Betty
Dethmers Honored at First Church
Pioneer Club Wraps Up a Busy Year
Minister's Musings
PF Place
Church Elects Officers/Boards
Hellos and Goodbyes
Following 32 years at First Congregational Church, organist Betty
Dethmers is saying goodbye after a quick decision to purchase a condo in Clearwater,
Florida. The farewell reception held at the church on Mother’s Day pulled
out all the stops when special guests County Board Supervisor “Luigi” Schmitt
spoke and Mayor Theresa Estness declared it “Betty Dethmers Day” in
Wauwatosa. The church also presented her with a lamp made from an organ pipe.
The full house in the Social Hall included Betty’s daughter, Catherine,
who lives in Madison.
Along with her Wisconsin home, this Canadian native will be leaving many wonderful
friends. Betty said she will most miss the people – especially the “music
people.” One of her favorite memories here dates back about 13 years
and involves choir director Lee Jacobi. Betty said that while she was playing
the prelude, she noticed Lee lean over to one of the choir members. He couldn’t
figure out why his robe wasn’t fitting over his watch. It was during
the silent prayer, “a most inappropriate time,” in Betty’s
words, that she noticed all the extra cloth around her from her own robe and
began to snicker. She realized that she had inadvertently taken Lee’s
robe and left hers for him. During the choir’s next anthem, Betty said
that she could not even watch Lee for the tempo. “I couldn’t watch
him wave his arms in that tight robe. I had to look out of the corner of my
eye to keep from laughing,” said Betty. That incident kept her laughing
in her car the whole way home. “It was the only time we cross-dressed,” said
Betty with a smile.
The music ministry is just one group which will miss Betty. At the church alone,
Betty organized several groups including a movie group, supper club and the “Bettys” group.
For each, Betty said she needed to find a leader to take her role prior to
leaving. Betty was also widely connected in the area’s music community
and her absence will be felt by many.
While retiring, Betty is far from relaxing right now. As she packs up her home,
she is preparing for an estate sale May 26 & 27 (she has lots of treasures
including WWI memorabilia and other antiques!) and sorting boxes for two locations.
Before heading to Florida, she’ll be spending 3-1/2 months in her Buena
Vista, Colo. home, located about 100 miles from her daughter Margaret’s
(Monteleone) family. She is actively volunteering in both her Colorado and
Florida church communities and will be organizing the choir in Colorado which
sings in the summer rather than winter months.
When she heads to Florida for the cooler months, she joins her sister and brother-in-law
in the church choir there. “My brother-in-law already has a gig lined
up for me accompanying a chorus there for a Christmas performance,” said
Betty. So she’ll begin those rehearsals in Fall, but does want to have
some time to take it easy and enjoy her new tea set – another gift from
the choir. While she looks forward to more time with family (her condo unit
in Florida is directly above her sister’s) the necessity of this quick
decision still has her a bit shocked. We at First Church wish her the best.
Pioneer Club Wraps Up a Busy Year
Pioneer Club enjoyed a very active year of prayer, learning, fellowship
and fundraising. We want to thank you for all your support throughout
the year. Following is a list of some of the year’s highlights
and pictures from the awards banquet in May.
In August, 35 children and eight adults went to Camp Whitcomb Mason and enjoyed a wonderful weekend.
Last June, we held a car wash in the
parking lot and raised
nearly $300 for our pen pals in Africa. We’ll be repeating
the car wash this year. See details on page 8.
• In September, we collected hundreds of dollars worth of diapers, wipes
and formula for Hurricane Katrina victims.
• We baked gingerbread cookies, sold them at the Christmas workshop and
raised $165 for our pen-pals school in
Benin, Africa.
• This winter we collected mittens hats and winter coats for children who
attend the Mary Bethune McLeod elementary school in Milwaukee.
• We recently put on a variety show for the residents at Congregational
Home.
• We wrote letters to our pen pals and continue to pray for them.
• With the help of Barb Dunham, we created three quilts for our Pioneer
Club friends who moved out of state.
• In May, we sold baked goods to support the school in Benin and help pay
for our camping trip this August.
• We have learned about giving back to God a portion of
God’s gifts.
•We have studied Bible verses and learned how they apply to our daily
lives.
• We studied during Lent and collected money for Habitat for Humanity.
–
Carla Cummings
Omnium Gatherum
“Minister’s Musings” – I suppose
some folks wonder how I ended up with this title for my monthly chat. Well,
it’s more than alliteration which moved me. To muse is to reflect
or meditate upon something. What I write here each month is my reflection
on our life together at First Congregational Church and this month, to
use another great old phrase, my musings form an omnium gatherum, a miscellaneous
collection, of thoughts on life at First.
GOALS
Back in September of 2003, we met as a church and set four goals for ourselves.
Those four goals focused on membership, education, outreach and stewardship.
The Long Range Planning Committee of the Council added a fifth goal on
improving our governance and administrative processes. Where are we in
attaining the goals we have set for ourselves? Let me just run down them:
First, membership – we are better assimilating new members and working
at motivating greater involvement by our current membership, though we
still have work to do. We have not yet increased our membership, but I
think that may have something to do with figuring out just how accurate
our rolls are – work is needed there, too. Second, our educational
programming is strong and we’re constantly looking to improve it,
especially the adult opportunities. One of the prime tasks of our new associate
minister will be relating to this goal and particularly to the development
of “alternative worship experiences.” Third, we are making
strides in outreach and have raised the profile of First Church in our
community on a number of fronts. Fourth, our stewardship is strong and
we’re on the way to developing a planned giving program to further
strengthen the church’s financial position. Fifth, we’ve implemented
an orientation for new board/committee members and are developing standard
operating procedures. To some extent we’re still a bit over-governed,
a situation which bears examination. Where are we? On the way, but there’s
still work to do and we need everyone’s help to accomplish these
goals!
BENEVOLENCE OPPORTUNITIES
Directly related to goal four above – stewardship – our church
is doing an excellent job in helping others beyond our walls through our
Board of Benevolence and Interchurch Relations. Several new opportunities
are before us and the Board is looking for our help.
First, we’ve all seen the devastation done by Hurricane Katrina and
the needs in the Gulf region. The Board is adding a special offering for
July (focusing around July 4) to help rebuild our nation. We encourage
you to give, through the church, to help Habitat for Humanity build homes
for people displaced by the hurricane. We will collect all during the month
of July – simply make your check out to the church and put ‘Hurricane-Habitat’ in
the memo. Second, we’ve received a request from Dr. Thomas Richard,
executive secretary of the NACCC, for some help. Matthew and Eunice Oladele – children
of missionaries in Nigeria – are students at Olivet College, our
Congregationally related school in Michigan. Tom has asked for help in
funding summer salaries for them to assist with their school costs. They
will work at the national office in Oak Creek. Again, if you can help,
please make the check to the church with “Oladele Children” in
the memo line. We will host the Reverend Elvis Sa Do from the Congregational
mission in Myanmar (formerly Burma) on Sunday, June 18. Rev. Sa Do will
deliver the sermon during the Sunday worship service, “Opportunities
to reach out with compassion to those in need.”
STAFF TRANSITIONS
The last several months have been interesting for me as “head of
staff.” A retirement, two resignations, and a reassignment – sounds
almost like the title for a movie doesn’t it? – are changing
the make-up of our staff. Betty Dethmers has retired after thirty-two years
on the organ bench. Carrie Kreps Wegenast is leaving us to follow her husband
Markus back to the United Methodist Church (blessings on their new ministries!).
Carla Cummings is stepping down as Director of Children’s Ministries,
while continuing with Pioneer Club and as a parishioner (thankfully!).
Debbie “DdG” Wakefield (aka “the party princess”)
has been recalled to full-time duties at the Congregational Home as Director
of Volunteers. We’re glad that DdG is still going to be around as
a parishioner, but will miss her special touch at various church functions.
I have expressed our gratitude to Charles Nelson of the Congregational
Home for “sharing” DdG with us these last four years. So we
say “farewell” to Betty and Carrie and “we’re glad
you’re sticking around” to Carla and DdG. I think I speak for
all of us at FCC when I say we are grateful for all that these ladies have
done and pray God’s blessings on them!
“
Goodbyes” give way to “hellos” as we welcome the Reverend
Rob Brink and his family (wife Jessica, sons Aiden and Eli) and our new
organist Tom Gregory (wife Pat) to FCC. Rob’s position will cover
both youth and family ministry and Sunday School. We will be learning more
about them in coming issues of The Congregational Columns. Rob begins his
ministry with us on July 1 and Tom joins us in September. Carrie Sgarlata
will continue with us in Children’s Ministry working as a consultant
to Rob.
So much for my musings for June, though I suppose I could also muse on
how it felt to pass the twenty-four year anniversary of ordination in May
and the prospects of turning fifty-two this month, but I’ll let those
go! I reflect on the good things God is doing among us and rejoice in the
evidence of God’s Holy Spirit among us. How appropriate that this
year “Children’s Sunday” is on Pentecost! The Spirit
who gives us life and breath, gives birth to and sustains the Church. Come
Holy Spirit and kindle in us the fire of God’s love!
Yours in the Spirit and in the church,
Steve
Rev. Steven A. Peay, Ph.D.
Minister
What I’ll remember
June 11 is quickly approaching. It seemed a long time off in April when I resigned
in order to move with Markus to his new church in Waterloo, Wisconsin (25
minutes east of Madison). While we are excited about moving into our new
house and exploring a new community, I will carry memories of this community
with me. I will remember the 30-hour famine retreat where I introduced the
now-infamous Sock Wars, watching the Covenant Class work together to cross
the raging river, and our dinner and discussions at Noodles. I will remember
the fantastic worship services planned by the junior high, the contagious
energy of the seventh grade boys, and the deep and sincere questions that
always found a way into the Box of Questions. I will also remember the conversations
we shared, the times we prayed together, and your questions. I loved hearing
and thinking about your questions with you. I will remember the goofy times – the
Super bowl party of 2006, summer camp, and late nights at rallies. Together
we have shared moments that will continue to be a part of my life even after
moving to Waterloo. Thank you for giving me times to remember and for sharing
your smiles, questions, laughter, fun, thoughts, life experiences, ideas,
and selves these last two years. What I’ll remember is you.
—
Rev. Carrie
Celebrate the beginning of Summer with a PF Cook-Out on June 3 at Zoe Harmon’s
house (2411 N. 68th Street). We’ll be eating summer favorites (hamburgers,
brats and all the sides). Guys: please bring chips or a dessert. Girls: please
bring salad or drinks. Let Carrie know if you are coming so we have enough
for all.
Youth Calendar
June 3 – PF Cook-Out @ Harmon’s
5-7 p.m.
June 11 – Carrie’s last Sunday at FCC
Sr. Breakfast 9 a.m., high school seniors recognized in worship
July 9-15 – Wisconsin Congregational Association (WCA) Camp @
Mt. Morris
The church gathered in the Social Hall on May 21 and expressed their Congregationalism
in electing new officers and boards to serve the church in the 2006-2007 program
year.
Moderator Harry Holz presided over the meeting. Nominations Committee member
Bill Edens presented the slate of candidates who were elected unanimously.
Butch Boyd will serve as Moderator and Julie Anheuser as Vice Moderator. We
wish great success to all our newly elected leaders in carrying forth the ministries
of our church into the coming year!
Farewell to these staff members who have served our church:
Betty Dethmers
Organist
leaves May 31
The Rev. Carrie Kreps Wegenast
Associate Minister for Youth and Family
leaves June 11
Carla Cummings
Director of Children’s Ministries
leaves her position June 4 (but still a member of the church!)
And watch for more information in future issues of the Columns as we welcome
these new members to our staff team:
Tom Gregory
Organist
begins Sept. 1
The Rev. Rob Brink
Associate Minister for Youth and Family (including children’s ministries)
begins July 1
On May 6, church member Julie Peay received the Distinguished
Service Award from the Section for Magnetic Resonance Technologists (SMRT)
of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine at the society’s
annual meeting in Seattle. The award recognizes outstanding contributions and
extreme level of effort and service to the operation, effectiveness and good
reputation of the section. Julie has been an active member of this organization
since her first MRI scientific presentation in 1989. She has regularly presented
papers and posters at SMRT regional and international meetings. In 1993, she
received the award for “Outstanding Contributions to the Education of
Magnetic Resonance Technologists” and in 2002 was elevated to Fellow
of the Section. She served as President in 1999 and remains on the Policy Board
as Editor of the quarterly newsletter, Signals.
Trained as a Registered Radiologic Technologist, Peay has worked in a variety
of radiology settings including emergency radiology and computed tomography
(CT). In 1986 she became the first research MR Technologist at the Medical
College of Wisconsin. Those early days in MRI technology were exciting and
challenging and led to the sophisticated diagnostic procedures available today.
Over the years she has had the opportunity to work on research projects; teach
MRI technology to physicians, technologists and manufacturer’s engineers;
and manage several MRI sites in the area. She has written for periodicals and
has contributed book chapters. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Management
degree from Cardinal Stritch University as an adult learner, single mom, active
church member and full-time employee. Peay has been an invited speaker at state,
national and international venues and the occasional Rotary Club meeting.
While living in Madison, Peay worked at the University of Wisconsin performing
cardio-vascular MRI research. Her paper from that work received first place
recognition in the research category at the 2002 SMRT annual meeting. Upon
returning to Wauwatosa, she accepted a part-time position back at the Medical
College of Wisconsin. For the first time in her long career she is not relating
to radiology but works exclusively in the biophysics department supporting
the research studies and serving as the MRI safety officer. Her efforts were
recognized at the recent SMRT meeting when she presented “Magnetic Resonance
Safety Training: Implementing a Program in the Research Environment.” The
poster presentation generated interest and an invitation to speak at the next
annual meeting in Barcelona, Spain in May 2007.
Back to the Table of
Contents
May 28 through Sept. 3
9 a.m.
Lectionary Bible Study
Parlor
10 a.m.
Worship
Nave
Sunday School
Children age 3 to entering
3rd grade in the fall
(Older children welcome in worship)
11 a.m.
Coffee hour
Friendship Lounge
June 4 Pentecost
First Lesson Acts 2:1–21
Psalmody Psalm 104:24–34,35b
New Testament Romans 8:22–27
Gospel John 15:26–27; 16:4b–15
June 11 Trinity Sunday
Old Testament Isaiah 6:1–8
Psalmody Psalm 29
New Testament Romans 8:12–17
Gospel John 3:1–17
June 18 2nd Sunday after Pentecost
Old Testament 1 Samuel 15:34–16:13
Psalmody Psalm 20
New Testament 2 Corinthians 5:6–10
(11–13), 14–17
Gospel Mark 4:26–34
June 25 3rd Sunday after Pentecost
Old Testament 1 Samuel 17: (1a, 4–11, 19–23)
32–39
Psalmody Psalm 9:9–20
New Testament 2 Corinthians 6:1–13
Gospel Mark 4:35–41
Back to the Table of
Contents
Pioneer Club Car Wash, Saturday, June 17
Come to the church parking lot on Saturday, June 17 from 9 a.m. to
12 p.m. Proceeds from the car wash will be split with our pen pals in Benin
and go toward our camping trip August 27th & 28th.
Monday, June 12, noon.
Please email to Beth
Linscott at ddinc@wi.rr.com or Sam Schaal at schaals@firstchurchtosa.org.
Hard copy may be brought to the church office and left in the Columns mailbox.
Rev. Steven Peay, Ph.D., Minister
Rev. Samuel Schaal, Associate Minister
Rev. Carrie Kreps Wegenast, Associate Minister
Rev. Charles Goldsmith, Ph.D., Congregational Home Chaplain
Cindy Payette, Administrator
Lee Jacobi, Director of Music
Betty Dethmers, Organist
Anne Callen, Office Manager
Sharon Cook-Bahr, Secretary
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. 21, Issue 5
