July 28, 2002
FCC Missionaries Make a Difference
Youth Showcases Talent at Congregational Home
Next Special Offering Scheduled for Rally Sunday
FCC Well Represented at NAPF and HOPE
Vacation Bible School Week of August 5th
Our sixteen young people and adults stepped off the plane at General Mitchell International Airport on July 10 feeling exhausted but satisfied. Having spent a week in Anchorage, Alaska working on a multitude of construction projects, our Pilgrim Mission Team was proud of their work. They left Anchorage knowing they made a difference and that others would benefit from their hard labor.
The First Church team joined approximately 65 other missionaries representing Congregational churches from as far away as Massachusetts. Because of the large numbers, Anchorage mission organizers--representatives of First Congregational Church of Anchorage--ultimately elected to split the group into seven work teams. Each team was then deployed to complete a specific task in the Anchorage area.
"We were sort of planning to work at a camp," said Jeremy Schowalter, one of the student missionaries who worked at a Habitat for Humanity site, "but I believe the work we did here [at this home] was far more important." Schowalter and others spent a day drywalling the inside of a home. Afterward, a thankful Habitat representative shared, "Your team was able to do more in two days than we thought we could do in a month! You've been a tremendous blessing, and because of your hard work, a family will move into this home even sooner!"
While some students were sent to recondition homes for Habitat for Humanity, others worked for a similar organization called Anchorage Neighborhood Housing. One student missionary, Sarah Berte, described the work at ANH by saying "One big crew repaired and painted two shacks, and afterward they looked like a million bucks! I think Jesus would smile at what were were able to accomplish together." Truly, the group of 80 servants took Anchorage by storm. They worked on houses, they dug out fence, they cleared brush. In their off time, they picked up litter, held a carwash for the Anchorage Area Hospice, re-striped the church parking lot, built a retaining wall and painted the church parsonage, a building now used as an office for a new church plant!
After finishing their primary project, one crew spent part of a day working at the Alaska Native Heritage Center building picnic tables and removing brush. "They were very appreciative that a group of Christian kids would come to serve, with no strings attached," said one of the adult chaperones traveling with a group from Michigan. "We really did a lot," said Erin Callen, "I'm proud because so much of what we accomplished will make life easier for a lot of people. That is what Jesus did, and we're supposed to do the same, ease the burdens others feel."
To hear more about what these missionaries were able to accomplish and how their hearts have changed, plan to attend worship on Sunday, July 28 and also the Fellowship Supper on Wednesday, August 7.
On Wednesday, June 19, the residents of The Congregational Home were entertained by several children from our church. Carla Cummings and Carrie Sgarlata organized a variety show and all the children from our church were invited to participate.
The children put on quite a show! The residents enjoyed the many talents shared such as joke telling, piano playing and dancing. After the show, everyone of all ages visited and sampled delicious treats and cool drinks. As one can imagine, the residents were delighted to interact with the children of our church in this way.
Thanks to all of the children who participated. We are looking forward to putting on another show in the fall. We encourage all the children to think about the many talents they could share and come out and join us for the next show. We would love to have even more participants. Look for more details coming soon. *
As a result of budgeting constraints, the 2002 budget does not include any amount for general benevolence. The Board of Benevolence decided to meet our general benevolence responsibilities with special offerings on Easter, Mother's Day, Rally Sunday (September 8th), Thanksgiving and Christmas, with a goal of raising $45,000 through the five special offerings (approximately 10% of the Church budget.) The Easter and Mother's Day offerings raised a total of $16,515; the beneficiaries were Mayfair Interfaith, Tosa Food Pantry, Tosa for Kids, the Youth Mission Trip and Books for Joy House.
The Board selected HeartLove Place and the Congregational Foundation for Theological Studies as the beneficiaries of the Rally Sunday special offering. If we are to meet our goal of $45,000, the Rally Sunday, Thanksgiving and Christmas offerings need to raise a total of $28,500, an average of $9,500 per offering.
The following information will give you an idea of the use to which your Rally Sunday gift will be put by HeartLove Place and CFTS.
CFTS
Article after article talks about the "clergy shortage" in the US. We read about the plight of Roman Catholics, Episcopalians, Methodists and Baptists, but what about the Congregational churches? How do Congregationalists address the problem of not enough trained clergy when we don't even have our own seminary?
Forty-one years ago a group of far-sighted folk came up with a bright idea. Instead of putting money into buildings, let's put our money into people. That's how the Congregational Foundation for Theological Studies (CFTS) was born. It was an innovative idea in theological education from people who have been innovators since the sixteenth century!
CFTS helps students to attend seminary by providing financial assistance. It also sees to their formation as Congregational Ministers by providing supervised internships, seminars (including the annual Boston Seminar on Congregational History and Polity), and personal support and guidance. There are currently 16 CFTS 'Fellows' studying for the ministry in seminaries across the United States.
The Board of Benevolence sees CFTS as yet another marvelous example of "hands to work and hearts to God." The goal is to have First Congregational Church Wauwatosa join several other sister churches in offering an annual scholarship to a deserving student, who would then have a connection to us. We hope that on Rally Sunday the folks of First Church will open their hearts and help to support the Congregational Way of a learned ministry to a literate laity.
HeartLove Place
The mission of HeartLove Place is to assist Milwaukee's central city families by teaching, encouraging, and mentoring individuals to accept personal responsibilities, incorporate good judgement and fairness in their work ethic, and build positive character. The project seeks to provide training within the neighborhood, helping to reinvigorate local institutions, families, schools and churches.
Heartlove Place focuses on assisting individuals to become achievement oriented within a framework of Christian ministries. In conjunction with helping young people become contributing family members, it has helped adults become better family leaders through non-denominational faith-based programs. HeartLove Place supports a Child Development Center, Family and Community Activities, Employment Services and Performing and Creative Therapeutic Arts, among other services.
Tosa Quilters Help Raise Funds
The Tosa Quilters is a group of women who enjoy the art of quilting and have been holding their meetings here at our church for several years. Some of the quilters are members of this church, many are not. They meet about once a month and have speakers or workdays when they bring their materials and work on a quilting project.
A few weeks ago they presented our church with a very beautiful quilt that they, as a group, had put together. This was their expression of gratitude for having used our facilities. They just asked that we raffle the quilt and use the proceeds to help some deserving project. Our Board of Benevolence was thrilled to have this lovely quilt and voted to use it to help in the fund raising for our September Campaign.
The quilt will be on display Sundays in the atrium toward the end of August and through September. Be sure to watch for it. You will have an opportunity to buy raffle tickets (the Quilters also provided us with a raffle license) during the month of September. Watch for more details on purchasing the tickets. The proceeds from the raffle will be added to the money donated for the Rally Sunday campaign.
We thank the Tosa Quilters for this very generous gift of their time and talents and will be happy to apply the proceeds to help the deserving people designated by the Board of Benevolence. *
Board of Benevolence
I was rummaging down in the archives the other day looking for a slide presentation I had put together on the history of First Church. My rummaging produced a delightful little book printed in 1912: Manual of First Congregational Church. The book presented a digest of Congregational Principles (which I may reprint at some point), a brief history of the church, the constitution, by-laws, an order for reception of members, and a directory of members. All of this good information was packed into a slim little volume of 35 pages. Remarkable.
Finding that book led me to look again at Julius Ruff's Sesquicentennial History. There I discovered that I am the twentieth 'settled minister' in this congregation's 160-year history. The distribution of the tenures was most interesting to me. In the first seventy years there were 13 ministers (and this isn't counting, of course, various 'supply' ministers). The next ninety years would see 7 ministers in the pulpit (I am the seventh). Neil Swanson and I share the distinction of having first served you as associate ministers and then being called to be the senior minister. Of course, until 1947 there was only one associate minister (since then we've had 22 associates).
Having looked at those facts I turned my attention to membership statistics. In 1842 there were 11 members. There were 79 members in 1852, which grew to 330 in 1912, and swelled to 862 in 1942. The next decades showed a boom: 1288 in 1952, 2001 in 1962, and 2367 in 1972. The Sesquicentennial year, 1992, showed 1684 members. As of this writing we're at 982 members in 2002. So we stand at a bit under half of where we were thirty years ago.
So, why am I musing about statistics? After all Benjamin Disraeli put it so well that "figures may not lie, but liars may most certainly figure." Well, looking at those facts tells me that this church reflects the society, the culture, and the time in which it lives. That great balloon in church membership reflects the general religiosity of American culture in that time period. That kind of swelling growth in church members was unprecedented in the history of American Christianity according to the late Sydney Ahlstrom and other chroniclers of American religious history. This gathered people has seen much change, known both growth and decline and yet continues its course; there is something here to be celebrated.
As a historian I am very conscious of the importance of roots and how
these roots help us to define our identity. The coming and going of both
ministers and members doesn't take away from the constant on which this
congregation was gathered: the love of God expressed in covenant relationship.
That which draws us to gather as the Lord's free people and holds us close
continues among us. There's
a reason to rejoice here.
One hundred and sixty years and twenty ministers not bad. I look at our past and see a bright future ahead of us. Thank you for the opportunity to serve God with you, to walk the Congregational Way with you in faith, freedom, and fellowship. I hope you'll join Julie and me for the installation festivities on August 4, we've got something to celebrate, don't we?
Yours for the Congregational Way,
Steve
Rev. Steven A. Peay, Ph.D.
Senior Minister
With summer finally upon us it is hard to believe it's also time to talk about a "fall thing," but here we are deep into planning the next Breakfast with the Girls year. We've had some new input and we are anticipating a year that is fun and informative for us all.
We also thought we were due for a reminder that our informal women's fellowship get - togethers are intended to be "inter-generational" and, in fact, have attracted our "girls" of all ages. So whether you're young or not so, new to the church, or been here for a while (some of us a long while) we would encourage all to put the first Saturday of the month on your calendars and consider this a unique fellowship opportunity you don't want to miss.
In that category of "things you won't want to miss" is our first program on Saturday, September 7th. The unforgettable Molly O'Connell will be with us with her program "From the Womb to the Tomb!" If you've heard her before you KNOW you want to be here and bring a friend. If you've not heard her, you won't want to miss her again!
We hope to have our calendar for the year ready to hand out at that time. Also, back by request, we'll be selling ticket packages before and after Sunday services in the month of August -- 8 Saturdays for $35.00-- so look for us in the hallway. We're excited to be back again and hope you will be too! See you on September 7th and sign in at the office please.
by Char Schweitzer
The 48th Annual Meeting of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches (NACCC) was held June 29th July 2nd in Spokane, Washington. There were 440 members attending, representing 167 churches from 31 states. Delegates also came from Argentina and Mexico. The theme for the meeting was taken from Galatians 5:66 "The only thing that matters is faith working itself through love."
The business meetings were held each day and the various committees gave the annual reports. A minor bylaws change was made where language needed to be adjusted to compatibility with the "electronic age" instead of referring to votes being sent only by "mail". Seven churches were approved for new membership in the Association.
Jim Walsh, Treasurer for the N.A., reported that we operated in a deficit for the year ending in March of 2002. Revenue from our churches was very disappointing with slightly more than one third of the member churches making no effort whatsoever to contribute. Only 20 percent of the churches are giving their "fair share," a practice that our church adheres to.
The budget for the new year was also approved with a deficit of approximately $49, 000.
The delegates attending approved one major resolution. We resolved to adopt the "concept of establishing a Congregational Foundation." The Executive Committee will be appointing an ad hoc committee to perform further implementation actions and a report will be made of its progress at the 2003 Annual Meeting.
The Executive Committee announced its approval of a new program that is available to Congregational Churches in conjunction with the Benefits Board of the Baptist Church. It will provide health, disability, and comprehensive retirement benefits, to be effective this fall, in which all of our churches will be allowed to participate.
The keynote speaker, Rev. Dr. Lottie Jones Hood, of the historic FCC of Detroit inspired us with the "journey" of her inner-city church's revitalization, a real example of "faith working itself through love." Rev. Dr. William H. Willimon, Dean of the Chapel and Professor of Christian Ministry at Duke University was our Bible Lecturer and Rev. Cliff Schutjer of FCC in Mansfield, Ohio was the Congregational Lecturer. There were many other seminars and presentations on a variety of topics, plus a resource room to browse each day.
Our own Rev. Dr. Peay was involved in a number of presentations which included: a retreat seminar about "The Contemplative Life: Accepting the Embrace of God," a truly inspirational worship service modeled after the Manner of the Taize Community, and also the worship service celebrating the CALL for this year's CFTS students. Dr. Peay has served as chairman of CFTS for the past year.
The ministers who completed the course on Congregational Church history and polity taught at the Boston Seminar each year were inducted into the Arbella Society. We celebrated that accomplishment for Dr. Peay, and our former minister, Kathy Rust.
There was no shortage of fellowship during the meeting. I bring greetings to all from Mark Dunn, Rick Koch, Alice Murphy, and Kathy and Larry Rust. Mealtime together provided the opportunity for lively conversations and a chance to meet people and hear about their churches.
Sunday evening we had a wonderful inter-generational gathering with our NAPF and HOPE young people. Their theme this year was "Gathering at the River." Did you know that Rev. Chris Rygh served as the keynote speaker for the PF during their meetings? It was a great honor for Chris and for our church to have him represent us in this national arena! That night we shared dinner with our youth, had a lively praise worship service, and then walked the river walk together for carousel rides and dessert...old-fashioned ice cream sundaes. A good time was had by all!
On the final day, Rev. Doug Gray, Jr. (Second Congregational Church, Beloit) provided the attendees with a preview of the 2003 NACCC meeting. It will be held in downtown Milwaukee from June 28th-July 1st. Mary York is co-chair of the Host Committee for that meeting. Our church will be a vital part of making the next Annual Meeting a success for all who attend. Mark your calendars now. Other churches in the state will be involved in the process and it's a great way to meet people and share in the Congregational Way.
I want to thank all of you for the privilege of serving as your delegate this year. As a first-timer at the Annual Meeting, there was much to learn. For me the "education" is in the beginning stages, but I am bound and determined to keep up with my studies. There is no doubt that the inspiration and spiritual renewal provided by this experience will serve me well in the coming year.
Cynthia Payette, NA Delegate
Author's Note: See more at www.NACCC.org
On August 19, 20, 21 we will start taking pictures for the new Pictorial Directory. The photographer will be here between 3 and 9:30 PM. If you have an appointment on those days please come 10 minutes before your scheduled time or call the church if you must cancel. We will be taking pictures again on Oct. 15, 16, 17, and Nov. 18 and 19. You will have an opportunity to sign up for these dates in Sept. There are a few appointments available on the three August dates, if you would like to come then, CALL THE OFFICE for an appointment.
You will have your photo taken, select the pose for the directory, and have an opportunity to select any pictures you may want to purchase. Any photos you purchase need to be paid for at the time of the order. You may pay with cash, check, or credit card. If everyone is on time for their appointment, and we stay on schedule, you should be able to complete the process in about an hour.
Every family photographed will receive a free 8x10 photo of their choice and a copy of the church directory. There is no cost to you or the church for the directories.
Information to keep in mind:
* A family member not available for the group photo may submit a picture for the directory for a $3 fee. A professionally taken photo will need to have a copyright release from the photographer.
* You can not use your photo from a previous directory.
* If you can't come on any of the scheduled dates, we can try to arrange with another church using Olan Mills to have your picture taken there.
* Family members who are not church members can be included in the photo.
* No pets can be included in the photos.
* Arrive 10 minutes before your appointment to allow time
to register.
* If you are unable to keep your appointment, call the church office as soon as possible. We should be able to reschedule.
* All photos ordered at time of appointment will be delivered before Christmas.
* Directories should be delivered to the church in January or early February.
First Congregational Church was among the best represented churches at this year's NAPF and HOPE meetings. The National Association of Pilgrim Fellowship (NAPF) and the Heritage of Pilgrim Endeavor (HOPE) both met on the campus of Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. NAPF, which is designed for high school students drew nearly 300 from across the United States. HOPE celebrated one of its largest meetings with over 80 attending.
First Congregational Church of Wauwatosa sent 12 students to NAPF and 4 to HOPE. Rev. Chris Rygh was chosen to be this year's keynote speaker at NAPF. Chris' presentation consisted of two programs per day. He worked closely with the NAPF board on presenting an interesting and enlightening program emphasizing the theme of service. Comments regarding Chris' presentation included 'the best the students had heard in several years.' It involved Power Point, music, brochures, and other aids all working together to get the students interested and involved with the program.
As part of the NAPF program, which was entitled, Quest Toward Discipleship, students spent one complete day serving at various non-profit organizations across Spokane. "My group," said Sarah Berte, "spent the day at Second Harvest sorting food. We loaded and unloaded and organized something like fifteen thousand pounds of food. That's a lot of food. But what that represents is even more impressive. It represents a lot of generosity. And it represents a lot of people who will have one more meal on their table."
Kids entering Senior Kindergarten through those entering sixth grade: get ready for a heart-pounding, pulse-racing, action packed adventure! "Faith Mountain" Vacation Bible School will be held the week of August 5th from 9:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m. Children will learn about the men and women in the Bible who pushed their faith to the absolute limit.
In addition to the many activities, singing, and crafts, this year we have an extra special event the last morning of Vacation Bible School. To end the week, a climbing wall will be set up at the church for Vacation Bible School participants to enjoy. With the theme of "Faith Mountain," organizers thought this would be a wonderful way for the students and volunteers to channel their faith and energy into a fun activity as a culmination of the weeks' events. (Please note that a special permission slip will be required in order to participate.) Additionally, children must have attended at least three days in order to have the opportunity to climb the wall.
Sign up now to enjoy our extreme Bible adventure. The cost is $10.00 for the first child in a family and $5.00 for each additional child. (The maximum cost per family is $20.00.) Registration forms (available in the church office) must be turned in to the church office by Friday, August 2nd. There will be a late registration charge of $5.00 after that time.
We are also looking for volunteers to help with vacation Bible School. Child care will be provided for those volunteers who have children not yet old enough to participate. Please contact the office at 258-7375, if you're interested in helping.
"Life provides mountains to climb everyday...Faith empowers us to conquer them!"
Circle 8 will meet Tuesday, August 6, 1:00 p.m. at the Congregational Home. Bring a sandwich and play Bunco with the residents.
August All-church Dinner.
Deep fried turkey, french fries, fruit salad, tossed salad, rolls and pie will be served on Ridge Court. Cost: $5/adults; $2/children under 12. Don't miss it! Wed., Aug. 7 at 6pm.
Thank YOU
Our students wish to thank the congregation for its generous support. Fourteen students received financial assistance that enabled them to travel to Spokane, WA for the NAPF conference. Twelve students received grants that allowed them to travel to Anchorage for a week of servant ministry with the NACCC Pilgrim Missionary Voyage.
Come one, Come all Bring Your Friends!
Circle 7 is sponsoring a delightful bus trip to Rockford, Illinois, on September 10, 2002. On arriving, we will take a walking tour of the beautiful Anderson Gardens; and then on to have a delicious lunch at Cliffbreakers Hotel and Restaurant overlooking the Rock River. The Hotel is furnished in antiques tapestries and original art from around the world. After lunch, we will be treated to a tour of the facilities.
We will meet in the Church parking lot on that day (Tuesday, September 10) at 8:30 a.m., and will return at approximately 5:00 p.m. The total cost is $30.00 your check is your reservation. Please mail to:
Joan Halvorson, 1836 N. 72 St.
Wauwatosa, WI 53213
Get your reservation in early to make sure you have a place on the bus! The reservation deadline is September 1, 2002.
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. Steven Peay, Ph. D., 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
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. 11, Issue 7
