olivetucc.columbus@gmail.com
Our email account was hacked, and the only option was to open a new account for us. Please update your contact information for Olivet UCC.
Receiving the Newsletter – Get It Your Way
The majority of newsletters, however, will be sent electronically to members and friends for whom we have correct email addresses. And the third means of distribution is to pick up a copy from the info table in the narthex.
Please contact the church office should you wish to change the manner in which you receive this valuable monthly document, or to update any of your contact information. If you have not received the newsletter at all, let the office know that too. We want you to be informed so you can participate in the goings-on at Olivet.
Christian Banner Donated
A beautiful Christian banner has been donated to Olivet by Georgia Punswick in memory of her mother, Almeda Bass. The banner was designed and constructed by a creative member of her church. If one looks closely, they will find three different Christian symbols included in the design on the banner. The banner will be hung on a wall yet to be determined. Thank you, Georgia!
Olivet now features E-Giving; an online service to allow you to make your donations in a secure way that also helps you track your donations over the year. Please see our E-Giving page on this website.
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