THE MESSENGER

Dear Friends,

As always, it’s hard to believe that another Minnesota summer is almost history.  I think one of the reasons it went so quickly for me was the planning of my son’s wedding.  Little did I know how that can eat up any free time!!  It was a beautiful day and it was so good for me to just sit in the front row, being a Mom, and to experience the love between these two young people.

You people of the First Congregational UCC of Dodge Center helped to make it a joyous occasion, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart!  From the Women’s Fellowship Bridal Shower for Kara to the many of you who helped move furniture to the emotional support, to running off bulletins, to the use of a 1937 Cadillac LaSalle, and everything in between, I say thank you!  I believe the caring and kindness exhibited by this church is such a clear example of how a community can walk in Christ’s footsteps – you are all amazing!

That spirit of community was shown in other ways in this busy summer, and I again thank you for your commitment to Christ and His church.  So many worked so hard to make the Ice Cream Social and Music concert a success and a blessing to the wider community.  The spirit of fellowship was also so apparent at the time of Bud Vrieze’s death.  Many churches no longer provide funeral lunches because there are not enough members to serve at them; somehow, our little congregation can always find the people it needs to serve others in their time of need.  I especially thank our teenage girls for their willingness to serve that day.

And of course, our ongoing servant project of the Church Garden cannot be forgotten!!  We will attempt to have a complete list of people to thank and the number of pounds of food taken to the food pantry at the end of harvest.  It’s still not too late to help---just give our garden project leader Rick Welsh a call.

It is a joy to be a part of this wonderful community!!

Pastor Jean

            Pastor Jean will be preaching at the 150^th Anniversary of a former church in Sauk Center, WI on September 20^th.  Pastor George Coy will fill the pulpit for her that day.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

            Sunday School begins on September 13!  Rally Day festivities will be held on Sunday, September 27.  On Rally Sunday we will celebrate the beginning of a new school year in a variety of ways.  New members will be received into the congregation.  These include Ben & Pam Gilliland and Robby, and Cheryl Tjosaas.  We will also have a church hayride and picnic at the Welsh cabin.  The hayride will start at Butch and Peggy Brekke’s house and end up at the cabin.  Please bring a dish to pass.  Beverages and hotdogs will be provided.

            We have just ended a year of “adoption” of the Dodge Center Ambulance Service.  Each month we tried to follow a holiday theme and treat the group to something special to show our appreciation for their dedication and unselfish volunteerism.  DCAS members give a lot of time not only in service, but also in attending meetings, continuing education, teaching, and many other ways in which they give back to our community.  Although this was to be a whole church service project, it became a mission of only a few of our members.  We hope to “adopt” the DC Firefighters for the coming year and will be asking our members to be active in this mission.   The August meeting of DCAS was a picnic in which members were treated to a number of gifts donated by area businesses.   A big thank you goes to Susie, for contacting these businesses and making the final thank you to this group so special:

            Country Pizza                                             Harold’s Club

            Deanna Kay hairstyling                             His & Her Hair Affair

            Dodge Veterinary Clinic                            John’s Foods

            DQ                                                              Kwik Trip

            Finne’s Restaurant                                    Klein Chiropractic

            Freerksen’s Carwash & Truck                  Napa Auto Parts

These businesses were generous in their support of our effort.  Let’s make the next mission just as successful!

The following is a tribute printed in The ARC Southeastern MN newsletter:

    A Memorial to Jean Dube – “an Arc Dodge County Pioneer”:

By Mickey Prince

Jean Dube was a charter member of Arc Dodge County.  As with most of the pioneer members, Jean’s motivation was the birth of her third child.  Joel was born with Down’s Syndrome 52 years ago.  This was during the time when there were 2 options: the institution or keeping your child home with no services.

Jean not only served as president of Arc Dodge County, but wore many other hats such as working with Hubert and Muriel Humphrey advocating for programs for people with disabilities on the national level.

Jean promoted inclusion for Joel when inclusion was only a dream for children with disabilities.  When Joel was in high school he was asked by the football coach to be one of the student managers.  That was a real example of early inclusion.  As an adult, Joel followed Grand Meadow as well as Dodge Center football.  He lives independently, ushers in his church and has been employed with supports.  As Jean grew older, roles reversed, and Joel spent more time helping Mom.

Arc Southeastern Minnesota is grateful to Jean for all her hard work and for believing in inclusive communities.

    A thank you was received from Samaritan Bethany Foundation, Inc. for the donation of a 150^th anniversary crock for the “Golfing for a Cause” fundraiser.

    We want to acknowledge the passing of Bud Vrieze on July 31, 2009.  Bud worked tirelessly for many years in support of First Congregational Church, Dodge Center.  He will be missed by wife Doris, his many children and grandchildren, and by his entire church family.

    We have a budding poet in our midst; here are 2 examples of her work:

Tomorrow is Sunday,                         If yesterday wasn’t your best day ever,

Hooray!  Hooray!                               Remember that we won’t always live,

For we pray to God always;               So make the next day better.

Tomorrow is like a holiday!