Register  
Monday, February 06, 2012
 
Pastor's Page  


God Is Still Speaking emblem of United Church of Christ - www.ucc.org
[United Church of Christ website]

Spring Creek UCC is
 Open and Affirming.

[Learn more about ONA]

Facebook Icon
[Visit our Spring Creek UCC Facebook page and click the "LIKE" button]

Our Mission Statement
We, the members of
Spring Creek United Church of Christ,
are a people of God centered in Christ.
Responding actively to God's love,
we strive to be inclusive,
reconciling, and caring
in our ministry to each other
and to the wider community.

Our Vision
is to be a church that is
embracing our diversity
to make a "divine difference"

...Together.

Spring Creek Church Logo - Inclusive, Reconciling, Caring

We belong to
Partners for Faith,

an interfaith community
that includes Gloria Dei
Evangelical Lutheran Church,
St. Anskar Episcopal Church,
and Temple Beth-El
Reformed Jewish Congregation,
all committed to mutual
understanding, support,
and service to our
wider community.

No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here at Spring Creek United Church of Christ.

United Church of Christ Emblem - That They May All Be One

[ Return to Home Page ]

 

Pastor's Message

photo of Michael Simmons, pastor of Spring Creek UCC  
Michael Simmons
Pastor

mottism@hotmail.com
815.877.2576

Dear Spring Seeker, 

Looking for the spring that pours out the Water of Life? Or simply for a quiet stream to rest beside along life's journey? We have both here at Spring Creek United Church of Christ. We are one of those communities in which the life spring of the Spirit is constantly bubbling up in our midst, and we are located on the banks of the quiet stream that is Rockford's Spring Creek. It's quite a location!

Of course, sometimes the wellspring of the Spirit is more than gentle bubbles tickling our imaginations. Sometimes it becomes a forceful flood of possibilities that challenge us on our journey of faith. Sometimes it moves us to respond to the troubled waters of our time. And other times it calls us to trouble too-quiet waters that cover hidden and neglected injustices just below the surface.

In our Mission Statement, we make clear who we are:

We, the members of Spring Creek United Church of Christ
   are a people of God centered in Christ.
      Responding actively to God's love, we strive to be
         inclusive, reconciling, and caring in our ministry to
            each other and to the wider community.
We strive to be inclusive of all people without regard to personal qualities, abilities, or societal status – within and beyond our church. We strive to be reconciling of differences that divide people from one another and our Creator. We strive for justice and peace on earth. We strive to be caring for people, for other creatures, and for the earth. We strive to move with the flow of the Spirit.

Fortunately, we share those strivings in this community of faith. And that's encouraging. We do not strive alone; we are not alone; God is with us, and we are together. We would be pleased to have you with us, too. The water is both wide and deep here.

In all of our strivings, we seek to extend the extravagant welcome of God, known to us in Jesus Christ. No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, there is a place for you HERE in Spring Creek United Church of Christ.

Come visit us, contact me via my email, or phone me at 815.877.2576. I'll be glad to hear from you, and I will respond.

Michael Simmons
Pastor

 

 Print   
Sermons, Prayers, and Devotions
 TitleCategorySize 
Of One Mind for One PurposeSermon56.00 KBDownload
Perfecting God's LoveSermon52.97 KBDownload
 Print   
The Search For Our New Pastor

[January 2012 Update]  Pastor Michael has chosen March 31, 2012 as the official date of his retirement, and a Pastoral Search Committee was appointed in late 2011 by the Spring Creek Council to undertake the process of finding a new pastor. Using information obtained from our congregational survey, a comprehensive church profile has been compiled and submitted to the United Church of Christ Prairie Association so potential candidates may learn more about us. With the guidance of Association Minister Kathy Lawes, the committee has begun reviewing candidate profiles and are meeting several times a month to evaluate their findings.

Pastoral Search Committee Members are:

Harriet Roll (Chair), Phil Adkins, Bob Black, Julie Eklund, Kathy Grossen, Donovan McClelland, Amanda Mehl, Duane Phillips, and Liz Schultz (Ex Officio as Church Moderator).

The committee asks for your continued prayers for a successful, Spirit-led effort. This is a challenging and significant task in our church life, and the congregation is encouraged to share your thoughts with any of the team members.

Because the search process is projected to require several months, an interim pastor will be hired during the transition period. Moderator Liz Schultz and Council members Jacquie Meli and Russell Ferling are currently working with Kathy Lawes to choose a suitable interim candidate.

 Print   
The fountain in our Memorial Garden offers a peaceful place for prayer and meditation.

picture of fountain in Memorial Garden

Copyright (c) 2012 Spring Creek UCC   |  Privacy Statement  |  Terms Of Use