A Word About Technical Difficulties and Other Matters:

Last week Tim’s faithful old computer died on Wednesday morning, with all the information we’d put together for the newsletter in it. Between calling in the Computer Tutor to take a look at the computer (it’s a goner), ordering a new one, and getting ready for Sunday, your newsletter is even later than we’d originally thought it would be (it was also delayed by our vacation). We apologize for this. Your next newsletter will be produced on a brand spanking new computer. Thanks to Ginny for graciously letting Tim take over her office to produce this.

In the new few months we’ll be sending a letter to ask you a couple of things. Do you want to continue to receive the newsletter? If so, do you want it by mail, by email, or would you be willing to pick it up at church? The cost of bulk mail has increased dramatically (it costs nearly twice as much to send out a newsletter this year over last year) so we have to look at new ways to get you the news you need. So please consider what will serve you best, and watch your mail.

 A LOT has been gong on with our people the last couple of months.

First of all we want to congratulate all our graduates. In Friend Amy Baugh, Logan Milton and Katina Talley all graduated from high school. Neil Riley received his Master’s Degree. Congratulations to them! We learned, belatedly, that we’d unintentionally overlooked Tyler Brandt’s graduation from college last fall. We apologize to Tyler and his family, and send him our congratulations and best wishes. In Exeter, Thane Motis and Kelsey Swartz graduated from 8^th grade. Congratulations! High School awaits.

Neil Riley was nominated for and received a statewide “Rookie of the Year” award, granted to an outstanding first year teacher from the NSEA.

On April 29, Baron Christopher Dunkle was born to Chris and Andrea (Minderman) Dunkle. Kay Minderman is the proud grandmother.

On May 3, Justine Freeman, daughter of Norm and Kathy Freeman, was married to Douglas Metzger at the home of her grandparents, Everett and Beverly Stewart. Justine is also the granddaughter of Gayle and Norman Freeman.

A tree was planted on Arbor Day, honoring Darren Thompson for his service to his country and to our community.

The Exeter Church welcomed hew member Pat Schoenhals on May 11.

Youth News:

The United Sunday Schools in Exeter and in Friend are on “summer break”. We’re grateful to all who taught church school this year and for all those who helped in any way. Congratulations and special thanks to Jackie Yound, who is “retiring” after a long career of teaching at Exeter.

Friend UCC and United Methodist will hold joint Vacation Bible School July 21-25, at the UCC church. Watch for further exciting details.

The Confirmation Class will have an overnight retreat at Kamp Kaleo August 6-7. In addition to class time the confirmands will help with preparations for the Junk Jaunt fund raiser. Confirmation is scheduled for World Communion Sunday, October 5.

Speaking of Kaleo, more volunteers are needed to help set up for Junk Jaunt. If you’d like to go up to help, contact Norm Yound.

Women’s Fellowship:

The Exeter Women’s Fellowship is gong on their summer break. At their May meeting, they had an excellent presentation from Brenda Motis about Fillmore County Senior Services. For the September meeting, members are asked to bring “show and tell” items from their summer activities.

The Friend Women’s Fellowship goes to summer schedule in June. Join us for breakfast at 9:00 a.m. followed by the meeting.

Annual Meeting:

The Annual Meeting of the Nebraska Conference of the UCC will be in Chadron June 6-8. Marv Kraus will be the Moderator for the Annual Meeting this year. Norm Yound is a member of the Conference Board. The co-pastors will be attending. We have placed for more delegates if you’d like to go.

Prayer Concerns:

Please keep in your prayers: Lila Plummer, Letha Jorgensen, Willard Johansen, Carol Thompson, Lenna Weber, Altha Ramp, Damian Jacobsen, Cheri Nelson, Vera Losh, Karen Pelz, Dennis Engel, Pauline Gross and all our troops and their families.

Friend Manor: Irma Havel, June Krebs, Mable Kohout, Ruth Bode

Exeter Care Center: Alberta Weber, Vivian Johnson, Esther Deterding, Altha Ramp.