Sue s Musings Open and Affirming

Transcription

1 Sue s Musings Open and Affirming Earlier this month, the Session went on a retreat to the Lied Lodge in Nebraska City. It was a wonderful time to get to know each other better, to dream about the future, and to have significant discussions about the church and how we want to move forward. The discussion began with an acknowledgement that we have great energy in this church, we were at a critical time in our life, and we shared the sense that we had a unique opportunity to harness the energy and faith of this congregation. We also were honest in acknowledging that as great as our congregation is, we were likely to continue our general decline in membership if we didn t try some new things, and be bolder in letting people know what we were about. Great churches with great people still decline, and it takes a lot of effort to turn that tide, especially when everything in our society seems to be pulling people away from church. The work God is doing through us is far too important for us to let ourselves continue that gradual slide. One of the big decisions that came out of our retreat was a desire to let our light shine. Remember we ARE the light of the world are we letting our light shine? In our case, that light is a light of welcome, of acceptance, and of inclusion. Long before I came here as your pastor, you were a welcoming congregation. You welcomed people regardless of their sexual orientation or identity, regardless of their cultural background, regardless of their racial heritage, regardless of their economic circumstances. You have a wonderful way of affirming people for who they are, and loving them without trying to change them. Not every church does that, or does it well! You do. But did you know that a lot of people in Lincoln have no idea we do that? Just today, I was talking to someone who still remembers the church as a stuffy place where if you didn t dress right you were spoken to. That old identity still lives on. But it s not who we are anymore! We hope people will feel accepted and welcomed when they come through our doors, but we don t advertise it. We don t proclaim it. We aren t out there letting that light shine. We need to because there are people in our community who are hungering for the kind of acceptance and affirmation that is here, but they aren t going to walk through our doors unless they already know that about us. Our session felt that it is time we be more bold in letting people know who we are. The phrase open and affirming is a particular set of words that lets LGBTQ people know that this is a safe place for them to come and worship, and for them to be welcomed and included. As a first step toward letting our light shine, the Session has added First Presbyterian Church to the membership of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians, a group that advocates for the full inclusion of ALL people in the PCUSA. We will be listed on their website as a church that welcomes all. We want to put that on our website, and in other publications, to get the word out that if you are looking for a place to belong and be accepted for who you are regardless of what label you or others put on you, this is a place for you. As I said earlier, this goes beyond LGBTQ people we truly are a church without borders, a church without walls, and a safe place, where all are welcomed and love. We just want to let that light shine a bit brighter! Pastor Sue ~ Rooted in God ~ Open to Grace ~ Filled with Joy ~ Old Testament Background to the Lord s Supper Wednesdays during Lent, beginning March 8 (Excluding March 15) 6:15-7:15 p.m. Join us after F3 and before Choir for a Lenten class on the Lord s Supper. This is one of our two sacraments, and one of the most significant things we do together in worship. Come learn about the background, the traditions, and the meaning behind what we do. The class will culminate with a Christian Seder as part of our Maundy Thursday service on April 13. Watch the Sunday bulletins for the room. Ash Wednesday Worship March 1, 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary Ministers: Members of Congregation Pastor/Head of Staff: Rev. Dr. Sue Coller Pastor for Sudanese Ministry: Rev. Jock Tut Paleak Music Director: Dr. Brian Pfoltner Organist: Dr. Charles W. Ore Director of Christian Education: Kris Brammer Finance Coordinator and Treasurer: Patricia Wissink Church Administrator: Nicole Toman Maintenance/Custodian: Jeff Kephart Clerk of Session: Terri Sherman

2 ~ Joys & Concerns ~ Baptism: William James Higgins IV, son of Bill Higgins & Wendy Koontz, Feb. 8, in Omaha. Rev. Dr. Peter Frazier- Koontz & Pastor Sue officiated. Bereavements to: the family of David Spicer (past Director of Music at FPC) who died Jan. 18, in Malvern, PA Kelly Helm Smith and family in the death of her father, Bertrand Smith, Feb. 6, in Missouri. the family of Roberta Anderson, who died Feb. 16, in Lincoln. the family of Wendy Koontz, who died Feb. 20, in Omaha.. Prayers: Donna Lewis, Jean McBride, Bob Peterson ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If you have a joy or concern to add to this list, please call or the church office , info@fpclincoln.org. Thank You! We would like to say thank you to everyone at church for supporting the Girl Scouts. We highly appreciate that you bought cookies from us. Hope you enjoy them! Love, Jaide Loehr, and Emily & Lydia Van Meter ~ Staffing Changes ~ Welcome Nicole Toman! Nicole is our new Church Administrator, and she will begin work here on Wednesday, March 1. Her office will be in the reception office as you come in the doors from 17 th St. We are excited about her joining our ministry team here, and the energy, excitement, and skills she brings with her. Please stop in and introduce yourself! Welcome Kris Brammer! Kris began his work as our new Director of Christian Education on Monday, February 27. He comes to us with 20 years of experience as both Director of Christian Education and Youth Director. He will oversee our entire children, youth and adult educational ministry. We are excited about the new ideas and the direction he will guide us in. Join us for worship on March 5 as we welcome him! Thanks and Goodbye (sort of) to Susie Diers As you heard at the annual meeting, Susie, has been working here for over 11 years, and she has been a constant here in the office and a keeper of our history and a keeper of our procedures. With the change of office positions, Susie will be leaving us sort of. Her last day as a full-time employee will be Wednesday, March 1. But she won t be totally gone she will be working part time for the next six months doing the Arts for the Soul publications, and our monthly newsletter. Please be sure to stop by and express your appreciation to her for her work here! Thanks and Goodbye (sort of) to David Kamran And of course with the calling of Kris to be the new Director of Christian Education, David s interim role of Youth Coordinator also comes to an end. But as you saw Sunday, David just joined the church! So he will still be here, and volunteering where needed. So be sure to say thanks to David for all of his good work over the past year and a half! Adult Studies Lenten Focus: Meeting Jesus Again, for the First Time Yeshua ben Joseph is the central figure of our Reformed Christian Faith. Yet, none of us have ever really met him personally, that is, as a human being who actually lived at a time and place in history. Bob Jeambey will lead a five-session Adult Study of a 1994 book by the late Marcus Borg. It is an up-to-date, eye-opening, yet inspiring vision of the extraordinary human being so central to our faith. A discussion paper will be provided each week. Feb. 26, March 12, 19, 26, and April 9 (Palm Sunday). All are welcome. Rousseau Room, Sundays, 9:45-10:45 a.m. with coffee. THE LIBRARY You may have noticed the library has taken on a new look. Please stop in, put your feet up, and enjoy a good book. March is Women s History month, and you will find a selection of books on display about women of faith. This includes several new books: Twelve Extraordinary Women How God Shaped Women of the Bible and What He Wants to Do with You, by John MacArthur There s a Woman in the Pulpit Christian Clergywomen share their hard days, Holy Moments & the Healing Power of Humor, edited by Rev. Martha Spong. This includes a chapter by Pastor Stephanie Anthony! Jars of Hope How one Woman helped Save 2,500 Children during the Holocaust, by Jennifer Roy New Books we have quite a selection of new fiction books available, from some very popular authors including Karen Kingsbury and Stephanie Grace Whitson. Come in and check them out! The Library is available to host small meetings, with a conference table and 8 chairs, in addition to more casual seating. Please consider using this comfortable space for your small groups. Food Distribution in partnership with Jacob s Well Saturdays: March 4 & 18 9:00 AM: Doors Open / 10:00 AM: Food Distribution Thanks to all who help! Volunteers are always welcome! Psssst!!! If your birthday is coming up next month, how about putting in a dollar per year to help the Foundation Birthday Club fund special church projects! Please make all donations payable to the Foundation. The Gathering Place Tuesday, March 7 Youth Group Our 11:00 AM Sunday church worship service is broadcast on Spectrum Channels and/or 13, Thursdays at 8:00 PM & Fridays at 1:00 PM. To learn more about us at First Church visit us at

3 Our next concert... Music & Fine Arts at First Presbyterian Church Bible Presentation Henry Hill, MarShawn Jefferson and Zoey LeClair were each presented with their own Bible at the 11:00 a.m. service on Feb. 19 th. The Bibles were passed around to all members of the congregation, to hold and pray over. The children s choir also gave an incredible performance of Amazing Grace. Saturday, April 1, 7:30 PM Tickets: Presbyterian Women Highlights On Sunday, March 5 th, the Presbyterian Church (USA) has designated this day to Celebrate the Gifts of Women. Following the second service on that day, a catered luncheon will be served to the congregation. Everyone is welcome. Following the luncheon the Birthday Offering will be dedicated. Since 1922, the Birthday Offering has provided and continues to provide much-needed financial assistance to numerous worthwhile programs not included in ongoing General Assembly mission support. Each year, as many as five new projects domestic and international are carefully and prayerfully selected by the Creative Ministries Offering Committee to help meet a crucial need for persons who are hurting or are disadvantaged. We will also be celebrating the arrival of our new Christian Education Director, Kris Brammer, and his wife, Kris Adler- Brammer, and our new Church Administrator, Nicole Toman, and her husband Chris. Please mark your calendars for this special day! The PW Spring Gathering for the Lincoln area churches will be held at Southern Heights Presbyterian Church on Saturday, April 22, with registration open at 9 AM. We plan to finish with lunch at noon. The theme is Coming Together, Working Together, Building Together. Paul Yates will speak on sex trafficking. The registration fee of $9.00 and can be sent to Marti Barnhouse, 3720 Loveland Dr., Lincoln, Phone or let Joan Berglund know March Funeral Committee: Lynne Hughes, Chair, Gary Hughes, Carlene Waldron, Betty Tenhulzen, Jane Goodding, Joleen Peterson, Arta Smith, Bev Lightner, Marian Sexton Women s Choir for the PW Women s Service Sunday, March 5 We will sing at the 11:00 service. All women are welcome, even those who don t usually sing in choir, just let Brian Pfoltner know if you are interested , or musicdir@fpclincoln.org. We will rehearse twice: 1. After the Ash Wednesday service, March 1 (short rehearsal in choir room) 2. Sunday, March 5, 10:10 in sanctuary No Robes. Continue to Save Labels! Special thanks to everybody for all the Education Points. We just turned in 466 pts. to McPhee. Please continue to collect General Mills Box Tops for Education points and Best Choice bar codes. Drop them off in the church office. These are turned in and the money collected benefits McPhee School. Ruth Beach Update: We will no longer collect the Campbell s Soup Labels for Ed.

4 Sing from the Heart Sunday, Feb. 19 The annual Arts for the Soul Sing from the Heart Dessert Concert & Charity Fundraiser took place on Sunday, Feb. 19. With the theme of Our Favorite Things, this year featured choir and audience favorites from the past eight Sing from the Heart concerts. Soloists were Malley Keelan, tenor, and Daniel Martinez, guitar. The featured charity was the one spotlighted in our very first such event The Food Bank of Lincoln BackPack Program. Food Bank Development Director John Mabry spoke about the importance of the BackPack Program, and a freewill offering of $1,348 was raised for the program. John Mabry Daniel Martinez Malley Keelan The Phantom! (CJ Koolen)

5 Rev. Dr. Sue Coller, Head Pastor Annual Congregation Meeting, Sunday, February 5 Thanks to the youth for serving a delicious meal prior to the meeting. At the meeting several committees shared their successes of Marlene Wagner gave the financial picture of the church. Our newest members were recognized and welcomed including Linda Brodzik, Jim Larson, and Craig Gears. The church surprised Pastor Sue with a new stole in celebration of her 25 years as an ordained minister. Staff members Charles Ore, Brian Pfoltner and Patty Wissink were honored for their 10 years of service, and Susie Diers was honored for her 11 years of service to First Church. David Kamran was honored for his service the past two years in leading our youth as interim youth coordinator. Special thanks to Carlene Waldron and her incredible creative talents for all the wonderful table decorations! Charles Ore, Organist Brian Pfoltner, Director of Music Patty Wissink, Finance Coordinator Susie Diers, Publications Secretary Standing New Members: Linda Brodzik, Jim Larson and Craig Gears pictured with Pastor Sue and Terri Sherman David Kamran, Interim Youth Coord.

6 Christian Education No Sunday School on Easter, April 16 th. Member Nurture & Evangelism 22 shut in visits and communion was given to 6 shut in s in November. The Benevolence fund balance - $6, Friendship pads will be used in the sanctuary instead of the sign in books. Personnel Approved the hiring of Nicole Rochow as the new Church Administrator. Approved contract with Susie Diers for Arts for the Soul administrative support and newsletter production for March August, Property Approved the project to update the Comfort Room, with Connie Philippi and CE overseeing the project. Costs to be minimal and will be covered from Bair fund and Property budget. The Lighting project is complete. The new gutters are in place and the old ones will be recycled. Some window repairs have been completed. Sanctuary and Narthex were cleaned on January 28 th. Great Hall to be cleaned Feb. 11 th. Session Business By vote approved receiving Kathryn Wilson into membership by letter of transfer. By vote we approved the baptism of William Higgins, son of Billy Higgins and Wendy Koontz, with Rev. Dr. Peter Frazier-Koontz officiating, and Rev. Dr. Sue Coller representing the congregation. FORUM CLASSES The Forum class is exploring how members of our congregation try to live their Christian beliefs, in our Faith In Action series. Paul Smith kicked off this series with a presentation on Jan. 5 th, where he shared his mission work as a lay pastor with death-row inmates. His incredibly powerful presentation really caused participants to reflect on who the least are in our society, and how we treat them. On March 5 th, members of our congregation including Michele Langer, Willa Smith, and Marlene Wagner will speak of how their faith called them to participate in the recent Women s marches. Carl and Sue Tillinghast and Alicia Henderson will share their experiences from their recent international mission trip to Nicaragua, at the Forum class on April 2 nd. Forum classes are held in Great Hall, at 9:45 a.m. Coffee and snacks will be served. Please join us! OLLI Class at FPC Built-In Differences... take on new relevancy since the recent presidential election. Bob Jeambey will be repeating the second of his five-course OLLI presentations on the changing socio-religious scene in America since the 1960s. Bob will draw upon what historian Colin Woodard calls America s Rival Nations and the Strauss-Howe theory of Generations. Generational theory helps to understand the shifting ideological trends that democracy seems to provoke and which so tangles Americans today. In Great Hall, Wednesday mornings 9:30-11:00 a.m., starting March 29 and continuing through May 3. Information & registration via the OLLI office, , olli@unl.edu, NOT at the church office. (UNL s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) Session Highlights Feb. 11, 2017 Approved David Kamran s request to join the church by affirmation of faith. Approval to formally declare ourselves an Open and Affirming congregation by joining the Covenant Network of Presbyterians. Approved roping off the back rows of the church to move members closer together so we feel more included in worship. Approved holding one service during the summer months at 10:00 a.m. We will be putting together a small group to work on our first floor messaging. Approved holding a session retreat again in Stewardship & Finance Accepted a $ cash gift to be designated for additional palm trees for Palm Sunday Worship Service. Approved acceptance of a $25 cash gift to be designated for Stephens Ministry and a $7, cash gift to be designated for renovation of the pastor s office Worship & Sacrament Approved Rev. Joel Gajardo to preach on Feb. 26, 2017 and Rev. Dr. Carl Eskridge to preach on May 7, Approved holding one service on Feb. 5 at 11 a.m. (date of the annual meeting). Approved an Ash Wednesday service on March 1 st at 7 p.m. To approve a Maundy Thursday service on April 13 th at 6:30 p.m. which will include a supper. Property Committee Highlights Christian Education Committee is planning to update the Comfort Room which is just across the hall from the Parlor. It can be used by anyone but it will be especially comforting for families with small children. We will let you know when this project is completed. Some church members got together before the Feb. 19 concert and cleaned the kitchenette and the Great Hall. More work needs to be done on Great Hall and will go on the committee s To Do List. Work has begun on the Pastor s Office. Some of you may have noted that no parking is allowed in the North Parking Area as the old cabinets and bookshelves are being dismantled. We now have new gutters on our building. The old gutters were recycled and netted some funds to help pay for the new ones. We are still waiting on an estimate of damage and cost to repair the roof over the sanctuary. Once this is completed, the tuck pointing may begin. Due to the great weather the metalwork on the east entrance exterior has been completed! LOOKS GREAT! If you haven t visited the Library recently, do stop in and check out the new furnishings. CE has been busy making it a great place to read a book, use the conference table or just sit and relax. MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Save the date of Saturday, March 25 starting at 9:00 AM to clean Fellowship Hall and its kitchen. The sanctuary, Great Hall and its kitchenette have been cleaned and now is the time to finish this large area. Bring hand vacs and any cleaning tools or products you like to use. Supplies will also be available so come and help! Faithfully working for you the Property Committee

7 Wed., March 1 Ash Wednesday 9:00 - Circle 2 & 3/115 11:30 - Mayor s Prayer Breakfast Cte Mtg/GH 6:00 - Choir rehearsal/s 7:00 - Ash Wed. Worship Service/S Thurs., March 2 Fri., March 3 Sue s day off Sat., March 4 9:00 - Food Distribution/EE, S 10:00 - Sudanese Bible Study/208 4:00 - Voice Lesson/GH Sun., March 5 Celebration of Women s Gifts Communion Sunday 8:30 - Worship/GH 9:45 - No SS or Activity Time Coloring/Movie/205 9:45 - Forum/GH 11:00 - Worship/S 12:30 - Nuer Worship/GH 4:00 - Bell Rehearsal/S 5:30 - Youth Group 216/ Dinner/FH Mon., March 6 5:00 - Worship & Sac/115 6:00 - Christian Ed/Library 6:30-8:30 - Irish Dancers/GH 7:00 - Men's AA/FH Tues., March 7 Session reports due 7:00 - Men's Breakfast/K 10: Lincoln Lit 11:00 - Staff Meeting/115 4:30 - Gathering Place/Youth Group 5:30 - Property/115 6:00 - Women's AA/FH 6:00-8:00 - GtS BB/Gym Wed., March 8 6:15 - Lord s Supper Class 7:30 - Choir rehearsal Thurs., March 9 6:30 - Session/GH Fri., March 10 Sue s day off 6:00 - Sand Dollars/FH??? 7:00 - Youth Lock In Sat., March 11 Youth Lock In 8:30 - Stephen Ministry/FH 10:00 - Sudanese Bible Study/208 4:00 - Voice Lesson/GH 7:00 pm-8:30 am - Youth Lock-in Sun., March 12 Youth Lock-in Daylight Saving Time starts 8:30 - Worship/GH 9:30 - Children & Youth Activity Time 9:30 - Hebrews Group/211 9:45 - Adult Bible Disc/115 9:45 - Adult Bible Study/RR 10:00 - Children s Sunday School 10:15 - M.S. & H.S. Sunday School 11:00 - Worship/S 12:30 - Nuer Worship/GH 4:00 - Bell Rehearsal/S 5:30 - Youth Group 216/ Dinner/FH Mon., March 13 6:30-8:30 - Irish Dancers/GH 7:00 - Men's AA/FH Tues., March 14 7:00 - Men's Breakfast/K 10: Lincoln Lit 6:00 - Women's AA/FH 6:00-8:00 - GtS BB/Gym Wed., March 15 First Report Deadline 11:30 - Mayor s Interfaith Prayer Breakfast Cte Mtg/115 6:15 - Lord s Supper Class 7:30 - Choir rehearsal Thurs., March 16 1:30 - Circle IV (SSS)/RR Fri., March 17 Sue s day off Sat., March 18 9:00 - Food Distribution/EE, S 10:00 - Sudanese Bible Study/208 4:00 - Voice Lesson/GH Sun., March 19 8:30 - Worship/GH 9:30 - Children & Youth Activity Time 9:30 - Hebrews Group/211 9:45 - Adult Bible Disc/115 9:45 - Adult Bible Study/RR 10:00 - Children s Sunday School 10:15 - M.S. & H.S. Sunday School 11:00 - Worship/S 12:30 - Nuer Worship/GH 4:00 - Bell Rehearsal/S 5:30 - Youth Group 216/ Dinner/FH Mon., March 20 5:30 - Music & Fine Arts/RR 6:30-8:30 - Irish Dancers/GH 7:00 - Men's AA/FH Tues., March 21 7:00 - Men's Breakfast/K 10: Lincoln Lit 11:00 - Staff Meeting/115 6:00 - Women's AA/FH 6:00-8:00 - GtS BB/Gym 7:00 - Personnel/115 Wed., March 22 6:15 - Lord s Supper Class 6:30 - Member Nurture/Parlor 7:30 - Choir rehearsal Thurs., March 23 Fri., March 24 Sue s day off Sat., March 25 9:00 - Property Cte Clean Up/FH, K 10:00 - Sudanese Bible Study/208 4:00 - Voice Lesson/GH Sun., March 26 8:30 - Worship/GH 9:30 - Children & Youth Activity Time 9:30 - Hebrews Group/211 9:45 - Adult Bible Disc/115 9:45 - Adult Bible Study/RR 9:45 - Foundation Mtg/215 10:00 - Children s Sunday School 10:15 - M.S. & H.S. Sunday School 11:00 - Worship/S 12:30 - Nuer Worship/GH 4:00 - Bell Rehearsal/S 5:30 - Youth Group 216/ Dinner/FH Mon., March 27 5:00 - After Work Bible Study/115 6:30-8:30 - Irish Dancers/GH 7:00 - Men's AA/FH Tues., March 28 7:00 - Men's Breakfast/K 10: Lincoln Lit 6:00 - Women's AA/FH 6:00-8:00 - GtS BB/Gym Wed., March 29 9:00 - OLLI Class/GH (Bob Jeambey) 6:15 - Lord s Supper Class 7:30 - Choir rehearsal Thurs., March 30 Fri., March 31 Sue s day off 9:00am-10pm - Tentative Concert Rehearsal/S Dates & times subject to change

8 First Presbyterian Church 840 South 17th Street Lincoln, NE PERIODICAL The FIRST REPORT (USPS ) is published monthly for $15 per year by First Presbyterian Church, 840 S 17th St, Lincoln, NE Periodical Postage paid at Lincoln, Nebraska. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to First Report, First Presbyterian Church, 840 S 17th St, Lincoln, NE Please notify the church office of any name, address, , and/or telephone changes. Next First Report Deadline Wednesday, March 15, 2017 Articles received after this time may not be included in the Newsletter. First Presbyterian Church, a place to belong! Where faith is nurtured, curiosity is encouraged, diversity is welcomed, and all are loved. For after-hour calls to the church office, , the staff voic extensions and addresses follow: Church Fax Number: Church website: Pastor/Head of Staff: Rev. Dr. Sue Coller x 103 scoller@fpclincoln.org Parish Associate for Sudanese Ministry: Rev. Jock Tut Paleak x 114 jockpaleak@yahoo.com Music Director: Dr. Brian Pfoltner x 121 musicdir@fpclincoln.org Organist: Dr. Charles W. Ore charles.w.ore@gmail.com Director of Christian Education: Kris Brammer x 106 dce@fpclincoln.org Finance Coordinator & Treasurer: Patty Wissink x 102 finance@fpclincoln.org Church Administrator: Nicole Toman x 101 Custodian/Maintenance: Jeff Kephart maintenance@fpclincoln.org Church Office x 101 info@fpclincoln.org 13 LaVerne Bish 13 Ashley Driewer 15 Don Marx 17 Kenneth TenHulzen 18 Jean Holtzclaw 18 Mary Pfoltner 10 Christine Abraham 10 Eric Kasl 10 Trevor Kasl 10 Mark Napier 10 Lydia Van Meter 11 Norm Braaten 11 Kuothathin Gony 11 Sammi Meirose Sunday Morning Drivers Pam Boyle Nancy Field Lynne Hughes Nancy Janike March Birthdays Birthdays are important events. If your birthday is missing from our list, or listed wrong, please call the church office so we can correct it: Nyayik Lam Koang 12 Dario Rossin 13 Phil Waldron 14 Jacob Diedrichsen 16 Bhan Makuach 18 Casie Burling 18 Addie Knorr 18 Katie Pinch 19 Sue Davis 20 Jackson Beach 20 Richard Chapin 21 Jessica Lloyd 22 Liz Beynon 22 Glenda Evans 22 Donna Peate 22 Nicole Philippi 25 Sue Coller 25 Eric Schacht 27 Dianne Frydendall-Smith 27 Rick Houck 27 Maya Langer 28 Jim Larson 29 Ann Powers 29 Nyamal Thok 30 Brittany Pfoltner 31 Christine Synowicki 31 Carlene Waldron If you need a ride to a Sunday worship service at the church, please contact a Sunday Morning Driver or the church office.