Marine United Church of Christ

06/04/2026

An Update from Our Church Council:

Dear Members and Friends of the Congregation,

As many of you know, Pastor Phil Kershner retired on May 3 after nearly 25 years of faithful and dedicated service to our church. We are deeply grateful for his leadership, compassion, and commitment to our congregation throughout the years. We believe Pastor Phil has been the longest-serving minister in the history of our church, and we thank God for the many ways he has touched our lives and strengthened our faith community.

Since Pastor Phil’s retirement, the Search Committee has begun the important work of seeking our next minister. The committee consists of Jim Baer, Sherry Chase, Noah Haukap, Kay Grotefendt, Carla Micheletto, and Jim Radcliffe. They are actively reviewing minister profiles and working closely with the Illinois South Conference throughout this process.

At this time, there have not yet been any suitable matches. The Illinois South Conference has advised us that the search process can often take a year or longer, and there are six other churches also searching for a minister. While this may feel like a lengthy journey, we remain prayerful and confident that God is guiding us toward the right person to lead our congregation in the future.

In the meantime, we have been blessed with weekly pastors and lay speakers who are providing meaningful sermons and spiritual leadership each week. We appreciate their willingness to serve and the excellent job they are doing in helping our congregation remain strong and connected during this transition period.

During this time of transition, the church also needs your continued prayers, attendance, volunteer efforts, and financial support to keep our ministries active and our doors open. Your faithfulness and generosity are essential as we continue the mission of our church and prepare for the next chapter in our congregation’s life.

We ask for your continued prayers, patience, and support for the Search Committee and for all those who are helping lead worship each week. Most importantly, let us continue to trust in God’s timing and guidance as we move forward together in faith.

Sincerely,
Dave Grotefendt
Council President

06/02/2026

☀️ Summer Lunch Program Reminder! 🍎🥪

School may be out, but free lunches are still available for all residents of the Triad School District through the Summer Lunch Program!

📅 Monday–Friday
⏰ Pick-up: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

📍 Pick-Up Locations
• Troy: Meadow Drive Park & Tri-Township Library
• St. Jacob: Pavilion at St. Jacob Elementary
• Marine: Marine United Church of Christ

This program is open to all Triad area residents and is provided through the partnership of local churches in Troy, St. Jacob, and Marine. Lunches are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

Please help spread the word so families in our community can take advantage of this wonderful resource throughout the summer!

04/29/2026

Phil’s retirement once felt so far away, but the day is almost here. After 25 years of faithful ministry to our church, his final service will be this Sunday, May 3.

We invite you to join us for this special service and a retirement potluck as we celebrate and give thanks for all he has meant to our church family. We hope to see many of you there!

04/22/2026

Put your knowledge to the test and join us for a fun night out at Trivia Night! Marine United Church of Christ

📅 April 25
⏰ 7 PM (doors open at 6:30 PM)
📍 111 North Center St., Marine, IL

Gather your team (up to 8 per table) and compete for prizes while supporting a great cause. All proceeds benefit Hoyleton Youth & Family Services and their mission to strengthen communities and support children, youth, and families.

$15 per person
To register, call 618-887-4465

Bring your friends, your best trivia skills, and get ready for a great night!

04/09/2026

Join us as we celebrate Pastor Phil and his 25 years of faithful service! 🎉

We’re so grateful for his dedication, leadership, and the impact he’s made in our church and community. Come be part of this special retirement celebration as we honor his years of ministry and wish him all the best in this next chapter.

We’d love to see you there!

04/04/2026

04/01/2026

Join us for our Children’s Easter Egg Hunt!

03/25/2026

🧠🎉 Trivia Night is Back! 🎉🧠

Join us for a fun-filled evening at Marine UCC Trivia Night!

📅 April 25
⏰ 7:00 PM (Doors open at 6:30 PM)
📍 111 North Center St., Marine, IL

💲 $15 per person👥 Up to 8 people per table🏆 Prizes for 1st and 2nd place teams

Gather your friends, family, or coworkers and put your knowledge to the test! It’s a great night of laughs, friendly competition, and community fun.

📞 To register, call 618-887-4465(If calling after hours, please leave your name and number of attendees.)

❤️ All proceeds benefit Hoyleton Youth and Family Services, supporting their mission to strengthen communities and help individuals thrive.

Invite your team and save your spot!

03/17/2026

📅 Save the Date!

Join us on May 3, 2026 as we celebrate Pastor Phil’s retirement during our 10:10 service, followed by a special potluck gathering.

We look forward to honoring his years of faithful service and sharing this meaningful day together as a church family.

More details and the official invitation will follow soon!

02/22/2026

🎉 Congratulations to our first and second place Puzzle Mania winners! 🏆 A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for this fun event. Keep an eye out for next year’s date—we can’t wait to see you there! 🧩