Vol. 6, Issue 4
April 27, 1997
This Month:
Inter-Church Bereavement Group
First Church Tosa Heads for Cyberspace
Ron Smeenge's "Screwtape Letters' and 'Pilgrim's Progress'
Summer Camp Quickly Approaching
Make your reservations now for a wonderful evening of food and entertainment. On May 3, First Congregational Church is sponsoring a Dinner Theatre Party, to be held in the Social Hall at 6:00. Ronald C. Smeenge will give a one-person dramatic presentation of the "Screwtape Letters." Reservations are $12.50 per person and limited to 100 people. The FCC kitchen crew is planning a very special dinner for this evening of fellowship and entertainment. (The dinner theatre is not recommended for children and no babysitting will be provided by the church for this evening.)
On May 4, Smeenge will present a unique one-person drama of John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress," at both the 9:00 and 11:00 services.
The story of Pilgrim's Progress
Pilgrim felt such a compulsion from the gospel, he left home and family in pursuit of eternal life. He was directed to the "light" by Evangelist. Pliable and Obstinate attempt to bring him back. Wordly Wiseman presents a pragmatic alternative which proves wearisome. At the Gate he is received and directed to the cross where he rejoices to see his burden released.
He meets travelers who seem reluctant to put effort into a journey of faith and who have chosen "another way" to find life. Some had ventured only to turn back when they saw "lions in the path." Pilgrim however accepts encouragement from still others as they help him prepare for encounters with evil.
Joined by Faithful, they venture into Vanity Fair, taunted, tempted and later tried by the courts. Hopeful becomes the new companion. They encounter some would-be pilgrims who either talk their way around issues, entice them to leave the "straight and narrow" or deliberately mislead them. Doubting Castle and Giant Despair nearly bring them to devastation until they discover the "key." Temptation to sleep comes in the Enchanted Ground yet they falter not and valiantly proceed to the Land of Beulah. Now they can begin to realize that their goal, The Celestial City of God, is reality and that not even death, symbolized by the River, can subdue the final glory of their homegoing. There is much rejoicing as they enter into their reward.
Don't miss these interesting and educational worship services
on May 4! *
Smeenge as the Senior Tempter in "Screwtape Letters"
The First Congregational Church of Wauwatosa will soon be joining hundreds of other churches that have established sites on the Internet. A volunteer task force has been meeting for several months to determine the purpose, content and design of our home on the World Wide Web.
Is there a need for this? Absolutely! The Internet task force sees this project as another logical extension of our services to our members, prospective members, AND the community.
We'll start with a simple area where members can check on meeting schedules, send an e-mail to the Church staff, or discover a new outreach opportunity. The Columns and the Congregationalist will be online, as well as the Order of Worship. You never know who might want to practice the hymns for Sunday, or read the day's scripture for further insight.
Adult Education will have an area to post upcoming classes, suggested readings, and solicit ideas for future programs. There is a rich abundance of Bible study and research sites on the Internet, and with the click of the mouse from our Links area, you'll be there.
Music plays a big part in our worship, and will also play a part in our website. We'll offer insight into the anthems and their composers, post rehearsal schedules, and when properly outfitted with a soundcard, a netsurfer could listen to hymn tune mini-files.
Perhaps a member has a concern, but doesn't know where to go with it. In the Lay Leadership area, the structure of the committees and their duties will be spelled out, along with minutes of their meetings. The Church constitution will be available, along with the bylaws.
Members traveling out of town just have to "log on" to keep up with current events or read the Sunday sermons that they have missed. What a wonderful way for those who travel during the winter months to "keep in touch."
First Church Tosa will also be a place for Internet visitors to relive our rich history, get an understanding of our central beliefs and Covenant, and check the worship service and Sunday School schedules to plan their first in-person visit. We'll even have a map and directions to get them here.
The Internet is more that just text. It's also pictures and sound and interactivity. As time goes on, we'll be getting feedback from members on how we can improve our site, adding new areas as needs arise. The Internet is constantly changing, improving, and expanding. Our site will be no different. The possibilities are endless!
At this point, the target date to launch FirstChurchTosa.Org will take place in late May. *
The next All-Church Dinner is scheduled for Wednesday, May 7, at 6:00 p.m. It's a great time for good food, fellowship and fun. The featured program for the evening will be Highlights of the Holy Land Trip. Several members who took part in the trip this past February will share their experiences and pictures. The cost is $4.00 for adults and $3.00 for children. The nursery will be open during the presentation. So don't miss out. Reservations at the church office are required. *
Former Church Clerk and Secretary, Wilmet Manly, was a special person to many who knew her. Wilmet served our church from October of 1965, to May of 1981, under the leadership of Senior Minister, Rev. Norman S. Ream, and Lester Grube. A member of our church from April 10, 1952, until her death on March 29, 1997, at her residence at Congregational Home, Wilmet "made new friends and kept the old," as the song goes. She had also worked in the office of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches for six years prior to her employment here.
Wilmet sang in our church choir for many years under the direction of John Paul Jones, Clyde Russell and Lee Jacobi. She loved music and dancing. Word has it that she took tap dancing lessons while working here at the church and used to "tap" her way down the hallway on lunch hours and breaks. Always friendly and interested in the lives of others. Wilmet will be missed by many.
Mother of Marcia Manly and Patricia Schubarth, Wilmet also has five grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. A memorial Service will be held Friday, May 2, at 2:00pm, at Congregational Home, with Reverend Robert Wilch officiating. Thanks, Wilmet, for all you did for our church.
Inter-Church Bereavement Group
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." [Mt. 5.4]
In the Beatitudes Jesus speaks of the mourner's comfort as a blessing. In the long history of the Christian faith this comfort has been part of the Church's ministry. In order to offer an effective ministry of comfort, First Congregational Church will be joining forces with Trinity Episcopal Church in providing a Bereavement Group. The group sessions will be offered in six weekly segments followed by a four week break, so a new group should be starting about every ten weeks, The site for the meeting will rotate between First Church and Trinity Church (it is hoped that other churches in Wauwatosa will eventually participate in the program).
Since bereavement can take many forms, divorce for example, participation is not limited to those who have suffered loss through death. Group size will be limited to twelve, so participation and involvement can be enhanced. Facilitators for the groups will be the Reverend Timothy Ljunggren, Associate
Rector of Trinity Church and Rev. Dr. Steven Peay, Associate Minister/Teacher of First Church.
The first group will meet at First Congegational Church Wednesday, May 7 at 7:30. Please contact the church office (258-7375) to reserve a place in the group.
Church growth is an objective of church mission as long as there are persons who choose not to become involved in a local church. Recent statistics indicate in some areas of our country almost half of the residents are not active in church. This is not to say they are not religious but that the church is not as important as it can be. We should never settle for things as they are but continue to employ innovation to tradition to be relevant. What are some ways to keep a church from growing? I offer these as things not to do.
1. Don't invite people to church. Don't mention your church to your neighbors, fellow workers, friends, acquaintances or other people with whom you associate in your daily lives. Say that it's not your responsibility of bringing people to church. If they want to come, they know where the church is, what time we meet and when the doors are open.
2. Leave all programming responsibilities up to the paid church staff. Don't take initiative in planning or implementing programs of any sort, particularly outreach programs. Assume that is why you pay a staff.
3. Concentrate on the physical facilities of the church rather than what takes place within those facilities. Do not adequately and effectively use those facilities that are available.
4. Concentrate more on institutional maintenance than on programs of ministry. Reach out for more people because you need more people to meet the budget, rather than reaching out for more people because of what the church can do for them in their lives.
5. Don't concentrate on a particular target area, but pretend to reach out to everybody. Then, you actually don't reach out to anybody.
Let's continue to avoid these ways and remain a growing church.
In Him,
Lonnie
"Camp was the best thing that ever happened to me. I'm glad my mom made me come, cause I really didn't want to come."
"Camp is awesome! My counselor was really fun. The food wasn't even that bad!"
"It is tough for me to make new friends. At camp I met lots of other kids. The members of my small group were really cool. Now I have three new friends."
"My counselor helped me learn about God. I'd never taken God seriously. She showed me what God's love is like."
WCA Camper Responses, 1996
Remember summer camp? Remember what it was like to wave good-bye to your parents and stand alone next to your cabin wondering what the week would hold? Remember the campfires, the endless supply of red Kool-Aid, and the counselors who made you feel special?
Talk of summer camp can bring back a flood of memories for many of us. We can still see the faces of our cabin mates. We can still smell the aroma of pine trees or the smell of our clothes after being stuffed into foot lockers. We can still taste the sweetness of a double chocolate smore, and we can still hear the clear ring of the breakfast bell.
Memories of summer camp are unique. The images stand out vividly. Camp was where we learned to play guitar, where we perfected our swimming and did our first back flip into the water. Camp is where we refreshed our egos, where we loaded up on enough self-confidence to get us through the next school year.
The Psalmist instructs, "Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." Over the years, art, architecture, music, and the literary arts have all been employed in ascribing worth to God (in fact, the word 'worship' comes from the Old English word 'weorthscipe' meaning just that). these means have also been employed to enable the worshipper to better grasp various concepts of his/her faith. The church year also serves this purpose and allows the worshipper to experience God's saving acts through the seasons: Advent, Lent, and so forth.
Since worship was to come from the whole person, all the senses, colors have also been assigned to the seasons of the church's year. Purple has traditionally been used in Advent and Lent, because purple denotes majesty (especially in suffering) and these wer considered preparatory and thus penitential times. (There is a movement tu use blue during Advent, since it is really more a season of anticipation and hope, rather than penitence). White (or gold, or any festive combination) denoted joy and celebration, so it is used during Christmas, Epiphany, Easter, and any other celebrative event. Red is the color of fire and blood, so it is the traditional color for Pentecost and Good Friday (black - for mourning - has also been used on good Friday). Green is the color of life and growth and is used during the 'oridinary' times of the church year.
Recently, First Congregational Church was given several sets of paraments for the chapel in the colors of the church year, and a festive set done in 'Coronation Tapestry' with two matching stoles. The paraments were given in memory of dorothy Zaiser Creher, by her family, and the stoles by Charlotte Eggebrecht and family in memory of Elmer.
'Paraments' (from the Latin word for 'adornment') are hangings for the communion table, pulpit and/or lectern which are done in the colors of the church year. A 'stole' is the strip of cloth worn around the minister's neck, over the gown. The stole represents 'the yoke of Christ' and is the traditional symbol of ordained ministry. The ultimate goal of these items is to enhance the atmosphere of worship, to indicate that this is a special time, to focus worshippers of the mighty acts of the God who saves and calls us to worhip him "in the beauty of holiness."
The very popular pig and chicken roast will be returning for the June All-Church Dinner on Wednesday, June 4th. The food is delicious and you can't beat the fellowship. Marty Krebs has again volunteered to provide some musical entertainment for the evening. Mark it on your calendars now as just one more reason to look forward to summer.
The Editor Thanks:
Sarah DeYoung and Cindy Payette for articles and the office staff for their assistance.
The Board of Christian Education is urging you to bring in your unused, unwanted toys to church during the month of May. There will be boxes set out for your donations in front of the Christian Education office.
Toys will be used to assist our own nursery, as well as used by the Salvation Army Emergency Lodge. The Emergency Lodge, located on N. 7th Street, cares for approximately 30-35 children each night. The children and their families stay at the lodge temporarily during times of homelessness.
Please send unwanted toys in good and clean condition. (We cannot accept stuffed toys, due to health reasons). Go ahead - Toss those Toys!
Editor, Beth Linscott
Communications Committee
Karl Stieghorst - Chairperson,
René Klumb, Joyce Orr,
Sandy Rose, Win Williams, Mary York
*
Rev. Lonnie Richardson, Senior Minister
Rev. Dr. Steven A. Peay, Associate Minister/Teacher
Chris Rygh, Pastoral Intern
Rani Gusho, Financial Administrator
Debby Wakefield, Coordinator of Membership
Roy Brouwer, Building Superintendent
Lee Jacobi, Director of Music
Betty Dethmers, Organist
Betsy Isenberg, Secretary
Nancy Gross, Secretary
Rev. Norman S. Ream, Minister Emeritus
*
Congregational Columns (USPS 010-493) is published monthly by The First Congregational Church of Wauwatosa, 1511 Church St., Wauwatosa, WI 53213-2593, 414/258-7375.
Fellowship Dinner