Welcome Statement

First Congregational United Church of Christ, Watertown, SD Welcoming Statement

Based on welcoming statement from Prince of Peace Lutheran, Philadelphia, PA

Who is welcome here?

If you are Asian, Hispanic, Native American, Black, White, or multi-racial . . .

If you are three days old, 30 years old, or 103 years old . . .

If you are male or female or transgender . . .

If you are a Republican, Democrat, Independent, or not registered to vote . . .

If you are single, married, divorced, separated, or partnered . . .

If you are straight, gay, lesbian, or bisexual . . .

If you are Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist, Jewish, Buddhist, atheist, agnostic, or a life-long Congregationalist . . .

If you have never set foot in a church, attend only on Easter and Christmas, or attend every Sunday . . .

If you are fully-abled, living with a disability, or a person of differing abilities . . .

If you have or had addictions, phobias, mental illness, or physical illness . . .

If you own your own home, rent, live with your parents, or are homeless . . .

YOU ARE WELCOME HERE!

This congregation is committed to being a loving and welcoming community.

In faithfulness to God, and to the best of our ability, we work to provide programs, ministries, fellowship, and pastoral care to all who seek God in this place.

We dedicate ourselves to living the UCC church’s motto:

“No matter who you are, no matter where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!”

Pastor's May Message

Siblings in Christ,

As we turn the page into May, I find myself filled with gratitude for the rich and meaningful season we've just shared. From the journey of Holy Week to the celebration of Easter morning, and through the joy and laughter of Holy Humor and Confirmation Sunday, God’s Spirit has been present among us.

I want to especially thank our five confirmands — Braydon Schmieg, Madalyn Schmieg, Ella Clendenin, Allie Clendenin, and Sophia Nogelmeier — for bringing their full, authentic selves to the confirmation process. Your willingness to ask questions, wrestle with faith, and ultimately say yes to the lifelong journey of Christian discipleship is a gift to our church and a witness to the living Christ.

None of these special services would have been possible without the many people who offered their time, talents, and love behind the scenes. Thank you to:

Cyndy Voight, for organizing the liturgical elements of Holy Week, ordering palms for Palm Sunday, and arranging for communion,
Brenda Zemlicka, for coordinating our Maundy Thursday soup supper and all those who made soups,
Susan Aamold, for quickly and graciously putting together our confirmation reception,
Rachel Clendenin, for the beautiful idea of presenting each confirmand with a Bible already marked with favorite verses from pastors, Sunday School teachers, and family,
Bruce Reinhart, for providing music throughout the season, including the bell choir's Palm Sunday offering,
Ginny McDaniel, for preparing all the extra bulletins,
Scott Anderson, for making sure everything stayed clean, organized, and working properly,
Shawn Pugsley and Don Moore, for running sound for our extra worship services,
And to everyone else who helped in ways both seen and unseen — your kindness and service made a real difference.

Each of you, in your own way, helped make this season not just special but sacred.

Now, as we move past the busyness of special services, the steady work of discipleship continues. We remain the hands and feet of Christ as we deliver Meals on Wheels, collect goods for the Salvation Army food pantry, support Rachel’s Hope, and reach out to those in need.

Even without palms or lilies, even without extra worship services or festive receptions, the heartbeat of our church — loving God, loving neighbor — goes on.

Because resurrection isn’t just a day on the calendar. It’s a way of life. It’s in every meal shared, every need met, every prayer lifted, every act of hope and healing.

Christ is risen — and so we rise, again and again, in love.

With gratitude,

Pastor Dustin