September 26, 1999
Men's Ministry Leader, Maurie Daigneau
Family Focus - Rally Sunday, New Sr. High Class
We last reported, in the March 28, 1999 issue of the Columns, on our work with the Mission Iglesia Congregacional Christiana de Honduras, located in San Pedro Sula. Since that time our support of the Mission has continued. Frequent communication with the Mission staff using the Internet link we established has allowed us to better serve their needs.
A second container of supplies was shipped in July via Chiquita thanks to the persistent effort of Ed Probst. Included were 13 pallets of clothing, blankets, shoes and tools and two pallets of dental equipment and supplies. The dental equipment included an operatory chair donated by Congregational Home. The dental supplies included 16 cartons of donated supplies rounded up by Paul Schulze and Barbara Jarchow.. The dental operatory chair was particularly appreciated because the chair in use was very old and had broken several times in the last months. Here is part of a response from the Mission: "The dentist chair has been a blessing since the last one we have is damaged. Dr. Xabier and Dr. Leonardo are very happy with the instruments and the rest of the dental supplies. They were very much in need of them. We also received the printer and it is already connected and working very well." Dr. Leonardo Barahona is replacing Dr. Xabiar Arevalo, who is leaving for his own private dental practice. The Mission reports that they will have an additional dentist starting soon.
On the financial front, the NACCC has released $63,440 to the Mission for purchase of a four-wheel drive vehicle, medical supplies, upgrade of the medical clinic, upgrade of the wood shop and upgrade of the Mission electrical system. These expenditures are consistent with the findings and recommendations of the relief team which visited the Mission following the October 1998 hurricane. The funds, raised by the NACCC's Great Hour of Sharing campaign following the hurricane, continue to arrive and are included with the monthly checks to the Mission.
One of the needs of the Mission is a continuous supply of appropriate medicines. The Mission Task Force has begun work at matching these needs with medicines available at low cost through international aid organizations.
Two long-term goals - housing and involvement of other churches - are coming together. The Central Congregational Church in Derry, New Hampshire has raised funds and expressed interest in working with us on a visit to Honduras to build homes.
Following is an e-mail received this April which shares some of the typical work being done with the aid we sent:
San Pedro Sula, April 22, 1999
Dear brothers and sisters,
We greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and we give thanks to God always for you all, constantly mentioning you in our prayers.
The relief shipped to us through Chiquita Banana has been of great help to hundreds of people. The way in which it was distributed among the people was as follows:
1- We commissioned pastors from the churches of Choloma to distribute among the people of their villages. Later, we verified that the aid was given to those in need. Choloma was one of the areas most affected by Hurricane Mitch.
2- In the area of Rivera Hernandez the children and families of the feeding stations were a priority. We gave them shoes, clothing, blankets etc. We allowed each family to take whatever they needed for them and their children.
3- After Rivera Hernandez, we had people from the community who were in great need come to the mission and take what they needed.
4- We also distributed some of the aids among the needy people in our local church.
5- Brother Margarito also took aid to the village of Comayagua, this area was destroyed without mercy.
We would like to share with you a couple of stories of families that were blessed with this aid. The Mejia Silva family were affected by Hurricane Mitch. They are five adults and nine children. When they saw the hurricane coming they ran out of their house with absolutely nothing but what they had on. When they returned, they found their house flooded and all of their belongings lost. They had no other choice but to stay in the damp house and sleep there. After a few days the elder of the house developed a terrible illness, but thanks to the doctor and medicines we were able to save her. This was a family that was able to see the hand of God through such merciful people who made the effort to ship relief to the mission.
Dona Dominga and Don Brigido are an elderly couple whose adoptive son takes care of them. When the hurricane attacked their area, their son took them to the Mission to take shelter and to get medical care. When the doctor checked Dona Dominga she had lost her sight and Don Brigido had tuberculosis. We kept them here in the Mission and gave them all the care that was needed until they got well. We were able to have their house repaired for them to go back.
These are just few stories of many in which people were helped because of our merciful God and your loving, kind efforts. May God bless each one of you at First Congregational Church of Wauwatosa.
Julio Hernadez Margarito
Enamorado Suyapa Martinez
by Tom Jarchow
Would you like to become more involved in the church, but feel reluctant as a newer member? Just follow the lead of Maurie Daigneau. Upon returning to First Congregational Church a couple years ago, he has taken on dual leadership roles heading a Bible Study as an extension of the Men's Ministry program and serving on the Board of Stewardship.
Originally a member of the Men's Ministry group which Lonnie started in June of '98, Maurie accepted the challenge of leading the group when Lonnie needed to make some changes in his schedule to accommodate the departure of Rev. Peay. At that time the ministry changed focus and became a Bible Study as a response to the interests of a number of the men, said Maurie. That group which meets at 6:00 a.m. on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month also has an off-shoot group which meets on the 1st and 3rd Fridays and has studied books by Jerry Bridges.
A bit later in the day, when most of us get going, Maurie heads to work at his company Affinity Corporation where he is the president and CEO. Nearly ten years in business, his company markets telecommunications products such as internet services, long distance, and computer systems. A very interesting aspect of his company, however, is that it causes relationships with non-profit organizations. As customers sign-on, a percentage of their payment each month is forwarded to the non-profit agency of their choice.
To be sure life is never dull, Maurie is also the husband of Susie (Davis - a longtime member of the church) and father of five: Becky, married and living in North Carolina; Jenny, just married at First Church this month; Margaret, a sophomore at Butler University; John, a junior at a Rochester Minnesota high school where he plays hockey on a Junior A-Team; and Laura, a freshman at Brookfield Academy.
While traveling to his son's 68 hockey games all over the midwest and attending his daughter's field hockey, basketball and soccer games takes up a considerable amount of his time, Maurie said he also makes time to pursue his interests as an avid bird hunter and golfer. *
As the "loose ends" of summer are being tied up, the various boards and committees of First Church are getting into gear. New ideas, plans and programs are in the works or already being introduced and the word is getting out it's going to be a busy and exciting year. Your Board of Christian Stewardship is readying this year's pledge campaign and facing a challenge. It is one we hope and believe our whole membership will assume.
The First Congregational Church of Wauwatosa has a proud heritage of service - to our members, our community, our country and the world through outreach efforts, and missions. It is a heritage worth being supported and advanced. As we enter the new millennium as a church and a people, let us be a beacon to all in need of faith and hope and strength of Christian purpose. The light of our beacons, depends on all of us to answer the call, each in our own way, according to our means. Together we cannot fail. *
Char Schweitzer, chr.
Board of Christian Stewardship
Rally Sunday Marks Sunday School Kick Off
September 12th marked the kickoff of the 1999-2000 program year with rousing worship and strong attendance, especially in our Sunday school classes. "We've been growing steadily over the past few years," said Chris Rygh, associate minister, "and this year was no exception. Every one of the designated rooms seemed full on Sunday morning.
Pleased not only with the turn out on Sunday morning, Chris also expressed his satisfaction with the results of Sunday evening. "We're in a different mode than we were last year. In many ways it is a return to a simpler structure with two groups meeting simultaneously, a junior high group and a senior high group. I felt we had very strong turn outs for both programs. In the course of the day we served nearly 175 students."
Besides offering regular classes for children at the 8:45 and 11:00 hours, First Church will also be featuring a new course for high school students at 8:45 and an adult Bible study at 10:00 in the Social Hall.
New Class to Probe Life's Big Questions
This fall, senior high school students have an opportunity
to attend a special class on Sunday mornings. During the 8:45 hour, 9th
12th graders can take part in an ongoing discussion of life's big
questions. Paul Stein, who last year served as a small group leader
in the BASIC ministry, serves as the moderator of the class. "I am
hoping that we can get behind the sound bites of today's media--the pat
answers and the fluffy nonsense--and really grapple with some of the important
ideas," said Stein. "In today's world, the glut of information
from books, television, journals and the Internet is quickly mistaken for
knowledge. And unless we're asking the right questions, it is very possible
that our pursuit of understanding will be detoured." He added, "the
questions are sometimes more important than the answers."
"There is certainly no end to the possibilities for this class," said Chris, "whether discussing the meaning of life, the relevance of Christianity, the credibility of Jesus, the presence of evil or the purpose of our existence, students certainly will find the discussions stimulating." *
Set aside Saturday, October 30 and help us clean out the spider webs! From 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., we'll be enlisting the help of all willing volunteers to join in work both inside and out. Now a regular bi-annual event, participants at past workdays have accomplished a lot!
General cleaning, painting, polishing, gardening, etc. are all necessary tasks which save the church a considerable amount of money when we don't have to hire help. Pick your favorite task and we'll provide lunch and child care. If you're interested in lawn work, such as raking, we ask that you bring your own rake as the church has a limited supply, otherwise we'll also supply any necessary equipment.
If you have any questions, call the church office, 258-7375. Otherwise, we'll see you there! And spread the word "many hands make light work!" *
Elder care often begins during a medical emergency - it can also begin in less extreme situations. Aging Parents: The Family Survival Guide is a 31 hour video presentation from parish nursing ministry regarding elder care needs. It is a guideline that aids families dealing with a crisis or planning for long-term care needs. It covers how to handle legal affairs, finances, housing, insurance needs, medicare, social security, taxes and much more. It provides essential information your family needs to stabilize a crisis and create an effective and caring plan for the long term. The program will be presented in four consecutive weekly sessions Thursday evenings October 21 & 28 and November 4 & 11 from 7:008:30 a.m. in Friendship Lounge. Ample discussion time is allowed. Sign up is required through the church office and ends Wednesday October 20. Aging Parents provides a solid help and fresh perspective. *
Inspired by the Best
Leonardo da Vinci had started work on a large canvas in his studio. For a while he worked at it choosing the subject, planning the perspective, sketching the outline, applying the colors, with his own inimitable genius. Then suddenly he ceased, the painting still unfinished, and, summoning one of his students, invited him to complete the work. The student protested that he was both unworthy and unable to complete the great painting, which his master had begun. But da Vinci silenced him, "Will not what I have done inspire you to do your best?"
Our Master began two thousand years ago by what he said, by what he did, and supremely by what he suffered. He illustrated his message and He has left us to finish the picture. I invite you to pick up your brush and join us as we begin to finish His picture and tell the whole world about Him. *
In Him,
Lonnie
Wednesday, October 13, 1999
7:008:30 p.m., Chapel
presented by Peggy Schueman of the WI Breast Cancer Coalition
in conjunction with Parish Health Ministry
and the American Cancer Society
Rev. Goldsmith will be providing a program on visitation which will accompany the October 6 All-Church dinner. Please make your reservations with the church office by October 4, 258-7375.
Video Volunteers Needed
The Fall Sunday service schedule has resumed and the church is in need of a few more video volunteers to tape the 8:45 and 11:00 services. No prior experience is needed. Please contact the church office, 258-7375 for more information.
Circle 8 will meet on Tuesday, October 5, 11:30 a.m. at Congregational Home to have lunch with residents in the north dining room on the second floor.
Interested in Serving on a Board or Committee? Please contact the church office, 258-7375.
Are you one of the dozens who value our ministries to children, but who find it difficult to contribute time on an ongoing basis? Consider a one time commitment, or a short term service position on our ministry team. We currently need:
Organizer. We've recently moved all of our art supplies into one room. Supplies are sorted, but disorderly. Need someone to organize and label storage boxes on the shelves. Approx. 3 hours.
Organizer. Need someone to tidy the costume room, categorize costumes by size and check for missing pieces. Approx. 3 hours of work.
File Manager. Need someone to do file work. Approx. thirty minutes every two weeks.
Library Clerk. Need someone to assist in the Children's Library on Sunday mornings between worships. Approx. 1 hour of work, plus training.
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
Kathryn Rust, Associate Minister
Rev. Chris Rygh, Associate Minister
Rani Gusho, Financial Administrator
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 9
