Of Special Interest: From Jeff; January 18 Worship with Kat Trio p. 2 Retirement Celebra- tion Pictures p. 3 Thank you from Ad- vent Council; Gluten Free Communion Bread; Meditation Monday p. 4 Women’s-Inspire Grp. Prairie Roots, Prayer Shawl Grp, MCC Com- munity Grp;, MCC Film Grp; Men’s Re- treat— p. 5 Adult Forums; Java for Justice; Watercolor Class; Food for the Food Pantry — p. 6 Sunday School News; Parent Hour; Coming Events —p. 7 MCC Youth News and Family Library—p. 8 Advent News—p. 9 Community of Hope —p. 10-11 Friends of Pheasant Branch Phenology Calendars, Cancella- tions Policy at MCC p. 12- Madison Christian Community An Ecumenical Partnership of Advent Lutheran Church – ELCA – Jeff Wild, Pastor and Community of Hope – UCC – Dan Yeazel, Interim Pastor January 2015 The Good Word T.S. Elliot writes “To make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from.” This past week we celebrated Jeff Wild’s 14 year ministry at MCC and Advent. What a heartfelt farewell celebration this past Sunday! The gratitude for his time here was most evident in the thoughtful (and fun- ny) expressions of thanks for Jeff and Nan’s presence here. 2014 makes an ending and it will make the beginning of something new here at Madison Christian Community, and something new for Jeff in retirement. The phrase “Alpha and Omega” God has been coming to my mind a lot this month. Our God is the God of first and last things, of begin- nings and of endings. As was so beautifully stated in Jeff’s farewell, now is a time to cultivate. As we go into the days ahead we are each now different be- cause of our time together and in this new season we grow from the seeds already planted. I believe, God is to be recognized in our midst, and there is a common, shared understanding that God is not some far away God, but rather an up close com- panion to us. Our God cultivates and ac- companies us, and will continue to ac- company each of us in the days to come. In this new year, may that recogni- tion continue. Look and listen for the ways that God is cultivating fruits of the spirit within us and in this place. Anything that grows well is be- cause God is supporting and surrounding what we do, right from the beginning. Genesis assures us that something new will happen, that at every point of change God is an active part of creating. As peo- ple of a changed and changing church, we know God is already at work in the new beginnings at MCC. In 2015 things will begin to take place, people will notice the Spirit’s movement in new ways, and in time, it will be clear the good that God intends. It will come, and it takes time. God has been here, God will be here, God is here. God is speaking and expecting the Word to shape us and change things. Grace and Peace, Dan
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Transcript
Of Special Interest:
From Jeff; January 18
Worship with Kat Trio
p. 2
Retirement Celebra-
tion Pictures p. 3
Thank you from Ad-
vent Council; Gluten
Free Communion
Bread; Meditation
Monday p. 4
Women’s-Inspire Grp.
Prairie Roots, Prayer
Shawl Grp, MCC Com-
munity Grp;, MCC
Film Grp; Men’s Re-
treat— p. 5
Adult Forums; Java for
Justice; Watercolor
Class; Food for the
Food Pantry — p. 6
Sunday School News;
Parent Hour; Coming
Events —p. 7
MCC Youth News and
Family Library—p. 8
Advent News—p. 9
Community of Hope
—p. 10-11
Friends of Pheasant
Branch Phenology
Calendars, Cancella-
tions Policy at MCC
p. 12-
Madison Christian Community
An Ecumenical Partnership of
Advent Lutheran Church – ELCA – Jeff Wild, Pastor
and Community of Hope – UCC – Dan Yeazel, Interim Pastor
January 2015
The Good Word
T.S. Elliot writes “To make an end is to make
a beginning. The end is where we start
from.” This past week we celebrated Jeff
Wild’s 14 year ministry at MCC and Advent.
What a heartfelt farewell celebration this
past Sunday! The gratitude for his time here
was most evident in the thoughtful (and fun-
ny) expressions of thanks for Jeff and Nan’s
presence here. 2014 makes an ending and
it will make the beginning of something new
here at Madison Christian Community, and
something new for Jeff in retirement. The
phrase “Alpha and Omega” God has been
coming to my mind a lot this month. Our God
is the God of first and last things, of begin-
nings and of endings.
As was so beautifully stated in Jeff’s farewell,
now is a time to cultivate. As we go into the
days ahead we are each now different be-
cause of our time together and in this new
season we grow from the seeds already
planted.
I believe, God is to be recognized in our
midst, and there is a common, shared
understanding that God is not some far
away God, but rather an up close com-
panion to us. Our God cultivates and ac-
companies us, and will continue to ac-
company each of us in the days to
come. In this new year, may that recogni-
tion continue. Look and listen for the
ways that God is cultivating fruits of the
spirit within us and in this
place. Anything that grows well is be-
cause God is supporting and surrounding
what we do, right from the beginning.
Genesis assures us that something new
will happen, that at every point of change
God is an active part of creating. As peo-
ple of a changed and changing church,
we know God is already at work in the
new beginnings at MCC. In 2015 things
will begin to take place, people will notice
the Spirit’s movement in new ways, and
in time, it will be clear the good that God
intends. It will come, and it takes
time. God has been here, God will be
here, God is here. God is speaking and
expecting the Word to shape us and
change things.
Grace and Peace, Dan
Page 2 January 2015
Guiding Principle:
Nurture deep
spirituality and
generosity...
MCC News
Back to
Of Special
Interest:
Jan 18th MCC Worship On January 18th in worship, MCC will affirm
the recommendations that were
named during the Road Ahead process.
On January 4th after worship and and
January 11th before worship at 9:00 a.,
there will be opportunities to discuss the
final set of recommendations.
There will be a mailing to every household
in advance of these meetings. Please do
join in these conversations as you are able.
Kat Trio at MCC worship on January 18
The violin-clarinet-piano ensemble from
Ekaterinburg, Russia was formed in May
1998. Their concerts showcase unique Rus-
sian arrangements and transpositions of
timeless melodies and feature classical
works, well-known inspirational songs, and
even American pop standards, including
Scott Joplin’s rags. The Trio will play dur-
ing worship as well as a 20-minute con-
cert following service.
Dear Friends, I mentioned at the end of the WILD Roast
and Toast on Sunday that although the Gos-
pel reading was about the angel Gabriel’s
announcement to Mary that she would con-
ceive and bear a child, the text stopped
short of the Magnificat. The first words of
the Magnificat are, “my soul magnifies the
Lord.” Magnificat means to magnify. Mag-
nificat begins to describe the gratitude I
have for all members of MCC. I am so
grateful for all the special gifts, written and
spoken words of kindness. Thank you to all
the people who prepared food, worked in
the kitchen, and helped with set-up and
clean-up. Thank you to the musicians who
kept the beat and led worship. You have
always been a responsive worshiping com-
munity. But most of all, thank you for call-
ing me to serve as your pastor and for allow-
ing me to preach and teach, baptize, marry
and bury, counsel and cultivate, paddle and
portage. It’s been good!
My goal has been to end it well as your pas-
tor. I still have work to do before January 1,
2015, but after the farewell Sunday, I think
we ended it well together. I end my 34
years as a parish pastor with not a trace of
anger or bitterness. I give thanks to God for
you and will hold you in my heart and pray-
ers until my life’s end. I will pray for the pas-
tors whom God is preparing, even now, for
their call to serve as pastors of MCC.
Though the future is unknown, I am confi-
dent that with prayerful discernment and
thoughtful discussion God will bless the mis-
sion of MCC in the year ahead and for years
to come. I am excited for you, and look for-
ward to see what God’s Spirit is up to next.
With deep affection and love,
WILD, Jeff
Page 3 January 2015
Guiding Principle:
Nurture deep
spirituality and
generosity...
MCC News—Jeff’s Retirement and Toast & Roast
Back to
Of Special
Interest:
Meditation Monday for MCC Friends Begin your week with balance and peace of
mind. We welcome all who’d like to join us
in the Covenant Room, 5:30-6:30 p. each
Monday. We begin by listening to a brief
“dharma talk” that explores different as-
pects of a meditation practice, and sit in
mindfulness for about 20 minutes. After-
wards we may talk about our experiences
(or not). Wear comfortable clothes and
bring a pillow(s) or blanket. Namaste!
Mary Schmelzer and Bob Sessions.
ALL COMMUNION BREAD TO BE
GLUTEN-FREE Advent Worship committee met for a regu-
lar meeting on Wednesday evening, No-
vember 5, 2014. One item on the agenda
concerned availability of gluten-free bread
for communion. After some discussion it
was decided to uniformly provide only glu-
ten-free bread at all communion ser-
vices. The worship contact for communion
Sunday will ensure that the person respon-
sible for setting up communion will provide
only gluten-free bread.
Page 4 January 2015
Guiding Principle:
Nurture deep
spirituality and
generosity...
MCC News
Back to
Of Special
Interest:
THANK YOU!! On behalf of the Advent Council, I would like to thank everyone that participated in Pr. Jeff’s
farewell celebration. When Jeff submitted his resignation to the council, his one wish was
that he “leave well.” I think the MCC helped grant his wish. It was a wonderful celebration!
The Sending Service was very special. The music (Emily Wixson and instrumentalists), litur-
gy, and representation from the South Central ELCA Synod (Rev. Steve Kottke) made the
service memorable. Thanks to Dan Streit and Jackie Muehl for organizing the meal and to
everyone who brought and prepared food. Over 250 folks were served!! Also, a big shout
out to Alma Hall and her crew who did much of the clean-up.
For those unable to attend the program, you missed a wonderful event celebrating Pr. Jeff’s
14 years of ministry at MCC. Thanks to the program committee which included Joyce An-
derson, Dave Dahl, Dennis Rhodes, Hildy McGown and Peter Bakken. We were entertained
by gardeners, King Olaf of Norway, solar panels, songs, poems, and a wonderful slide show
put together by Steve Young and family. The slide show was professional quality. I think
everyone would agree the highlights of Jeff’s ministry were covered. Nan, Beth and Andrew
closed the program by sharing their personal stories.
The program was videoed. When the video is available, it will be made available to MCC
members. Linda Pils has created a beautiful memory book which will be given to Jeff before
he leaves. Thanks Linda!!
We wish Pr. Jeff and Nan God’s protection and blessing as they begin a new journey.
Jean Einerson
Advent Council President
Page 5
Guiding Principle:
Work in
environmentally
responsible ways...
MCC Fellowship Groups & Activities
The Prayer Shawl group will meet
January 20, 2014, at 10:30 a. The Prayer Shawl Creators meet every third
Tuesday at the church at 10:30 a.m. We wel-
come anyone interested in this ministry, ex-
perienced knitter or crocheter, or beginner,
or those in-between! In addition to knitting
or crocheting prayer shawls, we have ex-
panded our ministry to include making hats,
scarves and mittens. Last year we donated
48 items to Emerson School, most of them
made with the yarn donated to us. We are
checking into a couple of other places where
these items would be useful. If you have any
suggestions along this line, please let any-
one in the group know. Thank you for all the
donated yarn; there is a basket under the
table for your contributions. We would also
welcome any local coupons for yarn for the
prayer shawls. If you have any questions,
please call Virginia Stumbo, 695-2266
January 2015
MCC Community Group Jan 20 or 21 - 6:30 p.m. Planetarium show
at Memorial H.S. (depends on the topic).
Tickets on sale at 6:00 p.m. ($2.50 charge).
Sun., Feb. 8 - 3:00 p.m. Peking Acrobats
show at the Overture Center. Cost is $20
(Details later)
Prairie Roots Formerly known as "Prairie Reckoning," we
have chosen a new name that reflects who
we currently are and what we currently do:
we play "roots" music (country, roots-rock,
folk, bluegrass, R&B and blues) that is root-
ed in our Christian faith. In addition, we like
the symbolism - knowing the amazingly
deep and complex root systems of prairies.
MCC Worship Service led by Prairie
Roots: Sunday, February 15.
Rehearsal Schedule:
Sundays - January 18, January 25 6:30-
8pm
Saturday, February 14 9-11am
Worship Service: Sunday, Feburary
15 8:45a call time
MCC Film Group -
Lois Komai, Coordinator Film Group will meet January 16 at Hildy