July 25, 1999
Associate Minister Kathyryn Rust begins August 1
"Caring Through Visitation" training program offered
1999 Vacation Bible School emphasizes prayer
Board of Benevolences accomplishing objectives
Marraige workshop presented in September
From the building superintendent...
Eleven candidates were seriously considered before the associate minister position was offered to Kathy Rust. Kathy said that she was drawn to the position here by the teaching aspect. That's a logical answer when you learn that she taught elementary education in the 1970's and said that she has also worked with instruction of teens and adults. Interestingly, she minored in theology when she earned her bachelor's degree in teaching.
Probably the greatest asset Kathy brings to her position here at First Congregational is her people skills. While she certainly has her serious moments, Kathy said she enjoys a good time. As associate minister here, Kathy will develop and coordinate small group ministries, lay ministry programs, congregational care activities and adult education. She will also preach occasionally.
Kathy, who attended school with Chris Rygh, just graduated from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and has been working as the interim pastor for First Congregational Church in Rochester, WI. Her hiring here was in consort with Phil Jackson and the National Association for Congregational Christian Churches' office of ministerial development. Kathy is scheduled to be interviewed by the vicinage council, then ordained at our church by the end of September.
Kathy (Kuchler) grew up in Wauwatosa and Elm Grove, attending St. John's Lutheran School across the river. Since that time, she has had a rather varied career, working for a number of companies in various administrative positions besides her teaching positions. She has also taken a very active role with many professional organizations including Association of Legal Administrators, United Church of Christ Camps and Human Resource Management Association of SE WI.
When Kathy's husband Larry received a position based in New York, the Rusts made a move to the east coast for 15 years. They are also the proud owners of two miniature schnauzers.
A woman with lots of energy, who runs daily, Kathy is also a competitive athlete, placing 1st 3rd in marathons, triathlons, biathlons and cross-country ski racing. A serious candidate for the Senior Citizen Olympics, with school completed, Kathy hopes to focus some energy on this year's competition.
The first opportunity to hear and meet Kathy will be on August 1 as she delivers the sermon at the 10:00 worship service. Following the service will be a reception at the coffee hour. Some socials will also be scheduled throughout upcoming weeks as an opportunity to get better acquainted with the congregation.
The church council, personnel committee and staff are confident that Kathy Rust is a good fit for this position. Church members look forward to her arrival. Welcome aboard, Kathy! *
A training program for church visitation with be offered at First Congregational Church on September 18, October 2 and October 16, from 9:00 a.m.10:45 a.m. Members of First Congregational Church - Wauwatosa are invited to register and attend. The course enrollment is also open to members of other churches who are looking for visitation training. In order to prepare material for the course, participants are asked to register with the church by Wednesday, September 8, by calling 258-7375. Please plan to attend all three sessions.
This three-part course is an introduction to caring through visitation for church members who wish to become a part of a visiting ministry. The course will focus on practical directions for offering visits in a variety of settings: hospital calls, home visits for shut-ins, retirement centers and nursing homes, and other situations where the church brings the message of the Gospel. The course focuses on general caring through visitation, as well as on visits to the sick, the dying, and persons with special needs.
The course emphasizes the simple characteristics of the need of people to know that the church cares and that there are individuals who will carry that message into visitations. Learning about caring through visitation requires practice and patience.
The first session will focus on preparing oneself for ministry. Emphasis is placed on how to get oneself ready to be a listener to another person's concerns, how to establish rapport, and how to become sensitive in a compassionate way. Resources for ministry will be reviewed including passages of scripture, prayers and communion.
The second session will review some of the scenes of caring through visitation and give suggestions for a competent ministry. What are proper and not so proper responses with the sick, the shut-in, the distraught, and the despondent person? The course will look at visits with adults, adolescents, and children.
The third session will be used to review visits that have been made by the visitors. It will emphasize "caring for the caregiver" and how to use "validation" in visitations.
The class will be instructed by Rev. Charles Goldsmith, Ph.D., minister of pastoral care and chaplain at Congregational Home. Rev. Goldsmith is a certified supervisor of clinical pastoral education. It is provided as a joint service by First Congregational Church and Congregational Home, Inc. *
Eighty children enjoyed this year's Vacation Bible School at First Congregational Church. The theme was "God's Kingdom of Prayer." The children learned that God is always there for them and that prayer can take on many forms.
Daily activities included plays about different biblical characters and how prayer helped them. The plays were presented by the Vacation Bible School Players (the youth at our church). The youth also participated in a daily music program, arts and crafts, games and snacks.
The highlight of the week was the last day's music recital and picnic. The children sang songs they learned throughout the week to a large audience of church members, family and friends. Then everyone enjoyed a beautiful picnic in the circle drive, complete with games and face painting.
The children also made a very generous donation to Children's Hospital of videos, games, toys and many other much needed items. Children brought these items to donate from home.
Everyone had a wonderful week and we are already looking forward to a great week next summer.
Many thanks are due to Carla Cummings and Laura Taylor as well as all of the other volunteers who helped make this program a success this year. *
HOPE, the Congregational conference for college-aged young adults (through age 26), was in the mountains of upstate New York this year, at the beautiful Silver Bay YMCA camp and conference center. When I returned, everyone asked, "What did you do?" My answer could go on for pages, so I'll summarize:
I spent time with myself. I admired some incredible scenerymountains and a lake and rainbows and stars and a full moon and wind-blown waves. I sat on the porch in a rocking chair and talked until dawn. I saw the sunrise across the water. I laughed until I woke up with sore stomach muscles. I told bad jokes. I sat in the forest next to a campfire. I was forced to ask myself what I truly believe about God and Christ. I told other people what I truly believe about God and Christ. I played. I ran around barefoot. I caught up with some of my best friends, and made some new best friends. I promised to write. I shouted. I sangloudly. I danced. I talked with my brother. I prayed. I was undeniably happy for five days. I was told that I am loved, and told other people that I love them.
But most importantly, I was reassured that God is here with us, every moment, whether we are aware of His presence or not. And I saw the power of a group of people deciding to let God be with them and in them. And I was given HOPE that some of the people who are now going out to take on the worldthose who are going to be its teachers and business leaders and government officials and parentsare doing so with the love of God and the truth of Christ in their hearts. *
by Amanda Collis
Your Board of Benevolences has defined four objectives for itself for this year and is well on its way to achieving its objectives. These objectives are designed to serve the needs of our Congregation and the community in which we live. We wanted to do more, but felt we should focus on the following four points and to do them well.
First, the Board has set about creating a directory of our beneficiaries. This directory was first created in 1992, but has not been updated nor used since then. We are thoroughly researching each beneficiary and creating a one-page summary for each to define their mission, their services/role and their needs. Once completed, the Board will set up a procedure for keeping the directory up-to-date and in service. Copies of the directory will be made available to the Congregation after we produce a "final" version late in 1999.
Second, the Board of Benevolences wishes to make a difference in the beneficiaries to which we give. In recent prior years, the Board has given to about 35+ different organizations and/or funds each year. We will be giving to organizations that have a true identified need and that are in alignment with our Church's covenant and purpose. Rather than give a little to a great number of organizations, we are looking to concentrate our giving on organizations where we can have more impact. In the reduced list of beneficiaries, we are working to gain a better understanding of their needs so that our gifts can help to make a difference.
Third, we are implementing Advocacy Based Giving. This is a term the Board uses for our process of assigning beneficiary organizations to the Board members, the members then contact or visit the beneficiary to determine their needs, advocate to the Board the needs of the beneficiary, recommend funds for the beneficiary, and follow up on the usage of approved funds and stay in touch regarding future needs.
These first three objectives are very tightly linked. To be an advocate for a beneficiary, the Board member must develop a well-founded understanding of the nature and needs of the beneficiary. This is the first step in creating an up-to-date directory. The Board will then approve funding for those beneficiaries that are in need, align with our church's values and covenant, where our giving can truly make a difference.
Fourth, we will build budgets for 2000 and beyond. For the past several years, we have known how much we could spend in a year, but we did not have a plan for how much we planned to give to each organization. We are pulling together our giving history, by beneficiary, since 1995. We have prepared a detailed budget for 1999. By September of 1999, we intend to have a budget/funding plan for the year 2000. Because of our Advocacy Based Giving approach, the budget details will need to remain flexible, keeping within the annual total budget. We will prepare a budget for the coming year before the end of the current year.
The Board of Benevolences budget is 10% of the church's operating budget and is approved by the Church Council. For 1999, our Benevolences budget is $59,800. Historically we have given 25-30% of the Benevolences budget to international missions, 25 30% to local/domestic causes, about 10% for educational purposes, and 25 30% to interchurch activities and relations. We are using preliminary results from the Stewardship survey to shift a greater portion of our gifts to local/domestic causes.
Examples of giving/beneficiaries in each group are:
International
* Honduran Mission a cause where we have truly made a difference.
* NACCC Missionary Fund to be distributed by the NACCC to its missionary projects.
Local/Domestic
* Congregational Home - provides financial assistance for residents of the Home who are members of our church.
* First Congregational Church Aid Fund to offer assistance to our own members with needs.
* Mayfair Interfaith serving the needs of aging and senior adults.
* Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing - provides services to enhance the lives of people who are deaf or have a hearing loss.
* Milwaukee Rescue Mission and Joy House provides safe shelter and Christian counseling to the homeless in our greater community.
* Higher Ground serving the needs of Christian college athletes.
Educational
* Piedmont College a four year liberal arts college that provides a college education in a Christian environment. It offers special scholarships to students from the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches. Piedmont is privately endowed, supported by volunteer gifts and donations.
* Congregational Foundation for Theological Studies - provides education in Congregational history and polity and provides leadership for our National Association of Congregational Christian Churches.
Interchurch Activities and Relations
* NACCC Operating Fund supports the operation of the NACCC
* Congregational Church Development Fund helps to
get new congregational churches up and running.
In developing our 1999 Board of Benevolences budget, we have earmarked 10% as a contingency. We believe this will enable us to react to emergency or new emerging needs without impacting funding for other beneficiaries and without the need for the Board to go back to the Church Council for additional funding.
Your 1999 Board of Benevolences members are: Mark Boettcher (chair), Steve Houriet, Jane Jacobsen, Bob Ornst, Sharon Raymond, Mercedes Richardson, Karen Schmidt, Nancy Vander Velde and Mary York. Please contact the Church Office if you are interested in serving on this Board. *
by Mark Boettcher, chairperson
The parish nurse ministry presents... How & Why Love Lasts: A Marriage Workshop
This Friday evening, Saturday morning workshop explores the characteristics and strategies of successful marriages and provides the participants, whether contemplating marriage or married 50 years, with tools, perspectives and hope. The material reviewed is drawn from the research on successful marriages, the scriptures, and Dr. Green's clinical and personal experiences. Some of the questions addressed in the workshop include...
* How do I know when I have a good marriage?
* How do we establish a sound foundation for our marriage (no matter how long we've been married)?
* What can I do? What can I not do?
* How can we establish the safety to be close?
* Can we grow through conflict?
* Where does the sex fit into
marriage?
* What does love look like?
* What happens when we change?
* How do we keep (or regain) the spark, the laughter, the closeness?
This workshop is intended for the participation of both partners. Come ready to participate, have fun, and learn how to enhance the love and satisfaction in your marriage.
Biographical Information for
Dan Green, Ph.D.
Dr. Dan Green is a licensed psychologist and the Clinical Director of New Life Resources, Inc., in Waukesha. In addition, he is a resident faculty member of the Elmbrook Christian Study Center, an extension of Trinity International University of Deerfield, Illinois. He earned his B.A. from Trinity College, M.A. from Bradley University, and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Arkansas.
Dr. Green has been involved in the training and supervision of doctoral and post-doctoral students, taught in several academic and clinical settings, and presented many seminars and workshops. Dan is married to Lynne and they are the parents of two children: a daughter who recently completed her first year of college (and moved into a dorm) and a pre-teen son. He is actively involved in Elmbrook Church in suburban Milwaukee where he has served as a Deacons and in couples, pre-marital, youth, teen, and family counseling as well as other teaching ministries.
The workshop will be held at First Congregational ChurchWauwatosa on Friday, September 24, 1999, 6:309:30 p.m. and Saturday, September 25, 1999, 8:3012 noon.
Cost is $15 per couple and includes dessert and a beverage on Friday and Continental breakfast on Saturday (breakfast served at 7:45 a.m.). Call the church office at 258-7375 for more information or to register. *
This summer a few much-needed upkeep projects were authorized by the Board of Trustees. Each has been completed, concluding the currently scheduled projects.
Concrete Improvements at First Church
After many winters and too many patchwork repairs, the sidewalk in front of church was due for some much needed improvement. In conjunction with the City of Wauwatosa's 1999 sidewalk repair program, the Board of Trustees selected Patrick Enterprises, Inc. to remove the old sidewalk and driveway ramp and install a new, safer, and aesthetically pleasing entrance to First Church. The work went smoothly finishing on time and will provide decades of service.
Light, More Light!
If you look heavenward while walking down the main hallway, you will notice our new skylights. The original plexiglass "bubble skylights installed in 1959 had outlived their design life cycle and the Trustees selected new pyramid-style insulated skylights to replace them. The skylights were supplied through David Fogelstrom and Associates and installed by Skyview Sunrooms & Glass, Inc. For added visual interest, the inner ceiling lenses were removed, light wells repainted, and new energy efficient bulbs installed. When the 1959 addition was built, each skylight had 4 lamp bases installed to provide additional night lighting. With new bulbs, the original effect can be accomplished at 17% of the operating cost.
Where's the Rake?
In keeping with the upkeeping of the church parking lots, lawns, and gardens, the church has acquired more equipment than could fit in the existing sheds. In order to consolidate and safely store the snowblower, tractor, lawn mower, and other power equipment, the Trustees authorized the construction of an 8' x 10' addition to the existing parking lot shed. The slab for the addition was donated by Patrick Enterprises, Inc. (at the time of the sidewalk installation) and the construction was recently completed by Roy and his volunteer carpenters. *
Your Nominating Committee is already planning for nominations to the various Boards next January. Although the Annual Meeting may seem like a long way off, it is not too early to consider making a commitment to one of the vacancies available. This is your chance to be active in the planning and decision making process at First Church. There are over 36 positions that need to be filled. Most terms are for 3 years although some may be less.
The Board of Benevolences and Church Relations meets the second Monday of the month. Its members investigate, correlate and promote benevolent projects. The board also sends delegates to religious gatherings and is involved in Christian service beyond our own membership.
The Board of Trustees meets the second Monday of the month all year. It is responsible for the maintenance of the church property and proper accounting of monies.
The Board of Deacons meets the first Tuesday of the month. Members, together with the ministers, are responsible for activities including communion, baptisms, ushers, greeters, video-taping and other spiritual leadership in the church.
The Board of Christian Fellowship meets the first Monday of the month. This group is responsible for fellowship activities including coffee hours, all-church suppers, athletic teams, and many other programs designed to encourage the spirit of fellowship within the congregation.
The Board of Christian Education also meets the first Monday of the month. Together with the professional staff, this board formulates and administers the educational programs of the church. Responsibilities include Sunday School, adult education classes, Vacation Bible School, Christmas Workshop and the Fellowship programs for Elementary, Junior, and Senior High School youth. The board is also in charge of reference materials and all instructional supplies used in the C.E. Program.
The Congregational Care Board, meeting the third Tuesday of the month, is responsible for the caring ministry programs of the Church through program development and coordination. Committees for the "care givers" include: prayer, bereavement, shut-ins, nursing homes, and serving at St. Vincent's.
The Board of Christian Stewardship has meeting dates that are reset each year. The task of this board is to promote among the members of the church the systematic and proportionate giving of time, talent, and possessions.
The Church Council has 12 members-at-large as well as the chairperson from each of the Boards. Four new members are elected each year. The function of the Council is to correlate the work of the individual Boards and give an overall view to church planning. Sub-committees of the Council are: Budget and Finance, Communications and Public Relations, Music, Nominating, Personnel, and the Executive Committee.
Do any of these sound interesting to you? Call the Church office and let them know which board interests you. A member of the Nominating Committee will get in touch with you. *
In a seminary missions class, Herbert Jackson told how, as a new missionary, he was assigned a car that would not start without a push. After pondering his problem, he devised a plan. He went to the school near his home, got permission to take some children out of class, and had them push his car off. As he made his rounds, he would either park on a hill or leave his car running. He used this ingenious procedure for two years.
Ill health forced the Jackson family to leave and a new missionary came to that station. When Jackson proudly began to explain his arrangement for getting the car started, the new man began looking under the hood. Before the explanation was complete, the new missionary interrupted, "Why Rev. Jackson, I believe the only trouble is this loose cable." He gave the cable a twist, stepped into the car, pushed the switch, and to Jackson's astonishment, the engine roared to life. For two years, needless trouble had become routine. The power was there all the time. Only a loose connection kept Jackson from putting the power to work.
The Bible has something to say to us about connecting to God's power: "How tremendous is the power available to us who believe in God," (Ephesians 1:1920). When we make firm our connection with God, his life and power flow through us. *
In Him, Lonnie
Dates to remember -
All-Church dinner: August 4
Family Camp: August 1316
Fish Boil: September 1
Brat Fest: September 5
Rally Sunday: September 12
The Editor Thanks...
Amanda Collis, Mark Boettcher, and Carla Cummings for article contributions and the office staff for their assistance.
www.FirstChurchTosa.org
Editor, Beth Linscott
Communications Committee
Jennifer Wakefield - Chairperson,
Mary York, Bruce Smith, John O'Meara, Char Schweitzer
*
Rev. Lonnie Richardson, Senior Minister
Rev. Dr. Charles Goldsmith, Minister of Pastoral Care
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. 8, Issue 7
