Thursday Morning Women's Group Responds to Need in Iraq

A need was presented and the First Congregational Thursday morning women's group responded... along with Americans from across the country. Recently, the group was made aware of a letter sent by Mequon-native Captain Scott Todd of the 502 Infantry Regiment stationed in Iraq. He wrote of a large understaffed, underfunded hospital in Mosul, in grave need of donations. His e-mail, sent to family and friends, listed specific needs as well as information on how and where packages should be sent. This simple letter, passed from friend to friend, brought quick action from across the U.S.

Ddg Wakefield brought the letter to the attention of the group at church. Immediately, the ladies went to work buying onesies, diapers, beanie babies fleece for blankets, formula and more. In very short order, (shipments needed to be sent no later than Dec. 1 as Cpt. Todd's unit will be returning to the states in February) the resource center was filled with supplies for the hospital. These boxes met up with hundreds of others from individuals, organizations and businesses across the U.S. and have been arriving in a steady stream to this incredibly poor, needy hospital.

"When people see a need, they help," said Jane Jacobson, one of the First Church women involved. "That's all it takes and it's a very good feeling. I have no doubt that if we had time to get the word out, the entire church would have responded the same."

Captain Todd and his family have been overwhelmed by the quick outpouring of generosity this one letter produced, as have the Iraqis who were amazed that theses gifts have come from "family and friends" and not the United Nations or US government. Anne Stratton (Courant 11/26/03) stated it beautifully when she wrote, "Amid daily reports of heartbreaking deaths and frustration in Iraq, these gifts sing the song of the America we know, full of caring, giving people who truly want peace and freedom for all." First Church was blessed to be a part of the effort.

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Our Church, Our Annual Meeting

The 161st Annual Meeting of First Congregational Church of Wauwatosa will be held at 1:30 p.m. on January 18, 2004, in the Social Hall. The Annual Meeting is one of the opportunities for all of us to come together to review the year and to "be church" by sharing information, visions, challenges and new ideas.
Unlike the past few Annual Meetings, this meeting will be a celebration of what we have accomplished over the year: (a) a successful visioning process that identified four areas where we want to grow: 1)Increase our current membership, better assimilate new members, and motivate renewed involvement on the part of current members. 2)Broaden and strengthen our education for adults/youth/children, especially through increased small group activities and alternative worship experiences 3)expand our community outreach, including increasing public awareness of First Church - who we are and what we do 4)motivate people to support the Church's stewardship and benevolence efforts (b) a very positive stewardship campaign that empowered all of us to work for the common good by reminding us that all that we have comes from God and that our covenant demands that we return to God a portion of His gifts, and (c) the presentation of the 2004 annual budget that expands spiritual programming, most visibly with the addition of Sam Schaal; continues with the expansion of Christian educational opportunities for all members, begins to plan new ministries for young adults and families and includes youth in a more meaningful manner in the life of the church.

We are building positive momentum. The visioning process has energized us and given us a feeling of ownership of the church and commitment to one another: a very real sense of covenant. Please attend the Annual Meeting this year. It is your chance to ask questions and raise issues of particular concern to you. We are doing well. All that I ask is that we recognize and accept that while we may not agree with all that may be said, everything said at the meeting is said in good faith and with the positive goal of allowing us to "live our Covenant."
Steve Fisher, Moderator

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An Interview with the New Associate Minister

Q. Rev. Schaal, Tell us about your family.
Rev. Schaal: I have two sons who both currently reside in Texas where they are attending college. Kurt, 22 is a senior and Erik, 18 is a freshman. I have been divorced since 1988. I moved my mother to Wisconsin two years ago and she's in nursing home care.

Q: Rev. Schaal, you have stated that ministry is a second career for you. What work experience did you have prior to entering the ministry?
Rev. Schaal: My work included public relations and corporate communications for Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Texas. I enjoyed my work, but did not feel like that was "it." I had a longing for something more.

Q: How, then did you receive the call to ministry?
Rev. Schaal: My parents did not raise me with any church affiliation. When my boys were very young we joined a Unitarian Church in Dallas, Texas. After about six months there was something pulling me toward ministry. Over time I began to look at my experience and skill set and realized that, perhaps, I did have the gifts required to enter professional ministry. However the thought of leaving a successful "day job" to enter seminary did not seem at all practical, as a husband and father. Fortunately, a part time, evening program was developed at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. I began with one course to see if ministry was the right direction for me. Within a short time, I did indeed resign from my position and attended seminary full time to earn my Master of Divinity degree.

Q: Why did you move from Texas to Wisconsin?
Rev. Schaal: After my first settlement in Fort Worth, Texas, I began to look for a new call. One of the churches with an opening was in Brookfield. I have served that church as an interim for the past three years.

Q: Why does Congregationalism appeal to you?
Rev. Schaal: I knew of Congregationalism, of course, because the Unitarians split from the Congregationalists in the early 19th century. I was always interested in the church community being gathered around the covenant rather than around doctrine. The churches of the National Association represent, presently, the fullest expression of Congregationalism. I appreciate the role of the covenant and that the people agree to be bound together, yet have the freedom of individual belief. I see the history and heritage of the Pilgrims and Puritans as significant contributors to American life in the following aspects: religion, with the free church; society, the implementation of democracy; and business, with the free market. The Pilgrims and Puritans, most directly, planted the seeds for what has become our story here in America.

Q: How did you end up at First Congregational Church?
Rev. Schaal: There are several layers in that process. Dr. Peay, as Moderator of the Wisconsin Congregational Association, was in the process of contacting representatives of other denominations to express words of welcome to the assembled churches of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches (NA) and had my name on his "call list." Then while he was doing research in Boston, he noticed my name as a member of the Board of Directors and an editor of the "Good News" a publication for the Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship. This group was formed about 50 years ago to preserve the Christian portion of Unitarianism. About this same time a member of First Church, Evelyn Stenson, was attending the Unitarian church as a guest of her daughter. Upon leaving worship she asked for a recording of the sermon to share with her Pastor, Dr. Peay, because she thought he would enjoy the message. So, to make a long story short, Dr. Peay and I met for lunch and found we had much in common. He encouraged me to meet with Don Olsen of the NA to find a position in a Congregational church. To further acquaint myself with the Congregational tradition I attended the Boston seminar this past summer. As I was searching for a position I began attending worship services here and truly enjoyed the experience. I have been looking for a church to serve that has traditional worship, a strong history and heritage, and takes itself seriously.
Q: What is your first priority here at FCC?
Rev. Schaal: During the month of December, I want to get to know the people and the processes here. I will attend board and committee meetings and other events and activities. In January I will begin working with lay leaders to develop programming in Pastoral care and spiritual formation. My goal is to help develop the pro-
grams so that they can be implemented by the people themselves.

Q: Is there anything else you would like us to know at this time?
Rev. Schaal: Yes, there will be an ecclesiastical council of the vicinage and an installation service planned in the new year, probably early February. I hope everyone who is able will attend and celebrate with me.

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Minister's Musings

"O holy Child of Bethlehem! Descend to us we pray; Cast out our sin and enter in;
Be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel."

As you read this, Phillips Brooks immortal words will only be an echo on the airwaves. The "all Christmas all the time" radio stations will have ceased at the close of the first day of Christmas. Christmas trees will already be appearing on the curb and Christmas will be forgotten until shopping season again next year. I hope, I pray that it will not be so for those of us who hold the thought expressed in "O Little Town of Bethlehem" to be not only dear, but true. For the workaday world it may be "business as usual" on December 26, but not so for us.

Each year we invite the Lord to "be born in us today" and, as Augustine said of Mary, we conceive the Lord in our hearts. Now in the next eleven days of Christmas and in the feast of the Epiphany we are reminded again and again of what has taken place in us: Emmanuel p; GOD IS WITH US! As we begin the New Year we come renewed, refreshed, and reborn. God is with us and the tasks of the everyday are given new meaning, new hope, new luster because we realize it and give birth to Christ in our thoughts, our actions, and our attitudes throughout the year. Christmas is more than one day in the year.

I look forward to the year ahead. We have made progress and are, I believe, truly seeking to be a covenant community for common good. The Long Range Planning Committee now has the four goals that came out of the Visioning Process and should bring an action plan to us at the May Congregational meeting. However, by the time that comes around I hope that we will already be well on the way to achieving these goals: 1) Increase our current membership; better assimilate new members, and motivate renewed involvement on the part of current members; 2) Broaden and strengthen our education for adults/youth/children, especially through increased small group activities and alternative worship experiences; 3) Expand our community outreach, including increasing public awareness of First Church p; who we are and what we do; 4) Motivate people to support the Church's stewardship and benevolence efforts. These goals really call us to live out our covenant with God and one another as followers of Jesus Christ.

Our covenant and our goals are really not bad New Year's Resolutions for us as a whole Church. However, we don't want them to end up like so many other well-intentioned resolutions, enthusiastically taken up and then quickly dropped. The secret to successfully achieving our goals is like that of growing in the spiritual life p; small steps. If we purposefully work on achieving aspects of the goals, on living out our covenant too, slowly, one piece at a time, we will see the whole come to us. The old Latin proverb applies, Festina Lente! -- Make Haste, SLOWLY!

Christ is born . Each day and IN US! I look forward to seeing, hearing, experiencing that truth in the year ahead together with you. May the coming year be filled with peace, joy, prosperity, and blessings of God's loving presence in you and in all those you love!
As ever:
Yours in the Lord's service,
Steve
Rev. Steven A. Peay, Ph.D.
Minister

P.S. (probably a regular feature in the coming year!)
There are those who need to receive kudos for making "Life at First" pretty special:

Lee Jacobi, Betty Dethmers, Kim Williams, Roxanne Trump-Miles and all the choristers, musicians, and helpers who make Advent and Christmas ring with the joys of good music!
Dan Schowalter who plans wonderfully provocative and nourishing Sunday morning Adult Education programs p; and thanks to all those who teach!
The Office Staff (Cindy, Rani, Anne, Sally, Betty) and Custodial Staff (Rich, Kelly, Karl, Matt) who keep the place running and tidy through service after service and event after event!
Terri Hoerz, who has helped with Junior PF, and Pam Parker, who has served on the Care Board, are two volunteers I want to say "thank you" to, both have given of themselves and now are redirecting their efforts.
Jenn Wareham and the Fellowship Board for making life lively and fun...and for Circle 13 and all the little projects they take up...THANKS!

There are countless more.and I hope in the course of the year to catch you allTHANK YOU and GOD BLESS YOU!

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Adult Education Lineup

January 4
"Paul/Saul: What's in a Name?"
Dan Schowalter

January 11
"Reflections on 45 Years in the Ministry"
Richard Buchman

January 18
"Reading the Gospels: for Fun and Profit"
Dan Schowalter

January 25
"Credo in.....?" : What does it mean to "believe"?
Rev. Steve Peay

and of special interest...
On the evening of January 7th, the Discovery Channel will broadcast
a special on the book of Revelation in which Dan Schowalter appears.

and
Special Adult Ed (mid-week) in January:
A Look at The DaVinci Code a two part discussion of the popular,
and controversial, book with Rev. Steven A. Peay, Ph.D.
January 14 at FCC-Wauwatosa
6 PM Dinner/7 PM Discussion
January 21 at North Shore CC in Fox Point
7 PM Discussion (coffee & dessert will be served)

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What Can We Do in 2004?

We are at the end of our fiscal year and the start of a new year of service. We have celebrated the Advent season that begins our religious life with new thoughts and ambitions. This is the time of agreement on our budget proposal. This is the time to celebrate the powerful statement made through our covenant and our pocket books to the future our church. We have experienced an 11% increase in pledge giving that provides a great enabling opportunity for new activity. Our diligence with regard to expenditures in 2003 has provided an excess that contributes to our future.

We have new resources to advance the goals set forth in the All Church Visioning Sessions. Our goals of quality in worship, new strength in youth and adult education, collaborative programs for outreach with local churches, and increased benevolences and stewardship can be realized.

We have approved the addition of a third ministerial staff member in our Associate Minister of Pastoral Care and Spiritual Formation. We welcome Reverend Sam Schaal who has joined our family to aid our growth. The loss of our interim Associate Minister for Youth and Family is being filled in the near term with the addition of Chapman Wakefield as Assistant of Youth Ministries. Additionally, Carrie Sgarlata will serve as PF Leader, adding to her responsibilities as Co-Director of Christian Education. Carrie Kreps, our pastoral intern, has also come forward to work with our Jr. PF. We hope to fill our open ministry position in the second half of 2004, prior to the new school year.

Recent changes in our benevolent focus have raised our outreach efforts in our own neighborhood to 44% of our total outreach. A matching program with Pilgrim Congregational Church will reach into local neighborhood needs. Continued monthly service with St. Vincent's meal program provides opportunity for individual involvement and is wonderful exposure to the real needs of others.

With the resources now available we will build on advancing our church as a teaching facility in the Congregational Way with programs for youth members and adults. The Adult Education program is actively expanding. We are also active in the Wisconsin Congregational Association with individual contributions of time from our membership.

Through the NACCC, we are active contributors to associations with other churches. We share our settled minister through his service to the CFTS branch of the NACCC. His teaching contribution fulfills the Congregational Way as he shares his life of religious studies with students seeking the ministry. This is a great example of the "learned ministry" filling a need. We also benefit from his knowledge of religious history through continued excellence in the Message that is presented from our pulpit during Sunday Worship.

Our Fellowship Board has new ideas and expanded funding to see that we know each other and offer concern and support for all our members. The goal of a nurturing and loving congregation is being addressed and we all contribute in these opportunities.

We have increased the communication budget to provide for proactive marketing and communications that will teach our neighborhood about what is done in the building with the tall steeple. When our members speak of Congregationalism, we will all speak to our heritage of seeking the Truth from a learned ministry and what it means to uphold freedom of worship and pursuit of The Word.

Additional funds for the Congregational Care Board have helped enable them to focus their outreach on students away at school; prayer ministry; personal contact with shut-ins and nursing home members; and support for families with health and personal concerns.

Our heritage is in great hands with an active Board of Trustees and continued funding of the Facilities Renewal Fund with repayment from the 2003 Budget excess. For 2004 we again fund this resource satisfying our original funding goal of $50,000 per year. The Facilities Renewal Fund was established in 1997. The "sinking fund" that was begun in 2002 and funded in 2003 and 2004 is now held in this trust along with 40% of bequests to our church to help with the future cost of re-roofing the church and other major maintenance projects in the future. This shows a strong concern for a wonderful facility.

We are a blessed congregation that has a great opportunity to share our love and concern with people in need and with each other. Your support for our shared ministry with your time and dollars is a real presentation of God's love in this troubled world. Thanks for what you are doing and please continue with increases that will make a real difference. If you have not made your pledge of support for this ministry, we strongly ask that you give to God from the top of your resources and not simply from a portion of your excess. This is the contribution that is talked about in the Bible.

Pat yourself on the back. You are a blessed contributor. Together we are a family nurtured with God's Love.
Bill Edens, Budget & Finance chair

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Pioneer Club Going Strong

The Pioneer Club is off to a great start. After summer break, the Pioneer Club went into full swing by starting up with a "welcome back" pizza party. After earning various patches the club worked on a special music presentation for the Congregational Home. Many solo string and piano pieces were presented to the residents during the first part of worship at the home on November 16th. The presentation ended with the Pioneer Club singing their theme song, "Thy Word is a Lamp Unto My Feet" and another favorite tune. At the December meeting the Pioneer club made 28 fleece hats and 19 scarves which will be donated to the Joy House for Christmas. Special thanks to the children, leaders, parents and those who donated fleece.

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January All-Church Dinner
January 14th

Participate in the Chili Cook-Off in the Social Hall
at 6:00 and compete for the coveted Jalapeno trophy or simply come to eat.

Following dinner, participate in a discussion of the controversial book, "The DaVinci Code"
led by Dr. Peay

nursery available · kids meal · adults $5, kids $2
(reservations due Jan. 11)

Looking ahead... February is PF variety show

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Christmas Workshop Tidbits

More than 200 gingerbread men were decorated
and consumed.

The gingerbread men were made by Andrew Quinn and his Scout troop to earn
money for his Eagle Scout project which is the Argentina Mission that our Sunday School sponsors.

1100+ gift items were made.

27 adult volunteers and
28 Jr. and Sr. pf student
volunteers helped to make this event a success.

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Lectionary Readings

Epiphany Sunday p; January 4
Old Testament Lesson Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalmody Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14
New Testament Lesson Ephesians 3: 1-12
Gospel Lesson Matthew 2: 1-12

Baptism of the Lord p; January 11
Old Testament Lesson Isaiah 43:1-7
Psalmody Psalm 29
New Testament Lesson Acts 8:13-17
Gospel Lesson Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

2nd Sunday after Epiphany p; January 18
Old Testament Lesson Isaiah 62:1-5
Psalmody Psalm 36:5-10
New Testament Lesson 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Gospel Lesson John 2: 1-11

3rd Sunday after Epiphany p; January 25
Old Testament Lesson Nehemiah 8:1-10
Psalmody Psalm 19
New Testament Lesson 1 Corinthians 12:12-31
Gospel Lesson Luke 4:14-21

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In Brief/ Our Church Family

St. Vincent Meal Program - Our church participates in this fine benevolent organization the first Friday of each month. We next serve on Friday, January 2. Please call Barb or Ruth Dunham, 774-7147 to volunteer in meal preparation at 8:15 a.m. or call the church office at 414-258-7375 to serve. Plan to meet at the church at 4:15 to go to the meal site at 910 West Madison Street to serve meals, or meet us there.

Circle 13 Organizational Meeting
(for Spring 2004)
Tuesday, January 20, 2004, 7:00 p.m., Friendship Lounge
Please come with ideas for our group...enjoy sweets and appetizers....and help us plan for the spring semester!

The deadline for submitting articles for the next issue of the Columns is

Monday, January 12, noon

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Congregational Columns

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. Samuel Schaal, Associate Minister

Rev. Charles Goldsmith, Ph.D., Congregational Home Chaplain
Cindy Payette, 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 12

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