Community​ ​Church​ ​of​ ​Boulder​ ​Junction
PO​ ​Box​ ​14, Boulder​ ​Junction,​ ​WI​ ​54512
715-385-2146 www.commchbj.org

Church in Winter

The​ ​Community​ ​Church​ ​of​ ​Boulder Junction​ ​has,​ ​from​ ​its​ ​inception,​ ​served the​ ​entire​ Boulder Junction ​community and surrounding area.​ ​The​ ​need​ ​for​ ​a place​ ​to​ ​worship​ ​and​ ​to​ ​teach​​ ​children the​ ​way​ ​of​ ​Jesus​ ​Christ​ ​inspired​ ​a dedicated​ ​group​ ​of​ ​Christians​ ​to​ ​begin this​ ​work.​ ​We​ ​are​ ​defined​ ​in​ ​our constitution​ ​as​ ​a​ ​non-denominational congregation. We are associate members of the Evangelical Covenant Church.

We​ ​acknowledge​ ​the​ ​Bible​ ​as​ ​the​ ​inspired word​ ​of​ ​God​ ​and​ ​the​ ​only​ ​perfect​ ​guide for​ ​our​ ​faith​ ​and​ ​conduct.​ ​The​ ​Sacrament of​ ​Holy​ ​Communion​ ​is​ ​open​ ​to​ ​all​ ​who confess​ ​Jesus​ ​Christ​ ​as​ ​Lord​ ​and​ ​Savior and ​is​ ​usually​ ​observed​ ​on​ ​the​ ​first​ ​Sunday​ ​of​ ​each​ ​month.

Our​ ​Mission:​​ ​​We​ ​are​ ​a​ ​Christian​ ​community​ ​of​ ​worship,​ ​welcoming​ ​and​ ​accepting​ ​all who​ ​seek​ ​to​ ​live​ ​in​ ​loving​ ​relationship​ ​with​ ​God​ ​and​ ​God’s​ ​creation,​ ​accepting​ ​all God’s​ ​children​ ​and​ ​guiding​ ​all​ ​on​ ​their​ ​spiritual​ ​journey​ ​through​ ​study,​ ​reflection, fellowship,​ ​and​ ​service​ ​to​ ​our​ ​neighbors​ ​at​ ​home​ ​and​ ​around​ ​the​ ​world.

Our​ ​History:​​ ​​The​ ​Community​ ​Church​ ​of​ ​Boulder​ ​Junction​ ​was​ ​founded​ ​in​ ​1928. In​ ​the​ ​early​ ​years,​ ​in addition to​ ​Sunday​ ​School​ ​classes,​ ​worship​ ​services​ ​were held​ ​once​ ​a​ ​month,​ ​or​ ​more​ ​often,​ ​as​ ​visiting​ ​ministers​ ​were available.​ ​Our original​ ​building​ ​was​ ​dedicated​ ​in​ ​1942.​ ​A​ ​parsonage​ ​was​ ​built​ ​in​ ​1947.​ ​As​ ​the​ ​need arose,​ ​additions​ ​and​ ​renovations were carried out:​​ ​in​ ​1951​ ​-​ ​Fellowship​ ​Hall,​ ​1965​ ​-​ ​offices​ ​and classrooms,​ ​1970s​ ​-​ ​parsonage​ &​ ​church​ ​kitchen,​ ​1986​ ​-​ ​sanctuary​ ​renovation, 2000​ ​-​ ​new​ ​parsonage,​ ​and​ ​2017​ ​-​ ​sanctuary​ ​renovation​ ​&​ ​office/meeting​ ​room addition.

We​ ​have had​ ​many​ ​pastors​ ​in​ ​our​ ​early​ ​years,​ ​part-timers​ ​at​ ​first,​ ​then​ ​full-time ministers​ ​as​ ​we​ ​grew.​ ​We were blessed to have two pastors who served over 20 years each. In contrast, between 2017 and 2021, four pastors, including three interims, served our church.

A​ ​more​ ​detailed​ ​version​ ​of​ ​our​ ​history​ ​can​ ​be​ ​found​ ​on​ ​our​ ​website,​ ​​www.commchbj.org.

Our​ ​Worship​ ​Style:​ ​​With​ ​members​ ​of​ ​many​ ​Christian​ ​backgrounds​ ​we​ ​affirm​ ​the Apostles and Nicene ​Creeds.​ ​We​ ​worship​ ​in​ ​a​ ​mostly​ ​traditional​ ​style.​ ​ We​ hope ​our choir​, which has not been together during the pandemic, ​will begin singing in the coming months.​ ​Many people​ ​in​ ​our congregation​ ​share​ ​their​ ​musical gifts​ ​in worship.​ ​We​ also hope our​ ​dedicated​ ​bell​ ​choir​ ​will also return to offering music in worship.​ ​

Congregational​ ​Life:​ ​​Our​ ​congregation,​ ​much​ ​like​ ​the​ ​population​ ​of​ ​the surrounding​ ​area,​ ​is​ ​not​ ​ethnically​ ​diverse.​ ​Our​ ​diversity​ ​comes​ ​from​ ​our​ ​many theological​ ​backgrounds,​ ​with​ ​members​ ​who​ ​grew​ ​up​ ​in​​ ​congregations​ ​of​ ​many different​ ​denominations (many from Evangelical Covenant Church, Lutheran, and Catholic traditions).​ ​Our​ ​congregation includes some children and adults of all ages,​ ​but​ ​most​ ​of​ ​us​ ​are retired,​​ ​reflecting​ ​the​​ population of the region​.​ ​We​ ​are​ people​ ​from​ ​many different​ ​walks​ ​of​ ​life​ ​and​ ​income​ ​levels.

Attendance​ ​at​ Sunday morning ​worship​ ​services ​at​ ​9:30​ ​varies​ ​with​ ​the seasons.​ ​Many​ ​area​ ​residents​ ​go​ ​south​ ​for​ ​the​ ​winter,​ ​so​ ​summer attendance numbers are​ ​higher​.​ Coming out the COVID-19 pandemic this spring, attendance has been between 40 and 60 people.​ ​Winter attendance​ ​is​ ​almost​ ​entirely​ ​members,​ ​with​ ​a​ ​few​ ​guests ​attending​ ​when they’re​ ​in​ ​the​ ​area​ ​enjoying​ ​our​ ​“Christmas​ ​card”​ ​scenery.​ ​Visitors​ ​to​ ​the​ ​area​ ​make up​ ​a​ ​larger​ ​percentage​ ​of​ ​those​ in worship​ ​during​ ​the​ ​summer​ ​tourist​ ​season.​ ​After​ ​the​ ​worship​ ​service,​ ​we enjoy fellowship together while enjoying coffee, goodies, and conversation.

Boulder Junction is​ ​a​ ​rural​ ​Northwoods town. Community Church ​members​ ​reside​ ​in​ ​a geographically​ ​large​ ​area.​ ​Most​ ​live​ ​in​ ​Boulder​ ​Junction,​ ​but​ ​many​ ​live​ ​in the​ ​surrounding​ ​communities ​within​ ​a​ ​25​ ​mile​ ​radius.​

Prior to the pandemic, we had a vibrant youth program at our church. Along with strong leadership to the program, we also benefited from a school busing system that allowed area children to be dropped off in front of the church on Wednesday afternoons after school. This facilitated many children participating in our youth programs.

​Some​ ​adult​ ​groups​ ​have typically met weekly -​ ​​​Sunday​ ​after​ ​worship,​ ​Monday evening,​ ​and​ ​Tuesday,​ ​Wednesday,​ ​and​ ​Thursday​ ​mornings.​ ​Each​ ​group has a​ ​special​ ​character​ ​all​ ​its​ ​own.​

Recent Transition Time: Near the end of 2019 the church began to be divided over a number of issues and this was exacerbated by Covid-19 as communication became more difficult.  This ultimately resulted in the Pastor announcing his resignation effective October 30, 2020.

From December 2020 through August 2021, a strategic interim pastor was hired. At his invitation, a Transition Team was formed to provide guidance to the congregation through the interim time. The Transition Team was an invaluable resource of support and encouragement. Highlights from the transition at this point have been:

  • Household Interviews with the pastor, which included 83 people and led to a summary report shared with the congregation in February 2021.
  • Conversation Groups, which involved about 60 people, in March, April, and May. Group conversations focused on helping build relationship connections and foster empathetic listening. We discussed our shared beliefs, values, and how to disagree without division.

In our conflict magnified by pandemic restrictions, we have experienced brokenness in our relationships and ache in our hearts. We have begun to experience healing, hope, and movement forward. While we expect to continue to heal and learn from this difficult season, we trust God’s Spirit to guide us into a hopeful future.

Our Challenges and Opportunities:​​ ​As we move past conflicts and emerge from this season of pandemic, we still face some challenges. The number of people in worship attendance dropped dramatically in the past 18 months (beginning in the winter of 2020). The attendance of our younger families with children seems the most noticeable loss. Along with fewer people participating, financial giving has also gone down significantly.

We are in a place for many new opportunities as we come back together from the pandemic. We do not expect to return to distant-past “glory days,” but desire to grow together as a Christian community. We are enjoying returning to more social interaction and fellowship, and believe God is calling us to lean into deeper interpersonal relationships. This is also a time for us to recognize the richness of God’s abundant gifts in the people and resources of our congregation. While our diverse church backgrounds highlight differences among us, this diversity is among our strongest attributes as a congregation.

Pastoral​ ​Roles,​ ​Responsibilities,​ ​Relationships​ ​and​ ​Needs:​​ ​The​ ​pastor​ ​is​ ​the spiritual​ ​leader​ ​of​ ​the​ ​church​. The Pastor has an administrative relationship with the Pastoral Relations Committee, as they will provide confidential feedback on his/her performance as a pastor. The Pastor has a spiritually and personal care focused relationship with the Department of Elders, with whom the Pastor can share personal and confidential requests for support and prayer. The pastor is a part of all​ ​facets​ ​of​ ​the​ ​church (congregation,​ ​departments,​ ​committees​).​​ ​The​ ​pastor​ ​will​ ​equip the congregation for its purpose​ ​to​ ​bring​ ​honor​ ​to​ ​God​ ​and​ ​to​ ​build​ ​up​ ​the​ ​body​ ​of​ ​Christ.

Our Structure:​ Our constitution​ and bylaws​ ​designate​ ​the congregational​ ​meeting​ ​as​ ​the​ ​final​ ​authority. The Church​ ​Council ​is responsible​ ​for​ ​“general​ ​administration,” ​ ​and​ ​meets​ ​monthly.​ ​Membership​ ​on​ ​the​ ​council​ ​is​ ​made​ ​up​ ​of​ ​four officers (Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer) and​ ​all the​ ​members​ ​of​ ​the​ ​seven​ ​departments.

​​​​Department​ ​members​ ​and the Council Secretary and Treasurer are​ ​elected​ ​at the​ ​Annual​ ​Meeting;​ ​committee​ ​members​ ​are​ ​nominated​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Church​ ​Council Chair ​and​ ​voted​ ​on​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Church​ ​Council.​ The​​ ​Council​ ​Chair​ and Vice Chair are​ ​elected​ ​by​ ​the​ ​members​ ​of​ ​the​ ​council. Each​ ​department​ ​elects​ ​its​ ​own chair.​

Our Departments:

  • Elders,​ ​who​ ​share​ ​the​ ​responsibilities​ ​of​ ​meeting​ ​the​ ​spiritual​ ​needs​ ​of​ ​members​ ​with​ ​the pastor and supervise the pastor.
  • Worship​ ​&​ ​Music,​ ​who​ ​assist​ ​the​ ​pastor​ ​in​ ​implementing​ ​worship​ ​services and supervise the Music Director and Organist.
  • Missions,​ ​who​ ​express​ ​the​ ​congregation’s​ ​love​ ​for​ ​God​ ​and​ ​his​ ​creation​ ​through​ ​giving.
  • Stewardship of Finances,​ ​who​ ​are​ ​responsible​ ​for​ ​financial​ ​planning​ ​and​ ​reporting and supervise the Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer.
  • Christian​ ​Education,​ ​who​ ​take​ ​responsibility​ ​for​ ​providing​ ​instruction​ ​to​ ​children​ ​and Adults and supervise the CE Coordinator and Youth Director.
  • Church​ ​Property,​ ​who​ ​arrange​ ​for​ ​caring​ ​and​ ​maintenance​ ​of​ ​church​ ​building​ ​and grounds​ ​and​ ​parsonage and supervise the Interior Custodian and Custodian of Buildings and Grounds.
  • Personnel,​ ​who​ ​establish​ ​and​ ​maintain​ ​policies​ ​&​ ​procedures​ ​for​ ​all​ ​paid​ ​employees and supervise the Office Manager.

​ Committees​ ​are​ ​appointed​ ​by​ ​the​ Council Chair and approved by the ​Council​ ​and​ ​include:

  • Nominating,​ ​who​ ​arrange​ ​for​ ​candidates​ ​for​ ​department​ ​elections​ ​in​ ​preparation​ ​of​ ​a ballot​ ​for​ ​the​ ​annual​ ​meeting.
  • Pastoral​ ​Relations,​ ​who​ ​promote​ ​effective​ ​working​ ​relations​ ​between​ ​the​ ​pastor​ ​and​ ​the church.
  • Fellowship,​ ​who​ coordinate​ ​the​ ​Coffee​ ​Hour​ ​following​ ​the​ ​Sunday​ ​service.
  • Banner,​ ​who​ ​are​ ​responsible​ ​for​ ​designing​ ​new​ ​banners​ ​for​ ​the​ ​sanctuary.
  • Beautification,​ ​who​ ​enhance​ ​the​ ​appearance​ ​of​ ​indoor​ ​and​ ​outdoor​ ​space.
  • Library,​ ​who​ ​keep​ ​our​ ​collection​ ​of​ ​books​ ​and​ ​videos​ ​up​ ​to​ ​date​ ​and​ ​supervises checkout.
  • Memorial,​ ​who​ ​track​ ​donations​ ​and​ ​expenses​ ​related​ ​to​ ​memorials​ ​in​ ​the​ ​name​ ​of​ ​a loved​ ​one.
  • W.C.C.,​ ​the​ ​Women​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Community​ ​Church,​ ​who​ ​have​ ​several​ ​interest​ ​groups​ ​who meet​ ​on​ ​their​ ​own​ ​schedules.​ ​They​ ​also​ ​manage​ ​the​ ​biggest​ ​fundraising​ ​event​ ​of​ ​the year,​ the ​Strawberry​ ​Social.
  • Website,​ ​who​ ​manage​ ​the​ ​church’s​ ​website.
  • Newsletter, who manage the monthly church newsletter.
  • Endowment, who manage the church endowment fund.
  • Constitution & Bylaws, who explore ways to improve our governance structure.
  • Pastoral Search, who is currently searching for a new pastor.

Church Staff:​ The​ ​following​ ​staff​ ​members​ ​are​ ​paid employees​ ​of​ ​the​ ​church and are supervised by one of the church departments.​ ​Each​ ​staff​ ​member​ ​must​ ​be​ ​of​ ​good​ ​character​ ​and​ ​have​ ​a​ ​genuine love​ ​for​ ​God​ ​and​ ​His​ ​Church.

The​ ​Pastor,​ ​called​ ​at​ ​a​ ​congregational​ ​annual or special​ ​meeting,​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​duly​ ​ordained​ ​or​ ​licensed​ ​by​ ​a recognized​ ​Christian​ body or ​denomination​ ​with​ ​a​ ​Master​ ​of​ ​Divinity​ ​or​ ​equivalent​ ​degree.

The​ ​​Treasurer​ ​​handles​ ​the​ ​financial​ ​matters​ ​of​ ​the​ ​church,​ ​developing​ ​an​ ​annual​ ​budget​ ​in coordination​ ​with​ ​the​ ​Stewardship​ ​Department.​ ​He/she​ ​is​ ​charged​ ​with​ ​maintaining​ ​accurate records​ ​regarding​ ​all​ ​income​ ​and​ ​expenses​ ​throughout​ ​the​ ​year,​ ​and​ ​reporting​ ​monthly​ ​to​ ​the Church​ ​Council.

The​ ​​Office​ ​Manager​​ ​manages​ ​the​ ​Church​ ​Office​ ​and​ ​performs​ ​the​ ​various​ ​administrative support​ ​functions​ ​for​ ​the​ ​pastor, council, ​and​ ​departments​ ​as​ ​needed.​ ​The​ ​pastor​ ​is​ ​given​ ​first​ ​priority when​ ​scheduling​ ​work​ ​tasks.​ ​

The​ ​​Organist​ ​​prepares​ ​and​ ​provides​ ​organ​ ​and​ ​piano​ ​music​ ​for​ ​the​ ​worship​ ​service​ ​each Sunday​ ​morning​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​other​ ​special​ ​services​ ​as​ ​determined​ ​by​ ​the​ ​pastor​ ​and​ the​ ​Department​ ​of​ ​Worship​ ​&​ ​Music .

The​ ​​Music​ ​Director​ ​​selects​ ​the​ ​music​ ​and​ ​directs​ ​the​ ​adult​ ​choir​ ​at​ ​rehearsals​ ​for​ ​presentation on​ ​the​ ​first​ ​and​ ​third​ ​Sundays​ ​of​ ​each​ ​month​ ​throughout​ ​the​ ​year​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​special​ ​services​ ​as determined​ ​by​ ​the​ ​pastor​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Department​ ​of​ ​Worship​ ​&​ ​Music.​

The ​​Custodians​ provide​ ​a​ ​neat/clean​ ​and​ ​a​ ​well-groomed​ ​facility​ ​for​ ​Sunday​ ​and​ ​weekday​ ​activities.

The​ ​​Christian​ ​Education​ ​Coordinator​​ ​&​ ​​Youth​ ​Director​​ ​provide​ ​leadership​ ​for​ ​the educational​ ​activities​ ​and​ ​programs​ ​of​ ​the​ ​church.​ ​The​ ​primary​ ​focus​ ​is​ ​on​ ​the​ ​youth.​ ​These positions are not currently filled.

Participation and Membership:​ ​​ Membership​ ​is​ ​granted​ ​to​ ​those​ ​“having​ ​faith​ ​in​ ​Jesus​ ​Christ,​ ​as​ ​his​ ​or her​ ​personal​ ​Savior,​ ​having​ ​been​ ​baptized​ ​according​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Bible,​ ​and​ ​having resolved​ ​to​ ​live​ ​a​ ​life​ ​consistent​ ​with​ ​that​ ​faith.” Members can join ​by confession​ ​of​ ​faith,​ ​reaffirmation,​ ​or​ ​transfer.

Some​ who regularly participate in Community Church worship and activities​ ​are not​ ​members.​ ​We​ ​welcome​ ​them​ ​and​ ​appreciate their​ ​commitment​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Lord.​ ​Others​ ​are​ ​seasonal​ ​residents​ ​who​ ​have​ ​membership​ ​in​ ​a church​ ​in​ ​a​ ​different​ ​location and​ ​Associate​ ​Membership​ ​is​ ​available​ ​to​ ​them.​ Associate members can vote at the annual meeting and can serve as members of departments and committees.

Our​ ​Ministries:​ ​​Many​ ​places​ ​in​ ​scripture​ ​tell​ ​us​ ​that​ ​we​ ​need​ ​to​ ​be​ ​doing​ ​God’s​ ​work​ ​in​ ​our community.​ ​His​ ​work​ ​can​ ​take​ ​shape​ ​in​ ​many​ ​different​ ​ways.​ ​We ​see​ ​God​ ​working through​ ​our church​ ​in​ ​the​ ​following​ ​ministries:

The​ ​Community​ ​Food​ ​Pantry​, with its own independent governing body and run by community volunteers, ​is​ ​located​ ​at​ ​the​ ​south​ ​end​ ​of​ ​our​ ​campus​ ​and serves​ ​our​ ​neighbors​ ​in​ ​need​ ​across​ ​western​ ​Vilas​ ​County.​ ​​​Food​ ​is​ ​distributed​ ​each Thursday.​ Many church members are involved with this ministry.​ ​
W.C.C. (Women​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Community​ ​Church)​ ​is​ ​an​ ​umbrella​ ​group​ ​that​ ​encompasses several​ ​interest​ ​and​ ​service​ ​groups.
The​ ​Strawberry​ ​Social​ ​is​ ​the​ ​only​ ​fundraiser​ ​of​ ​the​ ​year.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​a​ ​huge​ ​event​ ​that involves​ ​the​ ​whole​ ​community.​ ​We​ ​raise​ ​several​ ​thousand​ ​dollars​ ​in​ ​this​ ​one-day event.​ ​The​ ​money​ ​raised ​help​ ​provide​ ​scholarships​ ​to​ ​our​ ​members​ ​and​ ​their children​ ​and​ ​help​ ​our​ ​youth​ ​with​ ​funding​ ​for​ ​their​ ​camping​ ​experience.​ ​We​ ​also designate​ ​some​ ​funds​ ​to​ ​other​ ​missions. (Due to the pandemic, the Strawberry Social was not held in 2020 or 2021).
Knitting​ ​Group:​We​ ​gather​ ​the​ ​second​ ​Tuesday​ ​of each month to​ ​work​ ​on​ ​caps,​ ​scarves, slippers,​ ​mittens,​ ​and​ ​anything​ ​else​ ​that​ ​people​ ​might​ ​need.​ ​Items​ ​are​ ​collected and​ ​delivered​ ​to​ ​locations​ ​for​ ​distribution.
Blankets​ ​for​ ​At-Risk​ ​Babies​ ​&​ ​Lap​ ​Robes:​ ​We​ ​make​ ​and​ ​collect​ ​these​ ​items​ ​to take​ ​to​ ​hospitals.
Funeral​ ​Luncheons:​ ​We​ ​provide​ ​food​ ​for​ ​fellowship​ ​following​ ​funerals.
Kitchen​ ​Cleaning:​ ​We​ ​have​ ​a​ ​schedule​ ​for​ ​monthly​ ​cleaning​ ​of​ ​the​ ​kitchen.
Support is also provided to the Tri-County​ ​Council​ ​on​ ​Domestic​ ​Violence​ ​and​ ​Sexual​ ​Assault, Frederick​ ​Place (​a​ ​homeless​ ​shelter) and World​ ​Vision.
Caring​ ​Ministries,​ ​under​ ​the​ ​administration​ ​of​ ​the​ Department of ​Elders,​ ​gathers​ ​volunteers​ ​to​ ​respond to​ ​the​ ​needs​ ​of​ ​our​ ​church​ ​family​ ​and​ ​community.​ ​Requests​ ​for​ ​services​ ​are​ ​relayed​ ​to volunteers​ ​through​ ​the​ ​church​ ​office​ ​or​ ​pastor.​ ​They​ ​provide​ ​services​ ​such​ ​as:

  • visiting​ ​and​ ​delivering​ ​flowers​ ​to​ ​shut ins.
  • writing​ ​notes​ ​of​ ​encouragement.
  • medical​ ​transportation.

The​ ​Missions​ ​Department​ ​is​ ​allocated​ ​15%​ ​of​ ​the​ ​previous​ ​year’s​ ​general offerings​ ​to​ ​financially fund​ ​causes​ ​and​ ​organizations​ ​locally​ ​and​ ​around​ ​the​ ​world.
W.O.W. (Wednesday on the Way) is our youth program, provided by the Christian Education staff with volunteer support. Boys to Christian men is a youth ministry developed to meet the needs of middle school aged boys within the congregation and as an outreach to the community, combining character lessons with interest activities (woodworking, photography). SOUL (Sounds of Unending Love) was the youth group for sixth grade and up, who met for Bible study, provided special music, and participated in monthly services from 2020 to early 2021.
Confirmation​ ​instruction​ ​is​ ​provided​ ​for​ ​seventh​ ​and​ ​eighth​ ​graders​ ​taught​ ​by​ ​a​ ​blend​ ​of pastor​ ​and​ ​lay​ ​teachers.​ ​Confirmation​ ​has traditionally been done​ ​on​ ​Mother’s Day.
Partial​ ​funding​ ​of​ ​summer​ ​​camp​ ​for​ ​community​ ​youth​ ​is​ ​an​ ​important​ ​part​ ​of​ ​our​ ​youth ministry.​ ​There is funding for both secular and non-secular camp experiences.
Bible​ ​studies​ ​are​ ​an​ ​important​ ​part​ ​of​ ​our​ ​ministry.​ ​Sunday​ ​morning,​ ​Monday​ ​night, Tuesday, Wednesday​ ​and​ ​Thursday​ ​mornings​ ​are​ ​the​ ​times​ ​of​ ​our​ ​regularly​ ​scheduled​ ​classes. (The​ ​Monday night and Thursday morning study groups have not met during the pandemic).

Our​ ​Facilities:​ ​​The​ ​campus​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Community​ ​Church​ ​of​ ​Boulder​ ​Junction​ ​includes​ ​the​ ​Main building, the​ Annex building,​​ ​the​ building which houses the ​Community​ ​Food​ ​Pantry, and a storage building.​ ​The​ ​campus covers​ ​2.5​ ​acres and ​is​ ​located​ ​within​ ​the​ ​Town​ ​of​ ​Boulder​ ​Junction.

In the Main building, the​ ​sanctuary​ ​seats​ ​180​ ​people​ ​and​ ​was​ ​renovated​ ​in 2016.​ ​The​ ​renovation included​ ​updating​ ​the​ ​sanctuary​ ​to​ ​a​ ​more​ ​contemporary​ ​feel​ ​with​ ​flexible​ ​seating,​ ​adding​ ​a​ ​conference​ ​room​ ​and​ ​two​ ​offices​ ​for​ ​the​ ​youth​ ​and​ ​music​ ​directors.​ ​The Main​ ​building​ ​also includes a​ ​library/meeting​ ​room,​ ​pastor​ ​and​ ​office manager​ ​offices,​ ​nursery,​ ​fellowship​ ​hall,​ ​and kitchen.

The Annex building was the​ ​original​ ​parsonage and​ ​is​ ​located​ ​adjacent​ ​to​ ​the​ ​main building​. It ​is​ ​currently​ ​vacant.​ ​The​ ​future​ ​of​ ​this​ ​building​ ​is​ ​under​ ​review.

The​ Community ​Food​ ​Pantry​ ​building is​​ ​at the south end of the parking lot ​​and​ ​assists people in​ ​the​ ​western​ ​half​ ​of​ ​Vilas​ ​County​. The ministry is​ ​managed​ ​by​ ​community​ ​volunteers​ ​(including many​ ​church​ ​members).​ ​A​ ​free​ ​clothing​ ​section​ ​is​ ​also located in the building.​ ​The​ ​clothing ministry​ ​is​ ​managed​ ​by​ women of the church.

The​ ​current ​Parsonage​ ​is​ ​a​ ​large​ ​4​ ​bedroom​ ​home​ ​located​ ​on​ ​Airport​ ​Road​ ​in​ ​Boulder Junction.​ ​This​ ​home​​ ​was​ ​built​ ​in 2000 by​ a ​local contractor and was financed by the​ ​congregation.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​a​ ​very​ ​nice home​ ​situated​ ​on​ ​a​ ​beautiful​ ​lot​ ​near Boulder Lake and within​ ​a​ ​two​ ​miles​ ​of​ ​the​ ​church.

Our​ ​Finances:​​ ​We​ ​consider​ ​ourselves​ ​a​ ​financially​ ​healthy​ ​church.​ ​Our​ ​goal​ ​is​ ​to​ ​keep​ six to nine months​ ​of​ ​operating​ ​expenses​ ​in​ ​reserve.​ ​ In 2016, we​ ​conducted​ ​a​ ​capital​ ​fund​ ​drive​ ​to​ ​finance​ ​renovations​ ​with​ ​a​ ​price​ ​tag​ ​of​ ​about​ ​$250,000.​ ​We​ ​dug​ ​into​ ​our​ ​reserve​ ​funds​ ​for​ ​$50,000​ ​and had​ ​pledges​ ​of​ ​about​ ​$200,000.​ ​The​ ​$50,000​ ​line​ ​of​ ​credit​ ​that​ ​we​ ​had​ ​available​ ​was​ ​not​ ​used. Pledges​ ​for​ ​the​ ​three-year​ ​program​​ came ​in​ ​on​ ​schedule with 100% pledge fulfilment. ​

​The​ ​table​ ​below​ ​summarizes​ ​our​ ​financial​ ​activity​ ​for​ ​the​ ​past​ ​5​ ​years.

2020-21 $176,485.00 $210,060.00 -$33,575.00
2019-20 $259,460.00 $258,925.00 $535.00
2018-19 $265,100.00 $251,750.00 $13,350.00
2017-18 $268,565.00 $268,190.00 $375.00
2016-7 $267,075.00 $214,215.00 $52,860.00

Our​ ​Pastoral​ ​Compensation​ ​Policy:​ ​​The​ ​pastor’s​ ​salary​ ​is​ ​based​ ​on​ ​experience​ ​and​ ​years​ ​of service.​ ​A​ ​parsonage​ ​is​ ​provided​ ​to​ ​the​ ​pastor,​ ​with​ ​basic​ ​utilities​ ​paid​ ​for​ ​by​ ​the​ ​church.​ ​An annual equity​ ​stipend​ ​of​ ​$3,000​​ ​helps​ ​to​ ​offset​ ​any​ ​potential​ ​home​ ​equity​ ​loss​ ​when​ ​using​ ​a parsonage.​ ​Insurances​ ​provided​ ​include​ ​medical,​ ​dental,​ ​prescription​ ​drugs,​ ​term​ ​life,​ ​and accidental​ ​death​ ​&​ ​disability,​ ​long-term​ ​disability​ ​and​ ​an​ ​employee​ ​assistance​ ​program. Vacation​ ​is​ ​based​ ​on​ ​years​ ​past​ ​seminary​ ​graduation,​ ​beginning​ ​with​ ​two​ ​weeks​ ​for​ ​the​ ​first​ ​five years.​ ​An​ ​additional​ ​week​ ​is​ ​granted​ ​for​ ​every​ ​additional​ ​five​ ​years​ ​since​ ​graduation.​ ​Six​ ​weeks of​ ​vacation​ ​is​ ​granted​ ​after​ ​21​ ​years​ ​in​ ​service​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Community​ ​Church.​ ​A​ ​sabbatical​ ​leave​ ​of as​ ​much​ ​as​ ​four​ ​months​ ​is​ ​available​ ​every​ ​seven​ ​years.

The Boulder Junction​ ​Community:​ ​​

​​Our​ ​church building​ ​is​ ​located​ ​in​ ​a rural​ ​community​ ​nestled​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Northwoods. There​ ​are​ ​two​ ​other​ ​churches​ ​in​ ​our​ ​town,​ ​Lutheran​ ​and Catholic.​ The area ​is​ ​home​ ​to​ ​many​ ​retirees and​ ​is​ ​a​ ​vacation destination​. Boulder​ ​Junction​ ​provides​ ​hunting,​ ​fishing, snowmobiling,​ ​skiing,​ ​snowshoeing, camping,​ ​biking, and​ ​other​​ ​activities. The​ ​weather​ ​provides​ ​a​ ​wonderful​ ​four season​ ​experience! 

Boulder Junction is buzzing every year starting on Memorial Day weekend, with the community flea markets on Tuesdays throughout the summer, a busy July 4th week, and the Musky Jamboree the first week in August. The small downtown area has many interesting stores, a grocery store, a gas station, some great restaurants and pubs, and a post office. We are excited to have fiber optic internet being installed in the next few months. Visit www.boulderjct.org for more information.

​The​ ​children​ ​of​ ​Boulder​ ​Junction attend​ ​an​ ​elementary​ ​school​ ​ten miles​ to the North​ ​and​ ​high​ ​school​ ​twenty​ ​miles​ ​to the South.  North Lakeland Elementary School serves 4K through 8th grade.  It was established in 1970 as a consolidation of smaller community schools. The five townships the school serves include Boulder Junction, Manitowish Waters, Presque Isle, Winchester, and part of Land O’ Lakes.  The school prides itself on strong academics, and according to the state, it significantly exceeds expectations.  The school has a low ratio of students-to-staff, a unique outdoor education program, and innovative use of class configuration and technology.

Lakeland Union High School located in Minocqua serves students grades 9-12 and has approximately 718 students from the surrounding communities.  Its mission is to create a safe, stimulating environment where all students may acquire the knowledge, skills, and ability to pursue academic, vocational, and personal excellence.

One of the best features of Boulder Junction is the Community Center & Library, which moved into a beautiful new building in 2014. In addition to books and resources, the library offers the services of wireless internet, printing, and copying as well as children’s reading programs. Visit www.boulderjunctionlibrary.org for more information.

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