My dear Olivetians,
Closure is always difficult. At least it is for me. Yes, I am fully aware of endings providing for new beginnings and stepping away from somewhere also means stepping into someplace else. All of it can be wonderful, invigorating and life affirming but the wrenching away is the tough part. It is sort of like pulling a bandage off a wound.
This congregation has been a dear part of my heart and life since 2010 when Mina called me and asked if I would consider filling in for the Olivet pastor’s 3-month sabbatical. In my befuddlement, I asked her if she had called the correct phone number. That was the start of a connection that has spanned a decade and a half. Lots of ministry, learning, fun, friendships and laughter have occurred during those many years—especially so since November 2023, my longest time with you.
I’d love to hear what you recall about our time(s) together. It might be a fun “remember when” experience.
There are many such instances that come to mind for me:
* Our first Café Worship
* The privilege of conducting member funerals
* Being a part of the re-vamp of your confirmation program
* Acting out biblical characters during worship
* Using The Voice bible version and having a variety of voices reading scripture
* The heart with which you went about your council and committee roles
* The phenomenal cooks within this congregation
* Our youngsters and young people taking a more active role in worship
* The blessing of the community garden
* Lap quilts made for our shut-ins
* Our small visitation group
* Our summer worship service at Meister Park
* Popping popcorn for the July 4th parade
* Your embrace of a stool sitting approach to my Sunday messages
* Asking you to wear red for Pentecost—which was new to many of you
* Owning both Olivet 165th and 175th tee-Shirts
The list could elongate… The point is, we have done much together. Being with you has been a stand-out part of my time in the ministry. I will continue to keep than eye on your ministry, knowing that on some level I continue to be a part of you.
Until next time…
Your # 1 cheerleader and fan:
Pastor Sandy Schieble
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BE THE CHANGE, DONATE NOW
Aubrey Nerswick is participating in a fundraiser, and she is wondering if we can help. WHAT: We are looking for new or gently used luggage. That means suitcases, backpacks, or duffle bags. Or, new or gently used mittens or gloves, new underwear, socks, coats, shoes, and bedding. If you feel you cannot donate but would like to help, you can reach out with a monetary donation as well. All donations go to the nonprofit “Touched by Foster Care Service” to be used by children in foster care. The church will have a donation spot for these items. Please reach out to Aubrey Nerswick, Sadie Nerswick or Nancy Liverseed with any questions. We thank you for your support in this very important project for Aubrey.
Attention all Bakers and Eaters -
Mark your calendars for Sunday, June 22 after worship!
------------------Pie Auction Fundraiser----------------
Back, by popular demand with auctioneer Anthony Hellpap - You won’t want to miss this event!
Church Life & Mission Committee Update
Church Life & Mission has two collections currently going on and no money is involved. Eyeglasses: We will have a box so you can bring in eyeglasses that you are no longer using. We will be collecting for the Lions Club, and they will distribute these glasses to people who need them. Empty Plastic Pill Bottles: Just clean up and remove the label from your empty medicine containers. Matthew 25: Ministries will include them in their medical supply shipments, so that people in rural and underdeveloped countries can take home their meds in a container, not paper or a leaf.
Social Circle Camp Scholarship
Social Circle would like to offer $500 scholarships to students of Olivet that would like to attend summer camp. $1,000 per family.
Contact the church office at 623-5140 or a member of the Social Circle for more information.
Join us for a 'Second in a summer' series of Campfire Chats (complete with smores) on June 4, 5:30 on church lawn
Bring a lawn chair and sit and chat with your fellow Olivetians!
Joint Community Meal
Olivet has a community meal every second Thursday of the month. These are meals for the whole community, and not only those who might need a meal, but just to go out and meet people, visit with friends, or just not cook for a night. You can join in this endeavor by volunteering at the meal (great bunch to work with) or by just coming to the meal. Hope to see you soon!
Bible Study at Olivet . . .
Bible Study on the first Sunday of the month will be taking a break for the summer and will begin again in September. We will keep you updated.
4TH OF JULY BRAT STAND
Olivet will be hosting a brat stand again this year on the 4th of July at the home of Mabel Hayes on Park Avenue from 11 am to 1 pm. We would love to have your help setting up, and handing out the brats, hot dogs, water, and popcorn. Donations are accepted. A great way to have fun on the 4th, see the parade and meet people. Contact Sue Wingers, Betty Klug, Gina Fritz, Brian Cutsforth or Carol Black.
TIBETAN REFUGEE STUDENT
Don’t forget our Tibetan Refugee Student, Tenzin Yangdon. Our monthly payments enable her to attend school at the Tibetan Refugee Self Help Centre in India. The monthly scholarship is $30 and when you send in your check, there are cards addressed to send to Yangdon to let her know a little bit about our members of the congregation that are supporting her. Check out the Refuge center on You-Tube to see all the things they are doing!
Congratulations to all area 2025 Graduates! - Way to Go!
Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary to all who are celebrating this month!
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 -
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, 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!
Our finance department now has a new email: finance@olivetucc.gmail.com. Please feel free to email us for finance inquiries.
Columbus Fall River Food Pantry New Scheduling Information
Effective January 1, 2025, the Columbus Fall River Food Pantry will have a new phone number for scheduling an appointment. The new number is 608-893-3079. Please leave a message if there is no answer. The messages will be checked daily by the church that is hosting for that month. The food pantry is open on Thursdays from 4:00 pm to 6:45 pm. It is in the back of the Columbus Community Center, 125 N. Dickason Blvd., Columbus.
Thank you to the following churches for serving: Connection Church-Pastor Jamie Turner, St. Jerom Jim Leeser, Faith Lutheran Church-Pastor Andrew Perger, Olivet Congregational UCC-Pastor Sandy Schieble (Interim Pastor), Zion Lutheran Church-Pastor Tim Schwartz, First Presbyterian Church, Columbus United Methodist Church-Rev. Sang Wook Park, Columbus Community Church of the Nazarene-Pastor Chris Baker, and Wisconsin Academy-Pastor Jonathon Fetrick.
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.
Council and Search Committee Update for June 2025
The committee has reposted the profile in search of a new pastoral candidate.
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.
As a reminder
We had some trouble with our church being unlocked with the lights on after worship. It is mostly a case of our not knowing if someone else is in the building and not wanting to disrupt them. With a multi-story building that can easily happen. However, we all need to be vigilant about locking up. Lights left burning cost us $$.
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.
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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