News about Pocatello UCC
Farewell Service on Thursday May 15 at 6pm
We have some news that may be hard to read. At a Congregational Meeting on April 27th, members of Pocatello First Congregational Church UCC voted to dissolve the church and disband.
The church had already agreed to sell their building, and they have a contract in place with a closing date at the end of May. At the meeting on April 27th, members were given several options as to what to do moving forward, and decided to faithfully complete their ministry. This will allow members to strengthen other mainline churches in the area with their membership, and will allow the church to use the funds from the sale to nurture other ministries. The church that is buying the building is also excited about the opportunity to continue the warming shelter and other ministries to people living without houses that have been operating out of the building.
Pocatello UCC is hosting a Farewell Service on Thursday May 15 at 6pm. This will be part worship, part storytelling, and all Celebration.
It's intentionally planned for a Thursday evening, so the many ecumenical and interfaith partners who have ministered alongside Pocatello UCC can participate.
In an email, Pastor Starr said, "My friends, this is not a death, but a resurrection of something mighty and amazing. WE are a Resurrection People, living into the fullness of God's plan guided by Adonai, The Risen Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. And just as Jesus sent his followers out into the world and spread the Gospel and Holy Mischief -- so too is the congregation of Pocatello First Congregational United Church of Christ being sent out (Matthew 28:18-20) into other churches or small groups -- to spread the story of how God loves ALL of us, regardless to race, sex, gender, ability, or class level. In essence we are extending the Immaculate Welcome to all and to build the larger Church in Pocatello."
