{"id":10390,"date":"2022-11-14T14:09:55","date_gmt":"2022-11-14T20:09:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/?p=10390"},"modified":"2022-11-14T14:11:15","modified_gmt":"2022-11-14T20:11:15","slug":"october-2022-listening-tour-iowa-michigan-wisconsin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/october-2022-listening-tour-iowa-michigan-wisconsin\/","title":{"rendered":"October 2022 Listening Tour &#8211; Iowa, Michigan, &#038; Wisconsin"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1185.6px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1\"><h6 style=\"text-align: center;\">October 2022<\/h6>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 25%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-10390 gallery-columns-4 gallery-size-thumbnail'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-rel=\"iLightbox[postimages]\" data-title=\"Little Brown Church in the Vale, Nashua, IA\" data-caption=\"Little Brown Church in the Vale\" href='https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/LBC-4-scaled.jpg'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/LBC-4-200x200.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-10280\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/LBC-4-66x66.jpg 66w, https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/LBC-4-200x200.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-10280'>\n\t\t\t\tLittle Brown Church in the Vale\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-rel=\"iLightbox[postimages]\" data-title=\"FCC Lake Odessa, MI\" data-caption=\"Harvest Dinner at Lake Odessa\" href='https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Lake-Odessa-1.jpg'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Lake-Odessa-1-200x200.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-10283\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Lake-Odessa-1-66x66.jpg 66w, https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Lake-Odessa-1-200x200.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-10283'>\n\t\t\t\tHarvest Dinner at Lake Odessa\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-rel=\"iLightbox[postimages]\" data-title=\"Laingsburg Parking Lot Concert\" data-caption=\"With the band in Laingsburg\" href='https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Laingsburg-2.jpg'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Laingsburg-2-200x200.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-10282\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Laingsburg-2-66x66.jpg 66w, https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Laingsburg-2-200x200.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-10282'>\n\t\t\t\tWith the band in Laingsburg\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-rel=\"iLightbox[postimages]\" data-title=\"The Tom Ropel Band at Laingsburg\" data-caption=\"Parking lot concert in Laingsburg\" href='https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Laingsburg-1.jpg'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Laingsburg-1-200x200.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-10281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Laingsburg-1-66x66.jpg 66w, https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Laingsburg-1-200x200.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-10281'>\n\t\t\t\tParking lot concert in Laingsburg\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-rel=\"iLightbox[postimages]\" data-title=\"Little Brown Church in the Vale\" data-caption=\"Little Brown Church in the Vale\" href='https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/LBC-2-scaled.jpg'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/LBC-2-200x200.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-10279\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/LBC-2-66x66.jpg 66w, https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/LBC-2-200x200.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-10279'>\n\t\t\t\tLittle Brown Church in the Vale\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-rel=\"iLightbox[postimages]\" data-title=\"Ashley driving a combine in Iowa\" data-caption=\"Ashley driving the combine\" href='https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/LaMoille-Combine.jpeg'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/LaMoille-Combine-200x200.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-10278\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/LaMoille-Combine-66x66.jpeg 66w, https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/LaMoille-Combine-200x200.jpeg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-10278'>\n\t\t\t\tAshley driving the combine\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-rel=\"iLightbox[postimages]\" data-title=\"Harvesting corn in Iowa\" data-caption=\"Harvesting corn in Iowa\" href='https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/LaMoille-COmbine-2.jpeg'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/LaMoille-COmbine-2-200x200.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-10277\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/LaMoille-COmbine-2-66x66.jpeg 66w, https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/LaMoille-COmbine-2-200x200.jpeg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-10277'>\n\t\t\t\tHarvesting corn in Iowa\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-rel=\"iLightbox[postimages]\" data-title=\"Mayflower Lansing\" data-caption=\"Mayflower CC in Lansing\" href='https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Mayflower-Lansing.jpg'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Mayflower-Lansing-200x200.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-10314\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Mayflower-Lansing-66x66.jpg 66w, https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Mayflower-Lansing-200x200.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-10314'>\n\t\t\t\tMayflower CC in Lansing\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-rel=\"iLightbox[postimages]\" data-title=\"Allison Iowa\" data-caption=\"Allison CC, Iowa\" href='https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Allison-Iowa-scaled.jpg'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Allison-Iowa-200x200.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-10312\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Allison-Iowa-66x66.jpg 66w, https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Allison-Iowa-200x200.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-10312'>\n\t\t\t\tAllison CC, Iowa\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-rel=\"iLightbox[postimages]\" data-title=\"Windblown\" data-caption=\"Windblown in Clear Lake, IA\" href='https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Windblown.jpg'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Windblown-200x200.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-10311\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Windblown-66x66.jpg 66w, https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Windblown-200x200.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-10311'>\n\t\t\t\tWindblown in Clear Lake, IA\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-rel=\"iLightbox[postimages]\" data-title=\"Pie in Elkader\" data-caption=\"Making pies in Elkader\" href='https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Pie-in-Elkader.jpg'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Pie-in-Elkader-200x200.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-10310\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Pie-in-Elkader-66x66.jpg 66w, https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Pie-in-Elkader-200x200.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-10310'>\n\t\t\t\tMaking pies in Elkader\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-rel=\"iLightbox[postimages]\" data-title=\"Marshalltown Sunday School\" data-caption=\"Sunday School in Marshalltown\" href='https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Marshalltown-Sunday-School.jpg'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Marshalltown-Sunday-School-200x200.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-10309\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Marshalltown-Sunday-School-66x66.jpg 66w, https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Marshalltown-Sunday-School-200x200.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-10309'>\n\t\t\t\tSunday School in Marshalltown\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-rel=\"iLightbox[postimages]\" data-title=\"Lake Odessa\" data-caption=\"Harvest Dinner, Lake Odessa\" href='https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Lake-Odessa.jpg'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Lake-Odessa-200x200.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-10308\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Lake-Odessa-66x66.jpg 66w, https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Lake-Odessa-200x200.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-10308'>\n\t\t\t\tHarvest Dinner, Lake Odessa\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-rel=\"iLightbox[postimages]\" data-title=\"Cross of many woods, Elkader\" data-caption=\"Elkader&#039;s Cross of many woods\" href='https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Cross-of-many-woods-Elkader.jpg'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Cross-of-many-woods-Elkader-200x200.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-10306\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Cross-of-many-woods-Elkader-66x66.jpg 66w, https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Cross-of-many-woods-Elkader-200x200.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-10306'>\n\t\t\t\tElkader&#8217;s Cross of many woods\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-rel=\"iLightbox[postimages]\" data-title=\"Cross description\" data-caption=\"Elkader Cross description\" href='https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Cross-description.jpg'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Cross-description-200x200.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-10307\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Cross-description-66x66.jpg 66w, https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Cross-description-200x200.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-10307'>\n\t\t\t\tElkader Cross description\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-rel=\"iLightbox[postimages]\" data-title=\"Little Brown Church 1\" data-caption=\"Little Brown Church\" href='https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Little-Brown-Church-1-scaled.jpg'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Little-Brown-Church-1-200x200.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-10315\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Little-Brown-Church-1-66x66.jpg 66w, https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Little-Brown-Church-1-200x200.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-10315'>\n\t\t\t\tLittle Brown Church\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p><strong>Saturday, October 1<\/strong><br \/>\nI enjoyed a Saturday afternoon conversation with members <strong>Pilgrim Congregational Church of Green Bay, Wisconsin<\/strong> (#12), situated on the edge of a commercial district, not far from Lambeau Field. The timing of my visit, as with many things during the fall in Green Bay, was influenced by a Packers game the next afternoon. The church leaders are encouraged by how a newly introduced staggered Sunday schedule has been received. Some members convene at 9:30 in the fellowship hall for an informal service that includes time for dialogue after the sermon. Senior Minister Andy King preaches there and then joins a 10:00 service in the sanctuary which follows a traditional liturgy. At around 10:30, all gather in the fellowship hall for coffee hour. The church is pleased to rent space to St. Joseph\u2019s School and another worshipping community, Grace of Salvation<\/p>\n<p><strong>Thursday, October 6<br \/>\n<\/strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For about twenty years, the members of <\/span><strong>First Congregational Church of Elkader, Iowa<\/strong> (#13) <span data-contrast=\"auto\">have been preparing pies to raise money. It started with just a few for the church members. This year, they sold over 560 pies. I was welcomed by the hardworking crew on their second day and learned a lot about well-organized baking methods and the history of the church.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In her home workshop, one member created a sanctuary cross out of wood from seven continents.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The beautiful <a href=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/2022-Publications-Listing.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">membership and baptism certificates <\/a><\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">that many NACCC congregations use are created by members of this church, a gift to the NACCC that has flourished and changed over several decades.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Friday, October 7<br \/>\n<\/strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Over 77,000 weddings have been performed at <\/span><strong>Little Brown Church in the Vale, Nashua, Iowa<\/strong> (#14)<span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0which houses the story behind the hymn, \u201cThe Little Brown Church in the Vale.\u201d Each August, they host a reunion for wedding couples. Two weddings were scheduled on the afternoon I was there; I got to meet a bride and groom from Des Moines. In addition, other visitors who had learned about Little Brown Church in the Vale in Iowa history stopped by. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Each Sunday, the church hosts a meal in the fellowship hall following worship. Visitors and guests are welcome and often attend.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Just before I left, a church member invited me to pull the bell cord. Every couple who is married at the church tugs the cord in unison to symbolize how they will pull together throughout their life.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Sunday, October 9<br \/>\n<\/strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Sunday School at <\/span><strong>First Congregational Church, Marshalltown, Iowa\u00a0<\/strong>(#15) <span data-contrast=\"auto\">takes place in the Loft before the service. One class of all ages plays a game together and is learning to memorize the books of the Bible.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The church has been working with the Center for Parish Development. Their efforts have borne several new members over the past year. The culminating gathering was scheduled for a later weekend in October.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>La Moille Congregational Community Church, Marshalltown Iowa<\/strong> (#16) i<span data-contrast=\"auto\">s located about ten miles outside of Marshalltown. One member drives nearly an hour from Des Moines while others live close by. The youth leader has a focused outreach at a skate park. They cherish their history as a strong presence in the community and are continuing to reach out to their neighbors.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Following our gathering, I was given the opportunity to ride in a combine. Harvesting corn offers a good metaphor for collaborating and working in harmony.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Saturday, October 15<br \/>\n<\/strong>Allison is the county Seat. <strong>Allison Congregational Church, Allison, Iowa\u00a0<\/strong>(#17)\u00a0<span data-contrast=\"auto\">is situated on Main Street, adjacent to the veterans\u2019 memorial and in sight of the county buildings.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The congregation hosts a weekly ecumenical Bible study on Saturday mornings and special, festive meals following worship on months which have a fifth Sunday.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Sunday, October 16<br \/>\n<\/strong>At <strong>First Congregational Church of Clear Lake, Iowa\u00a0<\/strong>(#18)\u00a0<span data-contrast=\"auto\">I enjoyed a Bible study on Numbers before worship and a substantive conversation about church growth in the Mayflower Room following the service.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Following a swift successful capital campaign, the congregation recently replaced their roof and renovated their nursery with cheerful paint on the walls and furniture.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Wednesday, October 19<br \/>\n<\/strong>The program at the annual harvest dinner at <strong>First Congregational Church of Lake Odessa, Michigan\u00a0<\/strong>(#19) <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW1374894 BCX0\">was a surprise celebration of their minister during pastor appreciation month! This congregation is known for kindness and hospitality in the local <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW1374894 BCX0\">community and beyond. <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW1374894 BCX0\">Some<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW1374894 BCX0\"> members drive <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW1374894 BCX0\">40 minutes to attend<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW1374894 BCX0\"> worship<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW1374894 BCX0\">. The Tuesday morning Bible studies are popular with Congregationalists and others.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Thursday, October 20<br \/>\n<\/strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The courageous resilience of <strong>First Congregational Church of Portland, Michigan<\/strong> (#20) is evident in how they rebuilt their beautiful space after it suffered destruction during a tornado in 2022. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Members are kind to one another and thoughtful about reaching out to the wider community. Here too, members drive a distance, over 20 minutes from Lansing, to share in worship and other activities. The congregants were looking forward to a special blessing of pets service to be held on an upcoming Saturday.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>First Congregational Church of Laingsburg, Michigan\u00a0<\/strong>(#21) <span data-contrast=\"auto\">is well-known for its contributions to the local community. On a chilly Thursday evening, dozens settled in around bonfires for chili, s\u2019mores, and live music. The minister is a member of a three-person band. Their performance inspired a visitor from Wisconsin to join others who danced in parking lot.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Recent renovations make the inside welcoming and versatile. The kitchen and social hall are used by community organizations.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Sunday, October 23<br \/>\n<\/strong>It was Consecration Sunday at <strong>Mayflower Congregational Church, East Lansing, Michigan\u00a0<\/strong>(#22)\u00a0<span data-contrast=\"auto\">following a full weekend of hosting the annual meeting of the Michigan Conference of Congregational Christian Churches. During worship, the members and their guests celebrated gifts of time, talent, and other resources.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Musicians from the church provided Friday evening entertainment with varied genres and instruments.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The church has been a Congregational presence in Lansing since 1803. Among other current outreach initiatives, they support a local rescue mission by preparing a monthly meal. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/the-listening-tour\/\">Back to the main Listening Tour page<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":125,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[384],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10390","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-listening-tour"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10390","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/125"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10390"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10390\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10393,"href":"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10390\/revisions\/10393"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10390"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10390"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10390"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}