May 25, 2003
First in faith, freedom, fellowship, and Wauwatosa
For Years to Come, NACCC Annual Meeting
Bill Edens Elected Vice Moderator
Interim Associate Minister Called
Need Temporary Delivered Meals?
Where can you see a German band, watch children's theater, devour Kringles and Gilles' custard, listen to Bible lectures, and experience fellowship beneath crystal chandeliers and elegantly decorated, vaulted ceilings?
The WCA Churches will be rolling out the welcome mat to delegates attending the NA Meetings June 28-July 1st right here in Milwaukee at the Milwaukee Hilton. First Church Tosa has many members involved in the planning for this meeting as well as many members involved with the NA organization itself.
Bill Edens has taken on the responsibility of Marshal for all the meetings. The Marshals are the "bouncers." They keep order for the meetings, tally votes, check credentials, etc. This will involve 8-12 individuals each day who will be present to oversee the sessions. It's a great way to get the flavor of the NA Meetings without having to register.
The Communion Service, 10:00 AM Sunday, June 29th, promises to be an inspirational segment of the agenda. Rev. Steve Peay and Rev. Karl Schimpf will share the pulpit; our deacons with the deacons from other churches will serve communion; and Lee Jacobi will lead a combined choir of WCA church singers. The service is open for all to attend and it would be wonderful to have many present from our congregation. The Communion service offering will benefit the Clayton Wakefield Memorial Camp Scholarship Fund.
Fred Rennebohm has a crew to handle the registration table on Saturday. Sue Melby is taking care of special refreshment breaks, serving Gilles' custard and Racine Kringle.
Rev. Peter Gomes, Plummer Professor of Christian Morals and Pusey Minister
from Harvard University, will give Bible Lectures, and Rev. David Maitland,
Chaplain and Professor Emeritus at Carlton College,
will give the Congregational Lecture. The closing banquet, always a moving
experience, will be held Tuesday, July 1, 2003 at 6 PM. Rev. Marty Martin,
Professor Emeritus at the University of Chicago and former editor of The
Christian Century magazine, will be the speaker. You may join us for the
banquet, any meal (paid individually), one or all of the sessions, or to
hear some of the outstanding speakers. Check in the office about registration
or call Carrie Dahm at the NA Office. (414 764 1620)
Plan to attend all or some of the meetings. Please consider helping where you can by calling one of the committee named above, and pray for our National Association, and its member churches. This is our chance to welcome our fellow Congregationalists to our city. Congregationalists across the nation will come together to praise God, discuss the future of the church and enjoy wonderful fellowship. Won't you join them?
Peter Gomes
David Maitland
Marty Martin
One of the joys of living in Wisconsin is the change of seasons; one of the banes of living in Wisconsin is the change of seasons especially because spring only takes about two minutes! It's hard to believe that summer is hard upon us with all of its various activities, yet here it is June already! I suppose that I'm musing about the passing of time and change of seasons because June marks one year that I've been back with you as your Minister. So much has been new and yet so much has been familiar that I feel as though I've been here forever, yet only for a short time! It's a good and holy thing, as I am wont to say.
Among the activities of the summer is the Annual Meeting of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches, June 28-July 1. The meeting is being held here in Milwaukee this year at the Hilton Hotel and is being hosted by the Wisconsin Congregational Association. Our own Mary York has been one of the chairs of the host committee and there are others who are also fully involved in making this meeting successful which is as it should be because this church is an important part of the movement for continuing Congregationalism.
First Congregational Church of Wauwatosa is one of the strongest and healthiest churches in the NACCC. The Articles of Association were hammered out in our meetinghouse back in 1956. The first full-time Executive Secretary of the Association was the Reverend Neal Swanson, who left the pulpit of this church to take that position. I could list name after name of members of this church who have been active, long-time supporters of the NACCC. So it is appropriate that we should be in the vanguard of churches making this meeting a great success.
I would encourage you to attend as much of the meeting as you possibly can. If you can come to nothing else, please plan on attending the worship service on Sunday, June 29 at 10 AM. Lee Jacobi and singers from our choir will be joining other folks from around the state to provide the music. Karl Schimpf from North Shore Church and I will be sharing the pulpit that morning and other parts of the service will be taken by ministers of our state association. It should be a wonderful experience of worship and I hope that you will plan to take part in it.
Prior to the meeting on Friday, June 27, we will host the annual pre-meeting 'Quiet Day' sponsored by the Congregational Society of Classical Retreat Guides (your minister is a member) from 9 AM to 3 PM. The 'Quiet Day' is a wonderful opportunity to re-awaken ourselves to the Lord's presence. The Reverend Arvel M. Steece, Ph.D, will lead it. The chaplain-director of the Society, Dr. Steece is a gifted presenter and a deeply spiritual man. It would be another good and holy thing if we could get a goodly group out for this 'Quiet Day' experience. Cost is just $10, which includes lunch. Please reserve a spot by signing up at the church office.
Watch the calendar. There is much going on here at old First Church! We're also blessed to have an 'interim' Associate Minister with us now, the Reverend Steven Godfrey (don't worry, we'll work out a way for you to tell us apart!). In the Fall, and you'll hear more as the time grows closer, we'll be having an intern with us from Garrett Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. Enjoy the summer; look for God in the beauty all around you and in the joy of family and friends. Also, be safe as you travel and don't forget to come see us on a Sunday morning now and again!
It's been a good year....I look forward to the next one and walking through many changes of season with the dear folk of First Congregational Church. As ever,
Yours in the Lord's service,
Steve
Rev. Steven A. Peay, Ph.D.
Minister
Fifty years ago, at age nine, Bill Edens came to First Congregational Church, and this church has been a part of his family ever since.
In 9th grade Confirmation Class, Bill started pulling the hair of a girl in his class...that girl now calls herself Lissa Edens.
Bill and Lissa started to date back in PF and enjoyed a youth trip together as seniors. Off to college, it only took a year of separation before Lissa transferred from Ripon to the National College of Education, located about a half mile northwest of Northwestern University where Bill was a student. Through their college years, Lissa joined the Choral Union at Northwestern where she and Bill toured together with the group. Bill took a job working in her dorm.
Lissa graduated a year before Bill and came back, working as a Head Start teacher in the Milwaukee school system. Bill moved back the following year and took a position with Allis Chalmers which he kept for eleven years before transferring to GE Medical Systems. He retired in January 2001 after 25 years, but didn't remain in retirement. In June, 2002, Bill took a position with Teramedica which provides image archive services for major medical institutions. Bill is a software developer/consultant a skill which has also benefitted First Congregational.
In addition to serving on the Boards of Benevolences, Stewardship, Trustees and Communications Committee, Bill is in charge of the video team and has provided major support to the church's web site. The site, which was developed by Jim LaBelle with the support of a committee a few years back is now maintained by Jim and Bill with a little administrative assistance. Bill also enjoys the Men's Golf League on Monday nights and sings in the choir.
Lissa has also been very involved in the church as were their children before moving away. Their son Matthew is living in San Jose, working as a web producer/designer with his own company. Their daughter Sarah Hoffman is a physical therapist at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton and is expecting their first child in October.
This active church family has had a wonderful impact on First Congregational. With such a well-rounded background within the church, we are fortunate he has accepted this leadership position. "I think the church is in very good shape," said Bill. "I would, however like to work to increase stewardship by making us more of a family and cognizant of each other's needs. I believe that feeling of family brings a lot of synergy, enabling us to do a lot of other things."
In his new position, Bill will chair the Long-Range Planning Committee and head up Budget and Finance. When not busy with church or work, Bill likes reading, golf and computers. *
On May 18 the Church Council issued a call to serve as Interim Associate Minister for Pastoral Visitation/Youth to the Reverend Steven Godfrey, M.Div.. Rev. Godfrey has accepted the call and will join the staff of First Congregational Church for one year, effective immediately. Rev. Godfrey is a missionary with Church Resource Ministries, currently on a furlough following a number of years of service in Irkutsk, Siberia. We are blessed to have him join us and pleased to welcome Steve and his family into the First Church family. Look for a more in-depth introduction to Steve, his family, and the work he will be doing with us during this year in the July issue of The Congregational Columns.
Helping Feed the People of Milwaukee
by Jacob Graber
When I was confirmed last year, I received $100 in "seed money" to be used to honor God by helping others. I thought long and hard about how I wanted to make a difference. I began thinking about the many people in the Milwaukee area who do not have three scheduled meals per day, and who sometimes go for long periods of time without food. This realization led me to contact the Second Harvest Food Bank of Milwaukee. I was told that, in preparation for the summer, the most useful food items they collect are peanut butter, grape jelly, and tuna fish (all for sandwiches). I decided that this was how I would contribute. Making good use of my father's Sam's Club membership, I was able to purchase fourteen 32 ounce containers of grape jelly, fourteen 40 ounce containers of peanut butter, and six 66.5 ounce containers of tuna fish, and donate it to Second Harvest. All together, this is a lot of food. Hopefully, it will help to keep people healthy and happy this summer. I am glad that I was able to use the money to help out in our community.
Carrying On a Mission
by Christopher Pollock
I selected the Donna Lexa Community Art Center to receive the $100.00 from our confirmation class. My aunt, Donna Lexa, founded the facility in 1985 providing creative, artistic experiences for people with special needs, It is amazing to see severely disabled individuals create such beautiful artwork. Tragically, my aunt was killed in an automobile accident on May 16, 1996, yet the Donna Lexa Community Art Center moves on with her mission.
Holiday Fun for Children
by Heath Halvorson
When I started to think of what I was going to do with my $100, I had a lot of ideas but one stayed with me. That one thought was to buy presents for little kids for the holidays. As Christmas neared, I thought about where little kids like to go for toys and thought of Toys R Us. My mom and I went to Toys R Us and looked around for toys that were appropriate for little kids. I decided to buy stuffed animals, dolls and action figures because I thought those would be the right things to buy for presents. I brought the toys to the Toys for Tots barrels. All in all, it was a great way to spend $100.
3, 4, & 5 year old Kindergarten - Scuba Super Cool Undersea Bible Adventure.
Children will learn about Bible memories that go deep and have practical life application activities. They'll answer questions during each lesson. The children will participate in powerful music, worship and drama workshops.
1st & 2nd grade - Wild and Wacky Bible Lessons. Topics cover obedience, prayer and courage. This curriculum will captivate kids as they explore Bible topics and learn how to apply them to their everyday life. From music to games, there's a variety in every Bible learning adventure.
3rd grade and up - Children attend worship with their parents.
Parents, we encourage you to volunteer to team teach one or two Sundays over the summer. This curriculum is easy to follow even for those with no previous experience teaching Sunday School. Contact Carla or Carrie at 414-258-7375 ext. 230 to volunteer or with questions. *
As we continue to celebrate the 150th anniversary of First Church at our present location, let's take a look at how our tradition has had an influence on freedom, one of the marks of Congregationalism. On June 28, 1839, a ship named La Amistad (Friendship) set sail from Havana, Cuba. On board were 53 Africans who had been abducted from their homes in West Africa and sold by Spanish traders. The fate of the Africans was to become slaves on plantations further down the coast from Havana. On the third day of the journey, the Africans led by Cinque revolted and ordered that they be taken back to Africa. During the day they directed that the ship be steered toward the rising sun. But each night the Cubans reversed direction causing the small schooner to zigzag back and forth for two months.
Eventually, due to northerly winds and strong currents, the ship was brought to Long Island. Fearing that they were pirates, and since they had killed most of the Cuban crew, the Africans were jailed and charged with piracy and murder. A group of Christian abolitionists, In New York City, many with ties to the Congregational Church and headed by Lewis Tappan, formed a defense committee. Attorney Roger Sherman Baldwin, with help from former President John Quincy Adams, a Congregationalist, took the case to the United States Supreme Court, which ruled that the Africans were free.
The Africans were allowed to go back to their home in West Africa, although several had already died and those who survived were changed for life. This incident heightened the efforts of the abolitionists and resulted in the following: Legal developments since United States v. Amistad
The most significant legal development since the first Amistad case is, of course, the abolition of slavery. With the adoption of the Thirteenth Amendment in 1865, the U.S. Constitution guaranteed that "neither slavery nor involuntary servitude...shall exist within the United States or any place subject to their jurisdiction."
Wauwatosa contributed dearly to the cause of abolition. In the decade prior to the Civil War, there were many Underground Railway stations in Wauwatosa. The black slaves would be hidden during the day and quickly moved during the night to the next station utilizing the cover of darkness. Harboring and assisting the blacks was a penal offense and frequent visits by the United States deputies made this a high risk mission. Nevertheless, these early settlers with New England roots felt strongly about the cause of freedom for everyone.
Because the activity was illegal, documentation is difficult to substantiate. We do know that among the active promoters of the Underground Railroad were Rev. Luther Clapp and his wife Harriet as well as their good friends Rev. and Mrs. Underwood from the Baptist Church. It is also recorded that the home of long-time Deacon Richard Gilbert, the place in which First Congregational Church was first gathered in 1842, was used as part of the Underground Railroad. Jonathan Warren was also noted to have helped in this effort. Undoubtedly, there are many others with ties to the First Congregational Church who bravely acted on behalf of freedom for all.
Did you know that Wauwatosa furnished proportionately more men to aid the North in the Civil War than any other community in Wisconsin? Women participated in the war effort by making bandages and packing apples to be sent to the soldiers. An auxiliary of the Wisconsin Soldiers' Aid Society was formed in Wauwatosa, earning the distinction of being the strongest in the state. Following the war, nearly every family in Wauwatosa mourned the loss of a father, son, or relative. Many of those who did return were maimed or ill. It was a very sad time in the life of Wauwatosa.
Obviously, the hardy New Englanders along with newly arriving Germans and others persevered to develop the community in which we live today. We owe our early Congregationalists a great debt for their efforts in preserving freedom for us. Do you have a connection to this historic past? Did you have a relative who served during the Civil War? Do you live in an historic house with secret chambers or passageways that may have aided the effort? *
July 16-18, 2003
The famed schooner Amistad will make its only port visit in Wisconsin during the 2003 Great Lakes tour. The three-day visit will include special events, entertainment, exhibits, and an interfaith prayer service.
Come celebrate friendship! Be a part of history! First Church will sponsor a Tour to the Freedom Schooner Amistad on JULY 18 and plan to do the tour during the afternoon.If there is enough interest we will charter a bus. Sign up in the Church Office.
At different times, for different reasons, we can find ourselves in situations where we need a helping hand until we can get "back on our feet." But for many people, it can be difficult to ask for help. If you find yourself facing a post-operative recovery, a new baby at home, a death in the family, or some other situation causing difficulty in meal preparation and you know that your family could benefit from some delivered meals, please contact Ruth Dunham of the Care Board at 414-774-7147. Ruth has a network of women, formed from the Saturday morning service group, who are willing and able to deliver meals. (Let Ruth know too if you might like to be added to the list of meal deliverers.) The meals can be packaged for individuals or families and will be delivered with information on ingredients within and heating instructions. Ruth will talk to you about any food allergies and to discuss the most convenient delivery time for your family.
If you have a friend or neighbor who you think could benefit, discuss this with Ruth. We are happy to help and will use love, care and discretion in offering and providing help when it is desired.
Saturday Morning Service Group
The Saturday Morning Service Group is a recently formed women's group which meets on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month, at church, from 8 to 10 a.m. The group is open to all women church members, and is truly a multi-generational group. Members are welcome to come whenever their schedule permits. If you are interested but are concerned that you could perhaps only make it once a month, please come. The group generally spends half its time on a discussion of a brief scripture and half its time on a short-term service project -- for example, baking for the meal delivery program. If you have any questions about the Saturday morning group, please contact Julie Smith at 414-774-8688.
What if you could spend a weekend with church families and participate in the following:
Swimming * Bonfires * Swimming * Star Gazing * Swimming * Bible Study * Swimming * Crazy Olympics * Swimming * Crafts
Family Values * Paddle Boats * Swimming * Ladies' Spa Night * Swimming * Family Skit Night * Swimming * Corn Roasts
It will be held at Camp Lucerne about two hours north of Milwaukee near Green Lake.
Don't worry about accommodations. This all-inclusive retreat center camp will provide cabins and meals each day for our group. More than 100 church families have attended this facility over the years. Is this the year your family joins ours?
For more information, contact: Ed & Lisa Probst: 414.476.1079 or Marty & Nancy Vander Velde: 414.475.0554.
Tentative Dates: December 27, 2003 January 3, 2004
Who: Teens and adults from the congregation who have open hearts and are willing to share their holiday time (and celebrate New Year's Eve) with the Mission. Mission Mazahua is located about 60 miles Northwest of Mexico City (approximately 2 hours by bus).Donna Williams of the National Association, an experienced youth leader, will coordinate the trip with support from adult participants.
Approximate cost per person: $1,000 (flight approx. $675, room/board and materials $275, optional spending money $50). We hope to defray those costs significantly with monies from fundraising and possibly from sponsors in the congregation.
Purpose: To join with the Mission Mazahua staff in reaching out to the materially and educationally impoverished native peoples of the area by assisting with physical labor supporting the buildings used for education, recreation, and worship. The exact work project will not be determined until closer to the date of the trip. The 20012002 group constructed a floor for the courtyard of Las Rosas, an education center. Those who have had the privilege of visiting Mission Mazahua will tell you that the experience was rich and they received many blessing in return for their commitment of time and energy.
In addition to a major work project, participants will join in worship at the Mission and will have opportunities to visit a nearby village marketplace, eat a variety of authentic Mexican foods and visit the famous Anthropological Museum in Mexico City. They will also enjoy the beautiful homemade pottery and stained glass created at the Mission.
Anyone who is interested in participating or in sponsoring the trip should contact Doug Hoerz (414-476-2174) or Diane Schowalter (262-639-8293). *
Sunday Morning Adult Education Evaluation
If you have any questions and/or suggestions about the Sunday Morning Adult Education program, please pick up a form from the church office.
The form will give you the chance to comment on the programming from this year, and also to make suggestions for next year's schedule. Once completed, please turn in the questionnaires at the church office.
Don't Miss the All-Church Chicken Dinner/Pig Roast on June 4.
Arrive at 5:30 to enjoy the sounds of The Big Band.
Paid reservations must be to the church office by June 1.
Circle 12 meets May 28 at 11:00 a.m. in the Lounge. Ken Lindl of the Wauwatosa Historical Society will share slides of the 'old Tosa'. RSVP to Janice Wittig, 464-5124 by May 25.
Circle 7 meets June 8, 5:00 at Holly Krull's home for a social evening.
We would like to take some time this
Memorial Day to reflect on all of those who we've memorialized in the past year:
Eunice M Mills
Barbara Miller Stieghorst
Alice Peterman
Barbara Corlett
E. Allen Smart
Florence Silver Bandtel
Robert Barth
Gertrude Netter
Joan J. Weihert
Doris Van Lanen
Katherine M. Wood
Norman S. Ream
Frederick C. Winding
William L. Law
Winifred Kneppreth
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,
Barb Dunham, Rod Schmidt, Bill Edens,
Arlette Lindbergh, Bill Edens
*
Rev. Steven Peay, Ph.D., Minister
Rev. Charles Goldsmith, Ph.D.
Congregational Home Chaplain
Rani Gusho, Administrator
Lee Jacobi, Director of Music
Betty Dethmers, Organist
Sally Boyle, Secretary
Anne Callen, Office Manager
Charles Nelson, Pres./CEO, Congregational Home, Inc.
*
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. 12, Issue 5
