World Communion Sunday October 2 Peace & Global Witness Offering

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2 World Communion Sunday October 2 Peace & Global Witness Offering The first Sunday of October we celebrate World Communion Sunday. We celebrate communion with our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world. This is also the Sunday on which we receive the Peacemaking offering. More than 30 years ago, the Presbyterian Church identified peacemaking as the believers' calling, emphasizing the connection between peace and justice. September 21 has been identified as an International Day of Peace, and on World Communion Sunday Presbyterians will receive the peacemaking offering, a quarter of which will remain in our community. This year our portion will go to the Family Support Center here in Chippewa. Peace has many "pieces"; which piece will you be working on as we approach these special days? Will you speak up/speak out to a friend, family member, neighbor, co-worker? Speak up/speak out to an elected leader? Speak up/speak out through our denomination's Peacemaking Office or other peace and justice organization? Give time or money as a way of speaking? And which piece of peace will you speak about? *promoting peaceful conflict resolution, from families to nations *opposing war as unhealthy for children and other living things *resolving to walk lightly on God's earth as caregivers of creation *opposing conscription of children into military service *speaking truth to power on behalf of any oppressed group *respecting differences of opinion, belief, race, culture or gender There is no one way of achieving God s peace in the world. Every one is important. Where do you fit in this giant puzzle that is God s world? WE ARE READY TO WELCOME NEW MEMBERS The latest in our series of confirmation classes begins in October and runs through May, These classes are flexible and their time and dates will be worked out according to the participants schedule. There will be a mission component to the class and mentors will be sought from the congregation to help the young people with their faith journey. Contact Pastor Karel for more information. In addition, we are in the midst of new member classes for those who wish to learn more about the Presbyterian faith and join the church. The next scheduled class will be October 4 but Pastor Karel is flexible so if you can t make this date, contact him. He can also give you more information about class content. HIGHWAY CLEANUP DATE CHANGES The next highway cleanup will be October 8 beginning at 10:30 AM at the Kohl s.

3 FALL INTO THE HOLIDAYS WITH US BAZAAR FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 130 WEST CENTRAL STREET CHIPPEWA FALLS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, AM TILL 4PM BOOTHS INCLUDE: BAKE TABLE, HOMEMADE CANDY, ARTISAN CRAFTS WE WILL HAVE PIE AND ICE CREAM WITH COFFEE OR MILK ALL DAY FOR $5.00 There will be no ham loaf served on Bazaar Day BUT there will be a sumptuous Ham Loaf Dinner on Wednesday, November 9.

4 SINCERE CONDOLENCES Our sympathy goes out to Jackie Reich whose mother, Jean Dean, passed away on June 16. Also in our prayers is Ruth Rosenow on the loss of her sister, Julia Kastel, on August 26. MISSION COALITION NEWS August was a busy month for the Mission Coalition. Guest speaker at the August meeting was Melissa Larson who spoke about the Community Supplemental Food Program. Our Food Pantry has agreed to take 15 boxes of food once a month for seniors over 60. Larry Annett is handling the paperwork and assuring that recipients qualify for the program and are ready to receive their food on the first Tuesday of every month. Once again Valley Vineyard Church held the School Supply Giveaway. Helping with this program were Bonnie Gullickson, Beth Cripe, Kathi Mandelert, Barbara Meredith, Margi Kohl and Anne Welke. Our church collected $ which helped purchase school supplies. Fifty people were served at Barnabas Christian Coffee House on August 24. Serving were Bonnie Gullickson, Anne Welke, Marlys Daniels and Diane Comerford. On September 12, the Coalition met at FPC. Mike Cahoon from Landmark Church spoke about the tiny houses being built for the homeless. We hosted one of these houses in the parking lot near the church. Because of its location, the tiny house generated lots of interest from lookie loos who either went inside or peeked through the windows. This house included a double bed/single bed combination, chemical toilet, heater and a small table. While not luxurious, this tiny house would certainly keep someone or a small family warm and secure even on the coldest nights. A wish list for more tiny houses is posted on the bulletin board across from the nametags. On September 19 it was our turn again to serve at Barnabas House. Marlys, Diane, Holly Gintz and Anne Welke served. If you are interested in helping with this program, please contact Bonnie or Anne. The next meeting of the Coalition will be October 3 at Central Lutheran Church. NEW ELDER ORDAINED Lynda Butek was ordained as our newest Elder on September 18. She joins the Session where she has been elected Clerk of Session. Lynda was elected by the congregation to serve out the term of Sara Reemtsma. The regular election of Elders, Deacons, Trustees to the Endowment Fund, and Financial Review Team will be held later this Fall.

5 OCTOBER CELEBRATIONS October 1 October 5 October 6 October 8 October 12 October 13 October 16 October 21 October 27 October 28 October 29 October 31 Allan Peterson Mary Flater Richard Stafford and Dick Kemp Eleanor Owen and Hess Morrison Margi Kohl and Patricia and David Gutknecht Julie Haglund Joyce Pugh Kathy and Mark Bobofka Steven Brovold Skiler Brummond Matt Simonson Jack Ament and Marlys Daniels CALLING ALL GOLFERS Or would-be golfers. FPC is holding a golf outing on Sunday, October 2 at Timber Terrace Golf Course in Chippewa. First tee off will be 1:30. The format will be best ball. Golf fees are $9.00 for those 18 and over, $8.50 for those under 18 and $5.00 for cart rental payable at the time of play. Golfers will play only nine holes. Immediately following the golfing, FPC is holding a picnic at the course sponsored by the Presbyterian Men who will cook brats and hot dogs and supply chips and beverages. If you wish to bring a dessert, please feel free to do so but this is not necessary. For more information or to sign up for golf and/or the picnic, contact Chuck Norseng or Gene Peissig. WORLD FOOD DAY IS A DAY OF ACTION AGAINST HUNGER On October 16, people around the world come together to declare their commitment to eradicate hunger in our lifetime. In the spirit of World Food Day we ask that you bring a food item to church on Sunday, October 16. Donated items will be distributed the following week through the FPC Food Pantry. POTLUCK SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16 Presbyterian Men will be sponsoring a Potluck on October 16 following the worship service. COME TO THE MOVIES The next movie night at FPC will be held after the church supper on October 12. A special kid s movie, suitable for all ages, will be shown. Please come, be prepared to be surprised and entertained. Movie begins after the dinner and should last about an hour and a half. Popcorn and pop provided.

6 FROM THE FINANCE TEAM Submitted by Barb Shorrel, Treasurer How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me? Psalm 116:12 LOOKING AHEAD: Our Stewardship Campaign will begin soon. It is the same thing every year, or so it seems. Just fill out the card the same as last year, toss it in the offering plate and that is that. I hope that this year you will think differently. Can you give with your heart? Let us rejoice in the gifts that God has given us and let us use them to the utmost as a generous and loving congregation. In traditional time, this is the time of the harvest. It is time to gather in this year s yield and to take stock of our resources. What has God given to you in time, talent and money? How can you best use it to support the work that your church does? Are you current with paying your 2016 pledge? If you are unsure, please call Barb for your contribution statement. We are counting on all who pledged to keep their commitment. Pledges represent the largest portion of our income. If you did not pledge and would like to know how much you have given to the church offering so far this year, call Barb for a contribution statement. Thank you to all who so generously contribute to the operation of our church BUDGET (thru 8/31) INCOME Line items income: $96,128 Contributions for reduction of manse fund: 8,400 From the 2015 Endowment: 9,560 Total thru Aug 31, ,088 EXPENSES Total thru Aug 31, ,250

7 Food for More Challenge 2016 Sept 11 Oct 23 Goal $5000 Feed My People Food Bank has partnered with First Presbyterian Church Food Pantry to match every dollar we receive through the Food for More Challenge with Feed My People matching one pound of food for every dollar we raise in a six week period up to $5000. That could mean 5000 pounds of food at no extra cost to distribute in Chippewa Falls! $2, Dollars / 2,336 Pounds have been donated to date Thank you! Four weeks remain; if you d like to make a donation during the Challenge: Please make checks payable to: First Presbyterian Church Note in the memo line: Match Challenge Send to: First Presbyterian Church, 130 West Central Street, Chippewa Falls, WI or drop in the Sunday collection basket at church. Last summer a twenty some year old woman came to us homeless; this week she came to see us (and has off and on in the past year) told us she is holding down two jobs and is looking forward to our winter. Just this week we have helped 45 families with food, health items, and clothes!! Thanks to our congregation. A DAY AT THE PANTRY Every Tuesday and Thursday volunteers arrive about 9:00 - generally three, but sometimes only two - put on the coffee and begin bringing the food up from the pantry in the basement to Fellowship Hall. One cart is full of bags that have been pre-packed earlier in the week; the other carts have fresh produce, frozen meat, personal health care items (soap, shampoo, diapers, etc.) and other items that do not fit into the bags. At 9:00 on Tuesday the Feed My People delivery truck arrives and is unloaded by a second team of volunteers. They unload the truck, inventory the delivery, and divide the items between Fellowship Hall and the downstairs coolers. By 10:00 the food is displayed on the tables and we are ready to distribute. One team member greets the client, checks them in and has a short conversation to see if they need any other assistance. We have brochures from other agencies and a list of food pantries in Chippewa that we encourage them to visit. While we average 15 visits each day between 10:00 and 12:00, we have had as many as 30 and as few as five. Every visitor has a story, some want to share; some just want to get their food and go. We're fine either way as long as they know that we offer a sympathetic ear. At 12:00 we pack up the food that remains and take it downstairs to the refrigerators, freezers and packing rooms. We order on Thursday (a third team does this) and the cycle begins again. It takes about two dozen volunteers to operate the pantry. Each volunteer puts in between two and eight hours a week. That's a serious time commitment, but its rewarding work and is an important mission of our church. Thank you for bringing in your spare change. It has been making a difference! Over the last year many of you have been saving your spare change. The Food Pantry has been using your coins to buy cans of soup to fill the food bags. Coins donated Sept 11- Oct 23 are being added to the Food for More Challenge totals. Coins collected this year have totaled $ $ has been included in the Challenge totals above. We appreciate your support. It will make such a difference in the lives of so many. A partnership of Feed My People and the food assistance programs it serves.