St. John United Church of Christ
St. John UCC began celebrating 150 years as a church in New Holstein on Sunday, February 15, 2015. Rev. Franz Rigert, the new Conference Minister, ministered to both the children and our congregation. As part of the service the children's Quilting group was recognized by the congregation for their beautifully designed quilts. Following the service there was a coffee hour complete with a wonderfully designed cake by Brenda Pritzl.
Following the coffee hour the 150th Anniversary Committee and several other members of the church went to the Altona for lunch with Rev. Rigert.
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As part of our on-going 150th anniversary celebration, on Sunday, February 22nd the congregation of St. John UCC was treated to a historical play. The play, "St. John: In the Beginning", was based on historical records of the creation of the church and was written and directed by our own Geraldine Hollenbeck. Members of the first church council were played by several of our youth
Short video segments of the play -------->
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As part of our 150th anniversary celebration, on Sunday, March 22nd the Lakeland Singers under the direction of Dr. Daniel David Black presented a 'Sermon In Song' as part of our worship service. Following the service there was a luncheon in Fellowship Hall featuring Sloppy Joes, numerous casseroles and delicious desserts.
Sons & Daughters Day - September 20th
On Sunday, September 20th, St. John United Church of Christ continued their year-long 150th Anniversary celebration by honoring the ‘Sons and Daughters’ of our church. During the service Rev. Phil Meili, Rev. Kris Lyn Borns and Melanie Werner shared their thoughts about St. John UCC and their personal “Call to the Ministry”. Following the service there was a picnic on the church grounds where a good time was had by all who attended.
The Rev. Phil Meili, son of the late Otto. H. and Edna Meili, graduated from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities in June of 1965. He was ordained into the Christian Ministry by the Northeast Association of the Wisconsin Conference of the United Church of Christ on June 25, 1965. Rev. Meili accepted a call to the West Delta Parish (Congregational Church , Rapid River and Congregational Church of Isabella) in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula; serving there from July 1, 1965-June 30, 1969. Rev. Meili then accepted a call to Zion United Church of Christ in Fraser, MI where he served from July 20, 1969-September 3, 1972. He next served Zion-Grace UCC of Fraser, MI from September 10, 1972-January 6, 1991. Rev. Meili next served Zion UCC of Sheboygan, WI from January 20, 1991 -October 13, 1991 as an Interim Pastor. He then served Friedens UCC of Reedsville, WI from May 1, 1994-September 14, 1997.He next went to the Town Russell and Town Rhine parish and served there from October 26, 1997-October 17, 1999. Rev. Meili did supply work after that until his retirement. Rev. Meili returned to the St. John Church family after that where he assists with lay reading and filling in for the pastor when on vacation.
The Rev. Kris Lyn Borns, daughter of the late Rev. Albert and Ruth Borns, graduated from North Park Theological Seminary of Chicago, on May 2, 1998. She was ordained into the Christian Ministry on Sunday, December 6, 1998 at St. John United Church of Christ in New Holstein, WI by the Northeast Association of the Wisconsin Conference of the United Church of Christ. Rev. Borns was called to be the Pastor and teacher of Faith United Church of Christ in Slinger, Wisconsin and began her ministry there in December of 1998. Rev. Borns later left her position at Faith UCC to accept the call to be Pastor and teacher at Peace UCC in Brillion, WI where she continues in ministry today. Rev. Kris Borns is well known to many of the St. John congregation for the many years she was an active lay leader during her father, the Rev. Albert Born’s ministry at St. John’s.
Melanie Werner, daughter of Rev. Werner and the late Nancy Werner, graduated from Eden Theological Seminary of the United Church of Christ, in St. Louis. Missouri on May 16, 2014. While in seminary she worked at Lydia’s House for Abused Women, St. James UCC in New Athens, IL. as student pastor, St. Louis University Medical center as a Chaplain, and Affton Christian Church in Missouri as a student pastor. Recently she completed a one year Chaplain’s residency program at Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington, Il . She is currently in Care of the Northeast Association of the Wisconsin Conference of the United Church of Christ, working towards finishing the requirements for ordination into the Christian Ministry. Melanie grew up in the St. John church family since arriving here in March of 1995 with her family and helped in various church activities during that time. Her ordination will be held at St. John’s in the coming months.
Great food was enjoyed by the congregation following the service and Bean bag golf and a bouncy house were available for fun!
German Heritage Sunday - With special guest speaker, Rev. Frederick Trost
Our 'Time With Children' part of the service was finished with Rev. Trost receiting the Lord's Prayer in German.
The service was followed by a coffee hour sponsored by the 150th Anniversary Committee.
On February 7, 2016 the 150th Anniversary celebration culminated with the return of Reverend Jan Davis who was our guest minister that day. Jan served as our beloved interim pastor between Rev. Borns and Pastor Jim. After the service there was a coffee hour where members of the congregation welcomed Rev. Davis back.
