By JIM LUTGENS
Staff Writer
Almost every Sunday since 1882, there has been some sort of activity at First Congregational Church in New Richland.
It has been said that if you step into the building and listen closely enough, you can almost hear the echoes of countless worship services, weddings, receptions, funerals, baptisms, Sunday school activities, and fund-raising dinners.
There's a lot of history within those walls.
Soon, however - very, very soon - it will all be history.
In light of waning attendance, church elders have made the painfully difficult decision to cease services after May 26.
There will be one final chance for folks to bid farewell to a church that was a staple of the community for many decades, and Pastor Pamela Jensen made it clear that she's inviting any and all interested persons to attend the final services at First Congregational Sunday, May 26 at 10 a.m.
Jensen, the church's pastor the last 21 years, has mixed feelings about it, starting with sadness.
"I am, of course, feeling the sadness of an ending," she said. "But I am retiring from the paid ministry and look forward to worshiping with my husband again!"
Ask almost anyone else associated with the church about its closure and they express a deep sadness. For some, it's the only church they've ever known; their history in the church dates back two generations.
For Shelly Moxon, it started with her parents, Donald and Audrene Smith, and before that it was Donald's parents, Harry and Amanda Smith. Moxon's sister, Anne Hagen, has also been active in the church.
Moxon, baptized and confirmed at the church, is genuinely heartbroken to see it close.
"How does it feel?" said Moxon. "That's not even a fair question to ask. It's heart-wrenching. It's very, very difficult. There just aren't any words to describe how it feels. Don't make me start to cry."
Bruce Berg, chairman of the church's trustees, can relate. His parents, Harlan and Leah, were always in church, as were Berg and his eight siblings growing up. He remembers a time when the church was as big and as busy as any in town. It is noteworthy that former New Richland Star Publisher Margaret Engesser taught Sunday school there.
But Berg and all others involved can also see the proverbial handwriting on the wall. With younger folks moving away and older people dying, there just aren't enough active members - or dollars - to keep it all up and running.
"It's disappointing, but necessary," said Berg. "Unfortunately, I'm afraid it's the future of churches in small towns."
Jensen has seen a steady decline in active members since she took over as pastor.
"When I began serving First Congregational Church, there were 40 or 45 regulars in Sunday worship," she said. "Sunday school children and confirmands have grown up and moved away, while I have had the privilege of officiating at the funerals of nearly 30 of my brothers and sisters."
Jensen has also officiated at a few weddings and baptized a few babies, the most recent - Aria Leigh By JIM LUTGENS
Staff Writer
Almost every Sunday since 1882, there has been some sort of activity at First Congregational Church in New Richland.
It has been said that if you step into the building and listen closely enough, you can almost hear the echoes of countless worship services, weddings, receptions, funerals, baptisms, Sunday school activities, and fund-raising dinners.
There's a lot of history within those walls.
Soon, however - very, very soon - it will all be history.
In light of waning attendance, church elders have made the painfully difficult decision to cease services after May 26.
There will be one final chance for folks to bid farewell to a church that was a staple of the community for many decades, and Pastor Pamela Jensen made it clear that she's inviting any and all interested persons to attend the final services at First Congregational Sunday, May 26 at 10 a.m.
Jensen, the church's pastor the last 21 years, has mixed feelings about it, starting with sadness.
"I am, of course, feeling the sadness of an ending," she said. "But I am retiring from the paid ministry and look forward to worshiping with my husband again!"
Ask almost anyone else associated with the church about its closure and they express a deep sadness. For some, it's the only church they've ever known; their history in the church dates back two generations.
For Shelly Moxon, it started with her parents, Donald and Audrene Smith, and before that it was Donald's parents, Harry and Amanda Smith. Moxon's sister, Anne Hagen, has also been active in the church.
Moxon, baptized and confirmed at the church, is genuinely heartbroken to see it close.
"How does it feel?" said Moxon. "That's not even a fair question to ask. It's heart-wrenching. It's very, very difficult. There just aren't any words to describe how it feels. Don't make me start to cry."
Bruce Berg, chairman of the church's trustees, can relate. His parents, Harlan and Leah, were always in church, as were Berg and his eight siblings growing up. He remembers a time when the church was as big and as busy as any in town. It is noteworthy that former New Richland Star Publisher Margaret Engesser taught Sunday school there.
But Berg and all others involved can also see the proverbial handwriting on the wall. With younger folks moving away and older people dying, there just aren't enough active members - or dollars - to keep it all up and running.
"It's disappointing, but necessary," said Berg. "Unfortunately, I'm afraid it's the future of churches in small towns."
Jensen has seen a steady decline in active members since she took over as pastor.
"When I began serving First Congregational Church, there were 40 or 45 regulars in Sunday worship," she said. "Sunday school children and confirmands have grown up and moved away, while I have had the privilege of officiating at the funerals of nearly 30 of my brothers and sisters."
Jensen has also officiated at a few weddings and baptized a few babies, the most recent - Aria Leigh Nowak - this past Sunday.
"I have spent many happy hours at church suppers and worshiping at the care center," said Jensen. "I have been wrapped up in the loving arms of this particular family of God, and they have blessed me beyond measure."
Jensen grew up in a large suburban church in the Chicago area and then joined a large suburban church in the Twin Cities when she moved permanently to Minnesota. Being part of the New Richland community was a pleasant surprise.
"I had never experienced the blessing of being part of a family church," she said. "Where everyone knows everyone, visitors are seen and welcomed, everyone participates in some way to the ministry of the church, and everyone prays for their brothers and sisters and their families and friends. I have loved my time in New Richland and will always love my brothers and sisters in Christ here."
Moxon, active in all aspects of the church, spoke of many people helping over the years, praising the efforts of Loren and Kris Schlaak for maintaining the church's grounds. Kris' mom, Lorraine (Ducza) Meyer, was also always very active. So was Tom Smith, Moxon's uncle.
Tom Smith's widow, Marilyn, is 85 and could be the church's oldest active member. She did it all, serving as Sunday school teacher, superintendent and secretary.
"I have mixed feelings about it," said Marilyn. "It's very sad. My family has had a lot to do with that church, starting with Tom's parents."
At one point, according to Marilyn, the entire congregation was, "Like a close-knit family."
As for the future of the church building, Berg said it will be put up for sale. Its closure leaves Minnesota with six Congregational churches, in Waseca, Burnsville, Bayport, Remer, Edina and Minneapolis.
"Finding a new church home is exciting, a little scary, but absolutely necessary for all of us to continue to use our gifts for the bringing of God's kingdom on earth and to be in fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ," said Jensen.
The main message Jensen has tried to convey to parishioners in New Richland?
"God knows you and loves you with an everlasting love," she said. "That is sheer grace - God's riches at Christ's expense. Grace is ours - unearned, unlooked for, and life-giving."
Moxon has no idea which church may be in her future, but she does have the necessary paperwork for transferring current members to a new church. You can ask her about it when you see her or write to her at 572 Broadway Ave. So. in New Richland.
Jensen shared a farewell message in the church's final ever annual report.
"Wherever we may go from here, we will carry with us the blessings of God that we have shared," she wrote. "And we will continue to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit as we seek God's grace."