Church News

Search Committee Report:  

October 9, 2024

Since August the committee of five has been meeting on a weekly basis to complete the updated profile for our church. A huge thank you goes to Mary Dork and Mary Moxon for their extensive work filling in the profile based on the information gathered from the work with intentional interim Myles Alexander. Our Associate…

GEM Handbell Choir

October 9, 2024

Beautiful music had always been appreciated at the First Congregational United Church of Christ (UCC) in Rhinelander, and for the past 50 years, the ringing of the handbell choir has been a favorite. Tom Winquist was there in the beginning when the brand-new set of bells arrived in the mid-1970s. “Gladys Ekman had served for…

Labor Day Weekend

July 30, 2024

The Bible talks about the importance of rest and with the right approach Labor Day can become a wonderful opportunity for our church members to rest and reflect before starting a new season. Therefore, with this thought in mind, Rhinelander First Congregational UCC will NOT be having service on Sunday, September 1, 2024.  

What is the Purpose of the Lay Pastoral Care Team?

July 30, 2024

With compassion, empathetic listening, prayer, readings, and conversation, the Lay Pastoral Care Team offers spiritual support and guidance to members of our congregation in times of life’s challenges, losses, and difficulties, reminding each of God’s constant presence and unwavering love. The Lay Pastoral Care Team will help our members care for each other’s souls while…

Moderator Musings

July 30, 2024

Moderator Musings What a busy summer it’s been!  Everyone has had their hands full if not with visiting family and friends, but having them visit us. Our Church community does not stop taking care of each other whether we have a full/part-time Pastor or not. A special shout out, to Sue Bartels this month, who…

Pride Fest 2024

July 2, 2024

On Saturday, June 15th, the 8th Annual Northwoods Pride Festival was held at Hodag Park in Rhinelander. The Outreach Board felt it was important that our Church once again have a presence there, to let people know our congregation is Open and Affirming. Jackie Schmieder and Amanda Jahn got a banner made, Judy Thoms brought…

Peace between Palestine and Israel

July 2, 2024

On June 8th, Sandy McKitrick and Lisa Johnson traveled to Green Lake Conference Center to attend the 62nd Annual meeting of the Wisconsin Conference of the United Church of Christ.  The Conference voted to overwhelmingly pass “Resolution of Witness to Adopt the 2021 General Synod Resolution, declaration for a Just Peace Between Palestine and Israel.” …

Moderator Musings – Giving Thanks!

July 2, 2024

There are so many components taking place behind the scenes to keeping our church community informed, prepared for Sunday services, providing for refreshments, planning for pulpit supply…the list goes on! This month I’d like to give a special shout out, and hope you will as well, to the many people who participate in our Weekly…

What is Lay Pastoral Care?

May 31, 2024

Our Lay Pastoral Care Team grew out of a work session here at Rhinelander UCC last summer, after more than one of our congregation asked, “Who is going to look after our spiritual needs when we don’t have a minister to call?” Since that time, six members of our congregation have had training through Luther…

Plastics Part 2

May 31, 2024

This article is a follow-up to last month, which was about our plastic crisis – how much oil goes into producing millions of tons of plastic per year, and that it persists 500 years in nature. This month our focus is on the harm caused by the production of that plastic from oil. I attended…