In Their Own Words--What Members & Friends Say About First Congregational...

Below are the 2009 responses members and friends of First Congregational offered as part of the "Blessing Bowl" ritual for the All-UCC offering "Strengthen the Church".  Read these from-the-heart words of how being part of this church has been a blessing to them as well as some of words of gratitude for personal blessings.  Maybe, if you're just checking us out, they will speak to you and inspire you to visit with us live and in-person!

“I feel blessed to have found this congregation and to live where there is muchwildlife and expanse of God’s world.”

“According to my memory, this month is the 5^th anniversary of my membership…Belonging has given me a sense of freedom. About 3-4 years before, Therese Leonhard had assisted me with a large musical (the first Camelot) and we had many opportunities to talk. I was astonished and intrigued that a church accepted individuals who didn’t fit a certain defined set of ideas and behaviors. Even though my family worries about my post-life destiny, I feel acceptance in the messages of the UCC.—Carolyn”

“Thankful for UCC support of Parkinson’s Support group; friends through the church; music to inspire me; parish nurse; worship & adult group opportunities; to know God accepts & loves me.—H&M”

“I’m grateful for the presence of others willing to pray together. I feel comforted knowing I can ask for prayers for needs & concerns. Shared prayers give me an anchor against despair and fear. And I’m further blessed to be entrusted with shared prayers for the needs of my church community.”

“First Congregational UCC is my family. Much like my biological family my spiritual family provides me with life-giving nourishment. Without my spiritual family at First Congregational United Church of Christ, I would not be…thanks. God bless. KLM”

“I am thankful for the Baraboo UCC, for my education into the church by Bob & Fidie Lane; encouraging me to look at other peoples’ point of view; to be hot or cold, but not tepid; try to sing in choir; to speak up with courage. Thankful for…friends through the church; outreach to community; political interest; public education and support—Mary”

“Faithful believers and questioning seekers; loving friends and family; for a successful and joyous interim; for a church family to come home to.”

“Tears can well up in my eyes as I think of a skinny, shy, 10-year-old who was asked if she’d like to go to church camp. My memorable church camp experiences are because of the kindness and generosity of this church family. Again, as a kid of 12 or 13, I was asked by the minister if I would like to join the choir. Does a duck like water? Music speaks to me every day and especially in this place…I [once] made a comment to a minister about the beauty and wonderment of nature in our world, which I thought was a pretty safe comment. His comment to me—‘There is more to being a Christian than love of nature.’ With his challenging words, his voice opened a door for me to try to understand what it means to belong to a body of faith and call myself a Christian. Where does God want me to stand with my fellow human beings? I am here in this place because of all the spirited voices of the past and present who have given me their gifts to be a part of my life.”

“The church is with us for all of life’s biggest moments—both joyful and sad—weddings, funerals, baptisms, confirmations. I’m grateful for the community of caring that being a part of this church means

“I am glad to be back in church.—Rose”

“’He drew a circle that shut me out—heretic, rebel—a thing to shout. But love and I had a wit to win—we drew a circle that took [him] in.’ For a church like that, thank you, God!”

AND HERE ARE RESPONSES FROM 2008 (in case 2009's weren't enough!)

The teachers in our church and community are blessings.  God’s gifts of understanding are blessings we can pass on to our neighbors.

We are blessed by having a church that offers such a wonderful environment for fellowship, community and spiritual growth.—The Millsap Family

I am grateful for the compassion, love, honesty and joy this church shows not only to each other but also the great concern in this community and the global community.

I like seeing Livy at church.—Michon Rose (Obois), April 26

I am struck by the large and small gestures in concert that comprise our church’s outpouring, whether it’s mention in a national publication about our per capita giving [to One Great Hour of Sharing] or simply helping my daughter select Jello to put in a Thanksgiving food bag.  Week of 4/27/08.

From a Turkish village over 100 years ago to Circus City, USA, today, five generations of my family have found welcome, joy, comfort and support, first in the Congregational Church and now in our UCC.  But our family isn’t the only one.  As a community of Christians, we continue to search for ways to demonstrate God’s will with open hearts and hands.  We do this as a congregation, but also as individuals, publicly or privately, in big ways or small.  God is speaking.

I am grateful for learning how to be in a church family; in a circle of “strangers” moving toward a common purpose of wholeness and renewal.  I feel I am given the space to seek on my own and respect that space for others.  Yet, in that “strangerness” I have learned more about connectedness than I could have imagined.—Erika (Obois), 5/11/08.

I like all the family and friends that are at church.—Claire (0bois), April 27.

…generosity of spirit to our community is amazing—to the Food Pantry, especially with the Eilertsons’ sharing of fresh produce with blessings that overflow; the witness, base in love, of the congregation and individuals to our community of welcome and affirmation, often at cost to reputation and respectability—praise God!

Thankful for:  my darling wife; my children and grandchildren; loving mother and friends; a country with many freedoms; my education; public radio; music; joy of laughter.

Church as a microcosm has taught me about myself in a smaller setting.—week of 4/20

Thankful for: my husband; children/grandchildren; family/friends; health; education; country with freedoms; home/food; music/entertainment for enjoying life.

First Congregational members often greet and welcome guests, but they have gone out to create homes, give rides, help serve meals to bikers on the “Ride4Life,” hosted the Meadows birthday party, caroled and brought a good moment to those who have very few—it moves me to know we are more than Sunday morning, and more than a check or an opinion.

It really resonates for me to fathom God as “is-ness”—the very breath, spirit and presence of simply being, existing.—Week of April 13.

Clear days of sunshine and nights of quietness are blessings without measure.

What blessings are the many young children who grace our presence!  Their hard-working parents are blessings also in their friendliness and concern for others.

I’ve liked the people we’ve met at church—Mike (Obois), May 5.

God, thank you for my health—13 years a cancer survivor—and thank you for my daughter, a joy and blessing.  Thank you for my brother and sister-in-law.  Thank you for this congregation and all the love and support they have given Joanna and me.  We are blessed.

I like Sunday School.—Claire (Obois), April 29

Art and music and skills to use them!  These are special blessings!!

Thanks for 50 wonderful years.

…to have been received and affirmed for who I am—flaws and strengths—with grace, with challenge, with patience and with a lot of good humor.

I have been blessed to serve as a deacon and observe first-hand the dedication of our members within our church and the community.  I have seen the impact they make in the community and the world, sometimes a quiet impact, in Christ’s name.  This is an inspiration and a blessing.

I like snacks at church.—Michon (Rose Obois), April 27

Thank you that my church is open to anyone:  Blacks, gays, lesbians and all those people that believe differently.  That is why I enjoy coming to this church every Sunday.  Even if some churches aren’t open to everyone, I’m glad that my church is. –Joanna Hagan