Gail Brown came to our church in June of 2002. Her longing to be a minister began as a child. Our new addition on the eastside was completed and the tinderbox was opened, revealing messages and other trinkets from people connected to our church in 1902. Discovering the original tinderbox had deteriorated which was assembled by George Stevens in 1902, Tom Every designed a new “copper box” to fit in the cornerstone of our church with some new items from members today.
Attempts to satisfy Lyon’s request of reaching the children in the community, the Heart of Brooklyn daycare was using our basement for after-school care and the Scouts and 4-H groups held their meetings here too. We provided Welcoming Baskets to new-comers and continued to host the yearly Dairy Queen Crowning.
With her husband, Al, Pastor Gail hosted the yearly Grandparent/Grandkid Camp at Pine Lake. Many memories linger. Al contributed in different ways, lots of his sketching’s were seen on the front of our Sunday morning bulletins, he was always ready to help, lifted many with his jokes and at Christmas behind those white whiskers. Al contributed to mission work in Pascagoula, Miss. Following hurricane damage, he and his son assisted in building new homes for survivors and then listened to their stories. Al and others helped Habitat for Humanity building houses in our community. And do you remember Gail and Al in the dunk tank on Labor Day?
Other thoughtful services happened. Taking a break at an Annual Conference, Gail noticed a woman knitting. Asking her what she was knitting, she replied, “a prayer shawl.” Wanting to adopt this outreach and caring approach, knitters and crocheters were approached. Showing our outreach to those losing a loved-one or other sorrows, the quilts were blessed and then presented to them. Helping to fund our ceiling restoration project, the “Dennis Murphy Group” filled our auditorium with a wonderful program. Gail had a special way, baptizing infants at our church. Following the ceremony, she would walk around the middle section of pews, introducing numerous precious babies to everyone.
During the 300th anniversary of John Wesley (2003), everyone was celebrating at the Hwy. 92 Party. Completing the construction of this highway that enters Brooklyn, through the village and past our church, everyone was glad the road was done. Changes to our church and yard happened too, a new sidewalk on the eastside, bushes removed, the parking lot was paved, and the yard on the eastside was re-seeded. Starting something new, Gail introduced Hymn Sings and Blessings of the Animals. A fan of Roy Rogers, his
theme song, “Happy Trails” was usually sung. Pet owners brought their creatures to the church yard to be blessed. Occasionally, Gail would visit much larger animals in the country. She encouraged others to display their personal talents, which provided laughter. One of those was Sheila, when she appeared as an elderly lady describing people in the pews with comical comments. Inspired by Adam Beranek, many displayed their own special talent on All Member Sunday in 2007. The loudest was when Pam Laundrie competed with Dennis on the drums.
During Depot Days, the Kids Klub (Sunday School) rode on a hay wagon with Pastor Gail.
Many restorations and events occurred during her leadership. Our colorful windows were restored, carpet in the sanctuary, new roof, windows restored and the present Welcome
Board sign was erected. The church has been hosting cub scout meetings here for years. Recognition to the boys was designated on Boy Scout Sunday which is now eliminated from our calendar. It was in 2008 that the scouts presented the church with a certificate of 31 years of meeting here. Regretfully, the church had to eliminate this outreach.
Many forms of entertainment were viewed at our altar. Remember Dennis’ family (Barsema-Murphy Band) performance on his 50th birthday. A surprise gift from his family was the UW Marching Band playing outside on the church yard! They joined all of us at our tables afterwards. During the same year, we heard Miss Wisconsin give a short talk and sang from our altar. Previously, she rode in the Depot Days parade. Andy Laundrie told of working at the South Pole with a crew from Wisconsin UW, called Operation Ice Cube. The Undie Sunday accumulated lots of underwear. These garments were shared with the Brooklyn Elementary (Accidents Happen) and homeless shelters (Dress With Dignity).
Many members and friends were viewed at the altar. On Valentine’s Day in 2010, Al and Gail and four other couples renewed their vows. Heading the monthly Hymn Sings, we usually ended with Roy Roger’s theme song, “Happy Trails.” Other singing was heard from Gail. During one of her Sunday’s messages, she talked about her new dulcimer that she made in West Virginia.
Besides being helpful within the church, Al spent time helping others. He traveled to Haiti to restore their lives after a hurricane and in neighboring Oregon, he started Bicycles for Humanity. He and others collected used bicycles, repaired them and sent them overseas to Kenya. Here, at Christmas, it was Al under Santa’s whiskers, giving the children joy. Getting away, time was spent in Arizona, where Al spent time hunting for precious rocks to add to his collection. Gail would visit the Roy Rogers Museum. Over the years, we became acquainted with their family.
Gail ended her pastoral duties in 2013, but remained here with us, as a Friend.
Dave Pluss presided at our church (2013-2015). From the Albany area, he was very active in his own business, D.P. Concrete, president of the Albany Thrift Store and a landscaping business with his son. (We are blessed, Pluss still returns to clean out the snow in our parking lot.) Previously, he was active in the Albany Methodist Church. Pluss received his ministry license in Missouri, he has continued taking yearly classes to fill requirements.
The church took part in the Habitat for Humanity’s First Nail Celebration on Second Street.
No one living in the parsonage, the council was trying to find ways to have this residence occupied. The conference advised us to lean towards mission opportunities.
Recently becoming a member with his wife, Joan, Rex Tilley took over John Beranek’s position as maintenance person. One of his first projects was making a produce table (summer of 2014), that he placed on the edge of the church property on the west side.
Gail Brown was the speaker at the 2015 Mother/Daughter Banquet. She spoke about their visit to Kenya. Earlier through the Oregon Rotary, Al was involved in fixing bicycles. The bikes were crated and sent to Wagusu, Kenya.
Unable to keep up with his busy schedule which included running a full-time business, Pastor Pluss left Brooklyn. Rex stepped behind the pulpit the Sunday between Pastor Pluss and Pastor Alfred.
Following Pluss was Aaron Alfred. Originally from India, Alfred had been in America the previous fourteen years. He served at the Berlin/Neskoro UMC before coming here. When appointed here, he was also the chaplain at the Meriter Hospital in Madison. Only here for a year, Alfred chose to stay in his path of chaplain/pastor. Currently, Alfred is serving at Pardeeville UMC.
Sounds Academy and Heart of Brooklyn Daycare were approached, offering space, if needed. And our kitchen received new cupboards, a residential dishwasher and a utility sink. More storage space was accumulated from the old stairway space on the west wall. Dave Pluss poured the cement for this area. After printing our newsletter for 18 years, Jeff King left the church. A committee was formed to fill the gap to prepare our newsletter.
George Kaminski came to our church July, 2016. We became acquainted with his spontaneous humor.
Happenings:
● Wired for WIFI, a screen was hung in our sanctuary. This connection allowed pictures to enhance our worship, weddings and funerals.
● Estrella Benitez was housed in our parsonage. She was the minister for El Liberador Church held at Monona UMC, working with their Hispanic Ministry.
● Implemented by Cleo, the church welcomed the community to lunch on the fourth Thursday of the month in the “Kitchen Café.”
● Pastor George introduced the concept of hosting a Camp in the Community in 2017 which was scheduled in July.
● Going on four years, Rex has been busy monitoring our produce stand in our parking lot, welcoming others’ excessive plants, vegetables and fruits. Attention was received from WMTV, this previous year.
● Continuing with his outreach, Rex invited the Dane County Bookmobile to park in our lot if needed.
● 2018-our stained-glass windows were removed and restored. It was the 50th anniversary of the Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Methodist Church, when they joined. This year’s annual conference was held at the Rutland Church, located northeast of Brooklyn.
● Pastor George took part in Belleville’s dedication of their new Veteran Memorial Park.
● The Green County Veteran Memorial Service was held at our church.
● 2020- Available through donations and memorials, the church supplied our pastor a private room downstairs. Experiencing the Coronavirus Pandemic, the church was encouraged not to worship in our church’s sanctuary, so online worship became available. Attendance was down, worship in our sanctuary was canceled. Pastor George suggested we meet at the local park. Twenty attended for communion, sharing bottled grape juice and packaged crackers.
● The church received a wooden structure made by Kelly Diaz’s employer, Rick Sapp of Cuna. It was our “Little Free Pantry” cupboard.
It was during a “Zoom Meeting,” that we were introduced to Pastor Michael Hammond on January 4, 2021. Still restricted to the COVID-10 boundaries, precautions were used. Later, a more personal introduction was presented. Introducing himself, Pastor Michael told of his family and his former assignments at North Freedom and Denzer UMC’s.
Pastor Michael’s first appearance, behind the pulpit, was on Valentine’s Day. Sadly, some were masked, following restrictions. Our worship services were often done virtually. Slowly restrictions lessened. Most of the congregation were vaccinated. We were fortunate to have others lead worship.
In February, Jim Brown reported on the book, “The Four Chaplains & the Sinking of the USAT
Dorchester.” He was dressed as a soldier.
We remember Pastor Michael speaking at Brooklyn’s Veteran Memorial on Memorial Day. Dressed in a dark suit, he spoke of Paul’s letters, speaking to his soldiers and the wearing of their armor. One other time, he spoke of the changing seasons throughout the year. Getting tired of the summer, fall would come with its awesome colors. Although winter produces very cold weather, he would have the longing to put on his snowshoes; each time the seasons would bring their own kind of beauty.
And, then the spring brings “new birth” reminding us, “so, it is with the seasons of life, we experience changes in our personal lives.” Finishing, “let’s be thankful for what we have been blessed with and blessings to come, trust that God is with you and there is hope to come.”
His last appearance behind our pulpit was July 24, 2022, his message was, “Thank You for Sharing Your Light.”