"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; varieties of activities, but it is the same God that activates all of them."

Our Church Staff

Church Officers and Lay Leadership

A Brief History of Union Church

Denominational History

Pictures

Our Church Staff

Senior Minister: Rev. Dr. Dana Mann

Dana was called to serve Union Church in August, 2007 – indeed a long way from her home in Vermont!  She holds a Master of Divinity from Andover Newton Theological School, as well as a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and a Master’s degree in family counseling; and all of this rests on a professional career, early on, in classical dance.  Her life experience affirms her deeply held belief in the creative potential of a diverse community, and her vision as our pastor is to encourage the prophetic among us as we serve God’s world.


Church School Director: Marthe Herbert

Marthe officially joined the staff at Union as the interim Church School Director in January 2006 and accepted the position on a long term basis in August of 2006. Formerly the Director of Education for Camp Snoopy, she has also been a contract teacher for Como Zoo and The Wildlife Science Center. She currently has her own business – Creature Encounters, Inc. – in which she rescues exotic animals and travels throughout the metro area presenting live, educational animal shows. Having been involved with Christian Education as a teacher and board member, our church educational programming is in very capable hands.

Organist: Rev. Doug Potter

Doug became our organist on June 8, 2003. He is a retired Presbyterian minister. He plays for our worship services and accompanies the choir. His wife, Lois, also an organist, plays at another church. We are delighted to have Doug with us.

Choir Director: Amy McNabb

Amy became Choir Director in February 1996. She recruits choir members, chooses music, maintains the music library, practices with the Senior Choir every Wednesday evening and directs the choir at Sunday worship services and at special services. Amy shares with us a variety of musical gifts, committed faith, and love for worship.

Chorister Director: Beth Willoughby

Beth accepted an invitation from the Worship and Arts Committee to become the Chorister Director for 2005 and accepted the position on a long term basis in 2006. She helps the children develop musical skills with rehearsals every Wednesday evening and directs the Choristers at Sunday worship services 6 times between September and May. Beth is a certified K-12 music education major with over 12 years of teaching experience.

Handbell Director: Marilyn Olson

In October 1997, Marilyn became our Handbell Director. She is a caring Junior High band director with deep commitments to family, church, faith, people, and justice. Her duties as Handbell Director include recruiting new members, choosing music, and practicing with the choir every Wednesday evening. The Handbell Choir usually plays at the Sunday services once a month.

Office Administrator: Gloria Stricker

Gloria has been working at the church office since 1993. She is the hub that makes our church office run smoothly. We are grateful for Gloria's organizational and people skills and delightful sense of humor. She is in charge of ministerial support, building use/scheduling, record keeping, preparing worship bulletins, and monthly newsletter.

Custodians: Ken & Kyle Stueve

Ken has taken care of the custodial services at Union Church since December 1996. Kyle has been helping his dad for a few years, but officially became part of the staff in 2006. They keep us spic and span, caring for every square inch of our beautiful church.

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Church Officers and Lay Leadership

Church Staff and Officers

CE Director

Office Administrator

Organist

Choir Director

Chorister Director

Handbell Director

Custodians

Kitchen Co-ordinator

Moderator

Clerk

Treasurer

Financial Secretary

Property Manager

Historian

Personnel

Marthe Herbert

Gloria Stricker

Rev. Doug Potter

Amy McNabb

Beth Willoughby

Marilyn Olson

Ken and Kyle Stueve

Paula Granlund

Ron Stricker

Ruth Johnson

Arlo Schultz

Kurt Bebeau

Tom Brown

Bonnie Rule

Linda Fisher

2008 Board and Committee Chairpersons

Wedding Coordinator

Worship and Arts

Youth Ministries

Jackie Schuelein  

Gloria Stricker

Joyce Oberg

Marthe Herbert, Aleta Hill-Olson

Joyce Reiss

Jean Brown

Paula Donnelly, Chris Moore

Marce Ediger

Kirk Atkinson

Jan Wick, LuAnn Suilmann

Jim Krueger

Paula Donnelly, Amy Moore, LuAnn S.

   ?

Mary Wilson

Mary Bender, Judy Halgren, Sandy Stroebel

Linda Zupon

Sue Farber

Charlie Schuldt

Nancy Gongoll

Monica Miller

Lisa Klinepier

Tina Ostroot, Tom Weiss (treasurer)

Todd Goerke

Aleta Hill-Olson

Ron Stricker

Edi Apelt, Ryan Stricker (treasurer)

Paula Donnelly

Charlie Schuldt

Adam and Kelli Horner

Steph Brown

Ann Palmer

Su Arnold

Sue Farber

A Brief History of Union Church

On February 6, 1875, a meeting in Elk River was called for the purpose of organizing a Christian Church. The result of that meeting was a new church to be called the United Christian Church of Elk River. A constitution, Articles of Faith, and a Covenant were proposed and adopted. The next day, February 7th, the church "publicly accepted the work of the organization".

The parent body, the United Christian Society of Elk River, organized in 1872, had been holding Sunday School as early as 1866. Services in the school and court house were attended by some 90 persons who became the base for the church organization in 1875.

The twenty-seven charter members were formerly Congregational, Freewill Baptist, Close Communion Baptist, Unitarian and Methodist. Membership grew quickly from many backgrounds and the term "Union Church" came to mean "Christian Community" to the present.

The property of the present site was deeded to the Society in 1874 by Horatio and Melissa Houlton. The deed states that "in consideration of one dollar ($1.00) they sell lots 12 and 13 in Houlton's Addition" with the stipulation that "if the party of the second part does not within ten years from this date erect a meeting house upon these lots for the purpose of Christian worship, said lots shall revert to the party of the first part".

Records of the first ten years are scarce, but activity resulted in a building dedicated in November, 1881, and reported in both local papers. "The church, which is one of the handsomest in any village in the state, has cost the Society about $4500 and is all paid for but $1000. It is handsomely furnished and ...is a credit to society and the village

In 1922, the Meadowvale congregation was merged with Union Church. The clergy from Union had been serving there for some years. And in 1924 it appeared that more room was needed so a cornerstone was laid for a new Parish House. To do so money was borrowed from the Congregational Building Fund which necessitated re-incorporation as a Congregational Church. Having an agency through which to channel missionary funds had also directed the Union Church closer to the Congregational Churches.

So in 1925 the Parish House was dedicated. Walter Beech, the minister, led the service with guests. A note on the program says that "the pastor wishes to express thanks to all officers of the Church, and especially to Mrs. Mary Corey, the President of the Centennial Society, Mr. Dwight W. Longfellow, and Mr. Thomas E. Beck, the superintendents of the work."

Continual growth in the congregation and enhancement of its building has marked the progress of Union Church. Founders windows, the peace window dedicated to World War I dead and many memorial additions have enriched the base of service to the community. In 1936, an electric organ was given to the church by the Longfellow family, a memorial to a son. And in 1962 it was replaced by an organ in memory of Sam Houlton, who sang in the choir for nearly 30 years. These instruments, with capable musicians of the church, have made Union Church outstanding in its quality of music and worship.

Events of importance during this period include the combining of the Society and the Church which had operated with given by separate responsibilities until 1951. And in 1962, Union Church voted to confirm the 1957 merger of the General Council of Congregational Christian Churches and the Evangelical and Reformed Church. Combining her heritage with another Reformed branch of Protestantism, Union Church is now a United Church of Christ.

After study and consideration the church proceeded to build additional classroom space and renovate existing facilities in 1968. This produced a building which was much used by both the congregation and and various civic and service groups of the community.

But a church is more than a building. Union Church has been blessed with an active and concerned congregation, excellent ministers, good music, an active Sunday School, and a dedicated and tireless Centennial Society, service since 1876. All this has made us a church of God and a witness to the Gospel these first 100 years.

In February of 1993 the congregation adopted a Mission Statement with one emphasis being to: "Maintain the physical church and preserve its heritage. A committee was appointed to study the future needs and options of the physical property to accommodate growth and visions. Two years later, in February of 1995, the committee presented it findings to the congregation. The study identified seven areas to be addressed: Handicap accessibility, Church School expansion, Administration space, Sanctuary restoration, Church sound system, development of the corner lot (parking), and addressing the exterior of the church.

Then in 1997, the Church Council appointed a Facilities Planning Committee to update the previous study and proceed with specific recommendations. By the next February, 1998, the congregation had approved the Master Plan presented by the committee and motioned to form a Building Committee and to authorize a fundraising effort for the new construction. Nine months later, November 1998, the capital funds campaign had raised more the $500,000 for the project.

By late December 1998, a contractor had been selected and planning began. A groundbreaking service was held on June 6, 1999, and officially kicked-off the construction of the new addition. Construction continued through the summer and into the winter of 2000. Construction was completed in February of 2000 and a building dedication service was held on the 125th anniversary of Union Church, February 6, 2000.


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