Gift Received for Derecho Assistance from VA Church

by Pastor Mary Beth Hartenstein

Second Financial Gift Received from Bethel United Church of Christ As you may recall, last month I received an email message from Whit Wheeler, a member of Bethel United Church of Christ, Arlington, VA. He shared that on behalf of their entire congregation and leadership team he was writing to share that their congregation donated […]

Blood Pressure Screenings This Sunday – October 4

by Pastor Mary Beth Hartenstein

Blood Pressure Screenings Following Worship ~ Sunday, October 4 As many of you know, I work as a parish nurse at Olivet Neighborhood Mission. What you may not know, is that I also serve as an adjunct instructor for the Mt. Mercy Nursing program in their Community Health/Populations course. In that role, I work with […]

Knitting Group

by Pastor Mary Beth Hartenstein

Knitting Group ~ Thursday, October 1 ~ 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. Let us join together for conversation and to see how our projects are going as we meet here at Hope United Church of Christ. The Council has authorized small groups (10 persons or less) to be in the church building, with appropriate COVID 19 […]

Brave Space Movement Announced by Iowa Conference of the UCC

by Pastor Mary Beth Hartenstein

The Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota Conferences of the United Church of Christ Announce New Inclusive, Welcoming and Seeking Justice Movement The three Board of Directors of the Tri-Conference Ministries: Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota Conferences announced a new movement in order to continue the work of extravagant welcome to the Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, Transgender, […]

Showing Kindness

by Pastor Mary Beth Hartenstein

Jane and Mark Buck, along with their grandchildren – Callie and Jack, recently delivered hot lunches to the crews picking up debris in the Marion area; crews were from Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky and Mississippi and were very appreciative of the efforts to get them a hot lunch.

Outdoor Worship – Sunday, September 13

by Pastor Mary Beth Hartenstein

More than 50 individuals gathered together from First Congregational United Church of Christ and Hope United Church of Christ on Sunday, September 13, to celebrate with an outdoor worship service. The service featured special music shared by Julie Anderson and worship leadership by The Rev. Melanie Van Weelden and Pastor Mary Beth Hartenstein. The Sacrament […]

World Communion Sunday – October 4

by Pastor Mary Beth Hartenstein

Celebration of World Communion Sunday ~ October 4 World Communion Sunday offers congregations a distinctive opportunity to experience the Sacrament of Communion in the context of the global community of faith. The first Sunday of October has become a time when Christians, in every culture, break bread and pour the cup to remember and affirm […]