St. Peter's United Church of Christ

The meeting began with Devotions, Secretary minutes and Treasurer’s reports. 
All reports approved.
 Staff and Ministry Team reports: 
Rev. Jim – Bible study started and is well attended.
The first Holy Discussion was held and off to a good start. 
     Abundance – Continuing to write notes to members. Good response on the postcard sent updating on church activities and outline for Holy Discussions. It was suggested to do again with upcoming church activities.
     Benevolence – Paid $100 for Script cards which were given out by Pastor Chris.         
     Building & Grounds – New tree was planted in front of church. The tree, labor, grass seed & mulch were donated by Rivercrest Landscaping. Kiel Fire Department did an inspection and EXIT lights need a battery upgrade. A contribution form was designed for the courtyard for donations to the project or personalized paver bricks.  It will be available in church, mailings, and online in fall. 
    Christian Education/Scholarship – Sunday School curriculum is being put together.  It will offer in class and online learning with links to activities.
Nominating – Larry DeSchmit was voted as Vice-President to fill Terry Thiessen’s term.
The other ministry teams had nothing to report. 
New Business – 
Motion approved to return to serving elements for Communion starting in October, keeping in mind health & safety for all.
Volunteers are still needed for the Cherry Tree stand during Kiel picnic.
Picnic in the Park seemed to be a success. A full report will be given after all expenses are paid.
The Search Team had their first meeting. They are setting the groundwork and are running in parallel with the Holy Discussions.           
Octoberfest is being planned for September 18, 2021. 
The next Consistory meeting is August 10, 2021 at 6:30pm.
The meeting ended with the Lord’s Prayer.

St. Peter’s consistory meet on June 8, 2021 and discussed reopening church with a Phase III approach and recommended the following:

• St. Peter’s will be holding a 9:00 service only going forward starting on

 July 4, 2021 while we are blessed with Rev. James M. McKenzie as our Interim Minister, if you have questions, you are welcome to call Jim at any time. Consistory will decide if the church service day(s)/time(s) will change once a new settled pastor is at St. Peter’s.

• All doors will be open for worship services.
• Face masks will not be required but they will still be available for your use.
• Please, please, wear your name tag when entering church, this will help Rev. Jim to know your name. 
• All pews will be open for seating with cushions.
• At this time, we will continue to have Rev. McKenzie light the altar candles.
• The passing of peace will still be done with distancing in mind, a wave of the hand or a hello can be done by standing at your seat.
• Hymnals, bibles, envelopes, papers and pencils will be placed back in the pews. We will be able to sing.
• Offertory plates will be placed on pedestals at the rear of the sanctuary.  Ushers will not circulate offering plates.
• Music during the summer shall be provided in various forms under the direction of the music committee. 
• We will have an organist at our church service(s).
• Communion will be held with the use of the wafer/juice containers, with the hope that in fall we will be back to normal pew/altar communion.
• There will be no shaking of hands as you exit, instead a pleasant greeting of “having a great week” will be given.
• If you need to cough or sneeze, be sure and cover your mouth with a tissue or cough into your arm.
• Exiting the sanctuary will be done with the help of the ushers from the Back of the Church First, then backing up to the Front of the Church.  
• Bulletins if used, shall be kept by each member as they exit the sanctuary, please take them home with you each Sunday.
• The coat area will remain open to hang your coats.
• If you are not feeling well or have symptoms please stay home and enjoy the virtual services.
• If you or someone in your family contact COVID 19, please contact the church office if you have attended worship.
• Once again, our main goal is to keep everyone safe, but allow members to attend church comfortably in person.

Reopening church with COVID 19 is a work in process, we will be adjusting any safety procedure(s) as needed.  All updates will be sent through media outlets and via mailings to keep everyone up to date.  
We Welcome You Back to our Phase III Worship!!  
Thank You,
St. Peter’s Consistory

 

The Rays of Hope Center (ROHC) was officially "christened" in April of 2006 as the newest addition to St. Peter's United Church of Christ ministries. The one-time gas station and video store was purchased by St. Peter's in late 2005 after selling the church's parsonage. In it's naming, St. Peter's members honored their beloved, tenured pastor of 14 years, Ray Coombs. Rev. Coombs ministered faithfully, seeing to it that St. Peter's UCC be the "community's church." Under the care of St. Peter's Consistory and members, the ROHC seeks to sustain that community faithfulness by providing the community space as needed.

Currently the Rays of Hope Center houses the Kiel Area Community Food Pantry.