The History of Concordia


 

    Concordia United Methodist Church started out as a class of 11 German speaking members in Sauk City in 1853. In 1870 this growing congregation became known as the “Friedens Gemeinde” (Peace Society) with services held in members’ homes. In 1872 a stone church was built in Sauk City near the village limits of Prairie du Sac in a section known as Middletown. By 1905 the congregation had grown to a membership of 238 prompting the decision to build a new church. This church was built in Prairie du Sac at 585 Fifth Street (at the corner of Fifth and Galena). The name on the red granite stone on the bell tower is “Friedens Kirche der Ev. Gemeinschaft” (Peace Church of the Evangelical Association). The photo on our home page and in the upper left corner of this page is that building. In the 1930’s the language of the Worship and Sunday School gradually changed from German to English. About this same time the name was changed to Concordia Evangelical Church.

    When the Evangelical and United Brethren churches united, our name changed to Concordia Evangelical United Brethren Church. In 1968 when the EUB and the Methodist churches merged, we became Concordia United Methodist Church. An Educational Unit was added in 1952 to meet the needs of an expanding Sunday School program.

    Today we have a membership of 172 with Sunday School classes from nursery to adult, meeting from September through May. Church programs include an active Youth group, Men’s Fellowship group, Children’s Choir, Chancel Choir, and a Handbell Choir. Our member activities in the surrounding community range from elective office to volunteer work in many service organizations.

Reverend Kimberly Brumm

Pastor


Beloved of Concordia,
I am excited to be joining you beginning August 15, 2021. I will begin to lead worship with you on August 22, 2021.
My husband Craig and I just celebrated our 27th wedding anniversary on July 30. We sold our house in Fall River April 15. Gave most furniture to Habitat Restore put the ‘keep’ pile in storage and are now camping on our property between Hillsboro and Elroy. We are trying to have a house built…it has been challenging to say the least, a huge test of patience and a lot of prayer.
 
I am an avid gardener of vegetables and flowers (Gloria’s is my favorite flower place). We have a small garden which the zucchini’s have infiltrated every meal we eat, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Next it is going to be the tomatoes.  This year is a first for trying potatoes…stay tuned.
We are crazy pet people. We have two Golden Retrievers, Jackson 3 years old and Finnegan 12 weeks old, one antique dog Charlie who is a teddy bear bred and one rescued cat we call Kitten. 
I am currently a student in the Spiritual Direction program through Siena Retreat Center in Caledonia, WI and will continue with those studies.  That requires one weekend a month that I will be gone.
In my short stint with retirement (12.31.2020) I reacquainted myself with my sewing machine making a quilt for my new granddaughter Eleanor Leigh who is almost 7 months old. She lives with her parents: Jon and Amanda (my daughter) in Asheville, NC. I have enjoyed two trips and another scheduled in October for a week.
Craig’s daughter, Taryn and husband Doug and son Henry live in California.
I am also a Stephen Leader/Minister. I have lead VIM trips to Sager Brown in Louisiana and to the Midwest Mission Distribution Center.I love ecumenical ministry and community meals and missions.
As of today, Craig will be around sporadically while he oversees the construction of our house.
It will be the two older pets and I in the parsonage.  This separation is not new to us as we did it while I was going to seminary in Dubuque Monday – Thursday, 15 years ago. This time will be easier for Craig, no teenager to keep tabs on!
I look forward to meeting you all in the weeks ahead.  Please tell me your name for a while till I get it memorized.
Please add Craig and I, plus house project to your prayers. As I have already been praying for you.
The book I just finished reading was by John Philip Newell “The Rebirthing of God ~ Christianity’s struggle for New Beginnings”.   I find that phrase “Christianity’s struggle for new beginnings” needs a     good amount of thought. I invite you to ponder it.
My scripture passage for the year is John 8:12 from The Voice translation.

12 On another occasion, Jesus spoke to the crowds again.

Jesus: I am the light that shines through the cosmos; if you walk with Me, you will thrive in the nourishing light that gives life and will not know darkness.

This passage was part of my discernment to say “YES” to joining you. Will you join me in following the light so that we can thrive in the new beginnings, the new nourishing life?
This is my closing benediction of worship from my favorite devotional
Common Prayer for Ordinary Radicals by Shane Claiborne, Jonathan Wilson Hargrove and Enuma Okoro 

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you : wherever he may send you;
may he guide you through the wilderness : protect you through the storm;
may he bring you home rejoicing : at the wonders he has shown you;
may he bring you home rejoicing : once again into our doors.

Pastor Kimberly (Kim) Brumm

 

 

Kelly Snell

Administrative Assistant 


Kelly lives in Loganville, WI with her partner Mike, and their 4 children, 3 cats, and a dog. Kelly comes to Concordia with many years of customer service, and computer experience. In her free time, Kelly enjoys going UTV riding, thrift store shopping and shooting on a dart league.