July 29, 2001
Church Member Involved in Expedition
Pledge Campaign 2001 Final Results
Breakfast with the Girls - Back in September
Rev. Daniel Schowalter recently participated in an archaeological expedition in Omrit Israel. Dan is a life-long member of First Congregational Church and was, in fact, ordained here. He is now a professor of religion at Carthage College.
This was the third season of excavation on the site of an ancient Roman temple. Excavations to date have determined that the temple was originally constructed sometime between 50 BC and 50 AD. They have not yet determined to whom the temple was dedicated, but it may be the temple that the first-century Jewish Historian Josephus refers to as being built by Herod the Great in honor of Augustus Caesar. The site is near Banias which is usually assumed to be the place called Caesarea Philippi in the Gospels (Matthew 16:13-20). Archaeological investigation has also revealed that the original temple was eventually expanded, perhaps to honor a later ruler.
This year, 25 students participated in the dig, along with older adult volunteers.
The Macalester expedition at Omrit was one of a very few U.S. groups to dig in Israel this summer and tourists in general were few in number. Fortunately, the excavations and travels of the expedition team were safe and secure throughout.
The site is located west of Kiryat Shmona in Northern Israel. The hope for the season was to isolate information on the dating and identification of the temple. For this reason, efforts were concentrated in the temple complex itself.
Early on, two partial inscriptions came to light. Their fragmentary nature makes it hard to be certain, but one includes part of the name Aphrodite, and the other may refer to a priestly context. At present, they are investigating associations between Aphrodite and the members of the imperial family. Continued study and more discoveries will help to reach more firm conclusions.
Pottery fill associated with the first phase of the temple pushed back
the original founding date into the first century BC, even
earlier than expected.
Anyone interested in further information can also look at the Omrit web page at http://www.macalester.edu/~classics/omrit.html or http://photos.yahoo.com/omrit2001 .
The southern front corner of the temple was uncovered as well as the end of the channel between the first podium and the second. The stones in the right of the picture are part of the staircase of the original temple.
It was Mark Twain who stated, to one of his audiences, that the report of his death was greatly exaggerated. For those of us getting along in years, few experiences are better than reading the obituary page and finding that our name is not listed.
After a short period of time, that is exactly how I feel about First Congregational Church.
The office of Executive Secretary of the National Association of Congregational
Christian Churches
is a position where many "wars and rumors of war" are voiced.
For several months, I had been hearing about controversy, a potential split,
hard feelings and a general weakening of one of our Association's great
churches. When I was approached about considering coming here as an Interim
Minister, I hesitated. "Why spend my last year working in damage control?"
I reasoned.
After meetings with David Swanson, some members of the boards and the search committee, I became convinced this was not a dire situation and indeed, it was a challenge I wished to accept.
Now, I don't want to trivialize all that has transpired, but in the eternal scheme of things, it is simply a blip. This Church is strong. This congregation is healthy and poised to assume a major leadership role in the greater Milwaukee area.
Look at the pluses- we have a great music program. We have a strong Sunday School and excellent youth activities. We have more committed volunteers than most churches. We have better attendance during the summer months than more than 75% of the Churches of North America have all year. We have prayer groups, Bible studies, care givers, people who care for the building, others who assist in weddings, funerals, flower arranging, recording, ushering and the list goes on.
Dear friends, let's be positive about our pluses, they are many. God has blessed us beyond many fellowships. Our task is to accept the graciousness of God and to respond to that graciousness with our time, our talent and our means. Do that and people will look to this church for leadership and inspiration in their lives.
Old First Church, let's talk it UP! *
Rev. Dr. Doug Lobb
The Board of Christian Stewardship is hereby acknowledging the completion of its 2001 Pledge Campaign. We are pleased to report that the previously identified budget shortfall of approximately $160,000.00 has been cut in half, and as of this writing, it is anticipated that our total projected income will be in excess of $700,000.00. This will result in a budget shortfall of approximately $67,000.00. The Budget and Finance Committee and the Church Council will be considering ways to further reduce the budget for the remainder of 2001. Final decisions will be made at an all-church meeting to be held in September.
The Stewardship Board wishes to extend its heartfelt thanks for the positive responses it received to its numerous appeals. The faithfulness of our congregation as a whole, to the support of our church, is what has sustained us throughout the years. Our campaign this year in difficult circumstances bears witness to the strength and commitment of our church membership, family, and friends.
Again, your Board of Christian Stewardship sincerely thanks all those who have given of their "time, talent, and possessions" to make our church the very special place that it is and will continue to be in the months and years ahead.
Sincerely, The Board of Christian Stewardship
Happy summer to all of our "Breakfast With the Girls" supporters. We promised some advance information about our plans for the coming year so here we go. As we explained in spring, financing the diversity of fun programs for the year would be a budget concern. To address it we've come up with a plan that we hope will meet with your understanding and support. In the past a "free will " donation was collected which did help us but wouldn't fund our effort alone. We have had to accept the reality of a regular fee for our breakfast/program mornings. We will be asking $5.00 per Saturday this year, but we are also going to offer an advance "Breakfast With the Girls" ticket package of 8 tickets for $35.00. The tickets will be transferable (use one for yourself-one for a guest etc.) at your discretion. You could even make a pack of tickets a gift idea!! The ticket packages will be available for purchase at the church office starting in August. We're hoping enough of you are happy with the program to give us this necessary boost. We will still be counting on volunteer bakers for our goodies and hope to get folks to sign up for specific months too.
We have the makings of a great year underway, with some past hits returning, as well as new programs still being firmed up. On September 8th, (yes, we're skipping Labor Day weekend again!) we're kicking off the new season in style with the return of Molly O'Connell. For those of you who heard her the last time this is great news (bring friends)! If you missed her, here's your chance to enjoy this wonderful woman and what she has to share. We're excited to have Molly back and we hope you are too. So------
See you all on Saturday, September 8th at 9:00 A.M.. Sign up at the office as usual and get your tickets early and save!! Oh yes-the coffee is back on. *
by Char Schweitzer
FCC's Search Committee is continuing to meet during the summer months and to conduct business
related to the church's search for a new Senior Minister.
A representative of the Search Committee attended the Annual Meeting of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches in June, in Lansing, Michigan, and met with various recommended people there, as well as with several possible candidates for our position. Several initial interviews were conducted and the results reported back to The Search Committee.
If any church members have specific requests about candidate recommendations or regarding processes for The Search Committee to discuss or consider, please leave a signed note or letter in a sealed envelope with any member of the staff of our Church Office. Your suggestions will be discussed at a meeting of The Search Committee and may prove to be extremely helpful in our process. *
The 47th Annual Meeting of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches(NACCC) was held June 23--26 on the Michigan State University campus in Lansing Michigan. This year, in addition to the business portions of the meeting, there were expanded times of worship, joint fellowship events with the NAPF and HOPE meetings, and fantastic educational experiences.
Dr. Donald Juel from Princeton gave a very thought-provoking, 3-part Bible lecture which asked the question, "Why aren't churches more like parties?" Professor James Fenimore Cooper Jr. from Oklahoma State University presented a lecture on Congregationalism. Jim Griffith presented a seminar on church revitalization and Dianne Kruzman gave an excellent presentation on children's ministry. This year's meeting was packed with both ideas and fellowship. For the first time, a resource room was in place. This was an excellent opportunity for churches to share ideas, exchange e-mail addresses and truly begin to network with each other.
Financially, the NA survived its deficit budget for 2000--01. The deficit was offset through bequests, special gifts and increased church donations. There was a positive response to the increase of "Fair Share." (Currently each member church is asked to contribute $10/member.) There was even a greater response to the threat of losing the Congregationalist, our national periodical. Subscriptions are now close to numbering 8000.
While the 2001--02 budget was passed as a deficit, the meeting ended on a hopeful note. Through open forums and small group discussions, participants left with feelings that their opinions count.
Next year's meeting will be held in Spokane, Washington. Make it a part of your summer plans! *
Karen Schmidt, NA Representative
The Thursday Morning Moms Group (now grandmotherly age) will be meeting at the Congregational Home once a month. On August 9, we will gather with the residents in the chapel for a 10 a.m. devotion with Rev. Dr. Charles Goldsmith and a hymn sing. Marj Fowler is one of our group so the singing promises to be way above average and lots of fun. Everyone is welcome to join us anytime. Call Ddg Wakefield 262-781-0550 if you have any questions.
The August All-Church Dinner features tacos. Join us on Wednesday,
August 1 at
6 p.m. in the Social Hall. There will be lots of ingredients from which
to choose, so you can make your tacos any way you want. $5.00 adults/ $2
children under 12. Sign up in office by Monday July 30.
Circle 8 meets Tuesday, August 7 at
1:00 p.m. at Congregational Home. Bring a sandwich for lunch and a small
prize for playing BUNCO with the residents.
Blood Pressure Clinic
There will be a blood pressure clinic in the Parish Nurse's office Sunday, July 29 following the 10 a.m. worship service.
Blank note cards with a sketch of the front of the church, featuring the steeple, are again on sale in the church office. The cards are being sold in packages of 10 for $8.00 or 2 packs for $15.
*Please note early deadline!*
The deadline for submitting articles for the next issue of the Columns is
www.FirstChurchTosa.org
Editor, Beth Linscott
Communications Committee
Mary York - Chairperson
Nancy Fisher, Joan Halvorson, De McDermott, Bill Edens
*
Rev. Douglas Lobb, Senior Minister
Rev. Kathryn Rust, Associate Minister
Rev. Chris Rygh, Associate Minister
Rev. Dr. Charles Goldsmith, Minister of Pastoral Care
Rani Gusho, Administrator
Lee Jacobi, Director of Music
Betty Dethmers, Organist
Michelle Jackson, Parish Nurse
Sally Boyle, Secretary
Nancy Grundle, Secretary
Anne Callen, Secretary
Charles Nelson, Administrator, Congregational Home, Inc.
Rev. Norman S. Ream, Minister Emeritus
*
Vol. 10, Issue 6
