May 2007

Table of Contents

Election Meeting/Nominees

Munchkin Matters

Minister's Musings

PF Place

Faith and Film

Teachable Moments

Strawberry Luncheon

Sunday Symposium

Calendar

Church Rummage

Easter Flower Dedications

In Brief

Lectionary Readings

We Welcome These New Members

MARY ARENA
Mary is a Physical Therapist with Aurora Rehabilitation Center and is involved in several health care related community activities. She found out about our church by attending the wedding of Sarah and Andy Hoffman several years ago.

PHIL & KIRSTEN ERTL
Phil and Kirsten and their two sons, Austin who is six and Logan who is three, moved to Wauwatosa when Phil accepted the position as Superintendent of the Wauwatosa Public Schools. Kirsten is currently an at-home mom who grew up here in Wauwatosa. She also teaches private string lessons. Phil is involved in the Rotary, which is where he met Rev. Peay.

BEN & DANA GOETTER
Ben, Dana and their two-year old daughter Melanie are residents of Germantown. Dana is a registered nurse who is currently an at-home mom. Ben is a Project Manager for M.A. Mortenson. She is active with the Germantown Community Band and he is a volunteer with Special Olympics. They have been looking for a church and we are happy to say that they found us.

LINDA STEVENS
Linda and her husband Rich reside in Wauwatosa. They are the parents of two adult children, one of whom is church member Monica Stevens. Linda is a recently retired dietitian and found out about our church through playing with the Jubilation Ringers.

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Easter joy propels us into May. First we celebrate our Covenant Class students as they come to confirm their faith, own the covenant and formalize their relationship with our church. Then we celebrate mothers with a special presentation by the choirs. May moves us closer to the close of the ministry program year and on Pentecost Sunday (May 27-Memorial Day weekend) we return to our summer schedule with just one service at 10AM.

Over the course of the summer, staff and lay leadership will take what we’ve learned from our Lenten “Holy Conversations,” the results from our planning exercise on April 22nd and begin to put together the 2007-2008 ministry program year. As we seek to become a blessed church, a truly practicing church, we will see more and more of our offerings oriented toward spiritual transformation. If we are going to be a church attuned to God’s purpose, aware of God’s presence and experiencing God’s power, then we must seek to be not just good church members, but rather must become good disciples. Not once did Jesus ever call someone into membership. Rather he bid people to “follow me” and to “learn of me.” He invited people into discipleship. Webster’s dictionary tells us that a disciple is, “one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another: as a: one of the twelve in the inner circle of Christ's followers according to the Gospel accounts b: a convinced adherent of a school or individual.” When we own the covenant of this church we identify ourselves as “followers of Jesus Christ” and at that moment we have answered the call to be disciples.

So joining the church is not like joining a club or any other organization. We don’t go through an application process, pay our dues and then expect to get service in return or the cachet of belonging. No, the church is a living organism. We are engrafted into Christ, who says “I am the vine, you are the branches” (John 15:5). In I Corinthians 12 Paul describes the church as “the body of Christ.” If we are “members,” it is because we are body parts and not just because we’ve paid our dues. All the parts of the body must work together if the body is to grow and to thrive, if the body is to survive! So, we must all work together, each taking ownership and taking part if the church is to be what God calls it to be – our Lord’s continuing presence in this world. Our task, then, is to grow in union with the vine and that is what we covenant, “to grow in the knowledge and expression of our faith.” Vines and branches produce fruit – our life together should make a difference in each of us and in the surrounding community.

Our Congregational forebears sought a pure church, to know as the first Christians did, as described in Scripture. The Congregational theologian John Owen said that our movement came about to “restore the old, the beautiful face of Christianity” and that is still our task today. It can’t happen if our understanding of church is consumer-based (i.e. the church exists to provide services for members) or like a club that we go to when we feel like it or have a notion that we need it. We have said, and agreed, that “The purpose of this Church shall be to bind together followers of Jesus Christ for the object of sharing in the worship of God and in making God’s will dominant in the lives of people especially as that will is set forth in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.” Our ministry program year will facilitate the living out of our common purpose and the covenant we make with God and with one another.

There’s been a little change in The Green Sheet where it lists staff. It says, “Ministers: The Members of this Church Assisted by: . . .” This better reflects Congregational position on the “priesthood of all believers.” Your ministerial staff is here to assist you in being church – not to do it on your behalf. As Paul says to the Ephesians, “The gifts he gave were that some would be . . . pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (4:11-12). So the church isn’t about joining – it’s about BEING. We don’t go to church, we are the church.

Good things – holy things – growth-filled things await us on Church Street. Christ is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!

In the Risen One,
Steve
Rev. Steven A. Peay, Ph.D.
Senior Minister

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PF Place

Youth Sunday April 29

Our Junior and Senior PF are working together to plan and execute an entire worship service of their own design. They will cover both the 8:45 and the 11 a.m. Given as much control as they have, I'm actually surprised at how conservative they've been. I was expecting something radical, but mostly they just want to turn things up a notch. Please plan now to support them with your attendance, then stick around for coffee hour and offer them your constructive comments.

Confirmation Sunday

Two years of hard work are coming to a close for our Covenant Class. We have a rigorous confirmation process here at First Church and I've been impressed with how the kids have pulled together to get the work done. I don't know a lot of adults who would put this much time and effort into joining a church. On April 29 they will lead a panel discussion in Sunday Symposium entitled, "Why I Will/Won't Join First Church." And the official confirmation ceremony will take place on May 6.

Looking Ahead

We've got some great opportunities this coming year, starting on June 23-27 with NAPF/HOPE. These are our high school- and college-age national gatherings. We're definitely taking a crew this year, but we're still working out the details. (perhaps a road trip, perhaps a service project, perhaps a train ride—who knows!) For more info on either gathering or to register, go to www.naccc.org. Wisconsin Congregational Summer Camp is July 8-14 at Camp Whitcomb-Mason. More info at www.wiscongregational.net. And finally, this Dec. 26-Jan. 2, our senior high and college-age students will head down to Mission Mazahua in Mexico. Get in your $150 deposit ASAP. Preference will be given to early birds and High School students should space become an issue.

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A Faith and Film First!

Actor Makes Personal Appearance

Glory Road (2006)
Sunday, May 20 - 5:30 p.m.

Faith and Film and our Family Film team up this month to present “Glory Road,” based on a true story. In 1965, Coach Don Haskins gathered one of the first interracial basketball teams, the legendary Texas Western Miners. They were mocked for including black players on the court, but the Miners reached the National Championship against powerhouse Kentucky. Rated PG for racial issues including violence, epithets and language. Stars Josh Lucas, Derek Luke and Jon Voight.

We are especially pleased to have with us one of the actors in that movie, Merle Harmon (father of our own Keith Harmon). Merle plays a broadcaster, which he was in real life, having had a significant career broadcasting several historic NFL games.

Given the unique nature of this movie, both youth and adults are invited. We will chat with Merle about his experiences as an actor, and also engage the topic of Christian witness to racism.

Pizza is available ($3 per person). If you are eating with us, please register in advance so we can order enough. Since we’re expecting a larger crowd, we’ll gather in the Social Hall.

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Sunday Symposium

Sundays 10 a.m. - Friendship Lounge

May 6
All Things Iraq
Jim Santelle shares his experiences with the U.S. Justice Department in Iraq.

May 13
Gideon Bible
Marty Hedrick, president of the local chapter of Gideons International, shares the history of Gideons (did you know a Congregational minister was a co-founder?) and some of the work of the group.

May 20
No Symposium
See you at the Annual Election Meeting in the Social Hall

May 27
One service at 10 a.m.
Symposium on sabbatical for the summer

See you at Lectionary Bible Study at 9 a.m.

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In Honor of Easter

The lovely tulip, daffodil, lily and hyacinth plants are: donated by — in memory of:

Marilyn Auer and Charles Auer—James Auer, Matthew & Charlotte Auer and James & Eunice Mills; Gary Back—Richard A. Falk; Richard & Mary Berger—Donald Bornemann, C.W. & Jean Berger; Bill, Tammy & Kurt Bokern—Taschia Bokern and Jim Bokern; LaVone Bowman—Mr. & Mrs. George Bowman, Sr. and family; Anne, Phil, Erin & Bryn Callen—Walter Cave & Philip Callen, Sr.; Pam & Brien Christopherson—Paul & Eleanor Hafemann and Ernest & Dorothy Rouer; Dick & Gaye Clark—Germaine Clark, Wilfred & Agnes Fogarty; Dan, Katie, Hayden & Addison Doyle—Barbara Harvey and Charles Doyle; Rebecca Haefner & Emily Dueker—Fred & Arline Haefner; Chuck & Colleen Foster—Kathy Haas and Marge Robertson; Tom & Susan Godfrey—Jean & Kneeland Godfrey; Peggy & Peter Haesler—Ruth & Frederick Winding and Viola & John Haesler; the Hantzsch Family—Eugene Duwell; Jim & Ann Harris—Orville & Sally Harris and Alan Steinmetz; Bob & Jackie Hipke—Robert & Irene Hipke and Earl & Helen Easton; Barbara & Lee Jacobi—Winifred & Charles DeBack and Mildred & Paul Jacobi; Charmaine & James LaBelle—Virginia & Sherman Kuharske; the family of David Wayne Lepley—David Wayne Lepley; Mike & Carrie Meyer—Barbara Meyer; Jean Millard—Mr. & Mrs. Walter Roelli and Mr. & Mrs. William Somerville; Diane Miller—Marvin D. Miller and Gail S. Dickerson; The Miyazaki Family—Jim Miyazaki; Rita Morawetz—Edward Morawetz, Sr.; Alida Smith—Bruce Smith; Cindy Payette—Clayton Davis Wakefield; Steven & Julie Peay—Doris & Willard Peay; Dale & Kimberly Porter—father-Robert Kruis and grandparents-Edward Dekanich, Les & Vonnie Kruis, and Larry Porter; the Santelle and Fink Families—James N. Santelle & Carol J. Santelle; Jane Soper—Robert Soper and Alline & John Kinstler; MaryBeth Stevenson—Edmund Sarna, Sr.; Tom & Gale Tanger—Alan C. Huse, Ralph K. Huse, Marie Michels and George Tanger; Nancy & Tom Winkel—Phyllis & Willard Winkel and Gertrud & Howard Kaehler.

The lovely tulip, daffodil, lily and hyacinth plants are: donated by — in honor of:

Betty Blank—Claudia & Madelaine Scholl; Anne, Phil, Erin & Bryn Callen—Joyce Cave and Dorothy Callen; Bob & Jackie Hipke—grandchildren Tyler, Conner, Brenna, Chase, Abi & Thomas; Harry & Nancy Holz—their children and grandchildren; Julia Jacobi—my loving godparents Lee & Barbara Jacobi; Chuck & Holly Krull—Martha Haagensen; Charmaine & James LaBelle—Jeanne & William LaBelle; Roxanne, Dave, Daniel & Emily Miles—the Junior Choir; George & Sharon Nortman—our family and friends; Dale & Kimberly Porter—Isaac Porter; the Probst family—our families

Additional flowers are donated by:

Jean Whitmore, Cheryl Hokenson & Mark Lemke

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In Brief

All-Church Pizza Dinner

Love pizza? Then save Wednesday, May 2 for the All-Church Pizza Dinner. From shrimp pesto to BLT to cheese and pepperoni, we’ll be serving over ten types of pizza! Cost is $5/adults; $3/ children under 12. Sign up by Sunday, April 29 at the office.

Summer Worship Begins

Sunday May 27
One Service at 10 a.m.

Lectionary Bible Study
9 a.m.

Strawberry Luncheon
Reception - 12 noon
Luncheon Served - 12:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 17
Tickets $18, Reservations required
Congregational Home
3150 Lilly Road, Brookfield, WI 53005
262-781-0550

Save Your Stuff
Cleaning closets, the basement, the attic or the garage this spring? Save your gently used, good quality items for the
First Church Rummage Sale! Circle 13 volunteers are organizing an all-church rummage sale to benefit the Jr. and Sr. PF Groups. Your donations of clothing, toys, books, sporting goods, household items, electronics, and furniture are needed. (No computers please.) Donations of bags and hangers are also needed. The Rummage Sale is scheduled for Saturday, June 2 from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Special drop-off dates for donations will be Saturday, May 12 and Saturday, May 19 from 8 - 10 a.m.
If you would like to volunteer to help with the sale, even for an hour or two, please contact Nancy Vander Velde at 414-475-0554. We need assistance in sorting and prep, pricing, set-up, cashiering, food sales, and clean-up.

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Lectionary Readings

Texts used in Sunday worship

May 6 5th Sunday of Easter
First Lesson…Acts 11;1-18
Psalmody…Psalm 148
New Testament…Revelation 21:1-6
Gospel …John 13: 31-35

May 13 6th Sunday of Easter - Mother’s Day
First Lesson…Acts 16:9-15
Psalmody…Psalm 67
New Testament…Revelation 21:1-10; 22—22:5
Gospel …John 14: 23-29

May 20 Ascension Sunday
First Lesson…Acts 1:1-11
Psalmody…Psalm 47
New Testament…Ephesians 1:15-23
Gospel …Luke 24:44-53

May 27 Pentecost
First Lesson…Acts 2;1-21
Psalmody…Psalm 104:24-34; 35b
New Testament…Romans 8:14-17
Gospel …John 14:8-17 (25-27)

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Monday, May 14, 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.

Congregational Columns

Communications Committee
Arlette Lindbergh-Chairperson, Marilyn Auer, Sally Wells, Paige Galfano

Rev. Charles Goldsmith, Ph.D., Congregational Home Chaplain

Cindy Payette, Administrator

Lee Jacobi, Director of Music

Thomas Gregory, 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 10