March 26, 2000
Special Good Friday Tenebrae Service Planned
Mr. Gruebling's Sunday School Class Lives Their Faith
BASIC Dinner/Auction Raises More Than $5000
A very special worship service has been planned for April 21, 2000 Good Friday. A Tenebrae Service will be led by Rev. Lonnie Richardson and Jim LaBelle.
The tenebrae service is a very somber ritual in the life of a Christian. As we enter the service in silence, it is intended to remind us of the suffering and lack of comfort the Apostles felt. Tenebrae which literally means "of darkness," is represented by the gradual snuffing of fourteen candles which reminds us of each step of the Passion where darkness grows "covering all the earth." A fifteenth candle remains, representing the light of Christ. The loud noise or "Strepitus" symbolizes the closing of the tomb before we leave in silence
As Christians, it is important to hear this story and relive the suffering each year. The somber music is intended to further intensify the feeling of abandonment. While quite simple, the tenebrae service is also very elegant and graphic. The stark contrast then further intensifies the joyous resurection.
Music is such an integral part of this service, that portion of the service will be led by Jim LaBelle. A member of First Church, Jim LaBelle is well known to many in the Milwaukee area having spent the last 17 years at 94.5 WKTI as 'Lips' LaBelle in the afternoon.
He and his wife Charmaine, an elementary music teacher in Mukwonago, were married at First Congregational Church 10 years ago. They are active in Pilgrim Choir, and Jim has helped to set up and manage the website www.firstchurchtosa.org. They also sing with the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus. Jim is a graduate of Burlington High School, and of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, where he majored in vocal music performance and fine arts administration.
Jim's said his memories of Good Friday, while growing up in Burlington, include, "hearing 'The Old RuggedCross' sung by an older farmer in the congregation, his deep bass voice rumbling from the balcony. As a youth with Luther League, we would stage different themed Tenebrae services acting out the Passion story in a variety
of ways," said Jim.
"Good Friday is high drama in the church. All of man's foibles on display, heaped upon Jesus. We all know how it turns out, yet it isn't any easier to hear the details leading up to Jesus' death. But it is something we all must relive," said Jim.
Prior to the Good Friday worship service, Rev. Chris Rygh will lead the Maundy Thursday service with the assistance of some of the Junior and Senior High students. That service will also begin at 7:00 p.m.
We will celebrate Easter Sunday with worship services at 8:45 and 11:00. An Easter breakfast will be served from 8:00 11:00 a.m. *
Each day, our church building is used as a meeting place or practice center by various organizations in the community. Certainly, none is more uplifting than Harmony Singers. Bringing joy to members and audiences alike, it's a great organization to be able to assist with the use of some practice space.
Currently, their oldest member is 86 and you must be at least 55 to consider membership. Helen Strehlow, a retired occupational therapist and 12-year veteran of the group, noted that it is the only four-part harmony singing group in its age category in this area.
With a membership roster currently at 33 and usually 18-26 performers attending their average weekly concerts, members of Harmony Singers delight audiences around the area. They sing primarily at nursing homes, senior centers and churches. Helen said that they often get new members from audiences where they have performed.
The group prepares two shows each year, a secular program (this year it is "A Century of Music, Decade by Decade") and a Christmas program which they perform three to four times per week beginning in late November. The program has also been known to use comedy and dancing in its performances.
Helen said the group especially enjoys the fast jazz and jitterbug numbers. She said that some can take a while for the group to master, so then they'll keep them in the program for a couple of years. She credits the group's director, Vickie Wagner, as a wonderful teacher.
The group is considerate of its members - no night engagements and practice takes place seated. They also try and schedule appearances for travel during light traffic hours. In consideration of their audiences, Helen said the show runs approximately 45 minutes. She mentioned that they have learned to watch for feet tapping rather than expressive faces at nursing homes, recognizing that some of the more confined demonstrate appreciation in different ways.
Harmony Singers doesn't charge organizations for their performances, but requests a small donation to help cover the costs for those cases in which money is truly a hardship.
Each Friday morning, they can be found practicing here at the church. "This church is really an asset to the community," said Helen. She noted that they were forced out of their former practice facility in Washington Park and found themselves with no place to go. They feel extremely fortunate to have found First Church and recognize it as a benevolent offering. "You really put your money where your mouth is here," said Helen. While the group doesn't "rent" the space, they collect 35¢/per member for coffee money each Friday and donate that money "to the penny" to the church, said Rani Gusho.
Harmony Singers will be giving a special performance to the public on May 13th (the day before Mother's Day) from 1:003:00 at the Trinity Episcopal Church (just one block north on Church Street) and welcome all to attend. *
The freedom to determine our own destiny is the joyous part to being
human. Joseph Wood Krutch once observed that nine-tenths of the people of
the world think they are where they are and are doing what they are doing
because of circumstances and social pressures. He noted, however, that Henry
Thoreau, discouraged, frustrated and dissatisfied with himself, went away
to Walden Pond and found himself with two basic questions. He asked himself:
Am I the way I am because of circumstances?
Or are circumstances my master because of me?
Those are two powerful questions. If we rest our lives on the excuse that we are what we are because of circumstances, we will excuse ourselves for everything and stay the way we are. On the other hand, if we conclude we have become the victims of circumstances because of some inadequacy in ourselves, then we are faced with the disturbing idea that we had better take command of our lives. Easter is the time when circumstances have hope because of the cross and empty tomb. Our best circumstances are created when they are crafted following Jesus the Christ. *
Your Pastor,
Lonnie
A new women's group which will meet on the first Saturday of each month begins April 1.
The key to this group is that it welcomes ALL women. Married or single, young or old, working mom or not-a-mom, everyone is encouraged to come. The women of the church have a rich history of involvement with each other as well as the community at large.
All women of First Congregational Church are invited for a morning of learning, laughing, sharing, and simply talking on April 1, at 9:00 a.m. We will gather in Friendship Lounge.
The program for this first meeting will be presented by Molly O'Connell. "Love of Life Don't Watch it, Live it," is a program with appeal for all. As described in her promotional material, "Molly's presentations are full of energy, but down to earth; a delightful combination of education touched by life experience. Her intelligent, goo-humored style calls people to free themselves and gently, but genuinely, urges them to know life and live life and share life in an ever more meaningful dimension." Things will wrap up around 10:30 or whenever you're finished talking.
We encourage all who come to call the church office, 258-7375 so we can better prepare, but you're welcome to come regardless.
This group was organized by Bonnie Ornst (782-6263), Mary York (786-3959), Kathy Rust (258-7375) and Char Schweitzer (771-6216). Any comments or questions are welcomed. And as they develop ideas for future presentations, they invite your suggestions! *
Clothes for Honduras
Roger Gruebling wanted his Sunday School class to be involved in a project of giving where they would see the direct results of their efforts. At Roger's request, Tom Jarchow put together a video of some of his pictures from Honduras. Tom came to the class and gave a nice presentation to the kids. Afterward, the class talked about how much luckier we are than the boys and girls in the pictures and how God wants us to share our excess. Roger thought it would be a good idea to have each of the children bring in one of their summer outfits, including shoes. During class, the group donned the summer wear and went outside for a picture. The clothes, a class picture and a paragraph about each child were sent to Honduras with Steve Houriet (his son Griffin is in our class) and the rest of the contingent that recently made the trip. Steve handed out the clothes and took pictures of the children in their new outfits. Thanks for all your help Steve! He said the Honduran children just loved them and were fascinated with the picture of our kids and the snow in the background.
On this end, our kids beamed with pride when they saw their clothes on the Honduran children. Roger said he also sensed a feeling of satisfaction that they were able to help other children who didn't have as much as they did.
Baptism
First Congregational Church has had a booming baptism business in the past several years, so Roger decided to teach a unit on baptism to help make the children aware of what it is and begin to grasp some of the basics. This year, Mike and Holly Elwing were kind enough to provide the baby, Ryan. His proud sister, Alissa, is a member of Mr. G's class. The Elwings consented to allow the group to be the "Official Class Sponsor" for Ryan, and Roger worked the unit around their timetable. The two weeks before the baptism, they studied the meaning and components of the ceremony. The children's homework assignment was to ask their parents about their own baptisms and for each child to bring in a picture for class discussion.
As luck would have it, it snowed the Sunday of the baptism and only 4 out of 16 class members showed up along with Roger and his capable teaching assistant, Catlin O'Meara. The four that were there were captivated with the close up view of the proceedings. Upon returning to the classroom, they talked about the baptism and then, the best part, enjoyed celebrating with cake! *
Roger Gruebling
On February 13th Tom and Barb Jarchow and Dr. Paul Schulze left O'Hare for San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Dr. Schulze and Barb worked with the new dentists there. Tom kept busy with pre construction planning prior to February 25th arrival of the second wave: Dick Berger, Phil Callen, Steve Houriet, Dr. Stuhler, and Sandy Ford. Dr. Stuhler worked with the Mission Doctor, Dr. Cano. Dick, Phil and Steve worked on the construction of two homes destroyed by the October 1998 hurricane. Tom also worked with the Mission staff on planning a birthing area at the Clinic.
On this trip, in addition to two local translators Tom located via the Internet prior to leaving, they had the good fortune of working with some people at the mission who had a good command of English. As much of this mission trip focused on evaluating current practices and plans for the future, the level of English was important to good communication on some of the more difficult subjects. Public relations concepts were discussed including the various communication methods the Mission could use for fund raising.
The construction crew was able to complete a good portion of one of the houses. Work progressed fairly rapidly on the modest, cement block house. The photo represents progress on the second house. While building materials need to be carried to the site by hand due to the steep slope, work is progressing rapidly and will most likely be complete by the time of publication. The mission is sending building updates which can be found on our web page: www.firstchurchtosa.org (under outreach). Prior to the building of these homes, one of the families was living in a small plastic sheet and cardboard dwelling and the other family in a small building behind the mission's church.
Perhaps most interesting is the dynamic which occurred since the beginning of the house construction project. At first there was general skepticism about the concept and ability to perform. This was replaced by enthusiasm as the construction progressed. By the time we left, the Mission Board was talking about how more of these houses could be built. Significant work continued after we left; both houses are now near completion, including the mountain side site at Carrizal which we did not directly work on.
Those working in both the dental and medical clinics also kept busy. In addition to seeing patients, equipment in the clinics was repaired/installed. Again, the web page has detailed postings from the mission trip. Following is just one of the entries from Sandy Ford who assisted in the medical clinic:
Dr. Stuhler and Sandy Ford had a good day at the clinic. It was very busy. Dr Cano sees an average of 50 patients per day. Today Dr. Cano saw the adults patients and Dr. Stuhler saw the infants. Most of the patients are young children under 5 years old. Diarrhea, parasites and bronchitis were the most prevalent complaints among the children. The respiratory infections are a problem because of the cooking fires in the homes. Parasites are a problem because they don't boil their drinking water. The children are given medicine to control the parasites every 3-4 months. There was one case of malaria today.
Medicine is provided by the clinic if they have it available. Some medicine has been too expensive, so other medicine is used or the patient has to buy it at a pharmacy if they can afford it. All lab tests have to be done at a private clinic if the patient wishes to come back to see Dr. Cano. If they can't pay for a visit to the private clinic, they can go to a public health clinic, but then they are no longer under Dr. Cano's care. *
Pictured below: Progress on the second house in Carrizal as of mid-March.
This dwelling replaces a house destroyed by the October hurricane. When
finished, it will have a corrugated metal roof.
Spring has sprung along with the church's need for some 'Spring cleaning.' On May 6, everyone is requested to volunteer for any of a variety of chores both inside and outside of 'God's House.' Some of the required tasks include:
* washing pews
* picking up the outside grounds
* planting
* minor painting
* and much more.
The day presents us with an enjoyable service opportunity with fellow
Congregationalists and can save the church a considerable amount of money
in services which might
otherwise need to be hired out.
Lunch will be served to all who participate and child care will be available. Workers can plan on an early day so we're cleared out for a 3:00 wedding.
Please consider sharing a few hours of your time to become part of this bi-annual event. Your gift of time and energy is greatly appreciated. Sign-up sheets are in the office or you can call 258-7375. *
On March 4, 2000, the BASIC group held its annual Dinner/Auction and raised well over $5000. The profits of the event will help send students to Wisconsin Congregational Association Camp, the National Association of Pilgrim Fellowship's Annual Meeting, and possibly help to fund a future mission trip for students.
The gourmet Italian dinner prepared by John Sgarlata, with the help of sons Jonathan and Christopher, which precedes the auction was extremely well received. "John Sgarlata deserves a lot of credit. I don't know that the event would happen with such panache without him," said Betty Blank, one of the attendees. Cathy Kebbekus agreed, "dinner was outstanding John outdid himself." BASIC members worked as waiters and clean-up crew for the evening.
The auction which followed provided an evening of entertainment, not to mention a great bunch of items on the block. Items auctioned varied from Harley T-Shirts to Green Bay Packers Coats, bicycles to CD's, dinner gift certificates to weekend retreats, and babysitting services to radio and television studio tours plus lunch with local celebrities. Keith Harmon served as the auctioneer with charm and Associate Minister Chris Rygh, "has spent some time hanging out in auction barns," said Betty Blank. The Sgarlatas not only did their part preparing dinner, they offered several items up for auction (including a gourmet dinner for 4, prepared by John) and were great bidders, as well. Many church members and businesses donated wonderful items. While there are too many to list, many thanks go to all these generous people/organizations.
Whether or not attendees were lucky with their bidding, the crowd was there to support the youth program and enjoyed a fun evening with wonderful company. "I would encourage more people to attend," said Cathy Kebbekus.
Many thanks to all the donors and attendees for their support of our BASIC program and we hope to see an even larger turnout next year! *
NAPF DePauw University, Indiana June 2428, 2000
HOPE DePauw University, Indiana June 2428, 2000
WCA Camp Whitcomb-Mason July 1622, 2000
The refurbishing project in the Chapel was recently completed. The ceiling and walls were painted for the first time since 1959 so it definitely was in need of a fresh coat of paint. The pews were removed and placed in the hallway while the painting was done. Now the pews have a new coat of white paint and the stained wood areas have been restained and polished as needed. Then the floor was cleaned and it looks bright and new. The fresh paint really contrasts with the stained glass window and the whole area looks wonderful. Stop in and check on the results.
The pay phone in the back hallway has been removed. The cost to us to have that phone was increased to $600 yearly and the phone company said we average $.27/day for calls (money which also goes to the telephone company), so it was determined that this was an unneeded expense for the church. People are able to use our phones for local calls. For some time the church phones, other than those in the office, have been blocked to prevent long distance calling, so the lack of a pay phone should not present a problem. The little pay phone nook has been painted and will be a good place to store a TV/VCR, making it easily accessible for groups which need to use it.
With spring on the way, we will keep you posted on our outside projects.
Don't forget the All Church Workday will be held on Saturday, May 6. Plan to come and help with the spring spruce-up of the grounds and building. See article on page 5. *
The Communications Committee is seeking people who would enjoy writing articles for issues of the Columns. The Columns is our larger, monthly newsletter and we try to incorporate more in-depth articles and personal interviews. We would also like any of you to make suggestions about the types of articles and information you would like to read about in the Columns. Leave your name and telephone number with the office (258-7375) and someone from the committee will contact you.
All-Church Dinner
April 5, come and enjoy a dinner of Sauerbraten and Potato Dumplings
prepared by Rod and Karen Schmidt. Reservation deadline is Sunday, March
26,
so the meat can "cure."
May 1 is the deadline for the May 3 Church Dinner which welcomes our new members.
Memorial Service
A service is planned on April 29th for Foster and Mynnette Sheller. Both passed away at Congregational Home, Foster in Nov. of 98, Mynnette in Nov. 99. The Shellers were long-time church members and residents of Wauwatosa. Their daughters Mary Ann and Mynnette, also brought up in the church are living in VanCouver and Louisville, respectively. They'll be returning for the service along with their children and grandchildren.
Both Foster and Mynnette were very active in the church. Foster was a proud Harvard alumni. Mynnette was very active in the Women's League, a PEO member (a philanthropic and social organization), and an extremely active Red Cross volunteer.
Children's Library Books
As you do your Spring cleaning, please look for overdue books for the Children's Library and return them to the church.
Are you certified to teach CPR? We need your help in training
some of our volunteers. Please call
Chris at 258-7375.
The deadline for submitting article for the next issue of the Columns is
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, 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. 9, Issue 3
