St. John's United Church of Christ - Madeline Island Lighthouse August 2021 - Madeline Island Church
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St. John’s United Church of Christ
Madeline Island Lighthouse
August 2021
St. John’s on Madeline Island
Caring for Community Worship and Fellowship on August 1
St. John’s Church Council met this week and decided, On Sunday, August 1, we
based on the growing infection rates on the island, welcome Rev. Andrew
including children who are not eligible to be vaccinated, Warner as our guest
to cancel all gatherings pending further information, preacher. Following worship,
including the Bazaar and Centennial Celebration. Andrew and Pastor Rachel
will host Zoom fellowship,
“Council will meet weekly to
11 – 11:30 am.
reassess evolving situations,”
explained Debbie Knopf,
Rev. Warner is working in
Council President. “In order to
partnership with St. John’s
guarantee the safety of our
Stewardship and Endowment Campaign committees.
residents and visitors, Council
“Andrew has a gift for connecting people’s deepest
believes it is prudent to
passions with generative opportunities and initiatives,”
suspend in-person, indoor
noted Pastor Rachel. “It is a delight to get to know
gatherings.”
Andrew and benefit from his leadership. We are excited
Beginning immediately, St. John’s is: to have him on the island this weekend.”
• livestreaming worship and fellowship
Worship Link:
• canceling the Bazaar
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFaKJNLiLrkmu8CS
• postponing the August 14 Centennial Celebration
zreNt7g
• closing the Island Closet
Fellowship Link:
“I am, as I'm guessing many of you are, so very https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85363798092
disappointed about this recent turn of events,” Meeting ID: 853 6379 8092
commented Pastor Rachel. “And, of course, I fully
support the Council's unanimous decision and their
faithful deliberation within a very fluid situation. I'm so St. John’s Makes Headlines
grateful to each of you for all your support, prayers and
In response to the press release issued on July 29, St.
good humor as we all continue to navigate these times.
John’s attracted TV coverage regarding Church Council’s
“The letter I wrote for our Annual Meeting held just a unanimous decision to suspend in-person worship and
week ago is reprinted in the Lighthouse (see page 3),” events. This coverage was the lead story on
added Pastor Rachel. “And now, here we are, needing to WDIO/WIRT-TV’s 10 pm newscast.
quickly pivot once again due to the Covid rates on the
KBJR/KDLH-TV also ran a story. The video newscast has
island and surrounding areas.
not yet been linked to the coverage.
“I am deeply
“Our mission
grateful for
is to care for
your resilience,
this
generosity of
community
spirit, and
and we do
commitment to
this in all sorts
care for each
of ways,”
other. As
explained
always, I look forward to connecting with you, in person,
Pastor Rachel during a Zoom interview with TV reporters.
phone, email or zoom. Just because we are limiting in-
“We are sad to forgo in-person worship and activities,
person gatherings, we do not have to discontinue
however we have an obligation to protect our residents
important connection with each other.”
and visitors.”
The press release issued to media on July 29 is reprinted below.
St. John’s to suspend in-person worship
Other activities, ministries changed for COVID-19 safety concerns
LA POINTE, Wis.—St. John’s United Church of Christ will suspend in-person services and
return to Sunday worship entirely online starting Aug. 1 because of rapidly rising COVID-19 cases on Madeline Island.
The church’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously to make the change. The action returns St. John’s to its practice of 10
a.m. Sunday worship exclusively at stjohnsmadelineisland.org. For more than a year, St. John’s held online-only services
before opening for in-person services with safety precautions in June.
The board also made four other changes with church events and ministries because of confirmed rising cases of COVID-
19, driven by the rapid spread of the coronavirus’ more virulent delta variant:
• The Aug. 5-6 church bazaar planned for outside the church is canceled and will not be rescheduled this year.
• The Aug. 14 celebration of the church’s centennial year at The Chateau on Madeline Island will be rescheduled to
a still-undetermined later date.
• The Island Closet resale store at the Town of La Pointe’s Materials Recovery Facility will temporarily close to in-
person shopping.
• The Woods Hall Gallery and Studios next to the church will be open by appointment only, with masks and social
distancing required inside. To make an appointment for shopping or studio use, please contact manager Tyna
Waterhouse at 715-747-3943 or woodshallgallery@gmail.com.
Given the number of known confirmed cases of COVID-19 on the island, the community already is at levels requiring
action based on federal health guidelines for in-person gatherings, the board determined. The church also referred to
guidance from the Wisconsin Council of Churches.
“These are not actions we wanted to take. But after careful consideration, we agreed unanimously that we needed to
act to protect our community,” said Debbie Knopf, chair of the church board. “The health and safety of our people is our
most important responsibility.”
The board also considered the impact of COVID-19’s spread on island children, recognizing that those under 12 are
especially susceptible to the disease because they cannot yet get a vaccine under federal health rules.
In addition, the board recognized that community spread is more difficult in a tourist location such as Madeline Island,
with visitors arriving daily, potentially bringing cases of COVID-19 from other communities where the disease is
spreading at even faster rates.
“Unfortunately, the delta variant is quickly changing life here and across the country,” said Rev. Rachel Bauman, St.
John’s pastor. “We looked forward to a summer of worshiping, gathering and celebrating our centennial in-person
together. But the health and safety situation has changed on our island, like many other places. We need to do our part
to protect people by not contributing to the spread of this disease in our community.”
The St. John’s board will meet weekly to review the COVID-19 situation and determine next steps. The church will post
updates on the church’s website as well as its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram profiles.
In addition, the board urged all island residents, part-time residents and visitors to get a vaccine if they have not done so
already.
ABOUT ST. JOHN’S:
St. John’s United Church of Christ on Madeline Island is a church for the entire Madeline Island Community, celebrating
its centennial year in 2021. Whether you are on the island year-round, visiting for a few days or anywhere in between,
you are welcome to worship with us. Learn more at stjohnsmadelineisland.org.
FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES: On behalf of all of us at St. John’s and the Madeline Island
Rob Karwath | North Coast Communications community, thank you to our dedicated Church Council volunteer
218-343-9418 members and the journalism expertise of Rob Karwath for crafting this
rob@northcoastcommunications.com press release and attracting media coverage.
Pastor’s Column embraces the mission of St John’s: to be church for the
whole community. This was evident in the many, many
Dear friends, calls I received or times I was stopped on the street with
One of the great joys of pastoring questions of “how are people doing” or “how can I help?”
is the opportunity to occasionally You found creative and consistent ways to stay in touch
serve as a mirror for the during the long months of isolation and physical
congregation -- reflecting to you distancing, quietly finding ways to use your gifts in
how the Holy is revealed within service to those in need. Out of a commitment to caring
and among you and reminding for our island home as well as helping meet the essential
you of who you know yourselves needs of island residents, you accepted an invitation from
to be called to be. I want to share the Town to assume management of the former
with you what I saw reflected in “Exchange” creating The Island Closet. You stepped
and through you during this past forward to deepen long standing community partnerships,
extraordinary year: such as the Community Garden and Island Harvesters to
support island food sustainability.
Creativity, Ingenuity, Flexibility, Commitment
Visionary
When the pandemic came and we learned we needed to
pivot to online-only worship, you did so with alacrity and It could be reasonable to think that during a year of tumult
creativity, boldly imaging what might be possible with this and loneliness, you might have been unable to
format (e.g., a slide show of beautiful island images for concentrate on anything beyond personal challenges. But
those far away, an opportunity for off-island worshippers I saw exactly the opposite! I witnessed a surge of
to contribute their gifts of music, scripture interpretation, creativity and people asking, “What if…?” Both the
testimony). You continued to attend worship in record Church Council and Woods Hall Board were fully
numbers and stayed afterwards for Zoom fellowship, engaged in goals for the future to support our staff,
engaging in meaningful and often vulnerable personal strengthen our infrastructure and enhance our capacity to
sharing prompted by some part of the service. support the spiritual, communal, artistic and material
needs of those who call Madeline Island home. Our
Your eagerness in engaging with online community was centennial celebration committee planned opportunities
not limited to worship but included many small groups: to celebrate our 100-year history and look ahead to the
weekly Bible Study, Racial Justice Study Group, poetry next century. The Second Century Endowment campaign
reflections, spiritual practice series, and one-time was launched to ensure St. John’s capacity to support a
workshops on walking the labyrinth and writing new full-time pastor, maintain and improve our gathering
year’s blessings. These groups brought folks together spaces, and expand initiatives that promote and enhance
from across the island and the country – forging new our community into the next century.
relationships and connections.
Searching, Hungry, Curious, Questioning
Generosity
My biggest privilege over the past year has been the
The outpouring of generosity was overwhelming. Your many, many hours of conversation I had with you
generosity to care for others, pray for one another, and (individually and in small groups) about how you were
support those around you was incredibly moving. And, encountering the Sacred. I am grateful for your
your generosity made it possible for us to provide willingness to be vulnerable and to delve into the ways
financial support for those especially hard-hit by the the Holy Spirit influences you. I appreciate you sharing
pandemic for such things as rent, car repairs, medical your intentional reflection on the stuff that really matters:
bills, mental health support and propane. Your generosity who am I, what are my gifts, how can I use them to serve
created the new Artisan Fund at Woods Hall which offers the common good, what do I want to do with my time on
grants for artists to off-set expenses of materials, this earth, where and who and how is God?.
membership fees, educational classes, and other costs of
creating their artwork. Your financial generosity also let It is an honor to serve as your Pastor and to have
us meet our annual fund goal for both St John’s and engaged with you during this once-in-a-lifetime year. I
Woods Hall – an incredible blessing during a year of so look forward to collaborating with each of you as we,
many unknowns. together, shepherd St. John’s into its second century; a
second century of service to this blessed and unique
Commitment to Service to the Island community.
We are a diverse church community: theologically,
politically, philosophically, and economically. And yet, to Thank you for letting me be part of your island life, Rachel
a person, my experience is that each of you fully
Community Blood Drive is a Success Challenge Match – Twice the Impact
By Becky Hogan, Coordinator and Parish Nurse As we celebrate our centennial year, we are now looking
to secure St. John’s next 100 years with the introduction
We had 47 donors register prior to the drive and seven
of the Second Century Endowment. In addition to
more signing up the day of the drive. The Red Cross goal
for our blood drive was 47 units of underwriting the leadership and facilities of St. John’s and
blood. They actually ended up Woods Hall, this endowment will free future church funds
collecting 55 units!! Thank you to all to launch and maintain initiatives that support the
spiritual, creative, philosophical and economic needs of
the donors. You are saving lives.
the Madeline Island community.
In addition to the donors, we had 20
volunteers helping out before and We have already
during the drive. We couldn’t do it received funds
without them and their generosity and gift of time. from an
anonymous donor
Also, I’d like to give a shout out to the Madeline Island for a $250,000
ferry line for providing Ferry passage to the Red Cross matching grant.
vehicles and staff. Thank you so much.Thanks to the
Bayfield School District for allowing us to use the This presents both an extraordinary opportunity and
LaPointe gym for the drive. challenge for each of us to double the impact of each
donated dollar. As you are able, beyond your generous
Annual Fund contribution, this letter asks you to stretch
your support for St. John’s and Woods Hall by
contributing to the match. We have until January 30,
2022 to realize the full value of this remarkable gift.
St. John's Church Council has also partnered with the
United Church of Christ Wisconsin Foundation. This
respected Wisconsin institution will act as our Second
Century Endowment counsel and fiduciary. They will
provide information and technical support to anyone who
wishes to examine planned giving options as another way
A busy canteen! Donor David Collins to have a lasting role in St. John’s future. If you are
interested in exploring a planned gift to Woods Hall
and/or St. John's Church, Pastor Rachel can connect you
with the Foundation. Contact Rachel at (715) 747-3945 or
Small Group Gatherings pastor@stjohnsmadelineisland.org.
Please be aware that small in-
Your participation in the life of St. John’s and Woods Hall
person, inside group gatherings are
is a continuing inspiration! Thank you for all that you do
temporarily suspended in
~and for considering your capacity to help us reach this
accordance with Covid protocols.
matching gift goal.
The Church Council wrestled with
this decision and concluded that it is St. John’s has led Madeline Island spirit for 100 years.
in the best interest of our community Your generosity ensures a second century of island spirit.
to do so. Together, we are making a difference for the next 100
years.
AA Meetings – Saturdays at 5:30 pm Thank you for your ongoing support
In conjunction with St. John’s Health of St. John’s and Woods Hall
Ministries, AA meets every Saturday
at 5:00 pm. In accordance with Covid
Gallery and Studios. Because of
protocols, meetings will be held you, the church, its ministries and
outdoors at St. John’s. All are
welcome. Questions? Want to learn outreach programs remain at the
more? Need a Zoom link? Contact Larry McFarlane at
715-559-7661 or mcfarlane1@gmail.com heart of island life.
Centennial Book Getting Rave Reviews Full Moon Circle for Women
Something missing on your coffee This month’s full moon is August
table or bookshelf? Don’t have 22 - the Sturgeon Moon according
your copy of St. John’s Ministry on to the Farmers Almanac. In Ojibwe
Madeline Island: A Century of it is the Manoominike-Giizis or the
Island Spirit yet? Ricing Moon, a time when the wild
rice is harvested.
Copies of the commemorative book
for our Centennial are still available. Full Moon in September is the 20th. The Harvest Moon
Books are on sale at Woods Hall (which sometimes falls in October. In Ojibwe it is
Gallery and Madeline Island Waabaagbagaa-Giizis or Turning Leaves Moon.
Candles. You may also order online by going to
https://stjohnsmadelineisland.org/. Scroll down on our We will light candles and offer prayers at 7pm. Any
homepage and click Add to Cart to order your book and questions, email me or message me. Contact Julie at
pay by check or credit card. strykerjf@yahoo.com. Thank you, Miigwech
Marina Lachecki, Linda
Mack, Sarah Norton and
Prayer Requests
Lee Baker signing and
inscribing books during Have a prayer request? It’s easy –
fellowship hour. and confidential. Hover over the
Contact page on our website to see
Enjoy stories, interviews,
the link to PRAYER REQUEST.
and reflections about St.
https://stjohnsmadelineisland.org/prayer/
John’s 100 years on
Madeline Island. Discover interesting facts and figures Prayer requests only go to Pastor Rachel’s private inbox.
and meet some notable characters. And, you can ask Rachel to keep your prayer request
private or have a name added to the list of people we
keep in our prayers during worship every Sunday.
Racial Justice Study Group – August 4
Weekly Prayer Circle
7pm – 1st Wednesday of each month
Join our Prayer Circle on Thursdays at
We will be discussing The Nickel Boys
8:00 am. All are invited to this weekly
by Colson Whitehead, “a story of two circle of prayer via Zoom (Zoom
boys sentenced to a hellish reform
meeting ID 868 5052 2126;
school in 1960s Florida,” according to
Passcode: 983123)
Goodreads.
For more information or to be placed
on the email chain for this group, St. John’s Bible Study
contact Robin Roderick at
Bible Study is taking a summer
robinrest@aol.com)
sabbatical. But we’ll be back in
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86741340213 September. For more information or to
Meeting ID: 867 4134 0213 be placed on the bible study email
chain, contact Pastor Rachel
at pastor@stjohnsmadelineisland.org
Serenity on the Rock AlAnon Meetings
All are welcome to AlAnon meetings.
AlAnon is a mutual support Stories of Our Hearts
organization for the families and
Stories of Our Hearts is taking
friends of alcoholics. Questions?
a sabbatical for the summer.
Contact Rachel. Join us Tuesday,
Contact facilitator Penny Gill
4:30 – 5:30 pm via Zoom - Meeting
(pgill@mtholyoke.edu) to hear
ID: 880 1533 6936 Passcode: island
what’s planned for the fall.
Braiding Sweetgrass "Big Read"
by Joe Scarry
Please join us as we take a deep dive into Robin Wall
Kimmerer's wonderful book, Braiding
Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge,
and the Teachings of Plants! I have
been working with others in the Stop in at Woods Hall Gallery and discover beautiful
Wisconsin Conference of the UCC to pottery, rugs, jewelry, books, candles, and other items …
launch a state-wide "big read," under all designed by local artists. Our volunteers make your
the auspices of our Creation Care shopping experience a delight.
Team. The Conference will encourage
members of the 200+ UCC
congregations to read and discuss the
book in the coming fall and winter. I'd
like to get a St. John's group going on the book after
Labor Day. I imagine using Zoom, so that you can
participate from wherever you are! There will also be
opportunities to connect with people in other communities
who will also be studying the book. Please let me know if
you would like to
participate: jtscarry@yahoo.com
PS - Save the Date! Robin Wall
Kimmerer will be talking with all of
us in the Wisconsin Conference
on Saturday, October 9, via Zoom,
as part of the 4-day Immersion Gallery Hours:
Event taking place in Green Wednesdays – Saturdays, 11 am – 4 pm
Lake: https://bit.ly/ImmersionEventOct2021.
Sundays, 11 am – 3 pm
Open by appointment. Walk-ins welcome.
Let the vineyards be fruitful! Gift certificates are available as are personal shopping
sessions and FaceTime, Skype, and Zoom shopping.
There’s lots growing right now at St.
Contact Gallery Manager Tyna Waterhouse for help.
John’s! Please take a moment next
715-747-3943 or woodshallgallery@gmail.com
time you’re here to enjoy the plantings
and wildflowers throughout the A ministry of St. John’s,
campus. (Don’t forget to visit the
Woods Hall nurtures creativity
Labyrinth, Memorial Garden, and
and community on Madeline
prairie wildflowers behind the church!)
Island by providing
Follow St. John’s opportunities for creation of
crafts in our well-equipped
Website: www.stjohnsmadelineisland.org facility, selling crafts in the
Instagram: @stjohnschurchmi Woods Hall Gallery and
learning hand-craft skills.
Twitter: @stjohnschurchmi
Facebook: facebook.com/stjohnsonmadelineisland Website: www.woodshall.com
Worship Streaming: Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/WoodsHallGallery
https://www.youtube.com/c/stjohnsucconmadelineisland
Instagram:
Pastor Rachel Bauman
https://www.instagram.com/woodshallgallery/
831-566-0353
pastor@stjohnsmadelineisland.org
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
See online Google calendar for complete event details. https://stjohnsmadelineisland.org/events/
Worship and
Al Anon, 4:30 – 5:30 pm Racial Justice Study Prayer Circle, 8:00 am
Communion, 10 am, AA Meeting, 5:30 pm,
Group 7 – 8pm
Guest Preacher Rev. Fellowship Hall
Andrew Warner, WI UCC
Foundation
Fellowship, 11:00 –
11:30 am
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Worship, 10 am
Fellowship, 11:00 – Al Anon, 4:30 – 5:30 pm Council Meeting, Prayer Circle, 8:00 am AA Meeting, 5:30 pm,
Fellowship Hall
11:30 am 4:30 – 6 pm
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Worship, 10 am Woods Hall Board
Fellowship, 11:00 – Al Anon, 4:30 – 5:30 pm Meeting Prayer Circle, 8:00 am AA Meeting, 5:30 pm,
11:30 am Fellowship Hall
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Worship, 10 am AA Meeting, 5:30 pm,
Fellowship, 11:00 – Al Anon, 4:30 – 5:30 pm Prayer Circle, 8:00 am Fellowship Hall
11:30 am
Full Moon Circle for
Women, 7:00 pm
29 30 31 SEPTEMBER 1 2 3 4
Worship, 10 am Al Anon, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
Prayer Circle, 8:00 am AA Meeting, 5:30 pm,
Fellowship, 11:00 – Fellowship Hall
11:30 am
NON-PROFIT
St. John’s United Church of Christ ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
P. O. Box 14, 706 Main Street
PAID
Madeline Island
Permit No.1
La Pointe, Wisconsin 54850 LaPointe, WI 54850
(715) 747-3945
Tax ID #23-7165228
St. John’s on Madeline Island ~ Celebrating a Century of Island Spirit in 2021
Photo credit: Bill Green
No matter where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.
St. John’s is a Christ-centered church and a spiritual center that welcomes all.
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