June 29, 2003
First in faith, freedom, fellowship, and Wauwatosa
Coming Full Circle - Rev. Steve Godfrey
Bryn Callen
Bryn has a great smile that lights up her face. She loves to work in the nursery with the babies and they love being with her as she is a very nurturing person. Bryn is a young woman who always gives of herself. Rev. Chris Rygh said he is impressed with Bryn's gift of faithfulness a gift which she has demonstrated, in part, by her many contributions to the Church.
Kathleen Carollo
Katy is a very special young lady. She has great compassion for people and is a loyal friend. She is also a very giving person and continually gives of herself to others. Teaching is her gift. She is clear thinking and a clear communicator, helping others in new, fresh ways.
Caitlin Casey
Caitlin is a beautiful young lady inside and out. She is very hard-working and thoughtful. Caitlin is a kind soul, considerate of others and she has a great, positive approach to life. Chris Rygh said Caitlin is an affirming person. She enjoys giving encouragement, offering the right word at the right time.
Megan Casey
Megan has a wonderful zest for life and lives it to the fullest. She is always taking on new challenges and seeking new things. Someone once said of Megan, "My, she certainly is a high-spirited young lady." Those who come to know her agree. Rev. Rygh said he sees her as a missionary with her bold spirit, unquenchable curiosity and rare confidence.
Terese Eggert
Terese is a very caring person. She may be quiet, but she also has a great inner strength. She is a wonderful young woman whom we admire for her diligence and dedication to school and church. "Sweet," seems a good word to describe Terese, as well. Chris Rygh feels that she is a healer with a compassionate heart and gentle touch. She is a peacemaker and offers life-giving support to all around her.
Timothy Holtz
Tim really enjoys life. He has a wide range of interests from music to sports. He has a great sense of fairness, and he is loving and kind. He also has a great sense of humor. Chris feels that Tim has the gift of hospitality. He puts others at ease and wins friends and keeps them. He is an excellent ambassador for the Kingdom of God.
Alexis Kulhmann
Alexis has a zest for life. She is adventuresome, benevolent, caring and dedicated. She is also enthusiastic and generous. All of these and other qualities will serve her well. Chris feels that she has the gift of leadership. She has strong principles and has stood by her convictions. She is a true leader.
Meredith McBride
Meredith has the extraordinary ability to feel for others. She is brave, inquisitive, warm and delightful. She has a keen intellect and a great sense of humor. Meredith is also a good, kind young woman. Rev. Rygh said she has the gift of prophecy. She seeks justice and righteousness with a courageous heart to challenge convictions.
Andrew Quinn
Andrew is a very focused person. He is loving, kind and respectful. He is a Boy Scout and plans to complete his Eagle project through this church. Chris feels Andrew has the gift of discernment. He has great focus and resolve. He is wise and patient and he makes the right choices and takes appropriate action.
Jessica Reddy
Jessie is a sensitive and caring young lady. She has always been able to sense the needs of others and focus on that. She is a fun and happy kid. Rev. Rygh believes she has the gift of mercy. She looks deeply into the hearts of others and senses their joys and sorrows.
Sara Schalmo
Sara has a positive attitude about everything she does. She is a sensitive and caring person and always has a kind word. She enjoys working with children and is always willing to help when needed. Chris feels that she has the gift of service. She sees what needs to be done and follows through. She is a self-starter and works until the mission is accomplished.
Scott Simpson
Scott is a kind and caring young man who enjoys sports and life. He is dedicated and puts great effort into all he does. Chris said Scott is a giver. He is a generous volunteer, contributing his time, talent and energy.
McKenzie Wray
McKenzie has a smile and laugh which are infectious. She has become a steady and positive influence in the lives of the children she works with in this church. Rev. Rygh describes her as a shepherd. She is deeply caring, guiding in a very gentle manner. She makes sure all is well and no one is left behind. *
July is a wonderful month. It's the month of the "lazy, crazy, hazy days of summer," or so the old song goes. July is also the month in which we celebrate the birth of our nation with the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It's hard to fathom that our nation is only 227 years old. Yet what a different world it is from that of our 'Founding Fathers' and what a hand the United States has had in its making. Forgive me if I exercise a little pride for a bit, but our Congregational Way has had a hand in the making of our nation and sometimes it's good for us to think about those contributions. Perhaps if we realize what our forebears have contributed it will spur each of us on to contribute to building up the common good and contributing to the continuation of those "inalienable rights" of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness"?
The very framing of our national order was influenced by the basic polity of Congregationalism. Congregationalism is based on the covenant concept derived from Biblical Israel's experience. Theologians on the European continent and in England were inspired to explore all of the implications of the covenant concept and developed an approach dubbed the 'federal theology.' The Latin word for covenant, foedus, is the root for 'federal.' Contemporary scholars in both government and historical theology are again exploring this concept and the effect it had on the formation on the modern constitutional, or federal, systems of democracy across the world. We continue to live this concept here on Church Street in the way we govern our church and we see it writ large in our civil government.
Then there are the "Congregationalists" who played a part in the gaining of our independence and sustaining it. The list could be rather lengthy, but let me list three "major players": John Adams, Sam Adams, and Benjamin Franklin. Later on there would be those who would use their liberty to seek that of others, like the Congregationalists who sought and won the freedom of the Amistad slaves. The abolitionist movement would continue and grow among Congregationalists. The Reverend Lyman Beecher's family would play a prominent role in the movement. His daughter, Harriet Beecher Stowe, wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin, a novel that became the abolitionist manifesto. Beecher's son, the Reverend Henry Ward Beecher, was a promoter and organizer of the "underground railway" and undertook a preaching and goodwill mission to Britain that kept that country from entering the Civil War on the side of the Confederacy. A listing of Congregationalists who have been Presidents or who have served in the Congress and Senate is more than can be done here.
If we look to the educational formation of our country and think of Harvard, Yale, and well over a hundred other prominent schools founded by Congregationalists we see the fruit of an emphasis upon a "learned ministry to a literate laity." Two individuals we don't think much about, but who were Congregational pioneers in education are Thomas Gallaudet and Oliver O. Howard. Gallaudet pioneered the field of deaf education and founded the school that now bears his family name. Howard, a Civil War general, sought to provide higher education for freed slaves and Howard University in Washington, D.C. was named in his honor. The contributions to literature and music, art and science by Congregationalists is also impressive; so I'll mention only one, and that one close to home, the author Thornton Wilder, who wrote "Our Town," was born in Madison, Wisconsin.
We have a rich legacy and with such a legacy comes a responsibility. Our forebears heard Paul's words to the Corinthians, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit" (2 Corinthians 3:17-18) and responded. The freedom they experienced was more than simply a freedom from; it was a freedom TO. Freedom that brings us into the glory of God, that changes us from the inside out, is what allows us to think beyond our narrow self-interest and to look to the greater good, to the needs of others. It is that kind of freedom that allows us to accomplish and to live out our covenant relationship to grow in knowledge and expression of our faith, to reach out with compassion to those in need, and to treat each other with love and understanding.
I suppose what I'm trying to say is that being the "Lord's Free People" begins in the meeting house and then extends to the everyday. If we at all take pride in our Congregational forebears and their accomplishments it means that we are also obligated to continue to do the same kind of good that they did and more. I invite you to take some time during this month not only to celebrate your freedom, but also to reflect on what it costs and what it requires. To be a free people, and especially to be "the Lord's Free People," implies actions, attitudes, and love that correspond to such an incredible gift.
So, please forgive a little 'flag waving' because sometimes it's just appropriate to do. Have a safe, glorious, Fourth of July and may the rest of the month be one of great summer fun and relaxation. Finally, I want to thank you for the surprise presentation on June 1, my one year anniversary as your minister. It was so kind of you to remember and to express it in such a way I'll wear my new doctoral gown with a sense of gratitude. I thank God for our free land, for our free Way of being church and the rich history of both. I thank God for all of you it's a blessing to be your minister. *
As ever,
Yours in the Lord's service,
Steve
Rev. Steven A. Peay, Ph.D.
Minister
Until he was 13 years old, Steve Godfrey's family called First Congregational Church-Wauwatosa "home." (Tom and Sue Godfrey, his uncle and aunt are still members here.) Now, on May 20, with a vast array of life and career experiences to call his own, Rev. Steve Godfrey returned to First Church as the Associate Minister (Interim).
Steve started out his adult life at Indiana University where he eventually became a resident advisor. That's where he met his wife Heather, a resident assistant and the chief advisee to Steve. After graduation, Steve began work as a systems analyst. During that period he was also working with college-age ministry.
Then, Steve attended four years of seminary at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, earning his Masters of Divinity. This is a time which Steve described as very stimulating and fun.
Most recently, Steve and Heather worked as missionaries in Siberia. Their focus in Russia was pastoral training, social concern and church planting. After eight years, Steve said that God called them back to the U.S.A.
The Godfrey family has been back in the U.S. for nearly one and one-half years while Steve has continued work with the Siberia mission. When it became evident they would stay in the U.S. for at least another year, Steve wanted to cut back on travel. He gave Rev. Steve Peay a call to ask if Peay knew of any open interim positions. It was a natural fit to which the Godfreys felt called.
Steve's focus here will be with youth ministry and pastoral care. Specifically, Steve will work with the P.F. youth groups, Covenant Class, visitation ministry, Care Board and more. Steve is also contemplating offering an additional alternative worship service which may develop in Fall. At that time, FCC is expecting the arrival of an Intern from Garrett seminary and she is interested in assisting Steve in that offering.
Through his work with the youth program, Steve is interested in forming a parents' advisory group for PF and is looking for parents who want to make a monthly commitment to guide PF and learn more about that ministry. Anyone who is interested is encouraged to contact Steve Godfrey.
Steve has remained lightly involved with pastoral training for the Siberia mission. A Renaissance man, Steve is also a jazz drummer for Prospect Jazz Trio (available for gigs!) He also enjoys playing tennis, time with his family, reading and writing. Steve said he is especially enjoying some time fishing with his boys.
What are the future plans of the Godfreys? "We'll take this next year to discern where God is leading us," said Steve. For now, "it feels like I've come full circle and it's good to be back. I feel very welcome." *
Thomas & Myra Miller
Tom and Myra reside in Milwaukee. He is an administrator with the City of Milwaukee and she is a travel consultant with Fox World Travel. Tom has volunteered with the Betty Brin Children's Museum and the Milwaukee Riverwalk District. Myra is looking forward to driving for Mobile Meals, and helping the elderly. They have longtime family connections here and Tom was actually baptized at First Church as an infant. They have one son, Aaron who is 23 years old.
Amistad Tour
It's not too late! If you're interested in the Sheboygan trip to tour the Amistad replica on July 18th, the bus has been confirmed. Sign up in the church office.
Circle 13
This new Circle will meet July 15th, 7:00 and August 19, 7:00 in the Friendship Lounge. The circle will be a social/service/fellowship group. Aimed at 30-40's age, (open to all ages) organizers wanted a chance to get together and get to know other members. They'll happily take on any service projects they can complete in a meeting. Beginning in fall, they will meet two weekday mornings and one evening per month.
Come check it out!
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. Steve Godfrey, Associate Minister (Interim)
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 6
