Dear Members and Friends, We did it. We held our first coffee conversation via Zoom this morning. What a joy to see each other. It mostly worked; one person had a picture, but no sound; another had sound, but no picture; and many had difficulty at first, but, with plenty of regular old smartphone […]
Category: First Press
COVID-19 UPDATE
Dear Members and Friends, How do we respond to COVID-19? Do we cancel worship? Do we wait to cancel worship until there are people who have the virus or are in quarantine in Marion or Cedar Rapids? After extensive conversation with members and Session, I think the proper response is to cancel worship this week […]
First Press Weekly – March 4, 2020
Dear Members and Friends, We sometimes ask how we can love our neighbor. Here’s one way. If you have the sniffles or anything else that suggests the possibility of illness, think about staying home. You may believe you’re okay, and you may be, but that thought probably won’t be reassuring to the people you’ll […]
First Press Weekly – February 20, 2020
Dear Members and Friends, We gather next week for Ash Wednesday worship. Our gathering begins with a soup dinner in the Social Hall at 6:00 pm. It will be a gathering of all ages for fellowship, learning, and worship. It will help planning for you to call the church office at 319-377-7309 to indicate you […]
First Press Weekly – 2-6-20
Dear Members and Friends, This Sunday following worship is an opportunity for you to participate in the self-study process, one of the necessary steps to take on the road to forming a pastor nominating committee. We will gather around tables in the Social Hall. Bring something with which you can write or, if […]
First Press Weekly
January 23, 2020 Session has met twice this month. Two items received particular attention: stewardship/budget and a self-study in preparation for forming a pastor nominating committee. Roger Dana made an announcement last Sunday morning about stewardship/budget and he will make another this week. This Sunday he will use slides to illustrate the information […]
First Press – January 16, 2020
Dear Members and Friends, I began a series of sermons last Sunday about aging. Here are three references I have found informative. Aging Together: Dimentia, Friendship, and Flourishing Communities, Susan H. McFadden and John T. McFadden, 2011. Treat Me, Not My Age: A Doctor’s Guide to Getting the Best Care as You or a […]
First Press – January 9, 2020
First Press – January 9, 2020 Dear Members and Friends, Nancy Redmond leaves for several weeks of vacation Monday. Her presence will be missed here at church, in worship leadership, and in her home and hospital visiting. A PLACE FOR YOU TO DO MINISTRY The next most important item is to emphasize how […]
First Press – January 3, 2020
First Press January 2, 2020 Dear Members and Friends, This Sunday will include a Service of Ordination and Installation of deacons and ruling elders. These are the people you have elected to leadership in our congregation. We will have a reception to honor deacons and ruling elders whose terms of […]
Weekly Contact–November 27, 2019
Dear Members and Friends, “Why did you come to Marion?” is a question I have heard many times. I think another question precedes this one. “Why was I interested in having conversation with the interim pastor search committee?” The answer is “Internally Nurturing – Externally Serving.” So often information about congregations demonstrate such […]