RUNNING WITH PERSEVERANCE 2016 Annual Report

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses… let us run with

perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our

faith…” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

What a wonderful cloud of witnesses we have throughout the Minnesota Conference! I am

continually inspired by and grateful for the authenticity and determination we bring to our

collective ministry as the United Church of Christ in Minnesota.

I see it when a local congregation approaches a time of transition and fully engages in prayerful

consideration of their future. I see it in the ways we accompany and guide our Members in

Discernment as they journey down a path toward authorized ministry. I see it in the ready

willingness of the Conference’s Board of Directors to act generously and boldly. I see it in those

who step into the streets to protest injustices and wrongs for the sake of justice and righteousness.

I see it in the painstaking efforts of our pastors and chaplains and specialized ministers, as they

continually seek the will and guidance of God in their various ministry settings. And I see it every

time we gather to worship, raising our praise and our prayers to a God whom we trust is creating

new purpose and promise all around us. We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, indeed!

A number of highlights come to mind as I consider our ministry as a Conference in 2016.

UCC General Minister & President Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer was with us in January, casting

bright vision for our beloved United Church of Christ

We received United Faith Community in Buffalo as a new “ministry connection” of the

Conference

We commissioned and bid farewell to Tom, Monica, Hannah, and Simon Liddle as they began their

global mission service in East Timor, thanks in part to generous fundraising across the Conference

for their mission appointment

80 youth and adult advisors attended National Youth Event in Orlando, Florida, wowed by the

worship and learning and fellowship of this fantastic national UCC event

999 individuals and 52 congregations benefited from our outdoor ministry at Pilgrim Point Camp

The Conference became fully divested from fossil fuels in 2016, a commitment made at our 2013

Annual Meeting and completed well ahead of the 5-year schedule that had been set

The Board of Directors approved a new set of strategic objectives for the Conference, instilling new

purpose and focus into our ministry

The Board of Directors also directed resources to a new part-time staff position dedicated to lay

leadership development in the Conference

Our prophetic witness for justice was abundant and clear, as Conference staff, teams, congregations,

and individual members advocated, protested, and physically showed up amid multiple issues that

emerged during the year

Our witness as the Minnesota Conference UCC is vital and robust, but God has far more to

accomplish with us and through us. So let us run this race with perseverance……..and with an

abundance of faith!

With deep gratitude for all the ways we are the Church together,

Reverend Shari Prestemon, Conference Minister

Financials for Fiscal Year 2016: October 1, 2015 - September 30, 2016

OCWM

44%

Restricted Contributions

Released

24%

7% Per

Capita

10%

Program Revenue

15%

Annual Fund &

Gifts

Revenue

Expenses

Program

67%

OCWM National

Payments 14%

12%

Fund- raising

7% Management

& General

Ministry Facts for Calendar Year 2016

Our Churches Our Ministers Our Youth & Pilgrim Point

129

Churches

1

Church Withdrawn

25,353

Church Members

9

Ordinations

9

Installations

25

Members in Discernment

999

Campers & Volunteers at PPC

80

National Youth Event Attendees

$50,000 or more

First UCC, Northfield

Mayflower Community Congregational, Minneapolis

United Church of Christ, New Brighton

$25,000—$49,999

First Congregational Church of MN, Minneapolis

Peace UCC, Duluth

Robbinsdale UCC, Robbinsdale

St. Paul’s UCC, St. Paul

Union Congregational UCC, St. Louis Park

Wayzata Community Church, Wayzata

$10,000—$24,999

Chapel Hills UCC, Edina

Falcon Heights UCC, Falcon Heights

First Congregational UCC, Anoka

First Congregational UCC, Austin

First Congregational UCC, Fairmont

First Congregational UCC, Mankato

First Congregational UCC, Brainerd

The United Church, Mapleton

United Congregational UCC, Birchdale

Zoar UCC, Chaska

Zoar UCC, Waldorf

$500—$999

First Congregational UCC, Lake City

Peace UCC, Glencoe

Pilgrim Congregational UCC, Benson

St. Luke’s UCC, Eitzen

The United Protestant Church, Silver Bay

United Faith Community, Buffalo

Up to $499

Faith UCC, Winthrop

First Congregational Church UCC, Hancock

First Congregational UCC, Aitkin

First Congregational UCC, Dodge Center

First Congregational UCC, Graceville

First Congregational UCC, Hutchinson

First Congregational UCC, Pelican Rapids

First United Church UCC, Sauk Centre

Mendota Heights United Church of Christ (Cong’l), Mendota Heights

Scrambler Union UCC, Pelican Rapids

The United Church of Grand Meadow, Grand Meadow

Congregational Donors Includes contributions made to support Our Church’s Wider Mission, Christmas Fund, Neighbors in Need, Strengthen the Church, One Great Hour of Sharing, Per Capita covenant dues, Annual Fund, New Initiatives Fund, and Pilgrim Point Camp & Retreats.

Granite Falls UCC, Granite Falls

Lynnhurst Congregational UCC, Minneapolis

Macalester Plymouth United Church, St. Paul

Mizpah UCC, Hopkins

New Journey UCC, Hutchinson

Parkview UCC, White Bear Lake

Pilgrim Congregational, Duluth

Plymouth Congregational Church, Minneapolis

St. Anthony Park UCC, St. Paul

The Congregational Church of Detroit Lakes UCC, Detroit Lakes

The Congregational UCC, Rochester

The Federated Church, Morris

Union UCC, Elk River

United Church of Christ, Gaylord

Zion UCC, LeSueur

$5,000—$9,999

Clark Memorial UCC, South St. Paul

Community UCC, St. Paul Park

Cottage Grove United Church of Christ, Cottage Grove

Edina Morningside Church, Edina

Faith UCC, International Falls

First Congregational, Grand Marais

First Congregational Church, Zumbrota

First Congregational of Moorhead, Moorhead

First Congregational UCC, Cannon Falls

First Congregational UCC, Glencoe

First Congregational UCC, Wadena

Linden Hills Congregational UCC, Minneapolis

Living Table UCC, Minneapolis

Lyndale Congregational UCC, Minneapolis

New Spirit UCC, Savage

Olivet Congregational Church, St. Paul

Parkway UCC, Minneapolis

Peace UCC, Rochester

St. John’s UCC, Faribault

St. Mark’s UCC, Bloomington

St. Paul’s UCC, Welcome

The Associated Church, Owatonna

Union Congregational Church UCC, Hackensack

$2,500—$4,999

Bethlehem UCC, Maple Lake

Cherokee Park United Church, St. Paul

Circles of Faith UCC, Waubun

Community Church of Walker, UCC, Walker

First Congregational Church, Staples

First Congregational UCC, Alexandria

First Congregational UCC, Winona

First United Church, Little Falls

Friedens UCC, Norwood Young America

Glenwood United Parish, Glenwood

Glyndon Congregational UCC, Glyndon

Hazel Park Congregational UCC, St. Paul

Peace UCC, St. Cloud

Peace United Church, Long Prairie

St. James UCC, Barnesville

St. John’s UCC, Fairmont

St. John’s UCC, New Albin

St. Matthew’s UCC-Forest City, Litchfield

St. Paul’s UCC, Delano

St. Paul’s UCC, Henderson

St. Paul’s UCC, Plato

St. Paul’s UCC/ELCA, Lewiston

St. Peter’s UCC, Stillwater

The Congregational Church, Excelsior

The Federated Church, Fergus Falls

United Church of Christ, New Ulm

Wabasha UCC, Wabasha

$1,000—$2,499

Community UCC, Biwabik

Congregational Church of Faribault UCC, Faribault

Faith United Church, Ada

Faith United Church of Christ, Bertha

First Congregational Church, Aldrich

First Congregational UCC, Appleton

First Congregational UCC, Baudette

First Congregational UCC, New York Mills

First Congregational UCC, Princeton

First UCC of Marietta, Marietta

Grace UCC, Millville

Peace UCC, Eden Valley

Prairie Community Church of Lester Prairie, Lester Prairie

St. John’s UCC, Norwood Young America

St. Paul’s UCC, Minnesota Lake

Rev. Susan & Jim Burns•

Kathryn Butler

Rev. John Buttrey◊

Rev. Ralph Colby

Rev. Molly Cox◊

Robert Crom◊

Peter Dahlen & Mary Carlsen

Nat & Catherine Dickey◊

Rev. Beth Donaldson

Leon Erstad

Rev. Charles Eversman

Ken & Cindy Femanich◊

Bart & Sally Finzel

Donna Force

Barbara Fox◊

John Fox

Rev. Charlotte Frantz+

Betty Fritz◊

Maggie George & Rev. Rebecca Voelkel◊

Rev. Richard & Jane Gerber

Richard & Nancy Gongoll◊

Rev. Bob Griggs

Rev. Clare & Rev. Justin Gromoll◊

Rev. Bridget Haefner•+

Rev. Victor Hallberg

Rev. Jerry & Liz Hankins•◊

Norma Heinbuch

Evelyn Rentz Henrickson◊

Rev. Kathy Itzin

Barbara Jeffries◊

Rev. & Mrs. John Kemp

Darlene Kenning◊

$5,000—9,999

Frank Bennett & Mary Lenard

$2,500—$4,999

Hildegard Bunge◊

Marion Bunge◊

Mike Rice•

Rev. Richard & Dr. Mary Wagner•

$1,000—$2,499

Rudi & Diann Anders•

Hobart & Charlotte Anderson◊

Janet Bartz•

Rev. Howard Bell & Christopher Cook•◊+

Conee Biggs

James & Barbara Bock+

Don & Arlene Fancher

Becky & Dan Kruse•

Lisa Lindesmith & Toni Pangborn

John & Karen Marsh◊

Annette Matzen•◊

Rev. Jane McBride & Rev. Jen Nagel•

Peter Norum

Robert Peterson

Derek Peterson◊

Rev. Robin Raudabaugh & Gigi Nauer•◊

Judy & Chris Reiss◊

Judy & Gene Rose◊

Rev. Richard & Nancy Scheerer

Kim & Jan Shaffer•◊+

Rev. Michael Small & Rev. Sheila Hunter•

Steven & Karen Sorensen

Glen Taylor◊

Rev. Parker & Albert Trostel•

Dr. Mary Walser & Lynne Meyer

$500—$999

Jim & Nancy Barbour•

David & Betty Jo Braun•

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Carlisle◊

Rev. David Cave

Rev. Kathy Gibson Christensen & Robert Christensen

Jim Conn & Dawn Carlson Conn

Kimberly Graff◊+

Thom & Diane Haines•

Robert Hattlestad◊

Bonnie Johnson◊

Nancy Charlene Johnson•

Rev. Sandy Johnson

Carol Joyce

Mary Kaser•

Rev. Gary & Kathleen Kasten

Rev. Tom & Dr. Monica Liddle•+

Dorothy Lundberg

Roberta & Annette Mailes

Rev. David & Rev. Jane McMahill

Sham Moteelall•

Rev. Paula Northwood

Ruth & Donald Plackner◊

Rev. Dr. Carolyn Pressler & Sue Ebbers

Rev. Gary Reierson

Rev. Teresa Roberts•

Rev. John & Marion Roschen◊

Patricia & Jerry Stone◊

Rev. Nancy Swanson

Rev. Howard & Betsy Tobak

Rev. Dwight & Jean Wagenius

Rev. Kay Welsch

Don & MaryJane Westra

$100—$249

Deb & Dave Adams◊

Janice Anderson

Steve Anthony

Williard Arnold◊

Adrienne Banks◊

Jane & Tom Barthell•

Rev. Julie Beck

Rev. Marilyn Benson

Rev. Rex Beyer•

Rev. Dr. Anita Bradshaw+

Rev. Brian & Glennis Brosz

Dwight & Helen Brown◊

Sue & Dean Kloker◊+

Donald Koehn•

Mary Korsmo◊

Lynne Krehbiel-Breneman & Donald Krehbiel

Rev. Zoe & Rev. Lanny Kuester

Laurie Lang•

Ruth Larson

Charles & Hope Lea◊

James Leslie

Shelley Lindenfelser◊+

Rev. Dana Mann

Rev. David Martens

Rev. Kent & Rev. Debra Meyer

Jonathan Morgan

Helen Myers◊

Priscilla Nauer

Rev. Leslie & Chris Neugent

Rev. Paula Nordhem

Ole & Sharon Olson

Karen Peterson

Rev. S. Lindy Purdy

Liz Reishus◊

Sandra Rempfer

Rev. Margaret Richardson•

Bruce Richardson

Rev. Herb Rotunda

Cindy Russell

Belle & Dr. Robert Scott

Sue & Erin Scully◊

Margaret Seath◊

Lynne Severson

Rev. Madison Sheely◊

Ellsworth Simon◊

Individual Support • Sustaining Donors ◊ Pilgrim Point + New Initiatives * Deceased

Phil & Sue Keithahn◊

Spencer Kvam

Richard & Karn Lerum◊

Chelle Lyons Hanson & Chip Hanson

Gerald Meigs◊

Rev. Dr. Jeff Palmer & Rev. Cindy Mueller

Roberta Peterson & Neil Otto•◊

Rev. Sharon Prestemon•

Rev. Jeff Sartain•

Rev. Orville & Rev. Mary Kay Sauter◊+

Rev. Dr. Karen Smith Sellers & Rev. Richard Sellers◊

Doris Strong•◊

$250—$499

Rev. Raymond Ahrens

Dr. Richard & Sharon Anderson

Rev. Obadiah Ballinger & Rev. Javen Swanson•

Jerry Clark

Rev. Joseph Clay◊

Carol Crowe

Maureen & David Engelhardt+

Gordon & Marty Everest◊

Diane Gardner

Rev. Muriel Pool Hachfeld & Randall Hachfeld◊

Barry & Diana Hanke+

Charles Herrmann◊

Rev. Timothy & Michelle Johnson

Rev. Tom & Peg Lammers◊+

Annika Simon◊

Michael Steiner◊

Joan Stevens◊

Rev. Gary Stoos◊

Nathan Syverson•

Rev. Terese Tomanek+

Rev. Dennis Tooley

Norma Tramm◊

Eleanore Troxel◊

Ann Turnbull

Marilyn Twete

Karen Udstrand

Anita Vanderploeg

Rev. Rosanna Walker+

Suzanne & Jim Wedge•

Karel Weigel◊

Rev. Adam Westrich

George Wickstrom◊

Tim Wulling◊

Mark Young◊+

Up to $100

Steve & Myrna Aldrich◊

Leslie Amundson

Jeanne Anderegg+

Doris Anderson◊

Edith Apelt◊

Ellen Baker

Rev. Tara Bauer & Charlotte Sullivan

Carla Becklin◊

Cindy Behnke◊

Joann Bell

Virginia Bergfalk◊

Rev. Robert Broeder

Mr. & Mrs. Dick Brust◊

Marvin Bunnell◊

Kathy & Larry LaFayette◊

Cindy Larson◊

Natasha Lehmann◊

Pearl Lenzen◊

Ruby Lynk

Rev. Daniel Maiden

James & Karen McConkey

Rev. Alan McNamara•

Laura Michelson+

Rev. Kathryn Nelson+

Barbara Nilles

Zac Norenberg◊

Rev. Clarion Olsen◊

Jean Ostrom+

Ann Peterson

Joan Peterson◊+

Rev. Keith & Helen Purscell

Parker Quammen

Daniel Quiillin

Marilyn Rhatigan◊

Rev. Cynthia Riggin◊

Dr. Mary Rogers◊

Caitlin Rogers◊

Joanne Rohricht◊

Beth Sammond◊

Judith Schulze◊

Walter Seiditz

Hans Simons

Rev. Brigit Stevens

Barbara Stone◊

Rev. Sheryl Stowman◊

Roy & Lois Swanson

Rev. Joannne Sylvander

John Szarke

Gretchen Burk◊

Rev. Henry D. Campbell

Joseph Capistrant◊

Brenda & Rob Clarno◊

Barbara Clay◊

Gary & Jane Clements◊

Gerald Cleveland+

Phil Cook◊

Michael & Marlys Daly

Mr. & Mrs. Keith Davison◊

Sylvia Fleming

Michael Florey

Rev. Timothy Forester

Doug & Dianne Frantz

Jerry Gee◊

Adam & Meghan Gordon

Rev. David Groenemann

Mark Gustafson

Joy Hamann◊

Rev. Sue Hamly

Dan Hegstad

Rev. Abigail Henderson

Dorothy Herrmann◊

Mr. & Mrs. Terry Hess◊

Carri Hoagland•+

Robert & Geraldine Howieson◊

Rev. Norma Rae Hunt & Rev. Garth Schumacher+

Rev. Kristen & Bruce Jeide

Margaret Johnson

Nancy Johnson-Maloney

Mary Klonoski•

Roger Taylor

Craig Thorsen◊+

Jan & Paul Truchan◊

Rev. John & Carol Tschudy◊

Jon Tufte

JoAnn Undem◊

Rev. Marguerite Unwin Voelkel

Rev. Victor Vriesen

Linda Wagenbach◊

Zilla Way

Betty Wentworth◊

Rev. Victoria Wilgocki

Jane Williams◊

Eugenia Williams*

Cindy Wiltjer◊

Annalese Wright

Nancy Zaworski

Legacy Circle

Hobart & Charlotte Anderson

Rev. Muriel Pool Hachfeld & Rev. Randall Hachfeld

Rev. Cindy Mueller & Rev. Dr. Jeff Palmer

Priscilla & Joseph* Nauer

Robert W. Rosene

Rev. Mary Kay & Rev. Orville Sauter

Vernon & Adele Zander

Thank You,

Donors!

If you have made arrangements to remember the Minnesota Conference through a legacy gift and we have not included you on this list, please let us know so that you can be added.

Thank you to all of our

individual and congregational

donors who financially

support the Minnesota

Conference UCC, Pilgrim

Point Camp, and New

Initiatives with your gifts.

Your generosity multiplies

our impact and empowers our

ministry. We simply can’t do

it without you!

122 West Franklin Avenue, Suite 323

Minneapolis, MN 55404

Show your commitment to supporting the Minnesota Conference mission as we continue to transform lives in our churches,

our clergy, and our lay leaders for all generations as we grow in our faith. Thank you for your support of the Minnesota Conference.

Donate Today at www.uccmn.org/donate