Past Events
Mayflower is a vibrant church with a wonderful community of members and friends. Scroll down to learn about some recent activities and events at Mayflower.
March 31, 2024 - Children’s Sermon
Linda teaches the Children’s Sermon each week during Worship Service. The children have fun with her thoughtful lessons, and the congregation enjoys hearing the laughter of children in the sanctuary.
March 17, 2024 - Faces of Siouxland Multicultural Fair
Mayflower had a booth at this community event at the Sioux City Convention Center. It was a great day to celebrate the wide diversity within our community. The family-friendly event was fun for all!
February, 2024 - Briar Cliff University Volunteers
Briar Cliff University students volunteered their time at Mayflower over several days in February. They did various tasks around the church and baked cookies for guests at the Warming Shelter. Under the direction of their Briar Cliff instructor, Wilfrido Suarez, these incredible students learned the value of giving back to the community.
December 24, 2023 - Christmas Eve Service
Pastor Jessie led the congregation in a beautiful Christmas Eve service. This was also his final service at Mayflower. We will miss his leadership and guidance, and we are grateful that we were a part of his life’s journey. The service was a beautiful way to signify a new beginning for him, and we wish him well!
December 17, 2023 - Christmas Program
The Mayflower youth and other members performed a wonderful Christmas program during worship service.
September 17, 2023 - Joint Worship at Snyder Bend Park
The Mayflower Congregational and Whiting First Congregational UCC congregations had a special outdoor service together at Snyder Bend Park. The service was a celebration of the 2-year anniversary of their shared pastor, Jessie Lent. The congregations enjoyed their time together, and ate a picnic lunch after the service.
August 6, 2023 - Jill Miller at Mayflower
It was such a treat to have Jill Miller perform for us at Mayflower during our worship service! She sang and told stories that inspired us to strive to live our best lives. She wove a theme of LOVE throughout her songs, and told about her journey through hurts, habits, and hangups. Her message and music were so refreshing, and we loved having her here!
August 1, 2023 - National Night Out
Mayflower members set up a table at this family-friendly event. There was free food, lots of activities, and connection with other community members and families. Local firefighters even gave tours of fire trucks!
June 17, 2023 - Unity in the Community
A Mayflower team set up a table at this event at Cook Park. The family-friendly event was a way for people in the community to connect with one another. The Sioux City Police and Woodbury County Sherriff’s Office were there, and it was a fun day to learn about others and strengthen ties within our community.
June 4, 2023 - Pride Service with Guest Speaker
Mayflower had a joint service with First Unitarian Church for Pride Week. Their minister, Carter Smith, delivered a moving message entitled We’re Still Here: The Story of Tables. The two congregations celebrated a strong commitment for acceptance and respect for all people.
June 3, 2023 - Pride Festival
Mayflower members joined in the fun at the Sioux City Pride Festival in downtown Sioux City. They set up a table and connected with people from the community. The day was beautiful and it was a wonderful way to meet others for some conversation and fun!
June 1, 2023 - Pride Parade
Mayflower members and friends joined in the fun at the Pride Parade in downtown Sioux City. They decorated a truck and walked in the parade to show support for the LGBTQ community. The evening was beautiful, and the group enjoyed connecting with the community in a fun way.
May 21, 2023 - Youth Sunday
The youth of Mayflower were in charge of the worship service. They delivered a message of peace through the music and scripture they chose. New Bibles were handed out, and gifts were given to graduating seniors and teaching staff. It was a wonderful day of celebration, and we are proud of our talented youth and staff.
May 9, 2023 - Mildred Anderson Grant
Mayflower was awarded a grant for $1,500 from the Junior League of Siouxland! The Mildred Anderson Grant will be used for Project Good Neighbor, our monthly Mayflower Food Giveaway. We are so grateful for the money so we can continue to help people with food insecurity.
April 30, 2023 - Guest Speaker, Anna Stokes
Anna Stokes, from Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI), came to talk to us after worship service. She gave us a brief overview of the work they do with their Immigrant and Refugee Community Services. We learned so much about their commitment to helping others who are new to our country. Anna also told us about volunteer opportunities. We certainly enjoyed Anna’s presentation!
April 7, 2023 - Music Academy
Mayflower’s office manager, Pat Harm, wears many hats. She takes care of a multitude of office tasks to help Mayflower run smoothly. She prepares brochures, newsletters, and bulletins. She keeps track of events and meetings at the church. She even fills in for our organist when needed. This article tells about another hat she wears: a volunteer music teacher. She finds time each week to help Hunt Elementary School students learn to play the piano. We are so thankful for all Pat does to enrich the lives of others!
March 27, 2023 - Filling Backpacks at the Food Bank of Siouxland
Mayflower took a crew of 17 to the Food Bank to fill backpacks for children. This volunteer opportunity is especially close to our hearts because it directly helps the children in our community.
March 12, 2023 - Faces of Siouxland Multicultural Fair
Faces of Siouxland is an annual event held at the Convention Center. Mayflower members joined in the fun to celebrate diversity in our community! They set up a table to meet people and connect with the community. There was dancing, food, art, music, and more! It was a fun day for all!
February 17, 2023 - Installation of Pastor Jessie Lent
Mayflower held a special service to celebrate the installation of Pastor Jessie Lent. Pastor Lent was called to Mayflower in the fall of 2021. We are very happy for his leadership and spiritual guidance and were grateful to celebrate the happy day with him!
February 12, 2023 - Multi-Generational Service Project
A multi-age group of friends rolled up their sleeves to help with a valentine service project. Members of our Mayflower congregation donated lovingly-baked homemade goodies, and the group filled the goodies into baggies to share with guests at the Warming Shelter. It was fun to deliver the baskets of goodies on Superbowl Sunday!
January 22, 2023 - Annual Meeting
Members of the Mayflower congregation met after church for lunch before holding the annual meeting. Members reviewed the end-of-year reports from church boards. After discussion, they voted to accept the 2023 budget and the nominees for new board members. It was a great time to reflect on 2022 and make plans for the new year.
January 15 - Away in the Basement
A group of Mayflower women posed on the set of Away in the Basement, a play about church ladies and their escapades in the church basement. The theater of the New Stage Players was the site of this hilarious play. There were lots of laughs, and it was a fun afternoon for these Mayflower ladies!
January 8, 2023 - Family Fun Night
Mayflower participated in a Family Fun Night at Long Lines Rec. Center. The Neighborhood Network of Sioux City held the event to build relationships with neighbors, including firefighters and police officers. Fun was had by all!
January 8, 2023 - New Members
We welcomed 4 new members during our worship service! We are all very happy to have them join our Mayflower family!
December 24, 2022 - Christmas Eve Service
Pastor Jessie led the congregation in a beautiful candlelight service on Christmas Eve to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The music was wonderful, and the spirit of Christmas filled the sanctuary!
December 18, 2022 - Sunday School Christmas Program
The youth of the church presented a Christmas program entitled Making a List and Checking it Twice. The focus was on discovering the true meaning of Christmas. The music and acting were wonderful, and it was such fun to watch!
December 15, 2022 - Sock it to Me Drive
The annual Sock it to Me drive was a huge success! Mayflower members collected a total of 101 winter hats, mittens, gloves, scarves, and socks to donate to Sioux City Community School children. The citywide drive has a special meaning to Mayflower members because it was spearheaded by Pam Culbertson, a longtime Mayflower member. She passed away a few years ago, but her legacy of caring and concern for children continues. We know she would be pleased.
December 11, 2022 - Pub Theology/Book Club
Pastor Jessie started a book club with a group of interested book lovers. The group met at Crave to begin their study of the book White Fragility by Robin Diangelo. Pastor Jessie and these group members want to learn, grow, and have some fun together.
November 23, 2022 - Hanging of the Greens
This group of volunteers got to work and decorated the church to celebrate the Advent season. Their special touches add to the beauty of Mayflower during this wonderful time of year.
November 20, 2022 - Youth Banner
The Mayflower youth decorated a banner about the Fruit of the Spirit. The banner displays the words love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These words are reminders of how Jesus taught us to live to have full lives. The banner is a gift to the church from the youth, and was blessed during the worship service. We are thankful for such a lovely gift!
October 30, 2022 - Halloween Service Project
The annual Halloween celebration for our Sunday School students always includes a service project to help others. This year the students created rhythm shakers and sensors for the Calico Kids preschoolers. It was a day of fun and a day to help others.
October 16, 2022 - Crop Hunger Walk
Bob, Billy, Sam, and Wednesday participated in the 46th annual Sioux City Hunger Walk. Bob and his team raised $355.11! The money supports the global mission of Church World Service to take us one step closer to ending hunger in our world. We are proud of our Mayflower team!
October 15, 2022 - Free Community Rummage
Mayflower held its semi-annual Free Community Rummage. We were so grateful for the many donations of clothing, housewares, linens, and toys from community members. We were able to share them with others, and everything was free! Hundreds of people came on this chilly, beautiful fall morning, and there was something for everyone! It was a busy, full day of reaching out to help others.
October 12, 2022 - West High National Honor Society
Members of the West High National Honor Society helped us prepare for our Free Community Rummage. They carried boxes, tables, and chairs from our basement storage area to our sanctuary. These students embody good character and leadership, and they always help us when we ask. We are grateful for them!
October 8, 2022 - Briar Cliff University Softball Team
Members of the Briar Cliff softball team volunteered to help with food distribution at our October FoodShare. These young women hauled boxes, sorted and bagged food, and welcomed our guests with cheerful smiles! We are so grateful for our partnership with Briar Cliff University and were happy for the wonderful teamwork with these young women.
September 25, 2022 - Snyder Bend Park
Mayflower held a joint worship service at beautiful Snyder Bend Park in Salix, IA with our friends from First Congregational UCC in Whiting, IA. The special service was a celebration of the one-year anniversary of our shared pastor, Jessie Lent. The weather was perfect, the worship service was beautiful, and the fellowship was lighthearted and fun.
September 11, 2022 - Christian Education Classes Began
Christian Education classes began for the new school year. Children from age 4 through fifth grade will attend classes each Sunday from 9:45-10:45. Middle and high school students will participate in special projects and mission work throughout the year. Students will be sharing the journey with Jesus as they participate in activities to learn about his teachings. On the first day, students made mini nutritious dog treats to donate to the animal shelter as a service project. They also found many crosses and more in a scavenger hunt. It was a great kickoff to the new year!
August 29, 2022 - Backpack Blessing
Pastor Jessie offered a blessing for students as they embark on a new school year. Linda gave each of them a written reminder of the love and support given to them from their Mayflower family.
August 14, 2022 - Active Shooter Training
Jeremy McClure, from the Sioux City Police Department, presented S.A.V.E. Yourself, a training program to teach us how to empower ourselves in the event of a violent encounter. We learned a lot and are thankful for the good information.