1.POSITION POSTING

1a. LISTING INFORMATION

Church name: Zion United Church of ChristStreet Address: 113 1st Street NE; Waukon, IA 52172Supplemental web links:

Website Facebook : zionuccwaukon

At the current time Zion has no functioning website and no consistently managed facebook page. There have been numerous discussions about making both of these into more effective avenues of communication.

Additional ecumenical affiliations (e.g. denominations, communions, fellowships):

Conference:IowaAssociation: Northeast Iowa AssociationUCC Conference or Association Staff Contact Person (Name, Title, Phone, Email):Rev. Darrell GoodwinAssociate Conference Ministerdarrell@ucctcm.org402-310-1107

Summary Ministry Description:In a short paragraph, reflect on where your church is going and what it might look like when you get there. What do you need to get there? Who are you seeking to join you on this part of your church’s faith journey?

We are looking for a minister who is willing to continue Zion’s journey through faith and leadership. Zion began as a mission church and we would welcome a minister to lead us in continuing this service to our neighbors, near and far.

Photographs:

What we value about living in our areaOne of the nice things about living in a small town is that our neighbors are also our friends who we interact with regularly by sharing the highs and lows of our daily lives and Waukon is a great place to do that. We have a local hospital and two clinics, a good selection of professional services, a quality educational system including a community college remote campus, and an adequate assortment of retail businesses to insure we can get most of what we need locally. A beautiful city park and aquatic center, wellness center, library, golf course, and a variety of restaurants provide many options for family activities and living in the heart of northeast Iowa’s driftless region gives us unique scenery and endless opportunities for the outdoors lover. Additional cultural, shopping, and dining offerings are close at hand with Decorah, IA, the home of Luther College, 20 miles away and La Crosse, WI, with a metropolitan area population of 135,000 just 60 miles from Waukon.

Current size of membership:369

Languages used in ministry (other than English):

Position Title:Pastor

Position Duration:Settled

Compensation Level:Full Time

Does the total support package meet conference compensation guidelines?Yes

1b. SCOPE OF WORK(add here the Scope of Work developed by your church using the Call Agreement Workbook)

Full time Pastoral Position (40-50 hours weekly/10-12 units*) Preparation and leadership of Sunday worship including scripture study, crafting of

liturgy and bulletin, sermon preparation, guiding and sometimes finding lay liturgists, planning of music in coordination with musical staff or volunteers, preaching, offering of prayers, etc.

Faith formation and vitality through prayer, Bible study, service, identifying helpful resources and opportunities and helping lay persons take advantage of them

Leadership development by working with people in the church to create ministry and confirmation programs

Pastoral care in collaboration with lay people Community engagement and leading the way for the church to be an ambassador of

God’s love Weddings and funerals for participants in the worshipping community Strategic planning for current and new directions in ministry Attend meetings and give leadership as needed to church programs, in collaboration with

lay leadership Participate in wider church activities such as conference and association meetings Faithful financial development and stewardship Responsibility for supervision of staff Availability to wider community for funerals, weddings, special worship programs, and

as a representative of the church to local organizations Counseling, listening and referral Study and prayer to increase faith and to improve skills so as to lead, teach, preach better Energizing and deepening spiritual connections and faith understandings of others in all

they do

Core Competencies:(List three core competencies that you imagine could be foundational in your next minister’s relationship with the church.)

1. Empowering/enthusiastic2. compassionate/personable3. Good communicator/inspiring

1c. COMPENSATION AND SUPPORT

Salary Basis(from the Call Agreement Workbook, equal to Cash Salary plus Value of Parsonage/Housing Allowance): Conference Guidelines

BenefitsSalary plus Benefits

What is the expected living situation for your next minister?Parsonage

Comment on the residential/commuting expectations for your next minister.

Zion has a nice parsonage located adjacent to the church property where the pastor is expected to live which eliminates the need to commute.

State any incentives (e.g. school debt reduction or retention bonus after a certain number of years in position):

negotiable

Describe peer and professional supports available for ministers in your association/conference:

Zion belongs to the Iowa Conference and its Northeast Iowa Association. As members, our pastor would have access to the pastoral support programs of these organizations. In addition, there is a local Allamakee County Ministerial Association consisting of pastors from churches of many denominations in our county. This group ebbs and flows in activity level but does meet regularly and provides an excellent opportunity for networking and making personal contacts within the group.

If applicable, describe how your church will adopt part-time adjustments in the pastoral schedule to support a minister’s bi-vocational employment:N/A

1d. WHO IS GOD CALLING TO MINISTER WITH US?

Describe the ministry goals you envision your next minister co-collaborating with the congregation to achieve.

1. Increase our mission work in order to help us fulfill our service responsibilities to others.2. Empower each member.3. Help Zion to be more cohesive and to grow.4. Help us further develop our music ministry.

Describe how your vision of the minister you are now seeking will assist the congregation in making an impact beyond its walls.

We are proud of the mission work we already do at Zion and are excited about the possibility of new pastoral leadership and ideas inspiring us to expand the impact we have on others even more.

Specify language requirements or culturally-specific capacities preferred in a next ministerial leader, and why those matter to the congregation’s sense of calling.

Although there is a significant culturally diverse population in a small neighboring town there are really no language requirements other than English in order to be an effective pastor at Zion. However, there is a definite need for any prospective pastor at Zion to recognize that we are a rural/small town area and to be comfortable with that type of “culture” and lifestyle.

Based on what you have learned about who your church is, who your church’s neighbor is, and who God is calling the church to become, describe four area of excellence from The Marks of Faithful & Effective Authorized Ministry that your next minister will display to further equip the congregation’s ministry in these areas.

1. Exhibiting A Spiritual Foundation and Ongoing Spiritual Practices2. Building Transformational Leadership Skills3. Engaging Sacred Stories and Traditions4. Caring For Others

2. WHO IS GOD CALLING US TO BECOME?

Who is God calling you to become as a congregation?

Our mission statement says we are a place of comfort and challenge. We are a care giving group that worships God, preaches the gospel of Jesus Christ and celebrates the sacraments. We believe that God is calling and challenging us to reach out beyond our church walls and be a greater comfort to our community and world.

Describe how God is calling you to reach out to address the emerging challenges and opportunities of your community and congregation.

For example, describe two experiments your congregation has initiated or engaged in the past year, what were the results and where do you see your next steps? Has your church had a multi-year strategic plan or vision statement; if so, where do you see that plan/vision taking you?

Zion experimented with two new social events recently. We tried a book club where five to six members attended. The group disbanded after covering three books. We also tried a Divine Diner’s Club. Six couples met once a month at the host’s home and everyone contributed to a “themed menu” meal. This went for a little over a year before scheduling problems ended the event. What we learned from these events was that there was interest among Zion’s members in gathering socially. Our next step would be to continue to explore new opportunities for this to happen.

3.WHO ARE WE NOW?

3A. CONGREGATIONAL REFLECTIONS

Describe your congregation’s life of faith.For example, what beliefs and commitments are stated in your congregation’s purpose

statement or membership vows? How is God most often described in worship liturgy? In what ways would you describe the Holy Spirit in your midst?

A predominant theme in our congregational statements and membership vows at Zion is that we pledge to be there to help, support, and nurture each other in our faith journey. God is most often described as loving, patient, merciful, forgiving, and accepting. The Holy Spirit is felt in our music, the weekly sermons, both youth and adult, and in our expressions of care for others.

Describe several strengths or positive qualities of your congregation.

Zion has shown adaptability to new ideas in technology through the purchase and use of a new sound and video system and by the use of two Sunday services to accommodate more members of our congregation with various schedules. Zion does not defer projects but takes them up willingly and accomplishes them when necessary. When made aware of a need our congregation has a long history of providing financially for large improvements such as purchasing homes and taking them down to make way for a new paved parking lot or the installation of an elevator and remodeling to make our building handicapped accessible, renovating our parsonage and fellowship hall and kitchen and refurbishing our beautiful stained glass windows. Our fellowship hall is used as a community meeting place for the Boy Scouts, the Corner of Hope Growing Project, and a reception each year for girls of the graduating high school class as well as baptism and confirmation dinners, bridal showers and family reunions. We develop and encourage youth leadership by having them serve on our church council and as liturgists for worship services. Over the years our youth accompanied by adult members have done a work camp at Back Bay Mission. We have several young people who were raised at Zion and are now employed full time in the ministry of God’s word.

Describe what worship is like when your congregation gathers.For example, where does worship take place, and what is it based around? What was a

recent baptism like? What are some words used to describe good preaching?

Zion has two opportunities to worship each Sunday. We have a contemporary service and a traditional service. Occasionally we have one blended service for special events. There are many similarities between the services. Both start with “passing the peace” to each other and greeting our neighbor as we worship. We express our joys and concerns each week to ask for prayers for family, friends, our community, and the happenings in the world. Both services have a children’s sermon. We have communion the first Sunday of each month, and on holidays through the liturgical year. Baptisms are always a joyous occasion at Zion and the congregation is asked to support the child and parents through the child’s life. It has become a custom for the pastor to carry the child up and down the aisles of the church to introduce the congregation to our newest member. Good preaching is deemed as relevant, thought-provoking, and applicable to daily life.

Describe the educational program/faith formation vision of your church.For example, how are young people in leadership? How do people continue for form

their faith over a lifetime? Name a topic studied or curriculum used recently; what was the impact of this study on those who attended?

Zion’s Sunday School focuses on teaching Bible stories and the lessons they offer. We also use a three year rotation to emphasize the Ten Commandments, the Lord’s Prayer, and the 23rd Psalm in more detail. We have an exceptional children’s library attended to by two very dedicated volunteers who help the children check out books to take home each week. The children visit nursing homes and our home-bound members at various times during the year and occasionally present skits during the morning worship. Offering emphasis for Sunday School is directed toward things like the Heifer Project, adopting a family from the local Relief Office for Christmas gift giving, and the Christmas Shoebox Project. Vacation Bible School is focused on a yearly theme and followed by a family potluck meal and game night.

Our older youth prepare and serve Easter breakfast at church and a fund raising breakfast at the annual county fair. They do Christmas caroling along with other members at local nursing homes, assisted living centers, and for our homebound. Several of our youth assist or teach Sunday School classes, serve as liturgists, and occasionally deliver the sermon at worship services. Our youth also participate each year in the local Fields of Faith gathering at our high school. Our Women’s Fellowship provides “camp scholarships” for anyone attending church camp. Confirmation is planned and led by the pastor and has included a mentoring program and composing and presenting individual faith statements to the congregation. The Sew Inspired (sewing group) pieces, quilts, and presents a full sized quilt for each member of the confirmation class every year.

For adults we have a Sunday School class, adult library, and periodic specific topic Bible study sessions. Through these activities we strive to instill a faith base upon which our young people and all of our members can build.

Describe how your congregation is organized for ministry and mission.

For example, how are decisions communicated in your church? How are teams or committees organized? Where does your church struggle for vision?

Zion is governed by an elected Council of which the pastor is a member. When issues or projects outside the typical realm of operations arise the council solicits or recruits volunteers interested in that issue. Once a team, committee, or “task force” has been formed they are charged with dealing with the issue and communicating with the council by informing them of progress or asking for additional help or resources. At this time communication is done through Sunday service bulletins, the monthly newsletter, specific phone calling campaigns, and word of mouth. Currently Zion struggles in developing a faster church-wide communication system or method. We also need ideas for increasing productive membership activities and involvement.

When it comes to decision-making, how many hours are spent in meetings per month? 9-10 hours would be average.

As many as necessary

Think of a time when action had to be taken quickly, for example when a crisis or disaster occurred. How was that accomplished?

When our audio-visual technicians discovered on a Saturday that our equipment had been stolen, they notified the local police and the pastor. The pastor contacted the song leaders for the worship service and had them prepare music using their guitars and a member of the congregation brought in a portable sound system. The sound technicians ordered the replacement equipment the following Monday and the new equipment was installed within two weeks.

Can you provide the next minister with a copy of an organization structure, bylaws and/or annual report to further explain the patterns of the church’s activity and governance? [Yes/No]

Yes

3b. 11-YEAR REPORT(add here the 11-Year Report developed with the help of your conference staff, UCC Data Hub, and MissionInsite)

3c. CONGREGATIONAL DEMOGRAPHICS

Describe those who participate in your church.Is this number an estimate?

Number of active members: 369 Y

Number of active non-members: 12 YTotal of church participants (sum of the numbers above):

381 Y

Percentage of total participants who have been in the church:Is this number an estimate?

More than 10 years: 78 YLess than 10, more than 5 years: 9 YLess than 5 years: 13 YNumber of total Participants by age:0-11 12-17 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+ Estimates?17 72 25 52 41 46 51 47 64 Y

Percentage of adults in various household types:Is this number an estimate?

Single adults under 35: 16 YHouseholds with minors: 25 YSingle adults age 35-65: 14 YJoint households with no minors: 25 YSingle adults over 65: 20 Y

Education level of adult participants by percentage:Is this number an estimate?

High school: 54 YCollege: 25 YGraduate School: 1 YSpecialty Training: 11 YOther (please specify): High School age confirmed members

9

Percentage of adults in various employment types:Is this number an estimate?

Adults who are employed: 56 YAdults who are retired: 31 YAdults who are not fully employed: 13 Y

Describe the range of occupations of working adults in the congregation:

Zion members have a mix of occupations that would represent a cross-section of the surrounding area and not a concentration from one economic sector. Our main area industry is agriculture. We have a number of farmers and others working in ag related fields necessary to support the dairy, grain, and livestock producers. We also have people with careers in healthcare, banking, legal and insurance services, government services, education, and various other service

industries. Zion members function in a wide range of capacities from highly trained specialists, to critical support staff, to part time seasonal helpers, to owner/operators and CEOs.

Describe the mix of ethnic heritages in your congregation, and the overall racial make-up. Most UCC congregations tend to describe themselves as “diverse.” Yet, the vast majority of UCC congregations are mono-cultural. What does diversity mean in your context?

In its early years Zion was known locally as “the German church” so that could imply a sort of ethnic heritage. However today our membership, just as our occupations, represents and reflects most of the area we live in and consists mainly of people originally from northern European countries and our customs are very similar to those around us.

Has your congregation recently had a conversation about welcoming diversity, or do you plan to hold onein the near future (perhaps using, for example, the Welcoming Diversity Inventory)? Please note the date. Comment after the exercise:

No

3d. PARTICIPATION AND STAFFING

Complete the following chart. Please leave blank any fields that are not applicable to your congregation.Ways of Gathering Estimated

number of people involved in attendance

Who plans each of the listed gatherings? (list any and all worship planners, such as various lay leaders, pastors, musicians, other staff)

Adult groups of classes 6 Adult Education CommitteeBaptisms (number last year) 10 PastorChildren’s Groups or Classes 30 Board of Christian EducationChristmas Eve and Easter Worship

250/166 Pastor, Worship CommitteeYouth Alive (Easter)

Church-wide Meals 600 Social CommitteeChoirs and Music Groups 10 Worship Committee and Music CommitteeChurch-based Bible Study 6 Pastor and Lay leadersCommunion (served how often?) 100 Pastor & Worship CommitteeCommunity Meals 200 Community CommitteeConfirmation (number confirmed last year)

4 Pastor, Mentors and Council of Ministries

Drama or Dance ProgramFunerals (number last year) 11 Pastor & one of four funeral teamsIntergenerational GroupsOutdoor Worship 86 Easter “Sunrise Service” Pastor &

Contemporary Worship TeamPrayer or Meditation Groups 12 Prayer Chain Pastor or Secretary

Public Advocacy WorkRetreatsTheology or Bible Programs in the CommunityWeddings (number last year) 4 PastorWorship (time slot: 8:15) 47 Pastor & Contemporary Worship TeamWorship (time slot: 10:30) 68 Pastor & Worship CommitteeYoung Adult Groups or ClassesYouth Groups or Classes 12 Youth Alive CommitteeOtherAdditional comments:

List all members or regular participants in your congregation who are ordained, licensed, or commissioned ministers. Indicate those with current United Church of Christ Three-Way Covenants (i.e. serving in a congregation) or Four-Way Covenants (i.e. serving in a ministry beyond a congregation).Name 3 or 4 Way

Covenant?(3 or 4 or No)

Ministry Setting Type of Ministry Role:

Retired?(Y or N)

Rev. Keith Selberg Y

If one or more previous pastors or retired ministers currently hold membership in the church, describe their role(s) in the life of the congregation:

We have one retired minister who is a regular member of Zion.

List all current staff, including ministers. Exclude the position you are seeking to fill. Indicate which staffperson serves as head of staff.Staff Position Head of Staff? Compensation

(full time, part time, volunteer)

Supervised by Length of Tenure for current person in this position

Secretary Part Time Pastor Currently vacantJanitor Part Time Pastor 3Organist Part Time Pastor 8Treasurer Part Time Council 3

REFLECTIONReflection: After reviewing the congregational demographics and activities above, what does this information reflect about your congregation’s overall ministry?

Zion provides numerous opportunities for gathering which are participated in by a diverse sampling of members of all ages. However diverse the gatherings, we still want to find ways to increase participation.

3e. CHURCH FINANCES

Current annual income (dollars used during the most recent fiscal year)Source AmountAnnual Offerings and Pledged Giving $138,115Endowment Proceeds (as permitted within spending policy, such as a cap of typically 4.5% on total return)

$4507

Endowment Draw (beyond what is permitted by spending policy, “drawing down the principal”)

$

Fundraising Events $Gifts Designated for a Specific Purpose $12,036Grants $Rentals of Church Building $725Rentals of Church Parsonage $Support from Related Organizations (e.g.Women’s Group) $Transfers from Special Accounts $Other (specify):Interest $398Other (specify):Other Donations $1207TOTAL $156,988

Current annual expenses (dollars budgeted for most recent fiscal year): $Attach most recent church budget, spending plan, operating statement, or annual treasurer’s report as shared publicly with the congregation, or – if your church does not pass an annual budget – list current budgeted expenses here.

Considering total budgeted expenses for the year, compare total ministerial support. What is the percentage?

50%

Has the church ever failed to pay its financial obligations to a minister of the church?No

Is your church 5-for-5, i.e. Does it include each of the following contributions during the church year?(indicate those included during the most recent fiscal year)

_X Our Church’s Wider Mission (OCWM – Basic Support)_X One Great Hour of Sharing_XStrengthen the Church

_XNeighbors in Need_XChristmas Fund

In what way is OCWM (Basic Support) gathered? If calculated as a percentage of operating budget, what is that percentage? (recommended 10%)

OCWM is a non-budgeted, designated Mission Offering which is emphasized every other month during the year. Last year it totaled $3382 which is 2.4% of total operating expenses.

What is the church’s current indebtedness? We have no current debt. Total amount of loan debt: Reason for debt: Are capital and other payments current?

If a building program is projected or underway, describe it, including the projected start/end date of the building project and the total project budget.

If the church has had capital campaigns in the last ten years, describe:Year(s) Purpose Goal Result Impact2015 New Sound System $30,000 $30,000 Enhanced worship experience2018 New Sanctuary Carpet $17,000 $17,000 Enhanced worship environment

If a capital campaign is underway or anticipated, describe:Year(s) Purpose Goal Result Impact

$ $$ $

Describe the prominent mission component(s) involved in the most recent (or current) capital campaign.

Does your church have an endowment?Zion has 4 trust funds: General Trust Fund, Capital Improvement Trust Fund, Educational Trust Fund, and the C&O Trust Fund

What is the market value of the assets?As of 12/31/2018General Trust Fund: $15,704Capital Improvement Trust Fund: $89,220Educational Trust Fund: $86,240C&O Trust Fund: $51,236

Are the funds drawn as needed, regularly, or under certain circumstances?

The General Trust, Capital Improvement Trust, and Educational Trust all make regular dispersements of 4% of the 12/31 balance as follows:General Trust—dispersement deposited to Zion’s General Fund and can be used for any purpose, including paying ongoing expenses. Additional dispersement can be made under exceptional circumstances.Capital Improvement Trust—dispersement deposited to Zion’s Improvement Fund which typically pays for items such as new equipment or major maintenance/repair of existing church buildings or assets.Educational Trust—the dispersement is split equally among all qualifying member applicants who will be full-time students attending post high school undergraduate programs. C&O Trust—this trust was established by a couple who were members of Zion with a gift of $50,000. No regular dispersements are made and only the interest earned can be spent, which is typically only used to supplement special projects.

What is the percentage rate of draw (last year, compared to 5 years ago)?4% and it has been since their establishment

Describe draw on endowment, if any, to meet operating budget expenses for the most recent year and the past five years:

Dispersements from the Capital Trust Fund can be used to pay general operating expenses.

At the current rate of draw, how long might the endowment last?Indefinitely

Please comment on the above calculations or estimates:

The current balances in the trust funds of Zion (excluding the Educational Trust) provide approximately the equivalent of a full year’s income. This would seem to be an optimal amount: enough for a safety net but not enough to promote indifference or neglect. In addition, contributions from the various trusts have been instrumental in accomplishing recent very visible projects which has legitimized their purpose.

Other Assets

Reserves (savings): $

Investments (other than endowment): $

Does your church have a parsonage?Yes

Fair market rental value of the parsonage:$700

How is the parsonage used?As home for the pastor

Street / City / State / Zip:

101 1st St. NE/Waukon/Iowa/52172

Finished square footage:2090

Number of Bedrooms, Number of Bathrooms:3 bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms

Assessed real estate value:$191,500

Available for minister residence: Yes

Expected minister residence: Yes

Condition of structure, systems and appliancesVery good

Entity in the church responsible for review and needed repairsChurch Council & the Property Committee

Describe all buildings owned by the church:

Zion owns the church building itself which consists of a 300 seat sanctuary, lower level fellowship hall with seating for 150, and two-story educational wing housing offices for the pastor and secretary as well as an array of multi-purpose rooms used for Sunday School rooms, meeting spaces, choir/music, and both children’s and adult libraries. There is an elevator inside the building and an adjacent paved parking lot with drive through access to a canopied entrance.

Our picturesque parsonage is located adjacent to the Zion Church and includes an updated kitchen, spacious living area, two full bathrooms (one located on each level), three bedrooms, an office, and a laundry room. All of the rooms and ceilings have been freshly painted, the hardwood floors throughout the house have been refinished and new carpet has been installed in the office and stairway. The master bedroom includes a walk-in closet and ample storage space, and the laundry room features a front-loading washer and dryer, as well as a folding station for added convenience. New lighting has been installed throughout the parsonage to make it bright and cozy and the lawn is well maintained with a privacy fence in the backyard. It has a one car attached garage but additional parking outside, a breezeway, and flexibility with room usage.

Describe non-owned buildings or space used or rented by the church: none

Which spaces are accessible to wheelchairs?(worship space, pulpit, fellowship space, facilities, etc.)

With the exception of the pulpit in the sanctuary which has two small steps, virtually all of Zion’s church building is wheelchair accessible thanks to an “Access for All” campaign a

number of years ago when we added our large elevator and ADA compliant inside ramp way that leads to our fellowship hall.

Reflection: After reviewing the church’s finances and assets described above, what does this information reflect about your congregation’s mission and ministry?

For example, when was a time the church made a major budget change? How is the budgeting process done? What new ministry initiative has your church financed?

Zion has typically been fiscally conservative and is in sound financial condition at present with adequate cash flows to meet regular expenses and ample reserves to supplement short-term needs or minor repairs. Budgeting is done by the finance committee through comparing past years’ expenses and projecting trends going forward. Our buildings and equipment are currently up to date and in good condition. When a need does arise or a major project is planned the membership has been very strong in their financial support. We do not budget for benevolences but promote them by emphasizing different giving opportunities throughout the year and handling the donations on a pass-through basis. There has been some recent interest in seeking out new mission projects by the church as a whole.

3f. HISTORICAL INFORMATION

Name one to three significant happenings in the history of your church that have shaped the identity of your congregation. Add the most important event in the life of your church in the past 10 years.

In 2010 we celebrated Zion’s 125th anniversary. Throughout the history of Zion we have had 11 members become ministers. During that year, we had the “sons and daughters” of Zion who could attend participate in a special service.

The effect of the addition of our second service is still evolving but there is no doubt it has/is making an impact on our congregation’s identity and image.

Describe a specific change your church has managed in the recent past.

Our last pastor was our first female pastor, was straight out of seminary, and for the first time in many decades we had a young family living in the parsonage. In spite of what must have been widely held stereotypes for characteristics of a pastor, Zion’s members proved very accepting and willing to interact and work together with her on a number of new routines.

Every church has conflict, some minor, some larger. “Where two or three are gathered, there will be disagreement….” Describe your congregation’s values and practices when it comes to conflict.

For example, what is an example of a recent conflict and something your congregation learned from it? Describe an occasion when your church experienced conflict without being able to resolve it well. Does your church have policies, protocols or structures for dealing with conflict?)

Zion has long displayed both the Christian flag and the United States flag in the choir loft behind the pulpit in the sanctuary. Following the installation of a new retractable screen to view projected items during the service it was called to attention that one of the flags was covered by the screen while in use. Thus began the Great Flag Controversy. In an effort to make the flags more visible they were moved to the annex and used to frame an antique altar set. The visibility of this move got the members’ attention so the council discussed the matter extensively; eventually calling a congregational meeting to vote on the flags future location. The meeting, which was marked by lively discussion and comments all the way from “what, we have flags?” to “bring my beloved banners home!”, also featured a last minute ballot revision which resulted in the addition of another location option resulting in a compromise resolution all could live with.

Ministerial History (include all previous ministerial staff for the past 30 years)Staff member’s name Years of service UCC Standing (Y/N)Rev. Henry Heinbuch 20 DeceasedRev. Richard Eick 16 YRev. Samantha Houser 9 Y

Comment on what your church has learned about itself and its relationship with persons who provided ministerial leadership:

Our last two ministers had different personalities and as a church we learned we can adapt to the style and personality of each leader.

Has any past leader left under pressure or by involuntary termination?No

Has your church been involved in a Situational Support Consultation?No

Has a past pastor been the subject of a Fitness Review while at your church?No

4. WHO IS OUR NEIGHBOR?

4A. COMMUNITY VISION

How do the relationships and activities of your congregation extend outward in service and advocacy?

For example, which service activities has your church participated in this past year?

Where has the church participated in global connections of care and justice? What iscurrently transformational in your church’s engagement with neighbors near or far?

Health Kits for Relief Office School Kits for Morgan Scott Project Snow Pants, Mittens, Caps for School Nurse’s Office Birthday Party for residents of nursing homes Birthday cards sent to members over 75 Lap quilts, stuffed animals for hospital visits and disasters May Breakfast proceeds donated to local and national missions Ice Cream Social proceeds donated to Back Pack Program Cookie Walk proceeds donated to Kids Club Highway Clean-up May and October Hunger Offering for Corner of Hope, Allamakee Food Shelf, Back Packs Disaster Relief Fund Offering every 5th Sunday of the month Blanket Offering for Church World Service Quarterly Offering for CUE seminaries Circle of Love Fund for Pastor’s use in helping individuals Back Bay Mission Work Camp every four years Adult Library used by members and others Maintain Ebenezer Cemetery from our “mother church” Four funeral committees that solicit food and volunteers for families Sympathy, get well, and special event cards to members

Since 2005 our church has been involved with a growing project called “Growing Hope Globally” (formerly Foods Resource Bank). Our local project called Corner of Hope raises and sells crops locally as well as other community financial support to fund small farm projects in third world countries. Our local project involves about 12 churches of various denominations. The projects monthly meetings are held in Zion’s fellowship hall with active participation by a core group from Zion.

Describe your congregation’s participation in meetings, relationships and activities connecting the wider United Church of Christ (association / conference / national setting).

Over the last several years our youth have attended National Youth Events at Purdue University, Purdue, IN, and Disney World Orlando, FL, and General Synod in Long Beach, CA. Also, our pastor as well as delegates from the congregation have attended meetings at association, conference, and tri-conference levels in the past.

Many local churches love to tell the story of what they are doing in the community to transform lives. Some have identified certain aspects of their witness into the wider community using language shared with other UCC congregations. (Find more information as desired at ucc.org.)Check any statements below that apply to your UCC faith community.

__ Accessible to All (A2A) ___ Just Peace___ Creation Justice ___ Global Mission Church

___ Economic Justice ___ Open and Affirming (ONA)___ Faithful and Welcoming ___ WISE Congregation for Mental Health X God Is Still Speaking (GISS) ___ Other UCC designations:___ Border and Immigrant Justice ___ Designations from other denominations

Reflect on what the above statement(s) mean(s) to your community. Is your congregation interested in working toward any of the above statements of witness in the near future?

Open and Affirming—A committee was formed regarding the Open and Affirming.

Describe your congregation’s participation in ecumenical and interfaith activities (with other denominations and religious groups, local and regional).

Zion, the First Presbyterian Church and the Methodist Church join together each year and hold joint Union Lenten and Good Friday Services. All the churches of the community and surrounding rural area join in an Ecumenical Choir service at Christmas time. All the ministers in the community and rural areas support one another by conducting services and hospital and nursing home visits when possible for one another in times of illness or when ministers are away from their pulpits for any reason. Zion also joins with other churches to host a community meal once a month and has long observed the World Day of Prayer and the local Fields of Faith event. We also help promote participation in other organizations’ events by listing them in our bulletin and announcing them at our services.

If your congregation has a mission statement, how does that mission statement compare to the actual time spent engaging in different activities? Think of the range of activities from time spent gathering, to governance, to time spent going out.

Zion’s Mission Statement: The mission of Zion United Church of Christ is to be a place of comfort and challenge—a place where the love of God as revealed through Jesus Christ is lived and taught, shared and caught, through our service to others, through our educational opportunities and through our fellowship occasion. A place where we are constantly challenged to grow in our understanding of the mind of Christ and to grow in our commitment and capacity to live a Christ-like life.

Living out Zion’s mission statement happens at 3 levels:First, the leadership and volunteers of Zion work hard to create the opportunities for our members to gather to hear the Word, to grow their faith and increase their commitment, and then to demonstrate that commitment by actions benefitting others both near and far. Second, the members of Zion participate in those activities that interest them or they feel a need to experience. Third, Zion’s members take action in supporting projects both within the church or outside its walls, whether that be by active and physical involvement, promotion of a cause, or through financial support.

Reflect on the scope of work assigned to your pastor(s). How is their community ministry and their ministry in and on behalf of the wider church accounted for in the congregation’s expectations on the time?

Zion pastors have been supported and encouraged by the congregation to help out in the community as they feel they have time or want to participate. In the past this has included conducting several marriage ceremonies for non-members at outdoor venues or assisting in funerals when other churches have pastoral vacancies or when a pastor is ill or on vacation. Our most recent pastor was approved by our church council to also serve as the Conference Youth Minister.

4b.MISSION InSiteComment on your congregation’s MissionInsite report with data for your neighborhood(s) or area. What trends and opportunities are shown?

Stable population Higher than average elderly population Very homogeneous Allamakee County has a high poverty rate

How do your congregation’s internal demographics compare or contrast to a) the neighborhoods adjacent to your church, and b) other neighborhoods with which your church connects?

Zion’s members are a representative cross section of the entire city of Waukon and its surrounding rural population as well.

How are the demographics of the community currently shaping ministry, or not?

Many of our young people leave the community to seek employment which tends to make our congregation have an older, less diverse membership.

What do you hear when you talk to community leaders and ask them what your church is known for?

Although Zion’s members may have varied opinions and strong convictions we have learned to agree to disagree without conflict.

What do new people in the church say when asked what got them involved?

Some got involved because of the minister. They felt a connection when engaging with the minister. Others said they felt welcomed when they came to Zion. Some came because the church they had belonged to ended their contemporary service and liked our contemporary service. One commented that they did not feel their minister cared at their previous church and

her husband grew up in Zion so they became involved here and this particular family is very involved with Zion.

5. REFERENCES

Name up to three people who have agreed to serve as phone and written refer4ences. Advise the three references: “The contact information you provide may be shared publicly. Please use contact information that you feel comfortable giving to candidates so they can reach you with their questions.”

Make sure they are not members of your church but are persons who know your church well enough to be helpful to candidates seeking more information. Request a letter from each reference in answer to the four prompts below. Attach the letters (up to three) as desired.

PROMPTS FOR REFERENCESDescribe some areas of strength in this church’s ministry.Describe some areas for improvement in this church’s ministry.Describe a significant experience you have had of this church’s ministry.Anything else you wish to share.

#1LETTER OF REFERENCE FOR ZION UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST , WAUKON, IA Rev. Grant M. VanderVelden Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Waukon, IA grantvandervelden@gmail.com563.568.2981 (office) ~ 563.568.2134 (home) Neighboring pastor and ecumenical partner for the past eight years

Strengths: Zion is blessed with strong, collegial lay leaders who foster a joyous and welcoming atmosphere at the church. Leaders seem open to considering new ways of being the church while also honoring the congregation's legacy and heritage. The congregation has an active children's and youth ministry-that seems; popular and well supported by young families. The congregation keeps its facilities and physical plant in a state of good repair, and its recently remodeled sanctuary is beautiful! Zion has one of the nicest pipe organs in the community, although I understand the instrument is in need of some repairs to return it to full functionality. The nearby parsonage appears inviting and well maintained. Beyond its walls, the people of Zion are welcome ecumenical partners with several other mainline congregations in the community, and a number of its members are actively involved in Corner of Hope, a local farm-based group affiliated with the hunger-relief organization Growing Hope Globally. Growing edges: Zion currently holds two Sunday worship services- what it bills as a "traditional" service and a "contemporary" service. As I understand the history, the two services exist not because one service fills the sanctuary beyond capacity. Rather, as the

service names imply, the congregation struggled to accommodate diverse liturgical and musical tastes among its members. Zion's response to that challenge was creating separate services. I am too-far removed from the daily life of the congregation to have a definitive opinion about how, if at all, the existence of two services reflects the health of the congregation. However, if I were in conversation with the pastoral search committee, I would want to better understand the history of Zion's worship life and what it means for the congregation to be worshiping in separate groups.

Significant experience with the congregation: Each Lent, Zion partners with my congregation and the local United Methodist congregation for joint services on Wednesday nights and Good Friday. These services vary in format and content from week to week, year to year, and in some ways, the services allow the participating pastors to try out some different forms and styles of worship. I'm grateful to pastoral, musical and lay leaders at Zion for their support of these efforts, which have honed and improved the worship life of my own congregation.

#2My name is Craig Lensing, I work at Martin Funeral Home here in Waukon. My family and I have lived here for the past 20 years. Please feel free to contact me with any questions that you may have. My contact information is cell-563-568-9701; email craig@martinfunerals.com. **Describe some areas of strength in this church's ministry. They offer two services on Sunday mornings, one that takes place at 8:15 am and the other that takes place mid-morning. The first service is more laid back and the second service is more traditional. With these two services it gives the members the option to choose which service they prefer. I hear great things about their Sunday school programs and attendance.

**Describe some areas for improvement in this church's ministry. I feel there is always room for improvement.

**Describe a significant experience you have had of this church's ministry.

The funeral services that we have at Zion are all very nice. Two of these that stand out to me are. A service for an infant about ten years ago. This service took place at 6:00 PM in the evening. This time allowed for church members and community members to attend. It was great to see the support that the family had from the church members and the Waukon community. The other one that stands out was in more recent years. This was for a retired music teacher from the Waukon High School. His family was very talented from the stand point of music. They did a great job honoring their father with their music. To add another personal touch they had some of his former students that sang a couple of songs. During funeral services, the congregation reads Psalm 23 together which is something that I personally like. I am catholic and this is something that we do not read during the mass.

**Anything else you wish to share.

I have always felt very welcomed at Zion, the groups and committees that we have worked with for a service are very helpful and easy to work with. From what I see they all work very well together.

6. CLOSING THOUGHTS

6a. CLOSING PRAYER

Include here any prayer or dream for the minister you imagine journeying toward you…a poem, for example, or a Scripture passage or a piece of music that is meaningful to your Search Committee:

Desiderata - Words for Life

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.

But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

— Max Ehrmann, 1927

6b. STATEMENT OF CONSENT

The covenantal relationship between a church and those called by that church to serve as pastors and teachers and in other ministerial positions is strengthened when vital information is openly shared by covenantal partners. To that end, we attest that, to the best of our abilities, we have provided information in this profile that accurately represents our church. We have not knowingly withheld any information that would be helpful to candidates.

As the committee charges with the responsibility for identifying and recommending suitable new minister for our church, we have been authorized to share the information herein with potential candidates. We understand that a candidate may wish to secure further knowledge, information, and opinions about our church. We encourage a candidate to do so, recognizing that an open exchange of relevant information builds the foundation for continuing and healthy relationships between calling bodies and persons seeking a ministry position.

1. Which individuals and groups in the church contributed to the contents of this Local Church Profile?(for example, church council or consistory, transition team, etc.)

The Profile Committee had primary responsibility for our church profile with input from conversations in group settings and one on one visits with both long time and new members of the congregation and assistance from our Church Council.

2. Additional comments for interpreting the profile:

The profile committee at Zion has done its best to give accurate information in the data reporting segments of this report and believe we have succeeded. The more subjective and interpretive segments are a compilation of input from Zion’s members as well as the committee members’ thoughts and honest feelings. We have striven to be brief and concise in order to directly provide information that was asked for. There is much more to the story of Zion than will fit within these pages and we are more than willing to share that with prospective applicants. Please feel free to ask for more specific detail in any area.

Signed:Name / Title / Date:

6c. VALIDATION BY CONFERENCE/ASSOCIATION

The congregation is currently in good standing with the association / conference named.Staff Comment:

To the best of my knowledge, ministerial history information is complete.Staff Comment:

To the best of my knowledge, available church financial information is presented thoroughly.

Staff Comment:

My signature below attests to the above three items.

Signature:Name / Title:Email:Phone:Date: