Good Friday
2026-04-03 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Ripley Church, 400 South Main Street, Traer, IA, 50675
Apr 03 2026 Bulletin – Good Friday.

Ripley UCC Lenten and Spring Plans – 2026
● Lent 2026 Activities:
○ Lenten Project: Tama County Maternal Health (formerly the Storks Nest)
Focusing on anyone who is pregnant, postpartum, or for a child 1 year
old or less.
○ We are donating items or dollars for infants and toddlers
■ Donated items and a donation basket will be set up in the Sanctuary.
Leave your donations anytime during the Lent season
○ Their new initiative is called the Family Cabinet
■ They hope to provide community support for expectant mothers,
caregivers, and growing families in need. Their gifted items are
focused on pregnancy through first birthdays, and available at no
cost to the community.
■ Hoping for new and like new items. Learn more by picking up a
brochure in the Sanctuary.
○ Any Free Will Offering funds leftover from our Wednesday Night Meals
will be donated to our Lenten Project.
○ Good Friday April 3rd –
Ripley Church Meetings:

Board of Deacons: Sunday April 12th @ 10:00 am – Office
Board of Trustees: Thursday – April 14th @ 5:30 pm – Office

Ripley Mission/Church/Community Involvement:

Quilting: Thur. April 2nd @ 9:00 am

Saturday Soul Stitching – Saturday April 11th @ 9:00 am

Noisy Offering – March 29th: Alive and Running more info in Newsletter

Lenten Plans 2026 – More details to come:

Lenten Project: Maternal Health – Tama County
Men’s Lenten Breakfasts:

April 1: Clutier Community

Maundy Thursday April 2nd – 7:00 pm at United Meth. Church
Good Friday April 3rd – 7:00 pm at RUCC
Easter: April 5th

Breakfast at 8:00 am followed by worship at 9:00 am

Easter Lilies for the Altar:

Sponsor a Lily in honor or memory of a loved one to adorn our altar.

$16.00 each – Coordinate with Patty, Christy or Dave

319-269-7286 or pattycalderwood@gmail.com

○ Easter: April 5th – Breakfast at 8:00 am and Service at 9:00 am

Easter Sunday " He Has Risen"
2026-04-05 08:00 - 10:00 | Ripley Church, 400 South Main Street, Traer, IA, 50675
Apr 05 Easter 2026 Booklet Bulletin Baptism of Jhonny Watson and Communion

Thank you to those who celebrate the resurrection of our Lord
by sharing an Easter Plant in memory of their loved ones.

In Memory of: Darrell Sivertsen by Kathy, June, Kayla and Family
In Memory of: Hugh Sr. and Rhea Calderwood
Doug Livy Fred and Edna Stoakes Ruth Ann Stoakes
Eleanor Eggleston Wanda Mae Stoakes by Hugh Jr. and Ruth Calderwood and Family
In Memory of: Maggie, Jolie, Gerry and Jim Youel by Josh and Cindy Youel and Family
In Memory of: David Weston Bill and Karolee Coppoc by Their Children and Grandchildren
In Memory of: Dan Corbett Jen Barnes-Seger by the Bagenstos/Coppoc Family
In Memory of: Evelyn Miller by the Coppoc/Bagenstos Family
In Memory of: Juanita and Roger Becker Lynn Becker
Cindy (Becker) Jepsen by David and Patty Calderwood and Family

Ripley Church Meetings:

Board of Deacons: Sunday April 12th @ 10:00 am – Office
Board of Trustees: Thursday – April 14th @ 5:30 pm – Office

Ripley Mission/Church/Community Involvement:

Quilting: Thur. April 2nd @ 9:00 am

Saturday Soul Stitching – Saturday April 11th @ 9:00 am

Noisy Offering – March 29th: Alive and Running more info in Newsletter

Lenten Plans 2026 – More details to come:

Easter: April 5th

Breakfast at 8:00 am followed by worship at 9:00 am

Ripley UCC Lenten and Spring Plans – 2026
● Lent 2026 Activities:
○ Lenten Project: Tama County Maternal Health (formerly the Storks Nest)
Focusing on anyone who is pregnant, postpartum, or for a child 1 year
old or less.
○ We are donating items or dollars for infants and toddlers
■ Donated items and a donation basket will be set up in the Sanctuary.
Leave your donations anytime during the Lent season
○ Their new initiative is called the Family Cabinet
■ They hope to provide community support for expectant mothers,
caregivers, and growing families in need. Their gifted items are
focused on pregnancy through first birthdays, and available at no
cost to the community.
■ Hoping for new and like new items. Learn more by picking up a
brochure in the Sanctuary.
○ Any Free Will Offering funds leftover from our Wednesday Night Meals
will be donated to our Lenten Project.
○
○ Easter: April 5th – Breakfast at 8:00 am and Service at 9:00 am

Maternal Health and Wellness – Tama County

We will conclude our collections at the end of April

“Seeing God”
2026-04-12 09:00 - 10:00 | Sunday Service at Ripley UCC, 400 South Main Street, Traer, IA, 50675
Apr 12 2026 Bulletin

Ripley Church Meetings:

Board of Deacons: Sunday April 12th @ 10:00 am – Office
Board of Trustees: Thursday – April 16th @ 5:30 pm – Office
Mission Committee: Wednesday – May 13th @ 7:00 pm – Office

Ripley Mission/Church/Community Involvement:

Quilting: Thur. April 16th @ 9:00 am

Saturday Soul Stitching – Saturday May 9th @ 9:00 am

Noisy Offering – April 26th Alive and Running more info in Newsletter

Lenten Project 2026

Maternal Health – Tama County

We will conclude our collections at the end of April

Thank you to those who celebrate the Easter season by sharing an Easter Lily in memory of their loved ones.

In Memory of:
Darrell Sivertsen by Kathy, June, Kayla and Family

In Memory of:
Hugh Sr. and Rhea Calderwood Doug Livy
Fred and Edna Stoakes Ruth Ann Stoakes
Eleanor Eggleston Wanda Mae Stoakes
by Hugh Jr. and Ruth Calderwood and Family

In Memory of:
Maggie, Jolie, Gerry and Jim Youel by Josh and Cindy Youel and Family

In Memory of:
David Weston
Bill and Karolee Coppoc by Their Children and Grandchildren

In Memory of:
Dan Corbett
Jen Barnes-Seger by the Bagenstos/Coppoc Family

In Memory of:
Evelyn Miller by the Coppoc/Bagenstos Family

Board of Deacons Meet
2026-04-12 10:30 - 12:00 | Ripley South Office, 400 South Main Street, Traer, IA, 50675

“Breaking Bread Together”
2026-04-19 09:00 - 10:00 | Sunday Service at Ripley UCC, 400 South Main Street, Traer, IA, 50675
April 19, 2026 Bulletin

Ripley Church Meetings:

Board of Deacons: Sunday May 11th @ 10:00 am – Office
Board of Trustees: Thursday – May 21st @ 5:30 pm – Office
Mission Committee: Wednesday – May 13th @ 7:00 pm – Office

Ripley Mission/Church/Community Involvement:

Quilting: Thur. April 23rd @ 9:00 am

Saturday Soul Stitching – Saturday May 9th @ 9:00 am

Noisy Offering – April 26th Alive and Running – Suicide Prevention

Lenten Project 2026

Maternal Health – Tama County

We will conclude our collections at the end of April

Pastor Jim’s “Ecclesiastical Council” @ Iowa UCC Conference Meeting:

Sunday April 26th – Meeting Starts at 2:30, Ecclesiastical Council approx 3:45

Plans are underway for the upcoming conference meeting where Pastor Jim will speak before attendees. During this meeting, delegates will vote on his status as a pastor and whether he should proceed toward ordination.
A “cheering section” of supporters from Ripley is being organized to attend and show encouragement, with some willing to speak on his behalf. If you are interested in joining the cheering section, please sign up in the kitchen so that car pooling can be arranged. If you are unable to attend in person you can join virtually. Find the flyer with those zoom link details in the rear of the church.

Details:

Hearty Brunch Fellowship at Ripley
Leave Ripley approximately 12:00 noon – travel to Urbandale UCC Church

Carpooling sign up in the kitchen

Attend Conference Meeting and Cheer Jim on
Stop somewhere for Supper on the way home (Dutch Treat)

Summer Dates to Note:

RUCC Volunteer @ Tama County Fair – Tue. July 14th – 10:00 am – to 3:00 pm
VBS Hosted @ Ripley – Aug. 3rd – 6th
Winding Stairs Festival – Aug. 7th, 8th, 9th

Patchwork Warms Hearts - Ripley Stitchers
2026-04-23 09:00 - 14:00 | Ripley UCC Fellowship Hall, 400 South Main Street, Traer, IA, 50675
Ripley Quilters Informational Handout

In 2006, women from the Ripley United Church of Christ came together to construct quilts for charities and programs serving individuals in need of support in Traer and the surrounding communities. Meeting once a week – they have met many
challenges, but the one thing that remains after 20 years, is their desire to stay strong in their mission to provide warmth to
those in need through patchwork.

Join those who stitch. Enter at the North Door
Today, the group meets most Thursdays in Fellowship Hall at the church gathering at 9:00am. Fellowship over a sack lunch is also a highlight of their day. Women and men gather
together with no experience necessary, for a variety of quilting tasks including: cutting, piecing and sewing material; layering tops, batting and backing; tying knots; sorting and folding for delivery. They share many stories while plans are made, and the mission continues.
In 2023, Soul Stitching Saturday was introduced. When it was noted that those who work could not attend, it was determined that one Saturday a month would be designated as Soul Stitching Saturday. The nucleus of those who Soul Stitch also stitch on Thursdays. Friends and family members drop in to help tie and to learn more about the mission.
Open to all, Soul Stitching provides the feeling of the good ‘ole fashioned quilting bees. Fellowship is enjoyed over potluck lunches and sometimes special occasions are celebrated as well!
Over 300 quilts are constructed a year and given to those in need. Baby quilts – twin and double sizes. The group also makes burp clothes, dog beds and wheel chair caddies. They do their best to use all supplies donated and are always thankful for those who think of them and their mission.
Mission charities and programs that have benefited from the quilts made by the Ripley stitchers include:
• Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Ames Chapter
• Marshalltown Veterans Home
*Tama County Maternal Health and Wellness
• Christian Hands Across Traer, better known as C.H.A.T.
• Cedar Valley Hospice
• Americans for Independent Living
• Salvation Army
• and many more!

Donations: The Ripley Stitchers Makers of Quilts, could not continue without the support of the community. For those needing to downsize or simply re-evaluate their sewing supplies, the group is grateful for any financial or material donations. For those who experience the loss of a loved one, cleaning out their estate may be painful. The Stitchers can help make sad times become lovely memories as they take fabric chosen with care, and create colorful quilts with a new purpose.
Contact Jane Knoop at 319-478-8156 or
janekoop13@gmail.com to make
arrangements.

“By Our Love…”
2026-04-26 09:00 - 10:00 | Sunday Service at Ripley UCC, 400 South Main Street, Traer, IA, 50675
April 26, 2026 Bulletin.docx

Ripley Church Meetings:

Board of Deacons: Sunday May 11th @ 10:00 am – Office
Board of Trustees: Thursday – May 21st @ 5:30 pm – Office
Mission Committee: Wednesday – May 13th @ 7:00 pm – Office

Ripley Mission/Church/Community Involvement:

Quilting: Thur. April 23rd @ 9:00 am

Saturday Soul Stitching – Saturday May 9th @ 9:00 am

Noisy Offering – April 26th Alive and Running – Sucide Prevention

Lenten Project 2026

Maternal Health – Tama County

We will conclude our collections at the end of April

Pastor Jim’s “Ecclesiastical Council” @ Iowa UCC Conference Meeting:

Today – Meeting Starts at 2:30, Ecclesiastical Council approx 3:45

Pastor Jim will speak before attendees. During this meeting, delegates will vote on his status as a pastor and whether he should proceed toward ordination.
A “cheering section” of supporters from Ripley has being organized to attend and show encouragement, with some willing to speak on his behalf. If you are still interested in joining the cheering section, just speak up, there’s still room. If you are unable to attend in person you can join virtually. Find the flyer with those zoom link details in the rear of the church.

Join us downstairs for a Hearty Brunch Fellowship today
Leave Ripley approximately 12:00 noon – travel to Urbandale UCC Church

Carpooling sign up in the kitchen

Attend Conference Meeting and Cheer Jim on
Stop somewhere for Supper on the way home (Dutch Treat)

Summer Dates to Note:

RUCC Volunteer @ Tama County Fair – Tue. July 14th – 10:00 am – to 3:00 pm
VBS Hosted @ Ripley – Aug. 3rd – 6th
Winding Stairs Festival – Aug. 7th, 8th, 9th

Pastor Jim’s "Ecclesiastical Council" @ Iowa UCC Conference Meeting:
2026-04-26 12:00 - 18:30 | Urbandale United Church of Christ, 3530 70th STreet, Urbandale, IA, 50322
Sunday April 26th – Meeting Starts at 2:30, Ecclesiastical Council approx 3:45
Plans are underway for the upcoming conference meeting where Pastor Jim will speak before attendees. As most of you know, Pastor Jim serves our church as a “Lay Minister,” which is a temporary status. For the past couple years, Ihe has been working with a group of Ripley congregants to complete the steps to becoming fully ordained, so that he can continue to serve Ripley UCC.
Sunday, April 26, Pastor Jim will go before an “Ecclesiastical Council” made up of delegates from all the UCC churches in the Central Iowa Association. This is part of the Association’s Annual meeting. The results of the Council will determine his status as a pastor. The meeting starts at 2:30 pm. His part will likely start around 3:45, and go for an hour. During this meeting, delegates will vote on his status as a pastor and whether he should proceed toward ordination.
From Pastor Jim: “Beyond the need for recommendation, I have never felt more a part of a church than I do Ripley. I feel like we are one body, working together to “serve God by serving others.” Full ordination is a big step in the life of a pastor, and it would feel more “right” to have the church there (in person or online) with me.”

A “cheering section” of supporters from Ripley is being organized to attend and show encouragement, with some willing to speak on his behalf. If you are interested in joining the cheering section, please sign up in the kitchen so that car pooling can be arranged. If you are unable to attend in person you can join virtually. Find the flyer with those zoom link below.
Details:

Hearty Brunch Fellowship at Ripley
Leave Ripley approximately 12:00 noon – travel to Urbandale UCC Church

Carpooling sign up in the kitchen

Attend Conference Meeting and Cheer Jim on
Stop somewhere for Supper on the way home (Dutch Treat)

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89152410736?pwd+vtapSEpzLcXVOulaq3KotRbT3Zkobz.1

“Living Stones”
2026-05-03 09:00 - 10:00 | Sunday Service at Ripley UCC, 400 South Main Street, Traer, IA, 50675
May 03 2026 Bulletin with communion
Ripley Church Meetings:

Board of Deacons: Sunday, May 11th @ 10:00 am – Office
Board of Trustees: Thursday, May 21st @ 5:30 pm – Office
Mission Committee: Wednesday, May 13th @ 7:00 pm – Office

Ripley Mission/Church/Community Involvement:

Quilting: Thursday, May 7th @ 9:00 am

Saturday Soul Stitching – Saturday May 9th @ 9:00 am

Noisy Offering – May 31st – Alive and Running (suicide prevention)

Lenten Project 2026
Thank you to all who donated to Maternal Health – Tama County. Your contributions will make a real difference in the lives of the mothers and children this organization serves.

Report on Ecclesiastical Council
Last Sunday, 16 members of the Ripley family travelled to Urbandale to support Pastor Jim in his “Ecclesiastical Council,” or examination by delegates from all over the Central Association of the Iowa Conference of the UCC. The Council unanimously voted for Jim to move forward on his path to full ordination as a Minister of Word and Sacrament. We now begin the process of formally discerning a longer-term call for Jim, as his desire is to remain with us at Ripley for a very long time to come.

Summer Dates to Note:

RUCC Volunteer @ Tama County Fair – Tue. July 14th – 10:00 am – to 3:00 pm
VBS Hosted @ Ripley – Aug. 3rd – 6th
Winding Stairs Festival – Aug. 7th, 8th, 9th

Soul Stitching - Ripley Stitchers
2026-05-09 09:00 - 14:00 | Ripley UCC Fellowship Hall, 400 South Main Street, Traer, IA, 50675
Ripley Quilters handout
In 2006, women from the Ripley United Church of Christ came together to construct quilts for charities and programs serving individuals in need of support in Traer and the surrounding communities. Meeting once a week – they have met many
challenges, but the one thing that remains after 20 years, is their desire to stay strong in their mission to provide warmth to
those in need through patchwork. Today, the group meets most Thursdays in Fellowship Hall at the church gathering at 9:00am. Fellowship over a sack lunch is also a highlight of their day. Women and men gather
together with no experience necessary, for a variety of quilting tasks including: cutting, piecing and sewing material; layering tops, batting and backing; tying knots; sorting and folding for delivery. They share many stories while plans are made, and the mission continues.

In 2023, Soul Stitching Saturday was introduced. When it was noted that those who work could not attend, it was determined that one Saturday a month would be designated as Soul Stitching Saturday. The nucleus of those who Soul Stitch also stitch on Thursdays. Friends and family members drop in to help tie and to learn more about the mission.
Open to all, Soul Stitching provides the feeling of the good ‘ole fashioned quilting bees. Fellowship is enjoyed over potluck lunches and sometimes special occasions are celebrated as well!
Over 300 quilts are constructed a year and given to those in need. Baby quilts – twin and double sizes. The group also makes burp clothes, dog beds and wheel chair caddies. They do their best to use all supplies donated and are always thankful for those who think of them and their mission.
Mission charities and programs that have benefited from the quilts made by the Ripley stitchers include:

Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Ames Chapter • Marshalltown Veterans Home *Tama County Maternal Health and Wellness • Christian Hands Across Traer, better known as C.H.A.T. • Cedar Valley Hospice • Americans for Independent Living • Salvation Army • and many more!

Donations: The Ripley Stitchers Makers of Quilts, could not continue without the support of the community. For those needing to downsize or simply re-evaluate their sewing supplies, the group is grateful for any financial or material donations. For those who experience the loss of a loved one, cleaning out their estate may be painful. The Stitchers can help make sad times become lovely memories as they take fabric chosen with care, and create colorful quilts with a new purpose.Contact Jane Knoop at 319-478-8156 or
janekoop13@gmail.com to make
arrangements.

As long as there are cars parked at this entrance – we are all still stitching! Please feel free to pop in and see what we are up to!
Join those who stitch. Enter at the North Door

Mission Committee Meets
2026-05-13 19:00 - 20:30 | Ripley South Office, 400 South Main Street, Traer, IA, 50675
