"I will put my teaching in their minds and write it on their hearts..."
Jeremiah 31:33
| | | Calendar of Upcoming MUCC Events | | |
Below are the weekly programs. Brief descriptions of these weekly programs are on our website.
Clickable links are in blue, underlined, and italicized.
| | |
SUNDAY Choir Practice
Contact Tom Ludwig, if interested. Practices 9-10 am on Sundays Sept-May.
| | Below are the upcoming non-weekly events on the calendar happening at McFarland UCC for the next month. | | |
Tuesday, May 19, 6:30-8:00 pm, Creation Care Meeting (In person & Online), Multipurpose Room
Sunday, May 24, Strengthen the Church Collection
Sunday, May 24, 11:30 am, 70+ Birthday Lunch
Thursday, May 28, Listening from the Heart (Zoom only) Sponsored by Social Justice Collective Ministry
Tuesday, June 2, 6:30-8:00 pm, Social Justice Collective Meeting (In person & Online), Multipurpose Room. July 7 meeting is canceled. August meeting as usual.
Wednesday, June 3, 6:00-7:30 pm, Outreach Funds Quarterly Meeting (In person & Online), Multipurpose Room
Sunday, June 7, Birthday and Communion Sunday
Sunday, June 7, 1:05 pm, Mallards Game, Warner Park
Sunday, June 7, Teen Youth Monthly Meetup
Thursday, June 11, 6:00 - 8:00 pm, SaLT Monthly Meeting (In person & Online), Multipurpose Room
| | | | |
Thank you to this weekend's volunteers!
Hospitality Hosts: Lynn Belleau, Amy Cavi
Greeters/Ushers: Bob & Carol Naylor
| | Resolve to get involved at McFarland UCC! Volunteer on Sunday. Join a ministry such as Social Justice Collective, Creation Care, Befrienders Care Team, SaLT, Youth ministry, Building & Ground Team, or others. Find out more by clicking here. | | |
News at McFarland UCC
Note: Clickable links are blue, underlined, and italicized.
| | |
Search Committee Congregational Input Phase 2!
The Search Committee is getting ready to conduct our next phase of gathering information from the congregation to help us develop the pastoral search profile.
The next phase is to hold focus groups. This phase will further inform the search committee of the following areas on the profile:
- Characteristics and expertise that the congregation is looking for in a settled pastor
- Characteristics and attributes of our church that we want a new settled pastor to be aware of
Both of these are imperative for all applicants to understand, as we move forward in our search for a new settled pastor.
There is a link provided here. In this link, you will find a quick 2-question questionnaire with a list of topics and times from which you can choose, if you are interested in participating in a focus group.
Responding does not guarantee you will be part of the focus groups you express interest in; rather, that you are willing to share your time and voice as we create well-balanced and representative small groups to share ideas. From this questionnaire, we will begin creating the groups, and the Search committee will reach out to you to let you know the next steps. You must put your contact info so we can reach you. We will also be sending out an email with this same information and link (very simple click and answer form). We will also have hard copies available in the fellowship hall with a private box to put your questionnaire in.
Thank you to everyone for your patience and continued interest in the process of finding and calling our new settled pastor!
Your dedicated Search Committee
| | |
Outreach Fund Update
The Reed-Smeaton Outreach Fund (once known as the Sustaining Outreach and Scholarship [S.O.S] Fund) was established in 2000. The Outreach Fund Committee determines which outreach initiatives are funded throughout the year. For at least the past decade, there has been a commitment to support scholarships for college, university, or a trade program for high school graduates who are active participants in our church. The Outreach Funds Committee recently reviewed the application process for the $250 scholarships and developed an application form. For more information about the scholarship application, please contact Joan Jacobsen (jo...@mcfarlanducc.org), Chair of the Outreach Funds Committee.
| |
Just Bakery Sunday
May 17, 2026
Just Bakery will offer baked goods in the Fellowship Area after worship service. They offer sweet and savory items, as well as vegan and gluten-free options, every other 3rd Sunday of the month.
| | |
First Annual Silent Auction
Now - May 24, 2026
Check out the many donated items in the Fellowship Hall during the month of May. There are baskets, services, and gift certificates available for bidding. Donations were made by members of the McFarland UCC community, as well as local businesses. All proceeds go toward the teen service learning trip to Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota this summer.
| | |
Dear MUCC Friends and Family,
I am writing this month’s Pulse to share a story about a wish, a legacy, and an invitation to celebrate the incredible people who make this community feel like home.
A Request from Lavon
In early 2025, our dear late friend and community member, Lavon Geasland, made a heartfelt request of the SaLT committee. She envisioned a special birthday celebration—one specifically designed to honor the 70+ community members here at MUCC.
As someone who is in constant awe of how this community shows up for one another (and as someone who admittedly loves birthdays), I didn’t need much convincing to step up and organize it. I scheduled a time to sit down with Lavon to hear her vision and the "why" behind her request. Sadly, Lavon passed away just two days before we were meant to meet. We chose to pause, giving our community the space to mourn her loss and waiting for the warmth of the sun to return before bringing her vision to life.
The Heart of Our Community
In the time since, I have spoken with many of you to better understand what Lavon hoped for. What I’ve discovered is a beautiful tapestry of members who embody the very spirit of this church. For our long-standing members, you have been the architects of our heart, building a foundation of love, friendship, and activism that sustains us all. For those newer to our community, you bring a lifetime of experience and a willingness to hold space for every person you encounter. Together, you pour into MUCC with a depth of story and a quiet passion that leaves us all better than you found us.
An Opportunity to Say Thank You
As I reflected on this more deeply, I found myself wondering about the weight you’ve carried. How many times did you show up for a fellow member, offering kindness and acceptance, even while navigating your own pain? This birthday bash is more than just a party; it is an incredible opportunity for the rest of the community to finally hold space for you. It is our way of saying "Thank You" for the many moments, both big and small, where your presence has helped build this loving and active sanctuary.
Thank you,
Luv-on’s 70+ Birthday Bash Team!
Event Details
What: The Luv-On 70+ Birthday Bash
Who: Honoring all MUCC members aged 70 and better! (All community members are invited to attend, celebrate, and say thank you.)
Date: Sunday, May 24th
Time: 11:30 a.m./after service
Location: McFarland United Church of Christ
Join the Team: We are looking for volunteers to help with decorations, hosting, and food. If you would like to help us honor the "heart" of our church and fulfill Lavon’s final wish, please email or call the office.
| | |
Strengthen the Church Collection
May 24, 2026
The Strengthen the Church Offering furthers the work of our conferences and the national UCC as we work together to strengthen and renew existing congregations, fund leadership development, and provide exciting new programs for youth and young adults. The offering is divided with 50% staying regionally within your conference and 50% supporting the National Ministries. Donations may be made online.
| | |
Thursday, May 28, 7-8:30 pm
“Listening from the Heart”
You are invited to attend a FREE Zoom workshop sponsored by McFarland UCC and the Palestine Justice Working Group. This workshop will feature Elana, who lost her 20-year-old son on October 7, 2023, and Bassam, who lost his 10-year-old daughter in 2007. Click here for more information.
| | More tickets have been reserved for MUCC. Please contact Lisa Schweitzer (li...@mcfarlanducc.org) with questions. | | |
Weekly Creation Care Topic
Reduce/Reuse/Recycle
May 15: May 20 World Bee Day Per the UN, bees pollinate over 75% of the world’s crops, making our agrifood systems, economies, & global well-being deeply connected to the tiny creatures. Bees are at risk of extinction, which could cause up to 1 billion people's economies to collapse without them. “Bee” inspired to act by encouraging the government to restore habitats, farmers to adopt pollinator-friendly practices, & individuals to enhance biodiversity. Plant more native plants, reduce chemical use (eg, pesticides cannot target only 1 insect like mosquitoes, others in the area, including bees, will also die), leave some leaves for nesting sites for ground bees, make bee houses, opt for organic food when you can, & help others learn the importance of pollinators. Every small act makes a difference. Did you know that there are over 400 species of bees in WI? Check out pollinators.wisc.edu for more info.
| | |
5710 Anthony St.
McFarland WI 53558
Business or Emergency Call: 608-838-9322
Rev. Robert Koepcke, Interim Pastor
rev...@mcfarlanducc.org
Office Hours: Wednesdays & Thursdays 9am-1pm
Sabbath Day Off: Fridays
Ginger Hummer, Office Administrator
gin...@mcfarlanducc.org
Office Hours: Wednesdays & Thursdays 9am-1pm
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Servant and Leadership Team (SaLT): Moderator - Walt Jackson (wa...@mcfarlanducc.org); Vice Moderator - Lisa Schweitzer; Treasurer - Kathy Schwenn; Clerk - Diane Mikelbank; At-large members - Kristin Broderick, Amy Cavi, and Cody Dewayne Shingler.
| | | | |
