October 25, 1998
Thanksgiving service begins busy season
Members share their appreciation for FCC
Professional Women's study group
All-Church dinner/mission night
Plan for "Facilities Renewal" emerging
Thanksgiving Day, November 26 - We will have our usual service at 10:30 am. This morning begins with Pilgrims greeting you as you enter, a drum roll calling you to worship and one of the hymns being "lined out" in Pilgrim fashion. Choir Director Lee Jacobi sings a line of the hymn and the congregation repeats it. The Pilgrims did not have hymnals in those early days. This uniquely Congregational tradition is a service you don't want to miss. After the service there will be a Thanksgiving dinner served for those church members who would otherwise be alone for dinner. The food is catered by the Congregational Home. Cost is $9. Reservations at the church office by Monday, November 23, are necessary.
All-Church Dinner, Wednesday, December 2, 6:00 - This holiday feast will feature roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. It will be held in the Social Hall and is only available to the first 200 people to reserve spots. The scheduled program, to be held in the Nave, is a concert by the Master Singers, directed by Lee Henning. Following the concert, dessert will be served back in the Social Hall. The cost is $8.00 for dinner and dessert; $2.00 for dessert alone; and a freewill offering at the concert. Reservations are absolutely required by Sunday, November 29.
Friendly Beast Breakfast, Saturday December 5, 9:00 am - This is our answer to Breakfast with Santa. Bring your little children in their pajamas and with their favorite stuffed animal. We'll have a "real live" Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus, the children will put their animals around the family while they have breakfast and, of course, take them home afterwards. Following breakfast the children will sing a few Christmas songs and you'll be on your way at about 10:30. The cost is $3 for adults and $1.50 for children. Please register in the church office no later than December 3 so we'll have enough food for everyone.
Christmas Workshop, Sunday December 6, 3:00 pm - Kids of all ages can make their Christmas presents at our Christmas Workshop. Use already prepared materials to create a variety of ornaments and decorations and, of course, the ever popular gingerbread cookies to decorate - and eat! The cost of making ornaments is just enough to cover the supplies used (most range between 10˘$1.00). It's a great opportunity to spend some time with family and friends and make some great Christmas presents. With approximately 16 projects to choose from, the ambitious craft-maker could easily complete about 10 projects with some help from a parent. Following the workshop there will be a pizza supper, lighting of the outside tree, and caroling. We promise everyone will be able to make it home in time for the Packer game. Supper is $3 for adults and $1.50 for children. Reservations are not necessary. Come for all of the events, or any portion you want.(More volunteers are still needed to help with the crafts and for cookie baking. Anyone who is interested should call Carla Cummings, 774-4756.)
The Choir Concert, Sunday, December 13, 4:00 - The concert is free to all to come and enjoy. At 3:00 there will be cookies and coffee/punch in the Lounge with Circle 7 as hostesses. We will also be packaging Christmas cookies to deliver to shut-in members. Please deliver your cookies for packaging to the church by noon on Sunday December 13. Let the office know if you are able to help deliver a few boxes of cookies early the next week. (Marilyn Auer, a choir member, wrote an article about the Christmas concert which will apper in the next issue of First Congregational Columns.) *
by Ralph Ehlert
Each year the Board of Trustees schedules a number of maintenance and repair projects. We deal not only with items that are broken or worn out, but with projects that can be termed "preventative maintenance" and with projects that upgrade the physical property.
External projects in 1998 included:
* Replacement of the soffit and gutter on the rear porch.
* Painting of the west side storms and gutters
* Repair, sealing, and striping of the parking lot
* Removal of a dead tree
* Repair of the coach lights at the entrances to the Nave
Internal projects in 1998 included:
* Repair of water damage in the Nave
* Installation of overflow sensors on the air conditioning drains to prevent a repeat problem
* Setting up a children's library
* Repainting of the main hallway
* New light fixtures for the rear hall
Some equipment was purchased that either aids maintenance or improves the usefulness of the property, such as:
* A manual lift to aid in the maintenance of the Social Hall
* A power washer that permits cleaning of the concrete water table
* A projection screen for the Friendship Lounge
* Tack strips to permit hanging pictures, posters, etc. in the Social Hall
Miscellaneous activities included the sale of land the church owned in Door County, and the transfer of some Facility Renewal Money to a short term bond fund.
The board has the authority to approve or reject requests for use of the church property by outside organizations. Of course, church activities always have a higher priority.
This year we organized a Volunteer Work Day in May to clean up the building and grounds. A second Volunteer Work Day is scheduled for Saturday October 31, from 93:00. There are projects suitable for everyone - from repairing pillars to outside clean up to washing the pews, etc. Everyone will find something worthwhile to do. This is a great time to do some extra sprucing up around here since the next week is our "Past With a Future" symposium and we are expecting visitors from all over the country. Please sign up at church so the Board of Fellowship will know how many will be here for lunch. We hope you will consider volunteering. Your help will be appreciated.
This hallway had not been
painted since its original construction in 1959
Lenten booklet writers needed.
Lent may seem far off, but preparations are under way. In the past few years, we have published a Lenten devotional booklet which is comprised of a variety of short devotionals written by church members and friends. At this point, we need to know if there are enough of you interested in contributing your thoughts to publish a booklet. We need about forty articles. The variety in ideas and writing styles adds greatly to the appeal of this booklet. If you are not familiar with the booklet, we can give you some sample articles to read. Let the office know of your interest and we will see that you also get an instruction sheet. The articles will be due in the office in early January to allow time to prepare the book for distribution to all members by Ash Wednesday. Please let us know by December 1 if you are interested in sharing your thoughts in this booklet.
Nursery Help
Since January, we've had approximately 22 babies born to church members here. Coupled with the ever-increasing new member roster, the baby and 2-year old nurseries are packed full these days and help is always welcomed. Margie Idzikowski, who heads the program is looking for helpers during the 8:45 service. You can sign up for just a Sunday or two - pick a specific date that works well for you.
Come and cuddle, rock, hold, feed and play with the babies or test your speed and dexterity with the always-fun, always-on-the-move 2-year olds. Contact Margie in the church office, 258-7375 or Sunday in the nursery.
Pauline Scribner
When Lonnie asked me to talk to you for 2 or 3 minutes about what this Church means to me, I didn't hesitate. I could go on much longer.
I began coming to this church with my husband, Donald, whose Congregational roots go back to the Mayflower and beyond, when he volunteered to help out in Boy Scout Troop 47 in the early fifties. Eventually, he became Scoutmaster and our son, Don, earned his Eagle Award. Now his son, Troy, has his Eagle, too. No doubt his award helped him win a scholarship to West Point where he is a new cadet.
In my forty-some years in this Church I've seen the best of times and the worst of times. I can honestly say I think these are the best of times!
Our congregation is blessed in so many ways! Our lighted steeple, a physical beacon, lights up the community but it also represents our traditions and longevity. Our staff is exceptional: Lonnie's vision, warmth, and energy; Steve's amazing scholarship, caring and culinary skills; Chris's evolution into a dedicated leader of our youth and children's programs. And the new library - I stopped in this morning: it is a busy place. A building needs a solid sub-structure beneath the surface. We have that too in our unfailingly pleasant and efficient office and plant staff. And, finally our volunteers. Many could work a second job in the number of hours they give to this Church.
The great joy and stimulation I receive in my relationships with the clergy and the members is my best gift. It warms my heart to hear and worship God with my friends. It enriches my life beyond measure and I thank you all!
Active within and outside of the church, Pauline has been coming to FCC for nearly 50 years. She has four children plus grandchildren. She enjoys YMCA dance and exercise classes, membership in the League of Women Voters and a couple of the women's groups at church.
Mary Lou Schowalter
I have a long history at this church and have been influenced by many people. Some names of whom you may recognize and some you may not. I was baptized at that baptismal font by Dr. Ream, confirmed at the alter by Dr. Muth, stood on these steps many years of my youth for everything from Children's Sundays to Christmas plays. I also got to stand at the baptismal font as a sponsor for my niece. I have had amazing Sunday School teachers who have left prints in my mind. In first grade Mrs. Joyce Orr taught me that God cares for me, God is with me, and God loves me. Les Grube worked with me in something we called Weekday Church School on Wednesday afternoons after school. He taught me the basics about how to pray and somehow managed to get me to memorize the books of the Bible and recite them in less than 20 seconds! All of these people made a huge impact on me and made a difference in my life.
The most amazing thing about the list of things that have shaped me here is similar to others in this room and out of this room. I have many siblings who can share similar stories of joy and true admiration of church folks who have shaped and made a difference. Many of you have been here many years longer than I and have your own lists.
I ask you all to think about your own personal church histories. Many of you did not grow up in this church but have experienced the awesome power of a strong sermon that touched you from one of our ministers. Or received a positive, encouraging word you needed to hear from one of our ministers. Chris Rygh, as well as other members of the congregation, has been very supportive of me in my job. I am a teacher in a first grade classroom in Milwaukee's central city and last Christmas I was in a bind and needed a person dressed as an elf to deliver some packages to my classroom around the holidays. Chris came through for me and was there in all his true holiday spirit dressed in green and red felt.
And did he make a difference. Not only to me but to 25 smiling first graders. Chris was not required to do this and I am sure dressing like an elf is probably not in his job description, but he was there.
When did you last make a difference? Please consider making a difference here at church by ushering, singing in the choir, being on a committee, helping at a clean-up day, or teaching Sunday school.
So I say a big thank you to all the people who have made a difference in my life at the church and challenge each of us to make a difference to one another and to our church.
In closing, I would like to share a favorite passage of mine. It comes from the Book of Micah, chapter 6 verses 6-8. I found it to be underlined in my own grandmother's Bible. The verse talks about what we need to do and what the Lord requires us to do in order to make a difference.
"With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on High? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my first-born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has showed you O man what is good; and what does the Lord require but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?" Amen.
Mary Lou has been a member of our congregation all of her life. She is a teacher in the Milwaukee Public School System. She enjoys swimming, traveling and singing in the Church Street Singers.
by Jennifer Wakefield
Whether it be the youth's Submarine sandwiches on Super Bowl Sunday, Wednesday dinners, or coffee hour sweet rolls, food is frequently an important element of church activities and fellowship. But providing food for those in need is also one of our most important Church outreaches.
First Congregational Church volunteers staff a Mobile Meals program that delivers meals to shut-ins five days a week. The St. Vincent Meal Program expands our outreach to a central city location and ministers to those facing poverty and hunger on a daily basis. But hunger is also a fact of life in the suburbs, and our Church regularly provides McDonalds' coupons for those coming to the church office as well as contributing to the Tosa Food Pantry.
In 1992, John Strassburger started the Mobile Meals program in partnership with the Congregational Home. Today the program delivers both a hot meal and a cold sandwich meal for 4 to 12 people daily, 5 days a week. The Home prepares the food and a volunteer staff coordinated by Chris Hartsuch picks up and delivers the meals between 11:30 am and 1:00 pm.
The service area is 60th Street to Calhoun Road, and Capitol Drive to Bluemound Road. Like most outreach, all participants benefit from the experience and the interaction. The recipients have two meals delivered to their home for only $6 a day. And even though there is a schedule to be met, the volunteers find time for warm conversation with the homebound.
The first Friday of the month has long been the St. Vincent Meal Program day. Dedicated volunteers prepare a nutritious fish dinner for between 300 to 500 people. The menu also includes fruit jello, vegetable, macaroni and cheese, salad or coleslaw, dessert, and a beverage. At 4:30 a second group of volunteers assemble at the church and car pool to St. Vincent's on 10th and Madison. Some long-time volunteers meet the rest at 5:00 and dinner is served from 5:30 to 6:15.
From month to month many of the faces at St. Vincent's are the same - families, young couples, single men, and the elderly. Again, both volunteers and recipients benefit from this food ministry. One church member helped a blind woman walk to the restroom after dinner and she confided to him, "I always feel so much better when I have something in my stomach." And many remember the time in December when a family of 15 who had been living in their van, arrived for the meal just before closing. No one had a coat! Or the time a small child came up to one of the volunteers and asked for a rag so that he could clean up the area where his family had just eaten.
We are a Wauwatosa Church, but our community extends much farther and those that are touched by our missions touch us back. We receive far more than we give, and though small, we do make a difference to individual lives. Just ask any of those who deliver meals, chat with the homebound, cook fish, serve macaroni, or donate canned goods.
If you would like to be involved, just call the church office. Your help is always needed. *
You are welcome to join the Professional Women's Study Group, which is continuing on throughout the fall. We will be meeting the first and third Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. and dismiss by 8:00 p.m. Currently, we are reading, "Elegant Choices, Healing Choices," by Marsha Sinetar. There are copies of the book still available for purchase in the office. The cost is $10. The group is informal and moves forward at a relaxed pace.
If you are looking for help to make sense of your hectic world this is the group for YOU. *
Those attending the All Church Dinner on Wednesday, October 7th enjoyed a homestyle dinner of meat loaf, mashed potatoes, baked squash and New York cheesecake, followed by a very informative program of speakers from the various organizations that benefit from our contributions through the Board of Benevolences. Our Parish Nurse, Michelle Jackson, was in the parlor before the dinner with breast health information.
Rev. Richardson brought us up to date on the Honduran mission. We are committed to continue our support with medical supplies and funds. A small medical team will likely visit in early 1999. A longer-range dream is to expand the hands-on mission experience to youth, possibly involving a building project in late 1999.
Rev. Phil Jackson, representing the Congregational Foundation for Theological Studies, described the role of financial assistance to those preparing for careers in ministry. He was able to list 14 program participants with ties to our church.
Charlie Nelson, Director of the Congregational Home, described the most recent expansion project of 62,000 square feet, providing 26 apartments in addition to the new chapel and other common areas. He listed the programs that strengthen the ties between our Church and the Home, such as Mobile Meals, our Parish Nurse who is at the Home part-time, Dr. Peay's educational programming, and the opportunities for volunteering.
It was especially enlightening to hear from representatives of the Wauwatosa Food Pantry (Mary Ann Hamill), the Milwaukee Rescue Mission (Patrick Vanderburgh), and the St. Vincent Meal Program (Greg Hannon). We may think of these organizations as simply providing meals or shelter, but these groups recognize and strive to serve needs beyond those most basic necessities. St. Vincent's has a "Families Forward" project of mentoring adults to help their families learn to thrive without assistance. The Rescue Mission is embarking on a capital improvements campaign to include an expansion of the Joy House facility. They also have a special program to enable men to become self-sufficient.
The program gave an overview of the good things that are accomplished with our support. Learning that the Wauwatosa Food Pantry serves nearly 250 families in zip code areas that we associate with relative affluence helped to bring home the lesson that there are plenty of opportunities to serve right here at home, in addition to our foreign mission.
This year's Thanksgiving offering is designated for St. Vincent DePaul. Greg Hannon will be speaking at a future worship service to further explain his vision for their ministry. *
At the end of each month, the BASIC Sunday night program is left open for fun and fellowship. Last month's movie night had an attendance of more than 100 kids, friends and parents.
On Sunday, October 25th, keyboard musician Andy Landers will be performing at BASIC night. Currently the minister of music worship at Calvary Church in Muscatine, IA, Andy spent several years as a youth pastor before turning toward music. Over the past weeks, the BASIC band has performed a number of pieces from Andy's CD, "My Song." The music is very upbeat for teens. A team of high school students from Calvary Church will be performing with Andy.
The fun will begin at 6:00 and students grades 612 are encouraged to come; friends and parents also invited. There is no charge for this exciting event.
The "Past With A Future" symposium is rapidly approaching. Beginning Thursday, November 5 with a 4:00 registration and 5:30 dinner, the symposium concludes on Sunday, November 8 with the worship service and coffee hour. If you plan to attend and have not registered, please do so immediately so we can plan for space and meals.
Cost to church members is $30.00 for the entire symposium, $20 for any one day, and $15 for the 7:00 Saturday night banquet. *
by Doug Jacobson
As has been previously reported, a special committee was appointed to examine the facilities of our church building to determine if they are meeting the needs of our growing and very active congregation. While we are blessed with a large and beautiful church building, we recognize that it was built over 80 years ago, some of it over 100 years ago. Times change, as do the needs of a large congregation and the community we serve. This was the challenge given to the committee by Rev. Richardson.
The committee has been very busy inspecting the many rooms, hallways, storage spaces, "nooks and crannys" of our building. We have met with the church staff and discussed the needs of the future. We have considered the importance of our facilities as a part of our benevolent outreach programs, fellowship programs and the needs of the many outside groups that use this building. We have looked at areas of the building that are heavily used, those that are under used as well as areas that create "bottlenecks."
Out of all of this, a "conceptual plan" is emerging. Some basic elements of this conceptual plan are: larger and better rehearsal and storage areas for our music groups; better, more accessible space for resources such as children and adult libraries, computers, video equipment and church archives; classroom and meeting spaces reconfigured to better serve the present day needs of our Sunday School, youth groups and adult groups; and a more "user friendly" concept for fellowship activities.
At this stage, we have only a conceptual plan. We are gathering cost information and considering many options. In the very near future, we will be sharing our ideas and seeking comments and input from the Church Council, our various boards and committees, and the congregation as a whole. Watch future additions of the Columns and The Congregationalist for times and locations of meetings where you can hear about these ideas and give us your thoughts and comments. If you have any questions or ideas about our facilities, we would love to hear from you. The members of the Facilities Renewal Committee are: Carla Cummings, Lee Jacobi, Doug Jacobson, Chris Rygh, Nick Sgarlata, Tom Stacey, and Merrill York. *
Adoniram Judson, the great missionary to Burma said, "If you succeed without suffering, it is because someone else has suffered in order that you might succeed. If you suffer without succeeding, it is in order that someone behind you might succeed without suffering."
It is an encouragement to know that when we have to go through hard times, pressured times, periled times, somebody is being strengthened, somebody else is going to reap a rich reward of blessing and experience of glory. God does not deal in what Dietrich Bonhoeffer calls, "cheap grace." Grace is free to all of us, anybody can take it, but somebody has been involved in the suffering that made it possible. When we worship on Sunday or gather in a small group or privately for devotions with the open Bible before us, we so easily forget that this Book comes to us saturated with the blood, sweat, and tears of men and women of the past. Men have been burned at the stake that we might have this Book in English, and be able to read it. Men and women have died in chains, they have been tortured, and torn asunder, in order that we might have this Book. We must never forget that, in a broken world, there is going to be suffering. If we are called upon to suffer, then someone else is going to reap the rewards.
Next time you experience a little pain as you serve, remember that someone else may reap the rewards. It could be your children or your children's children. Let's keep helping people connect with God!
In Him,
Lonnie
FCC will begin its "Open University" program on November 15, at 7:00 p.m. in the Friendship Lounge. The "professor" for the evening's session will be Nan Cleveland. The topic for the class is: Basic Investment Tools for Achieving Your Objectives, a rather timely topic. While Nan sings in the Chancel Choir at First Church, her "real job" is as Vice President for Investments for Maier-Hauswirth Investment Advisors, LCC. She will bring some good basic information, answer questions, and share her considerable expertise.
Other church members open to sharing some knowledge should contact Rev. Dr. Steven Peay at the church 258-7375. There will be more "Open University" classes in the months to come. Watch The Congregationalist and the First Congregational Columns for more details.*
Circle 12
will meet on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 11:00. The program will be given by Kris Schulze on Honduras. For reservations, please call Janice Wittig, 258-6264.
Senior Women
meet on Monday, Nov. 9. The program presented by Karen Irwin is entitled, "Touring Inside Iran." All are welcome. If you need a ride, call Sally, 662-4196 or Kris, 695-1059.
Interested in Baby Talk? Nov. 5, 12:30
Baby Talk is a special afternoon for First Church moms of the past year to get together, talk about shared experiences, babies and joys of Christian motherhood over dessert and beverage. You will also learn about community resources. Child care will be provided. RSVP through the office, 258-7375.
The editor thanks:
Ralph Ehlert, Jennifer Wakefield, René Klumb and Doug Jacobson for articles, Pauline Scribner and Mary Lou Schowalter for information, René Klumb for pictures, and the staff for assistance.
Baptisms
October 11, 1998 -
Samantha Anastasia Siebenaller, daughter of Paul and Connie Jarchow Siebenaller
Claire Heins, daughter of Richard and Sarah Seidenstricker Heins
Marriage
October 10, 1998
Jonathan Deane Stratmeyer and
Tammy Lynn Scheibner
Memorial Services
October 11, 1998 - Gladys Jeanette Ribbens
October 12, 1998 - Norman B. Hodgson, M.D.
Birth
Chris & Mary Beth Rygh had a baby!!!!
Katherine Coffer Rygh was born at 12:22 a.m. on October 14, 1998. Congratulations Chris and Mary Beth and welcome, Katherine!
www.FirstChurchTosa.org
Editor, Beth Linscott
Communications Committee
René Klumb - Chairperson,
Julie Peay, Bruce Smith, Dave Swanson, Jennifer Wakefield,
Win Williams
*
Rev. Lonnie Richardson, Senior Minister
Rev. Dr. Steven A. Peay, Associate Minister/Teacher
Chris Rygh, Director of Student Ministries
Rani Gusho, Financial Administrator
Roy Brouwer, Building Superintendent
Lee Jacobi, Director of Music
Betty Dethmers, Organist
Michelle Jackson, Parish Nurse
Betsy Isenberg, Secretary
Nancy Gross, Secretary
Charles Nelson, Administrator, Congregational Home, Inc.
Rev. Norman S. Ream, Minister Emeritus
*
Vol. 7, Issue 10
