October 28, 2001
St. Vincent Meal Program Needs Help
LRP Reviews Church Vision, Needs Feedback
On Thursday, November 22, 2001 we once again honor our heritage with a Thanksgiving Day service reminiscent of our Pilgrim roots.
Worshippers will be called to worship by the sounding of the conch shell and drum and Church members in Pilgrim costumes will greet worshippers.
While Thanksgiving Day services once did comprise an entire day, we will not go as far as to re-enact that. Nor will we bring out the "ticklers" to awaken parishioners who have fallen asleep.
Our ministers will wear the traditional black robes with Pilgrim collars and Lee Jacobi, choir director, will "line out" a hymn for the congregation to follow. This method of repeating a Psalm line originated from a lack of hymnals in early days.
The first Thanksgiving at Plymouth in 1621 commemorated survival more than a beautiful harvest. During the very hard winter of 1620, nearly half of the almost 100 people who arrived on the Mayflower died. While many succumbed to pneumonia or tuberculosis, others died of starvation. As we fill our plates for our Thanksgiving feast, consider setting aside five kernels of corn. Merely symbolic to us, the five kernels comprised a daily meal ration for the earliest Congregationalists.
These men and women were religious separatists from England, willing to forsake their homeland and risk their lives to worship God in the way they chose. Due to recent events in our nation and throughout the world we are at a time, once again, when we are less likely to take for granted the blessings of our freedom and well-being, than in recent years.
As Congregationalists, Thanksgiving is especially meaningful, so take a break from your busy Thanksgiving Day and join us at the 10:30 a.m. worship service as we give thanks. *
Thanksgiving Dinner will be available at Congregational Home to those Church
members who would otherwise be alone. The dinner will be served at 12:30 p.m.
following the 10:30 a.m. worship service at Church. If you wish to join others at Congregational Home for a delicious meal, please
sign-up at the Church office before November 12. Cost is $13.50. Please indicate if you'll need help with transportation.
During the last several months, there have been a number of changes in our music staff. Dulcy Miller, our alto soloist/section leader; Patty Kostreva, soprano soloist/section leader; and Ken Olson, handbell choir director have all left our music program. They served long and admirably and will be missed. We wish them well and thank them for their outstanding efforts.
Our new soprano soloist/section leader is Kelly Fadeski. Kelly is a senior at Carroll College, majoring in vocal performance. She is a native of Brookfield and worked for a time at Congregational Home. She is busy preparing her senior recital at Carroll and will present a portion of it at our November Church Supper on the evening of November 7, 2001.
Dionne Wang, our newly engaged alto soloist/section leader is a native of Iowa. Dionne graduated from the University of Northern Iowa and has taught music in the schools in Iowa and Colorado. She is currently working as a graduate assistant while studying for her Masters' degree in vocal performance at the University of Milwaukee. Her husband is also at UWM, beginning his doctoral studies in American Literature.
Our new handbell choir director is Kim Walters. A native of Glendale, Kim is completing her senior year in Music at Concordia University in Mequon. She serves there as principal clarinetist in the Wind Ensemble and rings handbells with the Alleluia Ringers, Concordia's outstanding handbell choir. Upon completion of her bachelor's degree, Kim plans to attend graduate school to study physical therapy.
Be certain to introduce yourselves to these remarkable young women. They will be making a significant contribution to our worship life at First Congregational Church. *
THANKSGIVING DAY - NOV 22
Worship Service 10:30
CHRISTMAS
Dec. 1
Friendly Beast Breakfast 9:00
Dec. 2
Christmas Workshop 3:00
Supper 5:00
Dec. 5
All-Church English Dinner 6:00
Dec. 8
Choir Concert at St. Josaphat's 8:00
Dec. 16
Worship w/ Pageant 8:45 & 11:00
Christmas Choir Concert 4:00
Dec. 24 Christmas Eve Services
Worship 8:45 & 11:00
Family Service 4:00
Worship Service 7:00
Candle Light Service 11:00
By the time you receive and read this article, our stewardship campaign will be over. The Stewardship Committee and the staff have worked very hard to try and communicate the importance of stewardship in each person's life and in the life of this Church.
Our emphasis will shift during the month of November when we will concentrate on our Congregational Heritage. Because this is the month in which Thanksgiving occurs, we have a natural lead-in to thinking about our Congregational way of emphasis, worship and work.
Just what is a Congregationalism?
It is first of all and most basically, a way of life that holds to the leadership of Christ and the freedom of the Christian
person. Beyond that, Congregationalism is more than polity, "it is process, people, poetry and prayer."
We, who proudly carry the name, believe that people are more important than creeds and institutions. That is not to say that creeds and institutions are unimportant; it is to say that customs, beliefs and organizations must serve individuals.
Congregationalists believe in variety. We are pluralists who refuse to believe that all richness is cramped into one viewpoint. We believe that God can speak to different people in different ways. Just as some see beauty in the desert, others in the mountains and still others in the plains, so God delights in multiple flashing tones of thought, belief and action.
Congregationalists believe in variety, not only in the religious experience, but also in the total experience of life. Since our faith is a way of life rather than a finding, not a harbor but an odyssey, we are most fittingly symbolized by the Pilgrims.
Congregationalists have the faith of tomorrow as well as the faith of yesterday. Freedom was the cry of our forebearers, and it will be the battle cry of our children because our way comes directly from Christ himself who is the same yesterday, today and forever. It was Christ who said, and this is our great word, "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."
Join us during the services in November. We will seek to learn of our way and carry with us the inscription on Burial Hill in Plymouth Massachusetts, the epitaph of Governor William Bradford, leader of the brave band of the Lord's Free People, "Let us not basely relinquish that which our forefathers have with difficulty obtained."
( based on selected words from the
writings of Harry R. Butman)
Meals in colonial days included an expansive variety of dishes. Meat, fish and bread were the staples.
Tide Water Virginians had a hearty breakfast, usually between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. It consisted of venison, game or poultry and ham and fresh-baked hot breads. Dinner was from approximately 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. Choice of dishes was large: beef, roast pig, mutton, fish, ham, greens, pudding and cheese. Supper was light and late served between 9:00 and 10:00 p.m. Oysters, eggs, bread, cheese, fruit, a light dessert and wine or cheese comprised this last meal of the day.
Come and join us on November 7 for our own version of a Colonial Dinner. In addition to the menu listed right, entertainment will be provided. Cost is $5/adult; $2/children under 12.
Cream of Peanut Soup with Sippers
The sipper can be used in place of a spoon.
Dip it in the soup, sip off the soup and repeat.
The peanut is native to Brazil "the ground nut." It spread to Africa with Portuguese explorers
then up to North America with the slaves.
Peanuts did not gain wide acceptance until after the Civil War.
Fresh Garden Greens with Oil and Vinegar Dressing
Greens and garden vegetables fresh and available that day.
Breast of Faux Wild Turkey Supreme
This will be served on a bed of noodles with almond sauce.
Turkey is considered one of the best gifts from the New World to the old.
Zucchini with Walnuts
Zucchini is everyone's favorite. Walnuts were the most
plentiful nut as they grew wild.
Bread Pudding with Lemon Sauce
First Congregational Church of Wauwatosa began participation with the St. Vincent Meal Program many years ago on the first Friday of each month. We serve approximately 250 people with a fairly consistent menu of tossed salad, macaroni & cheese, fish, Jello with fruit and cookies.
The first Thursday is shopping day at Second Harvest, located at 17th St. & Martin Luther King Drive. Perishable goods for salads, salad dressings and cookies are picked up there. The macaroni & cheese and Jello are currently purchased at Aldi Foods and the fruit for the Jello at Pick 'n Save. Rod Schmidt orders the fish through a vendor who delivers it to the church.
Friday morning, the cooking crew begins work in the church kitchen at 8:00 to make the salad, Jello and macaroni & cheese. This task is usually completed by 9:30 a.m. While there are a number of ladies to help with the salads, we are now in need of someone who can lift the water pots to cook the macaroni.
Friday afternoon at 3:00, the food must be prepared for transportation to the meal site. This process takes approximately 11 hours. Everything must be ready to leave for the meal site by 4:30. This consists of baking the macaroni & cheese and the fish, then placing them in the portable ovens. The salads are put into traveling containers for the trip to the meal site.
We are desperately in need of someone to assist with cooking (morning and afternoon) the macaroni & cheese and the fish. We have many people that are willing and able to help, but who cannot do the heavy lifting of hotel pans full of hot food. We recently lost two younger, able-bodied people who assisted with this heavier work and covered for Barb and Ruth Dunham (the project leaders) when necessary. We need someone who can learn the details involved in this ministry and act as backup. Another area of need is transportation of the food to the meal site. We need vans to transport the three big portable ovens to the meal site.
It is work to provide this service for the St. Vincent Program, but the rewards are many. Those involved have developed close friendships with the other helpers and enjoy the fellowship. How about your help? *
Your FCC Search Committee will sponsor and participate in a Question and Answer Session on Sunday morning, December 2nd, at 10 AM, in the Social Hall. The 50-minute session is open to all members of the church. Most or all Search Committee members will be present to participate in an open discussion and to answer questions
regarding the search for a new Senior Minister for our Church.
Although some portions of the search process are necessarily confidential, including names of prospective candidates, many aspects of the search and search process are open to questions and may be discussed.
The Search Committee began its deliberations and processes in January, 2001, and has been meeting frequently and regularly. Hundreds of hours have been expended and invested by Search Committee members in seeking, investigating, screening and contacting possible candidates.
The session will be informal and will begin with an updated summary of the search as of December 2nd. Spontaneous questions are welcome, as are questions prepared in advance (which should be left in the church office in an envelope addressed to "Search Committee"). To insure inclusion in the discussion on Sunday, December 2nd, written questions should be brought to the church office not later than Friday, November 23, so the Search Committee will be able
to review your questions and ideas at their meeting scheduled for Monday, November 26th.
Members of the Search Committee include: Julie Anheuser, Mark Boettcher, Doug Jacobson, Gary Kebbekus, Phil Landis, Barbara Lindl, Steve Russ. Diane Schowalter, Jeff Snell, Nancy Stevens and David Swanson. Ex-officio members include FCC Moderator Dick Koch, Rani Gusho. *
Can you imagine placing your feet in the sand beside Jesus, walking where He left footprints, hearing Him actually speak? Jesus walked on the earth two thousand years ago and changed the world for all time to come.
On Wednesday, November 7th, a new Bible study group for women will be starting. The group will be using a study entitled Jesus, the One and Only, written by Beth Moore. In the study, we will be using the book of Luke and other scriptures to gain new insight and understanding into the life of Christ. Through video segments taped on location in Israel, we can visit the places Jesus visited in this 11-week study. We will tackle five daily homework assignments during a two-week period. Then, during each meeting, we will view a 50-minute video message as well as discuss insights from each assignment. Purchase of a study guide, which can be obtained in the church office or on the first night of class, is required.
Mary Beth Rygh will be facilitating the group. We will meet (approximately) every other Wednesday night from 79 p.m. at church. The dates are as follows: November 7, 28/ December 19/ January 2, 16, 30/ February 20/ March 6, 20/ April 17/ and May 1. Additional dates may be added if cancellations are needed.
Please consider joining us for this exciting, fascinating and in-depth adventure! Sign up in the church or come on November 7th. Friends and family members are welcome! Open to all women age does not matter! Call Mary Beth Rygh if you have any questions, 414-325-9202.
October's Breakfast with the Girls was another wonderful get together for us all. Our own Gale Tanger entertained and informed us of the ins and outs of the World of Winter Olympics, American figure skating and so much more. I'm sure none of us will watch another winter olympics with quite the same eyes again! Given Gale's incredible responsibilities and travel schedule, we can't thank her enough for taking the time to share herself with us, and we wish her well in the difficult tasks she faces in the upcoming year.
Our program for the 3rd of November will be an Advent performance by Janet Peterson of the Acacia Theater Troupe. As some of you may remember, Janet was with us last spring and did her Lenten program for us. Since this will be our last Breakfast until January, we thought it a fitting start to the Advent season to have this special morning. You won't want to miss it! Please call or stop at the office and let us know you'll join us. This is a difficult time, but made easier, I think, by caring and sharing and joining with each other. *
Char Schweitzer
The Board of Deacons and the Congregational Care Board are gathering names of family loved ones who have passed away this year.
They will be honored on All Saints Sunday, November 4th, with a
Roll of Rembrance.
During the reading of the names, a rose will be presented in commemoration of our thanks for the precious memories of their goodness, sustained by the contributions each made to our common life. Surviving family members will be welcome to take home the presented rose after the service as a remembrance.
This service of dedication will continue annually, for our members to acknowledge remembrance of family loved
ones for that current year.
If you are a member of First Congregational Church and have someone special that you want to be recognized during this service, please contact the First Congregational Church office at 414-258-7375. *
The Long Range Planning Committee has been meeting and reviewing the existing Long Range Plan from 1991. Our first goal is to VERIFY if the current vision statement is still applicable. We are soliciting your input and suggestions for the vision. Below is a copy of this portion of the Long Range Plan. Please review and validate, or make comments for change. In addition, we are asking : What is YOUR vision of what this church should be like in three years? Please return to the church office before NOVEMBER 16TH.
From 1991 Long-Range Planning
The Constitution states that our purpose shall be "to bind together followers of Jesus Christ for the object of sharing in the worship of God and in making His will dominant in the lives of people, especially as that will is set forth in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
In keeping with this purpose, yet enhancing the feeling of commitment, we recommend the following Covenant Statement be added to the Constitution to bring about a greater sense of ownership by each and every member.
"As followers of Jesus Christ, we commit ourselves to share in the worship and service of God, to grow in the knowledge and expression of our faith, to reach out with compassion to those in need, to treat each other with love and understanding, and to return to God a portion of His gifts."
The first step in establishing our long range plan was to consider the purpose of the First Congregational Church of Wauwatosa as stated in the Constitution. We heard from both the congregation and the staff that all members should be willing to make a stronger commitment to the church. We all want the Church to be a living, breathing, integral part of our daily lives. It should be a place for everyone to:
Please review and validate, or make your comments
Develop a meaningful relationship with God
Share with others, both inside and outside the Church
Gather in small groups
Laugh and cry
Pray
Learn
Study
Encourage each other to grow spiritually and within ourselves
Feel that God is truly at the center of our being
What is YOUR vision of what this church should be like in three years?
Looking for a Different Worship and Sunday School Experience?
Try the 11:00 Sunday School. You'll be sure to find a different, more intimate experience than the 8:45. Spend the morning at home reading the paper and have a nice family breakfast. When you arrive at church, you'll have no trouble parking and your children will enjoy the smaller, friendly classes. No pre-registration required. As always, we encourage you to join our teaching staff at 11:00. The curriculum is easy to teach and you'll have lots of fun.
Circle 8
will meet at the Congregatioal Home on Tuesday, November 6 at 1 p.m. We will play Bunco with the residents. Bring a small prize and a sandwich for lunch.
Our Thanksgiving Offering
will be given to the Tosa Food Pantry. We are also collecting canned goods and other non-perishable food items.
The Family Fall Festival
will be held on Saturday, November 3, from 5:307:30 p.m. in the Social Hall. Be sure to wear your costumes. Come and listen to stories, play games and have fun. Proceeds go to PF missions. Food will be available to purchase.
Wreath Sale
Troop 47, which is sponsored by the Church, will be selling wreaths again this year. The dates will be 10/28/01 and 11/04/01 between services, 9am11am. This year we will be asking that the wreaths be paid for upon ordering. We're trying to make pick-up a little easier.
Our All-Church Workday will take place on Saturday, November 10, 2001, from 9:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. Child care will be provided.
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, Sue Rowbottom,
De McDermott, Bill Edens
*
Rev. Dr. Douglas Lobb, Interim Minister
Rev. Kathryn Rust, Associate Minister
Rev. Chris Rygh, Associate Minister
Rev. Dr. Charles Goldsmith,
Congregational Home Chaplain
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. Dr. Norman S. Ream, Minister Emeritus
*
Congregational Columns (USPS 010-493) is published monthly by The First Congregational Church of Wauwatosa, 1511 Church St., Wauwatosa, WI 53213-2593, 414/258-7375. Periodical Postage Paid at Milwaukee, WI 53203-9998. Postmaster: Send address changes to Congregational Columns, 1511 Church St., Wauwatosa, WI 53213-2593.
Vol. 10, Issue 10
