Union Congregational Church

"As you have done for the least of these, you have done it for me."

Jesus brought us a new life in ultimate vulnerability. As a child he was dependent on the care and protection of others; he lived as a poor preacher without any political, economic, or military power; and he died nailed on a cross as a useless criminal. It is in this extreme vulnerability that our salvation was won. Excerpt from Henry Nouwen.

Globally, nationally, and locally, the people of Union Church strive to make a difference in the world. We are actively involved in the Elk River community, the nation, and throughout the world. We use our facilities, time, energy and financial resources in responding to social needs and issues in meaningful ways.

Union Church supports local organizations with our time and tangible resources. We work together as a congregation to support CAER, Gifts Anonymous, the Crop Walk, Faith in Action, Bridging, Meals on Wheels, and Global Health Kits.

Throughout the year, Union Church contributes to all five of the special UCC offerings: Our Church's Wider Mission (OCWM), Neighbors in Need, One Great Hour of Sharing, Strengthen the Church, and the Christmas Fund. To learn more about any of the offerings, click on the links!

Youth and adults have been active in Cedar Rapids, Iowa helping to rebuild homes for victims of the 2009 floods. When disaster struck in Haiti, our congregation joined the national population of the United Church of Christ to donate over $1.3 million dollars through the Haiti Relief Fund. Our Spring 2010 project was to pool our energy and resources to purchase a ShelterBox for the people of Haiti, a huge box that contains a tent for ten, and the utensils to start home over.

HELP FOR HAITI

Union Congregational Church UCC goers joined forces in many ways this Spring to support ShelterBox, an international disaster relief organization that delivers emergency shelter, warmth and dignity to people affected by disaster worldwide. The Green Team and the Growth & Membership Committee provided reusable tote bags with Union Church's logo and contact information, the Sunday school children decorated the bags with PIZZAZZ, the parents and children filled the bags with amazing lunches, and lots of church-goers gathered on April 18th to bid on the lunches... and finally, the money raised went to support ShelterBox. Can you believe through that auction and others giving free-will donations, over $1,200 was raised for ShelterBox? What an exciting project that truly involved the church! To learn more about the ShelterBox organization, click here!

A Note from the Service and Mission Committee:

In these tough economic times , Union Church is often asked for emergency assistance. The church office tries to refer as many people as possible to CAER, to Faith in Action, and other available social services. But there are times when all that is needed is some emergency services that we can help provide. If you would be able to put together an emergency food box for a family of two or for a family of four, or some other emergency help, please contact Dana to get specifics on what could be put in a special emergency food box, or even donate cash or gift cards for this assistance. Please help however you are able. Call Dana for specifics on how you can help.

Rides to Church: Rides to the 9:30am summer Sunday worship service are available on an on-going basis! Just call the church on Saturday by 3:00pm and leave a message on the voice mail with your name and address! (763) 441-1203.

Local Volunteer Ministries
Our ministers and laity actively participate in many community organizations including these:

CAER Community Aid for the Elk River Area, our local food shelf provides food, clothing, and emergency assistance. More than forty of us volunteer there regularly. (763) 441-1020.

MEALS ON WHEELS provides the noon-day meal for homebound persons in the area. Union delivers 4 months a year. (763) 441-6288. April is our month! Sign up in the Narthex.

FAITH IN ACTION offers transportation, companionship, respite care, housekeeping, minor repairs, caregiver coaching services and intergenerational projects to help older adults and others remain in their homes. (763) 263-4277.

FUNERAL MINISTRIES – Many members and friends are on call to provide support for those bereaved by preparing the sanctuary for funerals and memorial services, ushering, offering special music, and serving lunch.

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS – Union Church provides space and prayer support for an NA meeting every Monday night at 7:30PM. Volunteer building supervisors insure access and privacy.

GAMBLER’S ANONYMOUS Union Church provides space and prayer support for a GA meeting every Monday night at 7:30PM. Volunteer building supervisors insure access and privacy.

CROP WALK – We provide enthusiastic leadership and participation for this annual local fund raising event in April which responds to world hunger through Church World Service and retains 25% of the funds raised for CAER.

RELAY FOR LIFE – In memory of those who have died from cancer and with love and gratitude for all who are surviving, we support a team of walkers as part of this beautiful and courageous tribute and fund raising event for cancer research.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY - Adults and youth have traveled for a week to 10 days out of state to serve.

GUARDIAN ANGELS OF ELK RIVER - Union Church members and friends serve on various boards.

OTHER SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES – Members are active in RSVP (Retired Seniors Volunteer Program), the Arts Alliance, Rivers of Hope, the Historical Society, the Oliver Kelly Farm Preservation, and many other local groups. Tell us about your interests.

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Befriender Ministry

This commissioned lay visitation ministry was started in 2002 to bring Christ’s healing and the love of our community to those who are lonely, grieving, new parents, ill, or experiencing other stresses in life. Befrienders do not replace the ministry of our pastor. They complement and extend the pastoral ministry of the church.

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Social Justice

“I swore to never be silent whenever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim, never the tormented.” Elie Wiesel

Our Social Justice Committee coordinates and facilitates Union Church’s involvement in justice, peace and environmental issues. We’re involved locally and in conjunction with the MN and National United Church of Christ conferences.

Union Church has played a key leadership role in starting DISCOVERY, a local community education and awareness group started in the fall of 2004. The Discovery Group is an inter-denominational, faith-based community gathered to support and affirm our Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered (GLBT) family, friends and neighbors, and to promote education related to GLBT issues in our communities and our schools. To learn more about the Discovery Group in Elk River, visit their website by clicking here.

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Mission and Service
The Service and Mission Board lifts up special offerings during the year. Sometimes these are on a regular monthly basis, sometimes they have to do with a particular need that arises in the local community, the global community or the church. Our hope is to coordinate our financial giving with our active participation in the need at hand. Here are some examples of where our giving has been focused:

Congregations Concerned for Children
Gift of the Heart Health Kits
One Great Hour of Sharing
Crop Walk
Strengthen the Church
Habitat for Humanity

Rivers of Hope
Faith in Action
Neighbors in Need
Tools and Blankets
The Christmas Fund

"As you have done for the least of these, you have done it for me." Jesus brought us a new life in ultimate vulnerability. As a child he was dependent on the care and protection of others; he lived as a poor preacher without any political, economic, or military power; and he died nailed on a cross as a useless criminal. It is in this extreme vulnerability that our salvation was won. Excerpt from Henry Nouwen. Globally, nationally, and locally, the people of Union Church strive to make a difference in the world. We are actively involved in the Elk River community, the nation, and throughout the world. We use our facilities, time, energy and financial resources in responding to social needs and issues in meaningful ways. Union Church supports local organizations with our time and tangible resources. We work together as a congregation to support CAER, Gifts Anonymous, the Crop Walk, Faith in Action, Bridging, Meals on Wheels, and Global Health Kits. Throughout the year, Union Church contributes to all five of the special UCC offerings: Our Church's Wider Mission (OCWM), Neighbors in Need, One Great Hour of Sharing, Strengthen the Church, and the Christmas Fund. To learn more about any of the offerings, click on the links! Youth and adults have been active in Cedar Rapids, Iowa helping to rebuild homes for victims of the 2009 floods. When disaster struck in Haiti, our congregation joined the national population of the United Church of Christ to donate over $1.3 million dollars through the Haiti Relief Fund. Our Spring 2010 project was to pool our energy and resources to purchase a ShelterBox for the people of Haiti, a huge box that contains a tent for ten, and the utensils to start home over. HELP FOR HAITI Union Congregational Church UCC goers joined forces in many ways this Spring to support ShelterBox, an international disaster relief organization that delivers emergency shelter, warmth and dignity to people affected by disaster worldwide. The Green Team and the Growth & Membership Committee provided reusable tote bags with Union Church's logo and contact information, the Sunday school children decorated the bags with PIZZAZZ, the parents and children filled the bags with amazing lunches, and lots of church-goers gathered on April 18th to bid on the lunches... and finally, the money raised went to support ShelterBox. Can you believe through that auction and others giving free-will donations, over $1,200 was raised for ShelterBox? What an exciting project that truly involved the church! To learn more about the ShelterBox organization, click here! A Note from the Service and Mission Committee: In these tough economic times , Union Church is often asked for emergency assistance. The church office tries to refer as many people as possible to CAER, to Faith in Action, and other available social services. But there are times when all that is needed is some emergency services that we can help provide. If you would be able to put together an emergency food box for a family of two or for a family of four, or some other emergency help, please contact Dana to get specifics on what could be put in a special emergency food box, or even donate cash or gift cards for this assistance. Please help however you are able. Call Dana for specifics on how you can help. Rides to Church: Rides to the 9:30am summer Sunday worship service are available on an on-going basis! Just call the church on Saturday by 3:00pm and leave a message on the voice mail with your name and address! (763) 441-1203. Local Volunteer Ministries Our ministers and laity actively participate in many community organizations including these: CAER Community Aid for the Elk River Area, our local food shelf provides food, clothing, and emergency assistance. More than forty of us volunteer there regularly. (763) 441-1020. MEALS ON WHEELS provides the noon-day meal for homebound persons in the area. Union delivers 4 months a year. (763) 441-6288. April is our month! Sign up in the Narthex. FAITH IN ACTION offers transportation, companionship, respite care, housekeeping, minor repairs, caregiver coaching services and intergenerational projects to help older adults and others remain in their homes. (763) 263-4277. FUNERAL MINISTRIES – Many members and friends are on call to provide support for those bereaved by preparing the sanctuary for funerals and memorial services, ushering, offering special music, and serving lunch. NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS – Union Church provides space and prayer support for an NA meeting every Monday night at 7:30PM. Volunteer building supervisors insure access and privacy. GAMBLER’S ANONYMOUS Union Church provides space and prayer support for a GA meeting every Monday night at 7:30PM. Volunteer building supervisors insure access and privacy. CROP WALK – We provide enthusiastic leadership and participation for this annual local fund raising event in April which responds to world hunger through Church World Service and retains 25% of the funds raised for CAER. RELAY FOR LIFE – In memory of those who have died from cancer and with love and gratitude for all who are surviving, we support a team of walkers as part of this beautiful and courageous tribute and fund raising event for cancer research. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY - Adults and youth have traveled for a week to 10 days out of state to serve. GUARDIAN ANGELS OF ELK RIVER - Union Church members and friends serve on various boards. OTHER SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES – Members are active in RSVP (Retired Seniors Volunteer Program), the Arts Alliance, Rivers of Hope, the Historical Society, the Oliver Kelly Farm Preservation, and many other local groups. Tell us about your interests. Back to Top Befriender Ministry This commissioned lay visitation ministry was started in 2002 to bring Christ’s healing and the love of our community to those who are lonely, grieving, new parents, ill, or experiencing other stresses in life. Befrienders do not replace the ministry of our pastor. They complement and extend the pastoral ministry of the church. Back to Top Social Justice “I swore to never be silent whenever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim, never the tormented.” Elie Wiesel Our Social Justice Committee coordinates and facilitates Union Church’s involvement in justice, peace and environmental issues. We’re involved locally and in conjunction with the MN and National United Church of Christ conferences. Union Church has played a key leadership role in starting DISCOVERY, a local community education and awareness group started in the fall of 2004. The Discovery Group is an inter-denominational, faith-based community gathered to support and affirm our Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered (GLBT) family, friends and neighbors, and to promote education related to GLBT issues in our communities and our schools. To learn more about the Discovery Group in Elk River, visit their website by clicking here. Back to Top Mission and Service The Service and Mission Board lifts up special offerings during the year. Sometimes these are on a regular monthly basis, sometimes they have to do with a particular need that arises in the local community, the global community or the church. Our hope is to coordinate our financial giving with our active participation in the need at hand. Here are some examples of where our giving has been focused: Congregations Concerned for Children Gift of the Heart Health Kits One Great Hour of Sharing Crop Walk Strengthen the Church Habitat for Humanity Rivers of Hope Faith in Action Neighbors in Need Tools and Blankets The Christmas Fund Back to Top

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