Greetings Beloved Children of God
Over the past few months, I’ve been working on updating the vision, mission and core values of Olivet UCC. I’ve also been working with James Smith to update and keep current the Olivet
Website. During a recent perusal of the site, I found these “statements” under ABOUT US. Similar to my hope that Olivet review their mission statement and create a vision statement and a simple list of core values…I am wondering if reviewing the statements below would also benefit the community of Olivet UCC? Why Olivet exists, who Olivet is, what is God saying to us through these statements, what are we asking of ourselves, do these statements continue to reflect who we are, could some updating and reflecting on these statements be beneficial to all?
About Us
The Olivet Congregational United Church of Christ exists to Glorify God and share his grace with others, to guide people to Jesus – to make believers out of unbelievers and disciples out of believers, to be good neighbors in need, to challenge injustice, to meet regularly for prayer, to sing and learn, to gather followers in an authentic relationship, and help them grow toward the maturity of faith. In the community of rural Wisconsin, Olivet is a warm congregation; truly a family church and one that is a spiritual home to members of many diverse backgrounds and histories.
What we believe
We Believe in the triune God: Creator, resurrected Christ, the sole Head of the church, and the Holy Spirit, who guides and brings about the creative and redemptive work of God in the world.
We believe that each person is unique and valuable: It is the will of God that every person belongs to a family of faith where they have a strong sense of being valued and loved.
We believe that each person is on a spiritual journey: and that each of us is at a different stage of that journey.
We believe that the persistent search for God produces an authentic relationship with God: engendering love, strengthening faith, dissolving guilt, and giving life purpose and direction.
We believe that all of the baptized’ belong body and soul to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ: No matter who – no matter what – no matter where we are on life’s journey – notwithstanding race, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, class or creed – we all belong to God and to one worldwide community of faith. All persons baptized – past, present and future – are connected to each other and to God through the sacrament of baptism. We baptize during worship when the community is present because baptism includes the community’s promise of ‘love, support and care’ for the baptized – and we promise that we won’t take it back – no matter where your journey leads you.
We believe that all people of faith are invited to join Christ at Christ’s table for the sacrament of Communion: Just as many grains of wheat are gathered to make one loaf of bread and many grapes are gathered to make one cup of wine, we, the many people of God, are made one in the body of Christ, the church. The breaking of bread and the pouring of wine reminds us of the costliness of Christ’s sacrifice and the discipleship to which we are all called. In the breaking of bread, we remember and celebrate Christ’s presence among us along with a ‘cloud of witnesses’ – our ancestors, family and friends who have gone before us. It is a great mystery; we claim it by faith.
We believe the UCC is called to be a united and uniting church: “That they may all be one.” (John 17:21) “In essentials–unity, in nonessentials–diversity, in all things–charity,” These UCC mottos survive because they touch core values deep within us. The UCC has no rigid formulation of doctrine or attachment to creeds or structures. Its overarching creed is love. UCC pastors and teachers are known for their commitment to excellence in theological preparation, interpretation of the scripture and justice advocacy. Even so, love and unity in the midst of our diversity are our greatest assets.
We believe that God calls us to be servants in the service of others: and to be good stewards of the earth’s resources. ‘To believe is to care; to care is to do.’
We believe that the UCC is called to be a prophetic church: As in the tradition of the prophets and apostles, God calls the church to speak truth to power, liberate the oppressed, care for the poor and comfort the afflicted.
We believe in the power of peace: and work for nonviolent solutions to local, national, and international problems.
We are a people of possibility: In the UCC, members, congregations and structures have the breathing room to explore and to hear ... for after all, God is still speaking, ...
May God bless you all as we continue to grow together in God’s love, grace, mercy and peace.
Pastor Laura
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RaiseRight
RaiseRight is a way you can help raise money through everyday spending. From groceries to gas, you can purchase a gift card through the RaiseRight app that you can spend on whatever you purchased it for. When spending the money through RaiseRight Olivet get a percentage of what you spend differing based on what each card percentage is currently listened.
You can sign up at https://www.raiseright.com/ or by downloading the app and using Olivet’s code (Nancy Liverseed).
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Fall Festival is Looking for Help
If you are interested in helping with fall festival you can sign up with the QR code shown in the electronic document version of the newsletter.
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Pastor Laura is searching for:
1. A few young people to assist with Sunday Morning PowerPoint, it would probably require attendance at worship 1 Sunday per month - approximately. Please see/email/text Pastor Laura if you are interested or have any questions about this important ministry.
2. 3 church members to discuss updating Olivet’s vision and mission statements
3. 3 church members to discuss the values of the Olivet congregation
FYI – once the vision, mission and values statements are complete they will be presented to the congregation for review and approval.
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For those who might be interested in visiting our members who cannot make it to church, please call the church office at 920-623-5140 or contact any Council member. You may also email the church office at olivetucc.columbus@gmail.com.
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Community Meal
Our next Community Meal will be held at Olivet on Thursday, September 10th, beginning at 4:30 pm until 6:00 pm.
Methodist Church will host their community meal on Thursday, September 24th from 5 pm to 6:30 pm.
The community meals are for everyone in the community that would like to join us for some fellowship and a great meal together. All are welcome.
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Dear Confirmands
You are cordially invited to a life-changing year! Are you ready for a challenge? If so, say, “Yes” and join us for your Confirmation Preparation! The First Day of Class will be September 20, 2026, following worship. We also will be having "Sunday School" Kickoff on Sunday September 13, 2026 - You are welcome to join in the fun!
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Olivet is always looking for more ideas for fundraisers. If you have anything to suggest, we are always open to new ideas. You can email us at olivetucc.columbus@gmail.com or give the church office a call at 920-623-5140.
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Ushering and Fellowship sign-up
Thanks to Mina Kenevan our ushering schedule is now out for the upcoming 2026 church year. Each member that signed up to help usher will have 2 or 3 Sundays throughout 2026 to usher. If you do not receive a schedule, there are extra copies on the table in the Narthex. If you would like one mailed to you, please call the church office at 920-623-5140 and we will send one to you.
Thank you to all who volunteered.
Worship and Music Committee
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Help others by donating now
The General Fund of the Wisconsin Conference helps us connect, support and resource pastors, leaders, and congregations. Your gift allows the Conference to provide relevant and timely help.
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In Memoriam
The Rev. Mary Anne Biggs died August 10.
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Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary to all who are celebrating this month!
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Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment or the smallest act of caring - all of which have the potential to turn a life around"- Leo Buscaglia -
Dates to remember
The Wisconsin Conference will convene by Zoom at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, to approve the 2027 Conference budget. Registration for 2026-2027 Wisconsin Conference Youth retreats will open by Sept.1. Watch your inbox for additional details... Living Well, Leading Well is the theme of this fall’s clergy retreat, which will take place from 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, through 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, at Daycholah Center...The fall retreat of the Great Lakes Association of United Church Educators will take place Oct. 6-8 at Waycross Camp and Retreat Center in Morgantown, Indiana. Questions? Email Lisa Hart.
Notice -
As you may or may not know through the summer, we have had one of our high school students working as our secretary, Ava Schmied. We want to thank Ava for her work for the summer and the great job she did in that position. As she returns to high school we have looked to fill that position with a new secretary. Darlene Crombie has accepted the position with some changes to the structure and the hours going forward.
The secretary position will be completely "in office". She will have office hours on Wednesday and Thursday from 9 AM until 2 PM. Communications will be through the church's phone and/or email. If you need to contact the secretary when she is not in the office, you can leave a voicemail and/or send an email to the church. Darlene will respond during her office hours.
In the event of an emergency and during times when there is no one in office, those emergencies should be directed to Pastor Laura at her phone number. If Pastor Laura is out of town and unavailable the next person to contact would be the moderator or vice moderator (currently Mina Kenevan and Shannon Bolgrien respectively).
We look forward to this transition to a completely "in office" secretary position. If there are any questions, please feel free to reach out to personnel, which includes Shannon Bolgrien and June Waterworth.
Stay alert: How to recognize scams
We are aware of two recent scams that have circulated within the Wisconsin Conference. In one, an email appeared to come from the now-defunct Southwest Association and included an online invitation. Clicking the invitation could lead to attempts to collect personal information or solicit money. In the second, someone impersonated the Rev. Jeannie Douglas and requested gift cards.
Please be cautious with unexpected emails or requests for money, gift cards, or personal information. If a message seems suspicious, do not click on links or respond to the request. Instead, verify the request directly with the person or organization using trusted contact information, not information provided in the potential scam email.
Online training and resources
Six churches receive Catalyst funding for innovative ministries
The Wisconsin Conference Catalyst Team earlier this month awarded grants totaling more than $16,000 to six congregations. The grantees and their projects are Brookfield Congregational Church, for Beloved Inside and Out; Grace UCC, Milwaukee, for Backpack Giveaway and Sandwich Outreach; First Congregational Church, Janesville, for Community Storytelling Through Film; Somers UCC for Diaper Ministry/Food Pantry; Church of Peace UCC, Fond du Lac, for Community Fridge Fondy; and First Congregational UCC, Appleton, for Spirit Covenant. Does your congregation have an idea for an innovative ministry that meets a community need? If the answer is yes, see whether a Catalyst Grant might be right for you.
Unlock your congregation's generosity
If you’re looking to change the way your congregation approaches giving, check out Cultivating Generous Congregations. It’s an interactive virtual seminar designed to demonstrate how pastors and lay leaders can unlock and energize congregational generosity by exploring steps to creating sustainable cultural change in your church. Topics will include the importance of adaptive leadership, fiscal transparency, and donor care. Webinars will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays, Aug. 26, Sept. 9 and 23, Oct. 7 and 21, and Nov. 4 Additional self-paced learning will take place between sessions.
ONA Team says high court rulings incompatible with faith
The Wisconsin Conference UCC Open and Affirming Team issued a statement earlier this month declaring that recent Supreme Court decisions allowing states to restrict the rights of transgender women and girls to participate in sports are contrary to our faith. The statement told members of the trans community: “You are beloved by God. You are not alone. Our ONA congregations remain committed to welcoming you, standing with you, and celebrating the gifts you bring to the Body of Christ.” The Wisconsin Conference is home to more than 80 Open and Affirming congregations. Read the full statement.
Clergy retreat to explore wellness
Living Well, Leading Well is the theme of this fall’s clergy retreat, which has the goal of nurturing the whole person in ministry. The retreat will take place from 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct.11, through 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, at Daycholah Center. Through workshops, guided reflection, and time for rest and renewal, participants will explore practices that support mental, spiritual, physical, and financial wellness so clergy can continue to lead with resilience, joy, and purpose. Featured presenters will be the Rev. Dr. Sarah Griffith Lund, UCC minister for disabilities and mental health justice, and the Rev. Dr. Paul Leon Ramsey, pastor director for church relations and philanthropy for the Pension Boards of the United Church of Christ.
Committee on Ministry wants your help
Are you engaged in your own congregation and looking for ways to serve the wider Wisconsin Conference? Consider volunteering for one of the teams associated with the Committee on Ministry. Opportunities are available on the Executive Team and the Oversight, Authorization, Member in Discernment, Licensing, and Regional Local Church Support teams. Want to learn more? Email Associate Conference. Minister Rachel Bauman or call her at 608-630-2992.
Small church meeting to tackle congregational life cycle
The Small Church Working Group will meet tonight by Zoom to continue the conversation about how small churches can nurture a conversation about church life cycle. If you’re a pastor, lay leader or member of a small church, this is a great opportunity to tackle a topic that’s top of mind for many of our congregations. To jump-start tonight’s discussion, please read the attached document. The Zoom discussion will begin at 6:30 p.m. Register for tonight’s meeting.
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.
Stay informed
Contact Information
We are always striving to keep our records current at Olivet. If you have a new address, phone number or email please let us know by giving us a call at 920-623-5140 or email us at:
olivetucc.columbus@gmail.com. Thank you for your help with this!
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.
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.
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.
Electronic Giving
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.
Catalyst funds help get River Falls tiny-house project off the ground
What’s the best way to attack the housing crisis? In River Falls, it’s one tiny house at a time in an initiative called Wellspring Village. The project was hatched by a collaborative of six congregations, including First Congregational UCC of River Falls, which received a $5,000 Catalyst Grant from the Wisconsin Conference that will go toward construction of one tiny house. River Falls is a 45-minute drive from the Twin Cities, and housing prices are out
of reach for many, Pastor Chris Myers said. The goal of the project is to provide tiny-house guests a bridge to long-term sustainable housing.
Small Church Working Group to tackle legacy planning
If you’re a pastor, lay leader or member of a church that’s on the smaller side – say your worship attendance is 20 or 30 people a week – check out the meeting of the Small Church Working Group. The group meets by Zoom from 6:30 to7:30 p.m. on the third Monday of every month. The discussion will center on the legacy process and how leaders can help congregations interested in exploring where they might be in their life cycle. It’s a great forum for discussing best practices and for celebrating the joys and navigating the challenges of small church life. Register Here
Clergy retreat to explore wellness
Living Well, Leading Well is the theme of this fall’s clergy retreat, which has the goal of nurturing the whole person in ministry. The retreat will take place from 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct.11, through 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, at Daycholah Center. Through workshops, guided reflection, and time for rest and renewal, participants will explore practices that support mental, spiritual, physical, and financial wellness so clergy can continue to lead with resilience, joy, and purpose. Featured presenters will be the Rev. Dr. Sarah Griffith Lund, UCC minister for disabilities and mental health justice, and the Rev. Dr. Paul Leon Ramsey, pastor director for church relations and philanthropy for the Pension Boards of the United Church of Christ.
Conference launches appeal for earthquake relief
The Wisconsin Conference is now accepting donations to support the relief effort in Venezuela, where the death toll from twin earthquakes on June 24 has surpassed 4,700, and thousands more people have been injured and left homeless. News reports citing estimates by the United Nations and other international organizations say anywhere from 10,000 to 50,000people are still unaccounted for. Donations to the Conference relief effort will be forwarded to Church World Service.
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