What's Happening

Spaghetti Supper and Open House
Open house held in September gives families an opportunity to get together after the summer recess, preview the curriculum for the new year, meet Religious Education teachers, and enjoy super spaghetti prepared by the youth groups.

Halloween Party and UNICEF Halloween Party
This is an intergenerational party sponsored by the Religious Education Committee for the benefit of UNICEF. Traditionally, the evening includes games for the children, a haunted house run by the junior or senior high, ghost stories, refreshments and a costume contests for all ages.

Stone Soup Sunday
Stone Soup Sunday is the Sunday before Thanksgiving. During the church service, we are asked to put the amount of money we would spend for Sunday lunch in a special envelope for MIFA. Everyone is invited to have lunch at church. The Minister reads the story of Stone Soup which is an old French Folk Tale. Meanwhile, soup is cooking in the kitchen. Everyone who gets the newsletter is asked to bring a cup of cut up raw vegetables and a cup of cut up fresh fruit to church. The soup makers bring in broth, and add the vegetables to it. Fruit salad is prepared with the fresh fruit. The committee brings bread to complete our congregation lunch.

Nifty Gifty Day
Children in Grades 1-6 enjoy this December Saturday at the church making gifts for family and friends. Under the guidance of adult volunteers, the children make and wrap their own creative and unique gifts. The children enjoy surprising parents and others with gifts they have made themselves.

Caroling Around the Tree
On the Sunday before our Candlelight service, gather around the Christmas tree in the Mississippi River Room. Help ring in the season with the annual performance of the Twelve Days of Christmas and our collection of props.

Christmas Candlelight Service
On this Sunday at dusk, we join together in a traditional family service featuring choir music, carols, and readings for the occasion. The sixth grade girls play the roles of Santa Lucia and her attendants. A sixth grade boy presents the opening reading. Children bring forward their “gifts for the baby” which go to needy mothers of newborns. Childcare is provided for children ages 3 years and younger.

Reading Program
Each spring, we offer an optional reading program for Grades 1-6. Books are chosen from each of the following categories: Religion, Self and Others, Nature and Ecology, Biography, Poetry and Fiction. Participants who read one book from each category will receive a certificate and be eligible to go on a special field trip in May.

Kite Day
"Let's Go Fly a Kite" on the river bluff after church. Everyone is invited to stay for lunch and bring a kite to add to this colorful event. The two youth groups sell lunch and kites, or you may bring your own.

Easter Egg Hunt
After church, children enjoy an egg hunt on the church grounds. Eggs are donated by the congregation and hidden by junior high "bunnies" during church. Adult supervision ensures safety as well as fun.

Annual Church Auction
This annual event is held the second Friday evening after Easter. This fundraiser provides funding for the church throughout the summer. The auction is a time for food, wine, and fun.

Alliance Spring Gathering
Each spring, the Alliance hosts a spring gathering. Held in May, the event includes plentiful hors d'oeuvres, wine, (live) music and dancing at a minimal cost. Come prepared to have a wonderful time.

Mother's Day and Flower Communion
On this special Sunday, a flower is brought by everyone and placed in a communal basket. After the church service, everyone takes a flower as they leave, symbolizing the diversity and community of the church.

Youth Sunday
Each year, the high school youth take responsibility for all aspects of a Sunday worship service. Planning and preparation for Youth Sunday is done with the help of adult advisors and is an important part of the Religious Education Program.

Recognition of Teachers
Recognition of Teachers honors the more than fifty volunteers who faithfully minister to our children in the Religious Education department.

Church School Service Project
To enhance our children's awareness of the needs of others and their own ability to make a difference, our church school participates in a service project every June. A month-long project gives the children time to learn about a different need in our community and to do something to help.

The Choir's Spring Music Concert
A special Sunday service held the first Sunday in June, the Choir prepares a program and the minister reads poetry. Guest musicians often perform.