April 30, 2000
Carolyn Simpson's Class Learns Through Creative Teaching
Local Mission and Volunteer Opportunities
FCC Member Mark Schowalter Appearing at the Met
Special Music for Mother's Day
Are you interested in becoming more involved in the church but aren't sure what is available that is a good match for your talents and schedule? The Ministry Celebration Fair, which will be held May 7, 9:4511:00 a.m. in the Social Hall, will help answer your questions.
Each participating board and committee will have a display area set up for members of the congregation to learn and explore the various ministries of the church. A representative from each board or committee will be at their assigned table to greet members and discuss that board/committee/special ministry's activities and needs.
The idea of the Ministry Fair, which was spearheaded and developed by Rev. Lonnie Richardson, is two-fold. In addition to sharing information about the activities of each of these groups, planners of the event hope to enlist more help, involving more members of the congregation.
Participants include: Congregational Home, Honduran Mission, Men's Ministry, Retired Men, Bd. of Deacons, Bd. of Fellowship, Bd. of Trustees, Bd. of Benevolences and Church Relations, Bd. of Christian Education, Stewardship Board, Bd. of Congregational Care, Communications Committee, Music Committee and Student Ministries.
Please plan to take some time on May 7
and learn more about the activities of
your church! *
The Women of the Church have always been an active force, but in the
last years
it has become more difficult to stretch 24 hours a day to fit all the demands
of the
"I-can-do-it-all" woman. Twenty-five years ago every woman had
the opportunity to share in the fellowship, activities, and
spiritual growth of a "Church Circle." Today there are only a
few that still enjoy those special relationships.
Feeling the needs now more than ever, Kathy Rust, Mary York, Bonnie Ornst and Char Schweitzer decided it was time to reach out again and provide a venue that would appeal to all women and would provide an opportunity for fellowship and spiritual growth. On Saturday morning, April 1, women of all ages gathered in Friendship Lounge to be entertained, motivated, cajoled, teased, and inspired by Molly O'Connell. For an hour and a half she held us all in the palm of her hand as she shared her insights and her genuine "love of life." Her stories made us laugh and cry and look into our own lives. And her simple message will stay with us all. One - There are people in this world who love and appreciate you. Give them a hug and avoid the few that always cause problems. Two - We all have too much "stuff" in our lives. If you can't get rid of it, at least remember that it will all be sold at someone's garage sale someday and will only carry a 50 cent price tag. Three - Keep humor in your life. Don't take things too seriously, especially yourself. Four - Set goals. No matter how big the goal, break it into small pieces. If you don't set goals, you won't know you've gotten there.
Before she ended, she shared some of her experiences at Clown School. One of those things was the list of RULES followed by those in the Circus.
1. Get along with everyone
2. If it's not yours, don't touch it.
3. Everyone is important - no one more important than anyone else.
4. Trust each other.
5. Work together as a team.
6. Show tolerance.
7. Share with each other.
8. Take your turn.
10. Respect and know your limits.
Those basic rules seemed very appropriate for each of us in our own private circus of life.
All women are invited to join on the first Saturday of the month. May 6th Sally Wells will be sharing her "Life Journey." Sally is a long-time member of FCC who has grown and flourished with life's challenges. June 3rd we will be inspired and entertained by Jeananne VonRohr, a storyteller from the Wauwatosa Public Library.
by Jennifer Wakefield
A highlight of the summer program offerings at First Congregational Church is the annual Vacation Bible School. Vacation Bible School 2000 is scheduled for the mornings of August 7,8,9,10 and 11. Currently open to children who will be age 4 by June 1st through those beginning 6th grade, this year's VBS program is set in VeggieTown and features characters that children and adults alike have come to know and love in the six years since their creation Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber, the hosts of Veggie Tales.
The Veggie Tales computer animated video series is the product of Big Idea Productions, founded by two friends who met in Bible college. Phil Vischer and Mike Nawrocki had a vision to use children's media to tell stories that not only entertain but also improve people's lives. The stated core purpose of Big Idea is "To markedly enhance the moral and spiritual fabric of our society through creative media." Big Idea released the first Veggie Tales, Where's God When I'm S-Scared? video before Christmas, 1993. It was the first entirely computer animated video in the United States. Since then, the company has released a total of 13 videos with total sales of more than 11 million copies.
Selected edited-down versions of the stories in these videos and daily video introductions and greetings from Bob and Larry are featured in the VBS program VeggieTown Values on the Job! Building Citizens Who Do God's Work. The basis for the program is the verse from 1 Corinthians, 10:31, "Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
Kids will be grouped into "neighborhoods" that will gather every morning in the VeggieTown town square. Then, each day, each neighborhood will rotate to visit one of each of the special sites in VeggieTown a factory, an animation studio, a pet shop, a courthouse, and a doctor's office. Through a story, craft, games and songs at each site, kids will discover ways to use their abilities to glorify God. They will focus on jobs at each site and how those jobs glorify God, and learn how to use on-the-job values in everyday life. The program and materials are geared to meet the needs and abilities of all the attending age groups.
In order to make VBS a success, our VeggieTown coordinators, Kari Leon and Laura Taylor need many volunteers. Help will be needed weeks before the program in building the VeggieTown. During the week of the program, help is needed with daily set up, and providing snacks. Leaders are needed for each of the job sites, and each neighborhood needs job squad leaders. The program has been designed in a way to avoid volunteer burnout. The program package contains training manuals and a video for leaders as well as templates for the artwork and buildings in VeggieTown. All the training and preparation materials are geared to unearth hidden volunteer talents! Your help need not be a full week's commitment. If you can work only one morning or provide a portion of one day's snack, the coordinators will gratefully accept your contribution. Kari can be found in the nursery, (first floor, next to the children's library) on Sunday mornings. Kari and Laura can also be contacted through the church office, 258-7375.
If you are not familiar with Veggie Tales, borrow one of the many videos in our Church's children's library collection to get acquainted with Bob, Larry and the many other characters of Veggie Tales. Read the Columns, the Congregationalist, and the announcements in your weekly order of worship for registration details. *
by René Klumb
There are two ways in which we can approach human history. One way is to focus on wars, violence, pain and death. From such a point of view Easter seems like a fairy tale exception, a stunning contradiction in the name of God. But there is another way to look at the world and it is a way that I would suggest. Take Easter as the starting point, the one incontrovertible fact of how God loves us to the point of a cross and empty tomb. Then human history becomes the contradiction and Easter a preview of ultimate reality.
This perhaps explains the change in the disciple's perspective as they sat in locked rooms discussing the incomprehensible events of Easter Sunday. For we know that in one sense nothing had changed: Rome still occupied Palestine, the religious authorities still conspired against them, death and evil still reigned outside. But gradually, however, the shock of recognition gave way to a long, slow undertow of joy and of life. And so the life-giving faith of Easter is a gift which reminds us that it doesn't matter if you are rich or if you are poor, if you are at war or experiencing peace, or if you are healthy or sick. We can go through all the circumstances of life with the firmness and hope that we are people graced with God's love. Look at the world through the eyes of Easter faith and we see the prospects of what can be rather than what is. *
Your Pastor,
Lonnie
May 5, 2000
12 Noon
Congregational Home, $12.50 per person
Spring came early this year and with it the plans for the Congregational Home's Strawberry Luncheon. This worthwhile event is a wonderful way to introduce your friends and family to Congregational Home as well as a chance for a delicious lunch and conversation.
The style show portion of the event has always been well received and this year a new twist has been added. Gracing our runway on May 5th will be Friends of the Milwaukee Repertory Theater modeling 30 plus costumes used in past Rep performances. What a delight this should be for all who attend. Whether this evokes memories from past performances or helps to bring to life ideas of the play, the show should prove to be a hit!
Reservations may be made by sending your check to Sandy Davis, 3560 Nassau, Brookfield, WI 53045. Please come to help us to welcome spring in our "Strawberry Style."
"What does 'Canaan' mean?"
If you answered 'the land of purple,' you are correct! Terese Eggert and Chris Pollack responded correctly to this question and twelve other queries to win the "Who wants to be a 'bible-naire' game."
"Carolyn is a wildly effective teacher," said Rev. Chris Rygh. She has developed exciting, interesting ways of teaching her message. While Carolyn insists that she has benefited more than her students and began this ministry because she doesn't possess a talent to sing or participate in many of the other ministries of the church, past students and parents alike are thankful for her gifts in this area.
Games, crafts, visitors, plays and Bible readings reinforce the stories of Moses, Joshua, Samson, Jesus, Peter and Paul in the fifth and sixth grade 8:45 Sunday School class taught by Carolyn Simpson. Developing a personal relationship with God, reading deeper into the scriptures, and learning how to "win" have been common messages throughout the year.
Members are welcome to stop by Room 302 and see the beautiful windows. Jessie Reddy painted a haunting "Garden of Gethsamane," Ryan Hamm drew a bold Christian cross visible from the street and Andy Klohn illustrated Samson.
Few in the class will forget Tim Holtz, playing the deceased Lazarus, when he came back to life and appeared out of his tomb - the supply closet. Then there was Scott Simpson, who played his trumpet as we circled the city of Jericho seven times. The class learned how difficult it was to obey God and wait before tearing down the walls. In early September, Sarah Schalmo gave a convincing portrayal of the idol, Bel. Heath Halvorson has captured a couple of the productions on video.
The class demonstrated giving their cares to Jesus by squirting paint on a huge foam cross. Chris Rygh joined Kristin Lewis, Alexis Kuhlman and others as the group prayed about the significance of Jesus suffering for us.
Meredith McBride regularly keeps Carolyn on her toes with faith-probing questions as does Jack Pendergast with reality checks. Bryn Callen eagerly offers to read the Bible scriptures. Lydia Entringer can always assist with Bible characters' names while Bryan Haas has the distinction of acing every quiz.
Special thanks to MacKenzie Wray and Amy Narr who brought friends to class to share the word. Stacia Samm and Jared Eiff were welcomed as two new students to the class this year.
These brief notes about the 5th/6th grade class only touch on a small aspect of each of the gifted children. Please continue to surround these students and their families with your love and support as they learn to be confident, faithful and joyful Christians. *
Carolyn Simpson
The Congregational Care Board gave a very nice Communion and Conversation service on Ash Wednesday, March 8 at 2:00 p.m., at the Harwood Place chapel. We had a very good turnout. Rev. Kathy Rust gave the service. We invited Luther Terrace and Hawthorne Terrace to the service. Those of the Care Board there were Pat Schwai, Cathy Schmidt, past member Charles Borgwardt who played the organ, Elaine Wieand, and Janice Wittig. Then after the service, all the people chatted and we had refreshments.
We hope to plan a service at the Congregational Home next month. We'll invite the residents of the Home and Apartments. We enjoy doing this for the nursing and retirement homes.
I think our chairman Arlette Lindbergh and all the Congregational Care Board deserve a note of THANKS for this ministry.
Janice Wittig
The First Congregational Church of Wauwatosa has a long-standing history of benevolent giving to local, domestic and international organizations and missions. The contribution and success of our mission in Honduras is well known. Several members have inquired about participating in a local mission...right in our own community, serving the needs of those around us.
Community Village, a local organization, is seeking volunteers. It is located at 4113 W. North Avenue. Community Village is a non-profit organization initiated by the Community Baptist Church, which is led by Rev. Dr. Roy Nabors. Their vision reads: "Through faith-based neighborhood revitalization, Community Village will be a safe and vital place for people, homes, businesses, and various centers of community life by empowering people; developing business; advancing education; generating work; reviving housing; and providing family supports including child care, health care, food and clothing."
Community Village was the featured subject in an article in the October/ November 1999 edition of The NACCC Congregationalist. They have an exciting new approach for overcoming some of the limiting factors of the near inner city. It is based upon an economic perspective, rather than a social perspective. The private sector, not government or social service organizations, is the source for revitalization. Community Village has spawned several enterprises and local service providers that could use the assistance of open-minded volunteers. These organizations and their contacts are:
Community Child Care
A Day Care Center open from 6 am to 11:30 pm. It is located at three sites and handles about 100 children total. The Center will work out an opportunity to volunteer in whatever way the volunteer would like. Currently, there is one volunteer on a weekly basis (she is from North Shore Congregational Church.) Ideally the Center would like someone who could come in for art, music or drama with the kids, probably as an after school event. They would also like someone who could work on the computers with the kids. Stop in to visit anytime; you do not need to make an appointment. Contact Brenda Hagler of Community Child Care at (414) 449-8500.
Community Vision Academy
A school from kindergarten through third grade serving the needs of 66 students. Their need for help includes supervision for the occasional field trip and their after school program. This program is housed in the Community Baptist church and presently has 30 children enrolled. It operates from 3-6 PM. There is a certified teacher, an aide and a security person. They could use assistance with art (Tues.-Wed.) or music (Thurs.-Fri.) Cynthia Jackson is the coordinator and also the secretary at the church. If you are interested, you should call Cynthia and set up a schedule for helping or to visit. She can be reached at (414) 449-5710.
Community Credit Union
Volunteers can help in basic bookkeeping and light computer work. The credit union is also in need of those who can provide basic financial planning assistance (budgeting, planning for a house, debt consolidation and reduction, etc.) They can also use assistance in marketing and selling the credit union to those in the local community. Contact Mary Hinkle at (414) 449-5709.
Community Enterprise of
Greater Milwaukee
This is a group with a wide range of goals spanning to assistance with business formation to community outreach and community technical (computer) training. Accounting and bookkeeping skills are welcomed. They need computer technical volunteers with application software skills to teach people in the community the basic word processing and spreadsheet skills. Another type of computer technical volunteer with hardware skills is needed to teach the basics of computer assembly, troubleshooting and repair. Contact William Lock at (414) 265-2346.
If you would like more information about Community Village, please contact their office at 414-445-1630. *
by Mark Boettcher
If any further proof of the quality of the music ministry at First Church would ever be required, take a look at life-long church member, Mark Schowalter.
Mark grew up here at FCC, part of a very active family. As a teen, he said that he began singing in the choir with his dad following PF meetings. He now "blames" Lee Jacobi, director of music, for his successful career in music. Mark said that Lee was the first person to really encourage his music, urging him to compete and helping him prepare for a vocal contest which he went on to win. Mark also noted that singing with Roger Jacobi and trying to copy his voice was a great help.
Mark sang in the choir at St. Olaf's college and was again encouraged there by Kenneth Jennings who offered Mark many solo parts. The next step was Juliard where Mark obtained his Master's degree. At that point, not yet ready for New York, Mark went back to Minnesota and taught at Concordia College for three years, simultaneously working with Glenda Maurice, who remains his voice coach.
During the 97-98 season, Mark got his first opportunity to sing with the Metropolitan Opera in three different productions. Mark said that he started with smaller roles and is slowly working his way up. In 1999, returning to the Metropolitan Opera for his third season, Mark was engaged in the Met's new productions of Wagner's Tristan und Isolde and Lehar's The Merry Widow, and for the revival of Schoenberg's Moses und Aron and Strauss's Der Rosenkavalier. Each show at the Met runs about 615 performances. Mark will return to the Met again next season for various roles in eight or nine operas. Mark also appeared in many other operatic performances around the country.
At home on concert as well as operatic stages, Mark is known for his thoughtful interpretations and beautifully lyrical voice. A few of his concert appearances last year include shows with Charlotte Symphony (Messiah), Youngstown Symphony (Messiah, L'enfant du Christ), and Alabama Symphony (St. Matthew Passion).
Mark said he is enjoying the thrilling experience of working with so many noted musicians.
Perhaps he will appear in the area in the future and we'll again enjoy
his wonderful tenor voice. *
Mark Schowalter recently appeared in the Metropolitan Opera's production of "The Merry Widow." He is pictured above with famed tenor Placido Domingo and below with Mezzo-Soprano Frederica von Stade.
Mother's Day, May 14, 2000, is a special day. It will be particularly special for those attending the 8:45 or 11:00 service at First Congregational Church of Wauwatosa. The worship services will feature the combined choirs in a mini-concert of glorious sacred music.
Five choral pieces will be presented by the choir accompanied by organ and brass quintet. The five very moving pieces range from renaissance to contemporary and from Latin to Hebrew, Russian to American. These beautiful choral works praise God, using words and themes from the Psalms and other religious works.
One of the works joins a Christian hymn tune and a Hebrew song of faith, each song praising God and asking for faith and strength. The Hebrew song, Ani Ma' Amin is meant to remind us of the Holocaust.
The renaissance piece in Latin is for double chorus contrasting alternate sections of somber reflection and vigorous joy.
The combined choirs have been rehearsing these selections for two months. Please join us for this special event on this special Sunday. *
by Marilyn Auer
Life education for children grades 5 and 6 will be presented May 1 & 4 for girls and May 8 & 11 for boys. All sessions will be held in Friendship Lounge from 6:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. allowing time for questions. This program on puberty education, the first step bridging childhood to adolescence, is presented by Michelle Jackson, Parish Nurse. Sign up through the church office, 258-7375.
A course description and outline will be mailed to parents. Parent participation and questions are encouraged. Please call Michelle at church or home, 332-1979 with any questions.
All-Church Workday, May 5, 9 am1pm
It's time again for Spring cleaning at the church. With plenty of projects available both inside or out, pick what you enjoy.
As a wedding is scheduled for the afternoon, we're planning a short day, finishing at 1:00 p.m. While "Women of the Church" is scheduled the same morning, also beginning at 9:00 a.m., attendees of that group are certainly welcomed and encouraged to join the work crew when they finish.
All-Member Annual Election Meeting
Official notice is hereby given that the Annual Election Meeting of the Church will be held on Sunday, May 21, 2000 at 10:30 a.m. in the Social Hall.
Women's Meetings
Women's Saturday Morning Breakfast is
May 6, 9:0010:30. Church member Sally Wells will share her life journey
Circle 7 meets Sun., May 7, 5:00 for a social evening at Nancy Winkel's.
Circle 8 meets Tues., May 2, 11:30 at Congregational Home for lunch with 2nd floor residents. Please R.S.V.P. to Mercedes Richardson, 262-781-0550.
Senior Women meet Mon., May 8 at 10 a.m. Church member, Tom Rondeau will present the program on "Pets."
Women's Book Club is Wed., May 10 at 7:00 p.m. to discuss "How Good Do We Have To Be?" by Harold Kushner.
Births
April 6, 2000, Jackson Roy Nichols, son of Molly and Roy Nichols
March 16, 2000, Kaela Rose Preston,
daughter of Millie and Jeff Preston
Death
April 13, 2000, Winifred DeBack, mother of Barbara Jacobi
39ers - Save the Date
The summer picnic has been set for July 9, 3:00 p.m., at the home of Gordon and Jacquie Ralph.
The deadline for submitting articles for the next issue of the Columns is Monday, May 15
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 4
