The Presbyterian Bridge Celebrating our uniqueness Coming together in Christ

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1 The Presbyterian Bridge Celebrating our uniqueness Coming together in Christ first presbyterian church of menominee inmation members and friends of june 2018 Henes Park Service and Picnic In celebration of First Presbyterian Church s 150th Anniversary, special events are being planned this year. Please mark your calendar a special joint service at Henes Park on Sunday, July 8 at 10:00 AM in pavillion # 2. Baptism or reaffirmation of faith will take place at the beach at the end of the service anyone wishing to participate. Special music will be provided. Following the service, fellowship time will include a potluck luncheon. Please bring table service yourself and a dish to pass. We hope you can join us this memorable event. Wednesday, June 13th at 6:00 p.m. FPC Fellowship Room All women and friends from First Presbyterian Church and Pioneer Presbyterian Church are invited. Please RSVP by calling the church office at Picnic by the River Members of Pioneer Presbyterian and First Presbyterian Church of Menominee are invited to attend the annual outdoor service and picnic on Sunday, August 12 at 10:00 A.M. at Pioneer. Music will be provided by Resurrection Afterglow. Picnic following the service. Come join us by the river! Hello Summer!

2 transitions Transitions are a part of ministry because they are a part of life. These last few weeks have had a lot of transitions me: Our graduates, retirements, and the saying goodbye to a wonderful pair of long time servants of Christ as they move away. These transitions are bittersweet because I am happy that each is going off to carry out their lives and ministry outside of our bounds and yet I am sad to see them go. This process of dealing with transitions is a grieving process as we must face both loss and finding hope. As a resurrection people, Christ calls us into a ministry of transition both individually and corporately. Individually, each of us as disciples of Jesus is called to spiritual transmation as we shed our old selves and ways and take on Christ. Jesus calls each of us to carry our crosses and to give up our life in order that we might gain it anew. In taking on Christ, we are not only bearers of Christ love, we become the embodiment of Christ s love. The incarnational Jesus becomes incarnational within us through the power of the Holy Spirit. Individually, as we go through transitions of grief, we are met by the Holy Spirit as we experience the pain of loss, and we are encouraged towards new hope and life as we follow Christ s commands and purpose. Corporately, we are called to a ministry of transition as the people of God to give aid to those in the midst of transition and grief. Deuteronomy 10:19 says, You shall also love the stranger, you were strangers in the land of Egypt. Just as the Israelites were called to remember the stranger, we are collectively called to remember our own periods of transition when reaching out to those who are suffering. In our understanding, we are united with them as we are united with God, the author of our compassion. Besides dealing with loss, one of the most difficult aspects of transitional grief is the uncertainty of the future. What will happen next? It is in these times that we are called to remember that we are in the hands of a loving God who has already secured our ultimate future and will be beside us in the valley of the shadow of death. We can have confidence that no matter what the immediate future holds, God has promised to never let us go. We know that although the world might be fickle, our God is always faithful. This doesn t mean that we shouldn t make plans and preparations transition. It is important to figure out next steps and faithful actions. As a part of our preparations, we should set aside time reflection on the past as well as goals and aspirations the future. Ignoring the past means that we are more likely to repeat past mistakes. In the same way, it is important to have goals and aspirations the future to work towards. Inviting outside input can help in our reflection and planning the future. Admitting that we do not have the answers is a healthy realization. Inviting outside input allows us to see a situation from a differing perspective and gain insights from others experiences. Whatever transition we are dealing with, we most likely are not the first to have dealt with this transition. Although our situation is unique just as we as individuals are unique, there are often those who have dealt with similar situations that can help us navigate through our own transitions. What best practices can we learn from others and are their certain common pitfalls to avoid? This is helpful inmation to gain from those who have traveled along a similar journey. As we journey together through life and faith, I am encouraged by the wisdom and experience of these congregations. The one thing we can be sure of is that there will always be transitions to navigate. I look ward to our ministry of transition together. In Christ, DEADLINE the July 2018 Issue of The Presbyterian Bridge is JUNE 20th. To ensure that your article will be included, please submit your typed article and materials to your church office on time! 2

3 first presbyterian church of menominee Book Club The next meeting the Book Club will be June 28 at 6:30 P.M. We meet at Harbors in the fourth-floor library. Hostess will be Janet Johnson. This month s selection is Angels Walking by Karen Kingsbury. This is a dramatic story about a washed-up baseball player, the love he left behind, and the miracles that might save them both. If you have read a good book and would like to share it, please contact any book club member with the title and author. We enjoy reading new books as well as classics and would love to have your suggestion fun and interesting reading material. As always, we welcome new members and would love to have you join us to share your favorite books with us. If you need a ride please call Janet Johnson at June Birthdays 2 Gavin Meisner 6 Doris Neargarth 8 Abigail Meisner 12 Phillip Polito 18 Bill Evans 19 Ashley Schultz 22 Lois Cadieu 22 Delores Howard 22 John Shaver Jr. 23 Betsy Shaver 24 Karah Nelson 26 Sue Plautz 29 Marlene Monson Presbyterian Women The Presbyterian Women s Club will meet on Thursday, June 7th, in the library at 10:00 a.m. Please join us inmation you may contact the church office at Graduates Congratulations to Sophie Pohlmann, Brianne Burnett, Erika Schloegel and Jaelyn Fluke Mission News We will continue to collect personal items men, women, and teens. These items will be donated to The Abundant Life Mission (the homeless shelter). Please place your donations in the basket in the Gathering Room. Thank You! New Pew Cards The Presbyterian Women have new encouragement cards in the pews that are members or friends who are ill or would like a card to say hello. Please fill out the card with the name and leave it in the collection plate. Thank you 3

4 first presbyterian church of menominee Scholarships Available It is the time of year where we start thinking about First Presbyterian student scholarships. The John Larsen College Scholarship has three requirements. You must have at least a junior status in a college program, be in good standing and have been confirmed in our church (FPC of Menominee). This application is due by July 9, The full definition of being in good standing is in the church office, and all scholarships need the approval of the Session. One of the ways you can keep your good standing status is to be a liturgist. Call the church office with dates that you are available; this is an easy and painless way to keeping yourself current. I have the month of September where I m looking liturgists. Please call the church office or me, if you could help. This scholarship is time sensitive and is the applicant s responsibility to adhere by the deadlines. Coffee Hour Hosting There are several openings helping with the coffee hour. It is a wonderful time of fellowship and your help is needed. Please see the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the Gathering Room if you can help and share the joy. Reminders Food collection local pantries is the first Sunday of each month. The loose coin offering is collected the third Sunday of each month. Anyone wishing to sign up Flowers or Coffee Hour can do so on the bulletin board in the Gathering Room. If you know of someone who would like to be added to our current homebound church list, please contact the church office as we update the shut-in listing frequently at Deacon s Doings April and May 2018 Our meeting was held on Tuesday, April 10. April and May food donations were distributed by Ann Schultz. Second Sunday coffee hour in April was done by Helen Thibodeau and Mary Ann Langill. FPC Communions: April 8 was coordinated by Ann Schultz alone, bless her heart. May 6 - Mary Ann Langill and Karen Menard June 3 will be coordinated by Janet Smith and Sue Plautz. Homebound Communion: May 6 - Anita Draska and Karen Menard Harbors Communions: May 3 was accepted at the last minute by Carol Symyneshen. Thanks again, Carol. Harbors Services: April 19 - Sue Plautz May 17 - Mary Ann Langill Our next meeting will be Tuesday, June 5. 4

5 June ~ BIRTHDAYS 4 Norma Armstrong 6 Robert Brockman 8 Sarah Austad 9 Jim England Sara McDonald Gene Davenport Mary Jessel 15 Jim Boren 21 Joan Fifarek Skip Matthey 24 Karah Nelson 30 Morris Mundt LITURGISTS 3 Karen Hipwell 10 Cindy Bailey 17 Julie Skrzypinski 24 Sarah Austad COFFEE HOUR HOSTS 3 Sunday School 10 Liz Murphy 17 Open 24 Open ANNIVERSARIES 8 Gene & Sandy Davenport 11 Ryan & Lori Hmielewski 21 Todd & Joy Lapacz GREETERS 3 Bob & Sue Landenberger 10 The Bailey Family 17 Marguerite Braley 24 Leonard & Karen Curtis Musicians June 3 The Pioneer Band 10 Marilyn Schoen 17 Barb Hay 24 Nicole Stripling Children, Youth and Families Reserve Friday, June 15th our annual trip to Noah s Ark a day of fun in the sun! Cost is $25 per person - includes bus ride, admission to park, hot dog lunch and $5 dinner on the way back. If interersted, please contact JoAnne Nipple ASAP more inmation ( ). Pioneer Scholarships Available The Scholarship Committee is accepting applications scholarships from members interested in pursuing post high school education. The deadline applying is June 15th. Applications can be picked up at the church office. Worship on the Lawn We live in such a beautiful area and our church is blessed with a wonderful setting along the river. In celebration of God s creation and blessing, we are playfully experimenting with outside worship. Weather permitting, we are hoping to give it a try on Sunday, July 1 at 9:00 a.m. Come and grab a chair (and an extra our elderly members) and join us on the lawn. Office Hours Starting June 4, the church office hours will be: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 8:00 1:00 PM 8:00 12:00 PM 8:00 1:00 PM OFFICE CLOSED OFFICE CLOSED In case of an emergency, please contact Pastor Jon on his cell phone. 5

6 Paper Drive As you know, the Abundant Life Mission needs our ongoing support. Theree, Mission would like to ask your help in supporting a paper drive. This can include picnic supplies such as paper plates, paper cups, plastic silverware, napkins, placemats or toilet paper and paper toweling. They can also use reams/cases of paper, envelopes, post-it notes or any other type of paper product you can think of. Because summer vacations are starting, we will run this drive the entire month of June so that everyone has a chance to participate. Thank you! Synod School For anyone going to Synod School (July 22-27, 2018) there is a scholarship given out by Winnebago Presbytery to help defray the cost. You only need to send in the paperwork immediately (June 1) and they will send the money directly to the School. There is also money in the budget to help at the church level, up to $50 per person. The bus will originate in Marinette and leave from Pioneer Church. We will be utilizing Westlund Bus brand new coach buses with all the amenities! The cost is $70 each the round trip ride. You can t drive that! There will be meal stops along the way. Congratulations to our 2018 Graduates! Brookelyn Peterson and Scott Fifarek 6

7 The Session received the following letter of JoAnne s retirement which we wanted to share with the congregation. We are very thankful JoAnne s tenure at our church and all of the ways that she shared Christ and Christ s love with our children. Thankfully she and Dennis will continue to be a part of our church family, but we will miss her enthusiasm, expertise, and professionalism as director. Please keep an eye out a special recognition and celebration of JoAnne s service in the near future. May 19, 2018 Dear Pioneer Family, After much thought and prayers, I am giving this letter to announce my retirement, effective June 30, It has been a privilege to serve as Christian Education Director at Pioneer Presbyterian Church. I want to say thank you to such an amazing congregation. It ha been a blessing to hold this position. I m continually blown away by your compassion, generosity, and willingness to help and serve the youth. In the words of God s spokeman Jeremiah: For I know the plans I have you, says the Lord. They are plans good and not evil, to you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. You will find me when you seek me, if you look me in all your heart. I look ward to what God s plan is me, as a steward of this congregation. Blessings to you all, JoAnne Nipple 7

8 Celebrating our uniqueness Coming together in Christ Pastor Jon Nelson first presbyterian church of menominee 923 5th Street Menominee, MI Administrative Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon SESSION Clerk of Session Donna Rife Building & Grounds Steve Engeldinger Christian Education Fellowship Steve Engeldinger Finance Mission Patricia Johnson & Jane Stripling Personnel Sam Hofer Worship DeeAnne Polhmann Evangelism/Membership Sam Hofer BOARD OF DEACONS Moderator Karen Menard Anita Draska Karen Fehrenbach MaryAnn Langill Linda Majkrzak Karen Menard Carol Mick Mary Nelson Sue Plautz Ann Schultz Carol Symyneshen Helen Thibodeau 1947 Riverside Avenue Marinette, WI office@pioneermarinette.org Administrative Hours: Mon 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 noon Tues 8:00 a.m noon Wed 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. SESSION Clerk of Session Karen Bickel Administration Liz Murphy Building & Grounds Joe Reines Christian Education Ann Eggener Finance Bill Lenca Memorial & Mission Karen Bickel Outreach & Fellowship Ellis Langjhar Personnel Karen Buyarski Worship & Music Rich Ulrich Nominating Joe Reines BOARD OF DEACONS Co-Moderators Marilyn Galineau Pat Pottratz Secretary Linda Baumler Sarah Austad Linda Baumler Marguerite Braley Karen Curtis Mark Franzen Karen Hipwell Barb Kopish Sue Ochs Myrna Stanley